Circa 1955

 

My Mother, my brother, and I, circa spring 1955. My Mother was pregnant here, probably with my brother who was born in August 1955. I always seemed to have a doll at hand in childhood photos; my brother is proudly holding his stuffed toy chimpanzee, "Zippy".

Tea!

 

The pleasures of tea at Tea-upon-Chatsworth.... This photo was taken in January when my sister and I went to tea with our 20-year-old niece. I hope to go again soon with a friend.

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company. ~Author Unknown

My Mother, 1925 - 2010

My Mother, 1925 - 2010, originally uploaded by confections.

On my birthday, December 10th, 2009, my sisters, my Mom, and I celebrated at our favorite tea shop, Tea-upon-Chatsworth in San Diego. We all sported tiaras for the occasion.

I lost my Mother on Valentine's Day. Rest in peace, Mutti.


"Song"

by Edward Coote Pinkney, 1825

Those starry eyes, those starry eyes,
Those eyes that used to be
Unto my heart as beacon-lights
To pilgrims on the sea!

I see them yet, I see them yet,
Though long since quenched and gone--
I could not live illumined by
The common sun alone.

Could they seem thus, could they seem thus,
If but a memory?
Ah, yes! Upon this wintry earth
They burn no more for me.
♥

My HearthSong Dollhouse, Christmas 1990

My HearthSong Dollhouse, Christmas 1990, originally uploaded by confections.

Last night I scanned an old photo of my wooden dollhouse purchased from HearthSong in the late 1980's. Here it is decked out for Christmas 1990. Atop the house is a vintage 1960's Santa in sleigh that my Mother gave me from her collection many years ago.

I began spinning yarn in the late 1980's-early 1990's, and my interest is reflected in the miniature spinning wheel seen on the first floor on the right.

I have lots of miniatures that are not on display here. One of my spring goals is to redecorate the dollhouse (and the real house!). My Mother cross-stitched a miniature rug for the nursery in the dollhouse, and it is one of the many treasures from her that is giving me solace as I mourn her loss.

In My Parents' Garden

In My Parents' Garden (11), originally uploaded by confections.

I am grieving the loss of my Mother this past Valentine's Day and finding solace in images of the cottage garden she and my father created. These photos were taken circa 1987, four years before my father died.

Collage of My Parents' Dollhouse, 1985

Collage of My Parents' Dollhouse, 1985 (2), originally uploaded by confections.

After my father retired, he and my mother collaborated on a dollhouse. It is a magical creation that displays their most excellent skills.

I just lost my mother on Valentine's Day and my Dad has been gone for 18 years. This dollhouse now belongs to one of my nieces, who has three young daughters to share it with.

My Mother & Brother, 1947

My Mother & Brother, 1947, originally uploaded by confections.

My beautiful Mother passed away peacefully in her sleep early on Valentine's Day.

How fitting for her irrepressible Libran sensibility that she would choose to depart on that special day honoring love....

I am so grateful that she had spent a month here in California at the end of 2009 and we got to do all of our girly fun things together.

Love you and miss you, Mutti!