Trip To Columbia

I had the privilege of making a trip with my family to Columbia, South Carolina last week. I made a pitt stop to see my wonderful friend and college roommate, Mary Beth. We are kindred souls and always have a fabulous time together like no time has ever separated us. Next, I headed down to Cayce with the children in tow. I love the South! Spring was in full bloom and people were even starting to plant their gardens. In the city, there were farmers markets open for business along the streets with fresh produce. Off the country roads the red clay dirt peaked through fields of yellow wild flowers. I was as glad to be there, glad to be back, but wishing it were on different terms.  

Some of you know that a few weeks ago my Grandmother was placed in hospice care. Upon hearing this news I knew I had to get back and see her while she was well. I also wanted my kids to remember her house with her in it. Facing this part of life is not easy for any of us, especially the person going through it. However, she has shown so much grace and strength and remains the strong woman she has always been. After I was able to get over my apprehension, I was able to enjoy myself. What fun we had! I think I almost killed her by taking her to the zoo. Yes, that's right, we carried B.B. to the zoo (I was able to get her to use the wheel chair but oxygen tank .... NO thank you mam!) I captured many photos of her with the great grandkids and still can't believe she pulled off that trip. It just goes to prove her full-of-life personality is in full effect. 

In addition to finding activities to keep the kids happy, we took a self-guided tour of Swansea, SC. Swansea was where it all began for my Grandma. Her family moved to Swansea from Prosperity (roughly 1912?) and this small town would be where she grew up and started her own family.  I was with a living legend and asked her if anyone would know her. She honestly commented that most everyone that knew her from Swansea was dead or moved out. That's one bad part about living so long...you have to say goodbye to many friends and family and sort of make new because the rest are gone. It was a short drive through the town but I got to see my Mom's house growing up, my Grandma's house growing up, many family homes, the Boozer General Store front, and Grover's filling station. Basically my Grandma was born, raised, and started her own family in about a 5 mile radius! 

One afternoon, after some sweet tea and coconut cake, I pulled an old book out from her dining room buffet. The thing was massive in size (roughly size of a sheet of legal paper but five or six inches thick). The pages were tan brown and starting to crumble. On the first page was a newspaper cutout of a bride standing alone with a headline I couldn't stomach ....something like the town's pretties girl. Wasn't my Grandma folks, and I'm glad about that for a few reasons! I was so curious what else was inside. As I quietly skimmed through the book I saw notes and photos that were priceless and oh so story worthy! One in particular was of a handsome sailor with a sweet goodbye sentiment written underneath. He was headed off to the big world war and had to say one last farewell to his main squeeze. I hadn't heard these stories before. Time to start talking B.B.! I felt like I had just struck gold.

When I showed it to her, she asked me where I got it from and wasn't really sure what it was. I told her it looked like a young woman's scrap book and began reading some of the notes and describing some of the pictures (she has poor vision so could not really make it out herself). Turns out, it was her personal scrap book from college up until her marriage. I can't even begin to explain how charming and obviously throw-back some of these stories were. I can't wait to write about them! 

The photo I am using tonight will have to do until I get my hands on copied images from the book and the new photos I took on my mom's camera. See, I am desperate for someone else to teach my Mom how to get the images off her memory card. She just keeps buying more cards or waiting for a patient friend to help. I keep showing her how to do it, but you know those retirees, they just have to learn the hard way. Stay tuned for more. I have some fun plans ahead and am hoping time permits them.

When doing some research on Swansea, I came up with memoirs from John Joseph Howell. As I read through it, the Boozer General Store was mentioned as well as Mrs. Hill as a memorable teacher. I think I'll read his memories to Grandma and see if it sparks any memories of her own!

Rumble Seat Reminiscing

I might be a few days late and a dollar short but this post is extra special and worth the urgency. My lovely Grandmother turned 97 on Feb 9, 2012! I was privileged to speak with her on the phone while driving home in the evening and she seemed to be in wonderful spirits thanks to all the calls, cards, and special deliveries. Thanks to everyone who helped make her big day extra special. We got to talking about her past birthdays, taking time to talk about the special ones. My parents like to throw her a big birthday party every five years. Her 90th was the biggest and best in her opinion and in mine. My brother created a cd for her as a gift and distributed copies to everyone as a party favor. Since I am all about repurposing, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to share with you the song list he chose as it was carefully created to represent the soundtrack of her life. 

I pulled out the cd cover and scanned it into the computer. Then I realized there was no information about when and where this photo was taken. It is one of my favorites because she is so young and looks so confident, a virtue I wish all young ladies could have. She also looks a little like my Mom in this picture and I usually don't notice a resemblance between the two. Grandma had a lot to say about this one picture and I found it quite interesting.

Bits from B.B. Hill: 

That picture there is of me in front of the high school. I reckon I was a sophomore, so the year would have been 1932. I loved that car and was proud of it. The car belonged to Papa and was one of the few cars in town. See back then not just everyone had a car. I believe it was a Ford Coupe and I can vividly remember the rumble seat. You know, those rumble seats weren't the safest thing. I suppose Papa bought the car that way because it was less money. The car only had two doors and you had to step on the fender in order to get in the back. Girls didn't wear pants back then, only dresses, so you had to be real careful about how you stepped to get in to the rumble seat. I have good memories of going on double dates and I would sit in the rumble seat with my date while the other couple drove. You know, you can smooch or do whatever you like in that back seat. I may be old now, but I surely don't forget those  memories!

Example of the 1932 Ford Coupe with Rumble Seat

Papa let me drive the car to school one day and what happened on the way home I'll never forget. The car was full of girls and I was driving. I couldn't have been older than 15. It was raining hard that afternoon. I revved up the engine as I approached the big hill on the red dirt road. The car started slipping and sliding and eventually flipped. All of us girls were screaming, but thankfully no one was hurt and even more importantly, Papa never found out. He would have killed me, but hey, I was young and dangerous back then!

Growing up we didn't have birthdays back then. It just wasn't a priority. Momma and Papa were busy making a living so I don't have memories of turning a certain age growing up. After I got married, Grover always remembered my birthday and got me a card or we would go to Columbia on a date. We were living in Swansea and at that time didn't have lots of restaurants or movie theaters. When Janice was born we did celebrate her first birthday with a small party. I had a cake with a numeral one candle. A friend of mine threw her a 16th birthday. That was about it. When I turned 75 I planned a birthday party for myself. I rented a trolley car that took 28 ladies and I to the zoo. However, Janice surprised me by coming and arriving to the party on the trolley car. There wasn't a dry eye around. My 90th was the best though. There was a four piece band, wonderful food, and the music for everyone. See, I guess things just keep getting better with age.  Maybe there is a reason the good Lord is keeping me around.


Bits From Me:


I am so glad she has been able to enjoy life and is still pleased by the kind gestures, both small and large, that people present to her. I hope I can always live with a grateful heart regardless of the situation.
What a pleasant surprise to capture this quaint story that is both insightful to her youth and also a bit informative for me (not knowing anything about old cars or rumble seats for that matter). I truly cherish the pictures of I have of her and my Mom as they are few and far between. I think we only have a few photos of my Mom with her Daddy. Almost incomprehensible for me.

I am constantly wondering what I am going to do with all these photos I have taken of my children. Where am I going to keep them, should I print them, how am I going to keep them organized physically and digitally? To be honest, it is pretty overwhelming now that I am on kid three! I love that my Grandma knew exactly what picture I was referring to when I asked her over the phone to tell me more details. There were only a handful of pictures taken of her during her childhood, so each one is precious and comes with lots of memories. I wonder if the flood of pictures our children have now will water down the importance of the photos? Or maybe I need to do a better job of sifting through the masses and only keeping the select few favorites. The old saying less is more is true, but is so hard to live by in these times of abundance. Even though the pictures are "free" and are no cost for me to take, they come with small price of time and patience. Times that by the 10,000 photos I have and you are looking at a significant cost. I wonder how many quite moments or stories read I missed being mentally occupied with my photo obsession. Hey, I am a self proclaimed Mamarazzi you know!  But on the other hand, if I don't have these pictures (and equal ratios for each kid) then I feel like I am selling my children short somehow. Like if I don't hand them their own external hard drive maxed out with photos, videos, and edited slideshows at 18 I am robbing them of a documented and well noted childhood. Oh and not to mention what if I did get rid of a photo that I might need someday... the guilt! UGHH!

Fast forward to God willing when they are 97 and their Great Granddaughter asks "Tell me about these couple thousand photos from when you were fifteen?" and I can only imagine the response. The cost is now different than my time or patience; the cost is the repercussions of indulging my children. I know that parents of the Great Depression didn't sit and ponder these types of issues. When you are busy surviving in the true sense of the meaning of the word you don't have time or money to consider other options. However, when you do have the choice, sometimes it can be more of a curse than blessing. How can we find the balance between enjoying giving to our children with happy hearts and giving too much too soon to the point of spoiling. Obviously I am talking about more than just photographs, this  discussion applies to birthday parties, holidays, wardrobes, room decor, catering to likes and dislikes, and the list goes on.  I need to be more conscious of these issues and take the time to think about how my family should make decisions and handle situations as they approach.  For me personally, I need to remember to turn to the big book to help guide my heart and mind, which it surprisingly does every time.

Playlist Anthony created for Grandma's 90th Birthday Party 

From Oatmeal to Headbands

Finished product - adorable headband holder

I love a good craft project when it is easy, cheap, and not too dirty (yes people I am still talking about crafts here). Too many times I get lured into the master crafter projects and end up questioning my mad skills or spending a fortune to make what I could have paid someone on Etsy to make for much less. 


Therefore, when I came across this interesting idea on my friend Kerri's Facebook page, I got pretty excited.  This craft is perfect to share on this blog because it combines old "stuff" and turns it into something useful for everyday life. If you are wondering what in the world it is, you probably don't have little girls in your house or my photography skills are a bit overrated. This my friend is a headband holder. I used an old oatmeal canister, antique candle holder, and scrap book paper to do the job. 


For those of you interested I will list the directions step-by-step: 1. Visit someone else's website






See! I told you it was easy. For kicks, I will walk you through how I chose to whip this up. First I wiped out the canister of oatmeal with a damp cloth. Then I pealed the label off the canister (some oatmeal canisters do not have a label that is supposed to be pealed off so just leave it). Next I picked up an old candle holder at Goodwill for $1.99. This gave inspiration to my color palette so I found some scrap book paper in my collection that matched accordingly. I actually used one floral sheet and one brown polka dot sheet (because one sheet of scrap book paper does not wrap around the entire canister). My thought process here is you could turn the holder around and get a different look. However, option two would be to use two of the same so it looks seamless. 

After all the supplies were laid out, I took the Mod Podge and doused the paper with a small paint brush and aligned it on the canister. This can be a little tricky and if you have a type A personality, it could really get your blood pressure up. Once the paper is set and you put a little more glue over the entire thing, set it upside down to dry (reason being the top part has a small rim of plastic that shouldn't have paper or glue on it so it will save your project and counters by doing this). After this dried, I hot glued the canister on the candle holder and hot glued a plastic flower on the lid.  Done-zo. 

This isn't the best thing since sliced bread but I kind of think it's great.  The other one I made to keep at my house holds about 15 headbands and you can store bows and barrettes on the inside. The adorable headband with the yellow flower was made by the creator of the Etsy shop cheery O!. She has a ton of cute things but doesn't list everything on her site so just contact her for specific needs. The total spent on this project was about $4.00 out of pocket because thankfully I had the glues on hand. Most anyone can do this and it can be a fun project with kids. Now for the fun part ... this headband holder is free to the first person who responds on the blog! The only major restriction is you have to live close to me because it isn't worth the shipping. Oh, and I am not a perfectionist so there is a really good chance yours would turn out better anyway. I would love to hear from you! 

A Hot Summer's Plate

Angel Cookies Jazzed up with a Fancy Plate

I was setting my table for Easter dinner a couple years ago. I like to do this ahead of time (a little trick my Mom taught me) because I can take my time and enjoy thinking about the wonderful food and fellowship that will go along with the holiday. Lots of wonderful thoughts swirled through my head while doing this, like how much I loved the table cloth that I got for my wedding shower from Jake’s Mom, all the memories from our engagement and wedding, and especially my Grandma’s generosity of giving me her Mother’s china. I couldn’t remember when exactly her Mother, my Great Grandmother, bought the plates so I decided I should call her and get the real story. Then I took a quiet moment and gave thanks for having a 95 year old grandmother that I could call and talk to anytime.

I rang up my Grandma and we talked a bit about the weather and the girls. Then I told her the main reason I was calling. She mentioned she was so happy she saved the dishes and that I could use them. The dishes belonged to her mother Bessy Zula Garrett, born March 12, 1886. Grandma got them when her Mother died. I asked her if there was a story behind the dishes and how Great Grandma got them. Little did I know there was a remarkable story, one that teaches discipline, hard work, and reward. 

Bits from B.B.Hill:

Momma’s name was Bessy Garrett and she was from the country in Prospect, South Carolina. Her Daddy was a farmer and needed boys to help him. Instead, he got seven girls and one boy! When he didn’t get any but one, he realized he needed to teach the girls how to work. Bessy could plow a mule straight and was quite proud of this skill! She was also blessed with a charming personality and nice looks. Three of the sisters were red headed like Momma. Momma’s hair was so pretty and long with auburn waves that tamed the eyes. She would pin it up in a figure eight in the back and I loved watching her do this.  

Momma married Thomas Jacob Boozer (Papa) and had three girls (Thelma, Ruby, me) and a son (Wilbur). People loved her. She was smart even though she only had a 4^th grade education. She was strict on kids, was a wonderful cook, and made her own clothes. People would come into Papa’s store to talk with her. She made him money by doing this as people would drive in from the country to talk with her and shop for goods. Everyone says I’m just like her – happy, laughs a lot, and has a bubbly personality. 

In the 1930’s there was a dirt road that went from Columbia, SC to Miami, Fl. She referred to it as Road 321. All the men working on the road needed shelter and it was common for people to take them in (board) for rent. It didn’t suit Papa to spend money on dishes so Mamma decided to open the home to the workers in order to make some money. That summer, five workers slept in the house. Thelma, Ruby, Wilbur and I slept on the back porch. Mamma and Papa slept in the kitchen. The men had three bedrooms to choose from so the man who got the room alone paid more rent. After the road was complete at the end of the summer, Mamma had enough money to buy the dishes and ice tea glasses. After she collected the money she bought the china somewhere in Columbia. There was a traveling sales event that came 3-4 times per year. This was hard work to board the men because it included washing dishes and clothes and they didn’t have washing machines back then so she was proud. I asked her if she was afraid to sleep on the porch or if here parents were at all concerned to let five strange men in the house. Her response was “it was the 30s, we weren’t afraid then”.

Bits from Me:

How wonderful for a girl like me, from a generation of disposable and abundance, to learn about sacrifice. I am amazed that she was able to convince her family to help her in order to reach her goal! I think she must have been a saleswoman at heart. But the story goes deeper than just sacrifice and determination. It provides a glimpse into culture, my culture, where my people came from. My family didn’t have money but my Great Grandmother placed value in people. Having people over to dinner and cooking a nice hot meal was a priority to her. Service was a priority and the elegant china added that little touch ensuring the guest feels welcomed and wanted. I think the art of entertaining started long ago in my family’s history, maybe even before her. 

Another interesting part of the story is my Mom’s role in this “handing down of family heirlooms”. My Mom actually registered me for all the necessary pieces in order to complete the set on www.replacements.com for my wedding. Surprisingly, I didn’t resist this notion (a little self confession here, yes I liked to rebel against approximately 80% of my Mom’s ideas back then). Thank goodness my sentimental side took over and hinted that some day I might care about this stuff. You can imagine, it was most of my Southern blood kin that generously purchased these remaining items as gifts for us. The china pattern is called Syracuse from Stansbury and was made in America. The website is great because you can buy items from retired patterns. I think the actual warehouse has like 500,000 square feet of tableware! I wonder what Bessy and Thomas would have thought about receiving china and crystal as wedding presents?!

There are so many graces and virtues that are being tossed to the side by modern day ways. People laugh and make jokes about never using their formal serving ware. We are all so busy it seems to be a burden to take on any more work, like hand washing dishes. On the flip side, has anyone every pulled out all the stops for you?  How did it make you feel?  Do you remember the occasion? 

For me, realistically, I am going to start small. I don’t entertain much because I’m afraid my cooking stinks and I am not quite sure how I would pull it off with the kids and the dog and the dog hair...everywhere! I am going to use my china for some Christmas cookies and coffee. This way I can make an ordinary gathering with a friend feel a little more important. What’s the occasion she might ask? I’ll respond by saying YOU! Or maybe there is a special occasion and the numbers are small or it isn’t a full meal. Maybe then I’ll be a little less intimated to use those fancy plates. So instead of going out and searching for new plates, new serving dishes, or the next best coffee mug, open your cupboards and pull out those dusty wedding presents (oh and please do this with plenty of time as I have forgot this step before and was left with moving stickers on all the bread plates)! Let me know how it goes!

Momma with her seven sisters and one brother (I really do come from a family of all women).
Momma's the short one sitting in front of her brother.

Hey Y'all!

Grover 41yrs Bernice 38yrs, and Janice 1yr
Easter Sunday in March 1953
Battery in Charleston, SC

The process of being inspired is fun. There are lots of elements, all orchestrated together on a perfect timeline, that yield a desirable result. For years I have been thinking about recording my Grandma’s stories, but have not executed any of sort of plan. Last year I went to use something special of hers and decided to call her to get the full story. The short conversation turned into something larger as it had warmed my heart and made me realize how precious this time was that I still had with my Grandma. From this experience came my first piece, A Hot Summer’s Plate. 

Who would be interested in this? A question I have been asking myself and admittedly an issue of fear that has been holding me back. Worst case scenario is no one. The more I thought about it I figured at least my Mom will read it! There you go, that’s one and that’s enough for me so ONWARD! However, I think it will go beyond family and a few friends. I think there are lots of people out there who would love to connect with a member of one of the hardest working and patriotic generations in history. Some of you have lost your grandparents or parents and are desperate for a dose of comfort, even if it’s not your flesh and blood or blood kin as she would say. Familiarity can feel so good, even when you fought it your entire life growing up. Exploring our roots can help explain us and even heal wounds that were left without a chance of repair. 

Another possibility is you are a Yankee, like me, with roots down South. Those folks from the low country can seem different with their Southern drawl, fat filled foods, and dazzling charm. I want to crack a window and breathe in the pine straw summer air that fills brief memories of my childhood and has influenced who I am without me even realizing it....that is until I am at a party and the napkins aren’t pressed! (Actually, let’s be honest, the napkins around here are paper. Very few people in these parts use cloth napkins and if they do they certainly aren’t hand starched!)

Let’s get one thing straight. This ain’t no picture perfect granny we are talkin’ about here! Despite her age of 96, this delightful woman is a show stopper. Someone that everyone knows and if they don’t know her they want to. This is a lady that has a busier social calendar that me and my Mom combined. This is the baby of a family of four that lived through the great depression, multiple wars, civil rights issues, and technology booms. She was widowed at a young age and never remarried. Good thing her Daddy was a no nonsense German man who wasn’t afraid of hard work because she would be a single mother her entire life. None of these hardships stopped an award winning teacher from living. She persisted with her love of God, family, country and good old fashion fun. Bernice B. Hill is a secret gem of the South. 

Please join me, a young midwestern momma of three, as I unearth stories that will likely make you laugh, cry, hollar, and maybe make you sit up a little straighter in your chair (have you ever had a knuckle in your back for not doing so)! Follow me as I help you to fall in love with ideas of old.