Saturday, June 16, 2012

Past Times/Pastimes

My mom has been going through boxes of photos that came from her parents and my dad's parents, and sending me a few, some of which I have never seen.  This one, for instance:

This is my sister Kathy and me, I believe with Christmas gifts, modeling Grandma's handmade flannel nightgowns and new dollies wearing matching nightgowns.  We must have been about 6 and 7 years old, when Pixie cuts were all the rage. Isn't my sister the cutest with her beautiful dark red hair and matching dolly? This photo must have been taken at the other grandmother's house, because I see a lot of boys' feet and legs and arms, and I think Uncle David is sticking his head in the photo.  My mom has seven younger brothers; David is the youngest and is six months younger than his first nephew, my oldest brother Kevin.  Got that?  Anyway, this photo triggered the memory of the dolly and her nightgown, tucked away in a suitcase with other treasured childhood things.

Poor thing, her hair is a mess, the nightgown has a weird blue stain and the sleeve elastic is long worn out, but she still has the most darling face.  The sock doll I made at about age 10 or 11 with my best friend from two doors down, Toni, from a book of crafts she had.  The dolly's name is Flower.  I gave her the black hair and blue eyes I always admired on Snow White.  Flower's looking a bit worse for wear too, but I'll always keep her.  

I took a much-needed mental health day off of work on Thursday and worked on the X's and O's to distract myself from the sadness and stress of the last two weeks until we close.  The stripes are going every which way but it isn't really bothering me.  I may turn some of the squares to have all the stripes going the same way around the outside edges.  So there you have it, Past Times and Pastimes.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG! I have that same doll tucked away in a box in the basement! My Aunt Doris gave it to me way back when I was a young girl. My Aunt Doris had passed of cancer when I was a young girl too...so I never parted with the doll.

Shay said...

Dolly looks a bit worse for wear but then again who am I to judge? I'm about the same age I suspect I look a bit worse for wear too! It looks like your dolly has had a lot of loving !

It must be the time of year for reflecting back Annie. My MIL dragged out her old pictures Monday and my cousin shared some family photos with us yesterday. I love looking back at old photos

carol fun said...

I love looking at old photos - good memories. As for a special dolly- my dear Mom kept a doll I made myself when I was around 8 or 9. I embroidered the face and made clothes for it. It is only about 9" tall. I found the whole packaged wrapped in tissue paper in a drawer of her dresser after she passed away. I will never let it go. Happy stitching!

One Minnesota Quilter said...

I have been gone for a few weeks and so I am just getting caught up on my blog reading. Sounds like your life has been rather eventful - hope things turn favorable soon.

I really like the blocks you are working on right now. The stripes give unique direction to it and I love the brown and pinks.

Had to laugh at your plutonium comment - sounds like something I would have said. :)

Judy

Janet O. said...

Oh, I got many a pixie cut as a child. My hair was curly and snarly and Mom gave up the battle of trying to comb through when it was long--so it was snipped short and stayed that way for years!
I think your block is wonderful--and the stripes going different ways adds more visual texture.

Barb said...

It is so fun that you still have those dolls, love love your quilt!

Browndirtcottage said...

Oh how cute you and sister are!!! I can remember a homemade flannel nighty in my past too! How wonderful you two had matching dollies and that you STILL have yours! That's COOL!

Yee-ow oh yow I bet you needed a mental health day!!!! I certainly hope a little X's and O's was some good therapy for you!!!

I am sooooo luvin' that background fabric!! YUM!

Kate said...

How fun! Speaking of dolls, both you and your sister looked like ones as well.

Ted Corse said...

I vaguely remember one of your brothers shooting a bb gun at those while they were hanging in the orange tree. Not this brother though.

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