| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Aug 21 2015 : 05:21:10 AM
The other day the young woman that claims me as her 'little old lady' was telling me she had decided to use her good china for supper. Even if it meant having to wash it by hand.
She went on to say that she had one set of china in her china cabinet and two other sets under her bed. Saving them for a special occasion. She reasoned that she would either use her china or sell/give it away. As time goes by I think she will let go of two sets and keep her favorite.
Since talking with her I have been thinking about using my things rather than just looking at them or keeping them hidden away in some drawer, closet, or cabinet.
I started the other day by using my favorite tea pot & cup for my morning tea. I must say I enjoy my tea much more when I hold the pretty cup in my hand.
One of the hardest things for me to use is my collection of vintage linens. What if I spill something on it and can't get the stain out? Well, so be it. Linens are made to be used and enjoyed and not just displayed or hidden away.
Today I am using my 1940s Texas state luncheon tablecloth on little deck table. My sister is coming over for nibbles & wine. Yes, I will be serving red wine on the tablecloth. If all goes well it will make it through without a spot ~~~ if not I will just think of the stain as a reminder of a good memory.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Daizy |
Posted - Sep 18 2015 : 06:25:46 AM
Wow, this topic really hits home.......
Hugs and prayers, Daizy #1093
Poor House Farmgirl Chapter {A virtual chapter open to everyone.}
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron??
www.poorhouseparadise.blogspot.com |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 7:14:51 PM
Oh Sara - I'm so glad you posted about this! When we were young, we USED our fine china, our beautiful linens and cut crystal glasses! We didn't have much, but, boy was it special to use our special things. Then our son, a.k.a. "Captain Chaos" came along, and everything went into cupboards until the holidays - and even then, we kept hawk eyes on anything special that was laid out for celebrations! I even have a collection of Le Creuset cookware that I haven't used very much. The other day I chastised my husband for pulling out one of the pans to make dinner - after all, our son may be a young adult now, but I sure don't want him to think HE can use my Le Creuset! He might ruin them! My husband looked at me as if I had two heads. "What do you even HAVE them for?!" he exclaimed. I felt sheepish and silly: He was right. What is the point of having this beautiful cookware, if I can't use it until my son moves out? I could be in a nursing home before that happens! LOL! (Not really - but you get the gist!) So, guess what: You've inspired me! I'm going to start using those beautiful pots and pans, and I'm going to pull out my cut crystal and best dishes (no longer china, but a favorite pottery that we only use at the holidays). I'm going to start looking through the house and seeing what else we've been missing since our son was wee little. It's time. The young man can drive a car, hold a job in industrial construction and even attend college, I'm sure I can trust him with my good stuff! If not, and if he starts systematically ruining my treasures, he has a job - now he can just replace it! ;)
Thanks for opening my mind and cupboards! You're an inspiration, sister!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 12:03:36 PM
OH, if I had another room or rooms they'd be full! Good thing I don't! I don't want to have to clean or pay taxes on a bigger house!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| quiltee |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 11:41:02 AM
So true!
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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| katmom |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 10:59:39 AM
it's sort of like a 'handbag'... the bigger the handbag,,, the more we cram into it! lol!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 7:19:25 PM
Oh Linda, that is so true. Isn't it a saying that if we have a space, we fill it up. Downsizing is hard to do.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| quiltee |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 1:22:05 PM
LOL! All my 5 main rooms (2 bedrooms, dining room, living room, kitchen) are full and well used! Even the laundry room and 2 bathrooms. I do most of my sewing and crafting in the dining room. Even my separate sewing/crafting/guest house (1 room and bath and closet) is full! If I had another room, I'd just fill it, too.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 12:08:02 PM
Our house isn't all that huge or old. We rebuilt in 1994 after losing our log house to a fire. But EVERY room is used . . . used . . . and used! Sometimes I wish I had one more room, but it helps keeps us from collecting more stuff!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| quiltee |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 08:45:47 AM
In my 113 year old house, every room is used every day, by me, and by the cats. Only so many rooms.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 05:23:38 AM
Dawn, I like your idea of using every room in the house, and not keeping one just for 'special'. I live in a little house so all my rooms get used daily and they have to do double duty. Each room has two or more activities that happen in it.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 04:56:22 AM
I have always been a hands on person. I have some beautiful collectibles and yes, once in awhile something gets broken because I couldn't keep my hands off it, but that only happens once every several years. The pleasure I get from using my 34 year old good china, linens, and gifts I've gotten over the years have always made me happy. We eat half our meals each week in our formal dining room and use every bit of our house. I don't see the point of having a "special" room without using it!
We never know what is around the corner for us, I believe in enjoying life and it's many blessings each & every day. Make every day special!
Dawn in IL |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Aug 30 2015 : 03:52:29 AM
I agree, if you love it use it. And don't have things you don't love. ;) Same for clothing, and anything you own. Life's too short, to wait for that one special occasion
that never happens!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Aug 25 2015 : 11:59:04 AM
Sara, I love your curtain ideas! I bet it makes your home feel so warm, bright and happy. It just goes to show you that if you don't live on a farm, you can create the farm inside your home with tried and true farmhouse accessories that our Grandmothers had for everyday.
Speaking of aprons as a valence, MaryJane has a pretty apron valence on the window in her outhouse that I used at my visit this past Spring. Her outhouses are so glammed up with flowers, curtains and amenities, you don't even know you are using an outhouse. Totes adorbs!!
Grace those dishes are vintage adorable. How fun that you have such a nice set with serving pieces as well!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
| J.F. Brown |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 9:51:05 PM
I used my non-heirloom but much-loved silver everyday for a few years for a funny reason - we moved, and all our staimless flatware disapeared! We never found it, and just used the silver, even though it required hand-washing. I could not afford, and did not want, to replace the stainless.
Then, after another move,we pulled out sone picnic stainless, and we were just too busy to hand-wash everything, so it's back to special dinners only for the silver! |
| quiltee |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 08:54:57 AM
Are all those lamps in your shop, MaryJane? Love the new line of fabrics on the shades.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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| quiltee |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 08:52:32 AM
Super Idea - I have a laundry room window and was thinking of aprons for a valance. You beat me to it! LOL!
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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| katmom |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 08:41:41 AM
Sara,,, great idea for using the table cloth and aprons!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 08:38:33 AM
This morning I ironed the tablecloth and put a curtain rod pocket across the top. It now hangs on the lower half of laundry room window. Vintage waist aprons hang on a curtain rod with clothespins as a valance. I like the new look. The laundry room is now ready for fall.
The green striped table cloth I was using will be washed, ironed and put away until next spring. I now have a spring/summer curtain and a fall/winter one. I like easy seasonal decorating.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 05:29:41 AM
Ah, the stories keep coming and I'm loving it. So many hidden goodies just waiting to be cleaned, polished, & used again.
I washed my Texas state tablecloth and now to iron it. It washed beautiful ~ gave me hope for using the other vintage linens.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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| Song Sparrow |
Posted - Aug 24 2015 : 04:01:56 AM
This is such a great topic. As I read each story I thought of different family treasures I have hidden away for "safe keeping." My grandmothers and great-grandmothers left me with beautiful things that they used every day, and I'm afraid to use them myself. Wouldn't they think in was being not only silly, but wasteful?! Thanks to all of your stories and ideas, I'm going to dig out those lovingly made treasures and make them useful again!
Happy Day!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Aug 23 2015 : 8:35:08 PM
Great topic girls. My dad used to give his mother a new flannel shirt every Christmas. She loved them. When she died he discovered all of them in drawers unused. I use my stuff. I love to look at it. It's also fun to make up your own special reasons to decorate and use dishes and linens.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| katmom |
Posted - Aug 22 2015 : 12:23:17 PM
Sara, thanx for starting this topic... I am glad to see I am not the only one. 
I am such a firm believer of: use it today... for tomorrow may never come...
How is it we will pull out the fine china, table cloth etc., for 'Guests'...
Shouldn't we treat ourselves and our family as Guests... are we not worthy of 'the good china'?...
I would rather enjoy my belongings now then pass away and pass them down only for the recipient to sell them in an Estate Sale...
How silly is that?
My everyday dishes are vtg. 'Tickled Pink by Vernonware'... and my everyday silverware is South Seas by Community.
Vernonware was bought out by Metlox in the late '50's and Community was bought out by Oneida on the late 60's...
I enjoy knowing that I get to smile everyday, I am the Guest and I don't fret if a dish gets chipped or broken... at least it is getting used by my family, my friends and most important... by me!
and this is just the left side of the cabinet,,, the right side has more Tickled Pink dishes and coffee pot etc... like I said.. I love using them.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| Ozark Farmgirl |
Posted - Aug 21 2015 : 2:51:15 PM
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Aug 21 2015 : 11:32:24 AM
This is a great topic, Sara! It has been fun reading what other Farmgirls have experienced and the lessons they have learned in the process. And everyone knows me and I would say Fall is like a welcomed rescue from the long hot Florida Summers. With cooler temps, it is a great time to dig out those old boxes of special things and reconsider how they now fit into your life. Plus, you can do it without sweating to death in the process!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
| quiltee |
Posted - Aug 21 2015 : 11:20:39 AM
When my Mother passed away I found a set of Silverware that I had never seen before. I have it here and it is beautiful! I have not used it yet but I definitely will. I don't know why she never mentioned it. Sad.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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