Sunday, November 29, 2009

Star Light, Star Bright…

mlcanddogs Good Morning. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving day with family or friends. We've enjoyed a wonderful long weekend, and are looking forward to another beautiful autumn afternoon.

On a quiet starlit night last week, Matthew, Wesley and I walked through the darkness. Matthew looked toward the sky, and asked earnestly, "What are those words I'm supposed to say to make a wish?"

Wesley recited the poem, and Matthew carefully repeated each phrase,
"Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have this wish I wish tonight."

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked, "What did you wish for?".

"Mom! You know I can't tell you," he admonished.

A few days went by, without a word about the wish. Then, as I drove Matthew to school early one morning, he asked earnestly, "Mom, you know that wish I made that night?"

"Sure, what about it?"

"Well, it hasn't come true. I wished so hard for a new pet, and we didn't get one yet. The only thing I can think of is that daddy must have made a wish at the same time as I did. When I wished for a new pet, daddy must have wished that we didn't get a new pet, so his wish erased mine," he explained with disappointment.

"Well, I guess you're going to have to ask dad about that," I replied.

Matthew and I would fill our house up with four-legged friends of all shapes and sizes if we could. Wesley is the voice of restraint. He thinks three cats, our dog Sox, and Laurie-Ann's little Yorkie Hampton (a part-time visitor) are enough! But, that doesn't stop us from wishing...

Childhood is magical.

~ May all your wishes come true.

mlcandcats

It has become a DCQ tradition that we give special thanks to our customers at this time of year. Accordingly, we are pleased to pay the shipping on all USA orders over $50.00 between now and Christmas. Shipments to Canada/Mexico and overseas will receive a discount on their shipping equivalent to the cost of shipping the package to a USA address. Coupon expires December 24, 2009. Happy Holidays!

During online checkout, you'll see a box titled "ENTER COUPON OR GIFT CERTIFICATE NUMBER". Please enter this coupon code exactly as shown: THANKS2009

Apple Butter

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On our spring trip to Pennsylvania, we discovered apple butter.  This delicious spread was served on fresh bread at an Amish restaurant where we had lunch.  We brought jars home for family and friends, along with “Amish Peanut Butter” (a yummy combination of peanut butter, marshmallow crème, and karo syrup).

Just the other day, we finished the last jar from our “stash”.  I was tempted to go online and order more, but common sense prevailed.  Instead, we decided to make our own.

If you plan to do the same, I highly recommend a gadget such as the “Apple Mate 3.”   This handy machine quickly “pares, cores, and slices apples in one easy motion. “  It looks kind of scary, but works great! Available at kitchen stores, hardware stores, and online.  The price should be around $25-30.  Matthew LOVES it…  Wesley loads the apples, and Matthew turns the handle. We can make a Crockpot full of perfect little apple slices in a matter of minutes.

applemate

We found a great recipe for apple butter for the Crockpot at allrecipes.com.  Click here.  For our first batch, we followed the recipe exactly.  Although it was good,  for the second batch we decreased the sugar to only 2 cups, and used 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon of cloves, along with the 2 teaspoons of cinnamon per batch:

5 1/2 pounds apples

2 cups sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

You can always add more sugar at the end if you think it’s not sweet enough.  We all prefer the batch with half the sugar… better flavor and more healthy.

Also, I could easily fit a double batch into my large crock-pot.  The house smelled heavenly all day.

Although you could package the spread in plastic containers and refrigerate or freeze, we chose to pour the hot apple butter in sterile jars, then process in a hot water bath for about 15 minutes.  All our jars sealed… Hooray!

This recipe is really simple and turns out great.  We plan to gift the jars for Christmas, covering the lids with pretty fabric of course!

Cabin Award Winner: November 29, 2009

Congratulations to Pat Kraus!

Your name has been chosen as the winner of the fat quarter bundle of the new Hoffman “Color Splash” fabrics,  (14 fat quarters).  Retail value: $35.00.

g3010-162-jewel g3010-12-pink

Click here to see the full collection. Perfect for bright and cheerful quilts, these fun fabrics are new arrivals at the shop.

Please send an e-mail to Laurie-Ann at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com with your mailing address, and she'll help you redeem your reward.

The next "Cabin Award" will be posted on Sunday, December 6th.

The lucky winner will receive our newest quilt kit, Ellen’s “Rouenneries” Quilt, using the pattern “Open Season” designed by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company.  Retail Value: $44.00.  This stunning small quilt features scrappy flying geese with a pieced sashing. The result is simply lovely. Finished size: 28” x 34”.  Click here to view the kit.

 missrosieopenseason

 ellenopenseason

 

Cabin award winners are randomly chosen from our list of blog followers. To become a follower, click on the colorful “FOLLOW” icon on the left side of this page, and proceed with the instructions.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

And for these things, I give thanks

anniversarybouquet2009

Good Morning!

Wesley surprised me with an early anniversary present this week... A beautiful bouquet of red roses, white carnations, and pine boughs. This arrangement has special meaning for us. He gave me a similar bouquet in the same green glass bowl on our wedding day. Each year, he asks the flower shop to recreate it for our anniversary.

With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, I've been making a conscious effort to make note of the things for which I am most grateful. Sometimes, my gratitude flows freely, and I am appreciative and content. Of course, there are also times when I fall into discontent and self-doubt, developing a case of the "If Onlys".

"If only I had more time... If only I had more help... If only I could get organized..." I think these emotions are pretty common at this time of year, as women look forward to the holiday season, hoping to accomplish so much, as they plan special meals, gifts, and celebrations.

We are bombarded with images of exquisitely decorated homes and perfect holiday tables laden with gourmet meals. Standing at the supermarket checkout counter, magazine cover photos depict these unachievable scenes, carefully photographed to draw us into the fantasy.

As I catch myself falling into the trap, I have to remind myself that chasing perfection is a game that I'm no longer willing to play. Instead, I will focus upon the small joys each day, live in the moment, and do my best to find balance in those things which are truly important.

On that note, I came across a newsletter I wrote a few years ago, titled "Simple Quilting Joys". To those of you who remember it, perhaps you'll enjoy reading it again. I made a few modifications, as I'm older and wiser now :)

This list reflects my simple quilting joys:
1.) Starting a new project. Choosing the fabric, reading the pattern, and bravely making that first cut with a rotary cutter.
2.) Sharp rotary cutter blades, full bobbins, and a really hot iron with plenty of steam.
3.) Realizing there is a perfect ruler for the cut you are making, that you already own it, and you can easily find it in your messy sewing room.
4.) Completing the first block in a new project, and measuring it: it is the right size, and your points MATCH!
5.) Enduring endless interruptions, occasional "un-sewing with a seam ripper", and other frustrations.... to bring a quilt top to completion.
6.) Joyful hours with needle and thread watching the pattern come to life under your fingertips.
7.) Pleasant surroundings as you work. Hot coffee, good music, fresh air, sunshine, and good company. I'm partial to cats.
8.) Finishing the final seam, laying the top out, taking a step back, loving how it looks, and saying "It's Done!"
9.) Putting the final stitches in a binding, and adding a label. Now, "It's Really Done!".
10.) Washing your new quilt for the first time, adding plenty of color catchers, praying that the colors don't run. Breathing a sigh of relief when you inspect your quilt after washing, and all is well. The colors didn't bleed, and none of your seams fell apart.
11.) Removing your new quilt from the dryer: fresh, warm, and clean. The cotton batt has shrunk a bit, your quilt has a gently weathered appearance, and is surprisingly soft. You can't help yourself... you have to hug your quilt.
12.) As you wrap up in your warm, newly finished quilt, you think of the person for whom you made the quilt with appreciation and love. Especially if you made it for yourself.
13.) Showing your quilt to others. Quilters or non-quilters, it's important to invite friends to share in your accomplishment.
14.) The delightful anticipation of planning a new project.

Cabin Award Winner: November 22, 2009

Congratulations to dmbuckles!

gobblegobblepanelpatternph451

Your name has been chosen as the winner of the “Gobble Gobble Quilt Top Kit” with pattern.  Retail value $40.00. Click here to learn more about the prize.

Please send an e-mail to Laurie-Ann at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com with your mailing address, and she'll help you redeem your reward.

The next "Cabin Award" will be posted on Sunday, November 29th.

Next week’s prize will be a fat quarter bundle of the new Hoffman “Color Splash” fabrics,  (14 fat quarters).  Retail value: $35.00.

I can’t show a photo of the bundle, because we haven’t had time to cut one yet, but here are a couple of my favorite prints from the new collection:

g3010-12-pink g3010-162-jewel

Click here to see the full collection. Perfect for bright and cheerful quilts, these fun fabrics are new arrivals at the shop this week.

Cabin award winners are randomly chosen from our list of blog followers. To become a follower, click on the colorful “FOLLOW” icon on the left side of this page, and proceed with the instructions.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Our Time With Boni Pueri

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Good Morning!

I hope this message finds you happy, healthy, and enjoying a beautiful autumn.

Our little family had a wonderful experience this week, involving the Boni Pueri Boy's Choir from the Czech Republic. As part of the Dakota Concert Series, the group arrived in Hettinger Friday afternoon. Twenty-eight boys and young men made up this traveling group, accompanied by their director, pianist, and media person. Boni Pueri is one of the most highly acclaimed musical ensembles in all of Europe, and the full group includes 350 members. Boni Pueri has performed in some of the world's great concert halls. They are often invited to join eminent artists, including José Carreras and Bobby McFerrin, as well as other important ensembles and orchestras across the world. They perform frequently with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

You can imagine the excitement in our little town regarding their visit. The concert took place at the beautiful Lutheran church, and was simply enchanting. Members of the choir ranged in age from 10 to 20. Songs varied from the traditional to well-known Christmas carols. To begin, the music was reverent and traditional. But, at times the performance became light-hearted and fun. The harmonious voices filled the church in a heavenly way. During their breathtaking rendition of Ave Maria, I shut my eyes, and was transported to a historic European cathedral, stone beneath my feet, polished pew against my back. It was so wonderful that we didn't want it to end.

We were pleased to host three of the singers at our home after the concert, two eleven year olds, and a twenty year old. On concert nights, the group always stays with host families. On "free days", they do some sightseeing and stay at a hotel.

It was a wonderful experience to spend some private time with the three, and learn more about their lives in the Czech Republic. The two younger ones were studying English, but often turned to the older boy for help with translation. One of the younger ones had traveled to Canada on tour, but it was the first international trip for the other. The twenty year old was a world traveler, currently attending University, but planning to continue with with choir for at least another year or two. All of the boys live in they city Hradec Kralove, located in the North-Eastern area of Bohemia.

Before bed, the boys used our computers to go online and send an e-mail home. I imagined their parents opening those e-mails, and wondered what the boys wrote about their experience in our town and our home. Their lives are so different from ours... world travelers at the ages of 10 or 11, so brave, gifted, and devoted to their musical pursuits. Yet, we also noticed our human connections. Their smiles when Matthew proudly showed them his cats and dog. First hesitation, then joy, as Matthew invited them to dip crisp apples in warm caramel for a bedtime snack.

After just a few hours of sleep, the boys rose early, and quickly prepared for the day ahead. Despite jet lag, long days, and short nights, they were delightful to be with. Sitting at our breakfast bar, they watched with amazement as the sun rose across the wide open prairie, illuminating miles upon miles of open fields and pastures. They said that the wide-open space was completely different from their homeland. We drove them to meet their bus, and watched as they drove out of town, on their way to Williston for their next concert.

To learn more about the history & tradition of Boni Pueri, visit their website by clicking <a href="http://www.bonipueri.cz/web/en/%22>here</a>.

Be sure to check out the concert schedule for Boni Pueri, as the group will travel to 10 different states in the weeks to come. Click <a href="http://www.bonipueri.cz/usa-2009/main.htm%22>here</a> for more information.

Cabin Award Winner: November 15, 2009

Congratulations to Grace MacDonald

Your name has been chosen as the winner of the pattern book “Boutique Baby”, featured in last week’s newsletter.  Retail value $18.00.  Click here to learn more about the prize.

boutiquebaby

Please send an e-mail to Laurie-Ann at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com with your mailing address, and she'll help you redeem your reward.

The next "Cabin Award" will be posted on Sunday, November 22nd.

In celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday,  we’re offering a really nice prize next week.  The lucky winner will receive a  “Gobble Gobble Quilt Top Kit”, with pattern.   Retail value $40.00.  Click here to learn more about the prize.

gobblegobblepanelpatternph451

Cabin award winners are randomly chosen from our list of blog followers. To become a follower, click on the colorful “FOLLOW” icon on the left side of this page, and proceed with the instructions.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Cabin Award Winner: November 8, 2009

Sorry, I had a software glitch, and didn’t get last week’s Cabin Award Winner posted.

So, it’s only fair that we award two prizes, rather than one.

Congratulations to JudyCinNC and Shari Wildschutte! 

Your names have been chosen as the winners of nice bundles of fancy Christmas fat eighths in either traditional Red/Green, or Blue/Silver.  You Pick!  These little bundles are nice for smaller holiday projects (jar lid covers, handmade ornaments or gift tags). Retail Value $17.50.

bluesilverfateights_thumb redgreenfateights_thumb

Please send an e-mail to Laurie-Ann at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com with your mailing address, and she'll help you redeem your reward.

The next "Cabin Award" will be posted on Sunday, November 15th.

The lucky winner will receive a copy of the pattern book “Boutique Baby”, featured in this week’s newsletter.  Retail value $18.00.  Click here to learn more about the prize.

boutiquebaby

Cabin award winners are randomly chosen from our list of blog followers. To become a follower, click on the colorful “FOLLOW” icon on the left side of this page, and proceed with the instructions.

The Joyous Sound of a Child Reading

lauriesilkpurse

Good Afternoon!

We've had another enjoyable week, with simply beautiful autumn weather. After a dreary October, the month of November has been sunny and unseasonably warm. We leave the windows open most of the day, and enjoy the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet as we walk about town.

Now that Matthew is a first grader, reading has become an important part of every day. Every evening, a new book arrives in the backpack to be read by the following morning. Once a week, his class goes to the school library, and he brings a special book home for the week. And, three times a week, his teacher hosts a group reading hour, open to family, friends, and volunteers. The more the better, as Mrs. Marion hopes that each student will have one on one instruction from an adult.

These group reading sessions are so much fun! As the volunteers file through the classroom door, the students excitedly count the number of arrivals. Their little faces beam with excitement as they see their parent or special friend arrive. The teacher assigns each adult a group of 2 or 3 children, less if possible, and for a solid hour we are immersed in the challenges and rewards of helping children learn to read.

This year's program has been in full swing for a couple of months now, and the progress is astonishing. It is so rewarding to see these kids face their challenges, and bit by bit, every child improves. Some read with confidence and excitement, barely able to wait their turn. Others bite their lip or hesitate when the come across the "hard words", and struggle to sound them out, looking up frequently to gain approval and reassurance. It doesn't come easy for everyone, but the small groups allow the kids to learn at their own pace. Across the spectrum, they all do their very best, and respond with joy when they complete a task and get to move on to the next book.

These children are very lucky to have a teacher dedicated to literacy for each and every student. This foundation is her lifelong gift to these little ones, and it is both precious and immeasurable.

If you live in our region, please come to the first grade room most Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays, 2-3 pm, and join the group. Or, if you live out of our area, please inquire at your local elementary school or library. Improving childhood literacy is a very important and rewarding goal. I encourage you to help in any way that you can.

boutiquebaby

I have a busy afternoon ahead of me, as I need to get started on a baby gift. Our friends were blessed with a new baby girl yesterday morning, and I plan to use a combination of the new "Minkee Tween" fabrics, along with some coordinating flannel & chenille to make a "Little Bits" blanket. I'm also going to try using the new "laminated cotton" from Michael Miller to make the diaper bag shown on the cover of this "Baby Boutique" pattern booklet. Click <a href="http://www.blogger.com/'http://www.dakotacabinquilts.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?&lastmenu=>here</a> to check out the fun new assortment of coordinates, and some pattern suggestions.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

DCQ & Do It Yourself Emporium

prod1208091_hol08

Good Afternoon!

Such a nice week. So many things to be thankful for.

Our days were jam-packed with activity... parent/teacher conferences, book fair at the library, Haunted House at the theater, supper with friends. Plus, Matthew turned seven on Friday, and we had a big party at the theater, inviting his entire class plus a few special friends from the grades above and below for a movie, popcorn, and birthday cake. The party was chaotic but fun, and he loved every minute of it.

Last night, we took him out "Trick or Treating", neatly dressed in his Harry Potter costume. It was a beautiful evening, and so fun to walk around our little town, checking out the Halloween decorations and visiting with friends. It was the first time we've truly enjoyed Halloween as parents. Previous years have been so miserably cold that we couldn't wait to be get home.

In the midst of all of this, Friday was a crazy day at the shop. We couldn't help but laugh at the assortment of requests.

First a customer needed some burlap. "Burlap?" Luckily we had some Osnaburg linen that would work for her project.

Next, a pair of men arrived, looking for some "Speed Felt". That was a new one. It turned out they were making a poker table, and wanted to cover their creation with some speed felt so that the cards would slip neatly across the surface. They settled on Moda marble flannel in a lovely shade of blue. They also picked out some Warm & Natural batting for the padding.

Next, a customer looking for some silver fabric, "extra bright & really shiny." She and her husband wanted to dress as the "Black-Eyed Peas" for Halloween and planned to applique two large letter "P's" on the front of two black t-shirts. Of course, they would also use black makeup to blacken their eyes. Pretty creative, we thought. She ended up choosing a bright lime green batik, and we taught her how to use Steam A Seam to accomplish fusible applique.

Finally, our friend Ann-Marie arrived. She politely inquired, "Do you have any fabric I could use to make a pair of Smittens?" By then, we all had the giggles... "Smittens? Are you kidding? What are those?"

Ann-Marie explained that "Smittens" are mittens "built for two". Getting an early start on Christmas gifts, she planned to make a pair of "Smittens" for her daughter and daughter's boyfriend. A few minutes later, she left with a couple of coordinating flannels and some fleece for the lining. She promised to return with her finished "Smittens" so we could check them out.

I found the Smittens shown in this photo for sale at www.restorationhardware.com. for $49.00. Many other websites sell them. Just google "smittens"... if you want to buy a pair. Or, if you are feeling ambitious, make your own!

After a day like that, we considered changing the name of the shop to "Dakota Cabin Quilts & Do It Yourself Emporium". Then again, it was the day before Halloween, a full moon, and a whole lot of fun!