Friday, January 9, 2009

Old Pictures

As a kid, trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house weren't always on the top ten favorite things to do - especially since Grandma was a bit of a worry wort and a "neat freak". My brothers and I would sneak down to the creek and do things we weren't suppose to do, like get dirty and dig up worms. As a result of doing naughty things, a trip to the sofa for a time out was always in store. What made matters worse is that there were endless minutes of soaps playing on the TV. Eww! People were kissing! I'd rather be chasing frogs! There was one picture over Grandma's couch and I would just stare at it for what seemed like hours. It was an old green tint photo from a World's Fair held in San Francisco. It was a tranquil photo of some white columns next to a pond. There was something magical and mysterious about the picture. I think that that picture embedded a passion inside of me for old pictures, especially those of landcape and green tinted.
I have a large shelf over our couch that holds a few of my favorite old pictures. Some are landscape, one is of Yosemite Valley in the 1920's....
...but my favorites are the old cottages. The last one here reminds me of the Bodega Bay area in California - you know...where the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds was filmed.

Now I am just thankful for having served time on my Grandma's sofa. Perhaps it wasn't really that bad afterall. If only I could sit there again with her - but this time I would probably watch the soaps along with her.
Oh, and if you are wondering where Grandma's picture is now, it is at my sweet Mom's house. She told me I can have it the next time I go to visit. I bet you can guess where it is going to go......

Have a lovely weekend......

See you next week.

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38 comments:

  1. LorriJanuary 9, 2009 at 7:16 PM

    My grandmother had a picture of a dog howling over a lost sheep. It was really scary to me and I would never sit in the chair facing that wall. Funny how we remember those things. I think my sister has that same photo now on her wall. Have a great day. Love the new blog banner.
    Lorri

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  2. Lisa PogueJanuary 9, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    I love LOVE this post. the pictures are so amazing!!

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  3. SueJanuary 9, 2009 at 7:47 PM

    Isn't it funny how we all have a picture we seem to remember so well from childhood. Mine was at the beachhouse where we would spend summers. Two elderly sisters were friends of the family and in the bedroom where I slept was a picture smack dab in front of the bed of a fancy lady walking two Russian Wolfhounds...it used to play tricks with my eyes and would look like all sorts of weird things. But I did grow to love it...Thanks for bringing up that memory and sharing yours. Have a great weekend...Sue.

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  4. lorhen82January 9, 2009 at 7:56 PM

    What an endearing story! I get so nostalgic at times, thinking about things from my childhood. Thanks for sharing these memories!

    Lori

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  5. Leigh of Tales from BloggeritavilleJanuary 9, 2009 at 8:49 PM

    Sweet sweet post!

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  6. LindaJanuary 9, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    Wonderful pictures and all the frames are so pretty too. What sweet memories you have of visits to your grandmother's.....hugs, Linda

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  7. Mimi SueJanuary 9, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    You're right that does look like Bodega Bay, or what it used to look like. Love all those pictures. Your house is lovely. As is your blog. Mimi

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  8. Rosie's WhimsyJanuary 10, 2009 at 3:55 AM

    What a perfectly wonderful collection. You have displayed them so nicely. Note to self: copy this look!!

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  9. Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart IsJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:21 AM

    What sweet pictures, Becky!

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  10. SalJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:31 AM

    I can remember some of the pictures in my grandparents homes.I thought these pictures were quite awful at the time but now I would love them!!
    Funny, isn't it? ;-)

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  11. LalleeJanuary 10, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    You have the best collection of all! Aren't things more special to us when our yearn for them is triggered from a past memory. I was so glad to read at the end that your grandmother's picture is still in the family. I can't wait to see it. You have a great weekend yourself and give Doogs a big big hug for me. Then have him give you a snuggle back.
    Lallee

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  12. RebeccaJanuary 10, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    Your pictures are just lovely. Love the frames!
    Thanks for sharing your precious childhood memories!

    Huggles,
    Rebecca

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  13. Simply ShelleyJanuary 10, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    Hi Becky,thanks for sharing your story of your trips to Grandma's,and all your lovely "Old Pictures". Can't wait to see Grandma's picture along side your others.

    Blessings,Shelley

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  14. the wild raspberryJanuary 10, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    Recently I went into the basement of my Grandma's house where I spent so many hours of my childhood. I hadn't been down there for years but everything was exactly as I remembered. The pictures on the walls were what evoked the most memories. It was an overpowering and amazing feeling. Isn't the family bond tremendous?!

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  15. TanyaJanuary 10, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    I'm with you. I love old pictures of cottages, and rivers, and trees!

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  16. Cottage LifestyleJanuary 10, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    My grandmother didn't spend any time outside so I was stuck sitting on the couch watching soaps while my brother got to spend time with my grandfather doing woodworking projects. While I was sitting on the couch I would stare at her shadow box mirror...which I inherited. Love your paintings.

    Renee

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  17. Auntie sezzzzzz...January 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    How interesting it is, to ponder on how/when we came to love the things we love...

    What a precious entry this is. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Aunt Amelia

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  18. LouiseJanuary 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    Me and my brother spent every Saturday morning over at our grandparents. Isn't it great to have so many lovely memories from these times. x

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  19. UnknownJanuary 10, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    Oh you little frog chaser you! I have been keeping my eye out for cottage paintings and prints.... they are pretty hard to find. Your collection is awesome!

    ~Liz

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  20. Skoots1moMJanuary 10, 2009 at 1:15 PM

    you've intrigued me with your pics...i love my grandmother's old pics also. I have a small pic she gave me in my secretary

    i would see it each time i would sleep in her second bedroom on visits...
    be sure to post the new pic when you get it

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  21. DenaJanuary 10, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    Hi Becky,

    Isn't it amazing how those little elements of our childhood weave back in to our lives? You'll have to take a picture when you get it put up! Love the new blog look and that sweet picture of you on the sidebar :)

    Hugs
    Dena

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  22. cherryJanuary 10, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    Hello dear Becky! What beautiful soft light....makes me want to snuggle up! You asked about my camara...I have a Canon EOS Rebel XTI...I love it but MUST learn more about it! I am a bit scared of it and its abilities. I just love your photos...that cabinet is to die for! cherrry

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  23. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 10, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    What wonderful memories. We only appreciate them when we get a little older and realize how special our early years were. I love to surround myself with reminders of the past, too! Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Maison DouceJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    Love your blog's new look! It's funny how we remember things like that from when we were kids!! I love your vintage prints!
    Isabel

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  25. ElyseJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:53 PM

    hi becky!

    what a fun read. gosh, i don't think grandparents in "our day" were the hands-on, playing on the floor kind my children's grandparents aspire to be today. i remember cigar smoke, rosebud mint candies and no toys around during visits. LOL!

    lovely pics and again, a nice read.

    xo

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  26. JeanJanuary 10, 2009 at 7:35 PM

    Old pictures are one of my favorite things and you have some really great ones. I love how you have them on your shelf. You Have a great weekend too.
    Jean in Virginia

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  27. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2009 at 5:48 AM

    If I want to start my day off right, I know that a visit to your blog will make that happen! ((hugs))
    I love this post about your grandmother's pictures, etc., and I LOVE your blog design and I LOVE the photo of so-cute-you. Love it all Becky!
    ((((hugs))))
    Kim

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  28. SandyJanuary 11, 2009 at 8:51 AM

    Love, love, love your blog! I am a new visitor and would love to add you to my blog roll. I am seeking permission to use a photo from your blog as part of a post introducing new links to my blog roll. Thank you for your consideration in the matter.

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  29. SueLovesCherriesJanuary 11, 2009 at 10:46 AM

    Not a picture memory, but a lamp at my grandparents' house. They had a lamp with a shade that had a scene of a forest fire (of all things!). It rotated from the heat of the bulb so it looked like the flames were moving. It always intrigued me, especially the oddity of the scene. Never seen one like it since.

    Becky, check out the photo I put on my blog today - it's an old Scripture print, but the frame is similar to yours.

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  30. The Pink Rose CottageJanuary 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    What a cute story about spending time at your grandma's house! I love how you have your treasured pictures displayed!

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  31. Kathleen GraceJanuary 11, 2009 at 6:32 PM

    These are so sweet! My grandmother had landscapes like these in her house too and I remember just staring at them and loving them.

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  32. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2009 at 4:28 AM

    I love old pictures too. Thank you for sharing yours.

    Becky, I have nominated you for a blog award. Please come and visit to find out more.

    Kate xxx

    (Please also send me some cooler weather:-))

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  33. Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8TivaJanuary 12, 2009 at 5:54 AM

    i loved to visit my grandmother...she was my anchor...i used to collect art of houses...i love stryctures...happy new year...hugs, rebecca

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  34. Debra RobertsJanuary 12, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    Good mornin'n my dear snl,

    I LOVE all the cottage pictures and your new layout. So you!
    Love you.
    dbr~

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  35. jane and the happy crowJanuary 12, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    What a lovely collection of pictures you have and a lovely memory of your Gandma. I remember having to sit and watch a truly awful soap with my Gran every Friday when she would visit, but it was the cuddling up with her in the chair that I remember most. Jane xx

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  36. ROSE VINE COTTAGEJanuary 13, 2009 at 5:59 AM

    I think it is amazing that your Mom kept the pic from your Grandma's house, alot of times we don't appreciate those types of things and people get rid of them ): I can't wait to see it. I love just about anything if it has a cottage on it, LOL.
    Hugs~Kelly

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  37. SweetAnneeJanuary 16, 2009 at 3:17 PM

    I love all those pics..COOL collection.
    Hope all are feeling good

    Love
    Deena

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  38. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2009 at 3:32 AM

    Becky,
    Indeed the antique pieces in our grandparents house are unique. I got some of them to my house. Nice post. you have nice collection.

    Thanks,
    Lisa

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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!