Shakers and bakers

It was a beautiful day to visit Hancock Shaker Village, which is where my Mum and aunt and I went today.  The sun was shining but it wasn't too hot.  The village was quiet and it was peaceful just ambling about.  I was, as ever, very struck by Shaker ingenuity.  They invented a chair that can tip back safely without denting the floor (it has ball-and-socket feet on the back legs).  In the museum shop I bought an elegant one-handed salad-serving implement made from cherry wood and hinged with a brass pin. 

This evening our same party of three set out to a quilt meeting in Clifton Park, half an hour north of home.  Mum had by chance been in correspondence with a member of the group and she'd invited us along.  It was all very jolly.  Several quilt shop owners were there giving presentations about new stock and upcoming classes.  There was a display of challenge quilts that group members had made.  There was a show-and-tell session.  The co-president's baby was passed around the room to be looked after by whoever had a free pair of arms.  And because it was the last meeting for the summer there were cookies - loads and loads of cookies. 

Apparently everyone (and there are more than 200 members) had been asked to bring along a dozen cookies to share.  With a sudden burst of mathematical genius I worked out that meant everyone was also expected to eat a dozen cookies.  Luckily they didn't all manage it, and I was sent home with a plateful of cookies for the family.  I'm liking this group.  I may just have to visit again.