What’s Inside?
• Cup of Tea with Lydia - Page 4
• Reflections on the Front Porch - Page 5
• Jacquelynne Steves Free Pattern - Page 5
• Appreciating the Art of Quilting - Page 6
• Become Inspired - Page 7
• Campfire Feature & Cooking - Page 8
• Heritage Needlework Quilt Show - Page 8
• Where the Wildflowers Are - Page 10
• Taste of My Own Medicine - Page 10
• America in Stiches - Page 11
• Robin’s Nest DIY - Page 12
• Carol Joy Holling Center - Page 13
• Plant Diaries - Page 14
• Mystery Quilt - Page 14
• Susan Branch - Page 14
• Book Giveaway Winner - Page 15
• By the Yard Comic - Page 16
• Country Berries - Page 16
• Word Search Hotel Lobby - Page 16
• The Little Things - Page 17
• Ad Directory by Name & Community - Page 18
Editor’s Notes
www.MoxieMarketingMW.com
• 605-568-0181 • Kelsey Ruzicka • Publisher of this Country Register!
“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Summer is a great time for new things, traveling to new places, experiencing new sights and places. Often our adventures involve the outdoors. Whether that is a beautiful park to stroll through, a state or national park to sight see in, a great peaceful night around the campfire or sipping tea on the patio with friends. The common thread is nature. That rejuvenation that comes from nature is something you just can’t bottle.
Sunshine and a cool breeze through the window as you cruise through a beautiful state park. Breathtaking vistas you only see if you dare to hike into the woods. Calming sound of the stream or lake as you soak or float. The birds chirping, warm sunshine and floral aromas that make that happy place on the patio just right. The mesmerizing crackle of the campfire that seems to remove all the day’s worries. These are the the simple joys and lessons nature teaches us in these summer months. That time spent outside in whatever form is still what the soul needs.
We are lucky to live in states that offer both natural landmark adventure, but also cultural ones too. Festivals and events are abound in the summer months, offering adventures in our own “backyards.”
Though it is fun to go on long road trips, big adventures and bucket list trips. Simple adventures can be found right where you are or nearby. I recently took a trip only 5 hours away and saw things I hadn’t before or had forgotten where right under my nose. In awe of the beauty surrounding me. Life is busy and fast-paced Lets’ not forget while mother nature is in her prime, to take in the natural beauty and gifts of the season. Enjoy the time spent around the campfire, on the patio, and outdoors.
“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” - Henry David Thoreau
Warm Summer Wishes & Simple Adventures to You, -Kelsey countryregisternebraska@gmail.com kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com Office: 605-568-0181
Kelsey Ruzicka Publisher of The Country Register of Nebraska
The Country Register of Nebraska Kelsey (Snyder) Ruzicka, Publisher Produced by Moxie Marketing of the Midwest, LLC PO BOX 2015 • Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-568-0181 Office
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* Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950
* Arkansas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, 405-470-2597, lenda@countryregister.com
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* Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com
* Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, IowaCountryRegister@mchsi.com
* Kansas: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com
* Maine: Deborah Daney, 660 Country Club Road, Sanford, ME 04073, 207-324-7482
* Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com
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* Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211
* Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, minnesota@countryregister.com
* Missouri: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com
* Montana: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* Nebraska: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950*
* Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803
* New Hampshire: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822
* New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com
* New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797
* New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com
* North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950
* North Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, ohiocountryregister@yahoo.com
* Oklahoma: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com
* Oregon: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* Pennsylvania: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319, Fax 800-609-0278
* Rhode Island: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com
* South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950
* South Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com
* Texas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com
* Utah: Available
* Vermont: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822
* Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com
* Washington: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
* West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com
* Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, jennifer@countryregisterofwisconsin.com
* Wyoming: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com
CANADA
* Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, countryregab@yahoo.com
* British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711
* Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, countryregister@sasket.net
* Ontario: Harriet Ramos, Box 60, 4338 Innes Rd., Orleans, ON K4A 3W3, 343-882-5812
Summer's Simple Adventures
The Country Register of the Nebraska July/August • Volume 15 Issue 4
The Country Register of Nebraska is published every two months. Copyright 2024.
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A Cup of Tea with Lydia: The Fragrance of Sharing Tea
By Lydia E. Harris
Who doesn’t love a little bit of this and that? And that is exactly what a tea party can be! Let’s do a taste-test on a varie-TEA of teatimes.
1. A spot of tea and charcuterie!
My friend Kathleen had just returned from a 10-day mission trip to the Philippines with a team of eight people. As part of her home-based prayer team, I was eager to hear about her outreach and invited her for tea.
Since charcuterie boards with assorted foods are popular, I arranged most of the food on a pretty tray for us to share. It included crackers, two kinds of sliced cheese, thin salami slices rolled into roses and placed in small cups, cherry tomatoes, and fresh strawberries. If desired, you could garnish the arrangement with edible fresh flowers. On the side, I served teacups with homemade cheesecake topped with whipped cream and blueberries.
While we sipped Blackberry Sage tea, I learned that Kathleen and the team had shared God’s love with 2,700 prisoners in sixteen jails and prisons. They also distributed food, hygiene supplies, and 1,000 Bibles.
Kathleen spoke to groups of prisoners each day and blessed the lives of truly desperate men and women. She shared her heart with prisoners and spread the sweet-smelling fragrance of God. I sent her home with a small heart-shaped German chocolate cake and fragrant lilies from the table arrangement—further spreading a wonderful fragrance.
2. A simple “thank-you” tea shares love.
My niece’s daughter surprised me by ordering containers of Lyle’s golden syrup online to be delivered to my doorstep. She knew I had run out of this important cookie ingredient. To thank her, I invited my great-niece and her mother for tea and cookies made with golden syrup. (See recipe for Everyone’s Favorite Cookies.) After our visit, I sent them home with the remaining cookies and the flowers that decorated the table. Flowers make the perfect reminder of the fragrance of friendship.
Later my niece wrote: “Thanks for the tea and cookies this afternoon! It was just the pickme-up I needed.”
3. A tea can put the happy in birthday, and it doesn’t even have to be in person! My niece delivered a tea party in a box from me to my older sister, Ruth, for her 87th birthday. I kept it quick and easy with store-bought items including a colossal-sized piece of carrot cake, candles, several other treats, and her favorite candy bar—Baby Ruth.
I tucked in napkins, a small bottle of sparkling cider, and Harney & Son’s “Birthday Party” tea, which she enjoys. This herbal tea brews a rosy pink color and has a fruity flavor. To brighten her apartment, I sent along a flowering purple and rust chrysanthemum plant with a perky floral bow.
I also mailed her a card, in which I wrote:
You’re a Blessing!
Baking, cooking, sharing homemade English muffins
Loyal and loving—to family, friends, and God
Evangelical—leading Bible studies and offering spiritual help to others
Souper, caring cook—making me a gallon of Mom’s chicken noodle soup when sick
Singing—adding joy and praise to the lives of others
Industrious—helping in our yard and home
Never giving up—even on hard projects like recovering my chairs
Godly—testing my grandparenting Bible study with other grandmas before publication
You can adapt this idea to create your own card to bless someone. Whether teatimes are simple, fancy, in-person, or delivered, they can leave a lingering sweet fragrance for us and our guests. Who needs the fragrance of your love over tea?
Lydia E. Harris is a tea enthusiast and the author of three books for grandparents: GRAND Moments: Devotions Inspired by Grandkids, In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, and Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting, all available at amazon.com.
From Lydia’s Recipe File: Everyone’s Favorite Cookies (Brun Kaker)
I’ve yet to find anyone who doesn’t like them. The key ingredient is golden syrup. (From In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, Harvest House Publishers.)
Gather
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 T. powdered sugar
2 T. golden syrup (e.g. Lyle’s)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
Make
1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugars, golden syrup, and vanilla.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour and baking soda.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, 1 cup at a time. Mix until blended. You may want to mix it by hand.
5. Divide the dough in half. Form each part into 2 long rolls, about 1½ inches around.
6. Place 2 rolls of dough on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rolls have flattened and are lightly browned.
7. Remove the cookies from the oven and place the cookie sheet on a cooling rack. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut each rope into diagonal strips that are 1-inch wide. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before moving them from the pan to cooling racks. When cool, store the cookies in a covered container.
Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.
Tip: You can find golden syrup in some grocery stores shelved near light and dark corn syrup, and also online.Serves about 6 to 8: Two or more tea sandwiches per person.
Reflections of the Front Porch
By Janet Young
Prior to WWII, porches were a prominent architectural feature added to homes everywhere; especially for the homes in the south. The years before air conditioning was available people would sit outside to catch a few cool breezes on a warm summer night. Or, to start their day perhaps, by drinking their morning coffee on the front porch. A front porch was a welcoming and functional space where friends and family could gather to connect, converse, and if including neighbors a sense of community was created.
The porch was a gathering place where family photos were taken, where children played games - such as Jacks, where first kisses were exchanged on a star-studded night. The porch is where you get to meet and know your neighbors. For example, if someone walking their dog offers a quick hello, or perhaps a bright smile or friendly wave of the hand from a neighbor across the street who sees you relaxing on the porch, these are ways to connect one to the other.
Another example would be the porch as a gathering place for little ones to come and eat their ice cream cone, or drink a refreshing drink of cold lemonade.
The porch is a perfect spot to sit outside and read a book. What better place to prop up your feet and read that novel you have been wanting to read. Or, how about journalling? This would be ideal for letting your creative juices flow as you feel the summer breeze and smell the roses surrounding your porch.
While we are at it, let’s not forget the porch swing and the rocking chair, all attributes that helped to make the porches of yesteryear. The list could go on and on as we reflect on the influence the porch has had on thousands of families over the decades.
Yes, the porch is the bridge to the outside world. It is a welcoming place that offers community as we stated above, affords conversation, and enables a connection to family, friends and neighbors. As summer unfolds, if you are fortunate enough to have access to a porch, take advantage of the power of the lowly porch, and see what a difference it makes in your life.
Happy Summer
- © Janet Young is a Certified Tea and Etiquette Consultant, Co-Founder of Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association, and prior owner of Over The Teacup
Appreciating the Art of Quilting for the First Time
By Susan Hodges
A few months ago, I invited my husband, brother and sister-in-law to attend a quilt show with me. They agreed, but probably more to humor me, than any real interest in the outing.
To say it was a transformative experience for them would be an understatement. Though they knew that quilting was my ‘hobby,” they never fully realized the unleashing of creativity this so-called hobby entailed. They saw, through many examples, that piecing and quilting involved more than just a fabric puzzle waiting to be solved. They witnessed quilts as works of art in many forms.
In each of the quilts displayed, the quilter was leaving a legacy that was uniquely theirs. It was a piecing together of their stories, dreams and hopes into something tangible and beautiful as they answered the Voice within them urging them to create.
Some of the creations were simple with their presentation of clear shapes and color, others chose landscapes or replications of nature. Some illustrated family stories and some incorporated pieces of clothing from childhood memories or memories of those who have passed on. And others were artist’s creations playing with colors and unusual shapes.
In each entry, we witnessed the struggle the quilter faces between their logic brain and the artist brain. Our logical brain thinks in near, linear fashion working with known principles and a desire to make things neat and ordinary. Whereas our artist brain likes to put odd colors and shapes together, by presenting tried and true things in new ways. This struggle continues as the artist creates and logic guides as the quilter blends the technical skills they have honed with patience, practice and commitment with new and untried designs.
Through the elements of design, the quilter offers us visual depth on a flat surface as they incorporate an assortment of lines, shapes, and colors to tell their story.
Through this display of over a hundred quilts, my husband, brother and sister-in-law saw graphically that the art of quilting is not just an “add on” to life. It is instead, a means to help the quilter articulate who they are and/or who they hoped to be as they combine little pieces of fabric into a grand design of shapes and colors.
You can experience this same opportunity of awe and appreciation of quilting art at the Busy Bees Honey of a Quilt show 2024 being offered Friday October 4 through Sunday Oct 6 at the Activity center at 610 Fairview Street in Fountain Inn. SC.
Susan Hodges is a member of the Busy Bees Quilters Guild in Fountain Inn, SC. She has been quilting for 10 years and especially likes paper-piecing. Susan and her husband relocated from Western NY to Simpsonville, SC to enjoy their retirement.
Become Inspired
By Annice Bradley Rockwell
Long-Awaited Days of Freedom
The long-awaited days of summer arrive in often brilliant fashion. We are drawn into the captivating essence of this season of freedom that seems to always have something in store if we are open to it. Radiant mornings filled with sun and almost cloudless skies start our days off on a relaxing note as we listen to the beauty of the call of the ospreys or the rhythmic washing of the waves onto the sandy shore. Days off might find us in shaded solitude reading a recommended book from cover to cover in one sitting. Planned day trips with friends offer us a much-needed chance to reconnect and recharge with happy conversation over a delicious light lunch followed by a cool woodland hike.
Spectacular
Season of Summer
Our weekend getaways to a quaint coastal town spark our curiosity and the anticipation of the trip reaches its peak as we journey forward with all new things in store. Family-owned lobster shacks, offering clam chowder and hot, buttered lobster rolls on perfectly weathered picnic tables are an afternoon treat not to be missed. Fully packed antiques shops dot the main streets and overflow onto the sidewalks on these happy, sunny days. Patriotic flags adorn the streets along with vibrant, deep red geranium blooms filling each storefront window box. The spectacular season of summer is in full swing and for that, we are grateful.
Midsummer Nights
After a fun-filled day of antiquing, ducking into local boutiques and maybe even dipping into the ocean for a refreshing swim, we can sense the midsummer night still has gifts to give. Reserving a table for two at a dockside restaurant to soak in the views of the fishing boats coming in is a promise worth keeping. As you enjoy a seaside meal, the daylight finally gives way to night, but not before giving you its explosive farewell. The summer sunsets seem to light the sky on fire as a grand finale to an ideal summer day.
Perhaps it is their fleeting nature that makes these days of summer so precious to us. When we embrace the fact that we have a hand in creating them, we can envision and design memorable moments that hold the power to fulfill us and keep us connected to all that we love.
--Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. NewEnglandGirl2012@hotmail.com
Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb. total)
1 tsp. sodium-free lemon pepper
Kosher salt
2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. poppy seeds
3/4 tsp. granulated sugar
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1/2 tsp. dried minced onions 1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 (10-oz.) head romaine, chopped (about 6 c.)
3/4 c. pineapple chunks
3/4 c. strawberries, quartered
1/2 c. blueberries
1/3 c. toasted pecans, roughly chopped
countrysampleronline.com
32nd Annual Panhandle Quilt Guild Show “Fiberz and Threadz Entangled”
July 12, 13 & 14, Fri & Sat: 12-5pm, Sun 12-4pm Gering Middle School, West Gym Entrance | 800 Q Street, Gering, NE 69341 For more information, call Cindy Scheinost: 308-632-5695
PolishFest 2024
Sunday, Sept. 8th, 10:30am - 4:30pm
Polish Heritage Center , 120 Howells Ave, Ashton, NE For more information visit their FB page- Polish Heritage Center Inc.
Directions
Step 1 - Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; heat 5 minutes (or preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat). Place chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet into 1/2"-thick pieces. Season chicken all over with lemon pepper and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
Step 2 - Grill chicken, turning halfway through, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.
1 (10.5 oz.-can) Mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
Step 3 - In a medium bowl, whisk vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, poppy seeds, granulated sugar, dried onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly stream in oil, whisking constantly, until dressing is smooth and emulsified.
Step 4 - In a large bowl, toss romaine with one-third of dressing; season with salt. Thinly slice chicken against the grain and arrange over lettuce. Top with oranges, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans. Serve with remaining dressing alongside.
Campfire Feature
By Sarah Grassel(Wandering Wilde Media) Contributing Writer
As the summer sun sets, there's nothing quite like gathering around a campfire or fire pit with friends and family. The crackling flames, warmth, and shared stories create unforgettable memories. However, while enjoying these moments, it's crucial to prioritize safety to prevent accidents and wildfires. Here are some essential tips for ensuring campfire and fire pit safety during the summer.
Choose the Right Location
The first step in fire safety is selecting an appropriate spot for your campfire or fire pit. Ensure it's at least 15 feet away from tents, trees, and any flammable materials. Avoid areas with overhanging branches or dry grass, and always check local regulations or fire bans before starting a fire.
Prepare the Site
Clear the area of any debris, leaves, or twigs. Dig a pit, if necessary, and surround it with rocks to contain the fire. This barrier helps prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding area. Additionally, keep a bucket of water, a shovel, and a fire extinguisher nearby as precautionary measures.
Building the Fire
When building your fire, start with small sticks and twigs, gradually adding larger pieces of wood as the fire grows. Avoid using accelerants like gasoline or lighter fluid, as they can cause the fire to become uncontrollable. Use only dry, seasoned wood to minimize smoke and sparks.
Managing the Fire
Once your fire is lit, never leave it unattended. Assign someone to monitor the fire at all times, especially if children and pets are nearby. Keep the fire at a manageable size, no taller than three feet, to maintain control. Be mindful of wind conditions, as gusts can carry embers and start unintended fires.
Extinguishing the Fire
When it's time to put out the fire, it’s best to allow the wood to burn completely to ash if possible. But don’t stop there. Pour water over the embers, stirring the ashes to ensure all embers are extinguished. Continue adding water and stirring until the fire pit or campfire is cool to the touch. Never leave a fire until it is completely out.
Consider Alternatives
If conditions are too risky (or not allowed) for an open fire, consider using alternatives like a portable propane fire pit or an electric heater. These options provide warmth and ambiance without the same level of risk associated with traditional campfires.
Educate and Lead by Example
Teaching children about fire safety is crucial. Explain the dangers and proper behavior around fires. Set a good example by following safety guidelines and demonstrating responsible fire management.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the magic of summer campfires and fire pits while ensuring the safety of everyone (and the environment!). Remember, a little preparation and caution go a long way in preventing accidents and preserving the beauty of our natural surroundings. Stay safe and enjoy your summer nights by the fire!
Campfire Cooking
1) Chicken and Black Bean Nachos
2) Grilled Corn on the Cob
3) Kebabs
4) Tin foil dinners
5) Hamburgers and Hotdogs
6) S’mores different ways
- Roasted Berry S’mores
- Peanut Butter Cup S’mores
- Chocolate Chip Cookie S'mores
- Rice Krispie Treat S’mores
Quilt & Needlework Show
– an Applejack Festival Tradition
If you enjoy strolling past scores of colorful quilts and amazing needlework, then add the Annual Heritage Needlework Guild’s Quilt and Needlework Show to your Nebraska City Applejack Festival ‘must do’ list.
At one of the largest quilt and needlework shows in southeast Nebraska you can see over 100 member-made items. There will be bed quilts, baby quilts, wall quilts, table runners and toppers, needlework, wearable items and beadwork.
Held in Bethel Church, Nebraska City, the dates for this year’s Quilt and Needlework Show are Sept. 20, 21 & 22. Show hours are Friday 4 - 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cheryl Harms is the Guild Member of the Year and dozens of her quilts and wall hangings will be on special display.
Two big show features are the Raffle Quilt and the Raffle Baskets. This year’s Raffle Quilt measures 90” by 70” and is called “Twinkle Twinkle.” The quilt pattern was designed by Wendy Sheppard, pieced by Margaret Om and machine quilted by Valerie Duncan.
Raffle Baskets full of fabric, yarn, pattern books and other ‘sewing goodies’ are created by Guild members using varied themes such as Baby, Christmas, Huskers, etc. Tickets for both raffles are $1 each or 7 tickets for $5.
Since last year’s addition of selling member-made potholders was such a huge hit, Guild members made more. Potholders make great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, bridal showers, hostess, Mother’s Day and Father's Day.
This show is handicapped accessible with plenty of free parking. Entry fee is $5. Put a trip to the 2024 Annual Heritage Needlework Guild Quilt and Needlework Show on your Applejack weekend activity list and enjoy the many items on display.
The Heritage Needlework Guild invite you to be their guest at a upcoming Guild meeting. Their meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month, except December, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church at 315 S 16th Street in Nebraska City, NE. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting and presentation begin at 7:00.
Row after row of quilts & needlework awaits you.
Where the Wildflowers Are
Whether you love the wild field variety or you love to cultivate flowers on your own patio. Flowers are a large part of our happiness barometer in the spring, summer and fall. We decorate with them and use them for food. We can also use them for other purposes such as pest control, medicine and more.
The love for flowers and yearning for understanding of them started long ago in Greek and Roman times and can be traced to Theophrastus (300 BC) who is today considered the "Father of Botany". A pupil of Aristotle, he was put in charge of the Athenian botanical gardens which resulted in his work, De historia plantarum, a compilation of observations regarding trunks, inner plant structures, roots, leaves and seeds. He described about 500 separate plants using these criteria.
Medieval herbalists were typically Christian monks who led more to a scientific understanding of herbs and plants.The 17th through 19th centuries saw the rapid expansion of botany which was consistent with a period of exploration and scientific development. Leading to famous botanists like Lewis & Clark and Charles Darwin.
Wildflowers are not only fascinating but play an important role in in the ecosystem. Wildflowers and wildflower-rich habitats, such as meadows, provide valuable support for insects and other wildlife. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps and more – rely on wildflowers as a vital source of food. In turn, 60 to 80 per cent of the world’s flowering plant species rely on animals to pollinate them, including many of our important food crops. Insects that feed on wildflowers also provide a food source for other animals and help to reduce the numbers of pests like aphids that attack crops. Wildflowers also support the soils they grow in, keeping them stable in the face of rainfall.
WIldflowers often make a great option for garden beds when grown effectively and cared for. Native species can thrive and require little maintenance. Find out more about your local wildflowers, visit a wildflower field or just enjoy while out exploring. Keeping great habitats for pollinators via wildflowers or planted annuals is always a good plan for everyone.
A Taste of My Own Medicine
by Julie Pirtle
Greetings! After a brief respite to get moved into our new home in Oregon, I am back at the keyboard to share my musings with you.
This move from Arizona was exhausting. I suppose all the moves in my life have been, but as I get older, I find that my energy level is not what I’d like it to be. Not only that, but I also had to treat myself as if I was a client. Having to drink my own medicine was challenging and sometimes didn’t taste very good!
We downsized into a smaller home, and it became obvious early on that we had moved too much with us. Some areas of the house were easier than others. I spent days unpacking. While doing so, I constantly challenged myself to determine if what came out of the boxes was still a necessary part of our lives.
(Continued on page 15)
American Stitches –The Threads That Bind Us
by Barbara Kalkis
America’s 248-year-old whodunit: An urgent request. A good deed.
A needle, thread, and fabric. A missing piece of paper. The nation’s enduring symbol. America’s national holidays are all quite straightforward in their purpose. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. Labor Day celebrates work. Veteran’s Day is for those who have served in our military forces. July 4th – Independence Day – celebrates the formal creation of our country. It’s probably the most fun since it’s become synonymous with summer, parades, picnics and the allimportant summer BBQ.
It also holds the mysterious question that took 200 years to solve.
We remember slices of history made on that July 4th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After months of negotiations and debates, representatives of 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. It was a moment of massive courage. With their signatures, colonists pledged allegiance to their new country of united states and became traitors to the King of Great Britain. Not only did they have to return home and “sell” its concepts to their colony, but they also began a war of independence in earnest. They signed anyway.
Diving into details, they adopted a ‘great seal.’ Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers, designed the elements. We know this because he wisely presented the delegation with a paper invoice. A simple act, it became fuel for the mystery.
The delegates also determined to have a flag to represent the united nation. (We will leave the question of how men prioritize tasks to another day.) George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, accompanied signers Robert Morris and George Ross to visit Betsy Ross, widowed wife of Ross’s nephew and a highly successful seamstress.
Betsy Ross had learned sewing as a child and was apprenticed to an upholsterer when she married John Ross. They had a thriving upholstery business and, after John was killed in the early skirmishes of 1776, Betsy continued working mending tents and making flags for military units.
The men handed her a design featuring 13 6-pointed stars. Betsy famously took her scissors and, with one snip, made the stars with 5 points, as these were easier and faster to sew.
She sewed the flag with a canton of thirteen stars representing each colony. They were positioned in a circle on a field of blue. Red stripes symbolize valor; white for purity; blue for loyalty. Sadly, Betsy did not think to give the Father of Our Country a paper bill.
In the 1800s, nearly a century after she created our national symbol, people questioned whether she really made the flag or simply took credit for it. After all, there was no paper invoice. Only one paper fee to Betsy Ross survives. She made a flag for the Pennsylvania navy, and they recorded their payment on paper. However, Betsy repeatedly made the claim, and was quoted on it. In 1873, her grandson published her story, and it became history.
In 1952, on the 200th anniversary of her birth, the US Post Office created a 3-cent stamp showing Betsy sewing the flag under the watchful eyes of Washington, Morris, and Ross. With the literal and figurative “stamp” of approval from the United States Post Office, we have the government’s official view of the mystery. (This is good news for all the kids who write to Santa Claus.)
For crafters everywhere who joyously sew, create and share their love of handiwork, Betsy Ross elevated crafting with highest praise: “My needle is my pen; my thread, the ink. With each stitch, I write the history of this nation. . .. The stitches may seem insignificant, but they hold together the fabric of our nation.”
©Barbara Kalkis, 2024. Barbara writes, teaches, and consults for high-technology organizations. She is the author of Little Ditties for Every Day: A Collection of Thoughts in Rhyme and Rhythm. She loves history and crafting.
Rag Bow
Summer is in full swing, which makes me very happy! This project is very simple (It may require a little time but not much) so you should have plenty of time for all those summer activities. A rag bow can be made from any fabric, muslin may be a good choice, but any cotton fabric will work.
You will Need:
You will need several designs of cotton fabric, about a half yard of each, some other ribbon (I used a cotton lace and ricrac ribbon), scissors, ruler and pen, hot glue and hot glue gun, buttons and optional things are burlap ribbon and embroidery floss ( I decided not to use these but you can).
Step One
Mark off each piece of fabric at 1.5 inches and cut a 2-inch slit. Do this on the shorter edge of the fabric.
Step Two
Rip the strips of each fabric (rip down the longer length), I used about 8 to 10 strips of each fabric. The frayed edges are what you want and so are the threads.
Step THREE
I used one longer strip of fabric to be the tie. Lay it out and find the middle. Take the other strips of fabric and lay them in a zigzag over the middle of your tie piece. Keep laying pieces over the middle until you have the thickness of bow you want; I used about ten strips. I also used some of the ricrac ribbon and lace. Using the tie piece, tie a double knot around the zig-zag pieces in the middle.
Step Four
Next take 8 to 10 strips (you may have some left over) and fold them in half. Lay the middle over the back of the bow part. Using the tie piece, tie another double knot to secure them to the bow.
Step FIVE
I hot glued a couple of buttons together and glued them on the front of the bow. You can use any blingy thing you want.
Step six
You have a beautiful rag bow. As I said, you can use any fabric and make this any size. They are great as door hangings or on a wreath. These are cool in red, white and blue.
Quilt Auction Carol Joy Holling Center
You are invited to be part of the 36th Annual Quilt Auction at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center on July 27. Creative and talented quilters from across the country donate hundreds of colorful and intricately designed quilts to be sold at this event. The auction raises funds for camp scholarships, ensuring no camper is turned away due to financial constraints.
Quilts will be on display when the gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. The live auction begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends after the last quilt is sold late that afternoon. Lance Larsen and his team, Larsen and Associates Auctioneers from Cordova, Neb., graciously volunteer their time and talents for this special event.
Select quilts will be available through an online silent auction. Bidding will open for the silent auction at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 26, and close at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27.
Quilts are numbered and labeled with information about the quilt donor and the size, type, and design of the quilt. This information is available in person and in the preview online.
While at camp, enjoy a delicious lunch of pulled-pork sandwiches, a variety of salads, chips, cookies, and a beverage from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids (412), and free for children three and under. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request. In addition to lunch, concessions of popcorn, sno kones, and cookies are available throughout the day.
Hayrack rides, lake activities, and the swimming pool are available weather permitting. Although this is an outdoor event, no pets are allowed.
Quilt donations can be delivered to Carol Joy Holling Camp between June 3 and July 22. They should be placed in a plastic bag with a completed copy of the donation form. Quilts cannot be accepted after July 22.
For up-to-date information (schedule, quilt donation guidelines and form, quilt preview, online bidding information, and more) visit the website at CJHcenter.org/quilt-auction.
The Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference and Retreat Center is located on 317 acres of rolling hills outside of Ashland, Nebraska. The Camp, Conference & Retreat Center serves more than 1,000 campers in the summer months and more than 15,000 retreat guests annually. Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center is a branch of Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM). Formed in 1975 as part of the Nebraska Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, NLOM offers spiritual, social, personal, and professional development in a safe, intentional community set apart from everyday life. For more information, visit CarolJoyHolling.org.
Bang Bang Corn
Ingredients
• 1/2 c. sweet chili sauce
• 3 Tbsp. melted butter
• 1 Tbsp. sriracha
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• Juice of 2 limes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ears corn, husks removed
• Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 - Make bang bang butter: In a medium bowl, mix together chili sauce, butter, sriracha, garlic, and lime juice. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2 - Heat grill to medium-high. Slather butter all over corn and grill, turning occasionally and basting with remaining butter, until tender and charred, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3 - Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Plant Diaries
By Kathy J. Sotak
I’ve got a bit of a problem here and it’s called thistles. As a gardener who refuses to use poisonous weed killer, I’m on my hands and knees every spring, negotiating with the thistles.
I stab my knife down vertically until I can hear the satisfying “pop” of the weed coming up from its long single root. Over the past two weeks I’ve heard over a thousand pops. But unbeknownst to me, the thistles are thriving.
Underground, thistles send long horizontal runners. Thistles can pop up anywhere along its vast root network. In other words, there’s no cutting thistles down. There’s no killing them. Every time that I try to kill the thistles, the plant says no thank you. Their roots make new life points in the runners below.
In other words, I’m helping them thrive.
Have you ever been cut down, but you ended up thriving instead? Has a negative experience ever created a new life point within you?
Me too.
Sometimes in our daily routines we can forget to notice the new life points, i.e., opportunities, that are created. All we need to do is send energy there and it can pop up into the sun and flourish. Yes, circumstances may try to cut you down, but we are a thriving species.
What do you have running through your network that is begging to be born?
When we experience something that goes against our ability to thrive, it clarifies a new path. If we see something opposite of our value system, it redirects us to walk the path towards our value system.
We can easily be fooled with the illusion that life is static, programmed and predictable. I’m taking a lesson from the abundant thistle plant, realizing that there are many nodes in which I can send my energy – it may be left, right and zig zag all at once. What is my ultimate lesson from the thistle plant? That the unpredictable, zig zag line is the best path to thriving… and likely the most fun.
A Taste of My Own Medicine (Continued from pg. 10)
One of the most difficult challenges was my extensive wooden box collection. These aren’t just ANY wooden boxes. These are the decades-old “treasure chests” women used to have on their dressing tables. I love them so much. It makes my imagination run wild thinking about what coveted items have been hidden in these boxes over the years.
When I was six, my great-grandmother gave me her box. I was enthralled! There was no looking back…I was hooked! I was even more excited in later years to discover that some boxes were adorned with decoupaged pictures on their tops, etched glass mirrors inside the lids or ornate carvings along the outsides. It became quite the treasure hunt to find pieces that boasted all three features. One recent afternoon, I found myself sitting on the floor, surrounded by my box collection. The number of boxes I had exceeded the space on my new shelving unit, and I knew it was time to do something about it. (Yep. Drink that medicine!)
I counted them. Twenty-eight boxes. I knew I had to cut it down. First, I chose the boxes that had been gifts or heirlooms. Next, I chose my four favorites that had all the bells and whistles mentioned above. When I finished, I got the pile down to a much more manageable number of 10. I put the other 18 boxes online and sold them within a week. I made someone else very happy and frankly I have not even missed them.
Another challenge about moving into this house was the master closet as it is about half the size that we were used to. Is there room in the guest bedroom closet for overflow? Sure, there is. Do I encourage my customers to live within their space? Yes, I do. (Yep. Pour another drink of that medicine!)
After explaining my dilemma to my husband, we decided that it was time to purge. We were both skeptical that we could find much more to let go of as we had already gone through our clothing before we moved.
Using some of my clothes purging tips, we were able to fill up FIVE contractor bags of clothing! The best part? We don’t miss any of it. The second-best part? We are living within the space of our closet and didn’t take over other closets in the house.
Here are my tips so you can do the same!
1) BE REALISTIC.
It’s true. If you haven’t worn it in a year, it is unlikely you won’t wear it again. Let it go.
2) INSPECT.
Check for rips and tears. Is it holding its shape or is it stretched? Is it faded? Is it dated? Let it go.
3) REPRESENT.
Life changes and so do we. Did you used to work an office job and now you are a Professional Organizer (smiling here!)? Those slacks, skirts and dresses that were appropriate for the office may not be for your current life situation. Let it go.
4) COMFORT COUNTS.
Many times, clothing comes off the hanger and goes right back on it again without ever getting worn. (You know what I’m talking about!) Clothing that makes you pull, pick, or adjust does not deserve real estate in your closet. Let it go.
5) DUPLICATION.
Do you really need 8 red t-shirts and 20 white blouses? Nope. You don’t. Let it go.
6) WEIGHING IN.
We all have “those” clothes that we feel compelled to save because we will wear them again once we lose weight. I am a firm believer that everything in a closet (and drawers) should be something that can be worn NOW. Clothing for “someday” can be damaging as every time they are looked at, it is a reminder it doesn’t fit. Instead, keep 3-4 each of tops, pants, shorts, etc. that are a size too small. Pack them up and store in an under the bed bin. When you once again get to that size, you will have some items to wear while you reward yourself with a new wardrobe. You deserve it. Let it go.
Collections of any kind can take over and become a nuisance in day-to-day life. The subliminal and negative self-talk that rattles around in our heads can be quieted when there is less in our physical spaces. I encourage you to take a moment and discover what collections you have that could use some attention. Be brave! Be daring! Be ruthless! C’mon. You’ve got this. I know you do!
Julie Pirtle is a Professional Organizer and owner/operator of Clutter Happens. She also works with clients nationally through Video Consultations. The Clutter Challenged can reach her at clutterhappens@gmail.com, on Facebook:/clutterhappens or her website www.clutterhappens.com.
Shelterwood Book Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Nancy Sherwood from Elkhorn who won our drawing in the May-June issue. She will receive a free copy of Lisa Wingate’s latest novel, Shelterwood. We always like to hear from our readers how much they enjoy reading The Country Register and use it as a travel guide to discover new small businesses and community event throughout the State. Find out more at www.lisawingate.com. Or follow her on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @ author_lisa_wingate. Shelterwood is available at most online bookseller sites, your local books store, and through Penguin Random House at this link. Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate: 9780593726501 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books.
Designed
By
Kathy Graham
The Little Things
by Wayne M.Bosman
Life sometimes seems to go from one big thing to another. From car problems to Covid to rising prices, there is always another thing to grab your attention. Bad news sells, as any newsperson knows. Sometimes we enjoy scaring ourselves with the latest horror movie or disaster film. This story is not about that.
This is about something that happens in life that gives another effect. This is about the little things. You probably know what the little things are. Things done that take very small effort and get noticed just a little.
My wife, Kerri, is an artist of the little things. The 3” vase with a variety of flowers that sits in the middle of the kitchen table? It didn’t just appear there. She takes the time to choose each bud and surround them with some herbs from the garden. She chooses each herb for reasons that only she knows. Sometimes because of the scent, never overpowering, but just there. Maybe a sprig gets chosen because of its healing power according to traditional medicine. Because, after all, the kids are coming over and one or another has a little cold. At other times just because it caught her eye. The total effect goes almost unnoticed. It is just a little thing.
Mom notices. Once or twice a year we drive up from our home in North Carolina to stay with her in Wisconsin. Mom lives in the house that she has lived in since WWII, but at 103 she needs a little more backup. My sister, Linda and her husband, Mike, have been providing that backup for years, so a couple times a year we come up to give them a break. We move in with Mom for a week or two and do our best to spoil her.
The first morning there, Kerri goes outside for flowers and brings in a 3” centerpiece. It sits on the kitchen table that has been in the same place since I was a child. Mom always notices. Her mother, she tells us, always did the same sort of thing. Probably for the same reasons.
We have little rituals done much the same way each day. Since we are both awake before Mom gets out of bed, we have time to get her newspaper and set it next to her plate at her seat at the table. On her plate goes her women’s multi-vitamin and a baby aspirin. A recent concession to her age is a Tylenol. A glass of water waits with her pills. Also on the plate is a small piece of coffee cake or kringle. Next to the plate is one banana. For over ten years, Mike has been making sure that she has a supply of bananas. A little thing. The list goes on.
After watching her struggle to break open a banana, I started cutting a little slit on the stem of next morning’s banana to make it easier for her. I never knew that she noticed until this evening. She mentioned it while we talked on the phone. She noticed that little thing.
Kerri is a firm believer. Mom thinks that Kerri is single-handedly keeping the post office in business because of her weekly letters. Birthdays don’t get forgotten. Children receive postcards when we travel. The brief excitement of real mail for the cost of a stamp. Adding another crop to the garden because someone is fond of it. Paying special attention to a plant that a family member chose and then sending pictures of the flower in bloom. Little things.
The little things soften the hard edges of the world. They can be the difference between existingand living. They are small acts of love and faith and appreciation for the gift of life.
Advertiser Directory by Name
Saturday, July 20 from 10am-4pm Scrap Quilt Explosion: Bethlehem Star Versatile block looks great in any palette!
Diane is a scrap quilt specialist and an experienced teacher who loves to share the joy of creating with others. To
