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January/February 2024 | Page 1
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What’s Inside?
• Cup of Tea with Lydia - Page 4
Publisher of this Country Register!
• The Sweetness of Life - Page 5 • Become Inspired - Page 6 • Cowgirl Poet - Page 6
• Spot the Difference - Page 7
• The History of Chocolate - Page 8/9 • Love Notes: Corny Ideas - Page 9
• Love Letters Found in History - Page 9 • Robin’s Nest DIY - Page 10
• DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts for Adults - Page 11 • Mystery Quilt - Page 13
• 15 Quilters Commandments - Page 13 • Kids Corner - Page 15
www.MoxieMarketingMW.com • 605-568-0181 • Kelsey Ruzicka •
Editor’s Notes
Spreading Love All Year Through As we enter the new year, we spend time reflecting on the year before and looking at the year to come. We set goals typically for mental and physical healthy habits and steps toward success in our endeavors. We spend Kelsey Ruzicka most of the first part of the year tackling this task of Publisher of self improvement, cleaning out that stubborn closet, The Country Register finishing quilt projects set on the shelf far too long, and of ND, SD, WY, MT & N. ID finding a new physical activity routine. But, one thing I think often is missed from our list is love. Love is the basis for a lot of these goals. Showing love to our bodies, showing love to our hobbies, or showing love to our home. This issue we not only honor the beginning of a new chapter and year, but we celebrate love. Often, when we think of Valentine’s Day we think of our special someone - our spouse or partners. We, then, think of our friends and family and showing them some love with a yummy chocolate or rose. That is all very lovely, but the true meaning of the holiday is to spread love no matter the type. It is a reminder, like most holidays, to not just celebrate on February 14, but to hold love to a higher standard all year through. So, this year I challenge you to add love to your New Year’s resolutions and goals. Spread love wherever you are. And with love comes grace. Grace with yourself and grace with others. Allow for kindness to prevail. Show kindness in the supermarket by carrying bags to someone’s car, or simply smiling at the fellow patrons while you shop. Show grace by taking a deep breath and not getting flustered when a checker is struggling or someone cuts you off in the isle. Spread love at the restaurant by giving a great tip to a friendly waitress, and showing grace by remaining polite and caring when he or she is fumbling. Spread love in a nice review or referral to a friend for a local business/service. Showing grace and patience when services or products are delayed. Grace with yourself is just as important. Remembering to show yourself kindness is essential. Give yourself permission to take a rest, take a walk, and slow down in our often very busy lives. Give yourself grace when you make mistakes, get overwhelmed and say the wrong thing. We all make mistakes, learn from them and move forward with more grace. Making kindness (love) and grace a forefront thought often helps with our perspective and can create a habit. As I reflect on the year, that is my wish is to show love and grace in as many ways as I can this year. Not only to others, but to myself. Big things are brewing for my business and life this year. All very exciting. All very strategic and made with moxie. But, being rooted in love, kindness and grace will only make the tip top of success even sweeter. So, with that, I wish you all the most love and grace in the new year.
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The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, & Northern Idaho Kelsey (Snyder) Ruzicka, Publisher Produced by Moxie Marketing of the Midwest, LLC PO BOX 2015 • Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-568-0181 Office www.countryregister.com/nrgp www.moxiemarketingmw.com Publisher’s contact numbers across the USA & Canada for The Country Register Send $3 to any publisher below to obtain a paper from another area: * Indicates these editions are available on–line at www.countryregister.com.
January/February 2024 | Page 3
Spread the Love!
Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-237-6008, info@countryregister.com, located: Phoenix, AZ USA * Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Arkansas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, 405-470-2597, lenda@countryregister.com * California: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 * Connecticut: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD 21771, 866-825-2917, Fax 866-261-9641 * Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, florida@countryregisteronline.com * Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, tcrga@windstream.net * Idaho (N): Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Idaho (S): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Illinois: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, IowaCountryRegister@mchsi.com * Kansas: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * Maine: Deborah Daney, 660 Country Club Road, Sanford, ME 04073, 207-324-7482 * Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Massachusetts: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211 * Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, minnesota@countryregister.com * Missouri: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Montana: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* * Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803 * New Hampshire: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822 * New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 * New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * North Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, ohiocountryregister@yahoo.com * Oklahoma: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Pennsylvania: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319, Fax 800-609-0278 * Rhode Island: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * South Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * Texas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Utah: Available * Vermont: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822 * Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Washington: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, jennifer@countryregisterofwisconsin.com * Wyoming: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com CANADA * Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, countryregab@yahoo.com * British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711 * Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, countryregister@sasket.net * Ontario: Harriet Ramos, Box 60, 4338 Innes Rd., Orleans, ON K4A 3W3, 343-882-5812
The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains
January/February • Volume 14 Issue 1
The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright 2024. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited by law. The Country Register is a registered business trade name. Moxie Marketing of the Midwest, LLC produces The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains. Subscription price: 1 year, 6 issues, $20.00. Single copies: $3.00. This paper is furnished free at each advertiser, highway welcome centers, tourism centers, shows, events, and other selected locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Northern Idaho. Articles published in this newspaper, which are contributed from outside sources, express the opinions of their authors only and may not express the viewpoints of the management and 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.
Index: See page 14 for advertiser’s index by name and by community as well as upcoming events. Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the March/April 2024 issue are Febraury 7, 2024.
Page 4 | January/February 2024
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A Cup of Tea with Lydia: Tea Parties That Say, “I Love You” By Lydia E. Harris “Love Makes the World Go Round” is a song from the 1960s musical Carnival. Sixty years later, the lyrics still inspire me. In this new year, we have many opportunities—including Valentine’s Day—to share love with others. Here are a few ideas for tea parties that say, “I love you,” which could help us make the world go ’round.
1/4 teaspoon salt Multicolored sprinkles Candied fruit or small candies that won’t melt (such as Boston Baked Beans, Juicy Fruits, or Dots)
Make 1. Preheat oven to 375º. 2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. 3. Add egg yolks and vanilla to creamed mixture and beat until light and fluffy. 4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift dry ingredients into the sugar mixture and mix well. On a sunny afternoon, I served Dylan and Lena tea outdoors on our deck. A large red heart, a potted pink 5. Shape into 1-inch balls. Gerbera daisy, and two wedding cake toppers decorated our setting. One came from my sister’s wedding 6. Push your finger through each ball to shape it into a ring. Make sure the opening is at least 1/2-inch cake and featured a bride and a sailor—like the navy man she married. The other bride and groom had wide, so it doesn’t close while baking. graced my cake 56 years earlier. 7. Dip the top side of each ring into colored sprinkles. Place on a lightly sprayed baking sheet. 8. Add a piece of candied cherry or small candy on each cookie for a jewel. While we nibbled croissants filled with chicken salad and sampled other treats, I enjoyed getting to know 9. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Dylan and hearing about their wedding plans. In honor of their recent engagement, I had baked Royal 10 Carefully remove cookies to a cooling rack. Rings, a cookie shaped like a ring with sweet candy jewels. (See recipe below from my book). I also served Makes 24 rings. several tea blends and rhubarb punch, a popular family beverage. We sipped tea from my mother’s pink floral teacups. Since Lena was named after my mother, Helena, I gave her the set of teacups as a gift. And because this was a “date” for them, I offered them dates to eat. Lydia E. Harris is a tea enthusiast, grandmother of five (Grandma Tea), and author of In the Tea Parties at Home Last year, when my extended family celebrated the engagement of my niece Lena and her fiancé, Dylan, the couple requested ideas for dates. I set a “date” for them to come for tea.
I sent them home with the flowering centerpiece and a few favorite cookies. They said good-bye with beaming faces, anticipating the joy of their not-too-distant wedding day.
Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting, and her new release—GRAND Moments: Devotions Inspired by Grandkids. Her books are available through bookstores and online.
Tea Parties to Go My friend Barbara and I enjoyed making memories together in tearooms. But when I became ill and couldn’t get out, Barbara made the hour’s drive to my home with a tea party to go. In addition to a tea lunch, she brought a cheery yellow floral teacup. “This is your sunshine cup,” she said as I sipped tea from my new cup and savored homemade goodies. The tea and her kind gesture warmed more than my body. It also warmed my heart and added joy to my life. Tea Parties by Mail If you can’t deliver a tea party in person, you could share love by mailing a tea party. That’s what I recently did for my friend Barbara. Now, years after she brought me a tea party to go, her health has declined, and she lives in a skilled nursing facility. Since I can’t make the long drive to bring her tea, I mailed a tea party in a box. I contacted her daughter in advance and arranged to have her share the tea party box and enjoy teatime with her mother. The box included two floral china teacups, several tea blends, shortbread cookies, and other treats. I also sent paper plates, napkins, silk flowers, and a few small gifts. Just as Barbara’s tea party brightened my day, now I could return the favor via mail and add cheer to her life. Tea Parties in 2024 As I recall the song “Love Makes the World Go Round,” another song plays in my mind. During my childhood, I learned the song “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” I still embrace those words and seek ways to add love and joy to the lives of others. Teatimes are one way that works for me. And when I bless others, it also adds joy to my life. Throughout the year, I hope you will join me and look for ways to show love to others. Perhaps we’ll serve tea in our homes, deliver a tea party to go, or mail one in a box. Whatever we do, let’s make the world go ’round with our love.
From Lydia’s Recipe File: Royal Rings
Ring-shaped cookies with sweet candy jewels (Recipe from Lydia’s book GRAND Moments: Devotions Inspired by Grandkids, pages 213¬–14) Gather 1/2 cup soft butter (1 cube) 2/3 cup sugar 3 egg yolks (save whites for another use) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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The Sweetness of Life. By Kerri Habben Bosman
Late last year, I began a special project. My husband, Wayne and I were driving home from Wisconsin after a visit with his 102 year old mother. He asked me how many essays I had written over the years and suggested that Mom would love to read all of them. And just like that, I was finally inspired to put together a book of twenty years of essays. I have thought of doing this many times before, but as happens with me, bringing happiness to someone I love galvanizes me into action. In 2003 I began writing what I called “Compass Points.” My dad would have turned 90 that year and I wanted to acknowledge that. In my rereading, I discovered a somewhat inept attempt at creative nonfiction. I winced a bit at the sheer sentimentality of it, but I was also affirmed reading my tribute to him. I felt a flash of grief so intense it revitalized me because for a moment I could feel the entire journey. Thankfully, over the next ten years, each of the ensuing forty essays steadily improved. And a style developed. Although each piece is different, common themes emerged. Every one carries layers of joy, gratitude and love. I used some of these essays as a portfolio, which brought further writing assignments, including becoming a part of Country Register publications in 2012. Along the way, the style of these articles grew both more concise and cohesive. As I prepared the book, it took extensive restraint not to change very much. For this version I wanted each piece to be an authentic representation of who I was when it was written. If I made everything perfect, Mom wouldn’t feel the whole story. And neither would I. The specific details carried me back to a time when both my own mother and grandmother were living. I could fully feel the moments, yet it was also like watching a movie. On the surface each essay appears to be about me, but they are also about people I treasured. Their precious presences linger softly between the lines.
January/February 2024 | Page 5
Countryberries Designs This Snowman has so
many
Frosty Pillow
possi-
bilities! He was designed to be a wool appliqued pillow top with bells or buttons but could also be a table mat or wall hanging. He could be a punchneedle or hooked rug piece. If you’re a painter, create Frosty on paper, wood
or
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He’d make a cute note card. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. Whatever craft you . choose, have fun and be creative!. Not for commercial use. Please give the artist credit.
Designed by Kathy Graham
Countryberries
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I’ve felt the following quote with ordinary and pivotal experiences since, though I originally wrote those words in the second article after my mother died:
Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden
“Sometimes the sweetness of life bends you in half. In those moments you are utterly and fully alive. When you stand up again, you are stronger, breathe more deeply and experience the world with kinder eyes.”
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And in the ensuing 28 articles the next chapters of my life pour forth. Described in them is how I lived on my own and then the life that Wayne and I share together. I write about him and the family I love like my own. Including grandchildren who become frequent “characters.” Most of them are teenagers now and as I reread the articles I realize anew how quickly and how much they’ve grown. And, of course, the Mom that inspired me to put a book together is vibrantly there as well. Presently this book is in the works as a surprise for her. She embraces me and everyone with so much love, which brings me to what I’ve discovered during my project. I’ve learned that the details of my life may have changed over the course of twenty years, but that the root of who I am is the same. I still count my blessings every day. I still believe life doesn’t have to be perfect to be ideal. Mostly I have learned that I love exactly the same way. Only with a deeper sense of how huge love truly is. With an open, grateful heart it only grows more. It expands with a redeeming sweetness that sometimes bends me in half. Kerri Habben Bosman is a writer living in Chapel Hill, NC. Her email is 913jeeves@gmail.com.
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Closing for the winter Dec 31
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Become Inspired By Annice Bradley Rockwell
Peaceful Dwellings As the festive, fast-paced excitement of the holidays draws to a close, we are given a chance to create a protective sanctuary of peace to enjoy the season of winter. Winter weekends might find us venturing to nearby antiques shops searching for perfect pieces to add to our room arrangements. Early baskets, blue decorated stoneware jugs, early treen and country lighting are all wonderful investments that add touches of warmth to our indoor vignettes. Tavern tables flanked with wing-back chairs can be moved closer to the hearth now for a cozy fireside arrangement in which to enjoy a piping hot meal of chicken pot pie and homemade cranberry chutney. Symbols of Comfort Our outdoor additions can be equally fulfilling. Setting up the evergreen tree that graced our keeping room during the holidays as an outdoor sanctuary for our wildlife can add visual interest and appeal. Adding natural decorations such as pinecones filled with peanut butter and birdseed can provide a special winter treat for our feathered friends. As the snow falls and blankets the roads, our home takes on a whole new look against the new backdrop of white. Silhouetted against a stark landscape its features often stand out now as a symbol of comfort and shelter against the season’s cold and blustery days. Shift to Stillness Being outside in the elements to gather our seasoned wood for the fire, we are reminded of how blessed we truly are to have the safety of home. Unexpected snow days where a depth of snow provides a day off from our normal daily work provides us with time we can spend enjoying the pure beauty of nature. A winter walk enveloped by the stillness of winter is a country treat meant to be savored. Despite its initially withered and worn appearance, the woods are actually quite vibrant and alive. The sun’s radiant rays on the snow create a brilliance that only belongs to winter. As it is enjoyed, we may catch a glimpse of small creatures endeavoring to forage. We might take advantage of a spectacular new view of our maple swamp as its bare trees allow us to see even more of its fringed beauty. Winter’s slower pace grants us the blessing of quiet time. Along with this calm rhythm often comes the ability to nurture our ideas and plan for the season ahead. Whether it is being excited about beginning a new business venture or repurposing a small room in our home to be used for a hobby we have come to love, the winter season is the ideal time to allow our concepts to come together and take shape. This season embrace the shift to stillness. Take in the slower moments that allow you to enjoy observing the beauty that abounds in nature. And when you experience that beauty, share that wonder with those you hold dear. --Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. NewEnglandGirl2012@hotmail.com
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Cowgirl Poet, Quilter, Entertainer Yvonne Hollenbeck Nature’s Church Have you ever seen the prairie when it’s covered up with snow, or watched an evening sunset leave its purple afterglow? Have you ever seen a newborn calf a-wobbling to its feet, and though it’s only minutes old it knows just where to eat? You can’t climb up in a saddle and ride across prairie sod, or see an eagle on the wing and not believe in God. A cowman may not worship in a building made of stone, but worships with his Maker out with nature all alone. His church is in the great outdoors; the valley, heaven’s gate. His favorite hymn’s a coyote that is calling to its mate. He doesn’t do his tithing dropping money in a hand; it’s by being a good caretaker of the creatures and the land. He makes his own communion while a choir of songbirds sing, as he cups his hands to drink the fresh cold water from a spring. From the budding of the springtime to autumn’s goldenrod, there’s no better place to worship than to be out there with God. So, when you hear a meadowlark that’s singing from its perch, it’s inviting you to worship with it there at Nature’s Church.
Order Yvonne’s new book, “A Stitch in Rhyme” at www.yvonnehollenbeck.com — just $15 + $3.50 postage. © Yvonne Hollenbeck; 2023 Yvonne Hollenbeck, from Clearfield, SD, performs her original poetry throughout the United States, captivating audiences in her wake. She is one of the most published cowgirl poets in the West and is not only a popular banquet and civic entertainer, but also co-writes songs with many western entertainers. Yvonne also pens a weekly column in the “Farmer-Rancher Exchange” and writes articles about life in rural America in various publications throughout the West. For more information, visit https://www.yvonnehollenbeck.com
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November/December 2022 | Page 7
Spot the Difference Can you spot the difference? There are 5 changes to this display of vintage Valentine’s Day cards. Find the answers on page 12. These vintage greeting cards are not only very pretty, but quite fun. Look for them out at your local antique store!
Page 8 | November/December 2022
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The History of Chocolate
When we think of chocolate we think of sweet creamy goodness or candy bar confections. But, throughout most of its history it was thought of as a bitter beverage, not a sweet, rich-tasting treat. After it became popular in the courts of Europe and the streets of colonial America, chocolate soon to the the form we universally love and see it today. “Chocolate is made from the fruit of cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America. The fruits are called pods and each pod contains around 40 cacao beans. The beans are dried and roasted to create cocoa beans. It’s unclear exactly when cacao came on the scene or who invented it. According to researchers, ancient Olmec pots and vessels from around 1500 B.C. were discovered with traces of theobromine, the stimulant compound found in chocolate and tea. It’s thought the Olmecs used cacao to create a ceremonial drink. However, since they kept no written history, opinions differ on if they used cacao beans in their concoctions or just the pulp of the cacao pod. The Olmecs undoubtedly passed their cacao knowledge on to the Central American Maya who not only consumed chocolate, they revered it. The Mayan written history mentions chocolate drinks being used in celebrations and to finalize important transactions and ceremonies.
spiced chocolate beverages in ornate containers, but they also used cacao beans as currency to buy food and other goods. In Aztec culture, cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold. Aztec chocolate, which they called xocolatl, was mostly an upper-class extravagance, although the lower classes enjoyed it occasionally at weddings or other celebrations.” As it made it’s way through history, it continued as a beverage. The Spanish are said to have been the corridor to Europe for the commodity. Bringing it back with them from their conquests, they would offer it as gifts and enjoy as an indulgence at court. “But European palates weren’t satisfied with the traditional Aztec chocolate drink recipe. They made their own varieties of hot chocolate with cane sugar, cinnamon and other common spices and flavorings. Soon, fashionable chocolate houses for the wealthy cropped up throughout London, Amsterdam and other European cities.” “Chocolate arrived in Florida on a Spanish ship in 1641, and it’s thought the first American chocolate house opened in Boston in 1682. By 1773, cocoa beans were a major American colony import and chocolate was enjoyed by people of all classes. During the Revolutionary War, chocolate was provided to the military as rations and sometimes given to soldiers as payment instead of money.”
Despite chocolate’s importance in Mayan culture, it wasn’t reserved for the wealthy and powerful, but was readily available to almost everyone. In many Mayan households, chocolate was enjoyed with every meal. Mayan chocolate was thick and frothy and often combined with chili peppers, honey or water.
The evolution of chocolate to what we know it today, came from the Dutch process of creating a powder. This allowed the product to be made into a variety of delicious chocolatey products. It also paved the way to it becoming more affordable, and hence more widely available, used and mass produced.
The Aztecs took chocolate admiration to another level. They believed cacao was given to them by their gods. Like the Maya, they enjoyed the caffeinated kick of hot or cold,
“Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter is generally credited for adding dried milk powder to chocolate to create milk chocolate in 1876. But it wasn’t until several years later that he worked with his friend Henri Nestlé—together they created the Nestlé Company and brought milk chocolate to the mass market. Chocolate had come a long way during the 19th century, but it was still hard and difficult to chew. In 1879, another Swiss chocolatier, Rudolf Lindt, invented the chocolate conch machine which mixed and aerated chocolate, giving it a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that blended well with other ingredients. By the late 19th century and early 20th century, family chocolate companies such as Cadbury, Mars and Hershey were mass-producing a variety of chocolate confections to meet the growing demand for the sweet treat.” Chocolate today is still considered an indulgence. However, dark chocolate has found its place in heart-healthy food lists. However, it is still considered to be a delicious treat for special occasions for one and all. Modern-day chocolate production comes at a cost. Production of cocoa has been at the center of controversy for years. With production worker and environmental concerns brought to light. That has also brought forth more conscious sourced production efforts by big chocolate companies and local buyers. Buying fair trade products has become more mainstream. The story of chocolate lives on, and one thing for sure - we count on it for many a sweet treat. And are happy for its place rooted into our culture.
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10 QUICK CHOCOLATE FACTS: 1. Chocolate is made from the fruit of the cacao trees, they are native to Central and South America. The fruits are called pods and once the pod dries, there are around 40 cacao beans in one pod! 2. No one is quite sure where chocolate originated from but the earliest traces of chocolate that have been found are in 1500 BC. 3. The earliest people that historians know used chocolate are the Mayans and the Aztecs. The two tribes were based out of Central America. Both would make drinks out of chocolate usually mixed with honey and water. But the drinks were very bitter and not very sweet. 4. There are many different theories about how chocolate finally made it to Spain. But chocolate was a very popular indulgence in the Spanish court in the 1500’s. 5. Chocolate spread throughout Europe and became very popular. One of the uses of chocolate during this time was hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was made with cinnamon, cane sugar, and other spices and flavorings. 6. Coenraad van Houten discovered how to make a chocolate powder and also invented the cocoa press. 7. By the late 19th century and early 20th century Hershey, Mars, and Cadbury were mass producing a variety of different chocolate candies. 8. There are many different types of chocolate, it can be made desserts, baked goods, and it can be a drink. 9. The world’s largest chocolate bar weighs 12000 pounds. 10. Chocolate is enjoyed all over the world and can come in many shapes and forms Source: History.com Editors. (2017, December, 14, last updated August 10, 2022). History of Chocolate. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/historyof-chocolate
Love Notes: Corny
Ideas for Valentines
by Country Register NRGP Staff
• • • • • • • • • • • •
I go bananas over you Our love is unbeleafable I love you so moss Your as cute as a button I love you a latte Brie mine, Valentine “Don’t go bacon my heart” then “I couldn’t if I fried Your dino-mite You’ve got a pizza my heart You are o-fish-ally my favorite person We make great pear I’m not lion… I think your great
Love Letters Found
in History
Napoleon to Joséphine
While known for his ruthlessness as a ruler, French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte also possessed a softer side. In letters to his wife, Joséphine, the military leader reveals a vulnerability not found in his autocratic approach to expanding the French empire. “Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Joséphine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart. When, free from all solicitude, all harassing care, shall I be able to pass all my time with you, having only to love you, and to think only of the happiness of so saying, and of proving it to you?”
Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera
It’s no secret that Frida Kahlo and her husband, fellow artist Diego Rivera, had a tempestuous relationship, but in her love letters to Rivera, you see only an intense love. “Nothing compares to your hands, nothing like the green-gold of your eyes. My body is filled with you for days and days. You are the mirror of the night. The violent flash of lightning. The dampness of the earth. The hollow of your armpits is my shelter. My fingers touch your blood. All my joy is to feel life spring from your flower-fountain that mine keeps to fill all the paths of my nerves which are yours.”
Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn
The King of England for 38 years, Henry VIII wrote his lover, Anne Boleyn, a collection of secret, romantic letters which still survive today. “But if you please to do the office of a true loyal mistress and friend, and to give up yourself body and heart to me, who will be, and have been, your most loyal servant, (if your rigour does not forbid me) I promise you that not only the name shall be given you, but also that I will take you for my only mistress, casting off all others besides you out of my thoughts and affections, and serve you only,” he wrote. “I beseech you to give an entire answer to this my rude letter, that I may know on what and how far I may depend. And if it does not please you to answer me in writing, appoint some place where I may have it by word of mouth, and I will go thither with all my heart. No more, for fear of tiring you.”
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I love Valentines Day! It is the best part of winter, other than Christmas of course! Swedish hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day. They were originally a Christmas ornament that you filled with candy and put on your tree, but I am using it for valentine’s decorations.
You will Need:
Fold both pieces of paper in half. I traced my pattern on the “wrong side” of the paper. Place the straight edge on the fold of the paper.
Step Four
Step Two
You will need two different pieces of colored paper, I used a 12x12 piece ( you can use felt or fabric), scissors, tape, pencil (not pictured), a ruler, ribbon and the pattern(see page 11).
Step One
Cut out the pattern but don’t cut the vertical lines in the middle just yet.
Step THREE
Now comes the tricky part. Start with the round part of the pieces facing down. You will be weaving the strips together, so start with the one on the right (in my picture it is the wine paper), and thread the first strip through the first strip of the one on the left (the pink paper). Then the pink strip through the wine paper and the wine through the pink and you are done with the first row. The second row will be the opposite, so the second pink strip goes through the wine strip and so on. On a side note. The last strip is the hardest. You will need to be careful to not tear the paper (however there is always tape!). This is easier if you are using felt or fabric.
You can tape on your ribbon and use this as a decoration or you can fill it will candy and give it as a Valentine!
Put the pattern back on the cutout and then cut the lines in the middle. Do this to both the cutouts. Then fold the pieces with the “right side” of the paper to the outside.
FINISHED!
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January/February 2024 | Page 11
DIY Valentine’s Day Pattern for the Robin’s Nest DIY Blog Project!
Gift Ideas for Adults
VALENTINES DAY CANDLE Ingredients:
Stove or Hot Plate Soy Wax Flakes – approx 4 cups or 1 lb. per candle Candle Making Pitcher Pint-Sized Mason Jars 8” Candle Wicks Wick Holders (optional, but helpful) Wax Colorant Fragrance Oil of Choice – we used 20 drops of Passion Fruit Fragrance Oil
Instructions:
1. Begin by using a drop of hot glue to secure the base of the candle wick to the center of the mason jar – use a wick holder/stabilizer if desired to hold the wick in place in the center. 2. In the wax pitcher, melt approximately 1 lb of soy wax flakes and wax colorant. I used about 1/4 of a cube each of red and purple colorant to create my custom color blend. Note: the color of the wax will appear MUCH darker in liquid form that it does when it has cooled and set! Add fragrance oil and slowly stir to mix. 3. Very carefully pour the hot wax into the mason jar. 4. Allow the candle to sit undisturbed until it has completely cooled and solidified. I usually let mine cool overnight to be sure that they are completely set. You can see that the candle begins cooling at the bottom, and the color is a lot lighter than it looked when it was melted! 5. Then decorate your mason jar however you would like to for valentines day! Saying: “You light up my life!”
MAKE A GIFT CARD BOOK WITH CUTE SAYINGS
Gift Card to Coffee Place | “Thanks A Latte” Pedicure Gift Card | “Thanks for Keeping Us On Our Toes” Amazon Card | “You are an AMAZing Teacher” Restaurant Card | “For When You Don’t Have Time to Cook” Grocery Store Card | “For When You Feel Like Trying A New Recipe”
SWEETHEARTS SUGAR SCRUB
Ingredients 1 cup 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted 1/4 cup sweethearts candy (conversation hearts) Directions 1. Add sugar and oil to small bowl. Mix well with spoon or whisk. 2. Add sweethearts to plastic bag and break into small pieces using the bottom of a glass or rolling pins. Add to sugar mixture and mix until well combined. 3. Add sugar scrub to small containers. Chocolate Sugar Scrub • 1 cup sugar (coarse, if possible) • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder • 2/3 cup soft coconut oil (easily scoopable, but not melted)
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Strawberry Mimosas Mimosas Ingredients 2 oz chilled homemade Strawberry Juice or store bought if you can find it 3 oz chilled Andres of California Moscato Champagne 1 large strawberry (sliced for each mimosa) 1 large strawberry (for garnish) Homemade Strawberry Juice Ingredients 2 cups sliced strawberries ½ cup water 2-3 tablespoons sugar (optional)
Spot the Difference Answers:
1. The Heart on the plane is yellow. 2. Two of the hearts in the ice cream one are pink. 3. The deer card is replaced with the horse card. 4. The base of the ice cream card is blue instead of green. 5. The plane has a white pin stripe.
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January/February 2024 | Page 13
15 Quilters Commandments By Deb Heatherly
I hope this gives you a chuckle. As quilters I think we all can relate. 1: I promise to do my part. Money cannot buy happiness, but it does buy fabric and fabric makes me happy. Since I know that my friends and family want me to be happy, when I buy fabric, I am doing my part to keep everyone happy. 2: I will put blame where it belongs. My need to buy fabric is the fault of the designers who create the fabric. I promise to stop buying when they stop creating. 3: I will plan ahead. My stash is my retirement plan. One day I may have to actually use it. Until then, I’ll buy more new fabric when I need to actually cut and sew, and always buy extra so I make sure to feed my stash. 4: I will not envy my neighbors stash. Instead, I will diligently shop until I accumulate an even bigger one. 5: I will practice equality. For every new “toy” my husband buys, I will spend an equal amount of money buying fabric. 6: I will contemplate. I promise to think daily about all of the projects I will one day make from my stash. For now, just planning them is enough. 7: I will utilize space wisely. It is important to come up with new ways to hide, (I mean store), my stash. 8: I will be energy efficient. Stacked neatly, my stash acts as insulation. 9: I will exercise my mind. I will do this by thinking of new ways to sneak (aka transport) the fabric into the house without being seen. 10: I will be a good homemaker. This will be accomplished by coming up with creative ways to display and blend my stash into the home décor. Charm packs can be coasters. Yardage can be a tablecloth. What-nots can be placed on jelly rolls as lifters and to add a pop of color to a display. 11: I will not whine. No, if a friend buys the last piece of a certain fabric that I wanted, I will not whine. I do reserve the right to guilt her until she shares. 12: I will support the local container store. I will buy the largest containers possible because they will hold lots of fat quarters. As a bonus, when stacked in the kitchen cupboard behind cereal and cookies, they will be camouflaged from my husband. 13: I will actually complete a quilt or two. By doing so I will need to replace the used fabric and my family cannot accuse me of hoarding. I will also keep in mind that quilts come in all shapes and sizes. A table topper counts as a completed project. 14: I will always be there for my fellow quilter. Especially when she needs fabric therapy. I promise to accompany her on all buying trips and will clean out my car before the trip so there is plenty of room for the purchases. I will further support her by offering to store her purchases in my car until she can sneak (aka transport) them into her own house without her husband seeing. 15: Finally, I will practice DUI. “Developing Ultimate Inventory.” This supports my local quilt shop and keeps them in business so I can continue to develop my stash. Deb Heatherly is a designer for Creative Grids® rulers and the author of eight popular pattern books. Creative Grids® fans are invited to join her Facebook group, “Grids Girls,” for tips and inspiration. https://www.facebook.com/groups/770429649800457/. The annual Grids Girls winter mystery begins in January. Shop Owners are invited to join her group just for you, “Grids Girls for Quilt Shop Owners Only” https://www.facebook.com/groups/273593657256524. Visit Deb’s website at www.Debscatsnquilts.com.
This time, we are going to mix it up a bit – we’re doing size options! The first size finishes 48 x 48. The second size finishes 60 x 76. Since the first size is baby quilt size or a lap cover for the car, someone wheelchair bound, etc., you can choose fabrics accordingly. If you want the bigger quilt, that will be Part 3. The other neat thing about this quilt is, it’s designed with just two fabrics. The key is to make sure you have a light to medium – I used a subtle print - that is complimented or enhanced by a dark – I used a tone on tone black. Erica has had this line of fabric in her store for a bit and every time I pass by it, I slow down and drool over the rich shades and tones in it. So, the quilt is designed around this line of fabric.
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Fabric Requirements:
Quilt Option #1 Fabric A - 2 3/4 yards Fabric B (dark) - 2 yards Binding (dark) – ½ yard
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Quilt Option #2 (additional fabric needed) Fabric A – 2 yards Fabric B (dark) – ½ yard Binding (dark) – ¾ yard
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PART I: Making the Block: (Make 36 blocks) Cut (per block): Fabric A 1 – 5 x 5 inch 1 – 2 ½ x 4 ½ inch 2 – 2 ½ x 6 ½ inch 1 – 2 ½ x 8 ½ inch Fabric B 1–5x5 2 – 4 ½ x 4 ½ inch
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Advertiser Directory by Name Always Your Design • Dell Rapids, SD.................................... 5 Betty’s Quiltery • Rapid City, SD........................................... 15 Creative Closet • Townsend, MT............................................. 6 Emporium, The • Belle Fourche, SD....................................... 15 Farmer’s Daughter, The • Hill CIty, SD.................................. 16 Fiber House, The • Sheridan, WY............................................ 5 Heartfelt Quilt Shop • Spearfish, SD.................................... 16 Knothole, The • Spearfish, SD.............................................. 16 Needle Traveler..................................................................... 13 Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop • Edgemont, SD........................... 16 Out West Quilts & Fabric • Wall, SD..................................... 15 Quilt Connection • Rapid City, SD........................................ 16 Quilt Connection 2 • Buffalo, SD.......................................... 16 Quilters Corner • Faulkton, SD............................................... 6 Quilt Yard, The • Pierre, SD................................................... 12 Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center • Belle Fourche SD......... 16
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January/February 2024 | Page 15
Kid Corner | As Compiled By My Darling 9 -Year Old Daughter By Sophia Ruzicka EDTOR’S NOTE: Lately, things have been extra busy. And, my little side kick was eager to help. So, she went out and created this whole thing by herself to submit to the paper. I had to publish. It takes a village to put together a paper sometimes. I’m sure lucky to have such a creative and supportive daughter.
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