Coffee and... For Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005

Muscoda, WI(Zone 4b)

It was such a treat to have several lurkers come out of the shadows and join us for a while in the kitchen.

Our Anniversary/Birthday party was a special get-together and now we're on our way into a new year.
Here's a link to the "party" thread:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/564173/

I thought this would be a good to time this...it was written by Andy Rooney...

Quoting:

I've learned...
That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned....
That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned....
That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned....
That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned....
That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned....
That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned....
That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned....
That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned....
That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned....
That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned....
That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned....
That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....
That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....
That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned....
That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....
That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....
That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned....
That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned....
That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned....
That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned....
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned....
That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I've learned....
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned....
That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned....
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned....
That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned....
That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned....
That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned....
That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned....
That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....
That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned....
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned....
That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.


On that note...here's the Daily! :-)

~julie~

Oostburg, WI(Zone 5b)

WOW WOW!!

Hugs, Julie. I've learned ...
that I have friends here at DG.
Hugs&blessings ... Elaine

Vegas,NV Filbert, SC(Zone 7b)

And I have learned from all of you.

Muscoda, WI(Zone 4b)

((((~hugs for everyone~))))
Thanks for making our 1st Birthday...another day to remember.

~julie~

Rehoboth, MA(Zone 5a)

Just good morning every one and thanking you for that wonderful birthday celebration, it was a grand party!!

Ottawa, ON(Zone 5a)

Good morning,

Never really got around to reading yesterday; so I'm trying to catch up a bit this morning before I go to work.

to lurkers who posted yesterday - welcome. Always nice to hear from lurkers and I hope we hear more in the future.

M5 - the Christmas cracker hat looks great. LOL

Woofens - take care of the shoulder. Hope that it improves quickly. Like others, I wonder how you can crack a shoulder blade and also what type of treatment you receive.

Julie - Good thoughts above. Don't know about you, but I think I'm still learning on some of those points.

Have to make this short - spent too much time reading yesterday's thread. DD#2's partner flew up to Ottawa on Monday. He had been with his parents in Kitchener (near Toronto). They and DD#! and SIL were all here for dinner yesterday. We hired a babysitter; so they could have a relaxed evening out without the grandtwins. As dear as they are, it's nice to get an occasional break.

And this evening we have other friends coming for dinner. But first, I have to go to work. The FC is open for the first time since last Friday. Today we will see people who slipped through the cracks and didn't get help before Christmas. Probably will be some problem solving.

Have a good day. I'll be back later.

Ann

south of Grand Rapid, MI(Zone 5a)

Whew, after all that celebrating, I'm pooped!! Slept in until 8am - a first for 2005!! Took a shower, greased up the cracked feet (unless I do it daily, they return..), took my allergy pill and now am ready to face the day!!

Today I'm just going to sit on my duff and do nothing that I don't want to do. It continues to be gloomy, cold, and rainy here. Not at all typical for Michigan. I actually miss the snow!! (slapping myself in the face)

I can't face de-Christmasing my house yet. Guess I'll leave that for New Years Day. Sure wish the seed catalogs would start coming in. While I was out yesterday I saw a huge display of Valentines stuff out already - can you believe that!!

Need to get off the computer and call my friend and tell her that I got her camera all set for her....I'll see ya later tator.... hey - where were you guys last night- chat was very empty....

Lambertville, NJ(Zone 6a)

Good Morning! I don't think I'm going to want to go back to work after this week off.

Julie - That was great.

Sarv - I started getting seed catalogs a couple days before Christmas. Yesterday I got Teritorial seed, Schumways and Thompson & Morgan. I'm sure in about 2 weeks I'll have a whole basket full. The more catalogs I get, the harder the decisions on what to get. I can't deal with so many choices.

It's supposed to hit 52' today, but I'll believe it when I see it.

waukesha, WI(Zone 5a)

Good morning GOBs, GOBettes, lurkers, pets, et al.... here's to a better day for our ailing friends, woofens, Carat, 1g, dcat, ws, Joyous, Maria, ernie's wife....it's a mystery why our bodies fail us when our minds are still sharp....or in my case, at least functioning now and then. Pati might have to share her "rescue" button if we keep injuring ourselves.

I was wondering about those odd little symbols in Elaine's post too, but I figured it was some relative of those pbsp/ things you get in forwarded email...a little secret computer language between non-matching fonts.

Carat, I agree, price isn't always the criteria for good wine, but if you friend is in the habit of relocating the price sticker, don't be too sure it didn't come off a better bottle in an attempt to make it look good!! A new friend gave us a bottle of wine last year (no price on it!) but it is still in the wine rack in the basement....we rarely drink anything alcoholic..........I'm goofy enough sober!!

MaryE, a name for your kitty popped into my head this morning, and it was "Smudge" . Now, you don't have to feel obligated to use it...he'll tell you his name one of these days.

Okus, ever since my "cardiac event" in the early 90's my credo has been "Life is Uncertain, Eat Dessert First." which is pretty much the philosophy of the posting you gave us. It's similar to the one called "Dust if you Must" which is to enjoy the gift of today instead of fretting and fussing about undone chores, etc.
My two older kids still remember the winter day when I had three preschoolers at home, beds to make, dishes to do, laundry to wash and dry and iron, the house was a mess and I just dropped it all. I said, "Let's go sledding~~" and we did, no sleds, just cardboard boxes and plenty of snow and a perfect temperature . We lived at the bottom of a long hill, and we had a wonderful day.

When my ex- came home to do his second job (criticizing my housekeeping/cooking/ thinking/ etc) he immediately began his usual tirade, starting with my not listening to his 2 hour dj stint.
I just looked at him and said, "When did your mother ever take you sliding down a hill?" When I look back at old snapshots, I am amazed to see that my floors were spotless, my kids well groomed. Because of his constant dissatisfaction I was sure I was just a terrible housekeeper/mother/wife. Lucky I didn't have that 2 X 4 then.

But with age comes wisdom, and I finally realized that was his way of controlling me, keeping me off balance, chipping away at my independance. Which is pretty much why I am who I am now, and don't concern myself with what other people think of me! So there! Sheeeesh, got that one off my chest!

Carat, if you send me your SILs, I swear I will hunt you down! I just got rid of my BIL and he was tolerable. Didn't drink anything while he was here...still whined and complained a lot but I didn't have to listen to that. Noticed DH was getting a little testy after the second day....LOL he gets sick of it too, but he won't admit it.

Sarv, if you want to believe those cookies went in the trash, that's fine with us. LOL I'll bet they're sitting on her hips as we speak!! But better hers than yours! I love crossword puzzles but I don't like soduku...it's like balancing a checkbook when you're missing a couple of entries!! I used to get the New York Times Sunday puzzle and it's the absolute best, often incorporating jokes or puns. Now I do the Chicago Tribune Sunday puzzle, but have about 8 weeks of them stockpiled because I haven't had time to do them.

And we got another picture of Bal's Beauties...aren't they just the sweetest looking puppies you ever saw! And you are getting new earpieces for your aids. My friend just got brand new digital aids, and she says they are 1000% percent better than her old ones, they don't pick up all the background noises and clutter. She can wear them when we go out for lunch, which she couldn't do with her old ones because they picked up every crunch and swallow and magnified them. She's just thrilled! She used to have her old ones in and out so often, she lost them several times. Found them in her purse, on the floor near the phone, etc. where they landed when she took them out.

Ugh, this is way too long.....hello to everyone I haven't mentioned. I know you're here because I read your posts!! Time to hit the shower, and put on some going to lunch clothes. Meeting my old girlfriend (in both senses of the word) as she and her DH have come up from Florida to spend the holidays with their kids and grands. We've been friends since 1953...imagine anyone putting up with me for that long!! LOL

See ya later

Sheila

Himrod, NY(Zone 6a)

Morning, Julie what a pleasant suprise you are planning for us!! Thank you. Sounds like you are really into the embroidery craze, have fun. Loved the piece by Andy Rooney........Oh to be able to remember them when they need applying in my own life. Like eating words! lol.

Sarv...I know you told us what you put on your feet but for us forgetful Jones' please tell again. My clogs cause the edges of my heals to harden and crack terribly and I have been using Watkins salve on them but think I need to get the "grater" out. Love the shoes to much to change can walk all day and never have tired feet in them, so I do need a fix for my heals.

Ann enjoy your continued celebration and having dear ones around. The memories will keep you warm later this winter.

Suziq...can I come visit they are only saying low 40's for us, but it sure beats those single digit tems we had earlier.

Well, onward and upward or outward whatever got to get my self in gear and going. Have a GREAT day all.

M5 just caught you post as I was previewing and is that a warning to stay away lol or are you telling us all that you are now 'old' !!! hahaha. Sure do love you posts, and would love to meet you some day.

--Joy

Hughesville, MO(Zone 5a)

The celebration was nice. I enjoyed all the posts. I'm one who lurks a lot. Especially if the thread is long. I need to limit my time on the computer or I get nothing done in a day. Too much to do for that.

I tried to cut my sleeping meds dose in half last night with dismial results. I only napped off and on until about 3 when I finally got back up and took another one. Then I sleep until a few minutes after 7. I needed to catch son Kyle before he left for work and ask him to get a bag of milo and some pine shaving bedding for me. The feed store was closed on Monday and Barb didn't get home to take me to get the van until 7 last night.

I don't think it will be as warm today as yesterday was. Maybe I can still keep warm enough to work on the front porch anyway. I got more material last night a Lowes.

I already have Jung's catalog. Don't know that I really want many if any more. I already have most of the seeds I need and can either buy the rest locally or trade for them. Our youngest DD lives near K.C. and goes to lots of nurseries and green house. She finds bargins and shares with me. She pretty well knows what I would like and need.

I'm listing to Bonnie Keen on The Harvest Show while typing. She is a muscian who has been thru years of clinical chemical depression that nearly ruined her life. She has written a book called Climbing the Ladder Out of Depression. She points out that just because one is a believer in JESUS doesn't mean you won't have serious problems of all kinds. We don't need to pretend that everything is always wonderful and be afraid or ashamed to be honest with others(including your doctor)about how we feel. Most of all, be honest with GOD. He already knows, just admit it to HIM and ask for HIS help.

Julie, thanks for the first posting. It is so true and we all need to heed it. Our lives would be so much more pleasant if we would remember and live by them.

I need to go to the HL forum and see what is going on over there. We welcome anyone who wants to join us.

GOD bless and keep each of you.

Rehoboth, MA(Zone 5a)

Sheila, that was a great post,
You sound like me and husband and the stuff we did with the kids, it was wonderful, DH said I don't want them remember the reason we can not do anything with them was because we, as parents are to busy spending money on a new toilet or any or new wall paper or the likes.
So we took them with us travling around here and abroad skiing, sledding , skating, staying at the beach, they now have wonderful child hood memories and are doing the same for their children.
I would have said good bye to a husband like your first one too.

Here he is teaching Daughter #2 how to skate, she is now 51 years old

Thumbnail by Maria
Schroon Lake, NY(Zone 4a)

Hi to all! I was on the run yesterday and just caught up with yesterdays posts.

I will keep all the hurting folks in my prayers, and greetings to healthy!

Julie, the first post today is great. Each line holds a lot of wisdom.

MaryE, my childhood friend had a kitten with dots on her nose like that and her name was Smudgy. someone above suggested smudge, so i second it!The brother was named Pudgy.

On the list of likes, i have to say my horses make me happiest these days. Maybe because it's a midlife dream come true. I have a t shirt that reads "when I count my blessings I count my horse twice" And yes leaflady, I agree with your assessment of Jesus! I do keep in mind the source of the blessings.

yesterday was our first day of work on the farm we bought. It will be long term project. Here's a link to the pictures
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/564289/
For those of you wanting to lose weight, look at the kitchen!! It will take away your appetite!

I agree with Carat who mentioned power tools as a good thing. I wish i had you guys and your inspiration and knowledge closer.

Maria I love the picture of DH and DD. you must have tons of happy memories!

It's probably back to the lath-and-plaster mine for me since the weather here isn't great for much outdoors.

So.App.Mtns., United States(Zone 5b)

Stopping briefly at the library to use the computer. Molly still has no internet service....they are now saying maybe Friday. Meanwhile, we are sketching plans for a pump house 10 feet x 12 feet.

Miss y'all, hope to be back Friday.

Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a)

Hi, just dropped in, not a lurker, haven't been signed up for long. Looks like a friendly chatty place to be.
sarv48, I can share some snow with you, we have had some yesterday and overnight, this will knock your socks off, taken before 9 this morning.

suzie, wow 52, we ar sitting at a +2 to -2C range at the moment (35-36), could even be colder!

Thumbnail by wallaby1
Whidbey Island, WA(Zone 7b)

GM to all the GOB's and 'Ettes today! I'm so sorry I've been missing all the posts the last several days. I've tried to catch up on them a bit, but mostly have only skimmed over them at best. Mea culpa.

I've been so busy these past several days. I've been working and trying to care for my Mum and help the gal next door with her ailing hubby. It's been the best and the worst of times and I hope some day when all is said and done, she'll be able to look back on this Christmas with fond memories even if they are bitter sweet.

Yes, indeed, Bob was able to come home for 3 days over Christmas, but he's back in hospital as of Monday. He had surgery yesterday and stents were placed in the pancreatic and common bile ducts. He hasn't been able to digest any food for the last three weeks and he's lost 30#'s in 18 days. Our goal is to get Bob home again and keep him as comfy as possible. I talked with his oncology docs in Seattle and they have agreed to be more aggressive with pain control and since I live next door, I can manage his pain meds for him. The hospital is allowing me to function as his home care nurse even though I'm not an employee, but they have a special waiver that will cover me and them legally since we live on an island and Seattle is a 2.5-3 hour drive away (depending on traffic). I've also talked them into putting in a Port-A-Cath so I can access for blood draws, medications and IV fluids if necessary. That will be done tomorrow. (For those who are unaware, my next door neighbour has pancreatic cancer and is only 51 years old.)

I thank the Lord every day for another fine day on this earth. Good or bad, happy or sad, bright or cloudy, I'm grateful for everything I have. I have a wonderful hubby who supports me in everything I do. He works hard, helps me with my Mum and even with Bob next door. What more could I possibly ask for? I can only say, but for the grace of God, there go I. No matter how bad things may seem for ourselves, there's ALWAYS someone worse off than ourselves.

In case I don't get to post again for a time, I wish everyone the best of the best in the new year. May each of you be blessed with happiness and health for without either one, the other does not matter. I send my love and respect to each of you and please know, I'm grateful for this forum and for it's 1st birthday. Happy Birthday! Coffee and..... may you enjoy many more to come!

With care, ~Babs~

Morning all
wallaby1, so glad to see you at the table this morning. Just pull up a chair and help yourself to a cup of coffee or tea if you'd prefer. There's usually always something sweet on the counter ... but don't look to me for it. LOL I'm not much of a baker. Do keep fresh coffee on, though.

Suzie, Bob is so lucky to have you next door. And your Mom, how fortunate you are to be close enough to take care of her. It's weird ... when you're out of town your siblings always act like you did it on purpose so as not to be able to share in the responsibilities. Little do they know how hard it is to be away and not have the privilege.

Julie, I really enjoyed the opening for today. I need to keep that close at hand.

Whoever mentioned the name Smudge ... I love it. Had a kitty that was smut black that my Granddaddy got for me when I was a little girl. Of course her name was Smut.

Hi Darius ... so good to see you're still alive. Tell Molly hi for me.

Pati, hope you're okay down your way!

Sheila, sounds like you and Maria have a lot in common. Would love to meet both of you.

To all those I've missed ... no slight intended. Have had several interruptions already and want to post this. Today is a clean up day. Am trying to figure out where in the world all these decorations were! LOL I didn't buy any new ones ... so they have to go somewhere.
Hugs all way round ... elaine

south of Grand Rapid, MI(Zone 5a)

Taking a short break - did some house pickup (clean friend is coming over and I always feel like a piggy housekeeper while she is here...)

Joy - they stuff I use is called Burt's Bees Foot Cream. I put it on at night with some socks (which come off sometime during a hot flash! If I do it every few days, my heels are ok. But let them go for a week and I will scratch up wood floors with all the skin cracks.

Babs- I wish you were MY neighbor....you are a real sweet heart taking care of all those folks. My dad died with pancreatic cancer - he lived several years longer than the doc thought. Tough old guy, but he was in a great deal of pain and sick often. Not pleasant by any means. I wish the best for your neighbor - that's a tough road to walk.

Gonna go now and play with friend's new camera - hoping I can show her how to use it!

Lambertville, NJ(Zone 6a)

Do you believe i'm still in my PJ's. Have been doing some cleaning and picking up, so I havn't been just laying around. DGS is here so I'm waiting for DH to come back in the house then I'll get a shower. Can't leave the 3 year old unattended that long, he's a pip. I'll try and get a picture of him sometime today.

Want to bake a batch of cookies this afternoon. All the ones I baked before Christmas are gone.

lO1, you gave credit to the wrong person. Bab's is the one taking care of her neighbor. What a sweetheart.

Wallaby - Welcome. I'll be putting out some cookies later, help yourself.

Dillonvale, OH(Zone 6a)

AFternoon guys :)

I have been skimmming posts, hard to sit at computer. What fav things list did I miss??

As for who hit me with the 2x4.... I have no idea, but will you guys hunt thim down and hurt him please? LOL Honestly, the only thing that we can figure is that I did it back in July, when I fell on our concrete outside steps. I landed on my left side, and thought I had broken my arm, but it was just deeply bruised. It was after that when my shoulder started giving me grief. I thought I had pinched a nerve, until it got so bad over this weekend. I thoink making and stirring all the choc chip cookie dough is what finally pushied it over the edge. From what I know so far, there is nothing they can do for it, just complete immobilization and rest. Probably at least 8 weeks :((
I'll know more tomorrow, I go see the orthopedic surgeon. They taped my back, so that if I move my shoulder out of the position they want it in, the tape pulls, and they put me in a sling. I got a prescription for 10 dorvoocet, but they said I would get something stronger tomorrow when I see the DR.

Well, I'm going back in to bed. I can prop up in there and be mostly comfortable. I miss being here :((

Hugs to all, and even though I can respond to each of you, you are all in my thoughts and prayers :)

Love
Janis

Baker City, OR(Zone 5b)

Good morning everyone. We have a dark rainy day, so dark I need to have lights on in the house. Not too inspiring but I guess I will get some housework done so I can ignore the weather.

Julie, I didn't answer your questionaire, which I think it is on yesterdays's page. Anyhow, from memory, here's what I like. Gardening, horses, DG and my DG friends who have enriched my life, reading in the winter, cats better than dogs but I've had some great dogs that I dearly loved, not into cooking except as a necessity or when I'm hungry for something in particular, not much into crafts or sewing. My faith in God keeps life making sense most of the time and I try to keep those around me mindful of the blessings God gives us all without getting pushy about it. As Leaflady said (I think) I might be the only Bible somebody will read today.

Dmc, I looked at the pictures of your "new" house. My oh my, what a project you have gotten yourself into. The pictures of the kitchen make me think somebody left suddenly. And the water damage, ooooo. I looked at the brick fireplace and throught it was far better that somebody just built a wall over it than to have painted it. Be sure to keep us updated. We have remodeled a few old houses but never had the luxury of not having to live in it at the same time, so you do have an advantage there. The land is beautiful and outbuildings fixable and usable. Usable outbuildings are a blessing! especially if you already have the animals and other things that need to be using them.


Babs, you are indeed a good neighbor!

Wallaby1, thanks for coming by, I hope you will stay. We now have even more international flavor here which makes the koffee klatch even more interesting. Tell us more about yourself. I suspect snow is kind of rare where you live, I think of rain when I think of the UK. My grandfather was born there, Sailsbury (sp?) I believe. He worked on the cathedral there (pipe organ) and his father is buried in the churchyard. Their last name was Hollingsworth. My grandmother was also English but was born in Chile because her father was a flour mill manager there for a British firm. She came to the US at about 12 years of age speaking almost no English because she had been raised by the Spanish nurse the family employed. Talk about culture shock!

Thanks for the kitten name suggestions, kitty is female, but I like the name Pudgy best so far because she is short legged and big in the tummy. I haven't settled on a name yet, so she is just kitty so far.

I need to get going, so no more time to comment, but I did read all the posts. Back later, really, no trip to town today which took most of my time yesterday. I'm praying for those of you who hurt.

Vegas,NV Filbert, SC(Zone 7b)

Babs, you are a sweet neighbor to take on that responsibility. Allowing someone to be at home instead of a stay at a hospital is better for the patient on so many levels, it good you are there.

Janis, I am looking for the fool who hurt you. I will smack him twice. Once for you and then once for good measure. Please rest and take care.

Mary, I like smudgy and pudgy. I had two hampsters when I was a child. I named them cutie and patutie. Mom thought I was nuts. Oh well.

Wallaby, so glad that you stopped in. I don't drink coffee so look at Maria and Elaine's end of the counter, I have fudge on the counter. It has nuts so take all you want. Nuts don't like me..

Suzie, I hope you enjoy your DGS visit.

Darius, I am glad that you are at Mollys now. I am sure that you are going to be back at 100% soon and you both will be building, planning and planting all over the place.

Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a)

mine's double chocolate chip, or a huge chunk of rich chocolate cake, now I really do want some!
Thanks all for the welcome, sounds like you all have a lot of cleaning up to do, glad I'm off the hook. I did our Xmas dinner Very late at night, when I felt like it, first Xmas I haven't been under pressure. Way to go.

Babs you sound like you are a very much needed member of your family and community, we are behind you in your strength, and hope you can keep up the strength, please look after yourself.

Janet



Just dropping by to say sorry for making you sound sweeter than you are, Suzie! LOL Just teasing you, girl! And Babs, forgive me for that slip up. I had 40 million interruptions during that post.

Janet, you sound like a chocoholic like me. Better sit at my end of the table, LOL I'll pass you the stuff without nuts as I love 'm.
... Elaine
P.S.
Don't think it exactly fits ... but I like the name Patches, also.

Bartlesville, OK(Zone 6a)

Just stopping by for a sec. Just got a call from the vet about Pepper. Her liver numbers are bad and he wants to do more tests.

Has just taken me down into the black hole a bit, but I know I will get back out soon.

I am going to go give her some hugs and kisses.

She doesn't act sick, so that is a good thing.

Susan
=^..^=

Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a)

MaryE, Do you mean Salisbury? my ancestors come from all over, great great (I think) grandfather went to Adelaide in Sth Australia, Decemberr 1839, part of a 5 year settlement plan, it was the end of the scheme but thousands went there in following years, and that was just to that state, makes you wonder if anyone was left here! He was a mason, and was given a bible, which my father has, on leaving, I presume he had something to do with the church as a mason. They were in those days I suppose a very skilled lot, there are many stone buildings in Adelaide. The bible is dated on the front 1696, and all John Rowley's have inherited it, but records have not been kept up in it. The govt. here was selling land to people in order to fund their fares, I have read on a web site which I can't find now about the goings on, it was considered quite improper that passengers were singing and making merry on leaving the mother land!
However, it must have been a difficult thing to do, as in America they were pioneers, he was listed with 'wife and six children', no names for them. it was his second wife, both Charlotte, people died early then, one child died and they had 3 more, then he died 7 years on. The story is very long, so is my ancestry, I can go back as far as 1711 (courtesy of one of the many cousins from Australia who came in the 1980's to research), beyond that not certain as to direct lineage as a 20 year break in records due to catholic wars, from the Somerset County Council records, he married in Shapwick but seemed to come from Gloucester.
The original one came from de Roilly in France, same name but later changed, with Wills the Conqueror in 1075, from there they went all over the place, Ireland in 1175, America etc. They were the kings men, and he held some place on the south coast, some became Lords etc, but please don't blame me for all that, I wasn't there. I am a very ordinary humble person. Half of America is most likely related!
My mother's family has as far as I know Welsh and German ancestry, her grandfather went as a 12 year old in 1884, worked on the land, taught himself to read and write, became mayor, magistrate, etc, built a church which was used for schooling in the week and church on Sunday, as there was no near place for children in sheep country to go. He married a German girl, some had gone from Germany to the Barossa Valley because of religious persecution, and it is a well known grape and wine area.
Could go on forever, but I imagine many have a similar history, it is very interesting to find out about the hardships our ancestors have endured. It sort of humbles one. We often complain about our hardships, but it must have been a whole different kettle of fish.

Thank you CARAT, I have been fancying fudge lately! Trouble is all this gets the REAL juices going.

IO1 coffee sounds great!

Vegas,NV Filbert, SC(Zone 7b)

WOW, wallaby it is wonderful you are able to know your linage so far back.


Susan, a hug for you and a scratch for the fur baby.

Casey

Moab, UT(Zone 6b)

So where are you,? Lincoln is where? And do you usually have snow? Sorry gals, my curiousity got the better of me here.

Woofens, immobility is the onlly answer for the break you have and... no kidding, no cheating... hopefully it is in line while it heals. 'Spin broke hers once. Follow doctor's orders.

Babs, you are an angel.

Smiles for everybody... I am so behind... the faster I go the worser it gets.

Susan, so sorry to hear about Pepper. Please give her kisses and hugs from me, also.

Janet, sounds like you've really done a lot of research. That Bible your Dad has is such a *precious* thing. I have my great Aunt's with all her little clippings right where she left them tucked in and a hand carved stand. Of course ... not nearly so old, but precious none the same. That's wonderful to have something like that to pass down in a family. I'm going to be sure this one goes back to the family of it's rightful owners. My great Aunt and I were very close, and her son gave it to me when she passed away. I have always treasured it.

(Zone 8b)

Hi All,
Gosh you have all been rattling on this morning!! I can't keep up!

Welcome Wallaby, My ancestors too went out on the early boats - in my case first boat to sail for New Zealand in October 1839. They must have been tough - gggg grandma gave birth a month after they got there, in a tent on the beach. There were no permanant buildings at that point - and probably no doctors either. Interestingly that baby became the harbour pilot and was responsible for the safe landing of his daughters spouse in 1871 - another of my gg's!

Babs, you are truely bringing your work home at the moment aren't you. They are so lucky to have you as a neighbour but so unlucky to have the problems they do.

Julie that was a great opener! Makes you think doesn't it.

Woofens - I do hope that heals quickly - it isn't much fun being without your main arm and when you are in pain too that is miserable.

Carat you asked about Lampshades, I make Silk victorian shades from scratch. Well I don't make the wire frame - I aquire those from thrift shops, flea markets etc, or but new ones. There are 3 or 4 firms that still make the wire work -but those get pricey!! I have included a photo.

Someone asked about Madeira Gravy, that is basically a meat gravy with half a cup of madeira instead of some of the stock The stock is made by boiling bones, or if its poultry stock giblets, with onion carrots, assorted herbs (which ones varies with the meat and the mood I'm in) salt and pepper. The stock is boiled up in the meat roasting pan, after the excess fat, and the meat(!), have been removed, thickened with cornflour and the Madeira added just before it is served.
Stuffing w sausage meat - a Packet of Pepperidge farm stuffing, the blue packet, I recognise it by colour but I think its the one that isn't cornbread or cubes!!LOL
It is soaked in Swansons chicken broth instead of the water. Then you rub in a small tube of Owens sausage meat with sage - has to be Owens the others are too fatty!! the sauages meat is rubbed in as if you were rubbing lard into flour to make pastry. Roll into balls and put on a greased tray and into the oven at about 425 for 35mins - until brown and crunchy on the outside. Serve hot with the gravy and the other meat.

Enough for now - DH wants lunch back later!

Carol
The Odd One

(Zone 8b)

OOPs forgot the photo

Thumbnail by okus
Rehoboth, MA(Zone 5a)

Wallaby, what a fascinating story about your ancestors, loved reading it. I can go back to 1700 and that is only because mine did not move about a lot, stayed in the same area.

Sorry about your Pepper, Susan, hope he will be OK.

One more thing, Wallaby, have you heard of a chocolate cookie named 'Afghans'?

Babs, so sorry about Bob not being well

Booms, so happy to see your here and all other whose posts I have enjoyed reading

Still have plenty of Russian Tea Cakes, have some

Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a)

BWV, Lincon is the capital of the County of Lincolnshire. It was a Roman soldier settlement, there is a cathedral started around 1,000 years ago on the hill top, and a castle near it. The Romans left this country I think around the 500's, not certain but what's a hundred years or two. It is around 120 miles north of London, and is in the 'East Midlands'. Here's a web site (just found it)

http://www.lincolncathedral.com/

We can have snow anytime from November to June, but it is not the norm, the country nearly comes to a halt when we got a bit of a snowfall. In Jan-Mar 1982 I think, we had 3 months of frost and snow, quite deep, and to -20C (-4F), it seems a regular cycle every 16-20 years, but I think we had a less severe one in 2001. Surprisingly we don't get as much rain as we had in Australia, but the evaporation rates are not the same either. The rainfall is not really above 20", we had up to 40" in the hills south of Adelaide, 20" was a drought. But we do have high humidity, this autumn I have never known it so humid, often over 90%, once at 100%, and at that point it of course comes out of the air, everything was going mouldy. Then recently it was only 54%, and cold, the autumn was by no means warm but perhaps 10-12C or occasionally more. Being an island surrounded by water we get whatever comes from Spain (warm) or Nth Africa (hot), the North (icelandic), the continent from the east either hot or cold, the best I suppose is from the south west, coming off the sea, which tends to bring most rain. Unless of course it comes from Scotland and the North west, they get constantly drenched up there. There is also a jet stream which can either go above or below, and that can make a huge difference, if it goes northwards it tend to bring...horrors...a small hurricane!

Yes IO1, I always looked at it as a child, and was really drawn to it, it has gold leaf edges, and a leather impressed cover, the pages are very thin and fine, and slightly browned. My mother always said it had been chained in a church when there was a fire. I think they used to have their own pews, with bible stores chained around the walls, and the paupers looked through the holes, that's what I have heard anyway! I don't know who will get it, my brothers are both dead, died young. My Mum always said it was not necessarily the John Rowley that had to get it, I suppose she saw I was interested. I have hundreds of relatives, and Rowleys galore. They used to breed well, there was a family reunion in my primary school town in 1984, with over 500 representatives, plenty more then and even more now! My son is in Sydney, he did a search for the name, found a John Rowley that went to America in around 1675, and thousands of pages of names and initials of descendants, a present descendant (you guessed it, John Rowley) claims to be related to Winston Churchill, and dare I say it? George Bush has Rowley in his ancestry, also Spencer (Princess Di), and the Spencers and Prince Charles were related back in the 1600's to the Churchills, ssooooooooo, I say they can keep it all!

Gee that was a lot of bumph, now I'm going to have to do some more research! i don't know where these things were found, not on google I don't think, another search engine.

So you see, probably half on America has the same relations! That's not going back to France, and the Roman invasions of them, and Atilla the Hun, and all the people who went back and forth thousands of years ago (evience of people doing this 7-12,000 years ago at least), which makes us all one should-be-happy family.........did you know the Indians from southern America came originally from Europe?

Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a)

Maria.....nooooop, haven't heard of an Afghans, please fill me in!

Beautiful lamp okus,,,,,,,,you see, we are all made of tuff stuff, due to our ancestors, they were the survivors!

Vegas,NV Filbert, SC(Zone 7b)

Okus, I redid a lampshade like that for my mother in law a few years back and Julie cover your eyes for this, I glued the whole thing. LOL
Yours is beautiful.

Wallaby I really enjoyed reading all that about your family. I would think that the bible should go to someone who held it as a precious gift and not just because of a name. I have a few things that were my g parents and although they were originally suppose to go to my brothers my parents gave them to me knowing I would treasure them and keep them safe. They would be lost if they hadn't of done that.

Casey

Rehoboth, MA(Zone 5a)

Okus, what a beautiful lamp, love it!

Wallaby, I thought with your Australian connection you may have heard of this recipe it was given to me by one from down under.

typo errors again, wish I could type

This message was edited Dec 28, 2005 3:48 PM

Vegas,NV Filbert, SC(Zone 7b)

Maria, are afghan cookies the one with dates chopped up in the them? I have a friend that is a cookie fiend and she makes and bakes so many different kinds, that I have a hard time remembering which ones are which.
If they are I liked the cookie part with out the dates. Never really cared for dates.

Casey

Lambertville, NJ(Zone 6a)

Wallaby - your family history is so very interesting. I know some history on both sides of my family, but not that much. We have lots of pictures that were never marked or dated, so we don't know who they were.

Susan - saying a prayer for your Pepper. Keep us posted.

Here is a picture of DGS taken this afternoon while we were playing with his remote controle car that his Unle Dougie gave him.

Thumbnail by suzieq2761
Lambertville, NJ(Zone 6a)

And here is another I forgot I had taken the day after Christmas

Thumbnail by suzieq2761

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