Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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.)       ;)

24 comments:

  1. Good morning, friend Mary..
    These are lovely pieces from your parents..I can see why you love them.
    Oh, yes...without the things my mother collected and loved, the things her talented fingers made for me, even the smell of her perfume, still lingering in an empty bottle, after 21 years...without these things, I, too, would surely lose my way in this world. It does my spirit and my soul good to see these things every day. Without them, I would be lost!
    xo bj

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  2. The pieces you show and the descriptions of them, including what they meant to your parents, are very beautiful. It is interesting about soapstone, how it can look "soft", but that piece does look soft. It is amazing, and I am certain it must be so completely wonderful to have both.

    You are very fortunate to have the unique experience of living in your childhood home and still owning treasures that were treasures to people you loved.

    It does make sense. Don't tweak the meds, drop them altogether.

    Warmly,
    firefly

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  3. It's great you have the opportunity to live in the same house of your childhood. It's almost the same for me, even though I'm speaking about the building. I'm living in a flat above my mom, in the same house I've lived since I was two. I had a little break when I got married, living just a block apart, but when I got the chance to come back, I didn't even think about it and packed!
    I like the pieces you showed us, for me it's such a precious thing to be surrounded by such sweet memories.

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  4. What an incredibly lovely post, dear Mary. Our home, too, is filled with things from our family that are treasures to us. I agree that surrounding yourself with things loved by those before us keeps us not only grounded, but constantly surrounded by their strength.

    And, that Nippon piece is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

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  5. Gorgeous pieces. I love the soapstone.

    I didn't know this was your childhood home. How cool is that?

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  6. I grew up in the house my Great-Grandfather bought when he came from the old country, my Grandfather was raised there, my Mother and my Mother. My Mother never lived anyplace else and her bedroom has always been her bedroom....so don't tweak your meds. Little Red House is just as lucky as you !!!

    And yes I have been following you long enough to know this fact, but I still love to hear about it :)

    Have a great day,
    Kathy :)

    ps more snow tonight I hear grrrrrr

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  7. Guess I should tweak my meds...lol seriously I only have one Mother !!! lol

    I really should read it over before I hit POST !!!

    Sorry about that !!!
    Kathy :)

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  8. Oh no, I can see why living in a home that your father built and your mother decorated would be very comforting. Both your parents had beautiful taste!

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  9. packing up and moving are great reminders of what I have from my parents. little bits and pieces that I cannot possibly be rid of because they were given to me by my parents. so glad you have your treasures too.

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  10. Living in your childhood home, a home your father built, must indeed be wonderful! I absolutely agree that old things, loved objects, are so wonderful to have displayed in your home. I have several pieces that were my parents' or my grandparents' or even great-grandparents'. I treasure them, as you must treasure those pieces that your parents loved.

    I love seeing your beautiful photos, Mary.

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  11. Good morning, Mary..
    The little pitcher is exquisite! The vase your father loved is exactly something I imagine a sensitive, complicated and artistic, man who loved flowers and nature would love. Whatever the case, both your parents were amazing human beings. The work your father put into building a home for his family is something few of us get to experience. Most of us have only foggy memories or old photo's of homes we once lived in and, if we are lucky, get to drive by and gaze fondly at it and say, "I used to live there as a child." But what you get to experience every single day is ...living with your very own History. Nothing can compare.
    What touches me is how you treasure it...

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  12. I always love that you live in your childhood home. There is something so "disconnected" about moving a lot. You lose a little piece of yourself each time. I just moved (again) and find it exciting yet sad to leave another home where memories were made. We bloom where we are planted, though! :-)

    Love your treasures!

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  13. I did not know that the little red house was your parents home...I think that's wonderful...We purchased my parents home when they retired to Florida and sold it a few years later to move near them....I've always regreted selling that home. It had so much character just as yours does...the two homes we have owned since then just have not compared...

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  14. I think the LRH needs an historic designation.

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  15. You are fortunate to have those beautiful reminders of those you love. Isn't it amazing how a something can bring back distinct memories?

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  16. we have one of those carved soapstone things. ours is mostly the varigated red color. it was my husband' mother's piece. it is so odd it has a charm i cannot describe! probably our son will get it at some point. i love having passed down things and will enjoy passing those things on to my children. your house is a great, great gift for your family, and i love all that you have shown of it to us! (that sounds awkward but you get what i mean, don't you?)jkj

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  17. I can certainly understand why these would be family favorites. They're beautiful!

    Have agreat day, Denise

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  18. Mary, you have a very lovely home. I didn't know the little red house had been your parent's home. It is truly beautiful, and I can see why you cherish these items that belonged to your parents, for they're very beautiful, too.

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  19. How blessed you are! I just posted about my need to reconnect with a treasure lost from the past. How special to be in a home built by your dad and to have in your possession things your parents treasured. Even better that these treasures mean so much to you.

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  20. Hi there,
    You have support in Texas. I don't live in my family's home, but I do have a houseful of their treasures. I would feel as if part of my heart was missing if I couldn't look around me and see some of their things!! Your pitcher and soapstone carving are both lovely....may they always bring you peace and joy!
    Jaybird

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  21. Those are both amazing pieces, Mary. I see now where you get your love of the fine pieces you are always collecting. Your home must be a wonderland of pretty things with wonderful stories!

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  22. You have a beautiful home and I always feel welcomed when visiting electronically! I love things with memories. I recently visited some friends who have just built a large, new home. It was very nice, lovely decor, but every thing was new. I missed old chippy, much loved stuff! It makes a house a home!

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  23. I sometimes visit here..I love your blog..I don't think I have ever commented.. just saw that this is your childhood home.
    How lucky are you?
    I too am like you and treasure every small or large memories from my parents.
    I polish her silver ..with warm memories of her doing the same.I sip tea in some of her cups.
    I love everything I have of hers and it's all so dear to me.
    Again..love your blog..your home..your photos..

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  24. Those are really precious pieces. The one on the first photo I like the most.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!