Priceless, Meaningful Gifts

This Christmas I received a very special Christmas gift from my dad. It wasn't something that cost a lot of money or came from the store. It was something so sweet, something that would mean something only to me. The gift was thoughtful and absolutely priceless. Inside this package were two recipe books filled with my Paternal Gramma's recipes as well as a few canning recipes. It means a lot because they were hers. Recipes she used in her home and they were all in her handwriting. My Gramma Charlotte passed away about 12 years ago. I miss her. She was my crafty Gramma. She would always be crocheting or sewing or painting something. She canned goodies and had a frugal knack about her. The end of her life was a sad one since she was unable to remember who we were. It's so hard to see someone you love like this. I remember the last Christmas we spent with her. She sat in a chair among the whole family...We were making memories and reminiscing the old memories. And there she sat...Not realizing who or where she was. But she was having a good time. That was the last day I saw her. I hope she felt loved. I am thankful that is the last memory I will have with her. It was a memory of her being happy. There is a really cool pin on Pinterest where you can print recipes on tea towels. I am going to do a few of them in her recipes. I think it would be a fun display in my kitchen.I'm even going to try my hand at some of her recipes in the books.

The second gift my dad sent me was a beautiful snow white hand crocheted tablecloth that belonged to his Gramma Kate. ( My Great Gramma) Also Gramma Charlotte's mom. This is something my dad acquired from my Gramma Charlotte's things when she passed away. He held onto it because he had some special memories with his Gramma. She crocheted this tablecloth many years ago. My dad remembers being with her as she worked on it. I never got to meet Great Gramma Kate, since she passed away from a broken heart after her husband died also during the time my dad was away in Vietnam. So, after holding onto this tablecloth for sometime, he decided to give it to me, knowing I would be the perfect recipient of such a beautiful treasure. He was right! I cried when I opened up. He shared the story behind it and asked if I would please keep it in the family, and wanted me to hand it down to my daughter someday. I am more than happy to do that. I am looking forward to putting it on my table in my home. So there you have it. Simple and sweet and thoughtful. These sorts of gifts are priceless. You just can't put a price tag on something like this.

They are things I will cherish close to my heart.

Missing Gramma

I have been really missing my Gramma...... a lot of missing her has been in silence as everyone goes about their life, my heart is still broken over her passing. It has been just about 3 months since she has passed on into the presence of our Heavenly Father. I can still hear her Latvian accent calling out my name in my mind. I go back over to the times we spent and the many times we would just talk about her life in her country, the fleeing of her homeland, living in a displacement camp, meeting Grampa, and coming to America. Her childhood stories were extra special. I wanted so badly to know all that I could of her life and times before she came to America. She shared about the time she was an actress on stage, as was her father

 (My Great Grandfather) and stepmother. She talked about the house she lived in, and how she was practically raised by her Gramma. She shared how as a little girl, during the war some American soldiers came to her home ( I'm not sure as to why they were there) but the funny part of the story was that she had never seen a colored person before. There standing over her was a very tall, very dark man as she said he was black as night. Her eyes widened and she fainted at his sight. For her, it was new and scary, but she laughed about it later. That must have been quite a fright for someone who has never seen dark skin in person. I could only picture it. She shared about the time she lived in the displacement camp in Germany after fleeing her country during the war. How she lived, what they did and meeting my Grampa there. I do wish now, that we could have recorded her telling her stories. It is too late now and it makes me sad. I am very grateful that I did take the time to just sit with her and ask .... I will treasure them up in my heart.

We had a special bond, even though I will admit it was only in the most recent years that we grew closer. She had my sister living with her throughout the years as my parents, my brother and I moved around a lot. I never really felt connected and perhaps I felt she favored my sister more... I am not totally certain, but that is how I perceived it. I will always hold dear the times and memories that we did have as I spent time in her home for a couple of Summers. I wanted very much to be close to my Grandparents. I remember being at her feet with whatever task she was doing. I stuck close and enjoyed seeing how very creative she was when it came to handiwork and cooking the best food. And I will cherish that she showed me her affection. It was really in the last 20 years our relationship grew... I had the first Great Grandbaby and would bring him over for visits during the time my Grampa was dieing. I helped my Gramma care for Grampy to the end. She called on me when she needed me the most. We found that we had the same sort of love for old things and cute things. She spent time with us in our home, and had fun shopping through the antique shops. Her taste was very much like mine. I just loved that about her. She truly had a great eye for decorating as well as fashion. She liked nice things and always made sure she was fixed up with a nice hairdo and makeup wearing her stylish clothes. Then her health started to to deteriorate. There was a huge gap of 10 years when we lived in Washington, where we didn't see each other often. We had periodical phone conversations and visits when we would come down to Southern California. I always felt that we could pick up where we left off as if we were never parted. I really hope she knew how much I really adored her. I tried very hard to convey that to her, especially when we lived with her last year for a 6 month stay as we were in transition. I believe God had us there to spend those 6 months with her as she was failing in health dramatically. I would go into her room every night ( as long as she was home and not in the hospital ) we would just talk for hours...We talked about everything. We talked about her life in depth, her feelings about family, faith and God as well as her deepest feelings, regrets, broken heart, shattered spirit and loneliness... We connected... It was beautiful but heartbreaking. Because this was not the same Gramma I knew growing up. She was worried, she struggled with her breathing, she would forget things and she started falling. The hardest thing I had to do was seeing her in the pain that she was in, she suffered not only in her health but with certain feelings in her heart. She could no longer bathe herself and we would have to pick her up off the floor when she had fallen. My heart broke, and I knew it was not going to be too much longer for her. 

I see it as a gift. I had some really special moments with her during that 6 months and I learned a lot. There is so much more but it is too personal. I will hold it close with me...Because it was our time, no one elses. Before she passed away she had given me some of her things...Things I will hold dear and will always make me think of her as I use them in my life. The old pictures will always be a favorite of mine. As a visual person, I can really appreciate those things to look through and see her in them. I was really missing her the other day. I pass by my bedroom door and there is the picture of her and I before she passed away, I just sigh as my heart sinks. I pulled out the old photos of her as a young girl and her life in Latvia and America... I wish I could have been there to see those moments in person. I brought out my Latvian jewelry I have collected through the years, some were gifts, and some were hers...The beautiful silver rings and amber from her Country brings me closer to her in so many ways. Because I truly feel I can identify myself in her and my Latvian heritage. I ran across old letters that were written to her from family back in Latvia, Latvian cards and a photograph of the house she lived in as a girl. Pictured below is the house in color, which stands today. Next to that is a little black and white photo of her in the window of that house.

 It gave me goosebumps and smiles.

Oh Gramma how I miss you.

The night before Gramma passed away she had been in and out of consciousness. My mom called me through facetime ( video chat ) where she allowed me to see my Gramma on the phone. I called out to her and told her how much I loved her and told her I loved her in Latvian.... God gave me one last gift, He gave my Gramma enough strength to open her eyes toward the phone as she nodded her head to me...Yes! I am certain Gramma heard me, I know she wanted to respond back. It was a gift enough to have that last moment with her even if it was through the video phone. I went to bed that night, hoping we could make it in time to see her in person the next day as we planned to drive...But the call had come in as the sun started to rise, that she had gone. Praise the Lord, for allowing me to tell her I loved her before she went into her eternal rest. We still made the trip and planned her intimate, private memorial...I was gifted her last two rings she wore when she passed away. Pictured below. They are beautiful. My sister had actually gifted them to her when she went to Latvia a few years back. But, my sister wanted me to have them.

My dream is to go back to my Grandparents homeland, where we have family there. Slowly I am socking away the funds...Lord willing I will make it there next Summer. I will go to her home and walk where she did and I will picture her there beside me. She desperately wanted to go back, but her health kept her from travelling. I will go for her and it will be glorious.

My Heart Is In Latvia...

It's in my blood... a heritage I long to know, family in another country I have never met in person, their my people. My heart is full when I think of my Grandparents life in Latvia. They prospered on farms, lived fairly well, was hit with war, separation and broken hearts. My grandparents met in a displacement camp in Germany. My Grandfather was a soldier, my Grandma a stage actress. It wasn't love at first sight for Grams..Until my persistent Grampa sent her letters and kept calling on her. Eventually they fell in love, got married and expected their first child in 1950. They got on a boat bound for America, gave birth to my mother and lived in Seattle, Washington for many years. They had not seen their home for years even before coming to America. My Grampa left for the war at age 18 and never set eyes on his family again. He past away 17 years ago, never having the chance to go back home and hold his siblings in his arms once more. Through pure blessing his son was the first to go back in his honor and went again a second time. My Mother also went back for her second visit just this Summer. My sister also. How wonderful to see our family from afar and touch our heritage. They each came back saying it was truly like home. Though I have not had the opportunity to go back, I cherish my heritage very much. I have collected many items from the old world... which remind me of the family I have there. As I long to see them someday.

While we lived in Washington for 11 years.. I was able to get in touch with a Latvian group that my Grandparents were once a part of when my mother was young. My sister remembers it too. This group would have a bazaar once a year and sell their handmade, baked, items from the hands of  young and older Latvians who came from abroad so many years ago.Much of the items were brought back from Latvia to sell. They, to this day keep their arts alive through beautiful pottery, linens, silver, jewelry , amber, stitchery and foods. And every year we would go and visit, buy some pottery or linen and eat. There were a few older Latvians that remember very well, my Grandparents. It was as close as I could get to my heritage every year...Every November we saved n extra bit of money just for the affair
. I miss that now that we are in California.
 
It has also been so nice to be given gifts from our family. I have received a couple really sweet pieces of table linen and pottery which I adore.

After my sister returned home from her trip she gifted us with some lovely tea, handmade egg cups, a little bit of this and that and a Babushka doll from Russia. ( Since I collect those too)

My mom brought back handmade soap, candy, perfume, amber cross necklaces, some animal pottery whistles, a wooden whistle, a lovely linen table topper (in picture above doll)), this sweet lil folk art peg doll in this picture....

She also brought me these two pottery pieces in the pictures above...Each say "Ligo" which means happy sort of celebration. My Gramma had a hard time explaining for the word was more like an action. I love my newest pieces so very much. My Mom also bought me a beautiful silver ring which I will share...Now I have four Latvian rings. The next few pictures are pieces I bought years ago from the Latvian Bazaar.

These are just a few of the delights I have...Each animal you see above is a pottery whistle. An old Latvian lady would bring them every year to the bazaar...where I fell in love with them. Each year I bought one or two. My first was the Caterpillar in the background. Each one really whistles. The rooster in the picture above is also a whistle. My mom was so excited when she was out shopping, she found a couple in a little shop and brought them home. They are not pictured here...I will have to make another post with my other pieces so you can see them.

I was blessed this last year to learn a couple recipes from my Gramma. She remembers just how her Gramma cooked and baked. I made pierogies...which is a little roll filled with onion and bacon & Frikadelu Zupa which is this Latvian soup ( meatball soup) above...This is a favorite in my home. I just know if I had the chance to visit our homeland, I wouldn't want to return. For the first time this Summer my Grandfathers eldest sister Zelma was able to skype with me for a brief moment...she cried out my Grandfather's name, Edgar, when she saw me on the screen...and wept...For she thought I looked like her brother when he was young. It was a very emotional time...one I will forever keep in my heart. She is quite old now...someday I wish to hold her in my arms and kiss her and just tell her how much I love her.

A Creative Family....

Ever since I can remember I loved art...drawing, painting, playing with papers, coloring and doodling. I was always a dreamer. I was the one in the class who would be doodling or looking out the window day dreaming of something else. For I just don't think that a school desk was where I was meant to be. Where did this creative spark come from? Certainly it was a gift from God...and I come from a line of creative family members. My Grandmother's on both sides were crafters. Both made lovely knitting and crochet projects. I have been told I had family in Europe who were in theatre, as well as my Maternal Grandmother whom is also a great cook.My Great Grandmother was a gifted seamstress and was known to make her own dresses...To this day I have her old Singer sewing machine which I did my first sewing projects from. My Paternal Grandmother pictured above was very gifted in painting...She had a whole craft room in her basement especially for her ceramics and crafts. My Mother is a gifted singer and writes beautiful poetry. Even my Father has been known to write poetry. I have seen my mom even draw very well, though she never did that much.

 
I don't know for sure if being creative comes from your blood line. I do know for sure it is a gift. Why is it that some people are artistically challenged? Surely those who are, are gifted in other things. That's what makes this world so bright and different. I have learned so much over the years...From drawing, painting,collage,doll making,sewing,crochet, poetry writing, cooking/baking and photography. I have tried  just about every craft there is. Some I enjoy more than others. The only missing one is am not so musical. I have been told I sing pretty...I am sure it's not American Idol material...I just can't play any instruments. With my Hubby being musical and I with other crafting abilities...our children have also shown creativity gifts..Our son is musical and writes...Our daughter loves to draw...and she shows so much more possibility. My Hubby's side of the family has several musicians and my Hubby's Mama is quite creative...
check out her shop! My kids are blessed to have creative people all around them!

I am thankful for the gift of creativity!

My new Bunting Bunny Print available here!


I thank God and my family for instilling in me the creative bug!
 Where do you think your creativity comes from?
Happy Creating!

My Hero....My Great Great Aunt Who Saved A Jewish Family From The Holocaust....

If I were to pick who my hero would be ... I would pick my Great Great Aunt Herta Karklins. In 1942 during the Nazi occupied Latvia a Jewish Mother Erika Alperovica and her two sons, one named Edward Anders ( AKA Alperovica ) sought out help during these terrifying times. Erika's husband was killed by the Nazis. Left alone with her two sons Erika went to a family friend... My Aunt Herta. She asked my Aunt if she would sign a false affidavit claiming that she was an Aryan foundling raised by Jewish parents. The letter was originally concocted by her husband before his death.

So, my Aunt made a choice... She chose to lie by signing the document... out of love for the three Jews, she risked her very own life.

My Grandmother Rita remembers one of the sons, Edward. She used to play with him during those horrific days. Because of the letter and my Aunt sheltering them, they were spared from the Holocaust.

Edward now in his 70's went on to be a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, where he did research on meteorites and lunar rocks (Anders Biography). After his retirement he urged a survivors’ organization to recover the names of Liepaja Holocaust victims from archives in Riga, but when the organization showed no interest, he organized and financed the project himself.

A small number of Jews survived the Holocaust in Latvia with the aid of brave and compassionate Latvians who risked death to hide them. Indeed, several were found harboring Jews and killed along with those they hid.
The names of 269 Latvians who hid Jews during the Holocaust are inscribed on the Saviors Monument in Riga. Unfortunately, the names of some will never be known. The humanity and courage of each of these heroes must not be forgotten.

A monument to Latvia's residents who sheltered Jews during the Holocaust was unveiled on Gogol Street in Riga on July 4, 2007. The monument shows a falling wall and seven columns that symbolize live people propping the wall up despite deadly danger. The names of 269 persons who harbored Jews have been engraved on the seven columns. My Great Great Aunt Herta Karklins is one of the many heroes !!!

Several years ago my Aunt ( whom has passed many years ago ) was awarded the "Righteous Among The Nations " Medal.

At Yad Vashem, so named from a passage in the book of Isaiah), the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, was established in 1953. Israel's national Holocaust memorial, has close to 15,000 persons have thus far been identified and honored, under a program created by law (1963). These are the "Righteous Among the Nations."
Those so recognized are awarded the Righteous Medal and a certificate of honor (to their next-of-kin in the event of a posthumous recognition) and their names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor in the Garden of the Righteous at Yad Vashem. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Jewish people, through the State of Israel, on non-Jews.

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PROJECT STAR

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Blog Me Til Midnight e-mailed me:
I'm doing a little home school project with my kids. We want to build a small Holocaust memorial in our front yard, so that my kids can remember all the Jews that lost their lives. We are asking people to send us “stars.” Any kind of star, made from anything you wish. These stars will symbolize the lights that went out due to the Holocaust. We said yes of course... and taking a detour on some history to reflect this project as well. We will show you the stars soon !!!

Sugaring Off...The Sugar Snow......

The sugaring off was a raucous party in the woods attended by farmers and villagers celebrating the production of the first batch of molten maple sugar from sap and, in effect, the beginning of spring. Sugar season began, as it does today, with a late-winter break in frigid weather. The trees are "tapped" by chopping a slanted notch into the maple bark, driving a gouge into the tree beneath the notch, and inserting a wooden shingle or trough in the gouge. The clear sap drips from the trough into a bucket from which it is collected and heated until it becomes dark, sweet syrup

Maple sugar was also rooted in the heritage and history of the republic. Native Americans pioneered the production of maple sugar. It nourished the nation's earliest white settlers and was the most important household sweetener in the northern colonies as early as 1675. Maple sugar continued to be widely used throughout the eighteenth century when white cane sugar was considered a great luxury. Many believed that maple sugar provided an answer to achieving sugar self-sufficiency and, as part of the overall drive for commercial independence, played a role in forging the nation.

Paintings by:Eastman Johnson, Sugaring Offc. 1861-65

Info. found through Huntington Library

My kids are learning about the history of Sugaring Off. Miss Bri has enjoyed reading about it in The Little House On The Prairie books. This is a delightful book with sweet pictures for young readers.

We are planning our own Maple-Sugaring-Off Party with Baked Maple Ham,New England Baked Beans, Johnny Cakes with Maple, Maple Tapioca Pudding and Maple Sugar Fudge !!!! Come by later this week to see how our party turned out and for some of the recipies we used.

Welsh Costumes China Tea Cups.....

Welcome to Show & Tell Friday hosted by Kelli of

There is No Place Like Home.

This week I am sharing what I recently thrifted. I was checking out the tea cup section and found these lovely antique bone china tea cups of Welsh Costumes.

Well, # 1 I love Tea Cups , #2 I love Costumes and # 3 I love History. I guess being a doll maker, my eye is drawn to costumes and such. So I couldn't resist picking up the three delicate tea cups at .49 cents each. What a deal !!!

Here all the three cups and below are the front and back pictures.

I searched the net and found out they may possibly be dated back to the 1870's !!!! Which is exciting to me, for the love I have of the Ninteenth Century. The cup and saucer I found on the net was priced at about $60.00 !!!

The colourful scenes one of a young couple being brought household items by their neighbours as they are moving into their new house.You can see Brooms and chairs and all sorts of household goods being given to the young newly weds. The other scenes show Traditional Welsh Costumes.

And for a little fun here are some sweet images og Welsh National Costumes.

Have a Happy Week ahead !!! Hope to see you here again.