Dear Log Cabin friends:

We are in the midst of summer here on the Nebraska prairie. Our temps have not YET reached triple digit which is amazing, as it is usually the norm after July 4th. Our area is in dire need of moisture but I have thoroughly enjoyed the 70 & 80’s we’ve had this month. It’s been a long summer for me already & July isn’t over yet.

There are many simple country blessings to be sure - but right now I have a more difficult time finding them when the squash beetles are eating the zucchini, the grasshoppers devoured the potato plants, & the weeds seem to be taking over. (I haven’t found a good use yet for foxtail & bindweed J).

DH (dear hubby) has spent most of July (some of June too) helping DD (dear daughter) & her family with the remodeling of the house they are moving to this weekend. He is ready to head back to Nebraska after playing general contractor & jack of all trades as well as contracting a bad case of poison ivy. P. ivy seeks him out we think! ( It can become so bad he has been hospitalized before with it covering his body). I’ve been soaking sage leaves in apple cider vinegar- the solution helps with drying up the blisters.

And I’m doing “gramma camp” keeping the two Kansas boys happy while their home life is being turned upside down with the final stages of remodeling & moving. This is a “2 week camp”, so they are making journals with drawings, pressing flowers, & photos of activities. They have learned about the beautiful sky blue flower growing along the roadsides right now. They close up by noon each day so we only see them in the mornings. It is one of my favorite wild flowers & it’s simple beauty is breathtaking (it’s useful too!) . It is called CHICORY. In case you’d like a good look at them, the ditches near 82nd & Saltillo Road are full of Chicory – just a sea of blue. (They are best left in ditches as the seed can spread readily). The boys have learned it’s name “CHICORY” & they love saying the word.

My counter is full of rosy red jars filled with canned Bing Cherries. They look like jewels when the sun shines through them. I’ve shared with my mom & will give a lot to DD .

A simple country pleasure is having breakfast in my screened porch this time of year. I made new sage green/burnt red striped cushions for the twig settle & chairs. This morning the visiting grandsons joined me & as we visited about our day we heard a faint “meow.” A darling little tawny gold kitten, with big blue eyes, appeared & we all “oooohhh & aahhhed”. We fed the little lost kitten & the boys learned a sad lesson of life – not everyone loves animals. Our home “somehow” is a place stray & dumped animals gather. I feel this one was “turned loose” while we were gone yesterday. He was mighty hungry & likes people – anyone want a darling little pet? I can’t keep the kitten as Sam is “king of this household” (& I’m allergic to cats.) But who can resist a kitten? This was certainly our simple country pleasure of the day & there are many pleasures/blessings in each & every day out here - some we look for & others find us. Enjoy the simple country pleasures of summer! Twila at The Log Cabin

UPDATE!!! Kitten # 2,3,4,& 5 have now come to the food table with kitten # 1. Yes, there are 5 sweet kittens. So a “family” of kittens are visiting us, compliments of some uncaring human, who cowardly “dumped” them. But they remain simple country blessings as we watch them eat & play.

Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself. – Horsley Fierstein

Summer reading: I am re-reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (A year of food life). I enjoyed it so much the first time around that I am re-reading it this year & taking notes this time around. I heartily recommend this enlightening book.

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing” – Theodore Roosevelt

MY ADAPTATION OF LAURA’S DIVINE CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE

I have lots of zucchini recipes as we seem to have lots of zucchini! This is especially good to serve to a group.
Cream in a bowl: 1 stick butter, softened - -1 ½ c. sugar -- 1/2 c. vegetable oil
Add: 2 eggs -1 t. vanilla & ½ c. sour milk (I add 1 T, vinegar to regular milk to make it sour)
Add: ½ c. cocoa, 2 1/4 c. flour, ½ tsp. baking pd. – ½ tsp. salt - 1 tsp. soda - ½ tsp. cinnamon
Mix well & add: 2 c. grated zucchini & ½ c. mini choc. chips. Bake in greased & floured bundt cake pan for 50-60 min. at 325 degrees or a 9x13 pan for 45 min. at 325 degrees.
Note: Wash zucchini, cut in half & take seeds out if using a large zucchini. I do NOT peel zuchinni – there are vitamins in the skin. Always be sure to use zucchini that has NOT been sprayed with pesticide !

AUGUST CALENDAR for GROUPS GATHERING AT LOG CABIN
( Remember my shop is now closed but groups continue to meet)

August 17 – Woolkeepers “Newbies” – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (3rd Mon. of month) Kool Aid wool dyeing Jan H. and Kathy D. have refreshments
August 20 – Applique Group # 1, 6:30 – 8:30 (or come anytime after 6 p.m.)
August 21 - UFO (unfinished wool objects, appliqué or rug hooking) 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
August 24 - Woolkeepers “Oldies” 6:30 -9 p.m. Carolyn M. has refreshments
August 25 – Herbs Study Group, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. (always 4th Tues. of the month) (Bee Balm is the main

Topic) Need someone to bring refreshments- a volunteer that hasn’t served this year? Email
& let me know please. (Separate letter goes to herb group)

August 27 – Applique group # 2, 6:30 -8:30 p.m.

APPLIQUE CLUB # 1 & 2

Regular appliqué groups will still meet in August. We’ll be making a mat for covering a stool. Bring your stool (one group had stools reserved & other didn’t) This will be the last of our groups for a year. The Maggie wool cabin quilt will take the place of our clubs – (I just can’t do anymore nights as there is lots of preparation for each of my groups that meet here). The groups will change beginning in September when we begin the Maggie “Block of the Month” wool quilt. Applique club has been lots of fun & I hope you have all enjoyed the projects & learned a lot.

Following the Maggie wool cabin quilt we will go back to regular appliqué club to do the white wool or army blanket green wool coverlet in 2010. It is pictured in Maggie’s book (on pg. 46) for those that signed up for it. ( there will be more details at appliqué club in August & you’ll need to reserve your wool with a deposit).

ATTENTION: BOOKS!! I needed to start a new list of those interested in books after shop closed May 15th.

We are getting Jill P. new hardback book called “The Settlement”. It will be here end of August, featuring 16 homes & over 500 photos. ($30.00) Email to reserve if you haven’t told me in last 2 wks. you wanted it.

We WILL get the country book by Judy C. the end of September. It is called “Home Again-Simply Country”.

It will feature 12 homes inside & out – 300 colored pictures. One chapter will feature authentic Shaker. The next book of Judy’s is “The Warmth of Home” hopefully in time for Christmas.

Maggie’s 2nd book is to be released this fall. I’ve started a list for ordering this book & if you want it, you must email me ASAP ( to reserve your copy) as I’ll be placing an order soon .

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
Sept. 16 – Cabin quilt group # 3, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Sept. 17 – Cabin quilt group # 1 – 6:30 -9 p.m. If you are from out-of town & can come early, 5:45 or 6 I’ll get you started early as this is the 1st block we’ll be doing)
Sept. 18 – UFO 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 – Woolkeepeers (Newbies) 6:30 -8:30 p.m.
Sept 22 – Herbs Study Group 6:30 -8:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 – Cabin quilt group # 2 – 6:30 -9 p.m.( we’re staying longer as this is 1st block)
Sept. 28 – Woolkeepers “Oldies”, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

The more passions & desires one has, the more ways one has of being happy. Charlotte-Catherine

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Web: www.prairiewoolworks.com

Email: logcabin-cabinkeeper@windstream.net

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All contents of this newsletter & website are the property of Prairie Woolworks and The Log Cabin

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