about

Nana Ellen’s Stories ‘n’ Stuff has been online since 1996. Over the years there have been hundreds of changes, tweaks and updates. I’ve given away graphics, sold greeting cards, designed web sites and so forth and so on. I truely love my work, and have no plans to stop doing what I love. Papa Dick retired in 2005, after forty plus years of teaching. People often ask, “so, what are you doing now that you’re retired?” The answer… whatever we want to do. We spend our time working in our garden, cooking, painting, writing a new novel and just enjoying life in general.

I consider myself an artist and a writer.  Others may disagree but by the grace of God, I am what He has made me!  I write because…to quote Cyril Connolly…”it is better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.”

Recently I heard someone I respect say, “Our lives are shaped by those who love us – and those who refuse to love us.  How true!

My life with my soul mate and husband of thirty plus years revolves around our home and our faith in Jesus Christ. Before our life together darkness and pain, strife and disappointment were my constant companions. After we met in 1977 my life was reshaped, restored and healed.

This online record of each day’s special blessings in our life is meant to help me remember how truly blessed we are. And if. in the reading, someone else is blessed in the process… to God be the glory!

We live down the lane, in a little old cottage the color of rain. It’s cozy inside, and often smells of cookies or warm apple pie. Use your imagination..,that’s what we’re all about. Things may be simple, quaint and more than a little old-fashioned here, but it’s a peaceful, relaxing place to be.

My art and writing pays homage to my Auntie, who loved me, and showed me how to love the Lord and walk in the way of peace.  Children, young and old, almost always find special treasures or mysterious odds and ends to take back home when they visit our cottage.  After all, everyone’s the same age inside! Right? The stuff at in our cottage brings back warm memories of the hodgepodge of hugs, cookies and wonders from Auntie’s house. But, in case you had no such place to visit, well… we think it’s about time you have one. Drop in any day – stay as long as you like.

To really have the most fun here you have to poke through every corner, touching everything, exploring like a child. You never know what you might find! So… pick a subject and come on in. We want the time you spend with us to comfort your soul and bring a smile of nostalgia to your heart.

Oh, and come back whenever you need a hug, or a cookie, won’t you? Alright… we know… lots of you have your browser set to “accept no cookies”, but these are the old-fashioned chocolate chip kind and we guarantee that while they may expand your waistline, they will have absolutely no effect on your ‘puter

As with any trip to Nana’s house, looking at the place through ‘rose-colored’ glasses is usually a sure bet. We’ve been told our stuff is painfully drab compared with the modern world. I guess it’s like a good many other things in life… it’s all in how you look at it! Personally, I love the softly faded and slightly frayed comfort of real stuff. I hate the cheap plastic fakes our society has adopted as normal and calls beautiful. Nowadays everybody’s in a rush and it seems that “ugly is in,” but I guarantee you’ll find nothing here that isn’t comforting, pleasing to the eye and safe for the kids.

“Family ties are forged by heirlooms, steeped in sentiment, reminders of constancy amid the passage of time. Here we share some of our favorite things.. legacies of the heart, forever untarnished by time – keepsakes that embody not just beauty but memories of those we love.” _Victoria, May 1990.