BLOCK OF THE MONTH: K IS FOR KANSAS STAR

This month's block is very appropriate for me.  I just arrived home from driving to Denver.  I traversed the center of Kansas twice.  I am one of those people who like fruit cake and am not bored with the terrain of Kansas.  The following is a blog I wrote upon my return:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/2013/10/kansas.html
I am thankful to say I wasn't driving through there in the dark.  This time of year wildlife is on the move, especially the deer.  There was plenty of evidence of that on the side of the road.

 THE KANSAS STAR

With the Kansas Star block we will begin another leg of our two year trip,

 "THROUGH THE ALPHABET"     A twenty-six month Journey.

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries" is presenting her Block of the Month quilt series. It began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

 The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. This block and the other ten are at the beginners level. 

So far I have found the construction of the blocks very simple.  I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner.  There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

This block will definitely teach you new abilities if you are new to quilting.  It is paper pieced.  If you have never paper pieced before, google "How to paper piece a quilt block".  I am sure you will find lots of excellent tutorials.

This month's block is way out of my box.  I only do paper piecing when I absolutely have to.  I use it to execute a design I can't get any other way.  I found I do not enjoy the paper piecing process.  I do have lots of friends who delight in paper piecing. 

If you are new to quilting please try paper piecing.  These little blocks are the perfect beginning to a paper piecing career.  You may find this method is just your cup o' tea.
(BTW there are the cutest paper pieced tea cups available free on the internet.)
Here's just an example of what is out there for you:
http://piecebynumber.com/tea-n-coffee-cups.htm

 I hope Dorothy will excuse my excursion away from this month's direction.

I will be piecing my blocks using a square in a square method which I have a tutorial on here:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/square-in-square-tutorial.html

 

To make the KANSAS STAR

not using paper piecing you will need:

 

FABRIC "A":  One strip 2" X WOF, cut into (16) 2 inch squares (My Blue Fabric)

 

FABRIC "B":  One strip 2" X WOF, cut into (20) 2 inch squares. (My White paisley)

                        One strip 3 1/2" X  15", cut into (4)  3 1/2 inch squares

FABRIC "C":  One Strip 3 1/2" X 18", cut into (5) 3 1/2 inch squares.  (My Dark paisley)

STEP ONE:  Take one 3 1/2 inch Fabric "C" squares and four 2 inch Fabric "B" squares.  Follow the directions in the tutorial for "Square in a Square" (link above high-lighted in blue).  Repeat this on the other four squares.  You now have five "Square in a Square" "BC" units.

STEP TWO:  Take four, 3 1/2 inch "B" Squares and sixteen "A" 2 inch squares.  Repeat the procedure used in Step one. You now have four "AB" units.

STEP THREE:  Join your units in two rows of  AB-BC-AB; one row  of  BC-AB-BC; Press toward the AB unit. (I am using fabrics from the 50's /60's and they are heavier, thicker, coarser than current fabrics.  I open my seams out on these.  When the tips of the "geese" lay on top of each other they are real thick. The block doesn't lie flat when I press them to the side.)

STEP FOUR:  Join your rows together BC-AB-BC  TO  AB-BC-AB  TO  BC-AB-BC.  You now have a 9 patch with the name of KANSAS STAR. (When you join rows that you have pressed the seams open, you can not nest them.  For me it is necessary to pin the seams to keep them lined up.)

 THE KANSAS STAR, I made for my friend,
I'm getting envious of the blocks I am making for my friend.  I love the fall look of the fabrics.
These fabrics were so much easier to work with than the older fabrics.   I was able to nest the seams when I joined the units and rows.

KANSAS STAR in my BLUE/GREEN/LAVENDER PAISLEYS

 

 

See you next month, already I am anticipating it!  The minute I finish the current BOM I can't wait till the following month for our surprise..... LOL 

 

My quilting fix now, will be getting the second Clue for my Guild's mystery quilt  ready to be presented, November 20, 2013.  This is the first time I have been down the road planning a Mystery quilt.  It is very different than making a quilt.  This is the introduction to the guild's Mystery Quilt. 

 

 Introduction    http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

 A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

 First Clue   http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html

Second Clue November 20.

  





This journey with the alphabet blocks is taking me on journeys through the corridors of my mind.

 While you're on a quilting journey of any kind, please think about reducing your stash and making a quilt top to send to the "Quilt of Valor" group in your area .

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/quilt-of-valor.html

 

  Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/block-of-month-p-is-for-pennsylvania.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/block-of-month-n-is-for-new-york-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

 

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING: CLUE #1

“A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING”

PIECEMAKERS GUILD 2013/2014 MYSTERY QUILT

A mystery quilt in 5-6 installments

(6 if you do the larger quilt)

Finished small Quilt 57” sq. with borders

Small quilt without borders 45 ½” sq.

Larger quilt, 64 ½” sq. without borders)

Thank you for participating in this mystery. I hope it will be fun, easy, and educational.  Beginners with intermediate abilities  (knowing how to use the machine and 1/4 inch abilities.) should be comfortable working on it.  Newbie’s to the world of quilting may need a little help.  If you understand how to sew a quarter inch, and a scant quarter inch you should do fine. 

If you have just found this clue and need the introduction to this mystery you can find it here:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-mystery-in-making-clue-3.html

CLUE # ONE FOR

“ A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING”

The mystery will be composed of Units. 

The construction techniques will be listed with each step.  Each clue in the making of this quilt is not stressful.  Even if you are a slow quilter this clue should not take more than 3 hours of your time to construct.

CONSTRUCTING A SQUARE IN A SQUARE

(Also half square triangles)

From Focus fabric “A” cut:

(3)   9.5” X WOF strips; cut into (9) 9.5” squares.  If you have a lot of fabric you can fussy cut these.  Just make sure you have enough left for the rest of the cuts.

(6)   5” x WOF strips for the outer border, Label and set aside. (If you are unsure you will like the suggested border do not cut these at this time.)

(2)   5” X WOF strips: cut into (12) 5” Sq., label “Clue 2 & 4”, set aside

From Fabric “B” cut:

(5) 5” X WOF strips; cut into (36) 5” squares

 CONSTRUCTION CLUE #1

1.  On the back of the (36) 5” Sq. Fabric “B”, draw a line diagonally, corner to corner, with pencil (don’t use pen or marker it may bleed through to the front).  If your fabric is very dark use a light colored pencil.

HINT:

The diagonal distance is 7 inches.  It’s important to stitch in a straight line across the diagonal.  I don’t recommend skipping the marking of the line and eyeing it.

HINT: 

 Fine grit sand paper glued on cardboard makes a great board to use in the marking fabric.  It keeps the fabric from stretching and slipping.

2.  Use a 9.5“sq of Fabric “A”; place a marked 5” Sq of Fabric “B” in the upper left corner, Right sides together.  Stitch on the seam side of the Diagonal line, a scant enth off the line.  Repeat this on all 9 squares.

HINT: When stitching an enth off the line I use the inside edge of the toe of my presser foot as a guide to run along the drawn line. It places my needle one stitch width away from the line.  Check your foot and see what helps you eye it.

3.  Press the triangle to the corner of the square.   Trim ¼" away from the seam.  (Do not trim if you would like a bonus unit).  When you fold back the triangle, line it up with the corner of the 9.5 inch fabric "A" square.  By sewing an enth off the line you allow the fabric to be folded back easily.  Also if you have made a mistake in stitching, matching the corner of the larger square keeps your triangle exact. 

 BONUS, HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLES:

If you have elected to make the bonus unit and have not done Step three, you proceed with this step.

With a little extra stitching, and time, you’ll have a pieced unit to use in another project, salvaging fabric which would normally be wasted. 

Stitch 1/2” away from your previously stitched seam: then press the triangle back to the “point” of the larger square.  Pressing back to the corner is very important to do before you trim between the two seam lines.  Stitching ½” away results in a bonus ½ Square triangle.  Be careful when you trim the half square triangle off that you don't cut your triangle off the front of your unit.

 Press your HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE open to the dark fabric.  Voila,  a bonus unit to use in another project,  Fabric rescued before it be comes trash.

4.  Repeat Steps 2 & 3 for the other three corners.  Begin with the opposite corner, diagonally across from the corner you just completed.

NOTE:  You complete opposite corners, instead of going clockwise around the square, if there is a reason I don’t know it (I know there probably is a construction reason).  I do it because it looks better in the finished unit. 

Left, is the unit with two corners added.  The right hand corner has been stitched to allow the harvesting of a HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE.   Remember to press the triangle back to the corner before trimming so your  "Square in a Square" will be square.  If you have chosen to do the extra step you will have (36) Half square triangles, place them in a plastic bag for another Project.  Don’t square them up at this time.

When finished with all four corners you will have (9) 9.5” Square in a Square Blocks,  place these in a plastic bag and label “Clue One”. 

As you can see by this finished unit, fussy cutting is an option.

Need further clarification on construction of a "Square in a Square",  here is a tutorial: 

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/square-in-square-tutorial.html

Other blog sites by me:
http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/
Where I have stories of my cats and other pets
a blog about my courtship with my husband,
and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.
A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.
http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs.

Please do not copy without permission

 

BLOCK OF THE MONTH: J IS FOR JACOB'S LADDER

 

It is that time again to begin another leg of our two year trip,

 

 

 

Left is my Paisley Jacob's Ladder

 

 

 

 

"THROUGH THE ALPHABET"

 A twenty-six month Journey

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries" is presenting her Block of the Month quilt series. It began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

 

 The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. This block and the other nine are at the beginners level. 

So far I have found the construction of the blocks very simple.  I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner.  There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey. 

 

 

This block is very relaxing and very quickly constructed.  It uses techniques you have already learned in past blocks. One of my favorite techniques, the pin wheeling of  the centers of the four patch. I give a tutorial in this article:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-street-mystery-step-one.html

 

The main reason I like this method is it results in a nice flat top.  There is no bulk in the center where the seams nest.

 

The block on the left is the one I have made for my friend.  This is the first block where I haven't used both her dark and her light constant.  I have used the butterscotch in another of her blocks and I wanted to make sure it didn't look like a mistake in the finished top.  So it was applied in this block. 

 

Another technique used in the block is the construction of the "half Square Triangle".  I wrote a short tutorial in this article:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/half-square-triangle-tutorial.html

 

The block on the right is another color way I have been doing.  I still need to catch up on several of the first blocks.  The reason I started another color combo, I wasn't using the paisleys up fast enough.

 

See you next month, already I am anticipating it!  LOL 

 

My quilting fix now, will be getting the first Clue for my Guild mystery quilt  ready to be presented, October 16.

 

This is the first time I have been down that road.  Planning a Mystery quilt is very different than making a quilt.  This is the introduction to our Quilt mystery. 

 

  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

First Clue to be presented October 16.

 





This journey with the alphabet blocks is taking me on journeys through the corridors of my mind.

 While you're on a quilting journey of any kind, please think about reducing your stash and making a quilt top to send to the "Quilt of Valor" group in your area .

 

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/quilt-of-valor.html

 

  Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/block-of-month-p-is-for-pennsylvania.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/block-of-month-n-is-for-new-york-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

 

BLOCK OF THE MONTH: I IS FOR INDEPENDENCE SQUARE

"THROUGH THE ALPHABET"

 A twenty-six month Journey

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries" is presenting her Block of the Month quilt series. It began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

"Independence Square" above, is my paisley rendition.

 

 The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. This block and the other six are at the beginners level. 

So far I have found the construction of the blocks very simple.  I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner.  There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey. 

 

This new block is no exception.  It is a simple nine patch which each of the nine squares are units on their own.  They use construction techniques you have already encountered in other blocks.  The important thing to remember is to use an accurate 1/4 inch.  This will give you your 91/2" unfinished measurement.  Each unit should measure 3 1/2 inches. 

 

I was visiting a friend and showing a quilt top I had just finished.  She commented how neat (as in finished looking) my top looked.  I think that is due to I press each seam as I construct a block.  Not just finger pressing, I use an iron.  When I have been in a hurry and not used the iron the block appears rumpled.  I also discovered it is more difficult to get seams to nest when you don't press.  the more seams in a block the more it is necessary to press.

Above is the block I have constructed for my friend in California. 

 

 The paisleys in my stash have not been disappearing at a fast enough pace for me.   So I am starting another color way for myself.  It looks like I will have to go back and start at the beginning.  In the blog for "F" I used this color way to illustrate a construction technique.  ow I already have two in this color way.

 

Above is the resulting block.
 

This journey with blocks is taking me on journeys through the corridors of my mind.

 While you're on a quilting journey of any kind, please think about possibly reducing your stash and making a quilt top to send to the "Quilt of Valor" group in your area .

 

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/quilt-of-valor.html

 

  Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/block-of-month-p-is-for-pennsylvania.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/block-of-month-n-is-for-new-york-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

 New Article on my blog: 

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

First Clue to be presented October 16.

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

CHALLAH: A DISAPPOINTMENT ON THE SABBATH

Edited with an epilogue, a week later September first, when I returned home.

I haven't been to visit the Grandchildren since the last of December.  They have been unable to visit me with their school schedules and with the summer camp schedules.  One of the things they look forward to is Shabbat with the baking of the Challah and the resulting Cinnamon rolls. 

 

The following are my usual renditions of Challah and Cinnamon rolls:

 

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/challah-made-easy.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/cinnamon-rolls-from-challah.html

 

I arrived at the Grands on Thursday afternoon and the first question from my grandson was, "Tomorrow is Friday, "Are you going to make Cinnamon rolls?"  I answered, "If we have the ingredients to make Challah for Shabbat."  I was told everything was in stock.

 

Friday morning, I was told the kids only had a half day school could I wait to bake till they got home.  I said sure, it would on take 4 -5 hours time to finish the bread.  Things began to happen and it turned out they had to do stuff for school after school was out, so I was on my own.

 

I was very lucky that was the case.  I can truly say I have never had a failure before.  I've had batches that weren't as tender and soft,  but not failures.  In fact, no one thought anything was wrong with the bread, but to me they were mediocre loaves.  

Friday was humid, the whole month had been humid, I started the bread.  I mixed the wet ingredients first and then started adding my dry ingredients.  Normally the most flour I have ever had to add is under ten cups.  I lost count at ten.  I was using All Purpose Flour, because that was what was available.  That was not the problem.  All purpose flour does not result in a horribly dense loaf.   Too much of any type flour does that. 

The dough I was working with kept staying like it was a brioche dough.  It took forever till I could knead it properly and then it wanted to go back to the brioche consistency.  I set it aside to rise, the first thing I noticed it didn't rise very fast.  It was like it was a cold day in a house heated with a wood stove. 

When I panned it, it still  didn't rise quickly on this second rising and when it was put in the oven it seemed to not stay even at the height it was.  Turning out the finished loaves was so disappointing. Their color wasn't even golden.  It was sort of a muddied brown.  At Shabbat dinner the bread when pulled apart, didn't pull apart.  It was so dense it kind of broke up. 

The comments at the table were, "Baba, this isn't the same recipe you usually use."  There was plenty of left overs.  The birds enjoyed the crumbs tremendously.

The cinnamon rolls, they had a saving grace, They can be dunked into a hot liquid of your choice.  I guarantee they soaked up lots.

What caused the catastrophe?  I can blame it on the weather, or the all purpose flour, or maybe the yeast was old, or was it the salted butter I used; she isn't kosher.  What ever the cause it sure put a cloud over dinner.

Shabbat is over and before I leave Tampa I am going to have to make another batch of bread with Cinnamon rolls for the Grands.  Maybe this time it will be edible.

(Thursday before I left Tampa, I  made them Challah for their Shabbat the next day.  I purchased new bread flour, new yeast, butter with no salt, used bottled water.  I left nothing to chance.  The weather alas was just as humid.  The saying is, "You can't do anything about the weather".  I couldn't but decided it was worth the try.

Worth the try it was.  The bread and rolls turned out spectacular.  My grands were thrilled with the cinnamon rolls for supper and said they couldn't wait till the next night for Shabbat so they could have the Challah.

I am home now and working on the first clue for the Mystery for my Guild. 
I am Chairman of my quilt guild's mystery quilt this year.  The instructions for the beginning of the mystery are on this blog.  It is the introduction, about choosing your fabrics:

 

 

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

First Clue to be presented October 16.

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission