Quilting Class Week 5

Last night, Dolly, Roselyn, Jackie, and I started on our second quilt. The first one still needs some work, but we were anxious to start on this one. The first one was quilted in the ditch, or around every piece, and the back is almost as pretty as the front. This second quilt will be quilted using a fan pattern. As you can see, we are off to a fantastic start.

Last night, like too many nights lately, was blue-butt cold and I'm so glad the ladies were brave enough to leave their warm homes to venture out to quilting class. The cold does make one appreciate toasty quilts.

This is a small trip-around-the-world quilt that we talked about during the break last week. This easy pattern is included in their notebooks; I hope all my students make one when this class is over. In 2012, this quilt was displayed at the Alabama governor's mansion during their Christmas open house.

The UNA basketball game was away last night, so Hub was home. He has watched The Barefoot Contessa during the afternoon, and was in the mood to cook something. So, about the middle of the class, the smell of chocolate just about overwhelmed us. When the class was over, we had hot brownies. Not a bad way to end the night!

This class is made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Thanks!

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Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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