Painting Your Life in Color

I would like to introduce you to someone very special… My Mom, Eileen, was married and a mother of 4 by the time she was 26.  She and my father George had a traditional marriage with Dad going out to work and Mom raising the children.  Even though they were of different faiths, with respect, compromise and perseverance they were able to create a faith based family.

Another of their differences was that Dad was A city boy, from a loud, passionate Italian family and Mom hailed from a small country town were she was raised partly by her strict, Welsh Grandmother and Aunts.

Blonde and blue eyed Eileen loved George for his outgoing ways, deep brown eyes and wavy, black hair.  Dad in turn thought mom looked like Marilyn Monroe.  He admired her intelligence and  sense of calm.

My parents struggled financially from day one of their marriage.  Not satisfied with giving their children the same childhood they experienced.  George and Eileen sought ways to improve the lives of their family.  The four of us were sent to private school at great cost and personal sacrifice.  When they were 25 years old, they became the first of either of their families to own a home.

To add to a better life and memories for us, Mom made countless special clothes and costumes for us throughout the years.  there was a ‘Halloween’ box, where our little costumes were kept. Dress up and imaginative play were encouraged and television was not!  You could always be sure to find a stash of construction paper and glue somewhere in the house! 

Life continued in this fashion until the Balboa’s decided it was time to leave the city and relocate to a more rural part of New Jersey.  Dad was a city dweller for his entire life and they did not think it was the best place for their children to grow up. 

Our new home was on a river and surrounded by woods and farmland.  We (the teenage members of the family!) thought we might die from the horror of it!  You had to drive at least 15 minutes to go anywhere at all!

In this environment a second car was a necessity and Mom became chauffer along with cook, laundress, counselor and referee! 

During all this time my Mother seldom lost her temper.  She brought dignity and grace to our lives with her creative and resourceful ways.  she was always there for us. You could count on her and we did. When I enrolled in the local college and did not have a driver’s license, Mom drove me the half hour to and from school with detours to my part time job.  This was at a time when the gas crisis had recently had a devastating  effect on the economy and she had an additional 3 children to worry about!

As the children became older, Mom took small steps towards a life of her own, apart from her children. and so……as the last of her children were preparing to leave the nest Eileen began her first painting lessons. the studio she chose to enroll in was called The Blue House. but, painting wasn’t only colors and brushes, it was an area in which Mom could express herself creatively and that made her a better person.  As she became more involved in the arts, she developed her leadership skills and even began to delegate a little!

Mom had always had a way with color and drawing. after some lessons on technique and proper brushes, she was ready to go!

In the beginning the style she learned was called Tole painting.  A style of decorative painting using a  variety of curvy strokes to create rustic paintings with a German or Dutch influence.

Her favorite surfaces to paint on were wooden recipe boxes, peg racks and other country kitchen kinds of items.  That was about 35 years ago! since then Mom has painted with different teachers and attended many classes and seminars. After moving into rural Pennsylvania, Mom became interested in having painting pals.  Her solution was to found the Pennsylvania Heartland Decorative Artists, a local chapter of a national organization.  She arranged for her groups work to be shown at nearby banks and libraries.  The decorating of Christmas trees with hand painted ornaments became a new local tradition.

After her retirement from the United States Postal Service Eileen had more time to devote to her passion.  She became of member of the local arts council.  Council members were busy with the restoration of a beautiful old theatre.  Teaching painting classes there was her main focus for many years. Ever moving forward Mom is ready to expand her horizons once again and is preparing to sell some of her work on etsy.  Mom’s artwork currently encompasses not only painting, but all kinds of crafts.  Vintage linens and doilies are among the materials used for her latest creations. 

I hope that I have helped you learn a little about my Mom!

Searching for a great Etsy name,

Scarlet

 

Visit the parties we attend!

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense 

porch

The Frost is on the Pumpkin!!!

In an effort to try to post more frequently, even if I am making shorter posts, I am putting up these pictures my mom, (Eileen) took from her front door.  It is absolutely beautiful where she lives in Northern Pennsylvania and these photos are examples of Mother Nature’s handiwork on Saturday!!

Twins Still Standing!

In remembrance of the chilling events that took place on that autumn day ten years ago, I wanted to create a post filled with hope.  The twin towers are symbols of American greatness, success and entrepreneurism.  I present you with twins that represent the same things to all of us.

---

Captains Aleksandr and Dmitry Baron, Army dentists, are augmenting the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at two different bases in southern Iraq. The identical twins are military dental officers.  Aleksandr has served as a triage doctor, making priority of care decisions based on the severity of combat wounds. “I never thought I would do something like that. I thought, if you send me to a deployed environment, I’ll take care of soldiers, I’ll comfort them, listen to them, care for their teeth, but I did not think I would be doing triage

They provide what is called “expeditionary care,” responding to emergencies, filling cavities, even performing cleanings to ensure that soldiers remain healthy and mission ready in a combat theater, said the Army public affairs officer who offered an account of these “Army dentists’ paths to southern Iraq.”

That they are in Iraq together, both assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment albeit at different bases, is “mere coincidence,” said Maj. Jason Billington. Aleksandr volunteered from their Fort Stewart, Ga., home base and deployed to Contingency Operating Site Kalsu with the Regimental Support Squadron in October 2010. Dmitry, who volunteered later without knowing his assignment, joined the regiment’s 3rd Squadron at Contingency Operating Site Echo in April 2011. 

Their story of U.S. military service begins when their parents, Vitaly and Emma Baron of Aberdeen, N.J., moved from Russia to America. The boys were six years old. “He just wanted a better life for his children,” Aleksandr said of his father’s moving them from what is now the Ukraine to Brooklyn, N.Y.  Assimilation came with difficulties of street and language for boys together in a strange new world. 

Dmitry: “We did everything together. We got in trouble together. We’d be in a corner together. With a twin, that can be a lot of fun.”

Aleksandr: “Being in a country that is as far as the United States is from Russia, to have him next to me was the best thing God could give me. He was a best friend. Trying to get cultured to America is hard. With him by my side, we were partners all the way.”

Both attended Rutgers University for undergraduate degrees and received dental degrees from New York University College of Dentistry in 2009.

---

Olmsted Falls twins serve together, but apart, in the United States Navy.

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Dominic Rinaldi, center, of Olmsted Falls, was able to swear in his sons Alex, right, and Dominic when they were commissioned as officers in the Navy after graduating from Ohio State University.

Olmsted Falls brothers Alex and Dominic Rinaldi, 24, spent most of their lives as close as twins could be -- same schools, sports, college degrees and now, same branch of the service. Alex is currently assigned to the USS Montpelier, a fast-attack submarine based in Norfolk, Va.  While Dominic serves aboard the USS La Jolla, another fast-attack sub, based in Pearl Harbor. Both are lieutenants (junior grade), both qualified in the engineering department.

After graduating from Olmsted Falls High School in 2004, the twins attended Ohio State University where they earned finance degrees and attended the Naval ROTC program.

Their military interest could have resulted from their father's 36 years in the Army Reserve where he is currently a lieutenant colonel.

As a military officer, the senior Rinaldi  (tour of duty in Iraq 2005-2006) was able to swear-in his two sons when they were commissioned in the Navy after graduating from OSU, and he recalled, "To be with them, when you see your sons and they've accomplished something, to be a part of that is just phenomenal."

---

The Moss Brothers

Reaching so ideally high, adhering so adamantly to the principles of selflessness and patriotism, Vincent LaVaughn Moss and Vance JoShaun Moss offer more than a decade of accomplished-laden experience in service to their community and nation. Most recently, Vince and Vance were challenged with organizing an amazing act of patriotism and courage.

They coordinated the efforts of the U.S. military, U.S. State Department and Northwest Medical Team for the arrival of an 8 year old boy and his father to New York City for completing the surgery they started while serving on a special mission to Afghanistan. This is just one of many examples that would exemplify the true meaning of being a true American. Vince and Vance’s entire life is a reflection achieving beyond the limits, building bonds between different ethnic and religious groups while inspiring others to do the same.

The Moss’s journey began a special one indeed when they were born twins on April 25, 1971.  It was with each other that they developed a sense of team work early on. It was quite evident when they earned Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouts at the tender age of 14, and the Amelia Earhart Award in the Civil Air Patrol at Age 15. They went on to graduate from Oxon Hill High School Science and Technology Center in 1989 where they excelled in school to be nominated by Congressman Honorable Steny Hoyer to the United States Military Academy.  The young men opted to attend the Pennsylvania State University where they majored in Science and were accepted into 7 medical schools.

While at Temple University Medical School, they dedicated themselves to developing a science mentorship program which still exist at Temple today. The principles and ideals of this program have extended to other medical schools across the country.

Their involvement in the Army Reserve Medical Corps distinguished them among their peers.  They earned the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement medal while challenged by the rigors of medical school and earning a prestigious residency position in General Surgery at SUNY Brooklyn and Urology at New York Medical College. Vince completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at SUNY Brooklyn as well. Vance completed a fellowship in Renal Transplantation after finishing his urology residency.

While in residency they volunteered to serve in the Army Reserve Medical Corps, even when it was authorized to defer service until after completing residency. They  were promoted to the rank of Major at the earliest possible chance and were activated and served in Operation Enduring Freedom.       It was during this phase of their lives that they had an unprecedented opportunity, never done before in the history of military medicine, to treat civilians outside of Kabul.  This special act of courage caught the attention of the world, earning them many medals of achievement, including the Global War on Terror Achievement Medal.   They have received some of the highest civilian awards given in the United States, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Trumpet Award.  The Moss’s completed a tour in Iraq in May 2008, serving with the First Marine Expeditionary Force in the Al Anbar Province where they treated many soldiers and marines. Vince and Vance are currently in private practice in New Jersey as well as attending's in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplant Surgery at Crozer Chester Medical Center. Vance actually spearheaded the development of the transplant program in a partnership with Temple University

Twins? yeah we

still got ‘em. 

Watch your back.

Thankful for our freedom, 

Scarlet,Eileen and Laura

Easter Au Naturel

Sometimes we are all alone on a holiday.  Sometimes it is Christmas or New Years Eve or even Easter. 

The thrill of decorating for family and seeing little faces light up with joy and surprise doesn’t happen for everyone.  Some of us by design and others by chance, have holidays for one. There are people that just skip observing the holiday and others that donate their time on those days. 

I try to celebrate holidays alone with the same fervor I have when I am surrounded by those I love. 

Christ was born and ascended into heaven for each of us.  It is when times are the darkest that we realize He is here for us.  His comforting hand caresses our cheek and draws us close to Him always and most especially when we are alone. 

It is sad sometimes and bed with a box of chocolates looks really inviting, but, let’s not reserve our love and cheer only for times with others.  Instead, lavish yourself with all the tender loving care that you know Christ wants you to enjoy.

Surrounding ourselves with the fruit of our creative endeavors brings God close to heart.  When I think of being made in His image I always think of creativity.  There can be no one more creative than God, can there? 

Keeping this in mind we have set a simple table for breakfast.

The lacy wrought iron of the garden table and chairs looks so beautiful with the addition of a handmade crocheted lace tablecloth. 

The white china plate with it’s floral embossed detail, is placed over a monogrammed linen napkin.  The lovely brown eggs are set out in a white porcelain bowl with the simple entrée held aloft by a shabby silver candleholder.

As we peek over the whitewashed roof of the birdhouse we can see the Bakelite napkin ring encircling the handmade linen napkins.

Coming back around front we find a Ukrainian Pysanky egg leaning on the porch post!

I hope you are able to celebrate Easter in just the way you like

Whatever you do and however you celebrate I know Christ will be there with you.

We are joining the lovely party at Between Naps on the Porch