A Show To Remember at the 6th Street Theater : Phantoms of the Melodrama- Footprints Under The Stairs

Here is my sister Silver Valley Girl and her husband serenading each other during Kelly's Alley Revue at the Wallace Sixth Street production last Sunday.

On Sunday I had the pleasure of enjoying an afternoon of outstanding entertainment at the 6th St.Theater in Wallace, Idaho. The Phantoms of the Melodrama was an original play written for this theater and brought back for the 25th anniversary year. It was written by Pat Grounds and this summer directed by my sister Silver Valley Girl. She also plays the villain Secret Warbley in the play. She looks a bit evil here. Boo Hiss!! You can read the post on her blog about the melodrama here. The last week of performances start this Wednesday evening and go through to the last Sunday matinee on August 24th. If you live in the inland empire and want an evening/afternoon filled with fun entertainment, go here for more information. It is definitely a show worth driving to Wallace to see!The cast performs the melodrama, which is followed by Kelly's Alley Revue, a mix of singing, dancing, and hijinks! Above is Silver Valley Girl doing a rousing rendition of "Second Hand Rose."I don't want to give up too much of the show... but this was a thrilling moment for my mom when she was asked to dance by a dashing young man!!
...and what is this?? You will have to come to the show and see this song and dance number live to find out. Bravo to the cast for a grand performance! Bravo!

Cousin Helen, a Table, and Family Keepsakes

a potholder made lovingly by a member of my mother's family

My mother attended the funeral of her cousin Helen in Moscow, Idaho yesterday. Helen had lived a very active life into her nineties. Helen had designated many of her keepsakes to family members before her death. Mom knew she would be receiving a table. After the services family members divided up some of her beautiful linens. When Mom arrived home we carried in the lovely table my cousin John had buckled into the backseat. As I lugged a big cardboard box into the house she was eager to share what she had acquired. The inherited table worked great for displaying the linens. Fortunately after we carefully went through the treasures, I was able to pick some for myself.
I could just picture my Grandma West, Aunt May, and cousin Helen sitting around embroidering pieces like this table runner I now get to enjoy.

I don't know if I will be able to use these dish towels. They are almost too pretty for use. I have always loved the doily designs my family members have crocheted. This is a lovely buffet scarf that may just work on my piano.
This runner was my favorite. The colors used for the flowers in the basket are lovely. I felt blessed that I got some pieces of remembrance from Mom's family today also. I think the gathering of the family while they went through her heirlooms made it a bit easier to deal with Helen's passing. She was a remarkable woman and will be remembered fondly by all.

A View from the Front Porch

The location of the house where I grew up in Kellogg, Idaho always provided a perfect view of spectacular sunsets. Where I live now the sun falls behind some trees before we ever see a sunset. I miss sunsets. Standing on the front porch of my childhood home last night I was able to capture these images of a sunset. When I look west at sundown it is still hard for me to get used to not seeing the Bunker Hill Smelter on the hill or the big smokestack with lights blinking every night. It is a much more peaceful view now. The air is much fresher. The colors seem more vivid in the western sky. As the evening began to cool the front porch had the best view in the house!

Photo Hunt: Colorful

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Sunday Scribblings: Observations

It is hard to get much by these two dogs. They are good observers!





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My mother gives me her recipe: a poem from my collection

getty image by Lorry Eason

this is a poem i found this summer to add to my growing collection. does getting the recipe sound familiar to any of you?

My mother gives me her recipe

Take some flour. Oh, I don't know,
like two-three cups, and you cut
in the butter. Now some women
they make it with shortening,
but I say butter, even though
that means you had to have fish, see?

You cut up some apples. Not those
stupid sweet ones. Apples for the cake,
they have to have some bite, you know?
A little sour in the sweet, like love.
You slice them into little moons.
No, no! Like half or crescent
moons. You aren't listening.

You mix sugar and cinnamon and cloves,
some women use allspice, till it's dark
and you stir in the apples. You coat
every little moon. Did I say you add
milk? Oh, just till it feels right.
Use your hands. Milk in the cake part!

Then you pat it into a pan, I like
round ones, but who cares?
I forgot to say you add baking powder.
Did I forget a little lemon on the apples?
Then you just bake it. Well, till it's done
of course. Did I remember you place
the apples in rows? You can make
a pattern, like a weave. It's pretty
that way. I like things pretty.

It's just a simple cake.
Any fool can make it
except your aunt. I
gave her the recipe
but she never
got it right.

-Marge Piercy