Flash Back Friday

Look how happy our mom looks.  Look how proud our dad looks.

This pictures was taken in late 1960 or early 1961.  Cindy is the baby.  She was born in the summer of 1960.  She is our California girl.

We lived in Anaheim as far as I remember.  We were there for just a year or so.
(Jimmy, if you happen to read this blog, please correct me if I am wrong.)

So.  In this sweet picture we have; little Donna standing in front looking to the side, Suzy is in the middle with her big brown eyes, Nancy is the tallest sister and behind her is Jimmy.

My cousin Diana posted this picture on Facebook this week and my heart skipped a beat.
When I see these old pictures I feel like Emily in Old Town. peeking in on my life, once upon a time.



“Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners... Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking... and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you.” 

― Thornton Wilder, Our Town




Encourage one another,
Donna

What did you do today?

On the way home from school I ask Katie, "How was your day?"  She tells me a bit of this and that.
Then she kindly asks, "What did you do today?"
I'm a little taken back to be asked this.
I don't know why, but I am.

I said, "I watched a lot of TV and I took care of Ginny and read comments on the blog."

I forgot to tell her that I made myself a turkey sandwich, the old fashioned way.




Strangely my husband and I both eat our turkey sandwiches with mayonnaise and ketchup.
I add lettuce.  yum.

I posted a picture on Instagram and wondered how other people liked their turkey sandwiches.
I was expecting many 'with cranberry sauce' comments.   I did not see many of those.
A few people said with mustard and cheese.  That sounds weirder than my method.

I wonder if it is regional?

Let me know how you like your sandwich and include your location.
I find this fascinating.




I watched Ginny all day.  She still needs a lot of attention.  She went outside many times yesterday and got stuck twice.  She barks and has to be told to shush.  She loves to collect paper and rummage thru the garbage.  I have the broom standing on top of the garbage can because she is wary of the broom.
We are still using the baby gate to keep her nearby...
Yup I have an active one year old in the house.





I also finished the scarf I was working on.   Isn't it pretty!!!
Emma and I found this pattern at the local knitting store.
It calls for two skeins of Noro Silk Garden yarn.
Or one skein of solid worsted and one skein of Noro Silk Garden.

This is what I did for this pattern.  One solid, one striped.

I have already cast on a second scarf.  I love colors.
For the second scarf I am using two skeins of the Noro.
It's pretty already.


*****

So even tho I had the TV on and watched all my shows...
I guess I accomplished a few other things.

I actually need days like this.
Days like this give me the strength and energy to handle the crazy ones.

They certainly aren't thrilling conversation material...
but who has days like that anyway?

Besides poor Lindsay Lohan.
(arrested again)


So don't forget to tell me about your sandwiches.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Been There. Done That.

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Donna on Pinterest

If you click thru to my Pinterest and then click on the picture it will take you to the recipe.
I made this yesterday.  I used twice the liquid ingredients because I wanted more juice.
Actually it could be made with only one pound of chicken and that would have been fine and dandy.

It was tasty and tender.  I wished I had some broccoli in there or had some green onions to place on top.
And a lime.  A lime would have been very nice.

So, to the recipe, I recommend adding those three ingredients to make this even better.

Mine was not this nice orange color either.  It was much darker.  I don't know why.

Source: goodreads.com via Donna on Pinterest

I finished this book last night.
This doctor of the brain believes he went to another dimension.  Heaven.
He details all of the medical reasons why his experience was not just a dream.
I skimmed those parts.

He did not meet Jesus or any other people from his life.
He mostly described how he felt while being there and the overwhelming feeling of unconditional love he felt.

Personally, I like to hear stories about death bed visions.

The ladies at the Bible study I attend tell of a little boy who was dying of cancer.
Someone said something about seeing Jesus soon and the little boy said, "he is here right now, sitting on my bed."

Those stories.  I like to hear those.

Jesus says there is a heaven.  It was an important thing for him to tell us.
So I believe it to be true.

Dr. Alexander doesn't really prove there is a heaven to me but it sure was neat to read what he experienced.

It's interesting to contemplate.




Emma says there are talking animals in Revelations.


This has me slightly freaked out.
I have an aversion to talking animals in books.

Except for Babe.







Just dance and I'm yours.




Encourage one another,
Donna

7 questions about reading

I saw this questionnaire on my Mental Multivitamin this morning.
It might be fun to give it a try. 


1. What book (a classic?) do you hate? 

I'm not sure if Angela's Ashes is considered a classic, but it is on plenty of 'must read' lists and  it even won the Pulitzer Prize so I will consider it a classic.  I hated this book.  I empathized with the main character.  I hated her husband.  I cried for her children.  I think of cold, wet, sick, hungry when I think of Angela's Ashes. I think of the plight of women married to drunkards.   I weep and shake my fist.
This is not to say McCourt did not do his job as a writer.  
It is to say, I hated his book.


2. To what extent do you judge people by what they read?

Not at all.

3. What television series would you recommend as the literariest?

Downton Abbey because who doesn't love Downton Abbey?

4. Describe your ideal home library.

Source: hookedonhouses.net via Donna on Pinterest

Source: hookedonhouses.net via Jennifer on Pinterest

5. Books or sex?  

*blush*

6. How do you decide what to read next?

It's pretty random.  
Sometimes it is something Katie read or something I saw on TV or read about on a blog.


7. How much do you talk about books in real life?

I talk with my girls about books quite a bit. Katie read The Giver last week.  She told me about it.  I felt badly that she didn't have classmates to discuss it with so we discussed it on the way to school and at bed time.  We learned a new word ; Dystopian.
I think I will read it next.
I'm a bit of a book pusher because I really love talking about my favorite books with people.


So there you go.

Please feel free to do this on your own website or leave your answers in the comments box.
I'm a little bummed I was not asked my favorite book.

You can tell me your favorite book in the comments too.

I'd like that.  (ha....and good luck with that :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna


p.s.  spellcheck does not even know what dystopian means.  hah!

Kneecaps

This weekend, on Saturday, Katie and I attended a baby shower for my niece.  She and her husband are expecting their first baby around Christmas.  Three of Bridget's aunts gave her a shower at a neat little restaurant in the Milwaukee area.  Aunt Karen brought a very special dessert with her from Green Bay.




We had a fun guessing game on Facebook and Instagram over the weekend.
What were these cute pastries called?

No one knew.  Not even Stephanie.  Green Bay born and raised Steph.

Finally my niece Lindsay came up with it.  She said her Papa loved the kneecaps at the Diamond Inn in Hazelhurst Wi.  (Tammy...you should know this!)

Yes. Kneecaps.

The very strangest name ever for a pastry I have ever heard.

You can buy Kneecaps at Willow Street Bakery on University St. in Green Bay.
They usually have white whipped cream but these were special for the shower.

Willow Street Bakery

Enchanting.


XOXO
Donna

Fun with Fotos

Right before we jumped in the car to head over to our local family's thanksgiving dinner we went to the garage studio to take a few pictures.  The girls we all gussied up.







In between expressions.




Oh my!!!




Katie made a mustache





Then taught her sister to do it.
Hey! You can't hold it.





Done and Done!!!

I have now taken my favorite picture of the WHOLE YEAR!!!

Giving thanks.

Wishing you hearts that are thankful.
Eyes to see blessings.
Arms to hug them tight.
Lips that speak kindness
and souls that forgive.

This I wish for all of you,
my far away friends and family.

XOXO

Donna

Lincoln the movie.

This movie is absolutely engrossing.
I was watching Lincoln.
Truly watching Lincoln come to life.

Every word is worth listening to.
Every beautiful, deep, important word.

It's a great movie.

Daniel Day Lewis is exceptional, remarkable, beautiful.


Daniel Day Lewis on Abraham Lincoln,

"There's never been a human being, that I never met, that I loved as much as him. Ever.
I doubt there ever will be."


Go see this movie.
It's riviting
It's important.
You will have one to cheer for when the Oscars come along.

Donna

Eggs Benedict Miz Booshay

The ingredients.

Bays English Muffins
Knorr's Hollandaise Sauce
Kentucky Legend Ham
Wisconsin Colby Cheese
Large Eggs
Butter


Toast your muffins, butter lightly.
Make Knorr's hollandaise sauce according to package. (milk and butter needed)
Fry two eggs.  Sunny Side Up.
Place small slice of ham on each muffin.
Place small slice of cheese on each muffin.
Place fried egg on each muffin.
Pour hollandaise sauce over it all.





Better than a restaurant!!!

Caught my eye

Oh my goodness!
It is a Pride and Prejudice counting board book.

Source: babylit.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

AND Jane Eyre!!!

Source: babylit.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: childrensbooks-goodbadugly.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

Check out Baby Lit


Baby Lit



Must find.
Too cute.


Donna

just thinking

Source: society6.com via Donna on Pinterest

Flash Back Friday

The glasses.  Ray Ban's.  The 80's.

I do not wear these anymore...but maybe I should.

And my hair....it's heading toward the 80's here too.  My one and only adult perm was a while before Emma was born.  But it stuck.  It was a spiral perm.  My hair was long and held on to that perm like a life raft.  Of course, the day after I got it I noticed that every high school girl had a perm.  And then I didn't want it any more.  But I was stuck with it.  You would not believe it.
Holy head of hair, batman!

But back to the glasses.
So big.  So eighty's.

My mom and dad wore sunglasses.

I can see my dad in his aviators and my mom is a big white pair.
My sisters rock the sunglasses too.

I am just playing copycat.

Desperate to be cool,
Donna


Do you wear sunglasses?
Post a picture of yourself in your glasses and send me the link!
I'd love to see you looking super cool like me.

Looking thru the Archives

Once upon a time,
Matthew was a little tiny boy.

I called him happy.
Because he always was.





Katie and Melinda thought Matthew was wearing a dress.

I knew better.

He was stylin' in his French bubble by Cacheral.


In the northwoods of Wisconsin worked this most wonderful photographer named Audrey Perkins.
I thought she was just the best.
I still do.


On Monday, I ran upstairs and dug thru a box that had a few of the boys things still tucked inside.
Old cloth diapers, biobottoms, handknit sweaters....and the pretty striped bubble from Paris.



mon petit-fils heureux belle








How fun is that?


Thank you for baby wrangling, Emma.
(She was under the quilt helping Asher sit up :o) )






Did you save any baby clothes?
Do you have something you wore?



Encourage one another,
Donna

(Originally posted December 30, 2010)

Celebrating

Katie was asked to join the OTT club team last night.
She will be on the 14 yo team due to small numbers in both the 13/14 age groups.

Her good friend Ella will be on the same team!  We are thrilled about this!
It is our first time having a child on a 'club' team.
Our winter is set!
Lots of volleyball.
Lots of learning.
Lots of driving.

Sing along with me....

What I did for loooovvvveeee.....



animator


Thank you Picasion for making a great Gif generator!

By the way, the Oxford American Dictionary has named GIF the word of the year!

Gif is a graphic interchange format.

If you would like to read more about the Oxford list....

Click here


YOLO,
Donna


( or....encourage one another)

Waiting. Knowing.

We are still waiting to find out if Katie makes the team.  She did well...but there were only six girls trying out.  So we really don't know what is going to happen.  We should know by tonight.
(If looking good in her teeny tiny shorts is taken into consideration....she's in.  No doubt.  hehe)




Her Most Serene Emma.

Emma does not have to wait any longer.
She has been accepted to DePaul Graduate School.  She will get her
Masters in Counseling.  They have a program with an emphasis on Community Counseling and
that really peaked her interest.

So.  Congratulations dear girl.  We are so proud of you.


Now I have a whole new list of movies she must watch.

Movies where counselors/psychiatrist's play a key role.  (that I like and recommend)

50/50
Ordinary People
Prince of Tides
Good Will Hunting
The Sixth Sense
What about Bob?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Bad Seed


Any other faves?

All about Eve (not really a fan...I don't know why?)
Sibyl ("and the people, and the purple...")


Yup. That's how my brain works.

I wonder if that is a condition?

Hypo-Cinematic Mania

That sounds about right.


***

Encourage one another,
Donna

Dancers Among Us.

I first heard about this amazing photographer and book on Kathie Lee and Hoda.

His name is Jordan Matter.  The Book; Dancers Among Us.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Today I watched this fun video.





I can't wait to get my hands on his book!  It looks just wonderful!





Dancing always makes me happy.
Even in pictures :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Pins this week...

Source: buzzfeed.com via Donna on Pinterest

Click on the picture and it will take you to 22 things you are doing wrong.  It's a fun post.
I have a hard time peeling eggs....I'm going to try the egg peeling tip.

Source: ruffledblog.com via Donna on Pinterest

What adorable styling!!!

Source: la-petite-cuisine.blogspot.fi via Donna on Pinterest

I want this.  Where can I get a little tree in a pail?

Source: yarnbomb1.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

And this pie!!! Oh my goodness.  I am going to try this one day.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

I swear.  I'm gonna tear out my upper cabinets and paint every thing white.
This look.  I have dozens of pins of white kitchens with farm sinks with no upper cabinets.
LOVE it so much!



****

Katie and I have special things this weekend.
Katie is trying out for club volleyball.  We have our fingers crossed that she makes the team.
It would be a great way for her to learn and improve!

I will be mentoring a young woman coming all the way from Oklahoma!
I can't wait to meet her and teach her everything I know :o)
Safe travels tomorrow, Kristie!


Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Paper Road Music

Paper Road 







Jesika and Matt Gustamachio are children of a dear friend/relative of mine.

I just adore their sound.  And their creative, beautiful hearts.

Wishing them great things to come!!


Tapping my toe and smiling as I write this morning,
Donna

Instagram Love

Fall Instagrams that make me happy.


















And this Frank Sinatra song, it makes me happy too.





Happy Thursday dear Quiet Life Crew!

Love you,
Donna


"I only know.....there ain't no love at all...without a song...."

Oh Frank.
You are smooth.

Learning from the past.

We shall see how long I leave this up.
You know I don't like fighting on the internet and this is a place of encouragement.

God is still God and He is still in control.

But I am sad for my children and grandchildren.
Our economy is a house of cards just like the housing industry in California, Florida and Arizona.
It can not be sustained.

Our country is split in half and I don't think there is anything that will bring it together.

So what would Elizabeth Elliot tell me to do?

Do the next thing.

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,
to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
~Micah 6:8



Trying to clear the clouds from my head.
I may need two Iced Venti Chai's today.

Donna

and we have bake sales

I am thankful to be an American.
I am free.
I have choices.

Bountiful.
Safe.
Compassionate.
Free.
America.



AND we have bake sales on election day.






What a country!



Encourage one another,
Donna

Booshay's Day Off

Can you tell what is happening here?

I think it is a little hard to tell because you don't have the same perspective that we did...



(not my image)


Emma recalled a little exchange we had at The Art Institute;


Emma:  "I want all of La Grande Jatte tattooed on my back."

Mom:  "Get a T-shirt."




****




"Swim!!"




"Van Gogh.  He used a lot of paint."


Yeah.  I don't think they are dying to hire me as a tour guide.




****

Katie and I wasted time out by the Observatory when we were visiting Emma a week or so ago.



The President flew right over our heads.  We think.

I embarrassed Katie by waving like mad.





See.  I did get in the picture.


Hope you have a wonderful week!


Lots of love,
Donna


P.s. Katie is writing a paper.  She may not use any 'to be' verbs.
I would flunk the class. To be sure.