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November - December 2020 | Page 1
Page 2 | November - December 2020
What’s Inside? • Quilts for Cops - Page 4 • A Cup of Tea with Lydia - Page 5 • The Blessings of 2020 - Page 6 • Holiday Traditions - Page 7 • Belle Fourche Play & Stay Section - Page 8 • Robin’s Nest DIY - Page 10 • Making Holidays Affordable & Enjoyable - Page 15
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Editor’s Notes
A Holiday at Home
As the seasons tick by this year, we find ourselves yet again at the end of another year. I don’t know about you… but I’m ok with saying goodbye to 2020! It has been a whirlwind of a year, and heading out of town with a bang. That said, life is precious no matter the weather of the season, and for most of us the holiday season is cherished. This year, our holidays may not quite be “normal.” But, one thing that cannot and will not change is the gratitude, giving and fellowship of the season. This issue explores the elements of the season. It also offers ideas for adaptations. All in hopes to offer a cozy special Holiday at Home.
Kelsey Ruzicka Publisher of The Country Register of ND, SD, WY, MT & N. ID
Households across the globe have fun family traditions around this time of year. Whether it is a cookie making party, a game of touch football or cutting down the Christmas tree, we look forward to these traditions that make the season bright. This year, we may alter some of those traditions. But, with a little determination to keep the spirit alive we can all have a merry time. See our holiday tradition section for ideas and adaptations to family holidays in 2020. Another thing that may look a little different this year is the pocketbook. This year has been full of unpredictable turns that leave our finances feeling drained. The good news is that gifts from the heart or hands are so much more special. We have a section in this issue that talks about how to have a frugal holiday. Colder weather and pandemic restrictions may have you spending more time at home -what better time than to start making those hand-made items! One of our family’s favorite holiday traditions is making goodies and snacks to take around to our neighbors. We make memories making the goodies, and our neighbors look forward to our goodies each year. This issue also includes some fun recipes to try out. I’m always looking for a new one to include. However, you find yourself this holiday season, I hope it finds you happy and healthy. I hope you are able to keep the spirit of the season alive in your home despite the challenges we may face yet in 2020. May your home and heart be filled with joy this holiday season.
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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.
November - December 2020 | Page 3
Our Holiday Issue!
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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: 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: 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
November - December 2020 • Volume 10 Issue 6
The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright 2020. 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 produces 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 by name and by community as well as upcoming events. Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the January/February issue are due December 7, 2020.
Page 4 | November - December 2020
‘Quilts for Cops’ Help Comfort Injured First Responders T/O USA Quilts for Cops, which was established to provide handmade quilts to help comfort First Responders who have been hurt in the line of duty, celebrated its 4th Anniversary. Since October 2016, more than 1500 beautiful quilts have been provided to First Responders nationwide. Police, Firefighters, Paramedics and even a couple of 911 Dispatchers have received these “gifts of comfort” to help them through their recovery process. The number of recipients has increased over the last several months. During last year, 330 quilts were sent out. We are currently just shy of 1,500 sent since we started. We are also OVER 500 sent and currently have over 40 on the waiting list. Quilts for Cops Founder Bobbie Bebereia has recently relocated to the Northwest Montana area and is starting a volunteer group in the Flathead Valley area. If you are interested in quilting for or donating to this new group, Bobbie can be contacted at quiltsforcops@gmail.com. Recently, a new volunteer group was started in Priest River, Idaho, and it even scheduled a Sew Day in October. These all-day events are major fundraisers for Quilts for Cops. As the volunteer groups build in Priest River and the Flathead Valley area, weekly sew days will be scheduled. In Newberg, Oregon, weekly sewing sessions are held every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Newberg First United Methodist Church, 1205 Deborah Road. The schedule is very flexible so volunteers can take part at their convenience. Sewers bring their own sewing machine, scissors and other supplies they may need. Thread is provided. Those staying for the day are encouraged to bring their own lunch and/or snacks. Face coverings are required and social distancing will be observed at all times. Those who are interested in sewing but are not available on Thursdays can stop by the church and pick up a pre-packaged quilt kit that will have the pattern and fabric all ready to be taken home and worked on at their convenience and returned on a Thursday. Long arm quilters are very welcome. Learn more at https://quiltsforcops.com/ weekly-sewing/, email quiltsforcops@gmail.com or call Hope at 503-320-1846. In Oregon, Quilts for Cops usually sponsors several “Sew Days” but because of COVID, these events were not held during 2020. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to this important and worthy cause, you can learn more at www.quiltsforcops.com. If you follow on Facebook or Instagram under Quilts for Cops, you will see the quilts that are sent out along with the circumstances of the recipient’s injury. Some of the most heartwarming thank you notes and pictures are sent by the quilts’ recipients. It is very moving to see how much comfort these quilts bring to the nation’s First Responders who have been injured.
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November - December 2020 | Page 5
A Cup of Tea with Lydia: Holiday Gingerbread Teatimes “Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!” What could be more inviting than the spicy aroma of gingerbread baking? Since young and old savor gingerbread, let’s capture the gingerbread man and plan a fun and festive holiday par-TEA or two! Children’s Gingerbread Tea When I learned the family temporarily staying next door bought a home in my son’s neighborhood, I invited them along with my son’s family for a gingerbread tea party. The dads were at work and already knew each other from childhood, but the moms and five children (ages 10 to 17) came to become acquainted. Because of the COVID virus, I hosted the tea outdoors on our deck and seated the families at separate tables. The deck looked festive with red and green fabrics draped over the railing and tied with sashes. A fabric tablecloth with gingerbread men and teapot designs offered a cheery welcome. Red plates, Christmas teacups, and felt gingerbread men stickers added to the decor. My grandkids’ new Havenese puppy, Paisley Mae, also joined the outdoor party. She made a good icebreaker for the kids as they played with her in the backyard before teatime. Then Paisley joined us on the deck in her crate. We started our teatime with a blessing. Then we enjoyed scones and toppings, fresh fruit, strawberry soup, individual bottles of sparkling cider, and herbal tea. Each table had its own pot of tea. Our guests chose Davidson’s Children’s Tea, a fruity herbal blend, and my family enjoyed their usual Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion. Next it was time to decorate and nibble gingerbread cookies. I had baked our family’s favorite gingerbread recipe (recipe included). Using three different-sized cookie cutters, I made enough gingerbread people so each person could have a family: a dad, mom, and two kids. Since both families have dogs, I also placed a Scottie dog (Walkers Shortbread) on each plate. The neighbor brought five small piping bags of homemade cream cheese frosting—one for each child. While they expressed their creativi-TEA with the frosting and sprinkles, I read the “Gingerbread Man” tale aloud. And then, just like the story ends, soon it was “snip, snap”—and the cookies were eaten. But those that got away whole were taken home to enjoy later. This turned out to be a fun get-acquainted teatime. My daughter-in-law emailed, “Thanks for hosting a fabulous holiday tea. It was good for the kids to meet our new neighbors!” Whether you have new neighbors or not, hosting a holiday gingerbread tea makes a fun par-TEA. Gentleman’s Gingerbread Tea Children aren’t the only ones who love tea and gingerbread. Yes, real men take tea. Sipping tea by the fire makes fall and winter days feel warm and cozy. My husband, Milt, enjoyed his gingerbread tea as he sat in his favorite burgundy recliner in the living room. I set a wooden tray with gingerbread cake and whipped cream on his lap. He had a choice of three toppings: applesauce, apricot jam, and lemon curd.
By Lydia Harris
He sampled all three, but lemon was his favorite. I preferred the apricot jam for an accent. Orange marmalade would taste good too. Apricot tea tasted just right with the gingerbread cake. If you don’t have apricot tea, you could add a splash of apricot nectar to black tea. Chai tea or an orange spice tea would be delicious as well. Often I join my husband for tea. We sit on the sofa, turn on music, and enjoy a lady and gentleman’s tea together. When the tea and treats are gone, sweet memories linger. Why not put on your favorite carols, brew a pot of tea, and create sweet and spicy memories with gingerbread teatimes? You’ll be glad you did. Merry Christmas! Lydia E. Harris is a tea enthusiast, grandmother, and author of Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting and In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together. From Lydia’s Recipe File: Grandma Tea’s Gingerbread Cookies | Crisp, spicy, and yummy. Cream together: 1 cup butter or margarine 1 1/2 cups sugar Add and beat until light and fluffy: 1 egg Add and mix well: 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup 1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel Sift together and stir into creamed mixture: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt Chill dough if too soft. Roll dough 1/4-inch thick between two pieces of waxed paper. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool one minute before removing from baking sheet. Cool. Decorate, if desired. Makes 2 dozen large cookies; more if they are medium-sized or small.
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Page 6 | July - August 2020
The Blessings of 2020
by Kerri Habben Bosman
The last thing I do before going to sleep is to count. The first thing I do upon waking is to count. I listen to the rhythm of my own breathing and feel gratitude for another day. I count my blessings. When I realize that I cannot count that high, I just say thank you. Certainly, pesky details try to creep into my mind. However, all throughout this year we have had enough of everything we needed. We know that is a gift unto itself. We’ve also had time to foster small and large joys. Which brings me to the blessings of 2020. My husband, Wayne, and I planted a garden in mid-March. There were a couple of patches with flowers and herbs and also a vegetable garden. We had little bouquets in the house all spring, summer, and fall, and we cooked using the herbs. In July we had about fifteen beautiful green tomatoes. We eagerly awaited for them to ripen. One day we went outside, only to discover that they were all gone. Except for one that had the tiniest bite taken out of it. Although we never got to eat them, they were still beautiful green tomatoes. Even greedy and finicky squirrels have to eat. We put up bird feeders and also hummingbird feeders. We find that we can easily get lost in watching the many different kinds of birds. One male cardinal is of the clearest scarlet we’ve ever seen. One female cardinal we’ve named Mrs. Frumple. For a long time she looked like she’d just rolled out of bed. About that time there were lots of new young cardinals about, so we figure she didn’t have time for a shower and to comb her hair. Perhaps she too fights off the pesky details and counts her blessings. We finished sorting through everything at the house I grew up in and succeeded in selling it late this year. This house sheltered my family for four decades. I am happy that it has a whole new life ahead. It was a valuable philosophical journey to ponder the tangible vestiges of those who loved me so well. Those whose love I always carry with me and which manifests in everything I do. Because of the circumstances of these past months, we have been able to spend more days with the grandchildren. They can work on remote school from here, and on their breaks we do crafts, make things for their dollhouse, and bake. We’ve had the youngest (age 3) spend some nights with us. We play cars and dinosaurs with him and have pancakes for breakfast. We made memories we will treasure even more when they are grown and pursuing their dreams.
Yam Cookies INGREDIENTS 1 cup Sugar 1 cup Margarine 1/2 cup Yams (Mashed) 1 Whole Eggs
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until golden.
2 cup AllPurpose Flour 1/4 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract 1 can Apricot Jam
DIRECTIONS 1: In a large bowl, cream sugar and margarine together. 2: Add yams. 3: Mix thoroughly. 4: Add egg and beat with mixer for 2 minutes at medium speed. 5: Add flour sifted with salt. 6: Add vanilla. 7: Mix thoroughly. 8: Drop by teaspoonful onto greased baking sheet 2 inches apart. 9: Press flat with fork and make depression in middle with finger. 10: Put a dab of apricot jam in depression.
Countryberries Designs The Lion and The Lamb
Kathy originally
designed
this piece as a project in her college silk screening class many years ago. Her dad
I have enjoyed writing to Wayne’s mom. Twice a week I write letters to my mother-inlaw. I print photographs, ones that we have taken or I download them from Facebook or Instagram. Then I create cards using the pictures of the family. My letters usually start out with this kind of vital information: “I am sitting at the kitchen table and the dryer is humming as I write. I have water up for noodles for our tuna casserole tonight. This morning Wayne and I sat outside and had our coffee. We saw our first gold finch.”
liked the pattern and had her print it as the family Christmas card. This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for commercial
The highest blessing of 2020 is that on December 17th, Wayne’s mom celebrates her 100th birthday. She appreciates good health, radiates joy and faith, and her love bolsters our entire family. In whatever way we can in these unique times, we will be all together.
use. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. Paint on wood or canvas. You can also applique in wool or
And we’ll count. Then we’ll count some more. And then we’ll say thank you a hundred times over.
cotton. You can do punchneedle or rug hooking techniques too. Whatever craft
Kerri Habben Bosman is a writer in Chapel Hill, NC. She is currently working on a book of essays and poetry. She can be reached at 913jeeves@gmail.com.
you choose, have fun! Designed by Kathy Graham
Countryberries
NEW Websit e
LLC
Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden
330 North Road Deerfield, NH 03037 603-463-7615
www.countryberries.com Like us on Facebook
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September - October 2020 | Page 7
Holiday Traditions Every year we look forward to this special time of year. The things that make it special are the loved ones around us and the traditions we hold dear. If you are looking to change up your holiday traditions or just add to the list of festivities we have put together options for you.
Holiday Traditions to Start at Any Age 1. Read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve 2. Play “I spy” with the ornaments on your tree 3. Gift your grand/child an ornament every year 4. Donate Toys 5. Volunteer as a family at your community’s charities 6. Open an Advent Calendar Kids • Elf on a shelf • Write letters to Santa • Family slumber party • Christmas scavenger hunt • Fill stockings every year • Write a Christmas list for Santa • Christmas countdown-many ways to do this, chain link of construction paper, calendar marking • Find the Pickle in the tree • Track Santas raindeer-glitter and oats mixed together to throw in the yard • Go see Santa at malls, ect.. • Build a Snowman
Teens • Donate old or not used toys • Donate old clothes • Start Christmas music • Movie night • Shopping with mom or dad to get gifts for each other • Practice random acts of kindness- do something nice for a complete stranger or friend, ect.. • Family game night
Holiday Movie Watchlist 1. Noelle 2. Klaus 3. The Christmas Chronicles 4. The Grinch 5. Home Alone 6. Arthur’s Christmas 7. A Christmas Story 8. Christmas with the Kranks 9. The Holiday 10. A Christmas Carol 11. Elf
12. Christmas Vacation 13. The Santa Clause 14. White Christmas 15. Polar Express 16. Frosty The Snowman 17. Rudolph 18. The Nutcracker 19. Love Actually 20. The Star
Along with almost any Hallmark movie in their Christmas collection.
7. 8. 9. 10.
Wear Matching Pajamas Drive around to view holiday lights Make a special food Watch a special Christmas movie
Adult/Older Family • Touch football • Misletoe • Hold an Ugly Sweater party • Start planning new years resolutions • Family winter hike • Make egg nog
Page 8 | September - October 2020
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September - October 2020 | Page 9
Holiday Potpourri • • • • •
1 cup cranberries (or 1 apple, diced) 1 orange 2–3 sprigs rosemary 2–3 cinnamon sticks 2 tsp cloves
TO PREPARE ON THE STOVETOP: 1. Slice or quarter your orange and place all ingredients in a saucepan with 4-6 cups water. 2. Bring to a simmer over low heat. 3. Let it simmer as long as you like, adding more water as needed. TO PREPARE IN THE SLOW COOKER: 1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker with 4-6 cups water. 2. Set on HIGH covered and let it cook for several hours or uncovered on HIGH for more scent. 3. If uncovered, add more water as necessary (when covered, the water won’t evaporate very quickly) TO PACKAGE FOR GIFTING: 1. Use a large cellophane treat bag to pack the potpourri. Add orange and cranberries first, then add cinnamon, rosemary, and cloves. 2. Tie a knot in the top with a ribbon. Slide one end of the ribbon through the hole in the tag until the tag is tucked securely at the top near your first knot. Tie a bow to secure a gift tag with instructions.
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Page 10 | November - December 2020
I love the holiday season and this one is fast approaching! Here is a cute garland that can be for your tree or anywhere you want to hang it! On a side note, this project requires more items to complete than I usually would do, but it is well worth it!!
You will Need: Step Two
Next you will need to clip the floral stems to about 2 inches. I used a pod floral stem with leaves. Tie a bow with the ribbon around the floral stems. Hot glue the tied stems onto the name tag at the punched end.
Step Four
Rope ribbon or twine, 7mm ribbon, wooden name tags or package tags (I punched my own holes in the name tags but you can buy them already punched), a floral stem with leaves, Mod Podge (matte finish), foam brush, scissors, wire cutters, silicone stamps and blocks, ink pad and a hot glue gun and glue sticks. (I forgot to include in the photo the extra ribbon to tie the tags onto the rope.)
I used silicone stamps on an acrylic block. These are the neatest stamps!! You can get them online or in craft stores for relatively cheap. Put the silicone stamp on the block and ink up the stamp. Center the words on the tag leaving enough room to add a piece of floral and ribbon on the punched end of the tag. Make sure to use a permanent ink of good quality. I had some problems getting the ink to dry so I sprayed it lightly with hair spray to set it.
Step One
String the tags onto the rope ribbon. You will need at least 20 feet of rope. I left about 10 inches on the ends. I also spaced them about 7 inches apart. I didn’t like the way they hung on the rope so I tied the rope at each tag with ribbon to hold the tag in place. This will give you about 7 to 8 feet of garland. This would be very pretty on a fireplace or tree. Enjoy!!
Step THREE
Brush a thin even layer of Mod Podge on the front surface of the name tags. Let it dry completely. This will help the ink from bleeding.
FINISHED!
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Who’s Ready to Hibernate? As the temperatures cool and the days grow shorter, I look forward to all of the wonderful things that accompany this season. I find great joy in wearing comfy sweaters and boots, eating goodies made with apple or pumpkin, and watching the glorious changes of color on the trees all around me. And, while all of these things are wonderful, I particularly look forward to what my husband calls my hibernation period. As a designer and speaker, most years I am on the road teaching and lecturing from mid-March until late October. Once home, it’s time to hunker down and sew nonstop during the cold winter months. All of the designs flitting around in my mind plus those hastily sketched in the occasional spare moment between events can finally come to life. Like a squirrel gathering acorns to prepare for the approach of the cold days ahead, I gather my fabric and start to prepare. My husband has watched this cycle for years and tends to stay out of my way when the gathering begins. He is always amazed that the madness that ensues eventually takes the form of new quilts and patterns. While hibernation to a bear means a period of sleep, my hibernation and the days leading up to it are full of activity.
November - December 2020 | Page 11
by Deb Heatherly Deb Heatherly is a designer for Creative Grids® rulers. When not in her studio, Deb is normally on the road doing Creative Grids® lectures and workshops for guilds and shops across the country. She is the designer of the Creative Grids Cat’s Cradle tool, Strippy Stars tool, Turbo 4 Patch, Ultimate Flying Geese tool, Cat’s Cradle XL, and the new Kitty Cornered tool. She is also the author of the books: ‘Cat’itude, Strippy Stars, 4-Patch Panache, The Ultimate Flying Geese Book, Catitude XL, and Creatively Yours. Visit her website at www.Debscatsnquilts.com. Creative Grids® fans are invited to join her Facebook group, Grids Girls, for tips and inspiration. Grids Girls members have the opportunity to participate in exclusive Grids Girls mystery quilts two times each year. https://www.facebook.com/groups/770429649800457/. Quilt Shop Owners, you are invited to join the group above and Deb has an additional Facebook group just for you. “Grids Girls for Quilt Shop Owners Only. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/273593657256524/ You can contact her at Debscatsnquilts@aol.com or call the studio, Deb’s Cats n Quilts Designs, 828-524-9578.
How do I get ready? First, I tidy up fabric and take mental inventory of the colors I plan to use. Bits and pieces as well as yardage get folded and sorted by color. Some pieces get returned to their original storage locations, while others are set aside to be used in a new hibernation project. Next, I sort my thread to make sure there is plenty on hand. If needed, spools are purchased to add to the stash. In step three, all of my rotary cutters get fresh blades and scissors get moved back to where they are supposed to be. (As opposed to where they have ended up in the previous months.) Finally, bobbins are wound and design sketches are placed with fabric stacks, each ready for creation to begin. The entire process really does make me think of the squirrels outside my studio window as they busily go back and forth adding to their supplies. (If only I had their never-ending energy.) In a recent article, Jamie Allen stated that a new study from professors in the Department of Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley claimed that tree squirrels use a mnemonic technique called “spatial chunking” to sort out and bury their nut scores by size, type and, perhaps, nutritional value and taste. When they are hungry later, it is theorized they can remember where to find what they want. Hmmm…sounds a bit like sorting fabric to me. Now if only I could remember where I put the blue floral and the teal companion print. For our friends the squirrels and for this quilter, it’s an exhausting process but one that is necessary to get prepared. I might be tired from the preparation but I’ll be ready and truly enjoy my time when hibernation begins. The hardest part of the entire process will be deciding what new design to sew first.
Quilters, Knitters, NeedleArtists: Find Your Favorite Shops When You Travel! Visit
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Page 12 | November - December 2020
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2020: A Big Toe Christmas
November - December 2020 | Page 13
by Jeff Cappis
I am older now and have been around the block a few times so you can imagine that, ing in magic was like. I truly got to be a kid again and forgot about wisdom and practicalafter sixty some odd years of Christmases, it can become routine. I’m not complaining. ity. Pure Christmas joy. I enjoy it. But as you get older, you trade magic and hope for wisdom and practicality. Years later my mother told me about how she and my father went to every department That’s why god gives us grandchildren. store in town before they found one. I played with that tow truck for at least an hour before I got bored and lost it in my toy box. I don’t have the truck anymore but I still know that Christmas is a magical time of year for them. It is a time when dreams can come true and certain miracles are expected. Kids have it figured out. You just believe and some magic works—thanks to my grandson Kane. how wishes come true. © 2020 Jeff Cappis jcappis@telus.net When my grandson Kane was 3 years old, he wanted a fire truck for Christmas. He loved trucks. He was still learning to speak clearly so all he could say was “fwi tuk.” At first we couldn’t exactly tell what he was saying but, when he saw one on TV, he jumped up and down and pointed at it. “Fwi tuk! Fwi Tuk!” Oh, fire truck. Of course, Christmas morning he got a fire truck. He was ecstatic. Watching him excitedly unwrap the present and pull it out of the box was great. Even more than that, watching him brought back a memory of when I was about his age. My thing was a tow truck called “The Big Tow.” I’d seen it on TV. It made tow truck noises. It had flashing lights and the crane worked. Wow! The kids in the commercial looked happy with it, too. So, I wanted one. They started those darned commercials in September so it was a long wait until Christmas. Even though I couldn’t write, I started a letter campaign to Santa in October. It cost my mother a fortune in stamps but I made sure we mailed every one. Each week she walked with me to the mailbox because I wasn’t allowed to cross the road by myself. Seeing that TV commercial over and over was driving me insane and I talked about that tow truck every chance I got. I’d done all a kid could do. I told my parents about it and mailed probably a hundred letters to Santa. All that was left was to believe it would come. I had dreams about that tow truck for three long months. That’s more like 300 months in kid years. The best dream though, came on Christmas Eve. When I was finally able to sleep, I had a dream that I was at the North Pole. There was an elf next to a big machine with lots of lights and buttons. He pulled a letter off the stack on his desk. “Elizabeth wants a microscope.” He pushed a button and a microscope popped out onto a conveyor belt. Next letter: “Jeff wants a Big Toe.” Then a big toe popped out onto the conveyor belt. Another elf whacked him on the shoulder. “Not toe... a Tow!” The first elf pressed a button again and a Tow Truck came out this time. The tow truck went down the conveyor belt to another elf who stuffed it in a box. Then it went to another elf who painted the stuff on the box. Another elf wrapped it and the last elf put a ribbon and a bow on it. Then it continued on the belt until it was dropped into a big bag on the back of Santa’s sleigh. Once it was there, Santa let out a “Ho, ho, ho” and slapped the reins. Five reindeer (I couldn’t count) and Santa’s sleigh zipped off into the night sky. They went through snow; they went through rain. They even went through a chocolate and whipped cream storm that got Santa and the reindeer all sticky, but they pressed on. Somewhere over our house they hit turbulence and my present bounced out of the bag. It fell straight down to the house, into the chimney, bounced out of the fireplace and rolled under the tree. And that’s where I found it the next morning. Mere words can’t express the joy I had unwrapping the present I’d known would come. Pure Christmas magic. All that came back in an instant as I watched Kane unwrapping his present. Remembering my experience and seeing the joy on his face made me remember what believ-
Page 14 | November - December 2020
Win a $25 Gift Certificate! The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to be used at YOUR FAVORITE SHOP!
Just fill out this form and send it to:
The Country Register P.O. Box 2015 Belle Fourche, SD 57717
May - June 2020 Entry OR visit www.moxiemarketingmw.com, click on The Country Register to sign up online Name________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________
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Advertiser Directory by Name Always Your Design • Dell Rapids, SD.......................................... 4 Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce • Belle Fourche, SD.......... 8 Betty’s Quiltery • Rapid City, SD................................................. 16 Black Hills Visitor Center • Rapid City, SD.................................. 12 Creative Closet • Townsend, MT................................................... 6 Designs by Daphne • Belle Fourche, SD...................................... 8 Fiber House, The • Sheridan, WY................................................ 11 Knothole, The • Spearfish, SD.................................................... 16
City_____________________________ State ____________ Zip__________
Moxie Marketing of the Midwest • Black Hills, SD.................... 16
Favorite Shop Advertised___________________________________________
NeedleTravel.com ...................................................................... 11
This is My Favorite Shop Because______________________________________
Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop • Edgemont, SD................................. 16
My Favorite Feature(s) of The Country Register_____________________________
Office Emporium/Gone to Pieces Quilts • Belle Fourche, SD....... 8
Found This Issue At_______________________________________________ Are You a:
Regular Reader or
First Time Reader
Quilt Connection • Rapid City, SD.............................................. 16
What stores would like to see in The Country Register? (include town)
Quilt Connection 2 • Buffalo, SD................................................ 16
____________________________________________________________
Quilters Corner • Faulkton, SD..................................................... 5
Entries received by August 7, 2020, with all questions answered will qualify for the drawing. One gift certificate is given away each issue.
Quilt Yard, The • Pierre, SD........................................................... 5 Quilter’s Fix, The • Pierre, SD........................................................ 4 Red Truck Quilting • Worthing, SD............................................. 16 Tri-State Museum & Visitor Center • Belle Fourche SD................. 8 Wall Drug • Wall, SD.................................................................. 12
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November - December 2020 | Page 15
Making Holidays Affordable & Enjoyable As the holiday season approaches this year many families many find their pocket books less than ready given the challenges we face in 2020. Though purse strings may be a bit tight, that does not mean you need to be light in spirit. This article will approach different ways to make the holiday season affordable and enjoyable. Here are some basic ways to save that are obvious but effective. We hear these tips every year but this year it may be essential to apply determination and fortitude. These tips include creating a budget, shopping discounts codes and sales, using gift cards to shop with and spreading out your shopping time frame. These tips can be found in numerous articles and guides on how to best prepare for the shopping season. One of the tips most often overlooked is that of handmade gifts. Most people think that you have to be crafty or creative to make gifts for the holidays, but there are many gifts that just take a little time. One of the gifts of the pandemic is more time at home and therefore time to make holiday gifts for loved ones. • Blankets (quilts are wonderful but fleece tie blankets are a good option for those less talented) • Gifts in a jar (There are so many options out there including one on page nine of your Country Register) • Ornaments and garlands (see page ten) • Special family mementos passed on • Jewelry (lots of options from intricate to simple, there are lots of option for all skill levels) • Customized photo albums or scrapbooks (some ideas are; child’s milestones, special trips with friends or past holidays) • Gift cards with pizzazz (gift cards in containers full of candy, gift card snow globes, gift cards pairings. Example: gift card to a salon paired with nail polish, foot scrub and nail care kit.) • Customize daily items (mugs with special says, T-shirts with funny mottos, stocking caps with favorite sports teams)
Though the temptation to buy everything online is great this year, I encourage all readers to shop as much as possible locally. Even a call downtown or a gift card to your friend’s favorite quilt shop brings the spirit of giving to not just your friend but also to your community. Hopefully this list of suggestions will help you find the holiday spirit alive in your home despite the challenges swirling around us this year.
Page 16 | November - December 2020
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