26 March, 2013

This, This and That Tuesday

Fairy tales are too scary for young children. Gregory brought me this book to read earlier today, he crawled up in my lap with it. "Nana, read" he commanded, as he settled himself comfortably in my lap. He wanted "The Gingerbread Man". I began to read, he traced the pictures with a finger as he listened... all of a sudden I realized that the title character was about to meet a gruesome end. I stopped reading and thumbed through some more selections. "Little Red Riding Hood", "Rapunzel", "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", "The Wild Swans" and "The Little Match Girl" were all equally frightening, at least I believe they would be upsetting to a small boy; they are to me! I did end up reading "The Little Red Hen" and that satisfied his curiosity where this particular book was concerned. I put it up on a higher shelf and we watched  a "Bob The Builder" video after that!

Four years ago I posted here about fixing overnight crock-pot oatmeal. A friend recently shared with me a recommendation: Steel-Cut Oats from Trader Joe's, a "quick cook" variety. I bought some last evening and fixed them for our breakfast this morning. I used the same three to one ratio and my small slow cooker on "warm" as described in this earlier post. They were completely phenomenal with dried cherries and yogurt!

Have you ever been sitting with friends, just chatting and sharing ideas, when you heard something that hit you like a lightening bolt and, from that very moment on, consumed your every thought? I did, back last month when I was catching up with friends in Hampton, VA during Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. A friend, Cyndi, mentioned a "quiet, low volume" color palette and how she was going to make a "sick quilt" for her adult children; one per household that their children could grow up with, and snuggle under, when they were ill or just feeling under the weather. I knew right then and there that I was on a mission to do the very same thing. First, I needed to begin collecting "low volume" fabrics... it's tough to be on a fabric mission, feel sorry for me. I admit to having a lot of fabric on hand, but it never seems to be the right one for the project at hand; mine all seems to be too noisy. First, I had to understand the definition of "low volume"; one can't have a sick quilt that is loud or boisterous. I like what I'm finding. I'm thinking  of a one block creation, perhaps a tumbler shape.... stay tuned; I'll post pictures as I amass my fabrics for this, I just won't be making much noise about it.
*Disclaimer: these are NOT my fabrics (I only wish they were), I found the photo on Google images.
Life is Good!

16 comments:

Janet O. said...

I agree on the fairy tales!
DH loves his steel cut oats. I'm going to have to look into this.
I love the idea of a sick quilt, but I'm afraid I will make mine bright. Once, as a busy Mom, I succumbed to a bad viral something that kept me in bed for most of a week. My Mom showed up one evening with pot pie and a 30s print Grandmother's Fan quilt. She said I needed some thing cheerful on my bed. It was just the thing for me, so that is the path I will take.
Oh, but I pity you being on a fabric mission. Tough assignment! : )

Unknown said...

Hm, low volume. Interesting:)

45th Parallel Quilter said...

I love, love, love steel cut oatmeal and usually fix with dried cherries, chopped pecans and brown sugar (skipping the milk/cream). I'm going to have to Google the recipe for slow cooked oatmeal because I can't access Blogger to get your recipe. LOL ~ yes, as Janet O. said ... tough assignment to have to fabric shop ... LOL

Nane said...

Go Postal liked the leftover oatmeal even better the second day! Have fun on your low volume quest

Edith said...

Try peanut butter in your oatmeal. It is scrumptious!

Janet said...

I think all quilters enjoy a new "fabric mission" Good Luck!

julieQ said...

I loved the shivery fun of fairy tales, but I was older when I heard them, so great call in my book! I love the idea of low volume...a fun under the weather quilt!! Enjoy your shopping!

cityquilter grace said...

oh yeah, you have my sympathy....not!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I made a sick quilt for my grands. I have to admit that I chose noisy fabrics and made an I Spy quilt ... I was hoping that the different prints would provide some entertainment and that the bright colors would be cheerful to cheer them up.

We love steel cut oats here but need to go back and find your slow cooker recipe ... by the time I'm ready to actually cook in the mornings, it's really past breakfast time (no, I'm not a morning person). ;-)

Quiltdivajulie said...

Remember while on your mission - you can adapt the idea to fit YOUR family's situation (i.e, a focal fabric in each that is unique for them and their interests/etc.).

Have fun!!

Unknown said...

Terrific idea...a sick quilt. Love it! Reminds me of the rainy day box I kept for my over-active son growing up. Held toys/games/puppets that ONLY came out on rainy days.

Can't wait to try the oatmeal.

Will look forward to updates on your...sshhhhh...quiet quilt.

Unknown said...

Oh...forgot to comment on the fairy tales. It's a wonder we didn't all grow up scarred by them...the Brothers Grimm were truly grim...lol!

LizA. said...

Can't seem to access your link to slow cooker oatmeal. I have a recipe that I bake in the oven. Make a big batch then store in the fridge and heat up in the microwave. Add a little milk, dried fruit and maple syrup/sugared pecans.

I, too, am enamored of the low volume quilts. What a tough assignment, you HAVE to go fabric shopping.

Teresa said...

I have a quilt like that, except my husband's grandmother made it and gave it to me. Its "low volume" browns and muslin and has no batting, but a soft flannel backing - churn dash. I always wanted that particular quilt when I felt sad or sick and it just seemed to help me feel better. I never realized my children had also picked up on its special quality. I heard them arguing one day on who got that quilt when I was gone - my daughter exclaimed - but that is the quilt I like to lay under when I am sick and my son chimed in with the same sentiment. I call it my healing quilt. Granny was a sweet lady that lived in the WVa mountains all her life and was known for her home remedies from herbs and plants she gathered. I sure wish I had written down the things she told me.

Carrie P. said...

I love steel cut oats.
I participated in a low volume exchange on flikr a while back. 10"squares. That might be one way to get a variety of fabrics too.

Jean said...

Great idea! At our house as the kids were growing up we had a large stuffed gorilla named OJ (it stands for Orange Juice... cause my DH loves the stuff!) and whenever someone had an "owie" or was sick; he/she got to sleep with OJ to help them feel better. We even let our SonInLaw borrow it when he was going thru Kemo. OJ is a comfort to the entire family. We got a gorilla for my SIL to help her w/recovery from Breast cancer. Unfortunately it seems there is always a need.
Enjoy your "recovery/cheer-up quilt" making.