the princess and the pea

When I was about five, my Aunt Betty gave my sister Janna and me each a dime to spend at the Hull Rexall Drug Store. I selected a book, The Princess and the Pea, even though it cost a quarter.
Aunt Betty was kind enough to cover the difference, and it became my favorite book.

The illustrations of the stacked mattresses and quilts come to mind often when I look at my work.
I had hoped to uncover my copy when we took apart our parents' house, but it was not to be found.
So, thanks to Alibris (and, this time, without Aunt Betty covering the difference) I was able to replace it and enjoy the illustrations once again.

Both my sisters stack the quilts I've given them in the Princess and the Pea style too!
Here is Beth's stack:

And here is Janna's:

vet bollen for the new year!

Vet Bollen--Traditional Dutch New Years Eve/Day treat!
(actually, Olie Bollen as I don't have a couple of quarts of lard in the house)

Sift together:
1 cup sugar
3 cups flour
1/4th rounded teaspoon of nutmeg

Whisk together:
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs

In small bowl, mix:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda

Stir in a bit of the buttermilk mixture into the soda mixture. Then stir into remaining buttermilk mixture. Fold into the flour mixture--you may need to add a bit more buttermilk if too dry. It will be a thick batter.
If desired, stir in raisins or chopped apple.

Drop by teaspoonsfull into hot oil or lard. Turn over when brown to fry other side. Remove to draining rack to cool.
Can shake in sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or leave plain.

Note--this is made with a home made baking powder concoction--the cream tartar and the baking soda and the acid of the buttermilk. This is more unstable that purchased baking powder so you need to use up the batter right away. I like it better than the purchased powder that can give a metallic taste to fried foods.

Happy Birthday to my mother

Henrietta is 85 today!
Both my mother and my mother-in-law have New Year's Eve birthdays.

visiting my quilts (and my family)

A wonderful Christmas season in that I was able to spend time in my mother's and both my sisters' homes. And, was able to visit my quilts!

Merry Christmas!

 In the aftermath of opening gifts.

AND, the An Extravagant Welcome quilt is installed! Two years after it was completed...
My uncooperative children, standing in front, are not impressed. Watch soon for detailed photographs.

cascadia quilt-a-long

As you can see, it is still in progress, but I want to share my version of Lori's Humble Quilts sew-a-long. I am not happy with my quilting of it, so it is being taking out and I will rethink. Come back soon to see it in all it's glory!
There are many quilts posted at her site, so take a look at the wonderful interpretations. Thanks, Lori, for another fun project.

Dykstra family, about 1976

The fashionistas of Northwest Iowa.