Herbs in an Unexpected Place

While visiting my brother who is actively serving in the military, my Mum put together an herb box for his wife. It just happens to be in an old ammunition box.

Precious Nieces

Grammy quickly snatched this photograph of Miss Aaliyah and Baby Kenley. There's going to be some sisterly bonding happening in the next few years for these cuties.

Mini Tea Stash

When a co-worker returned from a spring excursion to England recently, she brought back a few small tea tins. This phone booth tin contains loose tea leaves. How nice! I think I'll save them for a future trip. Just the right amount to take along to see friends or family on a week-end get-away.

Quiet Time

Lovely tulips in an old glass milk jar have made a lovely 'get well' greeting every morning this week. Thanks to my mum and sis.

Aunt Edna's Crazy Quilt

Lillibeth,

What do you think of this? Before Gramzie passed away, she bequeathed me a quilt made of velvet silk and here you see it still in good condition. The quilt was made by her Aunt, Gussie Edna Pennington Henderson. She made it most likely during the 1930's. She backed the quilt with cranberry colored sateen and tacked the top with traditional yarn. It's nice to have atop my bed for awhile, until my comforter is dry.

I don't think I'll be turning it into a house robe though...so don't even suggest it!

Lunch with Shilpa and Jace

Rebecca,
You should see Jace! He is like Zebby was when I started being his nanny. Jace is a tiny little guy, but he gets into all sorts of mischief. He was quite fascinated by my camera, cell phone and Shilpa said that he was given a small piano toy and in two hours he completely disassembled it! He certainly is mechanically inclined.
Oh, I have missed the East Indian dishes that Shilpa makes. We had a nice long visit. She asked about you many times and wanted to hear all the news from your studies. I think you might should drop her a line sometime.

Becca's Room Language

"Sheepstor, Dartmoor, Devon,England" print from Art.com

Becca's art speaks of her love of traveling, but always on the pathway homeward. Her home is surely where sheep are grazing and sheafs of wheat glisten in the warm sun. Birds twittle and chirp near the window where she is sitting.

"Pastoral View of Danish Farmland" Photographic print from Art.com

Still dressed from her journey, she looks out upon "her land" and reflects upon her travels and wonders what part she should include in a letter to a close friend.

Mother's Room Language

"Boy and Rabbit" Giclee Print from allposters.com

Several evening ago, I stood in Mother's bedroom doorway as she sat up in bed reading. My eyes scanned the room to see the pictures on her walls: a young boy holding a rabbit, a child sitting up in bed looking out an open window at a bluebird sitting in a tree, a young girl sitting beside a window reading a book, several photographs framed and set on the dressing table of family members sitting. Everyone is sitting, Mother. Yes I believe you are right, Amy. So what does that tell you? It tells me that as a person you like to sit still, enjoy life and observe the nature around you. Well that is what I do. I sit for a living, I have been a caregiver.

May I encourage you to look around and notice your surroundings? What is inspiring or discouraging you? Are there photographs, or pictures that make your heart sing for joy? Do you feel that you have entered a retreat-your home? Do you feel inspired to great things and to think noble thoughts?

Thank You, Rebecca

For the few days spent with you and your friends. I can see now why you miss them when you are at home on break or holiday.You have quite the little nest of bosom buddies in the writing center. Thanks for sharing the experience with me.

Rivka - You are Grand!

Cherrio! Mrs. Standeford our Comp 1 teacher handed back our first real essays today...and due to my sister's excellent tutorial skills via e-mail... a good grade is in!

Muchos Gracias, Rivka

Time with Grandma

While Gran'ma stayed with us in May we showed her the town.

Gran'ma has had a life long dream to see this historical site.

Sunnyside Schoolhouse, Post Office, and replica of Laura Ingall's "Little House on the Prairie"

Inside Little House on the Prairie Schoolhouse, Independence, Kansas.

Earlier that morning at the Farmer's Market May 17 downtown.

Camp this Week

In the Nelson-Deal Dining Hall at Campmeeting. Rachel, Me, Mother, Sister Regina

Away until Friday evening for Family Camp in Central Oklahoma. Looking forward to seeing my friends across the state, feeling the presence of God and hopefully visiting with someone!

Desk and Keepsakes

When needing to jot a note to a friend or family member, or pay a bill, this is where I sit.

Letter opener (Colonial Williamsburg) in hand I am ready for incoming letters.

A suitable box for storing antique family photos. In the matted and glassed hinged cover I chose to feature my Grandfather Stone's side of the family, with a copy of his Father and Mother's wedding invitaion and pictures of his childhood.

Each side of the family has their own bundle.

Gramzie (Henderson) Grandad (Stone)

Gran'ma (Fasnacht) Grandpa (Newton)

It feels good to have them in a safe dry place away from mildew,

dust and the danger of getting crumbled in a card board box.

Picnic in the Park

We enjoyed a picnic at Sooner Park with my Grandmother, a good friend from church, and the the Pingles and Nistanes. We honored our Mothers with a picnic Luncheon. Gorgeous weather!

May happiness

What a great week we have enjoyed. Dr. Unruh's office was open Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday we drove to Independence, Kansas and saw patients in a satellite office. What an antiquated office decorated with panelling, browns, yellows, blues and avocados, straight from the seventies.

Thursday
Mum and I worked on the little cottage...it will soon be rented. The yard is looking trim. I mowed with the high setting and then lowered it so it would be nice and short. Sprayed all the weeds in the cracks and crevices all around the house and sidewalks...and Mr. Neighbor to the west, I also sprayed your sidewalk and street weeds (hope you don't mind).

Mum and I discovered much we had forgotten to unpack when we moved here nearly two years ago. A fish crystal serving dish, platters, Joel's special dishes among others. Our dining room is now covered with crystal, silver and stoneware until we are able to reorganize our cabinets.

Other happenings of the past weeks:

• Letter from Gran'ma ( she writes me 1-2 times per week)
  
• Unexpected letter from Lydia
  
• Very unexpected letter from Lillibeth
• Perused Gramzie's trunk of albums. A very fat one contains one half our Oregonian friends, the other Ronald Regan's. My grandmother felt that the Republican party was part of our family and deserved a special section.
• Trip to Lendonwood garden and Har-Ber Village with our East Indian friends
• More gardening with Betty Gram...the garden is looking LOVELY!
• Orchestrated a special, All in All for the Youth Rally last night. It went well and the Lord really moved in the service. Our church was packed out. Chairs were lined up down the center aisle and in the back.

FYI - You may wonder why I have a Gran'ma, Gramzie and a Betty Gram. Gran'ma is my Grandmother in Texas. Gramzie is my Grandmother who passed away in 2003, and Betty Gram is one of my adopted Grandparents...I have many!

What have I been up to?

Among gardening, yard and house cleaning and interning I have been enjoying several interesting days.

Saturday

• Enjoyed crepes!
• Garage saling...delicate green April Cornell dress, a red flower long sleeve shirt for everyday, and a chicken print fabric to make a pillow (instead I will make a cozy that can be used for teatime or for keeping biscuits warm at breakfast).
• Antiquing in Dewey... resisted every urge to purchase the spinet desk, jadite tea box, and and retro kitchen accessories (in fact quite easy to do with a non existent budget).
  
• As we antiqued Mum and I discovered a brand new shop on Don Tyler in Dewey that sells fudge and fabric. I say, an idea for ladies!
  
• Rachel H. treated me to savory crepes at Le Creperie downtown. And what a lovely evening viewing cottages and old buildings. I do love what the businessman are doing downtown.

Sunday

• Sunday School, and Church
  
• Thin pizza for lunch from little Haley C's mini-softball fund-raiser
  
• Mum purchased flowers for the backyard and we made out a rough master plan for our gardens
  
• Worked on resume for future job
• Cello
• A buffet stored in the garage moved into our dining room under the Victorian mirror. A place of it's own at last.
• Prayer, Church...and home

Monday

• Interning (Monday through Wednesday this week)
  
• Cello lesson..what nice Rasberry tea and brownie Mrs. Martin
  
• Visit with Betty-Gram. Dominoe's pizza and Paul Pott's CD (Winner of Britain's Got Talent)
• Prayer
• Piano practice
• Chat with Mum before work
• Blog
• ...bed at last!

Time with Sargeant Joel

• Joel marched while I rode along side him on my retro yellow bike. Wow, I've missed that smile of yours...and big brother to little sister conversation.
  
• Whipped up whole wheat crepes sweetened with honey topped with peanut butter, apricot jam, yogurt, or peaches and served with milk, tea or coffee. Hmm...thanks Amy he says.
  
• Joel if I run up to Wal-Mart and purchase a game of monopoly, will you play it with me? Yep. We play just Mum (scotty dog) Joel (Top Hat) and I (Roadster).
  
• Now how does that gun operate? Made in Austria? Amy, you want me to show you how to shoot it? I've trained many people how to shoot guns...including lots of girls.
• Mum bailed out of the Monopoly when our stomachs started to growl for lunch...salmon croquettes, baked sweet potatoes tossed with olive oil, cinnamon and salt, green beans, and tomatoes with ranch dressing. Delicious Mom, he says.
  
• After lunch the Monopoly totals are in...sorry to beat you by $103.00. Your a good sport Joel. Let's take up where we left off next time you are home.
  

Photo courtesy http://www.flickr.com

Joel, home in June

Joel was home for just a few days. Not nearly enough time with him, but any is better than none. We received an e-mail from him in Iraq earlier this month. He tells us that the job he is doing can't be mentioned in the e-mail, and that he lost a good friend recently.
Our Prayers are with him.

Thinking Alike

Becca home last week-end rummaged through my bottom dresser and decided she must have a skirt I'd purchased. "This looks so 1930's ish. May I please have it?" And so here she is wearing it Sunday morning...she looks quite elegant.

Bye the way she let me wear her favorite brown skirt...great minds think alike.