Friendship Star Quilt Block

    
     I found the pattern for this Friendship Star in The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird but changed the size from 6" to 9".  It is made from squares and half square triangles, so I didn't need templates.  This fabric is from the Fresh Flowers Moda line by Deb Strain, which I used to make a quilted tablecloth for late summer-early fall. 
     In this diary entry, Hattie attends a surprise party for her friend Grace.  Earlier, her friend Alpha has given her a choice of four boys as her date.  When she can't decide, Alpha flips a nickel to decide for her!  A taffy pull is part of the night's activities.

Tuesday, March 7, 1916 -
"Although it lacks but a few minutes of 1:00 A.M., I must jot happenings down while my memory is fresh.  Howell called up today, so I suppose Alpha's nickel flipped for him.  She said she was going to use that method of deciding which I should choose.  We just got in about 12:20, I think, and he stayed just a little to get warm.  The wind is quite chilly.  We had a good time, of course, and I think Grace really was surprised.  There were not many there, but a good crowd.  Mary and Tobe, Howard and Lela, Grace and Louraine, Jack and Gladys (and little Helen), Alpha, Lizzie-May, Glen Robinson, Howell and I made up the bunch.  We sure had a scrap while pulling the taffy.  The boys would do their best to snatch the taffy from the girls, and likewise the girls from the boys.  It ended with Jack having quite a gob, and I was the only girl who had any.  Jack and I scrapped quite awhile, but he didn't get mine, and after awhile he put his down while he went to quiet the baby so I hid the whole bunch.  We had besides the taffy and fudge, cake and fruit salad to eat.  Then we went in and played and sang until 11:30.

"I studied all P.M. so here is another day gone without writing any letters.  I must get busy!"

Aunt Minerva's White Mountain Fudge

1 cup evaporated milk

1/4 cup light corn syrup

3 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1.     Place milk, corn syrup, sugar, and salt in a deep saucepan.  Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a ball in cold water.

2.     Add butter and vanilla.

3.     Set pan in cold water until mixture starts thickening; then add nuts and beat until it thickens. 

4.     Pour into well-buttered pan.  Spread evenly.  Cut into squares.

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

You might enjoy reading my previous post:
http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/09/contrary-wife-quilt-block-aka-revolt-of.html