We Got Pie!

 Thursday night I got to host my woman's service club at my home for a pie social.

We are always looking for something fun to do as a group.

We have done day trips together, evenings out, and museum trips but sometimes it is nice just to stay in and enjoy each other's company over something sweet.

Besides, it gave me an excuse to break out my grandmother's china.

I love this delicate china.

Not to mention that our club flower is a pink rose.

I had everything set for the gathering.

I even set out some non-sweet snacks for munching on. 

We had a very enjoyable evening laughing, talking, and enjoying some very tasty pies.

We might have to plan something similar to this next year.

Maybe a bring your favorite cake party!

Stepping Back in Time

A while back several of my Legacy club friends and I went to Ethridge, TN for the day.

 (ok, maybe I shouldn't be talking about my friends at the same time I am posting a hog picture)

We wanted to see what wares they were selling, see where they live, 

and enjoy some wonderful homemade goodies.  

We saw handmade baskets, furniture, canned fruits 

and vegetables of most every description.  

Little toys and trinkets carved out of wood.

We saw lots of windmills, barns, plain homes, and people contented with their simpler lifestyle.

Many clotheslines were hung with dark and blue pants and dresses.

The only bright colors on this clothesline were from bandanas.

How'd you like to have to get around town in this buggy?  

When walking around the properties we had to make sure we didn't step in any "exhaust".

All in all it was a wonderful day.  

We talked and laughed on the drive.

We ate a wonderful lunch at a local meat-and-3 restaurant called the Red Rooster Cafe.

We came home with our treasures - mostly fresh-baked goodies and breads.

We talked about what it would be like to live this lifestyle.  We decided while it would be fun for a short time, we really do like our appliances, cars, and computers.  

It wasn't for us but I can see how this uncomplicated and unhurried life - 

separated from the hustle and bustle of the modern world - 

could be a very serene and balanced way to live.

WWII Quilt Exhibit

My woman's service club met for a social outing at the art museum a few days ago.

One of the current exhibits is a collection of WWII quilts.

 There are quilts made from all manner of materials, from parachute silk, window banners, military patches, and the most haunting - concentration camp uniforms.  

This is a small quilt, a wall hanging really, that "Thank you Russian/Red Army for the liberation of Auschwitz, 1945".  The fabric patches in the center are made from the camp clothing.  

There are several articles from WWII, including instructions on how to plant a victory garden, to the blue, thin Airmail stationary, and this Rosie the Riveter doll.

This quilt was made by a woman who traded her cigarette rations for military patches.  

Very cool quilt.

This is one of several fund-raising quilts that were on display. 

This exhibit will only be here about another week and then it will be on to another museum.  

Definitely worth a trip to our wonderful art museum.

Is Your Momma a Llama?

I am currently vice president of my women's service club.  

As VP one of my duties is to plan social activities for our group.  

I take this as an extreme challenge.  

I am always looking for unusual things for our group to do together 

that will be enjoyable.

Today's social outing was to visit an alpaca/llama farm.

As it turns out we have a local alpaca and llama farm 

run by a very kind woman named Cozette.  

Her farm is called Cozy Cove Farm.

Cute, huh?

Cozette is not just knowledgeable about the animals, she knows them each by name 

and knows their personalities - all 110(ish) of them.  

She has a deep respect and love for these gentle animals.  

She educated us on the differences between alpacas and llamas. 

She let us feel just how soft these animals are.  

These animals are so curious and alert.  

Although they really weren't crazy about us petting them, they followed us all over the farm.  

It wasn't hard to get a photo of them looking at the camera - they are always watching us.  

Cozette said that in the evenings she and her husband will be watching TV and look out the window and realize that there are several alpacas watching with them.  

She shears them herself in the spring.

With hand shears. 

That takes dedication!

She also demonstrated how she takes the wool from the alpacas and llamas and spins it into yarn.  

She makes very nubby, natural yarn that is surprisingly soft.

Isn't this just the coolest spinning wheel? 

So small and compact.  

She also has a couple of horses.

My daughter would have taken this one home if Cozette had turned her back long enough.

It would have ridden home in the van on her lap.

And slept in her bed with her.

Thanks Cozette for sharing your afternoon with us and educating us 

a bit on these fascinating gentle creatures.  

School Daze

Tonight my Legacy ladies and a few of our spouses hosted a cocktail party for a couple of our local school board members.

It was so nice to hear directly from our board members

 that they have some of the same concerns that we do.

 It was also comforting to hear that they are

excited about the positive changes coming very soon. 

With a new superintendent on the horizon and a new, mostly like-minded school board

they conveyed to us that things are bound to get better.

They were very open to answering our questions as honestly and completely as possible.

Without a superintendent on board yet there are just some unknowns that can't be fully answered.

And, of course, there were some very light-hearted moments. 

I did say this was a cocktail party after all.