A Picture Paints a Thousand Memories

Welcome to a corner of my home.
 

A simple photograph...of an old sewing machine tucked away in a corner of my cottage beside the fire...Not so.

For it tells a many stories and triggers many fond memories...

*The sewing machine itself...was rescued from a skip/dumpster in Portmarnock, Dublin by a friend of mine. He saw it and thought of me. It came with original instruction book and box of accessories, the original packing slip from the factory, and even the original tube of oil. Some old lady had treasured it for years and it ended up in a skip. But then along came Cecil. Thank you Cecil.

 

*The table it stands on is an old, ornate Singer sewing machine stand...It was found by me in the derelict barn on the land that came with the cottage. Much rusted - but to me it was treasure and I sanded it, painted it black and gold and Paul and I added a top, recycled from a spare fence post. We had much fun putting this together , making something out of nothing and Paul taught me how to use a chopsaw and that was a lovely day. I love this table. Thanks Paul

 

*The hugging frog statue to the right of pic are labeled Pam & Paul. A charity shop find and they called to me ....so home they came and got Tippexed and labeled. I can really relate to how these two hug each other. I wonder why? (Paul on right and Pam on left) Thank you Vincent de Paul Shop

*Extreme right can be seen the pump and pipes for  the central heating coming from the stove, all of them installed by my plumber son, Jamie - my baby. I think he hated every minute he spent working here as it is so quiet and rural and everything a young man, used to the mayhem and bright lights of Dublin, does not need or want (Live long enough son, and you will appreciate it) Thank you Jamie.

 

* The book on the table top is an original copy of "Green Rushes"  by Maurice Walsh, the book the film The Quiet Man is based on. My cottage is named White O'Morn after the cottage in the film "The Quiet Man" and I have copied and recreated the cottage in the film as far as is practicable. It is my favourite film...thank you John Huston.

*The coaster. It is hard to read in the picture but it says " A friend is someone who knows all about you - but likes you anyway" It was a gift from a German friend we met in Canada in  2000. I treasure it for its sentiment and for the friend who gave it to us. Thanks  Klaus.

 

* The lamp. A carboot find and I love it even though only one of the lights  ever worked. The lamp base is a lillypad design and the frog was not originally part of  it but is one of the MANY my sis, Angie has given to my husband Paul, who is a fairy and frog fan-at-ic. For the plague of frogs- Thanks Angie.

So - not just a simple picture at all. But full of memories but whenI look at them, at any of the components, they can trigger a particular memory or emotion.

My cottage is full of these vignettes and as my gaze falls upon them ... settling for a few seconds on them, resting on each like a touchstone, I count my blessings and acknowledge them and think...... "Oh, so-and -so gave me that" or "I remember finding that little treasure" or "That reminds me of..."

One of my many mottos is "Delight in the little things"

 And I do.

 

 

Comments

[lajoni]

Oh I love anything that triggers off a memory whether it be a piece of music , a photo or a possesion and I have many around our home alot of them were things that were my mothers, so there of course is the memories of how she came about them too usually from her siblings, she was one of 12 or from a trip to Leicesters huge market ...I still miss her so even after 19 yrs, but its lovely to have so much of her around me xxx Love that photo xx

[margie]

Hi Pam, your sewing machine is fantastic and the story of how you came to have it is wonderful. I love to be surrounded by items with stories, my home is an eclectic mix of items. The fact that you modeled the cottage on the movie is priceless. I loved this post, relishing the memories you shared. Hugs, Margie.

[wow WOW]

Great post , looking forward to mams birthday , we will have great craic xxx

[angie]

Eh who is wow???????

[Tracey]

Lovely things Pam. Hope you have a fantastic time with your family at your mams party...XXX
Tracey~

[Penny]

aw lovely memories . I have too much stuff but it's all so important !

[Catherine]

Right. I'm off to walk around my house taking notice of things! I'm usually in such a rush I forget to do it. Right now I'm looking at a dirty mug, some cartridges I must recycle and a revolting plastic pink tiara...
Not quite what we're aiming at in here!
It's a lovely picture you have there of the sewing machine - looks like something from an interiors magazine!
Love the frog lamp
x x x

[sharie]

Aww what a lovely explanation of of your photograph. So many memories all wrapped up into a small space.

[Val]

I think you should have a tv programme sharing all your tips about where to find treasures and what to look for.

[Colleen]

What a wonderful post! Not only that you took the time to fully appreciate the givers, but that you hold such great and warm thought. Top that off with sharing this with us and I must say it's one of the best posts I've read :-) Thank you for noticing the so-called "little things" and making them BIG memories..

[Angel Mc]

To me a sewing machine is symbol of a mother's love. When I was growing up, my mother made all of my clothes. I have a sewing machine on my charm bracelet.....

[Microsoft Office]

Voila, I can now use 2007 as if it was 2002,

[Allan Willcox]

How’s your son? Jamie must be happy. I guess he didn’t just have the chance to explore your new place, that’s why he didn’t want it at first. That’s normal, I think. Btw, what he did with those pipes is great! How long has he been working as a plumber?