The Olden Days in Iowa

The weekend was spent in a town in Iowa where our families had long roots. This wedding photo is Mr. Wonderful's Grandmother. She was born on a farm and had a simple life; she remembered every family in the community and surrounding towns. When I dated my Beloved I met his Grandma and told her my Great Grandfather had lived in the next town, 10 miles from the farm where she grew up and still lived. Asking for details, I told her my Great Grandfather had been the town butcher and SHE TOLD ME his name! She also knew that I was related by marriage to the family!

Grandma lived on the farm with her husband and had two sons who went to the one room schoolhouse. She had been a teacher at one time in a one room school but gave up her job in favor of motherhood.

Can you imagine the goodies we would find if we looked through the houses where these sweet little people lived? Cast iron toy cars, wooden carved toys, old story books and other things those of us who flea market fall in love with.

They lived, and died on the farm. Grandma was 107, she cooked with a microwave in the same kitchen where her mother had pumped water in the sink. I just love these old photographs of simpler times and simpler lives. I often wonder if the reason she could remember every family and details of all the history is that her head wasn't full of all the passwords, technology and trivia that slows us down when we try to recall what happened two weeks ago.

Way Below Zero

It's brrr-low zero in the Upper Midwest with very cold wind chills. The low on Monday is forecast for -15 degrees.  We have attached garages, park in ramps connected by skyway to our office buildings and some people actually like it!  Ice fishers, snow mobilers all play outside, not me, I hibernate and wait for spring in my craft room.





Yesterday there were snow flurries, pretty to look at  dancing around out the window.  January for me is snowman season.  I dug through the my vintage Christmas cards to find some snow.  An easy paper craft using the lid of a box and a sheet of scrapbook paper on the inside.  I wrapped the rest of the lid in vintage Christmas paper for the sides and back.  Garnish with buttons and rick rack and pieces you keep saving 'for something'.

If the weather would warm up we could get snow.  For now, the ski hill is making their own version and the skiers are flying down the slopes.  I just turned on an audio book and listened while my glue stick and I happily became partners. 

Working full time it's harder to get to the crafts.  For all who prayed for me to find something during lay-off and then 'something else' when I only got a part time job, VICTORY!  My job is a one mile commute with great people and lots of challenges to keep me thinking!

Here's a link to the coolest place I have ever called work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFnH9wMsCXU&list=UUcdK8GA4v0k4XDTR8yhC03g&index=2

Mixin' it Up

Taking down the Christmas decorations has always been a sad event in my book.  I just hate the lack of color.  After seeing the tree, twinkling lights, beautiful vignettes of colorful treasures for six weeks, now it's gone and empty looking.  Some people I know can hardly wait to de-clutter.  I'm trying  to 're-clutter" with some of the goodies that have been tucked away.  The Pyrex Friendship Cinderella bowls made an appearance in the kitchen again.

Nothing beats an apron hung over the pantry door to revive a happy memory.  My Mom only wore dresses on Sunday for church.  The rest of the week she worked in the beauty shop doing shampoo and sets.  We'd get home after services and her apron went on and the roast would come out of the oven and be served with mashed potatoes and gravy and dinner rolls and  some kind of Jello salad.  EVERY SUNDAY...

Our meals always ended with dessert; amazing treats like Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Bread Pudding, Apple Pie and Angel Food cake were regulars in Mom's repertoire.  My children will have no such memories; cookies were always on hand but the fancy high calorie desserts, not very often.



There are still Gingerbread Boys left from all the baking during December,  and some Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies.  Working full time may ensure that such baked goodies won't be found too often.  Great news for my waist line, as I have confessed before, I have NO will power.  Baking or crafting time?  I choose low calorie crafts!