Quilts and Thoughts…

Posted By margaret on January 10, 2012

If you haven’t seen a wind turbine farm in action you’re in for a treat. Actually, watching them in person is really awesome. I suppose some people don’t think they add to the ambiance of the landscape, but I disagree.

They are beautiful and majestic; however, I don’t live by one and have no idea if they are noisy!

We were passing through Sweetwater, Texas and came upon hundreds and hundreds of wind turbines as far as they eye could see. This short video was taken from a cell phone as we passed along one area of “The Wind Energy Capital of Texas”.

Sweetwater is in Nolan County, and boasts the largest wind farms in America. Imagine our surprise in driving along and encountering them on both sides of the road. We saw remnants of cotton fields at the base of the turbines, so I’m guessing they enjoy the view as they plant the crops.

Sweetwater began as a railroad town and has grown into a wind-generating area, like no other. And, by the way, they host the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup each year.

In researching Sweetwater, I came across this from Wikipedia:

At Sweetwater during World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were trained under the direction of the famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran at Sweetwater’s Avenger Field. These WASP’s were the first women to fly America’s military aircraft. The military airstrip closed abruptly at the end of the war, but pilots flying over Sweetwater can still land at Avenger Field – the Sweetwater Airport (SWW). The National WASP WWII Museum is located at Avenger Field in Sweetwater.[6] The WASP women were not recognized for having served in the armed forces until 1977, when U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona and Colonel Bruce Arnold, late son of General Hap Arnold, persisted in obtaining their official recognition as military veterans.

“Move over oil, there’s money in Texas wind”
NY Times 

Category: General, Videos | No Comments »
Tags: video

Posted By margaret on January 1, 2012

Too much football? Need a project?

These 12 continuous line stitching patterns can be
used for whatever…

One is free each month, included with each of the 12 months
of our 2012 newsletter, “the latest”.

The free patterns will not be available on the www.patterns2quilt.com website…
you will only receive them with your monthly newsletter.

To sign up for the free newsletter (and a free quilt pattern) for signing up,
look to the left side of this page and input your name and
email address.

 Happy New Year!

Category: Current projects, Free, Free patterns, Newsletter, Patterns | No Comments »
Tags: Free patterns, free stitching block pattern, newsletter, Patterns

Posted By margaret on December 29, 2011

How about

or

These opportunities are self explanatory; however if you want an
exceptional New Year resolution and suggestions on how
to get involved,
visit each of their websites!

http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ 

http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/

And by the way, even Benjamin Franklin participated!

The concept was rediscovered and described by Benjamin Franklin,
in a letter to Benjamin Webb dated April 25, 1784:

“I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you.
When you [...] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress,
you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him
to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able,
and shall meet with another opportunity.
I hope it may thus go thro’ many hands, before it meets with
a Knave that will stop its Progress.
This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_act_of_kindness

And don’t forget:

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 12:30-31

Happy New Year!

Category: General | No Comments »
Tags: new year resolution, pay it forward, random act of kindness

Posted By margaret on December 24, 2011

I only make this candy once a year, on Dec. 24 with the help of grandchildren.

It is our tradition on the day before the big day.

Skillet Balls
(have no idea why they are named Skillet Balls)

2 sticks margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 lb. pitted dates
2 eggs
2 tbs. cream or half & half (I use milk)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 cup puffed rice cereal
1 cup pecans
16 oz. shredded coconut

In a large pan, melt margarine, sugar and dates. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes and cool.

Beat eggs, add cream, vanilla, and salt.

Add 2 tbs. of the egg mixture to the cooled date mixture, beat well.
Add it slowly so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs.
Add remaining egg mixture a little at a time and bring to boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and add rice cereal
and pecans. Cool. Drop by teaspoon into shredded coconut.
Roll in coconut to cover all areas.

We make about 15 minutes worth and take a “testo” break.
Just to be certain they taste wonderful! Then back to work to
complete the task. They will quickly disappear!

Merry Christmas!

Category: General | 1 Comment »
Tags: Christmas candy

Posted By margaret on December 23, 2011

How about ringing in the New Year with
your children a bit early that evening.

Set the clock back to midnight before their bedtime, and celebrate
ringing in the New Year.

For a fun 2012 craft, print the glasses onto card stock
and have the children cut them out.

The glasses are in two sizes, and if neither fit, enlarge or reduce when you print.

The free pdf file is at www.patterns2quilt.com

 

Category: Free | No Comments »
Tags: just for fun