All posts by Mary Ann Huffines

Quilt

Drying Laundry Outdoors

I come from a region of the country that embraces hanging laundry outdoors to dry. In fact, the laundry that can be seen drying on the clotheslines in that county is reminiscent of an outdoor art installation. I grew up surrounded by Amish and Mennonite farms. As you drive through Lancaster County, most farms will have a permanent clothesline set up. The sight of black, purple and blue clothing hanging on a line when you pass an Amish farm is quite beautiful. And if you are lucky, you will drive by on a day when the quilts are hung out to dry.

Clothespins
My mother used an outside clothes drying apparatus that had a center pole and looked more like an umbrella without the fabric. I would gather the quilts from our house and hang them all over the device, pinning the sides together with clothespins and laying a few quilts on the grass below. This made a spectacular tent. My girlfriends and I would attempt to sleep outside in the homemade tent but would always end back inside after a few hours.

I have lived in a few rural properties and one of the first things I want to do when I move in is install a clothesline, if there isn’t already one of on property. It isn’t a big deal if you live in the country, there aren’t silly regulations prohibiting you from this common sense act. I do care about the environment and that is one good reason to dry your laundry outside; keeping your electric bill down is another good reason. The fresh smell of sheets, when you take them off the drying line, is unlike any other smell. That smell makes the added effort of drying outside so worth it.

Clothing on clothesline
I have also lived in subdivisions where there were strict bylaws prohibiting the act of drying laundry outside. I was always perplexed by this and ignored these ignorant rules.
I heard that Colorado passed a law that stated subdivision bylaws could not deny people the right to put up clotheslines and dry laundry on their property. In researching some sites for this post I came across an article from Mother Earth Living: http://www.motherearthliving.com/green-living/drying-clothes-on-clotheslines.aspx. Apparently, Colorado law protects your right to install retractable clotheslines, not permanent lines.

It would make sense to have federal regulations mandating that it is okay to do the simple act of hanging one’s laundry out to air dry. It seems absurd to me that each state in the U.S. has such different thinking when it comes to this issue, which clearly should be a non-issue.

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Colorful Duck Tape

Duck and Duct Tape Fan

I have watched people use conventional gray Duct Tape in the most amazing ways; especially to do quick fix jobs in a pinch. I recently heard that the concept for this type of waterproof tape came from a woman. I don’t know why that surprised me, but it did. I had assumed some guy working in his shop came up with this clever product.

Although Duct Tape was invented by Johnson and Johnson, it was Vesta Stoudt who had the idea in the 1940’s that led to the creation of this unique tape. There is a marvelous story about this on the blog, Kilmer House. This story is an inspiration for anyone who has had a bright idea and has been told they should forget about it and that their idea will never be realized. Vesta never gave up and I am very grateful for that. I love Duct and Duck Tape. I look forward to exploring ways of using the new colorful version of this old standby.

Duck Tape

I was surprised when I started to see whole display racks dedicated to rows and rows of colorful Duck Tape to create crafts. It makes perfect sense to me now. If you are also a fan of the many ways in which you can use Duck Tape, I am sure you have found some sites on Pinterest to explore projects. Many of the projects are geared to kids – what a fun rainy day activity.

Duct Tape Business Card Holder

I was given a Minion Duck Tape business card holder, as a gift. When I pull out my business cards at business functions, the holder tends to induce smiles and is a terrific ice breaker. Now who doesn’t love Minions?

Quiche Cookbook

Quirky Quiche Story

For most of my life, I have been cooking the same meals that my mother cooked when I was growing up. (the photo below is my mom’s cookbook, on the right, and a cookbook that I created in remembrance of her, on the left.)  Mom cooked lots of spaghetti with red sauce, pot roast, chicken corn soup, vegetable soup, meatloaf, split pea soup, chili, baked ham with mashed potatoes, sand tart cookies and menu items along those lines. These are all fairly simple recipes, but it took me years to master them. The first time I invited friends over for dinner, I decided to make spaghetti. You would have thought I was cooking for a platoon of soldiers. I had an enormous amount of pasta left in the pot at the end of the meal.

Mom's Cookbook

On the next occasion that I tried cooking for friends, I wanted to be more adventuresome so I planned on cooking chicken, a veggie and some potatoes. The dinner seemed to go on forever. The veggies were ready first, the potatoes about a half hour later and finally the chicken was fully cooked within the next half hour. I wouldn’t say that making desserts is my forte and I should have known better than to try to bake a cake on this particular night. I had to hold the cake together with about 20 toothpicks. It didn’t look too bad, once it had icing on it.  Unfortunately, I have always had the same result with my cake baking skills. I no longer stress over this, as long as there is a Whole Foods within driving distance.

Lox & Bagel
I didn’t realize, when I was growing up, that I was missing out on some really superb food choices. I believe I was 19 before I had my first bagel. And I certainly had never had lox before trying a bagel. Now I could eat lox and bagels every single day. Thank you Gib’s Bagels for plopping down a shop in Windsor.

I can distinctly remember the first time I peered down at an artichoke that was placed before me at a dinner party. I was 27 years old and didn’t have a clue how to eat the darn thing. I am pretty sure I broke out in a sweat, while waiting for someone to dive in so I could mimic them.

Artichoke

I was in my 20’s when I first ate quiche, but it took me years to get the courage up to actually try and bake a quiche myself.

When I met my husband and his two daughters I was convinced that I should be cooking them hearty dinners. The three of them were regulars at my restaurant, Matthew’s. Although I knew they were eating well at local restaurants, I felt as if they should be gathering around a kitchen table and eating home cooked food. Hence, the quirky quiche story.

I had been cooking meals for friends for many years leading up to this point. I had even gotten used to the food not always coming out perfectly. I had recently been given a copy of Quiche Cookbook. Quiche had become my “go to” choice when dining out and I wanted to try my hand at cooking the egg custard dish. All the recipes looked fairly easy in my new cookbook and I thought there was no way that I could fail. Well, guess again. On the evening that I planned the debut of my new dish, I brought the steaming quiche out of the oven and served it up to Jay and the girls. It looked beautiful to me. Everyone took a bite at the same time and all of a sudden each person was snickering at the table; including me. And then there was full on laughter which reached a hysterical level. The quiche did not set-up. I have no idea what I did wrong, but ever since that night we have all referred to my quiche as “soup quiche.” The funny thing is, there was no criticism of my cooking. In fact, they were saying it tasted just fine. But we were unable to stop laughing, as each person kindly ate their slice of quiche. So, I kept cooking for them over the years, and I have finally mastered this dish. It is Mother’s Day this Sunday. If your mom is the cook of the house and she occasionally screws up a meal; give her some grace, don’t be critical, and she just may keep cooking for you. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.

Lilacs from my neighborhood

Lilac Thief

As I walked home tonight I was compelled to snap off lilac branches that had just bloomed. One might think of me as a lilac thief. It is the end of April and I am so ready for spring. I have about ten lilac bushes in my backyard, but still I am compelled to grab some branches on my way home. It is almost like a drug. You will only smell lilacs, with their distinctive, sweet alluring smell, in early spring. My lilacs are just beginning to bloom and I covet every flowering branch.

I am trying to remember when my obsession for lilacs began. There was a lilac bush in my childhood yard. I continuously broke off branches and brought them into the house. My mother was a painter and she would sometimes paint the lilacs that I placed in vases. She painted a version of “Lilacs” by Varaldo J. Cariani and I have that painting in my office. How appropriate that she painted it the year I was born.

Susan's Lilac Painting

There were many years that I was on the move with different jobs and did not embark on sneaking around the neighborhood clipping lilac branches from my neighbors. A group of lilac bushes, to me, is like an outdoor cathedral. When I look at the flowering bushes, I slow down, take time to reflect and drink in the marvelous smell.

At a time when I did not have one single lilac bush of my own, I was consumed by the idea of gathering a colossal amount of lilacs for a special occasion. My stepdaughter was graduating from college. I wanted to find a way to honor her since I considered this to be an event that should be celebrated and acknowledged in my own special way. I found some bright colored cotton table clothes and planned a simple but tasteful menu. Weeks before the graduation ceremony, I had a vision of vases filled with lilacs. As any fan of lilacs knows, the blooms last only a brief time. I could only hope that my neighbors would have lilacs in full bloom during graduation weekend.

As  graduation day neared, I cooked vats of food for the guests and strolled through my neighborhood, inspecting all my neighbor’s lilac bushes to see if any would be ready by the morning of the event. It was looking very promising that we could possibly have fabulous flowers for the tables. On the morning of graduation, I handed my husband a pair of clippers and invited him to help me with my caper. We needed to hit as many lilac bushes as possible, without getting arrested. Yes, he did shake his head and I could see in his eyes that he was thinking, “You have got to be kidding.” Life should be an adventure and this morning certainly was. Somehow we gathered enough flowers to fill about 8 large vases, without anyone noticing. I can’t tell you how lovely the tables looked and the smell was divine.

I wish I could report that the days of stealing lilacs are behind me, but that would not be true. My fixation for lilacs will remain until the day I die. If I am ever arrested, chances are very good that it will be for snipping off the flowering branches of spring lilacs in my neighborhood.

Salt Lake City, Utah building

Hand Painted Wall Murals

In some cases painted artwork on buildings is strictly for advertising; especially old ghost signs. I am delighted to see the resurgence in this type of street art. Mural painting on the side of buildings has become quite trendy and increasingly there is no advertising integrated into the paintings. I have no issue, at all, if buildings are painted with a commercial message – as long as the paintings are tastefully done. I realize the quality of artwork is subjective. Whether a wall painting is contemporary, realistic, or even surrealistic, I hope this trend continues.

Wall art in Eureka, CA
The original intention of street murals was most likely not to attract the tourist industry, but rather local artists beautifying their cities. In St. Petersburg, Florida there is a guided tour offered every Saturday to explore over 30 murals in their Central Arts District. I have never been to St. Petersburg, but I will add this to my bucket list. I do try and get shots of interesting wall murals that I find on my travels and occasionally a friend will post a photo from their travels. Two friends of mine from Virginia, Don and Donna, are avid quilters. They posted this photo from one of their trips…what a perfect mural for them to find.

Quilt wall art
I so appreciate public art, in almost any form. I am fortunate to live in an area of the country where outdoor sculpture abounds. We do have some painted murals on buildings, but not nearly enough!

Painted sign in Reno
Wall art in Crescent City, CA
This post is primarily about outdoor wall art, but I feel compelled to add a photo from the women’s restroom at The Chart House, located in Crescent City, California. This mural takes up an entire wall and is such a fun surprise when you enter the room. Everyone leaves that room with a big smile on their face.

Bathroom wall painting Crescent City, CA
Check out the 19 best cities to see street art in the United States. If you have a trip planned for one of these cities, you may want to stop by the local visitors center to see if there are any walking or guided tours for their street art.

Transformer Box Artwork

Transformer Box Artwork – Art in Common Places

Don’t you love driving by a transformer box that an artist has turned into public art? I have been taking photos of the “transformed” boxes for quite some time. They aren’t always that easy to get to. I catch a glimpse of cool artwork out of the corner of my eye, as I am zipping by in my car. The trick then is to find a parking spot. Some of the best artwork is on very busy streets. This may need to be added to my bucket list…get to those hard to access boxes. That could also be worked into my exercise regimen.

Loveland Transformer BoxesLoveland and Fort Collins, CO have remarkable artwork on their transformer boxes and I am so happy that someone made the decision to add this form of artwork in common places.

Loveland Transformer ArtLoveland is particularly good at spotlighting historical aspects of the city in their transformer box artwork. The above box has a splendid illustration of The Rialto Theater.

Loveland Feed & Grain BuildingThe Loveland Feed and Grain building is an excellent example of showcasing a local landmark that was constructed in 1892.

BeetsSugar Beets – The Great Western Sugar Company opened a sugar factory in Loveland in 1901 and it was called the “mother” sugar factory of the Front Range. This company referred to the sugar beet as “white gold.” The factory closed in 1985, but the building still stands on Madison Avenue in Loveland, CO. Sugar beet factories strengthened local economies during this period of history. It is sad to see the crumbling factories that dot the Front Range. It is too bad that money wasn’t found to stabilize these buildings before they fell into such disrepair. If you are a history buff, you may enjoy reading the Silver Wedge, produced by the City of Fort Collins.

Painted transformer boxes will have to be a continuing series. I will set out again, once the snow clears, to get more shots of these local beauties.

 

 

 

Glass Jar for Good Things Notes

New Year, New Habits, Good Things

The beginning of a new year is a special time for me. It is a time to clean the slate and start anew. That can mean developing better habits or devising more efficient systems of organizations. Perhaps you have had a falling out with a friend or family member. This is a great time to bury the hatchet and get a fresh start. Or maybe you need to sever a toxic business or personal relationship and open yourself up to developing a healthy relationship. If you are feeling drained and depleted by the behavior of another, it may be time for a change.

On the fun side of forming new habits, Pinterest is filled with clever inspirational ideas. I saw this idea about a month ago and I plan on doing it. At the start of a new year, as good things happen in your life write it on a piece of paper and add it to a glass jar. On New Year’s Eve, you read each slip of paper to remind you of all the blessings in your life.

I recently read about the burning of Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) event that has been held in Santa Fe, New Mexico since 1926 as part of the Fiestas de Santa Fe annual celebration. The event was started by local artist, Will Schuster to banish the negative memories of the past year. A flailing and groaning 50-foot muslin and paper puppet, Zozobra, is paraded around and is set on fire. The event attracts thousands who bring their gloomy memories that they can watch go up in flames. It is said as the fire consumes the beast, so go the feelings of gloom and doom from the past year; the flames renewing the hope and optimism of the celebrants. The event is held on Friday of Labor Day weekend.

It seems to me that the Zozobra event should be held on New Year’s Day. I hope I will be able to attend this festival, at some point, but I am not sure I could deal with the large crowds. Do you have a fire pit? How about creating your own character to set afire and start a new tradition; invite your friends over to send off their negative thoughts to make room for a glowing outlook for the new year.

Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards

Remember the days when you would go to your mailbox and it would be filled with Christmas cards? Those days are sure over. I took for granted that I would hear from all my friends and relatives during the holidays. Now I cherish each card that I receive and read the verses over and over.

I hear from my sister-in-law Rose a few times a year. I love getting her cards. She takes time to write about what is going on in her life and she is always sincere. I have another friend who sends hand-made cards and those are my favorites.

I have a great rapport with many of the direct supervisors that I have had over the years. I can count on getting a card from Kerri and Abigail and a Christmas letter from Jim. Somehow the work relationships morphed into personal relationships and I am quite blessed to have these people in my life. I have shared more personal information with them than I have with my brother and sister.

As Christmas cards delivered in your mail dwindle with each passing year, make sure you take time to really enjoy them this year.

Sand Tarts

Sand Tart Cookies

This recipe came from my mother’s recipe file. It is a Pennsylvania Dutch cookie recipe. When my mother was alive, I made these cookies with her every Christmas. I would always put a ton of the colored sugar on the cookies and my mother would have to tell me, about a dozen times, to lighten up on the sugar. I have made these cookies with my grandson and he does the exact same thing. I let him add lots of sugar, knowing this is what makes it so much fun for a kid to help out.

1/2 pound butter (2 sticks) softened, not melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
Mix in a mixer, these two items then add in
3 eggs – mix a few seconds
4 cups flour – add slowly
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar

This makes a very heavy dough. Separate into 3 segments and wrap each segment in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Roll each dough segment on a floured surface (waxed paper works) to about 1/8” thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters, place shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with egg white and sprinkle colored sugar on cookies.

Cook for 7 to 8 minutes at 375o

 

White Chili

White Chili

I sampled this recipe at a Chili Cook-off that Grimm Brothers Brewhouse held in 2012. Kellee Zweifel made the Chili. I voted for her, but I don’t think she won. I have made this a few times for company, with rave reviews. If you have leftover turkey at Thanksgiving, that would be a good addition to the recipe.

2 cups shredded smoked Gouda
5 teaspoons all-purpose flour or corn starch for gluten free
2 tablespoons roasted diced green chilies
1 teaspoon butter
1 can reduced-sodium chicken broth (15/16 oz)
1 chopped cooking apple
½ cup cooked wild rice
1 can white kidney beans (or used dried beans, soaked overnight)
2 smoked chicken and apple sausages, diced
¾ cup brown ale or amber beer (gluten free, substitute chicken stock)
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
2/3 cup half and half or light cream

In a medium bowl toss together the cheese and flour; set aside. In a small saucepan combine butter, green chilies, broth, apple, the cooked rice, chicken sausage, beans, beer, and white pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in cheese until melted. Stir in half and half; heat through.