Basement Treasures

Last week, three days of my life were spent unearthing the basement.  I used to vacuum the basement weekly and attend to the cobwebs and little messes that would accumulate.  Over the past three years, however, between the hecticness of life, kitchen construction, and having various visitors living in the basement (humans - not bugs, rodents, or otherwise); the basement has been out-of-sight -- out-of-mind.  When Pete went down to use the bathroom - "the men's room" let's say - he found that I had a bit of leak on the eastern wall most likely due to the large pine tree whose roots reside right next to my house.   This, of course, was going to take some action on my part and part of that was cleaning out the basement just in case there was any ensuing construction in the near future.  More on that in the future - not any time soon.  Anyhow, I cleaned and toiled and labored and what kept me going was finding a few hidden treasures in that dungeon of mine.  Not the expected treasures like my depression glass collection, or a favorite old book, or picture albums, but treasures that had long slipped my mind.

 Cousin Ryan made this turtle for me. 

Isn't it adorable?

 I'm not sure where this doll/figurine came from.  I know that I had it on my shelf in my bedroom as a little girl for a long long long time.  It was really cool to discover that "Haiti" was written on the stand.  It makes me think of the wonderful Haitian friends I made.  I hope and pray that I will be able to return to Port-au-Prince soon. 

I think I was made to be a missionary.  I am most alive and most effective when I serve God this way. 

 Oh these are precious; still in their original frames.  These are my grandparents' wedding photos.  I believe that they were hand painted to achieve the color. 

What a beautiful couple they are.  I miss them greatly.

 In this picture of the wedding party, I believe my Grandfather's brother, Charlie, is in view.  He died on the shores of Normandy. 

 Who could ever forget these dolls?  The two on the left were "snuggle dolls" - pull the string on their backs and they would snuggle away.  On the right, my Mandy doll. 

I'm still a snuggler :)

 This was a really something special to find, my Indian Princess garb.  My name tag "Ishpeming" and my vest with all of the patches.  Dad and I had a grand time in this YMCA program.  I am so glad he decided to do that with me.

 A hand-drawn map of the Maltese Islands given out by the Maltese Bureau of Tourism.  My grandparents gave this to me when I was doing my elementary report on Malta.  The map is really stunning now that I have 'older' and 'wiser' eyes to look at it.  I wonder if Mom and Dad will pick up a new map on their trip to Malta?

 The capital city Valleta.

 The Maltese Cross

The cross is a symbol adopted to remind Christians of our Lord's saving death - and with an empty cross his resurrection! Otherwise it is a quite neutral symbol, often in its form of equal sized arms, used in art due to the symmetry of design. Even as used by Christians, Christian artists have been inspired to produce many variations on the theme. Christian countries used the cross as the main symbol of decorations awarded to those who served the nation.

The Maltese cross, used as an identifying insignia on the habit of the Knights of Malta, was for the purpose of identifying themselves from their enemies. The Knights of Malta, also known as the Knights of St. John or the "hospitialers" was a religious order founded by Amalfitian merchants around the year 1070. The purpose of the order was to aid and care for pilgrims making the journey to the Holy Land. In 1136 the knights became a fully militarized order. The Knights driven out of Syria had been fleeing years of persecution by Islamic forces acquired Malta as their Sovereign Land from Charles V of Spain in 1530. This is the time that the Maltese Cross evolved into the present day form. The cross is described as a white eight pointed cross.

The eight points of the cross are believed to represent the eight vows the knights had to observe:

1) live in truth;
2) have faith;
3) repent of sins;
4) give proof of humility;
5) love justice;
6) be merciful;
7) be sincere and whole hearted;
8) endure persecution.
(courtesy of http://www.choppers.com/iron_cross.asp)

 A portion of the map showing where St. Paul shipwrecked

in 60 AD as described in Acts 27 & 28.

 Two typed letters from Mrs. Gutowsky in 5th grade.  Now that I am a teacher I have NO IDEA - NO CLUE - how she was able to write such personable letters.  I LOVED finding these tucked in my cubby.  She was a phenomenal teacher.  I wish I could tell her today!

 A page from the book I wrote titled, "I Get Scared When. . . "  Apparently I thought I had seen a shark at some point.  For the record, I have never seen a wild shark - not even off the coast of South Africa where Discovery's Shark Week is filmed.  Go Figure.

 A page from the book I wrote about Michigan Apples.  Whenever I have to consider the species/variety of apple I am looking at, this picture still pops in my mind. 

 The whole collection of "warm fuzzy" notes I received on my birthday in second grade.  Mrs. Spiteri certainly had a way of making each of her students feel loved.

 These special notes from Peter who REALLY missed me when I went away to college.  Truth is, I missed him more.

 And the final treasures . . . since this is the "family" blog . . . are a few pages from this book on the things I love.  It still is true today.

Jesus (glad I had my priorities straight)

 My family (Mom, Dad, Myself, Tim

(pete-you were still a twinkle in heaven at that point-1980)

 My grandparents - notice how everyone's hair color was spot-on!

My Aunts and Uncles.

Don't worry cousins, I am sure that I meant my Aunts & Uncles and all of their kids!

So, you just never know what you are going to find in the crevices of the dungeon - there just might be some treasures.  - T

Happy Birthday big brother!

Happy birthday, Paul. I hope you are having a fabulous day. Any special celebration plans? I hope you have a great birthday and a wonderful year! Love, Carol

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad.  I'm so glad that you are my Dad. Love, T

A Birthday Tribute (think Beatles Song)
When you get older losing your hair,
Many years years ago.
I'll be sending you a special valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of beer.

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When you're sixty-four.

I'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.

You could be handy, mending a fuse
When my lights have gone.
Mom can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a cart ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When you're sixty-four.

Every summer we can go to Florida
Swim the Atlantic and surf the waves.
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Alaina, Addie & we'll wait and see!

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Dad for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When your're sixty-four.

Happy Birthday!!

Hi Debbie, I hope you have a super great day on your birthday. May this year be one filled with blessings! Love, Carol and Ken

How sad....

I am so sad for Michelle and little Jimmy as they deal with the loss of Jim who died yesterday at the early age of 49. It is hard to comprehend. My prayers are with them.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Grandma - I hope you have a wonderful day!  I can't wait to see what adventures this year brings to you!
Love, Tracy

Harvest Feast

Double Click to Enlarge

This past Monday my friend, Amanda, and I made a harvest feast.  It started out as just making soup but it turned into a whole lot more.  We had a grand time.  The Gazpacho Soup was a take on Alli's Spicy Gazpacho Soup recipe.  The red portion is spicy hot and made of tomatoes, onions, Mrs. T's Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, cayenne pepper, and red hot sauce.  The green portion was simply freshly minced garlic, cucumbers, onions, and zucchini.  We placed a dollop of fresh plain greek yogurt on the top.  We then thought that we should have something to sop up the soup with and so we oiled and salted some hearty bread we bought off of the clearance rack at Holiday Market.  We placed the bread on the grill and when it became crispy we rubbed it down with garlic.  This is my version of Fett'unta.  Protein was in order so we grilled some natural Amish bone-in chicken thighs with a mix of herbs and spices.  Lastly, the eggplant was ready so we cut it in 3/4 inch slices on the bias and grilled them up too!  Lastly, to top off the meal we had Amanda's homemade pickles.  It was a perfect combination of tastes!  Needless-to-say we no one needed dinner that night. 

Why Buy Toys?

I know people have said this for years but seriously, why do we buy toys for kids? Why don't we just foster their imaginations and set them free. Alaina reminded me of how important that was. She had toys but she spent most of her time playing with things that were much more fun:
1. placemats ("My Planets" was her favorite, Addie preferred "Barnyard Sounds", Aunt CC loved the map where Alaina pointed out where all of her loved one's live)
2. Aunt CC's nalgene and sigg bottles (Alaina lined up and organized the "canteens" for hours and even got Addie in on the act. Later, she started using the pitcher and saying "Hot Coffee" as she tipped the container and "filled up" the bottles.
3. watering the garden with the watering can (no water required - much cleaner)
4. making the flash go on the old kodak camera (the battery still works after 5 years)
5. eating tomatoes off the vine (mmmm!)
6. running around the yard

Flower Girl

It's hard to be 2 years old and be a flower girl all at the same time. In the midst of all the fun "playing" Alaina had to perform her duties as official flower girl. She practiced, she talked about it, and best of all SHE DID IT without a hitch.

Life is Good

We have a potential buyer for our home! After seeing many homes this family wants to buy ours -- they just need to finalize the financing with their bank. Hope all goes well!

We are so happy in our new home! I've always dreamed of a neighborhood with lots of kids for our boys to play with and a feeling of safety where we are comfortable letting them go. We've definitely found it! On Sunday there were about 12 neighborhood kids engaged in a water balloon battle with our backyard as one of their bases -- they take it seriously! Adam had the wagon out and was pulling a friend and a giant pail of balloons down the street ready for war. There were kids everywhere and lots of smiles and laughter! At one point they were all in our basement making a movie together and I was loving it! There's nothing like the sound of kid's laughter to make me happy. The families on our quiet cul-de-sac are wonderful and there is such a sense of community with everyone looking out for each other's children.

Adam starts band this fall and tried out some instruments today at our local music store. He tried the trumpet, trombone and baritone. His face lit up when he was handed the baritone and I knew instantly that was his choice. He tooted on it for awhile and could barely stop smiling. He's excited to get started! I fell in love with a ukulele I saw there -- it was so much fun to play. If I get one I plan to learn to play "Mele Kalikimaka" for our Christmas sing-a-long!

Love to everyone!
Joy

Dimples

Oh she is so sweet.
We had a great time visiting this weekend.
Lots more pictures to come. Soon.
But for now - I'm pooped!

Sitting here.....

I am sitting here today wishing my pneumonia would just go away. I am responding to the second medication, but I have a way to go.

Crocodile Creek

Check out this cool kids toys/stuff company:  Crocodile Creek.

I recently purchased several placemats from my local Whole Foods Market for when the girls come.  Truth be told, I would have bought them anyway, but it sure sounds better when I say they are "for the girls"!  He He HA!!!  Here are the one's I bought.

Natural World ABC
Hard to believe but Alaina knows all of her letters by sight & sound!

World of Animals

 

World Map

Solar System

 Tonight we learned how to recognize the sun and the earth.  We will master Saturn tomorrow!

Jungle 123
Favorites:  Elephant and Monkeys

Barnyard Sounds
I must capture Alaina's impression of a dog.  Not "ruff" "bow wow" or any other expected variation.  Rather, when asked what sound a dog makes she "pants"!  Quite understandably, this is what a dog sounds like most of the time.

Under the Sea
Whales on the placemat - whales on the PJ's!

US Map
This might be one of the most important mats because Alaina talks a lot about where her family lives:  Nana and Papa in Georgia and Gram and Grand-dad in Indiana.  So cute.  Today I showed her how she drove from Chicago to Detroit. 

There are so many more adorable themes!  Check 'em out!
Maybe we'll learn the presidents next!!

Injured wing and injured lung

This young hawk appeared right on our doorstep this evening and then limped to the grass. He has an injured wing. We are going to try to bring him in to the Humane Society tomorrow if he is still here.

Here is his tender looking face.

He has the hurt wing....and I have the hurt lungs... the doctor thinks I have pneumonia.

Transformation

I painted the this room in the carriage house last week. It is quite a nice change.

Happy Birthday Joy and Pete

Showing a little leg.....glad you like the gifts, Joy.

Happy Birthday Pete & Joy

I agree with Debbie - Happy BIrthday - Much Love to both of you.

What's On My Plate?

A few folks have been asking me what I have been eating.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I recently recalculated my "Real Age" test and I've seen some improvement. 
Here's where I was at in January 2008.  My current results are:
Calendar age:  36.7
Difference: +0.7
Real Age:  37.4

Black Beans
Avocados
Organic Chicken Thighs - Bone In
Penzy's Seasoning
Mango
Grapefruit
Wasa Crackers
Hummus
Almonds
Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
Dark Chocolate (every day)
Pretzel Loaf
Cliff Bars
Balance Bars
Larabars (Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Lactose Free AND FLAVORFUL)
Zucchini
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Red Wine Vinegar

These are the foods that make up most of my diet but I do try to incorporate a variety of other foods like fish, vegetables, and an occasional piece of cake!  Oh and my favorite beverages are decaf green tea, rooibos tea from South Africa, Melaluca tea, and any kind of flavored carbonated water such as san pelligrino, la croix, or trader joe's brand.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Joy and Peter, Happy Birthday to you. Wishing you both a geat day for two great people.

Love, Debbie

He's a Workin' Man!

Since we first looked at our home, I've been wanting to cut down two trees/overgrown bushes by the front door. Adam has been asking when he could cut them down for me -- he was excited about doing the job himself, plus he keeps telling me that the house needs more curb appeal! I told him today was the day and he ran off to grab his choice of tools and began chopping the first one before I could even find my camera. Here's a before picture of Adam working while Ryan and Isaac supervise. The one he's working on had been as big as the tree on the right. Adding another branch to the pile ... it took Ryan two truckloads to haul all the remains to our city compost site.

He loved how much he was sweating and how dirty he was getting!

One of the two root balls. I helped him dig ... that was work! The other root ball was too big for Adam or me to lift ... thank you Ryan!

After! It looks so so so much better!

Thank you Adam!!!