Wouldn't It Be Lovely....to see Grandma's yard look like this again?

Hi Family,

Each time I drive past Grandma's house (almost every day lately) I think of how beautiful she and her yard where.  In the fall, when I was in elementary school, I walked and would stop and pick a beautiful blue Morning Glory that grew up the power pole.  I would smell it and look at it all the way to school. 

We can all probably remember seeing Grandma on her knees either planting flowers, in the vegtable garden, or weeding.  I  remember when she would be irrigating and I would run to the wading pool to see if it was filled with water (not apricots)!

Can you remember the Ferris wheel filled with geraniums, the steel wheelbarrow brimming with flowers? I sure do, I  broke my new front tooth off playing tag with some of you (in the dark of course).  The rock garden was always blooming with splendid plants.  Everyone admired the gorgeous begonias under her bedroom window.  I know that she loved her yard and the beauty of flowers.   

What traditions can you recall? Remember our Thanksgivings at Grandma's home? We were all gathered wall-to-wall.  It was fun sitting on the wooden plank held by two chairs - that was the next step after the kids' table.  Our family still lights the lemon extract-soaked, sugar cubes and places them on our miniture plum pudding.  This is a tradition that I  hope my children and grandchildren will continue. 

At this special time of the year, I want to tell you all how grateful I am for each of you.  We are so blessed to have this wonderful family.  I am also grateful for those that have gone before us.  Our heritage is so rich.  Thank you all for the precious memories!

Please let me know if you have any ideas to save Grandma's house.  I would love to hear from you. I have received one comment and so appreciated her words of encouragement and support.

We hadn't heard from the Realtor about our last offer...we are hoping that it hasn't been sold.  Let's all get creative and think of a way to keep it in the family!

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love.

With Love,

Shelley

P.S.

Please send me any of your families' emails so that they can be part of this effort.  And thanks for sharing this blog with your family.

Where Have All These Children Gone?

(click to enlarge and read names)

Are you in this photo? We were wondering if any of you have talked to your siblings or parents about saving part of our heritage (the home)?

Also we're looking for a list to contact all of the Able cousins. It seems that at the last Abel reunion (held in Pleasant Grove) the descendent count was close to 1000. If you have their emails or addresses, we would greatly appreciate you sending them on to us. Also, if any of you know who put that reunion together we would appreciate knowing. We think that it might have been Grandma's family.

We Are Making Another Offer!

Hi Family,

We are in the process of making another offer. Keep your fingers crossed, we are going to need all the help we can get from this side as well as the other side!

In reading Grandma H's book on the last page she shares her testimony of her love for each of us and for her hopes. She also quotes ..." live so that we will see our family chain unbroken". This is a quote from Grandma Abel, the inspiration behind this home being built. (See picture above of Mary E. Abel & George E. Abel)

Some keep trying to tell me that the house is only brick and mortar. But it was a haven for many of us where we learned many lessons as we watched our grandmother live her life in this home. A home that she made a bit of heaven on earth for so many.

Please pass this on to all your family.

With Love,
Shelley