Monday, December 13, 2010

Oh Gnome! Tis A Crime!!!

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One of the most memorable Christmas decorations that my mother had were two tiny gnomes made out of pinecones. We didn’t have much in the way of Christmas decorations and those two little gnomes were my favorite holiday “fluff”. Mom always put them on top of a side table that was next to my favorite wing backed chair. Their sweet little faces, pipe cleaner beards and arms, mica bases and tiny little details made me smile. I would carefully hold them in my hands and study how they were made.

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A few years back our family Christmas was spent at my brother and sister-in-law's home. My sister-in-law, Stacy, loves to decorate for Christmas and she had the family room shelves beautifully decorated with their collections of Snowmen. As my eyes landed on one shelf, there were two pinecone gnomes – JUST LIKE moms!! GASP! So I asked my brother where he got them………

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…..and…….

what

he

said

made

my

heart

leap!

Mom gave them to him!!!! Oh gnome! That is a crime! A MISGNOMEANER!

Ok, not his fault…..he didn’t know that I had a deep and sentimental attachment to them. Can’t get hurt feelings either as I don’t think my mom even realized that I looked forward to seeing the two quirky gnomes make their way out of the storage box onto the table. (I was shy and quiet and kept things to myself….go figure!)

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My heart still loves these jolly-good little guys. Over the years I have picked them up here and there whilst out shopping. They don’t go for the 25 cents that they initially were sold for at the local Five and Dime Store. But that is ok, they are worth it because they bring back a fond childhood memory – time spent in my favorite chair admiring the gnomes and our cookie cut-out ornaments on the Christmas tree.

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Duhgall loves the little gnomes, too. He was at my feet whilst decorating the shelf and had to give them a sniff of approval as they came out of my storage box to display in our home.

I think he likes them as much as I do…..don’tchagnome!

28 comments:

marie said...

You make me smile Becky! And so do those very cute gnomes!

Into Vintage said...

The pinecone gnomes are probably my very favorite kind of vintage Christmas decorations - there's something about them that's so quirky & whimsical. At least you know now the ones from your mom are still in the family and being used and loved. :-) Happy Holidays Miss B!

Angie @ thejunkranch said...

I've never seen the pinecone gnomes before...where have I been? Love them! Glad you do know where your mom's are. We have no clue where my grandmother's German Santas are. My grandfather put them out on the curb without our knowledge...he thought they were just Christmas junk. Hopefully the trash man too them home to his wife.

Signs and Salvage said...

ADORABLE!!! I LOVE the little gnomes!! Sweet story too!!

Merry Christmas!!
Kristin

Miss Jean said...

Well, Beckaroo, I have it on good authority that these little rascals have been known to jump into homemade purses, doncha' gnome!

Lori Lucas said...

As always, your post was wonderful. I have never seen these before, but I can see why you were so enchanted with them. Last week my mom gave me the nativity that she had since the year I was born (gasp, old!!). It too is a Five and Dime nativity and it too is beyond beautiful to me! (Hmmmm. I am wondering now what my brother and sister will think! ;\ Have a great week. Lori L

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

i love those too! when i met my husband 33 years ago, he had one and it took a place of honor on our tree every year. sadly last year when we opened the box it had just fallen apart....
xo
penny

Musings from Kim K. said...

I'm coming out of lurk mode because of your gnome post. How unfair that your brother ended up with something so dear...hee hee.

I love pinecone elves and have a feather tree devoted to them this year. Your display is just lovely. Thank you for sharing. In case you want to see my gnome feather tree, I posted it here:

http://kenward.blogspot.com/2010/12/toadstools-gnomes-elvesoh-my.html

Merry Christmas to you and Duhgall!

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

I have to say, of all the vintage ornaments I've seen, I've never seen this little pinecone gnomes. How dear are they? I'm so glad you were able to find some for your gnomes for your home! LOL!
XOXO
Joni

Kris said...

Those are darling!!!!

Elsie said...

Becky you are sooo funny and I think ya need to write a book.
I would buy it because you make
me laugh here all by myself,all
alone noda noda person around so
I sure hope no one comes to the
door and hears me. They already
think I flipped....lol. I love
your little gnomes, they are so
cute and I see why you wanted
them, I would too. Ya make me
SMILE girl!!! Oh and DUH!! your
e-mail is on your site. Sorry I
didn't see it and I'm sticking to
that excuse....:)

Two French Bulldogs said...

We love your decorations Duhgall
Benny & Lily

Susie Q said...

I love those littel gnomes too. Bill has always had a sweet spot for them. We have a few gnomes living around our house this time of year...cheeky buggers that they are!
I always love to see sweet Doogs face...and Fiona's too. Kisses to them from me. I don't know if you read on my blog but we lost our precious Kipper 2 weeks ago. It was so sudden and we so miss him. I know we will get another doggie soon but Kip will always be so special to us.
Love,
Sue

Angela said...

They look so good with your ironstone and pretties!!

Lululiz said...

Those pine cone gnomes are the sweetest little decoration, utterly adorable.

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

The gnomes are cute, never seen them before. I like the black doggie. Won't you stop on by the Bavarian Christmas going on right now.

Pam said...

Your gnomes are delightful. I can see why you liked them when you were growing up. I don't think I've ever seen one of them. Such a special Christmas story you shared.

Vee said...

Becky, I've never seen little gnomes like this, but if I ever run into some, I'll be sure to pick them up. How fun that they are being used and enjoyed...even if it is at your brother's home.

Donna said...

Oh, Becky, those are so sweet. Aren't childhood Christmas memories the best? My mom had a candy-cane striped set of letters that spelled out N-O-E-L ... Each of the four letters had an elf on it. And every day N-O-E-L would somehow transform into L-E-O-N thanks to my impish sister! haha Loved your Scotty Dog pincushion, too! What a sweet gift... Donna

Dena said...

I've never seen anything like those little gnomes but they are so so so cute! They are a must when pixies abound too! I'm glad you were able to find some. There's nothing more heart-warming than decorations that evoke childhood memories.

Hugs,
Dena

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've never even seen these ornaments before! Where have I been all these years? They're so cute!
Brenda

Skoots1moM said...

now you can make your own...gnome what i mean??
hahah
so cute...
http://natural-kids.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-ornaments-pinecone-gnome.html

Unknown said...

Oh My goodness! My daughter has an absolute addiction for anything of gnomedom. Christmas gnomes are especially dear. These are darling! I will have to show her. :)

~Liz

black eyed susans kitchen said...

We actually have a small woodland tree dedicated to our gnome ornaments! This was such a sweet post!
♥, Susan

Kathleen Grace said...

I Think we had these when I was a kid too, my mom may still have some packed away in her ornaments. Funny how much we share through such little things. Your brother must have loved them too, and it's good they are still in the family:>)

Amy said...

I have a story on my blog about some "made in Japan Christmas elf figurines" that I have tried to find over the years. They were my favorite things to unpack year after year as a child. My brother now has them and I really wish I did!!!! Some day I will find some to replace my memories.
Great post!! Have a merry Christmas!!
Amy

Laura said...

I love those little gnomes! My parents also had some, I don't know who ended up getting them but it wasn't me. I also love that little red firetruck so cute! thanks for sharing!
Laura

Deborah said...

Home Goods, Home Goods
We don't have Home Goods in Mississippi. I visit one every time I am in Alabama or Texas. TJ Maxx is the closest we come but oh how I wish for a Home Goods store in Mississippi.