Bouquet Quilt Block

    
     Sometimes the fabrics for a quilt block easily come together.  Sometimes I have to audition all sorts of fabrics before I decide on the right combination.  That's what happened for this little 6" Bouquet quilt block.  The pattern can be found in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird. 
     In this diary entry of Hattie Woodbury's, The King's Daughters is an interdenominational Christian service organization that began in 1886 and is still in existence in the United States and Canada today.  Mrs. Hile is a neighbor who helps with the housework.  Ted is Hattie's 14 year-old brother.  The birthday party on Wednesday is in celebration of the twins' 12th birthdays.  (Anna Louise Woodbury and George Marshall Woodbury were born on March 22, 1904.)  Minerva is the oldest Woodbury sister, and Donald is her son. 

Tuesday, March 21, 1916 -
"Today has seemed more than spring-like, for it was really hot especially in the wind, which is very strong.  It is quite terrific now, and the kids are worried for fear they won't have a nice day for their party. 

"I went to town on Rag this afternoon to get the mail.  The wind was so strong up on the hills, I could hardly ride against it.  I ran it to see Alpha a little while, and we discussed a program the King's Daughters are going to give sometime in May.  We went to the Restaurant and had a Coca Cola, which was a great deal warmer and not half so refreshing as a drink of water.

"Mother had made two cakes, and Mrs. Hile one before I got home, but Mother wanted me to make a chocolate cake, too.  I got it finished and had it in the window cooling when the boys came in to supper.  Just as they reached the porch, I gave them a significant look and removed it.  That ticked them exceedingly. 

"Papa brought a pretty bouquet of carnations for the table tomorrow.  I hope the children won't be disappointed." 

Wednesday, March 22, 1916 -  "Although it was stormy looking all morning, the wind went down and the sun came out most admirably in the afternoon.  We had everything ready, and I had time to take a little nap before the children arrived.  There were over thirty here, including Minerva and Griffie.  We served three kinds of sandwiches, three kinds of cake (angel food, golden, and chocolate), fruit salad, cocoa, pickles, olives, candy, and apples.  I was so amused at Donald.  As Mother and I were passing the sandwiches, pickles, and olives, everything was rather quiet for a minute when Donald, who had just taken an olive said, 'Huh!  they got bones in 'em, too!'  Everybody just roared, and Donald sort of hung his head when he knew they were laughing at him.  The children all seemed to have a very good time, and some of the older ones stayed until almost dark."    

Aunt Annie's Dill Pickles

 

1.     For 1 quart of pickles:  Pack washed cucumbers (suitable size for dill pickles) in sterilized jar with fresh dill, garlic clove, and 1/4 of an onion.  If you like it hot, add 1/2 jalapeno pepper.

2.     Heat to boiling:  2 Tablespoons pickling salt, 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and alum the size of a pea.  Pour over pickles and seal.

 

          from The Woodbury Larder: A Legacy published by Phyllis Woodbury Bryant   

 

Here's a link, if you are like me and would need more specific instructions:

http://www.food.com/recipe/blue-ribbon-dill-pickles-241139

You might enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/10/tulip-quilt-block.html