I actually celebrated National Quilting Day a few days early with my Mom. The Southport Quilters Guild held their Annual Quilt Show at the Kenosha Public Museum (on the shore of Lake Michigan.) I knew it would be crowded on Sat., the 17, and it would be very hard for my 89-yr-old Mom to get around with all those people there, listening to speakers and such. So we went last Tuesday, the 13th, in the early afternoon, and she was able to use one of the museum's wheelchairs to get around. Very few people were in the quilt display area, so we had a wonderful time gazing at all the beautiful quiltwork. "Stars" was the theme of the show. I was inspired by the high quality hand and machine piecing and quilting. My Mom was intensely interested in the small "challenge" quilts displayed on one wall. The challenge was to design a small wall hanging (less than 24" x 24") using a color pallet of three shades/tints of a color plus only one other color. My Mom, being an artist herself, was intrigued with the creative landscapes/seascapes and tiny intricate designs of the quilters. After seeing the show, I decided to add something else to my "To Do" list...learn to make Prairie Points! Julie

What would a home be without a pet?? I can't imagine ever not having a cat in my life. Cats and boxes are automatic magnets. Any box, any size. I was taking computer paper out of this box, and as soon as she was able, Roxie got in it. The late Smudge loved boxes too, especially ones that were too small for him! And Bud clamored into this huge box

I make a lime pie where I melt semi sweet chocolate bits and line the baked pie shell with a layer of chocolate before I add the lime filling. That reminds me of a similar step used to make "Heart Tarts." They have a thin layer of chocolate, a cheesecake-like center,and strawberries on top. Philadelphians may know their source, the old Commissary. Tart Shells 1 1/2 cups flour 2 tablespoons sugar 6 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening 3 tablespoons cold water Cream Cheese Filling 8 ounces softened cream cheese 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Assembly 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 2 pints of strawberries 1/3 cup sieved or seedless raspberry jam 1 Make the shells: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, butter, and shortening. Whiz for several seconds until crumbly. Add the water and whiz until the dough forms a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 1/2 hour. 2 Preheat the oven to 350°. Bring the dough to a workable temperature and divide into 6 equal portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a circle large enough to drape over the back of one of the (heart shaped) gelatin molds. Trim off any excess and prick the molded dough several times with a fork. Set the 6 molds dough-side-up on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until pale gold and crisp. Cool the shells completely while still on the molds. 3 Make the filling: In a mixer or food processor, combine all the ingredients until smooth. 4 Assemble tarts: Fill the tarts as close to serving time as possible. Melt the chocolate in a small pan over simmering water, then divide it among the 6 shells and spread evenly over the bottom of each. Let the chocolate cool 10 minutes before filling. Divide the cream cheese filling among the 6 shells. Stem the strawberries and toss gently with the jam to coat. Top each tart with 5-8 berries (depending on their size) stem-end-down. Yield 6 individual heart-shaped tarts

Lots of days - you folks make my day! Thanks for being such friendly, resourceful, helpful, loving and joyful people! Please join in, you quiet ones: even though you may think that your proposed addition's already been said, often the slightly different slant that you'd offer would be appreciated by several. ole joyful