Many thanks to those of you who have written asking how the move is going. It is coming along very nicely. We have been moving boxes to the new house all this past week, two or three vanloads each day. I've been able to unpack just about everything we have moved over thus far. We'll be getting a truck this weekend to move the furniture and the last of the household items. A friend is so kindly watching the girls on Saturday and my friend Maura has provided a chicken stir fry for dinner tonight. Mom is making a huge pot of chili and some cornbread muffins for Saturday's dinner. Mike's brother and two of his sisters are arriving in town this weekend to help with the move. We are very blessed to be surrounded by so many kind friends and family members.
I have been purging the old house as well as packing. Some of the things I have gone through have been emotional for me as I had about ten boxes of things that belonged to my father who died in 2001. They have sat on an upper shelf in my basement since then, unopened. Today, I knew it was time to deal with them both literally and emotionally. My dad was a master model shipwright and I inherited his extensive library of shipbuilding and Great Lakes books. I intend to sell or donate most of them in the upcoming weeks and did not plan to open those taped boxes labelled "Dad's books" but, rather, planned to move them to the new house until I could sort them out.
I am SO grateful I opened them today as this is what I found in one:
Yup, a beat up old Winkelman's clothing box. Anyone remember Winkelman's? You might be wondering what was wrapped inside that box.
An entire box of hand embroidered table and bed linens made by my father's maternal grandmother!
Can I tell you how I shrieked aloud with GLEE?!? They must have been passed down to my father (who never used them or displayed them). My great grandmother died in the mid 1960's so that gives you a time frame as to the last time they were used. Her initials are on some of the items. Perhaps my dad wrapped them in tissue and stuck them in this box. When he died and his apartment was packed up, someone put them in a box of books. It certainly wasn't me as I have never seen them before. They were all crisply pressed and folded neatly. Even the folds were pressed as was common back then.
Here are some closeups for your enjoyment.
Rectangular tablecloth
Days of the week dishtowel
A darling set of dishtowels
A set of embroidered pillowcases with crocheted edges
Another set with different color palette
A cross shaped basket liner embroidered with "Hot Rolls"
I just can't tell you how excited I am about this. It was such a nice surprise amidst the boxes, dust, hustle and bustle. Funny thing is that my house is fairly modern. Not in a black and mirrors kind of way but sort of a Pottery Barn meets Tuscany sort of way. Not sure how these linens will meld with that but I am determined to find a way to work a few of them in. The pillowcases will go beautifully in the girls room, which is rather girly and cheerful. Still mulling over the rest of them.
Anyhow, I thought you all would enjoy seeing my find. Now I have to get back to packing. :)
