And Lastly...

Here we are, to the last couple of days in Arizona. Thursday, our travels took us just south of Sedona, to Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well.


"NO PAT NO... DON'T SIT ON THAT"


Montezuma Castle stands in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley. A short walk loops around and takes you past Montezuma Castle. This picture is at the beginning of the trail.


Early settlers marveled at the structure and assumed that it was Aztec in origin hence the name Montezuma Castle.


Southern Sinagua farmers began building the 5 story structure, 20-room dwelling early in the 1100's AD




Montezuma Well is a limestone sink that was formed long ago by the collapse of an immense underground cavern. The springs that feed it flow continuously. The southern Sinagua irrigated crops with its waters.


Another view of the well, showing some ancient cliff dwellings.



The irrigation ditches built by the Sinagua, coming out from the bottom of the well.

FRIDAY-
On our way home, we visited the south rim of the Grand Canyon

Yavapai Observation Station


"Do nothing to mar its grandeur for the ages have
been at work on it and man cannot improve it.
Keep it for your children, your children's children,
and all who come after you."
Theodore Roosevelt
-etched into the glass at Yavapai Observation Station

It's a Superior Thread Give Away!

This is the brand of thread I love to use in machine quilting - so I am posting this today..maybe I will be a lucky winner.


Superior Threads is having a GIVE AWAY!
In honor of VALENTINES DAY, we are offering a $50 (retail value) gift certificate.
Here are the rules:
You have an opportunity to receive 3 votes in your name by leaving a comment with the following information:
1.) Receive 1 vote for telling about our give away on your blog.
2.) Receive 1 vote for placing MOTHER SUPERIOR'S BLOG on your side bar.
3.) Receive 1 vote for either(a) signing up for our newsletter, or (b) if you subscribe already letting us know you've read the latest issue.
Leave your comment before Saturday February 14th @ midnight, mountain time.
Let us know in the comment box how many votes to place in your name.
*Make sure we have a e-mail address to reach you.
We will announce the winner on Monday February 16th. The coupon can be redeemed by ordering online through our web site http://www.superiorthreads.com/

What an IMPACT!

Today we drove north to Flagstaff, then east to visit a couple of places. First stop was Meteor Crater. This is a cool place, one of those places on my "I sure would like to go here someday" list.



It's hard to imagine just how gi-normous this hole in the earth really is. This is what we learned:
The floor of the crater is 550 feet deep. If the Washington Monument were placed on the floor of the crater, it's top would be at eye level.
The crater is over 4,000 feet feet across and 2.4 miles in circumference. To give you a better idea of the crater's size, imagine twenty football games being played simultaneously on its floor, while more than two million spectators observe from its sloping sides!


Some of us even hiked down to the bottom for a photo-op:


(Just kidding - this was a picture we stood in front of at the visitor's center)

Back on the road, we joined up with Route 66 and followed it into Winslow, AZ


This picture makes the town look good. It's actually a very run down place.


Are you listening to the song I have playing on my blog? Pay attention to the 2nd verse.


Change the words to "sitting on a corner in Winslow, AZ" for this picture.

Unique to Sedona

I read the following on Wikipedia:

The McDonald's in Sedona, Arizona is the only one in the world with teal arches. They are not yellow because the city thought they would mesh poorly with the surrounding red rocks. The first color McDonalds offered was teal which the city accepted.

We drove into Sedona today and when we passed McDonalds, we had to stop for a Kodak moment. (We also took advantage of the $1.00 menu)



Later, we drove past another unique place so we stopped here too:





I'd show you pictures of the gorgeous scenery that surrounds Sedona, but for the majority of the day the clouds were so low you couldn't see anything. Maybe tomorrow.

Mom Jeans

Have you heard of Hulu.com? It's one of my new favorite sites to visit. I went there last nite to watch last week's episode of "The Office", and clicked on this clip from SNL. It cracked me up. Cheryl was wondering why I was laughing, so I had her watch it. We were laughing so hard we were crying. Then Donnetta wanted to know what was so funny. So we had to watch it again.

Strike That

Strike the title of the last blog. Where are we again? Oh yes. Sedona, AZ. Actually, the condo we are staying at is a little south of Sedona, in an area called the Village of Oak Creek. The elevation here is around 4300 feet. 29 miles to the north is Flagstaff, elevation 7000 feet. Flagstaff is a real pretty town, Nestled at the top of a mountain with lots of ponderosa pine trees. There are two ways to get to Flagstaff from Sedona. The shorter and most scenic route takes you thru Oak Creek canyon. This is a fair weather route only. We have yet to take this route because the weather hasn't been cooperating. The other route on I-17 is longer, but the best route for days like today.

A storm rolled in last nite. This morning we thought we would take a drive over to Flagstaff. Here is a picture as we headed up into mountains on I-17. Just a little skiff of snow.


The higher in elevation we traveled, the more snow we encountered


This picture looks back down into the valley:


The weather update calls for more of the same thru at least tomorrow. We won't be traveling north again. Probably will stay in the area around here tomorrow.

This is the view on our way back - heading south again




Then we got back to the lower elevation once again - you would never know that there was such a storm brewing in the mountains above.


Another picture of the condo we are staying in:

Sedona Sunshine

If you are part of my blogging fan base, you probably already know that I am spending the week in Sedona, AZ. After a day of traveling, we (Donnetta, Cheryl and I) arrived here last nite. Grandpa & grandma arrived at the condo a day earlier. Here are a few of the scenes from the day:


This is looking over at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Breathtaking views!


This is an overlook we stopped at. All along the road there are little wooden shelters where the Native American's set up their wares to sale. This was the only place we we actually saw people selling jewelry. We looked, but didn't buy. We stopped to take pictures, not shop.

Another view, same spot. Location is south of Page, Arizona.


This is the view from the patio of the condo. Today it is overcast, but still a beautiful view.


This is how my dad entertains himself.

Knotts Berry Farm

I made pancakes for supper tonight. Probably because I was tired, and didn't want to cook. Besides the 100% pure maple syrup, I got out a jar of Knotts Berry Farm Boysenberry syrup.

Having a pancake with Boysenberry syrup on it reminded me of my recent trip to California. We stayed right next door to Knotts, (the motel parking lot was also a parking lot for the park). I really wanted to go over and have the chicken dinner at Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant, and on Saturday nite we made it there. The place was pretty much empty, which is a lot different from the past couple times I have been there. Terrell and I tried to remember when the last time we went there to eat, we think it must have been on our honeymoon 26 years ago.

Anyway, the food was so good. Brought back fond memories of going there as a youngster with my family. Fun times! The chicken dinner is still the same as it was way back then. Remember the cherry rhubarb sauce? Those yummy buttermilk biscuits? How about the cabbage with ham? I'd probably never make cabbage & ham at home, but I sure enjoyed eating it that night.

When our waitress brought the main course, I was nearly full from eating the rhubarb sauce, salad & several buttermilk biscuits.

But I managed to tuck most of it away in my tummy. The pie was another story. We had our waitress pack it to go. When we got back to the motel room, she had given us three pieces of pie, 2 boysenberry and one piece of the flavor of the month, which was apple boysenberry. We ate the apple boysenberry later that night, (YUM!) and had the other two pieces for breakfast the next morning.

After we ate at the restaurant, we wandered into a couple of the stores next door. I wanted to see if they had any tomato preserves. They didn't. I asked the lady working there about it, and she said that in 2000, Knotts sold all their recipes to Conagra, and Conagra doesn't make the tomato preserves anymore. Then she said that the recipes had recently been sold again to another company, so it will be interesting to see what happens now. She told me that she has people ask her about the tomato preserves quite regularly.

Last summer I gathered a bunch of tomato jam recipes, and made a batch from a recipe that I got from Cheryl. I thought the jam turned out good. I still wish I had my grandma Slack's recipe though. Her's was the best.

Now, I can hear fabric calling me from the other room.

American Idol in Salt Lake

Did you see American Idol last nite? I thought it was fun to watch, because the auditions were held in Salt Lake. I actually know two people that auditioned for the show last July.

One of them was a mom that I tend for. I didn't think she would get past the initial audition- her voice is pretty good, she just doesn't have the "American Idol" look. The other one was Austin Sisineros, one of Kimball's best friends in grade school and Jr. high. Interesting boy. I wasn't surprised to hear last summer that he received a golden ticket to Hollywood. It was fun to watch the clip of him on last night's show.



Kimball helped Austin make a movie when he was running for Student Body President last spring, and he posted it to you-tube. Yesterday the video had about 400 hits. Today it has over 10,200 hits.

Hail to the Chief

The above scene was 16 years ago. Time does fly.

This morning, I'm sitting here watching another inauguration. A great day for America! It's Interesting to see all the guests & former Presidents arrive. No matter what, it makes me proud to be an American as I watch the peaceful transaction of power.

Quilt Block of the Month

My fondness for quilting began several years ago when I signed up for a BOM (block of the month) at a LQS (local quilt shop). Back then, they did 2 blocks each month, so I completed 24 blocks each year. Enough for 2 quilt tops. For the past two years, they have only done one block per month, which I like a lot more. If you are interested in quilting, I would recommend finding a BOM that is beginning and sign up for it. Some of them charge per month, but the one I do is per year and only costs around $20-$25 for the the entire year. This includes the book and all the fabric for each month's block.

This has also been a good way to slowly but surely add to my plethora of quilting tools. At first I purchased what I needed as I went along. I was buying a new ruler nearly every month, but now I find I have what I need to accomplish each task. Now I buy mainly fun things, that help in fine-tuning. I Always take advantage of the 50% off coupons to Joann's, Roberts & Michaels. I NEVER pay full price for anything, except ((*sigh*)) fabric.

Anyway---here's the point to this blog... I was surfing yesterday and came across a random blog (I do that a lot) where the blogger listed a bunch of online BOM's that are just starting up. I'm going to paste her list on my blog, so this is her talking now, not me:

The start of the new year is normally also the start of new BOM's (Block of the Month series) online. Each month a new block is posted by the designer, and you complete that block before the next month's block is posted. This is a wonderful way to introduce yourself to new techniques, without the pressure of an entire quilt in front of you all at once. If you choose a BOM you want to do, don't forget to write down the web address so you can find it again! (Don't laugh -- this happened to me!)
Here is a list of free BOMs for you to consider:

I always admire the symmetry and simplicity of Amish quilts. Here's an Amish inspired BOM that just started this month:
http://floridacabinfever.com/

Do you love applique? Here's a beautiful BOM done all in red, lots of applique (so far). She may have taken down Block 1. Each BOM is available only until the 15th of the month.
http://estheraliu.blogspot.com/

A little more challenging, but wow - what a beautiful quilt! Called "A Study of Stars" and brought to you by The Quilt and Needle. This is a 2008 BOM, but it's still being posted and gives no date that they're taking it down.
http://www.thequiltandneedle.com/block.asp

Another applique BOM -- and beautiful! This one comes from the Netherlands, and it is in Dutch but hey - you can download the blocks and figure out basic applique for yourself!
http://tinyurl.com/7kc4cp

Here's a 2008 Block of the Month Sampler Quilt - what a great way for a beginner or advanced beginner to learn new skills!
http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/08Sampler/

And while you're at Delaware Quilts, do check out her tutorial on String Blocks and great variations of putting a string block quilt together:
http://tinyurl.com/8p7zwe

Fat Cat Patterns if offering a free Bird House BOM. Block patterns will be available for two months only, and January is up now.
http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/bird_houses.htm

Here's a BOM that starts in Febuary '09 - Called a 9-patch Spool Sampler. Before the first block is posted, she gives you fabric requirements (though this would be a pretty scrap quilt too!)
http://lynbrown.com/?p=555#more-555

Ooooo...I may have to do this one. I've never done a Row Quilt before and this one looks interesting. Another good way to use up scraps, one row at a time! Row 1 for January is posted.
http://www.ucquilts.com/bomjanuary2009.htm

"Country Cups" is the name of this 2009 BOM. Might be for the more advanced appliquer, but it sure is pretty! New block posted the first week of each month. Only the current month's block will be offered for free.
http://ajpadilla.com/patterns/bom/country-cups

Block Central has a new BOM for 2009 called "Memory Lane". Very traditional quilt blocks and a quilt I'm sure you will be proud of upon completion. January's block is posted.
http://tinyurl.com/87d7do

Debbie Mumm is offering a 2009 BOM called "Natural Wonders". You'll make 9.5" square sampler blocks each month using a variety of piecing and applique techniques. Blocks will stay up throughout the year.
http://tinyurl.com/8deu43

BOM Quilts is offering a good sampler quilt for beginners that gives you a nice variety of easy traditional blocks. Instructions for both baby and twin size quilts. January is posted.
http://tinyurl.com/8hnnva

The Quilter's Guild of Plano TX is offering a Basket block BOM. Some very pretty baskets here! This BOM started in mid-2008, but all blocks are still available.
http://tinyurl.com/9w4z2f

Do we have any hand-embroider'ers in our membership? Join me (yes, I do hand embroidery) in this very sweet BOM from the Netherlands (though she also posts in English). The series is called "Once Upon a Time". I love the first one - you embroider a tower, then add braided yarn for Rapunzel's hair hanging out the window! January's block is posted.
http://capricornquilts.blogspot.com/

And another BOM for the hand embroider-ers -- very simple, very sweet. The first block is posted.
http://tinyurl.com/7ag6xy

Nancy Rink Designs is offering a beautiful, traditional block BOM. The series began in July '08, but all blocks are up and active.
http://www.nancyrinkdesigns.com/free.html

Enjoy!

Holiday Projects

I had a grand time during the holidays, nearly two weeks without the constant pitter-patter of little feet. I mainly just stayed home and enjoyed the peace & quiet, taking advantage of all that uninterrupted time, to create!

I've been buying fabric when I see it on clearance, so I can practice my machine quilting. I wanted to try my hand at a pantograph, this quilt is my first attempt. It turned out pretty good, I still need to fine tune the arm the laser light rests on, because right now it vibrates too much and the laser light jumps making it hard to follow the pantograph line.


I also found a cute print that I used for the backing and binding:


I just finished sewing the binding on yesterday. I've taken a couple of binding classes and learned some pretty cool tricks. Binding is my favorite part after piecing the top together.


I'm going to donate all these little practice quilts to the Humanitarian Center, or the highest bidder on my blog. (Just kidding, they really will be donated).

This next project I purchased at 'Mormon' Handicraft, located inside Deseret Book at the University Mall. This place may become one of my new favorite places to shop. Great selection of fabrics, and even better sale prices. This kit was 50% off and the fabric for the backing and binding was included! This table runner was fun to make.


Next, I blogged several weeks ago about the mystery quilt that I was going to make, and I also posted my fabric selections. Mystery quilt day was on December 31st, I sewed most of the day. Here is what my mystery quilt turned out to be:


I want to put a couple of borders on my quilt, today I went in search of a red fabric to use for the first border (also called the stop border) I'm really happy with the way it is turning out. Now I need another wider border - hmmmm, what color should use for the second border:

The Sweet 100

Recently, a website called Very Good Taste started something of an internet fire with a list called "The Omnivore's Hundred", which listed 100 foods which "every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life." Like the original, this list includes "fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food"--but in our universe, it's all sweet! (In case any of them are foreign to you, links to pictures and recipes are included. How many have you tried?


1) Copy this list into your site, including the instructions!
2) Bold all of the sweets you've eaten--or make them a different type color.
3) Cross out any of them that you'd never ever eat.
4) Consider anything that is not bold or crossed out your "To Do" List.
5) Optional: Post a comment here linking to your results--or just post a comment letting us know how many you've tried, or what you're going to try next!

1. Red Velvet Cake- Yes. Actually pretty gross when you think about how much red food coloring is in it.
   
2. Princess TorteNever had.
   
3. Whoopie Pie-Oh Yes! Tasty.
   
4. Apple Pie either topped or baked with sharp cheddar-Don't think so. I'll stick with vanilla ice cream.
   
5. Beignet-Yes. Had a neighbor that went to New Orleans, and she brought us back a box to make our own.
   
6. Baklava-Love them!
   
7. Black and white cookie-Saw a TV show were they spotlighted a shop in NYC that makes them, but I've never had one.
   
8. Seven Layer Bar (also known as the Magic Bar or Hello Dolly bars)-Oh yes. I remember when we were first married, I made some, and Terrell gave one to the guy who delivered our new mattress.
   
9. Fried Fruit pie (sometimes called hand pies)-Nope.
   
10. Kringle-Nope
    
11. Just-fried (still hot) doughnut-I remember my first Krispy Kreme in Las Vegas!
    
12. Scone with clotted cream-Delightful. Had it at the Protea Cottage.
    
13. Betty, Grunt, Slump, Buckle or Pandowdy-Oh yes! Tasty
    
14. Halvah-Nope.
    
15. Macarons-BYU bakery makes a good one, don't know how it compares to the real thing.
    
16. Banana pudding with nilla wafers-Probably never together.
    
17. Bubble tea (with tapioca "pearls")-YES! Protea Cottage once again. I liked it, Em thought it was too wierd.
    
18. Dixie Cup-I remember having one at a birthday party for Darrell Flamm when I was knee high to a grasshopper, Darrell's mom gave me a real spoon so I wouldn't have to eat it with the little wooden spoon.
    
19. Rice Krispie treats-Who hasn't had one of these?
    
20. Alfajores-Nope
    
21. Blondies-Yes, but I prefer chocolate flavor
    
22. Croquembouche-Nope
    
23. Girl Scout cookies-YES!!! Love them all!
    
24. Moon cake-No
    
25. Candy Apple-Yep! I prefer a Caramel apple now days.
    
26. Baked Alaska-Seems like I made (or tried to make) this once.
    
27. Brooklyn Egg Cream-No
    
28. Nanaimo bar-No
    
29. Baba au rhum-No
    
30. King Cake-No
    
31. Sachertorte-No
    
32. Pavlova-No
    
33. Tres Leches Cake-Yes...3 milk cake.
    
34. Trifle-Oh yes. 1st time it was made by Marlene Wilson, a real English gal.
    
35. Shoofly Pie-No.
    
36. Key Lime Pie (made with real key lime)-Yes, if real key lime juice counts.
    
37. Panna Cotta-No
    
38. New York Cheesecake-I don't think I like New York style cheesecake.
    
39. Napoleon / mille-fueille-No
    
40. Russian Tea Cake / Mexican Wedding Cake-I like Mexican Wedding cake cookies
    
41. Anzac biscuits-No
    
42. Pizzelle-My friend Annette Morton Bracken used to make these for us.
    
43. Kolache-No
    
44. Buckeyes-Oh yes. I like these, but one recipe makes way too many, so I don't often make them.
    
45. Malasadas-No
    
46. Moon Pie-They are ok. Used to be able to buy them at 'Po Folks, they were hanging on a tree, you would take one off & buy it.
    
47. Dutch baby-Yes, got my recipe from a lady I used to work with, Sharon Marlor.
    
48. Boston Cream Pie-I remember buying a Boston Cream Pie mix & making it in our camper, while on a vacation back east (we were in Boston, MA)
    
49. Homemade chocolate chip cookiesGood heavens, what planet would you be from if you haven't had one of these?
    
50. Pralines-Does it count it you've had them in ice cream?
    
51. Gooey butter cake-No
    
52. Rusks-No
    
53. Daifuku-No
    
54. Green tea cake or cookies-Bleck!
    
55. Cupcakes from a cupcake shop-I've eaten may cupcakes, but never a fancy one from a cupcake shoppe.
    
56. Crème brûlée-Sadly, no.
    
57. Some sort of deep fried fair food (twinkie, candy bar, cupcake)-Had a deep fried Twinkie in Las Vegas, hated it. I like deep fried Oreo's.
    
58. Yellow cake with chocolate frostingOh yes! Although my favorite cake is chocolate with white frosting.
    
59. Jelly Roll-Yes.
    
60. Pop Tarts-Yes, but I'm not a real fan of the Pop Tart.
    
61. Charlotte Russe-No
    
62. An "upside down" dessert (Pineapple upside down cake or Tarte Tatin)-Yes! Best when baked in a Dutch oven.
    
63. Hummingbird Cake-No
    
64. Jell-O from a mold-I live in Utah, remember?
    
65. Black forest cake-Hmmmm, I think I have probably had this.
    
66. Mock Apple Pie (Ritz Cracker Pie)-Oh yes! I dated a guy once (Gary King from Denver) he gave me the recipe & wanted me to make him one. It was strange, but it really did kinda taste like apple pie.
    
67. Kulfi-Well, I've had Spumoni ice cream.
    
68. Linzer torte-Torte's are yummy!
    
69. Churro-Used to have them every time we went to see a play at the Scera Shell in the summer.
    
70. Stollen-I've had the American version of fruit cake. I like it. There's some in my refrigerator right now.
    
71. Angel Food Cake-Hey! two for two. There's a piece in my kitchen - left over from the New Year's fondue party.
    
72. Mincemeat pie-Never had the real mincemeat with meat, but I like mincemeat pie. Only get a piece every other year at the Ashcraft family Thanksgiving.
    
73. Concha-Our favorite mexican restaurant gave us some once, I think they are yucky.
    
74. Opera Cake-No
    
75. Sfogliatelle / Lobster tail-No
    
76. Pain au chocolat-My mouth waters just thinking about one of these little taste treats. Usually bring a baggie of them home every time I visit Las Vegas.
    
77. A piece of Gingerbread House-Yep. Recently, in fact.
    
78. Cassata-No
    
79. Cannoli-Yes! Very good.
    
80. Rainbow cookies-No
    
81. Religieuse-No
    
82. Petits fours-Only had a box of them from the Swiss Colony that some neighbors gave us once. I've always wanted to make them. They look so tasty!
    
83. Chocolate Souffle-Yep! Used to make it once in awhile.
    
84. Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake)-Yes. I had a taste of it a couple months ago at the Lion House Pantry. Cheryl had it & she offered me some. It's very rich.
    
85. Rugelach-No
    
86. Hamenstashen-No
    
87. Homemade marshmallows-Yes. So much better than store bought marshmallows.
    
88. Rigo Janci-No
    
89. Pie or cake made with candy bar flavors (Snickers pie, Reeses pie, etc)-Yes.
    
90. Divinity-Not for a long time. I don't like it.
    
91. Coke or Cola cake-Blech! Sounds awful!
    
92. Gateau Basque-No
    
93. S'mores-Yes. I like to make them with a toasted marshmallow inside two Keebler chocolate stripe cookies.
    
94. Figgy Pudding-No
    
95. Bananas foster or other flaming dessert-No, I hate cooked banana's
    
96. Joe Froggers-No
    
97. Sables-No
    
98. Millionaires' Shortbread-No
    
99. Animal crackers-I grew up on them. My favorite are the ones coated in pink & white frosting. I don't buy them, because I would eat the whole bag.
    
100. Basbousa

-No