Friday Flashback----The Waltons and Spencer's Mountain

Tonight, I've settled in with a good book that I happened upon, going up and down the public library isles last week. I was really not looking for anything special, but the library has always been a quiet place for this introverted-spirit to roam. The quietness of the rooms and variety of old and new books fills my mind with diversions I sometimes need in a busy pace of life.

 I was there to take back a couple of books, always telling myself that I really didn't need to check out any books right now, as life's pace is pretty busy; however, that little tug in my heart to just "see" what was in the library took me down an aisle of randomness. True randomness.

It must have been a matter of fate because I'm a lover of The Waltons TV program. 

We have been watching re-runs for a couple of years now on the inspiration channel and in fact it is one of the 3 programs ( I don't watch alot of TV) that I will just sit and watch the entire episode, never tiring of seeing one again and again, knowing very well the story and the ending.

The episode takes me back to the years of high school and college when The Waltons TV program was very popular. I always yearned to live in the mountains. 

Low and behold...........one day I did.

While roaming in the library I picked out an interesting book that drew my attention because of the handmade bookcover. I love an old book. Don't get me wrong. I love my Kindle too but a very old book I love more.

When I saw the author, Earl Hamner, Jr., I raised an eyebrow and had not heard of this book, but I knew he was the writer in The Waltons show.

Published in 1961, I guess this book has been read quite a bit. It's spine is reinforced and the handmade, wallpaper cover had me interested. 

And remembering, don't judge a book by it's cover, I just had to pull this one.

I turned through the pages and sure enough, it's the story where The Walton's came from. I have heard Spencer's Mountain is also a movie but I have not seen it. Where have I been?

And so, the old book, had to come home with me. Tonight, as I picked it up, I looked up to see what was on TV.

A meeting of the minds I guess.

Old Zebulon, is the grandpa in the book but John Boy is called Clay Boy. The other characters have some differences but so far it's right along the lines of the setting as The Waltons. However, in browsing through this version, it is a little less demure..........

It's interesting what peaks our memories and mind sometimes. I'm definitely curling up by the woodstove with some chapters of this book.............................

because it's due by next week and ......

I don't think I'm checking another book out right now......again..........but......

well you know how that will go next week. :0

#lovingpubliclibraries

#thewaltons

#spencersmountain

#ilovebooks

Grab a book this evening and read a bit. Does the soul good.

Abbie is curled up next to me tonight. I think she is ready to go to bed.

Good night, John Boy.

Friday Flashback~the first snow at the homestead and progress

Today I thought it would interesting to show you some pics of what the homestead looked like BEFORE painting and removing the front screen and also in a deep snow here on Fox mountain.

What a flashback!  My daughter had never seen so much snow at one time at her early age of 13.

Winter 2002

 The backyard

This is before I paid to put a red tin roof on with new sub wood layer because it was leaking upstairs. The color of the house was a blue stain on the wood. I had it painted of course after the roof went on .

And before that the screen was torn down to reveal a nice front porch. Alot of work done on and in this homestead over the 11 years.

Woke up this morning with frozen ground after a nice sheen of water. Still have more sleet/frozen rain to go today with temps below freezing. Tomorrow this should clear up. 

It's cloudy and almost looks like snow clouds instead and that's one thing in the North Ga. mountains, you just never really know how much ice and when. 

Abbie is curled up beside me. Our Buck wood stove has been going now 48 hours straight. Woke up to some good hot coals yesterday morning and this morning and I've been keeping it going which is saving tremendously on gas and electric bills. It's been a consistent 76 degrees in here when it's below freezing outside. Can't beat that!

Last night I picked up a few stitches on a scarf I'm making, still in garter stitch in a grassy green. Then,  watching the weather on TV, PBS said Downton Abbey was coming on at 9pm, so I saddled up my sampler and worked on it a bit more watching the repeat episode. I can't wait for the new one on Sunday night!!! Mr. Darcy and me both, LOVE this series.

I hope where you are is keeping you warm and especially your hearts so that love can freely flow.

a sneak peak

Manor Red, Antique Rose and Milady's Teal, and Gold Leaf so far........

the knitted project with my Kindle is here.

I will be hand stitching in this pocket I sewed on the machine.

and when I hand stitch the lining in , THEN I have to make a flower from this fabbie and put where you see the rolled up extra.

My kindle cozy will be all ready for some kind of closure on it

I''m still loving my glass needles. XXX my fingers they last a leeeeetle bit longer.

This is a nice grassy green that could easily be a scarf into Spring, I'm thinking with pinks.

So this is what is going on at the spot of the map called Sautee, GA.

My stitching, knitting, lap-hugging, and writing buddy is here for me. She drags her blanket to me to wrap her at night.

I would say she is spoiled but I think it's beyond that now. 

She pulls out her stained potty paper in her pee pan when it's full, and looks at me to replace it.

I guess this is a bed n breakfast for her now. She is quite enjoying the stay.

Dinner last night here:

Chili

skillet oven-baked corn bread

dessert--- chocolate cream pie

Tonight?

pizza!

This sampler will be for sale AFTER I finish stitching the model........yes, I will hurry.

I feel like I birthed a baby by the time I got through with this, but it was well worth it.

Till later stay warm and cozy,

Jennifer

Mary Todd Lincoln in Progress

I got up bright and early this morning, started the wood stove and made some coffee. Read alot and decided to finish up a design, Mary Todd Lincoln, to match with the sillouhette of Abe that I posted earlier.

  I tried to adjust Abe's sillouette a bit by adding his first initial in the left upper corner but my computer will not let me transfer this new one right now. I have no idea why but if you want to add an A to his that would be good to have them facing each other in 2 black or dark brown wood frames.

 

These should be quickies. Since I'm flying by the seat of my pants this week, I have many projects to work on, XXXXXX my fingers to finish Abe and onto Mary.

 

I really wanted oval black frames. I'm going thrifting today so I might find some.

 

 

If you remember the posting about Mary Lincoln, the book I recommended is quite old. You might be able to find it at the library, It's called  Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage by Ruther Painter Randall. If you are interested in history or the Lincolns, this book is supposed to fill you in on untold stories and the REAL Mary and Abe as found in safety box letters.

The book was published in 1953 and is really good.

 

here is his:

 

 

 

 

Happy stitchin'

Jennifer

Friday Flashback---the missing sampler

yep, remember the Sheepish Design sampler I worked almost a year on off and on back about 3 or 4 years ago?  It was taken from my kitchen and hopefully the person who just had to have it will send it back one day.

I'll never forget the places where I stitched this in hand. No hoop for this one. Part of it was completed while I was recovering from surgery in 2007.

I feel certain and am hopeful it was not destroyed and will one day be again where it is here.

I worked very hard on it and framed it myself. Took a long time to find a frame that fit perfectly.

The name of the man stitched very tiny in the sampler I dedicated it to, as I held his hand while he passed this life in 2003.

Through the years, I've had several personal emails on this Sheepish Design, Dutch Alphabet.

Samplers are personal to me as many of you as well.

Let's hope it's returned in good condition and will find it's home again.

Onward to the weekend~

going with a friend on a girl's day out and so excited!!!!!

Till later,

Jennifer

Progress on Forever Hope and other new starts

Christmas this year is keeping it simple. Very simple. Welcome newbies!!!!!!!  I love reading your comments and wished I could make all those wishes come true for you at Christmas. Rest assured I will be praying for each and every one of you. Thanks for spreading the word about the give-away. The more, the merrier, right?  These items are on order and just got a note that there is a slight delay so this may not get out as soon as I wished after the drawing. I tried to put a rush on it. Will see what happens, but anyway, there are lots of things to stash from this Santa to you.   ;)

Giving is the best part of the season for me, always has been, always will. Those that know me best, know this. It puts joy in  my heart to put a smile on your face!

Well, getting out the Christmas decor little bits at the time this week. What doesn't go up by Sunday probably will not as my work schedule is busy. No complaints though here as I am thankful for a job.

Since I got this:

stitching has slowed a bit. I've designed more than I've stitched and there are only so many fingers to stitch up all in my stash and what my mind creates to paper.

However, remember this one Forever Hope 1819?

Here's my last progress pics:

and now a few more stitches to this:

working on the house. You know building a house is more than I thought imaginable!  :)

Then, I designed a little one in memory of my deceased maternal grandmother, Grace.

Her birthday would have been this week. She passed away when I was only 8 but had probably the best positive influence in my life than any other family member. She was one of a kind and miss her alot. She left her rings and watch to me and when I wear them, I feel more courage and strength remembering her, that she is a part of me and loved me alot. She was assertive yet not aggressive. She was graceful, just as her name. She had much class and would give a helping hand to whoever she could while taking good care of herself. She was exactly everything her name stood for.

So, I started stitching this little pillow keep last night:

using Weeks Dye Works Ocean and Pecan as fibers.

Stay tuned for other virtues in rememberance to her.

I wanted to also show you what I found in a thrift store about 3 weeks ago.

The frame is about 6 x 8 and it's old.....OLD. I got it for 2.00!

It's actually in good condition for it's age and I was doing a happy dance in the box outside that it was put in as junk.

 I love junkin' it. ;)

Take a look-see.

The front has a picture like this:

and it looks like an opera scene.

The back looks like this:

It has an old wire hanging and the paper backing is very fragile. I will remove all of this to use for a frame for a stitching finish but before I do look at these:

Handwritten on the back,

and then this stamp in the middle as if it was a Christmas gift to someone.

1909

Have you ever seen a stamp like this one? Any stamp collectors?

So far I don't know what I will frame with it but the picture will be removed along with the backing.

If only the paper could talk about the gift and the heart of the giver and the receiver, the meaning, the time of year, and where it hung special in the home. Oh, how I wonder.

Well, I'm fixing to head over to get my Kindle and put it on the read-to feature for the rest of the book I'm reading. I'm 75% finished. I've got so many more to read/listen to!

Abbie sends her love too.

She says, "kissie,kissie"

Till later,

stay warm

Frozen Friday Flashback

Remember this in February?

Yep, I remember the frozen commutes home in the dark. I just can't get myself to say

Brrrrrrrrr    right now though.

It might be the major hot flash in the airconditioning I'm having right now.

Or that the humidity is thick.

But one day, we'll all be so glad again for warm hot days.

Friday Flashback

I'm usually talking about stitching or kids or puppies but this Friday Flashback is going to be this little boy:

A stubborn little boy, but cute as can be. Raised in a Dutch community, South Holland, Illinois near Chicago.

He was the baby.

I was in kindergarten when he was in middle school. Two different cities. Two different states. Never knew each other at that time. But I guess God knew our destinies.

Tough exterior, but inside a sweet heart (most of the time)...LOL

yep, this is my hubbie. I could just pinch his little cheeks in this picture.

His elementary school and middle school pics.

which leads to his mama when she was about 3 or 4 years old. And now she is almost 92 years old.

My mother-in-law, Evelyn.  She has the spirit of a 30 year old still. She is fun to be around and I miss her dearly. We didn't get to go to Chicago in December and I miss it so much.

She had 3 boys and 1 girl and was the Boy Scout mom and enjoyed tatting and does alot of cross word puzzles. She is still able to enjoy most things and loves to do the daily newspaper cross work puzzle. In fact, she has to do the puzzle.

Last time we were there for a visit I was stitching Quaker Christmas and it was her 90th birthday. She started saying the alphabet in German while she was watching my stitch letters on my sampler.

We took her to the Olive Garden and celebrated with a glass of wine, which she does not usually drink.

She was a happy lady. She said with her arm in the air......"WOO HOO"!

So sweet.

Hope to see her again soon.

I have to thank her for her son, my husband, who is my soulmate.

Happy Mother's Day Evelyn!

We need to have another glass of wine and share a few more stories!

Hope to see you this summer!

Friday Flashback--Halloween 1999

Back to work and busy. My frugal thought today was to bring my lunch. Thank goodness for Campbell's soup. I love the vegetable beef and on a misty, blowing-rain, gray day, I thought it was a good choice.

Hope everyone else is having a BOOtiful day!

Halloween is tomorrow. This is the time I wish my kids were smaller again, I mean younger.....LOL


I loved giving out candy too but since we moved out to the boonies we don't have any trick or treaters but I always have one bag, just in case. I loved to great them at the door. I was not one to dress up and scare children though. I think I got too much of that growing up. No, I was just plain me, with a smile. When my kids were too old to trick or treat they would help me give out the candy.......well, I think Brandon gave out a whole bag one time....to one person....oops. LOL

Before I moved here, and while Bodyguard and I were dating, he called me on a Halloween night from the police dept. He was Assistant Chief of Police then and he wanted to tell me that my house was causing a traffic jam in the middle of town. He said "what in the heck are you giving out?" He had to send out extra cops to direct the traffic........
I laughed and snickered. I was always giving him some kinda grief! LOL

See, my house was in the middle of town and the trick or treaters were all lining up cause they knew I had good treats. This was a funny moment on this Friday Flashback.

Well, back to work......

Remembering summers....

Summer meant...................

cool banana popsicles

the Ice Cream man

swinging on the swingset for endless amounts of time

swimming at the city pool

spending days with Grandmas

summer dresses

lots of bike riding

spending endless hours outside

fresh, mowed grass

roses

shelling peas and beans till our fingers had blisters

watching Daddy ride the tractor in our country garden

riding on the tractor in the garden

sunburns

the beach for vacation

Vacation Bible School

eating home made ice cream

catching June bugs

Friday Flashback

Today the Friday Flashback only reflects to this week as I am taking one day at a time and each day has presented some bad news. Well, let's just say this has ,unfortunately,been kind of a dark week for me personally and work........ I've been so busy at work that I'm totally exhausted tonight. My job is rewarding to some degree but at the same time very draining. By the end of the day after listening to about 25 women talk in detail of their women's health issues, relationship problems, deaths in the family, sexual assault issues, etc, I'm pretty drained. I diagnosed advanced breast cancer in a 30 year old. Very sad.

Today, in the middle of the madness of managing a 13 year old sexual assault case to a chronic pain patient, I got the message that a friend had died suddenly this morning. This was a real shocker and I will be attending a funeral on Sunday.

If all that doesn't take it out of me, then just reading the latest Afghanistan news finishes it off.

Stitching........

As soon as finishing the Be True design on Tuesday, I started stitching one by The Sampler Girl in her Companion Booklet number 3 , On Any Shore With You. The whole piece is in DMC floss on 30 ct antique ivory linen and I'm going to try to follow her instructions in the previous booklet on coffee dab-dying when completed. Oh, I hope that the colors are color-fast and do not run when I put them in coffee! I will take some pics this weekend to post. I have about 1/3 of it completed.

The bright part of my week was receiving the Sampler Girl's Companion Booklet number 4 in the mail with a couple of fabric pieces.

Another piece of good news is that I sold several things on Ebay of which I am now looking at possibly trading for a new sewing machine. Nothing fancy at all. Looking at basic Janomes. I have sold enough on Ebay this past week to get a basic, basic model. Does anyone have a Janome? I had to actually catch my mouth as it dropped open at the upper range of prices for a sewing machine but I really do not need an advanced machine. I'm a little undecided about a basic computer machine vs. basic manual machine. Any comments on machines would be sooooo welcome!

Well, off to bed now. Sleep is calling.

Talk later,

Jennifer

Friday Flashback

This is 1980 or 81.

This is me and my brother cutting up after I played a song on the piano. He was always making me laugh......well, maybe not always, but alot of the time. Look at that seventies hairstyle! Boy, were we young here. We had no idea what would be in store for either of our lives but just living for the moment then. Isn't that how it is at about 18-25ish?

I got scholarships for college with this piano. By 1980, I was almost always found at the piano, either practicing for church adult choir, children's choir practice, funerals, weddings, Sunday services, cantatas, even state competition....... you name it. I had some really good mentors in music including my 6th grade teacher who had a piano in her classroom and required her class to sing to her songs at least 30 minutes every morning. We learned alot of old songs. She liked songs like Moon River. I don't know why this one particularly stands out in my mind. She went with me to state competition at Mercer University in Macon while only in the 6th grade because she believed in me.
Most of all I found that music was the very best outlet for the soul. I remember the best times were on Sunday afternoons when I would go to our church while it was completely empty and play and play for hours alone. Then I started running over to the other side of the church playing the organ. I really liked the organ too. After I got my few hours of music therapy, then I would go back home. This was all back in the day when churches didn't lock their doors........

Back in 1994, I traded this piano in for a Baby Grand Baldwin. By the time I had the money to get the old one tuned, it was so out of tune for so long, the repairman said the entire piano would have to be restrung. Tuning would just break the strings. So, I saved until I got another piano. And, that leads to another story.............

Enjoy your Friday evening!
Jennifer