Main Characters of The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue

Grandmother's Choice Quilt Block

For the month of June, the Quilters' Book Club is reading and discussing The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue.  We'd love to have you join us!  Check the book out of your local library, and you're in!

The main character in the book is twenty-six-year-old Nell Fitzgerald.  At the beginning of the book, her fiancé calls off their wedding.  She flees to her grandmother's home for comfort.  If you'd like to create a quilt block that represents them, I found some free patterns on the internet:

Nell Fitzgerald:
Broken Heart Quilt Block

Grandmother Eleanor:
Grandmother's Choice Quilt Block

Grandmother's Choice Quilt Block 2

Grandmother's Cross Quilt Block

Grandmother's Favorite Quilt Block

Grandmother's Fan Quilt Block

Barney the dog:
Dog Quilt

Are you a dog person, a cat person, or neither?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below.  (If you are reading via email, click on the title at the top of the post so you can comment and read the comments of others.)  Remember, there is no right or wrong answer.  We'd just love to hear your ideas!

On a side note, Google is ending their Google Reader on July 1.  I would encourage you to click the Bloglovin' link at the top right side of my post to conveniently be able to read new blog posts.
 
By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop, courtesy of the Fat Quarter Shop.  The more posts you comment on, the greater your chance of winning.  Winner will be announced July 1!

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here. 

June House Quilt Block and Scrumptious Strawberry Squares

This 12" June House quilt 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 cheerful block was made for me by a bee member from Wisconsin. I love the little details that she added - the hanging baskets, the butterflies, and the hen sitting on her nest.  And I love the green "bee" fabric that she used for the grass!

The full moon in June is known as the Strawberry Moon.

Here's a delicious recipe from the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook to eat during the Strawberry month of June!

Strawberry Squares

1 cup flour
¼ cup brown sugar½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup butter, melted
2 egg whites
1 cup sugar
2 cups sliced strawberries*
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup whipping cream

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Mix flour, brown sugar, walnuts, and melted butter.  Bake in shallow pan for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle 2/3 of the crumbs in a 13" x 9" pan.
3.  Combine egg whites, sugar, strawberries, and lemon juice.  Beat at high speed 10 minutes.
4.  Whip cream; fold in. 
5.  Spoon over crumbs.  Top with remaining crumbs.  Freeze 6 hours. 
     Serves 12.

*Instead of fresh strawberries, you can use a 10-ounce package of frozen strawberries, thawed.  Reduce the sugar to 2/3 cup.

Strawberries

There were never strawberries
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open French window
facing each other
your knees held in mine
the blue plates in our laps
the strawberries glistening
in the hot sunlight
we dipped them in sugar
looking at each other
not hurrying the feast
for one to come
the empty plates
laid on the stone together
with the two forks crossed
and I bent towards you
sweet in that air
in my arms
abandoned like a child
from your eager mouth
the taste of strawberries
in my memory
lean back again
let me love you

let the sun beat
on our forgetfulness
one hour of all
the heat intense
and summer lightning
on the Kilpatrick hills

let the storm wash the plates

    Edwin Morgan (1920-2010)
 

On a side note, Google is ending their Google Reader on July 1.  I would encourage you to click the Bloglovin' link at the top right side of my post to conveniently be able to read new blog posts.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.