Fellowship ~ Food ~ Family ~ Friends ~ Fun

Father’s Day weekend was filled with time enjoying family and friends. On Saturday Ken and Heidi traveled North from Orange county and Jim and Jeanie traveled South from Central California to enjoy the day with us.

Heidi, Ken, Dear, Jim and Jeanie.

Heidi is an friend of mine from the Russian Baptist Church. We have had many traveling adventures together. She was living with Greg and me in Huntington Beach when she met Ken. I was the matron of honor in their wedding in 1978.

Jim is my cousin. His father and my father are brothers. I met Jeanie in college and we became good friends. I introduced her to Jim. They were married in 1974, eight months before us. For a few years all three of us couples lived in Huntington Beach and attended the same church.

Ellen and Dear

We have always enjoyed each others company and can laugh and cry together. This is the “front row” inside joke that got us chuckling. Jim, it’s true by the way…(call me)

The guys enjoyed talking about new digital camera capabilities, stereo high and low sounds, contractor woes, and the importance of accountability.

Still friends after all these years…

More family made their way to Camarillo yesterday and we christened the Condo pool! My sister Kathy, niece Michelle and her son Jackson came for lunch and a swim.

Jackson giving me the smile!

Enjoying the pool in Mommy’s arms.

Yippee!

Nana sitting close by…

until she’s needed!

Chicken nuggets at Great Aunties.

A lovely steamed pear and date dessert for the ladies made by niece Michelle.

My company left and I was off to pick up Dear from work.

Straight to California Grill in Camarillo to use the Father’s Day gift card from our children to their dad. Thanks Josh, Laura, Dan and Katie. Dinner was wonderful and we still have money left on the card!

Today I head North to the Seattle area for the next three weeks. We’ll be having a grand celebration over the 4th with Dear home for 2 weeks and family flying in. I’ll be posting from the North. Blessings on the rest of your weekend!

Photobucket blacked out all my photos and is holding all my photos hostage as of July 2017.

Father’s Day 2007 ~ Tribute to Two Men I Love

My Father (Pop) ~ Moisi Timothy Bagdanov

Pop

I am so thankful to God for how He called you and has led you all these years. I admire your hard work ethic. I admire the fact that you are always on time. You never make people wait. We were never late to church. Your contentment is admirable. Your hobbies take the back seat to anyone who needs help. What hobbies? You don’t golf, sail, cycle, surf the net. Well you do like the Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. In your retirement years you became a missionary. Since returning from Russia where you served on your own without a mission group to help you, you’ve helped those in need around you. If anyone in your circle of aquaintances and church dies, you’re the first one they call. You have helped so many people make funeral arrangements I can’t keep up. You would give any of us your last dime. Paul’s charge to Timothy has been lived out by you.

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilot made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”

Here are his children, grands, and great grands.

My husband and the father of my children.

Josh & Dear

I’m so thankful to God that He called you and continues to work in your life. How many times have I said that I’m so glad I married you. Yikes, when I consider some of the people I dated, I wish I could blot out the memory. You are a man that I can admire. Your wisdom and wit have kept me from “stepping in it” so many times. You are humble where I’m haughty. You are patient where I am impulsive. You think before you speak and I speak before I think. You’re a good listener. You are a good teacher. You are the guy I want to grow really old with. Your children have learned so much from you and I think they will remember and appreciate more and more your example to them as they walk their adult lives. I love you. Your children are blessed to have you for their dad.

The photos in this post were updated because Photobucket blacked out the original photos on this post.

June 14, 2007 ~ Flag Day

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Officially adopted on Flag Day, June 14, 1924 (“Under God” Amendmant made by Congress in 1954)

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

and to the republic for which it stands;

one nation under God, indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

Show and Tell Fridays ~ Pigeons

Time for show and Tell Friday ~

It’s hard to see but that’s me with the pigeon on my head. My sister Kathy is behind me and then my dad and my sister Vera are to the right. Love the dresses, shoes and socks! Also before I get to the point of this post (the pigeon) I’d like you to notice the clothesline behind us with all the clothespins on it. Yep…we used to hang our laundry on those lines and I had to get my first stitches from falling off a chair and hitting a porch while hanging laundry. But about the Pigeon…if you are an animal activist or are very sensitive don’t read the rest of this post. Consider yourself warned!!!

We were on the poor side growing up. Until my dad landed a good Carpenters job and was a member of the Carpenter’s Union he worked piece jobs, etc. He went to work everyday but sometimes the money got real scarce. My mother did not work outside the home. For some crazy reason my dad also decided to raise pigeons. We had a pigeon coupe in our backyard. Lovely, “rats with wings” is what we call them now. Back then we loved those pigeons and we all picked one to be our pet. There were 4 of us kids during this time, the next 4 hadn’t arrived yet. Anyway…my pet pigeon was named Green Neck. Not hard to guess why I came up with that name. One day when my mom didn’t know what she’d be able to cook for dinner my parents decided to kill some pigeons and make pigeon soup. THEY PICKED GREEN NECK to be one of the victims! I can’t begin to tell you how upsetting this was. (It did not traumatize me for life, I can chuckle about it now) The 4 of us kids had a “we will not eat that soup strike.” There was solidarity on this strike. I know there was no way I was gonna eat Green Neck even if it meant going to bed hungry…

Tuesdays with Moisi ~

At least once a month my sisters, nieces and grand-nephew Jack go over to my mom and dad’s for a Tuesday evening meal. My mom has always been a cook for the masses. She enjoys cooking and enjoys finding new things to impress us with. She did not disappoint this past Tuesday. Usually I’m in Seattle when these meals take place but now that I am in Southern California on a more full-time basis I got in on this one. I’m sharing my Tuesday photo log with you that begins in Whittier at my sister’s house then continues in Brea at my parent’s apartment (an hour and a half drive from my condo). It’s fun to squeeze all of us into that one bedroom apartment. Oh by the way that clever title is because my dad’s name is Moisi and many of his “American” friends called him Morrie over the years…

Jack showing me his expertise on his scooter.

Hiding in the bushes…

Couldn’t resist getting a shot of the beautiful blooms on these trees in Whittier on my way to Moisi & Nadia’s

Here’s dear old Moisi (Morrie)

The feast begins with yummy scones and …

chicken salad heart shaped bites

Green salad with nectarines and pine nuts, sister Vera is holding the bowl

The three lovely nieces, Michelle, Melissa, and Debbee

My Mom the happy, exhausted cook…

I didn’t get photos of the asparagus with orange slices, the piroshki with a mushroom white sauce, and the fruit salad and banana bread dessert. I also omitted the photo of my sister Kathy and Lana because Lana would not have been pleased with her facial expression…

Here’s a shot of the 3 missing in the photo log just in a different time and different place…

Photobucket is holding all the photos from this post hostage as of July 2017

The Decade of the 50’s at a Glance

Here are 3 of my siblings, me and my pop in the glorious 50’s. Fred, Pop, Ellen (me), Kathy and Vera. The next four siblings started arriving from 1958 through 1963.

I was born in 1951. The beginning of the 50’s. Here are some amazing events that occurred in this decade.

1950 – Senator Joseph McCarthy embarks on a public crusade to uncover Communist activity in the U.S.

1950 – First kidney transplant and first successul heart massage are performed.

1950 – U.S. sends troops to Korea.

1951 – Color television is introduced. [Ellen was born, maybe this is the reason I’m visual!]

1952 – A priest, minister, and rabbi sanction the appearance of Lucille Ball’s pregnancy on her TV show.

1952 – Albert Scweitzer is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

1952 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected.

1953 – Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine is certified to prevent infantile paralysis.

1954 – Congress adds the phrase “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.

1954 – Brown v The Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas outlaws segegation in schools striking down the doctrine of “separate but equal.”

1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a city bus and, in effect, begins the civil rights movement.

[1955 – Disneyland Opens in Anaheim, California.]

1956 – Elvis Presley releases “Heartbreak Hotel” and starts a music revolution.

1956 – Eisenhower and Nixon win again.

1957 – Federal troops are called in to protect the Little Rock Nine, the first black students to attend all-white Central High.

1957 – The baby boom peaks at 4.3 million births.

1957 – The USSR launches a satellite, Sputnik I, into orbit around the earth.

1959 – The first Barbie doll is introduced.

1959 – Texas Instruments invents the microchip.

1959 – Alaska becomes the 49th state, Hawaii the 50th.

Some memorable quotes to go with this decade…

“We conclude that in the field of education the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place.” Earl Warren, Chief Justice, Brown v. The Board of Education, 1954

“Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Without God , there could be no American form of government, nor American way of life.” Dwight D. Eisenhower – American Chronicle, 1955

“If the television craze continues with the present level of programs, we are destined to have a nation of morons.” Daniel Marsh (President of Boston College, Columbia Chronicles, 1950)

“Roll over Beethoven. And tell Tchaikovsky the news.” Chuck Berry, “Roll Over Beethoven,” 1956

This photo was taken in the late 60’s. Top Row: Oldest sister Kathy, pop, mom, Vera, Me, Tim, Leonard, Lana and Steve. Our brother Fred who is older than me is missing from this photo. All of my parents kids were born in the late 40’s, 50’s with the twins arriving in the 60’s.

I couldn’t finish this post without an additional photo of the last two siblings in our family. Twins born in 1963, Lana and Leonard. Oh the tales we can tell you about the marvelous 60’s and these two, but this is a post about the 50’s so those tales will have to wait….

Show and Tell Friday ~ Rescued Mirror from Babushka

” Show and Tell Fridays “

My brother had odds and ends from old bedroom sets from our grandparents. When he was moving his household goods to Dallas from Los Angeles several items were destined for Salvation Army. I grabbed this dresser mirror before it was donated. After bringing it to our new little condo we contemplated what we’d do with it. I found the shelf that the candles and sign are on at HomeGoods one day. I hoped it was the right size for the bottom of the mirror. Whoopee, it fit well. Dear fastened it to the bottom of the mirror and we hung it on the wall in the dining room. It gives our room more depth and the shelf is nice for candles to add a nice glow during entertaining. Heritage rescued and now enjoyed.

Go on over to There’s No Place Like Home to see more “show and tell”

Happy Birthday Pop ~ 84 Years Young!

This photo is from 1974 so my pop is only 51 here.

I am so thankful to God for my father, Moisi (Moses) Timothy Bagdanov because…

He loves the Lord wholeheartedly.

He has paid the cost to follow Christ with joy.

He gave up retirement and his home to be a missionary to his hometown village in Russia.

He seeks reconciliation no matter what it costs him.

He loves and sacrifices for his family.

He loves my mother as Christ loves the church.

He calls a cellular phone a cellkular phone. 🙂

He still cares for the fatherless and those who have no one else to help them.

He is a faithful man.

He loves jigsaw puzzles.

He loves me.

Update: I just have to add two more Moisiisms to the list from September 2001. Yes I’m trying to keep a running list. Hey, brothers, sisters, nieces etc. If you can think of your favorite Moisiisms add them in the comments! 🙂

“Michelle [his granddaughter] got 3 crackpots for wedding gifts”

“Fireman is outside checking the hydrogens”

Of Weddings and Manicures

If I had any male readers I’ll be losing them today. This weekend is a busy one at our house. My daughter Katie is the Maid of Honor in her best friend’s wedding today. We are all a buzz with nails, hair, dresses, toast speeches, schedules, pictures, etc. One thing I’ve found out about myself is that manicures are not for me! I went with Katie for her manicure and she offered to buy me one. OOPS!

Oh sure, my hands and nails look nicer than they usually do, but I don’t know how to behave with a manicure. This is maybe my third ever manicure. I have a tendency to be rough on hands and things. I knicked one of the tips as soon as we walked out of the salon. Now I feel as though I need to sit around like a princess till after the wedding. I’m being held prisoner by my manicured nails. No mowing the lawn, no washing dishes, no scrubbing anything! I guess I’ll just have to wait till Sunday to do the things I normally do. “Dear” is in California so he’s missing all this fun. I wanted him to see my nails before I wipe them out!

Here’s a photo of Katie’s preparation for her part in the wedding. More photos of the beautiful outcome coming soon…(I hope she doesn’t mind that I know I posted this…) 🙂

Katie (the maid of honor) and Heidi (the bride) on their way to the Wedding Rehearsal last night.

Best friends through the ups and downs of their teen years! So different from each other but God brought them together for fellowship with Him and one another.

Praying for a beautiful blessed event today and that the Bride and Groom and Maid of Honor can relax enough to enjoy the celebration!

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Happy Mother’s Day

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Mother

Happy days to you, Best of Mothers, Joy as dear as you give to others, And as much through life that is sweet and true, As my life owes to your love and YOU.

This was the sentiment on a Mother’s Day card from Rex (“Dears” father) to Nettie, Rex’s mother. On the back of the framed card are notes from Nettie about the history around this card.

We were staying with grandpa at Wayne City. Came home in March ’41. Rex was inducted in the Army April 9, 1941, was sent to Fort Custer Mich. for training. On mother’s day I went up to spend with Rex. On Dec. 4th he got to come home for 5 months. On May 18, 1942 he was called back to service, on June 20th he sailed for over sea service. On July 19 he landed in Australia, then to New Guinea. He has been gone over a year now. This mother’s day, May 9, 1943 I received a beautiful potted plant, a hydrangea with 12 blossoms on it. I hope and pray before another Mother’s Day Rex will be back with us safe and sound.

Rex made it back safe and sound. We have so many wonderful memories of both Rex and Nettie. Rex and his mother Nettie died in 1985, Nettie in September and Rex in October.

Happy Mother’s Day to my own dear mom.

Here she is with the first four of us. Mom, Kathy, me, Fred, and Vera. Fred and Vera have the cool shades on. I was the baby of the family for eight years then my mother and father had four more!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms I love…my sisters, my sisters in law, my friends, my nieces, my cousins, and my blogger friends. Enjoy the love of the Lord today in a special way. “Dear” had these sent to Washington to surprise me for Mother’s Day. What a dear he is…

Josh and Laura treated me to a Saturday afternoon trip to downtown Seattle and then to West Seattle for dinner at Salty’s.

Josh and Laura at Pike Place Market

This street performer was amazing!

Mother and Son

The view from Salty’s looking East to Downtown Seattle

Thanks Laura and Josh for a lovely afternoon and evening!

I’ll be spending Mother’s Day with Dan and Katie. God is good.

Here is a photo of our Mom’s Group at Sunrise. We meet on Tuesdays. I join them when I am in Seattle. It keeps me young to be around these Moms who want to stay close to Jesus and raise their kids in a way that pleases God. Happy Mother’s Day, Ladies!

Deena, Shawna, Sara and Terri. Bridget is missing in this photo, but I nabbed this photo of her with Finn from her blog…

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Category Archives: Heritage