February House Block

 

This 12" February House block is part of my Calendar of Houses Bee Quilt and was made by a quilter from Kansas.  A friend and I organized this on-line bee a couple of years ago after being members of two previous on-line bees. 

There were twelve of us in the bee - from the United States as well as England and New Zealand.  Every month, each of us made a block for a member and a different member made a block for us.  The house design was to represent that month.  The wonderful mitten house, the heart steps leading up to it, the clumps of snow in the bare branches, and the snowman all feel so much like February to me.  The brightest, twinkling stars in the sky are rhinestone embellishments.  Doesn't that add a fun sparkle to this quilt block? 

Winter Evening

The snow has fallen like a winter blanket,

Fleecy and light like soft white cotton.

We light the fire inside our room for living

And think of old scenes, friends too long forgotten.

We watch the twilight cast its dark reflections

Over bright snowfall.

Winter evenings are made for quiet love

And recollections.

                                                                      Carol Bessent Hayman

Hearty Ham 'n Bean Soup

2 cups (16 ounce package) dry navy beans

6 cups water

2 pound ham shank

2 tablespoons dried minced onion

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

6 peppercorns

1 cup ham, cut into bite-sized chunks (optional)

1.  Soak beans overnight in water.

2.  In large (6 quart) soup pot, combine beans in water with remaining ingredients.  Simmer, covered, for 3 to 3-1/2 hours until beans are tender.

3.  Remove peppercorns and ham bone; cut ham from bone into chunks and return to soup.

4.  If a smoother soup is desired, beans can be mashed with a potato masher, or soup can be processed at medium speed in a blender.

5.  Add extra ham if you want a meatier soup.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:

http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/02/quilters-book-club-schedule.html