Christmas from the past. Big Grandma Emma.

Christmas has been forever a time for memories, family and friends. Over the years one has boxes of ornaments, baking cookies and fruitcake. All holiday traditions... home for the holidays ...Grandma always liked that best. She was raised with Christmas eve being the day of a nice dinner and a church service. Out in the cold of winter, even snow and a candle in the window, peaceful and calm the way it was in Norway so many years ago.  Memories in the making...Happy Holidays from the past.

Gold store box....filled with ribbon and wrapping paper.

Over the years Grandma Emma had saved ribbon and wrapping paper in a large gold box with a shiny brocade lid. She kept it in the hall closet next to the fireplace. She had saved small and large pieces of lovely wrapping papers. Curling ribbon, flat bows and tissue paper. All were ready to use at a moments notice. This was special to her...from a time in history when women had to be prepared for anything. This box showed her willingness to be ready...ready for all that came her way.  A nice box of treasures...

Christmas Cards...

When December arrived Grandma Emma always looked forward to receiving Christmas cards and letters from family and friends. Everyday she would walk to the mailbox just to see what would arrive and from whom. Some would be in English and some in Norwegian. This went on the entire month with wonder and surprise. As well as several visits for an hour or two, with greetings for the upcoming holiday. Often we would venture out in the car for a quick trip to look at the neighborhood lights. A true delight to see what is special about the winter holidays. She was happy to have January 1st ring in the new year and said that spring was just around the corner. Another favorite time of the year.  Happy Holidays....

Thanksgiving Dinner...

One year I decide to fix a dinner for Thanksgiving at home in Mukilteo...Hmmmmm....okay, we purchased a small turkey with no bones...including a gravy packet, all the trimmings, potatoes, peas, dressing and cranberries, even pumpkin pie. Sounded good and fairly easy. The morning started out fine, Grandma and Kristina watching the thanksgiving day parade and I was in the kitchen. Got the turkey in the oven...and that is when the problems began. I had forgotten to remove the gravy packet...but did not realize that until the turkey was finished cooking...Oh, what a mess! So my kind friend Nancy called for a chat...I told her what had happened, I'm sure I was in tears...and soon a dish with turkey arrived at the door. Saving the day!  such a mistake was fixed by the true spirit of a friend on a cold winters Thanksgiving Day. Grandma and Kristina tried to cheer me up and they did...the pie was good also. Who knows what memories we make with friends and families on holidays.

First of the Season "Holiday Eggnog"

Every year, usually the first week of November the new season started in the grocery stores for Holiday Eggnog. This was a favorite for Grandma Emma. She would have a coffee mug full every day til after the first of the new year. Just plain and simple....nothing added. Sometimes we would buy extra and freeze it so it would last longer. Usually it was okay...but often it turned into egg nog ice cream. Just as good! She enjoyed the egg nog and looked forward to that small pleasure for many years. Good memories...

Rides in the Car...

Sometimes Grandma Emma would ride along where ever I was going...shopping, banking, Rosehill library and the Rosie's thrift store just to get out of the house a little. I think since she did not drive a car she appreciated those small outings. One of her favorites was to drive down the goat trail to Mukilteo and see so many changes...The Mukilteo lighthouse and the state park were always a welcomed site...

Knitting...

While Grandma was young growing up in Norway she learned the fine art of knitting from her mother. She made hats for my father and others also. She was so clever with this skill, each and every hat fit just right.  She made me a lovely dark red scarf that I still have and use. Good memories....

The purple violet box....

The Purple Violet Box was a very special piece of everyday life for Grandma, Kristina and myself. We would pass this little box( actually a violet soap box) back and forth between us filled with little treasures. Sometimes a quarter, some candy, a photo, a pencil, a small toy...whatever it was, it was an instant treasure. Always with great meaning to all three of us...another good memory.  By Sandra.

Uff Da and Uff a may....

These were two of Grandma Emma's favorite sayings... Sometimes used with humor and other times with frustration. I always remember her using these phrases. She knew when to use Uff Da in conversation. Interesting and fun at the same time!

Cast Aluminum Skillet...

Most of you remember that Grandma had a unique skillet ( frying pan). It was made of Cast Aluminum. She would make pancakes almost every morning for herself and Grandpa. If you happened to be there at breakfast, she made more pancakes. A very nice memory! I still love pancakes, butter and maple syrup..great mornings.

Pancakes...

Grandma Emma served many Pancakes over the years...She carefully placed the right amount of batter in the frying pan or flat skillet. Let each pancake bubble on each side to a soft golden brown and serve with butter topped with maple syrup...so tasty and good.  A good breakfast from a wonderful time in history.

A Scissors to Lend...

While living in Iowa my Grandmother and Grandfather met many wonderful people. Grandma Emma had a favorite memory of a time when she lent a stranger her good scissors that she had with her from Norway. He approached her and told that several of the men in the "hobo" camp had an opportunity to work locally if they had haircuts. He said " I have nothing to pay with, but you can have my watch until I return your scissors". Grandma Emma traded the scissors for the watch. As he left, she wondered if he would ever bring her treasured scissors  back. They next day he did just that. He told that she had saved those men, all had gotten work. He thanked her, she returned his watch, then left. Never saw him again....but  a small kind gesture she had shared in the community at a time in history when it was often difficult to find work.  This was part of her special journey...good lesson here.

Grandma's chair....

Grandma Emma had a favorite chair in the later years in Mukilteo...It was so comfortable and cozy. Fit her so well. But what really made that chair work for her was the small foam pellet filled foot stool. She always sat with her legs up...not in the down position. Turns out this was helpful...kept the circulation better. Grandma was a very wise woman....

Wave Watching at the Beach...

Watching the waves at the state park with Grandma Emma in Mukilteo is such a nice memory... Sometimes we would even walk some also....but usually only in the summer. Good days.

Grocery Shopping...

Every week  we would make the trek to Top Foods in Everett for our groceries, then a special treat to McDonalds restaurant for a Hamburger and fries for lunch...We would talk and eat then back to Mukilteo...A good outing and time for all of us.... nice memories.

Eating Yogurt...

Everyday Grandma Emma would eat at least one cup of yogurt. It was easy and tasty too. Maybe she knew about those great health benefits long before the rest of us....

Double Red Geranium...

Every Spring we would carefully bring out of the garage a very wonderful double red Geranium. It was planted in a large clay container that I painted white. The new shoots would begin emerging very slowly until the warm days of spring sunshine would produce the most beautiful red blooms. Grandma would tend this colorful geranium all summer til the first frost in the fall. Then return it to its winter rest in the warmth of the garage. She had this plant for almost ten years...truly amazing!

Being Frugal, Recycling, Reusing, Re-purposing.

Being Frugal was a way of life and still is. Saving small items such as string, paper clips, tacks, cork, extra nails and bolts, a pencil, pen, extra paper always came in handy to mend or fix something around the house. Grandma had a kitchen drawer with all of those above items and much more, carefully organized. So many times she would go to that special place to find just what she needed. What treasures she saved for the Drawer... good memories.

Grandma Emma, Aunt Agnes, Helene and Kari....

On September 15th, 1978 these four women were together at Sea-tac airport awaiting a flight for Tante Agnes to return to Norway after a six month visit with her sister Emma. They talked, ate, shopped and visited with family with a lifetime of memories. Truly a life adventure for both of them. Memories in the making.

Apples to the Food Bank....

Many years ago Grandma Emma and myself delivered many grocery bags of apples from the yard to the local food bank. She and I picked them, loaded the trunk of the car full and delivered these yummy apples so others would have a taste of this fruit. Grandma Emma believed that we were all part of a larger community and being hungry was such an awful thing, especially for a child.  She was right and I believe this also. I've learned much from Grandma and this is part of her legacy.

Seeing the 747 airplane for the first flight...

Remembering the maiden voyage of the Boeing 747 in Mukilteo, Washington was very exciting... All of us enjoyed seeing this remarkable part of aviation history. And yes Grandma Emma said how amazed she was that she had seen air flight in her lifetime. A total transformation of travel. So many changes in her years.

Favorite Magazine...

Over the years Grandma Emma had a favorite magazine, The Readers Digest. In earlier years she would read most of it every month, in the later years, she would look mainly at the "Joke" and " Quote" section. Often keeping her favorite joke or quote in her memory to share with others. She really enjoyed some of those classics! And we did also... She could and did make us laugh many times... good memories.

Grandma of Nature...

 All the years Grandma Emma grew and harvested berries from the garden. In Iowa she told of the large strawberry garden that she grew. She would often share those berries with neighbors and friends in the early days of the summer. Also putting up preserves for later in the year. Canning was a big part of the summer work. But was very rewarding by having enough to last through the winter.  She was very clever and always enjoyed this type of work...Grandma liked sweets just like I do!  Yum, fresh strawberries from the garden...I often think of the interesting stories she would tell....... more later.

Rhubarb by the barn...

Do you remember the Rhubarb growing by the barn?  Looked like a tropical plant....so green were the leaves....

Visits with Friends...

Grandma Emma always enjoyed her visits with her good friends Florence and Henry....they would share stories and memories of days gone by...and also, cookies and coffee.... They always brought smiles with them on each and every visit...

Journey....

During a conversation with Grandma while she lived at M & M in Poulsbo she said that during her long life she had met so many " good and wonderful people", that were always helpful and kind. In Iowa she had good friends and family. In Washington, the same. She valued a persons character and how she was treated by those around her. In return, she showed the same level of respect and kindness. Trying to help where she could and to be prepared for any situation. A good philosophy on life in general. Thanks Grandma.

Friends ...

Most of our Grandparents friends became good and close friends that lasted a lifetime.  Grandma said she was lucky with all the good and wonderful people she met through the years. Most of you knew and remember Florence and Henry. They were good and kind friends... often would stop by just to say Hello and share a cup of coffee, and some words. Two of Grandma's favorites...good memories.

Emma's Birthday...

On April 2,1905 Emma Alberta Lovlie was born to Anne and Edvard Lovlie in Norway. She had five siblings and grew up on a farm in the country, scenic landscape,hard work and a good education. Today we send her Birthday wishes for her special day. More later...

Grandma and the metric system.

Grandma Emma learned the metric system as a child....she still used this at 95 years young...amazing what we learn as children we use our entire life...

March 1st...favorite saying...

On March 1st, Grandma Emma had another favorite saying...."In like a Lion, out like a Lamb"  If it was good weather on the first, it was: "In like a Lamb, out like a Lion"....   She always thought this was a nice way to welcome Spring.

Grandma's Garden in Iowa...

Grandma Emma often spoke of her large garden in Iowa. She was so proud of her lovely and plentiful varieties of fruits and vegetables. She tilled the soil, planted, grew and then processed the bounty, either fresh or by canning.  Tomatoes and strawberries where some of her favorites. Always enough to eat and to share with others. Good times.... more on this story later.

Wheel of Fortune...

Every evening at 7:00pm we would watch Wheel of Fortune with Big Grandma. I believe it was her favorite program in later years. She would listen, learn and give a guess to the word puzzles. She looked forward to this time...She said it kept her brain working better...she was right. So today, I watch the famous Wheel. A good lesson for me.

Walking...

Grandma Emma had a very favorite saying:   The more you walk the better you walk and the better you walk the more you walk....

Milking the cows at home in Mukilteo...

I remember walking to the barn with Grandma to help milk the cows... this was so interesting. I know that many of you have shared this time. We would walk and talk and get the milking pails ready, then like magic Grandma would begin the milking process...her cows knew that she would get that precious milk from them. Then we returned to the house ready to cool the milk...good and tasty!  It was a good time for the grand-children and Grandma also....good memories.

Big Grandma-----her name..

Big Grandma's first great grandson gave her the title of "Big Grandma" . Sean spent many hours with her building card houses, eating cookies,( delicious chocolate chip) watching sesame street and building with clothes pins the most delightful play toys.. Yes, he paved the way for the other great grandchildren spending the days with "Big Grandma" We think it was the translation of Great to Big that he used that changed history in our family...Many thanks Sean to you for all of your kindness.

An evening sunset...

Grandma loved the colorful sunsets from her living room in Mukilteo...she would sit in her favorite chair next to the television enjoying every precious moment of the brilliance of the day. A day with a sunset was a good day...  she enjoy over 98 years of those colorful sunsets.