Scooter Reunion

Lugano, Switzerland, July 1971. I think it's charming that "vespa" is the Italian word for "wasp."

Exchange-Rate Reunion

Lugano, Switzerland, July 1971. We'll stop here before we shop.

"The secret ingredient is always cheese."

Arena, Wisconsin, July 11, 2016. I agree.

Cash!

Suburban Chicago, July 1963. Finding an envelope is much better than opening a box from Madigan's.

That Schatz Shop

Salzburg, Austria, July 1971. We've already shopped here.

General Manners: Feign Delight

Suburban Chicago, July 1962. There's a box from Madigan's, so it looks like someone brought a gift of clothing to my birthday party.

Look Up

Rome, Italy, April 1984. We've climbed a lot of steps.

It's good to go shopping on a rainy day.

Venice, Italy, April 1984. I am carrying a bag containing a pocketbook Mom just bought. The leather beauty cost $45, and Mom considered the purchase a big splurge. She still carries it (she also continues to wear those black shoes).

The shops behind us are closing for lunch; one store has already put up its entry gates.

Delicious Reunion

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

A Traveler's Traveling T-Shirt

When our Toronto Cousin and Toronto Al visit us here in Wisconsin, we sometimes visit a Black-Earth store, The Shoe Box. Toronto Al once picked up a T-Shirt there.

Black Earth, Wisconsin, January 2013. The shop still sported its seasonal decorations.

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St. Lucia, March 2016. My Toronto Cousin and Toronto Al recently vacationed in the Caribbean. I was delighted to see several photos of Toronto Al in which he wore The Shoe Box T-Shirt.

Garage Sale

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Door County, Wisconsin, August 1999. There's harmony among friends.

Local Flavor

Madison, Wisconsin, March 15, 2016. A Napoleonas is one of our favorite desserts. When I am too lazy to make it (even the cheater's version), then we order it from Omaha's Lithuanian Bakery.

Word recently spread on Facebook that a local grocery store now carries a version of Lithuanian Bakery's Napoleonas. I've never seen it with strawberry or cherry filling (apricot is the usual), but we look forward to trying it.

We miss you, "Miss."

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, February 2012. We headed to Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill today so I could pick up more of my favorite worsted-weight yarn. It's a lovely drive, and the mill is about 20 minutes from the house.

We were sad to learn "Miss," the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, recently passed away from Melanoma. Miss was 14. She was a sweet mascot, and she made every trip to the mill truly enjoyable.

Spring Furs

Bologna, Italy, April 1984. Just a moderate chill compelled Italians to wear furs.

Shoppers' Alley

Venice, Italy, December 1983. Pick up a bottle on the way home.

A Different Location

Positano, Italy, May 1984. The "Cortina d'Ampezzo Butcher Shop" is nowhere near the Alps.

Ready for Errands

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

"We love it here. It is just like living in Lithuania."

The "[m]ost segregated town in the UK."

See also here and here.

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.

Workday

Bologna, Italy, April 1984. Italians shop for groceries during a work break.