A Quilter's Holiday

A Quilter's Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini takes place the day after Thanksgiving. A tradition has formed at Elm Creek Quilts wherein the members spend the Friday after Thanksgiving having a potluck combined with a sewing session. The day is spent working on Christmas presents. Everyone brings a dish made of leftovers from their Thanksgiving dinner. Sounds like the perfect day to me. lol.

While cleaning the kitchen for the remodel (see the book The Quilter's Kitchen), Sylvia came across a cornucopia her sister Claudia made many, many years ago. The tradition was for each member of the family to put a small token of what they were thankful for into the cornucopia and then at dinner they would remove the items and each person would explain their choice. Of course Sylvia, Sarah and the girls are all quilters so they are to make a quilt block representing what they are thankful for.

The focus shifts from one lady to another as they each recall events from their past that shaped their present. All is not good though, but such is life. I like an author who doesn't paint everything rosy but makes it real instead.

These characters are like old friends but they've changed over the years. But they've changed in good ways. They've grown from their experiences.

There are some great discussions about traditions and how each family makes the holidays special for what suits them.

Sylvia gets some exciting news and I noted a wink at a past character. It will remain to be seen if it was intentional. I can't wait for April when the Quilters all go to Hawaii.

If you are a fan of the Elm Creek Quilts series make sure you pick this one up.

Jody