A couple of notes before I get to the treasure for this Tuesday. First I would like to thank all of you for your comments on my remembrance of Princess. As I wrote it, I realized again what a really special dog she was. Your kind words meant so much to me, thank you very much for caring.
Then I would like to welcome four new followers to my blog: Lootielou, Jeff, Kim at Golden Pines, and Tone. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better.
One more: I am freezing cold this morning and I love it, love it, love it! My yard is full of California Quail, pecking away and life is good here in the canyon.
This is my father's mother as a child. She doesn't look very happy to have her picture taken. She was born in 1882 -- I don't know how old she is here, maybe eight? So this photo must be about 120 years old! I actually have photos of family gatherings with her father in them somewhere. I have to find these treasures, they are here somewhere.
My grandmother lived to be nearly 90 years old, so I knew her well. She was a very controlling woman, but she had a lot of responsibility placed on her when she was very young and I believe that's why she became that way. Her own mother passed away at a young age and left many children for my grandmother, who was the eldest, to raise. My grandmother was one of those phenomenal women who could do everything within the domestic realm. She was a great cook and she could embroider like no-one else. I have a few of her tablecloths with the finest embroidery that looks as good on the back as it does on the front. And everything is trimmed with lace that she also made. She was an expert seamstress who made all her own dresses. Of course that's all they wore, the women back then, dresses.
My grandfather was the sweestest man. He lived to be 90 also, so they spent all these years together and she would always nag him and nag him. I think she should have been happy to have such a kind man for a husband, but I doubt she was. I know my mother wasn't very fond of her either, as she probably tried to control her son, my dad, and by extension my mom and our lives. But she was very good to her grandchildren -- oh, the candy she would bring when she came to visit. I had a lot of respect for her and I was, and still am, in awe of all that she could do.
These are a few pieces from her everyday dishes that I brought back here. They are from the former Czechoslovakia. As I remember, many sets of dishes that we used in Sweden came from there.
Thanks for visiting and have a nice day!
what sweet memories of your grandparents...
ReplyDeleteAnd these dishes are so unique...fancy and simple all at the same time..you must have quite a collection of treasures.
Dimple in chin, devil within! Even at that young age, she looks like she really wants to have it her way.
ReplyDeleteThose dishes are lovely. I think it is so great that you have all of the rememberences of those who came before you. Knowing who you came from makes you more grounded, I think.
Whoa! That is a chilly morning!
ReplyDeleteYour Grandmother looks like she wasn't all that happy having her photograph taken. Candy from Grandma - yummy memories, I have them too! Everyday dishes? Wow, life at the table was so much prettier back in their day, don't you think?
Enjoy your cool and the quail!
So excited about the cooler days to come in Oklahoma! Fall is my favorite time of year. Love the picture of your grandmother. What a treasure for you to have. Memories of my grandparents are so special. I'm fortunate to still have a 91 year old grandfather. He still mows his lawn and climbs the tractor to brush hog his pasture! It's a sight!! Your pieces of tableware are nice too. I have my grandmothers sugar bowl and creamer she was given at her wedding shower in September of 1939. It will always be special.
ReplyDeletePolly: I don't have much. Just took a few things with me from Sweden to have memories. And it's great, I'm a believer in few things, except for books, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteLouise: I have never heard that expression. How funny, it fits her perfectly.
Sharon: Yes, and a separate thing for cream! But I do love my Fiesta ware, so coloful and fun to set a table with it.
Jeff: Your grandfather must be quite a character. I love hearing about old people who are able to just keep on living.
I am so jealous that YOU ARE FREEZING Inger! We are roasting...today it was 35 degrees Celsius! We figure hurricane Earl is pushing all this warm air ahead of him....before HE gets here.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have these photos. Your grandmother was very talented. People especially women back then had to be....it was a matter of survival for some.
Love the picture, I love looking at really old photographs, only one thing wrong with them...nobody ever smiles....
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories Inger! I love that you knew your Grandparents so well and have such wonderful treasures to connect you to them as well! I always admire anyone that can sew anything--It's an art--Just like nagging! :-)
ReplyDeleteJabacue: It's 40F in the mornings then it gets warmer, but not hot anymore. Boy, that is hot for NS, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteTina: I think they were a little scared of the whole photo process.
Kim: I don't take after her, that's for sure. I will display one of her tablecloths sometime in a Tuesday post.
Your grandmother was born at about the time my old farmhouse was built...puts things in perspective. I love the photos and the dishes are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's great you have that old picture of your Grandmother! I love old pictures.
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