Country Kitchen:
A Family Heritage of Quilting
By Mary Emma Allen
As I sat beside my grandmother in her farmhouse kitchen, an 8-year old
learning to piece a quilt, I never realized I was participating in a
family heritage of quiltmaking. Ancestors before me had pursued this
activity which my daughter, granddaughter and I would carry on. When I
look at that quilt I made with Nanny, faded and well-used, it brings back
memories of enjoyable times together.
My mother, although she didn't do much quilting, encouraged me to engage
in this art during our country's Bicentennial years. "You have all those
scraps from your sewing. Why not make some quilts for my country store?"
Thus began my years of operating a quiltmaking business from our home
while my daughter was growing up. Those years of being surrounded by
quilts and colorful fabrics instilled in her a love of this art as well.
She now does more quiltmaking than I, winning awards with her original
designs. Then her young daughter become interested in fabrics, started
making doll quilts and quilt hangings.
The three of us have taught workshops in which we depict history (of a
town or a family) in a quilt, and show others how to do the same. We try
to pass along the love of quilts and quiltmaking that has captivated
Americans throughout the years.
Writing About Quilting
My quilting has become tied into my writing as I write for quilting
magazines and online publications. Most recently I wrote The Magic of
Patchwork, where you can discover the magical world of quilts and quilt
history and the role this has played in my life.
Connecting quiltmaking into the theme of novels and mysteries has become
popular with a number of authors nowadays. Whole series of books
revolving around quilts and quilters have come into vogue. Some quilting
groups have compiled recipe books as fund raisers for their guilds;
others have collected quilters' recipes and comments in books they've
edited.
I was quoted in Elaine Miles' book, Guiding Stars, a Sampler of Quilters'
Favorite Quotations: "Quiltmaking is one of those arts which forms a
common bond among quiltmakers around the world and, once in the blood, is
an activity the quilter can never give up."
Favorite Foods of Quilters
A quick main dish for busy quilters:
CHICKEN DIVAN - Cook 2 packages of broccoli spears until tender. (We
sometimes use cut-up broccoli pieces.) Lay broccoli in a 9 x 13-inch
dish.
Take bone from 4 whole cooked chicken breasts or use 4 breasts which have
been deboned before cooking. Cut chicken into pieces and lay over
broccoli.
Mix together 1 can cream mushroom soup and 1 can cream of chicken soup,
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1 small can
mushroom pieces. Pour over broccoli and chicken. (Soups and sour cream
can be low fat type for fewer calories.)
Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes until bubbly. Serve with tossed
salad.
Article (C) 2004 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
