© ®
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
Happy New Year from all of us!
Welcome to our Annual Quilting/Needlework Edition ®
o f NJ an d D E and DE Gail & Merle Taylor, Editors & Publishers P. O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763 Phone: 888-616-8319 • Fax: 800-609-0278 email@CountryRegisterOnline.com • www.countryregisteronline.com
The Country Register of NJ & DE • Jan. & Feb. 2017 • Vol. 17 No. 5
The Country Register is published every other month. Copyright © 1998. The Country Register of New Jersey, Inc. is one of a national network of independently owned and published specialty newspapers licensed by The Country Register with exclusive rights to publish in the states of New Jersey & Delaware using logos and graphics owned by The Country Register. Page header, footer, and icons accompanying regular features in this edition are copyright © 2006 by Tracey Miller and this publication and may not be reprinted. Reproduction or use, without obtaining permission, of editorial or graphic content by anyone in any manner is strictly prohibited.
Each year in our January and February issue, we feature all things quilting, needlework and fiber arts. From featured shop articles to quilt-themed articles our writers have submitted and patterns and projects, this issue is full of quilting. Since quilting, needlework and fiber arts are our feature, we have some new shops and shows in those categories advertising, and our faithful, every-issue advertisers are running specials that might interest those of you who enjoy working with fabric. When visiting the quilt shops during the upcoming months, check for more advertisers in that area and make plans to visit them all. Make a day trip of it! Enjoy finding new shops which you previously
might not have visited. Our advertisers are small businessees who depend on your purchases to be able to continue to serve you. So when you get ready to spend the Christmas cash you might have received or need a gift for someone, think local! Keep your copy of Country Register in your car so it’s handy. Take advantage of the personal service these shops offer and make 2017 a GREAT year.
Let’s Go Shopping-
AND THE GR ANDKIDS! GRANDKIDS!
LOOK HOW THEY HA VE GROWN! HAVE
Articles published in this newspaper, which are contributed by outside sources, express the opinions of their authors only, and may not express the viewpoint(s) of the management or staff of The Country Register. Such articles that are accepted for publication herein may be edited at the sole discretion of the publisher. Responsibility for products advertised in this newspaper lies with the advertisers themselves. Though The Country Register will not knowingly publish fraudulent materials or fraudulently obtained materials, we are not liable for any damages arising from purchase or use of products advertised herein. Notification regarding any consumer complaints related to merchandise purchased from our advertisers would be appreciated and would assist in our publishing efforts.
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The Country Register Publisher Contact List
The Country Register began in Arizona in the Fall of 1988, to provide effective, affordable advertising for shops, shows, and other experiences enjoyed by a kindred readership. Since then the paper has flourished and spread. Look for the paper in your travels. To receive a sample paper from another area, please mail $3.00 in U.S.A. or $4.00 in Canada to that area’s editor. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.COUNTRYREGISTER.COM
The Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd 602-237-6008, Phoenix, AZ
Publications All Across The United States & Canada USA Alabama: Amy & David Carter, 866-825-9217 Arizona: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 Arkansas: Lenda Williams, 405-470-2597 California & N. Nevada: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 719-749-9797 Connecticut: Michael Dempsey, 919-661-1760 Delaware: Merle & Gail Taylor, 888-616-8319 Florida: Amy & David Carter, 866-825-9217 Georgia: Linda Parish, 706-340-1049 Idaho (N): Dee Sleep, 605-722-7028 Idaho (S): Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 Illinois: Lenda Williams, 405-470-2597 Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, 888-616-8319 Iowa : Linda Glendy, 641-751-2619 Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 866-966-9815 Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 443-243-1118 Maine: Gail Hagerman, 207-437-2663 Maryland: Amy & David Carter, 866-825-9217 Mass. & RI: Michael Dempsey, 919-661-1760 Michigan: Bill & Marlene Howell, 989-793-4211 Minnesota: Kim & Mick Keller, 763-754-1661 Missouri: Lenda Williams, 405-470-2597 Montana: Dee Sleep, 605-722-7028 Nebraska: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 Nevada (N): Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 702-523-1803
New Hampshire: Kathleen Graham, 603-463-3703 New Jersey: Merle & Gail Taylor, 888-616-8319 New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 719-749-9797 New York: Dave Carter, 866-825-9217, North Carolina: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 North Dakota: Dee Sleep, 605-722-7028 Ohio: Barb Moore, 937-652-1157 Oklahoma: Lenda Williams, 405-470-2597 Oregon: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 Pennsylvania: Amy Carter, 866-825-9217 Rhode Island: Michael Dempsey, 919-661-1760 South Carolina: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 South Dakota: Dee Sleep, 605-722-7028 Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 443-243-1118 Texas: Lenda Williams, 405-470-2597 Utah: Glena Dunn, 702-523-1803 Virginia: Amy Carter, 866-825-9217 Washington & E. OR: Barb Stillman, 602-942-8950 West Virginia: Amy Carter, 866-825-9217 Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, 715-838-9426 Wyoming: Dee Sleep, 605-722-7028 CANADA Alberta: Ruth Burke, 780-889-3776 British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, 800-784-6711 Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott Kearns, 306-736-2441 Ontario: Harriet Ramos, 343-882-5812
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January & February 2017
Advertiser Index
Shops are listed alphabetically by location. Cities & Shops
P age # Page
Cape May ............................... 8 Historic Cold Spring Village Stitch by Stitch Elmer ..................................... 5 Peggy’s Country Gifts/Antiques Morristown .......................... 13 Acorn Hall Mullica Hill ........................... 7 Amelia’s Teas & Holly Needles & Pins Pedrictktown ......................... 6 Heart Felt Designs Pitman ................................. 16 Olde Pear Primitives Red Bank ............................. 13 Antique Center of Red Bank Salem ..................................... 4 Cawman’s Antique Mall Suse-E-Q’s Cottage
Cities & Shops
P age # Page
Somerset .............................. 12 Quilt & Sewing Fest of NJ Vineland .............................. 11 The Pin Cushion West Creek ............................ 9 KC Creations Woodstown .......................... 16 The Scarecrow Factory Delaware Bethany Beach .................... 14 Sea Needles Dagsboro ............................. 14 Serendipity Newark ................................ 15 The Blue Hen Bed & Breakfast Classified ............................. 10 Out of State ......................... 10 Shop Hop ............................ 15 Web-Based ........................... 10
Events Listing
See shop & show ads for complete details.
January
Day
Event
1-29
Race to the Finish - Acorn Hall, Morristown ................................................ 13
Day
Event
February
Page #
Page #
4, 5 Open House - Heart Felt Designs, Pedricktown ............................................ 6 23-26 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, Hampton, VA .................................................... 10
Free Pattern
Find more free patterns at: JacquelynneSteves.com
March
Day
Event
2-5 3-12
Quilt & Sewing Fest of NJ, Somerset ............................................................. 12 Shop Hop - Various Towns .............................................................................. 15
KISSed Quilts
Winter Bright
Use this pattern for embroidery, wool applique, punch needle or rug hooking, painted projects or whatever your imagination can dream up! Reduce or enlarge pattern as desired. Commer cial use is strictl Commercial strictlyy pr prohibited. ohibited.
We love to see the projects that you have made from our patterns. If you decide to post projects based on one of our patterns on a blog or website, please give design credit to Jacquelynne Steves. Thank you!
Fall International Quilt Market in Houston revealed my new design that was released with Island Batik. This design features one of their new fabric collections called Frost that will be in quilt stores later this winter. The new design is called Winter Bright and is an extension of a design you may have seen of mine several years b a ck — S t a r l i g h t Flutterbright. The past design used panel prints; this one is completely pieced. The center medallion is basically a LeMoyne star with paper pieced corners and background elements to give it more spikes. I decided to use a traditional LeMoyne star for the prior panel spots and spread them around the quilt in different colorations to give it depth and movement. The secondary design of the on-point square uses several values of white to grey
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by Marlene Oddie to blue with the LeMoyne stars tossed throughout. There is a small amount of paper piecing, templates and rotary cut methods used to make this quilt. It finishes at 71” x 71” and would make a great winter throw for the couch or can be extended with more blocks to make it ready for a bed. May your winter be merry and bright!
–Marlene Oddie is an engineer by education, project manager by profession and now a quilter by passion in Grand Coulee, WA. She enjoys long-arm quilting on her Gammill Optimum Plus, but especially enjoys designing quilts and assisting in the creation of a meaningful treasure for the recipient. Follow Marlene’s adventures via http://www.facebook.com/ kissedquilts and her blog at http:// kissedquilts.blogspot.com.
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
SALEM
Cawman’s Antique Mall Antiques & Things on Consignment
Ov er 40 Vendors in 12,000 sq ft Over
Cabin Fever? Browsers Welcome 529 SSalem alem Q uinton R oad Quinton Road Salem, NJ 08079 856-935-0423 Hours: Wed-S un 10am-5pm ed-Sun
Primitiv e • Country • Cottag e Primitive Cottage Furnishing s and Decor Furnishings 107 A West Broadway, (Rt 49) (across from Historic Salem Oak) 856-935-0669
See us on F acebook Facebook
It’s Party Time with Lesley
by Lesley Nuttall
Remembrance or Bereavement Party
There are many kinds of parties that are fun to attend. I would like to tell you about a special party or celebration, but it could also be called a remembrance or bereavement party. Of course, we are all very sad and overwhelmed during and after a love one has passed on. What I am suggesting is to wait six months or a year, and plan an event on your loved one’s birthday or the anniversary date of their death. Our family lost the last living member from our Grandparents generation and their thirteen children. Their youngest daughter, Rella Rose (whom I was named after) passed away last summer in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, where she lived. In the fall, her relatives in Dryden, Ontario, Canada, held a candle celebration of her life as she had spent the earlier part of her life here. As Rella was the end of the actual Prouty generation, we called the celebration a “Mini Prouty Reunion” and a “Memorial Service” for our Aunt Rella Rose. Several of her nieces and nephews got together and planned a special event to honor her. We rented a hall and 65 relatives attended. We decorated the hall with posters made by each family, a collage of Rella’s family, and another collage of our numerous Uncles and one Aunt that had been in the war. There was also a large poster to honor our Grandparents and their family. The eldest niece, Ora, conducted a beautiful and memorable candle service. The first ‘candle’ she spoke of was the ‘candle of love.’ She talked about the ‘love’ we all had for Rella, and the happy memories we shared. Ora invited anyone to come forward and share a memory of Rella. Next, the ‘candle of remembrance’ gave us an opportunity to talk about our departed Grandparents. They had been involved in many different business ventures, and it was interesting to hear how we had all - at one time or anotherhad the chance to visit one of their businesses and learn from them.
Suse-E-Q ’s Cottage
The ‘candle of accomplishments’ centered around Rella’s life and her career as a teacher beginning at the young age of 18 right out of teacher’s collage. (She was my teacher in a Country school of eight grades; she was five years older than me!) In British Columbia, her and her husband had panned for gold; I still have a nugget of gold she made into a necklace for me. The last candle was the ‘candle of thanksgiving’ which prompted several of us, (including me) to go forward and read a poem written in memory of Rella. Several others had songs to share. As each person spoke, Ora offered a little remembrance stone to hold in their hand as a keepsake. It also tends to make one less nervous. At the end of the service there was time to visit with cousins we hadn’t seen for years, look at all the posters, watch an ongoing family video that cousin Ed had put together, as well as meet with cousin Peggy to update the family tree. Two long tables were loaded with party sandwiches, salads, pulled pork, beef on a bun, and numerous dainties and cakes, all supplied by the cousins. As Rella wanted some of her ashes buried on her parent’s grave, we also had a small intimate ceremony at the cemetery before the service at the hall. She would have been so pleased. It was such a ‘heartwarming’ and ‘loving’ experience to honor the passing of our Aunt Rella this way and reflect on our Grandparents generation. It gave us all a chance to remember a happier time and hear about all the love that others had shared with Rella too. I am passing this thought on as it brings such a comfort to one’s heart. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, and reminding you to enjoy and love your family every chance you get! –Lesley R. Nuttall is the Author of “Secrets of Party Planning” and lives with her husband in Dryden, ON, Canada. © 2017, Lesley R. Nuttall
Wed to Sat 10 - 5; Sun Noon - 4 Closed Mon & Tues Major Credit Cards Welcome
Rolled party Sandwiches • 1 loaf of ‘sandwich’ bread, sliced lengthwise • olives and/or gherkin pickles desired fillings 1) Cut crusts from sides and ends of bread carefully. 2) Roll each slice gently with rolling pin to flatten slightly. 3) Butter each slice, and spread with filling. 4) Place an olive or gherkins across one end close together. 5) Roll, starting at the olives or gherkins, jelly roll style. 6) Roll each roll in plastic wrap and chill for several hours or overnight. 7) Later, trim ends and cut remaining roll into 1" pieces. Yield: 25 pinwheels -Suggested fillings: Eg g Salad, Salmon or Tuna, Luncheon meat &
SOMEONE I LOVE I love Angels and butterflies And I love that we have family ties In my thoughts or on a wing You will always be my everything! Thinking of you or touching your hand As I travel anywhere throughout this land You’re so far away, but close in my heart Wanting to tell my feelings, but where do I start? My heart is filled with love for you We couldn’t be closer if we were Sisters, it’s true So how do I explain how much I care? Our middle name “Rose” is one that we share. Oh how I love thee from your head to your toes I confess my love for my “Aunt Rella Rose!” With much love, Lesley R. Nuttall
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January & February 2017
ELMER
Peg g y’s Country Gifts & Antiques Established 1987
203 E 856--358 -2310 Ellm er St & Park Av Avee • E Ellm er, N J 08318 • 856 Handmade Soap - All Natural “Cherokee Pride Soap Company” Old Sleds • Kitchen Kettle Jams, Jellies and more! Old Shutters • Flexible Flyer Wagons LIGHTED PICTURES • DECORATED OLD CHAIRS • CANDLES & HOMESPUN MATERIAL Potpourri • Legacy greeting cards • Lots of Holiday Items • 3 w. Bulbs, also Brown wire lights Decorated trees & tree decorations • Bella Taylor Handbags Crossroads Candles • Thompson Tarts ANTIQUES: Crocks, Jugs, Butter Churns, Coffee Grinders, Kitchenware, Yelloware, Wood Advertising Boxes, Benches, Buckets, Water Cans, Cupboards - late 1800-1900’s, Enamel top tables, Milk Bottles - NJ, Old Quilts, Cookie Jars, Vintage Doilies, & More!
Special sales on select items
PLEASE NOTE HOURS: Call if coming from distance. AND Call if coming in February (We might be in Florida!)
NOW OPEN! Military Building Military WWII items We buy and sell! This building open Fri & Sat.
Don’t cry... WIN A GIF TE A OUR F AVORITE SHOP GIFTT CERTIFICA CERTIFICATE ATT Y YOUR FA Keep those cards, favorite recipes and letters coming... Fill up our mailbox. To encourage more of you to write, every recipe and story submissions received will be entered into a drawing for a $15.00 Gift Certificates* to Your Favorite Shop each edition. Certificates will be mailed to winners and announced here in the paper. (*Certificate provided by The Country Register)
It’s that time of year—time to sort and organize. For some reason, I feel the need to do this once every year in my sewing room. First, I neatly fold all of the yardage that has been haphazardly tossed back into the closet during frenzied moments of creations during the past year. Next, I take out all of the scraps that have been piling up in my scrap basket and sort and press each piece. I then cut these pieces into ‘usable’ pieces, such as 2 ½” strips, and 5” and 10” squares. My now ‘usable’ scraps are then placed into labeled boxes and ready to be stitched at a moment's notice. Finally, I cut a box full of light and dark 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles. These will go into my annual “Twist n Shout Rectangles” quilt. The blocks in this quilt are a great way to use up scraps and are super easy. By themselves, they look pretty
(You might have to stomp your foot!)
You will receive a gift certificate and if the shop tells us a reader recommended them, they get a discount. (Just email the list of shops you took paperrs to and we’ll send your certificate when they place an ad. email@countryregisteronline.com)
Clean Out Your Scraps And ... Make a Great Quilt!
If your favorite shop is not in The Country Register. Take them a copy of paper and tell them you want them to advertise with us.
by Deb Heatherly boring but, once they are sewn together, they form a secondary pattern that will have you shouting and doing the happy dance. This simple pattern makes a fast gift and is fun to do with friends. You could even organize a scrap exchange to give your quilt more variety. Make sure to email me pictures at Debscatsnquilts @aol.com. I would love to see your creations. –Deb Heatherly is a Creative Grids® designer and author of the books Cat’itude and Strippy Stars. Ask for her Creative Grids® CGRDH1 Cat’s Cradle Tool and CGRDH2 Strippy Stars tools, and these companion books at your local quilt shop. EDITORS NOTE: See Deb’s “Twist n Shout Rectangles” quilt pattern on Page 14
Stories of a Farm Wife
by Tammy Page
Quilting - A Lost Art to Me I’ve never had the patience to sit and quilt but several of my family members have and the beauty of the finished product is magnificent. I had a great Aunt Bonnie from Kentucky that was quite the quilter. My mom bragged on my Aunt Bonnie and told stories of her handiwork. When our family visited Kentucky and we all stayed at her home, we always were covered by layers of her homemade quilts as we dozed off to sleep. Because Aunt Bonnie’s quilts were so special and unique, my mom wanted each of us three girls to have one too. My mom pieced three quilts together and sent them to Kentucky to have them finished. We each then received a special quilt pieced with love by our mom.
Quilting is an art lost to me and, still, so dear to my heart. I love the colorful pattered pieces and the hard, tedious work put into making them. The fact that my mom made it makes it even more special. I think about the many hours she toiled over her sewing machine putting together my heirloom. Since losing my older sister just weeks ago, my emotions are raw yet alive with sentiment which makes my quilt from my mom even more precious. Homemade items are far superior to store-bought ones and the fact that quilting is a talent that very few can accomplish makes my quilt even more cherished. –Tammy Page lives on an Indiana farm with her family, farm animals and many pets.
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
PEDRICK TOWN PEDRICKTOWN
LIST FEATURED ITEMS HERE:
Voted Salem County’s Best Country Shop in 2016 Thank you for Your Support! – 32 Years in Business
Super Bowl & Valentine’s Day Weekend Open House: Sat., Feb 4th – 10 to 5 & Sun., Feb 5th – 12:30 to 5 Refreshments & Door Prizes Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas • Potpourri • McCalls, 1803 and Keepers of the Light Candles • Beautiful Florals Country Style Curtains • Tabletop Heart Shaped Gift Certificates • Framed Art and More!
(856) 299-2133 WEB: www.heartfeltdesigns.com
24 So. Railroad Ave., Pedricktown, NJ
Hrs: Mon-Sat 10-5 & Sun 12:30-5 (Sun & Mon - Call first) Less than 10 min. from Del. Memorial & Commodore Barry Bridges
Click “Like”
Life Threaded in Stitchings by Ann St. Martin Stout YiaYia, my Greek grandmother, enjoyed crocheting. Her handiwork, while not legendary, was certainly impressive to me as a 10year old. Big bright spools of crochet thread were found near each of her resting chairs. When she finished crocheting each day, she slipped her slim, shiny crochet hook under the threads and tucked the unfinished length of lace inside the hollow cardboard spool. When YiaYia took up her crochet hook and cotton thread, the fingers of her dry, wrinkled hands flew as she made inch after inch of lace. These colorful strips – gold, red, aqua -- would soon decorate a pair of pillowcases. While she worked, she told me about life in Greece and about immigrating to America as a 16-year-old. As YiaYia grew older, she made more pillow trim than anything else. In younger days, she had made doilies to cover the arms of her over-stuffed chairs, lace to trim curtains, and square tops for throw pillows. Most familiar, though, was the rainbow of pillow case trims resting against crisp white bed sheets in each of her rooms, and in the beds of her children’s and grandchildren’s homes. When YiaYia finished a yard of lace, she joined the ends and stitched the loop to the edge of a new white pillowcase. For this project, she unearthed from the bedroom closet what seemed to me an ancient Singer hand-cranked sewing machine, shiny black with a painted design that looked like gold filigree. It was one of the first things she had bought when she earned enough money as a
young worker in a Lowell, Massachusetts cotton mill. For a half-century that machine stitched lace to pillowcases, and created and patched clothing of three generations. This model required more coordination to operate than other machines because it was run by a hand crank. With the left hand, lace and fabric were fed to the needle while the right hand kept a steady rhythm in a clockwise motion making the needle march in place. When the sewing machine sat at the end of the dinner table, the tablecloth pushed back, I was eager to see what YiaYia was making. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, the era I recall most vividly, she was often patching dungarees for my older cousins. Long before I was born though, she had stitched bleached cotton sugar bags into underwear for her own children, and made other practical things like aprons and skirts for her family to wear. I’ve been married now for 35 years. We still sleep on the pillowcases YiaYia made for me. We store them in the linen closet beside the stack of flowered pillow cases from many sets of sheets. When a piece of YiaYia’s lace begins to unravel, I thread a needle and repair it. I fear that if the lace unwinds, little by little, some memories of YiaYia may also unwind, and I would lose a bit of the thread that holds the years of my life together. –© Ann St. Martin Stout - Ann St. Martin Stout writes from Newport NH where she lives with her family and is always on the lookout for free heartwarming experiences to share. www.leavesarefree.tumblr.com
DO Y OU WISH Y OU YOU YOU WOULD HA VE HAVE AD VERTISED ADVERTISED HERE? Established 2001
MAYBE A COUPON? With this Coupon Expires: February 28, 2017
YOUR ADDRESS In the heart of scenic... YOUR TOWN, USA PHONE #
Gather – A Vintage Market
YOUR STAMP AND SCRAPBOOK SHOP WOULD HAVE NEW CUSTOMERS COMING IN NOW IF YOU HAD!
By Simone Gers
Quilting Our Lives Together I’d only been married to Tray for 13 months when we had our first son—and my prized gift was a baby quilt. My grandmother cross-stitched nursery rhyme patterns on squares and then quilted it with a yellow backing. It was gorgeous. Back then, we used our baby quilts to nestle the baby in the front of the grocery basket, and I was pretty proud of that quilt when I arranged my son, Tanner, in it and pushed him around the store. When I think about the things that are important to me, often there is a quilt involved. I have my mother’s baby blanket, quilted by her grandmother. Grandma Burley used wool from her sheep for the batting and the stitches are not even as grandma, raising twelve children on a farm, had so much to do, she didn’t get caught up in the details about the stitches being straight. This little quilt has been everywhere in my home—hung as art, rolled for a bolster for a chair and as a lap throw. After we were married, Tray inherited quilts and quilt tops pieced together by his grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. The oldest ones were crazy quilts pieced together with clothes. At one time, Tray’s grandmother could point to particular pieces and tell us who wore them. I loved listening to her talk about her family and the stories the quilts narrated would have never come out if we weren’t holding the quilt in our hands, rubbing the different pieces of fabric. And while I may not remember who wore each piece, I will always treasure my special moments with MeMaw. Tray’s mother had this silk quilt that the grandkids adored. There was nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with Ovie and her quilt on a Saturday morning. It took about twenty years of loving grandkids before that quilt fell apart. You can ask anyone of her seven grandkids what their favorite memories with Ovie were and snuggling in that quilt, swimming and cooking with Ovie stories will follow. Just before we had our first grandchild, Tray found a quilt just like his mother’s silk one—same rusty brown color and, of course, he brought it home for us to snuggle with our grandkids. Tray has brought home a lot of quilts because he has never met a quilt he didn’t like. His favorite used to be Dresden plate and we’ve probably worn out three
Dresden plate quilts on our bed. There was one that had a soft yellow back that he adored. Now he’s in love with blocked and graphic colors—red and white, yellow and white, blue and white. He loves the boldness and simplicity of these twotoned gems. Because he has such a passion for quilts, we’ve used them everywhere in our home. Trey once hung ladders horizontally at the height of wainscoting and hung quilts in each of the sections, making a quilt wainscoting. We’ve hung them in every which-way—from hooks in a row, from rungs in ladders, across the backs of chairs and across sofa arms. He’s stacked them two-feet high on a trunk, making a sculpture. When I asked him why, he said he liked to look at all of them and that way he could. He once put hooks in a horizontal line about 20 feet up a 30foot tall wall and hung ten—each piece a work of art to behold and, together, an art installation. When we are creating something new in the house, we often have the conversation that begins with, "remember when we lived in that house and did this with the quilts?" When our granddaughter Cassie was just crawling, I took her outside to play. Living in the desert, we have artificial grass, so I put a quilt down. Cassie did not like the feel of the turf and wouldn’t come off of that quilt for anything— we’re still laughing about how she’d crawl up herself to not touch that stuff. She was not leaving her quilt. Now she’s three and a half and, just last fall on her first day of preschool, she came home with her first homework assignment—bring something to school for show-and-tell that begins with the letter Q. Of course, she brought in her very own ice cream quilt, quilted by her great grandmother. And so another generation is connected by the love and life experiences shared through quilts and quilting. Whether we are quilters or just enjoy a good quilt, whether we use them for actual covers, home decorating or art, so many of our lives are quilted together by experiences, stories and good lives lived with quilts. -Simone Gers began her antiquing journey 35 years ago when she married Tray, an avid collector. They still have the first piece they bought together—a pegged farm table that was so decrepit it was behind the antique store— and they have been upcycling vintage finds ever since. The Gers own Gather A Vintage Market in Tucson, AZ, a monthly market.
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January & February 2017
MULLIC A HILL MULLICA
TEA ROOM AND CHRISTMAS SHOP
Antique Elegance in a Relaxed Atmosphere Full Lunch Menu ~ Sweet Treats ~ Afternoon Tea Served Daily! Large Selection of Loose Teas Available Tea Gift Sets Including Tea Forte and Davidson’s Organic Teas, Tea Accessories, Books, Tea Sets, Children’s Tea Sets Authorized Byers Choice Dealer Jim Shore Figurines ~ Unique Ornaments
533 Mullica Hill Rd, Mullica Hill NJ 08062 • (856) 218-7467
nded Expa w e N Area!
Shop Hours: Mon thru Fri 10-5; Sat & Sun 10-4
Large selection of all Quilting Fabrics Classes Offered • Row by Row Participant
www.needles-pins-nj.com
www.ameliasteasandholly.com 26 South Main St., Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 (856) 223-0404 Reservations Recommended Parking in Rear of Building
Happy New Year
The Knitting Savant
A Cup of Tea with Lydia Hours: Wed - Sat 11-4; Sun 12-4
By Andrea Springer
Eating the (Knitting) Elephant – Setting Goals for 2017
My mom will be 80 in a few weeks. She’s worn many hats in her life, loves her family, friends and my Dad with a quiet fierceness. Mom believes in God, gardening, and that a kind word, a home cooked meal, or a jar of her homemade jam will cure a lot of what ails us. She is a voracious reader and lifelong learner of new things. She once told us, “When I stop learning, plant me.” I think of these words almost daily. As we move into a new year, it’s good to consider setting a few knitting goals. In general, goals are about acquiring new skills or behaviors and should inspire, challenge and possibly scare you a little. They change your "inner dialogue" because you work to achieve something desired, building your selfimage in addition to building skills. Maybe you’ve got a pattern in your files for something you love – a cabled coat or Fair Isle sweater or a project with steeks. It’s beautiful and inspiring but feels too overwhelming to think about starting. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Here’s a road map to consider for trying something new: Step One: Goals start big. They’re the “elephant” -- a vision of something desired or dreamed. List the projects, activities you dream about, or skills you want to learn. Step Two: Sometimes we have so many goals, we become overwhelmed and don’t start any of them. Look at the list above and choose where you want to focus your efforts during 2017. (Limit your choices to three).
Step Three: What resources are you going to need to accomplish this goal? Supplies? Classes? Instruction? Step Four: (this is where the “bites” come in) First, decide when you’d like to have this goal accomplished. Write down a short outline of your plan to achieve the goal, remembering to put “first things first.” Once your list is finished, put completion dates beside each step. Step Five: Share this goal with someone! Talk about it, work on it with others – give it light and space to breathe. Goals are dynamic, living things and are much more fun to accomplish when we’ve got our team cheering us on. Step Six: Work on challenges or your new skills a little each day. We don't have to do everything all at once. I’m taking my mom’s motto to heart in 2017 and have set a goal to learn to spin. I’ve started by purchasing a used spinning wheel. It’s sitting in my front room, and I’ve started playing with fiber. I’m extremely awkward, and my first attempts have me shaking my head, but that’s not a bad thing. My first “bite” is to schedule instruction time with friends who are already accomplished spinners. It’s good to be outside of my comfort zone again, stretching and learning. So, what about you? What goals are you setting for 2017? Give yourself a boost and consider a new challenge. You’ll be glad you did! –Andrea Springer blogs at www.knittingsavant.com andrea@knittingsavant.com
By Lydia E. Harris
Fond-of-You Par-TEA When my husband and I took our granddaughter to a fancy tearoom, Clara loved all the food. But she was especially impressed with the last course: chocolate fondue. Dipping fruits into melted chocolate was a new, delightful experience. She licked her fingers and gave us a chocolate-TEA smile. Since it’s a new year with Valentine’s Day around the corner, we have a great opportunity to show love to family, friends, and neighbors. So, let’s use a fondue theme and plan a fond-ofyou par-TEA. Here are some ideas to create sweet teatimes for adults and children. Invitations: Whom could you invite to a fond-ofyou teatime? Friends, neighbors, family? My three youngest grandkids are always eager for a tea party—especially if there is chocolate. Decide whom to invite, and then send a simple invitation, such as this one: You’re invited to a party that’s all about you. It’s a fondue par-TEA because I’m fond of you. Setting: Since this tea is about showing love and appreciation, make your guests feel extra special by creating an atmosphere that
says, “I’m fond of you.” These ideas will help you say welcome: • Use cheerful colors for the tablecloth and napkins. • Place a short, personal note by each place setting that tells guests what you appreciate about them. • Make heart-shaped menus that list the foods you’ll serve and tape them to popsicle sticks or straws. Tie a ribbon around the stick or straw, and place one by each person’s plate. This makes a nice souvenir. • If you have photos of your guests, include their framed pictures as part of the table centerpiece. • Play relaxing background music your guests will enjoy. Menu: For a one-course dessert teatime, chocolate fondue is always a big hit. If you plan to serve a main dish as well, start with cheese fondue. Here’s a recipe our family has enjoyed for years. (See both recipes below.) I’m ready to sweeten the lives of others with a fond-of-you teatime. Will you join me? -Lydia E. Harris, who holds a master’s degree in home economics, wrote the book, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting (AMG Publishers). Her grandchildren call her “Grandma Tea.”
From Lydia’s Recipe File Chocolate Fondue
This is a simple recipe for your Fondue Tea Party Ingredients: Milk chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup per person) White chocolate chips, if desired Favorite fruits, such as strawberries, pineapple, dried apricots, grapes, bananas Pound cake or angel food cake cut into bite-sized cubes Pretzel sticks Marshmallows Sprinkles, shredded coconut, chopped nuts: optional, to dip chocolate-covered foods into Directions: 1. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl according to package directions. It works well to microwave the chips in individual glass custard cups for each person, or use a fondue pot. 2. Set out assorted fruits, cake, and extras for dipping into chocolate. 3. Use fondue forks, small forks, or fancy toothpicks to spear the foods for dipping.
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
CAPE MA Y MAY
Stitch By Stitch Washington Commons • 315 Ocean St., Unit 9 Cape May, NJ 08204 < Cross Stitch & all the “goodies” < Needlepoint & Patanayan Wool < Custom Framing < Nancy Spruance Trunk Show We will be having classes. Please call for information. If we don’t have it, OPEN EVERY DAY we will order it. 10AM - 5PM We ship anywhere. (Please Call First: 1-800-868-3215)
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
May 2nd – Save the Date for Feasting on History The 17th Annual Restaurant Gala at the NASW Aviation Museum. Featuring over 40 area restaurants, wineries, breweries, bakeries and more! Advance ticket sales only.
An Early American Living History Museum 720 Route 9, Cape May, NJ 3 Miles North of Cape May City Admission Charge (unless noted) - Free Parking
Call for more information 609-898-2300 or visit our website: www.hcsv.org
Book Review
Leaving the Grapes Pastor Jonathan “Jay” Scutt had just joined Calvary Chapel Sawgrass in Florida when he took advantage of a great opportunity—the chance to go to Kenya. In Leaving the Grapes, he shares a collection of short stories from his life and the encounters that followed. Once there, his eyes were opened for the first time to the plight of the poor. He’d always been a Christian, but he realized that to truly do God’s will, he needed to focus on “the least of these” every single day, not just when it suited him. Helping others brought meaning to his life, and it can help you, too. Even if you have a great job and a comfortable lifestyle, that doesn’t bring fulfillment; more importantly, it’s not how God wants you to live. You must lay down your wants for God’s, a process that starts by learning what He wants you to do concerning the poor. Join Pastor Jay as he meets Jesus on the face of the hurting and the poor. He shares heartfelt stories about how everyday people are Leaving the Grapes. Join him on this adventure and learn how to Leave your Grapes and walk in the adventure that God has planned for you. Published Review: "Compelling account of the needs of less fortunate as seen through the eyes of the author whose life was forever changed." Dr. Daniel Houmes, Phd. Amazon Reviews: "Amazing and Powerful" "A Must Read" "Pick This Up" "Powerful Teaching"
by Pastor Jonathan “Jay” Scutt About the author: Jay Scutt is a professional Inspirational Speaker and Author, who uses his personal story to inspire and move people into their eternal purpose. His experience and vision influence people to shake off the boredom of a timid Christian walk and begin living an adventurous life that truly impacts this world. His personal adventure began as a youth pastor. With over 20 years of youth ministry experience, some highlights were; working with the Department of Juvenile Justice helping young people in the Mathew Project program, assisting the Florida foster care system and fostering many youth, serving in several outreaches, camps, and community ministries. In addition, Jay’s ministry experience extends into leading as a worship pastor, teaching pastor, and counselor. His experience, gifts, and love for people has allowed him the opportunity to help mentor other churches and ministries. He has also assisted in developing programs and equipping Christian leaders. He is working with DisicpleLife to help churches with systems to promote health and growth. One of Jay's passions is feeding the poor and helping the homeless. Jay and his wife help run an orphanage in Haiti where they are also adopting children. One of his missions is for ever yone to understand their calling in humanitarian aid, by helping hurting people and to alleviate human suffering. Sign up and go on a mission with Jay today. "People who harvest grapes leave some for the poor.." Jeremiah 49:9 Jay has traveled around the world to share his messages and testimonies. His heart is to awaken this generation into abiding purpose and service. He urges people of all ages to act now and stop wasting their lives. Through his journey and service, He received revelations and visions that inspired him to write his book Leaving the
Shop owner s, w an owners, wee ccan bring yyou ou new cus s! custtomer omers! Wi th TTaarget ed With geted ed,, Ef Efffe ctiv ctivee & Af er tising ... Afffor orddabl blee Adv Adver ertising tising... T he Countr e gis ork Countryy R Re gistter W Work orkss !
Ma rch/Apri ch/Aprill Spring Issue ua Ad D ebr Dee adline: FFebr ebrua uarr y 1st www .countryr egisteronline.com w.countryr .countryregisteronline.com The Country Register Toll F Frr e e P h o n e : 8 8 8 - 6 1 6 - 8 3 1 9 email@countryr egisteronline.com email@countryregisteronline.com ci Ask about our 3 Issue Spe Speci ciaal Grapes. He wants to share it with you. The book is available on Amazon or where ever you buy your books. "
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January & February 2017
WEST CREEK
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
CL AS SIFIED ADS - OUT OF ST ATE AND WEB CLAS ASSIFIED STA WEB--BASED
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TO PL ACE A CL AS SIFIED COUNTR Y AD: PLACE CLAS ASSIFIED COUNTRY These 2x2 ads are offered to crafters, artisans, mail order houses, shop or antique mall space for rent, businesses for sale and similar supporting businesses. Send your ad information along with a check for $40.00 to the address on Pg. 2. Ad copy and check must be received by the 10th of the month preceeding publication. We reserve the right to reject any ad not in keeping with the theme of our paper.
APRON ART BY JAN ELAINE Unique handmade aprons for serving in your café, tea room, bed & breakfast and home entertaining. www.apronartbyjanelaine.etsy.com
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Crochet Snowflakes Crochet snowflakes could be used as many things. Gift wrapping decorations, christmas tree ornaments or maybe in a garland? You can find 2 patterns for snowflakes on this page, one small snoflake and one big. MATERIAL Yarn used: Järbo 8/4 (mercerised cotton fingering weight) with hook size 2.5 mm and Järbo Viol 12/3 (Thread, 100 % cotton) with hook size 1.25 mm. Approximate sizes: With Järbo 8/4, around 15 cm for the big snowflake and around 8 cm for the small one. With Järbo Viol 12/3, around 8cm for the big snowflake and around 5 cm for the small one. ABBREVIATIONS, US CROCHET TERMS st - stitch sl st - slip stitch ch - chain sc - single crochet dc - double crochet DESCRIPTION - BIG SNOWFLAKE (Crochet diagram below) Start with a magic ring. Round 1: 6 sc in the magic ring. Join round with a sl st. Round 2: ch 5, (1 dc in next sc, ch 2) repeat 5 times.
by Charlotta Wadman Join round with 1 sc in 3:rd chain. Round 3: (1 sc in next ch-2 space, ch 11, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, ch 7, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, sl st in the following 3 ch, ch 4, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, sl st in the following 5 ch, ch 1, 1 sc in the same ch-2 space as before, 1 sc in next dc, ch 8, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in 7:th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, sl st in the following 3 ch, 1 sc in the same dc as before) repeat 6 times. Join round with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off and weave in the ends. DESCRIPTION SMALL SNOWFLAKE (Crochet diagram below) Do exactly the same as for the big snowflake on round 1 and 2. Round 3: ( 3 sc in next ch-2 space, 1 sc in next dc, ch 8, sl st in 5:th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in 7:th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in 5:th ch from hook,sl st in the following 3 ch, 1 sc in the same dc as before) repeat 6 times. Join round with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off and weave in the ends. STARCH AND BLOCK
Your snowflakes need to be starched and blocked. I have used white glue mixed with water to make it stiff. Mix glue and water in equal proportions and soak your snowflake in it. Pin it in desired shape on to a blocking board or whatever blocking device that you use, let it dry. Happy crocheting! –© Charlotta Wadman, In the Yarn Garden, 2017. All rights reserved. Any redistribution
or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited without permission from In the Yarn Garden. You can sell items made from this pattern, please credit In the Yarn Garden as designer.It would be very nice to see your completed stars. Please tag images with #intheyarngarden or feel free to leave a comment with a link to your picture. www.intheyarngarden.blogspot.com/ You can also email Charlotta at: intheyarngarden@gmail.com
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January & February 2017
VINEL AND VINELAND
Town and Country Cooking
by Janette Hess
From Dried to Delicious With January and February come short, cold days and long, even colder nights. Why not warm up your kitchen with a slow-cooking soup featuring dried beans or legumes, and then warm up your insides by slowly savoring each and every spoonful This month take time to peruse the dried beans at your favorite market. Pick up some black beans, lentils or split peas. Try some new recipes, and see if you agree with those who say dried is the way to go for nutritious, flavorful soups. Note that in the hierarchy of dried beans, black beans are near the top in terms of prep time, requiring pre-soaking and two or more hours of cooking time. Lentils are near the bottom, requiring an easy 30 minutes or less of cooking time. The added bonus of slowly cooked, homemade bean soup is that flavors have a chance to build and blend, and you have complete control of all ingredients. Feel free to adjust seasonings to suit your personal taste. Black Bean Soup 1 pound (approximately 2 cups) dried black beans, cleaned and soaked overnight according to package instructions Water 1. teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder 4 strips lean bacon, diced 1 onion, diced ½ cup celery, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup mild salsa 1 box (32 fluid ounces) beef cooking stock (regular or reduced sodium) Hot pepper sauce, if desired In large cooking pot, soak beans overnight in 6 cups cold water. Drain and rinse beans. Add 6 cups hot water, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover loosely and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until beans are soft. Stir occasionally. When beans are soft, fry diced bacon in non-stick skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon drippings. Sauté onion and celery in drippings until soft, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking 1 minute longer. To create soup, add onion mixture to beans, along with salsa and stock. Transfer at least 1 cup of beans and broth to small blender or food processor to puree. Return mixture to pot. Add bacon. Slowly simmer uncovered for up to one hour, or until soup is desired consistency and flavors have blended. Add hot pepper sauce to taste. Makes approximately 10 cups soup. Serving suggestion: For a nutritional boost, add desired amount of fresh, chopped spinach during the last few minutes of cooking. Serve as soon as the spinach has wilted in the soup.
–A trained journalist, Janette Hess focuses her writing on interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer with her local Extension service and enjoys collecting, testing and sharing recipes.
Easy Lentil Chili 1 pound ground beef 1 large onion, diced 1 bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 26-ounce jar spaghetti sauce 1 16-ounce jar mild salsa 1½ teaspoons chili powder 1½ teaspoons cumin 6 cups water plus more as needed ¾ cup dry lentils In large pot, brown ground beef. Drain if necessary. Combine all ingredients except lentils and bring to a boil. Rinse and drain lentils according to package instructions; add to pot. Cover and simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Add additional water as needed to adjust thickness of chili. Makes at least 12 cups soup.
Split Pea Soup 1 16-ounce package green split peas 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (regular or reduced sodium) 4 cups water ½ onion, chopped ½ cup diced celery (include tops, if desired) 1 clove garlic, diced 2 whole carrots, trimmed and peeled 1½ cups diced smoked ham (approximately 6 ounces) ½ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Freshly ground black pepper Rinse and drain peas according to package instructions. Place peas in slow cooker and add broth, water, onion, celery, garlic and whole carrots. Cook at high setting for 2 to 3 hours, or until peas are very soft and carrots are tender. Remove carrots to cutting board. Cut lengthwise and then slice into small pieces. Set aside. Using immersion blender, completely blend peas and liquid. (If immersion blender is not available, use standard blender, but allow mixture to cool before processing in small batches; return to slow cooker.) Add sliced carrots and all remaining ingredients. Cook at low setting for 1 hour. Makes approximately 12 cups soup. Note: If vegetarian soup is desired, use vegetable broth and omit ham. If meaty-flavored soup is desired, add a ham bone or ham “heel” to split peas while they are cooking. Remove before blending.
Rt. 55 Exit 32
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OPEN: Mon, Tues, Wed, & Fri 9:30-6, Thurs 9:30-8, Sat 9:30-5:30
20% OFF Any One Item
With coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Expires Feb. 28, 2017 - TCR
From Lydia’s Idea File
To make your own heart-shaped teabags you’ll need tea filter bags and loose tea. 1. Purchase disposable tea filter bags made to fill with tea. (Available online and teashops.) Cut them into hearts 2 to 3 inches wide. 2. Place two hearts together and stitch together by hand or with a sewing machine using red polyester thread, leaving a one-inch opening to fill with loose tea. 3. Fill with your favorite tea. Add a clean string with a tag and stitch the rest of the way shut. 4. Enjoy a heart-TEA cup of tea.
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
SOMERSET
The 2017 Quilt & Sewing FFest est of New Jersey The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey and the Tri-State Quilt Competition are returning to The Garden State Exhibit Center, in Somerset, March 2 – 5, 2017. Show-goers will feast their eyes on beautifully crafted works of quilt and textile art from all over the country. At this year’s event, the long list of mustsees includes the entries to the juried and judged Tri-State Quilt Competition and the special exhibitions. The competition will highlight an array of quilts created by residents of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. These talented regional quilt artists will display a stunning collection of artwork while competing for over $5,500 in prizes. In addition, show-goers won’t want to miss the special exhibits on display including the beautiful, award winning quilts of the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. Also among the exhibits will be Quilting Leather? featuring leather quilts created by Cathy Wiggins, quilts by Quilt Fest instructor Jessica Skultety, an exhibit of Modern Quilts presented by the North Jersey Modern Quilt Guild plus more! Pictured: Home and Hearth by Jo Timko. This year’s workshops will be full of fun and innovative techniques for beginners as well as for the more
advanced textile artist. Those interested in learning new skills, developing skills already acquired or just wanting to have some quilting fun can learn from an exceptional faculty including David Sirota, Jessica Skultety, Bobbie Bergquist, Debora Konchinsky, Nancy Murtie and Lisa White Reber. Plus, certified quilt appraiser Phyllis Twigg Hatcher will be on-site offering quilt and woven coverlet appraisals by appointment. Finally, you won’t want to miss the Merchants Mall filled with rows of vendors offering a variety of quilt, wearable and textile art supplies. Everything one needs to create a masterpiece of their own! Major Annual Sponsor Brother/Sew Jersey, and Major Sponsors BERNINA/ Olde City Quilts, ABM Innova and Handi Quilter generously sponsor The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey. Join your fellow quilters at the Garden State Exhibit Center, just off I-287, Exit #10 in Somerset, New Jersey on March 2 – 5, where the hours are: ThursdayFriday-Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm. Admission is $13 (includes re-admission) and $11 Sunday only. Under 16 free. Please, no pull or drag along carts allowed on show floor.
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January & February 2017
MORRISTOWN - RED BANK Est. 1964
The Antique Center of Red Bank Daily 11-5pm
Sundays 12-5pm
100 DEALERS – ALL SPECIALTIES 195 West Front St. (732) 842-3393
226 West Front St. (732) 842-4336
Red Bank, New Jersey 07701, Exit 109 Garden State Parkway
Prescription for Adventure
By Naomi Gaede-Penner
1930s Depression Frugality is Today’s Trendy Recycling and Repurposing Motto during the Great Depression: “Repair, reuse, make do -- and don’t throw anything away.” I grew up wearing hand-me-downs and, in turn, handing down my clothes. This worked fine with my sisters, but my brother wasn’t excited about my white, fake-fur topped figure skates. Now I shop at a consignment store. I’ve actually purchased scarfs, wool mittens, décor items and other items for gifts. My town has a used bookstore. I actually give used books as gifts. I have recycling bins for plastic, metal/ tin, glass and paper. My grand boys dig into the bins and, w i t h whoops and hollers, find “toys” for the sandbox or water play. I take plastic bags to recycling barrels at the grocery store. Whenever my adult children or a close friend are getting rid of something, we take pictures and text or email one another to see if there’s a taker. This works in reverse, too. Some people think recycling is something new and modern. It isn’t. Here’s a list of things my grandparents did during the Great Depression; some of which my parents, youngsters at that time, continued most of their lives. Some still apply to me. Which ones apply to you? Didn’t go out to eat. Didn’t buy processed food. All leftovers were saved, reheated (and they didn’t have microwaves), or reused. Odds and ends of meat or vegetables ended up in soup. Bread, oatmeal, crushed crackers, or rice was added to hamburger to stretch a meat dish. Never filled the sugar bowl to the top in case it would topple over and spill, and sugar would be wasted. Table scraps were passed along to hogs, chickens, cats and dogs. Stale bread ended up in bread pudding, French toast and stuffing. Jars were saved as containers for nails, buttons, leftover gravy and so on. Never bought paste; made it out of flour and water. Kerosene was used to “dry clean” woolen clothes.
Small pieces of soap were heated in water and pressed together to form a new, larger bar. Used gift-wrap was ironed smooth for dresser drawer lining – or to wrap another gift. When a shoe had a hole in the sole, a piece of cardboard was cut and placed inside. A sheet worn in the center was split lengthwise and the outside edges stitched together to form a seam down the middle. The raw edges on the outside were hemmed. A sheet beyond salvaging was material for dresser scarves, diapers, dust cloths and anything w h i t e , c o t t o n fabric could be used for. Women’s full skirts were cut and redesigned into dresses or clothes for children, or for doll clothes, mending or quilts. Flour, sugar and animal feed came in plain cloth sacks. By the 1940s, manufacturers realized women emptied the flour and used the “free” fabric to make clothes for themselves and their children, kitchen dishtowels, diapers, curtains, aprons and more. The manufacturers responded by using floral and other patterns on the sacks. (In the late 1950s, cloth bags were replaced by cheaper paper and plastic.) Backs of letter envelopes were used for grocery and to-do lists. Plant clippings were shared, rather than purchasing a new plant. Women cut their own hair and that of their husband and children. Gifts were often crafted, homemade or re-gifted. The only thing inexpensive was automobile gasoline; hence, taking leisurely Sunday afternoon drives around the countryside were a relatively cheap form of entertainment. Thus came the phrase, “Sunday afternoon driver.” –Find and purchase Naomi’s Prescription for Adventure books, at by calling 303.506.6181 or www.prescriptionforadventure.com or. Follow her on Facebook (Prescription for Adventure)
Morris County HistoriCal soCiety at aCorn Hall Shake off the winter doldrums with a daytrip to tour beautiful Acorn Hall! Built in 1853, the mansion was remodeled in 1860 in the Italianate Villa-style. Recognized for its authenticity, Acorn Hall’s visitors can enjoy Victorian grandeur at its best. Be sure to visit The Oak Leaf Gallery Gift Shop for a unique shopping experience! Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m. Exhibit: Race to the Finish: Newspaper Coverage of Presidential Elections, 1789 – 2008 (through Sunday, January 29th) This collection of historic newspapers shows the development of presidential election reporting from George Washington through Barack Obama, complimented by political paraphernalia, period clothing, and cultural artifacts. Featured is the headline “Dewey Defeats Truman,” Chicago Daily Tribune. A variety of mini-exhibits are also planned for this year; please call for details. See website for more details - www.acornhall.org Find us on FaceBook and Twitter 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 (973)267-3465
Cook’s Library with Patsy
By Patsy Terrell
Showing a Little Kindness Our family recently lost my sister-inlaw Mattie. Because I was born so late in my parents’ lives, my brothers were married with children before I came along, so Mattie has always been part of my life. She was in the family before I was. Mattie had a hearty laugh and loved to have a good time. But the last few years were difficult. COPD took its toll, and she became less able-bodied with each passing year. Finally, the effort to breathe was just too much. A ventilator kept her alive long enough for one last visit with her great-grandchildren from Mississippi. Her son was with her as they disconnected the ventilator. She did well for a couple of days, but this was not to be another of her miraculous rallies. A friend and I drove more than 24 hours to attend the funeral. We were in Kentucky fewer than 24 hours and came back for events we couldn’t miss, but I was so glad I was able to go. At the funeral home, Peggy, a family friend, told me about Mattie buying some Christmas gifts from her when she was a teenager working at a department store. An older employee made an issue of something with Mattie’s purchase, and Peggy was afraid her burgeoning career was about to come to an untimely end. But Mattie just laughed it off, much to the chagrin of the older woman who was trying to blame Peggy for something that wasn’t her fault.
All these years later – 40? 45? – Peggy remembers that moment. That small kindness – that laugh – was still fresh. It was a reminder to be kind whenever the opportunity arises. And almost every day offers a chance to extend ourselves to our fellow humans. A gentle word, a sweet gesture, a small note, an unexpected smile, a plate of warm cookies – they can all be a kindness that someone remembers for years. That story reminded me that our lives are full of moments that may not seem big to us but which are monumental to others. What we do and say matters in ways we cannot imagine. These cookies are always welcome. Unlike most similar cookies, they are not made from ground pecans so they can be enjoyed by everyone. They’re simple and delicious. ––Patsy Terrell is fortunate to be the recipient of kindnesses extended by her fellow humans on a daily basis. For more stories and recipes, check cookslibrarywithpatsy.com
Powdered Sugar Cookies 1 cup butter ¾ cup powdered sugar 2 ½ cups flour 1 ½ tsps. vanilla Cream butter with sugar, then add remaining ingredients and mix. Chill and then roll into balls. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. When almost cooled roll in powdered sugar.
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
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“Twist n Shout Rectangles” Quilt by Deb Heatherly Cutting: • Lights- (I used a variety of light scraps because I want to use up my scraps, but you can also use the same light throughout if desired.) Cut a total of (144) 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles for lap and a total of (324) 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles for Queen •Darks- Use lots of dark scraps. Cut a total of (144) 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles for lap and a total of (324) 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles for Queen • Inner border- ½ yd. lap/ 2/3 queen Cut (6) 2 ½” strips WOF for lap (Queen (9) 2 ½”strips WOF) • Outer border-1 yd. lap/ 1 ¼ yd queen Cut (6-7)depending on usable width of fabric 4 ½” strips WOF for lap (Queen (9) 4 ½” strips WOF) • Binding- ½ yd. Cut (7) 2 ½” strips WOF for lap (Queen (9) 2 ½” strips WOF)
Quilt Top Together
Directions: 1-Sew ½ of your lights side by side as shown. Make 36 units for Lap and 81 units for Queen. (Unit A) 2-Add a dark rectangle on the top and bottom of the unit A’s created in step one. (Unit B) 3-Sew a dark and light end to end. (Unit C) Make (72) for lap and (162) for Queen. 4- Next add the Unit C’s created in step 3 to both sides of the Unit B’s created in step 3. **When doing this final step to create the blocks, you must make sure that place the darks and lights on each side of the center unit in the same position on every block. Example: In this graphic the outside dark rectangles are on the top left and bottom right. All of your blocks must have this placement for the pattern to work. (You could also place them top right and bottom left but ALL of the blocks MUST have that same placement.) Make 36 blocks for lap/ 81 for Queen. Now its time to put the quilt top together. (See image on the left.) For the lap size you’ll stitch 6 rows of 6 blocks each. Notice how the lights are horizontal in block 1, and vertical in block 2 shown on the left. (Named: Quilt Top Together) ROW 1,3,5 (all odd numbered rows) ROW 2,4,6 (all even numbered rows) (See Row images on left. Row 1 top & Row 2 bottom) When the odd numbered rows and even numbered rows come together, that’s when the pattern magically appears! For Queen you’ll stitch 9 rows of 9 blocks each. (See image on left.) Add a 2 ½” inner border, and a 4 ½” outer border for either size. - This project makes a 60” x 60” Lap Quilt or 85” x 85” Queen Quilt
Pick up a copy for a friend! Life on the Farm
by Donna Jo Copeland
The Dead of Winter “The dead of winter” is what my grandpa called this time of year. Days are short and nights are cold. The gardens sleep. City folks bustle and dredge thru busy days envious of us farm folk and our quiet, restful winter lives. My city friends picture me toasting my toes by the woodstove, dogs at my feet, sipping hot tea and reading a classic novel. If only city folks knew… That fire in the woodstove is there because I cleaned ashes out and carried firewood in. The dogs are on guard in the barn, snuggled in with the sheep. The tea is probably bourbon to ease the frostbite and chilblains from evening chores. And my reading is one of my farm journals. Farm life in the “dead” is slower. It has to be to conserve my energy. Hay and feed must to be carried to the critters in all the barns, water pumped and carried in 5 gallon buckets, heated water buckets checked and cleaned. Fresh bedding spread. Barn checks every two hours for predators and babes. But there is a silent majesty in winter, farm style. Fresh snow crisscrossed with wild rabbit tracks crunches underfoot. Ice laden branches clatter in the wind. The rustle of wild bird wings as they come into the feeder. Farm life has a symphony all its own. Roosters crow. Hens announce laying eggs. Sheep and goats baaa glad to see me as that means feed. One of my favorite sounds is the creek of my hand pump as I pump water to fill the buckets. After all these years, I never tire of that song.
On mornings when there is a hoar frost I stand and glean it all in—diamonds on weed stalks and fence rows. It doesn’t last long as the sun melts it away, but sometimes the magic lingers. It often seems as soon as I finish one chore another awaits. Always something to do, something to check on. Letting your guard down can mean disaster. More often than not, I doze in my great grandfather’s rocking chair, with my grandmother’s hand-made quilt pulled up to my chin. Glossy magazines don’t tell the whole farm and country story. But their pictures are pretty. Recipes sound nice and I might try one if I have time. On my wool farm the “dead” is when I wash the fall clip, dye the fleece, dry, card, spin and make the textiles. My spinning wheels sing night and day. The looms dance with new rugs and blankets. That cozy scene around the woodstove becomes a catacomb of wool drying racks. Instead of mouth-watering aromas from the kitchen, my house is filled with the heavenly fragrance of freshly washed wool. The dead of winter is hard. Sometimes lonely. Sometimes amazing. But very much a part of the rhythm of farm life. And spring will come. And would I trade my farm life for my city friends’ life…NEVER! –Donna Jo Copeland is a 15th generation farmeress/fiber artist who owns and operates Brezzy Manor Farm in Mooresville, IN. See more information at Breezy Manor Farm on Facebook.
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January & February 2017
DEL AWARE DELA
Short Stories by a Mystery Book Author Quilt Therapy
Next to writing, quilting is my favorite pastime. I love plotting out the design, gathering the perfect fabric, and the actual seat-in-chair experience of sewing up a masterpiece. When it’s done, a quilt offers comfort, warmth, beauty, and even tells a story. Like writing, I find time spent quilting to be time that results in healing. Recently, a friend of mine showed me a quilt she’d handquilted over m a n y months. She called the project her “Quilt Therapy.” Before she started the quilt, she strug gled with a family member over something on which they could not agree. She believed she was in the right, but knew her attitude was wrong. So, she decided to pray about it and actively seek healing for their relationship. Through quilting. My friend took time to pray about the fabrics and the pattern for the quilt she would make. After cutting it out, she pieced the blocks together on her sewing machine, praying as she went. And not just any type of prayer, but prayers for the one with whom she disagreed. Soon, she started hand-quilting the top to the quilt back, praying all the while. As she worked the needle back and forth through the soft batting, the prayers soothed her spirit. By the time she finished her quilt, God had changed her heart and stitched the
by Cathy Elliott
torn relationship back together into something beautiful. More lovely than the quilt! So many times I have experienced healing through the craft of writing. I know it works. Now, after seeing my friend’s stunning quilt, hand-stitched with prayer, I know that works, too. I wonder how many problems could be solved with only a bit of quilting therapy? Quilter/writer Cathy Elliott has loved quilts since she visited her grandmother and found herself covered by so many heavy coverlets she couldn’t turn over in bed. If one quilt was cozy, why not three? According to Cathy, quilts are in a special class of their own: artistic endeavors, things of beauty, utilitarian, legacyworthy, and so diverse one can never see all the patterns. They keep hands busy and as the blog post says, hearts healed. Quilters are the most wonderful people, too. They’ll share their last fat quarter if there is a need. But when she’s not quilting, Cathy writes sweet, cozy mysteries. The newest release, A Stitch in Crime, features a special heirloom quilt known to carry the secret to great riches. Find out more about Cathy & her books at: www.cathyelliottbooks.com –Photo is of Anne McKinley, Cathy’s friend, who made the quilt. Credit is also given to the Writer's Block Quilts & More Blog.See more at: www.catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/2015/ 08/31/the-writers-block-quilts-and-more
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The Country Register of New Jersey and Delaware
PITMAN - WOODSTOWN
Now w ith 2 c onvenient lloc oc ations! with co oca
WOODSTOWN AND PITMAN
The Scarecrow Factory Country Store 25 East Avenue (Rt. 40), Woodstown, NJ 08098 • (856) 769-1050
Come in to see us during the winter! We have everything from angels to snowmen and everything in between. Call for Winter Hours Please • Gift Certificates Available
Olde Pear Primitives Come visit our NEW LOCATION: 11 S Broadway, Pitman, NJ (856) 269-4730
Winter Hours – please call! • Gift Certificates Available
“Like” Us on Facebook: Scarecrow Factory Country Store and Olde Pear Primitives
The Intuitive Seasons of Trees
By Kerri Habben
Many winter mornings as I sip my coffee, I linger at the kitchen window. From here, I can see our backyard stretching to the neighbor’s fence, part of our garden, and the bench that my grandfather gave my grandmother many years ago. In warmer months, I sit there and sip my coffee. I can also see trees. The pine trees, partially enmeshed in wisteria, and the edge of the sycamore towards the side of the house. The sycamore is a story unto itself for all the precious shade it provides. Mostly from my place by the window I ponder the silver maple Dad planted years ago. It is surrounded by presently mottled nettle interspersed with decaying sycamore leaves. For now, our maple is unadorned, bare after an autumn frenzy of fallen leaves. Some, I know, find that an empty tree evokes a sense of loneliness or loss. As if something is lacking that is inherently supposed to be there. A dear friend of ours offers a refreshing perspective upon leaves emerging and then descending. When the seasons are warmer, leaves are thriving to protect us from the full heat of the sun. When the seasons are cooler, those leaves fall so that all the light and warmth can reach us. With that thought, winter becomes a benediction for a year of seasons, a living
prayer of gratitude that our needs were so kindly and truly fulfilled even as we may have taken these changes of seasons for granted. It is a blessing that these transformations occur even when we cease to be fully amazed by them. I’m quite thankful that Mother Nature oversees the seasons. If it were dependent upon us humans, we’d bring in “experts” to improve upon her ageless system. After much discussion, a committee would be formed, more analysts consulted, and financial advancement for some would ensue. Undoubtedly that season would be behind schedule, if it happened at all. However, a brand-new year is the last good time to bemoan our limitations. If a tree did that it would never have the wisdom and courage to keep growing. From my spot at the kitchen window I can also study the elaborate construction of the maple tree with the morning light upon it from the east. The trunk spreads into different arms, and the branches extend out to limbs, which become tendrils reaching towards the sky. These tiny endings-or are they beginnings-captivate me. They are not unlike our hopes, our dreams, and our sincerest efforts. We, too, grow from our roots and keep extending ourselves, reaching for what matters most to us,
Quilters are SEW Special!
something more lasting and greater than ourselves. Something beyond our hesitant tendrils’ full understanding, yet knowing it is there nonetheless. A tree also is an example of letting go when it is time to let go. To release something when it no longer serves us to our full potential. Then that very tree somehow knows when it is time to begin once more and flourish anew. A tree remains rooted, yet bends with the wind, and evolves over time, all the while following and trusting some intuitive response to the season in which it finds itself.
On a winter’s morning as I sip my coffee I raise my eyes upward to the tips of the branches. I savor the season that it is, yet sense the new leaves just waiting to emerge. –Kerri Habben is a writer, photographer, and crochet instructor living in Raleigh, NC. An avid crocheter and knitter, she learned these skills from her grandmother and mother. Many of her yarn creations she donates to those in need. Kerri has a decade of essays which she is currently working to publish.
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