Memorial Day 2013

I think it does the old house good to be filled to overflowing. A heart-felt thanks to all those who made the trek this year to our central point of origin.

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Water in the creek/krik and perfect weather.

Four generations of Sorenson women: Wanda Sorenson Bachman, Julie and Eliza Workman-Curtis, and Judy Bachman Curtis, at Ephraim Cemetery.

Two sets of twins: Wanda and Dale Sorenson and Nate and Will Curtis-Workman.

Wanda and Melvona Sorenson Boren with her great-grandchildren: Taite and Tieg Boren, and Hayden and Tori Weygant.

The Valkyries: Dana, Naja, and Melvona.

Hayden, Taite, Tori, and Tieg get ready to catch some taffy at the parade.

Betina Lindsey in Scandinavian garb.

Waiting for the parade!

The maypole tradition continues.

Visiting Ken Sorenson's corral: Eliza, Will & Nate, and Scout.

Eliza Curtis-Workman.

Always a good way to spend the afternoon.

The Curtis-Workman family at the beautiful Manti Temple.

Present Condition

The exterior cement stucco was put on in the 1930's or 1940's. The pastel green we all associate with the house is typical of the Art Deco/post-war era. This cement stucco coating has really stood the test of time, but the hard impervious nature of the coating has become more of a liability to the softer adobe system. The east wall of the house (the exterior side of the deteriorated wall in the blue bedroom) is the most exposed side of the house, getting the brunt of the harsh weather. There is a "belly" or visible bulge through the middle of the one and a half-story wall, and when you knock on the stucco much of the wall sounds hollow. Yikes!
Wherever there is a crack in the exterior stucco coating moisture is wicked by and absorbed into the thirsty clay adobe causing it to swell. Since the cement is so hard and impervious to water there is no way for the adobes to dry out and they start to deteriorate, becoming soft and crumbly.
 Particularly damaging are the severe freeze and thaw cycles typical of Sanpete weather. Also, good drainage and landscaping are of vital importance to preserving structural stability.

 An example of a bulging area on the back of the house. The west side is more protected by Glen and Bertha's house. Lets hope it's in better shape.
 The back of the house today.
 Remember this back porch addition? I think the washing machine was out there. Wanda had the add-on removed so she could nominate the structure for historical status.
 Old photos from when Wanda last had some stabilization work done
 I think they were doing the main sewer line here.

Stairway

This is the stairway in a house moved from Sanpete County to Heritage Village at This is the Place State Park in SLC. It is an adobe structure from the same time period. I think our stairway used to look similar to this.

We decided to tear off the 70's paneling to see the space under the stairs. Grandma Wanda told me that they used to keep their shoes under the stairs and that there used to be a door here, to the upstairs.

Wondering what we'll find!


Trent, tearing off the paneling.


Now we see that the space under the stairs was used for storage, where there are still some plank shelves. I'm glad we did this because there is some caving here to the adobe wall that needs to be repaired. I think it could be related to an exterior water leak.

Putting Things in Place

Grain-painted bookshelf (original to the house), Jeannie's oval mirror (from her trousseau), victorian desk painted with blue milk-paint, marble-based lamp from the attic (re-wired, new shade), grained chair, assorted objects and books original to the house, Molly's dog on braided rug.


Family bible and "The New Cyclopedia of Family Medicine", donated by LaMar and Pearl. The medical book is the one Jeannie consulted over the years. It has extremely rare and interesting medical illustrations in it and it is a real treasure. Thank you LaMar!


New slip-covered couch, Ken Sorenson painting, original trunk with rope handles (brought from Denmark) with newly repaired top, stowed with pictures and genealogy, armchair from the attic with new fabric.


I wanted the china cupboard to be the first thing you saw when you walked in the front door. Max Blain watercolor (re-framed), antique pine church pew, the Lone Wolf picture above the door, and Ethan admiring his handy-work.


Newly revamped wing-back chairs and ottoman, antique standing lamp (re-wired).


The ancestors find a new place to hang above the antique wicker table.


Grandma Wanda makes herself at home.


New custom muslin curtains, restored antique German clock (compliments of Betina), original rocker and white kitchen chair, geraniums in the window.


Original pedestal table, crockery, spinning wheel, stove.


Side board brought down from the attic, Wanda's first oil painting, embroidered table linen from Trent's grandmother, Elaine Call.


Antique plate rack with blue and white dishes from Betina.


Antique clock shelf, vintage bear picture, striped pitcher, and egg beater, all from the house.




I've discovered so many pretty and interesting things from all the decades in the house. It's fun to decorate and play house!