Mom's Porcelain Baby Doll

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This little bisque porcelain doll was in one of Mom's dresser drawers ever since I can remember !!  The doll was a gift to Mom from her sister, Bertha, in 1928 when she was 14 years old.  There is a hand written note in the box that says so -- I wrote that note when I talked Mom into letting me have the doll back in the 1980's... she went from Mom's dresser drawer to one of mine !!  She measures a bit more than 6 inches long and Made in Japan is stamped on her back.  It seems like the first time I ever saw her when I was a kid, she was in pieces --  I pulled her arm out a bit and the elastic looks newer, so, I think Mom made some repairs to her at some time.  There is not a chip or crack anywhere on her, so Mom took special care of her.  The papers packed around her are vintage Ohio newspaper ads and the box is from Wee Walker brand baby shoes -- I remember Mom buying this brand for my baby brother and also, for you... "They don't make boxes like this anymore" holds true here once again -- when I googled Wee Walker baby shoes, some were listed on ebay, but, none in yellow boxes.  Another true treasure to be stored in my "treasure chest".

For the Love of Bowls

This is a beautiful Waterford signed "leaf" bowl, purchased at that auction I like to go to.  It still has the original price tag on the bottom -- I did not give anywhere near that for it, by the way !! It resides on the storage shelves in my china cabinet.  I have no idea its age or history - I just knew that it had to go to my home when it came up for bidding.  Hopefully, I will have occasion to use it one day !! While I have been in the process of "fall house cleaning", it has come to my attention that I have a "thing" about things that start with the letter "B" !!  I have always thought of my "collections" as the Three B's --- bears, boxes, and books ( altered ones, of course) -- it seems there are a few more "B's", one of them being bowls -- we both love them, then there are the butterflies, the bells, the brass, and the bottles (perfumes and a few other vintage ones).  There are butterflies over the front door, on the living area wall, in the upstairs bathroom and a few others "flitting" here and there.  Lovely creatures !!  There are not too many bells -- just a few in the china cabinet.  Fortunately, not a LOT of brass - my favorite piece is the Korean temple bell that sits on top of the china cabinet (12/2/08).  AND, the bottles ??  They are here, there and everywhere -- one just has to turn around, look, and you will probably see one or more !!  So, I guess it has become the "8 B's" !!

Sewing Basket

  The H's on the clover leaf logo of the 4-H Clubs of America, stand for Head, Hands, Heart and Health.  There is a pledge recited at the beginning of each meeting that goes, "I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to great loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world".  I'm not sure that I understood that completely at age 10, but, I couldn't wait to be that age and join my sister in this club that met once a month to do projects and make plans for future projects. Most every township of each county in Iowa had a club.  We lived in Marcy township, but, were members of the next township to the south of where we lived - it was Peoples Township and our club was called People's Peppy Pushers.  Marcy Merry Makers were closer to home, but, Mom was acquainted with more of the farmer's wives in the People's club, plus most of the girls were closer to our age.  Each month, the meeting was held at one of our homes and to me, it was always a "big thing" when it was our turn to have it our house.  We purchased specialty paper napkins, decorated and filled those little "nut cups" with mints and nuts, planned a special dessert and punch for refreshments, and, of course, in those days, we "dressed up" for those meetings, so, we had to plan what we were going to wear !!  Everyone had a "sewing basket" and this little woven wicker, satin lined one was mine -- it served me well for many years, holding the essential sewing tools, spools of thread, pins and needles, plus other miscellaneous items.  In recent years, it had been used as a place to keep all the things I would need when I gave myself a manicure and pedicure. Since I now consider it to be an "antique collectible", it now rests in the "memory box".  I think the first two pairs of scissors, a fabric shears and a small thread snipper, are in a sewing table drawer -- when I come across them, they will find a new home in this basket.

Perfume Bottle Collection

I'm not sure when or why I fell in love with small decorative perfume bottles !!  A couple of years ago, I looked at the printer's boxes, the china cabinet, and on an antique meat platter (belonged to my G'ma Hanle) on a shelf in my upstairs bathroom and  counted 88 bottles. I think there may be a few more, though --  it may be time for a recount !! These are only a few and they are the ones in the china cabinet.  Most of these were gifts from you and Willa.  Some of them are old, most are newer -- the green one in the center photo, I purchased at an antique store in Pahrump--the silver one in the bottom photo, I purchased at an antique mall here in town. I think some of the newer, decorative ones came from there, also.  I didn't keep a record of where each and every one came from -- maybe, I should have.  Some of them do have a memory attached, though !! Years ago, I loved wearing Cinnabar perfume -- your Dad liked it on me, too !!  The bottle on the bottom left in the second photo, was in a gift box along with a perfume spray, bath talc and lotion in that scent - a present from from your Dad !!  This may have been where the love of the small vials started !!  Or, was it that mini Opium perfume bottle?? (displayed in one of my printer's boxes, post 11/20/08)-- that was in a gift box from him, also.

Little Vases

I was going through and cleaning out the storage part of my china cabinet and found many things I had forgotten about.  Out of sight, out of mind, it seems !! These two sweet little 4" tall Lefton bisque china vases were part of the collection on those shelves.  I'm not sure about the origin - I just know they were among my Mom's treasures in the colonnade cabinets in that big old farm house -- not antique, but, date back to the 70's or 80's.  I made room for them on one of the glass shelves -- I couldn't hide them back in the dark.

Antique Snuff Bottle

This antique Asian snuff bottle mysteriously showed up in my china cabinet !!  I don't know the history of the bottle, but, it is in perfect condition.  My brother had been here from Iowa for a visit.  A couple of weeks after he left, I was looking at the collection of things I have in that cabinet, saw this and wondered "what in the world is that" ?? Anyway, I gave him a call to thank him as I knew that was where it came from.  His response was "you just now seeing it"?  Donald is one to surprise a person every so often with his generosity.

One of Many

A dreaded job was finished today !!! I haven't cleaned all of the collectibles or the glass shelves and mirrored backs in my china cabinet in what seems like forever.  Fortunately, furniture and "knick-knacks in my house don't accumulate a lot of dust !!  While I was in the process, I took photos of items that still needed an explanation !!  Before I started cleaning, I thought I might not put everything back -- maybe even dispose of a few items !! That was a fleeting thought !!!  As I took each thing off the shelves, memories of why they were special took over.  There was no way anything was going into a charity box !!  This plate was one I purchased in 1979 on my first trip to Germany when you and Bob were in Heidelberg.   It is just a pretty collectible that I fell in love with when I saw it.  Back on the shelf it went !!

First Trip to Las Vegas

Going through some "old" things, I ran across this post card that I purchased when your Dad and I made our first trip to Las Vegas as tourists in 1971. What a great time we had !! The best thing for me was seeing Elvis Presley up close and personal on stage in the big showroom. Those were the days when you largely tipped the maitre' de to get a seat close to the stage. There was no assigned seating as there is this day and age. I don't know how much the tip was, your Dad would never tell me, but, there was one person at the table between me and the stage !! I wasn't lucky enough to get one of his scarves he threw into the audience, (Boo Hoo), but, I was happy just the same ! We also went to see Redd Foxx and Bobby Vinton who were in smaller show rooms there at the International Hilton. Our last night, I was bored with the slot machines so checked the box office and was able to get balcony seating to see Elvis a second time. Today, the hotel is known only as the Hilton and is twice, if not more, as large as it was then. The last time I was in their casino, the beautiful crystal chandeliers were still hanging. I guess I should take a drive down memory lane one day soon and see what is happening there these days.

Springtime at The Bellagio

Hilery and I made our seasonal trip to the Bellagio a couple of weeks ago and as always, the Conservatory was another beautiful display of flowers for the season, plus other attractions. The daffodils in the spring are always my most favorite of all the flowers. Hilery, always photogenic, struck this pose along the sidewalk lined with California poppies. Another lovely day of Gramma/Grand-daughter bonding !!!

Baking Bread

As I was FINALLY baking the pumpkin bread this morning that I usually make before Christmas, I realized this set of aluminum measuring spoons was almost as old as I am !!! They were a wedding shower gift, along with a set of aluminum measuring cups, a flour sifter and a set of mixing bowls back in 1958. These and one large red Pyrex bowl are all I have left. Through the years, bowls have gotten broken and and the measuring cups were replaced with Tupperware. The flour sifter ?? Not sure what happened to that. I wonder how many teaspoons and tablespoons of ingredients this set of spoons have measured in all these years !! Mmmmm -- pumpkin bread !!! I can smell it baking !! The recipe is one of my favorites to use any time of the year. It is from a dear friend that used to give me a loaf of hers at Christmas time. The spoons will go back into the kitchen drawer from whence they came !

A Ducky Welcoming Committee

These three ducks sit in my front entry way welcoming all who come to visit, each one having their own story to tell if you stop long enough to listen ! The multi-colored one once sat on a shelf in your G'ma and G'pa Johnson's basement family room. The ironwood one is super heavy and was purchased at a store in Naha, Okinawa. The brass one was another purchase while we were in Okinawa. It's back is hinged and opens to hold whatever one might like to put inside, although, originally meant to empty ashes into when emptying the ashtrays. I love my ducks !!

Dote On Me Ever

Haven't been doing too much artsy lately, but, decided to create some Valentines and this was my first. I have used printed scrapbook paper, which happened to have Mom's name in the upper right hand corner, onto a blank greeting card, cut out roses from another piece of scrap book paper, a premade paper photo frame and a couple other odds and ends for embellishment, all distressed with Tim Holtz' Vintage Photo ink. The photo is my Mom -- the one my Dad carried in his wallet of his "sweetheart", which I thought suited Valentine's Day perfectly. Inside, is the verse, Love Me, by John Wilby which expresses how I saw my Dad in his feelings for Mom.

A Cute Little Gift

This little guy was a Christmas gift from my grand-daughter, Hilery. She has been creating these little stuffed animals and characters this past year or so, and I ooh and aah over every one of them. She uses mostly fabric from socks and every one of them is just as cute and perfect as they can be. The hat covers his teddy bear ears and I am a teddy bear fan, for sure ! Plus, red has always been my favorite color, so, it was a perfect gift for Gramma !!