Little Red House By The Sea

Sheppard's Pie is not something I grew up with. My first experience was at a summer camp when I was a teenager. When we went into the mess hall and word got around that the meal was Sheppard's Pie, there was a collective moan. Not from me. I had never had it, and then, like now, I liked trying new foods. I didn't always eat it, but I liked trying. I more than liked trying Sheppard's Pie. I thought it was the best meal served at camp that year, and in subsequent years I was very happy to discover that it was still on the menu. My summer camp Sheppard's Pie was made with ground beef and had a tomato sauce base. I still make and enjoy that type of Sheppard's Pie. But, mostly now when I get a craving for Sheppard's Pie I want it made with a roast of beef, and I want brown gravy. Why do I call it Lazy Day Sheppard's Pie? Because I usually start cooking it early in the morning, and I cook it slowly all day. Not too much work, and great when I'm havin...

There are many different ways to make half square triangles (HSTs). Some use special tools, and some do not. This is my favourite 'no special tools' required method. For 2" HSTs (that's trimmed size, not the size they will be after sewn into your quilt), start with 2 squares that are 5 1/4". Draw 2 diagonal lines on the back of one of your pieces of fabric. These are your cut lines, so use whatever you want to draw these lines. Place your 2 pieces of fabric right sides together, and then sew scant quarter inch seams on EACH side of both lines. All the sewing is done. Now you have to cut and trim. If you have a rotary cutting mat, now is the time to use it. If not, place your square on the bottom corner or your cutting surface so that you can access from the side and the front. Slant it like in my photo. Your first 2 cuts will cut the square into 4 smaller squares, and won't use your drawn lines. Instead, line your ruler up so that it touch...