Squash Blossom

When this block was unveiled in our block-of-the-month class Saturday, a few of the ladies mentioned having tasted fried squash blossoms. I’ve never tried them. I thought of posting my recipe for squash blossom soup with this block, but you’d have to wait at least six months to use it. Instead, I’ll share the dish we served the family Sunday night. You don’t use your grill in the winter time? Why ever not?

Gremlin Burgers

2 1/2 pounds ground turkey

Half an onion, minced

2 tablespoons minced red and green bell pepper

2 beaten eggs

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Pineapple slices

Teriyaki sauce

Mayonnaise

Onion rolls

Blend turkey, vegetables, eggs and bread crumbs together (use your hands) and shape into eight generous patties. Grill with pineapple slices over medium heat until no longer pink. Serve on rolls spread lightly with mayo and Teriyaki sauce.

Star of Wonder

We’ve seen them in nativity scenes; three kings visiting a baby in a manger. But that’s not how it happened. The bible never mentions kings. “Wise men” refers to scholars with an education beyond the norm. There’s no reference to their number. Joseph and Mary had to leave Bethlehem to perform a sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem when Christ was 40 days old. When the magi asked Herod where to find the king of the Jews, he consulted with priests and sent them south to Bethlehem. But the star redirected them eastward. Matthew said they brought gifts to the young child (notice he didn’t call Christ an infant) in a house. Then Herod, who thought Christ was still in Bethlehem and who knew when the star appeared, ordered every boy under two there to be murdered. So Christ was a probably toddler, perhaps walking and talking, and in his parents’ home when the magi came. Not quite what you’d pictured, is it?

Arabella Blocks

I have a decision to make and I’d like you to help me. I have to choose two finishing kits for the 2012 Patchwork Party blocks I’ve been making since the first week in October. I need to purchase these kits while they’re still available; before the end of this month.  But they’re all so pretty, and so very different. Would you please go to  http://www.patchworkparty.com/ click on the second link on the left, Finishing Kit Gallery, look at the twelve different kits, and let me know which you like best? You can comment at the bottom of this page, on my facebook page, in an email or in person. I’ll count the votes I’ve received over the next three weeks and order the two kits (one in raspberry/green and one in purple/rust) that received the most votes. Then, when the tops are finished, I’ll post photos of both of them here.Thanks!

Tower Bridge

Did you know the Brooklyn Bridge and Slinky toys have something in common? They both exist because of the Roebling family. John A. Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge and oversaw the construction when it was begun on this day in 1870. While he was conducting a survey for the project, John’s foot was accidentally crushed between the side of a boat and a piling. He developed tetanus and died soon after. His son Washington Roebling took over, but fell victim to decompression sickness while working on the bridge’s foundations. Washington’s wife Emily oversaw the bridge's completion in 1883. Oh, right. I haven’t told you about the Slinky yet. Roebling Sr. needed lots of steel wire to hold up the Brooklyn Bridge and other suspension bridges, so he founded the John A. Roebling and Son’s Company to produce it. And yes, Slinky is made of Roebling flat wire.

Five Patch Chain

"There seems to be a superstition among many thousands of our young...that marriage is a cottage surrounded by perpetual hollyhocks, to which a perpetually young and handsome husband comes home to a perpetually young and ravishing wife. When the hollyhocks wither and boredom and bills appear, the divorce courts are jammed. Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey – delays – sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." – Jenkin Lloyd Jones

Easy Steps

Nine Most Common New Year’s Resolutions:

To Lose Weight and Exercise More - After weeks of holiday parties, your body is probably screaming for attention.

To Quit Smoking or Drinking – Overcoming substance abuse and addiction is an uphill battle, but well worth fighting.

To Learn Something New – Pick up a new language or musical instrument,  sport or hobby.

To Eat Healthier – You KNOW which foods make you feel better and which make you feel worse. Listen to yourself!

To Reduce Debt or Save Money – “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7

To Spend More Time with Family – No one on his deathbed ever wished they’d spent more time at the office.

To Travel More – The world is an amazing place. Who wouldn’t want to see more of it?

To Reduce Stress – Take time to stop and smell the roses.

To Volunteer More – “No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused!” – Jacob Marley