Bits and Pieces from My Mother's House

After my mother died, we emptied her house and we each took a few bits and pieces. She had a list of who got what and she put our names on the bottom of special things too so it all went really fast and it was easy. This blog talks about a random group of things but that’s what our houses are filled with. This print was always on the wall when I was growing up. There were actually two different prints but the other one was in poor shape so I didn’t save it except for the frame. (I later bought a replacement for that print on Ebay and used the original frame on that one.) I have always loved this print, it is so colorful. The original frame for this print was imitation bamboo but it was in bad shape so I had the print reframed. This print is actually the cover for a 1940’s ship wine list, the S. S. Lurine owned by Matson Lines. The ship was built in 1932 and traveled between California and Hawaii. The artist was Frank McIntosh, he was born in 1901 and died in 1985. He did many designs like this for cruise ship menus. I don’t know where Mom got the prints, I wish I knew. It’s partly why I am writing these blog posts, so my kids will know the stories.

When I was growing up this was always a lamp in the house. At some point, Mom took the lamp parts off and it became a vase again. I think she bought it in the 1950’s somewhere maybe in Vista or Elsinore where we were living then. It doesn’t have any markings on the bottom. I think it came from China as an import for purchase in the United States.

I have always been fascinated by the dragon design on this side, and looking so closely at the vase for the first time, I see what looks like a butterfly on the bottom!

I turned it around to take a photo of the back and suddenly I saw the bird design, I have never seen that before! I thought this side was just a random design. I never looked that closely at it. Looks kind of like a flying chicken but I’m not sure. If anyone knows further, let me know!

As a child, I remember this hanging on the wall. I’m not sure where it came from. It was stained with age and so I treated it carefully with Biz and reframed it. It hangs on the wall just inside the front door and I think of my mother every time I see it. She loved people and she had many friends who she kept in touch with all her life.

As a child I remember this print hanging on the wall too, it came from my Nana. In one corner it says, Moden Z 1841. After my Great-Grandfather died in 1880 in Indiana, my Great-Grandmother took her two small daughters and moved to her brother’s in Kansas to learn how to make hats. I think this fashion print probably was hers because it shows different bonnet designs. It is very old and fragile. I had it reframed because the original frame was falling apart.

One of my regular chores while I was growing up was setting the table every night. There were seven of us, my mother was a stickler for proper etiquette, and I learned early on how to set a table correctly. At some point she bought these aluminum napkin rings, one for each of us I think. I wonder if any of the boys still have theirs.

This sterling bell came from my Nana, it was used to summon the maid I think (when they still had a maid, before the Depression). Sometimes when I was sick my mother would let me keep it next to my bed so I could ring it if I needed her. I love the delicate flower design on it and it still has a wonderful tone. I cherish all these bits and pieces from my childhood and the memories they recall.