Happy Halloween 2013 !!

Grandma's African Violets - April 1984

Grandma & her brother Paul - 1940s

Your Baby's Formula - 1960

This booklet published by Pet Milk was presented to my mother in 1960 while in the hospital following my birth.  It's about 6 pages of instructions on the proper way to sterilize bottles, prepare formula using Pet Milk (of course!) and feeding as well as burping.  There's a special section on bathing the baby as well!  

So true!

Thinking of you on Halloween ...

Karo Six Minute Pecan Pie

Petunia - October 2013

Great Uncle Paul - 1930s

This is my grandmother's brother Paul on the left ... I have no idea of the circumstances surrounding the photo ... where it was or who the other two men are!  

Mom - April 1999

Dad - 1990s

Archie's Petfinder Ad - July 2003

This was Archie's "ad" on Petfinder in July 2003.  My much loved black cat had recently passed away at age 17 and I was still grieving over that and missing his presence.  I wanted another house cat so I went on Petfinder.com and ran across Archie (nee Buttercup).  She was about a year old and as often happens she was not being adopted in favor of all of the adorable baby kittens.  She had only a few days left before euthanization and the shelter was trying hard to find someone to take her. She is a wonderful cat and so gorgeous.  She's everything they said plus more.  The ad read:

"Buttercup has reached the short timers list at the shelter.  Don't let this nice cat be passed by.  She is very cuddly and is just a love bug.  This cat has the personality to sit in your lap for hours just to be stroked on the head.  Very nice cat.  Extremely affectionate and completely litter box trained."

Thank you, Petfinder and the Amelia County Animal Shelter!  She's marvelous!

So true!

Ready for Halloween!

Praline Pumpkin Pie

Some Autumn Colors - 1997

Me - Mid 1960s

Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial - 1978

My parents sent this postcard to me at college.  It's postmarked from Custer, South Dakota on September 23, 1978.  My mother writes:

"Hi Honey, Remember seeing this on "60 Minutes".  Mt. Rushmore is really something.  See you later.  Love Mama & Dad"

Think happy thoughts!

Autumn Mosaic - New York

I found a 1979 calender packed away inside a box of books in the attic of my parents' garage.  That was the year they moved and I suspect the books were packed away for the move, stored in the garage "temporarily" and ultimately never unpacked.  

The calendar was a freebie from the Harlow-Hardy Furniture Store on West Washington Street in Petersburg, VA.  

Ye bright mosaics!  That with storied beauty

The floor of Nature's temple tessellate.

Horace Smith

Booooo!

Easy German Sweet Chocolate Cake with Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting