crazy bird

This poor robin has been driving himself/herself crazy with an attraction to 2 of my windows.  For over a week he/she has returned repeatedly to the kitchen and laundry room windows, where he/she perches on the sill and then periodically flies up a few inches and pecks at the glass!  Quite a futile endeavor!

On a more thoughtful note--
sometimes we are lucky to have a person in our lives purely by serendipity.  Diane has been a friend through quilting following a 'cold call' from her quite a few years ago with an invitation to visit a local quilt group.  That group is the Ham Lake Piecemakers, and I have been a member ever since.  The group has lead me to some of the most important friendships in my life and connections with quilting that have thrived and developed.  Diane was a woman who had a lot of troubles in her own life, but she tended not to dwell on that and cared more about what was going on with her friends.  Always with a ready hug, a shoulder to cry on, and the ability to get us laughing till the tears rolled down!  Sadly, she died recently, after a few months of really poor health and multiple problems.  She should not have died, but she did, and that makes me sad.  I feel very lucky to have a treasured piece of hardanger that she made me.

My friend, Diane

Here's something that brings back good memories for me, and something I know Diane would have liked!


Penuche Frosting (pah-NEW-chee)
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup milk (soy milk can be substituted)
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
In a saucepan, melt the butter and add the brown sugar.  Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium low. Continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add the milk and bring back to a boil, still stirring.  Cool to lukewarm, then gradually add enough of the powdered sugar to make a spreadable consistency.  If too thick, add a little hot water or coffee.

Yes, frosting made from scratch, not from a can!  Delicious on top of a spice cake (made from a mix, not from scratch!).  My mom used to make this for cakes when I was a kid, and there was almost always a cake in the house.  Living on a farm meant there usually was an afternoon coffee break for the working guys and cakes were much appreciated.  Kids always got a piece after the guys had their fill.  Lots of times we would take the coffee and treats out to the field they were working in, and we got to sit out on the ground or in the back of the pickup while they had a brief break from the tractors.

I have been trying to put together a simple laptop cover for Dan, but what should be simple doesn't always turn out that way!

It's mostly done, just needs the flap closure, but I'm not too thrilled with it.  Love the fabric but need to experiment with the design.  Dan, I think there will be more of these in your future!

And here is part 2 of the pinwheel mania that has afflicted Leisl for a few months!  This is the second of 2 matching quilts that will go to her sister's beach condo in Maryland.