I am so sorry! I posted this to the wrong forum. When I checked the forum I thought I posted on, this had "disappeared" so I thought it was removed for some mysterious reason. And now I find myself in Maine. Guess I'm not clicking on all cylinders today--sorry. Hope this drops off.

I had to come out of lurkdom on this forum to comment on your new kitchen! I looked twice to be certain this was the NEW kitchen because it so perfectly suits the age and style of your home that I thought it might be the original kitchen. Love the stove, lighting, eating area for humans and pets, the shoe rack, and the warmth and evidence of family living that happens in this room. You've achieved a timeless kitchen which is marvelously integrated with your bungalow.

I very much enjoyed the series "Call the Midwife." I have watched up to season 3. It was so refreshing to watch a show that doesn't overlook the hardships that women have faced, and to some degree still face. I live in Canada, and have seen a lot of US/Cdn TV which usually features wealthy and perfect conditions, beautiful movie stars, with little to no reality, and without touching on female perspectives. I saw a mention earlier about the lack of slums in Canada. I can only speak to the history of western Canada, which was mostly rural. In the 1950s, Western Canada enjoyed a high standard of living where there was ample food, although, my father did say that if you spent all your money on frivolous things you could starve. Before that, especially during the Great Depression, my grandfather had a sister who died because the family couldn't afford the medicine for her, and his mother saved for years after to pay the hospital for her daughter's death there. They lived in fear that the bank would take their house, but almost every house was in foreclosure in their area, Vancouver BC. My grandfather had a dairy cow he quite liked, and a garden, so it seems that western Canada was quite rural, even in the cities at that time, possibly with the exception of Chinatown, where the Chinese Canadians there had things quite rough. Today in Canada there seems to be a greater divide between rich and poor especially in the larger cities. Some of the issues in the book and movie still go on today, for example, abuse of women, children, losing a child, (although not as common today) being judged by others, mental illness after pregnancy and the great love we as mothers have for our children. I found it interesting that Jennifer Worth said most families lived near their parents, brothers and sisters, usually moving two streets away from where they grew up at most. Here in Canada we don't seem to have that closeness with family. Also there is a lot of privacy here and I think many mothers can feel isolated or suffer in silence. I don't live near my family because the housing prices and lack of jobs paying over minimum wage makes it very difficult to live there. Worh had another comment on the older people being rehomed to better living conditions, but that many of them died because they missed their friends and family and they didn't have that support. I found it interesting, and I think nowadays here in Canada, people's values are more about money than relationships which is sad too. In that way, the community of East London seemed to be better.

Linda, France is so wonderful. Try to relax and enjoy it as much as possible. This is a lovely time to be there. What part of France will you visit? Is this your first trip there or a return visit? I'm so sorry that all the work of disposing of your mom's house is falling on you. We did that in 2009, but my sister and brother also helped. Sharon, I've had the 2.5" and 4" squares all cut for months now. Sometimes I just sit and work up the fabric combinations without sewing at all. I have started sewing two a a time. That does help. I haven't timed it, but I bet I can get two done in 45 minutes. I suppose if I did four at a time, I would save a little more. I'll just have to be very organized so I don't get confused. Trimming all those hourglass squares does take a lot of time too. Sue, I can't believe all the snow you're getting in Colorado. We have kids in Denver, so I follow the area weather.