Welcome, friends…
Do any of you remember the days when grandmas’ hands were kept busy making beautiful gifts for their granddaughters’ hope chests? You know the kind I mean…knitted afghans; crocheted bedspreads; embroidered pillowcases, hand towels, and table clothes created to be used in their own homes when they were grown.
Well, I came across one of those beauties, packed away for years in my cedar chest, each stitch a reminder of the love grandmas make things with.
This perfectly preserved table runner was delightfully embroidered over forty years ago by my paternal grandmother. A woman, whose hard childhood and adult life was given comfort to as she lovingly labored over each stitch, leaving something of herself for her granddaughter. I used it on my dresser top when I was in my teens. Then in my early thirties I graced my home with it. Somehow, for reasons unknown, it got gently packed away in my hope chest, and there it’s remained for over twenty years.
The colors she chose are perfect for the spring and summer. The contented parrots perch happily, as if enjoying a warm bask in the sunlight near a sparkling oasis of a cool waterfall pond. There is a duplicate pair on the other side of the runner.
The crocheted edges add a warm, decorative touch, while ‘showing off’ another of her talents.
My paternal grandmother couldn’t read, so she did everything by imagination and sight. She sewed my sister’s and my communion dresses without reading a pattern. They were like beautiful brides dresses!
I’m inspired now to write a short story about her. Though it wouldn’t even begin to touch on the intricacies of her life, it would give a brief understanding of her…if even only for myself.
I hope you enjoyed looking fondly back with me as I rediscover a treasure. I’m sure most of you have similar treasures in your own homes. Thank you for visiting.
Until next time, may happy days abound!
Marianne
“A Little Something Extra”
Friends, “A Little Something Extra” is a new feature where I will occasionally be linking or mentioning either another blog or some other special addition to my posts. To begin with I would like to link Cottage & Creek, a wonderful blog written by a very talented woman, Lynn. Lynn is having her very first giveaway, so if you would like to enter her contest, as well as visit her delightful blog, click here. Thank you, Lynn, for your generosity! UPDATE: GIVEAWAY IS OVER, BUT YOU CAN STILL DROP BY COTTAGE AND CREEK TO SAY ‘HELLO’.
This is a perfect post to join Liz, at Brambleberry Cottage today for Time Travel Thursday.
