and Needlework Issue Special Quilting, Sewing Vermont’s Guide to Specialty Shopping & Events • Jan-Feb Issue JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 2 From the Publishers Kelly and Chris Kennedy 5804 Whiterose Way New Market, MD 21774 (443) 243-1118 • [email protected] Country Register Publishers’ Contact lnformation Send $3 to any publisher below to receive a paper from that area. The Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-237-6008, [email protected], located in Phoenix, AZ USA • Indicates the State has a web-viewable version of The Country Register. • Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P.O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 85071, 602-942-8950 • Arkansas: Lenda Williams, P.O. Bo 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597 • California and N. Nevada: Betty Fassett, 26941 Cabot Rd., Suite 132, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653, 800-349-1858 Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 • Connecticut: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760 • Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, 888-616-8319 • Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217 • Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, 706-340-1049, 678-641-7728 • Idaho (N): Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Road, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028 • Idaho (S) WA & E. OR:Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 602-942-8950 • Illinois: Lenda Williams, P.O. Bo 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597 • Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, 888-616-8319 Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, 641-751-2619 • Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, 866-966-9815 • Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243-1118 Maine: Gail Hageman, 221 Winslow Rd, Albion, ME 04910, 207-437-2663 • Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217 • Massachusetts-RI: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760 Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211 • Minnesota: Kim and Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, 763-754-1661 • Missouri: Lenda Williams, P.O. Bo 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597 • Montana: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Road, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028 • Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ 85071, 602-942-8950 Nevada (N): Betty Fassett, 26941 Cabot Rd., Suite 132, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653, 800-349-1858 • Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803 New Hampshire: Kathleen Graham, 330 North Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037, 603-463-3703 • New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, 888-616-8319 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, 866-825-9217 • N. Carolina: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760 • North Dakota: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Road, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028 • Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009 ,937-652-1157 • Oklahoma: Lenda Williams, P.O. Bo 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597 • Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P.O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 85071, 602-942-8950 • Pennsylvania: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217 • Rhode Island: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760 • S. Carolina: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760 • South Dakota:Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Road, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028 • Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243-1118 • Texas: Lenda Williams, P.O. Bo 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597 • Utah: Daniel & Stacy Tueller, 153 S 2050 W, Provo UT 84601, 801-592-8498 Vermont: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243-1118 • Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217 • Washington & E. OR & S. ID : Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 602-942-8950 • West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217 • Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, 715-838-9426 • Wyoming: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Road, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028 CANADA • Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776 British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0, 1-800-784-6711 • Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, 306-736-2441 Ontario: Laurie Holcombe, 166-B Craig Henry Drive, Nepean, Ontario K2G 4M7 613-864-8667 The Country Register of Vermont Jan-Feb, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 4 The Country Register is published every other month. Copyright © 2013. Reproduction or use without written permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Subscription price for 1 year (6 issues) is $18. Single issues can be purchased for $3. Thank you for picking up our first issue of 2013! We hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season and that the New Year will bring many wonderful things your way! We’re definitely looking forward to some snow, and I know many of you are already dreaming of the slopes. We have some great things in store for 2013, and we’re happy to share our first Quilting, Sewing and Needlework special issue with you. Winter is a great time to cozy up by the fireplace with a warm cup of cocoa or tea and work on all those projects that went untouched during the holiday season or to get out and buy materials to start new projects for the coming year! I often use the downtime (if I get any!) to start working on birthday, wedding, and just because gifts for the rest of the year. It’s also a great time to start planning out the trips you want to take: shows, festivals and retreats are all great ways to spend time with friends and make new ones. Don’t worry though, you’ll still get all your favorite recipes, articles, and primitive, antique, and country shops in this issue. We’re hoping you use some of the recipes in these pages to pre-make a warm and filling dinner, gather your friends together for a winter road trip, and get out to do some after holiday-shopping! JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 3 January-February Events January All Month..............................10% OFF at the Wooden Needle in Stowe (p. 9) 31-Feb 3...............Quilt Retreat hosted by Patti’s Quilting and Fabrics (p. 12) February All Month..............................10% OFF at the Wooden Needle in Stowe (p. 9) March 21-24....................Quilt Retreat hosted by Patti’s Quilting and Fabrics (p. 12) 22-24.................................Rising Sun QuiltFest in Rising Sun, Indiana (p. 12) Articles published in this newspaper, which are contributed from an outside source, 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 the purchase or use of products advertised herein. From the Recipe Box: Corn Chowder with Chicken Ingredients: 1 (17 oz) can whole-kernel corn, drained 1 (17 oz) can cream-style corn 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes 1 onion, chopped Salt & pepper 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups milk 1/4 cup light butter 2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed Combine corn, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper and broth in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 7 – 9 hours, checking that potatoes do not become too soft. Stir in milk, butter and chicken. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Servings: 4 Courtesy of Janice Tosadori, Maryland. Happy New Year! Disclaimer Events The Winter Tourist Season is HERE! Call today to get your Bed & Breakfast or Inn into our lodging listing! Want to get The Country Register delivered to your home? Get a year’s subscription (6 issues) for $18! Fill out the form below, and send it and payment (cash or check) to: The Country Register of Vermont 5804 Whiterose Way New Market, MD 21774 Name: ______________________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________ City: _____________ State: _____ Zip: ____________ Phone Number: _______________________________ e-mail: ______________________________________ JAN-FEB 2013 Y Y Y Let The Country Register work for you! Adverting isn’t just an ad: Advertisers get • copies of the paper to give to your customers • inclusion of your events in our event listing • an online presense Call today to see how The Country Register can help your business! 443-243-1118 Y Y Y Random Acts Craving Curiosity by Maranda K. Jones Happy New Year! What sacrifice for self-improvement will you be making this winter? Some want to improve their finances by getting a better job or saving more money. Others want to become more organized, reduce stress, and manage time. Many want to improve their well-being and make a resolution to lose weight, exercise more, drink less, or stop smoking. Did you know PEZ, the popular candy dispenser, was created as an alternative to smoking? In 1948, Oscar Uxa designed the first PEZ dispenser, called “Box Regulars,” to resemble cigarette lighters and to encourage people to quit smoking. PEZ candy was born a breath mint in Vienna, Austria almost 20 years before the dispenser was introduced at the Vienna Trade Fair. Its name also hails from German descent, using the first, middle, and last letters of the German word for peppermint, “pfefferminz.” PEZ introduced fruity flavors and character dispensers to the United States in the 1950s, hoping to reach adults and children alike. The first dispensers included Santa, a Robot, and a Space Gun. Popeye soon joined the PEZ family, becoming one of the first licensed characters, followed by Mickey Mouse in the early 1960s. The popularity of PEZ continues to grow with variations of dispenser designs and improvements. Interchangeable rubber heads, feet for standing upright, and more beloved characters keep people wanting more bite-sized candy and its unique packaging. In the 1990s, a Tweety Bird PEZ made a guest appearance on an episode of Seinfeld, and PEZ graced the cover of Forbes magazine. Collectors enjoy the series of PEZ dispensers that have been released, featuring several characters from the same movie, such as Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, and Snow White and Seven Dwarfs. Star Wars PEZ is the most popular licensed assortment of all time. Collectible tins and limited edition dispensers have made this already distinct candy more appealing. My children love PEZ. My five-year-old son likes loading the candy and sharing it with friends. He studies the mechanics while enjoying a sweet treat. My three-year-old daughter likes that she can hold the dispenser easily in her small hands and have a favorite character carry her candy for her. They both see it as a toy that gives them candy – what’s not to love? I love PEZ too. I would not call myself a collector, but I may very well be one. I am slightly obsessed with PEZ. When I opened the silverware drawer this morning, I did a quick count of the PEZ dispensers waiting to be greeted. Twelve popular characters were present. Those are just the ones in the drawer. I have more! I didn’t acquire them as an alternative to smoking though, for that is one habit I have never wondered about. I have however always wondered about the origin of PEZ and finally fed my curiosity. Now I have a promising start on my New Year’s resolution to feed my curiosity more often. This time my curiosity craved PEZ and fed on delicious details at http://www.pez.com/history/ PAGE 4 And the beginning of a New Year! by Barbara Floyd, Founder of The Country Register Goodness. It is only December 5th and by the time you read this it will be after the New Year. It is hard to write about New Year’s resolutions when you haven’t had the pleasure yet of putting on extra pounds over the holidays. But somehow that just seems to be a given, and by January 2nd, we are ready to cook healthier and eat less. Usually we are more than delighted to throw out the leftover holiday goodies and get very disciplined with our food for at least a week or a few days! Recently I redecorated a bit in my kitchen-family room—if you can call it redecorating when you just take a lot of things down from the top of the cupboards, take down some art work, put a small table and decorative fireplace screen and lots of other decor out in the garage, hopefully never to return. The leaf in the table that seats ten came out and now it is a cozy table for four, possibly six, and has moved down by the fireplace. Couches and wicker rocker are majorly moved and the room seems much larger. It is fun to have the table moved far from the mess I always seem to create in the kitchen at mealtime. Best of it did not cost a dime but feels fresh and clean. I did take note that most of my cookbooks were on a lower shelf and easy to grab. But “on display only,” very high up and not easily reached were all my low fat and weight watching type of cookbooks. Thinking ahead to the New Year, I brought them to a reachable place with good intentions of cooking with fewer calories. I wasn’t quite to that point with the pasta dish I fixed for company last night. I called my brother and his wife at 4 p.m. and asked them if they wanted to come for dinner at 5. Oh, oh—they accepted. So, I threw open the refrigerator doors and noticed two Cajun Chicken Sausages and my usual array of veggies. That is all it took to remember I had recently bought some whole-wheat pasta shells. My guess is there was about 3 cups of dried pasta that got put onto boil, the sausage got cut up and put into a little olive oil in a frying pan and to that was added one cut up onion, five small sweet peppers, red, yellow and orange in color, and—at the very last and for very few minutes—two large handfuls of fresh spinach. The sausage had a lot of seasoning so the only extra I added was a little salt and pepper, both freshly ground. In the oven prior to this I had a winter squash cut in slices drizzled in olive oil and a little coarse ground sea salt roasting at 450 degrees for about half an hour. That was the perfect temperature to slip in a pan of inexpensive canned buttermilk biscuits overlapping in circle in a pie plate and a generous amount of melted butter on top. This, then, was sprinkled with fresh thyme and dried dill. They baked in a little over ten minutes. By now, it was time to get out the fresh salad greens and add some cherry tomatoes and homemade salad dressing. The last thing to do was combine the well-drained pasta with the veggies and sausage—and wish I had some Parmesan cheese. But, heavy whipping cream added to the mixture made a great binder for this concoction. My guess is I used about 3/4 cup of cream—just enough to bind it together a bit and add flavor. Now that you are into the New Year resolutions you can have the salad and the squash, but probably not the rolls unless you use less butter and eat only one! You can adjust the pasta recipe to include a little more meat, less pasta and more vegetables. Kale would be good as well as other colorful veggies. It will be mighty tasty and a tad healthier just to add a bit of olive oil in place of the heavy cream. For dessert we cleaned out the last container of ice cream, which made for small servings. To replace that just serve fruit and you will still have a delicious meal and less guilt. Happy and healthy cooking to you in 2013! Barbara Floyd, Founder of The Country Register, is enjoying semi-retirement and resides in Phoenix, AZ. She currently is recovering from five months of overeating summertime fresh produce in the Great Northwest and cooking for family and friends. She can be reached at [email protected]. JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 5 Brandon Kissed Quilts Helping in Time of Need by Marlene Oddie How can we help victims of Sandy? For those who sew, there are ways we can help. There are opportunities to donate individual quilt blocks or entire quilts to hurricane Sandy victims. Check the equilter.com and quiltinggallery.com websites for information on how to participate in a goal of sending 5,000 quilts. Although in quilting, we often use cotton, wanting something warm to snuggle with—whether you don’t have electricity or it is just cold—wool comes to mind. This reminded me of experiences I had recently to see raw wool made into beautiful finished products. This past year I’ve had the opportunity twice to tour woolen mills—once while in Ireland as part of the International Quilt Festival of Ireland’s country tour, and then during a local quilt shop hop that took my small group through Pendleton, Oregon. The tours are well worth it and very educational. Avoca Mill, Ireland, founded in 1723, is Ireland’s oldest weaving mill Branford House Antiques A Historic 1850s Farmhouse on a Scenic Vermont Dairy Farm Antiquing Like It Was Before the Internet Antiques, antiques & more antiques! 6691 US Route 7, Brandon, VT 05733 7 minutes South of Brandon, 17 minutes North of Rutland on Hwy 7 802-483-2971 • branfordhouseantiques.com Open Daily 10am until 5pm • Closed Wed & Thurs in Winter Deadline for March-April Ads is February 1st! Pendleton Woolen Mill in Pendleton, Oregon Through a little research via Google, I’ve also found other active woolen mills in the U.S., but they are mostly in the eastern and mid-western states. If you’re interested in getting your sheep fleeces washed, picked, carded, dyed, spun, woven, etc., or just want someone else to take care of part(s) of the process, there are lots of places where it can be done. Manta listed 458 yarn-spinning mills in the U.S. There is so much to be learned by touring these facilities. I was amazed to see how the raw material was converted into such beautiful blankets and finished goods. The automation aspect of the process is also impressive. Woolrich Woolen Mill in Woolrich, Pennsylvania, was started in 1830 and is the longest continuously running woolen mill in the United States. Watkins Woolen Mill in Missouri, established in 1860, is the oldest woolen mill still using its original equipment. I was particularly interested in the offerings from Northwest Woolen Mills (www.northwestwoolen.com) that include pricing for humanitarian bulk purchases of blankets. Even if you don’t sew, there are ways you can help those in need. We use many different fibers today to provide warmth and comfort. Consider the blessings you have and share with those in need during this holiday season. The blessing often comes from the act of giving. Marlene Oddie is an engineer by education, project manager by profession and now a quilter by passion. She enjoys long-arm quilting on her Gammill Optimum Plus, but especially enjoys designing quilts and creating a meaningful treasure for the recipient. Follow Marlene’s adventures via her blog at http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com or on http://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts We’re on Facebook! Like us for updates on special events, a first look at our covers, and exclusive recipes! www.facebook.com/CountryRegisterVT Become Inspired! Decorating, Entertaining, and Living in the Early American Style with Milltown Primitives, LLC Stillness and Solitude January always brings me a genuine sense of peace. There is a stillness to the month that relaxes and renews me. It is during this time of year that I remember that this solitude has power to recharge my creativity and provide me with all that I need to get through a true New England winter. Deepening Appreciation for Antiques Shortly after the first of the year, my holiday decorations are safely put away and there seems to be a shift that mirrors this quiet time of year. I always see this as an opportunity to take stock in my home and within. I take time to rearrange my antiques, plan longer projects and reflect upon the provenance behind the pieces I hold dear. My appreciation deepens still as I ponder the antiques that have been touched by the people, places and events of the past. My rearranging and planning are deeply satisfying to me and I always make sure to save room for just “one more piece,” so winter weekends are spent venturing out to find treasures to fill the winter gaps. Coming home with a perfect piece often takes time, but that’s always fine with me, because as it should be, it is the quest that excites. The Landscape Transformed When winter is in full force I gaze out over the landscape and everything is blanketed with snow. I am always delighted to see that our winter birds have once again found our feeder in the magnolia tree and it gives me comfort knowing they will most likely return as our winter friends. My herb garden is transformed into its sleeping state and as I look at it I dream of the advent of spring when I will be able to work with my plants and create new ideas for their use and care. Looking Forward The end of last year brought the completion of our eighteenth century tavern room and cage bar. The tavern room at Milltown Primitives in North Stonington, CT was the source of my inspiration and as I look ahead to the winter months I am happily planning our “New England Tavern Suppers.” Consisting of three early tap tables set for two, I envision intimate dinners after a cold, New England day with homemade stews or bubbling hot meat pies that would be a most welcomed sight. Eating by candlelight, surrounded by early New England antiques will inevitably provide a kindred connection to our past and a sense of warmth and comfort perfectly suited for this peaceful and rejuvenating time of year. For further information and inspirational tavern photos Facebook us at Milltown Primitives. Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. [email protected] Robin Rock is the owner of Milltown Primitives. www.milltownprimitvesshop.com Holiday Helpers JAN-FEB 2013 A Cup of Tea with Lydia By Lydia E. Harris Sweet Memories of Tea I like to live in the present, sipping every drop from my teacup of life. But as the New Year begins, I also want to remember past joys. That’s why I decided to serve my husband Milt a “sweet memories tea” to remind us of tea outings we had shared. After all, he’s my Sweet-TEA. It wasn’t hard to come up with ideas for this surprise tea-lunch, because Milt and I have gone for tea dozens of times. And as we’ve shared tea, I’ve collected tea tips, menu ideas, and tea ware from tearoom gift shops. So while Milt went swimming, I looked through my refrigerator and cupboard and prepared a spontanai-Tea using what I found. Tea Table I set a pretty table using tea items purchased from various tearooms we had visited. For starters, I used floral placemats and matching cloth napkins from a favorite tearoom and then added cute little napkin clips from another. The glass cobalt-blue plates purchased on clearance looked attractive with the Dutch windmill teapot we found en route to a writers’ conference. The flower vase, teacups, and teaspoons came from other tearooms. All in all, the table setting brimmed with memories of happy teatimes. Tips for Serving Tea When we’re out for tea, I glean tips for serving tea at home. At first, I thought a proper tea could only be served from a three-tiered plate stand. So I was surprised when a tearoom in Oregon served us individual tea plates with an assortment of sandwiches, scones, and sweets. Now I often serve tea this way, especially if only one or two guests are coming. I bought glass luncheon-sized plates for this purpose from a tearoom that was closing. The assorted foods look attractive on the plates. And once I’ve served my guests, I can sit and relax, simply enjoying our time together. Tea Foods and Menus I’ve also gathered menu ideas from tearooms. One of my favorites is a croissant sandwich filled with chicken salad. When I make chicken salad, sometimes I add celery, grapes, mayonnaise, and a hint of curry. Other times we enjoy chicken salad mixed with sliced black olives and chopped artichoke hearts. I’ve learned that tea plates look attractive with at least three foods on them: for example, chicken-salad croissants, spinach salad, and a cluster of red grapes. I also enjoy soup served in a teacup. Tea for Two For our “sweet memories tea,” I prepared a tea plate with a chickensalad croissant, grape cluster, small teacup of soup, and a square of cake topped with lemon curd and whipped cream. And of course, we sipped a tasty tea blend. Milt enjoyed our surprise tea luncheon, and so did I. As we drank tea and reminisced about special tea outings, we also made new memories. As the year begins, it’s time to stir up warm teatimes. You’ll be glad you did, because teatimes brewed today will become sweet memories tomorrow. Happy New Year! Lydia E. Harris, M.A., is the author of Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting. Copyright 2012, Lydia E. Harris. No reprint without author’s permission. PAGE 6 From Lydia’s Recipe File: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup A comforting winter warm-up. (homemade noodles optional) Soup ingredients: 1 chicken breast, cut into large chunks 6 cups water 1 small onion, diced (1/2 cup) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 4 or 5 large carrots, sliced in 2-inch strips 2 stalks celery, sliced 2 chicken bouillon cubes 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup, undiluted 2 cups homemade or purchased noodles, cooked 1 cup frozen peas Directions: 1. In a large kettle, cook chicken, onion, and parsley in water for 30 minutes. (If you plan to make homemade noodles, mix them up while chicken is cooking.) 2. Add carrots, celery, and bouillon and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes until vegetables and chicken are tender. (In separate saucepan, cook noodles to add later.) 3. Remove chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. 4. Stir in the cream soup. 5. Add chicken, cooked noodles, and peas. Simmer a few minutes until heated through. 6. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve piping hot. Makes eight 1-cup servings. Variation: For traditional chicken noodle soup, omit cream soup and peas. Homemade Noodles Easy to make; taste more like dumplings than noodles. In medium-sized bowl combine: 1 beaten egg 1/4 cup milk 3/4 teaspoon salt Add 1 1/4 cups flour and mix. Knead on floured surface until dough is smooth. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes. Roll dough very thin. Dough will be about 8 x 12 inches large. Cut into 1/3-inch strips with pizza cutter. Then cut crosswise to make 2-inch-long noodles. Dust with flour so they don’t stick together. Place noodles in pan of boiling water, and cook a few minutes, until noodles float to the top. Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water, and add to chicken soup shortly before serving. Garden of Stitches Sat 9 to 3 VT Route 107, 768 South Main St., Bethel, VT 802-234-9965 • www.gardenofstitches.com JAN-FEB Fabrics, Books, Patterns, Kits, Gifts, Rug Hooking, Cross Stitch and Embroidery Supplies & “Seed Packs” our signature pre-cut fabric bundles Many of the quilters and crafters I know are busy working on holi- PAGE 7 right now. It’s hot and summery almost everywhere in day projects 2013 Countrywide Pieces From My Heart the country, but it’s Christmas in a lot of workrooms! Now is a great time to sign up for a class to learn a new skill or improve upon the skills you may already have, but here is another thought. Do you have a skill that you can share with others? Perhaps you are a terrific baker? A master knitter? A skilled jewelry maker? No doubt there are people that would love to learn from you! Organize a class of your own. Determine what you would like to offer, make your own schedule, advertise and enjoy! If you are so inclined, senior centers and after-school programs are often looking for people to teach classes. Having a hobby you enjoy is a gift; sharing your hobby or talents with others can be priceless. © Susan Tipsord 2012 Partofofaa quilt ororcraft guild? Part craft guild? Contact out Contact ususto to findfind out how how you can get free you can get free of the paper copies of copies the paper deliveredto to your delivered yourgroup! group! by Jan Keller Greatness Everyone is talking about Steven Spielberg’s movie ‘Lincoln’ and many, including me, say it’s, “Great!” A great film about a beloved President is a fitting tribute. But the film zeros in on a very limited time span so it might be good to also reflect on the life that helped to form the character of Abraham Lincoln. Surprisingly, Lincoln’s story is full of the irony of failure, hardship and disappointment. When Abe was seven-years-old he had to work to help support his family because, due to a legal technicality, they were forced out of their home. He was a shy and diffident nine-year-old when his mother died. It was a youthful Lincoln who shared a love with pretty Ann Rutledge—only to endure heartache and grief because of her untimely death. At 22, Lincoln was fired from his job as a store clerk. He dreamed of going to law school but couldn’t because his education was not adequate. He went into debt to become a partner in a small store when he was 23. Three years later his business partner died, leaving him so deeply in debt it took years for him to repay his resulting financial obligation. At 28, after a four-year romantic relationship with a young lady, he asked her to marry him. She said no. He married Mary Todd, a well-educated 23-year-old woman from a wealthy Kentucky family, when he was 33. He ran for a seat in Congress twice and failed. On his third try, at age 37, he was successful. Two years later he ran for reelection and once again failed and endured the agony of defeat. Although he is regarded as a man of strong character, about this time he had what some today would call a nervous breakdown. When he was 41, his four-year-old son Edward died, heaping additional stress on an already troubled marriage. The following year he applied to serve as a land officer, but was rejected. He ran for the Senate and lost when he was 45. Two years later, he was defeated for a Vice Presidential nomination. At 49, he ran for the Senate again . . . and lost again. Lincoln suffered periods of deep depression, was the target of an endless barrage of false and malicious rumors, criticism and misunderstanding. Snubbed and despised by many of his peers, he was hardly the envy of his day. At 51, however, he was elected President of the United States and successfully reelected to a second term. It was during his second term that he was assassinated. He died in a little rooming house across the street from Ford’s Theatre, where he was shot. Edwin Stanton, who was present, proclaimed, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen . . . and now he belongs to the ages.” Mankind is a shortsighted, inconsistent and fickle lot! We chase after those in the spotlight who have earned success and public applause. Seldom do we trace the path that led to a lofty pinnacle. Bitter hardships, unfair abuses, loneliness, humiliating failures, disappointments and agony suffered along the rocky and difficult path of life are treated as enemies, not friends. We like to forget that those who are worth of emulation and praise have paid their dues. Greatness isn’t inherited. It is earned at great cost. Do you want to: • Find out when the newest issue is being shipped to your favorite shops? • Get recipes not printed in the paper? • Be reminded of statewide shows and events? Join our mailing list! Countryberries Designs Countryberries Designs Summer Sail Pinkeep Sign up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CountryRegisterVT Valentine Snowflake Photo: Public Domain © 2013 Jan Keller. No reprint of this article without permission. Jan shares other pieces of her life in her books, Pieces From My Crazy Quilt, and The Tie That Binds. These books can be ordered by calling 719-749-9797, or writing: Black Sheep Books, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO 80831 Enjoy More of Jan’s Columns Two-bite Bliss O R D E R H E R B O O K S T O D AY Life is like a quilt, pieced together from a unique patchwork of memories, friendships, joys, and challenges. In each of these books, syndicated columnist Jan Keller is down to earth and refreshingly transparent as she opens the door to life’s dreams, triumphs and struggles in a heart-warming way that will touch you forever. You’ll love the way she spins ‘yarns’ that weave the pieces of a treasured tapestry into a vivid depiction of life and love. A cool dessert is always a welcome ending to a summer picnic. This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for commercial use. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. It can be appliqued in cotton or wool by hand or with fusible web. Embroider the details. Have fun! Designed by Kathy Graham Countryberries LLC 330 North Road Deerfield, NH 03037 603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com Whether you are planning an outdoor barbeque, a 4th of July party or a summer tea party, a bite-size dessert that can be eaten without utensils is always a good thing! Try these luscious lemon tarts that can be assembled in minutes and look as good as they taste. Just be OFFER! Order both books for just $25 and SAVE Shipping & Handling! sure to makeSPECIAL plenty! © Susan Tipsord 2012 Luscious Lemon Tarts Mail your order to: Black Sheep Books, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO 80831. 2 pkg. pre-baked fillo dessert shells (in freezer section), thawed T by In 1 depres scarce few mi needs o among know h of the difficul the ide Fifte sew th onto th with th name e by the wheel My circle a in Japa volunte frame w living r sown b Baptist display times t The Stewar proper in the h We of the special remem I lov so muc mother sisters, my tim I heard family though JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 8 Berlin Located at the Berlin Mall: 282 Berlin Mall Rd. Berlin, VT 05602 (802) 778-0777 [email protected] Hours: Mon-Sat from 10am to 9pm • Sun from 11am to 5pm Quilting With Barbara by Barbara Conquest I like January! It’s our coldest month, snowiest month, and often seems to be the longest month. We contend with blizzards, icy roads, clumsy snow boots and wind-chills well below zero – whether Fahrenheit or Celsius. So why do I like January? Since I am no longer a skier, snowshoer or curler, there is little temptation to venture outdoors and I can hunker down indoors without guilt. As a quilter, January is my organizational month, enabling me to be more efficient and productive the rest of the year. First job: Organize or re-organize the stash. Everyone has his/her own system for this, even if it consists of piling new fabric onto old. What would help you most? Sorting by colour? By size? (e.g. fat quarters, pieces larger or smaller than one meter/yard) by type? (batiks, repros, floral prints, stripes…) By project? (placing everything required for a planned project – pattern, thread and notions – in a clear plastic bag)? When you’re ready to start you needn’t spend precious time looking for the elusive pattern you know you put “somewhere safe.” By function? (potential quilt tops here, potential backings there) By age? Think: Do you really plan to use that fabric you loved in the 90s? Be realistic. If you don’t have concrete plans for it, jettison it! Or, better yet, put at least some of it in your scrap box and then organize your scraps! Speaking of scraps, there are as many ways to organize them as there are quilters. Any method that works for you is the right one. But if you don’t have a pet method, here are some suggestions. Some quilters cut large scraps into 2-inch strips, in effect making their own jelly rolls. There are literally hundreds of patterns for jelly roll quilts. What a great use for former scraps – and what a great feeling to have a quilt top instead of a pile of miscellaneous scraps! Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville (website) is the queen of scraps, and many people use her method of scrap organization. She has determined the most common dimensions used in making blocks, so she cuts and sorts scraps into strips of various widths, and cuts and sorts squares and rectangles into these common dimensions. These precut scraps accumulate, and when she is ready to sew her blocks she has a head start because most of the cutting is already done. For more detail, see Bonnie’s book Leaders and Enders or any recent issue of Quiltmaker Magazine where she writes a regular column showing readers easy blocks that can be made from these pre-cut pieces. Imagine reading that a scrappy pattern requires eighty-five – or a hundred and eighty-five – 3 ½ inch squares and you already have them cut! Joy! While you’re in organization mode, consider the notions you’ve accumulated. Would it save time later if your thread were grouped by color or size or type so you could quickly put your finger on the exact thread you need? And your applique scissors, snips and shears – what about hanging them so they’re always visible? All you need is a few cuphooks. The last step might be to clean your sewing machine(s). Ideally, you’ve remembered to take them to your machine professional for maintenance early in January because you wouldn’t be using them while you were organizing, but even if you haven’t, pamper them with a thorough cleaning, brushing or vacuuming out the lint and applying a good machine oil. Your machine manual will tell you what to do. By the end of January you won’t have much sewing or quilting done, but you’ll have a tidy, organized sewing area, a sewing machine ready to handle anything and the rest of the year to make use of both. There’s an old adage, “Practise what you preach.” Gotta go! I have a date with my stash! Barbara Conquest is owner of BlueSky Quilting in Tofield, Alberta, Canada. JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 9 Stowe National Quilting Day Piecing Life Together March 16, 2013 will be the 22nd annual National Quilting Day. At the Annual Meeting of the National Quilting Association, in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1991, a resolution was passed marking the third Saturday in March as National Quilting Day. The first celebration was held in 1992. Over the years, many quilters have created ways to observe their passion during the entire month of March, rather than to just celebrate for one day. The theme for 2013 is “Celebrate America”, coordinating with the show theme for the 44th Annual National Quilting Association Quilt Show. A Nine Patch Stars and Stripes quilt was designed by Kathy Lichtendahl, National Quilting Association Communications Chair. This free pattern can be obtained by accessing the National Quilting Association web site www.nqaquilts.org under NQA Day Pattern after January 1, 2013, or in the Winter 2013 issue of The Quilting Quarterly. Use the free pattern to create a donation to any organization supporting our veterans and/or people serving in the military as well as their families. The quilt will look great in any colors, and in any size, and not just as featured. Get inspired and get quilting. CELEBRATE AMERICA! Please send photographs and short stories of your completed NQD projects, so that we may showcase our collective efforts at the 44th Annual National Quilting Association Quilt Show. The show will be held June 27-29, 2013 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Pictures and stories should be sent to Freda Jones, National Quilting Day Coordinator at [email protected]. Make sure that you include your name, e-mail address, and phone number with the e-mail, and thank you for being a part of the celebration of quilting. by Barbara Polston Have a recipe you’d like to share? Send it to The Country Register at [email protected] and we’ll use it in a future issue! Reflecting on Happiness Have you ever been so happy that you thought you would burst? Wouldn’t it be lovely if that feeling would last and last and last? I entered two quilts into Rim Country Quilt Roundup held each year in Payson, Arizona. I planned a Sunday day trip to see the show and bring my entries home. As an added bonus, I would visit the show with a dear, long-term friend now living in Payson. The show opened on Friday and several quilting friends let me know there was good news waiting for me. I was nervous and excited driving up. My two quilts garnered six recognitions. One was named Best of Show. For a quilter who enters her work in competition, this is a dream come true. I don’t think I felt the floor under my feet as we drifted around looking at all the beautiful quilts. My friend, although not a quilter, was appreciative of the show and I happily introduced her to my friends living in her community. I’ve needed a new chair for my studio for a long time. Sitting on a folding chair to sew is a challenge to the back and the posterior. That’s what I’ve been doing for years. It just so happens that there was a raffle for a beautiful, nicely padded sewing chair going on. My friend and I entered. Because she doesn’t sew, she laughingly told me that, when she won, she would gift me with the chair. Long story short, not only did my quilts come home with me, the chair did as well. Yes, she won and kept her word. What a day! I felt so appreciated. I felt, literally, so loved. My happiness extended into Monday. I described being on a “quilter’s high” to anyone who would listen. By Tuesday, the feelings were fading and by Wednesday, I was back to normal, dealing with challenges in my editing work and longing for the happiness of the weekend. Why doesn’t happiness last? Why does the glow fade over time? Why can you remember being so happy, yet not feel the same elation in remembrance? Perhaps this is just part of the human condition. Maybe it’s nature’s way of making us grateful for moments of sheer bliss. I know that, if I were on a “quilter’s high” 24/7/365, I wouldn’t be as productive as I strive to be. I wouldn’t keep inching the bar ever higher and setting new goals for myself. I would be content rooted in my happy state. I’m so very grateful for this particular Sunday in November and for the friends that shared it with me. I believe this day has made it onto my “Top Ten Life Experiences” list. In the words of Robert Frost, “Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.” Vermont Adventures with Olive Destination: Stowe Hello and Happy New Year! It’s been quite the exciting year for me and my family and I’m still stuffed from all the treats and goodies I got in my Christmas stocking. I also got quite a few toys to help keep me occupied on the way to our newest destination: Stowe. Of course there is no better place to travel for the winter. Stowe has it all: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing (although as of this time they haven’t taken me up on my suggestion to make dog-friendly snowshoes), ice skating, and even the chance to ride a snowmobile (by now I’m sure you’re sensing a theme)! There are plenty of places to stay: from slope-side resorts to cabins available to rent, depending on what kind of atmosphere you’re looking for. Personally I enjoy a nice bowl of water by the fireplace while my owners sip hot cocoa in a hottub overlooking the slopes. And if you need a day to rest your sore muscles from all those winter sports Stowe has a variety of great shopping and dining spots. And don’t forget to stop by The Wooden Needle during your visit! ©Barbara Polston, Phoenix, AZ, November 2012. Barbara is a writer by vocation and a quilter by avocation. You can see Barbara’s quilts, join her on Facebook or book her class and lecture offerings at www.barbarapolston.com. She is the editor of The Quilting Quarterly, the Journal of The National Quilting Association, Inc. Barbara, who has lived in Phoenix for over 25 years, is calmly quilting in Studio Narnia. 2013 Marks The 25th Year of The Country Register! Let It SNOW! JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 10 Johnson JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 11 Countrywide The The Anticipation AnticipationofofSpring Spring Maple Addiction a country primitive shoppe Carrying Vermont Products, Wrought Iron, Maple Products, Primitive Decor, Treenware, Linens, Braided Rugs, Christmas Decor, Table Ware, Lamps, Candles, Pottery, Tart Warmers & More! 4746 Plot Road, Johnson, VT 05656 802-644-8487 • 802-585-4022 Meet the Cover Artist: Ed Wargo Edward John Wargo is a life-long resident of Edison, NJ. He enjoys the hustle of the area in contrast with his otherwise quiet, simple lifestyle. Edward grew up in an old house filled with old things - not just antiques but memorabilia, old signs, magazines and advertisements. As a result he tends to gravitate toward those things in his life and art. He completed the commercial art program at a local college and continues to work there as a teaching assistant. Ed also works as a free lance artist often creating logos and advertising tool for various organizations. He’s won numerous awards both scholastically and artistically. His philosophy toward art is “whatever it takes” – pencils, pastels, markers, computer, etc. He’s willing to incorporate any medium necessary to capture his vision. His uncle Edmond and father Edward were both excellent artists who strongly influenced him. They would be very proud of this Edward and the work he’s doing today. To view Ed’s art prints, go to www.PennyLanePublishing. com or call Penny Lane Publishing at 800-273-5263 for more information. Do you want to: Your ad could be here! Call 443-243-1118 or email [email protected] for more information. Deadline for the March-April issue is Feb 1st Place a classified ad here in the Country Register & Get two months of advertising for $35! Call 443-243-1118 or email [email protected] for more information. Deadline for the March-April issue is Feb 1st flower garden. Hereare aresome some planning Here of of mymy tipstips forfor planning youryour garden: garden: Take a look at a few photos of your garden • Take a look at a few photos of your garden from the past year. Look for areas that need from the past year. Look for areas that need additional height or interest, places that need to be additional height or interest, places that need to filled in, or spots that need more or less of a certain be filled in, or spots that need more or less of a color or texture. certain color or texture. you have photos on your computer, • IfyouIfhave your your photos on your computer, print them out. Write or sketch directly on print them out. Write or sketch directlytheonphoto the what youwhat would to addlike or change. photo youlike would to add or change. Join our mailing list! Sign up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CountryRegisterVT Page through gardening magazines for • Page through gardening magazines for ideas ideas and inspiration. Take notes on the gardens and inspiration. Take notes on the gardens oror landscapes tear out out the the landscapesthat thatcatch catchyour youreye. eye. Or, Or, tear pages and add to an “ideas” folder. pages and add to an “ideas” folder. have thoughts of planning new flower bed?small Cut small photographs of flowers out of • Do you Do haveyou thoughts of planning a new aflower bed? Cut photographs of flowers out of magazines or seed catalogs. or tapeonto themyour ontopaper yourtopaper give yourself gardeninggardening magazines or seed catalogs. Glue or Glue tape them give to yourself a visual.a visual. • Collect things for your new prim garden! Visit your local Goodwill for things such as old wooden chairs, crates, crocks, and enamelware pans.Visit Theyyour willlocal addGoodwill to your prim garden. Collectoldthings for your new prim garden! for things such as old wooden chairs, crates, old crocks, and enamelware pans. They will add to your prim garden. As we await the arrival of spring, please do not forget about our feathered friends. Keep your birdfeeders filled the and arrival keep fresh water in yourdo birdbath. For about colderour climates where temperatures get As we await of spring, please not forget feathered friends. Keep your birdfeeders filled and keep fresh water in your birdbath. For colder climates where temperatures get well well below freezing, a heated birdbath is a special treat! below freezing, a heated birdbath is a special treat! Countryberries Designs Kristine Berg Doss is the owner, editor, and publisher of A PrimiJournal magazine. A Primitive Place & CounKristinetive BergPlace Doss is&theCountry owner, editor, and publisher of A Primitive Place & Country Journal magazine. Primitivemagazine Place & Country Journal magazine is theprimitive, fastest growing primitive, tryAJournal is the fastest growing Colonial, Colonial, andcountry country magazine on the today. Fortoday. more information, and magazine onmarket the market For morevisit information, www.aprimitiveplace.org or email [email protected]. visit www.aprimitiveplace.org or email [email protected]. Know a shop that should advertise in The Country Register? Let us know! Email us at [email protected] or message us on facebook at www.facebook.com/CountryRegisterVT Or better yet! Let them know about us and show them a copy of the paper! Snowmen Fall From Heaven Unassembled Directory 1. Berlin..........................................pg 8 2. Brandon.....................................pg 5 3. Johnson....................................pg 10 4. Stowe..........................................pg 9 Classifieds Looking for Artisans or Crafters for your event? What the winter? winter?IfIfyou Whatdodogardeners gardeners do do during during the you live in the upper Midwest, like me, you live in the upper Midwest, like me, you anticipate anticipate spring, the warmer days ahead and spring, the warmer days ahead and planning your planning your flower garden. • Find out when the newest issue is being shipped to your favorite shops? • Get recipes not printed in the paper? • Be reminded of statewide shows and events? Happy Valentine’s Day! Have A Website? By Kristine Berg Doss By Kristine Berg Doss This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for commercial use. Cross stitch this design on your desired cross stitch fabric. Stitch around edges, right sides together. Turn, stuff and stitch closed. Add a ribbon hanger if desired. Have fun! Designed by Kathy Graham Countryberries LLC 330 North Road Deerfield, NH 03037 603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com Countrywide......................pgs 7 & 11 Classifieds ...................................pg 10 Indiana.........................................pg 12 New York.....................................pg 12 3 4 1 2 JAN-FEB 2013 PAGE 12 New York & Indiana RISING SUN QuiltFest March 22 – 24, 2013 $5 admission SAVE THE DATE ! In Historic Down Town Rising Sun Show & Vendor Hours: 10:00 – 5:00 Daily From the Recipe Box: Applesauce Ingredients: 8 – 10 medium cooking apples, peeled and diced (I prefer a mix of Gala and Fuji apples) 1/2 cup water 1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar Cinnamon “Dreams in Color” interpretation by Chris Combs – Pattern by Becky Goldsmith for Piece’O Cake Design Inc. Combine apples and water in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until apples are soft, about 4 – 6 hours. Add sugar and cook on low another 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve. Doll & Quilt Luncheon Servings: 6 Courtesy of Janice Tosadori, Maryland. SHOWCASTING COMMUNITY QUILTS Quilting Classes / Cloth Doll Classes Trunk Show Quilt Appraisals/Lectures Doll and Quilt Workshops Cloth Doll Challenge $1.00 off with this Ad More details on our website: www. risingsunquiltfest.com
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