Heirlooms & Keepsakes ~ Rogie & Logie December 14, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, People.trackback
I treasure a number of heirlooms and keepsakes from my maternal grandparents and my Great Aunt Edie.
The oldest heirloom is a walking stick carved by my great great grandmother’s suitor.
You can read more about it here: A suitor who just didna suit her.
My grandfather enjoyed travel as well as working in his woodshop . . . where he transformed a tray purchased overseas into a table.
He made matching bedside tables. I have this one and my sister has its fraternal twin.
This rocking chair belonged to Great Aunt Edie. After she died it lived in my parents attic until I requested it ~ painted by dad and re-cushioned by mom.
My grandfather made this jewelry box for my grandmother, inlaid with her initials.
Another view.
My grandfather’s shaving mirror sits on a shelf in our kitchen.
When my grandparents visited the Middle East in 1965, they brought back this Bible from Jerusalem for Aunt Edie.
Along with a piece of palm from Palm Sunday, carefully preserved inside the front cover.
I wear this turquoise ring given to my great aunt by her sister, my grandmother, in 1918 as they arrived in the states from Scotland.
This pewter tea set sat in my grandmother’s dining room for years until she passed. In time, my mother passed it on to me.
This copper teapot also came from my mother’s family.
This tin coffee pot (from relatives in Vermont) rounds out the set.
My mother had this Scottish pitcher on her hutch until I adopted it.
“Here’s a health to them that’s awa!” ~ Burns
Here’s where it lives.
This two shelf unit may have been made by my grandfather. I remember it hanging on Aunt Edie’s bedroom wall.
Also from Aunt Edie, this wooden letter holder made by my grandfather.
My grandfather’s pewter baby cup brought over from Scotland.
Another view.
My grandfather loved working with watches and building clock cases. He gave us this coin clock when we got married. My brothers and sister each received one.
My grandfather also made this shelf clock which keeps great time, as long as we change the battery.
As far back as I can remember, Edie had these plates hanging on her wall.
And the other.
And this special Christmas plate that served up Scottish Shortbread.
The painted glass pitchers belonged to my grandmother who may have done the painting herself.
Or maybe she bought them at the Church Bazaar.
My mom’s childhood desk lived with us when we were kids. Later, BFF and I used it as the scoreboard for darts.
Now we use it as a message board in the dining room.
Inside, you can see an antique wooden xylophone. Both the desk and the xylophone may have been made by my grandfather.
My grandfather did make this Tea Caddy hiding behind that Santa.
Here’s a better view.
Mom made this Santa. Aunt Edie made Lulu for mom. I played with her too. Check out the rips and tears . . . Lulu was well loved.
As most keepsakes are.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related posts: A Family Heirloom (Grannymar)
Next Sunday, I’ll share some treasures and keepsakes from dad’s relatives in Vermont.
Comments
Sorry comments are closed for this entry
So many cool things Nancy! The tin coffee pot is awesome and I really like your Mom’s desk. Good Morning!
We enjoy leaving quips on that message board . . . good PG-13 fun! Good morning to you!
Great keepsakes Nancy!
As I decorated for Christmas, I realized how many lovely pieces of the past are in my custodial care.
How marvellous to have these exquisite and tangible echoes of family past – so very special, particularly the hand-crafted items of your grandfather’s and your mother’s wonderful Santa.
Thanks, Hariod. I enjoy having the pieces of the past around, especially those fashioned by family.
I have a number of treasures from my paternal grandparents house that my mom brought back for me from her trip to Europe a few years ago. I hold them very dear. Yours are wonderful!
Thanks, NT. I had planned to do a single post, but realized I needed to break it into a short series. Next week, I’ll feature heirlooms and keepsakes from Vermont relatives on dad’s side.
I love those treasures! What a blessing to have all of that – there are several pieces I’m jealous of, too!!
Now, now . . . none of that, Kate! Jealousy arises from comparisons ~ you’ve come far too far to double back now. 😛
Good point! I’m jealous in a good way! 🙂 I love the antiques, but really love that they are from family and the stories that come with them!
That’s what I thought you meant ~ jealous in the loosest, nicest, most flattering form of the word.
Oh, I wanted to reach through the screen and touch all those wonderful treasures! Thank goodness you see the importance of family moving on through the years by keeping those things safe and loved.
Thanks, VG! I’m enjoying them now, and looking forward to passing them on to our nieces and nephews once they begin furnishing their homes.
Wow! What a wonderful collection of treasures, Nancy! I love the walking stick and oh, that rocking chair…love it! There is nothing that warms a home more, than family heirlooms. Your grandmother and Great Aunt Edie are too cute! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks, Jill. I agree. The two of them, side by side, are cute as buttons! Their belongings keep them close in my thoughts.
You are indeed blessed with keepsakes! The doll remains my favourite, but the rocking chair, beautiful and practical, is a very close second. Your grandfather was most able in his workshop, it must be wonderful to have so many things made by his hand.
LuLu got dragged about when I was a kid . . . now she’s allowed some proper R&R. It’s great having the things my grandfather made too ~ with the warm patina of age.
I love the work in that walking stick. Your grandfather was a talented wood turner. I like when pieces have a story behind them.
I wish I knew a bit more of the “back story” of some of these items. For many, I just know I remember seeing them around when I was a child.
You took us on a journey through time Nancy – what precious treasures and memories you have from the past. Your grandfather was a very clever man. Lots of stuff from Bonnie Scotland I see, some unique.
Yes! Both my grandmother and grandfather came over from Bonnie Scotland and returned for regular visits.
What treasures! (And what a great name your aunt had!)
Thanks, Becky. Do you have an Edie who’s near and dear?
You have some great keepsakes. I especially like your mom’s childhood desk. My first response was surprise at how many things you’ve saved. But I suppose if I walked around my house I’d find at least as many keepsakes. I wonder if my children know where they all came from.
Thanks, Nicki. I was surprised by the number too. I planned to do a single post and then decided I better break it up because I kept finding more pieces to include.
The reason I decided to start this series ~> to “catalog” what I have and what I know about each piece for the rest of the family. I wish I knew more, but there is no one to ask at this point.
You have a collection of interesting and meaningful pieces. I don’t have too many things from previous generations, but I do have a crystal punch bowl set that was my great grandmother’s. It never gets used though, because I cringe at the thought of my boys around those delicate little cups 🙂
I hope you’ll get to use and enjoy the set someday soon, Janna ` even if a cup or two gets sacrificed to the occasion.
I had my grandmother’s punch bowl for a time. When we stopped throwing big parties, I passed it on to my sister. Not sure that she has had the chance to use it much. Maybe I’ll encourage her to get it out this Christmas. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Nancy. Quick message, my blog is hacked, please do not try to visit. I’ll come back later to catch up on your posts. Thanks GM.
Thanks, GM. Hope you get things sorted without too much hassle. I’ve never heard of that happening.
According to WP, I was part of a major Hack. http://blog.sucuri.net/…/soaksoak-malware-compromises…
and a scanner: http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/
Nancy, I feel like I am hogging your post, This link is from my hosting company today about the major hacking. The information is worth a read http://feedly.com/i/subscription/feed/http://www.blacknightstatus.com/atom.xml
Hackers = ACK!!!
What an amazing array of family heirlooms! Your family was so creative and talented, especially your grandfather. Imagine carving that beautiful walking stick for one’s ladylove, only to be told that your not suitable after all!! It’s as good as an engagement ring. 🙂
My great grandmother must have had her reasons . . . now lost in the highland mists. It’s a beautiful stick.
You have some absolutely wonderful pieces, Nancy! I have many heirlooms, but I don’t necessarily have the accompanying stories! I really love your mom’s desk! I really enjoyed seeing each piece. Each one is very special and so meaningful!
I wish I knew a bit more back story for a few of the pieces ~ so it’s probably good that I captured what I do remember before it drifts away into the ether.
I’m enjoying having mom’s desk in the dining room as a message board.