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Cabin by the Creek
Stories, recipes, country living on the creek bank, preserving a simpler way of life.
Hey, you found me....And Welcome
Thank you for visiting “Cabin by the Creek” The creek is “Teges Creek”. The land it sits on is part of the original track of land settled by Adoniram Allen, back in the early 1800’s. He set up a mill a couple of miles up river from the cabin. As an Allen descendant, I am proud of my heritage. That heritage includes my physical genealogy as well as the history and culture which make me, well, me.
The mountain culture has long taken a beating over the stereotypical accumulated “junk”. Pictures printed in magazines and scenes viewed on television make us look like we are just too lazy to clean up and throw away the junk. There are several reasons for the junk. One of the reasons is the self-sustaining tradition that has everything to do with our geography, history and culture. Nothing got thrown away. Clay County folks were recycling 200 years before recycling became cool. That tradition still exists in the form of crafts.
Back in the day, going to the store meant traveling 25 miles in a wagon. Purchasing “Brought on” items was limited. Only the most needed items that couldn’t be made at home were bought ready made. Most everything could be and was recycled into something needed. The artistry and craftsmanship was born from the individual pride worked into handmade items.
My grandfather’s whittled. They searched out perfect pieces of cedar. I never did know what that ‘perfect’ was, other than it was about 12 to 18 inches long and small enough in width to hold comfortably in one hand. Sometimes I think they competed as to who could cast the finest curled shavings. My grandmothers took the shavings stuffed them in cheese cloth, gauze, or lace packets, creating closet and drawer sachets. Cedar is a natural insect deterrent.
“Cabin by the Creek” is my way of preserving a bit of that culture and tradition in the 21st Century. Crafted items are recycled from something else; with materials I happen to have at hand. The items are meant to be used. No two are exactly alike. My skill level is limited and thus my crafted items are simple. My grandmother Allen made ‘Postage Stamp’ quilts with a needle and thread (not sewing machine). Each quilt piece was the size of a stamp. After the third one, she even said “No more.” She was in her 80’s, at the time.
Examples of the tradition continuing into this century include a set of dinner napkins I made. I needed a set of good ‘white’ napkins to go with my good dinnerware (purchased at Wal-mart). I had an old white bed skirt with lace edging that had been allocated to the linen drawer. I took the skirting and made 8 new dinner napkins complete with lace edging.
Better yet, I hope I’ve given you ideas on which to ponder, specifically to your family heritage and heirlooms.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Pioneer Heritage and Teges Creek
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thrift Store Finds
Go shopping with an open mind, meaning, what it looks like isn't necessarily what it's gonna be. Just have fun.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Cold and Flu Brew Tea
1 C Yarrow
1 C Elderberry Flowers
1/2 C Peppermint Flowers
1/2 C Ginger Root
**Combine and store in air tight container. A quart size mason jar is a great container. Label the jar with a homemade tag. I made mine from an old bit of stationary and piece of twine.
**Steep 1 tsp tea in 1 cup boiling water, use a tea strainer..Or, if you are using your coffee maker, use the same amounts as when making your coffee.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Nightly News and Adult TV Controls
The news stories are pretty much the same. We are still fighting each other. Bigotry and prejudice still smack us down. Now our young men and women are fighting another war, with the enemy and innocent once again looking the same. So, when you are thinking about putting that control on a movie or tv show due to violence, do the same for the nightly news. Watch later, after the little ones are asleep. Home needs to be their safe sanctuary, don't put scary things in the living room.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Pot Holders
--Cut the bluejeans or ironing board cover material into 6/6 inch squares. (3 squares for each pot holder. This could vary depending on the weight of the denim. Hold the pieces in your hand, test them. If the denim is heavy and new, you may only want to use 2 pieces.)
--Now find your outside material. This is your kitchen and your creation. Check out your closet or chest of drawers. Heavy cotton materials work best, but I made some out of T-shirts too. We all have old clothes that we put back in the closet or dresser. Cut 2 pieces for each pot holder 6/7 inches.
--Place the padding (jean material) between the 2 outer pieces. The outer pieces should have an inch lap at one end. Now turn one of the outer pieces upside down. Sew the 3 even sides, leaving the 4 end open. Flip the inside out piece over and press out the pot holder. The raw end needs to be folded over itself and top stitched. You can top stitch around the rest of the pot holder to give it a finished appearance.
**This design can be enlarged to make hot pads that will match your kitchen and or dining room.