Country Living With Emma

Completing my current quilt project has necessitated using a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler. These really haven't been around that long. I was an adult when the rotary cutter for fabric was first created. That makes me feel old!

One issue in my life I have never solved in nearly 70 years is underestimating how much time it's going to take me to get something done.

It's Friday, and my big goal for the weekend is to get my Civil War BOM quilt basted and ready to take on the road next week to start quilting. 

Allie and her family settle into life on the prairie. 

We're starting a new series about things you can make yourself. Our first entry is mayonnaise . 

The lowly steam iron may seem like an unlikely tool of the week, but I used mine a lot this weekend while working on my Civil War BOM quilt top. A good iron is essential for sewing.  There actually was a water sprinkler cork stopper on ebay! Here's the link: Sprinkler Cork Stopper

In short, it depends. Some produce is more cost-effective than others.

Allie is another West Texas pioneer. She and her husband built a homestead on the Llano Estacado. 

I love hand sewing tools and this one should save my finger from endless pricks when hand quilting.  Needleslide  

A recap of the weekend. What's happening in the garden and in the world.

Typical Friday chat about the coming weekend, quilting plans, and more about the Women's Institute.

Mary and the cowboys complete the castle drive and end up in Coolidge, Kansas. 

We can always learn more about how to navigate our current time in history by studying how people coped in challenging times in the past.

Cooking from scratch is probably the first skill that we think of when we talk about self-sufficiency. Clearly, if we can't feed ourselves, we're in trouble. A good set of kitchen knives goes a long way in developing cooking skills. A really good knife set can be super expensive, but there are some less expensive options.  Cuisinart Knife Set 

It's hard to stay alert to threats, cyber and general, all the time. Now is not the time to relax. 

We're catching up on garden progress and plans for the weekend.

Mary hits the Chisholm Trail with the cowboys and whole bunch of cattle. 

One of the best ways to combat stress is to be grateful. There's even a website: Gratefulness.org

Canning time is right around the corner. The jar opener tool is so handy!

The Transcontinental Railroad was an engineering feat unprecedented at the time, and it had to be built by hand. May 10th is the 157th anniversary of its completion. In the 21st century, we are still reaping the benefits of the back-breaking and dangerous work our ancestors accomplished. In the aftermath of the Civil War, it helped bring our country back together again.

Working with our hands accomplishes many things, including important brain functions. 

We're starting a new story today. Mary was one of the few women to participate in a cattle drive up the Chisholm Trail. 

I love my treadle sewing machine, but no electricity means no built-in light. The Flexible Gooseneck Arm Work Lamp with Magnetic Mounting Base solves that problem! Also, I use a clip-on light for cross-stitch and other types of needlework.  Flexible Gooseneck Arm Work Lamp with Magnetic Mounting Base Rechargeable Clip-on Book Light Stitchin Heaven Quilt Shop

I had the opportunity over the weekend to take a younger coworker friend to her very first quilt show. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. It's always fun for those of us who love quilting to share it with others! I referenced my trip to the International Quilt Show back in October. The episode number is 292.

We finish up Ella's story today with the death of her first husband and her 2nd marriage.