I know I’ve been showing you a lot of ‘fun finds‘ lately – can you put up with another one today?  The first weekend of April we had a family auction, selling all the things my Grandma had accumulated over her life of 92 years.  Dishes, linens, furniture, toys, most of which had memories attached to them.

Ironstone platters – what better pieces to start my own collection

Memories of meals at Grandma’s, and how she always asked if we were sure we’d had enough to eat.  And before we ate someone always exclaimed over how good it looked and smelled.  And she always said she hoped it would be fit to eat.  I never ate anything she fixed that wasn’t more than fit to eat 🙂

Memories of Grandma at her quilting frame.  I bought one of her frames but don’t have it here yet.  I keep forgetting to call my aunt who offered to store it for me when she got the quilt she was quilting out of it.  I need to make a point of making that call.  Someday I hope to have room to set up that quilt frame.  I’ve quilted before, but never a whole quilt.  One of these years I’m sure I will find myself with nothing to do and I can make a quilt! 😀  I jest, I jest!  I can’t imagine life ever slowing down enough that I would have ‘nothing’ to do.

Memories of Grandma thinking her house was probably the most dirty house in the county.  And her windows.  I’m sure they were always dirty – even if they had just been cleaned!  Her house was never dirty of course, but she was sure she probably needed to clean.

I remember when my Grandparents moved to the house they lived out their years in.  I was around 10 maybe.  I’m sure my Mom can tell you.  I remember making craft things and giving them to Grandma.  Does every child shower their Grandma with so many papers that she doesn’t know what to do with them?  My girls are always making pictures for Grandma.  Or setting up a  ‘picture shop’ with prices on their pics when Grandma comes over 😀

Old dictionary – this thing is 6 inches thick and has the most beautiful illustrations!

I’ll never forget the way my Grandma would stand at the window and wave when we left.  The last few years of her life I always drove out the lane with a lump in my throat wondering if this would be the last time I’d see my Grandma wave good-bye as I left.  I didn’t get over to see her as often as I would have liked to.  Life with kids gets busy and I selfishly like my Sundays spent at home.  She always told us to ‘hurry back’ when we said good-bye too.

Tags from digging potatoes – my Grandparents raised potatoes for years – yes, in Ohio!

Today my Mom stands at her window waving at me and my girls when we leave her house.  And Lord-willing someday I will do the same when my girls and their children leave my house.  The circle of life continues as long as the Lord tarries.

I love having little bits and pieces from my Grandmas life.  There was a lot of stuff.  Having all the everyday life things pulled out of cupboards and drawers and stacked on tables will show you how much we accumulate in a lifetime.  My Grandma wasn’t a hoarder by any means but it just takes a lot of  ‘stuff’ to live this American life we lead.

The aprons they wore to carry the metal tags when digging potatoes. Still have dirt in them!

I got most of the things I really wanted.  And I didn’t have to break the bank to do it.  There was plenty to go around and there weren’t that many things that more than one person wanted really bad.  My Grandpa’s shop had never been completely cleared out after he passed away.  So there was a lot of stuff from there sold too.  I have some real treasures from that too but that is another post.  And I know some of you will really wonder about me when I show you what I’m calling ‘treasures’ from his shop 😀  But some of you will get it!  Stay tuned and have a wonderful Monday!

Sew a Fine Seam

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