Broken Sugar Bowl Quilt Block

     

     I enjoyed making this 6" Broken Sugar Bowl quilt block from the pattern in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird.  I've been working on trying to improve the value contrast in the colors I choose for a block.  I'm pleased with the results of this one.  

    Mother is Hattie's step-mother, Louise Daniels Woodbury.  Hattie's Mamma died three years ago.  Charley, Orvel, and Elmo are hired men who work on the farm.  They eat their meals with Hattie's family.  Mrs. Hile is a neighbor who helps with the housework.  The bunkhouse where the hired men live is jokingly referred to as the "Country Club."  Anna is Hattie's 11-year-old sister.  (Anna has a twin named George).  Hattie is taking a correspondence course through the University of Kansas so does her lessons at home and then mails them in.     

Wednesday, March 15, 1916 -

"Oh!  I know the best joke!  Hope I can play my part of it tomorrow.  To begin with, Mother made two cakes Monday P.M., an angel food and a yellow one.  The angel cake we had for supper, and the other one was left in the pantry window until after supper, when she put it in the breadbox.  Yesterday morning when she was packing the kids' lunches, she discovered, much to her dismay, that a big hunk had been taken out of one corner.  I never saw Mother more provoked and angry - she called me clear downstairs just to show it to me.  Each of the kids declared, 'I didn't do it.'  But still Mother suspected one of them had done it for it didn't look like the cat had bothered it, and it was not broken for no piece was in the box.  Mother threatened to tell Papa of it and have the children punished for telling a story.  I never knew one of them to tell a lie so flatly as that, but still I couldn't account for the mystery.  No one else had been in the kitchen besides Mother, Mrs. Hile, and me - even the men go right out the dining room door.  But Mother let the matter drop, and nothing more was said until Mrs. Hile told me this A.M. not to tell anyone but that Charley told her that Orvel and Elmo had taken the piece as they went out from supper Monday night when the cake was in the window!  I suppose the piece was gone when Mother put it in the box, and she didn't notice it.  I suppose the boys didn't have time to think anything, only that it was a joke.  And tonight we had some on the table.  I passed it to Orv and, looking straight at him, I said, 'Will you have some cake, Orvel?' 

"He didn't look me in the eye as usual, but without any sign of embarrassment whatever said, 'Yes, thank you' and taking it, helped himself and passed it on to Elmo.  I kept strict watch and neither cracked a smile until it had been passed on.  Then they sort of grinned to themselves. 

"But my part - unless Mother sends the remainder of it in the kids' lunches - I am going to take some on a plate over to the Country Club and put it on the table so they can have a little refreshments when they are hungry.  I see now why Orv acted rather sheepish when I gave him the divinity yesterday!

"I have been sewing some today - made Anna an apron and cut one out for myself, or rather Mother cut it.  Then I did the mending this morning, too.  I studied a good share of the afternoon and got another lesson ready to send.  I have been crocheting this evening and am dreadfully sleepy as I got up quite early this morning."  

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