Cinderella Lives

This is my son's beautiful girlfriend, Nikki. She has started her own business "The Face Painting Robot". She has been expanding her services beyond face painting and came up with character costumes.  Here she is with my son's new Golden Doodle -Dexter.

Grandmothers, Victorian Style

I have been spending more time looking through old pics as I have acquired some from my dad when he moved out of his home.  This one is of my Grandmother Pauline. Probably taken around the turn of the century. I assume that this is a confirmation picture as she was Lutheran. I plan to use this photo in a new Round Robin block I will be starting in August... It has a Victorian theme!  Perfect!. I am trying to decide which colors to use with it. I am thinking whites/off whites and pastel colors...

These pictures are from the other side of the family. My mom's mother, Estella.   I did not know they took photos like this in a row. (kind of like from our present day photo booth). I need to try to find a way to make the one in the hat less blurry. Boy would I love to know what colors were in that hat. Eventually I would also like to make quilt blocks using these pics....Unfortunately my grandmother died long before I was born.

Lastly, another strip, this one  of my grandmother's sister; Ruth. I have fond memories of going to her farm in Walkerton, Indiana... She had no indoor toilet even in the late 60's.. She had a beautiful wood commode in her bedroom. Wish I had a picture of it... She taught me how to crochet and I had my first taste of alcohol at an early age, with her homemade dandelion wine!



Day at the Beach 1925

I came across this picture recently. The two babies in the front are my father and his twin brother. It looks to be taken at Lake Michigan... Interesting how the babies are dressed in summer clothers and the rest are dressed in sweaters and coats... It seemed appropriate on this hot day....Picture circa 1925.

Chloe and Ruff

While in Ohio, Chloe found she had a new "cousin", my sister's dog Ruff. Chloe managed to wrangle and keep his chew bone despite her size deficit.

Dad's New Digs

We made it down to Dayton, Ohio this past weekend to see my dad and his new assisted living apartment. I was pleased to see his mood was much better and his weight was up to a whopping 114! He was also very proud to show us his new chair walker.

Later we went back to my sister's house, here is dad intently watching an episode of "Ponderosa"

Cool Pic

I haven't talked to my son yet to know how he got this picture, but it is pretty cool. He is posed in the cockpit.

Bringing them Home

Last night, my husband and I drove to Selfridge Air Force National Guard Base near Utica, MI. My son was coming home from his short deployment to Afghanistan. He left from the airport in Detroit, so we didn't know quite what to expect. We were directed to the dining hall at the base. It reminded me of a hotel conference room, not a dining hall. We found that there were over 300 airmen (and women), returning that night. All of them had some family there, there was an estimated 1000 people waiting in the dining area. We were impressed that there were refreshments for the families. Kudos to Dunkin Donuts, Frito-Lay, Hershey and Chex.

Many people were dressed patriotically and/or had signs, banners, and balloons in anticipation of their loved ones.

The 300 airmen arrived in sets of 5-7 after they went through customs and processing. It was fun to watch the many happy reunions.

Finally after a 2 hour wait, Thomas arrived 299 out of 300 to arrive! First thing he wanted was a Halo Burger (a local hamburger chain), we were happy to oblige.  We are glad to have him home!

My Kid!

Thomas looking happy playing with guns in Afghanistan.

Veteran's Day 2011

How fitting that my son Thomas, was deployed to Afghanistan on this day. My husband and I drove him to the Detroit airport yesterday for his trip.  He serves in the Airforce and does intelligence briefings for pilots. Thankfully his team will only be there a couple months.  We are proud!

The Perfect Frame

While cleaning my sewing room, I came across this framed piece of quilting. I thought the age of the quilt and the muted colors was perfect for this picture. The frame was an odd shape. So I added the handmade crochet trim to cover the edges of the photo.  I think it looks great... what do you think?

Pictures from the Past

While moving my dad from his house to a nursing home, my sister and I came across some photos from the past. Here are a few that I love.

This is my grandmother and grandfather with my mother

 My dad around the age of 13. Third row from bottom, far right.

 My mother and father at a shower around their wedding.

 My maternal grandmother as a young adult. I will definitely do a crazy quilt block with this one.

Family Halloween

 My dad on his second night in the nursing home. His great-grandson, Lincoln is in the dragon costume.

Mother's Day 2011

Mother's Day was peaceful and relaxing. Went out to lunch at a Chinese restaurant with my son. Later, when Fuzzy came home he surprised me with this little cake.

Dad's Jeans

My dad is becoming a renaissance man. This year he acquired a cell phone and his first pair of Jeans! Here is is modeling them with the Cubs jacket my brother bought him. Pretty dapper for 86!

Labor Day Weekend Ends

It is the end of a long extended weekend. I kept forgetting today was Monday all day. It seems unreal that Mary died a week ago already. These are a few pictures taken while in Indiana at the funeral home. Here is my dad, he held up pretty well. He is 85, and turning 86 in December. He had a mixture of emotions, but later in the evening after the funeral he was talking about "asking out" a lady friend that came to the visitation...

My Ex-husband Dan and my son Thomas. Thomas wore his Air Force uniform, which made grandpa very proud. A hot day precipitated the jacket coming off eventually.

My brother Eric, who happened to be here already on a visit from Las Vegas. It was a godsend he was here to be with dad when the nursing home called with the news.

My niece Megan, and her husband Dennis from Ohio, followed by a picture of their son, Lincoln. Not sure who the glasses belonged to.

In Memory of a Wonderful Woman

Mary Nelson Sept. 2, 1925- Aug. 30, 2010

A Sad Day

We got a phone call this evening from my dad in Indiana informing us that my Step-mother Mary passed away. A wonderful lady and the only grandmother my children ever knew. She will be greatly missed. Our nickname for her was The Desperate Mousewife. She loved watching the show Desperate Housewives, and last year when we visited, she had a little mouse in her kitchen... My husband came up with the play on words and I embroidered it on a jacket for Christmas. I will post a pic of her in the next week. She is in heaven now, starting a euchre tournament with the angels.

Grandpa's New Friend

We took Chloe down with us when we went to visit my dad in Indiana. He has been having a hard time dealing with my step-mother being in a nursing home. He really got along well with Chloe, and was just tickled that she jumped on the bed with him to take his nap.

Chloe in the Window

Here is what was waiting for me when I pulled in the driveway when I got home from work today. You have to admit, she's a cutie!

Ancestral Wall

While in Indiana we often pass by this rock wall that runs along a good portion of the St. Joseph River. This particular segment was taken in Mishawaka, near Battel Park. My mother had always told me that her father had a hand in building it through the WPA. I thought it was time to document it.