skypartee

All of us gathered around the table on this particular morning have been friends for many years ... from back in the days when our children were young. As the years went by and the children left our nests, we started gathering to celebrate our birthdays, mostly with tea or lunch in our homes. We've missed our friend who moved to Germany, though we often Skype with her for our book clubs.

I had the idea to give her a virtual birthday party. Why not? We gathered for tea as we always do, and she "sat" at the head of the table. I had asked her husband to be sure she was there, and at least the birthday part of it was a surprise.

It worked so well. We almost forgot B. wasn't really right at the table with us.

 These pictures look like we are having a "working tea," 

with papers and books spread around. Well indeed we were, of sorts. 

For we each brought a "virtual" gift to give her.

And words to share to encourage her.

I "gave" her a children's book for her to read to her grandchildren when she skypes with them. 

For when I visited her this summer, I was so taken by a chest in her living room where she has

toys for her little granddaughters and takes them out "to play" when they Skype. 

She even showed us where she has little mice hiding 

around her house that her grands look for when they "visit."

After we finished the gifts she took us on a tour of their flat. I was a little nervous 

when she held her computer outside the window to show us the busy street. 

As icing on the non-existent cake, we enjoyed blueberry tea and jam fresh 

from Lydia Grace's trip to visit lighthouses in Maine and thereabouts. 

A fine morning indeed!

to market, to market

The vibrancy and color of the markets in Germany and France this summer were a treat for the eyes!

Visit Mary's Little Red House for other Monday Mosaics!

almost stillness

A quiet morning, peeking through some trees down

 at the lake and a solitary motorboat. 

Almost stillness.

Linking to Katie's Photo Friday.

my views

Our friends moved to Europe a few years ago and B. would frequently tell me about the "Podso views" she saw everywhere and that we should hurry up and come visit. These were scenes she could imagine me photographing. We did go see B. and B. this summer on our way home from Africa, and I saw "my views." And yes, I took too many pictures.

This one window I find so interesting close up, and it is a house next to where B. and B. used to live. B. took me to their former residence so I could get some pictures of what was her "classic" Podso "view."

And below are a few more "Podso views." No words needed.

And last (for now!) but not least:

Maria

I saw an old friend the other day who had traveled alongside our young family to South America some 20 years ago. He and the Gardener had meetings to attend and I was going to take photos and write stories. Tears streamed down the cheeks of our getting-older friend as he spoke to me. "Every time I see you I am transported back to that moment in the orphanage when they placed that three day-old baby in your arms. I know you wanted to take her home with you."

Oh yes indeed. I've often thought of that morning that we spent at a Bolivian orphanage. When we were nearing the end of the visit, we sat in the office for a few minutes when there was a rustle at the door and in walked two women carrying a fairly newborn baby girl that had been found under a truck, tucked behind a wheel. I'm not sure how they knew she was three days old, but that's what they told me as they placed her in my arms. Of course I wanted to take her home with me. But could we?

We put forth questions and were told it would not be possible legally since we did not live there. But they did let me name her. Maria. And I have never forgotten Maria nor stopped wondering how her life turned out and how different our lives would be today if she had been our daughter. I also wonder if they really gave her that name.

Photos: Eldest son holding Maria; the ladies of mercy leaving after rescuing the baby and delivering her to the orphanage.

book baby

The book baby safely arrived this weekend and we are rejoicing!

I finished her little blanket and cap just in time to 

take them to the hospital to welcome her.

I tend to just "go with it" when I crochet. This "pattern" starts with knitting 

a square (actually a dishrag pattern) and then I crochet around the square

 (sometimes turning it into a rectangle) until I get to the size I want.

The flower is another story and each one turns out a

little differently, but at least they do turn out.

I think it adds so much style to the cap.

But all knitting aside, this is a seriously beautiful little girl born to some very 

special new parents, young friends of ours. I'm looking forward to watching 

her grow up. And her mama was so sweet to text me pics as they went home

from the hospital. The hat matched the planned outfit.

I have no doubt that she'll teach her little one to also be a thoughtful young woman.

back to school

A friend of mine had a lovely idea. We celebrated back to school with a delicious brunch 

at her house. We didn't bring food, just school supplies. She will take what we brought 

to a warehouse for teachers in who work in underprivileged areas. She volunteers there.

Teachers can come every few months and choose 12 items off the shelves. 

She had such cute decorations (check out the paper table cloth!) I didn't take pictures of the 

food but it was scrumptious. We all had a good time together--some women I hadn't 

seen in years and it was great to catch up. A good time for a good cause. 

And yes, these are napkins!

four view cards

Joining Vee's wonderful notecard party today. 

I haven't used these images in an actual post, 

but they are from my header. I decided to take one photo and make

 four different views/cards of it. 

It was a fun project and didn't take long.

don't open the oven door

London Broil made so easy:

Marinate defrosted london broil beef for about 24 hours. Preheat oven to 450 degrees (yes, that's right, 450.)  When oven is fully heated, place london broil on a rack in a pan in the oven. Set the timer for exactly 5 minutes per pound of meat, --yes down to the decimal. In other words, for "1.9 pounds" set the timer for 9 minutes. Don't go far from the kitchen, you may not hear the timer. As soon as the timer rings, turn off the oven. Now here comes the important part: DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR.  (You may need to place a note by the oven so no one walks into the kitchen, smells the delicious scent, and goes to see "what's in the oven!") Between 1 3/4 -2 hours later, (better to be earlier than later) take meat out, slice and enjoy. Note: the minutes of oven "on" time is key for a perfect london broil.

pre-school

It's been such a busy summer for us that time flew by and it suddenly hit me that school is about to begin. This year Little One goes to kg, so before that happened we needed to have a "grandma day" totally to ourselves. We went to the library and got books and later that day read all ten of them. One of the books we read right in the car and it was about a little girl who was getting a coat made and visited her grandfather's tailor shop with shelves lined with bolts of fabric. That was a perfect intro to our next stop: a fabric shop. She may not have been in one before because her eyes opened wide with delight at all the beautiful colors and variety of fabric, the buttons, and everything else. We were going to make a wreath so her job was to choose three colors of cloth to use.

Since "Little One's" new favorite color is purple we learned how many shades of purple there are. She is quite assured in her decision making process and I thought she made very good choices in three complimentary pieces of fabric.

Turns out the wreath was a bit hard for her, so while I worked on it she happily sat by my side and played with little people and other imaginative things. The wreath reminds me so much of ones I made years ago. With those projects I pinked the fabric rather than tearing it, and I used a wire coat hanger shaped into a circle rather than a cardboard wreath (wrapped in duck tape). The new wreath looks nice on her bedroom door!

We were both tired by the time I drove her home that evening, but I'm guessing I was more tired than she was! But what a good, fun day we had. And I just can't believe she is starting Kg.

books!

 I helped to give a baby book shower last week. It was the most organized 

event I've ever been a part of, and that is no credit to me. Our recipes were
even emailed to us!  (And the hydrangeas were painted by the florist. Amazing!)

The food looked and tasted delicious. And the books ... sigh ... wishing we

 could have had all of them for our own children.

Joining Mary's Little Red House for Monday Mosaics.

washing up

Eating a meal with one's right hand is cultural in many countries. During our weeks in Ethiopia 

this summer we ate traditional Ethiopian food many times. When we lived in West Africa 

and ate with our hands (usually when eating a traditional meal with friends) 

a bowl of water was passed around before and after the meal to wash our hand.

 I was surprised in Ethiopia to find so many washing up sinks in restaurants, out in plain view, 

separate from the rest of a rest room. They were serious about eating with clean hands! 

We ate dinner out at several cultural places where the food was delicious, the women who served were dressed in traditional dress, and we were entertained with music and traditional dancing. The servers came to our tables graciously with this beautiful pitcher and bowl so we could wash after the meal. 

This has become one of my favorite photos of our trip!

gazing upward

Windows, doors, arches, narrow winding roads, umbrellas ... these all caught my eye when 

we were in Germany for a few days (with quick hops into France and Switzerland.) 

It seems I was always gazing upward to see windows up high with cheery window boxes overflowing with vibrant flowers. I only once saw someone actually caring for the flowers, 

but they all obviously have tender attention.

The gray-shuttered window is where we slept and is in a flat over a butcher shop. The busy street sounds lulled me to sleep. I pretended it was a radio, which often puts me to sleep at home. 

The inside of our friend's black umbrella was such a surprise. 

Out came my camera!

Joining Mary's Little Red House for Monday Mosaics.

"I can see clearly now ..."

My measuring spoons and cups didn't used to be so hard to see. And after so many years of cooking, shouldn't I have memorized which is what size? I guess I always need to be sure; it's a funny thing. Maybe its because they never were clearly marked, more like engraved the same color as the cup or spoon. So I published a birthday wish list this year, for my immediate family-lacking-one (yes I missed my mom on this my first birthday without her.) And I asked for clearly marked measuring spoons and measuring cups.

Well my wonderful daughter-in-law took care of that! And the gift came in two separate packages to my door, separated by a few days, which just added to the pleasure of anticipation. These are enamel and look retro and I love them. And I can clearly see them. Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy my first baking with them!

still catching my breath

I'm wondering where summer has gone but I have a feeling it's almost over and I've barely had a chance to notice it. We are enjoying tomatoes from our garden, so I know it's summer! I'm still just a tad in recovery mode from our travels. Thrown in the mix was a quick four-day road trip up to Chicago and back this long weekend. We went to a memorial service for a couple who are dear to me and I've known since my birth! The night the husband died, his beloved whispered to him something like, "Don't walk too quickly, dear, I'll catch up with you soon ... " and three weeks later, she joined him in heaven. What a beautiful thing death can be. For them, 70 years of married life and so quickly together again in heaven.

Photo: I took many photos of windows and winding lanes on our trip ... this one is a favorite.

a room to be viewed

We flew from Ethiopia to Zurich over night, but our lack of sleep did not stop us from spending a few hours exploring such a beautiful old city. I was quite taken by what appears to be a room addition to an already large building. I was so curious ... was it an after thought and what could it be for?

A Stranger's Gift

Stewed tomatoes, sausage and beans was the standard breakfast fare at the large Guesthouse we were staying at in London the day Prince William was born. Yes, we were in town for that historic occasion, though the news did not travel nearly as fast as it did for the birth of his son yesterday. In fact I don't remember how we heard the news, but I do believe we knew the very day it happened.

But more significant to my memory of that week in London (en route from Africa for a visit home) was a kind older gentleman who took an interest in our young family. Just how much touring around can a young couple do with two toddlers in tow? This man suggested the London Zoo. And with that suggestion he gave us a gift of money to buy a stroller ... we had none along with us. So this picture shows my brother, who joined us later in the week, with our boys (one in the shiny new stroller) gazing at some swans.

Do you ever look back on your life and wonder how you did what you did? I continued across the Atlantic with the boys, one still in diapers, while the Gardener and my brother went on to Scotland to do some study. How did I manage that journey? At least the stroller made the airport easier.

A gift from a thoughtful stranger.

along the way

Half way around the world is a long ways away. I put my head to a pillow in two countries and stepped into three more for a few hours. It seemed to take a long time to pack for the journey and now even longer to unpack, wash piles of laundry, regroup and get over jet lag. I've missed reading your blogs.

We spent a few days with good friends in SW Germany on our way home from Africa. It was refreshing to drive through wine country, wind through little villages, and walk on cobblestone streets. One day we spent just soaking up the ambiance of our friends' village. I passed by this shop once or twice before it came into focus and I realized what I was looking at. This proprietor had flowers tuned to a sweet pink like none others I saw. Shabby chic! I had to take pictures . . . of course.

Right now it seems like I will never feel normal again, but of course I will in a few days. Actually I hope I never am quite the same again, for when you enter other worlds, you usually come away just a bit changed, hopefully for the better.

Joining Mary's Little Red House for Monday Mosaics

Come for Breakfast

I love having company for breakfast, whether it's overnight guests, or those who stumble through the door,  

hair wet from a shower, looking for coffee and just a bit perplexed about an invite to breakfast!
It just seems a simple way to share a simple meal, enjoy conversation,
and then go on to the rest of the day!

the past is really never gone

"Deep are these roots, inescapable, restorative. I thought about how life had gone on,

generation after generation. Perhaps the past is really never gone,

but always a part of the present. Lingering there in the quietness, I [gather] up

the people, the places, the little fragments of another time."

Helen Thames Raley

My grandfather and his twin sister, and two brothers are in this photo of school children.