George Washington

Besides the information in the above, one of George Washington's favorite foods was ice cream. He like it so much that he had two 'coolers' installed at Mount Vernon in order that he and guests could eat as much ice cream as they chose. This man had taste.




National Geographic
www.buzzle.com

photo:
www.hubpages.com

The Kingston Trio

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Kingston Trio original members were Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds

It was a summer in the late 1950's. I was 16, had my driver's license, and I was working. Except for work, which was more like play because I was a counselor in a day camp, my time was my own and I could pretty much make my own schedule. On Thursday nights the counselors met to have supper and discuss the happenings of the camp week. Afterwards the group would go to the movies, swim, play putt-putt or sometimes just sit around and talk and eat pizza. Some of the counselors were all ready in college so I felt pretty grown up by being a part of this pact. I felt self reliant, dependable, knew what was going on, and much more together than my parents were. Or so I thought.

At the same time American folk music was becoming The Music across the nation. From California's beach club scene, the Kingston Trio had arrived as one of the most popular folk music groups and already gaining international popularity. Their music was everywhere - records (r-e-c-o-r-d-s, if you are younger than 30 you might have to look it up), radio and TV. Everywhere, so why did I not know? It was my father (why/how did HE know), my father that clued me in when he gave me their album "The Kingston Trio." That was the first of a soon to be collection. Thank you, Dad.


The Kingston Trio







Linking to Natasha's Sunday Song where you can hear a bevy of muscial selections.








photo credits:
1. http://compvid101.blogspot.com/2010/12/remembering-dave-guard.html1.
2. http://www.kingstontrioplace.com/dave.htm2.
3. http://nrmem.blogspot.com/

Perry Como's " It's Impossible"

Combining a gentle voice with a pleasant personality, Como celebrated in life and in song romantic love and lifelong fidelity. He parlayed these values and his ability to express them in song into one of the most successful careers in twentieth-century popular entertainment. http://www.perrycomo.com/




IT'S IMPOSSIBLE

It's impossible, tell the sun to leave the sky, it's just impossible
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It's impossible, ask a baby not to cry, it's just impossible
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Can I hold you closer to me and not feel you goin' through me?
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Split the second that I never think of you? Oh, how impossible




























Can the ocean keep from rushin' to the shore? It's just impossible
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If I had you, could I ever want for more? It's just impossible























And tomorrow, shouldya ask me for the world, somehow I'd get it
I would sell my very soul and not regret it
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For to live without your love--It's just impossible















Can the ocean keep from rushin' to the shore? It's just impossible

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If I had you, could I ever want for more? It's just impossible























And tomorrow, shouldya ask me for the world, somehow I'd get it
I would sell my very soul and not regret it
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For to live without your love--It's just impossible


















Impossible, immmmmm-impossible

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This post is linked to Natasha's Valentine's Day Sunday Song.









photo credits:
1.www.planetsave.com
2.www.purplecrying.info/sections/index.php?sct=4&sctpg=40&
3.occupyfun.com/photos/photo.php?title=Polar-Bears-Romantic-Hug
4.www.imagesunion.com/image/Easy-Waves/
5.gurdjieffbooks.wordpress.com/category/joseph-azize-page/george-adie-joseph-azize-page/
6.www.beachpicturesbeachpictures.net/beach_picture_waves_Tydan.htm - by Tydan
7.hd.engadget.com/2009/04/22/nasa-celebrates-earth-day-with-some-hd/ - by Richard Lawler
8.cardsbystefanie.com/id1.html

Once Upon A Time

This is a continuation of the prior post.

Sound logic would have had me check the county records to see who owned the house, and possibly find out other information. Tossing sound logic aside I drove back to the property and knocked on the door of the house closest to the gates.

The curtains were drawn, no one came to the door, and there was not one chair on the big front porch. I had the feeling that no one lived there anymore, but I knew that something was going on due to the sign beside a tree in front of the house.




















As I started back to my car a gentleman came from the house next door. Though I wasn't doing anything wrong I would not have been surprised if he had asked me to leave. Instead he ask if he could help. Well, he just happened to be related to the family that had lived in the house where I had just been. I was so glad that I had not tried to peep through the windows. He was very nice and did not seem to mind my questions. This is what I learned.






















The county dates this tree to be 300 years old. They are trying to save it, but I am concerned that the road will come very close to the roots.


















Children used to scamper, squeal and play under the arbor behind the house. Now it stands unattended.























There is no sign indicating that this tree will be saved, but it does have its own legacy. You can see the cement cover where there was once a well. An acorn found its way to this site and grew into a mature tree. One day without warning the ground gave way and the tree dropped about eight feet into the ground. Dirt was shoveled in around the tree truck to fill the hole and it was expected that the in time the tree would die. That was thirty years ago.



And now the rest of the story

Once upon a time two families lived next door to each other and the husbands and wives were very good friends. Many years went by and each couple lost their spouse - one becoming a widower, and one becoming a widow. To the delight of their children the two later became more than friends, fell in love, were married, and were very happy together. He moved into the house where she lived which was the farm house her ancestors had built in the 1800's.



















After some time the gentleman decided to show his love for her by building a fine home on the grounds where they lived. He wanted her to have a house that would mirror those from an earlier era; a style that he knew she admired. He researched books and talked with professionals to find out all the details, small and large, so the house would be a true replica.

Because it was taking time to gather the information and convert the data to actual plans, he decided that he would go ahead and put in a more substantial set of gates where the path led from the road to the barn located toward the back of the property. They were looking forward to the day when construction would begin on their new home, and even more excited about moving in.













In the lower right hand corner you can see the gates, and the path that ambles to the northwest where a barn used to be. The pathway then goes south between two houses and back to the road.


Some stories do not proceed the way you would choose, and I wish I could change this one. Just before the ground breaking was to occur his lady love took sick and died. He had no interest in going further with the plans in which he had invested so much time and work. This house was to be a present for his wife, and without her it meant nothing. He would rather live in the old farm house where they had shared happiness together.

Time went on and he too passed away. Later their children decided to sell the property to the county for the purpose of developing a park.

Today the gates are closed and padlocked, much the way you bundle your memories and tie them with a blue ribbon.

Where to?

Have you ever had a nagging question about something you have seen for years, and one day you say to yourself, "OK that's it. I am going to find out more about this. It may not be my business, but...so."

Let me introduce The Gates. These have been in my periphery vision every time I drive down this particular road, and I do not remember when they were not there.



















Closed and padlocked. From this angle you may not be able to tell it, but there is no real drive on the other side, and it has been this way for years. There is only the path that the grass mower has made. From where I took this picture there is no evidence that there were ever any structures there.

























I wonder if there used to be a house? If so what happened to it? Nothing left behind to give you any inkling.

With those famous words in mind: Tomorrow is another day I aim to find out what was once behind the wrought iron gates.

Celebrating Nutella

Today, February 5th, is World Nutella Day. Why?

Because Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy, and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso have solemnly declared it so.
















In their words, "It is a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella." This is a holiday they began in 2007, and it is fast becoming a tradition for many.



For a wee bit of a contribution to this day of celebration - and in conjunction with the 14th - I have added my two cents to this card.













































On Monday February 7th, you can click on World Nutella Day to see the Nutella recipes, pictures, art work, etc. that participants around the world have submitted.

In the meantime, if you would like to participate check out World Nutella Day Participation.






An earlier post about Nutella is here.

card credit:
Hallmark - Kim Anderson

SURREAL - part two

Teresa of The Altered Paper and Creations by Tee offered a wonderful grouping of some of her creations in her giveaway, and I was one of two people that was fortunate enough to win.

When I opened the parcel I found all the items presented in this lovely sheer, drawstring bag.




















The giveaway included 3 tag/book marks sporting one of Teresa's favorite historical characters, Marie Antoinette,




















and a cake of hand made chocolate soap. One whiff - no doubt - its cocoa. My husband said,"You mean I can't eat it?" I wish it were possible to put a scratch-and-sniff patch here so you could tell just how delicious it smells.






















But that was not all. Teresa had these extra gifts that she decided later to add. Sometimes things just get better and better.

She made this Valentine tag which is constructed with a smaller tag on the larger tag,























and this beautiful Valentine ATC.

























This is the equivalent of getting a Valentine early. Thank you, Teresa.

You can view Teresa's Etsy shop here.

SURREAL - part one

When you win a giveaway you feel pretty lucky. But what do you call yourself when you win two giveaways? Double lucky? Dreaming? Blue? Yes, blue - from pinching myself; I could not believe it.

Jill of Untie the Ribbons, and Teresa of The Altered Paper and Creations by Tee were both having giveaways about the same time, and I, yours truly, won both. What are the odds?


For her giveaway Jill created this wonderfully whimsical, intricate wool box.






















The interior is constructed with spot dyed wool and the cheerful heart seems to spring up when you open the lid.
























Each side is a different little work of art and is decorated with pretty flowers, and little wool worms, rolled, shirred and couched.






















You can enlarge the pictures to see the details in the various stitches. Jill used mostly wool for the layered appliques but also used ribbon for a few of the leaves.

Many, many beads are sewn on the side panels of the box. This particular flower has over a hundred beads sewn onto its center.


















Here's the sweetest thing - Jill's little logo bird. He has beaded, ruffled paper wings and crown, and he has caught himself a woolly worm. His little legs are made of wire - look how Jill bent the wire to make his little feet. Too cute, too cute.




















I first put the little box on a table beside the bed, and now I move it around from place to place just because it makes me happy, and I smile every time I see it. Jill, just saying "Thank you," seems so inadequate but I sincerely mean it.

If Jill thinks about it, she will create it. If you scroll through her blog you will see various items that she has made: dolls, different kinds of boxes, and floor cloths to name a few. She has a huge assortment of dolls. Recently she introduced us to Euella and Flat Betty. Each doll (there are several Flat Bettys) has her own story.

In a few days I will continue with part two about Teresa's giveaway.

Catching Up With a Belated Thank You

While I do not participate in many swaps, I occasionally swap ATC's. Recently I did join in the fun with a swap that had an open theme. The ATC that I received in December was from Lori of Out of the Mouth of Your Heart Speaks.
























This is a lovely and delicate card of soft hues. On the vintage background Lori has placed several items: little tags spelling out 'love', an opened fan, a picture in sepia of a lady smiling (maybe she has just received a letter from someone very special to her), a beautiful butterfly, swirls, star bursts and a geometrical pattern of a flower, and then she added a light touch of sparkly glitter.

I look forward to seeing other ATC's that Lori will create for swaps.

Lori, I thank you for mine.