The Quilting Blog » Woodbury Family History http://www.thequiltingblog.com The worlds best quilting and sewing blogs. Wed, 22 May 2013 06:50:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Sheep Fold Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/sheep-fold-quilt-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sheep-fold-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/sheep-fold-quilt-quilt-block.html#comments Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:23:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=a6c01dc3dd7e1cf571ed15047715ca81

Harriet Edith Woodbury George
October 2, 1895 - December 15, 1986

My Affirmation:

     The Lord is my shepherd,
          I am one of his lambs.
     I shall not want -
          He takes good care of me.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
          Where the grass is tender and cool.
     He leads me by the still waters
          So I may drink from his Holy Word.
     He restores my soul
          Which gives me peace and comfort.
     He leads me in paths of righteousness
          And does not allow me to stray
     For his name's sake -
          Because I belong to Jesus.
     Even though I walk through dark valleys
          Where Satan lurks,
     I shall fear no evil
          From the Devil's wiles;
     For you are with me,
          Holding me close.
     Your rod and your staff
          Give me strength and guidance.
     They comfort me,
          Relieving me from daily pressures.
     You prepare a table before me
          For my convenience and sustenance,
     In the presence of my enemies -
          But my family and friends surround me.
     You anoint my head with oil -
          To relieve my mind from worry.
     My cup overflows
          With joy and assurance.
     Surely goodness and mercy will follow me;
          Then, God's presence will ever be with me
     All the days of my life;
     And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
          because he has prepared many rooms for all of
          his children who love and obey him.
     For ever and ever.  Amen.
                                                            Harriet George
                                                            July 31, 1979]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/33857/feed 0 Love Knot Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/love-knot-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=love-knot-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/love-knot-quilt-block.html#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:59:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=e214c5bb779ccac9362d0d67e16b5ae8

     I found this Love Knot quilt block pattern in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  I drafted it to a 6" block and really enjoy making this unusual pattern. 
     My cousin Phil grew up next door to our grandparents.  In 1982, he wrote:

"Grandmother's top talents are two-fold: first, knowing and interpreting the Scripture and second, her written composition and poetry.  Each birthday card or Christmas package would include a short, original verse.  I will always remember her corn and oysters casserole, homemade cottage cheese and home-churned, turkey-shaped butter created especially for family dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"Although she has lived ninety-five percent of her life in two places within five miles of each other, she actively developed an international perspective, and her influence in people's lives has been worldwide.

"She and Granddad opened each morning with devotions together at breakfast and closed each day sharing time together in the living room or watching the sunset on the back lawn.

"In many ways they were opposite from each other.  For example, Granddad seemed to enjoy travelling and visiting with people whereas Grandmother seemed to enjoy sharing her home.  She has always been very meticulous both in her dress and her work whereas this was not as important to him.  It was remarkable how they came together and complimented each other.  They shared over fifty-one years of wedded life together.  They both loved each other very much and loved their family immensely."

The Upper Room


Turkey-Shaped Butter

Grandma's Corn and Oysters
2 cans cream style corn
1 can oysters, drained
14 saltine crackers
2 Tablespoons butter

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2.  Pour one can of corn into a greased 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. 
3.  Cut each oyster in two.  Put half the can of oysters in a layer on top of the corn.  Break up 7 crackers over the oysters and dot with 1 Tablespoon butter.
4.  Repeat with the rest of corn, oysters, crackers, and butter.
5.  Bake 20 to 30 minutes until bubbly and the crackers are browned.  


You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/grandmothers-own-quilt-block.html






]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/33606/feed 0 Grandmother’s Own Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/grandmothers-own-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grandmothers-own-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/10/grandmothers-own-quilt-block.html#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2012 21:44:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=d50f20e6c400cfeb38305f5a82e5ad2c

     I found the pattern for this Grandmother's Own block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  I drafted the pattern to make an 8" block.      
     After my grandparents married and settled into their home in October, 1917, they had three sons and a daughter - Jackson, Phil, Doug, and Eleanor.  Years later, they also had 15 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. 

Doug, Phil and Jackson George
Doug is my father.

Jackson, Phil, and Doug George


Foregound:  Harriet and Frank George
Background left to right:  Jackson (31 years old), Margie, and Patricia George,
Phil (29 years old) and Judy George,
Doug (27 years old) and Roselyn George, and Eleanor George (17 years old)
October 2, 1950 on Sunbyrne Farm near Lebo, Kansas
Grandma George
                    Grandma had two tables,
                    There was the dining room table,
                         set with her crystal,
                         and the apple dishes we loved
                    that was the table where she served her guests
                    And then there was the kitchen table
                    It was a very functional thing,
                         a wooden frame painted white
                         and a porcelained steel top
                    At that table she entertained her grandkids
                    At the kitchen table Grandma did her work,
                    It seemed her hands were always busy
                    kneading bread
                         cutting cookies
                              churning butter
                                   slicing apples
                                        putting up preserves
                    and wiping the dishes clean again
                    Grandma's hands
                    must have had minds of their own
                    Because while they were busy
                         preparing the day's next meal
                    Grandma would tell us stories
                         of days long ago
                    Stories about the people
                         that passed through her kitchen
                    Stories about Great-Grandma's kitchen,
                         where she learned to cook
                    And animal stories:
                         Great Granddad's dog
                              Uncle Bob's lamb
                                   and the horse Mom rode to school
                    Grandma's kitchen was warm,
                         because that's where her stove was
                    Grandma's kitchen was cozy
                         because that's where Grandma was
                    And though we were Grandma's guests
                    we knew that Grandma's kitchen
                    was the place where we belonged.   
                                                                                      George R. Pasley, 1995
                                                                                                 
Left to right:  Roselyn (my mother), Uncle Jackson, Cousin Patricia, Aunt Margie,
Aunt Eleanor, Grandma (Harriet), and Aunt Judy
October 2, 1950 in the kitchen of Sunbyrne Farm, Lebo, Kansas
October 1950
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-home-quilt-block.html
]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/33323/feed 0 New Home Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-home-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-home-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-home-quilt-block.html#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:34:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=ad9630e778bbc873dca65bd15ce715cf

     I found this New Home block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone and drafted it to 6" finished.  It consists of squares and half square triangles so was not difficult to make.
     In Part 2 of "the rest of the story," Hattie writes about the home she moves to after her marriage to Frank George in October 1917.    

Harriet wrote in the 1940's:
"After our wedding, Frank and I came to this home where I am still living.  The George family had built this house to replace the former smaller house which was destroyed by fire.  Frank had it all freshly papered and painted and a Delco light plant and pump put in the house, which was very good - but the power was not very strong unless we ran the motor, which charged a set of batteries.  We were glad to get the High Live connection years later in 1930 when a small airport was built a mile west of us.  I was pleased to have such a nice, new home and new furniture, and we received many lovely wedding gifts for a home we were both proud of. 


Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jackson George
after a year of wedded life 1918
 
"We had no trees on this hilltop except the ones planted by Frank the spring of 1917, and we had lots of wind from across the open prairies north.  This seemed very different from living on the Woodbury farm, which had many native trees all along the Marais des Cygnes River and in our yard."  (My grandmother christened her new home Sunbyrne Farm because of this.)  



   
 




You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/32940/feed 0 Wedding Bouquet Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/wedding-bouquet-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wedding-bouquet-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/wedding-bouquet-quilt-block.html#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2012 02:41:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=5b824fe93e29663a62472bd50c75edea
    
     I found this Wedding Bouquet block in 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone.  I thought it was the perfect block to go with the story about the engagement (at last!) and marriage of my grandparents. 
     This is Part 1 of "the rest of the story."  In the 1940's, my grandmother wrote a story about what happened in 1917 - the year after the diary:

"It was suggested that I could go to Topeka to business school for secretarial work.  I had been dating Frank all that summer but wasn't ready to become very serious and felt I could get away and learn something else before making any decision.  Mother Nelle thought that was a good idea, and Papa approved, too.  She helped me find a place to stay with one of her friends in Topeka, a widow who had a little granddaughter she had cared for ever since the child's mother had died when she was born.  I enrolled in the school early in January and was there three months for courses in typing, shorthand, penmanship, spelling, and bookkeeping and liked the place well enough, but it was a little boring doing the same thing every day.  I finished this three month course, and spring was 'bursting out all over.'  I went home and decided I could use what I had learned and be happier at home.  Frank had his answer, and we became engaged on May 6, the first Sunday of the month, 1917.  I was very happy with my beautiful ring.  Frank told me he had sold his best Hereford young bull to pay for it, but I never wanted to hear the exact cost in dollars.  It was too precious to me. 

"We had had a house-full at Christmas time (1916).  Frank had hoped to give me my engagement ring at that time, but since I was not ready, he gave me a silver jewel box to hold the ring when I did get it.  I did not know he had the ring and was glad I had not known.  It was good to have the Topeka experience before deciding.

"Our wedding was in the Woodbury home on October 24, 1917, at twelve o'clock noon."

"The marriage of Miss Harriet Edith Woodbury to Frank J. George of near Olivet occurred at noon yesterday at the home of the bride, who is the daughter of Hon. Fred H. Woodbury.  A large number of guests witnessed the ceremony."
            from the October 25, 1917 edition of the Burlingame Osage County Chronicle

In 1982, Howard's daughter and Hattie's niece Ann Woodbury Lusk wrote: "Hattie (Harriet) Woodbury married Frank J. George in a home wedding in 1917.  The Georges were prominent and prosperous farmers in Coffey, the adjoining county.  Frank was popular and an outstanding debater.  Except for Grandfather Woodbury being a died-in-the-wool, straight-ticket Republican and Uncle Frank being one of the most enthusiastic Democrats I've ever known, I'd imagine everyone was quite happy about the wedding.  (In reading this to Aunt Hattie 64 years later, she said, 'I never once heard my Father and Frank argue about politics, and Dad said, 'True, but I never heard them agree (about politics) either.'  Very perceptive!" 

1917
Frank George and Harriet Woodbury Engaged
"No, I do not wear slacks!  That's just a weed in front of my long skirt."
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/bright-hopes-quilt-block.html]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/32852/feed 0 Bright Hopes Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/bright-hopes-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bright-hopes-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/bright-hopes-quilt-block.html#comments Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:53:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=0f86cceb6321a8771ad2fc3845561841
    
     This 6" Bright Hopes block is one of my very favorite quilt blocks because of its title.  It reminds me of the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," which includes the phrase, "Strength for today and bright hopes for tomorrow."  This block contains partial piecing, which is explained very clearly in the directions (for a 12" block) found here:  http://quilting.about.com/od/piecingtechniques/ss/partial_seams.htm
     In her last diary entry for 1916, Hattie writes about what it has been like to keep a diary for an entire year.  Ruth is Hattie's older sister who lives in Washington state.  Mary is another older sister, also from Washington, who has been visiting for the holidays with her husband Lester and their two little girls.  The entire 22-member Woodbury family, including nine children, spouses, and grandchildren, have had an extended reunion, celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas together.  Hester is a friend.  Frank is Hattie's beau.  He asked her to marry him over two months ago, but she has not given him an answer yet!  "League" refers to "Epworth League," a Methodist young adult association.

Sunday, December 31, 1916 -
"This is the last entry I shall make in this diary, and since I am not planning on keeping a record of the 'House proceedings' next year, I shall probably get to bed earlier during the year 1917 than I have in the past.  I am really surprised that I have kept this up so well.  I didn't dream I would when I began it a year ago tonight.  It has been a little hard the last few weeks since the girls came home, and I have had to live in so many rooms with no regularity at all.  But I am glad I have kept a record of the past three hundred and sixty six days.  Some of them have been blue, but many of them have been very bright indeed.  Many acts of the past year I would correct but many I would gladly live over again.  Oh, I hope that I may fill this coming year with happiness and joy, not only for myself but for many others.  We talked about New Year's resolutions in the League and church tonight, and there were a large number of good thoughts expressed. 

"It has been a cloudy, foggy day for the most part but has been a lovely day for all that.  Ruth and I went to church this morning - we had communion service.  Hester came out home with us and went back with Frank and me this evening.  There were twenty-three here for dinner - just our family and Hester.  We had a lovely turkey dinner, and they set two tables, so we all ate at once.  Hester took some pictures of us afterward, out on the front porch.  I hope they're good.

"Mary and Lester and their babies leave early in the morning.  My!  I sure hate to see them go.  I will certainly miss those dear children.  We had quite a time with the bunch of them here this afternoon.

"I don't know what to think about Frank tonight.  Perhaps he is trying out another method.  At any rate, I'll confess he didn't do what I expected.  He wouldn't come in to get anything to eat.  After chatting a moment upon various subjects, he went, saying goodnight when he was about halfway down the steps.  When I wished him a 'Happy New Year,' he didn't say a word - just went on.  But perhaps it is just as well.  I might have been tempted to tell him something tonight.

"Well, I am wishing for everything to turn out bright in the year 1917, which is less than an hour away."

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/frolic-variation-quilt-block.html]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/32502/feed 0 Frolic Variation Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/frolic-variation-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frolic-variation-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/09/frolic-variation-quilt-block.html#comments Mon, 03 Sep 2012 03:28:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=9a697af89fb66d02473f961eca9a2242
    
     I found this fun 12" Frolic Variation quilt block pattern free on-line at: http://www.mccallsquilting.com/qb/pattern_300/index.html.
     In these diary entries, Ruth, Mary, Howard, and Eva are Hattie's siblings.  Lester and George are her brothers-in-law.  Jesse is a hired man who works on the Woodbury farm.  Lesta is a good friend of Hattie's from high school days in Emporia.  Frank is Hattie's beau, and Lois is Frank's sister.  K.D. stands for King's Daughters, an international non-denominational Christian service organization that began in 1886 and is still in existence in the United States and Canada today.
     Does anyone know what a "hawk-bill" broom is?

Thursday, December 28, 1916 -
"Since we didn't get in until nearly one A.M., I am writing this later in the day.  We had a lovely time at the party.  We sang and ate fudge, pounded on the piano, etc. until time to go.  I wore my flowered flaxen with the net ruffles, and everybody was sort of fussed up.  Ruth wore her flowered crepe.  We sang every verse of every song in an 'Old Time Song Book' and some of them twice!  Mrs. C. sang and played the Victrola, and we had a baby contest in which our baby pictures were on display.  Some were sure crazy.

"Mary and Lester and the children went to Emporia today to visit until tomorrow.  Howard and Jesse went to Rosemont so our table was not very crowded at dinner.  It was wash day, so we didn't mind in the least."

Friday, December 29, 1916 -
"Eva and George came to Minerva's last night and on out here this morning.  Mary and Lester also came home on the 5:20, so we are all here again.  Lester and George have been buried in books all evening, and Eva has been finishing some Christmas gifts!  I received the embroidered breakfast cap from Lesta today that she promised me three years ago.  Better late than never.  I think it is a very cunning cap."

Saturday, December 30, 1916 (written later as it was midnight, and I was dead tired when I got in) -
"Frank and I went to Literary at Key West.  Ruth and Howard were urged to go, too, but did not accept.  I certainly enjoyed the ride - just cold enough to feel good, and it was very comfy all tucked up in the car.  Frank was on the debate - military training - and his side won.  They had a good program besides, although we missed part of it.  Lois sat with us after the recess, and I enjoyed myself very much.

"Lester with the 'hawk-bill' broom helped me with the sweeping this morning.  Then we had a very nice little confidential chat over the mending this afternoon.  He can do almost everything it seems.  Sewed a rip in his coat and some buttons on it this afternoon, as well as anyone could.

"Mother and Ruth went to town.  Ruth to the K.D. meeting, and they arranged for our party next Tuesday night.  They invited about forty guests and spliced the dates!!  I imagine this will cause some excitement.  We K.D.'s are to have our pie supper next Thursday, and I have to give a reading and be in the Kitchen Orchestra.  I foresee that next week will be 'full up,' too."   

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/christmas-star-quilt-block.html
  ]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/32403/feed 0 Christmas Star Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/christmas-star-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=christmas-star-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/christmas-star-quilt-block.html#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:56:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=f75964dbec6bf73614cec5d51e1262a0

     I found this Christmas Star block pattern free at:   http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ig/Free-Quilt-Block-Patterns/Christmas-Star-Quilt-Block.htm.  I reduced the pattern from 20" to 10".  This pattern first appeared in The Oklahoma Farmer Stockman almost ninety years ago.
     In these diary entries, the Woodbury family is celebrating Christmas.  Three of the siblings have traveled from Washington state so the whole family can be together.  Frank is Hattie's beau.  They've been dating since June.  He asked her to marry him in October, but she's not ready to give him an answer just yet.  Betty and Fannie are Frank's sisters.  Mary, Howard, Ruth, Ted, Anna, George, and Minerva are Hattie's siblings.  Lester is her brother-in-law.  Fern, Hen, and Marie Johnson are friends.  K.S.A.C. stands for Kansas State Agricultural College - now Kansas State University or K-State.  Hattie spend some time on Wednesday talking with her step-mother about her future.           

Monday, December 25, 1916 -
"It is after 10:30.  Frank took his departure a few minutes ago.  He came over to play Santa Claus tonight.  His gift had been sent to Lebo and was not lost after all.  It is a lovely silver jewel case with an old English 'H' engraved upon the cover.  I'm so glad it was nothing to wear in the jewelry line, as I feared it might be when he said it was coming from Williams'.  Betty and Fannie sent me a pretty ivory picture frame.  I was very well remembered with many small gifts.  Mother gave me a pair of silk hose; Mary, an apron; Lester, a towel; Howard, a K.S.A.C. pillow; Ruth, a crocheted basket; Ted, a book; Anna, an ivory pin tray; George, a handkerchief, and I told Papa my new coat was his Christmas gift for me.  He felt so bad because he didn't get away to do any Christmas shopping.  Fern sent me a beautiful wooden nut bowl. 

"Mother felt blue and sick both a good share of the day, and Mary and Lester and the children went to Minerva's.  Ruth and I got dinner, straightened up the house, and I did a little decorating, etc.  The dinner was quite eatable:  roast chicken, potatoes, dressing and gravy, hot biscuits (I made 'em), celery, honey, fig or date cookies, fruit cake, fig layer cake, and cranberry sauce with whipped cream. 

"We have been eating candy, apples and cake, singing, and talking.  Mother and Ruth have been finishing some Christmas presents.

"Frank liked my picture, said he spent a good share of the day looking at it.  And I'm right crazy 'bout the jewel case."

Tuesday, December 26, 1916 -
"Still some more Santa Claus!  Howard and Ruth went to town this evening and brought out a whole armful of bundles.  Most of them were Mary's and Lester's, but I received a package from Hen - a dear little pink crepe de chine and lace camisole.  I am very proud of it because she made it all by hand.  Marie Johnson sent Ruth and me each little pink and blue sachet bags to wear in our bosom."

Wednesday, December 27, 1916 -
"Mother and I have been having a very confidential chat, and it is almost eleven.  We have to be up early in the morning as Papa is away at Quenemo and the boys have to get started down there early in the morning.  But I couldn't overlook this good opportunity of discussing my private affairs with Mother.  She feels a great deal as I do - that I have plenty of time and that I ought to go away for a while.  She is going to Topeka next week and wants to get me something to do up there.  Oh, I hope she can for I certainly want to get away.  I think I would be more able to decide whether I care for him or not." 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/christmas-tree-quilt-block.html
]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/32330/feed 0 Christmas Tree Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/christmas-tree-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=christmas-tree-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/christmas-tree-quilt-block.html#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:31:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=5a924e0f1b0b6cc887408c60ad2705eb

     I found this 10" Christmas Tree block free on-line at:  http://quilting.about.com/od/blockofthemonth/ss/christmas_tree.htm.
     In these diary entries, the Woodbury family attends Christmas programs.  Christmas is almost here!  Mary, Ted, George, Anna, Ruth, and Howard are Hattie's siblings.  Helen is her niece.  Hattie's beau, Frank, asked her to marry him two months ago, but she has not yet given him an answer.
 
Friday, December 22, 1916 -
"It's late, so I'll not write much.  We have been to the Christmas program at Alpine.  As I was not sleepy, I sat down and finished a handkerchief, and it is now after eleven o'clock. 

"Mary and Helen and Ted, George, and Anna went with us tonight.  The program was very good considering what they had to work upon.  The room was uncomfortably hot until I summoned Mr. Herold to open a window.  They lengthened the evening's entertainment by numerous violin and guitar duets, which were both tiresome and sadly out of tune.  They are going to organize a Literary two weeks from tonight and asked Nellie Main and me to officiate."

Saturday, December 23, 1916 -
"Some more Christmas Tree!  We took in the one at the church tonight.  Howard, Ruth, and Anna went with us.  We did a little last minute shopping and mailing before going up to the church.  Of course, everybody and all their children were there, and we girls surely had a task handing out the gifts. 

"It has been one mad rush all day, and to make it worse, we have had no water in the pipes.  I'll really be glad when it's over. 

"Howard came home this morning and doesn't go back until the 8th.  Oh!  I must turn in!"

Sunday, December 24, 1916 -
"This is Christmas Eve at last.  Everything is done or at least as much as it is going to be.  I don't feel that I have remembered enough lonely or sick people this year, but I have tried to do my best.  It is almost time to say 'Merry Christmas' - after 11:30, but after we came in, I had to bring my things down and arrange them on the table.  We are not having a tree, much to my disappointment.

"I gave Frank my little gift - my photo in a silver frame - but it was hard to send him away without the word he wanted.  But I didn't feel like I could tonight.  He felt bad about it, I know, but he didn't say much for Mother came down about then.  Frank was terribly disappointed because his gift for me failed to arrive.  But I told him not to worry about it.

"Here's wishing myself a Merry Christmas!"


You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/snow-churn-quilt-block.html
]]> http://www.thequiltingblog.com/32277/feed 0 Snow Churn Quilt Block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/snow-churn-quilt-block.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=snow-churn-quilt-block http://starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/snow-churn-quilt-block.html#comments Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:30:00 +0000 Starwood Quilter http://www.thequiltingblog.com/?guid=ab3e0e6874c3b6810d6bb878b8f116e6

     I was really pleased to find this Snow Churn block because it combines the ideas of extreme cold as well as buttermaking found in these diary entries.  I reduced the 12" block down to 6".  http://www.quilterscache.com/S/SnowChurnBlock.html.    
     In these diary entries, Hattie is busy finishing up Christmas gifts.  The weather has turned extremely cold.  Mary, Minerva, and Ruth are Hattie's older sisters.  Ted is her younger brother, and Jesse is a hired man.       

Tuesday, December 19, 1916 -
"Here I am enthroned upon the stool in the bathroom, writing like mad for it's past 10:30.  I have been busy as usual, embroidery and sewing lace on a towel and for a wonder am not very sleepy.

"We finished the ironing this morning, and I was busy all afternoon.  Mary made some underwear for the dolls we are dressing for the three nieces.  I gave a few suggestions, and the afternoon was gone. 

"Mother went in this morning to do a little trading and stayed for dinner with Minerva.  This afternoon it turned very cold suddenly and coming home, she froze her fingers.  Of course, she didn't drive fast at all, and she had on two pairs of tight gloves, which allowed no circulation.  She is in quite a bit of pain tonight, but I hope she will be better in the morning.

Oh, it's so cold tonight, I sure pity the poor people who are not well protected.  I am certainly thankful for my home and bed!"

Wednesday, December 20, 1916 -
"I am writing this Thursday because someone had carried away my pen and ink, and I sat downstairs working until everyone else had retired.  Jesse and Ted could not get the plant started, so I worked by the light of an old coal oil light until it burned almost dry.  Then I had to go up.  But I was glad of the excuse, for I sure was tired.  I was pretty busy all day sewing, embroidering, etc.  It was frightfully cold, too.  And I didn't sleep very comfortably the night before, as it got so cold there in the sewing room.  The French doors are rather airish, and I was sleeping alone.  I lay cramped after about three o'clock and actually wished for morning to come."

Thursday, December 21, 1916 -
"Another very cold and very busy day.  The plant is frozen, so we are almost doing without lights and water.  I am writing downstairs in the living room by a coal oil lamp and will probably go to bed with a candle.  Ruth and I crawled in together in the guest room last night and slept very comfy.  I have nearly all my gifts finished but intend to sew on doll clothes tomorrow.  Mary has made the dresses for the three dolls, and I am to make the underwear on the machine.  I have been sewing most all day, except that I took time off about 5 o'clock and made a nice roll of butter.  Hope it will last until after Christmas.

"Everyone else has deserted me, so I'll hie me upward."

You might also enjoy reading my previous post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2012/08/kiss-quilt-block.html
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