Nine-Patch Star

Need a holiday today? Have I got one for you! Today is Stay At Home Because You’re Well Day. I’ve read that one in four employers believe their employees occasionally call in sick when they really aren’t. I’m shocked the number is that low. It’s no fun to stay home when you’re actually sick. Who wants to spend the day coughing and sniffling? On the other hand, if you take a “mental health day” you could catch up on errands that otherwise might not get done. You could take down Thanksgiving (or Halloween) decorations and put up a Christmas tree. Do all your Christmas shopping on a weekday, while the stores are relatively hassle free. Treat yourself to a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream. Or a new pair of shoes. You’ll go back to work tomorrow with a fresh outlook on life. And who knows? Maybe lowering your stress level now will mean you take fewer actual sick days later.

November

November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for those of you who are saving your letters for something else. NaNoWriMo (that’s just so absurd, I had to write it twice) is an annual Internet-based writing project which asks contestants to write a 50,000-word novel between November 1st and 30th. That didn’t sound like much of a challenge until I started doing the math. It’s more than 1,600 words a day. I’ve barely written 3,000 words in my blog this entire month. Comparing my little daily page with a novel is a bit like comparing a nice manicure with the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Besides, a novel needs things like a plot, a theme, a setting, compelling characters, a climax, etc. I never concern myself with any of those things. I simply write what amuses me. Is there a competition out there for that?

Hourglass

This very simple six-inch block is one of three or four dozen I made over the last month for a friend’s wedding quilt. The entire quilt calls for 144 identical Hourglass blocks, or twelve rows and twelve columns. If arranged so they all point in the same direction, the effect is one of rippling diagonal lines or furrows. But if you set them in alternating directions, they can create the illusion of X’s and O’s. They can also be placed in concentric diamonds, like a variation on the classic Log Cabin Barn Raising quilt. I love blocks like this. They’re a great way to use up tiny little scraps. They’re doable by even the most novice of patchwork piecers. In almost no time at all, you can whip up a big batch of them. And when you get enough of them together, the effect is just stunning.

Star of Bethlehem

Mormons don’t observe the Advent quite the way most other Christians do. We don’t light candles in our chapels (which is probably more about fire safety than theology). But as a musician I’ve participated in dozens of advent services in other churches, and I think it’s a lovely tradition. The advent wreath is an evergreen circle representing eternity. In the center is a tall white candle. Four candles are set in the greenery; three purple and one pink. On the first Sunday of the Advent, one purple candle is lit. Its name is Prophecy, after the prophets who foretold of Christ’s birth. Next week the Bethlehem or Love candle follows. The pink candle is third. It’s called the Shepherd’s candle or Gaudete, meaning “rejoice.”  The fourth candle, the Angel candle, is lit the Sunday before Christmas. On Christmas Eve the last candle is lit. It is the Christ candle, representing our Savior, the Light of the World.

Cut the Corners

It’s Black Friday, the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Here are some tips to help avoid overspending: 1) Make a plan. If you list who you shop for and what they like, you could begin shopping when the stores aren’t heaving with customers. It’s too late for this year, but 2012 will be here before you know it. 2) Set a limit. Decide before shopping that you won’t spend more than $50 (or whatever you decide) on any one person. Then stick to it. 3) Make gifts. Nothing bought in a store says “I love you” like a jar of homemade jam or a hand-knitted scarf. 4) Suggest that your family or coworkers draw names this year, so you shop for one nice gift instead of several lesser ones. 5) Give to someone less fortunate. Serve in a soup kitchen. Donate blood. Participate in a toy drive. No, it won’t stretch your holiday budget. But it can make what you have seem like more.

Arrowheads

T’was the night of Thanksgiving but I couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards. I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned; the dark meat and white.
I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation.
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round.
‘til all of a sudden I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding and handful of pie.
I managed to yell as I soared past the trees
“Happy eating to all. Pass the cranberries, please!
May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious. May your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

Maple Star

I wanted to make a Maple Star block, and I’ve been looking for something fun to post on National Cashew Day. This recipe seemed to combine the two nicely. I love Brussels sprouts steamed with a bit of melted butter. But even if you don’t, I’ll bet you’ll like this:

Roasted Maple Cashew Brussels Sprouts

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3/4 cup cashews
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

 Preheat oven to 400F. Wash and trim brussels sprouts. Coat baking pan with olive oil. Spread sprouts in pan, sprinkle with cashews and garlic. In a small bowl combine syrup, vinegar, sugar, nutmeg and fennel seed. Pour mixture over sprouts. Salt and pepper, then toss. Bake 30 minutes, tossing once or twice. Sprouts should be browned and just a bit crispy. Serve hot.

Rachel's Basket

Fruit Salad with Vanilla Dressing

1/4 cup mayonnaise (any brand will do, but nothing beats the taste of homemade)
1/2 cup plain yogurt (I make my own yogurt, too)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced (any firm, tart variety works)
1 cup seedless grapes, any color
1 firm, ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 pint strawberries, hulled and cut in half
1 mango, peeled and diced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 banana, lightly freckled but not overripe.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, honey, vanilla and salt. Set aside. Place the nuts and all the fruits except the banana into a large mixing bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Peel and slice banana into bowl and gently toss one last time. Chill. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Pinwheel Star

Have trouble remembering things? Here are a few tips: 1) Feed your brain. Foods rich in antioxidants, B vitamins or omega-3 can help your head. These include sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, walnuts, almonds, berries, fish and milk. 2) Get your heart pumping. Take a brisk walk or engage in some other aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes a day. 3) Get a good night’s rest. Shoot for six to eight hours a night. Try to keep the same schedule on weekends that you have on weekdays. 4) Engage both sides of your brain. If you write down to-do lists, or you say things like, “Here I am putting my keys on the dresser,” you’re already doing this. 5) Use it or lose it. Like every other part of you, your brain needs activity to keep healthy. Learn a new skill. Study a new language or musical instrument. Solve a crossword puzzle. Memorize a poem or theatrical part.

Pennsylvania Parade

The most famous speech in American history is only nine sentences long. It  has less than three hundred words and was delivered in under three minutes. Three-fourths of the words in it are only one syllable long, and nearly all the other words have no more than two syllables. Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863 to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A hush fell over the crowd as Lincoln spoke, and when he was done the applause was light and scattered. His predecessor, Edward Everett, had received thunderous applause. The following day Everett praised Lincoln’s concise eloquence, “I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes.” Lincoln replied that he was glad to know speech wasn’t a total failure.

Star of Hope

John sent me this recipe in an email from work. I was a little skeptical at first. He’s a bigger fan of British sausages than I’ll ever be. But it was wonderful!

Sausage Surprise

8 Lincolnshire sausages ( we used Cumberland)
1 butternut squash and 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into wedges
2 red onions, peeled and cut into wedges
3 mixed peppers, seeded and chopped into wedges
1/2 pound mushrooms
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh thyme

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Put sausages, squash and vegetables into a large nonstick roasting tin. Toss with the oil, salt and pepper to taste and roast for 25 minutes or until the sausages are cooked through and vegetables are starting to crisp at the edges. Remove the tin from the oven and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Give everything a good stir before serving.

Easy Flower

In honor of National Homemade Bread Day:

Half Whole Rolls

2 cups warm water
2/3 cup dry milk
2 tablespoons yeast
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup melted butter
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups white flour
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
Oil

Dissolve yeast in water in stand mixer bowl. Add dry milk, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 1 cup of each flour. Stir slowly with paddle attachment until ingredients are moist. Mix at medium 2 minutes. Stop and add another cup of each flour. Mix 2 more minutes. Switch to hook attachment and knead, adding enough flour to make a soft dough. Transfer dough to a large, well-oiled bowl. Turn to coat. Cover and let rise until double. Roll onto floured surface, cut and form into desired shape. Place into greased baking pan and rise, covered about 90 minutes. Bake at 375 for 15 to 18 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Makes 16 rolls.

Circle of Friends

The four rust-colored four-pointed stars that pop out at you from this block are called Friendship Stars. I haven’t posted a simple Friendship Star yet, but I made a Framed Friendship Star block for one of my pizza box quilt friends August 8. If you look a little closer, you’ll notice that there are also four moss green stars, one in each corner. But you probably didn’t notice the star with striped arms hiding in the middle of the block. I think this block bears a striking resemblance to the one called Night Music that I posted clear back on January 14. When I assembled the Palace Garden block that I posted October 21, I was reminded of the Signature block that I did January 20. I’ve made and posted 274 blocks so far this year. I guess it was inevitable that they’d all eventually start looking the same to me.

Five-Patch Chain

Today is National Clean Your Refrigerator Day. I’m not suggesting this is the only day all year that you should tackle this job. In fact, it’s a really good idea to do it at least once a month. But there’s no time like the present to get it done. Besides, Thanksgiving is next Thursday. You’re going to need space for all that leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and pie, right? First, take everything out of the fridge. You can put it in a cooler if you’re worried about food getting too warm. Toss out items past their due date and those with unrecognizable contents. Wipe shelves and drawers with a little baking soda and water. Wipe down all jars and bottles before you return them to their places. Stick a new box of baking soda in the rear corner. There. Doesn’t that look (and smell) better?

Herald Square

I’ve been to New York City several times. I’ve seen the world from atop the Empire State Building, and from the crown of the Statue of Liberty. I watched the World Trade Center Towers been built. But I’ve never seen a Broadway play. If I was in New York City right now, I could catch Wicked, The Lion King, or Mary Poppins. I could see The Addams Family, Mamma Mia or Godspell. There’s even a musical version of Spider-Man playing on Broadway right now. The one show I’m not the least bit interested in is the one named for a set of scriptures. Written by a duo more famous for their television cartoon featuring foul-mouthed children, this very popular bit of vulgarity doesn’t appeal to me at all. When did it become so acceptable (not to mention lucrative) to drag other peoples’ beliefs through the mud?

Chickadee

Today is Chicken Soup for the Soul Day. The day was created by the same people who gave us the series of books by that name. These inspirational short stories and essays are meant to enrich your spirit the way this recipe enriches your body:

Chicken Tortilla Soup

4 cups chicken broth       
2 cups water
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 carrot, diced
1 rib celery, diced
Juice of 1 lime
1 avocado, diced
Tortilla chips, crushed
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese

Place chicken and water in pot, bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, about 12 minutes. Remove chicken from water and allow to cool. Add vegetables and broth to water and simmer, uncovered 10 minutes. Shred chicken between two forks and add to pot. When chicken has reheated, add lime juice. Serve garnished with avocado, chips, sour cream and cheese.

Illinois Roads

Yes, I know it’s Veteran’s Day. But today is also the birthday of Route 66, the most famous road in the world. (Give me a break. Does the Autobahn have its own song?) Route 66 was officially established November 11, 1926. Though it was removed from the United States highway system June 27, 1985, you can still drive much of it. Riding the “Mother Road” has been on my bucket list since high school. I imagine tooling from Chicago to L.A. in a Mustang or a Cadillac convertible, with my favorite traveling music blaring from the speakers. I’d visit the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the memorial where the Alfred P. Murrah building stood in Oklahoma City. I’d see the meteor crater near Flagstaff and the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Of course I’d finish the trip with a stop at Disneyland. Who wouldn't?

Double X

Until November 10 1951 if you lived in New York and wanted to call someone in California, you couldn’t place that call yourself. You’d dial “0” and ask the telephone operator to place the call for you. We are so familiar with Direct Distance Dialing - DDD - that we don’t call it that anymore. We don’t call it anything anymore. This is also the birthday of the PBS television show Sesame Street. Before its debut on November 10 1969, there had never been anything quite like it. Can you picture a world without Bert and Ernie? Without Big Bird or Mister Snuffleupagus? Or without Elmo or Oscar the Grouch? You’d have to be pretty old to remember a time before you heard the songs, “Rubber Ducky,”  “One of These Things is Not Like the Others” or “Sunny Day, Chasing the Clouds Away.” Gee. You’d have to be my age.

Chinese Hat

Ancient Chinese were familiar with giant pandas. They considered them rare and noble beasts. Though the Chinese found (or imagined) hundreds of medicinal uses for other animals, there were relatively few uses for panda parts. Pandas were unknown to the western world until the 20th century. Until a giant panda was captured November 9, 1927, the animal was considered either extinct or a myth. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. and his son Kermit were the first westerners to shoot a panda on an expedition in China. It might strike a child of the 21st century as odd that the son and grandson of the famous conservationist president would deliberately kill an endangered animal. But a hundred years ago this is what conservation meant; they would shoot an animal and have it mounted and displayed for future generations to observe.

Montana

Montana was the forty-first state admitted to the Union November 8, 1889. Its nicknames are “Big Sky Country” and “The Treasure State.” Montana is a great place to avoid during the winter months. I was there briefly on a concert tour in January in the late 70's. One of the locals told me it only snows once a year in Montana. The rest of the winter they just recycle the snow. It sounded like one of those fables people tell tourists. But watching the bitter cold wind stripping fields bare of their snow drifts and piling it several feet deep in the highway, I began to wonder if he wasn’t telling the truth. Today is also Election Day. No matter which state you call home, a lot of people gave their lives so you’d have the right to vote. Time to stand up and be counted!

Broken Star

Today is National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day. I don’t need an excuse to eat dark chocolate or almonds, but if you’re the sort of person who does, read on. Chocolate is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants can inhibit oxidation and the production of free radicals. That’s a fancy way to say eating more chocolate will keep you young. And since dark chocolate has more antioxidants and less fat and sugar, it’s an even better choice. Almonds are also a healthy snack because they’re high in monounsaturated fats, which are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease. The other day I ran across a book by Janet Jones Worley called “Quilts for Chocolate Lovers.” It was filled with quilt patterns with yummy names like, “Black Forest” and “Bridge Mix.” A creative hobby like quilting can bring down your blood pressure and increase your sense of well-being. What could be healthier than quilting while eating chocolate and almonds?

Knight and Day

If you’re living in the United States you’ll want to turn your clocks back an hour tonight before you head off to bed. In the UK we did this exactly seven days ago. So for the past week we’ve been only six hours ahead of our family and friends in Utah, instead of the usual seven. We won’t be messing with our clocks tonight. We have far more interesting things to do with our evening. Tonight is Guy Fawkes Night, or Bonfire Night. After sunset we’ll walk to the Stray where there will be an enormous crowd, even if there is pouring rain (as there usually is). Harrogate is expecting at least 11,000 people to show up, rain or no rain. There will be a huge bonfire and fireworks to celebrate the failure of a plot to blow up the House of Lords in 1605. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Magnolia Court

We learned just last night that we’ll be moving back to the States a bit earlier than we’d originally planned; the first week of January rather than the first week of April. I’m so pleased. It will be wonderful to be back with my kids, my siblings, my mom and especially my grandson. It will be nice to return to the land of ubiquitous public rest rooms, wide straight roads and free parking lots. But there are several things about England I’ll be sorry to leave. I’ll miss the year-round green trees and green grass. I’ll miss being called, “Love” by nearly everyone I meet. I’ll miss seeing a price tag on an item in the store and handing exactly that amount to the cashier. Most of all I’ll miss the friends I’ve made here, especially the ones I quilt with one Thursday a month.

Housewife

Here’s a thought for National Housewife’s Day: When I was a child my friends had stay-at-home moms. I grew up thinking it was normal for mothers to be there when school let out. My kids had a stay-at-home mom, but many of their friends didn’t. Now that I’m a grandmother I know very few young parents who feel they can manage without two incomes. It’s sad, because they’ll never know how much they’re missing until it’s too late. They’re letting strangers raise their children. They’re sending a very vivid message that things (like a nice car, a big TV, dining out, etc.) are more important than people (like their own children). It takes courage, but becoming a stay-at-home mom is possible if you have a supportive husband, if you’re committed to being the most important person in your child’s life (at least for the first dozen or so years), and if you’re willing to sacrifice a few things for this very important goal.

Homespun

November 2nd is National Deviled Egg Day. So today’s post is obvious:

Classic Deviled Eggs

6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut lengthwise
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1/2 teaspoon vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Paprika or cayenne for a garnish

Remove yolks from egg whites and press them through a sieve into a bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Spoon yolk mixture into a zipable sandwich bag. Seal and cut a small corner off the bag with a pair of scissors. Squeeze the yolk into the egg white halves and sprinkle lightly with paprika or cayenne. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Eat within 24 hours. Makes one dozen deviled eggs. If you have any leftover yolk mixture after you’ve filled all the egg white halves, it makes a good sandwich filler.

Antique Tile

The first day of November is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. It’s celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Mexico. It’s a day to remember and to pray for your ancestors, both distant and otherwise. In Mexico it’s celebrated with sweets that are shaped like skeletons or skulls. Mexicans typically observe Dia de los Muertos by visiting the graves of their ancestors and leaving gifts of flowers and food. Marigolds are usually the flower of choice, but I’m not exactly sure why. If you’re a parent or a grandparent, today would be a good day to tell the young people in your life what you know about your parents and your grandparents. If you’re not, it would be a terrific day to ask your parents and your grandparents to tell you about the people who came before them.