My Memories

I'm sure most of you already know this, but some of you who are new to my blog may not realize that Little Red House is my childhood home.  My father built it, and I grew up in it, learning my love of antiques and decorating from my mother, who gathered many of the pieces I still cherish today.  

I wanted to show you two pieces that were among my parent's favorites.  The pitcher pictured above was one of my mother's most cherished pieces.  It is tall, about 12 inches in height, and is decorated with bas relief swans in flight.  The marking on the bottom says "Hand Painted Nippon."  I'm not sure how old it is, or what it was for.  I just know that my mother loved it.  :)

The second piece I wanted to show you was my father's favorite.  It is a piece of hand carved soapstone.  This always fascinated me as a child, I think because of it's softness and intricate carving.  Again, I'm not sure how old it is, although I have seen other soapstone pieces from the nineteenth century.  The little urn shapes are actually hollow, and could be filled with water to hold blossoms.  

I am so blessed to have these and other tangible memories of my parents around me every day.  They are not, perhaps, the most beautiful things, but they speak to me.  I cannot imagine living with all new things; I would feel as though I had lost my moorings.  Does that make sense?  Or do I need to tweak my meds?  (Gosh, I haven't said that in a long time.  It feels good.)       ;)