I wrote in a previous post about my Little Granddad, who was in fact my Great Granddad. He was very, very special to me, I remember that he bought me a Harmonica (much to my Mum and Dads delight ;)) which I adored. I played it all the time, in my head I was a fantastic player. In reality it must have been a terrible din!
I once (I think I was around 4) ran away from home…well I ran all the way around the corner to his house anyway. That seems so young, doesn’t it? I can’t imagine how worried everyone must have been. I’m not even sure why I did it.
My Mum always describes all of his kitchen cupboards as being full of sugar and condensed milk. I think a reminder of days of rationing and so condensed milk always reminds me of him.
I was still very young, just 5 when he died. Though I remember that I was upset, I have a vague memory of having a special photograph of him in my bed at night. What I don’t remember, is that I lost some of my hair. A small patch of it, I suppose through the stress of it all.
I wanted to give you this background so that you I could try to convey the importance of my mum giving me two pieces this week that were my Little Granddad’s.
The light is terrible at the moment, so I have just put them here to shoot them.
Two vintage glass pieces. The first being a square glass serving tray. I think it is cut glass rather than pressed. I don’t think I will use it for food, but I’m undecided. I like the idea of using it to display things, so its out all the time. Any ideas would be gratefully received.
The small item to the right, is a sauce boat. I think it should have a glass stand too. I remember this so vividly. It always sat on our table when we had Sunday Lunch, filled with Mint sauce that had been watered down with vinegar. Does everyone do this, or just our family? This I will definitely use as a mint sauce server.
So this is my Magpie Monday treasure, pre-loved but by my own family.
I am linking this up to Her Library Adventures & Me and My Shadow.
Thank you for reading
Do you know how to play harmonica? Wow! That’s great. I want to learn other musical instrument beside piano and guitar.
No I play dreadfully, though, I made sure both of my daughter had one from very young!
What a lovely post! It’s lovely that you have such fond memories of your Great Grandad and even more lovely that you have a couple of his things to remind you of him.
Maybe the glass tray could be use for jewelery? One of my friends uses something similar to house her everyday nic naks e.g. house keys, perfume, jewelery. That way the tray would be used and loved everyday.
Madison xxx
Thank you, I love both of these ideas!
By coincidence, my Magpie Monday post for today also features an item inherited from a great-grandparent.
We used to water down our mint sauce with vinegar too 😉
It’s a gorgeous coffee pot, I let a comment on your blog, fab design.
What wonderful memories. This post has given me a little tear, remembering my grandads too.
How wonderful to have some of his things to remember him by.
I think you’re right about using the plate to display things – how about jewellery on your dressing table? So much nicer than pickled onions!!
PS we do that with mint sauce too! x
Yay, I’m so pleased we are not the only ones! I love mint jelly too, on my roast nom!
Like the others above I would probably use the pretty glass dish for jewellery, it would be perfect for rings and brooches. Or it could maybe go on a desk for stamps, paperclips etc – that would be pretty.
I definitely remember that kind of mint sauce at my gran’s!
If I had. Desk, I would so do this idea…I love it!
Lovely background story into your items!
The bowl is lovely although im unsure what you could display in it and as for the mint sauce yes my dad still waters it down with vinigar lol
Hehe, it’s not as mad as I thought!
Ah, beautiful, beautiful post. The thought of your little five year old self losing some hair with the tragedy of losing your grandad makes my heart heavy 🙁
How lovely that you have some things of his that you remember, they are beautiful. I agree with the others- filling the tray with your treasures would be lovely.
Awh, didn’t men to make you sad. He was so kind to me. I feel so happy that I have these pieces To remember him by 🙂
What a lovely post, really shows how creating things hold such dear memories to us. I have lots of cut glass items from now departed relatives and they come out at special occasions.
You should link this up to A Residence’s Little Legacy too
Yes, I’m going to I think. I did consider putting it away, but would love to have it out as a memory. thank you x
I’m feeling a little left out, as I don’t think we ever even had a bottle of vinegar in the house when growing up, let alone watering down mint sauce with it. Obviously a deprived childhood!
I LOVE the photo of you and your mum with Little Grandad, and can imagine how special it is to have some of his things – looks like lovely heavy glass. I hope you find a good use for them (I would be boring and use them for food, but lots of fab ideas from others) x
Was it white vinegar though in Ireland, I don’t think that would have the same taste. I am a vinegar connoisseur after all. The tray is really heavy!
How lovely to show us the story behind your items. It must be wonderful to have that family history.
We watered our mint suace down with vinegar too : )
Thank you Karen, really appreciate it.
Awwww such a lovely post! Beautiful items to cherish forever x
Thank you, I will x
sweet memories he sounds a delight and YES to the mintsauce!