They called it Mellow Yellow, Memory Monday

I remember when I crocheted this sweater for Mom, one of the first I'd ever made.  I remember how jazzed I was at being able to match up the striped and how excited I was when I came up with the idea of stripping it to solve the.........I don't have enough of the mellow yellow yarn.  Yellow was Mom favorite color, she always said yellow was a happy color.  This was a Christmas present long ago, see those really big glasses........remember when those were in style?  Made everyone look like an ant with great big eyes.  lol

I wonder what happened to that sweater?  Mom's gone and so is the sweater.  I've lots or loaned the pattern and have looked many times to find and purchase it again.  The sweater is a raglan sleeve sweater and so well written, would love to make another sweater or two using the pattern.  Though it was crocheted it had the look of a knitted sweater, I thought.  I remember the picture on the cover/leaflet that the pattern was in was a woman wearing this sweater in a pretty soft almost minty color.  It's basic dc and the yarn used was sport weight yarn............long before we had all the wonderful choices of fibers we have today.  Does anyone have one of these vintage patterns?  Pretty sure it was a Leisure Arts Pattern.

Miss Mom and miss the pattern.

(wish this was a better picture)

What's your Memory Monday?  Post a picture and tell us about it, add the blog badge with a link back here.  Be sure and add your name and blog post url to the linky and let's have fun and get out there and visit.  Let's see if we can get others to look back...doesn't have to be eons, at fun memories.

Christmas Eve Memories

This isn't the best of pictures, it's small and granny.  Most pictures we took with those little Instmatics with a cube for a flash were.  This was Mom long ago in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve.  My family always did the family exchange on Christmas Eve while Christmas morning was saved for the presents from Santa who came during the night.

I don't know what year this was, she looks so young.  The afghan she's unwrapping was one I made for her that I had sorta forgotten about until seeing this picture.  It was really heavy I remember as it was made with rug yarn.  It was really colorful though all you see here are shades of brown.  It had blue, red, green and gold I think from memory.  The afghan was made with octagon's and sewn together.  No idea what happened to it this many years later, it could still be there at home somewhere I guess.  She used it for awhile on the sofa which was brown then later as a rug to coordinate with her oval braided rugs.  Remember those?

I love looking at old pictures and remembering the details, particularly nice when Mom isn't with us anymore.

Got memory?  Please share.  Post your picture and story, add this badge to your post

and link back here.  Add your name and url to the linky, visits others and have fun.  Apologies for those I couldn't visit from the last Memory Monday.  I was having blog issues.  I will visit you all.

*If you get here before the linky, it just means you've beat me.  Please pop back, as it will be posted when I get up.  Wish you could post them ahead but you can't.*

**You can also visit any of the previous Memory Monday's by clicking on the Memory Monday Tag**

• Had issues with my old blog and had to change templates.  Not thrilled with this one, as my other one was a 4 column style; but trying to make it work
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Singer Sewing Machine Back in the Day

It's Memory Monday time.  I remember when my Mom would sit at a machine like this and make my school clothes.  This is a singer treadle sewing machine that now sits in my office a short distance from my computer.  It belonged to my Aunt Mary, Dad's sister who passed at the age of 92.  The machine is actually still threaded sorta...the bobbin.  The machine belonged to my Grandmother before my Aunt.  We're not certain if Grandma purchased it new or it was passed down from another family member.  Searching using the serial number it appears this machine dates back to 1910, and is therefore 103 years old.  I believe with some oiling I could in fact still use it.

I learned to sew, not on this machine; but the one like it my Mother had.  You got exercise with your legs sewing in those days as you kept the machine running by pumping the pedal with your feet.

Having this in my possession makes me smile, it makes me remember My Mother, My Grandmother and My Aunt and a different life then we now all have.

My Mom

My Aunt Mary

My Grandmother.  She and Grandpa sitting in front of their house.  I only have a few pictures of my Grandma.  She must not have liked to have her picture taken.

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Mom You Fascinate Me

Today's blog prompt from Paula's June Blog Challenge is to write about someone who fascinates you and why.  This is My Mom, she was probably about 16 or 17 here in this picture.

She fascinated me because she and many women of her time did so much.  They married young, had children young, cook and cleaned and did laundry when there no short cuts.  Modern conveniences didn't exist, keeping a house was hard work from sun up til sun down.  They didn't have time or money to have manicures, pedicures, massages, girls night out.  They didn't didn't have "me time".  They didn't belong to the gym to stay fit, they didn't need to.  Working day in and day out was enough exercise.  They didn't talk about being stressed out the way young mothers do today.

Think of the time and effort alone it took to do laundry for a family of 5.  Wringing out the laundry, 1 piece at a time in the wringer washer operating the crank by hand.  Then lugging heavy wet cloths outside to hang them on the line...back inside to start the next load, back outside to take the clothes down etc.  The process had to be repeated many times over.  And because everything came off the line stiff, wrinkled then the long process of ironing, hanging, folding and putting things away.

There were no microwaves to heat something up quick, nor fast food joints around the corner, no frozen meals for convenience.  Every meal had to planned out,  things removed from the freezer and cooked.  There were no dishwashers beyond ones pair of hands.  Garbage disposals came along much later, so wrapping up and taking out the trash was a constant thing.

She sewed most of my clothes, she went fishing with my Dad on his day off, she made things come together with her creativity.  When I think about her, aside from missing her since she's passed 4 years ago; I am fascinated at what she accomplished in a day.  Makes me think that perhaps kids who's relationship wasn't what they wanted with their mothers, might not have realized what all they went through.  I'm fascinated that she did these things every day and still had time to jump rope with me, teach me to knit, play jax sometimes.  Parents weren't kids best friends back in those day, how could they be...there wasn't time for that.  There was work to be done, those light hearted moments of play were very special.

Memory, A Simpler Time?

Haven't posted a Memory Monday in awhile.   Found this old picture and thought I'd post it.  I can't say I remember this, as Chuck the toddler in the picture is my older brother so I was either not yet born or very much an infant.  But, it bring back memories.

Memories of what a hard worker Mom was.  That roaster on the utility shelf I know she had for many years, because even as teenager it's the one she used every Thanksgiving to cook the turkey in.  She still used the shelf too.  Here though, I believe it was used to cook a good many things, as I don't think she had an oven.  From stories I remember her telling me, she cooked on a one burner hot plate and used the roaster in their first..maybe even the first couple of homes/apt's.  That wooden ironing board is still one in my parents house.  Mom's gone (4 years ago), and I don't think Dad has need of ironing; but it's still there and when she was living it was till in use.

Not sure what brother Chuck is playing with.  Apparently, something came out of the box?

I also remember my cousin, Nancy (older then Chuck) telling me Mom had lots of sweaters when she was young and she liked to get into her sweater draw.  Looks like she's wearing one in the picture.  Also get a kick out of noticing the rolled up jeans........kids today think they've started a new trend...not so much, What goes round comes round.

People have fond memories and often refer to that bygone time as a simpler time.  I don't think that's so, our lives today our more simple.  It's far easier/simpler to do laundry now then it was then, likewise cooking with all our computerized fancy stoves etc.  Simpler times?  Hum

Memories of Mom and Typing About Easter

Though this story is about typing, I can't really say the typewriter was this kind, though Mom loved the color turquoise and I think the time frame is fairly correct. 

It's been awhile since I've shared an alphabetical memory of Mom.

(Mom in purple on my wedding day, 1972)
But, with this weekend being Easter, memories of her come flooding back.  She was admitted to the hospital on Ash Wednesday back in 2009 and had emergency surgery in the wee hours of the following morning.  It was a long and difficult period in all of our lives, testing our resolve; as well as her's.  She died on what we kids always called Easter Monday.  I guess we always called it that because long before kids got a spring break, we got Good Friday and Easter Monday off from school.  And so with today being Good Friday, I find myself reading about the stages of The Cross, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and of course Easter Sunday, and remembering  Mom as well.

There's more to the connection, but for now ...typing.  Mom was a strong, very determined woman.  She made things work, whatever was needed; though some of  her "I can do anything attitude" diminished as she aged; that is truly the way I remember her most.  And in fact, the minister at her funeral told this story.

Mom interviewed and got a job which required that she type.  She told a little white lie telling them she could type...oophs.  But, she was determine to get the job, and confident that she could do it.  When I arrived home from school, she told me I needed to teach her to type and we had about a week to do it.  LOL  This is before computer keyboards mind you.  Heck, most of my typing class used standard non electric typewriters...the few electric were reserved for those who were speedy at it...I was not among that group.  It's also pertinent to add...we did not have a type writer at home in order to teach her.  But, that didn't stop her/us.  We fashioned a cardboard keyboard on the dining room table and propped up my high school typing book.  Thinking that still makes me smile.  Yes, she did learn to type in the short amount of time she had, and yes she was successful in her new job...the job she retired from many years later.

( Mom and Dad at a nephews wedding.)

Mom at 16 in a gorgeous dress she made herself from dotted swiss, as was my wedding dress that she also made.

The family in 2007, at Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary.  Younger brother Mike, Mom, Me, Daddy, and older brother Chuck.

Mom had grown up a Lutheran, sang in the church choir but after she and Dad got married they became members of The Methodist Church.  In those final hours, she squeezed my hand as I recited the 23rd Psalm.  Later when she opened her eyes (briefly and the first time in a couple of days), looking towards heaven she reached up, smiled, and crossed herself.  Lent is 46 days (bout 7wks), and that was how long Mom was in the hospital, most of it in ICU.  She bore her final days with bravery while the rest of us had tears.

Mom's name was Miriam, I read today that is a Hebrew name that means 'wise woman or lady'.  I read that Mary is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Miriam while reading about Mary in connection to the Easter Story.

Miss you Mom
Happy Easter All

Ivory Afghan

The other day I was visiting my Dad when I realized I had never taken a photo of this afghan I made Mom many years ago. It's solid ivory, not a color I use often but fit her decor and was what she requested. She asked me to make her a lacy, but not too lacy afghan when she bought a new sofa and love seat. She wanted something not too big to fit the back of the love seat to protect it against the rays that came in from a window. Not sure what stitch I actually used....can't remember, but it's crocheted shells of some sort.

Just thought I'd share this with you all. It's different then most of the afghans I've made through the years, in that it's more decorative. Normally, I make something for warmth both for family and all the ghans I've made for various charities through the years.

Laundry is calling my name, I'm trying to ignore it; but it's getting louder!

Santa Claus Memories, Thank you Mom

This is an old bookcase, been in the family forever. The shelves are adjustable (to a point), and the case has been painted many colors throughout the years. I remember it mostly being black in my younger years. A very fond memory of Mom comes to mind especially this time of year especially. She transformed this old bookcase into the fireplace that Santa Clause came down...year after year.

She'd remove all the books, and many of the shelves and using crape paper that looked like bricks...bingo, right before you very eyes a fireplace would appear. We watched her do this multiple times...and with her use of magic snow, hanging our socks on the mantle; we believed the Jolly Old Man truly did come down that very chimney.
After all, the proof was there every Christmas morning. The colored pictures don't withstand the test of time as well as the old black and whites (1952 and 1953). But clearly you can see, Santa did come to visit and bring great excitement and joy to us kids. My older brother Chuck and I playing cowboys and Indians and even before people knew about the word multi-tasking...clearly we were...we were also having a tea party. Younger brother Mike in the jump seat.

Thank you Mom for the wonderful memories.

I'ld like to add, this magical bookcase has been painted once again, creamy white this time round and is in DD's house.

Merry Christmas Mom.

Yellow Memories Mom

I knitted this yellow shawl for Mom's 80th birthday.

While you can't see her well, here she is unwrapping it.
Yellow was her favorite color. As I type this blog post I am wearing this yellow shawl. I'm not sure she ever got the chance to wear it, except perhaps while watching TV at home. She got ill not too long after this happy day. Between several surgeries on her knee, being in rehab, falling and hitting her head, having back problems, prior to her emergency surgery which caused her a long 7 week hospital stay (mostly in ICU), and ultimately her death, she didn't get to wear this out. Air conditioning on her shoulders was bothersome and thus I thought this knitted shawl in her favorite color was just the ticket. She liked yellow because she said it was a happy color, the color of the sun and warmth. She often laughed and said happy people like yellow.

Though this picture has faded over time, this is another yellow item I crafted for her. I crocheted this yellow sweater long ago for Mom as a Christmas Gift. She had small rounded shoulders and so a raglan sleeve style sweater made a nice fit for her. I loved this pattern. I remember being frustrated when I realized I was going to run short of the yellow yarn with the same dye lot. So I decided to do the red and white striping in the yoke area. I remember being truly excited my stripes can together so well. This was an awesome pattern. Sadly, I've lost this pattern and would dearly love to find it again. I remember the cover well. This sweater was in solid light mint greenish blue on the cover. The sweater was made with 2 ply sports yarn and the stitches were mostly good old double crochets with the ribbing being back stitch single crochets. Does anyone remember this pattern? Does anyone have it per chance? I've looked high and low at yarn stores to replace it. I don't think it's in print anymore. It was one of those leaflet types with about 6 patterns in it, not a book.

Yes Mom, LOVED yellow. And she wore it well. Some folks have trouble wearing yellow. This was taken at my youngest nephews rehearsal dinner. She so loved yellow she asked to be buried in this yellow dress. She worried a bit about that, saying yellow wasn't the color most folks wore at their funerals; but she loved yellow and wore it well. It's been just slightly over 2 years that we lost Mom, so I sit here wearing your yellow shawl remember you like this, with a smile on your face.

**I've added a tab across the top of my blog, as I continue my alphabetical memories of Mom**
***My Y post for May Z-A Challenge***

RAIN, memories of Mom

Rain, I don't actually like ran; it ruins good outdoor time, can alter ones travel plans, cause flooding can be dangerous...........But, RAIN makes me think about Mom. When I was young, most of the families in our neighborhood had electric ranges; Mom had gas. So when we'd have a rain storm and the electric would go; she'd warm up soup on the gas stove for all the neighbors. They'd walk through the yard with a pot of soup in hand and she'd put it on the stove. She'd laugh, cause she didn't really like the gas stove; thought it dirtier than electric--but it did have some advantages. In those days gas was considered old fashion, and all the new appliances were electric. I have an electric range; but hubby keeps wanting to buy a new one, a gas one. Gas is all the rage again it seems. All the cooking shows on TV talk about how superior gas is for even heat, all the chiefs use gas not electric.

That's not the only memory though that comes to mind with the word RAIN and my Mother. Back in the day before people spent hard earned money to buy special irons, or pay for distilled water (that was certainly a luxury only the wealthy could afford); Mom would put out large pots or bowls when it rained to collect rain water to be used in the iron and to water the house plants. More natural for the plants, without chemicals and all, and apparently better for an iron also; as the chemicals are what clogged up an iron.

It also seems rain water was a special thing to do for ones hair. She'd rinse our hair in rain water when she had enough. No need to pay for hair conditioners and rinse when you had rain water on hand. Now days, I suppose the rain water is full of junk and so perhaps that wouldn't be so advantageous?

AND, let's not forget the ever NOT stylish but wildly popular plastic rain-bonnet! Now for those of you younger then me, this may not bring back a memory; but if you're as old as dirt like me...well then, that's another story. Do you remember rain-bonnets? The one pictured is the more stylish model, however the one I remember most was folded back and forth like a fan with little plastic ties and fit into a plastic sleeve that measured about 1 inch by 3 inches. They snapped back folded when you pulled on the ties. Mom hated those things, older women always wore them back then. You know older women had their hair done once a week, or once every other week and so couldn't risk their style getting wet. No proper lady would go out and about without a rain-bonnet tucked neatly in her hand bag. Anyway, every-time Mom would see someone put one on, she'd tell me to shot her if she did that when she got older. I found this rain-bonnet a few years ago and was going to include it in a gift as a joke to her. I never did give it to her; though I know she would have rolled her eyes.

Then there was the time the family was camping during one of the summer vacations and it was raining and raining and raining. We were at Lake Erie, and Dad was outside trenching around the tent to try and keep the tent dry. He wasn't a happy camper, actually I don't believe anyone was. Mom grabbed the old 35 mm movie camera and had me open the tent flap so she could film Daddy trenching with a little camp shovel. As she's filming it, we all got to laughing and Daddy said this was his most favorite thing to do, next to swimming across a lake with man eating Piranhas. Needless to say, the mood was much better after that. And, it wasn't too long after that, that the sun came out.

No, I really don't like rain; but I do have some pretty fond memories. Thanks Mom.

Queen for a Day, Memories of Mom

Isn't this apron adorable? I wasn't looking for one when this jumped out at me shopping one day. Loved the pattern and style, looks old timey to me.

Starring at it there in the store I realized why I liked it so much; it reminded me of Mom. Not even because she always wore aprons, cause she didn't. Or at least not in later years. I do remember when I was a young kid she wore them more. I think all ladies did back then in the kitchen. Both she and Grandma did.

The memory that came to mind was a New Years Day long ago. It was always our family tradition to put away the Christmas decorations, take down the tree etc on New Years Day while the pork and kraut was cooking. One particular New Years Mom and Dad were acting foolish, playing around. Mom must have said something about doing all the work (that part of the memory is a little fuzzy, I was really young). Anyway next thing I know Dad's put Mom's apron on and is vacuuming and dusting and telling her to sit down and be "Queen for The Day". It got to be funny with them goofing around off and on all day as we preceeded to get the un-decorating done.

I don't routinely wear an apron, though I always do when making homemade noodles cause flour is everywhere. I always wear one when making tons of egg casseroles for Christmas gifts. Both of these projects require spending the entire day....really the entire day in the kitchen with rather large messes as I'm working fast and furious. So the apron will get put to good use. I sometimes need a second apron on these occasions when my daughter is in from out of town to help. So Mom, this cute red apron is hanging on the hook in the stairway by the kitchen ready and waiting. Even when not wearing it reminds me of you and the wonderful love you and Daddy had. This is my Q memory.

Miss you.

My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara
O=Ouija Board Memories
W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

**Hey since I know many who visit this blog are also knitters and crocheters, don't forget you can win free yarn by entering the contest over on Bridge and Beyond**

Flush Party, Remembering You, Mommy

I've not shared the picture of this stone before. It's my Mother's and Dad's stone. You can see by the date if Mommy were still living she would be 82 today. This is the 2nd birthday she's not been with us. This stone is in the family plot in Chillicothe, Ohio; though Mom is still with Daddy at home. He'll have fresh flowers for her today, beside her urn and naturally be melancholy all day. The inscription, "Together Forever" is so true in their case.

This photo, a far happier time, though sadly not a good photo. Left to right, younger brother Mike, Mom, Me, Daddy, older brother Chuck. This photo was taken in 2007 at their 60th Wedding Anniversary. I remember her this way smiling. We had many wonderful times together, fun times, funny times; and it's always those times that I remember most.

And this potty picture reminds me of one of those funny times. Some of you know I've been posting stories and memories from time to time, alphabetically. This then is a funny story for my P memory.

The family used to camp, tent camp. We didn't use electric and many of the camp grounds in those days were pretty primitive. I would about bust a gut waiting- waiting- and waiting to go potty, couldn't even use some of the awful roadside potty's in those days. So Mom and I would get really really excited IF we had flush potties where we camped. On one family camping trip we were driving through an area to decide if we wanted to stay there; when Mom and I jumped out of the car, RAN inside to the bathroom and flushed every john in site! We got to giggling and told everyone we were having a flushing party. Dad was still in car when he heard all the commotion and laughing and wondered what in the world we were up to. We explained, "we're having a flushing party!" So, Mom when I saw this plastic covered potty seat in an airport recently, naturally I got my camera took a picture, AND thought of you. Somehow I think you were there laughing at and with me all the while.

Love you Mommy


My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara
O=Ouija Board Memories
W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

Ouija, Memories

I've posted stories and memories in alphabetical order that have helped me share Mom with you. As many of you know she died last April and it's been cathartic for me to remember the good times. Many of my memories have spurred memories for you all too, which has been fun.

So this Ouija Board is my O memory. Mom and I played with this for hours and always had great fun with it. It's one of the few items I kept from my childhood, and you can tell by the box...it's been around a good number of years. It was common place for she and I to sit on the edge of my bed after we had done the dinner dishes and ask Ouija questions. It was our "Girl Time." We asked it important questions, like who was gonna ask me to the next dance. lol Sometimes it would just start talking to us. After we'd ask it questions, we say Ouija do you have any information for us; and it often did. As I recall my Ouija was a male Ouija, it told us that. My brothers and Dad would come in the room and laugh at us, say we were pushing it....but we weren't. They'd try it but it typically didn't work very well with them.

It did predict things pretty accurately for me. Once in fact, it spelled out a name of someone I didn't know. A few days later, I met this boy walking down the hall at school. A short week later he asked me out; and we dated for awhile. Sometimes in the summer months just before school was due to start we'd ask it what my school schedule was going to be. What teachers I was going to have. We even wrote them down so we could compare when school did start. So, the force was strong with Mom and I.

A good friend loved it too, and it wasn't uncommon for the 3 of us to play with it. She soon got one of her own and we had neighborhood parties. We'd get both Ouija boards going at the same time with all the neighborhood kids around. This was when we were all in High School, as I recall. Good times were had by all. Her Ouija was a girl Ouija. I wonder if she still has hers?

I always thought of it as a toy; until a few years ago I read some people are actually afraid of them, and won't let their kids play with them, or have them in their houses. I know one person goes to garage sales for the purpose of finding the old original ones to destroy them. Don't get that. Don't want one, fine don't buy one or use one. Why destroy someone elses fun and in my case very special memories of Mom.

Too bad I didn't get this out of the basement all these years, we could have had some more fun.

My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara

W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

Magical Bookcase

Magical bookcase? The title and the picture must have you scratching your head. Let me fill you a bit. The bookcase is old, it's scratched and in need of paint...that you can see from the picture. It's sitting in the garage here, in what hubby calls the staging area. It was loaded onto a moving truck about a week ago and hauled out to St. Louis for our daughter. There it received 2 coats of new paint. No pictures yet of that. Maybe in a couple of weeks, but back to the story.

This bookcase will now reside with our daughter, as I indicated. It's the 3rd home for the bookcase, the 3rd generational home that is. We've had it since she was a baby or soon thereafter. I think it was black when we received and it got painted white, cream, and yellow along the way. Magical, the shelves were moved around and my daughter and I turned it into Barbie's house. We covered the walls with paper, covered blocks and other items to make furniture for Barbie. It was a town house of course with multiple levels. I wish, really wish I had a picture of it. She and I played and spent many great mother and daughter hours together around this bookcase.

When I was young this same bookcase, the magical bookcase was in my parents home. There again it received multiple layers of paint and a variety of colors. During the year it was a bookcase in the living room; but...at Christmas it became the chimney that Santa came down. Yep...Mom used to remove the books, cover it with crept paper. In those days one could purchase crept paper that looked like red bricks. She made a fake fire with a little flickering light bulb. I guess we kids weren't too bright. We watched her do this, and I think even helped from time to time. Then she hang the Christmas Stockings. I need to look through old photo's, I think there's probably a picture somewhere. (though my scanner's not working). We'd sing Christmas Carole's around this magical bookcase. On Christmas morning it wasn't uncommon to find Santa's footprints in front of it, proving of course to us...that he did indeed come down the chimney using his magic dust.

Yes, this bookcase may be old; it may be beat up a bit; but to me........IT'S MAGICAL!

Mom was very creative indeed. Do you see a chimney when you look at this ordinary bookcase? Fond memories for me, both as an adult and as a child.

Memory Monday

My quest to honor and remember fond things about my mother in alphabetical order continues. Today is the letter I.

Ice skating. I grew up in the little town of Marion, in the snow belt. Ice skating there was very popular. Outside on the farm ponds, city park ponds and so forth. We skated as a family usually on Sunday and when we'd get home cold and tired; Mom would make hot chocolate and pop corn. Ahhhhhhhh I can taste it now. Great fun. There was a nice old style hardware store where you could trade your skates in and get new-used ones. This was great for growing feet. I was super excited when Mom helped me clean up an old pair that were cheap, polished them nice and white...then we made purple pom pom's to decorate them. There were better than new.

Isaly's Sugar Cookies.......though most people who know of Isaly's (us mid-westerners) will immediately think of ice cream and chipped chopped ham, I think of sugar cookies. Grandma Isaly made them from a secret family recipe. They melted in your mouth much like a shortbread cookie. Mom tried to get her to give her the recipe...unsuccessfully. But, I remember her trying. Grandma was getting up in years and someone else in the family was beginning to make them; they weren't as good. Isaly's actually began in my small town of Marion; though I didn't know that at the time. I was searching for a picture to go with this post and found the history of this Swiss Immigrant Family. To this day when I have a sugar cookie I think of Mom trying to get Isaly's recipe and wishing someone out there had it. No sugar cookie since has been as good.

**The white Lilly is about 5.5 inches across, very large for a Lilly and much larger than it was last year. I transplanted these varieties and they seem to like their new location. They're tall, so hubby got me some nice plant supports for them. They're in the far corner of my back yard, visible from my kitchen window. So pretty.

H Memory Here

Hammocks and Holidays

Oh my, these picture was taken long ago. Remember when we all had little Instamatic cameras and opted for the mat finish? Which doesn't hold up well over the years it seems. It doesn't scan all that well either.

This is Mom with a silly hat on, reclining...relaxing in the hammock with Daddy sneaking up behind the tree. I find this picture funny for several reason. Mom wasn't one to relax all that much, so her laying in the hammock like she has not a care in the world is funny. Actually, they had been working in the yard all day. Their backyard is full of flowers, redbrick walks; quite pretty. It takes lots of work to keep it looking that way. The little boat in the background is the little fishing boat they had. Fishing was their other hobby.

The pretty set table is also from years ago; though a bit more recent than the hammock picture. This is the table before a Thanksgiving, before the family grew to it's present size. Mom always decorated so pretty for the holidays. The table at Thanksgiving was always well appointed with a beautiful linen table cloth and napkins, special china and silver, and stemware. The silver was family silver several generations old, so was the stemware. For many years we used the family china, hand painted and handed down through the generations. But, as the family grew she opted for the white stoneware china that could be put in the dish washer. The hand painted china was fragile (not good when grandchildren were young and running about).

Mom made all the holidays special, special family time.

These are 2 memories that come to mind for the letter H, for my Memory Monday as I remember Mom.

The letter G (gowns)

10 Thoughts for Tuesday

1. One of my favorite lillies for today is My Mother's Birthday. RIP and know you are remembered
2. The Japanese Beetle problem has lessened. YIPPEE
3. Darling Daughter is getting nervous about not yet having a job lined up. Keep your toes and fingers crossed, please.
4. Happy to report Hubby's feeling better (he's really been under the weather)
5. Sad news learning about the recent death of Walter Cronkite, he was really quite an icon.
6. I've not been feeling my best, allergies have been bad; though I think the meds are helping now.
7. Laundry never goes away, been working on it alot today...groan
8. Hubby's and my 40th class reunion is this wkend. Yikes, we're getting old.
9. Jan, my SIL is working hard preparing for a big horseshow this wkend. It's a shame it's the same wkend as our reunion. She and I and hubby all graduated together. Good Luck Jan, hope things go well for you.
10. Happy to report more seasonal weather has returned. I see the sun!
    

Wedding Gown, Memories

Memory Monday, continuing with my alphabetical memories to honor my Mother.
GWedding Gown. Mom used to make lots of my clothes. Though when I was young I complained about coming in from playing to try stuff on, the long list of wonderful things she made is impressive. She made my wedding gown. White Dotted Swiss fabric. I didn't much care for lacy veils and so she suggested a hat. That was a bit of a trick because I have an usually small head; but we did find one that fit and she sewed on little flowers to decorate it.

Here's a better look at the dress.She also made my SIL, Jan's dress which was the same color purple as Mom's wearing. Hum, somewhere I have a picture of that. She stood up with me.

Another memory starting with the letter G has to do with Grape Pop. Mom loved grape pop and peanut butter crackers. This was a snack she often ate when she worked at The Mead Swimming Pool back in the day. Mom couldn't swim, and so wasn't a life guard; except on the days when they drained the pool to clean it. They would drain the pool, clean it, and then refill it. Apparently, by law they still needed to have a guard on duty; Mom's big chance. She laughed about sitting in the chair drinking her grape pop with no one or nothing to protect! lol

The silly things one remembers.

Thanks for making my dress, I loved it and I love you.

Previous Memory Monday, letter F

Memories, Like The Corners of My Mind

Can you hear Barbara singing? It's Monday, time to share another memory with you. The letter F....not the easiest to think of a word; but it hit me. Friday.

When I was in junior high (what people today call middle school), we often had school dances on Friday night. I loved going and would talk about them the week before. Who was going with whom, what dresses people were wearing etc. Definately girl talk. Mom sometimes had fabric tucked away and would wake me earlier than I wanted to get up on a Sat the week before the dance. "You know, I've got this fabric and could probably make you a new dress for the dance; if I didn't have to spend time ironing or cleaning."

Hook....lol, yep. I'd get up and do the cleaning or ironing she needed done so she could sit at the sewing machine. Crafty wasn't she?

**It occurs to me this ongoing ABC memorial I'm doing for my Mother is something you could all do with your children. It might help them if you've lost a family member (pet or person). It's a nice way to remember the good times and not focus on the ending of things, which is rarely the part of someone's life we want to remember.

Memory Monday, I love you Mommie

Working my way through the alphabet, I'm now at E.........egads.........e?

Energy and Etiquette come to mind.

Energy, well...my Mom was scrappy and full of energy. I remember her stories of cooking on a one burner hot plate when she and Daddy first got married. I remember her washing dishes in the bathtub or doing laundry kitchen sink when things weren't working right, I remember her wringing out clothes by hand when the old wringer washer was on the frists and money was too tight to call the repair man. I remember her cooking, cleaning, washing, shopping, sewing, mending all the time. She was non stop. We had one used car which Daddy took to work, so........ when any of us kids were sick she walked to school to get us and bring us home. I remember Spring Cleaning when it truly was a job and you washed the inside and outside of the cupboards, the windows, beat the rugs outside and always ----------ALWAYS cooked a home cooked meal for your loved ones. I remember when she got her first job outside the house, she was an Avon Lady. She walked her entire route and that was in all kinds of weather. I remember home made bread, hand made clothes, and so much more. Energy.........and then some. She didn't have a computer or time saving devices like we all have; she didn't have older family members to babysit because she needed or wanted a night of peace, or time with the girls. No, that's not what women in her time did. They were a mother and a wife full time.......... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Etiquette
Mom taught me Etiquette.......from table manners (don't put your elbows on the table, don't chew with your mouth full, don't interrupt adults, put your napkin in your lap, break your bread into 3 pieces and only butter the piece you're currently eating after putting butter on your plate, ask to be excused from the table, don't eat until every one has been served, on a date don't order the most expensive item on the menu, always thank your hostess, dance with everyone who asks you to dance, go out with the first person who asks you (thinking of school dances, you can't say no to one and then accept from another.........very bad form), someone should always thank and dance with the adult chaperons, don't say you don't like something to the hostess when being serve dinner---eat lightly and take small portions, and I'm sure there were other things..

Oh my yes....another one I remember is, don't flop in your chair or sofa, sit...there really is a difference. Don't put your feet on the furniture with or without shoes on..........and always give up your chair or place in line to someone who is your elder.

One year she got me a book about proper etiquette which I found accidentally before she had a chance to wrap it for Christmas. I know there were other things in the book that don't come rolling off my tongue at the moment.

I've passed along many of these traditional rules to my daughter in her growing up years. In her college years she told me how handy they had come in when she was in very adult situations which made her comfortable with her behavior.

Thanks Mom! You know I think this came out when our daughter taught a table manner class for her 5th graders--- Right down to how to set the table. The final, was in fact when she prepared a special breakfast for them and they served each other.

Mother's are indeed very special; cherish them.

**if you're reading my blog for the first time, you may not know I lost my mother a few short weeks ago. You can scroll back a bit and read more.