Sometimes happiness is a group of prized items tied to a chair. Filled with messages and blooms, and of course time. The most precious gift of all.
Sometimes it is just the sight of polka dots that remind you of a little dress you wore as a child. A thin material gathered at the waist. That whipped around your legs in the prairie wind.
Old sewing machines remind me of the sound of that old familiar treadle churning steadily in another place and time. My granny, long gray hair twisted and plaited and tied into a bun, sewing me dresses. I see the light from her glasses catching darts of the sunlight coming through the window.
There were always quilts to warm my feet at night. Made out of necessity instead of luxury or needing something pretty. When pieces of the family wardrobe was salvaged and eventually put to another use.
Just as there were always round red pin cushions filled with hastily punched in pins, that held my dresses in place as they were hemmed. And seams ripped out and hemmed again to keep pace with my skinny GrOwInG legs.
Some days you look back and you’re sad for the things you’ve lost. For what was or should have been.
And then on the heels of those memories come flickers of sweetness, quick as darting rays of sunlight. Pinned in place where such things are stored for safekeeping. As fleeting and hard to hold onto as fireflies in the darkness.
Oh Brenda,
I love this post…I have very similar memories. In fact, the first quilt I ever made at around 6 years old was from all my old school dresses carefully cut into squares and triangles…buttons saved for another dress. I pine for that quilt and that simple life everyday…
Thank you so much for sharing your memories…
Blessings,
Susie
Oh what a fabulous post full of wonderful memories and love. I learned to sew on an old treadle machine and sure wish that my mom had kept it. She made all of our clothes and I loved being able to help her pick out fabric. Often she just used flour sacks that had pretty prints and I think some of those were my favorites. I love thinking about these wonderful times. Hold your memories dear, they are precious. Your chair and the backet tied to the back is just wonderful. Such a great idea. Hugs, Marty
Lovely post, Brenda! I just love when something triggers a fleeting memory or familiar feeling…sort of like visiting the past for just a second…
What a sweet, special post. I worry that children of today won’t have the memories that we were able to make when we were younger.
Sweet, sentimental, full of feeling. I enjoyed this post.
Great post Brenda!
You told us a story, and also a lesson on appreciating what we have. And your treasures add the final touch!
HAGD,
Cindy
Memories are so wonderful to ponder over sometimes… If you’re like me, you ask yourself.. Where did the years go? They’ve flown by so very fast, in the blink of an eye, which looks almost like a blur!!
I love to sit out in our back yard on my swing glider in the sunshine and close my eyes and let my mind and memories go back to ponder over my younger years… Definately takes me back and makes me feel so relaxed and peaceful.. my being at another place and time in my mind..
Blessings,
~Lynn
What a lovely post! You have some way with words, lady!!
This could well be my favorite post you’re ever written, Brenda. Not only do I love the images but the word pictures. Wonderful!
XO,
Sheila
Isn’t it great how little things around us can stir up such sweet memories.
It is funny how a color or a smell or a little word or two can conjure up memories, its so true !
Diane
I love the visuals that you have paired with your memories…thank you for bringing us with you!
You oughta be writing a book. This is my favorite post!…
What a nice post Brenda. As I was reading it, I was thinking of Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton. Funny what memory might spark another.
I’ve been a bit reflective lately myself. All of my grandparents were gone by the time I was born, so I missed on that for the most part. I got a stepgrandmother when I was 5, and I vividly remember sitting on the porch with her snapping beans as my mom brought the baskets from the garden. I’ll always treasure those memories.
Thanks for the little stroll today. Hope you’re doing well.
i love all of your pretties!!
What a sweet post. It brought back many cherished memories that are stored in my heart.
Oh, so perfect.
Brings me back great memories.
Jen
We must all treasure those flickers of sweetness and quick darting rays of sunlight. Oh and fireflies! I love them and hope to see some later this month when I travel to the mid-west.
Beautifully written, poetic and full of sweet memories. Maybe my favorite post of yours, yet, Brenda. Loving the new look of your blog, too. Have a beautiful week! – g
You are such a great writer. Sweet post!
What a lovely nostalgic post!!
I love the basket full of memories attached to the chair!!
Debbie
Such beautiful words – you have a talent.
A very precious post today Brenda! I know exactly how you feel.
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Lovely post Brenda! The bucket on the chair is so cute!
Manuela
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Oh, Brenda, I am often struck at how close our minds run…into our posts. I have a draft of this very subject…my mom made ALL our clothes, too. even my brother;s shirts…
I hope you are doing well…staying cool…and enjoying the summer.
I surely am.
hugs, bj
Brenda – you just made my day!
I too remember my grandma sewing on a non-electric machine, just the rhythm of her feet moving the needle up and down. No fancy stitches, just straight.
SHe kept it in her bedroom and it was ALWAYS being used for one thing or another. A quilt for this person, patching up something else or maybe making a new apron.
I love this post. Your pictures, your words. . . perfect!
You are good!
Big hugs! Karen
Hi There, Brenda!
I love your post! Although I was never a prarie child, I did have a lot of polka dots as a kid and still do. They are so cheerful.
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment about the painted chest.
Have a great day, Karen
Hi Brenda. What a lovely posting. It sure brought back a lot of memories and some are similar to your own. I remember grandma and her treadle sewing machine too. She use to make me little dresses from flour sack material back then.They are some good memories.
Brenda this is snazzy and fab!
wonderful post.I love your blog.I read it alot now.
What you said is so true and makes me think and remember and know things are not only not so good memories,but so sweet ones down in between.
I have a little Singer featherweight like yours. I use mine whenever I go on a retreat or to a workshop. It’s lots of fun to use and easy to carry.
Beautiful, beautiful post Brenda! I can hear the sewing machine and see my mom with pins in her mouth hemming a dress. What memories you’ve stirred up!
Quilts remind me of my Grandma who made a new one (or two) every winter. Why I didn’t watch her more closely, I’ll never know. She did it all by hand – I’ve made many quilts, but I’ve pieced them with a machine and then hand-quilted them.
I still covet a Featherweight – someday! Love your photos, my friend.
xo
Claudia
I am off to replace your old button on my blog with the new one.
What a beautiful post. I don’t have many memories like these…..all of my grandparents were gone before I was born…..my Mom died when I was only 7 years old…..but I do have some memories of my Dad….and him singing……and telling me stories from his childhood….I just lost my Dad almost 2 years ago now….so all I have is memories now. Sorry if this comment was a little too heavy…..your post just brought out many feelings…..thank you.
Beautiful post Brenda. If you can remember these things fondly, then they are not lost. That you write about them, well, now they will never be lost!
This is such a sweet post and it reminds me of the old sewing machine we used to have with an iron base. It also reminds me of going to pick out fabric with my grandmother so that she could make a top for me during my week long visit in the summer.
-Rene
You have the neatest stuff, Brenda!
Hugs, Diane
Beautiful! You are a wonderful writer and I always enjoy my visit.
Londen
xo