Animals at the GCM

Thought I'd post a few more pictures from the Genesee Country Museum. We have the Gander family.

Mrs. Henny Penny.

And the twins. One big happy farm family. There were also pigs, but the pictures of them turned out too dark.

Wild Flowers

These are wild flowers that grow everywhere. I see them along side of the road as I drive. I pulled off and had Allen take some pictures for me.

Aren't they beautiful?

Ironically, these particular ones are located along one of the ugliest roads around here. Directly across the road there is a dump, junk yard and town transfer station. That's what's nice about blogging...you can choose to not display the not so beautiful.

Lovers...and a History Lesson

Here are my parents in the early 50's. I'm thinking they were engaged to be married...making it 1953. I was going to crop the picture...but decided not to because of my love of history. In the background is a picture of a grist flour mill located on Irondequoit Creek. It dates back to 1848 when the city of Rochester was quite well know for it's export of flour. My grandparents helped the owner run the mill and they also lived on it's premises.

Now this same mill is a fancy restaurant in the rochester area called The Daisy Flour Mill restaurant. I've never eaten there, but my parents did once and they got a complimentary tour of it (including the kitchen) because my father mentioned to the waiter that he had worked and lived there in his younger years. Nowadays Rochester is called The Flower City...but it once was The Flour City.

Genesee Country Museum

Yesterday I went with my daughter on her field trip to a Museum. It's several historic buildings put together to form a village that you can walk through. The people working there dress in period costumes and talk to the visitors about what life was like in colonial times. Of course this type of museum is right up my alley as far as my interests go. Above is an ox on one of the farms in the village. The log structure is an actual barn that was moved to the premises. The log house is a one room structure built in 1806 where a family raised 10 children.

Here's Audra looking out the window of the log farmhouse.

Here is a picture of one of the rooms in another village home. I believe this room would have been called the "keeping room" rather than a dining room. This particular house was built in 1797 by Amhurst Humphrey.

It was a fun day, but very hot. Take your own tour here .

Success!!!!

1. I am 40 years old.
2. My birthday is in December.
3. I am quite artistic.
4. I'm not very self motivated (atleast not all the time).
5. I'm not extraverted.
6. Sometimes I wish I were...but most of the time I'm ok with it.
7. I can play the piano.
8. I can "spot compose" pieces of music.
9. I cannot read music very well.
10. I play a lot using chords and my own ear for music.
11. I'm not a city girl.
12. I don't like large crowds.
13. I prefer peace and quiet.
14. My neighborhood is a bit too noisy for my liking.
15. I dream of having my own art studio in my home.
16. I've sold some artwork.
17. I've painted 2 different murals.
18. I decided that I prefer smaller pieces of artwork.
19. I wish I had someone to do artwork with on a regular basis.
20. I used to take a painting class.
21. I'd like to again some time.
22. My friend Claudia has given me some watercolor lessons.
23. I think I really could do well at it.
24. I've been very busy lately.
25. I don't care to be too busy.
26. Down time is very important to me.
27. I'm a home body.
28. I don't plan ahead very well.
29. I am very forgetful at times.
30. I must keep lists and pay close attention to my calendar.
31. My house is cluttered and I hate it.
32. Deep down inside, I know I'm really a neat and tidy person.
33. I don't care for asparagus.
34. I like most other vegetables.
35. I'm willing to try new foods.
36. I try to be polite.
37. Quite often, I root for the underdog.
38. I hate to see people being picked on.
39. I tried to be nice to the very unpopular kids when I was a school kid.
40. Sometimes this made me very unpopular.
41. Looking back, I think I could have done more than I did.
42. I'd like to be fluent in another language.
43. I studied Spanish for 4 years and German for 1 college semester.
44. I did well at both of them...but was never immersed in using the languages, which is key to fluency.
45. Someday I will go on a mission trip. Probably to a Spanish speaking country.
46. I am very contemplative.
47. Sometimes my heart rules my head...but not always.
48. I am a melancholic.
49. Sometimes I embarrass my children.
50. I feel that this is my job as a parent.
51. Sometimes I make up silly songs or rhymes to make my children laugh.
52. I am pretty conservative.
53. Strong perfumes really bother me.
54. This past Sunday, I changed my seat in church because someone's perfume was bothering me.
55. Modesty is important to me.
56. I am trying to instill this in my children.
57. Sometimes I still miss my brother. He passed away in 1983.
58. I was 16 when he died.
59. I would have like to get to know him as an adult.
60. I don't feel like we knew each other very well.
61. I was 9 years younger than him.
62. I have another brother who has severe autism.
63. I've never been able to really get to know him either.
64. I am so thankful for the Christian sisters I have (both blood and not).
65. I enjoy watching "Little House on the Prarie" episodes.
66. I especially like the funny ones with Nellie Olson in them. (and Mrs. Olson)
67. I have absolutely no desire to get a tattoo.
68. Multiple body piercings really gross me out.
69. I enjoy studying history.
70. I just finished reading "Foxe's Book of Martyrs." A difficult read, but very powerful.
71. I just checked out a book on local history from my library yesterday.
72. It is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have checked this book out in the 14 years I've lived here.
73. I wish I knew the history of this house. Like who lived here in the 1860's when it was built?
74. I do know that a family from Italy lived here at one time and raised a family of 4 children.
75. I wish the walls could speak (not really...that would be a little scary). Maybe they would speak in Italian and I wouldn't understand anyway.
76. I stay up too late.
77. I prefer dogs over cats.
78. I do like cats though.
79. I've only ridden a horse a few times.
80. The last time I rode one I was 17 years old.
81. Sometimes I create pieces of art and then have no idea what to do with them...but I can't get rid of them.
82. I sometimes make up recipes.
83. They usually turn out pretty good (just a few blunders).
84. One of my recipes was published in a magazine (County Extra) and later it was put into a book (The Best of Country Cooking 2001, pg 61)
85. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist.
86. This causes some problems in doing artwork. I need to losen up!
87. Sometimes I lack confidence.
88. I don't like doing major construction-like sanding, staining, drywalling, etc.
89. In fact I just groan at the mere thought of it. Ugh!!!!
90. I day dream about hiring someone just to come and do all of the construction work on my house...and having an unlimited budget with it!
91. I hate grocery shopping.
92. If I have extra money, I'm more likely to blow it on art supplies than clothing.
93. I've been spendig too much money lately and need to stay way from Michael's.
94. I think Heberews 13:5 was written just for me. Go ahead and look it up!
95. I enjoy taking a good nap now and again.
96. I once had an opportunity to be an exchange student to Australia. (Rockhampton, QD)
97. I still regret that I didn't do it.
98. I'm not sure what the abbreviation for Queensland is.
99. I've never been much of a risk taker and I've shortchanged myself because of it.
100. I did it...and now I need to go to bed because I am going on a field trip with my daughter's class tomorrow! (I need adequate sleep to function well)

wheeeeeeeeeeee!

My youngest daughter is very timid and cautious. She was always too afraid to try the zip line at Rachel's house...until last week. She did it (with a little help and encouragement from Uncle James).

My Girls

This was taken a couple of weeks ago at the primary school playground. We had gone to see Alicia's class play. Afterwards, the girls wanted to play on the playground for a little while. Alicia played the part of a mouse in her play (thus the whiskers on her face). They obviously posed for this picture. I like how it turned out.

School Days

I just thought this picture of Alicia with a little friend from next door was so sweet. I had to post it.

Walking Home From School

After Sherman and I drop the kids off at school, we usually take a different route home. Here are some of the sights we see.

Here is a historic church. It was built in 1812. I know this doesn't sound very old to some of my European friends...but for the USA, that is old. Interstingly enough, I read a diary exerpt at our library...written by a teenage girl, who's father was the pastor of this church. It was a fun read. She sounded similar to a typical teenage girl of today...except for she and her friends were working on a friendship quilt together.
Here is the county court house. I've never been inside of it. I've heard that it is beautiful. It has a lot of history too. If you ever visit my town, you can't miss this building. I didn't grow up in this town, but as a kid I remember driving by this building. It was always what I thought of when someone mentioned this town.

Here is a stretch of some of the shops and a bank in our town. We have a very nice down town area. Almost everyone we meet is very friendly. Sherman and I almost always meet a dog or two walking along with their owner. This town seems to have quite a few dog lovers!

Walking to School

On nice days in the fall and spring, we choose to walk to school. Today was cool, so everyone needed a light jacket or sweater...but the sun was shining brilliantly! Who could complain? Occasionally our neighbors join us. This morning the little boy and girl from next door walked with us.

We always take the dog along. He feels that it is his personal responsibility to deliver the children safely to school. After we walk them to the door and we say good-bye and the kids go in, Sherman always looks up at me and I say, "You did a very good job." And then I pat him on the head and we go merrily on our way home.

Here's Irene, the crossing guard. She knows my dog by name (but not my kids) and he is always happy to see her.

She's always pretty cheerful...even on the more frigid days.

Strike Up the Band

The elementary school's band concert was the other night. Audra is seen here in the white dress. The pictures are blurry because I had the camera on museum mode. (no sound or flash) On that setting you either need a tripod...or else hold the picture absolutely still...which is humanly impossible. (especially when zooming in)

Blossoms

There are blossoms on my crabapple tree now. A robin has made a nest there. I attempted to take a picture and she scolded me severely. I apologized to her, telling her that I would never hurt her or her family. She didn't believe me. She is suspicious of everyone who comes near. Sherman and I were on the porch. I was working on my Bible study homework and Sherm was laying at my feet. Suddenly we heard a ruckus! Sherm jumped up with all the hairs on his back bristling. He began barking...but neither of us were exactly sure what it was he was barking at. Then I saw it. Two squirrels running for cover. Mrs Robin was dive-bombing them and flapping her wings like mad!

Down Memory Lane

A few years ago I made scrapbook pages for a calendar for my mother in law. This was January's page. Alicia was small enough to take a bath in our kitchen sink. We lived in a 2 bedroom apartment back then. All 3 kids shared a room. We had a living room, eat-in-kitchen, a bathroom and 2 bedrooms. On Alicia's first birthday, we closed on a new house. Tomorrow I will try to post pictures from 'closing day'.

My Version

I was standing next to Gudrun when Sherman was flying through her woods towards us. I got a shot too. Mine shows more teeth. We had fun!

Happy Birthday Alicia (yesterday)!

Yesterday was Alicia's 8th birthday. Her daddy took her out for breakfast before school. That is a tradition in our house. A friend came home from school with her and stayed overnight. Alicia picked tacos for dinner...and brownie sundaes for her birthday treat. I got the Charlotte's Web movie for her and her friend to watch. It was a nice birthday.

We are certainly blessed by having all of our children. We love them very much.

Old Barn

I took this picture last week...originally planning on painting it for the "draw this" blog...but never got to it. I took it through the window of my car. At the time, I wasn't worried about quality. Just clear enough for a photo reference. I thought it was a nice looking barn. It was taken in a town just south of this one. The owners do a nice job keeping it up. I always think it is a shame when an old barn with lot's of history is just left to fall apart and rot.

My house in the watercolor

I've recently decided to learn watercolor. This is my rendition of my house. Someday when I'm a well-known accomplished watercolorist you can say..."I knew her when she was first learning it..."

My humble home

It's nothing fancy, it's not in the best neighborhood...but it is home. We have lived here for 7 years. This Friday marks the anniversary of the day we closed. We've done quite bit of work on the inside. When we moved here, there were 2 electrical outlets in the entire upstairs and no light switches. Each bedroom had a light bulb with a pull chain to turn it on. The drywall in the master bedroom was so bad it was crumbling. It was duck taped in some spots and there was a piece of plywood nailed to the ceiling to keep it intact.

For about 8 months, we lived in the downstairs while we gutted and repaired upstairs. We ran all new electric and added outlets and switches. Looking at the old wiring made us marvel that the place never caught fire!

We still have work left to do. Maybe someday we will get to the outside! For now, peeling painted asbestos shingles in "granny smith apple green" will have to do.

Boathouses

I took a picture of these boathouses here in town in hopes of taking a stab at drawing them. Maybe evern painting them. Probably every local artist in the area has painted these. I've always admired their work and thought I'd love to own a print of it. I am no Christopher Wheat, but maybe I can eventually get there.

There just is something so peaceful about these houses on the water. I've been trying to understand and learn perspective drawing and this painting will be a good exercise.

Table for One

The moving truck came today to Dunja's house. The house is empty. Dunja was originally going to leave tomorrow...but she needed to leave today in order to be at her house in CT by tomorrow morning for the truck's arrival. I did not know any of this and had told Dunja that I would be at her house between 2 and 2:30. Unfortunately, I was not able to get there until closer to 3:00. I missed her leaving by about 15 minutes. I'm a little put out with myself for not getting there on time.

On a brighter note, I was able to see her last night at a good-bye party.

Anyway...I walked around the property and took some pictures. It seemed so quiet. Ironically, Dunja's family was the second family that I knew that lived in the house. As I was walking around the property, I saw hand prints and footprints pressed into the cement from the first family I knew who lived here. There were also muddy footprints from Dunja's dogs on the porch.


I apologize for being so melancholy right now. It is just how I feel. Thus the melancholy pictures to go with it. I know the Lord has D's family in His hands...and he also holds us in His hands. Therefore, we can't ever really be far apart. I will see her again.

Please remember to pray for D and her family that they settle in quickly, that they feel at home, that they are surrounded by people who love and bless them and that they will be happy.

What I see on my walk...

Allen took these two pictures yesterday during our walk. Not exactly beautiful...but strangely interesting to me. These two old pick up trucks must have been sitting here for many years. Notice the trees growing right up through them.

The funny thing is...during the summer months when the leaves are all out, you can walk right by them and never realize they are there.
There's a devotional illustration in here somewhere...can anyone help me out with it?

Beautiful Day

Went for a walk with my son and our dog. What a gorgeous day! It still looks very brown around here...but atleast it is warm now! We walked about 4 miles along this old railway bed...now known as Ontario pathways.

Above is Allen and Sherman.

Me and my hound!

Bunny

Allen took this picture the other day in our back yard. It's beginning to finally get nice here. It was warm and sunny today. Almost all of the snow is gone...but not quite.

The Harrisons

I have friends who are missionaries in Asia. Please click on their link to the right (The Harrisons) and read their blog. It is a powerful reminder to us to pray.

Spring Cookies

Today was a snow day for the kids. I have lived in this area for my whole life and I never remember there being a snow day in April. This weather is getting way out of hand. We all had cabin fever here. Alicia said she was bored and then she asked if we could make cookies. I asked her what kind. She said, "The kind we make at Christmas. With the frosting." I just can't imagine what made her think about Christmas! LOL!

Anyway...I have a flower cookie cutter, so we made the spring version of the frosted sugar cookie. The girls helped me frost them tonight.

Shadow "Paintings"

Even though I am tired of snow, I thought this was interesting enough to photograph and post. We had gotten a light dusting of snow, then the sun came out and melted everything except for what laid in a shadow. Here you can see the shadow of our crabapple tree and the peak of my neighbor's roof.

Sand Castles

I like this picture. It is of my father and Martha. I think it is sweet. I'm pretty sure that it was taken in New Hampshire. I remember vacationing there as a child. It was a huge old farmhouse that we stayed in with some friends. There was a guy named Seth there who enjoyed playing with me. I think I was about 4 and Seth was in his 20's. He was my first crush. I remember that he had the coolest old fashioned car...like a Model-T or something. He was married to a girl with long brown hair.

The other strange thing I remember is that we went shopping in a nearby village to look for sandals. Martha and Rachel got sandals but I didn't because we didn't have luck finding any that worked for me. I don't think I was angry...but disapointed.

I am going to learn to do water colors and I think this would make a great watercolor picture.

Chef Kevin

Hello! I'm at my sister-in-law's house for Easter. This is her husband, Kevin. He's the master of the range in this house.

We've had some good conversation, fellowship and of course good eats! It's been nice to see some relatives that live farther away who traveled to be here.

Right now I'm on Laurie's computer and did a little browsing. Found this picture in her files. He pretty much looked the same way today. Very common to find him fixing something at the stove. I know her well enough to know she won't mind my putting it here.


Photo by Laurie

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

This is the extent of my flower artwork this week. Computer art. I really meant to post a drawing to 'draw this'...but it didn't happen. Anyway...we are getting ready to travel to my husband's sister's house for Easter. There are relatives coming in from out of town. We don't have to travel far...just about 45 minutes. I have baked today and my contribution to dinner will be banana bread and pumpkin bread.

Happy "Resurrection Sunday" to all! I will be back on Monday!

Vintage Sesame Street -Two Little Girls in Little Dollhouse

Calling all little girls from the 1970's. Do you remember this?

Alicia bakes cookies...all by herself!

Today Alicia wanted to make cookies. We have a kid's recipe book that is easy to read and follow the directions. With my supervision, she could do it "all by herself."

Can't forget one of the most important ingredients. Chocolate chips!

Stirring!

The finished product! A job well done with delicious results!

Couple of gobblers

On Tuesday morning I saw these two fat turkeys walking along the side of the road. They are funny creatures! When I got out to take a picture, they really raised a ruckus and started walking much faster.

Midtown Plaza Mall (1963)

Not all of you will appreciate this video...but some will. It brought back some memories and I found it to be amusing.

Foggy Morning

It was very foggy here this morning. Stopped by the lake on my way to work and took this picture. I don't know whose boathouse this is, but it looked neat in the fog.

Down Town

This is the county court house. Taken on a day when it was warm and the snow was melting. Notice the water running into the street.

This is City Hall, taken from the same intersection, but across the street. I took these on Friday when I was out for a walk. Today was not a good day for a walk. It was rainy. There was even a thunder and lightening storm.

Budding musician

Here's my budding musician. Actually she says she hates the saxaphone and wants to quit. I'm making her stick it out for the rest of the school year!