Hi everyone!
I hope you had a nice weekend and didn’t get TOO hot! We’ve had 2 kinds of weather lately… HOT and WET. When it’s not raining it’s hot and when it’s hot, it’s not raining… EXCEPT on those days when it’s raining and STILL Hot! :o)
I have been digging around in my sewing room again… and sorting and tossing again. I have to do this every once in a while, just to have something to do… NOT!!! However Kirsten is still standing in the exact same spot she was on Friday! I’ll get to her in a day or two, but in the meantime, Charlotte sent some pictures to share with all of you. These are some pictures from her trip to Michigan. There’s even some “fabric” shown… once a seamstress, ALWAYS a seamstress!! :o)
So I’ll let Charlotte take it from here.
Hi everyone! Sorry it’s taken so long to get these to you. Here’s a little about my trip to Michigan earlier this month, and a few pictures.
1–One of the outings June (my best friend since Nov. of 1952!) and I did was to go to River Place in Frankenmuth. River Place is sort of an outdoor mall, with lots of shops and places to eat. I had one goal: The Michigan Shoppe!! I wasn’t walking real well that day, and of course my walker was safely here at home, so we didn’t try to do a lot of shopping but had a nice time anyway. Here I am in front of a couple of fountains at River Place.
2–My best friend June and me, inside The Michigan Shoppe. The owner kindly took our picture.
3–June and me, being a little silly, at her house.
4–My purchases that day
5–It seems we went shopping somewhere almost every day! A wonderful Bible bookstore, Big Lots!, some thrift stores….and All Sew in Flint. They are moving their store, and were having a 30% sale on their fabrics. Well, I of course I found something!!
6–June and Jerry (her husband–they’ve been married I think 57 years now) have a large yard and a big garden, with both flowers and fruits/veggies. Their pink peony bush was in full and glorious bloom when I was there.
7–Jerry grows several varieties of iris; this was just one.
8–Did I mention strawberries? This was the first real picking while I was there. (There was an isolated berry that was ripe first, and Jerry decided I should have it! I also had some of this batch a few days later.) In the background you can see the tips of asparagus that he picked and we cut up and cooked. Fresh asparagus every day!! Wonderful!
9–On the 8th, June and Jerry took me to my Uncle Don’s house in Jackson, where we transferred my bags to my brother’s rental car (he arrived shortly after we did). I got a last picture of June and Jerry with me before they headed back to Flint. Paul and Jill and I were there for the celebration of life for our uncle (my dad’s youngest brother) on what would have been his 102nd birthday (he passed away in March). Seven of our nine cousins from that side of the family were there, most of whom I hadn’t seen in at least 11 years (and over 20 for one of them)!
10–These are our cousins from my dad’s sister’s family, along with my brother and sister-in-law (the couple to our left in the back row) and myself. The gal with the white hair sitting next to me is my oldest cousin, Lois; I hadn’t seen her since Ron and I were back in about 2002 or so. The man next to my brother is the youngest of the family, Bill, then Carol who is my age, and Marge, who is between Carol and Lois in age. The lady on the other side of me is Bill’s wife, Bernie.
11–I didn’t get a picture of all of Uncle Don’s kids together (one was under the weather and not there) but here are two of his daughters, Karen, the oldest (white hair) and Kristen (dark hair). That’s Jill on the left and Carol on the right. We had been looking at old pictures and trying to figure out who was who in them!
12–After we left Uncle Don’s celebration of life, Paul and Jill took me to my cousin Jim’s house in Riverview. He is my mom’s brother’s youngest child, and in the last few years he and his wife have always invited me to stay with them (Detroit area). Recently they became grandparents for the first time, so I had a gift ready to take to the new baby. I knitted the sweater (Hayfield Pretty Changes yarn–a very gradual transition from one color to the next), and smocked a bonnet for her. I also found some darling Hello Kitty socks I couldn’t resist!
13–Here’s my cousin Jim and me, and I’m holding Emelia, their granddaughter.
14–My cousin’s wife Deb and me, with Emelia.
15–Their daughter Erica, opening my gifts for the baby. She is one of those rare young people who really appreciates when you put time and effort into making a gift. After their wedding two years ago, not only did I get a lovely note, but she enclosed a picture of the table runner I’d made, ON their table!
16–The next day, after lunch out and a quick trip to the gift shop at the Henry Ford Museum, Jim’s next older sister Linda and her husband came over for supper and visiting. It had been 11 years since I had last seen them, and in the ensuing time, the two older sisters had died. As I told Linda, who knew the last time we were all together would be the LAST time?! Anyway, here I am with Linda. We are two rarities, in that we are both over 70 and still have our own hair color (which is not gray!). I guess we have good genes!
17–Me with my cousins Linda and Jim.
18–Linda’s husband Joe joined us for this picture.
19–And here we are with Deb, Jim’s wife. It was such a happy visit.
I was so fortunate–out of my 16 remaining cousins, I got to see nine of them this trip!!
We are so happy you had a wonderful trip, Charlotte! I hope you have gotten rested up since being home! Thanks for sharing!
Tomorrow we’ll see some pictures from some other Sofa Sister! *wink* *wink*
See you then,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you so much for sharing my pictures today, Jeanne! I will try to remember to come back and answer any questions throughout the day. My son is staying here tonight, and I know we will have at least one errand to run tomorrow before he heads out again, but after that, I should be able to chime in now and then.
Some interesting things about June and me: our last names are one letter different! Different vowel. Anniversaries? The 18th–theirs in Aug., ours was in May. She has a son named Paul (and you saw my brother Paul). Her husband has a brother named Ron!! At least twice we’ve owned the same sewing machine, and have been known to buy the same fabric, 2000 miles apart! When we had the same kind of surgery (this was almost 50 years ago now), my mother said we could just Stop That now!! Haha!! However, when I walked into her laundry room recently, I said, “June, we’ve done it again!” It turns out I bought the exact same model of clothes dryer they have!
You and June are “connected” in heart and spirit!
We sure are, Rosemary. Thank you.
Dear Charlotte, how lovely! I am glad you got to see your friends and family. Thanks so much for sharing the photos of your trip. What wonderful memories you can share with the rest of your family.
Thank you so much, Dorothy. I treasure each memory of Michigan, and of course each of my cousins and my friends from my childhood there.
Charlotte, what a wonderful, fun filled trip you had! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the pictures and “meeting” your relatives! My question to you is, why and when did you move out west? You might have explained that sometime or other, but I must have missed it!
That first picture looked like a beautiful place to visit, and I am awe struck at June and Jerry’s beautiful flowers and yummy veggies! They do a wonderful job of gardening and it shows!
I’m sure the best part for you was being able to reconnect with your family and visit with them. It certainly helps when the families live close together and are not so scattered around the ocuntry like a lot of them are now. Do most of them live in Michigan? Was Ron also from there?
I love that sweet sweater you knit and the bonnet is just darling! What a lucky baby! I was lucky enough to also have some handmade baby items for my children made by older relatives when I had my baby shower, and there just is not enough of that anymore. Instead, you are given a registry with items for you to choose from. I prefer the “homemade” lovely items made with love! You certainly nailed that one!
Thank you so much for “bringing us along” on your trip and to Jeanne for showing us! I certainly enjoyed it!
I definitely agree with you on the gift giving/gift expecting thing. I like to do handmade gifts also, but I discovered that if you don’t buy something from the registry it’s not as appreciated so I think that’s why people don’t even bother anymore. I love handmade gifts and have some people did for my children and things my mother created over the years. I wouldn’t dream of giving them away to anyone but other family members.
Thank you, Barbara; I, too, have some handmade gifts from various people–we got a gorgeous, large (24″?) crocheted doily as a wedding gift from one lady. I’ve not used it much, I must confess, but it really is lovely.
Thank you, Linda. We moved out here in the fall of 1960, when my dad accepted a call to a church in south Seattle. I was almost 15 at the time, and did NOT want to go!! I lived for each and every trip we took “back home”–in 1962, 64, and 68, and then, later, trips on my own or with Ron. I still live for every trip I can take back there, even though most of the people I grew up with have moved away and some have passed away. I just love it back there–all that lovely flat farmland, and gently rolling hills, and not a single mountain anywhere in sight!! (Not like the west coast mountains, anyway! I am not a fan.)
Both June and Jerry grew up in farm families, and their yard and garden certainly show it!
Most of my cousins do live in Michigan or Wisconsin, although one is here in Seattle and another in Texas. Ron, however, did not live in Michigan–he was born in Nebraska and moved out here when he was 7. I think he always considered himself a Washingtonian, although one year we did get to his “home” area of Nebraska, and even spent the day with his one remaining uncle. It was a precious time, as his uncle died the following year.
Thank you so much. I love making baby things, and when knitting, prefer working with smaller needles and finer yarn. I’ve also made socks and mittens for myself in the past. And of course I’ve been smocking for some years now; in fact, June taught me how! I’ll tell you, it was pretty nice hearing Erica’s reaction when she pulled that bonnet out!!
Charlotte, it was really nice of you to share your family and best friends’ pictures with us. It sounds like you had a wonderful reunion with all of them. And you were busy too with getting in some shopping.
Especially in Frankenmuth. I’ve never been there and hope to go st some point. It’s northerner from us. We live south of Toledo.
Looks like you found some Michigan things in one of the pictures?
The sweater you made for the baby is adorable. Those are the baby gifts that become treasures years later. The thoughtful hand made items. It’s nice to get those in between other typical baby equipment.
I can only imagine all the catching up you did with family. And seeing some after many years. I’m glad you had a nice time, plus you have pictures to remind you of your wonderful trip.
Hope everyone has a great day! Ours started out with a heavy rainfall. Hope the humidity doesn’t get to be too bad today.
Thank you, Paula. Yes, do plan a full day for Frankenmuth if you can. In addition to River Place, there is Bronner’s, the world’s biggest (I think) Christmas store, plus other little shops here and there.
Forgot to say, yes, I did get some Michigan things! Some are for gifts, others (the decals, and the blue/yellow tote) are for me.
Yes, Jeanne, the weather has been rather messy and hot. We are promised a bit of rain but it usually goes further south. I believe the Blue Ridge Mountains are pretty bossy with the weather coming east.
Charlotte, I love Michigan! My hubbs is from Michigan, from Mason really, and that is near Lansing. He still has a lot of family all over the mitten part, and in the UP, his sister lives in Marquette and his brother lives in Harvey.
I love these pictures of you and your precious family, What a lovely adventure and perfect weather for gatherings outside too, it seems. How nice.
The sweater and bonnet are treasures. I still have some hand made things from my daughters and I will pass them on to their kids… well their kids kids… because not all of it flew away this generation. I have a photo of 7 year old Lauren wearing an 18 month old baby sweater, kids are so funny.
I am happy you gathered and chose some wonderful treasures from your visit. All good choices I see.
Today, I hope all of you have a productive and happy day. I am going to continue crushing things into my car and bringing them to the new house.
This week-end I emptied out the cabinets with the pots and pans and also the baking cabinet. I am giving away at least half of it, so that was easy to stuff into one cabinet at my new house.
Another warm week. Keep happy and hydrated!
Thank you for your comments, Rosemary. I love Michigan, too, and one of my cousins actually lives in Marquette–and another in Ishpeming, which is “next door”! I grew up in Stephenson, about 100 miles south of Marquette. Our winters weren’t as severe in that area. The Ishpeming/Marquette area can get frightfully cold, and snow often continues into April.
More of my cousins live in the mitten now than in the UP, but at one time, there were 10 of my cousins in the UP, 5 in Escanaba, and 5 in Ishpeming. The other 8 lived mostly in the mitten, although for a while some of them were in PA, I think, when my uncle’s job took him there.
Thank you for the comments on the sweater and bonnet, too. We, too, received a few hand crafted gifts when we got our son; June made him some overalls with tool appliques on them, as well as a “quiet book”. Still have the book, but we gave him the overalls for his son, and even had Isaac’s picture taken in them, as we had done with Daniel. June was so surprised to get that picture of Isaac in D’s overalls! I don’t know what happened to the overalls after that, and Isaac is 23 now, so….
Best wishes as you continue your consolidation and moving process. I’ve been trying to go thru things in my sewing room, and actually have finished two or three “UFOs” from many years ago just this past weekend! At this rate, I might be done in ten years!! haha….
Wow, what a great trip to Michigan, for all of us. I feel like I’ve actually been there myself. Thanks so much Charlotte, for sharing the photos and explaining all of the details of your trip. That little sweater you made is so cute. And I am very jealous of June and husband’s delightful garden. Not a weed in sight. Unlike here. And they even grow asparagus. Those take several years to produce and I’ve always wanted to have them here. No luck so far. Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us Charlotte. 🙂
I know Charlotte mentioned all of her cousins, but here with my family, we only have four first cousins. Being an only child, my cousins are like siblings. Yesterday, was the annual family picnic at my cousin’s ranch north of here, and we had a great time seeing everyone. There were first cousins, 2nd cousins once removed, and even a third cousin. It was fun. and the usually extremely hot weather there cooperated with a nice breeze on the mountain top where we gather.
I know that Jeanne mentioned the either hot or wet weather she has been having. It’s been warm here too, but no humidity and no rain expected until October as usual. But, this morning, the fog rolled in so it’s cool and should be that way through the 4th. Kind of a bummer for the big fourth fireworks in SF though. Hopefully, I’ll get back to those pesky weeds around here once again. I keep finding more blackberry showing their ugly heads. Ugh
Thank you so much, Joy. I’ll tell you, June and Jerry really work at their garden, too, and I think it was just yesterday or Saturday that June said she’d spent 3 hours weeding! And wasn’t done yet! The also try to catch and kill all the Japanese beetles they can, as they are so destructive to crops.
I think they’ve had their asparagus and raspberries (several kinds of r. ) for several years now. So delicious! And strawberries! June and her sisters picked strawberries to sell and save for college for most of their growing-up years–their folks had a huge strawberry patch on their farm.
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time at your family reunion, Joy. It doesn’t matter how many or few cousins we have, they are all precious. I started out with 18, and Jim and Linda’s two oldest sisters died a few years ago. Gail, who was a year younger than I, is the one I really miss, as we were such good friends, and had so much fun together! Playing games, working jigsaw puzzles, looking at funny cards in the store (almost got kicked out of RiteAid one time, but that’s another story! 😂), whatever. We just enjoyed each other’s company. And in later years, Susie and I got closer, too, and she would sometimes put home movie clips on video and email them to me. Such treasures!
We finally got our summer here–it’s in the 80s today, and looks to be nice thru the weekend!!
I totally enjoyed my vicarious trip to Michigan, Charlotte. Having been there once I could relate to things. It is a lovely state with a lot of things to do and I see you had a sweater on. Won’t need one of those here until sometime in November probably but I remember being in Michigan in July and the weather was delightful. The baby sweater and smocked bonnet are absolutely lovely and such a thoughtful gift. And I would have never been able to pass up the Hello Kitty socks. I love Hello Kitty and have quite a few. And how wonderful you could visit with so many family members. You are very fortunate to have so many to share your life with.
My sister’s dad’s family was not close so I have no clue of whose still alive and kicking in that family. My three sisters are my half-sisters, but they’ve never tried to connect with their dad’s family at all. What I do remember is that they were a nice family and the teenage boys were quite handsome. But my sister’s dad didn’t keep in touch so my sisters didn’t either. As for my mother’s family they were tight knit until my grandparents passed and then they seemed to scatter. But sadly nearly all are gone now, including many of my cousins some older some younger. I am the oldest now of 13 grandchildren. My cousin Sally was the oldest by five years born in 1941. She passed a few years ago. The rest of us were Boomers and the second five were born within a couple years of each other.
The rest were staggered until around 1963 I think. My grandmother’s family used to have a reunion every year in a park in PA but I’m not sure they even do that anymore. I moved to Texas in 1969 so was not there for most of them but my mother usually went if she was able.
June and her husband do have a lovely yard. But it seems to me it is easier to grow things in that area rather than here. My parents used to prepare their flower gardens in the spring and then do nothing but make sure they were watered the rest of the summer. No weeds ever. Skyy weeded my front flower garden two weeks ago and they’re back already. I’m hoping he can come tomorrow and clean up the bed again. Because of this and moles, I don’t have a lot of incentive to work at having pretty flower beds. I once had a lovely English garden but the moles ate the roots of the plants so they all died. If I do it again ti will have to be in a planter.
Right now the roofing is going on the storage building. David hired the same man who did the roofing on our house. He is amazing and David wants him to do the roofing on the homes we will be building so he keeps in touch. We are blessed he was available to do this small job for us.
That is great news about the roofer. I’m sure it will be wonderful to have that storage building ready to go.
I wonder if the moles would be able to climb up into a planter for a feast? Sure hope not. Maybe try a few planters for a test? or those galvanized metal feed troughs that you see a lot now. Just a thought. 🙂
Yes the roofer has been a Godsend and I mean that literally since he arrived out of nowhere when we needed him. He finished the job by noon today. Usually the moles will stay underground unless pulled to the surface by my one dog who used to hear them traveling underground and surprise them by digging for them. She was quite good at it but not good enough to eliminate them entirely.
Thank you, Barbara. Yes, I missed a 90 degree day out here and the hot weather back there when I went. Timing was perfect, and some days were, in fact, just a shade cool. In the picture of June, Jerry and me, I am wearing a white gauzy jacket, very lightweight, that I ordered from Appleseeds. I did change the buttons, though. BROWN?!! Really???
I do feel fortunate indeed, and I am in touch, at least at Christmas, with ALL of my cousins. My husband had numerous cousins in our area, and the last time we saw any of them was when one of them came to his mother’s funeral. In 2001. I don’t understand that.
Families can be different, can’t they? My dad’s family didn’t get together as often as my mom’s family did, but they still (as you can see) stayed in touch. And I know mom kept in touch with her cousins for as long as she was able.
Fun fact: June went with me to our Hammar family (mom’s mother’s side) reunion a number of years ago. Mom’s cousin Eric had been June’s pastor up in Stephenson for a while! Small world.
Our weeds crop up pretty quickly around here, too, and dandelions rule the yard! haha. Oh, well. I am not a gardener, and never will be. As long as there’s fabric and thread….
I’m glad you have a good roofer, and one who will do a small job as well as the larger ones for you!
Charlotte , I loved reading about your trip! Your relationship with June and Jerry is so special. I love how you and June are so alike. The yard was so lovely and the first photo of you at the fountain is so pretty. I lived in Ann Arbor for 4 years as I told you I’m sure. I was putting my first hubs though dental school, teaching school, and our first son was born half way though the 4 years. My husband’s father passed the first year. He was the sweetest man. There was a park behind the small house his mom bought us, (we paid her back when he finished college, as we sold it for twice what she paid.) The park had a music in the summer and a skating rink in the winter. I enjoyed most of my time living there, except for the hot summer with no AC and taking frozen clothes off the line in the winter . We only had a funny little washer that ran on water hooked up to the sink, no dryer. We drove all the way up north and camped out one summer. I loved going to the arboretum in the spring and seeing all the birds we don’t have down south.
I am so glad you got the chance to see so many of your family. The baby is so sweet and your sweater and little hat are a treasure. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much, Sissy. Yes, June and I are alike in many ways. For a while, we even wore the same size! But I “grew”, and not in a good way. So while she’s still in an “S”, I….am not.
Yes, I do recall your mentioning Ann Arbor, and the nice memories you have. I have spent some time in A.A. as a child, as the U of M hospital is there, and I was seen by the then new dept. of endocrinology because of my growth problems. I’m one of the kids they learned on, I guess!
Thank you for the kind comments on the things I made, too. They were fun.
What a wonderful trip you had, Charlotte. I so glad you were able to visit your best friend June and so many family members. June and her husband have a lovely garden. I love asparagus, so to have fresh in your own garden would be a treat.
You found some lovely souvenirs to bring home, I see. Now I will have to go and reread Longfellow’s “The Song of Hiawatha”.
The sweater and smoked bonnet are precious. I’m sure it will be treasured always.
I love homemade gifts!
You already know I love Michigan and our vacations to various places there. I’ve been to Frankenmuth. as well as other places in the ‘mitten”. My favorites are on the UP and where we always chose for vacations – Sleeping Bear Dunes a few times, Paradise, Charlevoix, Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie ( where we went through the Soo Locks a few times). The absolute best was going to Mackinac Island ( I been there at least a dozen times between childhood and adulthood). We stayed on the island once, but mostly stayed in St. Ignace and took the ferry across. Always stayed at the same inn and ate at the same restaurant.
Thank you Laura. You know, that book is what I got for a younger man (38) in our church; he’s on the autism spectrum, and has limited vision, so faces some challenges. He has always called us grandpa and grandma, and asked if I would get him a souvenir. He loves books, the this one is illustrated with Michigan scenes, many of which I’ve visited! I wasn’t sure if he was familiar with poetry or not (I remember when I was in school, we did have units on poetry, but I don’t even recall Daniel (who is 50) having that, so….), so I read the first couple of stanzas out loud after explaining to him a little about poetry. As I read, his eyes lit up and he said, “it’s like a song!” Yes, he got it!
Oh, yes, I know my parents took us to the Soo Locks a time or two, and Mackinac Island, also. then in the early 2000s, Ron and I went to Mackinac Island for the day. It was wonderful. (And as I recall, we stayed in St. Ignace, too!)
Charlotte it was lovely to see all your photos and to hear all about your family. Your little sweater was lovely too and the bonnet was exquisite. I have to say that the ‘registry’ thing hasn’t made it to NZ yet, not for babies anyway. I usually make a quilt but often knit something as well. Sam has the shawl I made for Jono when he was born.
I have sent a few photos to Jeanne. Will have to add to them. I really am shocking at taking photos. We went to my sisters on Saturday with nephews and nieces and I didn’t take even one photo.
We didn’t have any cousins on my dad’s side, neither his brother or his sister had children. However we had 25 on my mum’s side, she had 6 brothers and sisters. Growing up we were all very close though we didn’t see some very often as they lived on the south coast. Sadly quite a few have died. I saw Colin and Joan in Grantham when we went so will send that photo. They were the two older than me, the oldest, Pauline, died last year.
I told you my brother had a cold, well he very kindly shared it with me. I hardly ever get colds at home and have had two since I came! Colds tend to settle on my chest and apparently John is the same so we are coughing in tandem. We are supposed to be travelling to Plymouth on Saturday and then Oxford on Monday to see Aunty Sylvia. Since she is 91 John won’t go if we aren’t cough clear so I really hope we both shake it off soon.
Will try to take some more photos. Have a great day everyone.