It's a Happy Birthday for Dwight!

It's the day! Dwight's birthday always came in such a busy time of year. School had just begun, the canning was almost over, harvest was continuing, and it was time to bake a birthday cake! The above pictures are just a few of the memories shared during our younger years. Obviously, it was always my desire to want to do everything my big brother did. I emulated him in every way I could possibly think of, even to learning to spit quite a distance the summer before I was to enter the first grade. Mother informed me that it wasn't ladylike, and that I couldn't go to school if I didn't quit. I do not remember her giving Dwight any such edict.
This group of pictures represents just a few of the later memories. Sometimes, you treated your younger siblings with a little disdain for our ignorance (huge), but usually, you teased, laughed with us, told about experiences that fascinated us. (I know that Pierre did not go to France.) You gave me your Baby Brownie camera when you moved up a step, so I could continue your tradition of family picture taking.
Your FFA trips were great fodder for the supper table, and we younger siblings grew up thinking that we could accomlish anything, because you certainly had done your full measure. Your loyalty through the years, even when I did things that you did not approve of, was tremendous. It seemed like you were always there lending a helping hand, giving encouragement, and moral support. You used your influence to find jobs for me and a way to realize my dream of going to college in the first place - your "can do" attitude was inspiring to me. My second stint in Laramie was lightened by the fact that you and your family were living there - I might not have made it on my own.
It is neat that we can still share so much in our lives - thanks for all the good memories! Our love to you this day.
P.S. I wanted to do the collages, so you will all need to click on them to enlarge them so you can see the whole thing.

Another Happy Birthday for Dwight

Capture the moment!!! Pictures let us see ourselves as we would like to be, and this picture of the six of us is probably the best. It was taken in 1993 - does anyone remember what serious business Dwight was responding to?

As I went on a picture hunt for your birthday, I must say, this is one of my favorite pictures of you. The day was difficult (this was taken in Cody, Wyoming on the day of Dad's funeral), but you were taking your traditional role of holding us all together in stride.

It is true for me that birthdays seem to be a time of stirring up memories, just as Judy said. My memories of you in the growing up years are memories of awe (you really got to drive the tractor? and who would have ever thought to put out their typewriter case lid in place of a Christmas stocking?); mystery (what did you really have in your chest that Steve and I couldn't see? What, there is just shoe polish and a few odds and ends - at least that was what we found when you left for college); curiosity (just what did you and Dad talk about in the cow barn and where did you learn those songs?); and maybe just a little fear of my older brother. You provided (perhaps unintentionally) Steve and me with our first bicycle(s) that we took apart and put back together and then spent hours riding all over Penrose. What a world you helped open up for us.

Over the years, as I got past feeling somewhat intimidated by an older brother who I could never be as smart as (ask Miss Biddle), it has been so fun to talk with you, learn from you, and to find a very dear friend in you. It is easy to forgive you for being a Democrat, because other than that one small flaw, I see you as being the best older brother ever.

Happy Birthday, Dwight. This flower picture gives you an update on what happens to the Sedum Joy you had posted on Curmudgeonly. In another couple of weeks the color will turn to copper.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday - and year. Love you lots.

Happy Birthday Dwight!

This is by far, not the best picture, but I wouldn't part with it for anything. Nothing else records my little child admiration for my big brother as this does. That admiration has never changed, but has only grown through the years. At the exit of our parents, and even before, you have led your siblings "where the angels fear to tread." Your writings are treasured and will be for generations to come.

These are a few of my favorite things.......When I think of Dwight and his belongings, they are very specific and very few: marbles, Lincoln Logs, comic books, borrowed library books, pigs, knot boards, Boy Scout book, FFA jacket, model airplanes and glue, Later, there was the typewriter and the old Ford.

And then there were the possessions that you could hear: his collection of cowboy music on 45s, his own singing voice and the wonderful yodel! Can you still do that, Dwight?

Today is your day. And this is a poesy for your birthday along with wishes that health and happiness will go on forever!

Another haircut

Another day and another time for the Saturday haircut. Look how willing Steve is! Love the background pictures. The tradition goes on.

Love The Hat

This picture is not in great shape, but the jaunty positioning of the hat is a great reminder of Dad's love of teasing. Dwight and Velna had come to our house east of Salem, while Mother and Dad were there. The hat belonged to Dwight's son, Jim, but Dad really admired it - so, with just a little prompting he put it on. Notice the slacks Dad is wearing. Aren't you thankful that not all the clothing styles have come full circle?

A Summer Sunday 1978

This is the second picture Elizabeth mentioned in her post this morning. What a fun memory. This isn't a short story, but I will try to not be too wordy. Paul and I had taken a trip to Olympia by way of Lovell where we picked up Elizabeth, Dorothy, Sarah and Tony, who had just gotten back to the U.S. from her teaching stint in Germany. She hadn't seen family for a very long time, Paul and I and our seven kids were going to Olympia , so it just seemed like we should combine our efforts. At the time, Paul and I had a very large ugly orange van that held 14 adults - so even more little kids could fit( no seat belts at that time). We picked up Elizabeth and company from Norm and Cindy's house and headed to Olympia via Montana, northern Idaho, over Snoqualmie Pass and on to Olympia. We made quite a sight - Paul, with two women and lots of little kids. There was more than one person who stopped to stare at us as we made our way towards Olympia. Neither Elizabeth nor I can figure out where everyone slept at Mother and Dad's, but I suspect there was alot of overflow to Petersen's. Judy?
So this picture (and it's companion) were taken on Sunday, when the tradition was to go to church. Because of the number of people to get to church and the timing of meetings, Paul and Dad had gone in to Priesthood meeting, Mother and I were to load up and drive the van with the kids to the later meeting. We hurried to get everyone ready, and at the appropriate time, closed the front door and went out to the van. It was about that time I realized my keys were still in the house, and it was about the same time that Mother realized her house key was in the house. We had "church" in the van, sitting in front of the Tumwater house. There were no cell phones, so we couldn't let anyone know where we were or what had happened. So the laughing pictures were taken at the end of this experience, Dad had gotten home and let us into the house, but we really took a great deal of teasing about our intentions regarding going to church - or not. If you look at the faces of Nathan and Kristen, you can see they both thought Mother and I had lost our sanity. I can still hear the laughter.
The conclusion of this trip was quite eventful. Paul had to fly back to Utah because of a building project, however Elizabeth and I felt very confident about our ability to drive the van full of kids back to Lovell, and then I would head home to Salem, with just the Tanners left to deliver safely. As we drove across northern Idaho, we had a flat tire, and had no idea how to change it. A very nice man stopped and rescued us, but he was really puzzled about all of those kids in the van. Then, we got back to Norm and Cindy's house, and I called Paul to let him know we had gotten that far on our adventure. While I was talking on the phone, a little field mouse came running up the phone cord. All of our kids chased that poor little mouse all over the house, and were able to finally catch it and turn it loose out in the field. I suspect that little mouse had no desire to return to the shelter of the house ever again. So that is the story about these pictures.

What's the Rest of the Story?

This picture was taken during the summer of 1978. Ann, Mother, Nathan - The picture was taken on a Sunday, and there is a neat story that goes with it, but I'm leaving it up to Ann to supply the story. Just know that it was good for a great laugh.

Grandpa Wasden's Funeral

James Brooks Wasden Family Picture ----- 1966

Grandpa died on February 25, 1966. This is the gathering of family members at our house following the funeral. Obviously, Dwight took the picture, as once again he is not included in it.

Left to Right:

James Orvil Wasden, Stanley House, Ruth House, (head), Alvin Johnson, Minnie Blood, George Johnson, Alva Johnson Lowe, Delilah Asay Robb, Russell Blood (behind), ? Robb (Delilah's daughter), Velna Blood or maybe not, (behind) Elizabeth Blood, (front) Mona Monk Johnson, Elna House, Louise Blood, Bob Petersen, Judy Petersen, (in front) Mark Sorensen w/?, Brig Consoliver, Robert Consoliver, Charlette Sorensen, Lucinda Sorensen, Vern House, Gail Sorensen, David Wasden, Dean House, Norman Sorensen, Newell Sorensen, Josephine Sorensen.

Five of the seven Wasden children: Elna House, Sofe Johnson, Minnie Blood, Lucinda Sorensen, and David Wasden. Brooks was unable to come and Orvil died in 1943. Three spouses are included: Alvin Johnson, Russell Blood and Norman Sorensen.

Once again, how appreciative we are for each of these photos. Dwight has my permission to buy all of the cameras he wants.

Ann's Garden

So, Dwight, do you like this photo better? Actually, Kemp didn't get one of Louise, so you get two of Ann. Again, it is unposed. Note handful of weeds. The gardener is about serious business and not letting a growing thing trying to pull something over on her.

Dwight & Velna

Dwight and Velna are here in their dependable and family supportive style. Note the color coordinated suspenders and shirt on Dwight. I am impressed! Jacob stands where the Blood grandchildren have taken off for their missions. What a good place to do so.

Paul and Ann

Look at that cat supervising with great attentive interest! I love this picture of Ann and Paul in process of the monthly hair cut. It is through pictures like this that we see life as it really is. The unposed picture has Paul with a smile on his face and Ann happy at her work. Kemp did a good job in his sneakiness to take this.

Ron and Elizabeth

Kemp brought back valued photos of his aunts and uncles from his trip to Utah. I was so very happy to see them all. This one of the Gages, was especially thrilling, since Ron looks like his old self. Elizabeth is in the proper pose for a good chuckle and Ron has the twinkle in his eye. Whatever challenges have come their way this last year, they have endured and landed on top of the pile. We are grateful.

Minnie's Cedar Chest

After Mother died, Dad wanted her cedar chest and it's contents removed from his home to mine, with the directions to keep it safe. I have tried to do that. The glue on the boards that make the lid, got tired and Bob reglued that for me. Also one of the panels in the front had to be reglued. Other than that, it is as sturdy as ever.

As we think about our fabric collections, remember that Mother had all of her fabric, along with clothing that could be remade for us, either in the chest or stacked on top. That was it! Other clothing stored there was her own history.

I am hoping that someone will tell the story of the reason for this chest and how it came to be.
Isn't it beautiful?!

Mia Lilly McNeill

Okay, so this has not been a format for new great-grandbabies. I realize that Louise and Dwight have many, but Mia is only our third, born to Mandy (Dorothy's) and John McNeill in Tucson yesterday, weighing in at 9 lbs, 6 oz. Mother and child doing well. Love this modern technology that allows us to see right away, even if we can't be there in person. I'm sure she is is the spitting image of her mother, but she was born on her father's birthday!

Canning Time

Ron and I canned peaches yesterday with relative ease. Hot water came from the tap or was heated on the cooktop that is just steps from the sink. Lots of ice instantly cooled the blanched peaches. Hot jars, run through a rinse in the dishwasher were quickly filled, and then taken to the garage where Ron had removed the vehicles, and set up the cooker with water heated on the camp stove. Comparatively easy!
Remember when canning (and freezing) season began with green peas in mid-July, and ended up in mid-September with apples? Green beans, corn, peaches, pears, apricots, beets, tomatoes, even chickens, etc. Labor Day always seemed to be tomato canning day - we truly labored. Canning was a full family affair, with only Dad (who had other farm worries to take care of), escaping from the tasks of bringing in buckets of water from the outdoor pump to heat on the stove to wash the bottles and lids, clean the vegetables, blanche the vegetables on the wood-coal kitchen range, and all the other tasks that took place before the finished bottles could be put in either the copper boiler to water bath them, or into the old pressure cooker to be sure the produce would be safe to eat. Most of the food we ate was produced on the farm. The work was hard, the kitchen hot from the fire in the stove, but we got through it.
It was always a feeling of great satisfaction when the many shelves in the root cellar were full of newly canned produce, the potatoes in one corner, and the carrots covered with sand next to them. Cabbages were saved (one year, Mother borrowed Grandma's sauerkraut knife and made a crock of sauerkraut), as were all kinds of winter squash. We never had pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, but the squash pie tasted just as good. Eggs would be saved in crocks of a glutinous liquid called water glass, because when the extreme cold weather came, the hens would quit laying eggs. Going to the cellar in the winter time was never fun. There was a pull-back door at the top of the stairs, wooden stairs going down to the cellar, and another door going into the cellar. We carried a lantern or a flashlight to quickly spot the desired items, and then scooted out. Sometimes the spiders would spin their webs, including the hated black widow spiders with their red hourglass stomachs. Then we would call Mother and she would come and dispatch them. We worked hard to preserve our food, but it was reassuring to know that we would not go hungry.
In the early 1990's, I tutored a family who had escaped from Poland before the Iron Curtain had fallen in that country. They lived for a time in West Germany, and then were sponsored to come to Olympia by a family who lived there. The father had been a veterinarian on a collective farm, his wife taught Russian, and they had three children. The mother told me that the first time she was taken to an American grocery - variety store, she was left standing with the grocery cart while her guide went to look for something. Standing there, surrounded with the plenty that is in our grocery stores was so surreal to her, that she came close to having a panic attack. We take so many blessings for granted in our daily lives!

Childhood Toys

Remember these puzzles? There was the winter that Mother made sets of these to sell and we were surprised with a set of our very own under our Christmas tree. The Horse, is from that very old set. The others were a newer vintage. All are treasured.

Ashley Paul

Kevan and Karen Paul's daughter, Ashley, was married on Friday the 22nd of Aug. to Shawn Aimee in the Salt Lake temple. This picture was taken in a pre-weddding photo shoot. I don't have any pictures yet taken the day of the weddding

Jacob and Kemp Petersen Stop in Riverton on the Way to Provo and the MTC

Jacob Petersen is on his way to spend three months in the MTC, on his way to Japan for his mission.  Fortunately, he told us he had four years of Japanese in high school. Imagine, in Powell High School, we were lucky to have Spanish and French.

WAITING FOR THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

Mary Lynn took these photos on an ominous but uneventful evening.

Mother and the house plan

The late winter and spring months of 1968 were spent determining what the new Washington house would look like. After all, Mother and Daddy had been living in the house in Penrose for 23 years. It had been constructed during World War II, and there had been many practical savings. They had only had plumbing and central heating in the house for about 10 years. Now, this new exciting prospect was before them, and Mother meticulously drew up her dream floor plan, made three-dimensional paper furniture, carefully measuring such things as how much clearance you need to pull a chair out from the table, etc. This house was to be pretty, but very practical, and would actually have a bath and a half! Sheer luxury. Mother planned well. There were few places in the house that she would have done over. It is sad to think that she only lived in the completed house for about 11 years.

Orange Cake Recipe for Dwight

Orange Cake Recipe from Aunt Cindy
What a treat this was!
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk (or sour 1 cup whole milk by adding 1 Tbsp vinegar)
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup ground raisins
orange rind
(There are no mixing directions. It is assumed that the cook knows to cream the shortening and sugar until fluffy, beat in an egg, sift the dry ingredients together and them them alternately with the buttermilk, and fold in the ground raisins and orange rind last.)
Bake in "moderate" (about 350 degrees) oven. There is no time given, so check after app 20 minutes - maybe?
When baked, use juice of one orange mixed with powdered sugar until syrupy and spread on top while hot. (This is definitely breaking from the tradition of this recipe, but if you were to take a fork and gently poke holes over the cake immediately after removing from the oven, then pour the orange juice syrup over the cake, it will soak in much better. I might even use a little more juice than from just one orange to give the whole cake that yummy flavor, rather than just around the edges where it would really soak in.)

The Rest of the Old Cottonwood

Winds in Wyoming howl like none other. We were respectful and ran for cover, just as when the thunder and lightening hit. Somehow I have a picture in my mind, that it was Mother who rescued Steve, when he was down the lane as the wind blew.

The wind-fallen cottonwood became our fort and it occupied every minute of our playtime. Up till then, I had envied Elizabeth because she climbed trees and had her fortress in the old willow. I could find her there with a book, out of the reach of mother's voice calling her for duty.

The Summer the Cottonwood Tree Blew Over

As we sat on the patio this afternoon, the Idaho breeze was getting pretty strong. Our neighbors have a cottonwood tree in their yard that was planted in the late 1800s. It is a giant. It is so tall that even when the trees in our yard are still, there is a wind current that stirs the top branches. When the turkey buzzards are migrating, they like to linger, just enjoying riding the currents as they circle above the tree. The eagles and hawks do the same, so we sometimes have quite a show.

There is nothing to compare with the sound of the wind in the the big cottonwood tree leaves - I suppose the pleasant associations date back to childhood and warm summer nights when we would go to sleep with the windows open, and could hear the sound of the breeze in the cottonwoods over at "Emmy's", about 1/2 a block away, along with the sound of the river, even farther. Those cottonwoods are all gone now, and the river has been decimated to a comparatively small trickle, as more and more water upstream has been diverted for irrigation purposes.

One summer, either in the late 1940's or the early '50's, Steve was on his way to the mail box, and a terrific wind burst came up. As I recall, Dwight ran to get Steve, and he was all right. However, one of the giant (to us) cottonwood trees blew over, and we had fun climbing and playing with the now horizontal tree. I'm sorry to leave Judy's picture out, because somewhere I have a picture of her with her jubilant smie, sitting on the upper big part of the trunk, swinging her heels. All I've found so far are these two of Ann and Steve, still looking pretty pleased with themselves for having climbed such a huge tree.

Oh Give Me A Home.........

Where the buffalo roam..........

Mince Meat for Pie

I would have scanned the original and posted it, however it is so smeared that I don't think it would be legible. So, as second best, here is the mince meat recipe. Mother's card says "Mother's" in the upper left hand corner, indicating this was her mother's (Tilda Wasden) recipe. There is no notation about where Tilda got this recipe.

Mince Meat for Pie
4 lbs of lean boiled beef chopped fine
1 lb suet
8 lbs fresh green apples
2 lbs raisins
2 lbs currants
1/2 lb citron & lemon peel cut fine
2 lb sugar
1 T salt
1 t pepper
1 t alspice
1t mace
1t cloves
2 t cinnamon
(1 lb. dried fruit 6 lb fresh)
Cider enough to make a batter. Heat it thru and when cold add 1/2 pt brandy.
Fruit juices may be used in place of cider.

Recipes You Wish You had?

Do any of you want the recipe for Filled cookies (fun memory), Mince Meat Pie (Grandma's recipe that says "add 1/2 pt. brandy), etc? Please let me know and I will post them. I don't want to bother you with ones you don't want, but am happy to share ones that you would like to have.

Plethora of Tomatoes

Hopefully Dwight will find plenty of tomatoes at the local produce stand. For others, who have had a better crop this year, have you ever wondered what Mother's secret was to making tomato soup out of fresh tomatoes? There are lots of new recipes available, but this one might be worth trying.
Cream of Tomato Soup
1/2 can tomatoes (used bottled tomatoes)
1 qt. milk
1/4 t soda
1 t. salt
2 t. sugar
2 T butter
Boil tomatoes, add soda, rub thru sieve [Note: I don't remember Mother ever doing this???), and add to scalded milk; add sugar, salt, and butter. SErve immediately.

This is for Steve and Louise - Pinwheel Cookies

This recipe is one Steve mentioned in one of his comment about Louise. Mother got it from Mrs. Pattison (who was Mrs. Pattison?). I have keyed in this recipe exactly as Mother had written it.

Pinwheel Cookies
Cream 1/2 cup buter, add gradually 1/2 c sugar; add 1 beaten egg yolk, beat the mixture well. Add 3 T milk, add 1 1/2 c flour which have been sifted with 1 1/2 t Bkg Pdr. & 1/8 t salt: add 1/2 t vanilla. Divide dough into halves. To 1/2 add 1 sq chocolate - melted. Roll each half out thin. Place one on top of other, roll up & slice off.
(The remainder is up to you, i.e temp of oven, how long to bake, grease the cookie sheet, etc.)

Another Old Time Recipe

Elizabeth's comment about the food that was prepared for the threshing crew sent me on a hunt to see if I still had this clipping from Mother's recipe collection. This recipe was taken off the KOOL-AID powder package in the early 1950's, or thereabout. So, just for fun, here you go:
Frozen Dessert
(Automatic Refrigerator)
1 pkg KOOL-AID (any flavor) (I liked grape the best!)
1 cup Sugar
2 cups Milk
1 cup Heavy Cream
1. Dissolve KOOL-AID and sugar in milk; turn into freezing tray and freeze 3/4 to 1 hour (until slushy).
2. Whip cream (well chilled) until stiff.
3. Add partly frozen KOOL-AID mixture to whipped cream and whip just enough to mix well, but keep cold as possible.
4. Return quickly to freezing tray and freeze at coldest point. Requires no more stirring. When frozen, set control back to normal. Makes over one quart.

If desired lighter, beat 2 egg whites fluffy with 2 tablespoons sugar and fold into mixture before final freezing.

Oh What Do You Do In The Summertime?

If I have posted this previously, forgive. Today is a hot summer day and I was just remembering how these two dry land farmers acted the first time they saw the Pacific Ocean in 1961. This is the only time I think that I ever saw Dad's bare legs. They loved the cool water and played like two kids. What a fun day that was.