Storytellers

My Dad's parents came from Sweden and like all good Swedes, changed their name to Carlson. They had 4 children with my Dad being the youngest. When Dad was two, his mother died.

Not knowing how to care for his 4 young children, my Grandfather gave them to family members. Two of my Aunts stayed in the Corning, NY area and my Dad and his sister (next to the youngest) were given to a couple in the Jamestown area, about 150 miles away.


Mary and Aaron were cousins, who had remained childless after several years of marriage. They were more than happy to be blessed with a son and a daughter.

Without any legal documentation, they changed the children's last name to theirs and raised them as their own. My Aunt used to speak about their real father so they did know him to some extent when they were older.


What amazes me is that the sisters and brother never lost touch. One of the older girls parents didn't want her to have contact with her sister but since they lived in the same area they remained close. My brother and I were fortunate to know and spend time with our Aunts after our father passed away when we were 4 and 6. Our Aunts could have told us a lot about our heritage but we saw them the most when we were young and didn't care. The 2 Aunts that lived the longest both had Alzheimer's by the time we cared to ask questions.

I didn't know any of my Grandparents on my Fathers side but do know that his Mother lived in the same home as my Mom and Dad until she died. i also remember visit a couple Great Aunts that lived in our area but I'm really not sure how we were related. One Aunt was supposed to be able to tell the future to some extent. She always said she knew we were coming. She was a tiny woman that wore long skirts and work boots. She lived on a farm with her son

Luckily, we had great Grandparents on my Mom's side of the family. All the sisters are gone now but I do keep in touch with some cousins. I got most of these pictures from my Aunt's family after she passed away and I treasure them.
Stop over to Shannon's and read about a Gator Farm and other stories.

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

I accidently forgot to change the date so this post is up really early! I don't know how to take it off so I guess you have a jump start on Bloomin' Tuesday this week! Today I'm going to show you a garden from the Secret Garden Tour this summer.

This home had a huge yard and several large garden areas and grassy areas. They had also made paths thru the woods beyond the yard.

This bed was along the long driveway. She had several hosta plants dispersed among the other plants.

This raised bed directly behind the house was my favorite. I love the plants hanging over the stone wall and the stone walkway leading to the trellis.

There is a wonderful assortment of blooming and non blooming plants, making interesting texture and color throughout.

I know this garden has been growing several years because we saw it in another garden tour years ago. There is beauty and interest all the way around this garden and the plants are all huge.

I must admit, I am so tempted to tear out my middle garden and put in a raised, large bed. I'm telling myself it would be way too much work and many years until it would be as beautiful as this one. We'll see what spring brings since I already have some projects planned. How about you, do you have spring plans yet?

If you would like to join our tour, just add your name, state and permalink to Mr. Linky below. Please, post a link to this post on your blog.

Do you have a picture of a garden you would love to copy? I would love to see it or hear about your plans for spring.

Happy Bloomin' Tuesday!

My Little Red Wagon

This will definitely bring back memories and make you smile!

Click on;

My 'Little' Red Wagon!

Trees

I am fascinated the way that tree roots will grow above ground and still support the tree.

Crossed legs.

Reaching out.

Connecting.

Entwined.

Circle of friends.

Curvature.

Straightened out

Split.

Nice Surprise!

I was very excited to see the front of my house all painted when I got home on Monday! There is still a little to do on one side and the whole back needs done but at least it looks better.

On Tuesday I put out some fall decorations and yesterday I washed the windows. Can you see how they sparkle?

The dark green is very close to the original color. I did change to cream, instead of beige and the burgundy is redder than before. The other color faded to almost mauve and I didn't like it.

It's scary to pick colors for a huge house but I'm very happy with my choices. What do you think?.

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Tonight's Bloomin' Tuesday post is going to be short and sweet. We had a great weekend camping. I finally got in the shower around 6 after putting everything away and I'm exhausted.

We've had beautiful weather and I was excited to see my new Anemone was open when I got home. It's a little pinker than the picture shows. Love it!

The mums I bought this year are open now, also.

The wagon is still blooming so I just set the mums around it.

I have three planted mums that come back. This is the first to bloom this year. The others have lots of buds so I'm hoping the weather holds so they bloom. There was a frost at camp one night but none here so far.

A few volunteers from the bird feeder on the deck. I actually had a spot about 1 and a half feet around that was full of sunflower sprouts. Jerzie was a little upset that I got rid of them but there was supposed to be grass there.

I don't have any perennial asters but the wild garden has several wild ones here and there.

I love that the peony tree has such pretty fall color.

No way it can beat out the burning bush this year tho.

I don't think I've ever seen it so red and full of berries.

That's the extent of the fall color around my garden. I'd love to see what's colorful in yours. Just add your name, state and permalink to Mr Linky and add a link to this post on your blog. Since I did a lot of walking over the weekend, I'm looking forward to a virtual walk around your garden.

October's Party!

October gave a party;The leaves by hundreds came

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,Professor Wind the band.~

George Cooper

We're off on our fall camping trip! See you on Bloomin' Tuesday.

Bread-The Budget Balancer!

Years ago I made sweet rolls from scratch. I got the recipe in a tiny cookbook from Occident Flour of my Moms. I loaned the book to a friend and never got it back. Over the years I have tried other recipes but they just weren't as good. I was at a really grungy household sale the other day and noticed a pile of old cookbooks. I never look at cookbooks and they are at every sale. At that moment, for some reason, I thought of those sweet rolls. (My Brother says it was my Mom) I took a couple books off the pile and there it was!

My little Occident Flour cookbook! I searched but can't find a date on the book.

These tiny bakers are Tastie, Eazie and Speedie.

A word to younger wives about bread.


The recipe and instructions for 13 different rolls made from the same dough. If you click on the pictures you should be able to read the pages.

I could hardly wait to try the recipe. Sunday was a cold and rainy day, perfect for baking. The dough rose over the top of this bowl.

I got 4 dozen sweet rolls. I shared a few with some neighbors and put some in the freezer for our camping trip.

Of course, that was after I sampled one hot from the oven. They were as delicious as I remember! That was probably the best quarter I ever spent!

Sweet Rolls

8 cups flour

1 cup milk

1 1/2 cups water

3 pkgs yeast

1/2 cup sugar

4 tsp.salt (I used about half)

2 eggs

1/4 cup shortening (I used veg. oil)

Disolve yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Scald milk. Add remainder of water and salt and cool until lukewarm. To this add disolved yeast and sugar and 2 slightly beaten eggs. Add half the flour and beat thoroughly. Add melted shortening. (or oil) Add remainded of flour gradually and beat thoroughly after each addition. Turn onto lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm place until double in bulk, about 1 3/4 hours. Punch down. Let stand 30 minutes.

Roll dough into a rectangular sheet 8x12 and about 1/4 inch thick. Spread 2 Tbsp. melted butter and 1/4 cup brown (or white) sugar. mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon. Shape into jelly roll. Cut in 3/4 inch slices and place cut side down on greased cookie sheet. (The directions say to use muffin tins but I didn't). Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 min.

Storytellers

For over 30 years my cousins and my family have gone to Allegheny State Park on Columbus Day for a picnic. We always went, rain or shine, or even sometimes snow! We would bring tons of food and kids friends. We built a huge fire in a pavilion fireplace to keep us and the food warm but it also dried clothes that some how got wet in the creek.

A lot of my cousin's kids moved away but my kids kept coming as adults.
A few years ago we decided to stay for the weekend, something we had talked about for years.

The first year we rented 1 cabin for 5 adults, a baby and a rottweiler. The next year we got 2 cabins!

Because of the cold and the girls we now get cabins with electricity. We are leaving on Friday.

We always walk the creek on Columbus Day and have our picnic at the same pavilion.

This pic is Jerzie with Uncle Chris and Daddy.

We look forward to this weekend all year. So many of our family traditions have had to end but we intend to keep this one going for ever!

To read more Storyteller stories stop over Shannon's place.

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Welcome!
Since I have showed you all the blooms I have and my garden mums haven't bloomed yet, I'm going to show you some pictures of other gardens in the Secret Garden Tour this year. Some of you have asked and I'm going to keep this party going thru November. If enough of you want to start up again after Christmas, I will.

Today I'm showing some random water features/ bird baths in the gardens. I'm not sure myself what all the blooms are but I'm willing to try if you have any questions.

This green almost blends with the plantings but it adds a little shine and texture to this area, especially when the sun shines.

I like the patina of this pottery looking bath. The tall astilbe behind it and the shorter plantings in front help show off the beautiful base.

This one is very simple yet substantial. A wonderful focal point when many of the blooms are spent or when placed with nonflowering plants..

This feature was near the front entrance and probably 4 feet tall. Very dramatic!

This one has to be my favorite. It looks almost natural but you know it can't be. It really makes you think about how the top piece can balance there.

These all show how much garden art can enhance your garden and make it interesting even when there are few flowers blooming.
Come on and join our party! Everyone is welcome. We don't care if you grow the flowers or just love taking pictures of them. To join, add your name, state and permalink to Mr Linky. Please remember to add a link to this post on your blog so your followers can join the fun too.

Now show us your bloomers!