Hummingbirds - in Quilts, in Counted Cross Stitch, and at the Feeder

Whirlwind Quilt Block

Hummingbird Quilt Block

Oh, hummingbirds,

how we've missed you!

It is so good to hear your buzz and

see you at the feeder again!

"The Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is the classic hummingbird of the Colorado high country, arriving in late April and early May, then departing the state by late September.  While all hummingbirds make a whirring sound with their wings, only the male broadtail produces that distinctive buzz-bomb whine.  Special tapered feathers at the tips of the wings create slots through which wind whistles when the bird flies, making that familiar trilling." from a wonderful book, The Guide to Colorado Birds by Mary Taylor Gray, photography by Herbert Clarke

Hummingbird Feeding Nectar

1 quart tap water (distilled water removes too many naturally-occurring minerals)
1 cup sugar
(Red food coloring should NOT be added.)

1.  Boil the sugar and water together to reduce the chance of bacteria and mold. 
2.  Allow to cool before pouring into the feeder.  Only fill your feeder with enough sugar water to last, at the most, two or three days. 

The mixture can be made ahead of time and stored for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Always discard any sugar solution in the feeder that has turned cloudy or contains black mold.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here. 

Leaf Buds - Hunting for Signs of Spring

Rocky Mountain Maple Leaf Buds

Bud

A tiny velveteen satchel,
the color of pale cream,
is perched on the tip
of this bare branch.

Snap open the clasp -
and you will find,
inside this tiny valise,
one rolled and folded
neatly packed

leaf.

Kristine O'Connell George

Welcome Spring Quilt

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

The Relationship Between Mrs. Compson and Sarah McClure in The Quilter's Apprentice

You're invited to join Mrs. Compson and Sarah McClure at Elm Creek Manor for a glass of iced tea or lemonade.  Sarah will be finishing her Lemoyne Star block for her sampler quilt.  The pattern can be found here.  She'll be starting on her Posies Round the Square block found here.  Member Mama T is coming with her hexie quilt project and a plate of her delicious Oatmeal Fruit Bars. 

Mama T's Oatmeal Fruit Bars
2 cups oats, quick or old fashioned (I use quick)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans and walnuts predominantly)
3/4 cup butter, melted (do NOT substitute margarine)

1 (10-12 ounce) jar of favorite fruit preserves

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.  Butter an 11" x 7" baking dish.
3.  Combine dry ingredients with nuts and mix.  Add melted butter and mix thoroughly with a fork.  Mixture will be crumbly in consistency. 
4.  Reserve 1 cup of oats mixture.  Press remaining mixture firmly into bottom of baking dish.
5.  Bake for 10 minutes.
6.  Spread preserves evenly over partially baked base to within 1/2" of edge of pan.  Sprinkle with reserved oats mixture; press softly.
7.  Bake 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool; cut into bars and store in tightly covered tin at room temperature with wax paper between the layers of bars. 

Mama T got this recipe from the back of a Quaker Oatmeal canister in March of 1986, and it has become her old standby.  She recommends that you make a batch or two when you have a bit of time and freeze them.  Then if you have someone drop by for an impromptu coffee or tea, voila, just get a few from the freezer and set them out to thaw while the coffee or tea is being made.

While we visit and enjoy our refreshments, what do you think Mrs. Compson and Sarah will tell us about their relationship?  How has it changed over the course of the book?  What have they each received from their friendship?  Have you ever experienced an intergenerational friendship like they have?  What did you give and receive in that relationship?  Inquiring minds what to know.  Please answer in the comments section below.

By commenting, you are also entering your name in a drawing for Marie Bostwick's latest book, Between Heaven and Texas.  The winner will be announced May 1.  If you are reading via email, don't forget to click through to my blog post to comment and be able to read the comments of others.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

Winter Is Wanting to Linger But Spring Is on Its Way

A Patch of Old Snow

There's a patch of old snow in a corner
     That I should have guessed
Was a blow-away paper the rain
Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if
     Small print overspread it,
The news of a day I've forgotten -
     if I ever read it.

Robert Frost

Old Snowflake Quilt Block

Buds

When all the other leaves are gone
The brown oak leaves still linger on,
Their branches obstinately lifted
To frozen wind and snow deep-drifted.

But when the winter is well passed
The brown oak leaves drop down at last,
To let the little buds appear
No larger than a mouse's ear.

Elizabeth Coatsworth

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here

Aspen Catkins - Hunting for Signs of Spring

 

We may still have snow on the ground, but I'm out looking for signs of spring.  I discovered catkins on one of our aspens - "a clear indication that spring—despite the grayness that may yet fill the sky beyond our windows—has in fact arrived," - I read here.

Black bears eat aspen catkins.  We have not seen any sign of our catkins being eaten, but we do know we've already had a visit from a black bear.  Last week, I refilled two bird feeders and didn't think about needing to bring them in for the night.  The next morning, they were both down and pretty beat up.  I thought maybe a raccoon had done the deed, but my husband found evidence of something much bigger - a huge bear paw print in the snow, similar to the print below he'd found one summer. 

I should have been paying more attention.  In April, "Snow usually melts and (black) bears come out of their dens. Adult males are first to emerge from hibernation. Mothers with cubs come last. Food is very scarce. Adult males begin to roam. Most other bears remain lethargic and slow-moving, eating mainly aspen catkins and willow catkins. All but baby bears have been losing weight.” http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/spring/BearYear.html

 

Bear Tracks Quilt Block

 

Part of my Welcome to My Cabin Quilt seen here

 You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

At the Waterford Summer Quilt Festival with the Quilters' Book Club

Voter's Choice Quilt Block

For April, the Quilters' Book Club is reading and discussing The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Sarah McClure helps set up for the Waterford Summer Quilt Festival.  Sarah wonders how the judges decide which quilts get a ribbon.  Summer explains: "There are six categories according to style and size, with ribbons for first, second, and third place in each category.  Then there's Best of Show, which means exactly that: the best quilt out of all categories.  Each of the four judges also gets to pick a Judge's Choice, and then there's Viewers' Choice. . . My mom won one of those a few years ago, and she said it was the highest honor any one of her quilts had ever received."

"That's because judges' methods are utterly inscrutable," Gwen said.  You might make an absolutely stunning quilt, but a judge might disregard it if you quilted it by machine rather than by hand, or for some other reason whose grounds are wholly personal."

Bonnie sighed.  "Now Gwen, be fair."

"Who's not being fair?  I didn't mean to suggest that judges make arbitrary choices, just that matters of personal taste strongly influence how we evaluate art.  That being the case, I'd prefer the appreciation of a broad range of people, quilters and nonquilters alike, rather than the stamp of approval from a few select so-called experts."  

If you were part of this conversation, what would you say?  Inquiring minds are eager to hear your answers!  Please reply in the comments section below.  Remember that if you are reading this via email, you need to click through to my blog post to be able to comment and see the comments of others. 

A comment will automatically enter you into a giveaway for Marie Bostwick's latest book, Between Heaven and Texas.  The winner will be announced on May 1.  As a heads up, our May book selection is Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas.  Check it out of your local library now!

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

Contrary Wife Quilt Block in The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

Contrary Wife Quilt Block

 

 

In the book The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini, Mrs. Compson teaches Sarah McClure the fundamental skills of quilting by having her make a sampler quilt.  One of the blocks that Sarah chooses for her sampler is the Contrary Wife block.  The pattern can be found here.  (Sarah has a disagreement with her husband Matt and asks Mrs. Compson if there isn't also a Contrary Husband block!  Here is the pattern for that block.) 

 

If you are making a quilt block to go with each book that we read in the Quilters' Book Club, consider making a Contrary Wife block or one of the other eleven blocks from Sarah's Sampler Quilt.  Here is the author's version of this sampler quilt. 

 

In the book, Sarah and Matt argue about the wisdom of a conversation Sarah has after a job interview.  She confides to another applicant that she doesn't really want a job in accounting.  Matt tells her she shouldn't have said anything to him, and Sarah disagrees.  Sarah later realizes Matt is right.

 

What advice would you give Sarah about applying for a job?  What wisdom and insight have you gained from job interviews that went well and job interviews that went poorly?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please respond in the comments section below.

 

By commenting, you are also entering your name in my giveaway of Marie Bostwick's latest book, From Heaven to Texas.  The winner will be announced May 1.  Just as a heads up, the Quilters' Book Club selection for May is Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas - historical fiction set in Iowa during the Civil War. 

                  

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

Tasty Gluten-Free Cookies at the Tangled Web Quilters Bee

In The Quilter's Apprentice, main character Sarah McClure attends her second meeting of the Tangled Web Quilters.  She brings her brownies, shows the members her new finished blocks, and volunteers to help set up for the Waterford Summer Quilt Festival. 

Sarah brings her homemade brownies, but Quilters' Book Club member Char brings a gluten-free treat along with her sewing machine and some pre-cut pieces to sew. 

Char's Gluten-Free Quick Mix Chocolate Cookies

1 box Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Devil's Food Cake Mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or equivalent)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.  In large bowl, mix all ingredients except sugar with spoon until dough forms.
3.  Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar.
4.  On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls about 2 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes, before storing in tightly covered container.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
Variations:
Stir in 2/3 c mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
   or
Roll dough balls in coarse sugar for more sparkle.

If you'd like to make a quilt block to go with this book, consider making one of the blocks found in Sarah's Sampler Quilt that Mrs. Compson taught Sarah to make.  You can find directions for the Little Red Schoolhouse Block here or here. The directions and pattern for the Ohio Star Block can be found here. 

This is a variation of the Ohio Star.  The directions and pattern are found here.

Sara McClure helps set up for the Waterford Summer Quilt Festival.  Have you ever helped at a quilt show?  What was your experience like?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comments section below.

By commenting, you are also entering your name in my giveaway for Marie Bostwick's latest book, Between Heaven and Texas.  The winner will be announced on May 1.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

April House Block and a Half and Half Wheat Bread Recipe

 

This 12" April House Block is part of my Calendar of Houses Bee Quilt.  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.  This April block is a bit different.  The maker is a friend of mine.  We quilt together and teach together.  She was born in Kansas and so was I.  She chose to make a Kansas house block for me, featuring Wizard of Oz characters Dorothy and Toto along with the ruby red slippers.  This block is a wonderful addition to my quilt, don't you think?  The quilt hangs in my classroom and makes my room cheerful and cozy - perfect for reading.  

Each bee member also created a small siggy (signature) block, which I put on the back of the quilt.  Here is the siggy block.  Isn't it a perfect accompaniment to the larger block?

 

Half and Half Wheat Bread

2-1/4 cups water
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup butter
3-1/2 cups white flour, divided
3-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons salt
½ cup powdered milk
2 packages active dry yeast

1.  Heat water, honey, and butter over low heat until warm. 

2.  In a large bowl thoroughly mix 2-1/2 cups white flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, and yeast.
3.  Add liquids to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed on electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
4.  Add 1 cup white flour; beat at high speed for 2 minutes.
5.  Gradually stir in enough whole wheat flour to make a soft dough. 
6.  Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter.  Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
7.  Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place (80-90 degrees) until doubled (about 1 hour).
8.  Punch dough down and let rise again until doubled.  Turn out onto lightly floured counter.  Let rest 5 minutes.
9.  Divide dough in half and shape into loaves.  Place in greased 9 x 5 x 3-inch bread pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes.
10.  Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until done.  Remove from pans and cool on wire racks.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post: here

Poem in Your Pocket Day

Sister Star Quilt Block

 

Today is the 11th annual Poem in Your Pocket Day.  I'm a reading teacher at my local elementary school.  Our wonderful school librarian helped each child find a poem they especially loved.  Then either she or the student typed up the poem and placed it in a library card pocket.  The students made sure the clothes they wore today had at least one pocket to keep their poem in.  Each child carried their poem around all day and asked if they could share their poem with you.   

 

A 4th grade girl in my Girls Book Club chose the poem "Trespass" and read it to me with glee.  (Can you tell that she has a big sister?)

 

Trespass

 

Someone

has been "shopping"

in my room.

 

Someone

has been playing

dress-up with my clothes.

 

Someone

left the caps off

all my new markers.

 

Someone

drew a face

on my soccer ball.

 

Someone is hiding

and had better hope

I never find her.

 

Kristine O'Connell George

 

The kindergarten students chose a nursery rhyme.  All the kindies, in turn, stood up and shared their nursery rhyme with the rest of the class.  I heard Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Jack Be Nimble, Hickory Dickory Dock, Little Miss Muffet. 

 

Keep a Poem in Your Pocket

Keep a poem in your pocket

and a picture in your head

and you'll never feel lonely

at night when you're in bed.

 

The little poem will sing to you

the little picture bring to you

a dozen dreams to dance to you

at night when you're in bed.

 

So -

Keep a poem in your pocket

and a picture in your head

and you'll never feel lonely

at night when you're in bed.

                  Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

  

Now it's your turn.  What poem would you share with others on Poem in Your Pocket Day?  Inquiring minds want to know!    Write the title of the poem and the poet in the comments section below.

 

By commenting, you are also entering your name in my giveaway for Marie Bostwick's latest book, Between Heaven and Texas.  The winner will be announced May 1. 

 

You might enjoy reading my previous blog post: here 

Making Soup and Sewing Baby Washcloths While Watching the Snow Outside

 

Plenty of snow to look at

 

 

Soup to make and enjoy

 

Cheese Soup

1 quart chicken broth
1 tablespoon dried onion
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup carrots, sliced

1 cup frozen green beans

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli pieces

2-1/2 cups potatoes, diced

2 cans cream of chicken soup*

1 pound American cheese, cubed

1.  Combine chicken broth and vegetables in a large soup kettle and simmer until vegetables are crispy tender.

2.  Add soup and cheese, stirring until cheese is melted.

Just about any vegetable can be added to this soup.  If you use peas, add them at the very last minute (after the soup and cheese) so they will stay bright green.

*You can make your own cream of chicken soup.  For each can of soup called for, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan.  Stir 3 tablespoons of flour into melted butter with a wire whisk until well mixed.  Add 1 cup of chicken broth.  Stir constantly until thick and bubbly.  This is equal to one can cream of chicken soup.  You would double this for this recipe since Cheese Soup calls for 2 cans cream of chicken soup

 

 

Baby washcloths to make for my grandson

 

 

 Baby washcloths to make for a friend's new granddaughter

To make the washcloths, I bought the softest white towel I could find at Kohl's, washed and dried it, and cut twelve 9" squares from it.  I cut 9" squares from fashion fabric as well.  Then I created curved corners by tracing around my grandmother's round, wooden pincushion.  Putting right sides together, I stitched a 1/4" seam, leaving a hole for turning.  After turning, I pressed well and stitched close to the edges and then created an asterisk of stitching to hold the two pieces together.  A fun and useful project!

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here

The Joys of a Spring Snow

 

Outside there's cold and snow.

 

 

Inside, there's tea 

 

 

and brownies

 

 

and a good book to listen to

 

 

 

while I sew for my grandson.

 

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here



Main Characters in The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

The April book selection for the Quilters' Book Club is The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It is the first of her Elm Creek Quilts novels. 

The two main characters in The Quilter's Apprentice are Sylvia Bergstrom Compson (known as Mrs. Compson in the book) and Sarah McClure.  As Sarah works to help Mrs. Compson prepare to sell her family home, Elm Creek Manor, Mrs. Compson teaches Sarah to quilt by making a sampler quilt.  This quilt consists of twelve different blocks.  Make one of the blocks from Sarah's Sampler Quilt, if you'd like, to represent the book The Quilter's Apprentice.  You can see the author's version of the quilt here.   

The very first quilt block that Mrs. Compson learns to make as a child is a Nine Patch.  Sarah includes a Double Nine Patch in her Sampler Quilt.  The pattern can be found here if you want to make that block to represent Sylvia Compson.

Sarah's grandmother makes her a Sawtooth Star quilt when she was a little girl.  If you'd like to make a Sawtooth Star block to represent Sarah, the pattern can be found here.

A minor character in the story is Agnes Chevalier Bergstrom Emberly, Mrs. Compson's sister-in-law.  (Sarah knows her only as Mrs. Emberly.)  Sylvia Compson and her sister Claudia nickname Agnes "Bachelor Puzzle," later shortened to "Puzzle."  If you'd like to make a Bachelor Puzzle block to represent Agnes, the pattern can be found here.

Mrs. Compson first taught Sarah to piece blocks by hand and then had her switch to a sewing machine to piece the rest of the blocks.  Some of the Tangled Web members are definite hand piecers while others are machine piecers.  Do you make an entire quilt by hand, by machine, or do you use both methods?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below. 

Remember that by posting a comment, you are also entering your name in my give-away of Marie Bostwick's latest book, Between Heaven and Texas.  The winner will be announced on May 1. 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

Sampling a Cheeseball, Cream Cheese Cookies, and a Victoria Sponge at the Tangled Web Bee

There will be even more goodies at the kitchen table for the Tangled Web Bee!  Quilters' Book Club member Cheryl is bringing her Dad's Cheese Ball and her Cream Cheese Cookies.  She's also bringing her paper pieced blocks to remove the paper and then begin to embroider the names on the books for her Harry Potter: The Project of Doom Quilt. 

Cheryl's Dad Larry’s Cheese Ball
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 small can crushed pineapple
2-3 tablespoons chopped bell peppers (red and/or green)

2-3 tablespoons chopped chives
2-3 tablespoons chopped pecans
Seasoned salt to taste
1 cup chopped pecans

1.  Mix cream cheese with the bell peppers, chives, and the 2-3 tablespoons of pecans.
2.  Drain pineapple.  Lightly squeeze the pulp (too dry, you will have a dry cheese ball; too wet, it won't form). 
3.  Add pineapple to cream cheese mixture and then add seasoned salt to taste. 
4.  Form into a ball and roll in the 1 cup of chopped pecans. 
5.  Chill overnight (the flavors blend better after time).  Can be garnished with cherry halves, if desired.

Cheryl's Cream Cheese Cookies
8 oz package cream cheese
1 stick butter
1 yellow cake mix*
  
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2.  Soften the cream cheese and butter.  Mix well. 
3.  Add cake mix and mix well again. 
4.  Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes.  (I use a cookie scoop.) 

*Cheryl has also used several other flavors of cake mix in the past (Red Velvet, Devils Food, Lemon, etc).

Member Diane Kelsey is travelling all the way from the UK!  She's bringing a Victoria Sponge along with her Christmas redwork stitcheries to work on.  She writes, “Mary Berry is the queen of baking in the UK. This is her recipe and it never fails. A Victoria Sponge is a simple, but traditional cake baked in two 7" round tins. It is basically the weight of 4/5 eggs, in Self Raising flour, butter and castor sugar. The two layers are usually sandwiched together with jam and icing sugar dusted on the top, but I prefer to add buttercream icing. http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/495936/mary-berry-s-victoria-sandwich

Mary Barry’s Victoria Sponge
   (courtesy of Diane Kelsey)

Skill Level:  Easy Peasy

Costs:  Cheap as chips

8 ounces softened butter (2 sticks or 1 cup)
8 ounces caster sugar (1 cup)*
4 large eggs, room temperature
8 ounces self-raising flour (2 cups self-rising flour)
2 level teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons strawberry or raspberry jam
A little caster sugar, for sprinkling

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees C/Fan 160 degrees C/gas 4 (350 degrees F.)  Grease two sandwich tins (8” round cake pans) then line the base of each tin with baking parchment. 2.  Measure the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking powder into a large bowl and beat until thoroughly blended. 
3.  Divide the mixture evenly between the tins and level out.
4.  Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25 minutes or until well risen and the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly pressed with a finger.  Leave to cool in the tins for a few minutes then turn out, peel off the parchment, and finish cooling on a wire rack.
5.  When completely cold, sandwich the cakes together with the jam.  Sprinkle with caster sugar to serve.
       From Mary Berry’s Baking Bible

*Caster sugar is superfine refined sugar.  It is finer than granulated sugar but not as fine as powdered sugar.  You can make your own by putting granulated sugar in a blender or food processor.  Pulse until it reaches a super-fine, but not powdery consistency.  Allow the sugar to settle for a few minutes before using.
(note from Starwood Quilter)

Diane continues, “The Women's Institute takes great pride in making this cake, and there is usually a category for this in their summer fete competion. It has to be made to the traditional recipe and made using homemade jam.

http://www.thewi.org.uk/what-we-do/recipes/cakes-and-desserts/Victoria-sandwich

Diane adds that it's important to have the eggs and butter at room temperature.  She says this recipe is also great for making fairy cakes (cupcakes) as well.

Please join us at the Tangled Web Bee along with Sarah McClure of The Quilter's Apprentice.  What recipe and quilt project will you bring?  Email your recipe and project idea to starwoodquilter@gmail.com .

When you send a recipe, I will automatically enter your name in my drawing to win Marie Bostwick's latest novel, Between Heaven and Texas.  The winner will be announced May 1.