Happy Birthday Grandma Emma...

Grandma Emma was lucky to be born in the beauty of Spring. The flowers, the tree blossoms, blue sky and the renewal of the earth.  Happy Birthday Grandma Emma!

Grandma and Spring...

In early March Grandma Emma would start to be out in the garden more. She loved to see the first blooms of the crocus, daffodils and tulips. It was the renewal of life in her garden. Slowly the roses, flowering shrubs and trees would start to have their lovely blooms. She would take her favorite chair out into the warm sunshine and watch all of those precious plants bloom in all their splendor. This is my favorite season also. Everyday is a treat with flowers in the garden.

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...