Thursday, June 27, 2013
Stained Glass
We have several pieces of stained glass hanging in the windows of our home. This is my favorite, because Joe made it many years ago. I love the way light brings the designs in leaded glass to life, changing as the day progresses and light falls in different places. I, love the glowing colors and flowing designs. After many years of absence from the art of cutting glass, fitting lead or copper around sharp edges, and soldering pieces together in a beautiful puzzle assembly, Joe has decided to take up his soldering iron and work again. I am looking forward to the pieces he will choose to create. But most of all I look forward to the joy it brings him, the artist!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Nana's Doll
Nana's Doll
When she was a little girl
my mother was proud
of a doll whose smooth porcelain face
shone pinkly beneath her chestnut curls
twinkling blue eyes that went to sleep
when Opal laid her
down
Dressed in rosy dimity
dainty with a fine lace peplum
her bonnet matched
Modesty satisfied, her sheer skirt
hid crochet- edged petticoats
and pantaloons
Tiny socks and shoes, a precious
embroidered velvet pouch
on a chain to hang on her wrist.
When I was a little girl
the doll lay in what was left of her box
wrapped in an old white sheet
stored in Mother's quilt chest
I begged to see her, fascinated
by her age and her
outfits
oh, so many!
handmade by Grandma
Terrell
and Great Grandmother Curley,
my French great grandmother.
full length coat with buttons
made of blue twill and paneled -
soft pink rose patterned percale.
folded in neat stacks: print dresses, tucked bodices,
gathered skirts,
nightgowns, a cap and a blanket
all discolored by age and smoke
from a family house
fire.
Why didn't I ask her name?
When my granddaughters ask
to see the doll, they are intrigued
with the story, awed
at how old she is
They feel sorry that she lives in a box
I am glad no one asks her name
but I am trying to follow instructions
written in flowing pencil script
on the tattered piece from her first box:
“Take Care of Her”
Santa Claus
Labels:
dolls,
girls,
granddaughters,
grandmothers,
handwritten,
vintage dolls
Friday, June 14, 2013
Ladies Day at the Spa
When any one of my granddaughters is here, we have fun. But when all 3 of the younger girls get together, there is never a dull moment. I may leave a few prompts or props for them to find (new stuff in the dressup trunk, empty boxes, beads and shells with the art supplies, and plenty of fresh fruit and veggies for creating snacks), but the ways they come up with to use those things never fail to keep me laughing.
Last weekend we were grateful for heavy afternoon rains on both days. But climbing trees and dancing in the rain changed to indoor play when thunder and lightning deemed it necessary. Undaunted, they retired to the bedroom where the dressup supplies are kept. A few minutes later, when I checked on them, I found Skye with her turban wrap reclining on the chaise lounge and was told they were having a Spa day! Furthermore, they needed cucumber slices for their eyes. What's a grandmother to do but slice up a garden fresh cucumber and deliver?
Maddie and Jordann added their veggie beauty aid and lounged on a mountain of pillows.
But apparently the under 10 set does not require lengthy lounging. In fact, it makes them hungry!
So they ate their cucumbers, which probably beat anything else for a refreshing treatment!
I love being a grandmother! Who needs a day at a real Spa? I don't need cucumbers to make me glow!
Last weekend we were grateful for heavy afternoon rains on both days. But climbing trees and dancing in the rain changed to indoor play when thunder and lightning deemed it necessary. Undaunted, they retired to the bedroom where the dressup supplies are kept. A few minutes later, when I checked on them, I found Skye with her turban wrap reclining on the chaise lounge and was told they were having a Spa day! Furthermore, they needed cucumber slices for their eyes. What's a grandmother to do but slice up a garden fresh cucumber and deliver?
Maddie and Jordann added their veggie beauty aid and lounged on a mountain of pillows.
But apparently the under 10 set does not require lengthy lounging. In fact, it makes them hungry!
So they ate their cucumbers, which probably beat anything else for a refreshing treatment!
I love being a grandmother! Who needs a day at a real Spa? I don't need cucumbers to make me glow!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Tea Parties
This tiny china tea set has been mine since I was a little girl. I don't remember when I got it,but most likely it was a birthday gift or a Christmas present. My granddaughters have loved using the tea set for birthday tea, princess tea, and tea parties for no special reason at all other than our delight in each other. Lauren wrote invitations to the little girls next door and we set Grandma's table with a cloth, made tea sandwiches and cookies and poured tea out of a teapot. Skye has had countless tea parties with me, her PapaJoe, her Duckle Ben, and her best friend Anna. Maddie has tea parties when she comes to stay, and Jordann has tea parties with her sister and cousin now. I was proud that Maddie wanted her 7th birthday party to be a family tea party! (See post for March 21)
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