Remembering a Special Veteran for Pink Saturday

Today I want to remember a very special veteran: my grandpa Henry Andrew Bourrie.  I have such sweet memories of my favorite grandpa and miss him so much!  He passed away eight years ago, Thursday---the day before Veterans Day.

My grandpa Henry grew up on the fishing docks of Maine and New Hampshire and always had a story to tell about his days on the docks, in the military, or later, when he worked maintenance at the local hospital here in Pendleton, Oregon.

He always called me Punkin and looked at me as if I were the most special thing in the world to him.  Several of my kids have that same mischeivious twinkle in their eye like Grandpa did!

Here he is with a group of guys in Portland, Maine in the late 1940s.  They were enlisting in the Navy:

(If you think you might know someone here, let me know and I'll put up a list of the names and hometowns)

This is him, seated in the middle, just as he's signing his enlistment card.  How crazy is it that I've got a picture of one of the most proud moments of his life?

Grandpa served as a Fireman in the US Navy in Korea.  Here's a little information about the responsibilities of the Fireman:

The training received as a Fireman or in the related engineering skill specialties is equivalent to that received as an electrician, electrical or power plant/co-generation plant operator or supervisor, diesel mechanic, or electronics repair technician. Equipment associated with Fireman training includes propulsion and electrical generation gas turbines, and diesel engines; electronic machinery plant control systems and networks; and intricate electrical wiring and distribution systems.
The name Fireman enjoys a proud and storied history. The name originated in the days when the Fireman was responsible for keeping the fires burning in the ship’s boilers which were used to make steam. The steam powered large turbines then produced the ship’s electricity and turned the ship’s propellers.
After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Fireman Apprenticeship Training program attend a three-week course on naval engineering fundamental skills in shipboard operations and evolutions.
After successful completion of this training, Firemen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most.


I found that info here.  Thank you, Grandpa, for your service and your love!

Now, for some PINK!

I was the proud winner of Connie's Apron Giveaway a couple weeks ago...isn't it beautiful?  Thank you, Connie, for your generosity!

On top of that, I was the winner in a second giveaway too!  I just happened to hop to a blog that I'd not seen before and ended up winning this Digital Scrapbooking Software Suite from My Memories!  I'm really looking forward to playing with that this weekend after my husband helps me figure it out!

Check out MY Giveaway here!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!  Please take a little time today and visit some of the other pinkies at Beverly's place!

Vintage Pilgrim Print & Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

Hello Friends!  It's time for my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend again!  Last week we had many inspiring posts linked up---I'm excited to see what we'll get this week!  I want to introduce you to two fabulous bloggers here in a minute, but first, I'd like to show off this neat print I found at an antique store last year!

This is Christmas Morn at Plymouth, painted by J.L.G. Ferris.  Between 1900 and 1930, Ferris painted a series of 78 historical scenes from America's past.  He painted everything from Christopher Columbus' discovery to the beginning of WWI.  Ferris' series, The Pageant of a Nation, is the largest, intact, series of paintings portraying America's history by one artist!  You can read more about him here.

My print was copyrighted in 1905 and was distributed with the "compliments of" Lindeke, Warner & Sons of St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the nation's largest wholesale dry goods and manufacturing companies of the time.

It was framed by Erickson and Holden Paints and Wall Paper in Walla Walla, WA.

While I think it's beautiful on my piano, I need something a little more near the top of that window pane.  Maybe I'll make a cute fall banner this weekend to add to it all!

As promised, here are my two top pics from the link up last weekend:

First of all, I was SO impressed by this beautiful and very informative post by Ivy & Elephants called Off the Chain!  They offered a lot of great information about the history, function, and beauty of the chatelaine.  They introduced us to this bit of history with these words: "Chatelaines are one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry to have evolved out of the Edwardian and Victorian eras."  Did I hear "Edwardian"???  "Victorian"???  I'm in!!  Please, take some time to visit this gorgeous blog and enjoy this well-researched article.  I've read several posts by these girls and it really is quality blogging at it's best!

Secondly, I just had to share with you sweet Christine's sleepover post!!  Christine from Christine's Home and Travel Adventures planned the most fun and relaxing pajama party for her and two friends recently.  

Look at this gorgeous table she set for her friends for a SLEEPOVER!!! Hello!!!  Awesome!  I've read Christine's blog for awhile now and am always impressed by her neat adventures, her beautiful home and yard, and her eye for putting together a gorgeous vignette or table setting.  Christine, I think we need to be closer friends so I can come to your next sleepover! Ha!

I hope everyone will link up with our Homemaking Weekend Link-Up and take a button to display on your blog to help remind you of the weekly party!  Just look at the top of my sidebar for the cute little button with the squirrel!  Happy Weekend! 

Check out my giveaway here!

Also linking with: 

Date Nut Dessert Squares: {Top Secret Ancient Family Recipe}

After much reflection, I've decided to share with you a tidbit from my vault of family secrets! Here is a recipe for Date Nut Pudding, a family favorite for four generations now. Let me clarify that this is not pudding as in runny, eat-with-a-spoon pudding. Instead, it's more of a dessert square that maintains it's shape when cut.  Back in the 50s when my grandma came across this recipe, it was called pudding so we've all just called it that. However, risking the wrath of my entire family, I've renamed it here---just for your own clarification.

This is to be eaten with your Christmas or Thanksgiving meal and placed on your plate right next to your turkey. But don't be confused. You are not to place this next to the turkey that is in between the mashed potatoes and stuffing---the turkey that you cover with the same gravy that you cover the afore mentioned items with. You are, instead, to place it next to the other turkey that you've placed right next to the cranberry sauce that you place on your fork first before stabbing a hunk of the non-gravied turkey and eating it all with one bite.

Now that we have that straight, lets continue...

Date Nut Dessert Squares {AKA: Date Nut Pudding}

2 c. chopped dates

1 c. chopped walnuts

2 c. miniature marshmallows

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 12 oz. container Cool Whip

Stir them all together well and press down into a 9" square pan. Sprinkle more graham crumbs on top and chill overnight.

Yum!