This ABC Wednesday brings us to the letter ‘Q’. First thing that comes to mind is Quandary for it is not the most commonly used letter of the alphabet. What the heck can I do that starts with ‘Q’?
![HarvestLady[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkTpRNb6m4gypsKY-mqpUjA6Wg2-tOnuXUQkd0_NNKRPL9ugV6fYuBRdRasimA_6e-9BWC_0hr3XcCE_AkLXRsGPJJNv1a7lURe1e4Bp-OGlcU3JryI9xuRl6UfK2-j5Vpi3M_Q/s1600-h/HarvestLady%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg "HarvestLady[1]")
Quinoa is pronounced Keenwa. This is a Gluten-free product that I didn’t even really know about until I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and had to find new ways to eat whole grains other than wheat, barley, rye and oats. It looked kind of strange, and has a different texture, BUT I was pleasantly surprised once I actually tried it. Now it has become a staple of my household. I just about always have Quinoa around and it can very often be ‘changed out’ with rice.
![QuinoaPlant[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvCzgmtdt4IXQMVd4JzffkRDFFhS9MXQ4RKU3XYIkW5w0yYsoETmap4bp4u7uh7AMAJ8eAeDFz2qMB841ZpQ9v1yMJbCm9ISuZsI2khRTNNAOhlNB7lcslEjUJHb1eI1u27NTXA/s1600-h/QuinoaPlant%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg "QuinoaPlant[1]")
Looks like this when it is growing.
![ProductGroupCrop[1]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_65UXe2iEuwI/SgrXazlIidI/AAAAAAAAA1c/eTmIYFs_EOc/s1600-h/ProductGroupCrop%5B1%5D%5B4%5D.jpg "ProductGroupCrop[1]")
And like this when I get it at the store. The Quinoa photos are all courtesy of the Quinoa Corporation.
One of my most cherished possessions is my lovely, handmade Greyhound Quilt!
This Quilt was made and given to me by a friend’s mother as a gift while I was running Greyhound Pets Of America – Minnesota. (a retired racing Greyhound rescue/adoption group). I draped it out over my couch for the photo. Toward the top center you can see a greyhound stretching out on a couch and it says ‘Home Stretch’. I drew the picture as a ‘logo’ for the group’s newsletter, which I did each month. We had a contest to ‘name’ the newsletter the second month it came out and one of the group’s volunteers won with the title ‘Home Stretch’. There is actually Quite a bit of me portrayed in this Quilt. (at least I think so) I will always love it and think it is one of the most beautiful gifts ever. :) I will be forever grateful for it.
*As a side note if you click on the link and go to the GPA-MN website you will find a short video on the website that I did titled ‘Camping With Retired Racing Greyhounds’…short and fun was all that was intended….not really an informative clip. And of course a lot of information about Retired Racing Greyhounds.
I will have to learn how to quilt now. I've seen so many wonderful examples in this week of q's, yours being lovely as well.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness there is another eating option for you! How is your health now?
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice for «Q», very didactic (and useful)!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in ABC Wednesday! We really learn a lot with each others!!!!!!!!!
What great choices for "Q" day! And the quilt is absolutely beautiful! Great shots! and thanks for the info as well, always like it when I can learn about something new!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about Quinoa...I'll try it...and it is a beautiful looking plant....Gorgeous quilt...and a story of part of your life on it...such a thoughtful gift...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt. Quinoa sounds very useful too - wheat can be diffiucult to digest, even without Celiac Disease, so it's great you have a palatable alternative.
ReplyDeleteHi Mara, Marie, Sailor, Sylvia,and Dragonstar! Thanks so much to all of you for stopping by. Glad you liked my quilt and that you found quinoa new and interesting. It is really good food choice on several different levels. AND most importantly...its something that starts with a 'Q'. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow- what a fabulous gift! I know how much work goes into quilt-making!
ReplyDeleteFor being in a "quandary" as I was about the letter Q, you came up with a great post! Thanks for the pronunciation on quinoa--I've wanted to try it, but always feel rather silly asking for something when I don't know how to pronounce it:)
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is beautiful; what a special gift! My mother made one for my daughter when she was younger featuring all the pet cats she'd had. It's a great memory piece.
I think so too, Katherine. Though I have never made a quilt I just think they are beautiful and a work of art that requires a great deal of time and patience.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words. I know what you are saying about pronouncing it, the word (to me) doesn't look anything at all like it is pronounced. I actually did say it wrong at first and people *still* managed to understand what I was looking for. Of course you (a general you) feel a little less foolish if you actually pronounce it correctly. ;)
Quilts are a wonderful memory piece I agree. We have a quilt made by my OH grandmother. It is made up of scraps from clothes that my OH wore when he was a boy. Pretty cool I think. Thanks so much for visiting!
Aww .. I love the video!! And the quilt is wonderful. I'm sitting here with a blanket draped over me now, but it has no greyhounds on it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt. I tried quinoa as it is supposed to be a wonder grain but was never sure I liked it sharp taste. Your idea of mixing it is a good one.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteQuinoa has kind of a nuttier taste than rice. If you do try it you might try soaking and rinsing it a little bit first to get rid of the outside casings before it is cooked. It is fine to eat the outside casings, but they are noticable in the look and texture if you don't, which is also no big deal. Indeed I agree the quilt will always be very special to me. Thank you so much for visiting.
Jay - So glad you liked the video, I made it for a class I was taking and had a fun time with it. I think the quilt is wonderful too - so wonderful that I don't use it to wrap up in...I keep it displayed but won't let anyone actually 'use' it. :)
ReplyDeleteJoy certainly Quinoa has a little different taste, did you soak and rise it a little before cooking? I don't find it particularly 'sharp' but more nutty tasting than rice.
So glad you liked the quilt. Thanks so much for stopping by!