SBG, three years ago I bought a 550 Bernina, but still sewed on the 1530 inspire Bernina. The older machine had to be sent in to Chicago to be fixed, so I am using the newer Bernina now. Didn't know how to fill the bobbin, had to learn. It fills it automatically, and I want control over it, but that's not how its built. It sews a straight seam. That's all I really want.

Gladdie, you are so funny! You're a better man than I, hosting all that family at once. I would need to run away too, like your hubby said. Short visits are best. We love to see them come, and also love to see them go! (Did I just say that out loud?)

And fresh tomatoes and cukes salad is one of my summer favorites. I can eat a ton of it.

QNS if you have the big overgrown cukes, they make the best red cinnamon pickles! We can't have Thanksgiving and Christmas without some of those on the table. If you want the recipe, just let me know. It's for the huge cukes you 'missed' until they turned yellow and shouted, "HERE I AM!"

Wow... great to have a backup! I have the old 1970's Bernina 830 Record, and it's always been my favorite machine. I sewed on that up until three years ago when I bought the Juki 2010Q for quilting. It's a straight stitch only machine, but I love to quilt on it. I've had 2 or 3 of the Bernina 830s... and went through 3 motors on the first one I had! I used the heck out of it. It's still the best, to me. The thread cutter in the foot pedal of the Juki does have me a bit spoiled, tho. That, and the way it can just start sewing without having to have the thread tails held. No bird nesting ever. I don't need any leaders and enders on that machine.

Gladdie's shop's plate says "QLTNISAWRKOFHRT" (quilting is a work of heart"). Sweet. I looked it up on the Row by Row site.

SBG, let us have a look at the recipe for big cucumbers...I now have 15 large ones. Thanks.

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Thelma Spier's Red Pickle Recipe

1) Using largest overripe cukes (yellow ok), peel 4 lbs cukes (about 7 huge). Slice in half lengthwise and scrape out seed centers. Slice into 1/2" slices.

2) Soak 24 hours in 1 C. lime plus just enough water to cover.

3) Drain and rinse 3 times, then soak 3 hours in ice water.

4) Drain cukes well in colander. Mix 1.5 tsp. red food color (or more), 1 tsp. alum, 1.5 C. Heinz white vinegar, plus enough water for mixture to just cover the cukes, and simmer cukes in mixture for 1.5 hours on low heat.

5) Drain, discarding liquid. MAKE SYRUP: Mix 1 C. vinegar, 1 C. water, 5 C.s sugar, 4 sticks of cinnamon, few whole cloves, 2 small boxes of Red Hots candy (or one bag). Boil mixture to dissolve sugar and candy, stirring.

6) Add cukes to the pot and boil for a few minutes. Fill hot, sterile jars with hot pickles. Add one cinnamon stick and 4 cloves per jar. Cover with syrup, leaving 1/2" headroom.

7) Process in water bath canner for 5 minutes.

Makes 4 pints.
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Although the recipe is for 4 pints, I usually make quart jars, and use as many cukes as I have. I often have to mix up and cook some extra syrup to have enough to fill the jars at the end, so be sure you have extra of everything for the syrup. These are the best sweet pickles, if you like sugar and cinnamon! Just like candy.

...Forgot to mention, if you are processing quarts instead of pints, add a little time to the processing-- maybe 10 minutes instead of 5.

Ok, "this isn't getting sewing done" -- it's how I feel sometimes. :-) I'm trying not to use so much time online, but often failing in that goal...
SBG and all, I used to use a scissors for cutting the thread, but when I recently got a different machine that had a sharp cutter on it, I used that. I found it made a big difference regarding having to hold the thread when beginning. So long as the lever is up (I don't know the name of it, the one that goes up and down with the top thread threaded through it) I don't have any problem with tangles near the feed dogs after using the thread cutter. I've never used leader/enders anyway.

The 'Take Up Arm' or lever? I think it depends on the machine. All my vintage Singers have to have the thread tails held when you start sewing. I haven't gotten into the swing of using leaders and enders with them, either, tho.

Yeah, I need to go run some important errands and here I sit, enjoying my coffee with yinz.

My 'rat's nest' was caused by the bobbin not wound tight enough and incorrect threading. I do not need the leaders/enders on either machine I use.

Tomorrow is the BIG warehouse sale, everything is $6 or $7 dollars a year in Newton, Iowa...and Pella, Iowa is having a big sale likewise in price. Don't know where all we will get to, but in good company, I am not worried about it. I will enjoy the trip. Then, on Saturday, we have company coming in (a couple) to spend the night which they have not done for four years or so. So have to clean out the sewing/guest room before then. I have promised fried chicken and gravy for her and pork roast for him. Easy meals to do. Dishwasher will clean all plate ware and pans.

Thanks, SBG, for the recipe; I will try it and pass it on to the friends coming in on the weekend.

Got the nose piece of my glasses adjusted today, so it 'sits' above the skin cancer that will be removed on the first of September. DH got his dark glasses back, second time around, they got the tint right for him/ The big Ragabon is through my hometown, with a few lingering on about town...until Friday. They honor the Bicyclists who have been killed on the Iowa roadways...about 17000 was count that I heard today...that is the population of the town itself.

OK, my knee is okay as long as I don't twist it at all...I'm done with the PT and as the DR said time & resting the ankle before it acts up and it will get better... and it has...I just noticed a bruise right in the center of the area where I have most of the pain and I'm wondering if it is finally coming out or did I do it without knowing???

I also have a script for Voltaren Gel which really helps.. it's a penetrating cortizone that's used for pain & swelling..I've noticed I don't use it as much as before.. It works!!

I always sew with leaders & enders cause I don't like to waste the thread and the mess it creates... I even trim the seams of threads as I sew along...Those end up all over the place :D