One of my favorites. A sweet moment in my driveway, thirteen years ago.
Anna and her brother Michael.
The doll belonged to Laura and is now at her home with their cousin Charlie.
Tag: memories
Movie Ticket Stubs from the Sixties
Same Shirt, Same Couch- 38+ years Difference
My son Mark, (uncle to Charlie) on the left holding his brother Matthew, Philadelphia Christmas 1980.
My grandson Charlie on the right, holding “Henny” Pittsburgh, January 2019.
(Yes, the couch used to be jewel red)
The brand of shirt was Health-Tex and I’d say it held up quite well. Who knows why I saved it.
Hungarian Nut Roll
Hungarian Nut Roll. A Pittsburgh Christmas tradition.
Hungarian Nut Roll video -Pittsburgh
Post from five years ago 2013
Today Jaclyn and her sister Shannon baked nut rolls together, carrying on family tradition.
Their mother, Theresa, passed last February. (2013) This post is to remember Theresa, those who knew and loved her and to send hugs to Jaclyn and Shannon as they are missing their mom, especially at Christmas time.
Theresa was one of the four sisters in this slideshow (baking the pizelles) showing the three sisters making nutroll in Pittsburgh- Linda, Georgeann and Theresa, while the fourth sister Marlene communicated via SKYPE in Virginia.
You might remember the previous post of the 15 greased nut roll pans where the retro recipe card is photographed in case you want to make them.
Marlene and I share grandchildren and her daughter Erika is married to my son Mark.
One of my favorite photos from long ago, taken by unknown photographer. Theresa, their mother Marion, Bride Linda, Marlene and Georgeann
https://rutheh.com/2013/03/01/a-mother-grandmother-sister-aunt-and-friend-remembering-theresa/
Abiding Love Always
Dear Daughter Laura,
Tonight on your birthday eve, I dusted off the counted cross stitch birth sampler and remembered the gift of your arrival in Germany.
A girl!
Maura says you’re not just an amazing aunt, but you’re an amazing mother. I agree.
Happy Birthday to you.
Love,
Ma (and Maura, who is visiting)
Polaroid Transfer of Childhood Toys
From a photography assignment years ago.
My now grown children’s childhood toys.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/beloved/
Best Dog Ever
Beloved. The Weekly Photo Challenge.
Murphy. The Airedale Terrier. A member of the family. Missed by all. RIP.
The grandchildren have grown up significantly since these photos were taken in June 2012.
Murphy the Airedale Terrier Tenth Birthday Blog
Murphy the Airedale – A Family’s Best FriendRest in Peace beloved Murphy
He is Still Here
On a different shelf.
I blogged Baby Jake. four years ago (see below)
Looks like he’s on the WWII shelf now.
—from Blog May 2014—
WHAT I SAW ON MY SON’S BOOKSHELF IN HIS OFFICE
First Communion Weekend in my son Mark’s home office I saw his old Baby Jake from 1976.
I believed little boys should have a doll to love and care for when they were growing up. Preparing for fatherhood.
Now he has his own family of four, but it touched me when I saw his old doll Jake on the bookshelf. Jake has a soft body that has been recovered and filled with fluff, his rubbery arms surgically reattached by me.
You might have seen Mark’s 38th birthday post from Monday.
There is something about a toy or a doll with a face.
One that’s been well loved.
If you want to see a doll well loved, his wife Erika’s childhood doll (now named Baby Doll) adopted by their daughter Anna- really illustrates LOVE!
https://rutheh.com/2009/10/20/baby-doll-born-c-1979-her-sister-trapped-in-someones-closet-all-these-years/
old rubber doll from 1976 with home sewn clothes I made for him
The Sock Monkey Book
Some of you’ve seen the little sock monkey I keep on my camera lens. He stretches around the cylinder, a gutted Beanie Baby. I’ve got a sweet spot for them.
Eleven years ago I made this Sock Monkey Book for granddaughter Anna(14 now). I found it on a shelf while re-shelving some children’s books at Mark and Erika’s. Finding some books to pass on to the younger grandchildren. Not sure if these blank Little Golden Books are still available but it was fun to make.
I’ve sewn a lot of sock monkeys over the years. This book tells the story of transforming a pair of Rockford Socks into a lovable toy.
The finished sock monkey joins the other toys.
Finding What’s Good About Returning Home After the Holiday
My house is quiet this morning and it’s zero degrees with a windchill of plenty below.
I got back to Pittsburgh yesterday evening. I miss them all now, having spent two weeks with my families in Ohio.
This morning in my kitchen I see my 33 year old self looking at me making toast and wonder where the time flew – I took a cake decorating class in Germany with my friend J when Laura was small.
There’s the reliable top of the line toaster from my dear friend V.
Best 50th birthday present, still working wonderfully fifteen years later.
There’s the new ceramic pour over I received from James and Laura this Christmas. The family photo mug Marlene created for me last Christmas waiting for hot coffee to drip in it. The new spices and tiny lidded butter dish from J in Florida. Oh and the new spices on the rack from her,too. There are Christmas cards to read, bills to pay, Laundry, ordinary life stuff.
At my daughter’s home it’s “pour over” and mugs of places traveled. Every morning my DIL would make a fresh carafe of coffee. Both types delicious. How lovely it is to have someone serve you coffee. I made a pot in their fancy machine but I know they like it a certain way.
Five grandchildren in two homes guarantee fun, laughter and lots of activity. I like playing. Here at home, I’m thinking about finishing knitting projects, checking out a book at the library, hoping the pipes don’t freeze, going to a doctor’s appointment, meeting friends for lunch next week and continuing my efforts to reduce the accumulations in the house with multiple thrift shop trips with donations. I found I had difficulty doing this ongoing task so hired an expert to assist me, spur me on. Need to clear out my third floor.
It’s good to be home in my kitchen.
I’ll catch up on the blog and reply to comments, think about what’s next.
Schedule a battery replacement for my iPhone, (link to a Washington Post Article Below Run Don’t Walk To Replace Iphone Battery for $29). I won’t be running to the nearby Apple store as there is no availability support said to try tomorrow to schedule.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/01/04/run-dont-walk-to-replace-your-iphone-battery-for-29/