Planning My Quilt Guild's Retreat



Estes Valley Quilt Guild, has a four day retreat every year at the YMCA of the Rockies, a perfect venue. I'm chair of the retreat this year. I knew it would be a lot of work and take a lot of time and it has, with more to accomplish before the February 25 - 28 event, but I'm enjoying it and I have a good committee.

Forty to fifty guild members will participate and it promises to be educational and fun for all. Our theme is a simple one, "Just Sew!" In addition to a large sewing space with room for everyone and her equipment (quilt makers need lots of fabric and tools) we will have classes, massages, snacks, meals, games, gifts and plenty of time to "just sew!"

Most of us have reserved sleeping rooms at the Y's Emerald Mountain Lodge where our retreat activities will take place. We also have a few Day Trippers.



Emerald Mountain Lodge

I've spent several hours on my computer today designing our day by day retreat schedule. It's not complete but at least I've made a start. Tomorrow I plan to work on some small gifts I'm making for the participants.



Danish Æbleskiver

 

My granddaughter just sent me a request for her great grandmother's (my mother-in-law's) Æbleskiver recipe for a class project she's doing on Denmark. My husband's parents, Mildred and Milo, were born in the United States but all of their parents were Danes who immigrated to the U S. Mildred and Milo grew up in Elk Horn Iowa, a small Danish farming community where most of the last names end in "sen."

 

Mildred was a good cook who made many Danish dishes and baked goods. Æbleskiver was a favorite with all of her family, especially her grandchildren. The Danes have a pan (mine is cast iron) especially for making Æbleskiver.

 

Here is Mildred's recipe:

 

Danish Æbleskiver
2 cups milk

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

4 egg yolks

1 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

2 T melted butter

4 egg whites

 

Combine all dry ingredients in mixing bowl.

Add milk and egg yolks. Mix until smooth. 

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Gently fold egg whites into batter. Don't over mix.

    There will be a few white streaks in batter.

Heat pan until hot.

Put small amount of cooking oil in each cup.

When oil is hot add about 2 tablespoons batter to each cup.

When batter starts to bubble and edges are browned, turn over with a fork and bake on other side.

    Mildred used a wooden skewer or nut pick.

Serve while hot, with jelly/jam or maple syrup. Mildred dusted them with powdered sugar.

YUM!

Happy New Year!

I'm greeting the new year on this frigid, sunny day with optimism and joy after a challenging end to the old year. Wayne's open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve and do three coronary bypasses on December 3 was a success. Our son and daughter flew in from Omaha to be with us during the surgery and first few days in the hospital. Wayne and I have been dedicated to a complete recovery for his restored heart - he's made a lot of progress toward that goal. We saw his surgeon on December 30 and got a great report. He was happy to get the okay to drive and dispense with the Ted Hose compression stockings that are close to impossible to put on and take off. We continue our "heart healthy" eating and Wayne is eager to start his cardiac rehab at our local medical center.

Our children and grandchildren (all ten) were here for a few days over the Christmas holiday. Being together with them was a wonderful tonic for the two of us. I'm looking forward to all that 2016 will bring and expect it to be filled with love, joy, and good health.