an old store sign holder brings back memories

When I was a little girl my family and I lived in an itty-bitty farming community in Central California. There was a dairy down each country road, horses grazing in pastures and big red barns dotting the outstretched green landscape. Bales of hay lined up like tin soldiers waiting to be distributed to the fat black and white cows. I remember the smells of those dairies – kind of pungent, especially on a hot summer evening. My uncle had a dairy and it was my very favorite place to go. Us kids would entertain ourselves for hours-on-end playing hide-and-go-seek around the stacked hay bales and chase each other around the barn and over the fenced pastures. We would stay out as long as we could before the mosquitoes would start to attack us.

Going “up town” was always such a treat. Oftentimes mom would treat us to an ice cream cone at the corner hamburger stand. My favorite: “The Twist” – you know, the half vanilla, half chocolate soft serve ice-cream. So cool and frosty…..mmm. (note to self: I am going to get one of those today!). Sometimes I would change it up a bit and settle for a chocolate dipped soft serve. Hard chocolate over frosty vanilla ice cream – cracking into pieces with each bite. Delicious!

Martino’s market was the go-to grocery store in town. I remember that the building had very high ceilings, brick walls, whirling black ceiling fans, a deli counter filled with fresh cut meats, pastry racks full of tempting treats, freshly made Portuguese sweet bread and an old black and white linoleum floor – PERFECT to play hopscotch on. This was also where I was at the day President Kennedy was assassinated. Mom and I had just driven up to the front of the store and the news flash came over the radio of our little yellow Rambler station wagon. Needless to say, we didn’t get to go inside the store that trip. Mom sat there and cried. I was only three, however I remember that moment very clearly.

Martino’s Market had hundreds of these old sign holders, too. When I saw this one at a flea market for $2.00 I snatched it up. Not only is it serendipitous, it has such a great look to it. Metal with a little rust…..perfection! I am also loving the contrast of the black frame against the white ironstone dishes.

So what do I want to put in the holder?

A picture?

A chalkboard?

Love notes?

I thought about using it to hold “what’s for dinner” – like a little menu board to stand on the counter, or table, when company comes for dinner.

So tell me, how would YOU use this piece?

I would LOVE to hear your ideas!!

See y’all next week! Till then, sending a ((hug)) to each and every one of you! Oh, and one more thing… Duhgall and Fiona want to remind you that a little nap now and then is good for the soul! *woof*

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I am also participating in my first "White Wednesday" at Faded Charm blog. Stop over to visit and see all of the beautiful posts for today.