North Star

 

If you walk through the center of Salt Lake’s Liberty Park, you’ll find an old mill between the pond and Tracy Aviary; the oldest standing industrial building in Utah. It was a grist mill and a saw mill, meaning logs were made into boards here, and grain into meal. It was built by Isaac Chase in 1852. Four years earlier, while digging the millrace (the channel that delivers water to turn the mill wheel), his pick struck a buried coin. Isaac believed himself to be one of the first white men in the area, and he also believed all the Native Americans to be descendants of Book of Mormon peoples (he was wrong on both counts), so he called it a “Nephite copper coin.” The coin’s size and markings show it was minted in India in 1817. How it came to be 10 feet underground in Salt Lake 31 years later is a mystery. If only coins could talk!

12 Yankee Puzzle Blocks

 

I’ve been clearing a bit more room in my closet, and you’re looking at the result. It started out as 42 7-inch squares of fabric, all from Minnick and Simpson’s way-out-of-print Polka Dots and Paisley line. They’ve been sitting in my closet for at least six years, waiting for me to decide what to do with them. I think what had me stalled is there were equal numbers of blue and beige prints, but fewer of the red. I could have easily added to the blue or beige, but this is a very unusual red. It isn’t lipstick; it isn’t cherry. It isn’t crimson or scarlet or candy apple. In the end, I added two brighter, bolder reds from my stash. They’re both paisleys, but they’re not a perfect fit. I’m thinking of adding a border or two before I quilt and bind this. If I’m still not happy with it, I can always give it to someone I never visit.

Sail Boat

 

“Peter, the Savior’s chief Apostle, was in a ship on the sea when he saw Jesus walking on the water. He wanted to join Him, and the Savior said, ‘Come.’ Courageously and miraculously, Peter left the safety of the boat and began walking toward the Savior. But when Peter focused on the boisterous wind, his faith faltered. He was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, ‘Lord, save me.’ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him. When winds blow in our lives, where is our focus? Remember, there is always one reliable source of strength and courage. The arms of Jesus extend to us, just as they extended to Peter. As we reach for Him, He will lovingly rescue us. We are His. He said, ‘Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.’ He will prevail in your life if you let Him. The choice is yours." - Elder S. Gifford Nielsen

Maple Leaf

 

You can find cauliflower in the grocery store pretty much all year, but it’s really only “in season” in September, October and November. It’s usually white, but every now and then you’ll run across one that’s bright yellow or purple. If you do, buy it. Life is too short to only eat white cauliflower.

 

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

 

1 head cauliflower, cut into large florets

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1 tablespoon cream cheese

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

 

Steam cauliflower until tender; about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in small saucepan; add garlic. Stir until garlic is softened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain excess water from cauliflower and add to garlic, oil and remaining ingredients into large bowl. Crush with potato masher until uniform. Serve while still warm.

Fool's Square

 

I’ve never made a Tumbling Blocks quilt, but I understand a bit about their construction. First, it requires a rhombus template (four equal sides). Two opposing angles must be 60 degrees, and the other two are 120 degrees. Second, before you begin, the scraps to be used must be separated into three piles: darks, lights and mediums. Careful placement of these three values is what makes the blocks “tumble.” Third – and this is the chief reason why I’m not likely to ever make one – Tumbling Blocks quilts are generally pieced and quilted by hand. In Plymouth, Vermont, in the childhood home of our 30^th president, there is a Tumbling Block quilt pieced from hundreds of diamond-shaped scraps of plaids, stripes and floral prints of all colors; a quilt made by Calvin Coolidge WHEN HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD. If I ever begin thinking too much of myself, you have my permission to remind me of this.

Meeting House

 

Until a few weeks ago, there was a tiny house about half a mile south of mine. Built in 1929, it had two small bedrooms and a bathroom. It stood on a one-acre lot where ponies, goats, pigs, and chickens were raised. At only 785 square feet, it was up for sale last month for $641,000. I don’t know what it actually sold for, but as soon as the deal closed the lot was cleared. The house, fences, trees and outbuildings were gone in no time. I’m curious to see what happens there next. In the interim, I’ve seen metal detector hobbyists scouring the place. Who knows what they might find after 90+ years? I read last week about a Florida postal worker who found a lost class ring in the sand at Ponce Inlet. The man who’d lost it was a high school senior ditching class at the beach, back in 1987. I really should get a metal detector.

Double Shoo-Fly

 

David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth Stover were married in 1885. They had seven sons. Paul, their fifth, died from diphtheria at ten months. All the rest were called “Ike” as they were growing up. Edgar became an attorney. Earl was an electrical engineer, Arthur was a banker, Roy was a pharmacist, and Milton was a college president. Dwight, the only one to keep his nickname as an adult, became 34^th president of the United States.  Their mother was an avid quilt maker. Ida wasn’t overly fond of hand quilting, but she enjoyed making new and beautiful covers with scraps that might otherwise be tossed. Ida loved doing what she called “fancy work,” including the elaborate embroidery on crazy quilts. Ida Eisenhower taught all her surviving sons to piece quilt blocks, and they fondly remembered stitching alongside their mother. So, yes, that means at least one of our presidents was a quilter.