Saturday, May 28, 2011

Memorial Day, 2011

Remembering all those who have made it possible for us to live in freedom, today.
Old Glory flies above the American Cemetery in Normandy overlooking Omaha Beach

All were Americans first



We couldn't find out who these boys were. We surmised they might have been some sort of cadets or some form of French equivalent to ROTC. It was February and so cold - and they were wearing shorts!
We were privileged to have met the head of all the American cemeteries in Europe, who happened to be staying at the same hotel. He was a wealth of information, naturally, and was glad to share some of the history and facts with us. It was a wonderful, but touching day.

God Bless America 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Oh, my aching feet!

These are as ridicules as some I've seen being worn around town. 
At least these could be accepted as "art".








linking to Stuff and Nonsense's Fridays Unfolded

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Better luck next time

Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Angels of the Apocalypse   
HT to Barbara

Friday, May 20, 2011


Polly made her big sister a Tardis Cake for her birthday. She decided she wanted to have dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory.  We had lots of nice presents for her and then Polly had our waiter bring out the cake from the kitchen. Peggy was so surprised. She is a big Dr. Who fan!
...and now, her cake:


She cut out pictures of all the past Dr. Whos to decorate it. What fun.

Happy Birthday Peggy

This is my first daughter's birthday. She was born at St. Joseph's Hospital, Orange, California.
Margaret Rose Warren Severe age 5

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

What do the names at IKEA mean?

My daughter, Polly and I often shop at Ikea for a variety of things. Many household items are unique and so affordable. It was always such a great place to shop in Switzerland, when Polly lived there. We were thrilled when they opened their huge store here in Portland.
I think it is so funny how they pronounce the name here in the USA. (Ī kē uh) I don't know why they have chosen to give a different sound from how all the European countries pronounce it. (Ē kā uh) Someone once tried to correct Polly one day when she pronounced it as they do in Europe. She answered (like the smart aleck she is), "Well I guess we better tell the Swedes they're saying it wrong!"
We love to stop and eat in the cafe. We always come home with Swedish groceries. So many things that are unique and unavailable in local super markets.

One thing we have wondered for some time: What do the IKEA product names mean? How do they choose them?
A nice article on their blog, LIVET HEMMA, revealed the following key to the names. (Only thing is, I still don't know what each name means, since I don't speak Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish!) Oh well, just lead me to the meatballs!!

Beds, wardrobes and hall furniture: Norwegian place names.
Sofas, chairs, tables and chairs: Swedish place names.
Carpets: Danish place names.
Bookcases: Occupations and Scandinavian boy's name.
Textiles and curtains: Scandinavian maiden name.
Children's Products: Mammals, birds and descriptive words.
Cuisine: Descriptive Name, use of the product and its function.
Kitchenware: Fish, sponges and descriptive words.

At one time, naming was handled manually, but today is a whole computer system dedicated to this, filled with boys and girls names, place names, descriptive names, names of plant and animal kingdom and the new hose. The names have you've found from dictionaries, crosswords, maps and lists of names.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Surprise!!


Yesterday a package arrived from my blogger friend Sarah of Hyacinth for the Soul.
 

Oh, the anticipation. . .
Here is what was nestled in the box. . .













A lovely glass plate with eggs and a nest in beautiful colors of strawberry red and lime green. As if that were not enough, a super indulgent bath fizzy for a luxurious soak.







Really, what more can I say but thank you for the gift and even more, for the beautiful gift of friendship.


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