“Things men have made with wakened hands, and put soft life into are awake through years with transferred touch, and go on glowing for long years. And for this reason, some old things are lovely warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them.” ~ D. H. Lawrence
Good morning, dear friends. As I write this (Saturday, November 13) we have cloudy skies, cold temperatures, and snow flurries. Where ever you are, I hope this finds you well and not under the severe weather moving across parts of the country.
With the holidays fast approaching, I have begun to ponder many of our old things (or treasures) as I refer to them. In my opinion, treasures add extra warmth and a special glow to a home. Especially, during the holidays.
Oh, I have so many fond memories of where I was and who I was with when special treasures landed in my hands. For example, the day mom and I were in one of our favorite haunts and she spied a set of Haviland China (Apple Blossom) under an old table. Such a wonderful memory of a fun day spent together. Through the years, since the Haviland came home with me, I have given it much thought. “Who loved it before me, where did they live, was the china used for holidays, what were some of the stories shared at the table, and how did it become unwanted and end up in a shop that held a conglomeration of hodgepodge?” If only it could talk.
“One of the things that attracts me to vintage and antique things is they have stories, and even if I don’t know the stories. . .” ~ Mary Kay Andrews
Did these beauties once hold lovely paintings or pictures of loved ones?
“September Afternoon” 1913 ~ Artist Charles Courtney Curran
“As a kid growing up in the 1950s I became acutely aware of the changes taking place in American culture and I must say I didn’t much like it. I witnessed the debasement of architecture, and I could see a decline in the quality of things. . . Old things seemed to have more life, more substance, more humanity in them.” ~ Robert Crumb
Someone once loved these pretty oil lamps. Perhaps, they were all from one home or maybe the homeowner enjoyed collecting them? Wouldn’t you love to know their stories?
These Confit pots were most definitely loved and well used. Confit is the French word that means to preserve. Usually, they were found in mustard yellow and this shade of green. They were used for storing cooked meats and then buried in the ground or stored in stone-lined cellars. This storage process preserved the cooked meat without refrigeration and could then be enjoyed throughout the winter months.
In America, we also used crockery to store meats, such as the crock below. The meat was cooked and covered with a layer of lard and then stored in a smokehouse and used during the winter. The winters were much colder back then which helped to preserve the meat.
Additionally, these lovely vessels are wonderful for cut blooms.
Oh, how I would love to know the story behind these tureens. Can you just imagine the marvelous concoctions they have held throughout the years and the beautiful tables they have graced?
Wouldn’t it be amazing to talk with the talented soul who created these breathtaking stitches?
I can tell you all about this lovely piece which was stitched in needlepoint by my lifelong friend, Janet. It hangs above our front door. Every morning when I come downstairs, I see this treasure and say, “Good morning, Janet.” Being the sentimental person I am, there have been arrangements made (for after we are gone) for this piece and all the others she has lovingly created for us. Before this went to the framers, I wrote a letter about who Janet was, who we were, the meaning of the piece, and my wishes for it should it have the misfortune to be found in a shop such as where I found our Haviland. The letter was placed inside of the back covering of the needlepoint.
I love history. Everything is inspired by history, so that’s why I love vintage and antiques. ~ Kelly Wearstler
Dear friends, as you go about readying your home for the holidays, perhaps you will wonder about a few of your treasures. Often, when we take a second look, we realize how lovely and “still warm with life” our precious gems are.
Wishing you a beautiful day and week ahead.
And. . .
May your path be full of happy moments and kind souls.
Stay well!
“Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.” ~ David Hume
Amour,
Sandra
Imges: Tumblr and M. S. Lambiotte
Good morning, Sandra. I love this post because I am a collector of old things that are still warm with life. Thank you for the beautiful images and heart-felt sentiments. Wishing you a most beautiful day and week!
Hello, dear Pam. I know you love old things as I do. They are our treasures and add so much to our homes and lives. Wishing you a lovely day and a beautiful week ahead!
Amiga querida, he disfrutado mucho con tu publicación. En algún momento pensaba que si eres tú la que escribías o era algún post que yo hubiera escrito…¿Sabes una cosa? en estos aspectos que nos relatas pudiera decir que somos almas gemelas. Todo lo que cuentas me ha encantado porque hay muchas similitud en nuestros gustos…¡¡Hasta esos bordados que muestras tan hermosos, tengo yo algo parecido que fue de mi suegra.
Todo excelente, hermoso, maravilloso… he disfrutado mucho.
Las cosas bellas y amadas nunca pasan de moda. Son joyas que posiblemente nunca más se elaboren, los jóvenes de hoy no están en esa línea.
Un gran abrazo
Dear friend, I have really enjoyed your post. At some point I thought that if you were the one who wrote or it was a post that I had written… You know what? In these aspects that you tell us, I could say that we are soul mates. Everything you tell me has enchanted me because there are many similarities in our tastes … Even those embroideries that you show so beautiful, I have something similar that was from my mother-in-law.
Everything is excellent, beautiful, wonderful… I have enjoyed it a lot.
Beautiful and loved things never go out of style. They are jewels that may never be made again, the youth of today are not in that line.
A big hug
Dearest Dolores, it was so wonderful to see your post – I do believe we are soul mates. Sweet and treasured things add so much to our lives and you are correct that the youth of today are not interested in such things. And, we may never see them made again.
We are getting ready to be busy with the holiday season. I want to keep it very simple and just enjoy the blessings that have been given to us.
Wishing you a lovely week, stay well and enjoy the beauty you find along your path. Sending you love, my dear friend.
Querida Dolores, fue maravilloso ver tu publicación. Creo que somos almas gemelas. Las cosas dulces y preciadas añaden mucho a nuestras vidas y tienes razón en que a los jóvenes de hoy no les interesan esas cosas. Y es posible que nunca los volvamos a ver hechos.
Nos estamos preparando para estar ocupados con la temporada navideña. Quiero que sea muy simple y simplemente disfrutar de las bendiciones que se nos han dado.
Deseándote una hermosa semana, mantente bien y disfruta de la belleza que encontrarás a lo largo de tu camino. Enviándote amor, mi querido amigo.
I love this post! I always wonder where a piece was when I find it out antiquing. Happy Sunday!
Thanks, Penny. If you enjoy old things you do wonder about them. Have a lovely week!
“As a kid growing up in the 1950s I became acutely aware of the changes taking place in American culture and I must say I didn’t much like it. I witnessed the debasement of architecture, and I could see a decline in the quality of things. . .”
Oh my, that really says it. My soul has really felt this as well, that deep sadness and dismay that things are created in so ugly a manner now, with so little pride of workmanship that we saw in earlier eras. It has to impact our souls, this ugliness. Which is why it’s all the more important for those of us who do cherish beauty to hold onto traditions and treasured items that add beauty to our lives.
Your post today, Sandra, reminds us to treasure these things handed down and remind us of our heritage… and our loved ones. Thank you, kindred heart.
I know you are enjoying these days as you prepare for celebrations to come. xo
Hello, Brenda. Thank you so much for your kind and lovely words. I do believe your words are true, that “ugliness does impact our souls.” And, the children growing up with it will suffer down the road because of the lack of beauty in their lives and therefore, our world will too. Truly, I treasure our family things that have been handed down and the others I have picked up along the way ~ they all have meaningful stories.
I did work on my list today for the upcoming Thanksgiving and I am really trying to keep it simple and just be grateful, which is more than enough.
Have a lovely week and I hope winter is not at your door – yet.
I love that you say good morning to Janet. I have so many of the very same thoughts as you — a combination of memories of times with my mom as well as wondering what those who had my lovelies before me might have thought of them, how them came to be. It adds such joy to them!
Jeanie, I do share your thoughts about our old things, and wondering about them does add to the joy of having them. You would love Janet – we have been best friends since we were little and have lived through all sorts of things. One doesn’t make those friends often.
Hello Sandra.
Cherished items passed from generation to generation hold so much history. They tell stories of the people who made them, or used them. I love to imagine the lives of the people who owned the few hand-me-down items I have. My mother-in-law was a great one for writing down the stories and provenance of an item, just as you have done with the lovely embroidery stitched by Janet. Beautiful things enhance all of life.
Hello, Lorrie. You are correct that “items passed from generation to generation hold much history.” I feel as though I am only their caretaker for a while and I would love to think I could place them in good hands for the future. Beauty adds joy to our lives.
Have a wonderful week, my friend.
Happy Sunday, Sandra! I love today’s post, and you have shared so many beautiful treasures. Our collected treasures are what makes our house a home. Wishing you a happy week ahead, sweet friend!
Hello, sweet Shannon. Yes, our treasures are truly what makes a “house a home.” And, you certainly have lovely ones and I know you enjoy them so much.
We will all be getting ready for the holidays very soon. Enjoy your week and your lovely treasures as you gather them for your celebrations.
Sandra, I am late commenting as I was out of town all weekend.
Your post is so lovely. I would love to know more about some of my old treasures too. Some of them I do know some things about. Like you, I have written a note and have a picture of who made it attached to the back of the pieces.
I agree quality workmanship is lacking in our country today. I pray pride in one’s work and being willing to work hard will return.
Good morning, Bonnie. I just found this and do apologize for not checking sooner. Treasures do add to our daily round and bring us joy. Often when I look at items made today, I just shake my head and think, “Where has the beauty gone?” Like you, I pray these things will return. Wishing you and your family a beautiful Thanksgiving, my friend.