Friday, March 9, 2012

Farmer's Wife Friday: Satisfaction of Being a Real Helper

The canning or seed convention that kept the farmers' wives away last week must be over, because today we have a farmer's wife here from Richland County, Montana. I was secretly hoping that she would be from Minnesota this week, as I just returned from a great choral concert given by Concordia College from Minnesota. It made me wonder if college choirs in the '20s ever traveled around, even to nearby towns. If they did, I'm sure the farm families enjoyed those concerts a great deal.

On a complete side note, the Concordia College choral director has been doing this for thirty-eight years, nationally and internationally. He said this venue, the Paul Shagoyan Theater here in Fresno, rated as one of the top two that he has ever performed in. Seriously. The acoustics are phenomenal, and he clearly recognized that.

Okay, back on topic. The farmer's wife this week clearly sees herself as her husband's assistant manager, which gives her an "importance beyond that of being merely a wife, and a mother of his children...Without her services the garden, poultry and dairy would bring them little profit."

#73, Rainbow Flowers

#91, Strawberry Basket

This farmer's wife hopes for the best for her grandchildren, and that her daughter "be located safely away from the dictates of a world always eager to overrule a mother's authority." Doesn't that thought still ring true today?

She doesn't seem saddened by the fact that in her own experience, her "reading has been curtailed, and my vacations few in number." Rather, she looks to the future  for her daughter, eager for team work and the co-operative spirit to lift the burden of heavy tasks.  She sees "the barren country blossoming like the rose under their capable management: drudgery over, poverty ended, feuds all past. Rising with the birds and sharing in their songs, their happy hearts proclaim, 'We are American farmers' wives; queens, creators, rulers, lovers, among mankind.'"

#75 Rosebud: I changed this a little. In the book it is only a two-color block, but I wanted it to look like a rose bush with buds.

#15 Buzzard's Roost: Probably my least favorite name for a quilting block!
 Setting A:
Setting B: Some of the blocks look totally different when set on point, don't they?

I can't remember how  many blocks Carla and I have done by now, and if we didn't have each other to hold us accountable, we would not have progressed so far, that's for sure! Isn't it great to have great friends?!

Sunni from Love Affair With My Brother is running a great series called Farmer's Wife In Your Life. It focuses on using these 6" blocks in everyday sewing projects. I'm on the schedule Tuesday, March 13. Then you have the chance to share your own project in a linky party and there will be prizes! So check out the details. This is a perfect opportunity to make some of these great blocks without committing to a whole quilt top.


Have a wonderful weekend!

14 comments:

05 08
Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said... #

I love the rainbow corners - the colours are great :) I'll be adding that to the blocks I'll be making this weekend! Amy from www.craftyshenanigans.blogspot.com

Deborah said... #

Super blocks! Love those rosebuds.

pinsandneedles said... #

Once again, these blocks are fabulous! Love, love, love the solid colors!

Katy Cameron said... #

I love that rainbow one, happy tallying!

Mama Pea said... #

You're making such great progress! I am loving it. I like them on point!

Terriaw said... #

My 15 yo niece is in a show choir and travels around the midwest. It's the center of her life right now.

Beautiful blocks! They look so time-consuming, especially that rosebud block, but with such wonderful results! I love how this week's group looks together.

Ángela said... #

Wonderful blocks!!Your blog is very very beautiful and it´s a great work.
Greetings

FlourishingPalms said... #

Yay for all of us reading your blog posts, and Carla's! You're a great team - accountability partners. I'm enjoying every moment of your hard work. Thanks for sharing!

Archie The Wonder Dog said... #

Love the rainbow block!!

Carla said... #

I love what you did with the rosebud block...especially effective in the solid fabrics. I certainly agree about the accountability of doing this project with you Cindy! I'm also SO impressed that you are going to do even MORE
of these little guys for another project... I'll sure be watching on March 13!!

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

The Rainbow Flowers looks so modern!

OPQuilt said... #

It's really amazing how much hope they share in those letters. Hope seems in such short supply right now in our world, so I love reading the quotes you give us from the series.

I love your blocks--and congrats for making steady progress towards your goal.

E.

M-R Charbonneau said... #

I just love what you are doing with these blocks, Cindy!

sandyb said... #

Great blocks!!! I just love the Rosebud!!!!