Knitting Paths of Life

GIFTS I RECEIVED

2012-01-04T07:39:00.000-08:00

My gift from George for Christmas this year, was a trip to Holland. It was a great gift and we had a really good time. While there, Heidi gave me gifts to bring home for Christmas. She gave me this nutcracker from Germany from her collection. The cute little snowlady and two sheep. Everyone knows I love sheep and especially the wonderful wool they give me for knitting. The snowman ornament is also from Heidi and Jos. The Sinterklaus is a gift from a friend here in the states. He knows my connection to Holland and thought I would like this Sint from his collection.

The Sint is from the Danbury mint and so well done. The faces on everything are perfect. The wooden shoes even have carrots for Sints white horse. I will treasure this nice gift.

Last year, Heidi made a heart like this and I loved it. While we were there, she bought a heart and made one for me. I think she thought I would put hers in my suitcase and she might be right. Thanks you for the pretty heart now hanging in my living room, and for the wonderful stay we had at your house.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T16:32:00.000-08:00

I wish a very happy and prosperous 2012 for all of my family and friends.

CHRISTMAS WITH HELP FROM TWO SONS

2011-12-26T10:02:00.001-08:00

One day, Eric came over and we made Pizelles. It is very time consuming.
On another day, it was Bill's turn. These are his favorite cookies and he wants icing so it is his job to do them. Eric helped with sprinkles then too.
First thing in the morning on Christmas, Eric came and did dinner from beginning to end. At this point, he decided her wanted noodles so he made (from scratch) our old fashion Pot Pie noodles. It was a favorite of mine as a kid.
Here he is putting them in the boiling broth.
Here is his masterpiece, stuffing and all. It was a totally wonderful dinner, thank you Eric. Even Heidi was with him in the kitchen. We put the video cam on skype and she saw him working away. Tonight we are going to eat the left overs when Bill gets home from work.

..MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE THIS IS FAWN'S SONG...FROM GRADESCHOOL.........

2011-12-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-23T05:44:00.001-08:00

Thanks Eric for finding this.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone REMEMBER OUR TROOPS

MANDATORY TREE TRIMMING

2011-09-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood had tree trimming by the township. This is our neighbors tree after the trimming.
I was a little paniced thinking this is what they were going to do to our tree.

This is after our tree was trimmed, and as you can see, not bad at all.

The trees had to be taken out of the wires. Ours was far enough that they said they didn't have to cut as much.

This was a before, and you can see it is not so much different

Here they are, getting started. They cleaned it all up too. We fared very well.
Thanks Heidi for changing my blog so now it works. I could not get pictures to
load at all. Now though, I have to think different. The pictures go on in different order.

NEVER FORGET

2011-09-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOS

2011-09-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

My Dutch Son-in law has a birthday today. I hope you have a great day and I hope Heidi baked you a cake.

HUNG UP ON THE LIBRARY NOW

2011-08-21T07:09:00.001-07:00

After thinking I had sprained my ankle, I had to keep it elevated and ice on it. So, I was reading books a mile a minute. George said, why don't you go to the library since shopping is too hard and you can save money. Well, now this is the fourth
trip to the library.
With a now broken ankle and in a cast, my movement is limited before I wear out. on the last trip, I asked for 14 books to be ordered for me. I got an email saying one came in. George took my return books in and was picking up the one book. Well, he came out with all of these books that had come in.
I normally take a tote in but sent him in just with the books. He came out with this nice tote. Thank you library, I really like the tote. I just finished the one book with the gnomes on the front, a suggestion from Heidi. First time for this author. It was very good. I am starting on the second book now, by Earlene Fowler.

CHARLIE IS OUT OF RETIREMENT

2011-08-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is my Mom, she was a tiny little lady and believe me, everyone loved her very much. She has been gone for many years. Okay Heidi, here it is.
Since I broke my ankle in July, I had to have a cast and a walker. Well, the cast has to stay on for three more weeks. I told Heidi I was now using a cane. She knew I had Charlie, my Mom's cane. The name is still on it under the handle.
Bill went to my attic tonight and recovered it. He had to use steel wool to clean it up, but here it is, out of retirement. My Mom is smiling down on me now since I
have her Charlie back in use. It is even the right height since I have lost inches.
Thanks Mom, I will take good care of Charlie for you.
Both my Granddaughters called her Miff, they couldn't say Gramma Smith at first.
I added that after seeing that Mandie wrote Miff.

TWO YEARS NOW

2011-08-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

First, thanks Heidi for the border. You always manage to find what I want. I just got my letter saying I am two years cancer free. Hopefully soon, they will find a cure so no one else in my family has to have breast cancer, or any of my friends either.
Now, I fell on July 20th and thought I sprained my ankle, well, no, I broke my ankle. I walked around on it for 8 days then finally had it checked. I am now in a red and white cast and looked like a candy cane, until they added a blue shoe. Now I am the flag. Leave to me to wait all these years to break a bone.

Biker Baby: Born to be Wild!

2011-07-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

MY NEW GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER

2011-06-24T07:38:00.001-07:00

Meet Abigail Lynn, born June 23rd weighing 9 pounds 3 ozs. She is 22 inches long. She is a beauty.
This is the proud Mom and Dad handing the baby to big sister, Zoe
Her she is, proudly holding her new sister

UPSIDE DOWN GARDEN

2011-06-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

For George's birthday, he got this upside down garden from Becky and Eric. We planted two tomato and two pepper plants in it. They are doing great.

One day, talking to Heidi she gave me the idea to make a little scene on the top of it. I had dollhouse furniture I never used, and some gnomes in my collection, so this it what it turned out to be. I took parts of two small plants, and put them in too. A blogger gave Heidi the idea. I love it.

ABOUT HEIDI

2011-06-12T06:28:00.001-07:00

By now, I am sure all of you know that my daughter Heidi lives in Holland. This is her house. It is a beautiful home, after many headaches and much work, (she and Jos both) want it perfect , it is getting there.

She is very creative and sentimental. These are her shoes from when she was a tiny little girl.

Recently, she taught herself to crochet. This is an afghan she made for the new baby, Abigail, due to arrive on June 23rd in Arizona.
This is a heart that she recently quilted the inside of. You can see the metal heart in the next picture that I borrowed from Saskia, dutchgirlquilting.blogspot.com
Thank you Saskia, you can click on her blog from my friends list. I love this heart and the colors she chose to do it. I told her it is in danger of jumping into my suitcase the next time I come over.

These pictures were posted on Saskia's blog of quilt night at Heidi's. She has this once a month in her beautiful quilt studio in her home. I have been there many times and this is a fun group of ladies. You can see the heart I showed you if you enlarge the picture. This is before it was quilted.

A VISIT WITH ZOE

2011-06-09T13:28:00.001-07:00

Here she is, my Zoe Princess. She just left to go back to Cleveland. She is flying home on the 17th. I will be missing her now very much.
She was just having a ton of fun using my mini computer while she was here.

I made two doll dresses for her, and this one I made a skirt and she made the top and a scarf for her.
No one is ever allowed to get into my doll houses, but guess who did. She cleaned them for me, and did a very good job.
Here she is cleaning the toy shop and apartment. She was very careful, she even did my biggest one in my bedroom.
This is when we were getting ready to board the train that leaves from Canton and goes to Akron. We were the only three passengers onboard on Sunday.

REMEMBER OUR TROOPS PAST AND PRESENT

2011-05-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

We should honor our troops everyday, but please remember them especially this weekend. They do so much for this country.
I didn't plant these, but they come up each year for me to enjoy. I know they are Iris, but I grew up calling them flags.
I did plant these, and they also come up each year. They do not last long however.

ERIC MAKING SOMETHING NEW FROM SOMETHING OLD

2011-05-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Every Monday, Heidi puts on making something new from something old and tells the bloggers to also do it. This is Heidi quilting but not from something old.

This is the semi that Eric drives. Heidi sent him an email of a trucker quilting when he is sitting at truck stops. Now, this guy has nothing on Eric. Way before this email, ---------
Eric wanted Heidi to make him a quilt. She keeps putting him off, so guess what, he made his own. I had civil war fabric wool scraps upstairs so I brought them down and here is what he made in only ten hours and with lots of M & M's.

This is the result, and he has it in his truck keeping him warm. Great job Eric.
Heidi says that all quilts need a label before they are finished. This is Eric's. Now you see why they both had to be on this post.

MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS

2011-05-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

This cute card and a gift card came from Bill. Thank you very much Bill

I should have taken a new picture today, these flowers are even prettier now. They have opened much more. The card below came with them.
Thank you so much Mandie, Manny, Zoe and baby to be Abby.

These two pictures show one of my gifts from Eric and Becky that we took into the yard and Eric attached them to the tree. I have never seen anything like this and it is certainly cute. I love it. Thanks you two.

This is also from them, a windchime. They know I love anything USA. The gnomes I had in my yard got broken or faded so they thought they needed replaced. Now these two live out under my Bradford Pear tree. We had a cookout, but ate in. It was a fun day.

A SHOWER FOR ABIGAIL

2011-05-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Remember the yarn I showed you in a former blog entry, well this is what I made out of it.
Abilgail Lynn is due on July 1st, and yesterday Manny's Mom and Dad hosted a shower for her family. This was a part of my gift.
We were all invited, Bill, Eric, Becky, Mandie, Manny and Zoe. George didn't get in the picture. Eric and Becky were leaving to go to Toledo.
I had to pat my new Great Granddaughter of course.
Here is the family, who will be flying back to Arizona this afternoon.
Here she is, my Zoe. Needless to say, I love my Great Grandchildren, they are all three wonderful. It was so nice to be with them yesterday and we sure missed our Hale family.

TREES AND FLOWERS

2011-04-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

It might look lonely, but to me it is another sign of Spring. Last night we had high winds and you could even see grass blowing. Never noticed that before. Garbage cans were blowing down the street. Bill's was only at the end of the driveway. I captured it this morning. This is my beautiful Bradford Pear tree that my cousin and I planted a couple years ago. I am going to search my blog to see if I have a picture of it back then. I cannot believe how much it has grown. It was about my height when we planted it. All the rain is good for the grass and trees. We have had a record rain fall for April for Ohio.
The plant Eric and Becky bought for me is now blooming. Becky wanted it to bloom for Easter but it is so pretty now. A second flower is also coming out.

A FAMILY EASTER

2011-04-24T18:22:00.001-07:00

Even though much of my family is scattered over the world, we try to enjoy holidays together. On Sat. Eric came over and helped me color the eggs. I made little dish baskets for each of us for table favors. Eric and Becky brought me a Lily plant.
This a close up of the goodies. I bought plastic dishes with the lids sitting under, so they could reuse them. None of us need baskets anymore. I still try to keep the holidays fun.
We had a good dinner and were together all afternoon just playing on laptops and enjoying each other. We do miss everyone else though.

HAPPY EASTER

2011-04-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

I wish all of you a blessed and Happy Easter. Our weather is rainy and cold, but maybe someday Spring really will come to Ohio.
I am cooking dinner for Bill, Eric and Becky and George and me. I will color eggs, because for me, it isn't Easter without them.
Whatever you do, hope it is a great day for you.

MAYBE SPRING IS REALLY COMING TO OHIO

2011-04-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

In 1995, when Fawn died, Heidi and Jos brought bulbs over from Holland. They, with Bill and Eric planted them in our yard. Every year they come up and I do not do a thing to them. This is one of them.
This is another one. I cut a flower from this one, and two from the Daffy's, and brought them in to put in a vase. They smell so good. Every year it reminds me of Fawn and her brothers and sister. This is my latest book. I just read a couple Fern Micheal's also. Some of hers I like better than others. I am trying to get through one now that I am not crazy about. This one is three stories and I finished the first one. Debbie Macomber cannot be beat.
This is my latest knitting project. I won't talk about it now, but I bet you can guess what it is. Something tiny and soft. Hope you have spring where you are too. It is going to go into the 70's here today but back to the 50's tomorrow. At least now we have hope.

REALLY???? MARCH 30TH

2011-03-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

This started three hours ago, this is after only a half hour of coming down,
It is still coming down out there now. The house you barely see in the picture way up on the left is where the kid lives that hit our garage. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. No snow that night, not even rain.
I think there is a ground hog hiding someplace in Pennsylvania.
The saying is sure true since March did come in like a lamb this year.
Update on my car, it is back in the garage, now, the key is damaged. I have a key
that retracts and there is a switch to open it. Someone must have forced it open. Yep, now I need a new key. They told my husband, when he took the key in, there would be no charge to us. He said you aren't kidding, there might be a bill for gas to this dealership. Will it end now????? I hope so. The garage is still in the waiting stage to be repaired.

SOME OF MY BIRTHDAY GIFTS

2011-03-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

I received the biggest box of candy I have ever seen in my life. This is from Eric and Becky.
This is my present from Bill, it is perfect. I can eat chocolate, read my book and listen to this CD I have been wanting forever. It is as good as I thought it would be. Thanks Bill.
This is the gift from Eric and Becky, the flowers light up when you put batteries in the little case. They said they are flowers that never die.
This is the inside of the box of candy and the cake they bought for me also. Then, they took us out to lunch.
This gift is from Brenda, my niece who came over and had cake with us. Thank you Brenda.
Brenda and me before I cut the cake. Thanks everyone for giving my a fun birthday. I also got money from George. Marlene, my pen pal sent me a pretty perfume bottle too.

A PRESENT FOR MYSELF

2011-03-20T09:32:00.001-07:00

I bought myself an early birthday present a little over a week ago. My birthday was yesterday. It is a Chevy Cruze. They make this car in Ohio so I like that.
I wanted a sunroof, so I had to take leather seats too. I prefer cloth but oh well.
When the car was less than one week old, our young neighbor ran into our garage. My car was on the other side of this wall. A shelving unit almost as tall as me, tipped over into the passenger side. A pair of hedge clippers flew off and put a little dent in the trunk. The only other thing we found is a little scratch above the back passenger window. Lucky, he had Allstate insurance and they are paying. So far we have not had an estimate on the garage repairs. I hope this is NOT an omen.

IS IT EVER GOING TO STOP?

2011-03-11T05:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, I went out very early this morning to take these pictures of what we woke up to. It is very pretty, but I am sooooooooooo sick of it.
It is heavy and wet and clinging to the trees.
George just went out to use his snow blower on the driveway, he is supposed to go to Cleveland to pick someone up at the airport. It might be canceled, we will see.
The little house you can see in the background, is where the salesman lives who sold me my new car. I was his second customer. He is real young. We didn't know him or where he worked. I will take a picture of my car when it is nicer out. It is a Chevy Cruze.
This is the fence at the side of our house, and a the frame of my swing at the left.
My little wooden windmill is feeling very cold right now I bet.
This is my neighbors car across the street. It is predicted to snow until midnight tonight, 6 to 10 inches. Holy cow, does anybody think it is really March?????

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

2011-03-01T09:01:00.001-08:00

This is a major attraction in our Amish area. It is in Kidron, Ohio and they had to close due to flooding. The store is partly under water.
This picture was taken in Shreve, Ohio. People just don't believe it when they read the signs that say high water. So many are just attempting to go through it.
They are searching for a woman who yesterday called 911 to say her VW bug went into the river. As of last night, they did not find her.
We have a creek running through our park system, and it is angry and running over the banks. We have had tons of snow, then thunder and lightening and now the floods. Come on Spring, Ohio is more that ready. We do have sun today.

Meyers Lake Park & COMET roller coaster ~ Canton, Ohio

2011-02-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

HAPPY ABOUT MY NEWS

2011-01-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

Guess I am fighting like a girl Eric and Becky. My mamogram came back clear again. A year and a half behind me now. Now, this T shirt is going with me on Tuesday.
Off I go on US Airways from Canton Akron Airport tooooooooooooo
No, not Disney World, but to ---------

My cousins house in St Petersburg, Florida. I know the weather is not too great in Florida this year, but it has to beat all this snow. No computer with me this trip.

TRIPOLI AFRICA 1961

2011-01-21T08:24:00.000-08:00

May 20 1961, Bill, Fawn and I boarded a plane just like this one to go to Wheelus Air Force Base in Tripoli, Libya, North Africa, to join their Dad who was stationed there.
This flight was 24 hours of in the air time. The military crew was wonderful. At bedtime, they made the seats lay flat for the dependent children and it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. We stopped in Bermuda and the Azores and both times I had many GI's asking if I needed help with the kids. Longest flight I ever had, and probably the best. No one can beat the Military Men taking care of dependents.

This is a bread market along one of the streets. Needless to say, we bought our bread at the commissary on base.
Santa came on a camel and I have pictures of Bill and Fawn on the camel he came to the base on.
This is a picture of the propeller of the Lady Be Good, a plane that went down in the area. I have a picture of Fawn and Bill sitting in front of it at Easter all dressed up and Fawn covered with the remainder of the chicken pox.
This is a little Arab girl and again I have a picture of Fawn standing with one. I do need to go hunt to pictures now so you can see us in this setting too.
Friends and I took our kids to the beach and when our guys came to check on us on their lunch hour, they layed a thermometer on the sand. It was 120 degrees. They told us we better head home soon. We did.
I thought you might want to see some of what we saw when stationed at Wheelus.
We, for the most part, stayed close to the base. We went to town once in awhile, but only when our husbands were with us. It was an experience, many years ago.
Bill started first grade there, and the bus (not a big yellow one) was driven by an
Arab. I sure did not like that at all.

DOES ANYONE LOVE ORANGES LIKE I DO?

2011-01-19T07:42:00.001-08:00

Now of course, they have to be California Sunkist seedless oranges. We lived in Florida for nine years, and I always made Bill buy me California oranges. LOL.
He thought I was nuts. Well maybe! I got this big bag for only $3.99.
Way back, before Heidi and Eric, when we lived in Africa, I worked at the base Education Center. An Arab professor brought in oranges and asked if I wanted one. I said no, they are too messy to peel. Well, I got a lesson in orange peeling.
First you cut off the top. Then,
you score the sides into sixths. You peel down the sides. Boy, it is easy and no
mess. These are so yummy.
Now, this blog entry was Heidi's idea after I told her I bought the oranges. She said to show my Mom's method of cutting and eating oranges. She and all of the kids just loved my Mom and what she said was right. Cut in half then quarters.

Then again in half and you have loads of wonderful pieces of oranges to eat. Too bad Heidi, George ate this one.

SNOW 2011 IN CANTON

2011-01-12T06:58:00.001-08:00

This is a new toy for George. He has one, but bought a better one. This one is bigger. He says it is heavier and harder really. He says he does like it, just has to get used to it.
Here he goes, first sweep, he might have done Bill's drive (he is always doing ours), but Bill was already out.
Middle of the night, 1am, he was out there doing his drive when he got home from work. Needless to say, it snowed again during the night. He has to go to work in an hour. You can see Becky's truck is loaded. Eric is on the road. Today is Eric and Becky's anniversary. Happy Anniversary guys. I love you both.
Took this just to show how deep it is.
My bradford pear tree, and the neighbors pine. That pine is huge.
Lots of snow on the garage roof too. Right now it is sunny, so maybe we have hope. No school today for the kids so they might be off to the movie and Bill might be busy.
PS: I kept the project. It is ongoing as we speak, don't cry now Heidi.

GOOD THINGS DON'T HAVE TO COST ALOT

2011-01-09T08:59:00.000-08:00

Bill bought this cute little one cup coffee maker for me for Christmas. I love it. It is great to make just one cup. He found it in a drug store and proves you sure don't have to pay a fortune for nice things. Thanks Bill. So far, I used my Joann's gift card to buy three cookie sheets, badly needed, and a pattern book.
My niece, Brenda, bought me the yummy smelling candle in a jar, which also smells like coffee.
This beautiful basket was a gift from a lady George drives and does things for. It is very beautiful and I hate to take it apart now. I bought the poinsettia because it is a unique color.
This is a book I just finished, on the left, and one I am just starting on the right. The finished one was very good and I like the author of the second one.
This is about to be an abandon project. It was to be a gift for Heidi. Start over, I found I would be wayyyyyyyyy short of yarn for this and not sure I can get it again.
Try again.

CHRISTMAS FOR ME

2011-01-04T06:41:00.000-08:00

All of my growing up years, my Dad gave my Mom a Whitman Sampler for Christmas. Later in life, Eric took over and gave them to her. This year, I guess I became my Mom, Eric and Becky gave one to me. The first thing I go for, is the little Whitman Chocolate man. Memories! Thanks Eric and Becky.
This shirt is also from them. It says fight like a girl and has the breast cancer symbol with boxing gloves hanging from it. Neat.
Still thinking pink, Becky bought this Ft. Myers Beach jacket for me while she was vacationing there. I used to live in Ft. Myers. Very nice.
Bill gave me a one cup coffee maker with a thermal cup and a gift card for Joann's.
George gave me money. I think I did very well for Christmas.

EARLY CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE

2010-12-31T08:11:00.000-08:00

Eric and Becky bought a green shirt for George and he was so surprised, because the one he had, he just ripped at the pocket and even took my sewing machine to a repair shop so I could fix it. Not now George, you have a replacement.
Bill is also opening a gift from Eric and Becky. It is something a doctor uses for bad backs. Eric would have to explain it but Bill was pleased with it. They have doctors in the truck stops who use them to help the drivers. Bill is always putting his back out.
Becky is just starting to open. I think this one is a pair of jeans, can't remember.
this box is full of food items for Eric to take with him on his truck. I wrapped every item so he had to do a lot of unwrapping. He loved all of it though.
This is Sadie. She is really getting big, but she is a very good puppy. Very gentle.
Eric and Becky's dog not mine.

AN EARLY GIFT FOR ZOE

2010-12-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

Aunt Kristy played Santa for me in Arizona. I asked her to get cowgirl boots for Zoe for Christmas. Zoe is spending the week with her. I said if they did anything she would need the boots to give them to her early.
I think she likes them. They look a lot like Haali's
I think I got the pictures out of order. Oh well
Mitchell helped her try them on, and I missed that picture. I can't win here. Any way, she looks great and I think Aunt Kristy did a very good job. Thank you.

HAPPY SINTERKLAUS DAY

2010-12-04T11:02:00.001-08:00

My farm on Farmville has taken on the look of Christmas. I have many Dutch neighbors on my farm. Happy Sint Day to all of you.
December 5th is the day Sinterklaus gives gifts to the "children" (Okay Heidi, I know you are only 6). His helper is Piet and there are many of them running around Holland right now. Sint comes from Spain in a boat then gets on his white house to ride through Holland. Hope you were all good this year.
We were out shopping and along came a Piet band. Heidi got two Piets to stop to take a picture with me. They have little cookies in the bags and hand them out to the children wherever they go. They all look like they are having fun.

More of Holland

2010-11-24T12:51:00.000-08:00

Heidi and me heading to downtown Amersfoort. This was last week, since then, we went to Germany.

This is an old walled city. Notice the cobblestones.

This building is made of containers from ships. They are apartments now. Want to find your bicycle. This is nothing, you should see them at the train station.

This is a closer view of the container apartments.

SINTERKLAUS AND PIET ARRIVED IN HOLLAND TODAY

2010-11-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

Today, we went in to the city center and shopped for awhile and had lunch. These buildings became famous in an Anton Pieck painting.
I bought a little Sint gift for Heidi and she was checking it out on the down escalator. We had lunch in this store.
As we were getting ready to leave the city, we heard that Sint was coming. No, not by train, but by boat on the canal.
Piet comes on a few boats leading the one with Sint on it. Sint comes from Spain
and rides his white horse when he leaves the boat.
It is said if the children are bad, they will get the roe (like an old style broom) and put into a sack and taken to spain if you are really bad.
This Piet was hanging from the rigging on the way in. The Piets all run around give the children little ginger cookies called Peppernoten.

OFF TO VISIT HEIDI AND JOS

2010-11-03T05:53:00.001-07:00

On Friday, I will be traveling to Holland via Washington DC on United Airlines. I hope the flight is as good as it sounds. My travel time is not bad at all. I arrive very early Sat. morning which will be right after midnight for me.
It says welcome in front of the new front door they added to their new house. You can visit Heidi's blog to see all the trials they have gone through. She posted on her Cranberry Cronicle.
You can click on it from my friends list.
This is the front of the house. They have a beautiful backyard area and Heidi has
a wall of windows and a door leading out to it from her quilt studio. The light will be great to work with.
Here is my little Grandkitty who is missing his (my) bed to relax on. It has already been moved to the other house. At least he still has Heidi and Jos's bed
to sleep on while they are off working, and boy have they ever been working. I look
forward to seeing the new home. My suitcase, and yes only one plus a carry on is zipped and ready. See you soon Heidi, Jos and Dagi.

WAITING PATIENTLY

2010-10-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Yep, Zoe is waiting, and that is Haali back there getting her horse ready to ride. Haali volunteers are the stable on post, and got permission for Zoe to ride the trail without her parent along.
Ready to go Haali and thank you. Zoe reallllllllllllly loves Haali and Mitchell.
Haali leads the way, and off we go.
On another trail ride, the Hale family is going out. Needless to say, Kristy is taking the pictures so can't see her. Your new boots look nice Haali. Bet you had fun with the Haunted Trail Ride yesterday too. Hope you took pictures.

FALL IN OHIO AND MORE

2010-10-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Zoe just got to spend the week at her Aunt Kristy's house. The pumpkins behind her are the ones they bought for each of the kids to carve. It looked like they had fun.
Ohio is putting on her beautiful show of color right now. I didn't take this one though. I love looking at the trees right now.
The Amish work their farms with horses, not tractors. This is the way they put the corn in the fields as they harvest it.
They have all different types of wagons they use in the farm chores. Sometimes they have four to six horses on one wagon. They are great to see. I love their quiet way of life. They work very hard and earn much respect.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM MY FARM

2010-10-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

In Farmville, we just got to build a Haunted House. We are going to receive a basket or Pumpkin, to save candy in. The candy then lets us buy things. We get
Gnomes for different occasions on the farm, so I have them coming to the house for treats, or maybe not, whooooooooooooo knows.

A WONDERFUL TRIP

2010-09-18T07:50:00.001-07:00

Bill, Eric, Becky and I went to Arizona to visit my Grandchildren at Ft. Huachuca Army Post. We had a great week and Kristy, who is a photographer, took our family pictures with a mountain background. Four generations.
This is the OK Corral in Tombstone. I love that town. They still have the wooden sidewalks. I never get tired of it.
This is one of the tombstones in the Boothill Cemetary. There is a ton of history here and also at the Army Museum on Post.
More of Tombstone. You can get rides on the stage. They don't let cars on this road now, so this must have been taken awhile ago. We ate lunch at Big Nose Kates. Eric used to go there with Fawn, so it was memory time for him.
Thanks to Kristy and Mitch for a fun week. That is what memories are made of.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOS

2010-09-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

I am a couple days early with these birthday wishes, but since Heidi and Jos go to the cottage on weekends, I wanted to wish him an early Happy Birthday. He never
wants his picture on the computer, and since he won't play (or let Heidi play) Farmville with us, he just has to show off the real cows he found.
Have a wonderful birthday on Saturday. If you played Farmville, you could have several cow barns and store many cows. "Won't you be our neighbor"?

MEET MY SQUAW

2010-08-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, here she is, complete. Now, I have to decide just what I want to do with it.
In the book, she is on the top of a basket. I think I am going to see if I can find a round frame. I am excited she is finished.

SEWING, READING AND STITCHING

2010-08-22T08:58:00.001-07:00

My Indian Squaw is coming along now. I am doing the border around her. If I spent more time stitching it would be finished.
This is one reason I am not stitching, I am addicted to reading. This is the latest book I bought, but I just finished two others and I am half way through one now.
I am also now back to sewing. I have this project to do, then I will be finished. This is a shirt forrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............
Yep, Zoe. Her birthday was this month, and I sent a card telling her we would have an Ohio birthday party for her when we get there. Her Uncle Bill, Uncle Eric,
Aunt Becky and I will be flying to Arizona the beginning of September. She turned eight and I can't wait to hug her. I finished one skirt and a pair of capri pants.
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FUN IN KENTUCKY

2010-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

The highlight of my visit to Kentucky, was a trip to the Rosemary Clooney house in
Maysville. I called Eric while I was inside and said "Guess where I am"? When I told him, he said "hey, without me?"
I bought him a top hits CD. My son loves the old artist that he grew up listening to.
My kids all knew the words and music to the old songs, and still do. They usually know who they are listening to without the announcer telling them.
These dresses were in the museum. You could buy this DVD, but it was $20. I think I could buy it anyplace cheaper. I could have the CD too, but it helps the upkeep on the house.
The Stephen Foster show was very good, but I have never been so hot and sweaty.
It was almost 100 degrees and it started at 8:30PM. The costumes were very pretty.
The Days Inn we stayed at left much to be desired, and I wrote to them to tell them. The pool was green, and the hot tub was empty and all black. I know Days
Inn is not the top of the line, but the standards are better than this one in Bardstown. At least, the rooms were clean. The owner lived in the unit next to ours and they had a full size stove in the room. They left the door open a lot and you could see right into the not very clean room. Not exactly what you would expect in the center of a Motel unit. Our friends booked it right through the Motel, so you
could not cancel without paying $25 per room. This also is not the Days Inn policy. Hope they check it out now.

GOING TO KENTUCKY

2010-08-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

We are going for a three day trip to Kentucky to see a production of Stephen Foster Music. It is performed outside if the weather permits. It should be a fun
time with our friends and George's brother is going also.

Stephen Collins Foster

Natives of Kentucky as well as visitors to the Bluegrass State share a common twinge of pride when they hear those first notes signaling the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home." Stephen Collins Foster wrote the song that has become Kentucky's anthem more than 100 years ago, capturing the spirit of hospitality that is the trademark of the South.

Born July 4, 1826 in Pittsburgh, Foster wrote more than 200 songs, from spirited minstrel show numbers to beautiful ballads. The ninth child of William Barcley and Eliza Tomlinson Foster, he began writing songs at an early age. He attended Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pa., briefly, but left because of home sickness. Because the career of a songwriter was not all together acceptable in Foster's day, his parents encouraged him to enter business. Foster worked as a bookkeeper for his brother, Dunning, in Cincinnati for a time, and possibly gained inspiration at the Cincinnati waterfront.

"Oh Susanna," which became the theme song of the Forty-Niners bound for the California gold fields, was published in 1848. Foster returned to Pittsburgh in 1850, and embarked on a prolific, but stormy, career as a songwriter. A cousin of the Rowan family of Bardstown, it is said that Foster was inspired to write "My Old Kentucky Home" when visiting Federal Hill, the Rowan plantation, in 1852.

Although he lived most of his life in Pittsburgh, Foster wrote lovingly and knowingly about the South. It is documented that Foster visited New Orleans in 1852. He is the only songwriter to have two of his works chosen as state songs. In addition to "My Old Kentucky Home," Foster's "Old Folks At Home" is the state song of Florida. Incidentally, he wrote the song about life on the Suwannee River without ever having seen that river.

The years from 1850 to 1855 marked the most successful period in Foster's life. During this time, he produced some of his most famous works and enjoyed worldwide recognition. Foster is buried in the Allegheny Cemetery at Pittsburgh, where his grave is frequently visited by lovers of his songs. There is also a Stephen Foster Memorial at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Stephen Foster Story 52nd Season
P.O. Box 546, Bardstown, KY 40004,(502) 348-5971 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (502) 348-5971 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
or 1-800-626-1563 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-626-1563 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Go back in time to the 1850's with The Stephen Foster Story. Nestled in My Old Kentucky Home State Park, where music fills the air and lights shimmer from the trees, you will enjoy songs like Oh! Susanna, Camptown Races, Beautiful Dreamer, and My Old Kentucky Home. The Stephen Foster Story will delight the whole family with spectacular period costumes, lively choreography, and more than 50 heartwarming melodies of Stephen Collins Foster, America's first great composer. Come and experience an evening under a blanket of starlight in our new State-of-the-Art amphitheatre with The Stephen Foster Story! www.stephenfoster.com
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I JUST CANNOT STOP READING

2010-08-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is a new author for me. My niece gave me these books to read, and one more I already gave back. I will be getting more, she writes like Debbie Macomber. Easy to read, and very good stories.
Two more from Debbie and both oh so good.
Look Heidi, another one of our series. I wish I could remember where I put all of the other ones I have for you. Hummmmmmmmmmmm. Maybe it is a mystery.
This is one I am reading now, I have read everyone in this series. This is also Nora Roberts. I have many more books waiting for me too.
Yes Heidi, I am still working on my Indian Lady also. I do that when I am watching TV. Not to often. LOL

UP UP AND AWAY

2010-08-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Actually, this Lady Bug is thinking about landing, he already had his flight.
This clown just would not turn around to have his picture taken
This little piggy went to market, well maybe not, just flew away instead.
Happy Birtday 50th, to Stark College. Bill had his first college degree from there.
We lucked out, on the way to breakfast and found the launch sight.
Now, this is really up close and personal
No, it did not fall over, just getting ready to launch
Here they go, this year the weather was great and they launched all five times. This is my favorite part of the Hall of Fame fun. It is still going on full force.

HALL OF FAME TIME AGAIN IN CANTON

2010-07-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe another year has gone by, and it is Hall of Fame time again.
Our city gets very busy this time of year and all the hotel rooms are filled. It seems every year at this time there is road work being done. I think this is the best it has been for many years. This is it, The Pro Football Hall of Fame. I was never in it until they did a Senior day and we got in free. I am not very into football. We pass it everyday. We live very close by.
This is the stadium where the game is played every year and televised everywhere.
My kid's Dad played here when he was in High School. All of the High School games for the city schools are played here. It is a really nice stadium.
These are two of the 2010 inductees. You might recognize them from Dancing With the Stars. Jerry Rice and Emmett Smith.
This morning we saw the first balloon lift off. I forgot my camera. They go again tonight, tomorrow twice and Sunday morning weather permitting. Maybe tonight I will remember my camera. The weather does not sound good for tomorrow.

BOOKS ARE FUN AND MAKING PROGRESS

2010-07-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

This is the third book I am reading this month. I finished two stories in a book of three, and the number 14 of Janet Evonovich books. They are so funny. Stephanie Plum, the character is always in trouble. They really do make you laugh. Every one gets better. I buy all Catherine Coulter books as soon as they are out in paperback. Love the characters in her books also. I'm about half way through.
My squaw is coming right along. It seems way easier to follow than the Warrior was. Not sure why that is. Happy stitching and reading to all of you.
Today is Mamogram day for me.

A FINISH AND A START

2010-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today, Heidi received her package with this picture in it so I will post it now. She has it framed already, so she will be showing that I think, on her blog. This is a free design from Gazette 94. You can click on her blog from my friends list. I thank her for sharing her design. The way I took the picture, it looks like a crooked tree, it is straight, I promise.
When looking through the book I bought on Indians, I found this one. How I missed it at first, I don't know. They use it on top of a basket, padded. It looks really nice that way. I put it on big enough cloth to do that if I want to. I still plan to make the lady standing up.
This is how far I got so far. I love doing these Indian blankets. They are fun. Hope you are having fun stitching too. My Daughter in Law, Becky is going to town. She is on her fourth picture now, this time it is Horses.

TALL SHIPS IN LOCK 7

2010-07-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

We are at Lock 7, one of our favorite places. The tall ships left Toronto today on the way to Cleveland, Ohio.

In the past, we have gone to Cleveland to see the tall ships, but this view from the balcony really cannot be beat.
This one is just entering the lock.
It was 90 degrees today, but we just went on the balcony when they were up and ready to exit the lock. This one was flying the Dutch flag.
The one looked oriental, but it was the Pride of Baltimore.
The lock is now back to normal and even as I write this, there is a commercial in the lock waiting to be raised. Thanks George for taking the pictures.
Thanks for finding what I wanted for my new header Heidi. I was looking for Anna Maria from Tom Kitten, never saw this one before.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

2010-07-03T10:15:00.001-07:00

Happy Fourth of July to all my American Blogging friends. I am certainly proud to be an American. Lee Greenwood says it all in his famous song.
Thanks Kristy for the photo.

MY PROJECT AND NEW CHAIR

2010-06-29T06:17:00.001-07:00

I have to post an update for Heidi of the cross stitch I am doing for her. It is coming along now. I am doing the lettering which I changed to all one color. Each word was different and that didn't seem like Heidi to me. I have to do the border after that.
I taught my Daughter in Law, Becky to cross stitch and gave her three patterns and boy she went to town. She is already on the third one. She spent the afternoon with me yesterday and we stitched and chatted. It was fun.
I have been wanting to get a recliner again. My niece was downsizing and had this one in storage. I bought it from her. I love it. I gave her more than she asked for it. It is so compfy.

ERIC AND BECKY

2010-06-23T11:35:00.001-07:00

This is Eric's truck. He is an owner and likes it that way, in spite of repairs he has to do. This one was taken out west.
Becky was with him here, and snapped the picture as they were traveling down the road. I would say highway, but Eric really likes the mountain roads when he can have them.
Someone asked me to put their wedding pictures on, but there aren't any. They didn't have a big wedding. This is them hiking in Ohio.
I am very happy I didn't see them sitting in this spot, Oh my, I would have had a heart attack. GET OFF THAT HIGH DROP PLEASE.
Now this is Eric at his happiest. Holding his new Grandbaby. This is Becky's son and daughter in law's baby. She is a cute little bundle of joy.
I love these two so much and can't wait to see the new little one.

A SPECIAL WEEK FOR HAALI

2010-06-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is a very special week for my Great Granddaughter, Haali. She is only 16 but is graduating with honors from High School on Friday. She is in National Honor Society, and has a year of college in already. Needless to say, she is one smart girl. The best thing about her is, she is NOT a smart alec. She is a very nice girl.
Last night her parents hosted a big party for her with her friends. Her family party is next Sunday. I will once again be on Amtrak for a trip to New York. Her Mom took her pictures. She has Hale Photography and is really good. I love you guys and look forward to being with you for this special occasion.

A MAKEOVER

2010-06-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

When we were in New York, Mitch (my Grandson), took us around where he works and to a museum on post. In the gift shop, George bought me this
name patch like they wear on the uniforms. The sold purses there to put them on, but I told Mitch I would rather make one from his uniform. They are getting new ones. I made this from a shirt/jacket that he wore in Iraq. It means so much more to me now. I used his pockets and sleeves, etc. Inside I put a cell phone pocket from a cuff and a key holder with velcro.
Since I am going to New York for Haali's graduation from High School on the 24th, I will be seeing Mitch's parents and Kristy's other Gramma. I made them and Kristy book covers. Hope they will like them. That shirt went a long way. I made myself a book cover too. The one for his Mom is a curve in the sleeve, not a mistake or crooked sewing. LOL

SHARING A COUPLE PICTURES

2010-06-06T10:13:00.001-07:00

.George and I just celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary on June 4th.
My Granddaughter, Kristy, has a business she named Hale Photography. When we were last in New York visiting, she took us in the park and took pictures.
She is very good at finding cute ways to take pictures.
She does this a lot, and I told her I liked it, so she said, walk down the path.
We did and this is the picture. Love you Kristy, you do great work. This is
only four of the twenty we had to choose from. She took over 400.

PROUD OF MY FAMILY

2010-05-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

We have a very military family background. On this Memorial Day, I hope everyone in America will take the time to pray for a member of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad. Say thank you if you see a person in uniform anywhere.
This is my Dad who served in World War One and started it all for me. He was very special and I loved him bunches.
This is Bill, my kid's Dad who served in the Marines and Air Force for a total of 23 years. We were all proud of him and lost him to cancer in 1992.
Bill served in the Navy. He joined right out of High School.
Eric was a Navy Corpsman. The guys on the ship called him Doc and he still has that nickname to his friends.
This is not a current picture, since Mitch is now a Captain in the Army. He served in Iraq and is now at Ft Drum, NY. He is going to his next duty station soon to be an instructor. I am so proud of you Mitch and thank you for serving right now.
Now you can see why I am Proud of my Family.
I just want to say to also know that the families of the men and women also need our prayers. Having been a military wife, and now Kristen is, the family has to hold the fort for the deployed military member.

BIRTHDAY GIFTS FOR ERIC AND A NEW BIKE FOR BILL

2010-05-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

We were late celebrating Eric's birthday, since he was on the road. Here he is, holding his stash from me.
This picture was taken in Seattle by my Granddaughter, Kristen. She has
Hale Photography. She can put any verse you want on her pictures. I wanted it to be the very first book of the Bible for Eric. Eric was in the Navy, so it also suited him. He loves it.
I wanted Kristy to be able to see how I framed it. I carried it home on the train unframed.
This photographer, ME, didn't do a very good job on this picture, but this is Bill's new bike. Ride safe Bill and have fun.

A PROJECT FOR HEIDI

2010-05-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Since Heidi and Jos bought a new house, she requested that I stitch this for a housewarming gift. It is Jane Austen's house. It is a free pattern she found on a blog. The blog is Gazette 94, which you can click on from my side bar if you are interested. After stitching my Warrior, this is a super easy thing to do.
I asked Heidi if she wanted to follow my progress and she said since it is not a Christmas present, yes she did. Here it is so far.
Yesterday, I went to Walmart, and of course, I hadddddd to check out the books. Look what I found. One of my favorite authors. There is also another Debbie Macomber I am going to buy next. Can not resist.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC

2010-05-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, May 23rd, is my youngest Son's birthday. He is out on the road in his semi, and his gift is waiting here in my living room. No birthday cake for him right now. He is in Texas.
This was from a past post, when we tried to build a snowman. It was a hershey kiss snowman. LOL
Eric likes to cook, and here he was helping me in the kitchen with the turkey. Love you Eric and hope your birthday is good. Of course, I can still remember the day you were born, with your Dad in Viet Nam at the time.
Eric and his wife, Becky, are also on my sideboard.
Eric and Bill are both Navy Vets too, so Happy Memorial Day to both of you.

I'VE BEEN FRAMED

2010-05-15T09:19:00.001-07:00

Most of you know, this warrior went into hiding for the year I was making all the ponchos and scarves and hats for the craft show. Well, at last, he is in his frame and ready to go to Bill's apartment to live now.
I found the frame at Joann Fabrics, and yes Heidi, I know, if I would have left the glass out, there would not be a glare. Oh well, I left it in. I just pressed it this morning and thought I was finished and no, I found more backstitching to do. I am going to miss him now but after a couple other projects, I will do the Squaw. The mat is green and the frame is black. It doesn't show too well.

I LOVE TO READ

2010-05-11T06:21:00.001-07:00

First let me say, my pictures are blurry. I just have not mastered my new camera. It is a very dark, cold, rainy day in Ohio and it would be a perfect day to read. I am sitting here with a blanket over me. This book is the only one of this group I have not read yet.
I used to read Amanda Quick all the time, but haven't in awhile. She is also Jayne Ann Krentz.
I have read books one two and three now of this series, and cannot wait for four to come out.
This is one of my favorites, J.D. Robb she is also Nora Roberts. Love her books.
In addition to finishing this one, I also read Summer on Blossom Street. Wonderful books. I am going to look for Hannahs List next.
Now, am I reading, NO. I am doing the back stitching and feathers on my
Warrior. Today I am going to look for the mats and frame. I said I was
going to start the squaw, well, now I have other patterns waiting for me also. Thanks Heidi, or maybe not.

MY REASON FOR MOTHER'S DAY

2010-05-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

These four are my reason for being happy on Mother's Day, and everyday.
Bill, Fawn, Heidi and Eric. You can see them as they are now on my sidebar. Of course, I now add a Son-in Law, Jos, a Daughter-in-Law, Becky and my wonderful Granddaughters and their families. I am so glad for everyone of you. You make my life so very happy to be sure. I love you all.

SAUDER VILLAGE MUSEUM

2010-05-02T13:02:00.001-07:00

This might seem like a strange picture to take, but when I was little, my Gramma lived part of the year with us, and she had a wheel chair just like the middle one. It brought back many memories.
This was a little doll or baby quilt in a case.
Wouldn't it be fun to ride in this beautiful sled in the winter?
Mail would have really been slow delivered in this wagon. LOL
Okay Jos, this is for you, a coffee grinder. My son- in- law loves his coffee.
There were several carriages to see. I took more, but it was taking too long to download them.
Hope you enjoy walking through the museum with me.

QUILT SHOW AT SAUDER VILLAGE

2010-04-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

First, let me say, I should have taken my old camera. I do not know how to change the settings on my new one. Sorry for the quality. We went on a one day bus trip to Sauder Village in Archibold, Ohio. Heidi asked me to take pictures of the quilts in the quilt show there.
There were 400 quilts in this show. I took very few.
I actually found myself comparing them to Heidi's quilts and those of the ladies in her quilt group. Hummmmmmmmmmm.
The one on the left was all fairies and cute. The right, I liked the design.
I am not a quilter, so just know what I like, not really the patterns. I only know a few.
Of course, I like anything patriotic. Had to take this one.
This one was a blue ribbon winner and one of the first you saw when you walked in.
This one was really big. At least queen sized. I took pictures inside the museum too and will share them on my next post.

COMING RIGHT ALONG NOW

2010-04-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

My warrior is really coming along now. I have his feet and the rest of his pant leg and that seems like nothing now. I loved doing the blanket and now the leg seems bland, but has to be done. I cannot wait to start on the squaw. I feel like I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel now.
Today I am a little sad, remembering Fawn, my daughter who died. She would be 51 today and would be so proud of her beautiful daughters and grandchildren.
Fawn died in 1995, so we have missed her for way too long.

MY TREES AND MY WIN

2010-04-20T10:29:00.001-07:00

Two years ago, my cousin and I planted the tree you see blooming in the back. I am so proud of it. It is a Flowering Crabapple. We also planted a Flowering Bradford Pear in the back yard, but the blooms are almost gone from it.
The Lilac bush in the front was only a twig when I planted it at the same time. The Cherry tree was here when we bought the house, but George just cut it way back. We didn't think it would bloom this year. Now, if you knew me well, you would know I NEVER work in the yard. It is amazing these things grew. I would have to say thanks to Louise.
When I got home today, this package was waiting for me. It is a blog giveaway I won from Carolien, who lives in Holland. Her blog is listed on my friends list, in case you would like to visit her. She makes the best apple pie and just invited me to her house when I get to Holland to share her pie again. Yummy and I will be there.
This is the kit I won and it is just so nice. I have to take it out and look at it closer, but oh my, it is very nice.
Now, I feel sooooo bad that she went and bought all the thread to go with this kit. I know from Heidi that DMC thread is very expensive in Holland. I would have bought the thread and still felt very lucky. How can I thank you enough. I am just not sure yet, but I bet I will think of something when I next visit Holland. It is a wonderful gift and I do thank you very much Carolien.

A VISIT TO MY FAVORITE AMISH COUNTRY

2010-04-18T10:21:00.001-07:00

First, let me say I did not take these pictures. Eric and Becky were going to Amish Country yesterday, so Bill and I went along. It was a beautiful day. Today is cold and back to coats.
All of my family loves to get on the back roads to see what we can find. Yesterday, Eric found a little Amish store, like a General Store. It was neat after he convinced us to go in. This is a typical picture on a nice day there. I didn't take my camera, but Eric and Becky did.
This is a scene we did see. This is the way they plow their fields. No tractors for them. They use good old fashion horse power.
This picture is taken (again, not by me) in the Helping Hands Quilt Shop in Berlin. You can see ladies working when you go in to shop. They welcome you watching. People can bring quilts in to have hand quilted, but there is a long waiting list. They do sell quilts here too.
This quilt barn was featured in a book, one of the Daughter of Holmes County series. This one was the Quilters Daughter. The books were written by Wanda
Brunstetter. I hope I spelled that right, if not, sorry. I never get tired of visiting this area, and we are lucky to be so close to it.
The food just cannot be beat in my opinion. It is just plain good cooking. It has become commercial, but still a wonderful place.

OUR TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC

2010-04-13T08:04:00.001-07:00

This is from one of the sites we visited, the Franklin Roosevelt memorial. this is Franklin and his dog. The cape was worn to cover the wheelchair.
These statues represent the bread line.
This is Elenore
This is the changing of the guard at Arlington. I had to hold the camera up over heads and hope I got a picture.
This was my favorite statue. Iwo Jima. It is really impressive and very large.
They had this picture hanging in the American building at the Smithsonian and
it brings back memories. In about my eighth grade, we wore dog tags over our very thick topped bobby socks. Why??? who knows, but we did.

PLANNING A TRIP

2010-04-05T09:02:00.001-07:00

I didn't take these pictures, but on Friday, we are going on a bus trip to Washington, DC. We used to live in Maryland, and visited the Capital many times, but I don't think you ever see it all.
It is Cherry Blossom time now, so I hope the weather is good and the blossoms are out in full. Hopefully, I will be able to get some pictures while I am there.
PS: Thanks Heidi for the new sides on my blog. LOL I can manage the picture on top, but not the background.

ALMOST EASTER AND MAYBE SPRING

2010-04-01T10:09:00.001-07:00

After telling George about the pretty flowers at our local grocery store, he took the hint and bought some for me. I love the smell of hyacinths. They just opened today. I colored our eggs this morning and of course had to have some jelly beans. A dozen of the eggs will make their way to Bill, and Eric and Becky's.
Every year, these pop up beside our air conditioner. They are always first to appear.
A few entries ago I showed you these trying to get up out of the ground. Sorry about my head in there in shadow, didn't notice it until now. Oh well.
I hope all of you have a Happy Easter and I hope this weather last and spring is actually here. It is sunny and warm today. Yeah.

MY FARMVILLE FARM

2010-03-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry, the quality is so bad, but I wanted my Dutch family and friends to see I now have a working, yes working, windmill on my farm. To get it, I had to collect 150 Easter eggs. You then redeem the eggs for a windmill. Soooo cute.
I had to delete some crops to be sure it would sit down. I then planted red tulips around it. They take a day to come up.
At St Patricks day, we collected gold. From the gold, we were able to get castles.
The ground is all level, but my smart Bill knew how to make it look built up with fencing.
The little french houses start as a wood frame. Neighbors send you building supplies and when you get the last piece, like magic you have a house. This is really fun to play. Hope you are able to see it well enough.

NOT AGAIN

2010-03-26T07:36:00.001-07:00

Is it March? Really? This is what we woke up to this morning. It started about 8PM last night as rain then turned to snow. George had to drive to Cleveland Airport last night late and said the roads were terrible.
This is Bill and Eric and Becky's duplex, behind our house. Bill's Jeep was cleaned off because he had to work very late last night. Eric is out on his semi, so their truck was out. Stay safe Eric.
This is on the way to breakfast this morning, needless to say, from the car window.
Another view going down the road.
The weather report said 1/2 inch, but it was more like two inches. This is at George's son's house. Can it be Spring now?????

LOOK WHO IS BACK OUT

2010-03-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

A lot of you have been asking what happened to my Warrior, well here he is back out of the bag. I did not do any cross stitching during the year while I was knitting all those ponchos for the craft show. I finally got it back out. I am working on his leg now. I want to make the Squaw, so I have to get it finished. I don't start more than one at a time. It would drive me crazy.
Now, about this little guy! I am sure you remember Heidi bugging me to stitch Button Up. She gave me the pattern, there are 8 of these little guys. Well, this one I stitched for her, and it is winging it's way to Holland and should really be there today or tomorrow. I don't know what she will do with it, but never mind. He is coming to visit Heidi, so get ready.
I prefer patterns in color, and I like doing people. Button up is black and white, but small patterns so okay,

A NICE FAMILY DAY FOR ME

2010-03-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Today was my birthday and I had a very nice day. Bill and Eric and I after dinner.
Becky is wearing the shirt I bought her in Florida, oh Eric was too.
Flowers from Mandie and Zoe, and an Ice Cream Cake from Eric and Becky. Bill took us to dinner.
Here is my yummy cake.
An afternoon knock on the door, and a man delivered flowers from Mandie and Zoe. Thanks kids for the nice day. Mandie and Zoe, I love my beautiful flowers, thank you very much.

DOES THIS MEAN THERE IS HOPE????

2010-03-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

Look at what I found at the corner of our flower bed under a bunch of dried leaves. There are a few others popping up also. Maybe there is hope for Spring to arrive. Our forecast, however, says we are going to get snow again on Sunday. No way, we dooooooooo nottttttttt want any. Today is beautiful and sunny.

When Fawn died, Heidi and Jos brought some flower bulbs from Holland. They, along with Bill and Eric, planted them in our back flower bed. I do nothing to them and they come back up every year.

REMEMBER THIS?????

2010-03-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Remember when I asked Heidi for a picture so I could see her hair. Well, this was what she sent. But nowwwwwwwwwwwwwww:
She got her new glasses while I was in Florida and sent me a picture to see them. Ha Ha, Miss Pickles, gotcha. I do like the glasses and love the girl wearing them.

BACK HOME AGAIN

2010-03-11T18:56:00.001-08:00

Today I flew home from Tampa and the flight was about two hours late. It was a non stop flight, but the weather in Northern Florida was not good and the flights were having trouble. The flight I left on was late from Atlanta. A lady getting off said "I hope you are not afraid to fly". She said it was the worst flight she was ever on. When the flight attendants were serving, it was so ruff, the pilot told them to lay down on the floor until it smoothed out. We had to sit on the runway over a half hour to be cleared to take off. All flights going North were delayed. It was only ruff about 10 minutes when we got in the air, then fine the rest of the way. I have never been afraid to fly so it didn't bother me.
I didn't take my camera, but this is a view at Tarpon Springs. We visit there every time I go. It is a neat Greek town. They go out to collect sponges. The shops are neat to go through. The weather was very cool until the day before I left for home.
It was in the 50s and 60s. When I got to Ohio it was 68 degrees today. Thank God our snow is gone.
I could not find a good picture on Google, but this is the board walk at John's Pass. My cousin loves going to this little spot. We went twice. The shops are just very neat to go through.
Every evening, we were back at her house and playing this very addicting game. It is lots of fun and easy to play. You can buy it at Walmart or other stores for $10.00. I am trying to catch up on blogs, but it will take me awile.

AWAY I GO

2010-02-26T07:07:00.001-08:00

This is the view out my front door. I am soooooo tired of this snow. We have a weather warning again till 10 PM tonight.
Ok, tomorrow, Air Tran is going to take me away from this to sunny (I hope) Florida. After a trial of getting a compression sleeve to wear on the flight to keep my arm from getting swelled with Lymphoma from my surgery. They said I might (didn't like the word might) be okay just going to Florida, but not on long flights.
Well, if I need it later, I thought just get it now and be safe. I also was going to run
out of the pill I take for five years so had to wait for a vacation override. Long story short, I booked yesterday to go tomorrow. I have no trouble packing fast.

I will be in St Petersburg, Florida with my cousin again. She just had to put her doggie down and is sad and said she needs company. We have fun together, so I just put it together and off I go. I asked George to go, but he didn't want to.
I will not be blogging for a couple weeks. Everyone stay well and happy.

FINALLY FINISHED

2010-02-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

Many of you know how my little Great Granddaughter, Zoe, has me wrapped around her finger. She wears a school uniform now and this is one of the colors she can wear. I have been working on her sweater and kept putting it aside to work on other things. Finally it is finished.
When I was talking to her on the phone on the weekend, she mentioned that she wanted this Barbie doll. She told me she wanted it for her birthday, but of course I went out to buy it. It was on clearance, so probably a good thing I didn't wait. I will be mailing it on Thursday probably. Her birthday is not until August. Now on to the next project.

PRESIDENT HARDING, ANOTHER OHIO MAN

2010-02-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2, 1865 – August 2, 1923) was the 29th President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack in 1923. A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate (1899–1903) and later as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (1903–1905) and as a U.S. Senator (1915–1921).

His conservative stance on issues such as taxes, affable manner, and campaign manager Harry Daugherty's 'make no enemies' strategy enabled Harding to become the compromise choice at the 1920 Republican National Convention. During his presidential campaign, in the aftermath of World War I, he promised a return to "normalcy". In the 1920 election, he and his running-mate, Calvin Coolidge, defeated Democrat and fellow Ohioan James M. Cox, in what was then the largest presidential popular vote landslide in American history since the popular vote tally began to be recorded in 1824: 60.36% to 34.19%.

Harding headed a cabinet of notable men such as Charles Evans Hughes, Andrew Mellon, future president Herbert Hoover and Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall, who was jailed for his involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal. In foreign affairs, Harding signed peace treaties that built on the Treaty of Versailles (which formally ended World War I). He also led the way to world Naval disarmament at the Washington Naval Conference of 1921–22.

Because of the Teapot Dome scandal and other scandals in his administration, polls of historians and scholars consistently rank Harding as one of the worst Presidents.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO PASS THE TIME?

2010-02-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Most of you know, I love books. I just finished the Debbie Macomber book that I got for Christmas from Kristen and her family. My neice bought me the center book. It is Luanne Rice, Sandcastles. The right one is one I bought, we love these books.
On the weekend, I went to the near by flea market with Eric and Becky. I found a book stall there. The books are new and boy are they good prices. There is a series of these books. I read one that I bought before and when I saw these, I had to buy them. I read Maryland before.
I bought the top five books all for $10.00. What a deal.
Now here is a real deal. These were only $4.00 each. I would say I will be reading for a long time. Of course, I HAVE to find time to stitch of Heidi is going to come through the computer after me.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

2010-02-15T14:41:00.001-08:00

I didn't take these pictures, but we just came in from the store and oh boy is it ever getting bad out. It is very slippery on the side roads. I worry about Eric out in the truck and Bill coming home from work soon. The weather forecast says we will get an inch an hour. These pictures are just what we are seeing.
The salt trucks are out, but it is coming down very fast. We are supposed to get about eight inches overnight. Holy cow, is it ever going to end?????
I am so ready for spring. It is also very cold here in Ohio. In the teens most of the time right now. Hope you are all having better luck.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY BLOGGING FRIENDS

2010-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you are getting out from under the snow now and have a wonderful, restful Valentine Sunday tomorrow. I appreciate all of you and love the comments you leave.

A BIRTHDAY

2010-02-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

Little Miss Heidi is on this picture as a very little girl. Now, Heidi says she is still a little girl. She says on Feb. 12th, tomorrow, she is going to be 6. Maybe we need to put a number in front of that number??????
Unless I am with her holding a camera, it is very hard to get a picture of this girl. She agreed to take this one so we could see her in the scarf made for her.
Today, she got her hair cut and I was bugging her to take a picture so I could see it. Okay Miss Pickles, I see the hair do and it is very cute. What a nut. I hope you have a great birthday and that the package I mailed early might get there. I know as of today it didn't come. Ahhhhhhhhh.
Okay, here is another person who had a birthday also. Happy Birthday Abe.

PRESIDENT GARFIELD

2010-02-09T10:16:00.001-08:00

James A. Garfield Facts and Trivia

Birthday: November 19, 1831

Birthplace: Orange, OH

College or University: Williams

Religion: Disciples of Christ

Occupation or Profession: Lawyer

Military Rank: (2 Star) Major General of Volunteers

Married: Lucretia Rudolph Garfield

Children: Eliza Arbella Garfield, Harry Augustus Garfield, James Rudolph Garfield, Mary Garfield, Irvin M. Garfield, Adram Garfield, Edward Garfield

President number: 20th

Political Party: Republican

Runner Up: Winfield S. Hancock

Vice President: Chester A. Arthur

Age at Inauguration: 49

Served: 1881

Number of terms: Less than 1

Other Offices or Commissions: U.S. House of Representatives

Died: September 19, 1881

Age at Death: 49

Place of Burial: Cleveland, OH

He was assinated

A WONDERFUL GIRL DOING A WONDERFUL DEED

2010-02-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

Kristen, my Granddaughter, held a craft auction and crock pot cook off today at her church. I packed a suitcase with crafts and also one with clothes of course and got on the train. The proceeds will all go to Haiti. New Hope Baptist Church is located in Watertown, New York. She put this together in only a week. The missionary group will be leaving soon for Haiti.
$1200.00 was raised. It was a big success.
One of our blogging friends, My Hidden Stash, lives across the border in Canada. I told her I would be here for this event and said it would be fun if she could come.
It was great to meet and spend some time with her. It is nice to put a face to a person we blog with. Thanks for coming today Janet. I also got to hold your traveling sock.

EXCITING TRAIN RIDE

2010-02-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

This is not the train I came to New York on yesterday. LOL

ANNIE OAKLEY, AN OHIO GIRL

2010-02-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

NAME: Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee. She was named Phoebe Ann by her mother, but called Annie by her sisters. Annie promoted the Mozee spelling of the family name. While it has been variously recorded as Mauzy and Moses, Mosey is the version most commonly found in family sources. She took the stage name Oakley, reportedly after Oakley, Ohio.

BIRTH DATE: Aug. 13, 1860.

BIRTHPLACE: Patterson Township, Darke County, Ohio.

EDUCATION: Annie did not attend school.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Quaker parents Jacob and Susan were originally from Pennsylvania. After a tavern fire ended their livelihood as innkeepers, they moved to a rented farm in Ohio. Father, who had fought in the War of 1812, died in 1866 from pneumonia and overexposure in freezing weather. Annie was the fifth of seven children. Her mother remarried, had another child and was widowed a second time. During this time Annie was put in the care of the superintendent of the county poor farm, where she learned to embroider and sew. She spent some time in near servitude for a local family where she met with mental and physical abuse. When she reunited with her family, her mother had married a third time.

DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Whether it be a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, the legendary markswoman Annie Oakley was masterful with them all. Dubbed "Little Sure Shot" by Chief Sitting Bull (she was 5 feet tall), her sharp shooting in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show won her many awards and captivated audiences far and wide. Her name remains synonymous with firearms and entertainment.

Born in a log cabin on the Ohio frontier, Annie Oakley began shooting game at age nine to support her widowed mother and siblings. She quickly proved to be a dead shot and word spread so much that at age sixteen, Annie went to Cincinnati to enter a shooting contest with Frank E. Butler (1850-1926), an accomplished marksman who performed in vaudeville. Annie won the match by one point and she won Frank Butler's heart as well. Some time later they were married and she became his assistant in his traveling shooting act. Frank recognized that Annie was far more talented and relinquished the limelight to her, becoming her assistant and personal manager. In 1885 they joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, run by the legendary frontiersman and showman Buffalo Bill Cody.

For seventeen years Annie Oakley was the Wild West Show's star attraction with her marvelous shooting feats. At 90 feet Annie could shoot a dime tossed in midair. In one day with a .22 rifle she shot 4,472 of 5,000 glass balls tossed in midair. With the thin edge of a playing card facing her at 90 feet, Annie could hit the card and puncture it with with five or six more shots as it settled to the ground. It was from this that free tickets with holes punched in them came to be called "Annie Oakleys." Shooting the ashes off a cigarette held in Frank's mouth was part of the Butler and Oakley act. In a celebrated event while touring in Europe, Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Germany, invited Annie to shoot a cigarette held in his own lips. Annie had Wilhelm hold the cigarette in his hand and not his mouth; she accomplished this challenge, as always effortlessly. In this period Annie Oakley was easily recognizable by the numerous shooting medals that adorned her chest.

In a train wreck in 1901, Annie suffered a spinal injury that required five operations and even left her partially paralyzed for a while. Although she recovered very well, Annie toured less frequently during the latter part of her career. Nonetheless, her shooting expertise did not wane and she continued to set records. In a shooting contest in Pinehurst, N.C. in 1922, sixty-two-year-old Annie hit 100 clay targets straight from the 16 yard mark.

Annie Oakley died of pernicious anemia on Nov. 3, 1926, in Greenville, Ohio, at the age of sixty-six. A legend in her own time, the remarkable life of Annie Oakley would be celebrated in the 1946 Herbert and Dorothy Fields musical Annie Get Your Gun.

In her life, Annie overcame poverty, mistreatment and physical injury with her determination and strength of character. She played a role in breaking barriers for women with her talent and accomplishments in her sport. She showed great compassion and generosity to orphans, widows and other young women.

DATE OF DEATH: Nov. 3, 1926, age 66.

PLACE OF DEATH: Greenville, Ohio.

ANOTHER OHIO BOY

2010-01-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, was actually born in the city. It was in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 5, 1911, that Leonard Slye (later to be known as Roy Rogers) was born to Mattie and Andy Slye. Years later, the building where he was born was torn down to make way for Riverfront Stadium (recently renamed Cinergy Field), the home of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Roy liked to say that he was born right where second base is now located. But the Slye family was never cut out for city life, so a few months after Roy was born, Andy Slye moved his family to Portsmouth, Ohio (a hundred miles east of Cincinnati), where they lived on the houseboat that he and Roy's uncle built. When Roy was seven years old his father decided it was time they settled on solid ground, so he bought a small farm in nearby Duck Run. Living on a farm meant long hours and hard work, but no matter how hard they worked the land there was little money to be made. Roy often said that about all they could raise on their farm were rocks. Eventually Andy Slye realized that he'd have to return to his old factory job at the United States Shoe Company in Cincinnati if he was going to be able to support his family. Since his father would be able to return home only on weekends, this meant that even more of the responsibilities for farm chores fell onto Roy's young shoulders.

MORE ON WILLIAM MCKINLEY

2010-01-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

This is the Monument of William McKinley, right here in my hometown of Canton, Ohio. He along with his wife and children are buried in this Monument. It is located in one of the beautiful parks we have running in a row in our town.
I remember this best as a place to go as a young girl to take pictures on Easter and also having fun running up and down the steps. Could never do that now. LOL.
Kids used to have lots of fun sled riding on the hills on each side of the steps.
There is also a museum located at the base now and it is very interesting to go through.

The first ladies library is located downtown Canton. It was the Saxton house, Mrs. McKinley's maiden name. McKinley and his wife lived in this house at one time.
I have visited a few times, and it is well done and well worth seeing. The ladies who are working each day, dress as one of the first ladies and take you through. There is a second location just down the street located in one of our old bank buildings.

ONE OF OHIO'S PRESIDENTS

2010-01-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

William McKinley (January 29, 1843 – September 14, 1901) was the 25th President of the United States. He was elected twice, in 1896 and 1900 but was assassinated in 1901 at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He fought the Spanish-American War to gain control of Cuba, and afterwards annexed the Philippines and Puerto Rico, as well as Hawaii. He promoted high tariffs as a formula for prosperity, helped rebuild the Republican party in 1896 by introducing new campaign techniques, and presided over a return to prosperity after the Panic of 1893. He was succeeded by his Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt.

Born in Niles, Ohio on Sunday January 29, 1843, William McKinley was the seventh of nine children. His parents, William and Nancy (Allison) McKinley were of Scots-Irish ancestry. He graduated from Poland Academy and briefly attended Allegheny College.

In June 1861, at the start of the American Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army, as a private in the Twenty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was sent to western Virginia where it spent a year fighting small Confederate units. His superior officer, another future U.S. President, Rutherford B. Hayes, promoted McKinley to commissary sergeant for his bravery in battle. For driving a mule team delivering rations under enemy fire at Antietam, he was promoted to second lieutenant by Hayes. This pattern repeated several times during the war, and McKinley eventually mustered out as Captain and brevet Major of the same regiment in September 1865.

Following the war, McKinley attended Albany Law School in Albany, New York and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He practiced law in Canton, Ohio, and became the prosecuting attorney of Stark County, Ohio, from 1869 to 1871

McKinley was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives and served from 1877 to 1883 and again from March 4, 1885 to March 3, 1891.

MORE OHIO FAMOUS PEOPLE

2010-01-21T09:38:00.001-08:00

Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Edison was not born into poverty in a backwater mid-western town. Actually, he was born -on Feb. 11, 1847 - to middle-class parents in the bustling port of Milan, Ohio, a community that - next to Odessa, Russia - was the largest wheat shipping center in the world. In 1854, his family moved to the vibrant city of Port Huron, Michigan, which ultimately surpassed the commercial preeminence of both Milan and Odessa....

Edison as a childAt age seven - after spending 12 weeks in a noisy one-room schoolhouse with 38 other students of ll ages - Tom's overworked and short tempered teacher finally lost his patience with the child's persistent questioning and seemingly self centered behavior. Noting that Tom's forehead was unusually broad and his head was considerably larger than average, he made no secret of his belief that the hyperactive youngster's brains were "addled" or scrambled.

If modern psychology had existed back then, Tom would have probably been deemed a victim of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and proscribed a hefty dose of the "miracle drug" Ritalin. Instead, when his beloved mother - whom he recalled "was the making of me... [because] she was always so true and so sure of me... And always made me feel I had someone to live for and must not disappoint." - became aware of the situation, she promptly withdrew him from school and began to "home-teach" him. Not surprisingly, she was convinced her son's slightly unusual demeanor and physical appearance were merely outward signs of his remarkable intelligence.