Kinds of Rain

I love when it rains, you know that soft kind of rain that makes everything smell like spring. Small puddles appear everywhere and you can here it softly hitting the porch roof.

But torrential downpours, where your feet get soaked even when you carry an umbrella? Ugh! Those make me want to stay home, crawl under an afghan and read all day long, not head outside to brave the elements. Downpours also mean water in our 95 year old basement.



Fortunately our weather channel was wrong today. The storms stayed to the south of us and we only got a little bit of rain. The first thing I did when I got home from work was check the basement...dry! It's not like we get flooded, but a small amount of water does come in on the far side of the basement when we get hit hard. After 16 years, we're used to it, and when they call for storms, we know to pick up things that are on the floor. A dry basement is on our never ending list of home improvements.

Wishing you all a sunny week!

Learning Something New!

I have to tell you about a most wonderful blog help site that I found... it's called "the Blog GuideBook" (click photo above for direct link). This site has step by step instructions on everything from tutorials to design resources.Today, I focused on creating a new header. It was cinch-y with their step by step instructions:)

I'm really going to dig deep into this site and put the great info to good use. Let me know if you stop by and if you liked it as much as I do.

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon. Walking on the trail yesterday was soo great, that I plan on taking another 2 mi walk this afternoon.

A piece of history

I found this postcard in my tin of family memorabilia, it's from Emma Hall, sent to her newly-born cousin, Margaret Ethel Fox, in Pennsylvania. Emma is Vicki's (the distant cousin researching our family history) Grandmother.


The postcard was sent from Ogden, Utah, on December 20, 1906. This surprised Vicki because her grandmother was on the ship from England in May of 1906, on her way to Albion, Idaho, where her father had been promised a job. She thought they stayed in Albion for about a year before they went to Ogden, Utah; this postcard says otherwise. They obviously went to Ogden much earlier.


See how the card was addressed? That means they either didn't need street addresses then because Portage was so small, or Emma didn't know she needed it. I think she used the county name because that is what they needed to do in England. She obviously thought she had to add the country, even if she was in the country, herself.

Vicki's grandmother was only 13 years old at the time, so there would be a lot she didn't know yet. She wrote a note on the card asking when Margaret Ethel would be able to read the card. If records are right, Ethel was born December 3, 1906, so she was only 17 days old when the card arrived. She had a way to go before she could read anything.

I promise not to bore you too much with our family history research. To me, it's just so interesting how the pieces are coming together. We knew who Margaret Ethel was, but not Emma.

Well I have to finish cleaning off the car before heading to work - we got a few inches of snow last night. Enjoy your day!

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Trinkets

Did I mention that my Mum brought me a box full of my Gram's things. It's mostly old linens - cloth napkins, and table cloths. But, at the very bottom of the box was a tiny glass box filled with all kinds of trinkets. Do you see the photo frame of my Uncle Bruce? He was in the army. The heart pin is a homemade dough of some kind - probably from one of us grandchildren. Most of the earrings are screw-backs. I tried them on - ouch! It must take some getting used to.


My Gram loved her costume jewelry. When ever she went out - to Church or the market she always put on her "fakes." My grandparents didn't have much when my Mum was young, so it wasn't until after my Pap died that my Gram indulged herself and her children started buying her non-essential gifts.



It's supposed to get into the 60's today! Hard to believe it when there's still piles of snow on the ground. Our front porch roof is still covered solid. I'm writing this on Friday morning and scheduling a post for Sunday. Do any of you use this feature?



It works really well for me if I can get enough time at the computer. I thought having an empty nest would give me more time. But, for some reason it doesn't. I'm still trying to find balance...


Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Wishes

Lots of birthdays this month, so that means lots of card making and a lot of wishes!



My Jade will be 25 on the 26th. I think that a little gift card from one of her favorite stores will mail to Texas quite nicely.


Logan turned 4 last Saturday, but his party is this Saturday. I used a new Cricut Cartridge to create the deer - it's it cute? Two images to layer for a cool look. Then I added blue glitter for his eye.


My boss and her Sister are turning 60 next week (yes they are twins - identical to be exact). Shirley asked me to make a card for her Sis. I thought this image was perfect!



Last, but certainly not least is a special card for the first man that loved me unconditionally and still does. My Dad...he'll be 69 this Saturday. He is my hero, my confidant and I thank God every day for both of my parents. I am soo lucky to have them. Happy Birthday Dad!


Be sure to stop by Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound for this week's Pink Saturday!

After adding the finishing touches to my Valentine's the other night, I whipped up a few cards for a few of my friends, by the time I finished it was midnight. This one was specifically made for my friend Tom's brother and fiance. They just bought a house and 7702 is their house number. I embossed the background images on the gray background, added the black ribbon, the number plaque and a key. Tom loved it and asked me to make one for him - he wants to frame it.


This was just an extra card that I made from the scraps of the first card. Thinking Tom might like this one too I showed it to him. I was right, he snatched it right up. It's hard to tell, but the background is gray with a silver image stamped on it. I thought it needed a pop of color, so I embossed the crown on another scrap - this time red and really liked how it turned out.


Another friend, Mike Hale turned 50 this week. Although I heard someone say 25 x 2 which sounds much better doesn't it? We're of that age group, where the first of us are turning 50 - although I tease that I'm at the end of the group and have another 5 1/2 years to go:)

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday!

Spreading the L.O.V.E.

February is such a fun month to create things for. I can do soo many froo froo girlie things, the possibilities are endless! This card is for Flyboy and Chelsea, they'll be home this weekend so I'll give them their card with a few treats.


I have to get these cards in the mail today, or they won't be there in time for Valentine's Day. I thought that I'd put together some treats for The Texans - Our Fireman and My Jade, but then decided that movie tickets would be easier to send.



For our nieces Alison and Nicole, I decided a much more "mod" Valentine was in order - with a hint of lime green, this one is perfect! I haven't seen them since right after Christmas, and I think that it's time for some crafting with Auntie.



With so much glitter and glam, this card is for Sabrina and Sydney (2 more nieces). I loved the size of these chipboard letters and couldn't resist sending them a big hug and kiss.


I thought that my Great Aunt Gladys (91 yrs) would love this one. She reminds me soo much of my Gram, I love to talk with her and hear her stories. She's in an nursing home, but still has her wits about her.



This last labor of L.O.V.E is for Collin and Ella, my soon to be nephew and niece. I'm really excited for them and their sweet mama to become part of our family.

I'm linking today's post to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for this week's Pink Saturday - be sure to pop on over and see what she and the others are sharing. There will certainly be plenty 'o pink for your Valentine's Day Weekend!

I'm sending you all L.O.V.E from The Old Parsonage!

Still routing

I've been having fun routing in that old tin of family history. It's so fun looking at photos of people and trying to see pieces of yourself in the faces staring back at you. I can definitely see some resemblance to these two. They are my Dad's parents - Nan and Pap Costello. Unfortunately, my Pap died before I was born, but according to my Nan he would have loved me to death. They always wanted a daughter and I was the only grand daughter. This photo was taken at the 1939 World's Fair in New York. My Nan would have been 23 and Pap 25. Don't they look a lot older?

Does anyone know why old photos were made into postcards? Almost every photo in the tin is a postcard. Hope that you are all enjoying your week! Any special plans for Valentine's Day?

L.O.V.E. Bug

The L.O.V.E. bug has definitely hit The Old Parsonage. Romance is popping up everywhere! This vintage valentine was a Christmas gift from Mr. OP a few years ago.


I keep it under a cloche and leave it out all year. I wonder why we went from intricate heartfelt Valentine's to the ones of today? Funny, but I'd much rather receive a "used" valentine than a new one. Although I'll take any love that comes my way and be happy for it!


Even supermarket flowers take on romance when they are scattered throughout the house. These roses were a great pick me up when I was feeling horrible this weekend.


I had some time to go through my Great Grandmother's photos and letters. Everything was stored in an old cookie tin and things are in great shape. None of the letters are dated, but I'm guessing early 1900's from what they've written.


There are soo many photos, but hardly any that are identified. Hopefully, after I get them all scanned in, our distant cousin Vicki may be able to help with that. Several photos were of people in tuxedo's and furs. I teased my Dad, asking him why didn't he tell us that we had rich relatives.


Apparently my Great Grandfather's family owned a textile mill in England. And he fell in love with my Great Grandmother who was a worker. This was a big no-no back then and his family disowned him - how sad. But, he loved my Great Grandmother so much that they married and moved to the United States - how romantic!

Wishing you all a bit of the L.O.V.E Bug this February and everyday!

Season of LOVE

Thanks so much for all your well wishes. This virus or whatever it you want to call it is/was a beauty! I still have the headache, but all of the other symptoms seem to have passed, so I'll be headed to work this am.



Mr OP took me out for breakfast yesterday - just to get me out of the house. I had slept 11hrs the day before and barely moved off the couch.





Thank goodness I got a head start on my Valentine present for Mr OP last month. I decided to make the entire album first, then go back and fill in with photos later.







I like how it turned out, even with my handwriting filling in for stamps (above). I have a stack of photos that I'm going to use - just have to get into the studio and finish it!





I also have to finish cards for Flyboy & Miss Chelsea, The Fireman & My Jade, nieces, nephews and Aunt Gladys. Hopefully all will fall into place and I bee feeling real spunky by the time I get home tonight:)

What did you do fun this weekend? Anyone watch the Superbowl?

I have had a major headache for 3 full days. Yesterday came the achey body too! Not sure what it was, but it was doozy. The sun shining on the snow was soo bright that I had to pull the shades the glare made my head pound even more.




Did I tell you about the phone call I got the other night? My Dad called to tell me to expect a phone call from a nice lady. A woman named Vicki was researching her ancestors and it seems that we are related. She has been researching her relatives for over 12 years and found most of her info from Ancestry.com and the census bureau. Her Great Grandfather and My Great Grandmother were brother and sister. They were born in Geldersome, Berkshire England. My Great Grandmother was born in 1877, married in 1899 and moved to the United States in 1904, settling in PA. Her parents had moved to the US in 1888, but for some reason left her behind with relatives.

Vicki asked if we had any old photos, letters or family history that we could share with her. That's where I come in. When my grandmother died and we were cleaning out her things I came across a tin of old photos and letters from England. When everyone was ready to throw them out, I dove for the tin and have safeguarded it ever since.



I told Vicki that I would go through the tin and sort out the things that may link our history together and share them with her. It's funny that she contacted us this week, as I was just thinking about that tin this past weekend, and was going to dig it out to look at. Things like this happen to me all the time...dreams sometimes come true in some form or another, I think about someone then they call, things like that. Does this happen to you?

The photos don't have anything to do with my post, but I like to use my own photos as much as possible just to keep my posts interesting and original. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Phil, how can you do this to us?

Edit: My apologies to you and to Phil- it seems that my information was wrong, Phil did NOT see his shadow. I'll have to speak with my source - seems I need rely on someone other than my Dad for real news:)

Let's hope that Punxsutawney Phil is wrong! Six more weeks of winter - ugh. It's a mess here this morning. Everything is ice covered and schools are closed. But, as far as I know I have to go to work - no phone call this morning. It's changed over to rain and the temp is 34 so the rain won't freeze - but what a mess!


I dread going out to clean the ice off the car (no garage here at The Old Parsonage just our barn) in the rain. No amount of hairspray is gonna hold my "doo" today:) Hope that you are all safe and warm my friends...I'm off!

RABBIT

Have you ever heard that the first person to say "Rabbit" on the first of the month has good luck that month? We say Rabbit every month, however, I've heard there are other variations "White Rabbit," and "Rabbit Rabbit." Here's a link if you'd like more info.




We seem to be part of the majority here in PA today. They say, this major storm will affect 30 states when all is said and done. We got a light dusting of snow overnight, however around 11am today it's supposed to start freezing rain.



I had a small wreath made of fabric hearts on a wire frame from the 80's that I was sooo tired of. What's a thrifty girl to do? Cut them off and display them in a bowl I say. I guess that I missed some of the threads? I'll need to go trim them right up.



Wherever you are today, I hope that you are safe and warm my friends. I have to finish getting ready for work and be off!