This has been a pretty nice week, and since it's the last day of the month, I figured I would squeeze one more entry in here.
Wednesday was a really fun day. We went over to the Clark's house for dinner. It was a make-it-yourself taco/burrito dinner. They also had another family over --- they also go to our church. It was nice to be able to meet people from church that way, since we've only just started going there and don't know anybody very well. We were there for four hours and talking the whole time. It was so loud that Dad and Elizabeth were actually a little bit hoarse the next day.
I got to play with Sarah's little boy, Bo (short for Boaz), for a long time. He's about twenty months old, so we played with a Thomas the Tank engine. We tried to read a book, but it was all in Spanish --- and since my spanish was only good enough for a rough translation, Bo thought that it was a little boring. The moth that flew in the window and flitted around the room was tons more fun. In his little boy mind, anyway.
We've been able to go to a couple more cemeteries this week, but I don't have any pictures to post here. Imagine, all I took were the grave stones! Not sure what we're doing today, but probably something fun. It's all grey and cold here. We had awful storms last night and the tornado sirens in town were blaring. Can't wait for church tomorrow. The pastor and his wife are in Thailand, so Mr. Clark is preaching. He's always good. We're going to the Keultjes's house for Easter. Hooray! Can't wait for that. More later.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
A Testimony of a Really Great Salesman
We had regular Summer weather all last week, so we took a couple of days and went out to a few more cemeteries. On Thursday, we decided to go to one in Belle Center --- which is just North of Bellfontaine. We looked it up on MapQuest, and it was only an hour and forty-five minutes from the house. Not bad. Well, actually . . . it was over two hours, really. I guess that's what happens when you actually trust those online directions! :) Still, it was a nice day for a drive, and Elizabeth had wanted to go out there for ages. There is a WWII gunner buried out there, and she really wanted to see his grave.
We took over 350 pictures and were there over two and a half hours. In fact, it was so warm and sunny that I got a pretty bad case of sunburn! I was still pink yesterday. Ugh. Anyway, this cemetery was a real testimony to a fabulous salesman. I don't know his name, but he obviously represented a monument company that made grave stones in the shape of trees and tree stumps. There must have been over thirty varieties actually in the cemetery. These pictures are a sampling of the different types that were there. We've seen a few like these before, but usually one (maybe two) in any given cemetery.
We had a great weekend. Spent Saturday around here. On Sunday, there was a potluck after church and communion. It was really nice, and we got a chance to really visit with Sarah. She also made really great macaroni and cheese --- which was swell! We spent the afternoon resting and doing "whatever". Stan Hywet opens for the season in six days! We're really looking forward to going up there again. More later.
We took over 350 pictures and were there over two and a half hours. In fact, it was so warm and sunny that I got a pretty bad case of sunburn! I was still pink yesterday. Ugh. Anyway, this cemetery was a real testimony to a fabulous salesman. I don't know his name, but he obviously represented a monument company that made grave stones in the shape of trees and tree stumps. There must have been over thirty varieties actually in the cemetery. These pictures are a sampling of the different types that were there. We've seen a few like these before, but usually one (maybe two) in any given cemetery.
We had a great weekend. Spent Saturday around here. On Sunday, there was a potluck after church and communion. It was really nice, and we got a chance to really visit with Sarah. She also made really great macaroni and cheese --- which was swell! We spent the afternoon resting and doing "whatever". Stan Hywet opens for the season in six days! We're really looking forward to going up there again. More later.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Family Day Out on the Weekend
We decided to have a fun family day out this weekend. We thought about going to the Cleveland Art Museum, but it was awfully nice weather, so we went up to the South side of Cleveland to two cemeteries where some of Mom's family is buried. Elizabeth has been wanting to go up to the cemetery at North Olmstead for ages to take a picture. Mom's great-uncle, J.D., is buried up there, and he's kind of a pet family member to Elizabeth. He was in the army right after WWII (part of the occupation forces) and brought a German bride home with him.
Driving up there, we actually got stopped at the railroad tracks for a train to pass by! Hooray! I just love trains, and we don't have them around our place anymore. We were even the first car in the lane, so I was able to lean out the window and get some pictures. The cemetery itself is made to serve as a burial grounds and a park at the same time, since it's in the city. All of the stones are the flat-in-the-ground kind, and there are trees and flowers around. Lots of grassy areas, too. These are actually the first flower pictures I've gotten --- and it's fitting to post them on the first day of Spring!
Dad had his new "fishing" camera to test out, so he and I were goofing off taking pictures of each other. This one actually turned out to look just like him. (Notice the "Live to Fish" slogan on the t-shirt.) And, while we're at it, might as well take some of us riding in the car. Dad and Elizabeth were in the back seat --- complete with St. Patrick's Day shamrock badge! I never have pictures of myself, since I'm always the one with the camera, so here's a shot of my reflection in the rear-view mirror --- which needs a good scrubbing. Mom was driving and her picture turned out blurry. Boo hoo. :(
We took a brief lunch break before heading to the second cemetery. This is called Woodvale, and it is where our gg-grandparents and ggg-grandparents are buried. There are also quite a few aunts and uncles there as well. One of the stones in particular is really wearing away (has been for years), so we spent some time reading it with tin foil. Amazingly, we were able to decipher the whole thing! This is Mom, Pop and Elizabeth working at it. The last picture here is of the area of the cemetery where all of the family is buried. I thought it was really cool how close they all are, so the arrows identify the different family plots.
That's about it for now. It's supposed to reach about 80'F today, so we're thinking of going somewhere, just to get the sunshine. We'll see, though. More later.
Driving up there, we actually got stopped at the railroad tracks for a train to pass by! Hooray! I just love trains, and we don't have them around our place anymore. We were even the first car in the lane, so I was able to lean out the window and get some pictures. The cemetery itself is made to serve as a burial grounds and a park at the same time, since it's in the city. All of the stones are the flat-in-the-ground kind, and there are trees and flowers around. Lots of grassy areas, too. These are actually the first flower pictures I've gotten --- and it's fitting to post them on the first day of Spring!
Dad had his new "fishing" camera to test out, so he and I were goofing off taking pictures of each other. This one actually turned out to look just like him. (Notice the "Live to Fish" slogan on the t-shirt.) And, while we're at it, might as well take some of us riding in the car. Dad and Elizabeth were in the back seat --- complete with St. Patrick's Day shamrock badge! I never have pictures of myself, since I'm always the one with the camera, so here's a shot of my reflection in the rear-view mirror --- which needs a good scrubbing. Mom was driving and her picture turned out blurry. Boo hoo. :(
We took a brief lunch break before heading to the second cemetery. This is called Woodvale, and it is where our gg-grandparents and ggg-grandparents are buried. There are also quite a few aunts and uncles there as well. One of the stones in particular is really wearing away (has been for years), so we spent some time reading it with tin foil. Amazingly, we were able to decipher the whole thing! This is Mom, Pop and Elizabeth working at it. The last picture here is of the area of the cemetery where all of the family is buried. I thought it was really cool how close they all are, so the arrows identify the different family plots.
That's about it for now. It's supposed to reach about 80'F today, so we're thinking of going somewhere, just to get the sunshine. We'll see, though. More later.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Erin Go Bragh! Today's St. Patrick's Day. Ireland. Shamrocks. Leprechauns. Pots of gold. So, Elizabeth and I have put up a few decorations, and we're eating "green" food in celebration! Salad for lunch and broccoli soup for dinner.
We just finished putting up the decorations in the TV room upstairs. To the strains of opera (sung by Joan Sutherland and various others), Elizabeth made a really cute leprechaun poster. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but I like it so well, that it has a picture all to itself:
Oliver got in on the fun, too, but he wasn't much help. It's like a May day out today, so Dad spent the morning working on outside stuff. Like cleaning the lawn mower deck and getting the push mower ready. Can't believe that time of year is almost here already. I actually hung my first load of sheets out for the season! More later.
We just finished putting up the decorations in the TV room upstairs. To the strains of opera (sung by Joan Sutherland and various others), Elizabeth made a really cute leprechaun poster. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but I like it so well, that it has a picture all to itself:
Oliver got in on the fun, too, but he wasn't much help. It's like a May day out today, so Dad spent the morning working on outside stuff. Like cleaning the lawn mower deck and getting the push mower ready. Can't believe that time of year is almost here already. I actually hung my first load of sheets out for the season! More later.
Friday, March 16, 2012
So Happy That I'm Dreaming About It
Dreams are a funny thing. I used to have them when I was little, but most of them I could do without, except that when I was really little I would have one about a "Ballerina Cake". It was a beautiful tiered cake with dancing ballerinas all over it. Silly, but after more than fifteen years, I can still remember it.
Well, I don't dream much anymore --- usually only if I'm really tired, and then it's just a continuation of the day and nothing bothersome. Sometimes, if I'm really happy, it's about felting! Last night was a different story, though. A few months ago, I used Mom's RootsWeb account to post a request on their Cornwall, England forum. Would some kind somebody please go out to the Church at St. Germans and look around to see if anything was left of the old Eliot family grave? Specifically, was there any chance that there could be a marker left to Edward James Eliot (my pet member of the Clapham Sect)?
Last week, someone was kind enough to answer. They were going to St. Germans this week and would be glad to take a look, could I supply anymore information that might help them with the whereabouts of the family vault. I didn't know much, but I gave them what I could and we exchanged e-mail addresses. Great. They told me that they had been there before, and not to get my hopes up as the cemetery has been razed a couple times to be incorporated into the gardens at Port Eliot. That's fine. I really didn't have any hopes, because I was pretty sure that there wouldn't be anything left.
Then, I get an e-mail yesterday afternoon with four pictures. They found it!!! Not only was something left, but the whole family plot is still there! They said that there is a line of the stone markers in the ground, but that they are in really poor condition. These are in front of or behind the actual family grave which is the picture above. This must be over the actual vault, as that is where E.J. Eliot was buried --- in the family vault.
So, they are going to be sending me some more pictures later, but I thought that I should post some now as I am just so excited! The first picture above is a memorial plaque inside the church at St. Germans to Edward Craggs-Eliot and his wife, Catherine Elliston. The picture at left is of one of the stone markers in the family plot and belongs to the same couple. They died in 1804 --- just six days apart from each other.
This isn't exactly a typical blog post, but I'm so excited that I had to write about it! I mean, I was actually dreaming about it last night. :) We've had a pretty nice week so far and looking forward to nice weather on the weekend, hopefully. It's been reaching the sixties and up to seventy and supposed to stay for the next week or so. Stan Hywet Hall opens in sixteen days! Can't wait.
More later.
Well, I don't dream much anymore --- usually only if I'm really tired, and then it's just a continuation of the day and nothing bothersome. Sometimes, if I'm really happy, it's about felting! Last night was a different story, though. A few months ago, I used Mom's RootsWeb account to post a request on their Cornwall, England forum. Would some kind somebody please go out to the Church at St. Germans and look around to see if anything was left of the old Eliot family grave? Specifically, was there any chance that there could be a marker left to Edward James Eliot (my pet member of the Clapham Sect)?
Last week, someone was kind enough to answer. They were going to St. Germans this week and would be glad to take a look, could I supply anymore information that might help them with the whereabouts of the family vault. I didn't know much, but I gave them what I could and we exchanged e-mail addresses. Great. They told me that they had been there before, and not to get my hopes up as the cemetery has been razed a couple times to be incorporated into the gardens at Port Eliot. That's fine. I really didn't have any hopes, because I was pretty sure that there wouldn't be anything left.
Then, I get an e-mail yesterday afternoon with four pictures. They found it!!! Not only was something left, but the whole family plot is still there! They said that there is a line of the stone markers in the ground, but that they are in really poor condition. These are in front of or behind the actual family grave which is the picture above. This must be over the actual vault, as that is where E.J. Eliot was buried --- in the family vault.
So, they are going to be sending me some more pictures later, but I thought that I should post some now as I am just so excited! The first picture above is a memorial plaque inside the church at St. Germans to Edward Craggs-Eliot and his wife, Catherine Elliston. The picture at left is of one of the stone markers in the family plot and belongs to the same couple. They died in 1804 --- just six days apart from each other.This isn't exactly a typical blog post, but I'm so excited that I had to write about it! I mean, I was actually dreaming about it last night. :) We've had a pretty nice week so far and looking forward to nice weather on the weekend, hopefully. It's been reaching the sixties and up to seventy and supposed to stay for the next week or so. Stan Hywet Hall opens in sixteen days! Can't wait.
More later.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The Taste of Summer
It doesn't seem quite right, but we actually had strawberry shortcake the other night! In March! Florida-grown strawberries hit the stores this week at $1.00 a pound, so we bought some and had them for dessert. I came home and made some sweetened biscuits, and Mom made homemade whipped cream. Delicious. Scrumptious.
And --- I actually remembered to take photos along the way, too! First are the strawberries sliced and ready. Second is the whipped cream, third is the strawberry-topped biscuit and finally, the finished product!
We're set for a record-breaking week of temperatures. Apparently, anyway, so we'll see. It's supposed to be 25-30'F above the average with highs in the upper sixties and lows in the fifties. Elizabeth is hoping for a week of staying home, as she's trying to finish getting all of the books and bookshelves dusted. We saw a fun movie last night: My Wild Irish Rose. It stars Dennis Morgan as Chauncey Olcott who was the first man known as an "Irish Tenor". I'll have to post more about that in another entry. More later.
And --- I actually remembered to take photos along the way, too! First are the strawberries sliced and ready. Second is the whipped cream, third is the strawberry-topped biscuit and finally, the finished product!
We're set for a record-breaking week of temperatures. Apparently, anyway, so we'll see. It's supposed to be 25-30'F above the average with highs in the upper sixties and lows in the fifties. Elizabeth is hoping for a week of staying home, as she's trying to finish getting all of the books and bookshelves dusted. We saw a fun movie last night: My Wild Irish Rose. It stars Dennis Morgan as Chauncey Olcott who was the first man known as an "Irish Tenor". I'll have to post more about that in another entry. More later.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Stan Hywet Home Movies and More
It's Tuesday already, and I haven't posted anything about the weekend. So, here's a little catching up ---
The weather, according to Weather.com, was supposed to be sunny and forty all day on Saturday. Actually, it was having trouble staying around thirty-two and there were snow flurries and cloudy skies all day. So much for the weather men. We got up early and got out of the house as soon as we could and headed up to North Canton. This was the weekend for the McKinley Stamp Show, which is one of our favorites, so we headed up there. I still haven't gotten to put any of the stamps that I got at the National Stamp Show (last August) into my collection, as I'm still saving up for those new binders. That meant that I really didn't need any stamps this time, so Elizabeth and I have fun browsing through post cards. She's on the lookout for a card of the "Wonder Bread Building" at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933/34. Didn't find one, but she did find a couple really cute St. Patrick's Day cards!
After about an hour and a half of that, we left Pop there and the three of us girls headed up to Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. That is only about twenty-five minutes from the stamp show and not a bad drive at all. There was a "Members Only" event where they were showing one hour of home movies from the Seiberling family. Not only that, but three of the Seiberling granddaughters were there reminiscing as the movie played. It started with film of Irene Seiberling's wedding on Christmas Day 1923. Wow! That was just beautiful film, and definitely our favorite part. They used Christmas decorations instead of wedding things and everything! One of the granddaughters was actually Irene's daughter, too. They all had some really cool stories and it was neat to hear them talk about Stan Hywet as an actual house and not a museum. The house doesn't open up for tours until April --- Elizabeth and I can't wait.
(Stan Hywet as it looked when we went last Summer.)
So, we headed back to the Stamp Show to pick Pop up before they closed. Then we headed home. On Sunday we went to church with some friends and we all really enjoyed that. It's a great little church, and after two years of trying all different ones in the area it looks like we might land here for a while. Yay!
Well, that's all for now. Not much going on here and the weather is cold, so we're sticking around. All of the tulips and daffodils are starting to come up, though! More later.
The weather, according to Weather.com, was supposed to be sunny and forty all day on Saturday. Actually, it was having trouble staying around thirty-two and there were snow flurries and cloudy skies all day. So much for the weather men. We got up early and got out of the house as soon as we could and headed up to North Canton. This was the weekend for the McKinley Stamp Show, which is one of our favorites, so we headed up there. I still haven't gotten to put any of the stamps that I got at the National Stamp Show (last August) into my collection, as I'm still saving up for those new binders. That meant that I really didn't need any stamps this time, so Elizabeth and I have fun browsing through post cards. She's on the lookout for a card of the "Wonder Bread Building" at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933/34. Didn't find one, but she did find a couple really cute St. Patrick's Day cards!
After about an hour and a half of that, we left Pop there and the three of us girls headed up to Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. That is only about twenty-five minutes from the stamp show and not a bad drive at all. There was a "Members Only" event where they were showing one hour of home movies from the Seiberling family. Not only that, but three of the Seiberling granddaughters were there reminiscing as the movie played. It started with film of Irene Seiberling's wedding on Christmas Day 1923. Wow! That was just beautiful film, and definitely our favorite part. They used Christmas decorations instead of wedding things and everything! One of the granddaughters was actually Irene's daughter, too. They all had some really cool stories and it was neat to hear them talk about Stan Hywet as an actual house and not a museum. The house doesn't open up for tours until April --- Elizabeth and I can't wait.
(Stan Hywet as it looked when we went last Summer.)Well, that's all for now. Not much going on here and the weather is cold, so we're sticking around. All of the tulips and daffodils are starting to come up, though! More later.
Monday, March 5, 2012
A Needle Felted Indian Brave
Finally, I've finished another wool needle-felted doll! I didn't do much felting last Fall, so it's been over five months since I finished one of these little dollies. I had decided to make a sitting doll, which would be a kind of fun experience and totally different. So, it would be really cute to make an American Indian sitting cross-legged, right?! Even more fun, lets make him doing Indian Sign Language. Here are the results.
This little Indian Brave is a "generic" Indian --- that is, he is not from any particular tribe. The problem trying to find an actual tribe was the fact that if they wore clothes on top, then there wasn't much on bottom and vice versa. So, this is the "Hollywood" style Indian as seen in the classic-era Westerns. Fully clothed, and with the typical feather!
The Brave is made of 100% Merino Wool roving that has been felted with .40 and .42 gauge needles. He stands 4-7/8" tall (seated), weighs 1.75 ounces and took approx. 45 hours to complete. His necklace is actually made from some dyed-cotton string that I braided with wood and metal beads from decoration. Mom actually had one odd hoop earring that came just like that, so all that I had to do was to substitute the wire hoop for the braided cotton. This is the first doll that I've made with jewelry! The feather is from Alex's pet Conure (whose name is 'Pita'), and has one blue-green side on it. It is held in place with a headband of leather thong.
A real Indian Brave can't just sit on the floor of his wigwam, so this little fellow has his very own Buffalo hide to sit on. It is made of 100% Buffalo fiber, which I felted into the shape of a hide, then that is sewn onto a piece of genuine leather hide (most likely a deer hide). This makes a seat that any Brave would be proud of! ;) By the way, he is signing the Indian Sign Language sign for "chief". More later.
This little Indian Brave is a "generic" Indian --- that is, he is not from any particular tribe. The problem trying to find an actual tribe was the fact that if they wore clothes on top, then there wasn't much on bottom and vice versa. So, this is the "Hollywood" style Indian as seen in the classic-era Westerns. Fully clothed, and with the typical feather!
The Brave is made of 100% Merino Wool roving that has been felted with .40 and .42 gauge needles. He stands 4-7/8" tall (seated), weighs 1.75 ounces and took approx. 45 hours to complete. His necklace is actually made from some dyed-cotton string that I braided with wood and metal beads from decoration. Mom actually had one odd hoop earring that came just like that, so all that I had to do was to substitute the wire hoop for the braided cotton. This is the first doll that I've made with jewelry! The feather is from Alex's pet Conure (whose name is 'Pita'), and has one blue-green side on it. It is held in place with a headband of leather thong.
A real Indian Brave can't just sit on the floor of his wigwam, so this little fellow has his very own Buffalo hide to sit on. It is made of 100% Buffalo fiber, which I felted into the shape of a hide, then that is sewn onto a piece of genuine leather hide (most likely a deer hide). This makes a seat that any Brave would be proud of! ;) By the way, he is signing the Indian Sign Language sign for "chief". More later.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
It's a Leap Year!
Hooray for today! It's a Leap Year. I love the date of "February 29". Mom actually has a great uncle and aunt who were married on a leap year. That would be pretty cool. :)
It's been the craziest weather ever this Winter, and you'd never know that it wasn't April already. Today was actually 61'F! We went out to Mt. Gilead yesterday to the genealogical society. Elizabeth wanted to look up some names for her "Swetland" family tree. We did a little grocery shopping and then went to eat at Pizza Hut. That was a pretty fun afternoon.
Today, we've just been hanging around. Doing some ordinary things like laundry and dusting and that stuff. The weather has been so warm that we're all dying of heat. Tonight, we're planning on watching the last of the five George Sanders "Saint" movies. We had to take a small break and spend a couple evenings watching Perry Mason shows instead, as we only got them for one week from the library. I really enjoyed The Case of the Libelous Locket. Raymond Burr was in the hospital when they filmed that one, so Michael Rennie guest-starred as the defense attorney. I love Michael Rennie --- he's a great actor with a fabulous voice.
I've been working on the latest little wool needle-felted doll. It's an Indian, American Indian that is. Have I mentioned that before? He's almost finished now, except for his head piece and a little mat to sit on. Boy, am I happy with him. Hopefully, there will be pictures of him coming soon!
Tomorrow is Dad's birthday, so we've got some plans, but they're under wraps right now. More later!
It's been the craziest weather ever this Winter, and you'd never know that it wasn't April already. Today was actually 61'F! We went out to Mt. Gilead yesterday to the genealogical society. Elizabeth wanted to look up some names for her "Swetland" family tree. We did a little grocery shopping and then went to eat at Pizza Hut. That was a pretty fun afternoon.
Today, we've just been hanging around. Doing some ordinary things like laundry and dusting and that stuff. The weather has been so warm that we're all dying of heat. Tonight, we're planning on watching the last of the five George Sanders "Saint" movies. We had to take a small break and spend a couple evenings watching Perry Mason shows instead, as we only got them for one week from the library. I really enjoyed The Case of the Libelous Locket. Raymond Burr was in the hospital when they filmed that one, so Michael Rennie guest-starred as the defense attorney. I love Michael Rennie --- he's a great actor with a fabulous voice.
I've been working on the latest little wool needle-felted doll. It's an Indian, American Indian that is. Have I mentioned that before? He's almost finished now, except for his head piece and a little mat to sit on. Boy, am I happy with him. Hopefully, there will be pictures of him coming soon!
Tomorrow is Dad's birthday, so we've got some plans, but they're under wraps right now. More later!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Goodbye to a Lovely Baby-Kin
Another of our baby-kins went to sleep today. Little Aramintie was five years and five months old. She was born in our dining room on September 29, 2006, along with two brothers, Samwise and Frodo. These three cuties are what we call "The Babies", and no cats come sweeter.
I don't usually do this, but Elizabeth wrote some really sweet stuff about her, so I've copied some of it here: She was the first of the babies of Olivia's last litter to pop into this world. She was the cutest little thing from her first appearance. She was a very dark tortie who looked so much like her mother that it was disconcerting. She had her mother's round face, her mother's buff chin, her mother's round legs, and even her mother's three buff toes on her back foot. It took us about a week to pick the perfect names for the three surviving litter-mates. We debated on Arwen and Tinkerbell before settling on Aramintie. She fit the name perfectly and acquired several nicknames over the years. Maid Mintie, The Mintie-Fish, A Baramintie-Fish, Little Mama, and Mintiekins.
Aramintie was the cutest little kitty you've ever seen. Everything about her was round. She had perfect little peppermint toes and the roundest golden eyes that could look right through you. She was a little, live stuffed animal. Cuddly, soft, round, and wonderful. She didn't like being held, but she eventually got to like it enough that she would be pushing away from you as much as she could, all the while purring like a little motor boat. She never ate wet food, only kibbles. From a baby kitten she never cared.
Her favorite toys were little fur balls, which she would
have full-blown wild-manzies with, stuffing them in her mouth as much as she could and growling away at it until she vanquished her little toy. Catnip was a wonderful thing, which made her totally nutsy, causing her to roll around the floor, going from one toy to the next. She never meowed, not even as a baby. However, she had no trouble growling. Mostly at toys while she was playing. You could here the low sound in another room. She usually played alone, and didn't require too much companionship. The other kitties, particularly the mama's babies, thought that she was there mama when she was sleeping. You would go upstairs and find Avis or Manly or Frodo cuddled up against the sleeping Mintie-Fish, and you would know that they thought she was Olivia. :o) Aramintie also loved to play with the laser toy. She would be a dark shadow zooming around the rooms after the little red dot. She was really amazingly fast and rarely ever missed it. 
Aramintie always loved another kitty to cuddle with her, although she never really sought companionship herself. Her human involvement consisted of a little frenzy every day around 2:30pm. Like clockwork, she would be at the computer chairs, stretching one paw onto your legs. Her claws were unmistakable! ;o) You would pet her, brush her, sometimes even hold her. She really was a little stuffed animal. She would sleep with her chin stuck straight out in front of her on the bed, or curled up into such a tight little upside down ball. Her favorite spots were on dirty towels in the bathroom (sometimes she would even pull a towel onto the floor so she could sleep on it), against Mom's pillow on her bed, the top story of the kitty tree house while we would be upstairs watching movies, or on the top of my piano. She was a very musical kitty, I could play my piano while she was sleeping on the top and she would care. Of course, she would stare at me through one opened eye over the top of the sheet music, but if I pretended not to notice her, she would go back to sleep. However, if I hit a wrong note, the eyes would pop open and I'd be in for more staring. Funny baby. But she didn't mind showtoons, classical, even opera, as long as it was on-key.
This morning Dad had to take her to the vet. You know, it doesn't matter how many we have or have lost, each one is so special in their own way that it really hurts to lose them. At least she won't hurt anymore. Knowing that she is waiting for us with Dee, Sydney, Caddy, Aline, and Little Joe, I still can't help crying.
Aramintie looked and felt like a little plush animal with soft, thick fur and all of her features were really found. Poor girlie, she had the same tooth disease and cancer that Aline and Little Joe died of in the last two years, and she probably never remembers a time without some problems. We've known this day would come for over a year now, but it doesn't make it any easier. She was a beautiful kitty and a fabulous pet, and God was so good to give her to us for those five and a half years. I love you, Aramintie.
Aramintie
29 Sept 2006 - 25 Feb 2012
I don't usually do this, but Elizabeth wrote some really sweet stuff about her, so I've copied some of it here: She was the first of the babies of Olivia's last litter to pop into this world. She was the cutest little thing from her first appearance. She was a very dark tortie who looked so much like her mother that it was disconcerting. She had her mother's round face, her mother's buff chin, her mother's round legs, and even her mother's three buff toes on her back foot. It took us about a week to pick the perfect names for the three surviving litter-mates. We debated on Arwen and Tinkerbell before settling on Aramintie. She fit the name perfectly and acquired several nicknames over the years. Maid Mintie, The Mintie-Fish, A Baramintie-Fish, Little Mama, and Mintiekins.
Aramintie was the cutest little kitty you've ever seen. Everything about her was round. She had perfect little peppermint toes and the roundest golden eyes that could look right through you. She was a little, live stuffed animal. Cuddly, soft, round, and wonderful. She didn't like being held, but she eventually got to like it enough that she would be pushing away from you as much as she could, all the while purring like a little motor boat. She never ate wet food, only kibbles. From a baby kitten she never cared.Her favorite toys were little fur balls, which she would
have full-blown wild-manzies with, stuffing them in her mouth as much as she could and growling away at it until she vanquished her little toy. Catnip was a wonderful thing, which made her totally nutsy, causing her to roll around the floor, going from one toy to the next. She never meowed, not even as a baby. However, she had no trouble growling. Mostly at toys while she was playing. You could here the low sound in another room. She usually played alone, and didn't require too much companionship. The other kitties, particularly the mama's babies, thought that she was there mama when she was sleeping. You would go upstairs and find Avis or Manly or Frodo cuddled up against the sleeping Mintie-Fish, and you would know that they thought she was Olivia. :o) Aramintie also loved to play with the laser toy. She would be a dark shadow zooming around the rooms after the little red dot. She was really amazingly fast and rarely ever missed it. 
Aramintie always loved another kitty to cuddle with her, although she never really sought companionship herself. Her human involvement consisted of a little frenzy every day around 2:30pm. Like clockwork, she would be at the computer chairs, stretching one paw onto your legs. Her claws were unmistakable! ;o) You would pet her, brush her, sometimes even hold her. She really was a little stuffed animal. She would sleep with her chin stuck straight out in front of her on the bed, or curled up into such a tight little upside down ball. Her favorite spots were on dirty towels in the bathroom (sometimes she would even pull a towel onto the floor so she could sleep on it), against Mom's pillow on her bed, the top story of the kitty tree house while we would be upstairs watching movies, or on the top of my piano. She was a very musical kitty, I could play my piano while she was sleeping on the top and she would care. Of course, she would stare at me through one opened eye over the top of the sheet music, but if I pretended not to notice her, she would go back to sleep. However, if I hit a wrong note, the eyes would pop open and I'd be in for more staring. Funny baby. But she didn't mind showtoons, classical, even opera, as long as it was on-key.
This morning Dad had to take her to the vet. You know, it doesn't matter how many we have or have lost, each one is so special in their own way that it really hurts to lose them. At least she won't hurt anymore. Knowing that she is waiting for us with Dee, Sydney, Caddy, Aline, and Little Joe, I still can't help crying.
Aramintie looked and felt like a little plush animal with soft, thick fur and all of her features were really found. Poor girlie, she had the same tooth disease and cancer that Aline and Little Joe died of in the last two years, and she probably never remembers a time without some problems. We've known this day would come for over a year now, but it doesn't make it any easier. She was a beautiful kitty and a fabulous pet, and God was so good to give her to us for those five and a half years. I love you, Aramintie.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Just Having Some Fun
Yesterday was just one of those fun afternoons that works out on the spur-of-the-moment. The weather yesterday morning was gorgeous, so we all had a hankering to "get out" and do something. So, we decided to see what Buddy and Kay were up to at their place. Mom and Kay have been trying to "dig up" the history of their cabin, and to do that we needed to go out to the original site. With such swell weather yesterday seemed like the perfect opportunity.By the time that we got down to their house, the weather was already cloudy and a bit windy. Good old Ohio weather --- but it wasn't too bad, so we headed out to the site. From everything that Mom has found, it appears that the cabin was actually a church. The church later took down the cabin and built a frame building on the old foundation. That frame building has since been expanded, but we were hoping that traces of the old foundation are still visible. Sure enough, we went over there yesterday and it is not only still visible, but also still intact.
There is a cemetery on the church grounds, so we walked through that for a little while. The original pastor (who also built and owned the cabin) is buried there. All of the graves are literally on the side of a hill, and not a little hill either! This is one of Ohio's famous rolling hills! Here is a view from half way up the cemetery, and a picture of Elizabeth and Kay enjoying themselves.We headed back to Buddy and Kay's once everybody was a bit cold. We made some hot tea, set up the lap top and Mom started plowing through online records again to verify our findings. While she was hard at work there, Kay and the two of us decided to watch a movie. She just bought a new DVD that has four old-time westerns that none of us have ever seen. The first one that we put on was Whispering Smith, starring Alan Ladd and Brenda Marshall and Robert Preston. That was one great western! We were on the edge of our seats the whole time. And the color film for a 1947 movie was fabulous. Wow! After that, we decided to make some pizza and watch another movie. This one was Albuquerque starring Randolph Scott. That was another great one about a gang of crooks in the mining business. Definitely two winners.
For the past several days, in the evenings, we've been watching "The Saint" mystery films starring George Sanders. This is the first time that we've been able to get them from a library, and are we enjoying them!? I just love George Sanders, and we've never gotten to see a film where he actually stars. So far, our favorite one has been The Saint's Double Trouble. Elizabeth and I could barely breath through most of it --- everything happens that could possibly happen in a mystery! There's more fun on the horizon today, so it's off to get at it.
More later.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Celebrating Valentine's Day --- A Bit Late
Dare to be different. That saying was all the rage when we were growing up. Mom's family has been doing that for over ninety years at least, so it's nothing new to go against the flow. This year, we finally decided to get back to celebrating the little holidays. We had pretty much cut that out years ago --- just because it kind of happened that way.
Valentine's Day rolled around this year, but it was in the middle of the week. Not convenient with Dad at work. Besides, we really wanted to have Buddy and Kay over and they weren't home that day. Oh well, we waited until Sunday afternoon and did our thing then. Before Buddy and Kay got here, Mom and Dad had a scavenger hunt for us. That was FUN! The clues were written on vintage Valentines --- which I love. It probably took us an hour and a half to find all of the clues, and at the end of the quest: chocolates and presents. :) Elizabeth got a little silver charm for her bracelet of a hippo. It looks exactly liked her dearly-loved stuffed animal hippo, Priscilla. I got a whole bunch of vintage valentines to use in a scrapbook or something. Above are just a few of them.
Buddy and Kay came over right after we finished that, so we had lunch together and talked for a while. Then, we adjourned upstairs and watched a movie. Stagecoach, starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. Everybody so enjoyed that one that we made it a double feature and watched Allegheny Uprising, also starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. It's always fun to have friends over for movies, and we've already got a couple more films lined up for next time!
The weather is really warm these days, and Kay's wood ducks are already back. Canada Geese are here in droves, and a skunk was actually out and about our lawn the other night. He had the nerve to spray our car. Great. Just lovely. The trees, believe it or not, have actually started to bud. Two days ago, we had driving snow --- all the while the weather reports were saying partly cloudy with small chances of rain showers. Whatever.
We're signed up to go to a behind-the-scenes event at Stan Hywet in a couple weekends or so, and I can't wait. More on that later. One of the stamp shows is coming up, too, and we're thinking to go for a day to that. I've been working on felting lately, and the next doll is almost finished. Just a few more hours!
More later.
Valentine's Day rolled around this year, but it was in the middle of the week. Not convenient with Dad at work. Besides, we really wanted to have Buddy and Kay over and they weren't home that day. Oh well, we waited until Sunday afternoon and did our thing then. Before Buddy and Kay got here, Mom and Dad had a scavenger hunt for us. That was FUN! The clues were written on vintage Valentines --- which I love. It probably took us an hour and a half to find all of the clues, and at the end of the quest: chocolates and presents. :) Elizabeth got a little silver charm for her bracelet of a hippo. It looks exactly liked her dearly-loved stuffed animal hippo, Priscilla. I got a whole bunch of vintage valentines to use in a scrapbook or something. Above are just a few of them.Buddy and Kay came over right after we finished that, so we had lunch together and talked for a while. Then, we adjourned upstairs and watched a movie. Stagecoach, starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. Everybody so enjoyed that one that we made it a double feature and watched Allegheny Uprising, also starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. It's always fun to have friends over for movies, and we've already got a couple more films lined up for next time!
The weather is really warm these days, and Kay's wood ducks are already back. Canada Geese are here in droves, and a skunk was actually out and about our lawn the other night. He had the nerve to spray our car. Great. Just lovely. The trees, believe it or not, have actually started to bud. Two days ago, we had driving snow --- all the while the weather reports were saying partly cloudy with small chances of rain showers. Whatever.
We're signed up to go to a behind-the-scenes event at Stan Hywet in a couple weekends or so, and I can't wait. More on that later. One of the stamp shows is coming up, too, and we're thinking to go for a day to that. I've been working on felting lately, and the next doll is almost finished. Just a few more hours!
More later.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thoughts on the Art of Faberge
Visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art last week has really gotten me interested in Faberge items. There is a small "room" at the museum devoted entirely to The India Early Minshall Collection of pieces from the House of Faberge. I knew about the Easter Eggs, but didn't realize that Faberge made other jewels. Also, I didn't realize that there were so few eggs. It seemed a little disappointing while there at the size of the collection and the lack of eggs --- only to come home and start reading to find out that The Cleveland Collection is actually a very fine one, and one of the most well-rounded examples of Faberge's work! In fact, Cleveland is even the owner of an Imperial Egg. Unfortunately, that egg was not on display (I wonder why not?), but we were able to see pictures on their online catalogue.
So, this has inspired me to do a little reading, in order to better appreciate the collection that we saw. I ordered in some books from the library and have been reading through those and searching online articles, too. Very interesting. To quote from one of the books: "One surprising fact about Faberge's work is that no design or even finished work from his own hand is known to exist. Our knowledge of what constitutes the Faberge style can be based only on the production of the Faberge workshops."
That statement really surprised me. Still more interesting than that is the fact that, in the heyday of the House of Faberge, more than 500 people were employed there! Above are views of the exterior and interior of the St. Petersburg shop.
Reading about each individual egg reveals that different artists (many of them) worked on the different eggs. That was an amazing collection of talent that was hidden under one man's name. What seemed so cool to me is the fact that each Imperial Egg was such a personal gift. These weren't, as so often implied, just lavish trinkets belonging to the Russian Zsars and their Zsarinas that were nothing than mere show of wealth and social status. When you actually read what each egg represents, it is obvious that these were thoughtful gifts. They were also not the most expensive jewels purchased by Nicholas II. They were exactly what they appear to be: the Royal version of an Easter Egg. To spotlight a few of my favorites:
The Mosaic Egg, given to Alexandra by Nicholas II for Easter 1914. This egg is made to resemble Petit Point embroidery, and is now in Queen Elizabeth II's collection. The surprise is a miniature frame with relief portraits of Nicholas and Alexandra's five children in a pink and white cameo-look setting. The back of the frame is enameled with a basket of flowers and framed by the names of the Romanov children.
The Pansy Egg, is carved from green-colored Nephrite set in a silver gilt base decorated in diamonds. This was given by Nicholas II to his Mother, the Dowager Empress for Easter 1899. The egg opens to reveal a folding easel of white enamel. Eleven miniature portraits are hidden by red lids, and when opened reveal images of the Empress's children and grandchildren.
The Lilies of the Valley Egg, was the Easter present for Alexandra in 1898 and is one of the most famous. Not without just cause, either. It is a pink enameled egg, sitting on gold legs, and covered in pearls of all sizes. The surprise in this one is a little set of tiny portraits that "pop" out of the top of the egg when a knob is released. Represented in the paintings are the Tsar and their two oldest daughters, Olga and Tatiana.
The Winter Egg, is the 1913 Easter gift to the Dowager Empress from her son and was the most expensive Easter Egg at 24,700 rubels. Well worth it, in my opinion! The egg itself is made of quartz and platinum and studded with 1,660 diamonds. Not to mention the little surprise: a flower basket, set with 1,378 diamonds, and made of platinum and gold. What a gift.
The Spring Flowers Egg, a gift from Alexander III to his wife somewhere between 1891-1899. This is a simply breath-taking and certainly one of my favorites. The red-enameled egg sits on a stand of gold and green set with diamonds. The jewel-studded flower basket is the hidden surprise, and apparently can be removed from the egg --- if so desired. Interesting tidbit: this is one of the few Faberge Eggs to still have its original case!
********************************
So, this has inspired me to do a little reading, in order to better appreciate the collection that we saw. I ordered in some books from the library and have been reading through those and searching online articles, too. Very interesting. To quote from one of the books: "One surprising fact about Faberge's work is that no design or even finished work from his own hand is known to exist. Our knowledge of what constitutes the Faberge style can be based only on the production of the Faberge workshops."
That statement really surprised me. Still more interesting than that is the fact that, in the heyday of the House of Faberge, more than 500 people were employed there! Above are views of the exterior and interior of the St. Petersburg shop.
Reading about each individual egg reveals that different artists (many of them) worked on the different eggs. That was an amazing collection of talent that was hidden under one man's name. What seemed so cool to me is the fact that each Imperial Egg was such a personal gift. These weren't, as so often implied, just lavish trinkets belonging to the Russian Zsars and their Zsarinas that were nothing than mere show of wealth and social status. When you actually read what each egg represents, it is obvious that these were thoughtful gifts. They were also not the most expensive jewels purchased by Nicholas II. They were exactly what they appear to be: the Royal version of an Easter Egg. To spotlight a few of my favorites:
The Mosaic Egg, given to Alexandra by Nicholas II for Easter 1914. This egg is made to resemble Petit Point embroidery, and is now in Queen Elizabeth II's collection. The surprise is a miniature frame with relief portraits of Nicholas and Alexandra's five children in a pink and white cameo-look setting. The back of the frame is enameled with a basket of flowers and framed by the names of the Romanov children.
The Pansy Egg, is carved from green-colored Nephrite set in a silver gilt base decorated in diamonds. This was given by Nicholas II to his Mother, the Dowager Empress for Easter 1899. The egg opens to reveal a folding easel of white enamel. Eleven miniature portraits are hidden by red lids, and when opened reveal images of the Empress's children and grandchildren.
The Lilies of the Valley Egg, was the Easter present for Alexandra in 1898 and is one of the most famous. Not without just cause, either. It is a pink enameled egg, sitting on gold legs, and covered in pearls of all sizes. The surprise in this one is a little set of tiny portraits that "pop" out of the top of the egg when a knob is released. Represented in the paintings are the Tsar and their two oldest daughters, Olga and Tatiana.
The Winter Egg, is the 1913 Easter gift to the Dowager Empress from her son and was the most expensive Easter Egg at 24,700 rubels. Well worth it, in my opinion! The egg itself is made of quartz and platinum and studded with 1,660 diamonds. Not to mention the little surprise: a flower basket, set with 1,378 diamonds, and made of platinum and gold. What a gift.
The Spring Flowers Egg, a gift from Alexander III to his wife somewhere between 1891-1899. This is a simply breath-taking and certainly one of my favorites. The red-enameled egg sits on a stand of gold and green set with diamonds. The jewel-studded flower basket is the hidden surprise, and apparently can be removed from the egg --- if so desired. Interesting tidbit: this is one of the few Faberge Eggs to still have its original case!********************************
Now that you've seen my favorites, back to a few more interesting facts. The eggs made for the Easters during the First World War, were "economy style". They lacked the precious jewels, the ostentatious design and often, the precious metal. Two of the eggs were made with a "Red Cross" theme, and it is one of these gems that is owned by the Cleveland Museum. Can't wait until it's back on display.
One of the most interesting war-time eggs, to me, was The Steel Military Egg. This was a gift from Nicholas to Alexandra for Easter 1916, the last year that the Zsar was in power. The outside of the egg is made of steel, trimmed in gold, and coated in enamel. This impressive example of art is standing on a base of Jade and supported by four legs made of steel artillery shells. The inside of the egg is covered in silk and velvet and houses a steel easel that boasts a miniature watercolor on ivory painting of Nicholas II at the Front. What an ingenious way to deal with wartime shortages.
The final Imperial Easter Egg was called The Constellation Egg, and would have been the present for Alexandra. The egg was made of Lapis Lazuli and Crystal and was supposed to have a clock inside. Nothing more was known about this egg until the later 1990s when the design was published. The owner of the "Faberge Museum' in Germany owns what he, and experts, believe to be The Constellation Egg (below left). It is complete except for the angels floating in the clouds that form the base for the egg. Also, in 2001, the Fersman Mineralogical Museum in Russia claims to have found the unfinished egg in their collection (below right). More experts believe that this is the real egg. So, one of them must be it, but it's up to anybody to form their own opinion of which one is genuine. My guess would be that the first one that is in Russia looks more like a prototype, especially since it does not look as much like the drawing. Also, the one at the "Faberge Museum" is almost complete, which makes much more sense since it would have needed to be finished in a few weeks time. But, I'm far from an expert!
So, this is what I've been thinking about lately. I think that there's nothing quite like these eggs, and it kind of appeals to the 'fairy-tale lover' inside of me. The World doesn't produce beauty in art like this anymore. How amazing to be able to get a glimpse of an era that's gone forever.
More later.
One of the most interesting war-time eggs, to me, was The Steel Military Egg. This was a gift from Nicholas to Alexandra for Easter 1916, the last year that the Zsar was in power. The outside of the egg is made of steel, trimmed in gold, and coated in enamel. This impressive example of art is standing on a base of Jade and supported by four legs made of steel artillery shells. The inside of the egg is covered in silk and velvet and houses a steel easel that boasts a miniature watercolor on ivory painting of Nicholas II at the Front. What an ingenious way to deal with wartime shortages.
So, what happened to the Easter Eggs for 1917? Nicholas II had a standing order for two eggs every year --- one for his mother and one for Alexandra. 
Then, on March 15, Nicholas abdicated as Zsar of All the Russias. Faberge had already completed the egg for the Dowager Empress, so he sent this to the palace and demanded payment from Nicholas. This was The Karelian Birch Egg, and cost 12,500 rubles. This is the only egg made of an organic substance as the primary material. The Grand Duchess never received this egg, and it was lost from 1927 until 2001.
Then, on March 15, Nicholas abdicated as Zsar of All the Russias. Faberge had already completed the egg for the Dowager Empress, so he sent this to the palace and demanded payment from Nicholas. This was The Karelian Birch Egg, and cost 12,500 rubles. This is the only egg made of an organic substance as the primary material. The Grand Duchess never received this egg, and it was lost from 1927 until 2001.The final Imperial Easter Egg was called The Constellation Egg, and would have been the present for Alexandra. The egg was made of Lapis Lazuli and Crystal and was supposed to have a clock inside. Nothing more was known about this egg until the later 1990s when the design was published. The owner of the "Faberge Museum' in Germany owns what he, and experts, believe to be The Constellation Egg (below left). It is complete except for the angels floating in the clouds that form the base for the egg. Also, in 2001, the Fersman Mineralogical Museum in Russia claims to have found the unfinished egg in their collection (below right). More experts believe that this is the real egg. So, one of them must be it, but it's up to anybody to form their own opinion of which one is genuine. My guess would be that the first one that is in Russia looks more like a prototype, especially since it does not look as much like the drawing. Also, the one at the "Faberge Museum" is almost complete, which makes much more sense since it would have needed to be finished in a few weeks time. But, I'm far from an expert!
So, this is what I've been thinking about lately. I think that there's nothing quite like these eggs, and it kind of appeals to the 'fairy-tale lover' inside of me. The World doesn't produce beauty in art like this anymore. How amazing to be able to get a glimpse of an era that's gone forever.
More later.
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