We had such a great time partying with our friends at the Arizonian last week. This was our second bee at their location, and these ladies know how to throw a Bee! The space is bright and cheerful and the potluck salad lunch was crazy delicious! The room was filled with 89 buzzing volunteers, including nine AZ Blankets 4 Kids board members.
Upon arrival, we were given caffeine and sugar, and pointed to other sources of energy (outlets for sewing machines), if we needed them. Many of our volunteers did just fine on just the go go juice and breakfast treats, as we had 28 volunteers hand tying.
Sandy H won the big and beautiful door prize basket. Sandy sews with Arizonian’s sister resort, Weaver’s Needle. She spent the day helping cut blocks for kits, and it was a treat to see her excitement at winning. When she’s not volunteering for AZB4K, she can sometimes be found making the cutest embroidered name badges in creative shapes, like coin purses and high heels. Karma could be in effect here, because she happened to make one of the high heel tags for the crafty gal who put the basket together (our own Madame President, Letty Fowell).
Now I have to take a quick moment to rewind and tell you another little side story from this bee. Sandy was actually the second name we drew for the big door prize basket. The first name drawn was Lora F, a resident of the Arizonian. When we called her name, she waved her winning ticket and asked us to pick another. I asked Lora later, why she turned down the trove of treasures. She laughed and said, “There’s a story. Would you like to hear it?.” And the story she told was so great, I have to retell it here. Last year, during our first bee at the Arizonian, Lora came by the bee, knowing she could only stay about an hour. She and her husband had plans to visit other friends who happened to be in town that afternoon. After lunch, when we hold our drawings, it was Lora’s number on the winning ticket. Being part of the community, a friend accepted the basket on her behalf. When Lora and her husband returned from their visit, they were surprised to see this big, red and pink, and all things Valentine-themed basket, sitting on their doorstep. When she realized what it was, she felt guilty for winning, since she’d only spent a short time at the bee. Using many of the fabrics from the basket she won last year, she kindly delivered eight quilt tops and backs to us at this bee. She also shared with me that she ties quilts with a church group and has been doing so for 50 years. When we plucked her ticket as the winner again this year, she asked us to draw again, so someone else would have a chance to win. What a sweet soul. We are so grateful for all our generous volunteers.
Our next big winner for the day was Miss Merry F. She’s so adorable in her overalls. When we picked her ticket for the $25 gift certificate to Cutting Edge Quilts, she said she never wins anything. Then, a couple drawings later, she wins a second time, and takes home a big fluffy fleece blanket. She was a very merry Merry.
Big bucks and no whammies went to our 50/50 winner, Kathy G, who also hails from Weaver’s Needle. Both Weaver’s Needle and the Arizonian Bees are so well attended, there’s usually a juicy 50/50 prize, and this was no exception. We especially like that half of the prize stays with our hosting sewing group, to help them continue to help us.
I’ve saved the best for last. Bev Rip was our lively Arizonian bee coordinator contact person. Bev is simply a hoot n a half! And, she love, love, loves having her picture taken. LOL! She was a lucky ducky in our drawings, matching Miss Merry for a double win. Bev held the winning ticket for two of the three blankets raffled by the Arizonian. I love that her eyes are closed in the spiral blanket photo. I imagine she’s telling us to stare at the blanket until we become hypnotized, so she can make us cluck like chickens. Then, the photo of burgundy and black blanket she’s trying to hide behind, should probably have Kilroy Was Here spray painted somewhere below her nose. What a great sport she was, and we’re excited to return again next year for another play date.
Ok… drum roll, please…
The grand total of blankets turned in and completed at this bee exceeded… 200!!!
Woot! Y’all are amazing!
Bonus: Recipe for the Salted Peanut Cookies made by Paula W, with a special shoutout to our home state of South Dakota.
Salted Peanut Cookies
1/2 c. Crisco
1/2 c. Butter
1 c. Sugar
1 c. Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
2 c. Sifted Flour
1 t. Baking Powder
1 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Salt
1 c. Quick Oatmeal
1 c. Corn Flakes (or Rice Krispies)
1 c. Salted Peanuts (or more)
Cream Crisco, butter, and sugar. Add eggs and beat. Add flour, baking powder, soda, and salt which has been sifted together; mix. Add oatmeal, corn flakes, and peanuts; mix. Roll in little balls, press down with fork, or drop on cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.
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