Quilters' Book Club: An Invitation to Dinner from Mary Dell and Howard

All three types of sassafras leaves - the mitten, the ghost, and the football - from Pennsylvania

Evelyn Dixon's Texas friend Mary Dell and her son Howard have invited Evelyn over for dinner to hear about her trip to New England to see the fall colors.  And better yet - we're all invited! 

Mary Dell's Menu

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Cheese Straws

Banana Pudding

Dr. Pepper

 

Southern Living Cheese Straws

1-1/2 cups butter, softened

1 (1-pound) block extra sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded and at room temperature

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1 to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper

½ teaspoon paprika

4 cups all-purpose flour

1.  Using a heavy-duty stand mixer, beat softened butter, shredded cheese, salt, red pepper, and paprika at medium speed until blended.

2.  Gradually add flour, beating until combined.

3.  On parchment paper-lined baking sheets, use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape mixture into long ribbons.  Cut ribbons into 2-inch pieces.

4.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Makes 10 dozen.    

                                 from Southern Living March 2006

 

Tips from Southern Living:

Shred your own cheese; it’s stickier and blends better than pre-shredded cheese.  Store baked cheese straws in an airtight container for 1 week.  Store unbaked dough in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for 1 month.  Bake stored cheese straws in the oven at 350° for 3 to 4 minutes to make them crispy again.

Did you know that Dr Pepper is a native Texan?  According to the Dr Pepper Museum, it was created, manufactured, and sold in Waco, Texas, starting in 1885.  It is the oldest of the major soft drink brands in America.

A Northern Red Oak leaf from New Hampshire

Evelyn Dixon, main character of A Single Thread had always wanted to take a trip to see the fall colors in New England, and she decided on the spur of the moment that she would do it!  What is the best trip you've ever taken?  Fifteen years ago, my family and I swapped homes with a family from Thurton, England.  (Thurton is a village in South Norfolk, near Norwich. Population 567.)  We stayed in their home for 3-1/2 weeks while they stayed in our home.  It was the trip of a lifetime.  It was NOT done on the spur of the moment!  It took a lot of saving and planning but was so worth it. And in a couple of months, I am taking another very special trip - to see my very first grandchild, a boy due May 26!

Now it's your turn.  Share with the book club in the comments section about a special trip you've taken. 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-house-quilt-mushroom-house-block.html

My House Quilt - Mushroom House Block

 

This is a block from my House Block Bee Quilt. I participated in an on-line bee with eleven other quilters. We were each assigned a month by our queen bee. Before the first of my assigned month, I mailed out fabrics to the others to be used to make a house block for me. I purchased the blue fabric for the sky and the green fabric for the grass. I sent each person a couple of owls and a couple of children to be included in their block. Then I looked through my stash and included scraps to be used for houses, trees, etc. Each quilter could also add their own fabric, if they wished.

Now, there are risks to being in an on-line bee. Other quilters may not be as skilled as you are. There is a chance that someone will keep your fabric and not return a finished block to you. But on the flip side, you will undoubtedly receive blocks with details you would never, ever think of yourself. I love the mushroom shape of the house, the polka dot sidewalk, the owls sitting on the fence and the roof, and the girl flying the kite.  (Did you notice the button door knobs?)  I admire the creativity of my other bee members and am so pleased with each block.

 

The Wind

 

I saw you toss the kites on high

And blow the birds about the sky;

And all around I heard you pass,

Like ladies' skirts across the grass -

  O wind, a-blowing all day long,

  O wind, that sings so loud a song!

 

I saw the different things you did,

But always you yourself you hid.

I felt you push, I heard you call,

I could not see yourself at all -

  O wind, a blowing all day long,

  O wind, that sings so loud a song!

 

O you that are so strong and cold,

O blower, are you young or old?

Are you a beast of field and tree,

Or just a stronger child than me?

  O wind, a blowing all day long,

  O wind, that sings so loud a song!

 

                       from A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

 

 

After I received all of the blocks, I sashed each one in a cheerful yellow and quilted with straight lines, using a quilt as you go method. I finished with a blue border and green binding. This quilt now hangs in my classroom and brightens it considerably, making it an inviting place to read and learn.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:

http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-quilters-book-club-march-meeting.html