A foray into the past ~ clearing the cobwebs and thinking back.

Spring cleaning is a wonderful opportunity to revisit and get reacquainted with things that we have stowed away in the deep recesses of The Humble Bungalow....things that we can not bear to part with as they are family pieces, they are intricately interwoven with memories...they have history and still hold a place in our hearts.

The vintage phone is our land line...

we have another set of phones that we use which are cordless and are current.

Our children's first baby boots have been bronzed for keeping...

does anyone do this anymore?

 I spied a few stray pairs of bronze booties in the local Value Village and wondered whose they were...

I'm curious when I see framed vintage family photos...why they have been discarded and donated?

Are there no relatives wanting to keep them?

Or is it that someone has passed away and an agency has been called in to dispose of all the personal possessions?

Our daughter's shoe is on the left and our son's is on the right.

My goodness it seems like it was yesterday when I held those wee ones in my arms...

wherever does the time go?

I can still remember how cozy and warm I felt with those babes swaddled in soft flannel receiving blankets nestled in the safety my arms...my heart was filled with joy.

Such soft pure skin

the brightness of their eyes

the smell of their hair

their wee fingers curling over mine

those tiny mouths as they rooted for my breast

latching on, suckling and swallowing in gulps

the contented sigh

slowly slipping off to sleep 

all to be repeated again in a few short hours...

You can see what I mean about how "things can transport you" back to an earlier time...

a time of such innocence

a simple time when priorities were plain to see

children, a husband, and a home.

Van Briggle Bunny

He was a potter from Colorado that worked during the arts and crafts era.

Bunnykins made sturdy bowls and cups for babies...

this is mine from the mid 1950's.

Designed and signed by Barbara Vernon.

I do not know who gave this to me and I will make a point of asking Mother later when we go for dinner.

My family were thoughtful in their gift giving...things that would stand the test of time.

I have kept quite a few books that were gifts from my grandmother and aunts and uncles.

Those were the days when they would write in the front of the book so you knew who they were from and when they were given.

"Dear Leslie, Happy Christmas, Love from Aunty Kay and Uncle Owen."

"Happy Birthday Leslie, Love from Uncle Alf and Aunty Georgia."

These are our children's bowls...they are from the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Such cute images of bunnies and their families.

You can see the sweet gentle innocence of life depicted here.

Happy Times.

Isn't that the way it is supposed to be when you are young?

No worries, 

and the freedom to go about growing up in a safe community surrounded by people who love and care about you.

This is what we gave our children...and this is what our son and DIL are giving to their children...

Doulton still make Bunnykins sets today.

I think they make a great baby gift even today when life is much more complicated...

Gosh I've really gone off on a tangent...

perhaps that's what happens when you tackle the dust bunnies!

Well that's my two cents worth this Tuesday...

Hostess

XO

White Sale...and thoughts of Mother.

New towels from Lands End arrived in the post...
Supima cotton terry in a nice weight and pure white.
Not as fluffy as the pricier Abyss brand but all 6 pieces were less than the cost of one Abyss bath towel.

Frugal yes but will they last?
I hope that I am not going to regret this purchase and only time will tell how they stand up to bi~weekly washings and daily use. It's an experiment and one that I will be repeating in various areas of my domestic scene for the next while. I will report back and advise in due course.

Tied up with grey gross grain ribbon they look like a present!

I took Mother to see the film Quartet at the theatre recently and we were almost the last ones seated.

It was so popular and it has a fabulous all star cast

Maggie Smith is lovely in her role!

We chose a matinee which might have been a mistake as every one else seemed to have the same idea

perhaps the gloomy grey skies had something to do with it...

Mother does love a great film or play as they seem to transport her to a place that she loves to be.

I've noticed that Mother is quite lonely these past few months..

despite the efforts of my sister and I to keep her entertained.

Her friendly neighbour Elizabeth moved to a hip condo building downtown

so their impromptu wine and cheeses and afternoons sipping copious amounts of tea are sorely missed.

It must be so hard to keep ones spirits up when one lives alone.

Her cleaning lady comes once a week to do the bathrooms, kitchen, vacuum and dust.

Mother makes her a lovely tea and a snack and they sit for a bit and have a chat.

I do wonder why Mother doesn't join in the Senior's Centre activities...

considering she really never was much of a joiner

it should not be a surprise

it's too bad because there may be a friend out there for her...

someone that she could play cards with or go out to lunch or tea with

someone who may be a widow like she is and has shared similar life experiences.

My friend Sandy's mother Pam and Mother got along and they would seek each other out for some fun.

Sadly Pam passed away last year...

a lot of Mother's friends have had health issues and are now in care or gone.

Mother is still driving and gets out regularly which is her saving grace.

She pays her bills and shops for her own groceries

does her banking and loves to shop for clothes.

It's difficult watching someone you love age before your very eyes.

I'd like to hold tight to those images of her when I was younger and she was the belle of the ball.

Dressing up in her finery for evenings out with Father.

Me sitting on her bed taking in every detail...

from the silky lace trimmed slips

to her fastening her hose and garters

the dabs of Shalimar 

behind her ears, her neck and on her wrists

Father zipping up her zipper

fastening her Sherman necklace

Mother

carefully arranging her hair

and

 clipping on her sparkling dangly earrings

then applying her red lipstick

before blotting on a tissue to absorb the excess

then swishing by me a giving me a quick kiss before grabbing her fur 

and disappearing out the door...

memories have the power to take me back in time

a long long time ago...

This is a delightful read from the blogger Orangette.

Pop by to get a taste of her delicious writing!

We have house guests coming for the weekend...

what plans do you have?

Have Fun!

Happy Frye-day

Lovely daughter has some new boots and my gosh they are gorgeous....
(I have serious boot envy)

leather lovelies

foot friendly

she says they are so comfy

I tried one on and yes they are!

they've been making boots for a very long time

sneakers for the Hostess

patent leather

European "comfort shoe"

It's been a hectic week

and this is the first time that I have put my feet up

don't even want to rehash what's been going on

let's just say it was not one for the memory books

and I am glad it's Friday.

 The weekend will be spent honoring Mother.

Celebrations are in order and they will be fun and we will be dressing up for the occasion.

A theatre matinee

and

a luncheon

and yes there will be flowers.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all Moms

for all that you do

and have done for your offspring

 enjoy your special day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Time is full to bursting with precious memories...
of Mother.

My mother's life is far from perfect.
She has met many challenges and juggled many responsibilities.

I admire the way that she has handled adversity and the way that she sacrificed and put on hold her personal needs in order to spend time ministering to the needs of my ailing father before he died.

Flowers are how I like to celebrate this special day...

I am fortunate to live close to my Mother we see each other often, and spend time together doing things we enjoy.

Here she is on one of our walks along the Esplanade

wearing the Maui Jim sunglasses that we bought for her to wear in her convertible!

Did I ever mention that she drives a BMW?

It's her dream car...

she's way ahead of me!

Cheers to all you Moms out there...

whether you are taking care of your baby,
raising young children,
or remembering your own Mother.

Enjoy and savour your day...

I am celebrating here with a cup of freshly brewed tea...

and looking back in the vast vault of memories from my childhood.

Thanks MOM

Hostess

XO

Reflections, thoughts and musings...on a sunny Monday morning.

Arbutus tree outside the living room window.

Looking back, I do not feel that much older than when we moved into our bungalow, yet here it is nearly 28 years later.

Time does seem to go faster as we get older.

A friend suggested it is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it gets to the end the faster it unrolls.

Our darling children spent their childhood growing up here.

Our home is much quieter since they moved out, Mr. L., the cat and I are not noisy. Except of course on hockey nights when shouts arise when goals are scored.

Bronzed Baby shoes.

Does anyone still do this with their babies first shoes? We were recently in Birks and I noticed that they still provide this service, how comforting to know that some things never change!

We have 2 children, a boy and a girl, they are adults now, and have created lives of their own. JAL our daughter has a great job and a lovely character apartment filled with mid century teak and art glass. She has a trained eye when it comes to antiques and collectibles, the art history university background has helped her recognize quality pieces.

 SBL our son has a lovely wife, they live in a large home with a view which is full of mid century teak and art glass as well. They are expecting a baby in early June and are decorating the babies room at present.

I love my family and want to spend time with them. I do not want to smother them or appear desperate or needy. It is a fine line and I do not want to cross it.

 I am eager to invite them back for Roast Beef Sundays and enjoy the friendly banter and chatter that accompanies their visit.

Monday evenings, JAL comes over to do her laundry, we drink some bubbly, make dinner and watch The Batchelor. I do so love the regular Monday night visit.

 I am grateful for so many things; children who live in the same town, who are connected and share with us, much of what is new in their lives.

I am kitting out the pram and have a knitting project on the needles at present.

Grammy's knitting project #1 box blanket in off white yarn.

Knitting in a quiet room, the sun streaming through the windows, does lend itself to reflection.

The soft sound of the bamboo needles as the stitches slip over top to the other side...counting, concentrating, feels a bit like Yoga for the hands!