Little things collected

I suppose one could call me a collector. Which is ironic, because if you knew me in real life, you'd know of the discomfort I have with stuff, or worse yet, clutter. Oh, but I do like stuff. I'm wanty just like everyone else. It's just that I have a particular fondness for objects with age.

I'm linking up with Cory at Lady Cordelia today. She's beginning a little Thursday tradition called Thrifty Thursday. It should be fun. I love to thrift and I've been wanting to share more about this little hobby of mine for some time. So this is perfect, really.

This is a little cup and bowl set that Beatrix uses pretty often these days. She's extra careful with it because it's super special to our family. I didn't thrift it (and I'm already breaking a Thrifting Thursday rule, I believe). It was my mom's set when she was a little girl. My grandmother held on to it and took such good care of it for many years. My Mom knows of my love for vintage kitchen items and knew I would appreciate sharing this piece of her childhood with Beatrix. Now, Beatrix is known to eat granola and milk or cheerious and milk in the bowl. She sips water, tea, or milk from the cup. 

I love thinking about my mom as a little girl. A few years ago, we discovered a wooden amunition box filled with old family photos - most that were taken by my grandmother. There were so many of my mom and her brothers as young children, caught in the act of being ridiculously cute and/or ridiculously naughty. My grandmother was a stoic and serious woman. She was five feet tall, wore brown lace-up work boots or LLBean duck shoes to garden or work in the barnyard with her entire life that I knew her. So seeing the photos of these moments that she deemed worthy of capturing is like seeing a corner of her soul. There WAS lightness in her afterall - despite the sturdy bootwear. And of course, I knew that about her...

This is a picture of my mom as a toddler, resting in a tire that was laying flat in her yard. I can't help but wonder what her morning or afternoon was like prior to this moment in the tire. I mean, what/who was she chasing? Chickens? Her dog? A cat? Did she stop to hear the birds chirping? Was she singing? Did she find a good stick to walk with that day? Or a puddle to splash through? Was she in my grandmother's skirt as she hung out laundry on the clothesline? Or with my grandfather playing with scraps of wood while he worked in his wood shop? I can't help but wonder about the before and after... 

And that's what I love about vintage items. When you buy something old or if you are lucky enough to have items passed down to you from family, it's just plain romantic. There's a story. Everybody has a story. I think essentially we are all holding tight to our own stories, working in one way or another not to be forgotten. To imprint this world in some (hopefully) good way. It's our work to have the days of our lives permeate through time.

Our hands grasp the hands of those who came before us through these objects we inherit. 

Thrifting. I'm smitten. 

Comments

[Tracey]

What a great hand me down! I am having some very serious bowl envy! How lovely of your mom to take care of it and then pass it down to you for your daughter. My father gave me a Beatrix Potter cereal set that I gave to my daughter for my granddaughter to use. I love using items with a family history and it sounds like you do too.
Have a wonderful Thursday.
{visiting via Cory}.

[ladycordelia]

I'm having bowl envy too.

I love this post- what you've shared is so lovely. And I agree with the wonder and coolness of what memories second-hand items hold.

big love,
C

[ladycordelia]

p.s. where did you get the candleholder in back?
I have been looking for one like that for so long!!!!!!

[Olivia]

This whole post made my heart warm. I often think about my mom and mama the same way, looking through their family photos and reflecting on their life and the time they lived through. It's so magical...

[Catherine]

I love this post! And such special, meaningful treasures... thank you for sharing.

[Nichole]

Oh Tracey, I've been waiting for a beatriix potter bowl set to enter our lives too!

I have a great admiration for the elders in my family. Holding on to their everyday belongings somehow makes me feel as though they are still with me.

[Nichole]

Thank you Cory! The candle holder was purchased at an antique mall. I looked around for a really long time for one at thrift stores but never ran into one. I caved when I saw this one. :) it's done a wonderful job of providing light to our dinners. Much love, Nichole

[Rach]

You are so lucky to have such mementoes and family, and I love how you realise and appreciate that so much. The bowl and cup are gorgeous, and how wonderful that you trust B to use them.

[swanski]

I love your dishes that you found! My favorite section at any thrift store is the kitchen. Love the old family photo :)

[Amanda @ Blue LaReve]

I just love all of my hand me downs and family treasures. They add so much love and comfort to a home.

[Nichole]

Aw, thanks Olivia. My grandparents and my mom have been such an amazing influence to my life. Their work is so inspirational to me!

[Nichole]

You are so welcome, Catherine. It's my pleasure, really. I feel really blessed by my family roots!

[Nichole]

Thank you Rach. I feel the same way too about my family. They are such dear people to me and have influenced my life in so many tremendous ways! Bea is very careful with her dishes. I think it is because she has had very little experience with plastic dishes, both at home and at school. She has learned through much experience with breakable objects to be gentle and to pay respect to them.

[Nichole]

The kitchen is the heart of the home...:)

[Nichole]

Don't they??? I agree! I think these objects add layers and layers of character and richness to life and to the home!

[Baby by the Sea]

the pig bowl is just insane. seriously. and the flat tire nap? perfect.