My Aunt Liz

March 26, 2011

We all have special people in our lives. I'm very lucky to have many of them. But there are a few that are always at the top of my list, my Aunt Liz being one of them.

 

How long have I known her? All of my life. From the time I was a little girl, I have loved and admired her. I got to know her the most when I was 14 years old and took her up on the invitation to come to live with her and her family following the death of my mother. She was working, and yet had time to be a good "parent" and friend to me. She redid Pat's bedroom to make room for me, let me use her car while learning to drive, and let me take it by myself once I had my license. She even took the blame when I drove the car with insufficient oil and the engine block broke!

 

She put up with the bizarre idea of Pat and me allowing us to scrape out used tubes of lipstick and melt them together in a coffee can on the stove and then pour the new blend back into the empty tubes for a new lipstick color. (What a mess this was!)

 

The night before my wedding, she managed an assembly line in her home to bake, frost, cut into pieces, and slide into "groom's cake bags" cherry devil's food cake. What a labor of love! We still talk about this!

 

It was at her house where we celebrated Hans' first birthday - with a triple layer chocolate, whipped cream cake from The Brother's Deli - sadly, no longer in business. It was Hans' first taste of cake and chocolate, and she allowed him to make a big mess, while he enjoyed every bite of it. She even held up the plate so he could lick it, and then proceeded to put him in the kitchen sink to give him a bath. We recorded it on our family movie camera.

 

I have traveled with her to Holland, Michigan; Illinois, Ireland, Scotland, England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Whales, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Pennsylvania, Branson, Missouri; Indiana, Washington state, and a cruise to Alaska. Beautiful memories were made.

On her 70th birthday, I surprised her with a party — inviting all of our family members. Prior to the party, I sent each family unit a piece of fabric and asked that they personalize it for Aunt Liz. Once they were returned to me, I sent the pieces to my cousin, Diane, and she did a beautiful job of putting them together and quilting them. We presented this quilt to Aunt Liz at the party.

There are many things I love and admire about Aunt Liz: some are her gifts of hospitality, positive attitude, and hunger for learning. I overlook the fact that she is a Democrat and a former, card-carrying union member. ;-)

 

On Monday, she will have surgery to remove a cancerous kidney. She's not afraid of the surgery, but looking past that to recovery and getting on with her life. She's unhappy that she will be in the operating room during her favorite TV show, The Price Is Right.

 

Many prayers are being offered for you and the surgeon, Aunt Liz. I hope it won't be long before you'll be driving the Patty Wagon to the library, opening your door to friends and neighbors, and talking to me and others on the phone. Thank you for being so special to me.

Aunt Liz's Blog

 

September 15, 2007

Aunt Liz wrote this: Now that I have a blog again I had better write something! It was cold here last night & there was a frost warning so I covered the tomato plants. Everything was fine this a.m. I was trying to hold out on turning on the heat, but this morning got me. It was 60* in here & that was too chilly for me, so on came the heat!! & it feels good. I suppose in a couple of days will have the AC on again--so what does a guy expect? This is Minnesota!

I love the pictures of baby 'Reila. She is just precious. Sarah, you are doing so good. Amazing how ideas change about babies. When Wayne was born in 1943, I had to stay in the hospital for 9 days & wasn't allowed to get out of bed for 3 days & then just to sit in a chair for about an hour! It was better in 1946 when Pat was born--only 6 days in the hospital!! Of course the doctors finally came to the idea that wasn't so good. They should have known—the pioneer women had their babies in the wee morning hours & then got up & made a meal for the family!! I think now we have hit a happy medium.

Love to all. Keep blogging!

Busy Week

September 27, 2007

I have really had a busy week! On Thursday, Mary Beth & I went to the casino at Hinckley-– just for the day & we both came out ahead, which is not usual, so we were both happy! Went to Austin Sat for a concert where Janet's Sweet Adeline group was singing. It was really good. And we got to see Linda again and her new car. On Sun we went to Janet's & Jerry's for brunch & had a nice visit and a delicious brunch!

On the way back to Donna's house, we stopped by the Buddhist temple which is by Farmington & Hampton.The address is Hampton. We went inside the temple after asking a man who was doing yard work (he was Asian & maybe one of the monks). He did not speak English. Inside was an altar with a large gold Buddha & vases & flowers & little statues. It is so unusual to see this huge temple in the middle of all the farm land.

On Tues I went on a tour to Duluth & Two Harbors. Took a bus to Two Harbors where we had lunch & then got on a train which took us back to Duluth. The leaves were great south of Duluth but most of the trees up there are birch or poplar & they were bright yellow. Just the sumac was red. It was a long day—had to catch the bus by Maplewood Mall at 7:15 AM and did not get back until 8 PM, but I enjoyed the trip. Mary Beth & 4 of her old classmates were on the tour also.

Donna, I was sorry to hear about your bird but hope you get another one that sings a lot. Heidi, that was terrible about your hand. It had to be very painful, but I guess it could have been worse & it happened at the end of your vacation, didn't it? Linda, it was so good to see you again. I really love getting together with my relatives.
I love the pictures of Aurelia. It is so neat to see how she grows & tries to do things now. Aren't these computers great?? even if they frustrate me!!

Panama Canal Cruise

October 27, 2007

It was a great cruise! And the Canal was very interesting, especially going through the locks. Our ship had about two feet from the wall of the lock-no chance of error! There are small locomotives on both sides of the lock which have cables to the ship & keep it steady. We were at sea for two days after leaving Fort Lauderdale. I went to beauty shop on ship & had my hair cut & set. The cost wasn't to bad-$52, but a lot more than I pay here as I get Sr. discount: $15. I went to the library & took some books to our cabin but did not read much. Our cabin was at the opposite end of the ship from the dining room & buffet - which was probably a good thing as we had to walk a lot!! The food was fantastic! One night I had prime rib. the next night, lamb, then lobster & shrimp, and chicken Kiev & the desserts were to die for. The buffet was great also. We usually had lunch at the buffet & everyday at 3:30 there was a Tea which we went to a couple of times. Our dinner was at 8 pm. We had a real nice group at our table. One couple was from Las Vegas, one from Florida & one from Wales. The lady from Wales had her birthday so her husband treated all of us to champagne!

Our first stop was at Aruba — a small island off the coast of Columbia. We did some shopping there but it was so hot & humid that I could hardly wait to get back to the ship. Then we went to Cartagena—also in Columbia, & it was hot there, too, so I did not get off the ship. Then to the Canal where we went through the locks to Gatun Lake. Mary Beth got off the ship & took a tour through the rain forest & got back on the ship at Cristobal. I wanted to go through the locks again so I did not take the tour + the heat was too much for me. At Cristobal the temperature was 87* & the humidity was 97* !!! Then on to Limon, Costa Rica, where we took a tour of country side & banana plantation. That was great. We were at sea the next day till we came to Ocha Rios, Jamaica, where we took a tour on a glass bottom boat. I have never paid so much to be uncomfortable in my life!! The boat was small & the benches we had to sit on were only about 14 inches high so my knees were practically hitting my chin & you had to lean forward to see through the glass AND the glass was leaking!! The crew kept mopping up the water with a sponge!! AND the biggest fish we saw was about 6 inches long & not even colorful. I've seen better minnows in a minnow bucket! Boy, was I glad to get off that boat! Good thing it was only an hour & that was too long.

After Jamaica we were at sea heading for Florida. We were north of Cuba when a passenger spotted 3 people in the water. Our ship turned around & sent out two rescue boats & they searched for three hrs. but did not find anyone. I saw the small raft on the water but it was falling apart & pieces were floating all around. The Coast Guard was notified & we went on our way. We went to a stage show almost every night. One night we went to a movie-also went to the casino, but had no luck at all. Mary Beth did OK - she came out ahead $40. I was really tired when we got home Sun. eve. I went to bed at 7:30 pm & did not get up until 7 am. But it was all worth it & I am looking forward to next cruise to Alaska!

P. S. I forgot yesterday to tell you that I made use of my swimsuit!! I went to the hot tub almost every day & it was great!! There were lots of heavy weights on the ship so I fit right in! Lots of people with walkers & a couple of motorized chairs & wheelchairs. One guy had a broken leg & he was in a wheelchair. Not too many young people on this cruise & only a few very young children.

Wed. Mary Beth went with me to St. Peter for our old friends get together. I have been friends with Eleanor for 70 yrs & Maxine for 66 yrs. We have changed a lot in those years!!! We have been getting together once a year now for 20 yrs.

Bad, Bad Liz

 

November 17, 2007

Yeah, I'm bad for not writing in this blog for so long!! I enjoy reading other people's blogs but I get lazy & do not write in mine. I love the ones with pix & wish I could do that but my computer is too slow. Last week we went to Donna's. Jerry, Janet, Peder, Sarah & darling Aurelia were there--so guess who got all the attention even though we were celebrating Jerry's, Peder's & Sarah's birthdays!!

Last night Pat & I went to Bloomington to a church where they have a Christmas tea. The ladies of the church have a table with 8 people. They use their own dishes & decorate the tables. We get a chance to walk around before they serve so we can see all the different tables & how they are decorated. Our table was decorated with purple & gold. We had the same hostess as last year (Donna knows her & that is how we get tickets). Her husband is our waiter. Donna will probably send some pix-right. Donna? They served mixed fruit, mixed greens salad, quiche & dessert & of course tea.

Thanksgiving will be at my house. Almost everyone will be here. Bobby is working, so she will not be here. She works security at the airport & works every holiday. Kim is cooking for Bob's daughter & 2 grandsons, so they will not be here either. There still will be 15 people counting the kids.
Peder said they enjoy my blogs – that I write about old times. I will do some more of that in the future (when I can remember some stuff!!)/ That will give me something to write about.
Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

General News

 

December 1, 2007

I thought I had posted another blog on Thurs., but Donna told me that there was no new one--so I checked & it was in "draft." I could not figure out how to get it posted then, so here is a new one. Hopefully I will do this right!

I wrote that we had a wonderful Thanksgiving & that I was getting tired of leftovers. I made a really good turkey soup & that is the end!!

I have made a couple of batches of scones this past week to use up the heavy whipping cream that we did not use. Pat gave me some dried cranberries that I put in one batch with some orange zest – they were really good. I have frozen most of them.

Barb Hulback came yesterday to sell her craft stuff at a sale at St. Andrews church. She was there yesterday from 4pm to 8pm & today from 8:30 am to 1pm. She made a little over $100 yesterday & she isn't back yet today. I guess she will be staying here again tonight because of the snow coming down heavy for the past couple of hours. She lives by Menominee, Wisc--about 1 & 1/2 hour drive. She has 2 daughters that live here in Willernie but neither one has extra room so she sleeps here. She makes the BEST fudge, so I got the ingredients & she made a batch for me last night. I intend to give it for Christmas presents--after I give it a taste test!!

Pudge brought over the golf cart & it is now in the garage for the winter. He also checked the snow blowers which is a good thing with the snow falling today. HAPPY WINTER!!

Casseroles & Bean Soup



February 10, 2008

We did get together at Diane's house on Jan.26. When we were there we talked about hot dishes. Diane said they called them casseroles--here in Mn, "casserole" is the container the hot dish goes into. I told them about Minnesota's hot dish law & then I told them that the U.S. Senate had a rule that bean soup would be on the menu every day in the Senate dining room & this was a Senator from Minn. that got that passed. The Senator was Knute Nelson & this was at the turn of the century. He had gone to the dining room & they did not have bean soup on the menu.  So he went back to the Senate where it was made a rule that bean soup be on the menu every day. It is not a law but a Senate rule & apparently tradition has taken over as bean soup is still served every day!! Minnesotans get passionate about their food!! Although no one has gotten lutefisk as a rule or law --YET!!

Pat & Pudge left for Florida yesterday–good timing as it was 14 below here this morning. I am staying in the house!! I made some Spanish rice for lunch today--I haven't had that for a long time.

Tomorrow someone from Life Alert is coming to set it up for me. I hope I never have to use it --but it is a safeguard. You have to pick 2 or 3 people to be first responders so I put down Pudge & Pat & Denny Lindroth & my neighbor Barb Parent. They have to have a key or access to one.  I will know more after tomorrow.

Heidi, that was too bad about the cabin having bats. I am not afraid of them --just the rabies they carry, so I do not like to get too close to them either.

Yesterday I downloaded the pictures from my camera to the computer--I felt so smart that I was able to do that, but I did have good directions. I wish I could send pictures but my computer is too slow but I enjoy everyone else's pix.