Red gingham curtains for the back porch

Please disregard the mess. This is our back porch. I just made red gingham curtains for the windows. They're mounted on sash rods fastened directly to the sash, so when the windows are opened, the curtains follow the windows up higher. I like 'em.

Saturday's Apron: Apron hooks!

No new aprons, but Barry put hooks up for me to hang a few aprons in the kitchen. He also hung that vintage GE clock.

Fathers for Life/Malachi Dads

My Vintage Revere Ware Copper-Clad Pressure Cooker

Remember the pressure cooker I bought at a garage sale this spring? Upon returning home, I did some research on it, and learned that I have a pre-1948 Revere pressure cooker. The gasket is in good shape, but they are still being sold, so when it needs replacement, that won't be a problem. And RevereWareParts.com has the manual on their website for free downloading.

I tested it out with just water a few weeks ago and it worked beautifully. (Barry and I shooed the kids out of the kitchen and watched it nervously, but it worked fine.) And today I actually used it for the first time to cook some chicken breasts in oil, herbs and a little water, and they came out gorgeous and fragrant and tender.

Another example of how they used to make stuff to last.

If It Was My Home - Visualizing the BP Oil Spill

If It Was My Home - Visualizing the BP Oil Spill

Caww to Wuhhhship

I have the call to worship portion of the service this morning and I'm practicing while I sip coffee.

Just tell me that this doesn't scream out to be said in the voice of The Impressive Clergyman from The Princess Bride:

"Love rings our bells this morning; grace welcomes us as we draw near."

Which would be, "Wuvvvv... Twuu wuvv is what wings ouw bewws this morning."

I must stop or I'll be laughing. In church.

Strawberry Shortcake for a Crowd

Adapted from a recipe on allrecipes.com.

Strawberry Shortcake for a Crowd
(makes about 80 servings)

Ingredients:
18 c. all-purpose flour
1-1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. baking powder
3 lb. salted butter
1 quart heavy cream
6 eggs, beaten
8 pounds strawberries
3 c. sugar
4 cans of aerosol whipped cream topping

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2  In a VERY large bowl, combine flour, 1-1/2 c. sugar and baking powder. Use a pastry blender to blend in the butter. Make a well in the center and add the beaten eggs and the heavy cream, and stir to blend.
3.  Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead about 2 minutes. Then divide the dough into 4 parts. (If you prefer, divide the dough into 4 parts before the kneading to make the kneading easier.)
4.  Pat the dough about 1/2 inch thick into 4 ungreased 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pans. Score the dough in 20 servings per pan.
5.  Bake the shortcake about 20-25 minutes, till lightly browned.
6.  Wash, hull and slice the strawberries. Toss them with the 3 c. sugar to allow the juice to release.

To serve, cut the shortcakes apart, then split them through the middle. Layer the bottom of the shortbread, then a spoonful of berries with juice, then the top of the shortbread and finally top with whipped cream. Serves about 80.

Uh-oh....

Look what just arrived in email: Canning Day by Mama's Cottons.

I am really fond of Connecting Threads. I like their products, and they have given me great customer service. This is another cute collection to sigh over. Er, over which to sigh.

Red Crazy Quilt on guest room wall

Barry put this quilt hanging rod up in the guest room for me this morning. I hung my grandma's red crazy quilt on it. It's one of my favorites of all my quilts, hers and mine. She made it for my Aunt Frances.

Storage hassock, revised

Remember this storage hassock from the Syttende Mai sales?

I recovered it with pieces of dark brown leather from a hide I had bought a few years ago. I love it now.