Forgive me a little step back into childhood here, but I just wanted to show you two things that I found recently in the back of the dining room closet. I'm on a cleaning tear, and while I have taken many bags of trash out and gathered about five boxes of things to donate at the thrift store, I have also found (or rediscovered) lots of sweet memories.
This is a painting that I did when I was probably around 11 or 12. It has a sort of naive quality going on (we'll be kind and say that's what I was going for) and some pretty, spring-like colors. At the moment it's propped up in the kitchen where I can look at it often. (It makes me smile.) Has anyone ever noticed that a great part of creating art is stepping back and just looking (or reading)? Even when I put together a vignette or tabletop display, I find myself going back to it again and again, sometimes to change it but mostly just to look. Please tell me you do that too, and that I don't just need to tweak my meds!
Here is a little cup that I used to drink my milk from -- "whistle for milk." Sadly, the tiny bird's tail has broken off, but he still whistles. This little cup is just such a sweet memory for me. And who wouldn't want to go back to a time when a whistle brought you your every need? :)
Thank you for taking that little trip down memory lane with me. I'm whistling here today at Little Red House, and hoping you discover some of your own fond memories, dear bloggers. :)
Posts
Enjoyed finding your blog! I was reading Country Girl's "Excellence Awards" and found you through her.
ReplyDeleteI agree. You do have a nice blog and I have enjoyed reading through it. I was especially interested in the dish you posted the other day. Did you discover what it was meant for? It is quite unusual.
Take care and good luck as you go through those closets! I actually remember a cup exactly like this one that used to be in our home when I was a child (long, long ago in place far, far away!).
My mother always made homemade coca for us every morning and I was shocked to discover that there were other families that did not have coca and cinnamon toast every morning!!
Oh what great finds - the joys of cleaning. There has to be something good coming out of having to clean!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet little cup.
Alison
Thanks for sharing. I have a mixing bowl that was my Nana's. Every time I use it I am transported back to her kitchen and baking with her. Funny how one bowl can bring back so many memories.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day, Janie
Very sweet. How neat to find memories. Love the painting.
ReplyDeleteHI Mary, What a great painting! Have you considered signing up for some classes at the local college or university to persue painting? It is clear that you have had some talent since childhood. I would love to see what you can do with it:>) The mug is precious!
ReplyDeleteMary, I am really enjoying your closet cleaning. You are sharing such fond memories and wonderful treasures.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly agree that it is so important to step back and enjoy all that is around you.
Thank you for letting us step back and enjoy along with you.
oh how sweet and comforting to have your childhood memories right there to touch, admire and just re-live. Your mother must have cherished all her memories of you.
ReplyDeleteare you going to paint again? the picture is beautiful
jeannie
sorry my laptop and i are in bed together LOL no caps for now
Mary, I love that painting! What talent you displayed even at 12! You should really pursue painting. It's such a gift to have that ability. I can't even draw a stick figure. :-) Rosie
ReplyDeleteI am with Rosie on the artistic talent...can't draw much that is recognizable. I am remembering Elsie and Beauregard mugs that my brother and I had as children. Wonder what ever became of them??
ReplyDeleteJanet
So many lovely treasures at your little red house Mary :) I can't get over that painting - you did a marvelous job...I was still doing stick men and sunshine between two mountain hills with big stick rays! Come to think of it, I'd still do it that way ;)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Dena
What sweet memories. You were quite the artist, even at that young age!
ReplyDeletehugs, bj
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful painting especially for someone only 11 or 12! What a talent you are!
Annie
Such sweet memories! I would frame your art work and display it somewhere special in your home. I like it. ~Adrienne~
ReplyDeleteMary: One of my favorite artsts is Grandma Moses. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a showing of her work recently. It brought tears to my eyes. She is such an icon. Your painting really reminds me of her work!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a beautiful piece of art. I would definitely keep that one.
ReplyDeleteBlanca
what a great painting for a child!! How cool to find it again. When I clean I find stuff like ugly sweaters and one unmatched shoe. So that's my excuse for not cleaning... Do you buy it???
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet painting! What talent, even at 12! Love the cup, I have one like it with a cow on it. It says "always drink your milk" It was my father-in-laws. He collected lots of milk memorabilia.
Yes, I love to look at my vignettes over and over.
My goodness! I love that painting and it makes me smile, too. May I suggest a frame and a sacred place for your lovely painting in your home?
ReplyDeleteWish that I were sitting outside on the curb as you haul off with the castoffs from your closets. LOL!
Ahhh, how cute! I loved taking this walk down memory lane with you. Thank you for sharing your precious childhood pieces. I dunno though....that painting looks like it should be at the Lourve! Ya sure it wasn't stolen?!
ReplyDeleteI bet you stuffed it down your shirt!!!
xo
Becky
What sweet memories. What a great picture you painted. Quite an artist at such a young age.
ReplyDeleteHey Mary, Let me know when you take your boxes to the thrift. I want to be there waiting. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the painting!! I think you should paint more!! Go for it!
ReplyDeleteMary
ReplyDeleteI always keep going back to view something I've put together too, it brings me pleasure so why not??
You are framing that painting, right? I think I see it in your pink master bedroom!
Glad you enjoyed the PBJ wedding...oh what we'll do to entertain the kids!
Have a great evening!
:0)
Tara
Mary ~ what sweet memories you've come across. Your painting is so pretty, and if I were you I'd frame it and hang it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I stand back too when I've done a painting or arranged something to see how I like it or if I need to change it, or just to admire it!
Hugs,
Donna
Oh, Mary. First, I want to say that I have dial-up still. And while waiting for the picture you painted to come up, I read your post expecting to see a typical child's painting. Imagine my surprise at the budding young artist's work that I saw here!
ReplyDeleteThis brings back a clear memory of a picture I painted for my parents at around the same age. I grew up in Margate, NJ and did a scene of the Atlantic City boardwalk, complete with a beach, umbrellas, the works. My parents hung it in a place of honor in our home. And when we moved from Margate, an aunt who was helping us pack threw away the painting. My mother was crestfallen and actually harbored ill feelings for years against this person!
Anyway, thanks for the memories. Always a pleasure visiting you in your Little Red House.
I've enjoyed your blog for awhile now. You have a talent that shines in your photos & in your home...definitely an artist's eye! My advice to you is to pick up a brush & go for it! I love your very sweet painting...time for you to paint again! My paintings: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10432106@N07/
ReplyDeleteHi Mary!
ReplyDeleteI have the same milk cup!! Only my bird has his tail. (don't be jealous now) Isn't it a great memory? I loved my cup and still do. How exciting!
Sherry
Oh how wonderful...you could never throw those out! Love the sweet lil cup....adorable!
ReplyDeleteMary- I think a thrifting adventure is in order to find a lovely frame for that wonderful painting! You can resume your career as a budding naive painter, it's just wonderful and I love the colors! I grew up in a house where creativity was an everyday event and my Mom made us feel like anything was possible. Don't doubt your inner voice...create til your hearts content! Bramble
ReplyDeleteTrips down memory lane are great. I do hope you'll find a new home for the painting (read: hang it up). I have framed some of my children's art work (in Kindergarten they both painted the Statue of Liberty) - - it's the favorite work of art at our home.
ReplyDeleteI also have dishes which take me back to an earlier time...small square luncheon plates with leaves on them that my mother would serve a tuna salad sandwich on at lunch time when I was in kindergarten. She would let me eat in the family room at the old roll-top desk. I have many other glassware treasures from childhood...juice glasses, old stoneware cooking dishes, my grandmother's old measure cups/spoons and spreaders and more. I love them all and hope to pass them on to my daughters at some point.
Trips down memory lane are great. I do hope you'll find a new home for the painting (read: hang it up). I have framed some of my children's art work (in Kindergarten they both painted the Statue of Liberty) - - it's the favorite work of art at our home.
ReplyDeleteI also have dishes which take me back to an earlier time...small square luncheon plates with leaves on them that my mother would serve a tuna salad sandwich on at lunch time when I was in kindergarten. She would let me eat in the family room at the old roll-top desk. I have many other glassware treasures from childhood...juice glasses, old stoneware cooking dishes, my grandmother's old measure cups/spoons and spreaders and more. I love them all and hope to pass them on to my daughters at some point.
You have an absolutely LOVELY blog! I've swung by a few times, but never commented before.
ReplyDelete"Whistle for Milk"....as a dairy farmer's wife, I'll second that!!
I like your moving slide show window, too!
LOVE your painting. Please don't hide it away again.
ReplyDeleteI have so enjoyed these last posts. You have such a delightful way with words and your photos speak volumes!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a pleasure to visit!!
Have a sweet weekend dear Mary!
Love,
Sue
Hi Mary :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to be home after 5 days I could dance a jig, but I will spare you that LOL
I love this painting. I actually looked at it before I read that it was painted by you at the age of 12. Amazing! So much talent even at such a small age :)
I love that cup and it deserves a place of honor too ;)
... back to reading your posts that I missed....
rue :)