Look at what I bought at the Corning Glass Museum! Just when I thought there were enough pigs in my collection. We did a tour of Corning while we were off in western NY state visiting my brother & sil and checking out colleges.

I like to name my oinkers – I shall name him Alfred. We were visiting Alfred University the day I bought him.

Look at what I bought at the Corning Glass Museum! Just when I thought there were enough pigs in my collection. We did a tour of Corning while we were off in western NY state visiting my brother & sil and checking out colleges.

I like to name my oinkers – I shall name him Alfred. We were visiting Alfred University the day I bought him.

1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

The Spinning Guild Meeting was terrific! I have been a member for just two months, but both meetings I have been to were very lively. This one was a covered dish supper. I met Melissa & Joanne there. Last month, Melissa wasn’t even sure she wanted to join the Spinning Guild – didn’t know if she wanted to take on another craft. In less than a month she has bought two wheels, dyed yarn, bought untold amounts of roving and learned everything and kept up with her job, house, family, knitting & quilting. (I can see that it is going to be hard to be her friend – note to self: hang out with Joann more!)

1. Proud Mary all ready to go. Spinning requires much more schlepping than knitting.

2. Melissa’s first wheel Whirly Girl. She is made from PVC, and works great. Melissa bought her to see if she even liked spinning. She now has an Ashford on the way – Whirly Girl II. Looks like she found a buyer for Whirly Girl I at the meeting.

3. a Kromsky

4. 50’s theme dinner

5. shopping – that friggin’ Melissa beat me to some good deals

6. as always happens when talented, vibrant women congregate – a vicious fight breaks out.

7. our party favors – that’s fleece in there!

Would you like a peek behind the curtain? A verbal diorama of life as a Martha-used-to-wannabe?

We left off yesterday with lemon squares. They were in the oven.

It occurs to me that I haven’t touched Proud Mary (remember her? my spinning wheel?) since about two weeks after I got home from the Festival in early May.

Geez, I think, maybe I should reacquaint myself with the process so my new, cool spinning friends won’t think I’m a spinning equivalent of a poser — a tangler maybe?

I actually have to dust off the wheel. things are not looking good.

Neither am I, by the way. I had been mowing the lawn and doing all sorts of yard work. I was in a t-shirt over a wet bathing suit with bits of grass stuck to my legs and my stink is rising.

Anyway, I give Proud Mary the once over with the dust rag and sit down to do a bit of spinning. One of my cats becomes wildly interested. When I am not battling his claws, I am battling the roving which is blowing in the cold wind coming out of the air conditioner.

On top of these external challenges, there is always the monumental speed bump of my memory – or lack thereof.

I cannot remember anything. Not only can I not remember anything, I can’t remember where I put the handy Learn How To Spin book I bought along with the wheel.

ergh … frantic searching, cursing and frenzied movements ensue …..

I did manage to find the book, remember how to do it, get the lemon squares out of the oven and shower all in a matter of 35 minutes. It was a close call.

note to self: schedule your meltdowns a bit earlier in the day.

onto the Lemon Curd Squares! click on picture for a larger view!

Here is the recipe I promised:

pre-heat oven to 350&#176
sift together
1 cup of flour
&#188 cup contectioners’ sugar
add and combine:
&#189 cup melted butter

Press the mixture into an 8×8 greased baking pan and bake 20 minutes.

Meanwhile combine:
1 cup sugar
&#189 teaspoon baking powder
2 slightly beaten eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
&#189 cup coconut
Pour these ingredients over the warm crust and bake 25 minutes. Chill. Cut into squares and dust with confectioners’ sugar.