Page 2 | July-August 2017
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
Wyoming
Cover Artist Kris Parker
Kris Parker was born in 1969 in central Virginia. Her love of drawing took her to Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, where she graduated with a BA in Painting and Printmaking. After college she worked a variety of jobs ranging from studio sculptor to zoo keeper which, interestingly, never took her too far from her love of art and animals. She now resides not far from her hometown on a small farm with her husband and two kids. She draws plenty of inspiration from the surrounding wildlife and their many farm animals – cows, sheep, milk goats and possibly the sweetest donkey ever. Parker is licensed by Linda McDonald, Inc., 704-370-0057.
Star Valley Quilt Trail
August 17-18-19, 2017
May 30-Sept. 2, 2017 Sponsored by Wyoming’s Premier Quilt Shops ❖ Free Block Patterns! Participating Shops (as of press time) ❖ Great Prizes! How to Participate
❖ Pick up a special block pattern at each participating shop and register for a $50 prize. ❖ Get your passport stamped at each shop you visit, visit at least half of the particiapting shops, and send in your passport to be entered into the drawing for the grand prize – a Husqvarna Viking HV 100! sewing machine – or multiple other prizes. ❖ The more shops you visit, the better your chances for winning!
For up-to-date details and to download the passport, visit:
Afton, WY ❖ Jenny M’s Quilting Company Buffalo, WY ❖ E.T. Quilts Casper, WY ❖ Cottontales Quilt Company ❖ Kalico Kat Quilt Shop ❖ Prism Quilt & Sew Co. Cheyenne, WY ❖ Around the Block Quilt Shop ❖ The Quilted Corner Cody, WY ❖ Friends and Co. Quilt Shop Douglas, WY ❖ Prairie Stitcher Evanston, WY ❖ Common Threads Quilting Gillette, WY ❖ The Barn & Blanket Lady Quilt Shop Green River, WY ❖ A Little Country Character Quilts Laramie, WY ❖ Quilt Essentials ❖ Snowy River Quilts
Lusk, WY ❖ Lickety Stitch Quilts Lyman/Urie, WY ❖ Valley Fabric Shop Newcastle, WY ❖ Strawberry Patch Quilt Shop Pinedale, WY ❖ Heritage Quilts & Fabric Shoppe Rock Springs, WY ❖ Willow Ridge Crafts Sheridan, WY ❖ Sheridan Ben Franklin ❖ The Quilters’ Fix Shoshoni, WY ❖ Sheep Camp Quilt Supply Thayne, WY ❖ Beyond Bolts Thermopolis, WY ❖ Gooseberry Garden Quilt Shop Torrington, WY ❖ The Covered Wagon Worland, WY ❖ Heart-N-Home
We Hope to See You Around WY!
www.wyomingquiltshophop.com
Inaugural Quilt Show in beautiful Star Valley, WY! ❖ 3 days of gorgeous quilts ❖ In Afton, Thayne, Star Valley Ranch, Etna, and Alpine, Wyoming ❖ Enter a quilt for a possible ribbon and cash prize! ❖ Make a small quilt for the Solar Eclipse Challenge; prize for best in category! ❖ Guest judges are Linda Taylor and Stevii Graves ❖ Ricky Tims presents a 1 Day Master Class and musical concert ❖ Historical quilts, Quilts of Valor, Youth Quilts, and Vendors ❖ Volunteer Opportunities Available
For details, go to StarValleyQuiltTrail.com or Visit us on Facebook Questions? StarValleyQuiltTrail@gmail.com Wyoming Star, Founding Sponsors
Thanks for Reading The Cou ntry Register!
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
July-August 2017 | Page 3
Wyoming
The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, & Northern Idaho Dee Sleep, Publisher Produced by Chicken Creek Communications 10563 Chicken Creek Road • Spearfish, SD 57783 605-722-7028 Office www.countryregister.com/nrgp www.chickencreek.net 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.
Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-237-6008, info@countryregister.com, located: Phoenix, AX USA * Alabama: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD 21774, 866-825-9217, Fax 866-261-9641 * 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, 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: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC, miked@countryregister.com * 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): Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * 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: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, kansas@countryregister.com * Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com Maine: Gail Hageman, 221 Winslow Rd, Albion, ME 04910, 207-437-2663 * Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Massachusetts: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC , 27603, countryregister@bellsouth.net 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: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * 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: Kathleen Graham, 330 North Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037, countryregister@metrocast.net * 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: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * 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: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Rhode Island: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC , 27603, miked@countryregister.com * South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * South Dakota: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * 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: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * 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: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net 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 July – August 2017 • Volume 7 Issue 4 The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright © 2017. 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. Chicken Creek Communications produced The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains. Subscription price: 1 year, 6 issues, $18.00. 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. Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the September/October 2017 issue are due August 7, 2017.
Page 4 | July-August 2017
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
Upcoming Events
Star Valley (WY) Quilt Show Aug. 17-19 Travel along one of Wyoming’s Scenic Byways, US Hwy. 89 for the Star Valley Quilt Trail, a three-day quilt show on Aug. 17-19, 2017, and visit each of the five quilt exhibits in the towns of Alpine, Etna, Star Valley Ranch, Thayne, and Afton, Wyo. See quilts by local and interstate quilt makers, quilts inspired by the total solar eclipse, antique quilts, youth quilts, and Quilts of Valor. Visit the Call Air Museum in Afton to see quilts exhibited alongside vintage aircraft. Headlining the event is Ricky Tims, known in the international world of quilting as a best-selling author, teacher, award-winning quilter, fabric designer, and speaker. He is also a talented musician and has successfully blended two diverse passions into one unique and interesting career. Tims will present a one-day informative, live lecture Master Class with video demonstrations on Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Afton Community Center. Tickets are $80 (includes lunch) and can be purchased online at StarValleyQuiltTrail.com. That evening, Tims will perform a musical concert on stage at the Afton Community Center at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or starting June 15 at Swift Creek Trading in Afton, Tack and Treasure in Alpine, and the Star Valley RV Park in Thayne. Anyone may enter a quilt for a chance to win ribbon and cash prizes. Featured judges will be Linda Taylor & Stevii Graves, both nationally and internationally known, award-winning professional quilters, teachers, judges and authors. You may also enter a quilt for display only. Deadline is June 30. The Star Valley Quilt Trail event is organized by quilters from Star Valley whose goal is to inspire the public about the art and history of quilting. The show is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $8 per day, or all three days for $20, and can be purchased online or at the door. There are four founding sponsors who have supported the event with major contributions: Beyond Bolts in Thayne, Jenny M’s in Afton, the Lincoln County Economical Council, and Machine Quilting Inc magazine. In addition to local businesses and individual donations, all 5 towns donated their community center in support of the Star Valley Quilt Trail. To enter a quilt or volunteer, go to StarValleyQuiltTrail.com, follow them on Facebook, email StarValleyQuiltTrail@gmail.com or call 307-883-2088.
Hill City (SD) Quilt Show Sept. 9-10
The Hill City Quilt Show will be held Sept. 9-10, 2017, in Hill City, SD, in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The indoor/outdoor show includes vendors, demonstrations, door prizes, an art-education program for youth and of course, over 200 quilts. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $5 admission charge. Featured Artist Marilyn Hoelscher will be around all weekend. An Old Fashioned Bed Turning & Support, hosted by Xi Alpha Chi, will be held Saturday evening. Bring a quilt to add to the bed and a story to share. Tickets are $20 with reservations required. Contact Sheila Grieme at 605209-0251 or Kay Raderschadt at 605-574-2937. South Dakota Public Broadcasting will show its documentary, “Patchwork of the Prairie: Quilts of South Dakota,” on Sunday afternoon. Area quilters, guilds, sewing groups, 4-H groups and the like are invited to bring pillowcases to help comfort area kids and give them something they can call their own as part of the new Pillowcase Round-Up. The pillowcases will be displayed at the show and then donated to local organizations that help children in need. For more information, contact Marian Johnson at 605-574-2732. Pillowcases can be dropped off at The Farmer’s Daughter, 164 Main Street in Hill City any time before Sept. 1, 2017. Quilts are also needed to display at the show. Those who register by Aug. 1 to bring quilts will have a chance to win a Janome sewing machine worth $400. Quilt registration ends Aug. 25. Quilt entry forms and more information can be found at www.hillcityarts. org/hill-city-quilt-show, or contact the Hill City Arts Council at 605-574-2810 or info@hillcityarts.org. The Hill City Quilt Show 2017 is brought to you by the Hill City Quilt Show Committee and the Hill City Arts Council.
Kit ‘n’ Kaboodle
Kids Do the Darndest Things One of the privileges of parenting or grand parenting is observing how sense of humor develops in kids. The earliest is when they learn to giggle at silly things adults and other children do, such as playing peek-a-boo. Often kids don’t realize what they are saying or doing will be funny to adults. A few of the notable observations are detailed here as unrelated anecdotes. During a recent week we had a solid two-inch rain that came down over a few hours and soaked right in. As we all know weather patterns can be sporadic. Our older son and his family live barely two miles from our place. They had four inches! After contemplating the disparity, and noticing a garden hose lying near the rain gauge, our son asked his three kids if they knew why they had so much more rain than anyone else. It took a couple of days but the newly turned seven-year old finally admitted he had topped off the gauge. He is the one who loves to day, “I tricked you,” and he surely did. Years ago my brother was shaving with an electric razor one morning and his younger daughter asked, “Daddy, why are you erasing your whiskers?” While swimming in Evans Plunge at Hot Springs, SD, I asked my then-five year old, “Can you touch the bottom?” He took submerged and answered, “Yes, but my head is underwater.” He knew what I meant yet he answered the question I actually asked. Unbeknownst to a visiting grandma, a little girl referred to buttons as “butts.” The tiny girl shocked the woman when she remarked, “Grandma, you have a pretty butt.” Out in the chicken pen with roosters and hens going at it, a father of young children thought it was a good opportunity to begin “the talk.” He told his kids that it is necessary for hens to have roosters if the eggs will turn into baby chicks. He said, “Now when you get older and want to have babies ...” The small boy interrupted, “I know! I’ll just bite my sister’s neck.” “You can’t have babies with your sister,” said the dad. “Ok, then I will bite my wife’s neck,” the little boy said with great satisfaction. My husband has always been the popcorn maker at our house. He uses an old-style Presto pressure cooker (without the pressure) because it’s a heavy-duty pan with a good lid. Our now seven-year-old grandson loves that popcorn. He refused to eat his mom’s microwaved version so I bought her a pan identical to ours. We thought he would surely eat popcorn made in this pan, but we thought wrong. Yesterday I picked the boys up from school to save them a long bus ride home. As I passed through the grocery store prior to getting the boys I bought each of them a box of caramel corn and a drink. The younger boy declined, saying, “I only eat popcorn made by my granddad.” Kids can not only be funny but stubborn too. Peggy Sanders is a national-award winning columnist who can be reached through peggy@peggysanders.com.
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
July-August 2017 | Page 5
The Knitting Savant
My (Local) Knitting Heart In the early 1970’s, my mother went to a yarn shop and took me – a young knitter – along on the errand. I’m sure she didn’t know the impact that first visit would have on me, or that we would bring home a bag full of red, white and blue yarn and a poncho pattern. I entered that poncho in the County 4-H Fair, took home a blue ribbon, and became a lifelong knitter – all because of the inspiration and encouragement at a local yarn shop. A decade ago, our area had eight Local Yarn Shops (LYS) in a 50-mile radius (a quick drive in our part of the world). As I write, that number is down to three. Knitters and crocheters still gather to work on projects and enjoy each other’s company, but in my interpretation, there’s a big hole where skeins of yarn, tools and inspiration once lived and breathed. Our yarn shop closed over a year ago, and I’m not going to lie – I miss it terribly. We still have a big box retailer in town, but when my LYS closed their doors, I made a commitment to continue to buy my knitting supplies from local retailers. Why am I so loyal to local? On almost every occasion, I get great customer service and, more often than not, from the owner of the shop. Their knowledge of the products they sell, insight into trends and their personal assistance keep me coming back to the experts. Shop owners are on the front lines of fiber craft every day, and I find their expertise is valuable. I like that almost every local yarn shop I’ve ever visited has offered instruction for knitters of all skill levels – from beginners to advanced practitioners.
Having problems with a pattern or need assistance with a mistake? Your LYS has your back, giving you guidance, work arounds, moral support and in the most extreme instances, ripping out your mistake when you can’t bring yourself to do the deed. In my experience, online instruction videos are great for reference, but it’s the one-on-one coaching and encouragement that makes a good (and confident) knitter. The LYS is a great place to meet people. I met some of my favorite folks at our weekly Knit Night – people I would have never crossed paths with had we not had a common interest and place to gather. They’ve taught me new skills, supported me when things were tough, and helped me look at the world in new ways. We forged deep personal bonds all because of our LYS. For me, buying yarn isn’t just about dollars and cents. We all like a bargain when we shop, but as a friend once said, “Sometimes things cost more than money.” Each purchase I make at an LYS is an investment in the community I’m shopping in. It’s supporting an entrepreneur, energizing a shopping district, funding a local school system through sales tax dollars, and keeping a source of creative expression and friendship alive. Here’s to our Local Yarn Shops – may we continue to support the service they provide all of us.
Let’s admit it! Mistakes and accidents happen sooner or later to all knitters—sometimes more than one wants when learning new stitch patterns such as cables or working lace. We quickly learn it’s not fun to “frog” (rip out) what we’ve spent hours or days knitting, thinking progress is being made. Some knitters consider “frogging” to be a study of stitch construction which when learned can shorten frogging. If you understand how the stitch was made, you quickly know how to “undo” the stitch. The following tips will, hopefully, save you time and frustration when that “error” strikes fear in your knitting. 3 Always have clean hands as ripping back or out requires tedious finger work. 3 Work at a table that can support the knitted project as you work, using your fingers to catch and manipulate the freed stitches. 3 No one wants to frog more than needed so work in good light to see the stitching well. 3 Remain calm – don’t freak out! Take a deep breath, observe what needs to be frogged; work slowly and carefully so as not to damage the yarn. Need help? Visit your local yarn shop for frogging expertise. 3 Use a smaller needle to pick up the freed stitches when you rip out an entire row. Don’t stress about whether the stitches are laying correctly as you pick them up; just get them on the needle before they drop and start unraveling stitches in previous rows. The stitches can be laid correctly on your needle as you reknit them.
3 Knots can tighten and be very difficult; don’t pull knots! Sometimes a yarn strand looped and twisted around itself will look like a knot. Take time to look closely at the pathway of the yarn before pulling. If one loop of wool/ mohair joins another loop as if felted, carefully work them apart with great care. Or place the project in a refrigerator or freezer for a very short time so the fibers will separate or let go of each other, making it easier to frog. 3 A firm, smooth yarn will stay looped in the stitches as you rip out an entire row. A soft sticky yarn needs you to unknit (frog) one stitch at a time. Insert a needle into the stitch one row below the sticky stitch to be pulled out and then tug on the yarn until the stitch spreads out. 3 When working lace, a thin, strong contrasting thread (dental floss works) through the stitches every several rows so if frogging is needed, the “lifeline” will make the picking-up process easier and less stressful. 3 After correction has been accomplished, remind yourself to take a break every few rows to view the progress in order to catch errors/mistakes early. It can save you a lot of time and frustration. Eventually you will be knitting more than frogging. Rip it – rip it!
Andrea Springer blogs at www.knittingsavant.com where she helps folks remember that they have everything they need to be successful in knitting and in life. You can share comments or ideas with her at andrea@knittingsavant.com or follow Knitting Savant on Facebook and Twitter.
The Dropped Stitch – Let’s Rip!
©2017 Sharon Greve. Contact castonshar@charter.net. No reprint without permission.
Page 6 | July-August 2017
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
Author Takes Rescued Cat on Vacations Many people travel with their dogs, but have you ever taken a cat on vacation? I did, and it is definitely an experience I will never forget. Miss Candy came into my life many years ago in a most unusual way. For some reason, I was scrolling through the classifieds and ran across this ad, “Abandoned, now abandoned again. Please help save these cats and dogs.” My curiosity peeked; I dialed the number. I was told that all the animals had been taken in by a lady who volunteered at the local shelter. Each of the animals, I was told, had special needs and had been too hard to adopt out, so the nice lady had stepped in to offer them a home. Sadly, the nice lady had recently passed away and all of the animals needed new homes and needed them very quickly. “Well I can’t take them all,” I said. But I could certainly take one and if others do the same, then all should be well. “Funny,” he said, “Others have said the same thing. From the phone calls and promises I’ve received, once everyone is picked up, I will only have 1 cat left.” “Well that’s great news,” I said, “Tell me about this kitty.” He went on to describe her and stated that, while the others animals had problems that were easily apparent, he did not see anything abnormal about her. I told him I’d be right over and off my daughter I went on our rescue mission.
Skinny Cat Needs Nourishment
Candy, it turned out, was a semi long-haired Calico. She was thin but other than that seemed fine. She purred and warmed to us immediately. “We’ll put some weight on you sweet girl,” I said, “and you never have to worry about being abandoned again.” As we headed home, I thought a hamburger might be in order and we headed through the nearest drive through. After cooling it and tearing it into pieces, we offered it to Candy. She sniffed it but was not interested. Ok, I thought, we’ll try tuna or wet cat food when we get home. I did, and received the same reaction. For the next 24 hours, in spite of being offered a number of things, Candy ate nothing and I was pretty worried. I realized she was probably stressed from a sudden change in her life, but she had to eat. She was skin and bones as it was. A trip to the vet seemed in order so off we went. Turns out Miss Candy was old. I mean really, really old, and only had two teeth. The vet said that while it was difficult to know her age for sure, she guessed that Candy was 18-20 years old. The two teeth she had left were infected and had to be pulled. No wonder she would not eat. After dentistry and antibiotic, our new charge perked up. Her care required soft food only and it had to be given in small amounts four times a day. She also had to be fed in a quiet location, away from our other furry kids so that we could make sure she actually got to eat. This posed a problem as we had a two-week vacation planned the next month. I had a pet sitter who would come in twice a day for the others, but what would we do with Candy?
Yes, having to pack up a litter box, food bowls and the like might seem like an inconvenience, but for Candy it was worth it. The next summer she accompanied us on a week-long trip to the World’s Longest Yard Sale and was with us for several months after that before cancer took her from us and she crossed the rainbow bridge.
Cat Enjoyed Fine Accommodations, Room Service I will never know what her life had been like before I answered that ad but I do know that her last two years were lived to the fullest. She traveled to NC, TN, KY, IL, and MS just to name a few. She stayed at the Marriott, (where she even had room service), and stayed at some of the nicest cabins you’d ever want to see. She loved meeting new people at each stop and relished the attention. She seemed to look forward to each new adventure and readily jumped in the carrier to go wherever we were headed. Although our time with her was short compared to many of the others we’ve loved through the years, she definitely captured a special place in our hearts. As our only cross-country traveler, our Candy will never be forgotten.
Deb Heatherly is a Creative Grids® Designer and author of the books, ‘Cat’itide, Strippy Stars, and 4-Patch Panache. Her books are companions to the Creative Grids® Cat’s Cradle tool, Strippy Stars tool, and Turbo 4-Patch tool, all designed by her. Deb travels to do lectures and workshops and can be reached at Debscatsnquilts@aol.com. Visit her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DebscatsnquiltsFranklin and join her Facebook group “Grids Girls.” Visit her website at www.Debscatsnquilts.com.
Countryberries Designs Summer Picnic
Cat Comes Along Out of Necessity
As it turned out, the only solution was to take her with us. We called ahead to each motel or cabin rental, explaining the circumstances and getting permission. Then, off we went with Candy in tow. I’ve seen happy animals before but Candy seemed to thrive. She loved sitting on the back of the seats and watching the world pass by and she enjoyed the one-on-one attention away from our other cats. In all, the two weeks of travel passed quickly and pretty much without incident. Well, except for the time she put her paw on the automatic window and rolled it down as we sailed down the Interstate. (Thankfully she did not try and jump out and my heart stopped pounding a few miles down the road.) Oh, and the night we heard her crying at the top of her lungs while we were staying at a cabin in Tennessee. This furless mom jumped up and ran to rescue her ‘baby’ only to realize that Candy had simply gone to the top of the stairs, and could not figure out how to come down. (The next day she was delighted to show off that she had not only figured out how to run up them, she would announce herself very loudly and run back down them as well.) I had never seen her move this quickly but it seems this old gal was very proud of her new trick and wanted us to praise her.
This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for commercial use. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. This pattern was designed for wool applique and embroidery but can be needlepunched, hooked or even painted. Have fun!
Designed by Kathy Graham
Countryberries LLC Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden 330 North Road Deerfield, NH 03037 603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
Build a Home for the Birds This is a project where you can let your creativity go crazy. Many, many different materials and items could be used. It can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be. I started with a battered up old tea kettle with no lid. I painted it a fun color and screwed it onto a piece of reclaimed wood. The roof is made out of an old tin ceiling tile, which I bent and shaped and then attached with screws. Attach wire for hanging. I added a metal flower that someone else had thrown away, and I painted it to match the tea kettle. Then I put some vine around the opening of the birdhouse. You can add any embellishments, such as vine, wood cutouts or metal objects. Just have fun with it! Other suggestions for the body of the birdhouse are tin cans, sifters, pots and pans, etc. The roof can be reclaimed wood, metal lid, pie pan, etc. I like having birdhouses and birdfeeders in my garden and yard, but I am NOT a bird expert. My birdhouses always seem to be occupied, and I enjoy watching all types of birds. If you want to build a birdhouse to attract a specific type of bird, do some research or talk to a knowledgeable person for recommendations.
Marla Wilson is the owner of The Rusty Wheel, a gift boutique in Scandia, KS. The shop features her floral designs and repurposed “junk,� as well as kitchen and baby gifts, home decor and fashion accessories. Follow The Rusty Wheel on Facebook, or www. therustywheel.vpweb.com or contact her at stumpy1954@hotmail.com
July-August 2017 | Page 7
Page 8 | July-August 2017
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
Zucchini Is Plentiful, Healthy Ingredient Zucchini has become my go-to vegetable this summer. It helps make formerly heavy dishes, like a shrimp scampi with pasta, light and less filling. I’ve really embraced using vegetables, like zucchini, in place of pasta and other carb-filled accompaniments. Though I can’t agree with many writers who say it tastes just like pasta – as nothing tastes as good as pasta in my book – they do give a similar mouth feel. Not only is zucchini low calorie, having only 17 calories per 100 grams, and high in fiber, it’s said that zucchini has more potassium than a banana. The following recipes help put healthier spins to some of my favorite comfort foods, using that overflow of zucchini from my garden.
Zucchini Shrimp Scampi
• 2 tablespoons butter • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 cloves garlic, minced • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste • ¼ cup chicken stock • Juice of half a lemon or a full lemon, depending on preference • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 1 ½ pounds (4 medium-sized) zucchini, spiralized • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add shrimp, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in chicken stock and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a simmer; stir in zucchini noodles until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Finish off with the Parmesan; add more if you love cheese like I do!
Zucchini Fries
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (my favorite is Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Pizza and Pasta Magic) • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise • ½ cup all-purpose flour (I’ve also tried coconut flour & almond flour with success) • 2 large eggs, beaten Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a cooling rack with nonstick spray and place on a baking sheet; set aside. In a large bowl, combine Panko, Parmesan and Italian seasoning; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside. Working in batches, dredge zucchini in flour, dip into eggs, then dredge in Panko mixture, pressing to coat.
Place zucchini onto prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Serve immediately.
Zucchini Fritters • • • • • • • •
2 small zucchini 2 teaspoons sea salt 2 large eggs 1 cup parmesan cheese grated 1 tablespoon coconut flour 1 clove of garlic 1/ 8 teaspoon onion powder 2 tbsp. olive oil Grate the zucchini into a colander, toss with the sea salt and allow to drain 10 minutes. Place zucchini into a clean bowl, then line the colander with towel or paper towel. Place zucchini into colander with towel and pull it together to create a sack; squeeze over sink to remove excess water. In a large mixing bowl, combine zucchini, eggs, parmesan cheese, coconut flour, onion powder and garlic with a spoon. Heat about 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet. Drop spoonfuls of the zucchini fritter batter into the hot oil, frying each side until browned. It helps to flatten the fritters as you go. When both sides are browned, remove and drain on paper towel.
Zucchini Boats • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3 medium, uniformly-sized zucchini 1 (24 to 26 ounce) jar marinara, divided 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound Italian sausage or ground turkey 1/ 3 cup chopped onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ cup chopped portobello mushrooms 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ½ teaspoon salt fresh ground black pepper, to taste ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper 1-½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese ¼ cup shaved or shredded Parmesan 2 tablespoons Italian style Panko bread crumbs Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Measure out one cup of the marinara sauce and set aside. Trim ends from zucchini and slice in half, lengthwise. Use the tip of a spoon to scrape out the zucchini flesh (see recipe note), chop it and set it aside. Place the scooped out zucchini boats onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes, until just slightly fork-tender. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, brown your choice of meat with the onion and garlic to the skillet. Break up the ground meat as it cooks. Continue to cook and stir
until meat is thoroughly cooked and veggies have softened. Drain off as much grease as possible and return the skillet to the heat. Add the chopped zucchini flesh, mushrooms, remaining marinara in jar, Italian seasoning, salt, fresh ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and allow to simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Divide the filling between the zucchini boats. Bake for 20 minutes, or until zucchini is fork tender. Set oven to broil. Sprinkle zucchini boats with mozzarella, Parmesan and the Panko bread crumbs. Place back in oven, watch closely, and cook for just a couple of minutes until cheese has melted and bread crumbs are golden brown.
Zucchini Carbonara • • • • • • • •
4 large zucchini, washed and unpeeled 8 oz. of pancetta or bacon, diced 2 large fresh eggs ¼ cup heavy cream ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano ¼ cup freshly grated Pecorino Freshly cracked black pepper Shaved parmesan to taste Slice each zucchini in half lengthways. Using a vegetable peeler, peel ribbons to the centre of the zucchini; flip and peel again. Discard what is left, or chop it up for use in a salad or other dish later. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta or bacon and sauté until golden and crisp (about 5 minutes). While the bacon is frying; whisk the eggs, cream and cheeses together until well-combined. Add the zucchini ribbons to the pan, and continue to sauté with the bacon until just starting to soften. Reduce heat down to low; SLOWLY pour in the egg mixture while stirring quickly until the sauce thickens. The eggs will cook from the leftover heat of the pan, but you must still work quickly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Season with freshly cracked black pepper. I also add a nice sprinkle of parmesan on top. Divide the zucchini noodles into bowls and serve. Meghan Diemel © 2017
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
Random Acts: Giving Up I just left the box at the door, so I would not interrupt class. I had not gained possession of these items long before, but I was very protective of their previous owner. It was the last of several boxes I had delivered to the art room after that first phone call. As soon as I answered “Hello,” I heard the voice on the other end of the line ask if I would be home tomorrow. No introduction. No more small talk was needed. I knew her voice. Trudy. I sat next to her each Sunday since she generously invited my family of five to join her in her pew up front. We made the transition from the back section to the front during a bible study appropriately titled something about culture shock. We were used to our comfortable backrow pews with noisy children and their toys strung out everywhere between the families, parents blocking the ends so the children could stand, crawl, and roam more freely within their temporary boundaries. We accepted the invitation and moved on up with the well-behaved adults. The transition was not always easy. Our elementary aged children are relatively quiet, but do squabble like siblings. Little things will set off an argument. One time it may be over who gets to hold the hymnal and the next time will be over who gets to put the offering in the plate. Having a sixth
member on our team sure helps extinguish these little fires. Trudy will simply pass an extra hymnal down to one of our kids. Then when they feel badly about how they acted, they will apologize and hand it back to her. She refuses and says, “I already put my eyes away. Can’t see it anyway.” Other days she will ask the child sitting closest to her if they will take care of her offering. I had volunteered to drive Trudy to town numerous times as she traveled more than 50 miles one way to the hospital for her husband’s treatments and later her own. After her husband passed away, the offer was still good. I would be happy to accompany her to appointments as she fought her own battle with cancer. “I don’t need a ride. Will you be home tomorrow?” “Yeah, I’ll be home at lunch.” She said she would be there then, and I always believe what she says. She is a lady of her word. Her jeep pulled in right behind me at 11:30 that morning. She started unloading boxes and setting them in my driveway. I carried them in the house as she emptied her car of every craft item she had had in her house. Knowing how much she enjoyed her hobbies of making cards, jewelry, and gift items for her friends and family, I was in disbelief that she was giving away all of her supplies. Then I asked if she was on her way to town. Her reply really hit me the wrong way. “Nope. I’m giving up.” Did she just say what I think she
September 9th - 24th 2017!
1 3
Find participating shops in the resource section on Northcott.com
2
July-August 2017 | Page 9 said? Giving up? She had not fought this long just to “give up.” She had not taken care of her husband and his cattle all by herself just to give up her strength now. I was not very tolerant of her quitting attitude and was speechless. She drove away, and my heart broke. Was she giving up on life? Giving up on chemo? Maybe she simply meant she was giving up her hobbies, and I had jumped to conclusions. She had lost weight, hair, and appetite. She had recently lost her husband and interest in her favorite activities. I was not ready to lose my friend. I went back to school and purposefully ran into other members of our congregation. Through this grapevine I learned that she was giving up chemotherapy, and that the prognosis was not good. She was giving up her life. To God. Her health is entirely in His hands now, and since stopping chemo, she has regained her appetite, helping her gain weight and renewing her strength. Her hair has grown back, and last Sunday she was back to her feisty ol’ self. As my youngest daughter nearly smacked me with the offering plate, refusing to let go as I pried it from her death grip, Trudy laughed hardest of all. “She doesn’t want to give it up, does she?!” No. She does not. Maranda K. Jones’ new book “Random Acts” is now available at Amazon.com.
An exclusive event for the States on the Pony Express Route! Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California
Physically visit the shops to collect free unique block patterns that use Northcott’s Pony Express collection and fill your Block Party Postcards with shop stickers!
Each shop you visit provides a unique sticker for your postcard! Once you have collected 12 different shop stickers you can present it at the 12th shop to be redeemed for a $75 fabric prize!* If that shop has already handed out that first entry prize there are 5 runner up charm prizes.*
The Pony Express Quilt Challenge Enter For Your Chance to Win!
Create a quilt with a minimum of 6 blocks from 6 different shops on the Pony Express Route by November 4th 2017 for a chance to win one of three prizes from Northcott!*
Visit Northcott.com for more information!
The Pony Express Collection Northcott has collaborated with the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph Missouri to create a fabric collection that honors this unique part of American history! The collection also includes a Pony Express pin with coordinating charms for each of the 8 states along the Pony Express route.
*Visit bit.ly/ponyexpressnorthcott for complete details © 2017 The Pony Express National Memorial Inc.
Page 10 | July-August 2017
Montana
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
Answers to United States Capital Quiz (Pg. 13) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Alabama - Montgomery Alaska - Juneau Arizona - Phoenix Arkansas - Little Rock California - Sacramento Colorado - Denver Connecticut - Hartford Delaware - Dover Florida - Tallahassee Georgia - Atlanta Hawaii - Honolulu Idaho - Boise Illinois - Springfield Indiana - Indianapolis Iowa - Des Moines Kansas - Topeka Kentucky - Frankfort Louisiana - Baton Rouge Maine - Augusta Maryland - Annapolis Massachusetts - Boston Michigan - Lansing Minnesota - St. Paul Mississippi - Jackson Missouri - Jefferson City
26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
Montana - Helena Nebraska - Lincoln Nevada - Carson City New Hampshire - Concord New Jersey - Trenton New Mexico - Santa Fe New York - Albany North Carolina - Raleigh North Dakota - Bismarck Ohio - Columbus Oklahoma - Oklahoma City Oregon - Salem Pennsylvania - Harrisburg Rhode Island - Providence South Carolina - Columbia South Dakota - Pierre Tennessee - Nashville Texas - Austin Utah - Salt Lake City Vermont - Montpelier Virginia - Richmond Washington - Olympia West Virginia - Charleston Wisconsin - Madison Wyoming - Cheyenne
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
July-August 2017 | Page 11
Ann’s Lovin’ EweTraditions Pass Between Generations Gardening Short Stories by a Mystery Book Author Unnesting by Ann Stewart
IMothers-to-be love gardening.describean There is nothing fulfilling than putting a seed through sewing, photo journalism, urge tomorecreates into the ground and watching itfor sprout grow. Maybe it theattends witnessing art projects andisstill the soccer “feather the nest” in preparation their andand ofnew the arrival. miracleBut of what life that me. Whether it is the nurturing of an indoor matches, concerts, and church events of aboutexcites when grown plant or hoeing a row of vegetables, the feeling is the same. her grandchildren. birds fly from the nest? Is there a I think that? my fascination with growing things comes from there my grandparents I must confess, are a few things I phrasefor won’t miss:parent permission Yearssides ago, after friends’ left grandmother on both of theour family. Mytwins paternal gardened and had a forms, packingI lunches, racing down our for college, wife saidwithIna her twinkle in garden porch full of the houseplants. outdoor remember the garlic, thefarm road grandmother hoping to catch her eye,columbine, “The empty is highly beautiful and nest clematis. My maternal hadthe niceschool bus, scrambling to find lost items, sitting underrated.” smiledfern. at one African violetsThe and couple a big indoor Outside were peonies, dahlias, gladiolas, through orthodontist appointments, or another, hinting of rekindled romance. I and a garden full of vegetables. watching a senior stress out about College frowned inwardly, unable to comprehend My interest in gardening started early. There is a picture of me as a Apps, SATS, ACTS, and College Essays, a house without our two girls. When other three- or four-year-old digging potatoes with my maternal grandparents, or that herSenior homes would be Grandma with a scarf on her head, Grandpa with a hoe in his hands. prom dress didn’t filled with children When myinhusband arrive in with time. my studying the and I were first married, we started gardening grandparents. I suppose we thought we were helping them, but they helped Now it’s Will and kitchen, families us,gathered teaching how to plant, tend, and harvest the right way,me. at the right for Cooking forus dinner, time. We bought our first tiller, moved up on the farm, and have been gar- when two. We know it would just be the dening since. we’re eating dinner, two ofever us. As other who’s fed theto dog As ourtucked children learning parents theircame along, they joined in on the gardening, kids into asbed, love the land we did and how to live off what we grew. My and firstwho bornhasn’t, and turn out the perhapscalled I would daughter her great grandparents Grandma and Grandpa when Hoe, to a name lights. And long to read that came from the activity we did the most with them, gardening. My like our we shall Goodnight Moon middle daughter loved to eat onions at an early age. She also friends, would eagerly reinvest in aour or Madeleine. While remove Japanese beetles from berry bushes, a penny for each bug! I cherish marriage. other moms drove picture of my grandfather with my youngest child. It shows her toddling The things I will their kids to soccer, through the raspberry bushes, with a berry bucket in her hands (and probmiss? Too many to comprehend or list in choir, and youth group, I’d miss carpools ably purple berry-stained face!) a 500-word article. And so, I busy myself andachauffeuring. As older, knew there would be three rows everything RE. Motivated to re-look Andthey nowgot we’re here.my daughters always with of green beans in the garden, one row for each of them to pick. Thenand weget rid of at every room in the house Both of our daughters are gone for the would sit, One under the big red maple snip beans,toalong with theand unnecessary reorganize the summer. works as a shady camp nurse and tree great grandma greatflew grandpa, for as long as they were able.the rearranging, necessary. I love lifeguard, and and the other to Amman, reinventing, repainting, and repurposing. Jordan to study Arabic, bringing an early It recharges me. A new season is on the empty nest to Skyemoor Farm. I find horizon. Fall is coming. And it’s ok. myself staring at a new season. How do I Maybe it’s called Un-nesting: The urge transition? to simplify the nest and to encourage the My mother taught me to embrace birds to fly home for a visit. change. Every season she switched the In her empty Nest Ann is at work décor in our home, welcoming not only writing “Out of the Water,” her second holidays but each change in temperature novel. “Stars in the Grass,” recently and family lifestyle. Similarly, as my nominated for a Christy Award, can be parents grew older, instead of longing for found where books are sold. the past, they lived in the present and joyfully anticipated the future. After my –©2017 Ann Marie Stewart, who lives on Skye dad passed, my mom continues to Moor Farm, in Virginia. Just released is her first celebrate life, as busy as ever, and involved novel, Stars in the Grass. All rights reserved. in more than she can keep up with. She
Now, I garden with my grandchildren. They love to plant by seeds and Elliott cover Cathy Playing Favorites
them with dirt. Sometimes seeds are put where I might not have planned, Recently, I had the privilege to play Caissons Go Rolling Along” and but that’s alright! They will bloom where they are planted! violin with the Red Bluff Masterworks “Anchors Away” gave me goose bumps. This&spring, we Our planted corn Day together, along with several other things. Chorale Orchestra. Memorial Members of the audience who servedAs in I showed them how to place onions in a row two by two, my grandson asked, Weekend concert, honoring God, the that branch or whose loved one had done “Why do youof plant them and thisthe way?” United States America, Men so were directed to stand and be honored I answered, “That’s how my grandma taught me.” That the best andtheir & Women of the Armed whenis they heard Forces. I always look familiar tune.put I saw tears only reason I could come up with. Just like knowing that I should 5 or 6 forward to this concert stream down proud faces seeds to a hill of corn. because the music is so I put a row of zinnias at the end andofcried a few ofI can my For the same reason the garden. rich and meaningful. own. still hear my grandfather tease, “You can’t eat flowers”! Colored red, white, & As July 4th approaches Radishes always come blue.We would sprinkle radish seeds in with the carrots.and we ready to celebrate upBefore quickereach than carrots, so they help mark the row and can be pulled early. tune, our freedom, I’ll be Grandpa would always say to plant a dozen tomato plants. “If they do well, Conductor Mark Franklin remembering all my that’s enough. If they do poorly, that’s enough.” turned to the audience favorites again. And they and said, “This would one is my will be Grandma always put in Black – seeded Simpson leafembodied lettuce. in Weevery favorite.” They laughed, man or woman planted green beans, but a row of yellow wax beans, because Grandpa saidwho but meant what he and pick. We would plant red potatoes stood during that song. theyhewere easier to see and white said. And he was right. And many more heroes potatoes; we planted the pumpkins with the corn, and grew dill with the Every rousing or heart-tugging tune who could not.. cucumbers.our So military many traditions. of the old ways, but have celebrating heroes wasI have the kept some –© 2017 Cathy Elliott writes sweet, cozy added some of my own preferences, but I continue to garden. Best of all, I best. mysteries on her trusty typewriter from her home in delight in to watching my adult daughters and vegetable If I had pick a favorite, and don’t enjoying California.flower The newest release, A Stitch garin Crime, dening at their own homes. hold me to this choice, it might be “This features a special heirloom quilt known to carry the Is America.” medley of theme songs I love secret I guess IAlove gardening because to help things includes to great riches. grow. Find outThat more about Cathy played for each branch of the service. & hergreen books at: www.cathyelliottbooks.com or children and grandchildren. FreshOur air, clean dirt, plants, good conversamighty chorale’s rendition of “The www.cathyelliottbooks.wordpress.com tion, lessons of life, working together, making memories. Gardening is a family tradition. Roxanne Ferguson lives in the Tug Hill region of New York State. She has recently retired from teaching and can now enjoy more gardening time with her grandchildren.
Free Pattern
Find more free patterns at: JacquelynneSteves.com
Use this pattern for embroidery, wool applique, punch needle or rug hooking, painted projects or whatever your imagination can dream up! Reduce or enlarge pattern as desired. Commercial strictlyy pr prohibited. Commer cial use is strictl ohibited.
We love to see the projects that you have made from our patterns. If you decide to post projects based on one of our patterns on a blog or website, please give design credit to Jacquelynne Steves. Thank you!
Page 12 | July-August 2017
Become Inspired! Decorating, Entertaining & Living Early American Style
The height of the summer beckons us to spend more of our time outdoors tending to the needs of our perennial herb gardens or our flourishing vegetable garden beds. Days spent happily working on these tasks provides us with a soulful glimpse into what it would have been like to live in colonial days. In colonial New England the dooryard would typically be a sunny location used to conduct the work of the home. It was customary to have a fenced in dooryard garden which provided remedies and flavorings for the eighteenth-century home. Having these special plantings close at hand gave the housewife a more self-sufficient homestead. Today we can create our own small garden to add depth to our outdoor spaces and to our everyday lives.
Colonial Dooryard Gardens Kitchen dooryard herb gardens would have been carefully planned and tended with cooking in mind. Useful, hardy herbs such as parsley, marjoram, thyme, dill, basil, lovage and chives thrive when clipped often and can be a perfect addition to a summer-fresh evening meal. Picnic potato salads pop with the celery-like herb, lovage. Cold or hot tomato dishes come alive when adorned with basil or oregano from one’s own patch of earth. The joy of herbs is not limited to culinary use. One only needs to brush up against garden beds filled with the vibrant smell of lemon balm to be inspired to cut a few stems to blend with beautiful blooms of beebalm to put into an early crock for a fragrant and visually appealing summer bouquet. Nature’s bounty being brought indoors reminds us of this especially beautiful time of year when nature’s fireworks are in full, spectacular bloom.
Summer Simplicity Our vegetable gardens give us a feeling of being productive and self-reliant. As we bring in an early chopping bowl filled with tender green beans we feel a kindred connection to a much simpler time. Baskets brimming with tomatoes and zucchini can inspire us to try new dishes for our family to love and enjoy. Somehow in summer the demand of outdoor work coupled with the satisfaction of an abounding yield, leaves one feeling genuinely happy. Our time spent working the way generations before us did, reminds us of the value of hard work and the joy that can come from simplicity. This summer season give yourself a chance to feel closer to a less complicated time. Use the abundance of nature to enhance your days through hard work, tender care and an appreciation of the benefits of what nature can always provide. Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. NewEnglandGirl2012@hotmail.com.
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
Quilting With Barbara
A Year in the Life of a Guild
Have you ever wondered about quilt guilds? What are they? What do they do? How does one become a member? Should I join one? What is a guild? A guild is defined as an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal (Oxford English Reference Dictionary) and, to a great extent, this definition from medieval Europe remains valid today. But a quilt guild is so much more! What are the membership requirements? Most guilds welcome anyone who likes to sew and/or is generally interested in crafting with fabric. Some larger guilds limit their membership to a certain number and have smaller groups (bees) that are offshoots of the main group, but this is rare in small centres. What does a guild do? An account of one year’s activities of the small guild I know best – the one to which I belong – may help to answer this question. Keep in mind that different guilds have different programs and guidelines, but most will be similar. Our program varies somewhat from year to year, but the year detailed below is typical. Our guild year runs from September to June, coinciding with the school year. We elect our executive and program planning committee in May or June so we are ready to go at our first September meeting. This year our first meeting was full of surprises and happy exclamations as members returned the round robin challenge quilts (which had circulated the previous year) to their owners. Oohs, aahs and cries of delight! At the same meeting the coming year’s program was presented to the membership, as was information about our upcoming biennial quilt show. The quilt show committee had been working hard over the summer, and their plans were immediately set in motion. We have found that two meetings a month is a workable format for our group. This year the first meeting of the month was devoted to business and the demonstration of a skill or small project by one of the members or the viewing of a relevant video. Bob Purcell’s video concerning the properties and uses of threads was both informative and entertaining. The highlight of these meetings, however, was Show and Tell time. Our guild is small but prolific, and an admiring audience always appreciated the variety of really beautiful items, from simple to complex, shown by members. We all basked in the appreciation of our efforts. The second meeting of the month was the “mystery meeting.” We brought our sewing machines and appropriate materials from the list previously e-mailed to members, but we didn’t know what we would be sewing until that night. We knew only that the project would be fun and useful, and that we would be able to finish it by
the end of the meeting. Items completed at these sessions include micro-wave bowls, infinity scarves, zippered pouches, casserole mitts, and some cross-stitch. The element of surprise piqued our interest and built anticipation. One day a month, usually between the two regular evening meetings, we met to work on a full-day project often taught by a member of the group. Until the New Year these day-long sessions were devoted to making items for ourselves or for gifts, e.g. a one-day charm-square quilt. After the New Year, our full-day sessions were used for charity projects. One such activity was the construction of “slab quilts.” Our national organization (Canadian Quilters’ Organization/Association Canadienne de la Courtepointe) as this year’s sesquicentennial (150 year anniversary) project set its goal at 1000 quilts made by members to donate to Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide. Our guild was pleased to be able to donate 21 completed quilts to this cause. As a group we have sewn for the organization Days for Girls for a number of years. Accordingly, one of our all-day sessions and a couple of follow-up sessions supported this worthy group. However, the “work” of the guild, enjoyable though it is, was just part of the year’s program. Members were challenged to produce a wall hanging consisting of exactly 150 squares, one for each year of Canadian Confederation, to be displayed at the year-end quilt show. Quilters do enjoy a challenge! Twice during the year representatives of neighbouring quilt shops spent an evening with us, teaching and/or presenting small trunk shows (displays of their work). In addition they showed us their latest fabrics, patterns and notions; many of us went home with lighter purses. In the spring the guild hired a bus and driver for a “field trip” (read “shop hop”) to shops farther afield, an enjoyable day indeed. And then there are the parties ... quilting related of course! An underlying current of the above activities was the preparation for our year-end quilt show. Unsurprisingly, the theme was Canada’s Sesquicentennial. Planning, organization and fundraising (half the proceeds for our local Health Centre) were ongoing. After the show we discussed what went right (almost everything) what went wrong (very little) and what we will do differently next time. Why should you join a guild? Fellowship, support and commitment to the community all come to mind. What is more life-enriching than spending time working and playing with people who share your passion? Lifelong friendships and bonds are formed in guilds. We could all use a few more of those, no? Barbara Conquest writes her column from Blue Sky Quilting in Tofield, AB. ©Barbara Conquest.
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
United States Capitals Quiz 1. Alabama___________________________________
26. Montana___________________________________
2. Alaska_____________________________________
27. Nebraska___________________________________
3. Arizona____________________________________
28. Nevada_____________________________________
4. Arkansas___________________________________
29. New Hampshire______________________________
5. California___________________________________
30. New Jersey_________________________________
6. Colorado___________________________________
31. New Mexico_________________________________
7. Connecticut_________________________________
32. New York___________________________________
8. Delaware___________________________________
33. North Carolina______________________________
9. Florida_____________________________________
34. North Dakota_______________________________
10. Georgia____________________________________
35. Ohio_______________________________________
11. Hawaii_____________________________________
36. Oklahoma__________________________________
12. Idaho______________________________________
37. Oregon_____________________________________
13. Illinois_____________________________________
38. Pennsylvania________________________________
14. Indiana____________________________________
39. Rhode Island________________________________
15. Iowa_______________________________________
40. South Carolina______________________________
16. Kansas_____________________________________
41. South Dakota_______________________________
17. Kentucky___________________________________
42. Tennessee__________________________________
18. Louisiana___________________________________
43. Texas______________________________________
19. Maine______________________________________
44. Utah_______________________________________
20. Maryland___________________________________
45. Vermont____________________________________
21. Massachusetts_______________________________
46. Virginia____________________________________
22. Michigan___________________________________
47. Washington_________________________________
23. Minnesota__________________________________
48. West Virginia________________________________
24. Mississippi__________________________________
49. Wisconsin__________________________________
25. Missouri ___________________________________
50. Wyoming___________________________________
July-August 2017 | Page 13
Concord Phoenix Lincoln Montgomery Juneau Little Rock Augusta Salt Lake City Richmond Atlanta Columbus Indianapolis Honolulu Harrisburg Oklahoma City Springfield Boise Salem Pierre Topeka Frankfort Nashville Des Moines Columbia Baton Rouge Austin Helena Carson City Denver Trenton Albany Hartford Dover Sacramento Santa Fe Tallahassee Bismarck Raleigh Providence Annapolis Montpelier Olympia Lansing Boston Madison Cheyenne Saint Paul Jefferson City Charleston Jackson
Page 14 | July-August 2017
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies
South Dakota
Advertiser’s Index Always Your Design, Dell Rapids, SD............................................15 Betty’s Quiltery, Rapid City, SD...................................................16 Black Hills Visitor Center, Rapid City, SD......................................15
$25 Gift Certificate Winner Lisa Pickford – Custer, SD
Buffalo Berry Barn Ranch, Sturgis, SD..........................................14
Won a $25 gift certificate to her favorite advertising shop –
Fiber House, The, Sheridan, WY.................................................... 3
Quilt Connection,
Chautauqua Artisans Market, Hot Springs, SD...............................14 Cheyenne Heritage Quilters, Cheyenne, WY.................................... 2 Creative Closet, Townsend, MT....................................................10 Dakota Quilt Company, Spearfish, SD...........................................16 Heartsong Quilts, Hot Springs, SD................................................16 Hill City Quilt Show, Hill City, SD................................................15
in Rapid City, SD To enter the next drawing, fill out the form below and mail it in!
Kalico Kat Quilt Shop, Casper, WY................................................ 2 Knothole, Spearfish, SD..............................................................16 Lickety Stitch Quilts, Lusk, WY.................................................... 2 North Country Fiber Fair, Watertown, SD......................................15 Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop, Edgemont, SD.......................................16 The Pony Express Block Party, Wyoming........................................ 9 Quilt Connection, Rapid City, SD.................................................16 The Quilter’s Fix, Sheridan, SD..................................................... 3 Quilt Yard, The, Pierre, SD..........................................................15
Win a $25 Gift Certificate!
Quilters Corner, Faulkton, SD......................................................15
The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to be used at YOUR FAVORITE SHOP!
South Dakota Quilter’s Guild, South Dakota..................................16
Just fill out this form and send it to:
The Country Register 10563 Chicken Creek Road Spearfish, SD 57783
July-August 2017 Entry OR visit www.chickencreek.net, click on The Country Register to sign up online
Quilts Along the Platte, Torrington, WY........................................ 2 Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair, Mitchell, NE............................... 7 Star Valley Quilt Trail Quilt Show, Star Valley, WY........................... 2 Wall Drug, Wall, SD....................................................................15 Wyoming Quilt Shop Hop, Wyoming.............................................. 2
Name_________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________ City_____________________________ State ____________ Zip__________ Favorite Shop Advertised____________________________________________ This is My Favorite Shop Because______________________________________ My Favorite Feature(s) of The Country Register____________________________
RAW WOOL AVAILABLE
Found This Issue At_______________________________________________ Are You a: n Regular Reader or
n First Time Reader
What stores would like to see in The Country Register? (include town) ____________________________________________________________
Entries received by Aug. 7, 2017, with all questions answered will qualify for the drawing. One gift certificate is given away each issue.
Buffalo Berry
Barn Ranch
Sharleen Bergum 12309 Buffalo Berry Lane • Sturgis, SD 57785 605-423-8109 • jsbergum@msn.com
For Spinning, Felting, Stuffing Archery Targets, Etc. White, Black & Varying Shades of Grey Will Sell By the Pound or Possibly Carded Into Rolags From Rambouillet and Baby Doll Southdown Sheep
Contact us for more information!
View the paper online at www.CountryRegister.com/NRGP
Upcoming Events
July-August 2017 | Page 15
South Dakota
Star Valley Quilt Trail Show Star Valley, WY.........................................................Aug. 17-19, 2017 Cheyenne Heritage Quilters Show Cheyenne, WY..........................................................Aug. 17-19, 2017 Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair Mitchell, NE............................................................... Sept. 8-9, 2017 South Dakota Quilter’s Guild Fall Retreat Pierre, SD.................................................................Sept. 8-10, 2017 Hill City Quilt Show Hill City, SD..............................................................Sept. 9-10, 2017 Quilts Along the Platte Torrington, WY....................................................... Sept. 15-17, 2017 North Country Fiber Fair Watertown, SD........................................................ Sept. 22-24, 2017
North Country Fiber Fair September 22-24, 2017
Codington Co. Expo Building, Watertown, SD 40+ Vendors*40+ Classes*Demos*Door Prizes Spinning & Fiber Circle*Fiber Animals*Banquet Spinning Wheel Raffle*Free Admission & Parking
Find us on Facebook or visit www.northcountryfiberfair.org
Page 16 | July-August 2017
Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/CountryRegisterNorthRockies