I love dishes!

This set of dishes were given to me by my next door neighbors. They are from France. He said they bought them at a dime store.

My love for dishes started soon after I was married. My husband and I were given some money for our wedding, and like a lot of newly married couples in our day, we needed nearly everything.
La Crosse, where we were living for the summer, had a jewelry store across the street from the
JC Penney store where I was working. One day I went in there and found a set of stoneware that I really liked, so I bought them. It was a service for 8. I bought cobalt blue glasses to go with them, and that started it all.

This place setting is from Hans' former ship

Over the years, I have collected many more - some services for 12, some for 8, a few for 6 or 4, and a few are service for 2. I have two patterns that are for only 1. Hey, that works for me! One large set I gave to Heidi and Chad when they married. It is Noritake china and my brother gave it to me one year when he was stationed in Japan. They're beautiful, and Heidi always admired them.

About 3 years ago, I thought I would do a blog entry on them - you know, make a pretty scene of a place setting, complete with place mat, table cloth, napkin, silverware, goblet, etc. That was a big dream that never culminated. Thanks to Google, I have captured a photo of a piece from each set and am including them here.

Do I use them? Yes, all have been used except one pattern. I'm saving those for someday special.

Mother's Day

Last Sunday was the official Mother's Day - and I received nice cards and calls from my kids. Today Peder, Sarah, Aurelia and Felix took me out for dinner. [Yes, it was safe to take Felix out in public because his pox are disappearing.] We met at the Mall of America and had a delicious dinner, followed by a trip outside to see the tulip garden. Such a beautiful display, showing off in the bright sunshine. Yes, sunshine! We haven't seen it for awhile around here.

We walked back into the mall and went toured the aquarium, which was really fun. They had remodeled since I had been there. Sarah and Peder have a family membership, so they frequent the mall - and the Under Water Sea World - often. Aurelia knows the names of the fish. She has her favorites. Felix likes to be out of the stroller to run around a little. He likes the fish, too.

Thank you for the nice time, Peder and Sarah!

Missing some special women in my life

I have been blessed with many, many wonderful women in my life and I'm thankful for each and every one of them. There are some that I really miss.

Alice. She was always in my life; a friend of my mother and father; one of my Sunday School teachers; came to spend nights with my sister and me for the last seven weeks of school after the death of our mother. She was smart, funny, compassionate, loving, generous, dependable, and trustworthy. I loved her, and I still miss her.

Erna. She was always kind, sweet, generous, thoughtful, down-to-earth, loving, knit perfect mittens, a hard worker, a good cook. Her cookies were wonderful. I was always welcome in her home, even before marrying her son, and again after our marriage didn't work out. She was a great grandmother to my kids. I loved her, and I miss her.

Cassie. I first met her on her 80th birthday. Within a few years, she referred to me as her girlfriend. She was generous, funny, told great stories, appreciated everything, was kind, loving, loved Dairy Queen blizzards and Kentucky Fried Chicken. She made perfect apple pies (only with Harrelson apples) and the best sugar cookies I've ever had. She was a wonderful role model for me. I loved her, and I miss her.

My Aunt Liz. She was always a big part of my life. She was a hard worker, a great story teller, a wonderful traveling companion, generous, loving, compassionate, smart, loved to read, sew, travel, made sure she made our great grandma's plum pudding every Christmas, was eternally happy, always loved children, and felt like a mother to me. I can't tell you how many times each day I think about calling her, only to remember - I can't do that any longer. I loved her, and I miss her.

Pat's Tribute to My Aunt Liz

As I mentioned earlier, my cousin Pat gave an amazing tribute to my Aunt Liz at the celebration service for her on Friday. Please take time to read it here.

Aunt Liz Is Celebrated

Yesterday my family and friends celebrated the life of my Aunt Liz. The service included an a cappella solo by Peder of The Rose. He sang it beautifully, and I was so proud of him. Bryan, Pat and Pudge's son, read a scripture, as did Jeff, Aunt Liz's oldest grandson - Wayne's firstborn. Following the mass, tributes were given by Mary Beth, my Uncle Vic's niece; Naomi, daughter of our family friend, Gemma (from Ireland), who referred to my Aunt Liz as Grandma Liz; Gemma, who shared some memories and then recited The Irish Blessing; and finally, my cousin, Pat. I can't begin to recount Pat's tribute, but someday hope to post it for all to read. I don't know how these women were able to do this, but somehow they had inner strength and were able to tell their personal feelings.

I was privileged to hold the beautiful wooden case that now houses Aunt Liz's ashes on the trip to the cemetery. It's a gorgeous box with her name engraved. She was buried next to my Uncle Vic, who died on his 82nd birthday in 2001.

A special family time was held at Aunt Liz's house following the burial. My sister Janet had downloaded hundreds of photos on her digital frame and we enjoyed watching the photos and recalling the events. It's true - my Aunt Liz was always smiling - enjoying life. She was passionate. She was kind. She was contented. She was independent. She was loving. She was hospitable. Money wasn't important to her - family and friends were. And I loved her with all my heart.

Happy 1st Birthday, Felix!

Felix, riding on Mommy's back

Aurelia playing with the balloon animals Sarah made.

Felix loves his new puzzle - each puzzle piece of fruit has a knob!

1st birthday cake (yummy!)

Poof!

Felix enjoyed his first taste of cake!

Happy Birthday, Felix! It doesn't seem possible that you could be celebrating your first year already! You have brought such joy to our family - smiling beautifully, while watching us with your gorgeous brown eyes. You seem to enjoy everything - toys, your cats, and your sweet sister. I hope this next year will be especially fun for you!

The Royal Wedding

There has been a lot of news coverage of the royal wedding taking place tomorrow between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Tonight at the health club, 5 of the 7 TVs were featuring stories about them. For some, all of this attention is ridiculous and annoying - too "in our faces." But I know those who think the same thing about sports - every major TV channel showing baseball, golf, Nascar races, or football. For me, I like hearing about the monarchy of Great Britain. I like their rich history; I like the pageantry. I was glued to the TV when Lady Diana married Prince Charles, and also when the world watched the funeral of Princess Diana. I own the movie, The Queen, and have watched it many times. Another thing I like about the Brits is the way they speak - both the pronunciation of words, and the choice of words. It's one of the reasons I'm a fan of the British Antiques Roadshow. Perhaps one reason I'm attracted is because of my heritage. As far as I can figure, I'm 7/8ths British.

Will I get up tomorrow at 3 am to watch the pre-wedding coverage and the wedding? I don't know yet. I would love to see it, but not sure if I can do it and show up for work on time. We'll see.

Sad Changes

Notice the trees

Notice the trees

One tree left

These townhouses are on their last days. I hope these 6 token pine trees are spared.

Two of the things that drew me to my current job were 1) the location - only one mile from my home, and 2) a beautiful office with lovely grounds. The first time I drove to it (before applying for a position there), I parked in the empty parking lot and looked out at three deer standing by the beautiful pine trees. I just loved it.

Last Wednesday, big rigs started crawling onto our property and one in particular began cutting down trees - not a couple, not 5, but nearly all of the 40 or more. These were gorgeous trees - many were tall, stately, perfectly shaped. A few of them brought nice shade to our parking lot and provided a wonderful spot for our picnic tables.

Why are the trees coming down? Our landlord has sold a portion of the land on which our building sits. The trees AND the town houses are coming down to make way for a Seniors' residence. It's sad.

He is Risen!

He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

Retirement

Dave

Our department: L to R: Madalyn, Karen, LaVonne, Dave, yours truly, Alex, Paul

LaVonne gave a great speech, recognizing Dave.

LaVonne, offering punch refills

Today Dave, a man whom I have worked with the past eight years, retired. I have enjoyed him and his wife and daughters very much. It was his wife who once had me upgraded to first class on my flight to Seattle. She's a flight attendant, and made the trip so much fun for me. You can read about it here and here.

I had a lot of fun planning the retirement party which was held in our office this morning. On a road trip last Saturday, an inspiration hit me to use the theme of Home Depot for food and decorations. Dave has a lot of home projects he plans to do now that he'll have the time. I bought Home Depot lawn bags and cut them up to use as our table cloth. I cut the top off a Home Depot spray bottle and used it as a vase. One of their 5 gallon paint pails became our punch bowl. A tool box tray held the mixed nuts; a carpenter apron held the forks. I ordered a cake from Lund's bakery - asking the pastry chef to create plaid icing, using chocolate brown and Home Depot orange for the color palette. She did an amazing job! How can you go wrong with a Lund's cake?

I'm sure going to miss Dave, but I'll see him now and then. He'll stop by, or I'll do something with him and his wife.

Sympathy

I've been sitting at my desk with huge tears falling down my face as I have been reading the messages of sympathy in the beautiful card my office colleagues wrote to me. I was a very young girl - 14 years old - when the last sympathy cards would have been sent to me. I didn't realize it then how much it meant to hear those words, "I'm sorry for your loss."

My Aunt Liz Has Died

This afternoon, my Aunt Liz passed away from this life. She will always be special to me, and I miss her very much. Aunt Liz, thank you for sharing your life with me and my kids. We all loved you.

Beverly Lewis' THE SHUNNING - Hallmark Movie

This Saturday night, April 16, the Hallmark Channel will premier the movie The Shunning, by Beverly Lewis. She is a New York Times best selling author, and is also a friend of mine. The Shunning is the screen play from the Bethany House Publisher's book by the same name. It is a story based on Beverly's grandmother's life. I know you will love it!

The Shunning tells the story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman, who discovers on the eve of her wedding she was adopted from outside the Amish faith, and that her "Englisher" biological mother is searching for her. The discovery so "ferhoodles" her that she walks out on her wedding and goes through an identity crisis before finally coming to peace with her situation. It's the first of three books in The Heritage of Lancaster County series.

It might be me - but I don't think so!

Last night I had dinner with a nice lady who started working at our publishing house a couple of weeks ago. She is moving here from Colorado, but hasn't found a house yet. We each drove our car to the restaurant so that she could drive to her sister's, where she is temporarily staying, after dining. We had a very nice visit, and then walked to our cars. Much to her dismay, she had locked her keys in her car! We sat in my car and visited some more until her sister and brother-in-law came to break into her car, after having looked and looked through her purses and jacket pockets for her spare key and coming up empty handed. Tonight I went to dinner with my friend, Nancy. About a half mile from the restaurant, 3 warning lights came on in her Lexus! There was a gas station across the street from the restaurant, so we pulled in there and got out the manual. "Warning: Do not drive the car. Call the dealership!" or something like that. Nancy called the dealership, but they were closed for the weekend. Then she called the 800 number for the 24 hour Lexus road-side service. That was disappointing. The woman who answered knew nothing about the warning signs, and agreed to call for a tow truck. Nancy said no thanks and we decided to drive across the street to the restaurant to think things over. We placed our order, and lo and behold Nancy recognized someone. What a blessing. This man and his wife were good friends of Nancy's, and though he didn't know why these warning lights had come on, he told her it was probably a computer glitch. He agreed to follow her to my house and then on to her house. Driving to my home, there was nothing happening with the car - no shimmying, no smoke, no rattles. Nothing. She'll take it in for service on Monday. So, that's two nights in a row that I have been with someone with a car issue. Is it me? I don't think so.

Progress

Nels has discovered how to get to the top perch! I watched him use his paws to grab hold of the side of it and pull himself up. He looks so cozy there. He really likes his new digs!

A Treat for the Eyes and Nose

Today my friend Laurey and I went to downtown Minneapolis for the annual flower show at Macy's (it will always be Dayton's to me!). This year's theme was Towers of Flowers. As soon as we got off the elevator of the 8th floor we could smell the beautiful scents. Wonderful!

There were flowering cherry trees, tulips, daffodils, orchids, amaryllis, azaleas, cyclamen, hyacinths, freesia, hydrangea, peonies, magnolia, rhododendron, roses, and more. Many of these were accenting towering shapes - including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower, and others that looked Italian to me.

New Cat Tower for Nels

I wouldn't have considered a piece of furniture for my new cat, Nels, but a co-worker had nothing but praise for the one she has had for her feline friends. A couple of weeks ago I decided to check it out. Both then and last Saturday with Aurelia, I looked at many models and tried to imagine how it would work in my home. The more I thought about it, I thought it just might be the answer in keeping him off my dining room table and trying to climb my plantation blinds. Last Saturday I decided on one model, but had to figure out a way to get it home.

"Do these come unassembled?" Some do, but they are the cheap ones with a scratching post and flat ledge at the top. That wasn't what I had in mind. I wanted a place where Nels would want to curl up and take a nap, or lie down to stare out the window. I pondered it and decided to ask a friend to help me, since she has a bigger car than I. This afternoon we went to the store and looked at all the options. We measured the one I wanted and then measured the interior of her car. Yes. It would just fit.

Once home, I put it in front of the French door and immediately Nels started sniffing it; reached up to the rope-covered post and began scratching. Then he hopped up to the first level. GREAT! He knows what it's for! I lifted him up to the top level and he curled up in it and looked at us - at eye level. This is exactly what I wanted. He bounded down and sniffed here and there, and jumped up again. I think he's pleased with his new piece of furniture. I know I am.

I just peaked out of the cottage and sure enough - he's sitting in his new lounge.