Monday 25 July 2016

Family Heirlooms.

I often look at this clock when I am sat tapping the computer keys.  I remember it in my grandparent's parlour or "the room", that was kept for best when the vicar visited, or laying somebody out on the table when they died.  That's why it's always been said to be unlucky to put shoes on the table.  New shoes especially.


The clock is a miniature version of Shandon church in Cork city.  The clock's had a new face fitted.  But it's not like the old grandfather's axe chestnut.  The one that's had 7 new handles and seven new heads. 

"But it's still my grandfather's axe".

I have featured my grandmother's patchwork quilts on the blog before.   They still keep us warm and the clock stands on my shelf telling us the time.  

Do you have any of your grandparents heirlooms?  I wonder what we will pass down to our grandchildren?

12 comments:

  1. I have moved too often to have heirlooms from parents and grandparents, but do have a couple of old hand written knitting patterns from my grandmother, which I treasure.

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    1. Hi Vera. Please post a blog of your old hand written knitting patterns. I am sure a lot of people would like to see them. Thanks!

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  2. I have a sampler from one side of the family and from the other I have my Grans side board, that they got when they were bombed out in the war. it has the Utility Furniture CC mark on the back. When you open the doors its smells of the house on the farm. I also have her wedding ring. Much treasured possessions.

    I think I will do a blog post about the cupboard. Thank you for the idea.

    I love the clock, I like the colour

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    Replies
    1. Yes th colour of the clock is unusual isn't it Sol? It's very old and somebody must have decided to paint it blue instead of brown.

      Please do post a blog about your Grans sideboard and tell us their tale of surviving the blitz. Thanks!

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  3. No shoes allowed on the table in this house, very unlucky.

    I have the family carving knife which I use every day and sharpen exactly as my mum did, on the step. I love the knife and treasure it dearly and make sure that I am the one who washes it up and puts it away. If I cannot find the knife I start to panic. It is the only heirloom I have.

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    Replies
    1. I Rachel. I really liked your Tour De France drawings.

      I can imagine how you feel when you can't find the knife. We have a few items which my parent's treasured and we won't part with them either. Thanks!

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    2. Thanks Dave. I had to find time each evening to draw/invent something and it became a bit of a ritual!

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    3. I wish I had your creative mind Rachel. I use to blog 3 times a week at least. Now I struggle to write one post of interest.

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  4. I have only memories. But they are vivid. I can still see the old brown teapot and the black kettle settled on the coals. And pipes in the rack on the mantlepiece. My mind is crammed with memorabilia.

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  5. Your comment sounds like a wonderful beginning to a reminisce of your child hood Gwil. Very Dylan Thomas like in your style. I remember the smell of newly dug potatoes and tobacco from my grandfather's pipe. Think you have got a piece of prose or a poem there Gwil. Thanks!

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  6. I have a few family things that have been passed down some are out on display were they will stay until its time to pass them on t the next generation, I also have some old family cook books and hand written recipes that I have photocopied for family members.

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  7. Hi Dawn. Yout old family cook books and hand written recipes sound really interesting. Thanks!

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