Evening Edition ---Rhubarb Bread Pudding, and a Free Kindle Book!

I just returned from a cookout given by a guild member ----OH! It was so fun! And relaxing. And gorgeous out there on the bluffs overlooking the Lake Erie Valley with Lake Erie right there in the distance---

You should SEE all the grape vineyards in this area --- acres and acres and acres of gorgeous grapes growing on hillsides – their curly tendrils blowing in today’s blustery impending-storm-weather.

I love the curly swirlies of grape vines! I can’t resist trying to pull them straight --- and then watching them spring back into little coils. we had grapes growing in our garden as I grew up ,and when they were ready, the juicing would begin. Quarts and quarts of juice from the steam juicer – I can hear the lids pinging in my memory, and boy did the house smell good, and that juice was so good all winter long!

Okay – I’ve already gone onto one tangent, let’s see if I can reign this in a bit better ----How do I get from grapes to rhubarb?

We filled ourselves with home grilled burgers, potato salad, slaw, home made corn relish, --and then the rhubarb part comes! She served the most wonderful rhubarb bread pudding ((I should have gotten the recipe!)) warm with ice cream.

And yes, there are childhood memories attached to rhubarb too --- how vividly I remember being about 5 years old in our house in Minnetonka, MN – and picking the rhubarb from the yard ---dipping the end into the sugar bowl, and just chewing away. Just that memory alone makes my mouth water!

So it’s on the tail end of this wonderful gathering of quilters and dinner around the deck and rhubarb bread pudding for dessert that has me back in my room – unwinding --- getting ready to sew ---and browsing online.

And what do I find? A free kindle book with the title of RHUBARB! How’s that for a segue?!!

Rhubarb by M.H. Van Keuren is free tonight in the Amazon Kindle Store – and it’s got great ratings!

Book Description:

Martin knows every desolate mile of Eastern Montana’s highways. As a traveling salesman, his only companion is talk radio. Its reports of the paranormal keep Martin entertained—and hopeful that there’s more to the universe than selling screws and nails to far-flung, small-town hardware stores.

A bright spot in Martin’s routine is the complimentary breakfast at a motel in Brixton, a junction town well past its sell-by date. But it’s not the watery coffee, day-old pastries, and pre-mixed waffle batter he loves. It’s Cheryl, the housekeeper who sets out the breakfast.

Martin’s chance comes when Cheryl’s car breaks down and he stops to give her a ride. To thank him, she bakes him a rhubarb pie, and he works up the courage to ask her out on a date. She agrees—but then she’s gone. Left town for a guy she met on the Internet, or so everyone says.

But Cheryl’s stepfather doesn’t buy it. He blames Martin for her disappearance, sending Martin on a search for the truth. What he uncovers about Cheryl’s family and Brixton’s history is far weirder than anything he’s ever heard on the radio. Especially if it’s true that Cheryl’s salvation lies in discovering a long-lost secret recipe for rhubarb pie—which might just be the best, and the most dangerous, pie in the galaxy.

It was still free for me --- but double check that it is for you before you click purchase – things change without notice!

I’m loving my B&B surroundings! Here I’ve got my featherweight set up ---I’m using the “other” side of the bed as my place to sew –good thing I’ve brought my folding table because there isn’t a desk in here ---I scrounged an extra chair from downstairs to sit on --- and I’m ready to do some piecing tonight.

It will be an early night though – tomorrow is my REALLY BUSY day! Two half day workshops back to back….one going from 8am to noon, and the other from 1pm to 5pm – followed by dinner out with the guild girls.

This Ohio/Pennsylvania whirlwind trip is winding down – I start home on Tuesday morning – just going to go as far as I can. It was 9 hours to Dayton last Sunday when I drove up – and it about killed my leg by the time it was done --- I’m going to take more breaks and just go as far as I can ----and yes, it’s TUESDAY so those antique malls BETTER be open!

Have a great evening, everyone!

Meet Me at White Turkey!

Every once in a while there has, just HAS to be a foodie post. That is one of the really fun things about traveling the highways and byways –finding very fun places that I can NOT get at home!

After yesterday’s workshop in Ashtabula, I was following the PA contingency home to North East, and they put their noggins together and decided on a very unique place for me --- The White Turkey in Conneaut, Ohio!

The White Turkey has been doing steady seasonal business for 60 years --- and it is such a fun throw back in time – think of your typical 1950s drive-in – only better! Their specialty is pulled turkey sandwiches, so tender they melt in your mouth.

We pulled up and the place was packed --- of course it was a beautiful June evening, and everyone was out to enjoy some good ole American fare and enjoy the surroundings.

The evening light was setling in, so pardon my washed out photos --- the sun was just at “THAT” angle ---and heading into my favorite time of day in the summer –mid evening.

This is where you are going to have to imagine the soundtrack floating on the air too --- cue up Frankie Valli and “Shhhhheeeeeeerrrrrrrrryy Bay ay Bee! -----Sherry Baby!” Our toes were tapping and we were humming along and singing as we waited in line to place our orders.

“what’ll it be, Ma’am?” and I step right up to place my order. I’ve studied the menu board. I’ve asked what they are famous for --- and tonight? I’m having a Large Marge pulled turkey sandwich, fries --- and oh my heck – some guy just walked off with a rootbeer float, and I MUST have one of those too!

I watch the other gals place their orders and we enjoy the music, the atmosphere, and each other while we sit on benches and wait. There is a picnic area out back with tables and umbrellas – a park like setting – we’ll carry our treats back and enjoy our meal “al fresco!”

It’s a hot spot for caravanning motorcycle riders too --- what a great place to stop, stretch your legs, enjoy some good grub before getting back on that ribbon of highway.

OH . WOW!

I quickly decided that the rootbeer float was first to be devoured…that ice cream was melting fast! The pulled turkey sandwich was delicious --- and of course, fries are the perfect vehicle for ketchup, and lots of it – just the way I like them!

I’m so glad we got to experience this little bit of “high end dining” on our way between Ohio and Pennsylvania ---THIS is what summer is about, isn’t it?

White Turkey even has a website --- check it out, and make a plan to stop the next time you drive through Conneaut ---they are open seasonally, so keep that into consideration, and DO get the root beer float!

iPhone-o-gram! A Lake Erie Morning!

Jill and I had a lovely walk along the Peninsula! People were out in droves---bikers, hikers, rollerbladers, runners and walkers were out enjoying the Lake Erie shoreline.

We passed breakfast picnics complete with the overwhelmingly mouthwatering aroma of bacon ala Coleman stove. Mmmmm! Is there any better hunger inducing smell than bacon cooked outdoors?? It was a happy fathers day breakfast in full regalia.

We kept walking--get away from the bacon!!!

Such a beautiful area, ending our tour at the lighthouse.

The Friendly Quilters of Ashtabula!

Yesterday was our Jared Takes a Wife workshop #2 in Ohio ---Two guilds, five hours drive apart, both chose this one as their workshop.

I tend to think of it as a great “beginner” or “intermediate” workshop – the sewing is very straight forward, everything comes from 2” strips except for the very center of the block ---and it’s a great way to divide those scraps up into color families and really have some fun with the piecing.

And then someone pointed out that my “easy” quilt had 53 pieces in each block ---and suddenly I saw it through a newer quilter’s eyes.

Even “simple” quilts can seem overwhelming when the block has more pieces than you’ve ever put in one block before.

And I had new appreciation for those who were brave enough to come play, and understood why they might feel a bit out of their elements and over their heads ---This simple 30 block quilt adds up to 1,590 pieces not including sashing, cornerstones or borders.

But they dove in anyway! With both feet and both hands, and fabulous scraps and individual color plans and schemes, with stories of who they were making this quilt for, or how big they wanted to make it ((Some are going BIGGER than the 30 blocks!)) and we sewed and sewed and sewed all day!

I have to give the prize of dedication to Jean --- and I think everyone in class would agree with me.

I was told early on in the morning that Jean was going to have to leave by noon ---she had a family funeral to attend that afternoon so could only stay for the morning.

The story unfolded and we grinned and laughed and understood even farther ----it wasn’t just ANY funeral that she had to leave for. It was her mother’s funeral!

Now before you gasp and say you wouldn’t have BEEN in class in the first place – consider this:

Jean’s mother has been ill a LONG time. The end was welcome, peaceful and well received. But it took a while ----and for over 2 weeks now all of Jean’s extended family has been camping out at her house just waiting for mom to pass on ----

And since the class was paid for, and all her stuff was cut up and ready to go, and because she needed some mental health hours with her closest quilting buds --- and to escape the insanity of too many people in her kitchen, she came to class! And we knew she would have had her mother’s blessing to do so as well.

Jean, you are my hero! All of our thoughts went with you as you left at noon to go to be with your family. And I just feel like your mom was smiling right along with all of us --- and nodding in understanding!

Yep --- our quilting IS our therapy. Being surrounded by like-minded quilters who get us, and understand – IS the best medicine.

And I’m still chuckling to myself about it ----

So let’s share some photos, shall we?

		Jared Takes a Wife, Ashtabula OH 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I’m writing from North East, PA ---I’ve settled into a lovely B&B and even set up for sewing some last night!

This morning I’m meeting with some guild girls for a walk----my legs and my camera are ready! The glimpses I got of Lake Erie on the drive over are awe inspiring ---so be watching for photos of that to come.

My lecture is at 2pm today --- and we’ve got dinner planned for this evening ---I’m in VERY good hands and excited to be in a place I’ve never ever been before --

My best wishes to the fathers out there --- I’m wishing you a very very happy Father’s Day!