Rummikub extravaganza

Sat., October 12, 2002 - Dolores brought bananas and milk.  They were on sale at Hy-Vee & I paid her for them.  We haven't played Rummikub this week - she has had a very sore leg - almost sounds like the sciatica I used to have.  Greta called in p.m.
Sun., October 13, 2002 - Nancy & I went to Mary's church -- All Saints Lutheran.  We had dinner at KFC's.  Went to Penney's & I bought a fall weight coat.  Then to apartment -- took a nap -- then showered & then 2 games of Rummikub.
Mon., October 14, 2002 - Bill came at 11:00.  We went to a restaurant & met Jenny & Patty.  We had lunch & then Patty & Jenny went shopping & Bill took me to the dental school at the university. Impressions were taken for both upper & lower dentures.  Bill & I played several games of Rummikub.  In evening I played cards & won 3 games.

Grandma and Dolores might not have played Rummikub lately but it looks like Grandma got her fill over the next couple of days.  And of course she paid for her bananas and milk.  We wouldn't imagine it any other way, would we?

In honor of Dorothy Jo's birthday earlier this week, here's a photo of her place I've always liked.  Simple, but as I recall she was showing the other ladies some of her flowers and I happened to catch this picture.

Skipping ahead a bit

Mon., February 22, 1937 - Went with Howard over to Chris & Clara's to help move.  We packed fruit jars this morning.  I stayed all night.
Tues., February 23, 1937 - Packing! & more packing.  I went home with Howard tonite.  We got a grant check for $16 today.
Wed., February 24, 1937 - Jo helped today at Clara's too.  We were over to the new place & had dinner at 12:00.  Cold & windy with occasional snow flurries.

That was a pretty good grant check, I think.  I did a little looking online and it appears the buying power of $16 in 1937 equates to about $280 in 2018.

I will have to remember to ask where Uncle Chris and Aunt Clara were moving from and moving to.

I still like this photo of (l. to r.) Aunt Irene, Aunt Helen and Aunt Clara.

We kids?

Sat., February 6, 1937 - I baked a cake and fried a chicken to take to Clara's tomorrow.
Sun., February 7, 1937 - We went to Jensen's this morning.  From there Mike, Jo, Helen, Raymond & we kids went in the bobsled to Clara's for her birthday.
.
.
.
Fri., February 12, 1937 - Baked cakes today to serve at lodge tonite.  Helen, Raymond, & we kids went to lodge with Mike & Jo in their car.

Is Grandma referring to her and Grandpa as "we kids"?  If so, I'm loving it.

Birthday celebration, and what I hope was a lovely bobsled ride aside, I must share the "fun" I had this morning.

I should have been soundly sleeping at 4:00 a.m. but that was not the case because the one dog was barking incessantly starting at about that same time.  Normally I would go out and see what the problem was, but the smell of skunk spray was already in the house, so I knew what was making the hound bark.  Our closest neighbors are far enough away that the barking wouldn't be bothering them so I wasn't being inconsiderate.  I figured I would not have to go out and deal with the skunk at all as it certainly would soon tire of the noise and wander off.  Wrong. 

I opted to pass on my second hitting of the snooze button around 5:40 a.m. and instead wandered out in the dark with my headlamp for light.  Turns out the poor skunk got itself into the dog's pen and could not get itself out.  So, Roscoe had it in a corner of the pen, barking in its face.  Thankfully it was in a corner with a gate.  Unfortunately, the gate is rarely used and the grass has grown up around the bottom a bit, making it unclear to me if I can even get it open with the speed I am hoping for.

Here's a mental picture --- me, in my nightgown, light strapped to my forehead, at the corner of the fence.  I am trying to get the dog to stop being so excited about its treasure to let me grab his collar on one side of the corner while I'm stretched against the fence trying to keep myself as far from the skunk as possible while reaching for the latch just around the corner on the adjoining side of the pen so the stinky thing can find its way out. 

Remarkably, luck was on my side and the dog let me hold him, the gate did open somewhat, and the confused and likely tired skunk pushed itself right out and wandered off.  Instant silence, but the fog of skunk perfume was still in the air so I have no idea if the dog got himself sprayed or not. 

Don't let anyone tell you I don't live a fascinating life.  I should also mention the female dog was wisely hid inside the garage, as far away as she could get from the noise and smell.  Smart dog. 

Photo from abcwildlife.com

The winter that won't let up

Wed., February 3, 1937 - Snowing & windy today.  It's impossible to go after the car.
Thurs., February 4, 1937 - Jo & Mike brought our mail tonite.  About half on hour after they came Raymond, Helen & Bess came.  The girls had walked all the way from Rews.  The weather was too bad yesterday on my birthday so they came tonite.  Mike & Jo didn't know they (the girls) were going to come tonite.  So we were all surprised.
Fri., February 5, 1937 - Howard went over home to see about taking the tractor to get our car but decided it was too cold.

While it's not fun to swelter in summer heat, it surely doesn't sound like the extreme opposite in 1937 was any better.  Nice, though, that Grandma got a bit of a surprise, well two maybe, for her birthday.

And here's a photo of a birthday 68 years later, Grandma's last as it turned out.  Gosh, but I still miss her so much.

A Sunday recipe, finally

Fri., December 25, 1936 - I finished the holders while Howard baked peppernuts.  Were over home for dinner.  All the kids there.  Got some lovely presents.  Spent the evening at home eating nuts & candy.
Sat., December 26, 1936 - Cleaned up the house.  Invited to Jo's for supper.  Those there:  Rews, Iversen kids, Clara's, Margaret's, Alma & John.  Ate too much as usual.  Jean & Marjorie came home with us.
Sun., December 27, 1936 - We got up late.  Between spells we played 500 Rummy.  We all played tonite.  Irene went back to Sunol today.

How fun to imagine Grandpa baking peppernuts so Grandma could finish her handiwork.

I do not recall Grandma or anyone else making this recipe, but it's in her book and in her handwriting.  I'll gladly be corrected if she did make it often and I'm just not remembering.  It certainly is a possibility.  Also possible it was made for Christmas once or twice.

Fudgie Scotch Ring

1 cup (6 oz. pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (6 oz. pkg) butterscotch chips
1 can Borden Eagle Brand Condensed milk
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. walnut halves
Maraschino cherries, if desired

Melt chips and condensed milk in top of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water.  Stir occasionally til morsels melt and mixture begins to thicken.  Remove from heat -- add chopped walnuts and vanilla.  Blend well.  Chill 1 hour til mixture thickens.  Line bottom of 9" pie pan with a 12" square of foil.  Place 3/4 cup walnut halves in bottom of pan, forming a 2" wide flat ring.  Spoon chocolate mixture in small mounds on top of nuts to form a ring.  Decorate with remaining nuts.  Add maraschino cherries if desired.  Chill in refrigerator until firm enough to slice. Cut into 1/2 inch slices.

I am guessing once the mounds are in place, you spread the mixture out a bit to also make a 2" wide flat ring.

The lovely 1936 Christmas card is from:  https://the-light-keeper.blogspot.com

The Bunch

Sun., November 8, 1936 - Jo & Mike over this p.m.  Mike helped Howard saw wood so Howard could bale this week.  Warm all day.  "The bunch" went up to Alma's tonite and surprised her for her birthday which was Friday.  We played Hearts.
Mon., November 9, 1936 - Howard & I were in town this a.m.  I went up home tonite while Howard went to lodge.  Mom helped me cut out 2 everyday dresses.
Tues., November 10, 1936 - Strong wind all day.  Howard cut down 4 trees.  We were over at Andrew Andersens tonite for quilting.  Iversens, L. Hansens, & Mrs. Jens Andersen were there.

Not sure exactly who "the bunch" is, but that's okay.

I did not know her well, but I always thought that Johanna was one of the sweetest people around.  And she made great cookies!

Another jump

Here we are in November already:

Mon., November 2, 1936 - Windy -- rained and snowed a little.  Still stormy this evening so the T.D.S. Club didn't come nor did Howard go to lodge.
Tues., November 3, 1936 - Cold today.  Howard cut wood.  The folks stopped and took us along to vote.  We went to Jensens tonite and got the 12 hens Jo promised us for a wedding present.
Wed., November 4, 1936 - Raymond helped Howard haul in corn fodder.  I went to town this p.m. -- got some groceries and was up to see Mom.  Grandpa Tangeman who died Monday was buried today.  Warm today.

That might be F.D.S. Club, I'm not sure.

I know Grandma used the term 'grandpa' rather liberally, but I must confess I do not have any idea who this gentleman is.  I did find he was Herman Tangeman, married to Maria, and buried in Otoe County.  Someone is going to have to help me out as to how he is connected to the family, relationship-wise or friendship-wise.

I am thinking 12 hens was probably a pretty nice gift.

Slow down, already

Fri., September 18, 1936 - Raymond and Howard still cutting and fixing the binder each day. We went with Raymond and Helen to a party dance at Hoskins -- Gus Perskes and Ed Schellenbergs among those giving it.
Sat., September 19, 1936 - Howard, Raymond, and Dad ground fodder this a.m.  I went with Helen, her mother, Clara & kids & Jo to Wayne to 4-H Club fair and school exhibit.  Howard and I went to town tonite.
Sun., September 20, 1936 - Chris & Clara, Elmer & Myrtle, Mike, Peter, & the folks were here today.  The men made the silo bigger.  We were over to Lettmans awhile this evening.  Howard wanted to see Ed Heithold.

Seems everyone is quite busy, busy, busy.  Glad there was some down-time involved.

Interesting how Maggie is Helen's mother and not Grandma's mother-in-law or Mrs. Iversen or something like that.  Nothing to infer, but somewhat interesting.  To me, anyway.  Here's an undated photo with some of the many people mentioned in this post.  Who is that with their arms folded in the background?  For that matter, who is sitting next to Maggie/Little Grandma?

Told ya

Mon., August 19, 1935 - Annie came about 8:00 this a.m.  We stopped for Marian Jordan.  Today we canned 23 pints plus 16 quarts of corn and 4 quarts of apple sauce for us and 29 quarts of corn for Annie.  We had a dandy rain tonite, started about 7:00.  Stayed all night.
Tues., August 20, 1935 - Edwin brought me and the canned goods home this morning.  I canned up 3 quarts of apple pulp.  Typed again this afternoon and evening.
Wed., August 21, 1935 - Washed and waved my hair, baked bread, and canned 3 1/2 quarts of ripe cucumber pickles.  Went down town with Alma.  Howard was here when I came home.

See?  Lots of canning.  I know the basement was somewhat roomy, but it seems like they would be buried in canning jars by now.

For no particular reason, here is one of my favorite photos from a long-ago family reunion, or maybe 4th of July picnic.

Some new faces for 1935

Tues., January 1, 1935 - Clear and sunny.  Annie, Ola, kids, Verne and Edwin here for dinner; played pinochle and rummy.  Howard took me and my belongings to Goodlings tonite.
Wed., January 2, 1935 - Everybody in school after vacation.  Passed out report cards.  Irene stopped after school and got my program books.  Examination questions came today.  Copied questions and studied Rebekah installation piece tonite.
Thurs., January 3, 1935 - Gave a few exams today.  Cold wind this a.m. and thawing in p.m.  To Emerson with Irene, Helen and Howard tonite to see their installation.  Jo, Pete, Mike, Dorothea, Bess there, too.  Played cards afterwards.

Goodling is a name I do not recognize from all those conversations around the dining room table with the older generations.  But, it appears it is the family Grandma is staying with at the beginning of 1935.

The Iversen name has been dropped and everyone is on a first name basis so far as Grandma's diary is concerned.

Jo is Johanna Jensen, perhaps?  And Pete and Mike are Jensens?

Dorothea and Bess are the Rew sisters?

I need a program.

Ice!

"September 6, 1993:  Nancy back from Wisconsin about 6:30 -- left at 8:00 for Lincoln.
September 8, 1993:  Johanna's funeral in p.m. -- ELCA meeting after the funeral lunch.
September 10, 1993:  Pinochle at Ida F.'s.
September 13, 1993:  TOPS -- Dianne J. joined.  Ice on bird bath this morning."

Ice on the bird bath?!  Glad we aren't having that kind of a September here in 2012.

And I hadn't thought of it, but Mom is right in her comment from yesterday -- that recent photo of Dorothy Jo does put me in mind of Johanna.  I don't know why I didn't notice it myself.

Here's Grandpa and the bird bath and a bucket of bird "feed", probably.  I think I see the bird bath heater in there, so no more ice that year.  Wonder if that is melted ice floating on the top; maybe the heater was brand new and that's why the photo was taken.

Johanna

"August 30, 1993:  Nancy came in evening.
August 31, 1993:  Nancy left with Lois, Mark and Jeff for Wisconsin to visit Jean and see Mark C. in a golf tournament.
September 5, 1993:  Johanna died.  Went to Lincoln for Dane's birthday -- dinner at Mary's."

I don't remember that I did so much entertaining.  Glad that I did.  Just noticed that I am over halfway through this first notebook of Grandma's.  Best be starting now to find the next in line.

I have nothing but fond memories of Johanna.  If she ever spoke a harsh word to anyone, I never heard about it.  This photo is from 1988, the first family reunion after Grandma and Grandpa's 50th anniversary grand get-together.

Details count

"August 3, 1993:  Carol T. and Greta here in late p.m.  Nancy and I to Norfolk after that.  Got some .080 line for the weed eater for Howard.
August 4, 1993:  Nancy to Hartington and Laurel in p.m. -- stayed all night in Laurel with Karen Young.
August 5, 1993:  Nancy back in a.m.  We visited Johanna and Sophia in p.m."

I am guessing Grandma was so precise with putting down the type of line for the weed eater so that she would have it down and at the ready for the next time.  That is what I would do anyway and of course, great minds think alike.

I do not know who Sophia is, I don't think.

For anyone reading who is not Mom or Nancy, Karen is the person that the goat Paul pushed in to the trunk when she was getting stuff out after a trip.  Paul, as I remember him, was a real piece of work.  Nancy readily admits that she and whoever else was around did nothing to help Karen other than laugh at her for her trouble.  I can believe that since Nancy and Mom came out after hearing me scream/shriek/beg for my life when Paul was standing on my back.  Now, I managed to overcome it all and turn into a relatively well-adjusted person, but to laugh at a helpless five-year-old being stood upon by a goat . . . oh, okay, I probably would have done the same thing.  How I do wish I had a photo of Paul.

Since I do not have a photo of Paul, here instead is a photo of Jim and Dale and I with two burros.  Looks like I have a brush in my hand so I must have been "helping".  I must say I have my best "model posing with animals" pose going on there.  The camera loved me.

Christmases past

"December 15, 1991:  To church in a.m.  In p.m. Greta drove our car to Bob & Mary's in Norfolk for the Iversen-Nielsen Christmas gathering.  Gaylord brought Irene there.  Johanna also there.
December 17, 1991:  Busy Bees had Christmas dinner etc. at the Stop Inn."

Unfortunately, since we don't have the "Cousins' Christmas" any more, I haven't thought about it in some time.  My best memory of that particular event was when I was little and Aunt Myrtle would bring gifts for all the kids.  They were little gifts, nothing spectacular but I remember being so excited and appreciative of those offerings from Aunt Myrtle.  Maybe because in my childs' mind, she was outside the immediate family and didn't "have to" give me a gift.  Or it was just a ramping up of exciting events soon to come.  I don't even remember the things she gave me; I just remember thinking it was really neat.  By the time she stopped doing it, I was plenty old enough to understand what an undertaking that was for her -- to pick age-appropriate gifts for an ever-growing number of kids.  It wasn't a gift for one of those Christmases but I still have and treasure the doll she made for me with duck feathers for a dress.

I've used it before, I think, but here's a photo with Aunt Myrtle in it.  Left to right we have Aunt Irene, Aunt Myrtle, Uncle Elmer, Uncle Raymond, Jean, Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Helen.

Johanna

"August 5, 1991:  Started cutting pieces for Jayson's quilt.
August 7, 1991:  After long dry spell we had an inch of rain.
August 8, 1991:  Went to Johanna's for her birthday, 96th.
August 9, 1991:  Pinochle at Laura J.'s."

I think that every dictionary, until they don't make print dictonaries anymore, should have a picture of Johanna under the entry "little old lady."  She was one of the cutest little, and I mean little, old ladies ever.  She was cute and sweet and quick to smile.  She kept her house as neat as a pin and dirt and dust were not allowed in.  During a particular cleaning, she took a ladder around the inside of her house and wiped the ceilings.  Someone asked her how she could tell where she had been, knowing that there was no way the ceilings could have been dirty.  Johanna told them matter-of-factly that she knew where she had had the ladder.  I still have a patchword pillow she made for me.

Of course, I don't have a fabulous photo of Johanna available.  But there was the one of her from far away walking with the other ladies at Dorothy Jo's that I posted a little bit ago.  So, on a post where Grandma is talking about a dry spell in the hot month of August, I have selected a photo of Michel and I playing in the snow.  Why not, right?  And I guess it is a teensy bit appropriate since Michele lived pretty close to Johanna's house.

The Black Knight again and a "Sunday" recipe

"January 27, 1991:  Greta and I to Lincoln to see the new baby.
February 3, 1991:  Tom, Merilyn, Nancy, Rick, Mary, Mitchell, Helen, Greta, Irene and I went to The Black Knight for dinner.  In p.m. played cards here.  Dorothy Jo and Johanna came in p.m."

Well, phooey.  Here is written proof that I have been to The Black Knight.  I have no recollection whatsoever.  One would think I would remember one of the earliest outings with the new baby, and for Grandma's birthday to boot.  Obviously, there is no where for me to go but up in the memory department.

And Grandpa either out of fairness or because he was still not feeling the best, did not make the trip down to see Kyleah, just like the first trip to meet Mitch.  But then again, Grandpa wasn't really big on teeny babies.

This isn't really a recipe, but I am going to mention Grandma's jungle juice.  Seems she quite often made this or that recipe that had drained canned fruit in it.  Because I would go to Grandma and Grandpa's after school and it was not uncommon for there to be jungle juice in the frig -- Grandma's title so far as I know.  She would combine KoolAid and whatever juice she happened to have -- didn't want to waste it, you know.  I am willing to bet she rarely combined the same juice with the same flavor of KoolAid very often.  I wonder if the memory of her concoctions is the reason I am still a sucker for punch of any kind.  Point me to a punch bowl and I will all but pick it up and drink from it.  I LOVE PUNCH.

There's no real good time to post the picture of Grandma at her last birthday party, so I will just do it now and then I won't have to think about when to do it anymore.  She looks so nice there.  A bit of a different smile for her in photos, but I still like it.  Oh, and she's wearing that necklace that all little kids like to mess with.  Bonus.

Yet another birthday, actually two

"December 16, 1990:  Birthday dinner for Howard -- Tom, Merilyn, Nancy, Dane, Raymond, Marina, Irene and Greta here.  In p.m. to Helen and John's for the gathering of the clan:  Elmer, Myrtle, McKeowns, Dorothy Jo, Bob's, Johanna, Linda, Karen and those from here.
December 19, 1990:  Busy Bees had Christmas dinner at Stop-Inn.
December 20, 1990:  -2 degrees in morning -- windy.  Wind chill -20 degrees or more!!"

There are two relatively little things I like about these entries; that Grandma called the family "the clan" and that she used two exclamation points in talking about the wind chill.  I have no idea why I find both of those things smile-worthy.

Grandpa would have been 83 for this birthday, so Uncle Elmer would have been 93.  Grandma doesn't say so exactly, but I am guessing the gathering at Aunt Helen's was for Uncle Elmer's birthday as well as a continuation of Grandpa's.  It wasn't uncommon to have one cake for both gents at the bigger get-together.  Grandpa was born in the 20th century and Uncle Elmer in the 19th.  As world events go, in the year Grandpa was born, the RMS Lusitania made its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York City.  And unbelievably, in the year Uncle Elmer was born, the word "computer" was first used; at that time it meant an electronic calculation device.  Nebraska had been a state for only 30 years.

The photo is of me in the snow (selected since Grandma was talking about the cold), and so was obviously not taken in 1990, but look at all that white stuff.  I remember this particular storm but don't recall any storms of that magnitude since.  The one drift was so high that you couldn't see the house across the street to the southwest.  Well, I couldn't anyway.  And even I could step over the clothesline in the backyard since the snow was so tall underneath it.  Crazy stuff.

Garden tomatoes and a Sunday recipe

"October 7, 1990:  Had our first good frost -- tomatoes are done for this year.
October 8, 1990:  Flu shot.
October 13, 1990:  Greta put the plastic on the west and north windows -- a perfect day -- no wind and not too cold."

In my humble opinion, it's hard to beat garden tomatoes.  Kim and I used to eat them after school like apples.  Nothing added, no peeling, no slicing -- just bite right in.  As I hear tell, the juice left from a bowl of sliced tomatoes was a prize when Grandma's kids were growing up.  I thought that was crazy until I tried it.  Adding to their appeal is the fact that picking tomatoes wasn't so bad.  It's not dreary and annoying like picking green beans or peas that like to hide in the green.  Bright red tomatoes all but ask to be picked.  I have seen various recipes that use green tomatoes, but I have never eaten any of them.  I don't know if Grandpa just left the green ones there or if he was such a master gardener, that there simply weren't any. 

I have always loved this photo and so am posting it today.  Looks like maybe the grownups were playing cards as opposed to eating tomatoes or anything else, but that's okay. 

This isn't one of Grandma's recipes, but the recipe for Johanna's fantabulous peanut butter cookies.  Maybe it was just Johanna's touch, but they were always great.

Double Peanut Butter Cookies

3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 t. soda
1/4 t. salt
1 c. shortening (part oleo)
1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. light syrup

Sift flour, sugar, soda and salt into mixing bowl.  Cut in shortening and peanut butter until it resembles coarse meal.  Blend in corn syrup.  Shape into rolls and chill overnight.  Slice 1/4 inch thick and put 1/2 t. peanut butter on one slice and put another slice over it.  Seal edges with a fork or press with fingers.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.  Cool slightly before removing.

A funeral and a birthday party

"August 6, 1990:  Went to Helen's in the evening to visit with Gary and family.
August 7, 1990:  Mamie J.'s funeral in morning.  To Johanna's in p.m. for her 95th birthday.  Irene, Helen, Kathy M., Marilyn M., Arlene P., [another] Arlene P., Mary Lynne, Teresa, Dorothy Jo and I were there."

I adored Mamie.  I knew her granddaughters and her husband, Leo.  I never went to her home nor had serious conversations with her.  But she was cheerful and happy and...I know it doesn't matter, but she was also...cute.  I can't picture her without a smile.

The same can all be said of Johanna, except I did go to her house.  Her neat-as-a-pin, no-dirt-particles-allowed, cute little house.  I think Micki and Teresa and some others took Johanna out for her 90th birthday (or some other impressive numbered birthday) to have pizza.  Apparently Johanna had never had pizza before.  I never found out if she liked it.  I am guessing she would not have let on if she didn't.

And I can't talk about Johanna without mentioning her peanut butter cookies.  The cookies by themselves were exceptional, but what was even better is that the cookies were made into sandwiches with more peanut butter in between two of them.  Absolute peanut buttery heaven!

I have to reuse a photo to get one of Johanna.  If I find a better one, I'll find a reason to post it.

Oops on the 4th of July

"July 4, 1990:  Picnic at Dorothy Jo's.  None of [the] Lincolnites or Bill's came.
July 5 and 6, 1990:  Bound the quilt.
July 7, 1990:  Picture taken at Stop Inn of all the quilters with the quilt."

I don't remember at all how it happened that none of the Lincolnites or Bill's went to the annual 4th picnic this particular year.  It had been a family tradition for decades.  I thought Grandma said it started -- a family picnic on the 4th itself -- around the time she and Grandpa got married.  In 1990 that would have been over 50 years.  It was mostly unsaid, but still important to Grandma that there be a good showing so the tradition would continue.  As for myself, I was pregnant for this 4th, but not THAT pregnant.  Several of us came up later in the month for the centennial, so maybe that is why we skipped the 4th.

I guess the centennial quilt was not quite finished as Grandma and I reported yesterday, but the bulk of it was done and binding is a one-person job anyway.

Ah, the Stop Inn.  That is where in 1980 I unknowingly gave Kim mono.  I wasn't yet showing symptoms but was contagious.  Kim and I always shared a pop when we played pinball after school.  Guess that would be another oops.

The photo was very likely taken during a 4th of July picnic.  I think there was an impromptu tour of Dorothy Jo's flowers going on.  That's Grandma, Johanna, Dora and Dorothy Jo.