Family Fun--August, 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

Necklace Still Popular

The other day I went shopping with Anita Solivita. (This is what I call my friend in Solivita since I have a friend also named Anita in Edgerton and "Anita Edgerton" just does not have the ring to it that "Anita Solivita" does.) The first store we were in we purchased an item. When paying for it the sales associate commented on my necklace. She loved it and wanted my blog and email address. When leaving, Anita said, "I knew this would not be a usual day since you are wearing your necklace." I am sure that the photos of my adorable grandchildren get looked at more than you can believe! Below are photos of some recent necklaces given to Moms.

Missed Opportunity

Yesterday when Lyle and I were out and about (out of the house and about to return some items) I excitedly told Lyle as we were passing a mall to look at a dumpster with two mannequins standing by it. At this point I need to take an "Elizabethan just an aside." * Why can't we as English spelling people just spell words as they sound. I have trouble with words like manakin, ordervs, etsetera, etc. It is especially difficult to find the word in the dictionary if I can't spell it. Anyway, back to the missed opportunity. Lyle's first comment was that he did not have his camera. My comment was that we should go back and get the manakins. I said, "Can you imagine the fun we could have with those?" If I had been with Anita or Davonne, we would have spun around and gotten them. But we continued on our "about" part of the outing. After returning our items, when we were near the other mall Lyle asked if I wanted to stop there. "Yes, I want to get the manakins!' I replied. Well, sorry to report, the manakins were gone!! So the lesson is: Thou shalt not should thyself.

Fran

*An Elizabethan just an aside is in memory of my mom, Elizabeth. She was notorious for telling a story within a story. Someday there will probably be a "Fransescian just an aside." By the way, when I looked up how to spell mannequins, I discovered that a manakin is a small tropical bird with a big head. And another by the way, I learned from the dictionary that you must only use etc. when listing things, not people.

Discovered a New Word!!

While looking through the newspaper this morning, I was reading an article that has no earthly good for me--Wedding Clothes that Fit a Budget. I also read "Shorts that Flatter Pear-shaped Figures. Why? I don't know! I need to read "Capris that Make My Tummy Look Flatter." Anyway, in the first article I ran across the word TROVE. I thought it must be a misspelling--it should be "grove" but that would make no sense. I read "Local consignment shops can be another treasure trove." That sparked me to look up the definition of "trove." I love consignment shops, thrift stores, and junking. (OK, if scrapbookers can do scrapbooking, I can do junking.) So here you have it! For all of you who did not know this word before, you have a new word for your favorite place to go. Who knows--it could become a verb!

trove |trōv|nouna store of valuable or delightful things : the museum's trove of antique treasure.ORIGIN late 19th cent.: from treasure trove .

In an earlier blog, I wrote about the Advice Book that Davonne, Anita, and I are making. I thought it would be fun to share my March and April pages. The March assignment, given by Anita, was to include a photo of ourselves wearing a hat, rick rack, a four-leaf clover, and an envelope, I must admit I cheated a little on the envelope but I got no reprimands. I gave out the April requirements: Include somewhere or everywhere on your page the following items: a sheet of music, a picture from an old book or a postcard, and ribbon. You can use other what-nots, junk, soft hardware, or ephemera. I had always wanted to use that word-- ephemera. Just how does one pronounce that word? Even the dictionary does not offer much help! I need an audio dictionary.
Now I am working on the May page. Davonne's May instructions are simply flowers. I am pretty sure what I am going to do. I simply have to do it.

Lyle and I are in CA with Chris, Lori, Gabe, and Ellie. Last week when we were taking charge, Lyle spotted a snail and I put it in an empty Panara cup. When Gabe got home from school, we showed it to the kids. We put it in a "cage" and watched it. We named it Up because he was always climbing to the top no matter how we set the cage. As with most wild animals in captivity, he died, but it was fun while Up lasted.

I Have a PIANO!!!!!!

Exciting news!!! I have a piano--I can play anytime I feel like it! Lyle saw an ebony Young Chang upright piano for sale on the Solivita ads and told me about it. I let it go a few days but last week Wednesday I decided to call. Daphne emailed me photos and I decided I would look at it the next day. I loved it right away when I played it. We agreed on the price and now I had to figure out how to get it from her house to mine. I called around and I finally got a lead. I called Ormani! He called back and asked how big the piano was and after checking it out, he decided it would fit in the back of his work van. He would clean the van out Friday evening and be on our driveway at 9:30 Saturday morning. I called back once with concerns and he said, "Don't worry about it Hahhnny! I am very strong!" By this time I had rounded up one friend, Leo. So we had Ormani, Lyle, and Leo to move a heavy piano. Well, Ormani was at the house by 9:15 Saturday morning. He did look strong. We picked up Leo and went to the house to get the piano. Daphne's husband, John offered to help also. Ormani picked up the end of the piano and stated, "Wow, this thing is heavy!" But he and Leo carried it out to the front hallway so now I can testify to the fact that Leo is very strong too!!! Now we measured the clearance they had to work with to get the piano in the van. It was 1.5 inches!! The four guys got the piano lifted up and slid into the van. Whew!! I checked if John was coming along to our house to get the piano out of the van. He laughed and said, "I come with the piano!" When the caravan got to our house, our neighbor Fred came over and with all of them, they got the piano into our garage. They successfully got it in the house, made the bend into our bedroom and now it sits there in all it's glory! It's a beauty!! Thanks to all who made it possible for me!!

Have fun checking out.....

Be sure to check out the sites I have posted on the left margin of my blog. One is Lyle's photo site. He keeps adding to the collection. The ones that he sells the most are of the Masters. He is hopeful for more sales this week because it's Master"s week. (I mention that for those of you who do not follow golf.) You can also go to Davonne's blog, A Work in Progress. She named it that because she always has a work in progress--even works in progress. Just this morning, I checked out Anita's blog and then connected to her web site, Lynita's. Check out the foo-foo and the jewelry bags. And she makes adorable mittens from old wool sweaters.

If it were Friends Day today, I would want hop on a plane, the kind that pulls banners behind it, and fly over Edgerton, MN and jump out for a cup of coffee and do some fun project together. We would laugh a lot because that's what we do! Shucks! When is Friends Day anyway?

Love ya! Fran

Davonne is published in Somerset Memories!

I am so excited! I finally have the Spring 2010 Somerset Memories in my hands. Late 2008, when I was reading through my Somerset Magazine, I noticed they were having a sort of contest for the ways one used a spool as an art piece. I excitedly encouraged Davonne to enter a spool she had made but she was busy and didn't know if she had photos and she had given the spool to Kayla and Dan. Sooooo, I said that I had photos of it and I would email them to the magazine. I did and I heard back from them that they definitely liked the spool and wanted Davonne to send in the spool. She did. I am a sort of an impatient person so I wrote several times to check on the status. I always got the reply that it was in the running. I checked in August, 2009 to make sure they still had the spool and got an email back stating..

"Yep, we most certainly still have the spool. You can let Davone know that her Celebration Spool has been selected for publication in the April 2010 issue of Somerset Memories. I will be contacting her."

I called Davonne! We were so excited! She said, "You introduced me to my husband. You helped me get my kids, and now you got me published. What's next?'' Who knows? Who knows?

April Advice Assignment

Early in March, I talked about the Book of Advice that Davonne, Anita and I are doing this year. Well, after much consideration and changing my mind a lot of times, I have determined the April assignment. It is to "Include somewhere or everywhere on your page the following items: a sheet of music, a picture from an old book or a postcard, and ribbon. You can use other what-nots, junk, soft hardware, or ephemera." I had always wanted to use that word-- ephemera. Just how does one pronounce that word? Even the dictionary does not offer much help! I need an audio dictionary. I remember when DQ had a brazier burger and Lyle ordered two brassiere burgers. He did it on purpose but it was quite a funny situation. I think DQ was the only fast food restaurant back then. And were there no package deals? I'll bet McDonalds came up with the package idea so that one can now say, "I'll take a number two!" for people just like Lyle so he does not get to smirk at the order-taker any more. Actually, I guess he could smirk about that line also. And how about that great new drink at McDonalds--the frappe! I've mastered how to say that since I love having one. I figured out a way to remember how to say it. Anyway, I have completed both March and April since I will be going to the kids next week and wanted to mail it off before then. I will post the photos of my page later, since Davonne and Anita are among my followers! :-)

Hit the Jack Pot on old fuzzy cards!

Last Saturday, while Lyle and I were "out and about," Lyle noticed a sign for an estate sale. He willingly turned around and followed the signs. Well, it was not an auction. Anyone who came just went in the house and looked around. Clothes were still in the closet. Lyle thought that was a bit creepy. There were lots of books, kitchen stuff, and junk. Most of the items were not marked. I gathered some stuff and approached the table. As I was waiting, I heard the guy working there say to a fellow worker, "Yah, people think they can bargain and complain about the prices. This is not a garage sale. It's an estate sale. They could go to Walmart and pay a lot more!" Having heard that, I wondered what my pile of stuff was going to cost. Well, it was not bad and I am so excited about my fuzzy greeting cards from the 40s and 50s. I love fuzzy cards--surprising since I hate furry things. I've concluded that fuzzy is a lot different that furry!

Fund Raiser for the American Cancer Society

Solivita had a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society this past Saturday. Lyle and I were asked to set up a table to sell photos, show our necklaces and our Coffee Table books. It was a fun time and we met many interesting people. Especially for those of you who may be looking at my blog for the first time, I am attaching some photos. Thanks for your interest!

Need to 'fess up!

In my post of me with the sandcastle, I need to confess that I plagiarized. I took the work of someone else and passed it off as my own. Actually, I thought you would know that I had to be kidding. I don't do sandcastles unless a child urges me to build one. So I don't suppose you would believe me if I told you I was building the one in the photo, right? It does look like it would be fun to go see the sandcastles in Cocoa Beach that are being built for viewing in early April.

Fran

Viewing Manatees at Cocoa Beach!

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Florida--a #10! Lyle and I decided to go to the beach. He had found an article on the internet about a little hidden cove where one could view manatees--lots of them! It was hidden alright. We had the article with us and thought we would just go along on a blazed trail. I asked a guy mowing the lawn if he knew where the manatees were and he told me about another park because he had never seen any manatees here. Well, I figured we had come this far and I was going to follow the directions on the paper. Lyle kept telling me not to go in there cuz' there could be snakes! But it was worth the walk to see them and I did not see any snakes. And Lyle did follow me! There must have been 12 or more manatees!

At Cocoa Beach

It was a beautiful day and very relaxing. Even had time to build a sand castle! :-)

Lyle Went to Beach for Spring Break

Lyle went to the beach to photograph beauties on the beach. And here is the proof that he did just that! There was a group of elderly women near us having a great time. They go to an exercise class together. Don't ya just love it already? They were taking turns photographing their group so I suggested to Lyle that he take their photo. He put his Nikon down and walked over. They were thrilled with his offer to take their "picture." He told them he didn't know if he could run such elaborate cameras but he managed to take their picture with five different cameras, even after he suggested they could email them to each other! I just wish that someone would send me the photos, particularly the one he got of the lady falling out of her chair!

Family In Florida for Vacation

We had a wonderful time with our family.  Scott, Elise, Bennett, and Cooper had their time here scheduled for a long time, arriving March 5 and leaving the 15th.  Shortly before they came, Chris was invited to a work conference near us and decided that he and Ellie would come--it was during the time that the Spronks would be here.  Gabe had school so he and Lori stayed home. Chris and Ellie arrived the 6th.  We spent one day together and then Chris had a few days at the conference.  During that time, we went to Magic Kingdom, Universal, and Sea World!  Chris was finished in time to spend all the time with us at Sea World.  Thursday was rainy!  In fact, it poured!  We found a place inside with inflatable toys so that was fun for the kids.  Elise and I got a little shopping in at an outdoor Outlet Mall but getting a little wet was worth it!  Chris and Ellie flew out very early Friday morning in the rain.  We had a free day left at Disney so decided to go to Epcot.  Everyone in the park was wearing ponchos but it was not busy!  Oh, I forgot to mention that Scott golfed two times already so Saturday was Elise and my day to shop.  The boys putted, hit balls on the driving range, and swam.  On Sunday, we had one more free day at Sea World, so went for a few hours and then swam.  And then packing time.  The Spronks left very early on Monday, the 15th.  We have a lot of happy memories!!  The only really sad thing is that we really missed Lori and Gabe!!!  Enjoy the slideshow of some our favorite photos.
Fran
One more thing--if you are thinking that we were gone from the house a lot, you are right.  If you saw the size of our house, you would know why!!

Give it a try!

I decided to try a necklace using some of my old jewelry. I have a lot of it so I started digging. It's not perfect but I had fun giving it a whirl. One should always try something if it is not going to cost a dime, right?

Advice Pages

Two of my Edgerton friends, Davonne and Anita, and I decided to do an assignment this year. We are making a Book of Advice. We each do a page a month, making three as close to identical pages for each of us. We take turns assigning the subject matter. The January page requirements were to use a photo of yourself as a child, glitter, at least three buttons, a part of a dictionary page, and our advice of course. Davonne made up the February page requirements. We were to use a photo of yourself with your valentine sweetie, three or more hearts, stitching, a wrapper of our favorite candy, and our advice. It has been a fun challenge, the most difficult being to find a photo to go with the advice or the other way around. I have sent my advice page to both Anita and Davonne so now I am going public with my advice. My January advice is what I told Elise when she was a teenager and concerned about her hair and everything else about which teenagers concern themselves. February's photo was our valentine for 2008. The caption then was, "We've got eyes for you!" Well enjoy, and if you have any ideas to help me with my March assignment, here it is: a photo of me wearing a hat, a four leaf clover, an envelope, and rickrack. Anita assigned this one. I will be assigning April so I think I will make my page first and then send out the assignment! :-)

Fran

This valentine season I think a lot about the blessings of grandchildren and how faithful God is! I thank God for my grandparents and parents who taught me the most important belief--Jesus Loves Me This I Know!!! God gave Lyle and me two wonderful children to love and to teach them that Jesus is faithful and loves them. Now they are married with children of their own. We see God is faithful from generation to generation! I made a 10 minute slideshow to celebrate His love and faithfulness to us. Please sit back and enjoy as you celebrate with us, God is good--God is faithful--God is love!!

Why Fran's Smatterings

In case you are wondering how I came up with my name for this blog, let me tell you. I thought of the name "Franswah" but Lyle didn't think that was so good and he suggested I call it Fran's Smatterings. Several years ago I published a book called "Smatterings." I agreed with his suggestion, as you can see.

Necklaces I make that you could own!

This past summer I made a necklace to show off my grandbabies. Then I made them for my daughters. They wanted to give a necklace to their friends. It is a growing "business." If you want to order one, please let me know. Email me at fhuisken@cfl.rr.com for details.

You know how difficult it is to photograph your own grandbabies, right? Well, I do anyway. I decided to take a favorite of each child and make it into one photo of my princes and princess--Children of the King. I am making a book of my Children of the King--giving my grands a crown and then putting a Bible verse about being a Child of the King. It is a lot of fun for me but I have been too busy to get very far on it lately, but I will.

This is a new adventure for me. Sometimes I think I am too old for this new stuff and then sometime I think I was born too early. Anyway, I will give it my best shot and hopefully you will enjoy looking in on me now and then.