Four Crowns Among the Dogwood

After all that venting about the City of High Point and its library, let's move onto something more positive.

I'm positive you'll like this block.

It has the best of both worlds -- piecing for the piece-lovers and applique for us applique nuts.  If you like either or both, you'll enjoy this block.  The directions given in A Southern Album Quilt by Kirstin  Steiner and Diane Wilson are clear and accurate.  This block reflects the history of the four "crowns" that ruled the regions of the South (Native Americans, Spanish, English, and French) and is then kissed by the dogwood blosson.  Flowering dogwoods are all over the this area when Spring decides to reappear.  They grow both "on purpose" (ie, the tree was bought at Lowe's or Home Depo or some other landscaping place and planted in the yard) or wild.  I am blessed by four wild growing dogwoods in my backyard.  Dogwood blooms are either pink or white, so if you're going for the realistic look, keep that in mind.  There's also a neat story about how the dogwood blossom tells the story of the crucifixion of the Christ, if you want to Google it. 

And as always, piece the block together before doing the applique.

As an added bonus, there's a recipe for the Southern Chicken Bog.  I've included it below.  It's a wonderful one-dish meal on a cold night.  Bogs are a soup, coming from the French influence on our part of the country. 

Chicken Bog
1 (3-4 lb) chicken, stewed and deboned
8 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup rice

Bring broth, salt, and pepper to a boil.  Add cooked chicken and uncooked rice.  Bring back to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.  Some people add cooked sausage for a little extra zip.  I like mine with the sausage.

(From South Carolina -- A History  by Dr. Walter Edgar)