Is this cute or What??

So I know we most all have our photos scrolling across our computer screens to remind of us good times past and present and of all the folks in our lives that have touched us in one way or another.  This is the photo that greeted me this morning as I walked into our office.  I just burst out laughing.  I remember exactly what this was about.  Our sweet mama loved her "toadies" tended to.  And as I was the one who went through "Hair and Nails" School,, I got the job,, and I loved it.  We would both look forward to the time spent together while I tended her nails.   

Our granny,, what a Hoot!!

This photo was taken at Mt Shasta July of '05.  It was a great family reunion of all us Cotten's and friends camping .Mama hadn't been feeling well the first few days but as you see she perked up.  Her toadies had just been painted and the foam was between them to keep them from smudging--she hated smudged nails.  What a hoot this woman was,, and she loved a party.. loving you today sweet lil mama.  bair

Granny and her Thanksgiving Recipes

It's almost Thanksgiving, and we all know how much our sweet mama/granny loved preparing for this holiday.  I imagine it was because it was all about her family and friends gathering together to eat a yummy meal and bask in the love surrounding us..She had some favorites, to the point it was not a good Thanksgiving for us without certain items at the table.  She loved going to Linda's for festivities and would bring one of these famous items.  
In going through her recipes I found the Famous Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.  One in her hand writing which by now is unreadable due to overuse of the recipe.  However I also found a typed copy,, so happy feasting and hoping between the two recipes you can paste together what it says.. If not, email me, it's mostly legible on my end ;-)) bair

Granny's handwritten Recipe

You are missed by so many

Our Granny

It's been a few years since our sweet mama went to see what her new adventure is.. You are missed by so many people,, you touched their lives,, just by loving them.  My memories of you make me smile, you are not far away for me, but close by, just a whisper away, still participating in all our lives through our memories of you.  Brother Mikey is 66 today,, I know he misses your sweet yearly birthday cards,, as we all do.  Grins on this next adventure you are on.  I picture you laughing loudly and loving all there is to love.  Missing you,, your bair

Madelyn Cotten Memorial

Granny always loved a good party. Her family and friends celebrated her life and honored her wishes this last weekend. We took the ferry from Tiburon over to Angel Island for a fabulous picnic overlooking the bay, we had an uber good time catching up with eachother and sharing memories of Madelyn. Afterwards her chidren sailed to Belvedere cove and spread her ashes in the bay. Here's a link to some of the pic's, I haven't had any time to edit so I apologize for all the sideways and blurry shots......

http://picasaweb.google.com/lancealexanderwilliams/MadelynCottenMemorial#

Belvedere, California

In the 1890's, two McLean brothers, Neil and Dan, built two houses up on the hill in Belvedere. At the time, they were the only houses on the hill. Dan McLean was Madelyn's grandfather. Madelyn's parents, William and Mary McLean, raised Madelyn in the Neil McLean house while her grandparents, Dan and Carrie, lived on the other side of McLean Lane. The current owner of the Neil McLean house, John, graciously offered us a tour of his home where our Madelyn was raised and where her children have fond memories of visiting as children.

Angel Island, California

as we remember her "mom"

Madelyn's Genealogy

Click on the image to zoom in

Sources:  Family of Fred and Mary Copeland by Laura Kimball and G. Mable Eggleston (unpublished), 1900 US Census, Marin County, Belvedere

McCargar Lines

And here's a website that talks about our McCargar ancestors: McCargar.com. Thomas McCargar, his wife,Sarah Thomas and son, Thomas McCargar, are all talked about in the site, and are our direct ancestors (atleast that's what they say). Anyway, Thomas McCargar was born in Ireland in 1776, probably to descendants of Scottish settlers. He went to Canada as a Private in the British Army, fought on the British side in the revolutionary war, was captured at Saratoga, escaped (and simultaneously deserted by settling in Boston). In Boston he joined the militia and fought for the American side. It looks like he may have worked as a mill worker.

Bonnie Prince Charlie

Bonnie Prince Charlie's farewell to Flora MacDonald, she hid him and kept him safe from his pursuers. This picture has been in our family since I can remember. It was one of mama's most treasured possessions. She left it to Sammi, where we all can go visit it in Culver, Oregon this summer.