Chatbug Karen

While visiting Meramec Caverns in Missouri, we were treated to a rare sight. There, in an enclosed case, was a quilt that had once been owned by Abraham Lincoln.

The quilt was a memento sent home by Lincoln’s wife.

I can think of many things that are so different than the way they were just 50 years ago. Gone are the days of wringing clothes through the ringer of a washing machine. We use heat irons to seam carpet instead of sewing the seams by hand. Tube Bending is a method used to bend tubes for different uses. As needs arise, tube bending has been adapted for the needs of car builders, plumbing contractors, etc. Quilting has not changed much over the years. Many of the tools we use today make quilting easier but the way we pick out colors and the patterns used are the same as years ago. Many things have changed to make our lives easier. It is nice that some things stay the same.

While in Branson, we ate at a restaurant known for their scrumptious seafood. Landry’s also makes a wicked bananas foster. I have never seen such a large portion served on one plate. Unfortunately, we were too full to order dessert but that didn’t stop us from drooling over it.

I was not compensated for writing this about Landry’s yummy dessert. I certainly would have eaten it if offered!

The Infamous vigilante organization know as the “Bald Knobbers” created hope, freedom, despair, and uncertainty among the people of the Ozarks.
Prior to the Civil War Taney County had only three murders, but from 1865 to 1885 between thirty and forty murders occurred. Failing economy and high taxes was hard on the landowners. Crime went on a rampage and few violators stood trial. Only Federal law officers could pursue criminals across state lines and the few that were tried, were acquitted by corrupt courts. It was after one of these acquittals that thirteen men met in secret and formed a Citizens committee to fight the lawlessness and to elect officials that would enforce law. From this meeting came the group know as the Bald Knobbers.

The Bald Knobbers got their name from the grassy bald knob summits of the Ozark Mountains in the area. The hill where they first met is called Snapp’s Bald, located just north of Kirbyville, Missouri.

We saw a very different group of bald knobbers last night. The Baldknobbers Jamboree show is one of the oldest shows in Branson. It is a combination of country, western and gospel singing and comedy that is very tasteful. Persons of any age would enjoy this show as attested by my 13 and 15 year old nieces. I was worried that they would be bored but whenever I looked over their way, I saw them laughing as hard as the rest of us. The timing of the comedy team was spot on as they made fun of the economy, disability insurance, and hair balls. Even a few jokes I had heard years ago had my sides aching from laughing so much.

The Branson family entertainment phenomenon began over 50 years ago in 1959 when the four Mabe brothers, known as the Baldknobbers, began entertaining visitors on the Branson lakefront. Last night, we enjoyed hearing 2nd & 3rd generation Mabe family members sing, play instruments and entertain us with quick witted comedy. Everyone should see the Baldknobbers show.

I was not compensated for writing this post.

After visiting with my son and daughter in-law over the weekend, my family and I have hit the road for Branson, Missouri. I have been looking forward to this vacation for a long time!

I have been amazed, as usual, at the change in the terrain in just a few short miles. I forgot that this area is known as the Ozarks. I have seen very few houses and vast amounts of trees. Is it absolutely beautiful. There must be a zoning law that keeps builders from cutting down trees and building housing additions in this area. I am so glad!

This morning, we are heading into downtown Branson. We stayed in a lovely hotel last night but it is situated on top of a hill so we have not really seen all the theaters and shopping sites. My husband is ready to find a good fuente cigars and I am always looking for bargains. I hear there is an outlet mall here. Woo hoo!

There are nine people in our group so I better get down to the lobby and cast my vote for what is happening today. See ya!

Many of you have listened as I whined about the road construction in front of our house. We have lived with machinery and dirt since last fall. I tried to keep a good attitude but this spring when our customers where unable to get into our business, it was wearing on my nerves, not to mention my bank account.

No one was able to get to our business and let me tell them about the best laminate flooring cleaner on earth. I got a lot of sewing projects finished, which was very nice but they don’t pay the bills.

I can finally say, hallelujah! the road is finished. It is a beautiful shade of black and has new street signs along its banks. We even got new mail boxes thanks to the state.

I think my least favorite part of creating quilts is putting on binding. It is one of those things that has to be done so I better get over it! LOL Hey! I am a sewer. Hmmm, that sounds like someone who works with human waste. I am a crafter! Some people worry about their golf gps finder, I worry about the best techniques in making quilts.

I have wondered what the difference was between straight of grain binding and binding made from cutting fabric on the bias.

Fabric is made by weaving threads. Threads go up and down and are woven with threads that go across. Cutting on the bias means cutting at an angle across the threads.

When fabric is cut on the bias, it is bendable. That makes it easy to curve it to make wavy bindings. There is nothing more beautiful, in my opinion, than a scalloped edged quilt. The scallops make it necessary to have a binding that will bend and flow with the contours of the edge of the quilt.

So, curves are a great time to make bias binding. It is also a good time to use bias binding when you think a quilt will be used a lot. A child’s quilt or one that will get washed routinely, will hold up better with a bias binding. That is because when you fold straight of grain binding, you are folding that binding along one single thread. That thread is going to take a lot of abuse and begin to show wear.

Straight of grain binding is easy to construct. I would use it on wall hangings and things that won’t be handled a lot.

I have not set foot outside today. My husband tells me it is really hot and I believe him. Our son lives near St. Louis where the temperature was 106! We live in the mid-west not the desert! What is happening with our weather.

We are eating leftovers from the grilling my hubby did this weekend. I think it is time to buy him an electric grill. He was burning the grease off the grates in his gas grill and caught the whole thing on fire! Flames were shooting out the sides and top of the grill. Thankfully, he was able to put the fire out but his grill looks really bad. He won’t let me show you a picture.

Today is my son and daughter in-laws second wedding anniversary. Where has the time gone? It seems like we were just getting things organized and enjoying the festivities of the wedding. Hubby and I will celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary on Wednesday so I know that time truly flies!

I hope you are able to enjoy delicious desserts this summer. You can find yummy dessert gift ideas at http://www.cherrymoonfarms.com/brownie-pops-pop.

I made this for a recent get together.

Heath Bar Dessert

1 (1 lb) package lorna doone cookies, crushed
1/2 cup margarine, melted
2 pints butter pecan ice cream, softened
2 (1 1/2 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding
8 ounces Cool Whip
4 Heath candy bars or Skor candy bars, crushed

Mix cookie crumbs and margarine together and press in bottom of 13×9 cake pan.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Cool.
Mix ice cream and pudding mix together well.
Pour over cooled crust.
Spread cool whip over top.
Sprinkle with crushed candy bars.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
May also be frozen but set out at room temp for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

You may remember me talking about the road construction crews working on the road in front of our house. Well, it didn’t get finished last fall so we have been dealing with all the trucks and dirt this spring and now it has gone into summer. I think it will be done in a few days. In the meantime, I thought I would share what happened to one of the road worker’s truck when he left it on the site overnight.