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Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

Book Offers Recipes from the Civil War

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Civil War Recipes is the name of a book that offers collected recipes that were published originally in Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular journal edited by one of New Hampshire’s own: Sarah Josepha Hale. Recipes (or receipts, as they were called then) reflect the diverse tastes of Americans, both in the North and in the South. As the war progressed, food became more scarce, especially in the South, due to blockades and destruction of crops and livestock by Union troops. Prices for available food escalated and people were forced to eat whatever was “edible” that was available.

As a lover of blackberries, the recipe for Blackberry Syrup caught my attention. It calls for “as many pints” of extracted juice from ripe berries, as sugar. To the boiled mixture, one is told to add “half a gill of fourth-proof brandy to each quart of syrup.” A commercial version of this product was introduced by Gail Borden, the first food manufacturer to condense milk. The book notes that condensed blackberry juice was distributed to soldiers in Union hospitals.

Alcohol sometimes helped to counter bacterial infections and as noted in many reference books on Civil War medicine, soldiers often succumbed to dysentery. With their chronic diarrhea, many soldiers learned to “shoot from a squatting position” as noted in one source, a standing joke at that time.

Civil War Recipes is full of quaint dishes. It features some types of food that are not common fare today such as “Beef’s Tongue,” “To “Devil” Turkey,” and “Lobster Rissoles.” The author adds research notes to many of the recipes, adding background information and other updates. Some of the recipes are surprising. “The Christening Cake” (1860) calls for five pounds of flour, three pounds of butter, five pounds of currants (dried before the fire), sixteen eggs and other ingredients. It is amusing now to read the instruction to work the butter by hand until it becomes cream-like. This idea is a flashback to the time when butter was homemade and not readily available in a neat little package at the local store.

If you love to read historical recipes, this book is for you!

Patricia Cummings

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Civil War Books That I Recommend

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Love and Valor: Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner

Monday, August 1st, 2011

Love and Valor: Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner is a very compelling book based on actual letters sent back and forth to Captain Ritner of Iowa, most of them between he and his wife. The letters tell the story of the day to day experiences and impressions of a soldier with a young family at home. He tries to give her financial advice from afar. The government is always behind in paying the troops and at one point an Army paymaster steals money intended for soldier pay. The letters reveal the ongoing health challenges faced by soldiers, what they ate, and various strategies via handwritten maps sent by Ritner to his wife.

The letters are truly love letters that express a desire to be with his beloved, his anxiety over how his children are behaving and faring, and a wish to be able to leave the regiment for a time, just to go on leave.

I am about half-way through reading this book. It is a real “page-turner” that I hate to put down. I am mentioning it here as I think you would enjoy it, also. Written by Charles F. Larimer, a descendant of the Captain, the author adds in historical footnotes that provide background information about all the people mentioned in the letters. He also notes facts about the war that I have not seen elsewhere. This is a very enjoyable “read.” I highly recommend this book!

Tags: Love and Valor: Intimate Civil War Letters Between Capt
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Charming Little Book: A Black and White Tale

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

The expert appliqué work of quilt designer Ann Fahl and the poetry skills of art quilter Jacquie Sciutto combine to make a very sweet book that features Ann’s black and white cat and his antics. The 34 quilts shown throughout the delightful volume were 10 years in the making. This little 33 page book will delight cat lovers of all ages and would make a great holiday stocking stuffer (I know… thinking ahead!).

book cover

For more information about ordering this item, please contact Jacquie at quiltmuse@vermontel.net

Courtesy announcement of Quilter’s Muse Publications (a happy customer of this product)

Tags: A Black and White Tale
Posted in Books, Books for Quilters | Comments Off

How Much Do You Know About Islam?

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Last night, on television I saw the preacher who has promised to burn copies of the Koran. Not surprisingly, he admits that he had never read the book. At the very least, it’s a good media gag and has gained him attention from people in “high places,” even the Vatican.

This is a book so sacred to the believers of Islam, they carry it with them. It is the one possession they reach for before taking flight, at a rapid rate, from say Afghanistan to Pakistan, as the Afghan woman I met had to do with her family.

bag for the Koran

A special bag made to transport the Koran

Lately, it seems that some Americans are experiencing a delayed hysteria, possibly an outcome of 9-11, and possibly a reflection of their degree of mistrust of government, and the FALSE belief that our president is a Muslim.

This morning, I nearly choked on my coffee in reading that the proposed Islamic conference center in New York, located at least full two city blocks away from Ground Zero, is nothing more than “a 15 story high, middle finger” of Arabs toward America. The “free” paper where I read this editorial would be better used for cat litter. Its far right editorials fall a hair short of nonsense, most of the time.

The writer made an analogy that the Japanese did not build a Shinto shrine at Pearl Harbor. I would suggest that the author of that statement do a little more investigation into the nature of the Shinto belief system and that he also try to understand that the bombing of Pearl Harbor had nothing to do with religion. His thought is so lame, it’s on crutches and falling down.

Yet, in this country, anyone can have opinions and anyone can do anything or build anything, if the rules are followed. The law does not discriminate (at least theoretically). People have a right to their own religious opinions, as strange or as unpalatable as they may seem to others, and people also have the right to adhere to a NO belief system, if that is their choice. Religion is a personal matter and it is always best to keep it to yourself. Believe me, I came from a very religious background. Yet, you would never have seen my father trying to foist his religion on anyone else.

So, now, those of us who consider ourselves to be broadminded are called liberals, with a derisive and demeaning snarl. Again, all we have to do is to look at history. Book banning or book burning have never worked in the past. If anything, such actions generate more interest in the book(s) being destroyed. Other than getting a quick media fix and attention given to his plan, the pastor has not accomplished anything, except to show how small-minded someone can be. To burn a book when one does not even know the content strikes me as a bit weird, but no more weird than the editorial I read this morning. Tolerance is key to world peace.

Patricia Cummings

9-9-2010

The following comments were received:

Since I can’t figure out how to comment on the blog I’ll just send a note.

Countdown on MSNBC had a story on last night about the Islamic Center in Memphis that was damaged by arson. It’s being built next door to a church, and as soon as church members heard the center was coming, they put up a big welcome sign. The church is currently allowing the center to use the church hall for its events until the center is rebuilt. The pastor of the church commented that, “Jesus told us to love our neighbors, and that’s what we’re doing.” (could we bottle up his attitude and release it all over the country?)

It was a wonderful story. I know there are many more like it out there, but most of the people involved are happy to quietly do what’s right, and not interested in attention for just behaving honorably.

Wendy L Starn
Alexandria, Louisiana
http://splendiferousfiber.blogspot.com/
http://public.fotki.com/wlstarn/

Tags: Koran
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New Book Details U.S. / Mexico Relationship

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Running the Border Gauntlet is a new book by Laurence French, a senior researcher at the University of New Hampshire, and a professor emeritus at Western New Mexico University. The book provides insight into the history of border conflicts and immigration policies between the U.S. and Mexico. According to a UNH media release of 8/12/10, the author has written more than 270 academic publications, including 15 books. Personally, I cannot wait to read this book!

Patricia Cummings, UNH ’73, Spanish major
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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U.S. Navy Retiree Writes Book About His 20 Year Career

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Bob Rotruck

Robert R. Rotruck, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Navy Retired

Robert R. Rotruck, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Navy (Retired), has written a book about his 20 year career from 1959-1979. This 162 page autobiography, published as a paperback by Wheatmark, Inc., recalls incidents that made his life away from home both a challenge and a joy. Full of gratitude for the opportunities that the Navy afforded him, Rotruck aptly titles his book, Thank You, America: Autobiography of a Naval Career.

In all the time he spent in service, he recalls only meeting “a couple of bad apples.” In considering why anyone would choose to join the Navy, he says “It certainly wasn’t for the money or notoriety. It is simply because they swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to follow the orders of those appointed over them in their chain of command.”

This book is loaded with charming, insightful, and sometimes humorous stories. Turning points in the author’s life are noted, and one can readily see how the Navy helped to shape the man he became. This book is a page-turner. The reader is eager to read the next story! The author is now busy at work on his next book, an historical novel about Navy Seals. Writing seems to get in the blood!

Bob’s book is available from three sources: amazon.com (see link below), Barnes and Noble, or in pdf form. To read book excerpts and to become a “fan” on Facebook, please visit his website:
http://www.thankyouamericabook.com

Visitors to Quilter’s Muse Publications website will recognize the name “Bob Rotruck” as a frequent guest poet whose work we were happy to publish! His poetry is still available to read in many files still posted there. To locate various pages, use the “search” function on the home page.

We wish Robert R. Rotruck, “Bob,” the best of luck in all of his future writing endeavors! God bless you, and God bless America!

Patricia Cummings

Tags: book, Navy, Robert R. Rotruck
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World War II Quilts: A New Book by Sue Reich

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

The colors of Red, White and Blue are predominant in the new, patriotic book by Sue Reich that honors the textiles made during the most astounding war… ever! The author provides dozen of quilt examples, photos of ephemera, and photos of individuals to accompany the marvelous text she shares. Individual fabrics, close-ups of old quilts, and poetry add to the mix of images. Very unique items are included, such as the embroidered record of Aldora Howe’s son’s service in the Coast Guard, during World War II. This large quilt measures no less than 75″ x 100.”

There is no doubt about it. The mothers and sweethearts that stayed at home cheered the “boys” with letters and packages, while doing the work of the men, in factory jobs they’d left behind. This hardcover book, published by Schiffer Publishing in 2010, is a charming look at a variety of textiles, not just cotton quilts. War was on the minds of all who lived through that period. Who could escape it? Service banners were hung to demonstrate that one or more “stars” (sons) were serving in the Armed Services.

The first thing I noticed about the book is that it can be considered “eye-candy,” yet, in delving into it, one can readily see that it represents a whole lot more than just pretty pictures. If you want to understand the War a little bit better, acquire this book as a permanent record of some of the ways that patriotism and love were expressed via textiles. This book was worth the wait!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Tags: World War II Quilts
Posted in Announcements, Books, Books for Quilters, Quilt History, World War II | Comments Off

Memories of President John F. Kennedy/ and a New Book

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

The day that John F. Kennedy died, I was sitting in a 7th grade classroom, shared with 8th graders, in a small, country school where the principal also served as teacher for the two advanced grades. On November 22, 1963, he dragged a television into the room, telling us that the president had been shot. None of us had to wait very long before the television announcer reported that the president had just expired. It was a time of high anxiety and uncertainty for the nation and a scramble to get the vice-president (Lyndon Johnson) sworn into office.

Kennedy, the first Irish, Catholic president and the first to have ever won a Pulitzer prize, was admired. I remember reading his book, PT 109, and writing a book report for which I received an “A.” The country was ready for a youthful president and one with new ideas; someone who would make informed decisions. He served less than two years, and his death at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald, a man with ties to Russia, never resulted in a trial. Oswald was gunned down two days after the shooting by Jack Ruby. Conspiracy theories were abundant, and a commission was put together to gather more evidence, some of which is still in dispute, today.

Everyone’s thoughts turned to Jacqueline Kennedy and her two small children. The women of the country looked to “Jackie” as a trendsetter in fashion, and suddenly, pill box hats became popular, as well as her trademark hairdo. The funeral events were sad, indeed, and produced poignant images such as little John Jr.’s salute, and images of the eternal flame. My mother gave me a collectible book with many photos, The Torch is Passed, that commemorates Kennedy’s passing, stolen when I lived in Arizona.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, more than 1.5 million letters were sent to Jackie to console her and to tell her how much her husband meant to America. Due to the high volume of mail she received, not all of the letters could be saved. Those that were retained have been in a Boston repository for decades now.

A new book by UNH professor, Ellen Fitzpatrick, Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation, has just been published by HarperCollins. The 250 letters clearly show the state of mind of those who grieved with Mrs. Kennedy. The professor had to track down all of the letter-writers for permission to publish their letters, a major feat in itself, after the passage of so much time. Only one person refused. This book sounds most promising and one I would enjoy reading.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Tags: new book "Letters to Jackie", President Kennedy
Posted in Anecdotes, Books, History | Comments Off

French Novelist Announces New Book Related to the Textile Factory in Oberkampf

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

This is an announcement that I received from French novelist, Christophe Baillat, about his latest work inspired by the toile de Jouy textile factory in Oberkampf.

book cover

A novel about the toile de jouy. Le roman de la Toile de Jouy.

Je suis heureux de vous faire connaître mon roman paru chez L’Harmattan et consacré à la Toile de Jouy.

I’m happy to present you my novel, released by L’Harmattan, which is about the toile de Jouy.

Présentation du livre “Le neveu de l’abbé Morel”

Dans le Paris du XVIIIe siècle, l’abbé Morel enquête sur l’origine des crues de la Bièvre, cette rivière dont dépendent de nombreux métiers. Sa parfaite connaissance des lieux l’amène à conseiller l’entrepreneur Oberthur, dans lequel on reconnaît aisément le célèbre créateur des toiles de Jouy (Oberkampf). C’est alors le départ pour un long périple dans le royaume, financé par le Bureau du Commerce. Au cours de cette mission, l’abbé Morel côtoie les inspecteurs des manufactures, ancêtres méconnus des inspecteurs du travail.

In Paris during the XVIIIth century, Abbé Morel investigates the origin of the floods of the Bièvre, this river on which depend numerous professions. His perfect knowledge of places brings him to advise the entrepreneur Oberthur, in whom one recognizes easily the famous creator of toile de Jouy (Oberkampf). It is the beginning of a long trip around the kingdom, financed by the Office of the Business. During this mission, Abbé Morel encounters the inspectors who are the ancestors of the labor inspectors.

Recevez mes sincères salutations. Greetings.

Christophe Baillat
http://cbaillat.skyblog.fr

This announcement is brought to you courtesy of Quilter’s Muse Publications

Tags: Christophe Baillat, novel, Oberkampf, toile de Jouy
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The Postmistress – A Novel

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The Postmistress, a new novel by Sarah Blake, appears to be an intriguing story, set in World War II, before America’s involvement in that war. Please view the video statement made by the author as to the backstage in which she conceived the characters of the book. At the time, she was living on Cape Cod, in a small town. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows the knowledge and power possessed by any postmistress there, based on the mail she handles (or mis-handles?). The plot thickens. This looks like a really good, historically-based “read,” and that is why I bring it to your attention.

Happy Reading!

Tags: historical novel WWII
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Black History Month

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

February is Black History Month. This year, so far, I have not heard one person try to state once again that the so-called Secret Quilt Code is fact, not the fictional story that it, indeed, is. Has America come to its senses? One can only hope so.

Just as escaping slaves wanted to hop on the bandwagon to be hidden under blankets or whatever and thereby make an escape to “somewhere else,” so have the charlatans grabbed onto this idea of the secret quilt code of the Underground Railroad. It did not matter that it was all a falsehood. After all, it provided a way to “clean up,” for those who found it a way to capitalize on faux history.

Just dupe people into believing that they are acting in a compassionate manner and are oh-so-politically-correct. They will try to purchase just the “right” fabrics to make a “reproduction” of a quilt that never existed, and blocks that were never made for the purposes stated.

I am beginning to think that all that matters in this society is selling items based on false advertising and lies. Of course, it helps if the “big Whigs” endorse the idea.

Today, I had someone tell me that she doesn’t like books or magazines. That statement allowed me to judge the level of her ignorance with a capital “I.” Traditionally, books have been a vehicle of understanding. Take the book, “Our Nig” – yes, there is more information about it on my website, Quilter’s Muse Publications. The book is written by a mulatto woman who was an indentured servant to a well-to-do Milford, NH family who mistreated her. The life she lead was a tragedy, just as Harriet Tubman’s life was because of an injury inflicted upon her when she was hit in the head.

The hardship and suffering of African-Americans is swept under the rug, while their Caucasian counterparts make pretty quilts that have nothing to do with the escapes of Blacks, nor freedom. These same ladies, some of them, have told me that they are doing their part to save history because they love it so. For heaven’s sakes, do they read HISTORY? If they did, they might understand exactly what the “Underground Railroad” was, and if they read all of my MANY articles about why the quilt connection is an impossibility, they would not feel so self-righteous in their false pronouncements.

During Black History Month, if you want to honor African-Americans, please read more about what actually happened to them, and their roots, culture, and history. Putting a quilt together, under false pretenses, is rather silly and just proves that you are a victim of your own ignorance and the blatant capitalism that surrounds this topic. God bless the child who learns to read. A world of knowledge will open unto him. Here is a link to one of the files I wrote:

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/underground_railroad_and_quilts_blocks.htm

This is the book that started the controversy:

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Posted in Black History, Books, Books for Quilters | 2 Comments »

The Kindle – and Other Ways of Viewing Books Electronically

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Lately, I have been hearing from people who received a Kindle as a holiday gift and they are very pleased with it. The latest generation is wireless, always a good thing if you plan on reading a book at the beach. In fact, that seems to be the ideal use of a Kindle: a way to transport many possible books without having to carry them around, perfect for English teachers who utilize books without graphics or photos and where the written word is the focus.

Here is the latest amazon ad. You can see that Kindles have come down in price a great deal since they were first offered.

Over the weekend, there was a discussion on NPR about “e-books.” I responded to that feed on facebook to explain the various “e-books” there are and why there is so much confusion about them.
The word “e-book” is short for “electronic book.” In other words, the consumer needs some device by which to “read” the book.

Some people refer to “e-books” as something that can be “downloaded” to a specific computer, if a fee is paid. Those books or sometimes, short stories, do not have many graphics or photos, and usually very few pages.

An “e-book” might be offered for sale on CD, as are four of my works that used to be offered in print. There are many advantages to purchasing a disc, instead of a book. I will enumerate some of the “pluses.”

1) A disc is easily stored.
2) No one will spill coffee on the book pages.
3) No one will bend the edges of the book corners.
4) Discs can contain an extraordinary amount of information, and a great many photos (My largest e-book to date is 355 pages long and has 340 images).
5) With my e-books, the consumer who prefers to have a print version is allowed to print out a personal copy which can be coil bound at a copy shop, if desired.
6) Shipping is less costly than a comparable hard cover book, yet all of the information is retained. In fact, the book is even better! There has been no change in photo edits due to the printing process.
7) Navigation is superior, and while reading the book, Internet references cited are just a click away. One can move easily via internal links, page links, and word searches = lots of navigation.
All books print out to a page size of 8 1/2″ x 11.”
9) The only requirement to view the CD is to have either downloaded Adobe Reader (a free, easy-to-install software program) or that the program already be present (which it is, on most new computers).

Our four e-books, stored on CD discs, are listed on the front page of Quilter’s Muse Publications: Redwork Renaissance Revisited; Straight Talk About Quilt Care; Ellen Emeline (Hardy) Webster (1867-1950): Her Amazing Quilt “Charts,” Her Writings, and Her Life (New Hampshire’s Early Quilt Historian); and Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America.

These books represent years of my life and careful study to create. They have been out-of-print until we recently formatted them into e-books, the only sensible thing to do. I thrill at making them available again. In revisiting these titles, I am aware of all of the original research that I did to make them the very special books that they are. I hope you will agree!

Have a lovely day!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Tags: advantages of e-books, e-books, Kindle, NPR
Posted in Announcements, Books, Books for Quilters | Comments Off

Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America e-book – Now Available

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

CD cover

Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America is currently available to acquire as a pdf file written to a CD disc that is easily inserted into a computer’s hard drive and read on any computer. We first published this as a wire bound book in January 2006 and received wonderful reviews at that time. There are 147 pages and 165 images (including photos of finished items and design patterns that you could re-create with needle and thread).

This book covers a wide variety of topics related to Redwork motifs and their usage in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Please visit the home page of our website for more details.

Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings and James G. Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
Concord, New Hampshire
http://www.quiltersmuse.com

Tags: New e-book offered, Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe
Posted in Announcements, Books, Books for Quilters, Embroidery, History | Comments Off

Thanking Our Troops: God Bless America Touring Quilts, a book by Judy Howard

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Thanking Our Troops: God Bless America Touring Quilts put together by Judy Howard is a heartwarming reflection on the many quilts and quilt initiatives that have resulted in the gift of quilts to wounded veterans and has resulted in several displays in Bagdad that many of those currently serving in the Armed Forces have enjoyed viewing.

Throughout the large paperback book, color photos of quilts that honor the service of our military, as well as our core values of patriotism, faith, and courage, are present. Judy’s touring exhibit calls for quilts that are 22″ x 22″ and she explained that this size is easiest to pack. Groups are welcome to rent an exhibit of the quilts for only $100., in conjunction with a quilt show. The back cover of her book states: “All book and exhibit profits go for quilts for wounded troops and families of our fallen heroes.”

These quilts prove that any of us can make a difference, even to people whom we do not know. The quilts exude love of country and feature flags, eagles, planes, the first Man on the Moon, a reenactment of raising the American flag on Iwo Jima, crossed muskets, and a pictorial tribute, to name a few examples of motif styles.

A story accompanies each quilt and is punctuated with a Biblical passage, not a surprising element when one considers that Judy is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University.

Quantity discounts are available for fundraising by guilds. The suggested retail price of her 90 page book is $19.95. Judy Howard is the owner of Buckboard Quilts, a shop in Oklahoma that specializes in vending antique quilts. Judy is available to speak to groups.

For more information about her other books, activities, and opportunities to participate in making quilts for charitable causes, call her at (405) 751-3885, or e-mail:
BuckboardQuilts@cox.net, or wirte to Judy Howard, Dorcas Publishing, 12101 N. MacArthur #137, Oklahoma City, OK 73162

We commend all of those quilters who have participated with Judy in bringing her idea to fruition. The book is a lovely tribute to our troops and has succeeded in what it set out to accomplish. Congratulations to all, and blessings to those who have reached out beyond themselves to create this lasting visual memento through the sharing of their quilts.

**SEE the COMMENT section: Judy Howard has now added a quilt application form there.**

Patricia L. Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Posted in Books, Books for Quilters, Quilts | 2 Comments »

quiltersmuse.com Blog

Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

Book Offers Recipes from the Civil War

Civil War Books That I Recommend

Love and Valor: Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner

Charming Little Book: A Black and White Tale

How Much Do You Know About Islam?

New Book Details U.S. / Mexico Relationship

U.S. Navy Retiree Writes Book About His 20 Year Career

World War II Quilts: A New Book by Sue Reich

Memories of President John F. Kennedy/ and a New Book

French Novelist Announces New Book Related to the Textile Factory in Oberkampf

The Postmistress – A Novel

Black History Month

The Kindle – and Other Ways of Viewing Books Electronically

Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America e-book – Now Available

Thanking Our Troops: God Bless America Touring Quilts, a book by Judy Howard

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