Exchanging Portraits (Part 66)

Erlangen, Germany, 1946. This woman was one of my Mom's medical-school classmates.

A Closer Look (Part 76)

Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois, 1914. This is Mr. Irene's maternal Grandmother, Anna.

Here's the original post.

"We're as busy as bees!"

Sacred Heart School, Melrose Park, Illinois, Spring 1967. This is my third-grade teacher. She was the subject of the "class crush."

I love the crisp, cotton, shirt dress, its Peter Pan collar, and the pintuck pleats. Doesn't the dress make you think "starch"?

A Closer Look (Part 74)

 Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois, 1921. Here's a better look at Martha's facial expression.

Here's the original post.

Related by Marriage: Happy Bridesmaids

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 11, 1958. Mr. Irene's maternal Aunt Martha and another attendant appear happy to participate in the wedding of Mr. Irene's Parents.

(Stanley is in the doorway. Also, check out the clock behind the bridesmaids.)

Grab a Book: Sunday-at-the-Park Edition

Brooklyn, New York, June 1950. Yes, the focus is bad (there's only so much software will do); but there's that hairstyle again.

Coiffed

Kaunas, Lithuania, 1943. Here's another image from Mom's photo shoot.

Shaggy Reunion

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

"Remembering you ... we are always together."

Kaunas, Lithuania, November 30, 1995. My Mom's friend Joy cherishes an image from the portrait sitting.

Related by Marriage: A Spot to Rest

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 1958. Attendants at the wedding of Mr. Irene's Parents relax between their duties.

Departing for Spring Break

Evanston, Illinois, March 1977. Mr. Irene's freshman-year roommate travels in good company.

Related by Marriage: An Absorbing Meal

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 1958. Guests at the wedding reception of Mr. Irene's Parents enjoy the meal. (There's plenty of Lithuanian Rye on the table.)

Related by Marriage: After the Party

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 1958. A bridesmaid from the wedding of Mr. Irene's Parents relaxes with a guest and one of the VFW fellows.

(This bridesmaid also was named "Irene." Something about her expression here reminds me of Lady Gaga.)

Related by Marriage: Bridal Fashions

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 1958. Aunt Petra assesses the modern styles.

Adorable

Indiana, about 1967. This is my friend V and her Mom. The embroidery on V's blouse and apron is exquisite. (You also may recall this photo.)

Thanks to my friend V for making this photo available to us.

Some dance in the modern style.

Chicago, Illinois, August 1975. Guests at an anniversary party hit the dance floor. I believe this event took place at "JC's."

This was a time when women often wore wigs and floor-length dresses to parties.

The Life Box (Part 28)

I used to sew many of clothes. It seemed like everyone sewed in the 1970s. It was easy to find fashionable patterns, and there was a fabric store in nearly every shopping mall. Mom and I sewed the ensembles we wore during our European vacation, and I later sewed the garments I packed for my trip to Stuttgart. I think I sewed every bridesmaid gown I wore. Oh golly, I once even sewed a swimsuit.

I saved many of the sewing patterns I used. I was looking today for the pattern for my senior-prom dress, but I could not find it. It was a wraparound halter dress that I made in a silver fabric. I intended to show the pattern to Mom because I wondered if she'd now think the dress was too risqué. It didn't seem daring in 1975 or 1976. (This is not the pattern, but it is very close to it.)

I did find several other patterns from that era, so I wonder if I didn't lend the wraparound halter-dress pattern to someone. I recall I went through a "Cossack phase" during which I sewed many billowy blouses and dresses. I still have those patterns. Here's one:

I made a grey blouse out of the pattern, and I sewed a pink and grey bias-plaid, A-line skirt to match.

I even wore that outfit to a school dance:

Suburban Chicago, January 1975. Dad catches me before the party.

Winter break ends.

Evanston, Illinois, January 1977. It's move-back weekend.

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.

Before the Party

Suburban Chicago, December 1965. My Godmother and her husband pop in for a visit on their way to a ball. I remember the dress vividly; the bodice was ivory and the skirt was gold. The gloves made a big impression.