Pieces of the Past

Poscard Friendship Friday

2011-09-16T16:49:00.000-04:00

I found this old postcard on line - this is the city park in Chillicothe, Ills. (strange abbreviation) way back in 1909. Chilli's main business district is two blocks long with stores on each side along Second Street - it has been that way forever. Then the full block to the north on the left side of the street was the park with a sidewalk going around it and one diagonally through the middle. The Rock Island tracks were to the west and the depot across from the northwest corner of the park. I can remember carnivals being held there when I was young. Carnivals were never my favorite thing - the merry-go-round, tiltawhirl and very mild rides were all I wanted to take. Heaven forbid I would go on a ride that turned you upside down. I have also never been on a roller coaster and have no desire to do so.

Lacon is a town about ten miles north of Chillicothe. I hope you all have a Happy PFF! And, thanks, Beth, at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for being our gracious hostess. It is almost my favorite time of year - autumn. There was frost on the roof around here this morning. Time to think about buying some pumpkins and mums! (Click to enlarge)

Long Ago in Ft. Madison

2011-08-28T13:10:00.001-04:00

Our daughter, Sherry, in her room in Ft. Madison, Iowa - probably not too long before we were on our way to Topeka. On the floor by her bed is the little suitcase with the Betsey McCall doll and clothes which I think is still around someplace. Goodness, the room is neat!! Probably mom's influence although I don't think there were lots of posters, etc., back then.

And here is our son, Bill, in his room with his buddy Mugsy. On the little stand next to him is the little 45 rpm record player that my brother gave him. He had lots of Elvis records. We were talking about that last weekend and he wishes he still had it. There are also some little Golden Books that had records that you could listen to as you looked at the book. Fun memories.

(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-08-26T20:55:00.000-04:00

Late today - but will put one up anyway. Haven't been posting much lately - busy turning 83 years old. However, found this cute little doggie that goes with this weeks theme.

As I read it, it is from Merlin to Elivra. Always wonder about the people writing and receiving the cards. Hope none of you are in harm's way of Irene. How frightening - I pray for the people in her path. Thank you, Beth, at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for hosting. Happy PFF to all.
(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-08-12T09:04:00.000-04:00

Since my first little great grandson was born on Monday, I thought this might be an appropriate postcard for this PFF. He is home with his mommy and daddy now and all are doing well. His grandparents (my daughter and husband) and I will be going to Colorado to meet him Labor Day weekend. How sweet to be a great grandmother. In the preceding post, you can see him just after birth. Technology!!!! We also saw him on Skype.

Happy PFF to all and thanks to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for hosting. Drop in on her site and find more great postcards. (Click to enlarge)

A Piece of the Future

2011-08-10T14:38:00.001-04:00

Meet my first great grandchild born August 8th. This is Henry Ryan, the son of my oldest granddaughter, Norah, and her husband, Chad, in Colorado. We are all so excited and will go see him Labor Day weekend. He was due on my birthday but came almost two weeks early and that is absolutely okay!! Mommy and baby are doing well. Welcome to the family, Henry, you are loved so much by so many.
(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-08-05T12:27:00.000-04:00

Happy PFF! I personally have never been in an old swimmin' hole - but they certainly are part of what summer activity should be.

The message Mary wrote to Mr. Caywood is kind of a puzzlement. When is he going to send their mother home? Gives a person something to wonder about - but it appears that Mary likes him since she addresses him by his first name and ends her note lovingly. Drop over to our hostess Beth's at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ to see more fun postcards and have a great summertime weekend. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun - Sidewalk Cleaners

2011-07-26T15:24:00.001-04:00

Another of my very favorite pictures from the Pearces that is certainly worth bringing forward again. The lady on the left is my mom, Nan, but I don't know the other two girls. And, I also know that this would not be the sidewalk in front of the Pearce home - it was on a raised lot with steps up to the yard. The three ladies must be dressed in some sort of working garment - could that be the forerunner of a housedress? And two of them are wearing dustcaps--I have vivid memories of my Grandma Pearce wearing those little bonnets. On the cleanup agenda are some raking and some scrubbing although I can't tell which one my mom is doing. The icing on the cupcake is the horse and wagon on it's way down the street. Just past the tree near the middle girl, when you enlarge the photo you can make out an old fellow with one hand on his hip and the other on a rake or broom apparently shooting the breeze with another person. How I wish I knew more, but I think this is one great picture! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-07-22T08:40:00.001-04:00

I went searching for something to do with this awful hot weather and this was all I could find. Fortunately for us here in Michigan, it looks to be better tomorrow and on for the next several days with temps in the 80's instead of the 90's. I will take that! The little poem on the card certainly hits the nail on the head when it comes to human nature.

Here is the back of the card - I have tried and tried, but cannot make any sense out of it. I certainly hope Emily could. Thanks to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for being our hostess. Check out her blog and see what everyone has posted for this week. Happy PFF and a good weekend to all.

Motto Pictures

2011-07-18T08:59:00.000-04:00

This is the start of my collection of old motto pictures. I found this in my mother-in-law's things and just adored it.

This is the second piece - my daughter gave it to me for my birthday sometime after 1972. I love the art, the poem, the frame and the person who gave it to me. Whenever I would go to antique stores or shows I would buy any of these that I could find and afford.

One of my very favorites, this one was found at an antique show in Peoria. I pretty well have my walls filled with odds and ends like this. Most everything came from antique stores, garage sales, auctions or was lovingly made by someone. Anymore, as much as I dislike housework, I kind of wish I liked things more modern and much sparser. Alas, that is not the case so I am also collecting quite a bit of dust! I have the theory that dust is "clean dirt" since it can be eliminated quickly if you just get out the dustcloth! One day soon! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-07-15T08:23:00.001-04:00

Here is a postcard featuring two little children who look as if they would rather be doing something other then posing before an old crazy quilt that is being used as a backdrop for their photo. Cute little kids and lovely old quilt. You may or may not know, but quilts are a very important part of my life and have been for getting close to 40 years now. It is an obsession in a way. The back of this card has nothing written on it, but I have found another card----

which is also in the field of needle arts. This one you could send to a friend as part of a promotion for the Modern Handcraft company in Kansas City. The instructions are in the message on the card which shows some really great vintage embroidery and quilt patterns. I have started doing embroidery again and really enjoy it. Nice to have something to pick up and work on while watching tv or just relaxing. Takes no effort getting ready - just work as long as you wish then put it away until the next time.

This one went to Pansy Story in Topeka, Kansas. Hope Pansy liked it. Stop by Beth's blog http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ to see all the other postcards this PFF. Beth is our hostess for this fun blog hop. Have a Happy PFF.(Click to enlarge)

Bing

2011-07-12T12:17:00.001-04:00

For a lot of the years growing up in Rome, Illinois, we had this furry, funny old dog named Bing. Heaven only knows what breeds of dogs he came from - he was quite a mix of something or other. Lots and lots of hair and must have been part sheep dog since it grew down over his eyes. However, my dad cut it back especially in the summer and it looked so odd at first. Here he is with my sister. Why she had him standing on a box, I can't tell you. I look at this photo and am thinking what a pretty sis I had and what pretty hair she had!

Here is Bing in his doghouse with the personalized entry. I am also seeing dad's workpants hanging on the clothesline in the back - and the line is being held up by a clothesprop. Remember those? Thought you might enjoy this little piece of my past. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-07-09T10:37:00.003-04:00

In the good old summertime! Here is a quartet of pretty, happy girls dressed to go swimming back in 1906 - my, how things have changed. What a cute picture of some very cute girls.

I hope you are having a good summer so far and are able to enjoy doing the things you like to do whether it be gardening, swimming or just having time to relax and sometimes do nothing at all. Take a minute and stop by Beth's blog http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ to check out today's postcards. Happy PFF.

I have decided to add two pictures from my mom's side of the family from the days when they had a summer cottage north of Peoria. These pictures and many others are in earlier posts under the "Pearce Family". In this one, my Aunt Nelle sits on the boat and my mom, Nan, is the first girl standing in the water. They, too, are in their swimwear.

Here is my grandfather, Dan, with my grandmother, Maggie to his right and an unknown woman with them. Thought these went well with my postcard. (Click to enlarge)

The River Comes Up Our Street

2011-07-06T10:44:00.001-04:00

Back in the spring of 1943, the Illinois River flooded. We lived about a block from the river and this is looking down the street from in front of our house. This was also the first picture I ever took, according to the note on the top of it. (I must have inherited that trait from the Pearce side of the family!).

Here is my little brother, Bud, rowing the boat in our yard. That is dad's old double bow boat that I could navigate very well. I loved rowing the boat.

This picture shows Dad standing in our yard. Right behind him to his right is our outhouse. Everyone had to take typhoid shots since we all got our water from wells and they were under water. Naturally, anything for drinking or cooking had to be boiled.

Here I pose in front of the river. I was finishing my freshman year in high school. Certainly was not a fashion plate - although I don't think I looked any different than the lions' share of teenagers back in the forties. I am noticing the pin on my blouse and remembering it was a wooden "CD", my initials, and I had forgotten all about it. I wonder where that ever ended up? Will post more pictures from this point in time on a later date. (Click to enlarge)

Track Inn

2011-07-04T12:50:00.002-04:00

I was reading the Chillicothe weekly newspaper on line the other day and came across an article about this restaurant that was out at the end of Santa Fe street. When we moved back to Chilli in 1982, we would sometimes have dinner at this little place that was kind of like a little hole in the wall but the food wasreasonably priced and it was good. You could have a nice meal for not much money and lots of people ate at the Track Inn. There were two or three tables right by the windows in front and then a counter with stools all the way back on the left side. On the right side were booths - or tables - all the way back. What used to strike me as being funny was that everytime someone came in the door, everyone with their back in that direction turned around and everyone at the counter glanced left to see who was arriving. Most of the time, you knew who it was. Looks from the picture like things have been spiffied up since the eighties. My, they had good pies!! Following is part of the article from the paper.

Track Inn building originated in 1900s. The building Di’s Track Inn occupies originally was Marburger’s tavern, opened by John Marburger in 1907, which was split between the tavern and a barbershop, according to local historian Gary Fyke. The tavern changed hands a few times, and then became different restaurants, including the Northtown Café, New Apollo and Michael’s, until Donna Gondek’s parents, Sam and Mary Ann King, bought the businesOpening in May 1977, Track Inn’s business mostly came from the railroad. Gondek recalled long days and busy times at the restaurant during the initial years. She and her mother were thrilled to make $300 the first day the restaurant opened, Gondek said. The business was her mother’s idea, and she kept the food cooking while Gondek was out front with the customers. As years went by, Gondek ran the business by herself and found she enjoyed the making of the food.

Picking up skills from her mother on cooking, she also learned how to make pies and other goods from her night cook. She began baking up a storm, winning her 42 awards in a five-year period at the Heart of Illinois Fair. They made her stop entering, Gondek said. “I really had dedicated pretty much my life to it,” said Gondek of the business.

(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-07-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

Happy PFF - and Happy Fourth of July. Looking for a card for this bang-up holiday, I came across this rather strange card. Have never connected the 4th and Eskimoes before, but it's a bit different than the usual greeting. I found some very cute funny - well, maybe funny like a rubber crutch - cards of ornery, mischievious boys who were trying to set firecrackers to everything they see. Very cute drawings but not really "feel good" cards.

This card was written a long, long time ago - about 102 years. Again, thanks to Beth for being our hostess on PFF. Stop by her blog and see all the blogs you can visit to find great postcards this PFF. Have a fun Fourth. (Click to enlarge)

The Orchard Behind Our Old House

2011-06-27T20:31:00.001-04:00

When we were growing up in Rome, Illinois, we lived in a very old house - as they used to say, 5 rooms and a path. However, that does not mean our childhood was not happy - it was. I do think that it might be better to not have so many toys, clothes, etc. - but always plenty of love and food. It makes your imagination develop. Right behind our house (my parents rented) was an orchard.

So gorgeous in the spring. It wasn't a well maintained orchard and I don't remember having many apples but it wasn't ours. Here is a picture of my sister and brother, Jo and Bud, posing under one of the trees. You can see two people walking on the path through the orchard and see the "gray barn" a short distance away. That was where my father kept our car and he had his tools there, also. The people who owned everything were from Peoria. There were three cottages, the mother owning one and two sons the other two. My father used to take care of the yards and do odd jobs for them to pay off the rent for our house which was $10.00 a month. Hard to believe. Dad, a very hard worker, also worked at Pabst Brewery in Peoria. My parents never did completely recover from the depression - and I am certain there were many, many couples that were in the same situation. Back to the picture, I have no idea who is walking through the orchard. They look dressed up - maybe if my brother sees this he can let me know who he thinks they are. I can also spot on the side of the barn the "hot bed" dad always had to start plants early for the garden.

This has to be me - what do you suppose I was doing. It was a very pretty orchard and fun to play in.

This is what the old house looked like in the 60's or 70's. It was burned down by the fire department not long after this was taken and a batting cage put up on the land. Click to enlarge)

Items from 1965 Spiegel Catalog

2011-06-24T22:25:00.001-04:00

Love to look through the old catalogs. I have two of them - the 1961 and 1965 Spiegel wishbooks. Here are some of the familiar items listed that were in many of our homes back at that time. Melmac dinnerware - unbreakable everyday dishes was used by many families for their family meals. I kept a meat platter for years and I think my daughter has it now.

Another item in most homes - the pole lamp. The one at our house had the glass shades - in an amber color. I always rather liked pole lamps.

This is very similar to the stereo we had. You could pile on 10 or 12 records and have music for a long time. How cool it was to have the sounds coming separately from the speakers. I recall one record we had
we had - Enoch Light and the Light Brigade - where the separation was awesome. Can't believe all that has come and gone since then. I found a little video on Youtube that is from the old album we had. I think I recognized the cover - but regardless it's Enoch Light. http://youtu.be/K7wldS-N92Y. Hope this works in case you would like to hear it. Goodness, this was a long time ago! I also discovered that it's Enoch Light's music that is used for Mad Men's theme song - http://youtu.be/5YE088AE_4Q - you might want to check that out also.

Favorite Picture Rerun - Bathing Beauties

2011-06-20T22:50:00.000-04:00

This is a cute picture that was in those that my brother sent me. Two of my aunts are showing off some pretty nice legs! Aunt Leah is on the left end and Aunt Nelle is on the right. The four gals in between are unknown to me. I imagine this was taken when my grandmother and Aunt Leah were visiting Nelle and family in California and that these were Nelle's friends. Look closely and you can see that Nelle is wearing stockings and they are hooked to garters! That is a new look, Nellie! They certainly appear to be having a fun time. You go, girls. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-06-17T16:01:00.001-04:00

I know nothing about this wonderful old postcard and there is no image of the back. However, I think this must be gracious living at its finest. The lady seated at the right seems to be almost highlighted and she surely is the birthday girl in the photo. The message written on the card is -

"This is my class taken at my home on my 60th birthday. Always remember the fine happy hours and always remain as chaste and good as you are today. Your motherly friend."

I wonder what her class was about. Maybe she was a piano teacher or voice coach. It's for sure we'll never know!

This seens like an appropriate card for me to post since my daughter celebrated her 60th birthday on Wednesday. Some wishes---Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandpas, uncles and husbands!! And Happy PFF - check out http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for more postcards listed on Beth's blog, and thanks to her for hosting PFF. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun--Long Ago Ballgame

2011-06-15T17:47:00.000-04:00

Take me out to the ball game! There certainly was a good crowd at the game somewhere around Rome or Chillicothe, Illinois, many years ago. Look at the great automobiles! And it is amazing how dressed up the fellows walking across the field are! No blue jeans and t-shirts with all kinds of messages on the front. My, my, how times have changed!

Play Ball! Dad is the middle fellow in the back row. The second player in the back row was my sister's father-in-law, another Charlie. The fellow on the end is E. A. Lawson whose General Merchandise Store is in a previous post. Third from the left in the front row is my Uncle Carl, Aunt Carrie's husband. I see an "R" on the sleeves of a couple of the fellows toward the left of the picture. Go, Rome!

My father all ready for the game.

His two sisters, Barbara and Caroline, with their husbands, Joe Thorne and Carl Kirk Aunt Carrie and Aunt Barb.

Dad, Carrie and Barb.

One of only three or four pictures of my grandmother, Caroline, on my dad's side shown her with her youngest daughter, Carrie. I have a few memories of her but not many. These are special old photos that I have posted a couple of years ago, but thought I would bring them forward. (Click to enlarge)

Back to 1936

2011-06-12T14:56:00.000-04:00

Some more pictures from the little book published in 1936 with pictures of the businesses and residences in the little town of Chillicothe, Illinois. Since I lived in Rome and not Chillicothe as a child, my mom never shopped at this little neighborhood grocery. I believe there were at least two other ones in town. Mom would shop at Kroger or the A & P when we made the three mile trip to Chilli for groceries. Back then, it seemed like a long way. Rome had it's own little store and you can check out a post I did on that earlier by clicking on Lawson's

One of the two drug stores on the main street in Chillicothe. Carlisle's was there forever, but Moffitt's was the one the kids liked since it had a soda fountain. What a treat it was to have some chocolate ice cream with marshmallow and pineapple. Yummy! Cherry cokes were also a tasty treat. Chillicothe's main business district was two blocks long on Second Street. It was a thriving little place for a lot of years but then went the way of most of the businesses in small towns when people started to travel further to shop in big malls in larger cities. In this case, it was Peoria that lured the shoppers to come spend their money outside of town.

An added note - this weekend was the Alumni Banquet in Chillicothe. This is the 65th anniversary of my graduation from high school with a class of 45 - 30 girls and 15 boys. Our class has had a reunion every five years in connection with the banquet which meant that you not only saw your class members, but many of the people who were in school at the same time with you. This is the first one I have missed - makes me a bit sad as I think you feel more like siblings than classmates when the class is so small. Five years ago my daughter drove me there and that was a lot of fun. Maybe I will get there for my 70th!! If my sis were still living, I would have been there for sure. Life continues to change and we just have to continue to embrace the changes! I hope they had fun and I am sure they missed me! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-06-10T12:06:00.000-04:00

If I am reading the date right, this was taken in Portland, OR, about 82 years ago today. Lovely picture even though it is faded. I love the soft, sepia color.

No message on the back. I just did a little search and the 2011 festival is going on now. If you would like to check out the calendar of events, just click the link http://www.rosefestival.org/events/.

And here is one for Flag Day. Betsy Ross sews another stripe to our flag.

And another link for you to use is http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ which will take you over to Beth's blog where you can find more postcards on this PFF. Thank you again for hosting! Happy PFF to all. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun

2011-06-08T09:11:00.000-04:00

Another of my very favorite old family pictures - this one from my husband's family most likely taken in the 1890's. The little baby on the left is his father, Harry, and the sweet little girl standing next to him is Harry's sister, Ethel. The family would later grow by three more boys and one more girl. It's hard to tell what the setup is that little Harry is seated on. Looks almost like a chair covered by something furry - a little odd to say the least. I love the expressions on the little faces and the pretty little dresses they wear. What a sweet picture. (Click to enlarge)

A Very Old Quilt

2011-06-06T15:49:00.000-04:00

I know some of you who read this blog know that I am an obsessed quilter and have been for over 35 years. I love anything and everything about quilts and do have some lovely old things that I treasure. Back in the 1930's, it was quite a common practice for newspapers to publish the patterns for quilts by doing it a block a week. This came from the Peoria Journal Star and the blocks were embroidered by my husband's mother, Clemie, and I believe the blocks were made into a quilt and quilted by Ray's grandmother on his father's side.

A hoot owl sits on a branch in this block and

a pretty blue bird sits on a branch with blossoms. It is a very pale quilt but pretty regardless.

Here is a shot of the quilting which is very nice and even. The colors are quite true in the picture. A very lovely "piece of the past" I am happy to share with you. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-06-03T08:23:00.000-04:00

A sweet card for the month of June (already!!!) on this PFF.

And an interesting little message to Mr. Castill. Wonder how that turned out? Hope you have a Happy PFF and that you stop by http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ and check out the cards for this first week in June. Thank you, Beth, for hosting! (Click to enlarge)

Vintage Sextist Ads

2011-06-01T12:19:00.000-04:00

So awesome how the use of certain products can change your life and make you so amazing! Even toilet soap. This one reminds me of a lame joke way back when I was a little kid. Are you ready?

What did the red soap say to the green soap? May I kiss your palm, Olive?

And what did the green soap say to the red soap? Not on your life, Bouy!

For you younguns out there, Palmolive was green and Lifebouy (a deodorant soap) was red. Couldn't resist!

How all ladies dress when they are in the food preparing mode! Or maybe she is a guest in the fellow's home! Anyway, enjoy these ads of yore. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun

2011-05-28T21:18:00.000-04:00

All of the fellows in this photo are identified by someone right on the border of the picture. I love that about the Pearce family - this is something they did a lot. However, the pretty lady peeking out of the porch door is not named, but I think it may be my Aunt Nelle. Charlie, of course, is my father. Ken and Lambert are Nelle's little boy and her husband, and Harry is my uncle. What I think is so fun is the different hats they are wearing. Dad has his hat turned up at a jaunty angle, Ken appears to be in a bonnet, Lambert in the straw hat that was so popular way back when, and Uncle Ham in a kinda beat up old strawhat. A fun picture!
(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-05-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

I can't remember when Decoration Day started to be referred to as Memorial Day - but that was the term when I was young. In Illinois, where I grew up, peonies were the most popular flower to be placed on the graves in memory of loved ones. The peonies almost always were in sync with the holiday.

Here is a part of an article on the start of Decaration Day.........

"Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee."

How the red poppy became a part of the day is explained here......

"In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it."

To Beth - http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ - thanks for being our hostess. Happy PFF everyone.

Cute Vintage Ad

2011-05-26T19:29:00.000-04:00

Illustrations from the twenties and thirties are my favorites. Here is a colorful, cute ad that makes me want to go out and buy some pretty garters! Probably could not find one anywhere. An easy on the eyes ad. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-05-20T13:08:00.002-04:00

Went to Kansas City last weekend for a shower on my granddaughter who is expecting a little baby boy on my 83rd birthday this summer! The shower was held in a very luxurious condo overlooking the Plaza -- a wonderful, upscale shopping area in KC that is really old. The new daddy's mom housesits for the folks that own the condo and can entertain there with their blessing.

This was written in Augustof 1946 in Kansas and it can be soooooo hot there - we lived in the area for 13 years.

We have been there during the Christmas season and it is gorgeous to look out the windows and see all the beautiful lighting which is so traditional there. Each Thanksgiving evening, the lights are turned on and it is quite the spectacle.
http://www.kclibrary.org/?q=blog/week-kansas-city-history/let-there-be-lights
If you would like to know more about this lovely yearly event, use the link above. Happy PFF! And check out http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ which is the blog of our hostess, Beth, and see the pretty postcards from those participating. (Click to enlarge)

Wish I had a Piece of This

2011-05-12T11:40:00.000-04:00

Don't know whatever happened to Spry - or to Aunt Jenny, for that matter. I have a very old Spry cookbook and that is where I found the recipe for pie crust that I used for years and years. Haven't made any from scratch in a long, long time. This cake looks just yummy - would love to have a piece of it.

Will be away for several days - my daughter and I leave for KC this afternoon to go to a baby shower for my oldest granddaughter who is expecting a little boy whose due date is my 83rd birthday in August. Isn't that nice to think about? I had my daughter on my grandmother's 80th birthday so maybe history will repeat itself. However, I will be happy whenever he arrives! No postcard this week, but will check on everyone when I return home. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun - Pretty Girls

2011-05-09T13:58:00.001-04:00

One of my very favorite pictures of my mother and her friends. I posted this not long after I started this blog in the summer of 2009 and think it is worthy of a rerun. Mom is the pretty girl on the far right in the big, floppy hat. The lovely girl in the middle shows up in quite a few of the Pearce pictures so must have been a good friend. The clothes and hats are just so pretty - and I wonder where they were going or had been. Maybe an outing on a Sunday to Glen Oak Park in Peoria where I think many people spent leisure time. Gentler days. Enjoy this sweet old photo. (Click to enlarge)

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T12:00:00.001-04:00

This is also posted on my Funoldhag blog - but it certainly is vintage and a big piece of the past so I am also posting it here.

This would have been printed on a hectograph by Miss Placher, who taught the one room school that I went to. The poem was probably written on the board for us to copy and we colored the flowers. It's so much fun to find something like this done when I was a little girl of 9 going on 10. There is not much in the way of keepsakes from my childhood. Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-05-06T09:02:00.000-04:00

I found this pretty little postcard with the strange poem on Card Cow when I was searching for something fun for Mother's Day. The little girl and her dollies are adorable. How intent she is on her mending. Other than sewing on a button now and then and maybe sewing a seam that has opened, I don't remember when it was that I last mended anything. I actually did darn some socks in my early years of marriage and even turned one collar! One of those was enough!

Here is the back of the card - it actually was not a mother's day card since it is dated in August of 1911. I could search for when Mother's Day was started, but I am going to go have some breakfast instead. To all you moms, Happy Mother's Day. And to all, Happy PFF. To Beth , thank you again for being our hostess. Drop in to her blog and find lots of great postcards. (Click to enlarge)

Little Girl All Grown Up Now

2011-05-04T14:30:00.000-04:00

One of the old slides that I need to get scanning again - this is a sweet picture of my daughter and my middle granddaughter probably somewhere around 28 years ago. Molly turns 30 tomorrow. I think this was actually taken on Christmas day in Overland Park in the early 80's. Lots of birthday love on its way to Portland to Molly! (Click to enlarge)

A Couple of My Favorite Old Recipes

2011-05-01T13:17:00.000-04:00

Here is an old recipe I got from my Jo, my sister, many years ago. Jo, bless her heart, was such a good cook - much better than her older sister. She could throw things together and they always turned out so yummy. This recipe is such a good one but finding apricot pie filling is next to impossible. Peach will do just fine. As you can see, this makes a lot and would be great for a large crowd. I am sure it could be halved nicely. The ease with which it can be put together makes it really nice for a busy gal. I know when I went back to Illinois for one of my high school reunions, this is what I put together for our picnic and it was so easy and eaten all up!! Add the slice bananas just before serving.

When we moved to the Kansas City area in 1972, our neighbors had zuccini in their garden. I had never heard of it even though my dad had grown a good share of our food when we were growing up and grew many things in his garden that you don't normally see like Chinese cabbage, celery cabbage, peanuts, etc. Wilsons had a surplus of the squash and gave it to all the neighbors. The lady across the street made this wonderful bread - and I got the recipe. Over the years, I have made this many times albeit not for a long time now. It is a great recipe. When we had our own zuccini, I used to grate and freeze it and then use it in bread. Nice, yummy, moist loaf of goodness! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-04-29T09:52:00.000-04:00

Many of the old pictures of my mother's family when she was a young woman were taken in Glen Oak Park in Peoria, Illinois. It seems like many people dressed in their "Sunday best" and spent an afternoon in the park. When I was a little girl, I can remember my grandmother walking me over there and I think the building in this card was by that time a building that housed birds. I have memories of a mynah bird saying "5 o'clock". The message on this card is strange and I think it is connected to..................+

this one which also has a message about chickens. Maybe you can figure it out! Nice pictures of Glen Oak Park, though. Many thanks to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for again hosting and Happy PFF to all. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun - Suitcases

2011-04-27T14:40:00.002-04:00

I had never seen this picture until my brother sent it to me quite some time ago. My mother, Nan Pearce, is second from the left, and her sister, Nelle, is to her right. I don't know who the other two girls were. Love the fact that they are all dressed pretty much alike in their skirts, white blouses, dark belts and hats - and carrying suitcases. Mom is also sporting what looks to be a very big wristwatch. Makes me wonder where they were going! Some of my favorite pictures I have used in my blog header but haven't had this one up for a while. Sweet, sweet picture. (Click to enlarge)

Whatever Happened to Danish Modern?

2011-04-25T16:06:00.000-04:00

From my old 1965 Spiegel Catalog comes this ad for Danish Modern furniture. We had two of the chairs - no ottoman - and I thought they were about as comfy to sit in as a chair can be. Ours had melon colored cushions. I used to go to a beauty shop here in town and their chairs were Danish Modern, also. There'something about the way the seat and back slants that make them nice to sit in. I found some things in the catalog that seem to be missing now and I will post them at a later date. There are lots and lots of things missing in the catalog that we have now - that's for sure! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-04-22T08:28:00.000-04:00

The Easter postcards are just beautiful with their gorgeous flowers and springy colors - I think they are my favorite ones. Here is a beauty I found when I was searching for ideas to make my tag for April. Each month, I trade little tags that feature vintage pictures, lace, paper, fabric, buttons, beads, etc., with a friend in my quilt guild.

Here is the tag I made - I just love the lady in her gorgeous big hat and think it's a perfect Easter Bonnet. Part of the embellishment of the tag is a cutout of the bird carrying the pretty Easter basket. Happy PFF and Happy Easter. And to Beth, many thanks for being our hostess. Hop on over to http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ and you can check out all the great postcards. (Click to enlarge)

First Day of School 1961

2011-04-20T08:47:00.000-04:00

Looking through files, I found this cute picture of my little kids, Sherry and Bill, on the first day of school, 1961, in Ft. Madison, Iowa. Just dawned on me, that was almost 50 years ago. They were in the second and fifth grades. Oh me, oh my, where did that 50 years go? (Click to enlarge)

Friends Visit Us in Topeka

2011-04-18T10:38:00.001-04:00

When we moved from Ft. Madison, Iowa, to Topeka, Kansas, we left a lot of good friends and good times back in Iowa. If you have followed my blog, you know that I have mentioned square dancing quite a few times. It was such a fun faction in our lives and was a source of enjoyment at very little cost. And on top of that, even though we didn't think much about it, it was tiptop exercise. Three couples who were our best friends came down to visit us to go to a dance in Topeka and here we all are in front of our fireplace with my infamous clown painting that now hangs right above my pc. Of the eight of us, four are now gone. The couple on the left live Burlington, Iowa, and the fellow on the right is in an assisted living home in DesMoines. He actually called me the other night - it was so good to hear from him. No one was more of a jokester than he, but in such a wonderful way. This was a great "square" and, although we did not dance together exclusively, we used to get one or two tips in during an evening of dancing.

Here we are, my dancing partner and I with that clown peeking out between us. This was back in the mid to late 1960's - many, many moons ago. A great time in our lives. (Click to enlarge)

Favorite Picture Rerun - In The Car

2011-04-16T22:10:00.001-04:00

I had a thought about doing reruns of some of my favorite old pictures that are way, way back at the beginning of this blog. Thought maybe some of the nice people that read my blog (thank you!!) might like to see see some of the great old family photos. This is my mother's parents and siblings in their car. Mom, Nan, is the lady on the left next to her younger sister, Leah. My grandmother, Maggie, is in the back seat, also. The little fellow in front is Ed, then my grandfather, Dan, and Harry "Ham" are in the front seat. I am quite sure the picture was taken by Nelle, the oldest of the five children. The Pearce family took a lot of pictures and some of them are treasures. This is a favorite of mine. I wonder what kind of car it is - it's a cool old car, for sure. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-04-15T18:28:00.001-04:00

I am happy to say this is actually a postcard that my husband received from his great aunt Ella when he was just a little fellow. I have been saving it to post and wish you all a very happy Easter season. I remember his Aunt Ella in later years--and what I remember most about her was her rouge.

Rouge used to come in little round compacts with a little powder puff maybe the same size as a quarter or half dollar. Aunt Ella used to rub the little puff in the rouge and make little reddish pink circles on each cheek. I didn't know her really well, but that is what I remember about her.

Thanks again to our lovely hostess for PFF - stop by http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ and say hello to Beth and also check out the blogs posting cards. Happy PFF to all - and Happy Easter. (Click to enlarge)

Old, Old Hatpins

2011-04-13T15:00:00.002-04:00

This weekend is our guild quilt show and I bring two old, old quilttops to use for table covers every year. So I was rummaging through the old chest I keep them in and came across this tattered old box from Skagway, Alaska. In it are hatpins from the early 1900's. These were in my mother-in-law's things, but I have no idea who had owned them. Maybe they belonged to her mother, but that will never be known.

The pins are really long and sharp. I think most of the woman had very long, thick hair and wore it in buns or braids so needed large pins to hold their big hats. One of these has initials and the date 1909 and is very decorative. They are lying on one of the old quilttops I am taking to the show. Next week, I will take pictures of the old tops and do a post of them. They are really very pretty. The quilt show is always a lot of fun and something I look forward to. We have an extraordinary group of good quilters and we put on a good show! (Click to enlarge)

So Glad They're Obsolete!

2011-04-10T15:06:00.000-04:00

It's almost inconceivable to me now that I baked my first cake in the oven of a stove like these. I am thinking our old coal stove was probably like the $23.99 model since we did have a warming oven and a reservoir. Mom turned out some wonderful meals on that old thing and it kept the kitchen cozy and warm in the winter. That, and the coal stove in the living room, is what heated our entire house. My sis and I were moved upstairs when we were a little older and the heat for the rooms up there came through vents in the floor. At night, the fires would go out and dad would be up early to get them going. He always slept with his trousers and a flashlight beside the bed and a ladder under the porch that would have given access to the upstairs in case of fire. The summer was another matter for cooking. For that, there was a kerosene stove that didn't heat things up so much. I think growing up like that has a tendency to make you a little "tough" in the sense that you can adapt to some adverse conditions easier. I know I have mentioned that our "bathroom" was outside and down the path aways which also tends to make you hardy! But I can truly say, I did not feel deprived or unhappy as a child - I think it was just the opposite. Would I want to go back to living that way now? OMG, NOOOOOO! That is why I am not a camper! But there are no regrets.
(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-04-08T12:28:00.001-04:00

Happy PFF - the weeks fly by so quickly! I will continue with some more Ft. Madison postcards I found on CardCow (I thank them for letting me use their images!). Here is the main street - Avenue G - but long before we moved there judging from the cars parked along the curbs. The postmark is 1947 but it seems to me that the photo was taken sometime before that. However, I am not that knowledgeable about cars! Can always spot one like the one I drive and maybe a VW. Otherwise, I am unable to actually tell what make they are. I do know quite a bit about quilt patterns and flowers because I so love them.
This card and the following one

were both sent by the same person to the same person. This one shows the Sheaffer Pen Company that I mentioned on last Friday's PFF post. The second card was written on Easter Sunday. From what I could find on the internet, Sheaffer is now a part of BIC. It lists Ft. Madison as a repair center, so don't know if they make pens there any more. Many thanks, to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for being our gracious hostess. (Click to enlarge)

2011-04-05T09:07:00.001-04:00

This picture was taken long before we lived in the area, moving there in 1936, but I think it is such a wonderful old photo and is another from the old book of Chillicothe businesses and homes. When do we ever see bushel baskets anymore? They were free and wonderful for so many things. You could buy oilcloth liners and put your dampened ironing in them so it would not dry out before you finished your chore. Believe me, it was a chore! I did a post on the rigors of washday some time ago and if you wish you can read it here. We lived in Rome, a little town about three miles south of Chilli, and back then it seemed so very far away. My mother didn't drive, so we would all pile into the car and head north to Chillicothe to go grocery shopping or whatever other shopping that needed to be done. Dad always parked on the side street right beside Kroger which you can glimpse in the picture. Sometimes mom would take one or two of us into the store with her - that was fun - but lots of times we waited in the car with dad. How I wished that he would have parked on the main street so we could see what was going on. Funny how little things stand out in your mind from over the years? (Click to enlarge)

Two Really Cool Little Gals

2011-04-03T12:11:00.007-04:00

Of the many pictures I have that have been taken over many, many years, there are always ones that are my favorites. This is one of them and it was taken back in the late 80's. It is not artistic or even in good focus but I love it anyway. When have you ever seen two little gals that are more comfortable and happy with the way they look than these two? Absolutely nothing greater than new sunglasses - and, in Molly's case - heart shaped ones! Topped by a pink ballcap, yet! Here are two of my three "favorite" granddaughters - the third one had not been born yet!

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-04-01T08:31:00.001-04:00

Happy PFF! Here is the Riverside Park at Ft. Madison, Iowa, the first town we moved into along the Santa Fe route way back in 1957. Off in the distance you can see the depot and the big bridge across the Mississippi that the trains and cars both used to get back and forth from Illinois.

Here is another view of the depot (the side facing the Mississippi was shown in last Friday's PFF) and

the card back. The writer talks about going to visit the dam which was at Keokuk, if I remember right, just south of Ft. Madison. He also mentions going to see the prison. That would be the state penitentiary which was located not too far from the bridge. Ft. M was called "Pen City" for the state prison and for being the home of Schaeffer's Pens. Again, thanks to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for hosting PFF. Visit her blog and check out all the great blogs participating each Friday. (Click to enlarge)

Ads You Won't See Anymore

2011-03-30T10:55:00.001-04:00

Here is an old ad for Chesterfield cigarettes - no more are there ads like this in magazines, newspapers, billboards, etc. I don't know if there are even Chesterfields anymore, although I do know there are lots of other brands. When I smoked (for years and years, sorry to say) it was Marlboros. It's been nineteen smokefree years for me now. I used to really enjoy smoking and grew up in the 40's when smoking was everywhere. The reason I quit was there was no longer anyplace to smoke - and I am so very glad I did. Aside from the scary health effects, I cannot see why anyone would start it today just from the cost of it. Won't lecture as I am not a righteous ex-smoker - each person must make their own decisions. (I love the outfit on the lady - especially her shoes!)

Here is another pretty lady hawking Camels. That's the way it was. (Click to enlarge)

From FOH Fashion Friday

2011-03-27T10:46:00.001-04:00

(This post was originally on Funoldhag a little over a year ago.) On this cold, winter morning in March, I thought you might like to look at a picture of some lovely ladies in their swimming attire. I am very confident that these outfits would have been the latest in style as the Pearce girls, Nelle and Nan, were always dressed very fashionably and their friends would be no exception. Nelle and Nan are on the left of the photo. The picture was probably taken at the Sionilli, the Pearce cottage up the Illinois River from Peoria. The fabric of the dresses looks as if it were still wet, giving a bit of the "wet t-shirt" look. My, how times have changed! I doubt if this style will ever return, don't you agree? (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-03-25T07:59:00.000-04:00

As you probably know from reading this blog, my late husband, Ray, worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 41 years, starting in the summer during high school until retirement in 1984 at age 58. We moved a lot, but our original home was in Chillicothe, Illinois. I think this is a postcard - it is of the depot in Chillicothe. You can see the passengers waiting to board the train. Ray worked in the office in the engineering department which was in this old building and also spent a lot of time working "on the road". Long after we moved away, the depot was destroyed by fire.

Our first move was the consolidation of two divisions - the Illinois and Missouri - and the headquarters for that was in Ft. Madison, Iowa, so all the Chillicothe people and all the people from Marceline, Missouri, packed everything up and moved to Iowa. This is a postcard and it is the depot at Ft. M. We were actually only about two or three hours from Chillicothe, but it seemed like it was across the continent. Guess it was the much slower times back then. I really loved Ft. Madison and those were good years living there.

A Happy PFF - and thanks to Beth for hosting - go over to http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/
and check out all the postcards!

The Old Book of Chillicothe Buildings

2011-03-23T12:18:00.003-04:00

One of four houses in the old book published in 1936 of the residences, businesses, churches, etc., in Chillicothe, Illinois, my old stomping grounds, that look like the house we lived in when Bill was born.

And another one -

A third...........

They certainly look alike, especially since I scanned the first three from the book before I got up and found the only one I could remember that showed the exterior of the house. The first one is definitely ruled out because of the columns. The other two the doors are wider in the other two pictures. Going back through the book I found the fourth one above - I think it is a match to the picture I found in an old album where Sherry is sitting on the front steps when she was about three years old.

That was kind of a neat old house - there was a built in china cupboard in the dining room and a clawfoot bathtub and corner sink in the bathroom. It also had a little back porch. It certainly has been some time ago! (Click to enlarge)

Young Quilters Long Ago

2011-03-19T22:24:00.002-04:00

I found this picture online and absolutely love it. All the pretty girls in their long skirts, pretty blouses and cute hairdos working on their quilt blocks. They are wearing ribbons of some sort pinned on their bodices. All of the girls are so young and probably working on something for their "hope chests" - I don't think the young women of today have those, do you? Right in front is an open sewing basket belonging to one of the young ladies and another one is at the left. Wonder what they were talking about. Sweet, sweet picture. (Click to enlarge)

Happy PFF

2011-03-18T14:27:00.002-04:00

Happy PFF and St. Patrick's Day! Thought this was a cute little postcard for the day. Never too old to be in love. The sender of the card (I presume a lady) just signs it "From the Kid". Must be his pet name for her. Thanks again to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for hosting.

(In the previous post, I have a link to an eagle cam in Decorah, Iowa, which is filming an eagle's nest continuously. It is fascinating - just now there were wonderful closeups of the eagle's head. Yesterday, I saw one of the eagles fly in and the other fly out for a break. There are three eggs, I think. Give it a look - you will love it. Carol)

An Eagle on its Nest

2011-03-17T13:14:00.001-04:00

I just did a post on Funoldhag putting up a link sent to me by my friend, Linda, showing an eagle on its nest being continuously filmed by a webcam. The first couple of times I tried to go there, it wasn't running but it was working great when I tried a little while ago. Saw the bird lift itself up, rearrange the eggs a little then gently lay on them again. What fun it will be when the little ones hatch. Thought I would share the link with you - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles This is in Decorah, Iowa.

Enjoy!

Yummy

2011-03-16T15:10:00.000-04:00

A favorite of mine when I was a kid - haven't seen these for a spell. Found this old ad and saved it. Good grief, it makes me hungry. Can you imagine all that yumminess for 5 cents? Was never crazy about the licorice one - ate it last but ate it. Time to go to the grocery store and I will get things for my empty snack drawer!

Clemie's Recipes from Under the Sink

2011-03-13T20:14:00.001-04:00

This cookbook is in the box that Clemie kept under her sink. Clemie was my mother-in-law and she gave me quite a few things that she saved over the years including some of Ray's baby clothes. I do so love the old things. I tried to find a date on this old book, but it is hiding from me if it is there at all.

Here is a "modern" range and it looks so much like the old coal stove that my mother cooked on. This is electric and

so is this one. My grandmother had a gas stove that looked very much like the one above. In the same book, there is a washing machine shown and some small appliances that I will scan and post one day. Great strides have been made in appliances since these were offered for sale. I was thinking today of the progress that has been made during my lifetime and how technology continues to advance faster and faster. It's really an entirely different world than it was when I was born. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-03-11T11:12:00.000-05:00

Piggie in a basket of four leaf clovers - Happy PFF. St. Patty's Day will be next week - how the year 2011 is flying by.

Ida is feeling a little guilty as she writes her postcard to Miss Leona. She is trying to pass the blame on a bit, though, since her friends phone is "always busy". Thanks again to Beth for being our hostess. Go over to
http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ and check out all the fun and informative postcards. And Happy St. Patrick's Day. (Click to enlarge)

From Fashion Friday on Funoldhag

2011-03-10T12:17:00.000-05:00

(This was posted on Funoldhag about a year ago)

Friday has rolled around again - the weeks fly by anymore. Today I will feature a picture of Ray as a baby with his Aunt Leatha and her son, Jay. Leatha has an absolutely darling haircut and she was such a pretty woman. Her frock has a dropped waist and long sleeves. The shoes she wears feature a big buckle. Jay, her little boy, is all dressed up in a white shirt, pants and a tie.

If you will note, Ray is wearing the shoes one of which I have and it was featured in a post on Pieces of the Past some time ago. Very fashionable!! (Click to enlarge)

Another Great Catalog Page

2011-03-09T11:31:00.001-05:00

From a 1975 Sears catalog - don't you wish this style would return? How cool can one get? Love it.(Click to enlarge)

Quilting

2011-03-06T10:19:00.001-05:00

Some of you reading my blog (and thank you so much!!!) may not know that I have been quilting for over 35 years and am still as enthused about quilts as I was when I got started. When looking through files for another item, I came upon this picture that was in a newspaper in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in the late 1970's. The quilttop the ladies are holding is one that I did and took to have quilted. It was my first fullsized quilt and the pattern is called Trip Around the World. I did it in shades of red. At that time, I had not started doing my own quilting so had several tops quilted in Arkansas. The prices were unbelievably low and the work was very nice. My husband and I used to go to Arkansas spring and fall from the KC area and go fishing on Beaver Lake down there. A trip to Eureka Springs was always part of the agenda. That is where I found a quilt shop and discovered you could have hand quilting done. The hand quilting and the batting for the quilt came to $50.00---incredible. I think there were a lot of women down there who were happy to get some quilts to do. When I started hand quilting on my own, I discovered what a lengthy task it was but also a very soothing thing to do. Here is a little poem I found a long time ago that is so very true----

Many a heartache has been buried

In the growing petal of a silken rose,
And the sharp edge of sorrow has been dulled
By the sweet, calm monotony of a shining bit of steel.
Anon

The idea can apply to anything you are passionate about and able to lose yourself in the process. If you would like to see more quilts, just click on the lady leaning on the fence at the top of my sidebar and she will take you over to Funoldhag. Would love to have you visit.
(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-03-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

In searching for something depicting the onset of spring which should be coming in a few weeks, I searched for "robin" -- the sign I always love to see for the first time. In Kansas, robins arrived much earlier than in Michigan but they eventually get here to hop along and find the little worms in the ground. Very few results turned up - however, this one does have a little bird that looks like a robin and a couple that look as if they are so in love. And in spring a young man's fancy turns to----well, you know the rest.

I wish Henry had addressed the card so we could know who he was going to wait for at Chandler and Morses! Thank you again, Beth for being our hostess each Saturday. Happy PFF to one and all. (Click to en large)

Stylish Little Lady

2011-03-01T08:42:00.002-05:00

I am 99% certain that this is a picture of my husband's mother, Clementine Julia. The bangs throw me a bit, but it really looks like her. If it isn't, it's a wonderful picture anyway and probably is a member of his family--maybe even his Aunt Leatha. This is a stylish little girl with her pretty white collar, hat with a turned back brim and I do believe I see earrings. This is rather like Fashion Friday on Tuesday.

This is the back and shows the prices for photographs. I have noticed in many of the old papers that Illinois was abbreviated back in the "old days" as "Ills." (Click to enlarge)

Clemies Recipes from Under the Sink

2011-02-27T11:02:00.001-05:00

It's always shocking to see the prices from way back - this was most likely sometime in the early to mid thirties. They are astronomical now in comparison to back then. What we do know is that wages also were vastly different than they are today so the shock shouldn't be that great. It would be interesting to know, however, if wages have risen percentagewise as much as prices have. I suppose that could be found someplace but I don't think I will search for it. There is also so much more to "want" in this day and age than there was back then. It's still fun to look at the old ads and see what you used to be able to get for under 25cents. Now there's hardly anything under $1.00 at the grocery store. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-02-25T17:00:00.001-05:00

Happy PFF. Don't quite understand this one - she must have spilled her sewing box and something rolled under the chest. Odd little postcard but the kind I am drawn to.

Bertha's message to C.W. is short and to the point. Wonder what it all means. Drop by Beth's blog at
http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ and check out the posts of other postcard contributors. And thanks to Beth for hosting. (Click to enlarge)

From FOH Fashion Friday

2011-02-22T12:26:00.001-05:00

Our models today are my cousins in California, Ken and Bob, and Uncle Lambert, the sons and husband of Nelle, my mother's sister who is in so many of the pictures. The boys are wearing uniforms and I am unsure if they are Boy Scouts or not. Bob, in the center, has some really great high boots. Now Uncle Lambert - what a great outfit he is clad in. A checked sweater, knickers and checked socks - handsome attire. And it is topped by a really good looking cap. Looking good, fellows! I am sorry this photo doesn't enlarge - I would love to see it closer. (This was posted on Funoldhag in January, 2010. Ken, the older brother, just passed away a few weeks ago not long before he was to turn 90 years old. It was interesting that I really got to know him in the later years over the intermet. My brother, Ken and I did a lot of e-mailing about the Pearce side of our family. What a nice man he was.)

A Long Ago Dance Recital

2011-02-19T22:00:00.003-05:00

Probably about 1956 or 57, Sherry took tap dancing lessons. Five little girls and one little fellow were in the class. If I recall correctly, they were taught by the son of the fellow who drove the bus when I went to high school. In this dance number their were five little chicks dressed in yellow maribou costumes and one little rooster. I made Sherry's costume - I had my sewing machine in the living room and we had a dark green carpet. There were lots of little yellow feathers around the machine for awhile. Very cute little outfits. Sherry is the second little girl from the right in both pictures.

Here is Norah, Sherry's oldest daughter, dressed up in the chicken costume when she was playing in our basement in the very early 80's. The hat is minus its maribou but the costume still has lots of feathers. She strikes the pose of the little dancers.

This is a cute picture of the second dance. They were graduates in this number. Wish I could remember what tunes they danced to, but I just don't recall. I made this little dress, too, and she was able to wear that one for quite a while. More fond memories. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-02-18T08:12:00.000-05:00

Happy PFF. Here is a quaint little card which I thought was a rather cute little joke and also very nicely illustrated. But the message side is another story....................

It reads "Dear F. J. I would like to see you. Sorry I am home sick but will have to put up with it. I like Mrs. King she is very good to me. I have a good room a good bed and plenty to eat so ought to be contented. Grammie". A sad little message from a homesick but strong woman. To Beth, our hostess for PFF, http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/, thank you again. (Click to enlarge)

My How the Friendly Skies Have Changed

2011-02-16T20:42:00.000-05:00

Not too many years ago ads like this were common.

I wasn't doing any flying when the girls were dressed like this or

this -they were color cooridinated with the interior of the plane.

Another look at some of the cuties who looked after the passengers in days gone by. (Click to enlarge)

Thirty Years Ago Today

2011-02-14T17:16:00.001-05:00

On Valentine's Day in 1981, this handsome couple was married in Chillicothe, Missouri. Here are my son and his new wife, Bill and Ann, ready to cut their cake at the reception that was held in the church Ann's family was and is a part of for many years. It was a beautiful wedding with Ann's three sisters standing up with her. She wore her mom's wedding dress and it was beautiful.

This is a picture of our family that day. Norah Lee was about three years old and was flower girl. Her dress was a small replica of the dresses Ann's three sisters wore and I made it. It did turn out nicely. Sherry was pregnant with Molly who was born the 5th of May. I send you love and want to wish you a happy 30th anniversary, Bill and Ann, and I wish you many, many more years together. You are a great couple!! (Click to enlarge)

Clemie's Recipes from Under the Sink

2011-02-12T17:46:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I did a post featuring some recipes from cookbooks that my mother-in-law, Clemie, gave me. I will carry on with more of the items in that old Ranger Ice Skates box. This time I have pictures of a cookbook from the J. R. Watkins Company.

One or maybe two of these recipes must have been a favorite of Clemie's. Almost all well loved recipes are food stained by the cook as she mixes together the ingredients of one of her families favorite dishes. I wonder if it was the strawberry shortcake or the cocoa cookies. The boiled frosting would be one that I love - I think that is the same as seven minute frosting. It's obvious that this little recipe book was opened to pages 40 and 41 many, many times. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-02-11T09:40:00.003-05:00

Happy PFF--one more week with Valentines. This little lady looks as if she could have been drawn by Theodor Geisel, the author of Dr. Seuss. How cute can a girl be? Evidently the writer found this in Windsor Locks, where the funny ones are!

Ella let Fred know in no uncertain terms that there was no frostiness in her family!

He must have sent her a Valentine because she was glad to receive it and know that she was remembered. Ella is another of the people of the past with beautiful penmanship! Thanks to our hostess Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for another fun PFF. (Click to enlarge)

In Newton, Kansas, in Early 70's

2011-02-09T19:11:00.000-05:00

For three years in the early 70's, we lived in Newton, Kansas, a small town just north of Wichita. That was the shortest transfer we had and in 1972. We moved to Newton right after school was out in Topeka so it was a hard summer for the kids. Bill did find some friends quickly because the people we bought the house from lived very close and they had a son his age. Bill's summer was filled with building a two story treehouse with his newfound friends in the shelterbelt right beside our house.

It was rougher for Sherry but she left for KU at the end of August. Ray was gone a lot and I took a job at the Hesston Corporation about 11 miles from Newton. We were all glad when the time came to move on to the Kansas City area. Here is a picture of my sister, her husband and two boys when them came to visit us on their way to California. Such a long long time ago. Their oldest son now is a grandfather to two little ones. Life goes on.

From Funoldhag's Fashion Friday

2011-02-07T21:21:00.001-05:00

(This is a repeat of a post I did on Funoldhag back in March of last year. I love these two old pictures of my mom.)

This Fashion Friday I am featuring Nan in a picture that shows what a lovely young woman of her era wore for swinging on a gate in front of a giant castor bean plant (I am fairly positive that is what the plant is). Nan is wearing a lovely light colored summer frock with a big collar and three-quarter length sleeves. The bodice buttons down the front. A soft, ruffly cap completes her very pretty look.

Then we have this photo of what the lovely young lady would wear when sitting on the porch in a rocking chair back in the early 20's. Nan is attired in a sweet summer gown featuring a white collar and cuffs and maybe the same little bonnet that appears in the first picture or a bonnet very similar. Two more favorite pictures of mine. Enjoy. (Click to enlarge)

The Slide Scanner

2011-02-06T10:46:00.000-05:00

I have been fiddling around with the slide scanner this morning and am having a hard time getting it to give me good color. This incredibly cute picture of my middle granddaughter, Molly, turned out well by changing it to black and white. A novice at editing photos, this was the best I could do. There are so many slides and they are hard to get out of the little carousels, but I will do some every once in awhile. Probably have ten or more trays of them. And, alas, there are none of Hannah since we quit using that camera before she was born. However, there are plenty of her in the albums and from the digital camera!

Norah Lee the Christmas of 1983. Looks like she got some shoe skates that year. She is wearing a little jumper that I made - both girls got one - and I did strip piecing on the tops. I think that the straps should have been shorter. I trimmed them with lace and buttons and was inspired by a book by Jean Wells. If I can find it around here someplace, I will post a picture of it on Funoldhag for my quilting friends. I did a pretty good job of bringing the color to what it should be. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-02-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

I have found what I think are some very cute postcards for the upcoming Valentine's Day and will post them these Fridays before that sweetest day. This is another illustration I think is just wonderful - even looks a bit like the style of the card I posted last week - the big eyes. The message is wonderful.

What gorgeous penmanship! That has pretty much gone by the wayside anymore, I think. Hope you grabbed him, Edith!

Note the little pencilled question on this one - Will you?

I wonder if Elise and Daniel ever got together. I am hoping our dear hostess, Beth, at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ is feeling better after the sadness of last week. Time does help. Everyone have a Happy PFF. (Click to enlarge)

From an Old Ranger Ice Skates Box

2011-02-02T16:34:00.006-05:00

My husband's mother kept lots of old things and I am so happy she did. I have some of Ray's baby clothes, an old quilt, various pieces of embroidery, etc., and probably the very best of all is the old sampler that was made by his great (or great-great) grandmother, Mary Anne Wiley, when she was ten. Click if you wish to read a post I did on her sampler.

Down in the basement on a shelf I have an old box that once held ice skates and it is full of old recipe pamphlets, some magazines, lots and lots of old memorabilia that Clemie collected over the years. I remember her telling me her recipes had been under the sink and got wet from a leak. I think they must have been in something else since this box is not waterstained. A few of the items inside are but not all. Probably she had to throw some out.

Here is one of the booklets in the box. It is dated 1933.

One of the celebreties who is a fan of McNess products. You know I kind of remember him.

Edith loves their products, too, and credits McNess in part for her success in winning ribbons for her cakes!

Here are some of her prize winning recipes. Have you ever tasted burnt sugar cake? I had forgotten all about it but it is super delicious. Can't remember having made one, though. I think there is also a burnt sugar icing that is rather like seven minute icing. Good grief, I am getting hungry!!!!! More things from the skate box later! (Click to enlarge)

Long Ago Cookout

2011-01-31T11:59:00.000-05:00

The next to the last day of February, 1960, which was Leap Year, found Ray on our patio in Ft. Madison, Iowa, grilling steak for his 34th birthday dinner. Doesn't that always taste extra special when the grilling is done in winter with snow on the ground? Thought this was a good picture for today when they are forecasting horrible weather for so much of the country. It's been an extreme weather year all over.

This picture was also taken in Ft. Madison. We were soooo young. A good picture of Ray. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-01-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Such a cute illustration - I thought it might be the same artist that did the Dolly Dingle dolls but it is not. Grace Payton was the lady who is responsible for those cuties. There is a name, Mary Eleanor George, printed on the card but I can find nothing on her. However, enjoy the valentine and the message on the back to the professor. The sender did not sign a name and there are just initials for the addressee - so is this a lady sending her valentine message to her beau or the beau sending one to his lady? And I take it the "tar" is another term for sailor. A little mystery for this sweet season coming up. Many thanks, Beth, for hosting PFF. Stop by her blog at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ and you will find lots of great old postcards.
Enjoy! (Click to enlarge)

Old Chillicothe

2011-01-25T13:55:00.002-05:00

I was able to find this picture on the internet of a beautiful, old home on the highway that went through Chillicothe, Illinois. This is the Mead home. I don't remember what the first name of the man was that was the head of this household, but I do know he was one of the mainstays of the city of Chillicothe. How I would love to have been able to go through this wonderful old place. It was such fun to drive by when we went "uptown" for groceries. This was torn down a long time ago and replaced with a gas station, I think. So sad. In my next life, I would love to buy a really old home and have it all fixed up - that would be wonderful.

Here is the Methodist Church in Chilli. This is actually where my husband and I were married. His family had been Methodist forever, and mine was a potpourri. I wonder what the little arrows on the left of the pictures point to - probably someone was indicating where they lived. Should have saved this for PFF, but have some others for that. (Click to enlarge)

From Fashion Friday on Funoldhag

2011-01-23T16:36:00.005-05:00

They come around so quickly - Fashion Fridays, I mean. On this rather gloomy day here in Michigan, I am posting a picture of little Carol (who grew up to be Funoldhag) as she sits on the bannister of her grandparents' porch. What a fashionable little girl in a faux fur coat, cute little tam and shiney shoes with straps. She is wearing stockings and mittens so it was probably kind of chilly that day.

And here she is again, this time with her favorite Aunt Leah. It was a different day most likely since she is wearing laced up shoes but the same coat. Probably a little warmer since there is no tam or mittens. Aunt Leah is looking pretty with a chic hairdo, very pretty fur trimmed coat and strappy shoes. This would have been in the early 1930's. So many of the pictures taken at my grandparents' home were taken in the front yard and you can see over time that they enclosed the porch and made a sunroom and closed entry. This was posted in October, 2009, on Funoldhag. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-01-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

Happy PFF - here's a postcard from years and years ago that was sent right here in Michigan.

I wonder what the writer was reminding the addressee to remember. The little caption written under the photo "Make a fuss over me" is pretty cute. For more postcards, go to Beth's blog at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/. Thank you again, Beth, for being our hostess. (Click to enlarge)

A Word to the Wise Woman

2011-01-19T12:39:00.002-05:00

Life can be so wonderful when you use the right products!

By shopping wisely and saving money on everyday essentials, you will even be able to treat yourself to extras such as this beautiful girdle which will further enhance you.

How wonderful to be so smart and know what to use to make yourself beautiful and desirable for your "significant other".

You could receive the gift of a lifetime that you had been yearning for for so long from the man of your dreams in appreciation of the way you take care of yourself by using the right products. (Click to enlarge)

Success!

2011-01-17T21:45:00.001-05:00

Remember this little gadget that I posted about not so many days ago?

Here is the first slide that I put on my computer files yesterday!! I had sent an e-mail to the company a week or more ago and yesterday received an answer and apology for taking so long for their response. As would be expected, right after the holiday would be a terrible time for a company that manufactures such items. The writer gave very specific instructions and if I could not make it work, I was to get back to them. Hallelujah - it worked! I don't know that it will produce the best copies of the slides and, if not, I will probably look into one that is better. The nice thing is that at least I can make copies - and there are plenty to go through! In this picture of the two good looking young people are my son, Bill, and his pretty wife, Ann, in 1984. The color is not really good but I will work on editing. At least it's working.

The Pearces

2011-01-16T14:59:00.000-05:00

Pieces of the Past really got started because of all of the pictures I have of the Pearce family - my maternal grandparents. Along with those I have and ones that were sent to me by my brother and by a cousin in California, I decided it would be fun to do a blog and use them along with many other old family pictures from my husband's family, my paternal grandparents, and our family. I am sure the above picture of the Pearces is already in this blog way, way back, but I wanted to put it in along with the two that follow. Above are Nan, my mother, Maggie, my grandmother, Leah, Dan, my grandfather, Ed, the youngest, Nelle who is in many of the Fashion Fridays over on my Funoldhag blog, and Harry, or Ham, as everyone called him.

In 1951, Aunt Nelle and Uncle Ham came back from California for a visit. My grandfather had been gone quite a long time but here is the Pearce family at that time--- Leah, Ham, Grandma Pearce, Ed, Mom and Nelle. I am so glad I have this photo. Ray and I were living in an apartment owned by an Italian couple, Sam and Reena Marini. They lived on the ground floor while we lived upstairs. In the basement, they had an Italian restaurant. The family had a dinner at Marini's while Nelle and Lambert, her husband, and Uncle Ham were back. I don't remember why my Aunt Della, Ham's wife, was not able to come back with them. Below is the picture of our entire family at that time. Ray and I were expecting Sherry.

The first couple is my parents, Nan and Charlie, my sister, Joanne and Bob, her husband, Nelle and Lambert, Ham and Grandma Pearce, Ed and Henrietta, his cute wife, Ray and me, and my brother, Bud, and Aunt Leah. Hard for me to believe this was almost 60 years ago! (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-01-14T08:05:00.003-05:00

Here is a sextist postcard - but isn't it cute and very funny. It is an artist signed card by C. Ryan. I had no idea there were so many wonderful cards out there and it's lots of fun looking for something to post. I do have some actual cards but would not call it a collection. Hope it's not a problem posting cyber cards and I do have permission to do that.

Love the message to Verna from Irving (I think) which I believe is "Dear Verna, Don't you think this is an awful card. This is not my opinion so don't be angry dear. Your good letter recd. Lovingly, Irving".
Verna may never have seen this card since it has not been stamped and cancelled. He could have just given it to her, though. Again to Beth at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ thanks so much for being our lovely hostess. Happy PFF to all. (Click to enlarge)

A Very, Very Old Wedding Invitation

2011-01-12T14:20:00.000-05:00

Again, in things that belonged to my husband's mother, I found this very old wedding invitation inviting someone in the family to the wedding of Miss Clementine Fraser to Mr. John W. Rusk.

The wedding was in 1889 in Brimfield, Illinois. My mother-in-law, whose name was also Clementine, was a Rusk and I am positive that John was her uncle. There is a handwritten list of the family of William Rusk and Mary Ann Wiley Rusk and John is on that list along with Samuel Rusk, who was Clemie's father. I thought the invitation was so very pretty with its little embossed flowers and pretty script. There is a little envelope the same size and color and written faintly on the upper lefthand corner is "for Leatha" which is the name of Clemie's older sister. Very sweet little piece of the past. (Click to enlarge)

From FOH Fashion Friday

2011-01-10T08:34:00.004-05:00

It says right on the picture that this is Anna Pearce in Champagne, Ill, but I don't know how Anna is related to my grandfather's family. I do know that Dan and Maggie had some very good friends in Champagne. This pretty lady may have been married to the son of one of my grandfather Dan's brothers. Most certainly, it looks as if there is a bird perched on her hat! Her outfit is fresh and summery with a skirt and overskirt and pretty blouse sporting a pin or brooch. And the hat!! Anna wins the prize for the best hat in pictures of my ancestors! Don't you agree? Interesting little purse she is carrying - looks like it could be a carton of Chinese food. How fun it would be to know where she has been, with who and what is making her have such a beautiful dimpled smile on her face. One of my favorite pictures from the Pearces. (Click to enlarge)

Long Ago Christmas Memorabilia

2011-01-09T11:25:00.002-05:00

Carolyn at http://leeprairiedesigns.blogspot.com/ sent me a folder containing this wonderful picture and memorabilia that her mother, Virginia Lee, had done in the early part of the 1900's. She was going to do (and did) a post on her blog at Christmas time but thought I might not get to see it when I was gone over the holiday. I asked her if she would mind if I did a post using these lovely pieces and she was happy to let me do it. The picture is of her mother when she was five years old in 1916. Then comes the envelope and letter to Santa Claus from 1918. What a sweet letter - I love the "And thats all" underlined to emphasize her wishes which are very specific and not excessive at all. Along the side is something about a ring, I think, which she would like to have if he has any. She has underlined "go to" then added the address of her home.

There is also one of her colored drawings which is what Christmas is all about. How sweet, how refreshing, and how fortunate for Carolyn that she has this wonderful group of items from her mother's childhood. Thanks for sharing, Carolyn.

(Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2011-01-07T07:36:00.003-05:00

This postcard for Oscar Mayer commemorates a fun memory of my son, Bill. The summer before he started high school, we were transferred to Newton, Kansas, a small town just north of Wichita. This was the hardest move we made with the Santa Fe--Newton was an okay little town but it is harder moving to a small town than a bigger one. Sherry, my daughter, left for KU at the end of summer, and my husband was also gone a lot more and was "on call" all the time so had to go to derailments, etc., at all hours and for as long as it took. A much different life. However, we all survived and flourished and were only there three years than on to KC.

One day at work, I received a call from the highschool asking me to come in to see the principal. When I went in, I was informed that Bill had blown an "Oscar Mayer weinie whistle" in art class! I can't remember what happened or if there was any discipline - all I can remember is that it was actually kind of humorous although I am sure I didn't laugh. At least, I hope I didn't.

Last summer when we were in Portland for Molly's wedding, some of the family took a hike to see the falls that were nearby. They spotted an Oscar Mayer Weiner Wagon in a parking lot and took this picture of Bill pointing out the logo of the infamous whistle he blew in the Newton High School art class in the early 1970's. Another fond memory!

Thank you, Beth, http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for hosting PFF. Check out her blog and find lots of other fun postcards. (Click to enlarge)

Home Entertainment

2011-01-06T15:43:00.003-05:00

The look and type of home entertainment has certainly changed since this old catalog was published in 1933. Where were the televisions, the dvd players, the computers, and all the magnificent things that have come, been replaced by new technology and gone. Meager pickings! I can still remember sitting and listening to the radio and being every bit as caught up in the programs as I am in television. It was wonderful for your imagination - like reading; You pulled up a picture in your mind and just knew that was how it was.
There were soap operas (Julie of Hilltop House, Stella Dallas), variety shows (The Hit Parade) , children's serials (Little Orphan Annie, Jack Armstrong the All American Boy), scarey programs (The Shadow), dramas (One Man's Family), comedy (George Burns and Gracie Allen, Jack Benny, Phil Harris, Amos and Andy, Fibber McGee and Molly, Red Skelton). Something for everyone.

Around the time I graduated from high school and went to work, we got this radio-phonograph which was a Philco and called the "Bing Crosby" model. Why, I don't know. The little door at the bottom with the slot was opened and a record inserted for instant music. I thought it was just wonderful - our family had never had anything like that ever. Naturally, we always had a radio - but a phonograph? Bliss. Back then, it was a long long time before all of the gadgets that now let you carry your music with you were even invented.

And here is an album that we played on the old Philco. Dorothy Shay, the Beverly Hillbilly, sang her kookie songs in a charming style. If you would like to hear a sample of Dorothy's music, click on the arrow below. Enjoy. (Click to enlarge)

It Won't Work!!

2011-01-04T15:42:00.000-05:00

I have in my basement box after box of 35mm slides taken from the late 70's until sometime in the 90's. Lots and lots of pictures that I would love to be able to use for Pieces of the Past. Last fall, I purchased this little scanner at Staples, tried to install it and had no luck. I am not the most high tech person around, but I have been using the computer since 1996 and have installed lots of software over those years without too much problem. There have been some things that I have installed that just about frazzled my nerves but I made it through. This little gadget would be the answer to getting those slides on my computer where I want them. I have installed, uninstalled, reinstalled, uninstalled, on and on. It always tells me it cannot find the 35mm scanner. The photo program is there and I even e-mailed the company about my problem. They sent me a lengthy e-mail directing me to a website for a driver. Last week I did what it said and I am sure I have the driver but the darned thing still does not recognize the scanner. Then yesterday I called the number they gave me if I needed further help. I was on hold for a long time - finally someone came on and took my name and number to call me back since they were so backed up. No call. I will try calling again, but I can't deal with it today. I may just pack it up and send it to them and tell them to fix it or to trade it in on something that works!!! Not a very interesting post!!

From Fashion Friday on Funoldhag

2011-01-02T12:24:00.000-05:00

Today finds Nan, wearing a summery white frock with three-quarter sleeves, a pretty satin sash, and lovely dark hat with a light band, posing with her sister, Nelle, and a very pretty friend that I am unable to identify. Nelle, looking very sophisticated, is wearing a chic dress with a three tiered skirt, many buttons, and a dark belt. Her hat is beautiful and features a very large floppy brim and a pretty band. She looks to be carrying gloves. The pretty friend also is wearing a white frock that features a two tiered skirt and a lovely wide sash made of a printed fabric. She is hatless so we are able to see her cute hairdo. I always wonder where the girls were going in their lovely outfits. In front of the front porch at the Pearce home was a favorite place to take photos, and I appreciate those photos more all the time. Hope you enjoyed today's show. (Posted earlier on Funoldhag - click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2010-12-31T08:41:00.000-05:00

One hundred years ago someone sent this goofy little postcard expressing their wish for a happy 1911. At first, I missed the message of the piggies' tails but caught on in a little bit. So on the eve of the arrival of the year 2011, I wish you not only a happy PFF but a healthy, happy, peaceful 2011. And to our hostess , Beth, http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/, a big thank you! (Click to enlarge)

No Pictures of Some of the Past

2010-12-29T08:31:00.001-05:00

This is the full picture that I have been using in the header for this blog for the holidays, and it is of the living room of my grandparents, Dan and Maggie Pearce, sometime in the early 1900's - probably twenty or more years before I was born. They still had the piano and victrola when I was a little kid and woud go down to stay with them from time to time - some of my very favorite memories.

In this day and age and for many years gone by, there are many, many pictures taken at Christmas, other holidays and family gatherings. (I will say that the Pearce family did take a lot of pictures over the years and that is the reason for this blog!) However, there is not a single picture anywhere of any Christmas when I was a child growing up from early childhood until the time I was married. There are many memories but nothing to look at where our family is shown, a tree can be seen, old gifts recalled - a complete lack of documentation. I have quite a few pictures of Christmases with our kids although not nearly as many that are taken in this time of digital cameras and unbelievable technology. Taking wonderful pictures with a phone blows my mind. I was born just before the big depression and my father was out of work for a long time. My parents always struggled with the lack of funds so we were not showered with a lot of gifts as some of the young ones are in this day and age. Regardless, I have lots of lovely memories of Christmas when I was growing up. I just wish there were actual pictures to look at. (Click to enlarge)

Postcard Friendship Friday

2010-12-24T12:23:00.001-05:00

Here is a sweet little post card to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

The backs of the cards are really quite plain but what I like about this next one is

Santa looks kind of ornery and he's just going to toss that pretty little dollie down that old chimney!

I think the poor little thing looks frightened! What a cute card. Wonder what Fritz thought of it.

I am trying to set this up to post all by itself on Friday and I think I will be able to.

Again, Merry Christmas and Happy PFF. Thank you, Beth, at http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ for being our hostess. Hope Santa fills your stocking with lots of good old postcards!!!

From Old Catalogs

2010-12-22T08:12:00.001-05:00

I believe these pictures are from a 1942 Spiegel Christmas catalog. The first one reminds me of the Christmas I got one of the chenille robes similar to the one pictured. It was so cozy and I loved it. I might have been in the eighth grade. We just didn't get lots and lots of gifts like most of the kids do today nor were there nearly as many "things" for us to wish to find under the tree. It is overwhelming what is out there under the name of toys anymore.

Here is a page from the same catalog - girls toys centered around dolls, buggies, play teasets, etc. All the simple things. I remember Santa bringing our daughter, Sherry, a "Nurse Nancy" outfit and bag with a stethoscope, thermometer, pills, etc. - oh, and glasses! We all took turns that day being "sick" so Nurse Nancy could administer healing to us. I think the only picture I have of that is in a little old home movie. She was so serious about her job. That was in the early 1950's.

Some more of the simple toys from back in the 40's when this catalog was published. What a different life back then. It would be nice if we could recapture some of the simplicity - have the good parts of then and now together. Actually, only older people knew how it was then - and "right now" will be the "back then" for the young ones today. So there you go! (Click to enlarge)

Three Sisters

2010-12-20T22:17:00.000-05:00

Bill, my son, recently got some pictures of Ann, his wife, when she was a little girl from Ruby, her mom. Here is one that is just right for this time of year! Ann is in the middle with her older sister, Jane, and younger sister, Martha, beside her. Their doggie sleeps on the hearth. Her name may have been Penny but I could be entirely wrong. The fourth stocking? The had a new little sister, Marilyn, who is much younger. I don't know what year she was born, but she was sixteen when Bill and Ann, started dating. The snowmen in the hoops are so representative of the times back then and Ruby loved to do sewing, crafting, and many of the things I did, also. In fact, Ruby and Bob were married the same day and year that we were - September 4, 1949 - and we both lived in Chillicothes - Ray and I in Illinois and they lived in Missouri. They also square danced. I would say we have a lot in common. (Click to enlarge)