On the Twentieth Day.... Snowman

December 20, 2011

Grandma (Ida) Bates made me a ceramic Snowman one year for Christmas.  He is one of my treasures.  I put him on the shelf, surrounded by garland and a festive sign, in the main floor bathroom this year.  It is always a pleasant surprise when guests open up the bathroom door.

On the Nineteenth Day.... Nut Crackers

December 19, 2011

I have always been fascinated with Nut Crackers.  The Nut Cracker above stands at attention over a hand made bowl from Germany that is filled with nuts. 

When I went to Germany, I knew there were some things I just had to get.... a Nut Cracker was one of them.  He is standing on the right side of the shelf (below).  And you can just imagine my excitement when I was able to add mom's collection of small Nut Crackers (three of them) to mine.  They are standing on the shelf next to the large wooden one on the shelf.  

On the Seventeenth Day.... Old Ornaments

December 17, 2011

The box is filled with remainders of Grandma (Ida) Bates Christmas ornaments.  The tree and girl are ornaments that we kids painted and decorated for Family Night one year for Christmas.  They bring me so much joy!

Blue Dishes

September 29, 2011

Oh.... so pretty!

Grandma Bentley's Blue Willow Dishes.  

Grandma Bentley's (mom's mother) cookbook, pink butter dish, and silver spoon.

Great Grandma Hamilton's (grandma Bentley's mother) cake plate

Mom related the story of how she got Grandma Hamilton's cake plate.  Every time she visited grandma Bentley, she would always tell her to take the cake plate home.  Mom never felt comfortable taking it.  So one day, grandma surprised her by taking the plate to mom on her birthday with a beautiful cake on it. Priceless!

Curio Cabinets

September 27, 2011

I found this beautiful curio cabinet on ksl.com.  I didn't realize that it was almost identical to mom's until I got it home.  The only difference is that it was re-painted a soft buttery cream yellow.  It complements the dinning room's deep red wall.  I carefully placed mother's, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and my special dishes on the glass shelves. I am so thankful to mom for entrusting me with these beautiful treasures of the past.

Mom's treasures come from all around the world... collected by her and dad and given as gifts from her children.  Her Santa collection has always been a favorite.

Mom's Pans

September 26, 2011

Dave went to Las Vegas for the week.  So... do I stay here, or do I go and spend the week with mom?  Because Shaniel's family was coming up on Friday and I had to go to Price to a health care meeting on mom in a week, I decided the most logical thing to do was to stay home, clean, organize, and find a place for things I had gotten from mom's house. 

The day Dave left I went straight to work.  I put mom's set of pans in a drawer underneath the stove.  Using them daily will remind me of her love of cooking and the delicious, colorful, well-balanced meals she lovingly fixed our family everyday.  I hope I can measure up!

Merry Christmas Daddy!

September 25, 2011

One day, at mom's, we were going through the books in the bookcase.  I overlooked a VIP book.  Rachel discovered it in her search of books.  "Know Your Latter-Day Scriptures" was a Christmas gift to dad from me when I was 5 years old. I never knew! I am so happy to have it. I put in in my bookshelf next to other VIP books.

Unpacking

Unpacking more treasures from Afghanistan.  The musical instruments are unique.  Now, the challenge.... where in the world are we going to put all this stuff??

Dave, the professional packer!

4 Seasons

The long awaited 4 Seasons rug arrived from Afghanistan yesterday and I opened it up this morning. So beautiful! Dave has been sending rugs home and this is the one I picked out for my office. It is 100% hand-made in pure silk. It measures 5'x7'. The colors are muted with shades of green, blue, teal, gold, brown, purple-ish, and black. This carpet represents the 4 seasons in the Middle East; the tree is significant.... it represents the tree of life. This beauty cost $3000. I think Dave is spoiling me!


This is a close-up shot of one of the tree of life blocks.

Gift from an Afghan woman

One of Dave's interpreters mother made me the blue beaded necklace. It was so sweet and thoughtful. So, I wrote her a note and am sending her some gifts back, as well... fragrant lotion, shower gel, and a hand made dish cloth. Afghanistan is a third world country, so I hope the small convenient gifts will be a real treat for her. I included a picture of Dave and I and encouraged a letter back. I hope I get one!

Day 4: Eye Surgery

Sunday, March 27, 2011

I layed down for most of the day. Dave unpacked the boxes he has been sending home from Afghanistan. This rug is handmade. It is 100% lamb's wool, including the fringe. Pomegranite and red onion were used to dye it red. It is soft and looks beautiful in the loft.

Day 156 - old quilts

June 5

Saturday's are always so much fun! I only have a couple of weeks until the Farmers Market begins, so I got up early to hit a few yard sales, which is one of mine and Dave's favorite things to do. I found these old handmade quilts for $30 each. The lap quilt was $7. I love them!

Day 115 - stepping stones

apr 25

A grandchild's creation is one of those things that bring my heart joy! Makaela and Brayden made me a stepping stone to grace my flower bed. I love it!

I salvaged one of Kelsey's stepping stones from her flower bed after she sold her little home on 3rd West in Brigham City a few years ago. It's got a crack in it but I don't mind. I love it just the same.

Day 84 - Looking up to a piece of history!

mar 25

I worked on the Farm Book all day long -- getting ready for taxes. The only good thing about it... I could look up to see my beautiful piece of history. I found this treasure at the Utah State Surplus while looking for a truck for Steve. They were having a half price sale on everything. When I entered the building, I was immediately drawn to a light fixture in the center of the room. The sale price on it... $25.00. I didn't hesitate to buy it. Even through the dust, I could see the old patina showing through. Beautiful! A gentleman carried it out to the car for me and told me a little of its history.

"Do you know where this light came from?" (worker)

"No, I don't." (me)

"It came from the Carriage House behind the Governor's Mansion." (worker)

"Really!....." (me, in a very excited tone)

I was so excited. I brought it home, cleaned it up, and had Uncle Alfred fix the electrical to it. We hung it above the table in the dinning room. Now I have a piece of history, that I get to look up to everyday, in my house! The detailed shape, balls, and patina give the old metal chandelier character. It will go in my dining room in my new house, too. It is beautiful and I love it!

Day 83 - little old cupboard

mar 24

This little old cupboard needed someone to give it some TLC.... love it like it used to be loved and played with. I took my treasure to my trusty old Wood Man in Logan for him to make new doors and sand it down for me to paint. I can't wait to get it back!