Piecing Things Together

Photos inherited from so many different family members end up in different locations - UNTIL NOW.
An old breadbox of 'stuff' came to me from my father, Howard Mann. I scanned the 'stuff' and left the 'stuff' in the breadbox so I'd know where it came from.
An old plastic pink Kleenex box cover full of photos I received from my grandmother, Gertrude Pyle.  I scanned the photos then filed them in a box labeled "Pearce/Pyle". Yesterday one of the photos caught my eye and I emailed it to Aunt Shirley to identify the unknown people, which she did.
People I knew already are Shirley sitting on the tailgate, Louise and David sitting by the cab and Grandpa Verne standing on driver side in back.  Long ago I asked who they others were and Grandma told me that the woman sitting in the center is her old friend, Kolia. The families were neighbors in Golden.

Yesterday, Aunt Shirley was able to name the other kids. Gail is standing on the left behind Shirley, then Bobbie, and Kolia with son John on her lap sitting in center.

So just now, while looking through my digital files, looking for items to add to my Thomas Pearce chapter, I came across another photo from "Dad's Breadbox", and to my surprise, I recognized the previously unknowns.  New info to add to my future chapter on Grandma and Grandpa Pyle.

Here is a cropped close up of the group:

So this may have been a Color Sunday drive, but where did they find this train? Still more research to find out. But isn't it nice when puzzle pieces start to fit together?

Aunt Minnie's Chocolate Zucchini Cake

On a trip to Golden with Mom and Aunt Shirley many years ago we visited with Aunt Minnie at her home 523 Ninth Street.  At the time I was taking pictures of pictures with Paul's Minolta Maxxum 7000. I listened to stories and took notes.  Aunt Minnie offered us a delicious chocolate cake and gave me the recipe which follows.

Minnie and Howard Turner - 45th Anniversary photo 1990

Aunt Minnie's Chocolate-Zucchini Cake
1/2 c. soft margarine
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 whole eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sour milk
2 1/2c. flour
4 T. cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2c. finely diced (not shredded) zucchini
1/4c. chocolate chips (or more)

Cream margarine, oil and sugar.  Add eggs, vanilla and milk.  Beat well.  Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture.  Beat well.  Stir in zucchini.
Spoon into a greased and floured 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle top with chips.  Bake 325* for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

One Nice Person and One Old Grouch

Mom and Ed had a lot of fun years traveling with his construction work. This is the launch page for photos and stories of their traveling years.  Feel free to add your memories or send them to me to add.

The Clock is Ticking

Time for me to stop fooling around and actually get all the family history and photos where everyone can see and enjoy them.  Until just recently I was operating under a false assumption that I was the only one interested in our family history.  Everyone now is expressing interest in where and who we come from.  I have been researching and archiving records, photos, bits and pieces of stories and conversations and audio recordings for 30 years with the eventual intention of putting it all into a book, or several according to surname.  But the longer I wait, the more I find and there never seems to be an end to collecting.  

I still want to create a book (or several) you can hold in your hands.  There's nothing like a real paper book you can pick up and enjoy without electronics or internet. But to include video and audio I know I have to come out of the dark ages and post these precious bits online.  No one is growing younger so I need to get this done now, bit by bit.  So hold on everyone.  Have patience with this old lady and I will bring you the best and happiest of our past (perhaps with a few surprises).