Revisit: January 25, 1941

Hello all!  A few years back I posted the love letters that were written from 1941-1942, between my Grandfather George and my Grandmother Frances.  Since my Aunt Dot and Grandpa George were brother and sister, I thought it would be nice to revisit those original blog posts I did some 2 years ago, in a way to kinda remember a part of Aunt Dot's life.  From what I understand, Aunt Dot and her sister Catherine, decided since they weren't going to find men to marry them (actually Aunt Catherine had a few men who were interested in her but, was not allowed to marry them as they were not Catholic), they would go together and buy a farm.  So, at some time in the mid 1930's "the girls" bought a 65 acre farm with a run down old stone farm house.  At some point, their brothers, Edward and George also jointed them on the farm and together they started a poultry, egg and feed business.  In the letters that George wrote to Fran, you will notice  George wrote often about farm life and raising chickens.  

Enjoy!
~MaryD

Original post from 1/10/2010

In 1941 my Grandfather and Grandmother began dating. During that time, he wrote her numerous love letters. For some reason, I have all the love letters. I had promised my family members that I would copy the letters so that everyone would be able to read them. I started doing that on a blog back in the summer and once I went back to work...well, lets just say I got really busy. I'm going to try again...and not be a big lame O this time. I'm also going to put them on my main blog for all to enjoy! Now on to the cast of characters....

Character#1 My grandfather middle back row!



Character #2 My Grandmother last one on the left.

The first letter in my stack is dated January 25, 1941. I'm assuming George had just recently met Frances. I'm guessing that they probably met at church. George at the time lived on a farm in East Berlin, PA and Frances lived in the town of New Oxford which was about 15 miles away. And so began a DeVine Romance!

Dear Frances,

I believe at one time I told you that I did not like to write letters. Well you can start calling me a liar. Because here I sit, trying to think up some excuse for writing to you. The only thing I can find to blame it on is the snow, (10 inches of it) which will keep me from seeing you for a few days. But I have some wonderful memories, which will hold me for awhile.

Things sure are a mess out here in the sticks, with all the roads and lanes drifted shut. I suppose we will be shoveling the mile and 3/4 into town tomorrow morning at day break, so the farmers can get their milk out, and bring feed in for their stock. Lots of hard work, but you get something out of it that you can't buy for all the money in the world.

How is everything in New Oxford? I was looking for you Sunday, but you kept your word and went to late mass so I was disappointed once more. Such is life. But I am looking forward to the time when I can be in some ones company whom I enjoy very much, meaning F.M.W. What does the "M" stand for?

You sure did make a hit with my sisters, the other night at the church meeting. When they came up here Saturday, they told me all about the wonderful speech you delivered. I wish I had been there, but I can't bake cookies.

If you can make this letter out, and would like another, let me know. Hoping to see you soon, I remain, with love,
George C DeVine

A big thank you to my cousin who sent me a disc of old family pictures and also the research she did of the family history. I will try to not be a big lame o this time.

A Pineapple Zucchini Cake

Here's a great way to use up some of those zucchinis from your garden and make something other than just plain zucchini bread! 

 

Pineapple Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting  

Ingredients:
* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup flaked coconut
* 2 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1/4 tsp nutmeg, optional
* 1 pinch ginger, optional
* 3 tbsp canola oil
* 2 whole large eggs
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 2 cups grated zucchini, unpeeled (squeeze excess liquid)
* 20 oz. can crushed pineapple in juice, drained well

Frosting: 
* 8 oz 1/3 fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, coconut, baking soda, salt, and spices; stir well with a whisk.
In a medium bowl, combine oil, eggs, and vanilla; stir well.
Add grated zucchini and pineapple; mix well.
Fold wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, batter will be stiff and dry but keep folding it and it will all come together.
Spoon batter into a cake pan or 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for about 33-40 minutes, depending on pan size or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and cake is pulling away from sides of pan.
Cool cake completely on a wire rack.

To prepare frosting, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread frosting over top of cake. You can garnish with chopped pecans or walnuts, if desired.

Servings: 16 • Serving Size: 1 slice • Calories: 230 • Fat: 7.6 g • Protein: 3.3 g • Carb: 36.8 g • Fiber: 1.8 g 

Odds and Ends

This past week has been extremely busy and involved lots of travel, interesting activities, and emotional moments.  This week is shaping up to be another busy challenging week.  I'm not one to dwell for long on the bad, so here are a few good things that have happened in my travels.

 

I finally found a decent well priced pedestal sink!  This is a Standard brand sink and is from the 1930s.  I found it in a Habitat for Humanities Restore and it's in really good condition and priced to sell, so I had no choice but to snag it up and store it till I get to the bathroom renovation project.

 

Sgt and I are now without roosters.  Yes, we slaughtered and processed them ourselves. Just some FYI about me that you probably don't know, I have not eaten chicken or red meat in 22 years.  I do however eat seafood.  I will not be eating the chickens, but I did help process the chickens so that Sgt can eat them.

 

Bad Dog!  Hmmm Sgt, could this be karma??  I love this site (it's so funny) and Chester fits right in on there.....Dogshaming 

 

Last but not least,  many of you know, I like mailboxes that make a statement!  This is Aunt Dot's cool ass mailbox.  I love, love this mailbox design.   How old is this mailbox and where the heck did she find it?? It reminds me of the old aluminum screen doors (with the scroll designs and large letter) that people use to have on their front doors.  Perhaps she had it custom made?  Don't ya all wish you had a mailbox as cool as this??!!  I need to find some body to make me one!

Here's to another long week!

~MaryDeluxe

Aunt Dot 1911-2012

I just wanted to let you all know...

Our dear, sweet Aunt Dot passed away this morning.  

She was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of August. 

It just seemed to happen so fast.

Her suffering was short.

She passed away in her own home while being cared for by my wonderful Aunt.

 

(Celebrating her 101 birthday on August 9th.)

I will miss her

We will all miss her

She was so loved 

Our most prized family possession

Our dear, sweet Aunt Dot

Thank you dear readers for all your wonderful Aunt Dot comments over the years and for allowing me to share her with you.  She was something special.

Aunt Dot's Obituary

Dorothy M. DeVine, 101, died peacefully at her home on August 22, 2012. She was born August 9, 1911, in Dayton Ohio, The daughter of the late Daniel C. and Helen (Hochwalt) DeVine. When she was 3, her family moved to York, where she graduated from St. Rose of Lima grade School. She also graduated from St. Joseph Academy in McSherrystown, and Thompson's school of business. While working as a legal secretary, she and her sister purchased a 65 acre farm. They were later joined by their brothers Edward and George, and started a poultry, egg and feed business during the depression. Upon retiring from farming in the 1960's, she worked as a bookkeeper for Lerew Ford in East Berlin. Dorothy, her sister Catherine, and Edward retired to New Oxford where she pursued her love of gardening, designing and crafting hooked rugs, baking, and walking to daily mass at church. Dorothy will be greatly missed by her family, along with those who were touched by her loving and giving spirit. She is survived by two brothers, John DeVine of State College and James DeVine of Lansdale; five nieces; one nephew; nine great-nieces; three great-nephews; six great-great-nieces; and three great-great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Catherine DeVine; two brothers, Edward DeVine, George DeVine; and a nephew, James DeVine. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 27, 2012, at 10 a.m.

~MaryDeluxe

Running Amuck....

at the Muck Ruckus for MS!  That's where I spent my day.  No, this gal wasn't running amuck (I was a bit to intimidated) but she sure did enjoy watching everyone else running through the mud and over obstacles.  I was there as a cheerleader and official photographer for Sgt and his two cousins, Kristin and Ashley, as they ran the 5 mile event!  Both Sgt's and Kristin's and Ashley's Moms have MS, so this is a cause that really hits home with them. I was really impressed at how well they did on the course since neither Ashley, who had a baby not to long ago, or Sgt trained for this event.  The little dynamo Kristin on the other hand has been working out like a fiend for the last 6 months and was totally prepared for the crazy course!  She has been writing a blog about her new healthy lifestyle called...My Fit Decision....she's lost over 30 lbs so far and apparently discovered a love for playing in the mud! :)  I think it's a great way to spend some quality time with your family.

 

 

  


Way to go Ashley, Sgt, and Kristin!

I have never seen so many people enjoying themselves so much running through mud and over tough obstacles.  Perhaps this will be a new family tradition??!!

Keepin' it dirty for ya!

~MaryDeluxe

Good Things Come in Suitcases

Here's the only thing I picked up from that Farm auction I mentioned the other weekend.  It all came in a tiny suitcase.  The vintage clothing at this auction, as I stated before, was nothing outstanding.  Dusty everyday items from a working class farm family.  Nothing mind blowing that was worth the oodles of money people were spending on them.  I know that vintage clothes are getting harder to find, but still in my opinion, a ratty old black 40's basic crepe dress is not worth over $40 if that.  This post is not meant to be a rant about vintage clothing prices, or about people whom have no idea about vintage clothing condition and prices.  I won't bore you with my thoughts on that subject!  This is a post about what I found in the suitcase!

1940's Suit, jacket/skirt
1950's Suit, jacket/skirt
1950's skirt
4 pair of 1950's shorts
2 pair of 1950's cigarette pants
2 funky dresses from 1960's
2 1950's cashmere sweaters
1 Petticoat slip
4 1950's Summer blouses
1 pair of PJ's from 1940's
Miscellaneous belts and stockings
Plus I got the suitcase but it's missing the handle.

Conditions of clothing range from poor to excellent condition.  Most are in good condition. 

So, here's my question to all the vintage clothing lovers out there, how much would you have paid for this tiny suitcase full of vintage clothing???? 

A Girl, A Dress, and Her Chicken

The Girl: It's just me, MaryDeluxe!  I know, it's been so long since you've seen my face so, here's my face!  As you can see, I have returned to my favorite hair color....red....after a year or so of being my natural brownish color. Oh how I do love gingers! I also am happy to say that I have finally found a new awesome hair stylist to go to after having some disappointments.  I have to be vain and admit that one of the worst things about moving was losing my stylist.

 

The Chicken: This is my pet chicken, Quasi.  She is named after Quasimodo from the novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.  As you might guess, Quasi has a hunched back and is quite the twisted little chicken.  She walks funny, stands funny, and runs funny.  She is lowest in the pecking order and gets pecked at often.  She is the only chicken that is allowed out to free range.  When she sees me walking to the chicken run, she jumps off her chicken roost (where she spends all her time) and comes running to the door so that I can leave her out.  She follows me around the garden as I go about my tasks.  She is one very spoiled chicken! 

 
 

 

The Dress: It's the cute little HeyDay Fleur wrap dress I won way back months ago!   I finally located a seamstress to hem up the bottom for me so I could wear it!  I love it! I just might have to save my pennies and go get myself a few more!  They are great Summer dresses and even the old school seamstress I took it to remarked on how well made it was and asked if it was vintage. It even looks great with muck boots!

The End: Till next time!

~MaryDeluxe