Thursday, August 7, 2008

I LIKE OLD THINGS

Well, I guess it sounds better if I say I like "vintage" things. If given the
choice between using something vintage or something brand new I will
almost always use the vintage item. Why? Because I think things were
made better in the past. There weren't machines to do ALL the work, so 
the human touch was required at some point along the way.

Plus (and this is a BIG plus) things were made to last. Items were made
with the idea in mind that you couldn't just run down to Walmart and
get another. You had to make do with what you had. This meant you had 
to learn how to fix it yourself or find someone that knew how. People
took pride in knowing how to do things. They took pride in producing
something worthwhile, something that had value.

My grandma had a sock darner made from wood. I told my younger
daughter about it the other day and she was fascinated. She couldn't
believe that you would actually mend an item like a sock that is so 
abundant & cheap that it takes up a whole aisle by itself in Walmart.

We talked about "the old days" and how different things were. I was
blown away when I learned that my grandma used to tat! Tatting was
the old way of making lace and delicate, decorative finishes for clothing
and household linens. A shuttle was used and a very light thread. Talk 
about intricate. And time consuming...oh my.

But what a cool skill to have! I would love to have talked with grandma
about tatting and what a treat it would have been to see her fingers in
action, twisting and turning the tiny threads into something so pretty.
I went to our state fair a few years back and was thrilled to see this
wonderful art form has not been lost. There were several women there
demonstrating how to tat and make lace. I was fascinated and I am
certain they wondered about the pest with the big grin on her face who
wouldn't quit asking questions and stayed through all 5 of their working
demonstrations.


I found this neat "vintage" box at an estate sale for pennies. The 
lady said  it was old trash and she didn't want it anymore. I liked it 
right away because it looks like it was from the 40's. It measures 
1 1/2" x 4 1/4",  the perfect size to fit just about anywhere. 
I opened it up...

and inside were rows of neat little colored cards. They were packed 
so tightly in there it was hard to pull one out. I managed to get one 
out and this is what it said...

Each one of these tiny cards have a different scripture verse and a short, relevant 
poem that follows it. Aren't they awesome? I think I may put these on the lazy 
susan in the middle of our dinner table and read a different one every night at 
dinner. God's Word--the best thing in the world to feast on.


Sometimes it seems to me like modern life is full of trash. It's not difficult to see 
the negative if that's all you are looking for. I say let's look for the treasures 
instead, even if it means seeing things a little different than usual...

This is what is growing across from our street's row of trash cans. 
I will miss it unless I turn away from the trash and look in the other direction.



Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or 
praiseworthy—think about such things.



15 comments:

Lucy said...

beautiful post today dear friend from way up and over yonder. The verse in Philippians has been my verse for a few weeks.
Hope Keith is mending and not in too much pain.
Take care, I will be back soon.

The Stricklands said...

Kris,
Such precious thoughts. I, too, will always buy old and used if I can. I love old dishes, old houses, old......well, anything! I am not even minding getting a little older myself :) I think my grandparents could repair almost anything. They were married during the depression, and their first "home" was a tent in an oil field. I know that my grandmother made that tent a beautiful place. I still miss her dearly even though she has been gone for many years.

We had a stressful day with the purchase of the house we want to buy. It may all fall through because of an issue with the roof. I so needed the reminder to turn my eyes to heavenly things and not focus on the things of this world. Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend with your sweet family!

Janette said...

What an amazing find. I would enjoy that box- totally. It is short- a good way to start or end the day in the glory of God. Those are the "old things" I most miss in this rushed life.

Anonymous said...

I read your comment over at the Perlmans's and just wanted to pop over to say hi. I loved reading about you and your husband and your sneaking around to help that lady; that must have been a lot of fun!

Karen Deborah said...

Love this post! So awesome how God gives his beautiful gifts to one who would treasure them. How thankful that treasure was not lost. Beautiful box of hope.
My Grandma tatted too, I have a lot of her things that she made. Somewhere I have the box of tatting spools. I was just thinking the other day I wish she would have taught me to make slippers. She always knitted slippers with her yarn remnants. I learned to crochet but knitting baffles me, I add and drop stitches and get these strange creations. I think one of the reasons I admire my husband is he knows how to do so many wonderful things, besides his heart; and thanks again for sharing yours. Your a precious friend. Thanks for sharing the beauty of where you live and what you believe.

Becky said...

I love your scripture box... it IS awesome! I love old stuff too... I mean vintage ;-)

Caution/Lisa said...

When my MIL passed away, she left one of those promise boxes to my children. I thought that was sweet until I learned that to her other grandchildren she left $20,000. I finally got disgusted with myself about how much I resented that promise box.

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

Thanks for stopping by everyone! I have SO many vintage treasures I have gathered over the years. I thought about doing a post now and again about some of it, the story behind it, etc.

Give me an estate sale, auction, garage sale or antique store and I am one happy hunter!

Kris

Becky said...

Good day, Kris. I'm with you about the estate/garage sales. You have been tagged by me. Check my blog for Happy Feet :-) Perhaps you have a vintage pair.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful find, Kris!! How sad that the owner saw it as trash ~ but what a blessing for you! I know you will enjoy it!

Thanks for sharing this lovely post!!

Have a great day,

Sharon

Aelwyn said...

Both my mother and grandmother had promise boxes when I was a girl. I loved drawing the day's card out as a girl.

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

I love hearing that some of you remember these Promise Boxes! I think it's neat how God always keeps His word alive through the ages.

Kris

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Anonymous said...

Kris, I am crying as I read this. We had a small box like this at our house of scripture verses. My mom would often sit one at our table for us. Why? Because EVERY morning when she was growing up at breakfast her mother had one sitting at her plate for her and her siblings to read before they left for school. My mom was a ministers kid, so she was exposed to scripture in many ways, but seeing that little box just flooded me with memories of my Grandma who just died. Thanks for this post my friend.

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

What a great memory Pam! How neat your family had one of these boxes too. We have been reading them at dinnertime now and sure enjoy it.

Kris