Wishing you all . . .

. . . . safe journey if you are traveling, the joy of arriving family, and the homecoming smells of baking turkey.

May the bounty of our tables be shared with those less fortunate and may our Thanksgiving prayers remember our soilders far from home.

God Bless America.

Linen and gravy don't mix

Very recently unpacked is my mother's tablecloth, which I believe my paternal grandmother embroidered.

My grandmother, a woman who raised 7 children by herself after my grandfather died at age 42, was the only quilter I know of in my family.

She also cooked, canned, baked, ironed with a flat iron, and sewed even while going blind from diabetes. She was a soldier of the steel apron generation and I inherited her chin. . . . along with her love of needlework.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to remove stains on linen, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Easy as pie

Now that the holidays are upon us (how did that happen so quickly) . . .

I thought I'd share one of my all-time favorite pie recipes which I've been making for years. This can be made a few days ahead, placed in the freezer, and defrosted 10 minutes before serving.

Is it good you ask? Well let me tell ya, you'll probably need to make 2!

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Chocolate Cream Pie

1 package ( 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
1/3 cup milk
8 ounce container non-dairy whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed *
8 or 9 inch graham cracker or chocolate cookie pie crust (Keebler)

Combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in small mixing bowl until blended. Add cocoa alternatively with milk, beating until smooth. Gradually add and "fold in" whipped topping until well combined. Spoon into pie shell.

Clean the label off the pie crust cover, invert and cover pie, crimp edges of foil around lid, and freeze until firm.

* 2 cups heavy cream and 1/4 cup sugar can be substituted for the whipped topping.

Enjoy!

The end of an era

My mother knew what she was about when I received these on my 16th birthday. They traveled to distant lands such as Orlando, Denver, and Killington. Brochures from colleges filled them until I decided which one, then immediately started packing to leave home and be on my way. . . at 17 no less. It seems I was destined to be a long-time traveler.

Once I got to college they were filled with fabric. I was a textile major then and studying every fiber ever made. My quilting destiny was just around the corner.

Now that I have found my home, the remaining fabric was removed and they were donated to the local humane society thrift shop. I hope whomever receives them has an equally amazing journey. . . or perhaps someone will fill them with treasures from her travels. One can only wonder.

And where will I put my overflow fabric you ask, why anywhere I want. I have a whole house to fill. LOL!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

On this Veteran's Day, I am truly honored . . .

. . . That Mary will be including my original QOV string quilt top with those quilts being given to the grieving families or the wounded of the Fort Hood incident. Mary deserves a big round of applause for all of her hard work and dedication to the Heart Strings project.

It doesn't take much to coordinate a group to make string blocks. If you're looking for a worthwhile project during your holiday breaks consider getting involved. There is no more worthy cause than to show our appreciation to those soldiers giving so much for our country.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .