Happy Birthday Grandma Vi

In 1908, 100 yrs ago, my Grandmother Violet Elaine Samuelson, Brown, McDonald was born. Visits to Grandma's house were always an adventure. The smell of toast, oatmeal, coffee, half & half were present in the morning. Grandma used to let me feed the leftovers to the barn cats. I loved her barn kitties. The guest bedroom had squeaky floors, wonderful breezes through the lace curtains, the softest bed in the world. The linens were hand embroidered, a hand mirror and dainty bottles lined the dresser. The His and Her's pillow cases were one of my favorites. One whole end of that room was floor to ceiling drawers and cabinets. Treasures to be found by curious 8yr olds. If we were visiting on a regular day, I would find Grandma with a parring knife in her hand working a bad spot out of a peach or she'd be cooking something up. You didn't just sit and visit at Grandma's, you worked and visited at Grandma's. I have pages of fond memories in my mind! The dishwasher with a hose connecting it to the sink, and rolled around the kitchen was a strange appliance to me. The mantel clock that had the most comforting gong. The claw print on the dining room wall from the owl that was stuck in the chimney and came bursting into the room to escape a newly made fire. What excitement that was. Grandma's handy kitchen towel to the rescue and out the door went Mr. Owl. I have a rock from the pasture sitting on my window ledge. I remember sitting on the back of a truck while the men hauled in straw or hay. Thanksgiving at Grandma's was always delicious! A houseful of Aunts, Uncles and cousins to play with. The apricot tree, orchard and garden. The basement was always cool and the scary laundry/pantry tested my childhood fears on more than one occassion. Grandma had shelves of jars full of delectible delights. And if you needed information, Grandma Vi was go to gal. One call to Grandma and she would catch you up on everyone. We lost a major keeper of our history when she passed away. I hope to see her again in Heaven and catch up! Happy Birthday Grandma Vi, We miss you!