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Many countries around the world celebrate their own forms of Thanksgiving.  Most, but not all, of the celebrations have to do with the end of the harvest.  Here is a taste of what the world has to offer.

Round is a MooncakeUnlike the American Thanksgiving dinner, the Chinese celebrate the August Moon or Mid-autumn Festival.   It is often called the Women’s festival as the moon symbolizes beauty and elegance. It is held the 15th day of the lunar month.  They celebrate the end of the harvest with a huge feast where they eat mooncakes instead of pumpkin pie.  They send mooncakes to one another as a way to give thanks.  A mooncake is made of sweet bean-paste filling with a golden flaky skin.  Some mooncakes will have a golden yellow egg yolk center which looks like the moon.  (Round is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong)

YamsIn Africa, at the end of the rainy season, usually around the beginning of August the Yam Festival is held.  Yams are one of the most common foods and one of the first crops to be harvested.  People believe that by offering yams to their gods and ancestors first they are giving thanks to the spirits above them.  Don’t confuse yams with sweet potatoes, yams are from Africa and sweet potatoes are from Asia.

  

Canada MapCanada began celebrating their Thanksgiving Day in 1957.  It is on the 2nd Monday of October.  It celebrates the end of the harvest and is the time to give thanks for good crops and prosperity.   The root of the holiday dates back to a ceremony held by Martin Frobisher in 1578 to celebrate his survival in his quest to  find a northern passage from Europe to Asia.

 

 

 

Pongal In January of each year, Pongal is celebrated in Southern India.  It is named after a sweet rice dish.  During Pongal neighbors come together to share their crops and to give thanks to all who helped in making their harvest successful.

 

 

 

 

  

In Croatia, “Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day” is celebrated on August 5.  It is not a harvest festival.  Croation FlagIt commemorates the seizure of the city of Knin by the Croatian Army during Operation Storm in the War of Independence.

 

 

Thanksgiving, wherever you live, is a time to celebrate with family and friends and give thanks to those who have given you peace and joy in your lives.

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Q: What did the momma turkey say to the baby turkey who was being naughty?

A: Your father would roll over in his gravy!

It's that time for those of us in the good ole U S of A to celebrate Turkey Day! So the poll is:

Turkey or Ham?

Pecan or Pumpkin?

Football or Movies?

 

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So Alex has taken us through a tour of the history behind the Statler Stitcher, as well as how it works.  Today, we promised you something "Super Cool" and frankly you'll be amazed at what you can do.  Watch how you can create images within your quilting and be able to quilt around it!

 

 

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Yesterday we learned how it all began for the Statler Stitcher.  Today, let's see how it works.  Find out "what problem the Statler could solve for Alex" - besides being able to quilt and do her dishes at the same time! Laughing 

 

 

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At Quilt Market in Houston, Alex found out that there is more to the name Statler than just on a machine.  There is a real person behind the Statler Stitcher, Mr. Paul Statler himself.  So who better to ask the burning questions:  What exactly is a Statler Stitcher?  What does it mean and what can it do?  Come along with Alex as she sees how technology meets quilting in a four part video series.

Join us tomorrow for Part Two and watch the machine at work.

 

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

Join TQS in Episode 511 for some "Far Out" times as visitors Mona (Alex) and Juaquin (Ricky) take us on a journey back to the 60s in celebration of "Hippie Day."  The costumes, characters, and teaching demonstration by Joaquin end with a Challenge for you. 

 Then, Terrie Sandelin shares her fun, fast, and very accurate technique for creating incredible miniature quilts.  It's a show not to be missed.  To watch the show click here.

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watch this video

Here is a two-minute video. Some of you may have seen it, but most of you have not. Do you believe in destiny? If so, please share the link with others. This is: Me/1957/21 months old.

Looking for a good Thanksgiving Day opportunity to break the ice for sharing the love of family? Then I encourage you to share a memories at www.christmasinasmalltown.com - you'll be able to print out a beautiful email and use it as a conversation starter that is bound to make this holiday special.

A note from Alex:

destiny - hmmmmm - makes you think now doesn't it?

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Right before fall market, I got my hands on my new line Elizabeth Anne by P&B Textiles. In an effort to strut her "stuff" - I asked Bunny if she could make me a tote at the 11th hour. And fortunately her answer was yes. I love this tote so much I encouraged Bunny to put it up in her blog and if possible make a pattern. Well, she did it! To find out more go here.

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Talented quilter and videographer, Pam Holland, takes us up close to the quilts at the Birmingham, England Quilt Show.  You can play this on full screen by clicking the icon with the 2 arrows next to the sound icon.  

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TQS is proud to present its first TQS Member Spotlight.    This on-going series will introduce you to fascinating members of our TQS community.  First up, BKLYNMIKE, also known as Michael Michalski.  Michael does wardrobe for Broadway musicals and enjoys running marathons to relieve stress.  To read his complete interview, just click here.  Enjoy the show!