Thanks, Susan, for sharing this heartwarming account of Nellwood. I too have dear memories of my maternal grandparents home. A small NW Pennsylvania farm-winter wheat, oats and field corn. A large family garden that was canned for winter and grandma made jellies, jam’s, pickles, relishes, catsup. Grandad was a state building superintendent later in life, a coal miner (an outcropping on the property was properly shored up and he and the two sons were the miners), a blacksmith, smoked two hogs every fall, and bought a new Studebaker every other year. Hard work, good hearts, church going. Great memories.
Hey Gary.... I'm so happy your shared your wonderful farm memory. Sounds like what I had! There's nothing like grandma's jams, jellies and farm food grown right there! My grandad was Ford man and they were just like your family...Hard work, good hearts, church going. ❤️❤️
My maternal grandparents lived in rural Ohio. They kind of looked like yours. My sister and I adored them. One of my favorite memories is of those hot summer days when heat and humidity made life unbearable in the 1950s, and my grandmother would make a pitcher of iced tea, put a big bowl of M&Ms on a card table and get out the playing cards and we’d sit there sweating and playing canasta for hours. My grandparents were born in the late 1900s. When they were the age I am now they looked really old. I thought that’s what everyone would look like when they got old. I just don’t look as old as my grandmother did. But looks aren’t everything. My body knows and reminds me regularly about time. Still, I miss those times. I haven’t seen my only grandchild since she was a toddler. She’s a tween now and we are strangers. Time isn’t kind in many ways.
Oh Saralyn… I hear you about grandchildren-I have two, both teens, and I’m very disconnected from them. I honestly quit trying. They will never care about the farm which makes me sad. I have so many happy memories here. Barn cats, sliding down the hay in the barn, riding on the fender of the tractor-it’s a wonder I survived that! 😂. I’m so glad you shared your experience. ❤️
Love this so much… the photos of yuur beautiful farm, the tribute to your grandparents! Of course they’re proud of all you’ve done… guiding you along no doubt. 💕Is the farm in PA too? How wonderful to see the stars at night! Congrats on 1000…. Wow! ‘Cause you’re not only a great writer…but always engaged and supportive! Blessings Susie Sunshine! ☀️Thanks for the coffee… I owe you a few! 😉🙌
Thanks Joan! Your beautiful writing is all I need. I appreciate your kind words! Nellwood is in NE Missouri about 50 minutes from the Mississippi River. I’m so lucky and I’m thankful every day to Nellie Lee. 😘❤️
Good to see the photos from the farm. I believe that the spirit of Nellie Lee still abides there and in you. A belated Happy Mother's Day.(I crashed early last night and didn't get to Substack until this morning). Give Yogi a treat for me.😃😃
The town I grew up in is the place I just moved back to. It was three blocks from the Delaware River, and now I live on the riverbank. I’ve come full circle, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Your farm looks so peaceful and serene. I know farm work is hard and dirty, but fulfilling, especially when you can eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables. Enjoy your time back at the farm, and I’ll look forward to lunch when you return.
I didn't really grow up in any one place. We moved when I was 3 months, 6 years, 8 years, 11 years where we stayed after Dad died until I went off to college and began my residency in Illinois before moving to PA (with a short side trip to western NY) for 15 years, Houston for 3, and back to PA for what is now 22 years. So I have snippets of various events during that time like when Tommy (whose father was head custodian at our school) showed me the embryos in jars in one of the science rooms. I have no idea how they could have gotten there but it was 1957 which was a different universe. Or when I fell out of the apple tree and separated my shoulder which I then re-injured on the newly installed horizontal ladder bars at my school. But I am happy to have landed here in the middle of Pennsyltucky.
White fish (or fish cakes or fish balls) served with a white sauce and potatoes. And then the Norwegian pudding made of soured whipping cream - OMG!! So good. Sometime there would be some salmon and maybe a green vegetable. I can still taste it!
Memories of my Norwegian grandparents who arrived in 1920 with their 4 kids to a town North of Seattle (Everett). One of them was my mom which meant I grew up eating Norwegian food (mostly white!). But the best food ever was made my my grandmother who always served a side of hysterical laughter and the best hugs ever. I miss those days! ❤️
Some of my memories are like yours. Furniture, little keepsakes, some of which would have no meaning except to me, handmade quilt, beautiful crocheted pieces that people don't learn anymore. Sometimes I just sit and reminisce. Always makes me happy, but also a little sad cause they're all gone from this world. Enjoy the farm; happy you have something so nice. And a great farm dog, too. They're the best.
Before I moved, I was careful to preserve some of these things in case my grandchildren would want them....doubtful they will...and if not, the Historical Society here will want them. I do a lot of reminiscing too. My daughter crochets...and I think it might be making a comeback. Hope so! Thanks so much Kathy! ❤️
Nellwood looks like a wonderful place to get away from it all. Uniontown in southwest PA is a small city where I've lived all my life. I can remember when things were quiet most of the time, but now we have more noise to put up with. Where Doug and I live now we can see the mountains, as the Appalachians are to the east of town. A view that I never get tired of.
Uniontown!! I've been there! My 6th great grandfather is Ichabod Ashcraft who built a fort on land called Buffalo Pasture. His wife Rachel allegedly shot an Indian there. 😂 I stopped in the library to find out more but they only gave me a half hour as they were closing. It is a beautiful area!!
Well, isn't that something, you were right here in my corner of PA. I have been as far west as Iowa. When I was maybe 6 years old, we took a trip there to visit a friend of my mother's that had moved out to Iowa after she got married.
Thanks, Susan, for sharing this heartwarming account of Nellwood. I too have dear memories of my maternal grandparents home. A small NW Pennsylvania farm-winter wheat, oats and field corn. A large family garden that was canned for winter and grandma made jellies, jam’s, pickles, relishes, catsup. Grandad was a state building superintendent later in life, a coal miner (an outcropping on the property was properly shored up and he and the two sons were the miners), a blacksmith, smoked two hogs every fall, and bought a new Studebaker every other year. Hard work, good hearts, church going. Great memories.
Hey Gary.... I'm so happy your shared your wonderful farm memory. Sounds like what I had! There's nothing like grandma's jams, jellies and farm food grown right there! My grandad was Ford man and they were just like your family...Hard work, good hearts, church going. ❤️❤️
My maternal grandparents lived in rural Ohio. They kind of looked like yours. My sister and I adored them. One of my favorite memories is of those hot summer days when heat and humidity made life unbearable in the 1950s, and my grandmother would make a pitcher of iced tea, put a big bowl of M&Ms on a card table and get out the playing cards and we’d sit there sweating and playing canasta for hours. My grandparents were born in the late 1900s. When they were the age I am now they looked really old. I thought that’s what everyone would look like when they got old. I just don’t look as old as my grandmother did. But looks aren’t everything. My body knows and reminds me regularly about time. Still, I miss those times. I haven’t seen my only grandchild since she was a toddler. She’s a tween now and we are strangers. Time isn’t kind in many ways.
Oh Saralyn… I hear you about grandchildren-I have two, both teens, and I’m very disconnected from them. I honestly quit trying. They will never care about the farm which makes me sad. I have so many happy memories here. Barn cats, sliding down the hay in the barn, riding on the fender of the tractor-it’s a wonder I survived that! 😂. I’m so glad you shared your experience. ❤️
Love this so much… the photos of yuur beautiful farm, the tribute to your grandparents! Of course they’re proud of all you’ve done… guiding you along no doubt. 💕Is the farm in PA too? How wonderful to see the stars at night! Congrats on 1000…. Wow! ‘Cause you’re not only a great writer…but always engaged and supportive! Blessings Susie Sunshine! ☀️Thanks for the coffee… I owe you a few! 😉🙌
Thanks Joan! Your beautiful writing is all I need. I appreciate your kind words! Nellwood is in NE Missouri about 50 minutes from the Mississippi River. I’m so lucky and I’m thankful every day to Nellie Lee. 😘❤️
Good to see the photos from the farm. I believe that the spirit of Nellie Lee still abides there and in you. A belated Happy Mother's Day.(I crashed early last night and didn't get to Substack until this morning). Give Yogi a treat for me.😃😃
I do too. I think her spirit is definitely here! Have a great week!
Ohhhhh....no wonder you are starting to unwind. I feel better just seeing the photos. Thank you so much for sharing! HUGS.
A little yard work, lots of puppy love, birds talking… a vodka and tonic in hand. I’m all set! Thank you!! 🙏
I can just picture it! Enjoy!!
Nellwood is just beautiful, inside and out! That’s an understatement! ❤️
Thank you for sharing your pictures.
Thanks Phyllis….we are sitting on the back deck right now listening to birds and breeze. Definitely a mood changer! ❤️✌️
Happy Mother's Day from Sausalito!! Love the post...
Linda!! Hope you’re having a beautiful day! Thanks so much! ❤️✌️
Susan Niemann: Congratulations, Congratulations!
As usual with you, excellent, sharp photography.
Thank you Armand! It’s a peaceful place!
I love a happy story and I’m glad it’s yours Susan. You deserve this serenity ❣️
Thank you Tama2U. I couldn’t be more grateful! 🙏🙏
The town I grew up in is the place I just moved back to. It was three blocks from the Delaware River, and now I live on the riverbank. I’ve come full circle, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Your farm looks so peaceful and serene. I know farm work is hard and dirty, but fulfilling, especially when you can eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables. Enjoy your time back at the farm, and I’ll look forward to lunch when you return.
Thank you Sharon! I’ve been outside playing all afternoon! I’m a sweaty mess! 😂. Looking forward to seeing you!
I didn't really grow up in any one place. We moved when I was 3 months, 6 years, 8 years, 11 years where we stayed after Dad died until I went off to college and began my residency in Illinois before moving to PA (with a short side trip to western NY) for 15 years, Houston for 3, and back to PA for what is now 22 years. So I have snippets of various events during that time like when Tommy (whose father was head custodian at our school) showed me the embryos in jars in one of the science rooms. I have no idea how they could have gotten there but it was 1957 which was a different universe. Or when I fell out of the apple tree and separated my shoulder which I then re-injured on the newly installed horizontal ladder bars at my school. But I am happy to have landed here in the middle of Pennsyltucky.
Well, you have a lot of different memories! Makes for a memorable life! ❤️
White fish (or fish cakes or fish balls) served with a white sauce and potatoes. And then the Norwegian pudding made of soured whipping cream - OMG!! So good. Sometime there would be some salmon and maybe a green vegetable. I can still taste it!
Sounds fabulous .... food is such an instigator of great memories!! ❤️
Memories of my Norwegian grandparents who arrived in 1920 with their 4 kids to a town North of Seattle (Everett). One of them was my mom which meant I grew up eating Norwegian food (mostly white!). But the best food ever was made my my grandmother who always served a side of hysterical laughter and the best hugs ever. I miss those days! ❤️
Anne, Norwegian food is mostly white? 🤔 And yes, Grandmothers are the best! I miss Nellie Lee every day. I feel her presence out here though!
Some of my memories are like yours. Furniture, little keepsakes, some of which would have no meaning except to me, handmade quilt, beautiful crocheted pieces that people don't learn anymore. Sometimes I just sit and reminisce. Always makes me happy, but also a little sad cause they're all gone from this world. Enjoy the farm; happy you have something so nice. And a great farm dog, too. They're the best.
Before I moved, I was careful to preserve some of these things in case my grandchildren would want them....doubtful they will...and if not, the Historical Society here will want them. I do a lot of reminiscing too. My daughter crochets...and I think it might be making a comeback. Hope so! Thanks so much Kathy! ❤️
Nellwood looks like a wonderful place to get away from it all. Uniontown in southwest PA is a small city where I've lived all my life. I can remember when things were quiet most of the time, but now we have more noise to put up with. Where Doug and I live now we can see the mountains, as the Appalachians are to the east of town. A view that I never get tired of.
Uniontown!! I've been there! My 6th great grandfather is Ichabod Ashcraft who built a fort on land called Buffalo Pasture. His wife Rachel allegedly shot an Indian there. 😂 I stopped in the library to find out more but they only gave me a half hour as they were closing. It is a beautiful area!!
Well, isn't that something, you were right here in my corner of PA. I have been as far west as Iowa. When I was maybe 6 years old, we took a trip there to visit a friend of my mother's that had moved out to Iowa after she got married.
Charlotte if I get back there I will look you up! I’d like to do more research on Ichabod.