Andersonville and Plains GA

Yesterday Paul and I took a day trip around Georgia. We have been trying to see as much as we can of the different Civil War sites as possible.

Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was officially known, was one of the largest of the many confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. It was built early in 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Federal prisoners kept in and around Richmond, Virginia, to a place of greater security and a more abundant food supply. (I don't know why the food thing they did not feed them at all!) During the 14 months the prison existed, more that 45,000 Union soldiers were confined there. Some 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure.

The prison, POW museum, and cemetery were really interesting. The statues were really impressive. You can find out more about Andersonville at this link or visit some pictures at Google images.


After a picnic lunch at the National Park site, we then went on to Plains GA. We visited there with Mom and Dad Nadeau in the summer of 1977. All I remember of Plains is Billy's gas station the white train station headquarters and that it rained so hard an old chair floated by in the ditch on the side of the road. When we got there not much had changed since then except no chair!!! Also it was really nice that a woman who own one of the shops came running out after us giving Paul a bright yellow sunflower because she said we had the prettiest car in Plains in a long time and the flower matched the car to the T.

We had a great trip and it took about three hours to drive home.








This is to show the area where the men lived. They had to have all their own things they were not given shelter, food, water, or anything for that matter. It was hot and buggy when we were there. I know it gets hotter and sunnier. It must have been unbearable!


This is at the entrance of the Cemetery It is really nice.


This is the Monument that was to honor all the men from Michigan:



This is the Carter headquarters. It looks the same as it did before LOL.











Billy Carter's Gas station. I remember us all visiting this in 1977




Daisy given to us by the shop Lady because we had the car to match!

Come They Told Me . . . Pa Rum Pa Pa Pum

What a lovely weekend - What a fast weekend. Pete, Emily Ann, and Alaina arrived late Friday night. We had the pleasure of spending the day together on Saturday. Since I saw Alaina last June, it seems that she has become a drummer! She loves all sorts of music, noises, and dancing!

Happy 39th Anniversary

This weekend I had the great pleasure of traveling to Peachtree City to visit Mom and Dad. I flew in on their 39th Anniversary from Detroit and Dad flew in late that evening from Japan. He brought back a very special card that he had a Japanese friend write in Kanji symbols. She also wrote a translation in English. We have always chuckled at how the translations don't always come out so smoothly. We have laughed all weekend at this one!

It's a GIRL!

We are expecting a baby girl! Addison Jane looks perfect on the ultrasound and we couldn't be happier that she is healthy and growing strong. Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts!

Pete, Emily, and Alaina

A visit from Faith

Faith came to visit us for four wonderful days last week!

Thank you Addy for letting her come -- we know you missed her!
Here are some highlights from her visit!

"Can we go swimming now?" "Is it time to go in the pool?"

Faith is a little fish and loved swimming in our pool.

Her favorite activity was jumping in -- over and over and over!

She wouldn't stay still for long in the water!

Faith loved playing Guitar Hero with the boys!



A visit to Manitowoc wouldn't be complete without a visit to the cow to get ...

Ice Cream!!!

Faith braves the lion's mouth at the Manitowoc Zoo to get a drink of water.

We miss you Faith!

Come visit again soon!

Bon Appetit!

If you truly love to cook - you will like this movie: Julie & Julia. I pulled my copy of of Julia's cookbook that my mom gave to me and perused through before the movie which made it even more delightful!

Band Camp

This past weekend was SUPER busy - but among the craziness I had the opportunity to dash the construction and the deluge rain to see Tim and his students perform at Band Camp. We were on the phone several times while I was driving to Lansing because the rain was coming down so hard that they thought they might have to cancel. They've never cancelled in 22 years - so Tim devised plan B and we saw the band play meso forte in the cafeteria at Hubbard Hall.

One of the greatest aspects of seeing Tim and his band is that Tim's LOVE for what he does really shines through. It is so evident that he thoroughly enjoys his career. He gives bold instruction, talks quietly with a student to say that he really likes how they've done this week, he meanders through the crowd of parents telling them how appreciative he is that they were flexible, he smiles at the flags to let them know he hasn't forgotten that they are tucked in the corner of the cafeteria and he waves his arms with enthusiasm as he conducts and then turns it over to his "fresh out of the box" drum major!

Tim - thanks for making this world a place where kids love music!!

Seeing Red

My new hair cut with RED highlights!

Baby Nadeau Update

Hi all!

We are going to find out on the 20th of August whether we are having a girl or a boy, so we thought we should finalize our name choices. If it's a boy, he will be Joseph Paul and if it's a girl, she will be Addison Jane. Thanks for all the name suggestions and being involved in this exciting time for us!

Love you all,
Emily Ann and Peter

New Look for the Summer! - The Reveal

You were all right! It is the old Pier in Marquette. I took the picture last Labor Day! The water was so beautiful that day! It practically looks like the ocean.

A Lazy Day Yields Visions of Vegetables

Hello All - I hope you are doing well. It's just a lazy day here at my house. I slept in (ugghh) and I'm still in my pj's. My morning has not been super productive: I watched one episode of Veggie Tales about "rumors" (he he he - a grown woman watching Veggie Tales - I think this is why people have kids so they can still watch cartoons about cucumbers, tomatoes, and asparagii). I sure do miss the old Tales in which they told Bible stories. Then I watched a fantastic episode of Gourmet's: Diary of a Foodie. It was my favorite episode - all about living off of the earth - from the garden - from the local animals. It is a secret dream of mine. So my morning as been filled with visions of vegetables.

Speaking of - my garden is growing well - slow because of the weather - but the vegetables have been really delicious. So far I have eaten lots of yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers and one green pepper. I can't wait for the eggplants to come in so I can make ratatouille.

I am trying to muster up some energy to pick up the house!

Hope you are having the same kind of day!

Tracy

New Look for the Summer!

The blog got an update over night. A few of you may have even seen it in the in-between stages (ewhh~~). Anyhow, the new header is a photograph that I took and I am wondering if you can identify (1) what it is and (2) where it was taken!! Go ahead and leave a comment with what you think!

Big News from Silverhill, Alabama

I just LOVE this story. Read ALL ABOUT it! at Zion Lutheran's website.

The article also appeared in their local newspaper - How Cool!!! The pastor sent it to mom and dad and they scanned it for all of us to see. There are three pages. Click on the links below.

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3

24 Hour Solitude Retreat

Yesterday I headed off to Plymouth, MI to the St. John's Retreat Center with 23 other folks from my church for a solitude retreat. It was a great experience. We were alone on the grounds of the beautiful retreat center for 24 hours of prayer, reading, and fasting. I know it might sound like tons of rip roaring fun - but I assure you it was wonderful. I was a bit nervous about being all alone as I am a fairly social person - but God was right there with me. I spent most of my time in the labyrinth garden and the waterfall garden. (that was my favorite) My friend Jenny went too and we snapped a photo after the retreat was over. The photo above pictures a cross with seeds growing in it. The four corners represent the four seasons. Does anyone know the name of the artwork? I wish I had taken a picture of the plaque so that I could remember.

If you haven't taken time alone to be with God lately - or ever - I want to urge you to do so. It will be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.

My Mom Is a Famous Catalog Knitter

Mom, aka. the machine, has been knitting up samples for one of the most preeminent knitting suppliers; Knit Picks. Her lace work has been of particular interest to the company and her latest work is found on page three of the catalog. I was so excited to receive it in the mail! You too can take a peek at it in the on-line catalog!

Knit Picks Online Catalog - Queen Silvia Shawl

Zion Lutheran Church; Silverhill, Alabama

Zion Lutheran Church (take a look at the site in the historical section you will see Erick Ulrickson's name. If you look at the pages of the book by clicking on it you will see his signature.)



Today Paul and I went to Silverhill, Alabama to visit the area that Great-Grandfather Erick Ulrickson went to after the panic 1893. What we had gathered is that a group of Swedish man sent out three groups to Alabama to find a place to work and live. Erick's group came to Silverhill. The area was all forest and ready for logging. In the records of the church it appears that he was one of the founding fathers of the Zion Lutheran Church. In 1905 he became one of 16 founding members. in 1905 he is listed as one of four Historians. In 1907 The historical records of the church state that Eric Ulrickson became the custodian.

Then in 1907 a large unnamed Hurricane hit the area many people were killed or left the area. Erick's attendance records which are not that good have him gone after 1909. We were told that by 1910 only three of the first 16 were left.

We went to the cemetery but could not find him there. We then found the name of the man who has all the records for the cemetery Elvin Ewing. Mr Ewing looked in his records and could not find Erick. He did say that there were 25 unknowns buried there. We then went to the local smallllllllll library and got a book on the history but it didn't help. She recommended we talk with Gus Ulter in his 80's and one of the oldest members of the church. Gus was interesting but did not know about Erick. He recommended we talk to Pastor Dave. Pastor Dave met us at the church and spent the next 2 1/2 hours talking with us and showing us all the old records. He called the Lutheran church for information with little luck. It was really interesting.

Paul got to ring the bell and we saw the old church now someone's home across from the church. All the old things displayed in a museum in the back of the church. We had a great time.

We know little more about Erick but not much. We do have a copy of his signature on the old papers. We also have several historical books about the Swedish Community.

Family Fun on the 4th of July

GG and the kids waiting for the parade to start!

Faith did not like the Fire engines TOO LOUD! But she was really good at getting the candy with the boys! Boy is she getting big and beautiful!

Maybe next year Carrie will be the bagpiper in the parade next year! We then went to the park and had pasties and roasted chicken. HMMMM good!

Then off to Linda for the best corn casserole, hot dogs and hamburger in town. A little water balloon fight and lots of good conversation. What a wonderful day with wonderful people! We missed the others Tracy, Tim, Peter, Emily Ann, Alaina, Susie, Paul, Kirsten, Heather and her family, Michelle! Maybe this Christmas we will all be together.

love to all
Emily