Cleaning Out Just Means Finding New/Old Treasurers

I told myself I am really decluttering this year.

Hmmm I say that every year, but no really this year I will.

I got a new sewing machine for Christmas so I told myself I am going to do the craft sewing room in the basement.

So as I am shuffling Christmas containers, I opened one heavy box.

Oh it has my David Cassidy stuff in it!

But here is the treasure I found

the sweetest handmade Valentine from my Grandma

I never knew my Grandmother who lived at 1515.

My Grandma taught me to bake, the names of flowers, my love of china, silver and entertaining. It helped I was her only Grandaughter so I had her undivided attention.

Of course I sit there and cry, but they are happy tears of all the memories.

Many memories, notes from my Mom, a photo album from High School.

Oh how can I sort all this? Seems each container is about 1/2 full.

I did part with cards from friends and extended family members.

I even found a 1/2 box with blue fenton ware and a lusterware blue tea set.

Oh my I have my work cut out!

I should take a before and after picture.

But not until AFTER I am done, you would not believe my yucky basement!

It is fun to find new/old treasures here at home.

Have you found a new/old treasure in your house lately?

The Beauty of American Fostoria

With Christmas, and no computer I had not been able to show a new treasure!

The American Fostoria square cake plate.

Most hunted by my Girlfriends and I.

I took this at the auction house I was so excited!

I bid on it absentee and got it for $55.

Did you Grandmother have the pattern?

Both of my Grandmother's did.

A luxury of post WWII homes.

My maternal Grandmother used all her pieces for her Eastern Star and book lovers meetings.

Her friends gave her many pieces and I am blessed to have her collection, near 100 pieces.

But no cake plate.

the candlesticks showed up on my Grandmother's table for my parents wedding reception

One of my friends has the memory of her MIL always making a birthday cake for her 6 boys and placing it on fostoria square cake plate

on one of our antique trips she was thrilled to find the round but is still on the hunt for the square.

And oh yes, she tried to offer to buy the square one off of me...NO WAY!

For the 1515 Christmas party I always make a Peppermint Cake.

I could not wait this year.

it looked so pretty (sorry about the lighting, no computer and then I forgot my camera!)

I can never pass a piece of American Fostoria without think of my dear Grandmother.

It always reminds me of a melting ice cube.

It has been fun teaching my Girlfriends about its beauty, watching them buy their first pieces, and adds some fun to our Pyrex hunts.

I think my dear Grandmother would appreciate the fact that something she so adored 

is treasured today.

Does the Fostoria pattern bring back any memories for you?

I love it when you share those memories........it is a Sentimental thing with me!

Ann

Happy New Year!

Thank you to all of you who shared your friendship with me in 2014.

I so appreciate those who follow my blog and I look forward to every comment.

We have never met but I so treasure our friendship.

Merry Christmas......

Did anyone miss me or wonder where I was?

Laptop would not charge and has been in the shop.

So I wish all my friends a Merry Christmas 

Here are some little pictures of my brother and I from the 1960's. I thought you might enjoy the trip back in time.

I do not get to be with any of my family this year but so blessed to have my husbands family

my brother actually looking at me like he loves me

a few years later, hhhmmmm?

that's better!

The year I got Chatty Cathy

our stick horses!

My Ragged Andy

4 generation picture with my Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandfather

I still have the bells hanging in the window

1515 in 1960

Apparently I did not want to sit on Grandads lap!

much happier on cousin Mary's lap

back at my Maternal Grandparents

Oh the year I got my sink with running water!

By the way....I hate to do dishes!

this may be my favorite of my brother and I

the boots my tell you what I go this year.

My cowgirl outfit!

Tammy doll car and formals for Tammy, Pepper and Mom

In 1966 my Grandparents moved to a new house, and here came the aluminum tree

I know what is in there, my easy bake oven!

Yes I still have it in the original box in the basement.

I look tall for 10?

snow was on the ground in 1969

Merry Christmas

from

Ann, A Sentimental Life

Who Will Be Gathered Around Your Thanksgiving Day Table?

In some years past we have hosted Thanksgiving for Mr.'s family

Using my Grandmothers Johnson Brothers China, decorating the dining room.

This year we are doing something different.

I can never get my brother to come over with my husbands family.

Since it is just my brother and I, I always want to see him.

So we are going to Maggiano's in St Louis, you can check out the Thanksgiving menu.

Then later to my SIL's who hosts the opposite years from me.

We have a lot to be Thankful for this year.

My husbands business is doing much better, I actually can sleep at night without lying awake at night.

We are both healthy and happy. So are my family members.

I am thinking of those who have challenges, my friend who was just diagnosed with Breast cancer, or my friend whose husband is the last stages of ALS.

So as you gather around the table with those you love, give Thanks.

I will be remember those who are gone.

Thanksgiving 1972 My Mom, Dad, brother, both Grandfathers and My Grandmother. I wish I could go back in a time machine (and take Mr with me)

I can remember Mom cooking and it getting so warm we would have to crack the windows.

I can see her China with the turkey on it in the picture.

This year will be different, but I am still Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving

Spice of Life

Spice of Life

My Mom always added some much spice to my life and I miss her everyday.

Hard to believe next week she will be gone 12 years.

Those years have flown by, but my heart still aches.

While I was on vacation we went to 1515 and MR helped me put some things up.

a addition to the kitchen

hanging above my Grandmothers enamel table.

It is my Mom's spice cabinet.

I found it still in a Rubbermaid tub in the basement, where it had been packed since I brought things home when I had to pack up my childhood home.

Why is it so special to me?

I gave it to my Mom for Christmas in 1975

I saw it at a local gift shop and just knew she would love it.

I made payments on it starting in Nov till I got it paid off with my babysitting money.

I was so excited Christmas morning when she unwrapped it

I think she was happy to.

It hung in her kitchen the next 30 years

Again, how did the time go so fast ?

I gave it a good cleaning

Extra labels were still in the drawer

spices still in the containers

seems to fit the space just right.

My paternal Grandmothers kitchen and Hoosier cabinet, my maternal Grandmothers enamel table and now my Moms spice cabinet. Memories of the women in my life who made me the person I am today.

I think each one of them added some spice to my mix that makes me....."me"

Happy Halloween 1914 style

I love this picture of my Great Uncle Max and Aunt Esther

Even in 1914 they were celebrating Halloween.

Moonlit night, fortunes told, and a ghost!

my great Aunt Annie's daily diary

Oct 31, 1914

Happy Halloween!