Blanche: Rose, if I use this permit, any kind of scum could walk through the door. Thieves, murderers, men who haven't seen a woman for 10 years, who've been doin' nothin' but liftin' weights and countin' the days. Dorothy, remind me again why this was a bad idea.

Rose: You know, people in St. Olaf are lucky. We all had the same family tree. You can trace each of us back to the same brother and sister.
Dorothy: Well, I think that completes the puzzle.

Dorothy: Nice try, Ma. Let's talk about 1920.
Sophia: Bad year. Now, 1918...
Dorothy: I said 1920.
Sophia: Okay, 1920 it is. The year I sailed for America. Ah, America. The land of opportunity, where the streets were paved with gold, and a young man named Irving Berlin was writing songs like this. Hit it. Dorothy, where's our piano player?

Sophia: Morning, Rose, Dorothy. What a night. Did you hear that racket out front? I didn't sleep at all. I think Dreyfuss has the hots for our lawn flamingo.
Dorothy: Ma, we don't have a lawn flamingo.
Sophia: In that case, we'd better tip the paperboy.

Sophia: What's with the photo albums?
Dorothy: Oh, I'm doing a family history. And I'm gonna need your help. You know, I think it's important to tell the grandchildren about their ancestors. Give them a sense of pride in those who came before them.
Sophia: Even Uncle Nunzio?
Dorothy: Even Uncle Nunzio, but we call the goat a pet.

Blanche: Hey, I'll tell you one thing, the damn government isn't gonna see one red cent of my money.
Rose: But, Blanche, the city requires a permit on any new home construction built within five feet of a standing structure used as a primary dwelling.
Dorothy: Rose, all this technical information, it doesn't sound like you.
Rose: And if Blanche doesn't get that permit, I think they could make her live in a shoe.
Dorothy: Welcome back, sweetheart.

Dorothy: May I remind you, the purpose of these stories is to give the kids family pride.
Sophia: Hey, I'll have you know it was my father who single-handedly invented the ransom note.

Blanche: Rose, you're off the hook. Don just made a quick, five-minute inspection and guess what? The permit's only $40. You were right about tellin' the truth.
Rose: Oh, well, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's citizenship. That and guessing the weight of brood sows.
Blanche: Shut up.
Rose: 135.

Rose: I know what you're gonna say, Dorothy, you can't stand to see me go. But I've made up my mind.
Dorothy: Rose, listen-
Rose: Now you're going to tell me, "I'll miss you. God, how I'll miss you."
Dorothy: Rose, you have to listen to me.
Rose: "You know, Rosie," you're thinking. "I sure could use one last St. Olaf story before you leave." And then I'd ask, "Shall I tell you about how the St. Olafians were one of the original lost tribes of Israel?"
Dorothy: Taxi!
Rose: I knew you were gonna say that.

Sophia: Land. I'm a landowner. I've made it. And it only took 80 years. Finally, property. I'll be planting soon.
Dorothy: Ma.
Rose: Oh, Blanche, this was so generous of you. I'm so touched.
Blanche: Well, you know, I just got to thinkin'. Yeah, this house was the home of my family. But you're right, you're family now. So, now it's our home.
Sophia: Rabbits. Gonna raise me some rabbits as big as your head.