Every now and then I WISH I could go back to when I was younger. I'm usually pretty content with where I am in life and what I do with it. But...now and then I WISH I could go back a few years.
Today is one of those. It was 20 years ago when we left for Alaska. I would very much like to go back to that time in my life.
We left on June 27th and it took us a couple of days to get out of the lower 48 but we were on our way. It was a great trip. We had wonderful weather for the most part, very few problems and loved Alaska. I still love Alaska.
We drove our Corsica and pulled the neatest little camper. We could set that camper up in about 10 minutes and slept in it all but about five nights of the whole trip.
If you have never driven the Alaskian Highway it's hard to describe. Some of it is just the most beautiful sights you will ever see, some of it is lonley and away from all of civilization. There are favorite spots, like Laird hot springs where we spent a couple of nights, the Canadian Rockies that are breath taking. Seeing a glacier up close for the very first time. Laird Hot Springs is in a provencial park, like our state parks. No electricity and clean and isolated. But close by are these wonderful hot springs. It was the only way we could keep warm. We had a chipmonk get into our map bag while it sat on the picnic table and we played peek-a-boo awhile.
We have had some really great trips in our retirement and Alaska was one of the best. The other one that will probably not ever be topped was our trip to Ecuador. It's been a great 20 years.
Just a little nostalgia here today. Good memories of some wonderful times.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
PIE ANYONE?
No, I'm not making pies for our party or giving away free pie to just anyone that stops by. BUT...I was looking through some old magazines my neighbor gave me and there's a page about a lady that makes THE VERY BEST PIES - according to her.
She has a blog "theworldneedsmorepie.com" so of course I pulled it up this morning. She's also on FB but I didn't get into that much.
ANYWAY...she has this blog and it's pretty interesting. She lives in Iowa and we all know they do some weird things there. :)
One time I was watching the Travel channel and they were at the Iowa State Fair where they actually had a COW CHIP tossing event. I thought they were joking but, no, they really did.
This lady doesn't update her blog very often but I thought it was kind of different and some of you may want to check it out yourselves. I don't think I want to go play Bingo in Iowa. You pay $10 to play and if a cow dumps on your square you win $250. With my luck I know what I'd end up with - an empty pocket and someone elses pile to smell.
She has a blog "theworldneedsmorepie.com" so of course I pulled it up this morning. She's also on FB but I didn't get into that much.
ANYWAY...she has this blog and it's pretty interesting. She lives in Iowa and we all know they do some weird things there. :)
One time I was watching the Travel channel and they were at the Iowa State Fair where they actually had a COW CHIP tossing event. I thought they were joking but, no, they really did.
This lady doesn't update her blog very often but I thought it was kind of different and some of you may want to check it out yourselves. I don't think I want to go play Bingo in Iowa. You pay $10 to play and if a cow dumps on your square you win $250. With my luck I know what I'd end up with - an empty pocket and someone elses pile to smell.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
SEWING GROUP
I went to a newly formed sewing group at church this afternoon. I wasn't going to go but really wanted to take a school bag and see if anyone was interested in making them.
We only had 6 people there but that's fine if they are all interested and these women are. One already makes home made hand quilted quilts for General Hospitals Neo Natal Dept.. They are beautiful and she'd like to be a part of our group but doesn't like to use a machine.
I also took the quilts I make for Midwest Dist. Center and they all would like to have that pattern too. I really didn't think they would want to make those as they take a lot of fabric but that didn't seem to bother any of them. AND...one lady promises to give us "just tons" of fabric so if that really does happen we will have plenty of material to work with.
One girl makes little dresses for the girls in Africa from old pillow cases. She had a set of pillowcases she had embroidered on several years ago but I'm thinking appliques we can sew on. I'd like to try one anyway.
The school bag is what I really wanted them to show an interest in and made one yesterday and took directions and described how to do them. They all wanted the pattern and one girl kept the bag to use as a pattern.
For a long time I had wished we had a sewing group at church where we could go and work on projects. Maybe this is a beginning. It feels good and that's a good sign.
We only had 6 people there but that's fine if they are all interested and these women are. One already makes home made hand quilted quilts for General Hospitals Neo Natal Dept.. They are beautiful and she'd like to be a part of our group but doesn't like to use a machine.
I also took the quilts I make for Midwest Dist. Center and they all would like to have that pattern too. I really didn't think they would want to make those as they take a lot of fabric but that didn't seem to bother any of them. AND...one lady promises to give us "just tons" of fabric so if that really does happen we will have plenty of material to work with.
One girl makes little dresses for the girls in Africa from old pillow cases. She had a set of pillowcases she had embroidered on several years ago but I'm thinking appliques we can sew on. I'd like to try one anyway.
The school bag is what I really wanted them to show an interest in and made one yesterday and took directions and described how to do them. They all wanted the pattern and one girl kept the bag to use as a pattern.
For a long time I had wished we had a sewing group at church where we could go and work on projects. Maybe this is a beginning. It feels good and that's a good sign.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bargin Shopping
I was reading in a magazine, this morning, about a lady that had a blog telling of all her bargins. I guess she makes money selling this blog or something. She did have a big ad in a famous magazine someone had loaned me.
I'd like to tell her of a few of my bargins over the years. The very first one was a walnut side board I bought for $60 in Normal in 1962. I was at a garage sale to buy a swimming pool for the girls but in the basement they had this beautiful walnut sideboard. It was the most beautiful piece of furniture I had ever seen.
We had just bought our first home there on Fell Avenue and hardly had two nickles to rub together by the end of the month. I'm not kidding. We were on a TIGHT budget. BUT...I had to have that sideboard. I called Ted to see if he could come home for lunch to see it but he had a meeting and couldn't make it.
I finally called the lady to see if they would hold it till 5 when he could get there to look at it. Now that was smart! I was young and very naive. She was a little more seasoned and said, "Oh, we've already had two antique dealers come look at it". That conversation would never take place today, but...what can I say.
I told her I'd be right there to get it.
Now, where I got the money I do not know. We had envelopes for bills like insurance, house payment, utilities, etc. I imagine the insurance envelope was pretty well empty by the time Ted got home. I even found $7 to have someone go get it and deliver it.
This was a solid piece of walnut, two large pieces with a mirror and drawers and a big cupboard in the bottom. It weighed a ton.
Ted got home and I had tried to surprise him (BOY I WAS NAIVE) but got so excited on the way home from picking him up at work I let it out.
But back to bargain shopping. This sideboard was given to Kim and a few years later she had a chance to sell it and I believe she got a whopping $2,500 for it.
I don't know if the girls ever got the pool or not but I had a beautiful piece of furniture for many years.
I've had a few other bargains but nothing like that.
I'd like to tell her of a few of my bargins over the years. The very first one was a walnut side board I bought for $60 in Normal in 1962. I was at a garage sale to buy a swimming pool for the girls but in the basement they had this beautiful walnut sideboard. It was the most beautiful piece of furniture I had ever seen.
We had just bought our first home there on Fell Avenue and hardly had two nickles to rub together by the end of the month. I'm not kidding. We were on a TIGHT budget. BUT...I had to have that sideboard. I called Ted to see if he could come home for lunch to see it but he had a meeting and couldn't make it.
I finally called the lady to see if they would hold it till 5 when he could get there to look at it. Now that was smart! I was young and very naive. She was a little more seasoned and said, "Oh, we've already had two antique dealers come look at it". That conversation would never take place today, but...what can I say.
I told her I'd be right there to get it.
Now, where I got the money I do not know. We had envelopes for bills like insurance, house payment, utilities, etc. I imagine the insurance envelope was pretty well empty by the time Ted got home. I even found $7 to have someone go get it and deliver it.
This was a solid piece of walnut, two large pieces with a mirror and drawers and a big cupboard in the bottom. It weighed a ton.
Ted got home and I had tried to surprise him (BOY I WAS NAIVE) but got so excited on the way home from picking him up at work I let it out.
But back to bargain shopping. This sideboard was given to Kim and a few years later she had a chance to sell it and I believe she got a whopping $2,500 for it.
I don't know if the girls ever got the pool or not but I had a beautiful piece of furniture for many years.
I've had a few other bargains but nothing like that.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
ANOTHER GREAT GARAGE SALE
Thursday I was on my way to Lewisburg when I saw what looked like a really great garage sale. My poor car just cannot help itself. It found the first drive way and turned around and back we went. I did buy a pair of slacks and a shirt and saw a sewing table but decided I didn't really need it. Then yesterday moring I woke up and decided I really DID need it and would run down to see if it was still there. Yep, it was waiting for me to come buy it and so here it is.
Then we moved my OLD sewing table over for a desk and I can have everything together instead of a table here and a book case there.
I LOVE THIS ROOM
Thursday, June 16, 2011
TALKING DUCK
Went to Lewisburg to run some errands this morning and stopped at the library to drop off some things. They were having story hour and sure wish I had taken my camera.
The lady was all set up for a puppet show later but she had this big yellow duck with a huge orange bill sitting on her lap. He was so cute and she was SO good.
I watched her and could not see her lips move at all but the kids wouldn't of cared as they were mesmerized with that duck.
He sang them a song of the ABC's, and I wanted to stay all morning but couldn't. Next time I go down I'll take my camera.
OH TO BE A KID AGAIN!!!!!!!
The lady was all set up for a puppet show later but she had this big yellow duck with a huge orange bill sitting on her lap. He was so cute and she was SO good.
I watched her and could not see her lips move at all but the kids wouldn't of cared as they were mesmerized with that duck.
He sang them a song of the ABC's, and I wanted to stay all morning but couldn't. Next time I go down I'll take my camera.
OH TO BE A KID AGAIN!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Fun Week-end
We had a really good week-end in Illinois - AGAIN. Dropped off the things for Midwest Distribution Center and got a call last night that they were fine and would be happy to have more. YEA!!!!
A good time with a niece and nephew in Sciota. We kind of have squatters rights at their house. It seems like we are there once a month or so this time of year. They have a BIG garden and strawberries and not only did we eat our fill while there, they sent some home with us, plus black raspberries they freeze for us every year. YUM YUM
The reunion was fun - more on that another day.
Then to Kim's house where we have more squatters rights and even know her code to get into her house when she isn't there. Good thing she has a watch dog.
She fed us royally Sunday night and baked her dad a rhubarb pie. AND...she sent what we didn't eat home with us so we came home with full bellies and full hearts of love from all we encountered.
A good time with a niece and nephew in Sciota. We kind of have squatters rights at their house. It seems like we are there once a month or so this time of year. They have a BIG garden and strawberries and not only did we eat our fill while there, they sent some home with us, plus black raspberries they freeze for us every year. YUM YUM
The reunion was fun - more on that another day.
Then to Kim's house where we have more squatters rights and even know her code to get into her house when she isn't there. Good thing she has a watch dog.
She fed us royally Sunday night and baked her dad a rhubarb pie. AND...she sent what we didn't eat home with us so we came home with full bellies and full hearts of love from all we encountered.
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