Saturday, November 20, 2010

who are you?

One of my favorite collections are of old photos that are framed in beautiful metal and wood frames. They just speak to my heart. When I look into the faces of the people in the picture, I wonder who they are, what are their names and their story.

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Who would get rid of your picture? Why isn’t it important enough to hold onto your image and memory?

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Just look at this sweet trio. The little guy on the left reminds me of a character right out of The Little Rascals. Just look at that perfect part down the center of his hair! The clothing is fascinating, too. I am loving the laced up shoes and the imperfect ties.

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Who could these handsome lads be? I am thinking a group of professionals…like bankers or doctors. What would you guess?

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This is my favorite picture of all. I bought it from my friend Marcia’s shop years back and fell in love with the frame AND the photo. You see, the little boy on the left and the curly haired boy in the center look exactly – and I mean exactly – like my two boys. Even the age difference is spot on. The dog could pass for our beloved Daisy, too.

If you look reallllll close, the little curly haired boy ripped his britches……see?

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Yes, poor little chap!

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The old photos now have a place front and center around our home. They are special….no matter who they are or what their story is. ……You are safe with me now….not to be sold at another antique store. Maybe you could be distant relatives, too? You just never know, now do you?

35 comments:

Buttercup said...

You're inspiring me. I have a number of photos of my grandparents -- some over 100 years old now. I'm going to choose a few and do a collage for one wall. Thanks!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Wonderful frames and photos
Benny & Lily

Pondside said...

Who knows? They are sweet, all of them.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I love old photos too. Especially of old family members. That picture of the 3 little boys is priceless. So cute! Love & blessings from NC!

Unknown said...

I love old photos too ,and wonder about the story behind them , and why someone gets rid of them. I cherrish my old family photos.
Sharon

Betty said...

That last photo is absolutely priceless. I always wonder how people can sell their old photos too especially at estate sales. Sometimes there is no one to keep them. So sad.

Pam said...

Love the old frames and photos. Don't know who they are but it sure would be fun to hear their story. The great things is that they are now proudly displayed in your home.

Kit said...

I love that you rescued these wonderful photos. I could never part with my old photos. They must get "lost" during estate sales. Kit

Duke said...

Our mom just loves the old photos! We have quite a few that really need to be hung out where we can see and enjoy them!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

becky up the hill said...

ahhh Becky, I always feel the same way. I love old photographs, and yet they make me wonder and sigh. Love the little guys and the one with the torn britches..so cute. I bet you invent stories about them all. I know I do.

Unknown said...

Ya! I don't get it.... In my family we fight over the old photos. They are just as treasured as the antiques and jewelry... I have to feel a little sad when I see a bunch of old photos that no one wanted enough to hold on to.... sniff, sniff... But they are loved now and do look perfect in your home! :)

~Liz

Unknown said...

This post is such an important one! Being a genealogist I am so sad when I go into an antique store or a paper crafting store and see bunches of these old photos....I hate going into Cracker Barrel for the same reason. I think it is sad that a family would give these away...but then again there is always a sadder fact that there might not be anymore family. I have a lot of these photos that were my grandmother's. Little by little we have found out who about 25% are....I cherish tham anyway! Thank you for giving these sweet images a good home! Sandy

Blondie's Journal said...

I love old pictures, too and think it is better they ended up in a little antique store than the trash. At least they have the chance to be loved by someone like you!!

You mentioned you had a recipe for chocolate, peanut butter, Rice Krispy balls and I'm wondering if you would email me the recipe. They sound delicious and I'd love to make them for Thanksgiving for the kids!! Thanks so much, Becky!

XO,
Janie

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

It always breaks my heart to see photographs go on the auction block.

Miss Jean said...

You've seen my collection of pictures like this and you know I feel the same way you do. I've concentrated on pictures of children and have rescued them from antique stores. I just don't think they deserve to be left on a shelf unloved.

Hugs to all.

Jocelyn said...

I too have wondered why people discard part of their heritage. Makes me sad. But you have given these few a good home

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Elsie said...

Becky I'm so old I don't have to buy my ancestors.LOL. I have bought some though and I do the
same thing, I wonder who they are
and how hard it was back in those days. I also wonder why someone would no longer want them. I have a large bubble glass frame from the forties with this really pretty lady in it which I bought for the frame but got it home and could not bring myself to cover her up.
I just call her our bought ancestor. Most of mine I have all over the house are from my family, some are from hubby's. My grandfather was a teacher/principal and taught my mom when she was very small and I have a photo of the whole class with her in it and he is standing in the back. It is sooo cool. A lot of the kids didn't have shoes.
That was in the 20's and 30's. Love all of the old pictures. The men in your photo could be the city council.Love your pic of the boys, awesome frame. Yes that does look like alfalfa of the Little Rascals, if only he had some sticking up in back.":O)

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

Oh Becky, I love the picture of three boys! I think they are adorable and like you, I love old photos too! even tho' I don't have much, but still I like to have some!.. thanks for sharing and this is such an inspirational post! have a great weekend! happy thanksgiving!

Vee said...

You are just the kind of gal whom I would imagine rescuing old photos and making promises never to sell them again. I don't think that I could sell my rescued photos either, but I have considerably fewer than you do since I have so many family photos. I just found my grandmother's paternal grandparents' photos. I was very excited about that and I also found my grandmother's baby photo in an old locket...also a neat find.

Simple Home said...

I like to decorate with old family photos too. All of mine are of my family though. I look at these everytime I'm at a store that has them. I always think the same thing...who would get rid of them?
Blessings,
Marcia

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Love this post Becky! I have the same feelings when I see old photo's. I love the photo you have of the three children! Adorable.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I feel the same way! I never understand it when I see them for sale...I just want to find the family and return them!

Amy said...

Becky....I too love old photos. In our upstairs hallway I made a gallery of all old photos of our dear departed loved ones. It warms my heart having them displayed there.

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

I ♥ old photos...my MIL recently gave me a whole box of old pictures that she was getting rid of...had no clue who they were...I gladly took them off of her hands :)

Joy said...

Love the way you display old "family" photos. I will never understand how easily some discard such treasures.

AntiqueChase said...

I always feel so sad when I see old photos at flea markets... especially little war albums...

I display my heritage photos and LOVE the way they make my home feel.

Rochelle said...

Love these Becky! I often wonder too how family members don't pass down these precious images to their children's children. It's a shame....but a bonus for us who love old images! :)
Happy Thanksgiving...
Rochelle

Brenda Pruitt said...

I echo that emotion! I find these treasures and bring them home too. They won't end up in another mall or antique store or whatever if I can help it!
Brenda

The Old Parsonage said...

I often wonder what happens that they "fall" out of the family. My DH doesn't understand my love of old photos that aren't family:)

Love these!

Leann

Denise said...

I love the pictures! Just love the pictures.......

Kristen said...

I always think the same things. I found one by the curb the other day. I was a baby girl and she was giggling. I put it on my mantle. Who would throw that away ??

Lallee said...

I adore the beach photo! Children playing in the water with a dog--perfect. The photo of the men reminds me so much of one I have with my grandfather and all his brothers--same time era. Delightful.

Dawn said...

Old photos really make me pause and wonder about life back then. I wonder what they would think about life today?

I see you've got your purse design produced. They're so cute, I bet they're a big hit!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving,
Dawn

roseroomnz.com said...

I have never been able to understand how people can discard photo's that must be of family. It's lucky for people like us that rescue them! Rachaelxo

jane and the happy crow said...

Hi Becky, you have won my give away! So pop on over and email me your address. Love this post, we have a number of really old photos from my other halves grandmother, unfortunately she never wrote on the back of them who they are of, Ian can remember her showing them to him as a child and telling him this is your great uncle ....... and so on but did not pay enough attention. Now we just have faces that are relatives but no idea who, its such a shame. Glad you won, lots of love Jane xx