Minnie Rose' Home

This is a photo of the old house where my stairwell light fixture originally hung. I don't know if the house was built for G'ma Mom or purchased from another owner. Most of these style homes were built in the early 1900's. By the time I became part of the family, it had been updated with a pale yellow aluminum siding and the upstairs had been converted into an apartment to rent for a little extra income. Minnie was an only child who started out her married life on a farm owned by her parents. Fifteen years and four children later, her husband left her. The story was always somewhat hush-hush, so one can only surmise the circumstances that led to the split. Your Dad and I spent our first weeks of married life at G'ma Mom's home while she spent time visiting and staying with her two sons and their families.

Vintage Light

The vintage light fixture that hangs in my stairwell once gave light over the dining room table in the home of your Great G'ma Rose. When G'ma Mom, as she was called by the family, moved to an assisted care living facility, her home was sold. Your G'pa Paul took this fixture, rewired it and hung it over the bar in their basement family room. When G'ma Ruth moved to the Eastern Star home, your Dad brought the fixture to our home. I had always wanted something different and special in the stairwell and now I had it. I love the family heirlooms because they cause me to recall memories of the person they belonged to when I look at them. The memory is always what makes the piece really special for me.

The Excalibur

Hilery had a collection of cigar boxes on a shelf in her "studio" to use in creating cigar box purses. I was looking at them one day and exclaimed over this one that once held Excalibur Royal Sterling cigars !! Since I had been a dealer at the Excalibur Hotel/Casino from 1990 until I retired in 2005, it really caught my eye. The following Christmas, it was part of my gift from her and Adem. It is a perfect home for my employment memorabilia such as service pins, playing cards, and the little aprons we had to wear.

Asian Silk Embroidery

I purchased these gorgeous silk embroidered pieces and had them framed while we were in Okinawa in the early '80's. The stores there were calling them "kimono sleeves" -- I never asked why. The two pieces on either side are vintage pieces with certificates of authenticity. I suppose that would make them more collectible or worth more if one were trying to sell them. Who knows ? I love them where they are in this arrangement on a wall in my bedroom.

Snuff Jars

These two old stoneware snuff jars came from your Great-G'ma Lottie. I don't know what their history is as far as who used them or how long they have been in the Johnson collection of treasures. Snuff jars were used for storing chewing tobacco. When I googled 'snuff jar history', there were some interesting stories about women in the Civil War days and their "chewing" habits. I don't know that anyone in my family ever chewed tobacco on a regular basis. Mom once told the story of my brother, at about three years of age, tattling to her about Dad. Dad and Donny had been outdoors with some of the neighboring farmers. When they came into the house, Donny told Mom that Dad had been "eating that dirty stuff, again". I think "chewing" was probably a social thing for Dad, as was having a cigar when he had a "night out with the boys".

Vintage Valentines

I have been in a real slump lately when it comes to creating any art of any kind. Sometimes, just going to the table and reorganizing sparks an idea or two (sometimes, NOT !!). Yesterday, the exercise worked, somewhat. Here was this tissue covering from a box of chocolates given to me at Christmas by a friend, which became background paper on two ATC's. Searched my stack of vintage reprints and these two caught my eye. I now have a couple of Valentines to share with friends. Sealing with gel medium gave the papers a wrinkled, aged look. The little heart locket opens to view tiny pictures of "Mom and Dad" and the purple satin "roses" add a 3-D look to the second one. They were fun to put together and put me in the mood to start a paper bag book with a garden theme. I love putting those together --- the gardens in a book do not require a "green thumb" !!!

Homemade Sauerkraut

The sun is shining through the security bars on the patio window for an interesting composition, this morning. This is your G'ma Schultz's "sauerkraut crock". Every season, in my Mom's garden, was a row of cabbage. I don't remember ever having coleslaw -- BUT, I do remember the smell of cabbage fermenting and becoming sauerkraut !! She would have this crock and a larger one, filled to the brim with shredded cabbage and brine. This was topped with an upside down china plate and a brick, then sat in the basement, curing and waiting to be sealed into pint and quart jars. There has never been any better sauerkraut than Mom's homemade !! Your Dad cut a plexiglas piece to fit the top of this crock, so it makes a nice spot for a basket of ivy. Inside the crock now ?? A collection of matchbooks, most of which are from Las Vegas casinos and hotels. There are a few from other places around the world.