Monday, November 14, 2011

A Day of Ones


We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude.
~Helen Hayes

We had a rather uneventful weekend - which is a good thing.  We did just a little running on Saturday - a trip to Joann's for floss (and they actually had every one I needed in stock) and then a quick run in to CVS and a meandering through Trader Joe's.  We had lunch out followed by an ALS support group meeting.  Home in time to wash Snickerdoodle and a little computer time.  DH kindly bought dinner from Famous Dave's that we brought home to enjoy, afterwhich I was able to get a little hand sewing in.  Sunday was the normal day of wash, hand sewing while watching Nascar and catching up on some of the past week's TV shows.  All in all, a rather quiet weekend for us.  I think I'm finally on the road to recovery with less and less coughing - woohoo!!!!  Now onto a week full of sewing with a few appointments and meetings thrown in there.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Pickles

Believe it or not, today, Monday, November 14, is National Pickle Day.  Do you like pickles?  Not me but I will share some fun facts about them anyway.....
* People have been eating pickles ever since the Mesopotamians started making them way back in 2400 B.C.E.
* In the Pacific Islands, natives pickle their foods in holes in the ground lined with banana leaves, and use them as food reserves in case of storms. The pickles are so valuable that they've become part of the courting process, helping a man prove he'll be able to provide for a woman. In Fiji, guys can't get a girl without first showing her parents his pickle pits
* Cleopatra claimed pickles made her beautiful
* The majority of pickle factories in America ferment their pickles in outdoor vats without lids (leaving them subject to insects and bird droppings). But there's a reason. According to food scientists, the sun's direct rays prevent yeast and mold from growing in the brine
* In the Delta region of Mississippi, Kool-Aid pickles have become ridiculously popular with kids. The recipe's simple: take some dill pickles, cut them in half, and then soak them in super strong Kool-Aid for more than a week. According to the New York Times, the sweet vinegar snacks are known to sell out at fairs and delicatessens, and generally go for $.50 to a $1
* The Department of Agriculture estimates that the average American eats 8.5 lbs of pickles a year

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ONE DONE

I have managed to complete one Loving Hands little quilt......

Two of the blocks were made by member of Bee In Oz.  When it was my month, I had everyone make a block for me out of the cute frog fabric.  I should be able to make two more just like this.  I just did simple stitch in the ditch quilting.  I think this is perfect for some baby boy.

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 ONE FMQ

On Friday, I did just one free motion square.....

Superstar was a relatively new design by Leah.  As you can see, I had a little trouble with spacing and keeping some of my lines straight.  My star ended up a bit wonky.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan on finishing the second Loving Hands quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

Cat Patches is having her Fun Fact Friday giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announced Friday, November 18.

A Quilting Reader's Garden is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Terrific Table Toppers with Patrick Lose.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 16.

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win six fat quarter pack of Primitiva.  This giveaway ends Friday, November 18 at midnight.

All About Applique is having a giveaway.  You could win Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 4 or Dolls and Dresses to Applique.  This giveaway ends tonight, Monday, November 14, at 7:00 pm PST.

Green Fairy Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win one of four items that you have chosen.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 15.

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FINAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY

From 11/6/11

21 comments:

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

I enjoyed reading about pickles. I can a lot of different types of pickles in the summer. My husband and kids love them. I'll have to look for a koolaid recipe!

Your free motion quilting is always fantastic! Glad your cough is getting better.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I am not a pickle lover either. An interesting FMQ pattern - maybe less star mixed with a meander? I had some of that frog fabric - maybe a few pieces in the scap tote as it has worked it's way thru the fabric food chain. Glad you are feeling better.

Denise :) said...

Linda, loved that final thought! I thought that yesterday as the big, blustery winds came through and neatly disposed of what was left of the leaves in the trees. Your little quilt is darling. And it sounds like the perfect weekend. I wish we had a Trader Joe's nearby! Glad you're in the recovering stage and hope this week finds you tip-top! Have a great one! :)

rubyslipperz1052 said...

#1...I am sooo glad you are on the road to recovery!

the "shedding" cartoon is sooo cute!

I was really surprised at how long ago there were pickles! It was in my mind that it was more a pioneer thing. Yikes! but, then, there are some very ODD things in my mind =P

Oh...a frog quilt? I LUV frogs...so "hoppy"


hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot

Barb said...

Only like pickles in my burgers....

Love your day of one....

Wendy said...

I like sweet pickles the best but rarely have them; usually only on thanksgiving along with green olives that I only eat once a year. I don't know why. Anyway, glad you're feeling better. And I wondered what are the dimensions on the baby quilt. It sure is cute!

Impera Magna said...

I like bread-and-butter pickles... even make them myself from time to time...

That star quilting pattern is interesting.... even like the wonkiness!

:)

sunny said...

I just let my hubby know that it's National Pickle Day - I'm sure he will want to properly observe the day. I'm glad you're feeling better. We all need a lazy day or two now and then. Today might just be my day.

Shannon said...

I am ok with pickles but kool-aid pickles. Yucky! I love your cartoon at the end of your post, very cute!

Melissa said...

I loved reading about pickles - my family is from Tahiti so it was definitely enlightening for me :) I love your star FMQ! I really need to get on top of it and finally take the plunge. I don't know what is holding me back!

Linda said...

Quiet weekends are the BEST!
I love homemade sweet pickles - the crispy, really sweet ones that my mother makes. The take days to make so I've never tried it. I think I might have a hard time eating store bought pickles now, though! :-)

Lynda said...

Glad to hear your cough is getting better now. I do like pickles. My Mom used to make them every year but I've only tried my hand at it a couple of times. The Loving Hand quilt is really cute.

Joanna said...

Yes, I do love pickles, just about any kind. The froggy fabric quilt is adorable. Glad to hear you are feeling better.

sandra said...

I don't like pickles, but I love to send these little bits of trivia to my daughter in law. ....... She thinks I'm mad!!

Staci said...

I am so HAPPY to hear you are feeling better! I hope that cough leaves for good, soon!

Unknown said...

I am not a pickle fan but my DH loves them and I buy him a jar every few weeks or so and he munches away. yuk. Lovely sewing and stories to tell as always. Hugs, Sue x

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a sweet quilt that will be perfect for a little boy! Love your FMQ star! I want to try that one. As always Linda, I enjoy your facts......other than I like pickles but not the idea of open vats sitting outside....Yuck! Hope you are feeling better.

Annie said...

Yum, I love pickles! So sorry to read you've been feeling poorly, wishing you to feel well soon.

: )

Quiltingranny said...

I love pickles. Stop by my blog for a chance to win my giveaway:
http://quiltingranny.blogspot.com

Sparky said...

You are or you aren't ...I LOVE pickles..in fact a meal for me could be dills and olives..not together...and I can't say I have done this since I was pregnant..but I do love pickles..love your facts ...and glad to hear you are mending...

Miss Hillbilly said...

Stephen has always been a pickle fanatic. I will have to try the kool aid recipe for the kids. The courting thing made me laugh though!

I hope you are feeling better :)

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