I think I've written before about loving the mornings at my Grandmother's table. I came across this picture the other day and wanted to share it. So many of the things I remember and love are right here in this photo.
On the right .. Ryan and Bryce are next to Gramma, Micheal is adjusting his new glasses in the high chair, Aunt Brenda is standing behind him. To the left are my brothers Jamie and Ian, when they were both cute as could be .. and I'm sitting on my Grandpa's lap.
On the table, the blue melamine pitcher that always smelled of the apple juice my Grandmother served. To us farm kids, it was a rare delight; we just didn't get it at home, so that pitcher became a thing of magic and delight.
The birthday cake in the middle was a signature cake. We always got a confetti angel food cake iced with Gramma's special coconut icing. It was heavenly.
I'm sitting on my grandfather's lap. We had a special bond and although it didn't get me out of chores my grandma assigned, it probably did get me out of a bit of trouble from time to time. Gramps is wearing a golf shirt .. I don't recall ever see him wear anything else. I'm wearing a sweater of some short with the sleeves pushed way up. I never could stand long sleeves. I do look a bit sullen, but I never smiled for the camera ... I had a broken front tooth and was extremely self-conscious about it.
Aunt Brenda is looking as sleek and polished as she always did. I don't believe I ever saw her looking dishevelled, frazzled or less than perfectly dressed.
Gramma herself is a bit fuzzy in this picture, which is too bad because then you'd see what I'll look like when I'm older. She was really a rare sort of person. Calm and patient, she had a caring heart and a lot of friends. She was a "tea lady," having a place in the social circles of many of the town notables. I remember her taking me to teas and admonishing me not to indulge in the pastries unless they were offered. In an age where most women were housewives, she ran a boarding house that helped bring in enough money for the family to live comfortably. Hmm .. I never gave it much thought until now: I never knew them when their kids were at home .. I've always just sorta supposed they were as comfortable then as when I knew them. Gramma had the latest kitchen appliances, including a stove that tucked out of sight into a drawer and an overhead oven when they were almost unheard of. That stove is still a marvel.
In the back corner sits the toaster that Gramps loved and fascinated us kids. The toast went up and down automatically and browned each side perfectly.
On the table, my mother's cigarettes, from when she still smoked, and on the back counter top, a crystal ashtray.
Yea, lots of memories in this simple picture.
On the right .. Ryan and Bryce are next to Gramma, Micheal is adjusting his new glasses in the high chair, Aunt Brenda is standing behind him. To the left are my brothers Jamie and Ian, when they were both cute as could be .. and I'm sitting on my Grandpa's lap.
On the table, the blue melamine pitcher that always smelled of the apple juice my Grandmother served. To us farm kids, it was a rare delight; we just didn't get it at home, so that pitcher became a thing of magic and delight.
The birthday cake in the middle was a signature cake. We always got a confetti angel food cake iced with Gramma's special coconut icing. It was heavenly.
I'm sitting on my grandfather's lap. We had a special bond and although it didn't get me out of chores my grandma assigned, it probably did get me out of a bit of trouble from time to time. Gramps is wearing a golf shirt .. I don't recall ever see him wear anything else. I'm wearing a sweater of some short with the sleeves pushed way up. I never could stand long sleeves. I do look a bit sullen, but I never smiled for the camera ... I had a broken front tooth and was extremely self-conscious about it.
Aunt Brenda is looking as sleek and polished as she always did. I don't believe I ever saw her looking dishevelled, frazzled or less than perfectly dressed.
Gramma herself is a bit fuzzy in this picture, which is too bad because then you'd see what I'll look like when I'm older. She was really a rare sort of person. Calm and patient, she had a caring heart and a lot of friends. She was a "tea lady," having a place in the social circles of many of the town notables. I remember her taking me to teas and admonishing me not to indulge in the pastries unless they were offered. In an age where most women were housewives, she ran a boarding house that helped bring in enough money for the family to live comfortably. Hmm .. I never gave it much thought until now: I never knew them when their kids were at home .. I've always just sorta supposed they were as comfortable then as when I knew them. Gramma had the latest kitchen appliances, including a stove that tucked out of sight into a drawer and an overhead oven when they were almost unheard of. That stove is still a marvel.
In the back corner sits the toaster that Gramps loved and fascinated us kids. The toast went up and down automatically and browned each side perfectly.
On the table, my mother's cigarettes, from when she still smoked, and on the back counter top, a crystal ashtray.
Yea, lots of memories in this simple picture.
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