K--is for Kites

Today is much too windy for flying kites, but thought I might share some kite memories...

It was always fun when Dad would bring home a kite and a roll (spool) of kite string, probably from Shafers' variety store. It arrived as two lightweight joined sticks rolled up with the kite paper, which in my memory was always red. We would carefully unroll the paper, rotate the sticks to form a T, then hook the points of the diamond-shaped paper to the slots in the ends of the sticks. Next we tied a length of kite string to the ends of the shorter cross stick, bowing it up to just the right curve. Another length of string (maybe two feet long?) was tied to the longer stick through a couple of holes poked through the paper a few inches from the top and several inches from the bottom. The roll of kite string was securely tied toward the top of this string. A tail of old nylon stockings attached to the bottom was the finishing touch.

Then, it was time to go to a pasture at the edge of our small town and go fly a kite! If the launch was successful, the kite would soar up and up as the string unrolled in your hand! One had to watch as the string came closer to being completely unrolled, to be sure it was attached to the core of the roll. Otherwise the kite could take off on its own for parts unknown! When it was time to head home, the string was wound back up on the spool. This took considerably more time than letting it out! More than once I may or may not have been late getting home before the six o'clock whistle blew!

At some point we bought kite string winders, but even that took awhile, especially if we had combined more than one spool of string for reaching even higher heights with our simple paper kites.

Now, the kites we take out are most likely to be the two- or even four-lined stunt kites that I previously wrote about on this page. But the fun of those first kites, and the family and friends with whom I made and flew them, remains!

J--is for Joy

It's always a JOY when we're with the grandkids! Here they are at ages 6,5,4,3,2,1,0, 0. I love how their ages line up in order that way! (even though it only does that for approximately a week each year)

I wasn't sure we'd be able to get a photo this year with all the restrictions, etc., but it worked out that we could all meet for a couple of hours earlier this month.

Previously posted ABCs:

Apple, Blog, Cornflakes Candy, Cantata and Christmas, Draw This,  EEEEE, Family, Gum Ball Machine, HIE, Iris

Pieces of my Heart

Earlier this month a new piece of my heart was claimed when Grandchild #6 was born. He and the other five have taken up residence there, but as you can see, there's still plenty of room for more! God has blessed us!

Linking with Scribble Picnic, where this week's theme is Hearts.

Hot and Spicy!

     Thinking about "spicy" for this week's Scribble Picnic theme makes me immediately think of hot peppers or chili. I didn't grow up eating much that was spicy, and subsequently don't cook with very many "hot" spices. (Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, etc. used in baking are another story!) According to an entry in Wikipedia, "Many spices have antimicrobial properties. This may explain why spices are more commonly used in warmer climates, which have more infectious diseases, ..." And perhaps that has just a bit to do with why my Louisiana born and raised daughter-in-law grew up loving her hot spices. Bless her heart, she has been known to tone down her use of them a little if she knows Benny and I will be joining them for a meal! :-)

     You can spice up your life a bit by visiting other contributions to the picnic here.

Cookies Are a Snap!

Gingersnap cookies have been a family favorite as far back as I can remember. Mom used the recipe from a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Sometime in junior high or high school I typed the recipe (using Dad's trusty manual typewriter) onto a pink 3 x 5 index card. I couldn't begin to count the number of times I've pulled out the card, mixed up the ingredients, rolled the dough into balls, dipped them in sugar, and baked up dozens of the tasty treat!

Scribble Picnic theme for the week is cookie, so of course I had to give these gingersnaps a try with my watercolor pencils. Couldn't figure out how to get the sparkle of the granulated sugar on them. I'm anxious to see here what deliciousness the other participants have stirred up for their cookie jars!

I was curious to see if BH&G still has the recipe, so went to their website. I see the recipe they post now is almost

the same as mine, but not quite. Plus, they call them "ginger cookies" instead of "gingersnaps." So, I'll just post the recipe with the ingredient amounts the way I grew up with it!

Gingersnaps

1 1/2 cups shortening            1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar                         4 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 cup molasses                   2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 eggs                                  2 teaspoons cloves

4 cups flour                           2 teaspoons ginger

Cream shortening and sugar; add molasses and eggs; beat well.

Add sifted dry ingredients; mix well. (A wooden spoon works great, since the dough will be stiff.)

Shape dough into small balls; roll in additional granulated sugar; place 2 inches apart on greased (or lined) cookie sheet.

Bake at 375º until light brown and puffy. Do not over bake!

Let cool a couple of minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Makes around 8 dozen cookies.

Covered in Love

     My grandmother (1900-1995), like so many of her era, seldom let anything go to waste. If shirts or dresses were beyond wearing, she would salvage what she could of the material, and piece that together to make blanket tops. I'm not sure that she did the actual tying or quilting, but none-the-less the resulting blankets were uniquely hers, with reminders of this shirt or that robe or this housedress or even that pair of pajamas. I ended up with some of these blankets, most of which have seen much use and better days.  But, I decided to go ahead and use them. After all, that's what they were made for, and despite their worn and torn areas, they are a lovely reminder of Grandmother.

     I started out sketching just a blanket, which quickly became a lap quilt, which had to be on someone's lap, which required a person, and she had to be doing something, so here you have it! I'm not entirely sure what she is reading, though quite likely it's her Bible; or it's also entirely possible that it's one of her old diaries.

     After doing the pencil version, I decided to add some watercolor to liven up the blanket.

      Scanning the painted version in black and white gives it another look.

     This page will take you to see what others are snuggling up with for this week's Blanket theme for Scribble Picnic.

Draw the Curtain, and the Winner Is...

     The first time I remember paying attention to curtains was in high school when I was allowed to choose a new paint color (yellow!) for my bedroom. Then Mom helped me pick out material and sew new curtains for the two windows. I'm pretty sure they were pink with some kind of "modern" flower design! We slept with the windows open in summer, listening to summer night sounds and hoping for a cool breeze to blow through the screen.

     About five years ago I drew these mauve curtains that hang on our half-frosted bathroom window. If I were to draw them now, I'd probably try to make everything a bit darker (or in color) so as to show up better. But, it is what it is!

Thought I should try some new curtains. These remind me of the time my sister-in-law was watching some of her nieces (and nephews?) She couldn't find one of them, until she saw the little one's shoes peeking out from the bottom of the living room curtains!

     The host of Scribble Picnic had a prize drawing a few weeks back. I was pleasantly surprised to hear my name announced as the winner, and thrilled to open the fun package when it arrived. Michael had generously included everything you see here in the photo–an issue of Bella Grace magazine, a package of pencils, bookmarks, a fun pencil box, a decorated egg (how did he know I have a collection of Easter eggs?), a kneaded eraser, a fabulous watercolor journal, two kinds of chocolate (anyone who knows me, knows that's right up my alley!), a couple of tea packets, a notecard made from his original painting (how can I give it up to send to someone?), two different watercolor brushes (that will encourage me to try more than just pencil sketching!), and a lovely personal note. Thank you, Michael, for your generosity, for hosting the Picnic, and for encouraging us to keep stretching our artistic wings!

You can go here to see other curtains hanging around on this week's Scribble Picnic.

Watermelon

     We had a great three days celebrating the Fourth of July, beginning at church on Sunday morning where the offertory was an inspiringly rendered patriotic melody. That afternoon we, plus my brother and his wife, joined up at our daughter's church for a pot-luck, patriotic service, homemade ice cream, and fireworks display. Attended a wedding on Monday, then spent Tuesday with family and friends. The Fourth was a beautiful Kansas summer evening for a picnic that included grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, fruit, and of course watermelon–which was sliced into easy to handle pieces.

Grandchild #3 doing a great job balancing her plate of small watermelon pieces!

     Played some bocce ball, then Grandchild #1 found some fireflies to try to catch. (Edit: Sorry, I don't know why the video won't play. Guess I'll have to try another time.)

Catching fireflies!

     After that we lit our small collection of fireworks, and were also able to see many of those set off in town and in the surrounding countryside.

     Hope you all have a chance to enjoy some watermelon sometime before summer ends!

     I tried a watermelon sketch in my usual black and white first, but decided it might be better with some color this time.

     You can find plenty of other juicy watermelons here for this week's Scribble Picnic. P.S. If you commented on the fox last week, please check back for my group reply.

Winter Swing Tree

     Have you ever climbed a tree? I hope so! Many, many childhood summer hours of mine were spent up in the branches of a big (elm?) tree in our side yard. It was huge. Well, most likely it wasn't–but from my perspective then it was! Dad, probably with the help of one or both of my older brothers, secured some flat boards (a small door?) a ways up in it. 

     The platform was just big enough for two children to sit on. Sometimes it was just me and our cat. Usually I was by myself, and could stretch out and imagine the hours away, enjoy whatever breeze came by, "spy" on the neighborhood, read (probably a Nancy Drew mystery), make endless plans in a spiral notebook,...  Dad also secured a rope a few feet out on the lowest sturdy branch. The knotted rope was just long enough that a brother or friend could reach up and throw the end for you to catch as you stood in the crotch of the tree. Then you could swing out as Tarzan, or a pirate, or... 

     We moved at the end of my grade school years. I wonder if the platform and rope were still up when we left.

     Our own kids enjoyed a railed platform that Benny built between some trees. It had a short slide out from one corner, and covered a sandbox. He has also put up various swings for them (and us) in several different trees over the years. One tree in particular earned the title "Swing Tree" for its just right branch, height, and location. That tree is still at the end of our driveway, but sadly the perfect branch on it succumbed a few years ago to too many ice storms.

     My drawing is not of that particular tree, but it's what came out of my pencil. I don't believe this swing goes very high, but it might be just right for some very young ones. The tree is waiting for Spring and their arrival!

Linking with Michael at Scribble Picnic for this week's theme. To view more trees swing over HERE.

Scribble Picnic–Grandfather Clock

Our oldest daughter and grandchildren #1 and #3 have been here for a few days, so I didn't find/take time to get out my drawing pencils. Instead, I dug out the old water color paints left over from our own kids' younger days, and Andrew and I set out to have some fun.

So here you have it–my water color scribble of a grandfather clock! "Where are the numbers?" he wanted to know. I squeezed some in for him, but will stick with this version to post!

I need to change my blog format so I can reply directly to your kind comments. Not sure when that will happen. Perhaps that would also take care of sometimes needing to click on the photos to see them completely. (Lissa, Michael and Wanda, I did reply to your comments last week if you want to go back one post.)

You can check out grandfather clocks created by others here.

H–is for HIE

     In a few months our first granddaughter will reach her second birthday, which will be a great day of celebration, as was her first birthday.  Her actual day of birth, those many months ago, was a time that should also have been full of smiles and joy, but instead filled with worries and questions.  She had HIE–hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Hypoxic–lack of oxygen. Ischemic–restricting blood flow. Encephalopathy–affecting the brain. Simply put–oxygen deprivation that affects the brain at birth.

    The medical staff took immediate action, but it still took hours to stabilize, make preparations, and transport her to the NICU in the larger city. They couldn’t use the life-flight helicopter because of there being such bad thunderstorms going on that night. Instead she was taken by ambulance, with one of the first actions taken being to cool her body, which slowed blood flow to prevent further brain damage. It was a month later that she was able to go home. Her parents quickly learned and gave the day by day care needed, one of the biggest of which was getting used to feeding her via a gastronomy tube. They were fast learners, and Samantha thrives physically. In the next photo you can see her "button" for feeding.

Samantha with her beloved Grampa

     One of the HIE effects was that she was never able to cry. One doesn't usually think of a crying baby as a blessing, but it truly is. How thrilled we were when Samantha first started making some vocalizations!

Samantha having a meal via tube with the help of the orange feeding pump.

     Because of a “default mode” of mostly keeping her head turned to the left (which she still does), her head was getting flat on that side.  So, until her skull fused, she had several months of wearing a helmet, which did its reshaping job.

Helmet "graduation day"

     Samantha has a variety of specialists and therapists who help with different developmental aspects. Even though she has always received her main nutrition through a gastronomy tube, she is also undergoing therapy to strengthen her face and mouth muscles to be able to eat by mouth. A wonderful by-product is that those same stronger muscles help her be able to vocalize more, and to smile. It’s such a blessing to see her eyes light up during an interaction; and now to see an occasional added smile just makes my heart rejoice!

     One always expects and hopes the best with a new baby. And you know, that’s just what the family got with Samantha. No, she isn’t developing at a “normal” rate, but she is making progress and developing at her own normal rate, just as God knew she would.  She reminds us all not to take anything for granted, and is such a sweet joy!

The biggest smile I've seen–looking forward to many more!

     (If you want to know more about HIE, you can read here. Our friend Kacy writes about her own daughter here and here. Of course each child affected by HIE has different diagnoses, but some of Hudsyn’s–the GERD, the gastronomy tube–are similar to those of Samantha.)    

F–is for Family

     Family.  What does one do without it?

     I’ve been blessed all my life with an amazing family.  I have SO MANY great memories of family time when I was growing up.  My dad loved the Lord, was the kindest man you could ever hope to know, and absolutely adored my mom.  They were college sweethearts and had over 50 years of married life together.  Mom was the best anyone could ask for, and I’ll forever miss her love, encouragement, and support in my life.  My older brothers put up with their younger sister, and still do for that matter!  I just wish we could get together more often.

     My next level of family began with the answer to my prayers that I found in Benny.  We were late twenties and mid-thirties when we met and married, and both agree it was worth the wait!  Raising a son and two daughters was not without its challenges of course, but those were far outweighed by the good times!  What a joy and privilege to see them develop into such fine young people and find their own loving spouses to continue on with.

     This may have been taken a dozen or so years ago!

     Grandchildren.  Did I mention grandchildren?  :-)  We have four now–ages 3 1/2, almost 2, almost 1, and just over one week!  All the clichés are true–there’s nothing like it, why didn’t we have them first, etc.  With their different ages and abilities, each one is a unique delight!

#4 (#1, #2, and#3 are a few posts down)

     Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins… None ever lived in the same town I was in, which made each time we were together all that much more special.  Of the older generation, I’ve only two aunts remaining. 

     Of course marriage expanded family immediately.  In-laws and their families brought another good dimension to family that I can't imagine not having.

     I can’t leave the subject of family without including my spiritual family.  These fellow believers have taught and been with me through all kinds of joys, frustrations, and sorrows.  Some I’ve known for decades and some for just a few years, but we all have eternity to look forward to because of accepting Jesus Christ into our lives as Lord and Savior.

     Family.

     I think family should be spelled b l e s s i n g!

C–is for Corn Flakes Candy, Cantata and Christmas

Mixed up some Corn Flakes Candy this afternoon.  So simple!

Combine 1 cup corn syrup and 1 cup brown sugar in a 3-quart saucepan.  Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture bubbles.  Remove from heat.  Stir in 1 cup peanut butter and 6 cups corn flakes until well coated.  Drop by teaspoons on waxed paper.  Or, press into well-buttered 9 x 13 pan and cool until firm before cutting.

I usually make some for Christmas, but we had plenty of other sweets around, so didn't this time.

Christmas–that's my second favorite holiday (after Easter).

In a way, Christmas always begins in October for me, as that is when rehearsals for the community Christmas cantata begin.  I’ve missed a few years, maybe more than a few, but have usually sung in it over the past thirty-eight years!  I had an uncle who taught music here one year in the early 1960s, and apparently he was instrumental in getting the annual event started.  What a joy it is to sing about the birth of Jesus, the real meaning of Christmas!

Our traditional Christmas Eve soup and gifts with Benny’s side of the family was at his sister’s, just up the road.

Usually we go to a Christmas Eve candlelight service, but since Christmas was on Sunday, the Lutheran church (which we attended until a few years ago) had a Julotta (Christmas, just before dawn) candlelight service we went to instead.  Then we went to our Berean church's Christmas Day service.  Had a non-tradtional Christmas Day dinner here of crockpot BBQ pork ribs, followed by a relaxing day of nothing in particular.

Midweek my side of the family gathered for our WWW Christmas, always fun and filled with laughter, food, games (always Nerts), gifts, traditions and memories.

This would be our three (so far) grandkids!

Some of the immediate family was able to stay the entire week. Then we celebrated Christmas again with all the immediate family on New Year's Day!

Blessed, blessed, blessed!

July of 2014

July of 2014.  That's as far as I got previously with posting events going on in my life.

July of 2014.  That's when my life changed.  Not in a way that doesn't happen to people every day, but still a change that no one wants to go through.

Mom took a tumble in her living room, broke a vertebra in her neck, and was hospitalized not quite two weeks.  We always worried about her falling and breaking something, because of extreme osteoporosis.  That hospital time is not something I want to dwell on.  Just suffice it to say that it was awful for all of us watching her be so miserable because of getting very little much-needed sleep and from the hallucinating effects of pain medicine.  Rant: Hospitals--let your patients sleep if they're asleep!  It was a hot, hot, July day when Mom left the hospital and was transferred to a care home.  So many little things added up to more frustration, but we were glad to have her closer to her own home. That night brought swift-moving pneumonia.  It was just a week before Mom's 90th birthday. So grateful to have been able to be with Mom.  So grateful for loving and supportive family and friends.  So grateful for God's love and never failing promises.

July of 2014.  That's when Mom left this world and moved on to the glory of her eternal home in heaven.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God,who is to come into the world.”

John 11:25-27

Let's Try This Again!

How could I let most of a year go by without posting anything? I have kept up-to-date reading several other people's blogs, but haven't done much commenting. I'll try to do better, as I know how encouraging comments can be!

So, over the last several months there have been a good number of family gatherings.

Andrew continued to grow.

The whole family pitched in to help Trina and Josh move in February.

Visited at Mom's several times. She went with us to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in February.  Wish the photo wasn't so blurry.

Benny and I toured our newly refurbished state capitol building in Topeka. I'll try to do a separate post about that another time.

We took a trip to the Amana Colonies. That should be a separate post also!

In April I sang with the county community choir as we presented selections from Handel's Messiah. What a joy that was!

Look who learned to walk!

I lost something the end of May! Fifteen inches were chopped off, destined for Children with Hair Loss, a group that does not charge for wigs for children who need them.

In June we celebrated Andrew's first birthday!

I helped with VBS, which is always a fun time!

Brittany (DIL) and my sister-in-law and I went on a walking photo tour of our county seat the middle of June. Of course that resulted in many interesting photos, so I have my blogging work cut out for me with yet another potential post!

There's more to catch you up about, but I'll leave off here for now, with this shot of Andrew and me on the Fourth of July.

He's Growing!

This was last month during a brief visit to the farm.

Now I'm thinking it's about time to go to his house for a visit!

We Have New Names!

As of June 4, thanks to the arrival of Andrew Michael, Benny and I have new names.  We are now Gram E. and Grampa!