Comforts of Home Quilt Block

     I found the pattern for this scrappy 12" Comforts of Home block on-line at:  http://quilting.about.com/od/blockofthemonth/ss/easy_quilts.htm. 
     In these diary entries, all nine Woodbury children, their spouses, and the grandchildren are together to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Ruth, Minerva, Eva, and Mary are Hattie's older sisters.  Lester and George are brothers-in-law.  Frank is Hattie's beau who has asked her to marry him.  She has not given him an answer yet. 

Wednesday, November 22, 1916 -
"I am writing this Thursday, for Ruth came out home in the late afternoon, and we had so much to talk about I couldn't stop to write any.

"It was a gloomy rainy day.  I had a lovely time with the children between times I was working.  Then in the afternoon, Lester and I went up after Ruth.  We visited with Minerva while Ruth got ready, then we went downtown to the depot and got some things out of the trunks and back up to the post office and over to see Grace Mc.  That lady bade me to write my resignation from the office of Third Vice of the League and said she was going to see that I was elected First Vice.  Worse yet! 

"It was awfully cold and damp coming home.  We all did justice to a good supper, and then we sang and tatted and crocheted and had a real good time afterward."

Thursday, November 23, 1916 -
"Ruth is slumbering in the guest room, so I have half a chance to scratch down a few words.  Eva and George and children went to Minerva's for a little visit.  Mary and Lester went up, too, and spent the afternoon but came back this evening.  

"It has been a much nicer day - clear and a great deal warmer, and the roads have dried up sufficiently to permit Frank to come over in the car tonight.  He phoned this morning and wanted to take me to the League (Junior) Entertainment this evening.  We had to run on Intermediate most of the way but managed to get there and back without any trouble.  

"Frank came in to warm awhile and after we had read the mail and chatted awhile with the folks, he took his departure.  I don't know why but just as I left the supper table, Mother called me to her and says, 'Now don't come in with a diamond ring tonight.'  I didn't give him a chance to say anything more than good night.  I wonder what gave Mother her suspicions."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/06/home-circle-quilt-block.html

Home Circle Quilt Block

     I found this 10" Home Circle block free on-line at Quilter's Cache:
http://www.quilterscache.com/H/HomeCircleBlock.html and thought it was perfect for a Woodbury family homecoming!  This block also goes by the names of Mrs. Anderson's Quilt, Rolling Square, and Garden of Eden. 
    In these diary entries, sister Eva and husband George Wiley along with children Albert and Arlyn have arrived from Washington state.  Sister Mary, husband Lester Johnson, and daughters Helen and Ruth, along with sister Ruth have also come from Washington.  Sister Minerva lives in the closest town of Olivet, Kansas.     

Monday, November 20, 1916 -
"Our house is rapidly filling and our family increasing.  Eva and George and the babies arrived this morning, and we received a message from Ruth, saying that they were in Denver and would be here tomorrow.  I am sure anxious to see them.  I think Eva's children are dears!  Albert is so cute, and the baby is very bright and intelligent for so young a child. 

"It has been a perfectly beautiful day.  We got the washing out early this morning before they got out here, and it was a great deal more pleasant hanging out the clothes than last wash day. 

"We just visited a great deal of the afternoon and evening, doing a little sewing or crocheting in the meanwhile, of course."

Tuesday, November 21, 1916 -
"We certainly are having one homecoming.  I am having my headquarters for the present in the sewing room.  It makes a very pleasant little bedroom with my sleeping porch cot, and the sewing machine with the mirror above serves as a dressing table and desk combined.  

"I was very surprised and exceedingly pleased to see Lester come.  I can't help but be crazy 'bout that man.  Ruth went to Minerva's, so I haven't see her yet.  Mary is just the same dear sister, even if she has been sick and in the hospital.  And those children!  Helen is the dearest, most affectionate child, so polite - and talkative.  

"I must get to bed.  I am tired and goodness knows, there is lots to do in such a big family."

You might also enjoy my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/06/evas-delight-quilt-block.html

Eva's Delight Quilt Block

    

     I found this 8-1/2" Eva's Delight block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  It is also known as Old Fashioned Pieced Block. 

    In these diary entries, Eva is Hattie's 25-year-old sister.  She lives in Washington state and is married to George Wiley.  Ruth and Mary are Hattie's older sisters who also live in Washington.  Mary is married to Lester Johnson.  Ted is one of Hattie's younger brothers, and Anna is her younger sister.  The family is gathering together for a reunion.  Eva and George have arrived by plug (the local train) to the nearby town of Quenemo, Kansas.  Hattie's beau Frank continues to give her candy!

Friday, November 17, 1916 -

"I have just been talking to Eva!  That seems like a strange entry.  She just called up from Quenemo.  They had arrived on the plug.  I had a nice letter from Lester this A.M., telling me that Eva and George were to start last Tuesday, so I was not surprised when she called and said it was 'Mrs. Wiley.'  Ruth and Mary were to start in a few days with the children.  Lester can not come, much to my disappointment.

Saturday, November 18, 1916 -
"Papa and Ted went to Emporia in the car this morning.  About 5 o'clock, someone phoned for them from Emporia, saying that Papa said he couldn't get home tonight because he couldn't get the car fixed in time.  He wasn't intending to have anything done to the car, so we thought he may have had some trouble.

"I was talking to Eva a little bit ago.  She will come up tomorrow if someone goes after her; otherwise, she will come up Monday morning."

Sunday, November 19, 1916 -
"It has been ideal weather, but as luck would have it, Frank's car is still in the hospital.  He even went to Melvern after it.  They had phoned that it was all right, and when he got there, they had the engine all to pieces so he had to come back on the train.

"Papa and Ted got in about noon, had to come on low and intermediate most all the way.  Seems too bad all the cars are out of commission just now when we want them.  Of course, Papa didn't go to Quenemo, and Eva will come up on the train tomorrow morning.  The kids were terribly disappointed and do not know whether they can stand to go to school tomorrow or not. 

"Anna and I went to Sunday School this A.M.  Then after dinner, Mother, Anna, and I went for a ride and called on Mrs. Sweezy and Schuyler.

"Frank came over in the buggy, arriving in time to get his share of the oyster supper due him on account of Wilson carrying Kansas.  He gave me a lovely box of candy."

Aunt Eva's Rhubarb Cream Pie

6 cups chopped rhubarb

6 egg yolks

1 can Carnation evaporated milk

3 cups sugar

2 Tablespoons flour

Touch of salt

1.  Mix all ingredients together and place in 2 unbaked 10" pie shells.

2.  Bake at 425 degrees until crusts are brown; then bake at 350 degrees until set. 

3.  Top with meringue.

Meringue

Add a pinch of salt to 6 egg whites; beat until stiff but not dry.  Continue beating and gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating until all sugar is added and egg whites stand up in peaks.  Spread on rhubarb filling.  Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes, until meringue is brown.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:

http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/06/voters-choice-quilt-block.html

Voter's Choice Quilt Block

     I found this 9" Voter's Choice block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone and thought it was perfect for this blog entry. 
     In the 1916 presidential election, Democrat Woodrow Wilson received 52.2% of the electoral votes (49.24% of the popular votes) over Republican Charles Hughes' 47.8%(46.12%).  In the Kansas House of Representatives race, Democrat Dudley Doolittle received 51.46% of the votes over Republican Clyde W. Miller's 47.01%.  Note that Hattie's Papa is an ardent Republican, and Hattie's beau (and future husband) Frank is an ardent Democrat!     

Tuesday, November 7, 1916 -
"I am too bloomin' tired to write a thing tonight, and I suppose I am not the only one who feels this way.  There are probably thousands who are a great deal more weary than I.

"I didn't get up before dinner.  I got all ready to go, too, but Papa took the car and went to town and didn't come back until noon.  I couldn't find any of the men so tried to hitch up by myself, but the wind was blowing so strong and Luke acted so stubborn, and I presume I was somewhat impatient myself.  I vowed I would vote for the Democrats and was really quite vexed.  I did vote for some Democrats, too.  We went up about 2 o'clock.  The town was quite alive.  Frank came in about 3:00 and hung around with us most of the afternoon.  He took us in the Restaurant, and we three drank two bottles of grape juice. 

"I helped serve at the supper, but everything was so hashed over by the time I was ready to eat I didn't enjoy it." 

Wednesday, November 8, 1916 -
"This has been a rainy, rainy day.  It's sure a good thing yesterday was election day.  We have been hearing all sorts of reports about the election but nothing definite about the president."

Thursday, November 9, 1916 -
"The presidential reports are still very doubtful, am anxious to hear facts.

"Doolittle won - Hurray! - and I guess Papa will have to set up the oysters for our entire bunch, including Frank, for it seems Wilson carried Kansas."

Friday, November 10, 1916 -
"It seems quite certain that Wilson is re-elected.  I guess I'll have to take Hughes down off the wall.  I even framed him, thinking he would have to hang for some time.  He's not handsome enough to leave up for permanent adornment if he isn't president."

You might enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/06/church-windows-quilt-block.html

Church Windows Quilt Block

     I found this 12" Church Windows block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  I used 100" linen for the background fabric and really enjoyed working with it.  
     Hattie has been dating Frank since June.  He has recently asked her to marry him, and she has not given him an answer yet, telling him she needs more time.  Ted is Hattie's "inquisitive" younger brother! 

Sunday, November 5, 1916 -
"The wind is sure on a tear tonight, but it's clear as can be and oh! so moonlight.  We have been to church where we heard a fine sermon on 'Satan came also.'  Frank said he wouldn't urge me, but he came very near it tonight.  I'm afraid I'm beginning to care terribly, but still I am not in the least hurry.

"The preacher took up a contribution for some new song books this morning.  He said they were 25 cents apiece and said for the men that had wives or intended to have one soon, to give 50 cents.  Ted told me before we got halfway home that Frank gave 50 cents.  But he (Frank) told me tonight that he had intended to until the preacher said that, and Ted, who was sitting near, became so inquisitive, so being in doubt he gave 30 cents. 

"Mother had a fine roast chicken dinner for us when we got home."

Monday, November 6, 1916 -
"The wind has blown at about a 60 mile gait all day and gives me that tired feeling.  But really it was very straining to hang out and take down clothes in such a wind.

"I baked some oatmeal cookies and made corn fritters for supper and have been tatting this evening.  Nothing very exciting, but I suppose tomorrow will make up for it.  Mother is sending me to the Ladies Aid dinner with eats, and I'll probably serve.  Papa says I must help distribute some of the numerous cards he has on hand but gave me strict orders not to let him catch me 'loafin' with no Democrat.'  Ha! 

Aunt Ruth's Corn Fritters

2 eggs
1 can cream style corn
1 teaspoon salt
2 rounded teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 cups flour (approximate)
Hot fat for deep frying

1.  Beat eggs in a bowl and add corn, salt, baking powder, and enough flour to make stiff dough. 
2.  Let stand a few minutes.  Drop spoonfuls in hot deep fat, rolling over as they brown.  Do not cook too quickly.
3.  Serve hot with syrup or butter.  Perfect with fried chicken.

Note:  If fresh corn is used, grate from the cob and add 1 Tablespoon milk to each cup of grated corn.  
   - from The Woodbury Larder: A Legacy published by Phyllis Woodbury Bryant
 
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/06/patience-corners-quilt-block.html

Patience Corners Quilt Block

    
     I found the pattern for this Patience Corners block on-line at Quilters Cache but reduced the pattern from a 12" to a 6" block.   http://www.quilterscache.com/P/PatienceCornersBlock.html

Wednesday, November 1, 1916 -
"Oh, I feel so wicked.  I don't know if I haven't any heart or what is the matter.  Frank has been so wonderfully good to me that I feel so ashamed to have to answer him the way I did.  We have been to church and just before we parted, he told me what he had tried to tell me Sunday night.  I wish I felt the way he does, for I know his is the purest and deepest love.  Of course, I do feel the deepest respect for him and think a great deal of him, but it seems as though I feel so childlike and have so many things I want to do before I thought of anything serious. 

"It has been another ideal autumn day, and tonight is lovely.  Mother and I went to town this afternoon and called on Minerva and Mrs. Ellis, also.  Tonight Papa brought in a great armful of relics he discovered in an old trunk out in the buggy shed.  Among them were his wedding garments and other old, old articles.  We had the most fun over them.  Perhaps if I didn't think so much of my own home, I might be more willing to think of another, but I do love every person and thing around here in our home, and I hope that feeling is never lessened.

"Frank is so good - he is giving me my own time to think it over and doesn't want to urge me, but says he is very confident.  I wish I were."

Thursday, November 2, 1916 -
"I have accomplished a great deal more today than I would have supposed, with the thoughts of last night ringing through my mind.  But oh, I am weary!  We have housecleaned today.  It is ideal weather to get rid of dust and dirt.  I have helped clean chandeliers and picture windows, wash and iron curtains, rehang them, and oh, so many other things.  I am indeed thankful I have a good place to sleep tonight.  I have been trying to read and tat a little, but my eyes refused to stay open, so I'm going to bed." 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/05/chocolate-lover-quilt-block.html