Monday, October 31, 2011

Quilt Retreating

The long and winding road....


that took us to 5 blissful days of quilting!


My sister-in-law and I chose the "Early Bird" option....
because we are wise!  :)

My youngest daughter and mother-in-law chose the 2 day option....
because they had to.  :(

I spent the first day just cutting fabric....
lots of fabric.
(Normally I prefer cutting before getting to camp, but it just didn't work that way this year).

I will share my finished projects when I get them back from quilting.


The first thing on the agenda when Emily arrived was Binding 101.


I had just picked her first quilt up from the quilter....
the perfect time to learn mitered corners!



There were so many lovely projects being worked on...
and I didn't plan on sharing any of them on my blog...
but I thought this was an interesting concept...


and it was probably the most popular piece of fabric this morning when a quilt shop in Alaska most likely got many requests.
(Sorry, I did not write down the name of the shop)


The fabrics were as colorful and lovely as the ladies who were there.


One especially lovely quilter follows my blog!
Lois' name was drawn for the Dessert Cookbook give-a-way I had a while back.
When she arrived and I passed the book on to her, she surprised me with a wonderful cookbook in return!!!!
How fun is that!!!!
(Thanks again Lois)


My sister-in-law and I shut off the lodge lights every night....
we got so much accomplished...
but got very little sleep.

I stopped to photograph this little stitchery...
not because Christmas is just around the corner....
but because I thought those three words described my feelings perfectly.


And now, after a very restful day, I am ready to unpack my sewing baskets and continue my own retreating right here at home!

Too bad I won't have a chef preparing of all our meals.  :)


Sunday, October 30, 2011

In Others Words

{Something that fed my soul this week}

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes. 
~Marcel Roust


Thursday, October 27, 2011

These Days

It has been great having my son home these past days....
but now he is off to the Colorado mountains to work and play.


And speaking of work and play...
I am off to Inspiration Point for a 4 day quilt retreat!
See you when I get home!


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

24 Dollars

I made a very quick stop at the Goodwill yesterday.
This is what I found.....


An awesome clothes drying rack.....


15 Pieces of McCoy pottery.....


And some sweet Justin Boots.....just my size.


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

So Ugly It Is Ugly.....

...according to my sister.


I personally think she is CUTE.
A pristine cream dispenser with character.

WHIRLEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
WARREN PENNA., U.S.A.
PATENTS PENDING 5

What do you say....UGLY or CUTE?



Monday, October 24, 2011

Poppy Seed Please

Sister has been hinting at Poppy Seed treats.
Since the ingredients are always on hand....
I really had no excuses.


I decided on little loaves instead of muffins.....
just for the fun of it.


Sister should hint more often!


Poppy Seed Bread or Muffins

3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons poppy seeds
1 cup oil

Combine all ingredients.  Beat 2 minutes.
Pour into 2 greased loaf pans.
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Muffins: bake 25 minutes...makes about 2 1/2 dozen.


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Feeling Crabby

My son has been helping at the farm these past two months.
I have been nagging suggesting that he pick some of the crab apples before he finishes up his duties.

He presented me with a box full when he returned.

They filled my sink.
I washed and cored them....not because you have to but because I wanted to make sure there were no creepy crawlies lurking inside.
(I did not find any)


After almost 3 hours roasting on a low heat in my oven,
I separated the skins from the pulp.


Since I was going to be gone most of the evening, I decided to test out the Crock-pot method of making Apple Butter.
I added sugar, cinnamon, cloves and allspice to taste.

The directions said to raise the lid off the Crock-pot to allow the excess moisture to escape.
(I used chop sticks)



Simmer on low until the apples become thick....then add more sugar if needed.
Stir occasionally.

It took about 8 hours.

(sorry about the dark photos)


And since I just happened to come across 12 half pint jars and lids new in the box at the Goodwill the day before the apples arrived....

I processed the jars for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Now I think some warm bread is in order.  :)



Sunday, October 16, 2011

In Others' Words

{Something that fed my soul this week}



People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
~Joseph Fort Newton


Friday, October 14, 2011

So Long Cindy

I did not find "Cindy"....

but I did find Milli's family....

and "Cindy" is on her way to join them.


I know they will cherish her for the treasure she is.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

So Ugly It Is Cute

My sisters and I will often use the phrase,
"So ugly it is cute".

Basically, if something is rather homely, but endearing, it is "so ugly it is cute".

I have some of that in my home.


I found these plastic banks at the Goodwill a while back.
They are marked
ROYALTY IND. OF FLA, INC. 1974


I am guessing you would have to pry their heads off to get any of your coins back out of them....
and I really wouldn't want to destroy them....
because they really are rather cute....
in an ugly sort of way.


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Shortbread Shortcuts

Once again the shortbread pans are getting a lot of use.
The first pan was purchased 20 years ago.
One of the best purchases I have ever made.

When the pans were no longer available in the store, I watched for them on eBay.
There are many different patterns,
but I am partial to the Flowers and Thistles.
I still check for them occasionally when I want to give one for a gift.


Four simple ingredients and in less than an hour you can serve up a warm and whimsical shortbread cookie.
So quick and easy!
If I am wise, I use all 3 pans.


Monday, October 3, 2011

Searching For Milli

I am drawn to oil paintings.
I pick up landscapes here and there.
Paintings done by 'artists' of differing abilities.
I find them serene. 
I hang them in my home.


I don't have much of an interested in portraits.
Unless you know the person being painted....big deal.
But...
 when I walked into the Goodwill and this portrait was sitting on the shelf...
I brought her home.


I think she is lovely!


Painted by M. Oden 1969

On the back is written:
"Cindy" '69
by Milli Oden
Oil on jute canvas panel mounted in old frame


Once again I wondered how this could end up in the Goodwill.
So I decided to search for Milli Oden.

I think I found her.

Mildred "Milli" Oden 

  |   Visit Guest Book

Oden, Mildred "Milli" Nee Rahn, age 86 Longtime Hopkins Artist Passed away on July 14 after a brief illness. Milli was the elder daughter of Albert and Emily (Scherer) Rahn of Rosemount. In 1946, she married her late husband Gordon and moved to Hopkins in 1953. She loved being an artist. Milli was known for her portraitures, redwood forest scenes, driftwood and angel paintings. Milli is survived by her son, Dale (Alice) of Shoreview, grandsons, Patrick of Roseville, Ross of St. Louis Park, sister, Agnes "Ronnie" Hunt of North Branch, nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation: July 18, 4-7pm, memorial service at 7pm, Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 Hamline Ave. N, (1 blk Blk.So. of Hwy 36), Roseville. 651-631-2727.




Sunday, October 2, 2011

In Others' Words

{Something that fed my soul this week}


Lord, either lighten my burden or strengthen my back.
~Thomas Fuller

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Silent Shutter Saturday


Under the autumn trees.