A Subdued Schedule

On April 12th I had surgery to remove a nonmalignant growth from the palm of my right hand, and I've been in a hard cast ever since.  It's my dominant hand, so it has hampered activities significantly.  The cast will come off on Friday and the stitches will be removed, then I can return to my normal lifestyle.  Fortunately, the downtime has given me the opportunity to read the 555 page book about Queen Elizabeth II, necessary for my presentation this Saturday.  Biographies are my favorite kind of books to read.

My hubby took me to an estate sale last Friday where I purchased a teapot trivet, and a purse for my presentation about the Queen.  How can you talk about her and not mention her ever-present handbag? ;-)  One of the biography authors said it was her security blanket.

The $4 teapot trivet came home with me too.

While at the estate sale a lady named Jill, who follows my blog, recognize me and identified herself.   What fun meeting her!  I sure was glad I curled my hair before going even though it was awkward with my left hand. ;-)

On Sunday my daughter-in-law, Samantha, and our two youngest granddaughters, Isabella and Ellie, were in our area attending a bridal shower for one of Sam's cousins. After the shower they stopped by for a visit, and Izzy brought me one of the floral centerpieces, and a handmade get well card that's a keeper.  Love that sweet girl!

She wanted to sign my cast.  I had forgotten from my school days that kids like to do that. 

My thoughtful girlfriend sent me a get well card full of teacups because she said the pink ones reminded her of my pink cast.  Thanks, Lori.  It brought a smile to my face!

Rosie the Riveter

Last Wednesday [April 13th] I met my girlfriend for lunch and afterwards we went to a nearby community college for a program titled, "Rosie the Riveters and Their Stories."

The term "Rosie the Riveter" has come to be a generic term for all working women of WWII. A Rosie can be any woman who did what was traditionally men's work, while millions of men were serving in the military.  These are women who answered the call:  AMERICA NEEDS YOU!

I am very fascinated with the history of all the "Rosies" and would love to do a presentation about them sometime.

Below is a photo of Donnaleen Lanktree, a past president of the American Rosie the Riveter Association, and me.  Ms. Lanktree was the guest speaker, sharing several personal stories of "Rosies" as well as their job descriptions.  

Ms. Lanktree holding a family photo with her and her parents [below] before her father went off to war. Her mother was a "Rosie" and said they had the photograph taken as a keepsake in case their husband/father didn't return from the war.

A Depression motto was also used during the war:  "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."  Women's nylons were rationed during the war for parachutes, and Ms. Lanktree's mother said rationing lines were longer for nylons than for meat.

"Rosebuds" is the name given to daughters and granddaughters of Rosies, and the name for men is "rivets."

There were six Rosies present in the audience, and each told where they worked and what they did. It was a wonderful program honoring the patriotism of these amazing women.

J.L. Hudson's TV Program

The WBRW TV program that I filmed on March 21st about Dining at J.L. Hudson's Department Store is now available for viewing at the station's website.  The link is provided below, but if for some reason it doesn't work Google WBRW and it will take you to the station's website where the program is accessible.  I hope you enjoy it!

http://wbrw.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=c2813d2edd2fc123d0d668447dc56eab

I recently acquired another Mezzanine Tea Room menu dated April 30, 1935 from E-bay, so I now have a total of four in my collection.  It's a little faded, but it's 81 years old.

Hudson's Toyland was located on the 12th floor, but my mother never took me there, so I couldn't claim it as a memory of the store.  I guess my mom felt the thrill I got from riding the elevators was much cheaper than taking me to the toy department!  ;-)

Hudson's Presentation for the Philip Livingston DAR Chaper

Last year, I was contacted by a member of the Philip Livingston Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR] in Howell, Michigan to be the guest speaker at their April 9th meeting.  A few of their members had heard my J.L. Hudson presentation at an Afternoon Tea at O'Mara's Restaurant in October, 2014, and requested that I be contacted for a program.  Time passed quickly, and the date arrived last Saturday.

Their meetings are held in the parlor of the First United Methodist Church in Howell.  The meeting was called to order at 1:00 o'clock, but my hubby and I arrived at noon to set-up.   I kid you not, that's snow on the ground, on April 9th [and we got more snow on Sunday]!  We drove through several snow squalls before arriving in Howell, and attendance was said to be down due to the weather.

~ My display case ~

Their chapter was organized in 1908.  The Regent opened the meeting promptly at 1:00 o'clock with the DAR Ritual, Pledge of Allegiance, The American's Creed, Daughter's Pledge, and Preamble to the Constitution.  

I especially like The American's Creed: "I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.  I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies." ~ William Tyler Page

When those were said, I was introduced by Andrea [the gracious lady who contacted me to speak].

My hubby counted 24 ladies in attendance, so it was a lovely group to speak to.  Almost all of them had fond memories of shopping at Hudson's downtown Detroit store.

~ Here I am wearing my "Hudson's Green" outfit ~

I was delighted to meet a former J.L. Hudson's employee.  Diane worked at Hudson's in Northland Mall [where she met her husband], then she worked at another Hudson's store in a different mall. She worked in the Bridal registry department.  I always enjoy meeting former Hudson employees, and I loved that she wore her employee's name tag.

After the program a luncheon was served - a variation of Hudson's famous Maurice Salad.

While the ladies were eating Jerry and I quickly moved the display case out in the hallway, so I could pack things up while they were having their DAR meeting.

Thank you Philip Livingston Chapter for a wonderful afternoon, and for the opportunity to share my interest and fondness for J.L. Hudson's Department Store with you.  

Special Guests for High Tea

The phrase, "You meet the nicest people over tea" recently proved true again.

On the first of March I received an e-mail from a lady named, Connie, who said she had been following my blog for quite awhile, and always looked forward to my posts [music to a blogger's ears! ;-)].  She was surprised when she read my profile and discovered that we were 'fellow Nazarenes' [members of the same protestant denomination]. Even more amazing was that she and her husband, Clark, are Nazarene missionaries serving on the Asia-Pacific Region [Philippines], and they were flying back to the states for deputation work the end of March.  Once stateside, their first scheduled tour was on the Eastern Michigan district [my church's district], and they were scheduled to be at our church on the evening of April 7th.  

Connie wondered if there was any way we could get together for tea.  I excitedly extended an invitation for her and her hubby to come to our house for high tea - a more substantial meal to please both of our hubbies! ;-)  They graciously accepted, and the time was set for 12:00 noon on April 7th.

I decided to use my Bavarian "Daffodil" china, even though the weather Mother Nature sent was anything but spring! Connie jokingly said Michigan greeted them with a spring snowstorm on her first visit to our state!  She wasn't complaining though, because right now it's summer in the Philippines with temperatures in the 100's accompanied by high humidity, so our cold temps were most welcome. Guess it's all in one's perspective! ;-)

Since it was a high tea, I opted to serve Dill, Cheddar and Bacon savory scones.  I'm all about repurposing, so I used salt cellars as individual butter dishes.

~ Soup was Cream of Broccoli ~

In addition to Connie and Clark, I invited our Missions President, Debbie.

[L-R:  Me, Connie, Clark, and Debbie]

The main course was Shepherd's Pie - although technically it's Cottage Pie since I used beef instead of lamb.  The tea served throughout the meal was French Caramel Crème Brûlée.

Dessert was a regional treat, a Sander's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puff.  I made my own Cream Puff Pastry [Pâte à choux] from Julia Child's recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking. They were very easy to make. The Sander's Hot Fudge Sauce and Butter Pecan Ice Cream were purchased.

Connie certainly didn't need to, but she came bearing gifts - two teapot and teacup postcards with matching notepad by papermelroti.com...  

[L-R:  Me and Connie]

A bracelet with real pearls from the South China Sea...  

A bag of teas from the Philippines where Milk Tea is very popular...

And a Kit Kat candy bar made with Green Tea!  Thank you so much, Connie and Clark!

[Connie and Clark]

Since my kitchen was the background for Connie and me in the photos above, we decided to move into the living room for a more appropriate tea-themed background.  It was an absolute delight meeting and spending time with Connie and Clark, and having them in our home for tea - the beverage of hospitality.

Below Clark is speaking at the church service that evening,  Their program was titled, Not Your Gramma's Missionaries.

Table set-up with memorabilia from the Philippines.  In the lower right corner is a purse made from a real frog's dried skin, which Connie said is quite popular.  Really?  ;-)

May God bless your ministry in the Philippines, Connie and Clark!

*  *  *

Today I'm joining Rose Chintz Cottage for No Place Like Home

Staying In Touch

It's been 11 days since I've written a blog post, and it's been strange not blogging daily. On one of those days I went to the hospital where my daughter works and had lunch with her.

She's one of the supervisors at St. John's Children's Center [clinic].  Medical waiting rooms are much cheerier now than they were when my children were young.  Big Bird and Alvin and the Chipmunks are there to greet the children.

~ My daughter Lori ~

After lunch I went to a nearby Barnes and Noble bookstore and purchased a biography about Queen Elizabeth II.  She'll be the subject of two presentations I'll be doing on April 23rd and 24th.

It was spring break last week for the children in southeastern Michigan, so my hubby and I went to visit our three youngest grandchildren.  Even though Easter was past, I took all the things for them to make Peeps racers, and they enjoyed the craft.

L-R:  Landon, Ellie, and Isabella

~ Ellie sampling the steering wheel pretzel ~

  

~ Finished racers ~

Isabella is growing up so quickly.  The photo below was on the way to a recent Middle School Parent's Night.  It's hard to believe she'll be in middle school next fall.

With athletic parents, she's involved in sports and enjoys it very much.

Tea continues to be a part of my daily lifestyle.  

Tomorrow I'll blog about two special guests who came to my house for high tea last Thursday.