Taste Test

Suburban Chicago, Spring 1973. We're baking cookies again.

"Luxury Features Galore"

Suburban Chicago, about 1957. The developer of the subdivision in which I grew up lists the modern features of the split-level homes. That Roper wall oven (and those birch cabinets) served our family for 34 years.

Thanks to my friend Mary for making this document available to us.

Happy Father's Day

Suburban Chicago, February 1962. I return to a favorite.

Ready for Errands

Suburban Chicago, January 1962. Ha! I see the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook on the shelf.

We are ready for Kūčios

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. We're about to share the Kūčios meal. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, holds a plotkelė wafer. I'm trying to imitate my cool Toronto Cousin's hairstyle; Mom didn't like it.

Reluctant

Suburban Chicago, Autumn 1965. I probably resisted being photographed that day because of my chapped lips.

A Wider View

Suburban Chicago, April 1974. Mom knits while she visits with my Dad's paternal Aunt Victoria.

A Chuckle at Dinner

Suburban Chicago, November 1972. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, shares a joke with Mr. John at the party celebrating Tatjana's seventy-fifth birthday.

Plaid Jacket

 

Suburban Chicago, April 1965. Mom and Dad pose in that familiar spot. Dad's wearing his beloved Omega watch.

Floor Plan

Suburban Chicago, about 1957. Here's the floor plan of my childhood home. I noted earlier that these homes usually housed families consisting of five or six members.

Thanks to my friend Mary for making this document available to me.

The Ashley

My Best Friend grew up in the "Ashley" model of homes in our subdivision.

My Best Friend and I once had a sale in that garage.

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"[G]rease proof asphalt tile." The tile in our kitchen—and in my Best Friend's kitchen—was pink.

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Hmm. I thought the upstairs bath had a double sink.

Thanks to my friend Mary for sending this document to me.

"Luxury living at its best"

My Parents bought their home in a new development. They had hoped to settle in nearby Elmhurst, but they couldn't afford houses in that suburb. Mom and Dad chose the middle of the three models offered for sale, the "Beverly." The house measured about 1,725 square feet. Most "Beverly" homes housed five- to six-person families.

Here are some images from the promotional brochure created for the development:

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I think the definition of "walk-in closets" was a bit different in the 1950s.

Thanks to my friend Mary for sending this document to me. I'll post more from the piece later.

A Small Dinner Party

Suburban Chicago, February 1965. We're hosting both sets of neighbors. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, seems especially happy.

Sunday Sendoff

Suburban Chicago, October 1983. My Parents hosted a small dinner party the week before I moved to Venice. I don't recall cooking for the occasion, but it looks like we served turkey, roast beef, "Cauliflower Polonnaise," baked potatoes, and salad.

Some of the guests—Vytenis, my Godmother, my Godmother's husband, and my Godmother's father—listen to a description of my plans.

Half Smile

Suburban Chicago, November 1965. Dad relies on a familiar expression for the self-timer setting.

A Closer Look (Part 19)

Suburban Chicago, February 1962. This "Closer Look" is not an image I cropped; instead, it's one Dad enlarged and printed. Here's the original post.

The party begins with a late meal.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1961. Friends gather around our dining room table for the late New Year's Eve meal. Dad was the "life of the party."

There are still photos from this party here.

Empty

Suburban Chicago, February 1962 . I'm thinking about Dad today.

Here's another photo Mom took that same afternoon.

Our Christmas Cards: Dining-Room Edition

 

Madison, Wisconsin, December 1999. By 1999,  Žulė and Pupa were accustomed to posing for the card shot.

(I posted this photo earlier here.)

The blog celebrates its third birthday today.

Last year, when the blog celebrated its second birthday, I promised to keep posting every day, and as long as I have photos. I renew the promise today.

Ha! I remember when I got excited about the fiftieth post.

Suburban Chicago, April 1963. I'm celebrating by drinking my favorite beverage, "50/50."

What brought you here?