Youngster

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2016. Another youngster pauses on the Redbud.

A Closer Look (Part 68)

Near Panevėžys, Lithuania, about 1931. This is Ignas, the older brother of Mr. Irene's Dad.

Here's the original post.

Anticipation

Brookfield Zoo, January 1966. Something looks good.

Permitted

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Brooklyn, New York, 1949 to 1952. Here's the ID card my paternal Grandmother Tatjana used when she traveled between Toronto and New York.

Wooden-Shoe Reunion

Suburban Chicago, February 1964. The hamster seems to be steering toward the television.

Testing

Suburban Chicago, April 1964. Dad must have gotten a new camera; the 1964 album has a few "selfies" from the spring season.

Favorite-Toy Reunion

Suburban Chicago, April 1972. Gigi keeps things close.

Related by Marriage: Shoot Yourself

Evanston, Illinois, November 1979. A college friend and Mr. Irene try out for Northwestern's annual yearbook tradition, "Shoot Yourself."

Another Gift

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Verona, Wisconsin, May 13, 2016. Yesterday I delivered this sweater to another physician who has been at my side for nearly seven years. The design is Alice Starmore's "Irish Moss" from Aran Knitting (newer edition here; available as a kit here). This is one of my favorite designs.

I logged my time on this one; it took 154 hours to knit.

Graduation Weekend, in Three Takes

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River Forest, Illinois, June 1976. Where did I imagine I'd be in 40 years?

"Fraternal Kiss"

Art in Lithuania.

Alium

Allen Centennial Gardens, University of Wisconsin—Madison, May 2013. There are more on the other side.

Related by Marriage: An Uncle and an Aunt

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, November 1965. Mr. Irene dines with his paternal Uncle Ignas and his maternal Aunt Martha. The family visit the home of Mr. Irene's maternal Grandparents during Ignas's trip to Chicago.

Capitol Reunion

Madison, Wisconsin, May 7, 2016. Watch out for the traffic.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 60)

Australia, August 12, 1952. A friend of Mr. Irene's Dad sent this memento.

Ornamentals

Verona, Wisconsin, May 8, 2016. Sometimes they flower at the same time.

Grab a Book: Bug-Spray Edition

Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, July 1962. Keep it handy.

Interpretive Reunion

New Glarus, Wisconsin, May 6, 2016. That's not what we had in mind.

In the Garden

Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, about 1957. The husband of my Mom's maternal Aunt, Dora, walks in the garden of my Mom's childhood home.

Delicious Reunion

Madison, Wisconsin, May 7, 2016. It's morel time!

This Year's Banquet

Mr. Irene and I just attended the annual banquet hosted by Madison Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. Our friends V and her husband again joined us for the weekend. It was a great occasion.

The Madison Club once more decorated the tables in the tricolors of the Lithuanian flag.

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This year, Mr. Irene welcomed the guests.

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Guests enjoyed cocktails before the meal. Some of us eat the olives first.

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We had a great turnout.

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The chef is becoming expert at preparing Lithuanian dishes.

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We started out with a favorite: Šaltibarščiai.

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The kitchen remembered to serve the soup with a traditional accompaniment: boiled potatoes.

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Our featured speaker this year was Dr. Audrius Plioplys, creator of the Hope and Spirit exhibit.

Favorite-Flower Reunion

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2013. Dahlias were a favorite of my maternal Grandmother Jadzė.

Adjusting

Madison, Wisconsin, January 2006. Our Pupa was a neurotic dog. Here, Pupa grudgingly lets Mr. Irene's Mom pet her.

Mother's Day

Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, July 1962. I hope you have a happy one.

Flight over Flambeau

Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, July 1962. Dad captures an image from my first airplane ride.

City Walker

Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1956. A friend shares her grandchild's milestone.

Bursting Reunion

University of Wisconsin—Madison, May 2013. A couple have to be different.

Recuperation

Suburban Chicago, 1973. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, usually wore housecoats. I wear one because I just returned home from an appendectomy.

Now, I see.

Verona, Wisconsin, June 2011. I had looked at this photo several times without zooming in on it. I noticed the fawn only today.

A Visit with the Grandchild

Klaipeda, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, August 20, 1960. A friend of my paternal Grandmother sent this photo. I focus on two things: the Soviet-style doll and the armchair.

Chick Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2015. We sure do miss the little guys.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 59)

Poland, 1960. This is one of our Polish relatives; I know nothing else about her.

A View of the Salamander

Glacier National Park, Montana, July 1966. It's a familiar view for every hike.

Babos Receptai (Part 15)

Here's a recipe Tatjana got from her daughter—my Dad's twin sister—Jonė.

 Here's how I translated the recipe:

Streusel Kuchen

Streusel Topping:
1 to 1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter (not specified in the recipe, but I would add)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Cake:
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 to 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder (Tatjana probably used one of these)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 sticks margarine
1 stick butter
1 "cup" granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk 

Marmalade or jam 


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and adjust the rack to the center position.

For the Streusel: Mix together the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the vanilla. Chill the streusel while you prepare the cake batter.

For the Cake: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Set aside.

Cream the margarine, butter, and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla.

Alternately fold in the sifted dry ingredients and the milk, beginning and ending with the sifted dry ingredients. 

Spread the dough on a greased, flat baking pan (size not specified). Spread some marmalade or jam over the top.

Scatter the streusel over the top of the cake. Bake for about 40 minutes. If the cake is not ready after 40 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for another 10 minutes.

Content

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 1965. Mitsė is happy.

The German Minister's Villa, in Three Takes

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Kaunas, Lithuania, October 2010. In the 1920s, the villa was the site of some swanky diplomatic entertaining. It was also home to a Saint Bernard.

Thanks to the Granddaughter of the American Consul for making this photo available to us.

Shaggy Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2012. Poppy needs a haircut.

Related by Marriage: Sunday Stroll

Chicago, Illinois, July 1959. Mr. Irene and his maternal Grandfather, Stanley, explore the Forest Preserve.