Old Quilting Bee Photos

 I had a bunch of old photos to take to Mom for her to look at.  We got them kinda sorted out.  

If you were married 25 years "The Aunts" used to send out instructions for a cotton quilt square with embroidery on it that included your name.   Then they would get together and sew the top together and have a quilting bee. 

This was my parents quilt, Mom said they got it when they were married about 35 years...because they had lots of catching up to do when they started the project.

The "Quilting Bee" was held at my cousin Art and Kathy's home on the lake. 

Mom still has her quilt, I packed it at her apartment and it went to storage. 

You can see the squares were all different pastel colors of cotton material....each design unique. 

Far Guy and I have two quilts...two double size quilts because by the time our anniversary rolled around I had many cousins participating!

It was a great family tradition.  Many thanks to the Aunts that started the tradition! 

Far Side

Wistful Wednesday : In Laws

I ran onto an old photo yesterday.  Taken 1976… There was a family gathering in the summer.  My Aunt who used to live in Washington was home for a visit and almost the entire family gathered for a picnic at my parents resort.

The In Laws in my Dad’s family.  My Grandfather with his son and daughter in laws.

Most are gone..but there are a few left.

Back Row: Aunt Violet, Aunt Lila, Uncle Stanley, Uncle Otto, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Grace

Front Row: Aunt Jenny, Aunt Senia, My Grandfather, My Mother Madeline, Aunt Mia

There were two Aunts missing from the photo: Aunt Joan and Aunt Eleanor.

Those still with us are Aunt Lila, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Grace and My Mother.

One by one this generation is leaving us behind.

When I look at this group..I remember mostly..bingo, hunting, apple strudel, black coffee, flat bread, chicken and dumplings, cookies of all shapes and sizes..and from my Grandfather the smell of moth balls on his wool clothing and the taste of the pink peppermint candies that he used to carry in his pocket…good memories all:)

Aunt Violet

I saw Aunt Violet a few weeks ago at the family picnic.  She was looking painfully thin and frail.  Last Friday morning she gave up the fight in this world and died.

She made the best dumplings you have ever tasted.  I loved visiting their house when she was making dumplings.

She was an awesome woodworker and woodcarver.  Far Guy and I took a woodcarving class with her one winter.  She went on to carve a Merry Go Round horse for each of her children.

When she lived nearby, I would stop by and visit. One day I stopped by and she said “Come on in, but you can’t stay long, I have Widows Club today here at my house.”  Not wanting to upset her preparations I had a quick cup of coffee and was on my way.  “Widows Club” was formed by a bunch of women who were all widowed, they took turns cooking lunch and hosting the group.  They met once a month.  It was a highlight of the month for many of the widowed women in our area.

Her four children will miss her,  her sisters will miss her, and all those Grandkids and Great Grands…

 

My Uncle Ervin, Aunt Violet and my cousin Geraldine in 1951.

Aunt Violet and my cousin Hilda in April of 1951.

The funeral is Monday, there will be a sermon about grace and about how we are all saved by grace through faith.  There will be a trip out to the cemetery high on the hill. Afterwards there will be a lunch with Finnish flatbread and sliced meats and cheese and a hotdish and Jello salads of every color of the rainbow and all kind of cakes and bars and coffee:)