A cup is worth a thousand memories and more.

it's just a simply striped cup, but the memories it holds will be cherished for a lifetime.  it's funny what a little cup can do for the memory.  

my hubs and i enjoy sipping our coffee from a variety of cups we've picked up on our travels.  when picking one out, i first look for the one that 'strikes my fancy' because of color, the artwork or a saying.  then, it has to feel 'just right' in my hand.  the feel good weight and grip.  the hubs, well, he doesn't really care about all of that and just goes with whatever i've picked out for him.  but, we have reminisced about a special time or place that a particular cup has evoked...much like a song would do, many times.


today, over coffee and readying my mind for the day, i'm enjoying my cup of joe in the cup pictured above.  a gift from my aunt loretta.  she gave these out as party favors at a recent birthday lunch for her sis, and my aunt, mary.  the cup couldn't fit my hand and fulfill the just right 'good weight and grip' in my hand any better.  and, the memories it evokes, with each soothing sip, is worth a thousand memories and more...



 

Vintage Memories...Riverview Park

Riverview Amusement Park

Des Moines, Iowa

I had forgotten about this group page on Facebook, but just found it again this morning while catching up.  Such fond memories for me and so many.

Riverview, just as the name implies, was located on an island~like spot on the banks of the Des Moines River and was built in the early 1900's by business men in the area.  It was, in it's hey day, the HOT SPOT for young and old alike.  I knew it as a fun amusement park.  Others will remember it in a variety of ways; their first love, great dances, host to 'big band' era greats, and more.  No matter 'what' it was individually, most would have really fond memories of this middle of the state attraction.

As a young girl, my mom would take us to the State Fair, void of the Midway, because the rides there "were not safe", being put up and taken down so quickly.  In lieu of this, we'd get to spend a day at Riverview Park.  I don't remember a time we went, that my cousins, Debbie and Linda, weren't with us.  Their mom had the same philosophy!

I do remember fondly, the laughter and giggles, that ensued on the bumper cars,  the mirrors that would exaggerate your figure, snow cones, photo booths and... 

who didn't get sick from the unforgiving and seemingly unending spinning of the Cuddle Up?

and then...

The Scrambler

As with many things from yesteryear, all we have are our memories.  I have to ask "why" even now as an adult.  I do not believe bigger and newer is better.  But, my guess is, the younger generations will have memories of other amusement parks...I'd almost bet, they won't be the same, though.

These photos are not mine and were found on the following sites:

www.riverviewparkdsm.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/284251129029

specific ownership is unknown. 

Vintage linen hankies...

I just put out several linen hankies with handiwork on them.  

Made me think about weddings for some reason...

 Some have initials, some are floral patterned and some are plain with delicate edging.  There is one with RAE embroidered in blue and there is one that is just 

dark blue, rather plain, but has a simple beauty to it. 

Last summer, a mother came in looking for a vintage hankie for her son to have in his pocket on his wedding day.  It made me smile.  I know this mom and I know her son.  Appropriate! And, I bet it was used...he may have needed it himself, but I could also see him pulling it out and ever so softly wiping away a stray tear...

Vintage linen hankies...delicate reminders of another place and time.

Doing what I love...makes all the difference

I've spent the last couple weeks up at my shop, Burlap & Roses...trying to restyle every last inch of it and freshen it up a bit.  It's a daunting task...ask my mom.  She came and got the kitchen area all spruced up.  It's ready to go!  Thanks, Mom!


In between rain drops, I moved everything out of the garden shed, power washed what I could, spritzing and spraying everything else.  It's a garden shed...you'll have to forgive me if it's not completely pristine.  I've neglected this area for the last couple of years.  It'll be so much more put together this season.  I can't wait for my "guests" to visit.

Prior to this year, 2011, I had another full-time career in real estate.  It was fun and fulfilling for me until about the last 4 years.  I've been in real estate for 15 years.  I decided to get out of the business right around December 1, 2010 and have not looked back.  The difficulty is always in making the final decision.  For 4 years, it weighed on me.  Once that was done, I was free to move on with my life and get down to the business of living my bliss.  


When I had responsibilities to the buyers and sellers, I had the pleasure to work with, it seemed like I was always running from here to there, always watching the clock, the cell phone, email and such; stressed to the gills and worrying that someone wouldn't think I was paying enough attention to them and their needs.  I "knew" I was, but it was always a concern that I had.  


As I work at the shop or at home on various projects for Burlap & Roses, I still find myself "heading to check on" one thing or another.  Then, as if a continual weight is lifted from my shoulders, I remember that I don't have to do that anymore.  I relax and remember that I'm doing all that I have to do now.  Following my BLISS, I continue on!  


I get inspired by many, many things.  People, places and things.  Mostly, I get inspired by the beautiful pictures of compelling vignettes, artistry and creativity of others in home decor magazines and now through the many "friends" I have made on Facebook.  Inspiration is found in some of the most amazing places, and sometimes, in just the simplest thing~


Doing what I love has made all the difference in my life.  I invite you to share with me in my journey.

Lunching with my First bestie

Cousin Linda, Debbie & me/Lake Ahquabi

For as far back as I can remember, my cousin, Debbie, was in my life.  Not just as my cousin, but as my bestie!  I really can't think of too many times that an event for either of us was not shared. 

Of course, the daily ying and yang of life occurred away from each other, but, the monumental events:  Christmas, Easter, birthdays, stay overs, and even some vacations and such, included each other.

On a whim, I called and asked her to lunch yesterday, after seeing on Facebook, that she was on vacation from work.  I'm so glad I did.  Even today, our lives are intertwined and we continue to share some of the same events life has to offer. 

As little girls, we played little girl games.  We stayed over at Grandma's house together, stayed up all night playing games, giggling and in our teens, making calls to teen lines.  I witnessed her driving the mini bike into the fence and she stood up with me getting married(the 1st time).  I think we fell off Lucky, the pony together and were teased incessantly by our uncle Jack and Jerry.  I think Debbie was tormented by "bugs" and me, I screamed "icky acky"as I was placed in amongst a pasture of horse manure. 

Debbie's parents belonged to a camping group and I was often invited to go along on these camping events.  These were some of the best times of my childhood.  Teen dances...man, what a treat!  The venue would be crowded with 13, 14, 15 year olds.  Dancing 'til we couldn't dance no more...or, maybe the music stopped.  I can't really remember.  All I remember is that is was FUN!

During this same time frame, Debbie would come and stay overnight.  Time and again.  And, time and again, it seemed something strange would happen.  Ummmm, for instance, we were awakened by lights flashing and cops knocking at our door when our car was stolen, tornadoes hit, a man was found in our ditch passed.  She thought of herself as a "jinx".  It was very strange.

One Easter she spent the night with us.  We were up after the Easter Bunny made an appearance.  I can remember we were playing some game on the kitchen floor and one of us saw an Easter Egg that had been hidden.  Well, we started looking and finding and of course, eating them. 

We had our children together.  I babysat for her and her for me.  We shared the deaths of our grandparents and an aunt together.  Although our lives somewhat went their separate ways, I know my love for her never did!  I knew I'd always be there for her if she needed it and her me.  Yesterday was just one of those days.  She didn't really know it, but I'm glad it worked out.  I needed a little "cousin time."  Being one to believe that things work out the way the are supposed to, I found that, once again, the stars aligned again for me when I needed it.

After all, who else shares the same stories as you do.  The same order or understanding of events; a timeline that curves and sways in and out of life's moments together, more than a family member.  For me, it was my cousin, Debbie.  We entertained at the Polk County home with my church...we STILL can do the motions to Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man Who Stills the Waters, Deep and Wide and others.  And, let me tell you, it's not beyond us to step into those motions and song with even a mention of those times.  Christmas Pageants...memorizing our verses.  Selling "goods" to raise money to go to church camp. 

As we hit our fifties together...one before the other, but I won't mention details, we found ourselves still in sync with each other.  Yesterday's topics:  menopause and grandchildren.  We have gracefully moved into the next phase of our lives.  It's a most interesting time for sure. 

There are many other moments, events, ups and downs.  I'll save them in my memory bank and bring them out at another time. 

For now, for as far back as I can remember, my cousin, Debbie, was in my life. Not just as my cousin, but as my bestie! I really can't think of too many times that an event for either of us was not shared...

Don't Hog Your Journey...



My cousins, lil sis and me, circa 1968...
we're each a part of the others journey



"Don't hog your journey, it's not just for you." As I was listening to the Today show while working, Hoda Kotb was sharing a story. While on a plane, she was visiting with the gentleman sitting beside her. Chit-chatting away, she had mentioned she had had breast cancer. She asked him not to think of that if he ever thought of her in the future. He turned to her and said, "Don't hog your journey, it's not just for you." I kept thinking of that statement and have decided that I agree with it. What if no one ever shared their story~their journey...good or bad. My world would certainly not be as rich and full as it is now. I would not know of another's happiness, adventures, struggles. I would not be who I am today without knowing of another's journey.

Hoda's story is great, and deep, and more than just her breast cancer...for sure! We are all more than just one part. We are, shall we say, the sum of all our parts. I am a woman, a mother, a wife, a daughter an entrepreneur...the list goes on and on. But, it's the sum of all of these things that makes me who I am today. I enjoy sharing my journey...it gives me great pleasure and I hope it adds to your journey, too.


The other day, I stopped by the "Music in the Park" event held at the city park in town. In amongst the music...which was very enjoyable, I heard someone get up and give a testimonial. I wonder, did his journey make a difference to someone else in the crowd. It did mine and I'm sure another's. Then I have to think...what if he didn't share his "journey"? What if he kept it to himself...I would not have known the depth of his story...his courage in sharing it. It has stuck with me...and, it removed me from my cares and woes and opened my mind, my heart, to another's struggles and triumphs.


Life is a Journey, isn't it? Sometimes we're on a mountain, sometimes we're in a valley. Most of the time, I'd guess we're just motating along on the plaines. Enjoying life, taking one day at a time, doing what needs to be done and just cruising along. To me, it's the mountains and valleys that we grow the most. We are pushed to our limit, only to find our limit can be pushed. We read something or hear of someone else's journey and we gain strength from it. We realize we're not alone. Somehow, we come out on the other side because of it...but don't necassarily understand where it came from. What if no one shared their journey? Who would be a better, stronger, wiser person because of your journey? Maybe your journey is told by your actions. How you reach out to your community members, volunteering, donating, a struggle overcome. Our journey's are shared in many different ways. The key is that it's shared.


"Don't hog your journey, it's not just for you." I would not be who I am today without knowing of another's journey. And this folks, is the view from my front porch.


Beth Voltmer lives on a farm in rural New Virginia

Learning to peel...Grandma Grace style

I was peeling apple upon apple yesterday, readying them for an apple cake I was making.  As I started, knife poised just under the flesh, I was distinctly reminded of the time (in my early years of homekeeping) when I was peeling potatoes under the careful watch of my Grandma Grace.  Not knowing I wasn't doing it correctly, she quickly pointed out that I was wasting too much of the potato.  She showed me how to do it.  She'd be proud of me today.  I can peel a potato, apple, pear...whatever it may be, with the best of them.

It does take practice...this peeling.  Sliding the knife just under the flesh and peeling away the colorful top layer, leaving behind as much of the meat of the fruit or vegtable as you possibly can.  My other goal is to peel the fruit with one swell swoop.  No starts and stops.  I find that I point this same thing out to others at times, too.  I want them to be as proficient as they can be.  Not to waste anything so precious.

I think, my memories of my Grandma are most vivid and alive while I'm in the kitchen.  I can still see her in her kitchen now...21 years after she's passed.  A strong, sturdy woman.  Seems she was in her kitchen all the time.  That's where I remember her most.  It wasn't a big kitchen.  But, somehow, she managed and fed her brood of seven quite sufficiently from it.  There certainly was not a multitude of cabinets, nor counter space.  A very humble kitchen, to say the least.  A very humble home over all.  I loved it there. 

She was a great cook and a very generous lady.  She always seemed to have plenty for whomever was there.  No guest was "one too many".  Never an invitation only household...somehow, we all gathered there.  And, I do mean "we".  It may not have been the same "we" every Saturday, but there were plenty of us.  Saturday nights were hamburger night.  I can see her mixing the hamburger meat and it never failed, she always took one bite of the raw meat, spiced with salt and pepper, only.  Still  makes me gag.  I don't remember anything else being put in it.  I remember that, every single time I make a hamburger patty.  Funny what sticks with you, isn't it? 

Sundays, too, brought another set of "we's" and some of the same from the night before.  It was "just the place to be."  WE all loved it there.  And, WE all miss it terribly, even to this day. 

Right before my Grandma got really bad with her cancer, she came to spend a week with me.  I will forever treasure that time.  She seemed to have gained strength that week.  I wanted to her to show me how to make her vegatable stew, which she did.  Our cherry trees were heavy laden with fruit.  I wanted to learn how to make pie.  She happily obliged.  She rolled out the dough for the crust with every ounce of energy she could muster.  It just came from somewhere.  Maybe we both knew...if I were to learn this from her, and she to show me how, it was right then, or never.  She passed just a few weeks after I had her at my home.  It was one of my greatest accomplishments...to care for her like she had me for so many years.

She tired, but did not quit.  She sat down at my table and started working those cherries over.  De-pitting and de-stemming.  Before we knew it, we had cherry juice all over...and, I do mean all over.  I think we must have been so busy talking and cherishing that moment, we weren't really engaged in what we were doing.  It took me awhile to get that cherry juice cleaned up.  It was blissful!  I miss her every single day! 

She was a generous lady and no guest was ever "one too many".  Never a "by invitation only" household.  I learned from her.  She was my mentor.  She is my mentor...she's with me every day and I miss her!  And this folks, is the view from my front porch.

Mornings, Memories and Moments, part one

I love my mornings...especially this one.  After weeks of sweltering, hot, humid weather, I awoke to much cooler, comfortable temps and lower humidity.  Sleep is so much sweeter with the fresh air finding it's way into your being~windows wide open and coverings billowing.  I love it and slept so well.

Refreshed and ready to start my day, I jumped out of bed, started some wash...then, coffee time~me time.

My routine is most likely not much different than others.  Up and out of bed, I turn on the morning news, brew the Joe, check for missed texts and voice mail messages.  Reply as needed. Facebook time follows:  what's new and noteworthy?  New photos, birthdays, personal highs..and, lows; inspirational quotes, event reminders...I really enjoy 'catching up'. 

Today is a bit different for me though.  The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of happiness for me.  Reflecting back on my time spent with my nephew, Camden; vacation with my family at Rathbun; a weekend with my past...hosting my 'girl' cousins for our 'Cousins Weekend' and the finale~my 30 year class reunion.  Wow!  it's been fun, fun, fun!

Camden loves the farm.  He especially loves building a fire and poking at it.  We made sure that activity was part of the mix.  He picked apples for me, went to a buyer's Welcome to the Neighborhood open house I hosted, helped move the cows and just relaxed on the farm. Five days of Camden...it was such a joy.

The part I liked best was making the time for him.  Stopping what I was doing to talk and answer a question.  Two afternoons found us at the pond.  He fished while I read on the first afternoon.  The second afternoon found us floating on the pond...it was refreshing and a 'bonding' experience.  We talked about anything and everything.  He made me giggle.  He asks some pretty good questions...which made me think and ponder.  Camden is a really great kid with an inquiring mind and a zest for adventure.  He laughs easily and it's contagious.  He's always been a giggler...even when he was a little guy.  Kind of arnery in a subtle way.  A teasing manner that sometimes makes you wonder if he's teasing or being serious. Much like his daddy in that.

My sister brought Camden to me at my office in Des Moines.  We left and had showings to do.  He was great!  He got to see a little of what it is I do selling real estate.  We were very late getting home, but Uncle Steve had a fire going for us at the pond.  That is directly where we headed!  Just Camden and I. 

We looked at the stars.  He made himself a 'smore.  We listened to the sounds of summer...sounds of the countryside.  Had he heard them before...most likely.  Were they more intense?  vivid? brighter?  YES, because we were 'in the moment'.  Crickets, grasshoppers, croaking frogs.  Callie barked in the distance...what did she see, smell or hear?  A falling star zipped through the sky.  Flickering lights from an overhead plane.  Big Dipper and Milky Way were overhead. 

In the quiet of the night, with no interuptions, Camden and I shared a special moment in time, memories in the making to be remisced in the morning...at a different place and a different time.  Hoping this time 'finds' Camden, when he has a niece or nephew of his own~he'll take the time, be in the moment and discover for himself, just how special this time was for me.