It’s been a while, dearest ones, since I sat down to “chat” with you. The days seem to slide into one another, and the weeks melt together as we push our way into the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days I can see it, other days I am skeptical. Thank goodness for the snow cover we have had since early January here in Vermont. The days when the sun comes out are sparkly and bright, and there have been few oppressively cold days when it’s just not worth bundling up to go outside.
Two nights ago a huge wind blew up and over the Green Mountains, awakening us several times with gusts that made the house feel like it might fly off the ridge. As we walked around the next day, checking on things, we saw that the layers of snow on the shed roof had slid off in one giant “whoosh”. Branches were down and the temperature was a whisper above freezing. The icicles began to drip and the snowpacked road showed patches of mud. Neighbors have been out, checking the taps in their sugar bushes. There’s a long way to go, but spring is flirting with us.
I was poking around in our linen closet the other day and came across this quilt, tucked in the back of the top shelf. It’s the very first quilt I made, sometime in the mid 1970’s. I think I stitched it to take to college. It’s sewn with scraps from my Mumsie’s stash. She made most of my clothes as I was growing up and there’s fabric from so many clothes in this quilt! Dresses from elementary school, “slacks” from the days in middle school when girls were finally allowed to wear pants to school, a peasant blouse or two and maxi dresses from high school days, even some home dec projects…all pulled together in this riot of color. My grandmother had a “postage stamp” quilt with a “perforated” edge which fascinated me. I tried to replicate that, but I clearly did not know what I was doing.
stained, worn fabrics…all the more dear. much loved.
I’m thinking about taking the quilt apart, to remove the polyester batting and to see if I can’t fix up the edges somehow. There are other projects in the queue, so this may have to wait, but I am intrigued by the innocence of this early quilt.
Since it’s Friday and I haven’t done much with links lately, here are a few that you may enjoy…
An update on our bean adventures: we made Nigerian Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Plantains, Moong Dal Khichdi with Spinach and Tunisian Soup with chickpeas, bread and harissa. Cool Beans has been a treasure trove of great new recipes and there are dozens more that we have marked. Have you been cooking with beans? Do tell!
Searching For Italy, a CNN series, hosted by actor Stanley Tucci is our new Sunday night “must watch”. After our dream trip to Tuscany a year and a half ago we are keen to see more of the scenery and food that Italy is famous for. This series does not disappoint and it’s a great escape from reality. :-)
The spotlight on Bernie’s mittens has done so much good and I invite you to read about how he’s helping folks close to my heart. You can read about a new program made possible by his clever generosity here.
I’m nearing the end of Rachel Cargle’s Black history month of prompts over on Instagram. Have you been following along?
Tomorrow our VTMQG is having a virtual “sew-in” with the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild, one of the silver linings of this stupid pandemic…Zooming with friends we would not have met otherwise. Gotta find fun where we can!
Sooooo….hope you are OK, friends. Stay strong, take care and remember that we are all in this together. Sending love to your corner of the world. xo