I Might Have to Buy These...

"Fair Isle" Keds!  Too Cute.

More from the Family Album

Here are some more pictures from the family albums.  These ones are from the Giusti family album (Baba's family)  Sadly, none of the photos in this album have names to tell us who is in the pictures.  And even more sadly, Mom was unable to identify most of the folks in the photos.  This is a good reminder to label your pictures people!  Before you know it, there isn't anyone left who remembers who is who...

Susan and I were able to figure out a few of them.  

I love this one, it's either Baba or his brother Charlie:

That goat is kind of scary though.

This photo is labeled (one of the few) "1912, store Pike Place Market Seattle" with "Ma" and "Pa" identified as the two people standing at the left and right.  We know that the Giustis did have a little grocery store in the market at the turn of the century, so I'm assuming these are our great-grandparents:

I love the buggy in the right foreground, and it's fun to know that our ancestors were among the original Market merchants

Okay, these two are awesome!  I'm giving them to Jon, our Great White Hunter.  The back of one says "1910: Dad with Deer shot at Duvall"

I'm guessing the gent on the left hand side of the pole is Baba's dad, as he looks like the guy in the Pike Street Market picture.  I'm in love with Mr. Handlebar Mustache though... and their hats are too cool.

And you can bet that in 1910 it was a great adventure to trek to Duvall to go hunting.  No roads (no cars probably!), that would have been out in the woods for sure.

Exciting News!

I just heard back from Piecework Magazine, and they are interested in my "Year of Weldon's Practical Needlework" project!  I will be writing an article (or more) and sharing "modern" instructions for some projects and/or guest blogging with them.

So January 1st, I'm off to the 19th century in search of knitting treasures!

Another Letter to Tata!

And here's what was on Lavs' mind on July 12, 1962:

"Dear Tata and Baba,

How are you?  I'm fine.  Have you gone to the Fair yet? (ed. note, that would be the Seattle World's Fair)  We go swimming at Kenmore Lanes now.  I'm having a fine time this summer, my birthday is in August.  We had a real nice time up at the cabin except the wether wasn't very good.  What are you doing these days.  I miss you.  Well, I have to go now.  With love and kisses, Laurie"

Subtle reminder on the upcoming birthday!

Letters to Tata

Us kids loved writing the well-timed (right before our birthdays)  letter to our grandparents, affectionately known as Tata and Baba.  Susna over there on the left wrote this gem on March 7, 1960:

"Dear Tata and Baba,

How are you?  I am fine, so is everybody else.  Lisa is getting fatter by the second, and Beezie is always crying about something.  A boy broke Joey's black lunch-pail by falling on it, but the boy is going to pay for it so there is nothing to worry about.  Beezie ate all the candy she could get a hold of.  My eye still hurts.  Tuesday I'm going horseback riding with Eva Mae Gardner (ed. note, this was crossed out so I guess the date with Eva Mae fell through)  How is Grandma and Irene?  Pretty soon my birthday will come and I'll get a lot of presents (I hope)  Well I have to go now.

Love, Susie"

LOVE.  Especially the lunch pail tragedy.  Damn that kid for breaking Joey-Love's lunch box!  And damn that Beezie for being such a crybaby AND eating all the candy.

Charming!

Pia and I saw the movie "Hugo" this afternoon.  It's based on a wonderful children's book called "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" (Susna, I'll bet Tate would love this book), and we both loved it.

I love silent movies and part of the plot revolves around a pioneer of film, the French film maker Georges Melies.  You can see his most famous film, "A Trip to the Moon" here:

Even if you're not a silent film buff, the movie is a lot of fun.  The sets are amazing, the actors are great and the story is interesting!

The Airport Book Store

Yay for Hudson News!  I knew they would have the latest Ann Rule true crime book, and they did not disappoint.  I happily read gory crime stories all the way home from Seattle to Spokane.

Susna gave me a suitcase full of old photos and whatnot, so I will be sharing some great family pix with y'all.  I had a good stay with Mom, she knew who I was for the most part.  That lady has the most AMAZING ability to gather herself when she's speaking to an old friend.  She got a phone call from some old guy, and happily chatted with him without a single moment of forgetfulness.  Of course, she had no idea who he was, but you sure wouldn't know it to hear her talk :-)

It's good to be home after 10 days away.  I have lots to do, and Lulu is pining for her mama, who is gone for a week, so  I have to fill in with the dog duties.  We may hit the dog park later today, exciting!