From: Quilt Along With Emma G, an online offering at miltonfallsgazette.com
Greetings from the snowy Midwest!
Some of you may be wondering what has been happening here in the last couple weeks, since it has been so quiet. Last week some good friends and I made a pilgrimage to Quilt Town USA to visit the Missouri Star Quilt Company! We had all been suffering from a bad case of cabin fever and melancholy so this trip was just what the Dr. ordered. It is truly amazing how a small Missouri town has been transformed by the craft we all love. Aside from the abundant shopping experience, I found the history of the area to be just as interesting. I also found the local Amish community just as fascinating. It is truly interesting how different groups of the same culture operate in such different ways. If you have not visited, I highly recommend it as there is inspiration at every turn.
In our travels the group decided that it would be worth an extra 2 ½ hour drive to visit Emporia, KS. You may not know this, but my great grandmother Emmeline Grangerfield was born and raised in Emporia so it was a deeply personal trip for me. I was able to visit the site of the mercantile that was owned by my great great grandfather. Even though the original mercantile is long gone, I had an overwhelming sense of “coming home”. It was really interesting to tour the local museum and wonder how many of the items in the museum had passed through my grandfather’s hands.
Antonia’s Jam Jam Cookies
2 large eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup of light corn syrup
3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour (may need more to roll out)
2 tsp baking soda
Fruit Jam of choice
Mix all ingredients until thoroughly blended. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll dough out on a floured surface until approximately ¼ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut dough into shapes and place on a cookie sheet. Continue to roll and cut dough until all is used. Bake in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to parchment paper or a cooling rack. While cookies are still warm, spread jam on them in desired thickness. Enjoy!
Along the lines of coming home, the Quiltfiction Club met this week at the Grangerfield Mansion Bed and Breakfast. I have to say I love what the new owners have done to modernize the home. The remote controlled gas fireplaces are especially nice this time of year. I did giggle a bit when I walked into the kitchen, as I know that Cora would be just beside herself with all of the new appliances.
The conversation topic was “Bucket List Quilts”. These quilts are those that one wants to do but hasn’t summoned up the courage to try. The double wedding ring and pickle dish traditional blocks appeared to be the clear winner and have challenged quilters for ages.
Also of interest at the meeting was the array of antique dishes that all members brought to share goodies with. All types of beautiful dishes were shared along with the stories that went with them. If only those dishes could talk for themselves!
The club also extended condolences and prayers for Donna, who was absent due the recent passing of her brother.
Frances motioned for adjournment and reminded all to post their Quilt History Thursday items to the group Facebook page. Frances also mentioned the starting of a book club on Mondays that will also be active on the group’s Facebook page. If you haven’t joined, please do so today so you don’t miss out on one more minute of the fun!
Until next week, keep stitching!
Emma G.
(by Marie Davis Dinwiddie)
