Treasures from Granny and REAL Treasures

Top left: Nana Shirley (my mother in love's sister), Top Right - Marty (my mother in love) and bottom center - Granny Manders

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
(Pro 13:22)

After my husband's grandmother died, I was asked if I wanted anything of her belongings.  I was honored to be offered anything of this dear woman's and was careful to get things that would not be of value to other's, but I have valued them ever since!

One of my treasures that I came away with was a crocheted egg that opened up and had a little crocheted chick inside of it.  Many other's had already passed over that, and I thought it would make a delightful church toy for my little ones, who were babies at the time. It's hard to make noise in church with a soft crocheted chick!  I think 4 of my children have enjoyed this little treasure.  I have no idea what the story is behind this little crocheted egg. I don't know who made it or why...and definitely not "how"!  I only know that it was important enough to this very neat and tidy home maker to earn a place in her home.  Now, my kids all ask if they may have this treasure one day. 

Adorable crocheted egg.

Here is the little chick inside!

Another treasure I was given from Granny's estate was some crocheted doilies. I can't find my favorite one, a lovely pink and green doilie (I think I let my daughters use it in her room because it's pink and green). There was a variety of color amongst them and they remind me of all the grandmother's in my life...both mine and my children's.

I absolutely LOVE one thing that I had found from her home- a small book that she acquired from the bank apparently, that had "1003 Household Hints" in it.  This little treasure was originally copyrighted in 1948 and it has some of the best tips!  This little book cost .50¢ at the time.  It's so wonderful to read a book from an era when women staying at home was valued and considered a great credit to one's family.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I know lots of women still worked.  But I think over all, stay-at-home wives were highly valued.  Working outside the home was a necessary evil, not an exalted goal.  It includes hints such as:

19. Tenderize chicken and other fowl by rubbing them inside and outside with lemon juice after cleaning and before rinsing.

514. Clean your candles with cloth dampened in alcohol.

516. You'll prevent the inside of your salt shaker metal top from rusting if you paint it with ordinary nail polish. When the lacquer is dry, use a darning needle to open the holes from the inside out.  (Wish I had found this tip sooner.  Guess who's favorite salt shaker has a little bit of rust forming on the inside?)

 I actually rescued this little book in a pile of papers, cards and things that they were going to throw out.  I love this little treasure. I've contemplated framing it and hanging it on the wall, but then I couldn't read it, could I?

 

One last treasure that I was given was actually given to me by Granny herself, while she was still alive.  She told me about how she used to collect "green stamps" and then use those to buy stuff with. She decided she wanted to give her mother-in-law a set of China for their anniversary one year, so she saved and saved her stamps.  She purchased this China set with her savings.  So this belonged to my husbands great grandmother originally.  When I first got it, I thought it was ugly BUT I loved it because Granny Manders chose me to give it to!  Talk about feeling special!  Today, I love this pattern.  I think it's beautiful.  She told me when she gave this to me that her mother-in-law had never used it.  She had stored it in her attic, and she had never used it.  Now, I have it and I've never really used it...which goes against every fiber of my being usually.  I have always said I didn't want to be the "good towels are for company" kind of person. Who is there out there that is more "special" to me than my husband and kids?  Maybe I need to plan a special meal real soon for my family, complete with China, eh?

Does anyone know anything about this China?  What year was it from?  I've googled the info on the back, to no avail. The name of the pattern is Whirl, by Meito

None of these treasures will leave this earth with me.  What really makes them a treasure is who or what they represent. The real treasure is the people that have loved these items, used these items and given these items.  I can think of no better way to show my family that I treasure them than by being a homemaker.  I love being a homemaker!