V is for Vintage

Vintage :

• a period of origin or manufacture
• a collection of contemporaneous* and similar persons or things
• *existing, occurring, or originating during the same time

I think "vintage" is a fun word.  It has replaced the word antique. That would make antique antiquated (hee hee).
I also like the word vintage because it gives  value to the things I love.

Vintage bowls.  There has been a lot of collections of Pyrex.  Mostly Pyrex with color.  I have a couple of those pieces.  What I love is the white Fire King bowls.  They just seem so clean and fresh.  Vintage cooking accessories. A sifter, a glass measuring jar, melon baller. Things that were found in my Grandmother's kitchen.

Vintage glassware.  Bowls, pitchers, refrigerator containers, candy jars, storage jars.  My Mom has always used these beautiful things.

And my dirty little secret.....
Vintage sewing supplies.  Ribbon, zippers, bindings, thread.....and my buttons.  I have a lot of buttons.  Most of them are still on their original cards.  They are beautiful!!

U is for Unglued

Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst



This is one of those books you find when you are not looking for it.  Or was I???

"Making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions".  That phrase got me first.  How many times I have wished I did not wear my heart on my sleeve, I was not so reactive, I didn't lose control.

As I started reading this book I was relieved to find a comrade.   Lysa described situations and reactions I was all to familiar with.  She also described that shame that came after becoming "unglued".  This was not like other self improvement books I have read previously.  

Lysa's website has this description:

Filled with personal examples and Biblical teaching,
Unglued will equip you to:

• Know with confidence how to resolve conflict in your
  important relationships.
• Find peace in your most difficult relationships as you learn to be
  honest but kind when offended.
• Identify what type of reactor you are and how to significantly
  improve your communication.
• Respond with no regrets by managing your tendencies to stuff,
  explode or react somewhere in between.
• Gain a deep sense of calm by responding to situations out of your control
  without acting out of control.

 The most surprising aspect of this book is that she shows you how to use your faith to manage challenging interactions. It was in no way "preachy".  This is the the most influential book I have read in a long time.  It has helped me find peace in dealing with difficult situation.

T is for Tomato

Tomato:  the usually large rounded typically red or yellow pulpy berry of an herb (genus Lycopersicon) of the nightshade family native to South America

I am anxiously waiting for the snow to thaw and uncover my raised garden beds.  I am ready to add new black dirt and screened compost.  I want to get tomato plants in the ground and flourishing.  

There is few things better than summer tomatoes.  Bright red, juicy.  Thick slices.  You just cannot find them in the local grocery.  They have to be homegrown.  Vine ripened. 

We will be sure to plant some cherry tomatoes.  A treat to nibble on as we pass by the garden.  The kids inhale them almost as fast as they ripen.

Bring on the sunshine and melt the last of the snow.  Warm my dirt so I can get to growing these red orbs of yumminess!!!

S is for Sughroue

The Sughroue Cousins picnic is a gathering of the ancestors of Barbara and Edward Sughroue.  My Mom's paternal Grandparents.

Edward Sughroue was born February 14,1871 to Timothy Sughroue and Alice Doran in Riddot, Illinois.  Barbara Margaret Tines was born October 28th 1875 to John Tines and Anna Karp in Winfield, Illinois.  
Barbara moved to Red Willow County in 1886 at the age of 11.  Edward moved to Red Willow County in Nebraska in the fall of 1892 at the age of 21.  I love the story that Great-Grandpa Edward was a handsome school teacher and Barbara, who was the bell of the county only had eyes for him.  She said that her silent prayer was that their cattle would stray off to his place so they could become acquainted and that they must have listened because that is where she found them.
Barbara and Edward were married May 1 1895 in Indianola, NE.
They had 11 children.  One child died in infancy. 

 

 

This is the Sughroue kids at Tim and Alice's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  My handsome Grandfather is on the far left with my beautiful Grandmother, Esther by his side.

The Sughroue Picnic was started by those 10 children of Barbara and Edward.  It happens in Indianola on the 3rd weekend in August every year.  It is hosted by the surviving families of the children.  It is a wonderful day of family and laughter.  It is where we love and hug each other.  We are known as "kissing cousins" because we aren't afraid to show our affection for one another. 
We start the weekend with pizza at the Rocket on Friday night. 

The Old Settlers parade and festivities on Saturday.  My immediate family sneaks over to Mac's Drive-In in nearby McCook where my Dad grew up. 

 

 

 

Then we will wonder over the sandpits....just past the corner of Blarney and Snicklefritz.  For a paddle boat ride.            

 

 

 

 

The last picnic that I was able to attend was in 2011. 

 

 

 

 

It was especially wonderful as it was the last one I was able to attend with my brother who died the next summer.

He gave my kids a wonderful trip through his favorite places and spaces he visited with our Grandpa.  He passed down to them some wonderful memories.

We will be there this year.  Continuing to build memories, remember past picnics and kissing lots of cousins!!

 

                                             

  

 

 

 



 


 

 

R is for Ravelry

Ravelry is a "community site, an organizational tool, and a yarn & pattern database for knitters and crocheters".

I spend more time on Ravelry than any other Internet site.  I have gotten so much information from the site.  I never knew there was so many yarn options available.  You can find a pattern for anything!  I am not sure that I will ever work my way through the 1,286 patterns in my library, but I enjoy looking at them over and over. 

 

Q is for Queue

The Queue on my Ravelry page taunts me, always reminding me there is another thing I want to knit.....

#1
Color Affection
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection
#2
Flanders Scarf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flanders-scarf
#3
Trellis Scarf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trellis-scarf-6
#4
Guernsey Wrap
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/guernsey-wrap
#5
The Beekeepers Quilt
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-beekeepers-quilt
#6
Cobblestone Trenchcoat
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cobblestone-trenchcoat


No pressure.....I just cannot wait to get all of these done!!

P is for Peony

Peony-

: any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae) of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers

: the flower of a peony

 

The peony is my favorite early summer flower. The peony is a classic flower.  Something you would have found in my Grandmother's garden.  I got peony transplants from a friend in 2008.  I waited patiently for 3 years for them to bloom.  I was giddy in June of 2011 when they bloomed for the first time.  They were everything I hoped for.  They have gotten better each summer since.  I am hopeful that once this winter is finally over.....I will be rewarded with these beautiful blooms.

Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul. ~The Koran