Community Chat

[Enufstuff]

@Group 5 minus 1   I remember that shirt. Cute!

                               I loved watching those shows with Jean.

                           Back then, I got a navy blue gingham check

                     shirt with red lady bugs and a few rhinestones on it.

[Enufstuff]

@SportyShorty07 

                               You are so very welcome.

                               I'm glad that your blueberry muffins were a success.  I just got some more berries and will probably make the muffins this week.

                     For me, it is still summer until September 22.

That is when I will put up my Fall wreaths. I don't like to rush the seasons.

                    We have been getting a little cooler mornings and

                    evenings, as we usually get by mid-August. It

                     has been nice to be able to turn off the AC and

                    open the windows. But, it is supposed to be back   up to 80 degrees by Friday.

                       What kind of weather do you have at this time of

                    the year? Do you get a Fall season? Fall is pretty here, with all the gorgeous colors of the changing leaves.

    But, by the end of October, I'm sad to see all the leaves fall. I don't like seeing all those bare trees during our loooong, cold Winter months. It gets to be depressing, especially when it gets dark so early. I usually stay indoors during the Winter. I'll read,

watch You Tube and maybe design some new Toni Doll dresses.

                        I have not been sewing lately and need to finish a little dress for Toni's farm vacation. Maybe I will post that dress, by next week. After that, she will be back at school.

[Enufstuff]

@Witchy Woman   That is too bad that your niece did not have

                       a positive experience living in Egypt.

                    Middle Eastern culture and life for women, is so different over there. I have read about life in many of those countries, in books and online.

                  In some of the countries, women do not leave their

homes alone and must be accompanied by a male relative, even if it is only their son. I have heard of women being assaulted in Egypt. That is so sad.

                I once worked with a woman who travelled to Egypt,

but she went with a tour group,going to tourist destinations and

that would have been such a different experience from living there and going out alone. Your niece must have been so relieved to return home.

               In 1986, I had a boyfriend who grew up in a British boarding school in Egypt. He was sent to school at five years old, after his mother died. He spoke perfect English, was very well mannered and respectful.

              He came here for college in Boston and studied to be a civil engineer. He and his two brothers cooked the food they grew up with and served it to me. I loved the food and their music. I learned to make the foods.

              He took me to a restaurant in Boston, where belly dancers performed. I loved watching the gracefulness of their

dances and veil work and I loved the costumes.

              I had danced for years, mostly jazz and this was new to me. I wanted to learn those dances and studied with several

different instructors, some from the US and others from Egypt

and Lebanon. I loved dancing so much and I sewed all my costumes.

             Getting back to jewelry, Shop NBC was the place to buy gold. I bought gold at great prices, some 18K. I would not be able to buy those same pieces at today's prices. I don't even buy gold anymore.

[SportyShorty07]

@Enufstuff   That blueberry muffin recipe of yours is so versatile- there can be blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or even mixed berries and I bet it would be delicious in any form!   I like how you don't rush the seasons- September 22nd is a good time to declare the beginning of Fall! I bet your wreathes are gorgeous- I still remember the photo of that beautiful wreath with peace doves that you designed and hung on your door. I hope you beat the heat with the upcoming 80 degree weather: I recommend eating chilled watermelon and drinking lemonade or cucumber water . 

    I bet your neighborhood is so beautiful in the Fall season! All of the trees and autumn leaves in front of your beautiful home. We get some signs of Fall over here- leaves will turn brown or orange and fall fom the trees and the air gets crisper than normal. My favorite season is Spring, but I love to bake Fall desserts and cook hearty soups for the Fall season.  I make hot apple cider throughout the Fall season and I'm excited to make that along with my caramel popcorn.  Are you excited for all of the delicious things that you will bake or cook during this season? .

    I'm looking forward to your Toni on the farm dress! You create such beautiful artwork. Such a joy to see your work, Donna  and always a joy to talk to you! -Louise  

[Witchy Woman]

@Enufstuff 

You have had a VERY interesting life!

"I loved dancing so much and I sewed all my costumes."

Well, of course you did...no surprise there.  Really amazing.

All you said about Egypt was what my niece experienced.  She finally stopped leaving the house at all unless she was with her husband.  Hated it!  

I could never live or tolerate such a life, and feel fortunate to have grown up in the US at a time when woman enjoyed growing freedoms.

Keep on dancin'!!

[PamfromCT]

Big Hello to @Enufstuff,

I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond to you.  I am in and out of this board, have looked for your last post to me, but cannot find it.

I believe it was about Chatham on the Cape.  It is the loveliest street for shopping and peeping, isn't it?  We always spend time there when we go to the Cape.  We are going again next week, will spend 2 weeks in the same house we have rented several times before.  In Eastham, in a quiet wooded area.  I cannot wait to go, as this has been quite the summer!

I wanted and had a quiet BD celebration at my favorite little restaurant.  My DD had brought me a necklace from Scotland, and my DB found a shop which sustains people in South America through importing their crafts.  He gave me a lovely shawl and a long scarf, both hand woven from Alpaca in SA, both in lovely shadings of blue. DH gave me a tiny diamond cross, which means so much.  I do try to begin each day "in the quiet," and so appreciative of blessings in my life.  I am sure you do, as well.  It is so essential to remain grounded in faith living in such a troubled world.
Just thought I would mention both my parents had brown hair and hazel green eyes.  I have hazel green eyes, my DB blue eyes.  Now this is funny - DH dark brown hair and brown eyes,and our two children blue eyes and blonde when young.  Now that is always interesting to follow.  Of course, children's hair darkened, but my DD have reclaimed blonde hair through the wonders of hair coloring.  My skin is very pale!  
I continue to be amazed at all your talents, and all your interests in so many things.  You have an active mind, and I do appreciate that. Good thing we are both happy with quiet things, as this weather again this summer keeps me inside really all the time.  Like you, I do not rush the seasons.  To me, it is like wishing your life away.  I even enjoy winter, seeing the bare bones, so to speak, of the trees.  Still love snow, so magical.  Love lying in bed at night listening to the plows cleaning the street!  Glad we have traveled out west four times I think, and it is so beautiful, but New England is in my blood.

I hope you are doing well, as you have such a love of life and beautiful things.  And so active in doing your beautiful dolls, such a lost art.  Love that you share your gifts and interests with all.  My energy has been focused on our home - operation clean out.  Organization has been an ongoing challenge.  Way, way too much stuff.  Trying to give some things away to family, donate others, etc.  We will stay here as long as we can.  This winter will be spent trying to sort through so many family albums - both of my parents, our family, etc.  A massive amount to compile for our children and grandchildren.  We took so many slides of our kiddos, which makes it even more complicated.  When I turned 50, my mom gave me a smaller album of pictures starting when I was born through childhood.  Just perfect, and I would like to do the same.  I love seeing you, such an adorable little girl with your handsome father.  What treasures those pictures are!  You certainly have lived a very interesting life, with so many interests and talents.  Quite exceptional, as you are.  How wonderful to get to know you and share a glimpse of all your interests and talents.  Take care and enjoy the beautiful life you have created!

All my best wishes to you!

Pam

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT   Dear Pam,

                              It is so nice to hear from you. I hope that you are well and enjoying the last of the Summer. The weather this week has been lovely here. I don't miss the heat and humidity, but it makes me sad to see the sun setting earlier. I do like the longer daylight hours of Summer.

                           The post where I responded about vacationing in Chatham was under the thread entitled "Toni Goes on Vacation", from August 5th. My response is on page two, on August 6th. The Cape is nice but I don't like that long tedious ride to Cape Cod. It always felt damp and clammy to me, not my favorite place.  I haven't been there in many years.

                    With my second husband, we have preferred to travel north to Maine or Vermont.

                    I hope that you enjoy your upcoming vacation in Eastham.  Belated Happy Birthday! It sounds like you had a  lovely celebration at your favorite restaurant and received some beautiful gifts. The handmade alpaca shawl and scarf in bluse, must be beautiful. Alpaca is so soft. Your jewelry gifts are very special pieces.

                    It is interesting that you have hazel eyes, like your parents and that your brother has blue eyes. My first husband had hazel eyes like his mother. His father and sister had blue eyes. His father and sister were blondes and my mother and two brothers were blondes. My husband and I both had dark hair, so I didn't expect to have three blonde children. Two of my children have dark hair and the blonde ones have darkened with age. Only one child had light eyes, green like my mother.

                       My green eyed, blonde daughter decided to become a redhead about 25 years ago and it suits her with her light skin and freckles. I mentioned in a previous post that my maternal grandmother's two sisters and her mother had red hair, while she was a blonde. She gave birth to eight blonde children.

                   Two brown eyed parents can have children with light eyes, but two blue eyed parents can't have a brown eyed child. Genetics is so interesting to me.

                  Before I lose this post, I'm going to end here and continue in Part 2.

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT    Part 2

                        This Summer has been rather uneventful, aside from lunches and dinners out with my daughters and friends.

We don't travel anymore, even though I would love to. My husband has become very difficult, argumentative and contentious. He has no filter and even family members have been avoiding him.

                  After retiring in February 2020, then Covid and now dealing with a difficult husband, this is not what I had imagined my retirement to look like. It isn't fun.

                  I thought that we would be travelling and taking some day trips. That's not happening. I mostly go out with my girls and we have been getting together this summer. We are not far apart in age, so they are more like girlfriends to me.

                   Last night, we went to a lovely Italian restaurant and couple of weeks ago we went to a very nice Greek restaurant. Friday night I had my brother and his wife come for dinner. We had dinner on the porch and that is the first time I have had people, over for dinner, since Covid. I made a Salade

Nicoise and I will post a picture of it in the "Recipes" thread.

I don't usually take pictures of food, but this was an attractive

dish, if I must say so myself.

                  Last week, I invited my cousin for lunch on the porch and served another salad. It was chicken, raspberry, orange, salad. It is made with Spring greens, fresh raspberries, mandarin orange slices, topped with spiced pecans and sliced chicken. I made a raspberry vinaigrette and made the spiced pecans. We had that salad in a restaurant in Rockport, MA and I duplicated it. We loved it at the restaurant and the one that I made was very close to the original.

                For dessert, I made Chocolate Pots de Creme. I have two antique Pots de Creme sets. They are white china, painted with delicate gold designs and the little pots have covers. They come with a china serving tray.  The dessert is so rich and chocolatey and chocolate is one of her favorite things. She loved our lunch.

                We are running out of Summer, so those will probably be the last of Al Fresco meals, unless it is a lunch.

It gets dark earlier and the mosquitoes come out and the porch is not screened in. None of us drive at night either, so even going to a restaurant will have to be during daylight.

                 When Flu season returns, I will not go to restaurants

and that has been how I have been avoiding Flu for many years, even long before Covid. The last time I had a Flu shot I got cellulitis so I don't get that anymore. I'm super sensitive to

any medication or injections, so I'm vigilant with my health and what I'm exposed to. I avoid crowds indoors.

                  I admire you for your ambition in getting your house organized. I still have my many stacks of books to go through, clothes to go through and a catch- all room to clear out. I need to get rid of many things, but have not really been motivated yet. Before my cousin came, I did a lot of cleaning,

but I need to tackle those other things, too.

                  I'm trying to fulfill social obligations and keep up with all the family birthdays. I had four in June, one in July and two great-grand daughters this week. I don't go to the parties, but will see them individually to give them their gifts.

My son's birthday is Sept. 8th, and he found a gift on Amazon that I can order for him. He is all about electronics, so he has to pick out his gifts. My long time friend's birthday is Sept. 5th, so I will take her out for lunch.

     With a big family, these occasions are non stop. I have been putting away gifts for great-grandchildren for Christmas.

      As far as the seasons go, I go by the calendar dates, that each season begins. Spring is my favorite season with everything turning green and the flowers blooming and hearing all the birds. Winter to me, is too long. But I do enjoy seeing the first snow, when it is so pristine, before the plows bring up the road dirt. The pine trees are so pretty covered with snow.

By Valentine's Day, I've had enought Winter.

    Reading, watching You Tube videos and very little TV are mostly what I do. I went to Macy's a couple of weeks ago , for the second time in a year and both times left, buying nothing.

So much more is offered on their website online. The petite department is so disappointing, compared to what it once was,

years ago.

  I have not been sewing , but need to finish a dress for Toni's Farm Vacation. I'm going to try to finish it this week.

  Like you, I want to stay in my house as long as I can. It has been getting more difficult with stairs and bedrooms on the second floor. I asked my husband if he would like me to turn the TV room into a bedroom for him, but he said no. All the yard work is so much for him and getting more difficult. But he loves doing it. That is his only real activity, other than watching TV. He has books, but doesn't read often.

  Our house is full of too much stuff too. When I remarried, he brought furniture and stuff from his house. Then we inherited more furniture and stuff, from my grandmother, my parents and his parents. Way too much. I have given some things to kids, but they all have full houses too. We all have too much stuff.

 I have all my pictures, since being born. I want to give my kids theirs too. Years ago, I bought  five albums and all kinds of materials and papers to make scrapbooks. It has not happened yet. I had to make copies of all the group pictures so they each had a copy. For five children, the pictures are divided into shoe boxes. Each year, I say that I am going to do the scrapbooks. Then I forget about them and find other gifts.

   I should make a concerted effort to start at least with my oldest daughter, this year, for Christmas or her January birthday. The next daughter has a March birthday, so maybe it is do-able. I should probably do that instead of making doll dresses.

   So many pictures from the 70's we lost to me. My ex-husband was having slides done, like so many did at that time, and he took them all. I had a Polaroid camera and I put those pictures in an album. Those pictures faded and discolored, so those are lost, too. But I think that I can do something, with what I have. I'm sure that your children will appreciate having their pictures, too. It' so nice that your mother made an album for you.

  Thank you for all your kind compliments and I have enjoyed our online friendship. You are a very kind and sweet lady.  I was so happy to see your post, when you returned to the forums. I had been worried about you and your health. It is great to have you back. I hope that you might be able to post a

picture or two of your creations. I know that you are an artistic lady too.

 Perhaps, tonight, if it is not too late when my son gets home,

I'll have him help me to post a picture of the Salade Nicoise,

in Recipes. I could post the salad recipes, if anyone is interested in making them , the spiced pecans and the raspberry vinaigrette, for the Chicken , Raspberry, Orange Salad.

                                 Take care,

                                             Donna

[PamfromCT]

@Enufstuff 

Hello Donna,

It really is a shame that we all did not have great weather this summer.  You are correct that it is hard to see our daylight shortened. We have vacationed in Maine once going to Acadia National Park, which was so lovely.  That was so many years back.  A few times we have gone to New Hampshire, which was again nice, with all the lakes.  Again, so many years back.
And I remember the lovely Vermont, during the days when we used to take long foliage rides in the fall.  And cannot forget Rhode Island with Newport and all.  Lucky to live in New England.

Yes, so nice to celebrate birthdays.  I have become such a homebody, though, I have to figure out when I will wear so much.  I am trying to get in better shape so I can go out more. I feel like Emily Dickinson, without her talents, and with cleaning out our house.

We are glad to be getting away.  Such a cute little house we stay and we each have a bathroom.  Regardless of the weather, we will enjoy it.  It is nicely decorated and very clean.

And unlike years past, I am buying nothing for this house, and very little for gifts.  My DD has a birthday in late September, and she does love jewelry.  We gave both GC some "mad money" for back to school already.  Easy when you have just two!

Will talk to you in Part II either later today or tomorrow.  Hope you are feeling well and doing something artistic!

Best wishes!