American Quilt

I watched "How to make an American Quilt" last night for the umpteenth time.  This movie has subtle life messages in it, and some not so subtle.  Each time I watch it something new stands out.  For instance, last night there was a scene where Constance says the hardest thing about being friends with women is that they're women.  She lost her husband to cancer a year before, and although she joined the other women in their quilting task, it seemed she was singled out as the one they picked on. I thought she handled their treatment of her graciously and with forbearance.

As the movie progresses, we're shown the various struggles each woman has had in her life.  The only woman whose life was picture perfect was the woman they picked on.  Constance had a wonderful relationship with her husband, she missed him terribly.  A husband of one of the other women targeted her vulnerability, and was rebuffed.  Her character, out of all the women, was notably the most sterling.

If someone picks on me, (it happens to all us) I try to keep this in mind, you don't know what they've gone through in life.  The mere fact that they're picking at you, is proof they have some struggle going on.  Sometimes I fail, and lash back, but most times I absorb it... and let it roll off my back at a later time.

Anyway, these are just thoughts running through my head this morning.  How is your morning going?

UFOs are on a roll at my house

I bought a panel by Northcott fabrics the minute it hit the quilt shops 4 years ago.   This is a pattern called Meadow Stars, by Patti Carey. It uses a collection called Stonehenge by Northcott. I bought the blue/brown panel when it hit the shops, couldn't get out of the store without it!

But Northcott didn't put a kit together for the blue/brown colorway, so I had to put one together on my own. I found all the stonehenge fabrics to make this quilt.



Update:  The quilt is finished and has been delivered.  Here's the final product!

Smile for the day

"For fun, he hit's people..."



Jack Mook is a tough detective working at the Pittsburgh Police Department. He met brothers Josh and Jesse through his volunteer work at the Steel City Boxing Gym and one day they turned up missing. When he found the older brother, the startling truth he discovered set up a chain of events that changed these boys’ lives forever. This man is a true hero.

Pecking Order quilt, a pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company

Young Living Essential Oils – Singles

Basil: Anti-inflammatory, helps intestinal problems, muscle spasms, headaches, and mental fatigue. Dilute with carrier oil.

Bergamot: Analgesic, anti-depressant, anxiety, female hormone balance. Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, allergies, sedative.

Birch: Analgesic, anti-spasmodic, natural cortisone, may give relief to arthritis, bone, joint, and muscle pain. Helps back pain.

Cardamon: Diuretic, anti-bacterial, normalizes appetite, colic, coughs, heartburn, nausea, menstrual period.

Cedar (Canadian red): Anti-bacterial, antiseptic, follicle stimulant, helps dandruff, hair loss, respiratory system.

Cedarwood: Purifies animal odors. Helps cellulite, bronchitis, hair loss, dandruff, and oily hair. Supports lymphatic system.

Chamomile (Roman): Skin care, acne, boils, rashes, and hair care. Helps relieve migraine headaches and inflamed joints.

Cinnamon Bark: Always dilute with carrier oil. Helps with strep and virus conditions. Strengthens circulatory system.

Cistus: Stops viruses from mutating, anti-microbial, works directly on immune system.

Clary Sage: May help PMS and hot flashes, helps regulate hormones and relieves menstrual cramps. Use during labor.

Clove: Used in Egypt to strengthen respiratory system. Improves memory.  Anti-viral helps toothaches and gum pain. Enhances Immunce functioning

Coriander: Cairo University research: lowers glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels, supports pancreas function.

Cypress: Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, lymphatic decongestant. Used for arthritis, bronchitis, circulation, cramps, parasites.

Davana: Anti-infectious, helps dry chapped skin. Stimulates endocrine glands. Treats PMS symptoms.

Dill: Helps lower glucose levels by normalizing insulin levels. Supports bronchial congestion and liver deficiencies.

Eucalyptus: Assists respiratory system, sinuses, flu, and allergies. Helps hypoglycemia and Candida.

Fennel: Assists the adrenal cortex.  Helps break up toxins and fluid in tissues. Balances pituitary, thyroid and pineal glands.

Fir: Known to fight airborne germs and bacteria. Can help reduce symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism and fevers.

Frankincense: Has helped some cases of cancer. Supports the immune system. Has reduced tumors and external ulcers.

Galbanum: Helps wounds, boils and abscesses. Calms mind for meditation.

Geranium: Anti-depressant, may assist dissolving kidney stones.  Helps shingles and ulceration. May be used as deodorant and bug repellant.

Ginger: Anti-parasitic, relieves sprains, breaks up chest congestion, colic and indigestion.  Used for motion sickness and chills.

Grapefruit: Good for acne, flabby arms, reduces cellulite. Relieves water retention.

Helichrysum: Anti-bacterial, reduces bleeding in accidents, skin regenerator, helps repair nerves.
Hyssop: Thins mucous, for bruises, immune stimulator, anti-viral. May help asthma sufferers. Not for children.

Jasmine: Helps childbirth, labor pain, frigidity, and coughs. Anti-spasmodic, muscle spasms and uterine disorders.

Juniper: A nerve stimulator, natural diuretic and cleanser. Reduces dermatitis, eczema and acne.

Lavender: Universal oil, can use pure. May help allergies, all types of burns, ulcers, insomnia, diaper rash. Many more uses.

Lemon: Germicide, purifies air and water. Relives heartburn, anti-parasitic, stimulates white and red blood cell formation.

Lemongrass: Mosquito repellant, helps connective tissue repair and regenerate. Reduces varicose veins. Sedative.

Marjoram: Especially good for tight muscles, may calm spasms and respiratory problems. Insomnia.

Melalueca: Used in war for gangrene and wounds. Can be taken before, during and after
radiation treatment.

Melissa: Powerful anti-viral, anti-depressant, skin problems and eczema. Regulates menstrual cycle and calms emotions.

Mountain Savory: Kills all airborne bacteria and viruses. Discovered in 1996 lab studies. Best to diffuse. Anti-bacterial

Myrrh: Helps gum infections, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, wrinkles, and hemorrhoids. Can help abnormal vaginal discharge.

Myrtle: Helps treat hypothyroidism. Used for chronic coughs as an expectorant. Fights colds and flu.

Nutmeg: Good for chronic bowel disorder. Eases digestion difficulties. Good for circulation, gout, flatulence, neuralgia.

Orange: Reduces fluid retention, overcomes sadness, calming to children, aids digestion, mouth ulcers and gas.

Oregano: Strong anti-viral and anti-fungal. It stimulates and helps protect the immune system.

Patchouli: Helps relieve anxiety, influences physical and sexual energies. Used for centuries for skin care and wrinkles.

Peppermint: Keeps one mentally alert and awake. Relieves some headaches. Digestion. Reduces fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Petitgrain: Antiseptic, calming, mood enhancing, helps heartburn, and insomnia. Nerve equilibrium.

Pine: Hormone-like, anti-diabetic, cortisone-like, antiseptic, anti-fungal, used on sore muscles.

Ravensara: From Madagascar – the oil that heals, helps flu and hay fever, respiratory problems and walking cramps.

Rose: Anti-aging, anti-depressant. Great for skin.

Rosemary: Mental stimulant, fights Candida, good for dandruff, helps open bile duct, helps reduce cholesterol.

Rosewood: Known for slowing the aging process. Used for skin care, acne, eczema, vaginitis.

Sage: Oral infection and skin condition. Asthma, bronchitis, menopause, and menstrual irregularities.

Sandalwood: Stimulates pineal and pituitary glands to enhance meditation. Helps with cystitis and urinary tract infections.

Spearmint: Helps to reduce weight. Good for colic, diarrhea, nausea, helps balance metabolism, stimulates gallbladder.

Spikenard: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, used as a deodorant and skin tonic.

Spruce: Helps reduce weight. Beneficial for bone pain, arthritis, rheumatism, aching joints, prostatitis.

Tangerine: Assists dissolving cellulite, improves circulation, treats dizziness, laxative, cleanses the lymphatic system.

Tansy (Blue): Anti-inflammatory, reduces pain, relieves itching, antihistamine and calms nerves.

Tarragon: Relief and balance to intestinal tract. Neuromuscular antispasmodic. Anti-microbial and antiseptic. Colitis, hiccups.

Thyme: Anti-bacterial. Respiratory problems, digestive complaints, treatment for gastritis, bronchitis, asthma, laryngitis.

Valerian: Sedative and tranquilizing to the central nervous system. Treats sleep disorders, insomnia, stress, tension.

Vetiver: Anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory used for arthritis symptoms. Antiseptic, warming properties to help hypothermia.

Ylang Ylang: Anti-depressant, alleviates headaches, hot flashes, and hypertension. Calms the nervous system.

Pumpkin Praline Pudding Cake

Right click and choose 'print'

Defeat any virus!

Click to enlarge

Italian Chicken and Potatoes

I found a fabulous recipe online.  I can't believe I didn't think of this myself!  I don't buy packets of zesty Italian dressing, I make my own and the recipe for it is below.