The 2017 word of the year.

There have been crickets chirping on this blog of  late.  Life has been happening, to be sure, but not on this little web glimpse into it.  2016 is now one for the books and in many ways, it was a very good year. In other ways, it was challenging.  A minor surgery on my eye lens, a major health crisis for one of my grandchildren, an election that brought out the ugly in our country.  A Cubs win, times spent with loved ones near and far, the ability to travel to locations I could only dream about experiencing...and aging happened, too.

The girl of long ago is still that girl inside in many ways, but her shell has become one with wrinkles and creaks, and fortunately, laugh lines as well.  Lately, I have been looking back at my life journey and have enjoyed remembering what steps have been taken along the way, especially considering political candidates in this crazy past year. I was unable to vote for the president in 1972 (due to underage), but I voted in 1976 for the first time for Jimmy Carter.  I proudly have voted for candidates no matter what political party they have been "attached" to based upon my gut feelings.

And then there's this year.  What a lot to take in, especially in social media.  I cringe at what's posted out there.  With this is mind, I decided to go for peace of mind - literally - with my choice for the word of inspiration this year.  It's a word to reflect upon for the next 355 days or so:

Peace to come to the world.  Peace to come to our country.  Peace to come to our city.
Peace to come to our souls.  Peace to come to you. Peace to come to me.  Peace. Life is temporary, but better lived with peace instead of fear, pain, anger and hostility. Peace.


But wait!  There's more!  on a different note, I also like the homonym for peace which is piece. I have been working on a quilt with a lot of pieces, and I hope to get it all put together this year.It's a quilt inspired by one of my favorite books THE HUNDRED DRESSES by Eleanor Estes.  Written in 1944, its plot is about a poor and friendless immigrant girl, Wanda Petronski.  Every day she shows up to her classroom wearing the same faded blue dress while claiming to have one hundred dresses, all lined up in her closet at home. She is taunted and mocked and the story breaks my heart.  Yet, there is an artistic twist to the story which delights me to no end...no spoiler alert here, but it's good.
Even though this book is quite old, the story line is one we can and should relate to in 2017.


I am making 100 little pieced dresses from my stash and putting them into a quilt.  For example, this little red dress with white collar and cuffs represents Ellie in her first dance recital featuring the music from the musical Annie.

  I have made dresses from my mother's clothes, my mother-in-law's clothes, my own Annie's clothes, projects made for my Grands, and even my own clothes as I learned how to sew long ago. (Again, this is a trip down Memory Lane, just as remembering who I voted for in past elections.)

Each dress has 27 pieces in it.  Multiply that by 100 and that's a whole lot of pieces.  I'm hoping for peace while I piece.  And wishing for peace for you, too.

The Family Bash

Four dalmations, Cruella DeVille, Tigger and tiny tiger, a Nebraska corn husk, a cowboy, Elsa and Minnie all attended our annual family brunch at the City Nest.

They humor me so much and I thank them for that!

This year the brunch included mummified hot dogs (with raisin eyes).

And mini clementine "pumpkins" with other fruits to be dipped in a cream cheese-based dip.

We needed all the leaves in our table to seat this group.

It was one boisterous brunch! Bingo, an eyeball game (ping pong balls) and a two spooky stories next.

And then we got ready for a walk into Lincoln Square for a bit of Trick or Treating.

We lucked out with a really nice day!

The three oldest had a blast getting candy, and the two youngest had their first experiences 

with a bag and candy finding each other.

Wishing you the sweetness of this day however you celebrate today!

H. A. P. P  Y.    H. A. L. L. O. W. E. E. N.   

Seeing Stu Again (of interest to North Parkers)

Back in the early 1970s, I was a student at North Park College. (It's now North Park University.)

Arriving as a freshman, I thought I'd consider nursing as my major, but it rapidly became apparent that this was not a good option for me as dissection of little creatures turned my stomach!  Four weeks later, I realized that my first choice of teaching was the right choice after all. However, during my sophomore year - and taking my first art classes - I decided to add Art as a second major.

Two special friends were also art students, and here we are downtown on one of our museum class trips- to the left, Dave "Les" Carlson and on my right, Don "TB" Johnson. Our painting and print-making teacher was Stu Carlson.

Stu Carlson:

Sadly, Stu died in 1980 at the age of 42.

But right now, in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago, Stu lives on.  Twenty five of his paintings and art renderings are on exhibit at the Swedish American Museum now through November 27.

It was a very powerful, moving experience to see my professor/friend again in this way.  Peace to his memory.

Your instruction and inspiration made a difference in my own life path.

Top Ten in Colorful Colorado

In September, my sister and I were traveling partners to the state where we were both born: Colorado!

It was wonderful, simply wonderful. Thinking back, I decided to choose the TOP TEN memories of our time together to write about here---certainly there are more, but this will just have to do.

NUMBER TEN:

Seeing the two last homes my parents lived in Arvada, Colorado.

In the 1960s, this ranch on West 69th Place:

In the 1980s-1990s, this expanded Cape Cod on Estes Drive:

NUMBER NINE

Visiting the Covenant Retirement Village in Westminster, Colorado that our Dad saw to fruition before his death in 1991--- and seeing Marion Sustad here as a spunky 93 year old!

NUMBER EIGHT

Lunching with the mother of our son-in-law, Jed; Diane Bassett!  

NUMBER SEVEN

Speaking of eating, we got to eat (twice) with our niece, Linnea, and see her settled in her new home!

And, we also were joined by our nephew, Andrew, the second time in the city of Denver.

She makes a "mean" chili!!

Shown here with Linnea, Andrew and Duane---more on him soon.

NUMBER SIX

Catching up with Aunt Norma, our Mom's 93 year old sister...though wheelchair-bound, she has a sense of humor and clear mind. (And she shared a secret or two.)

NUMBER FIVE

Walking through the beautiful Capitol building in Denver.

NUMBER FOUR

Finally taking a tour of the MOLLY BROWN house in Denver.

NUMBER THREE

Teatime in THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL

NUMBER TWO

Being in the mountains again. Vail.  Quaking aspens changing colors. Taking a longer hike than we had anticipated!

NUMBER ONE

Sibling time!

The. Best. Trip. EVER!!!