Saturday, April 17, 2010

La Casa de los Abuelitos, Part I: My Parents

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(There is so much I’d like to share about the little house, I am doing this in a series.  This first post is dedicated to the influence my mother’s style and sense of collecting has had on all of our lives, as well as the continued influence of my father’s.)

      For the twenty years we have lived in our house, the ‘little house’, as we call it , has stood waiting, not quite ready for use. That is until the year I retired. As anyone will tell you, the year you retire becomes a time of, ‘Oh dear, I better get that done.’

        Remodeling the little house was at the top of that list. This first post in a series is about the things in/about the house that are significantly my parents.

        To get to it, you have to walk through the wrought iron arbors I have in my yard, and then one of its two entrances is revealed.

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        My father and his ‘crew’ (one other man in his 80’s) replaced the roof , and it is now red tin. My father’s safety precautions during the installation?  Why a rope of course.

        I had an ulterior motive for the remodeling.  This is my grandsons’ house; this is my parents’ great grandsons’ house.

         I should have a plaque made that says La Casita de los Nietos ( the grandsons’ little house).  The last time they visited, my oldest grandson said he was going out to ‘his house’, and I thought YES.

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      This is the small kitchen bar as you walk into the house.  All of the antique pottery pieces were my mother’s. The green piece is very old, as is the painted wooden platter, and the jarrito- a jug and ladle to serve drinks. I found the mask, also vintage , in a box of my mother’s things. The larger talavera urn and platters are mine.

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        These were my mother’s business cards for her antique/design business. Her sign is hanging above the kitchen window.

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        This hutch from Mexico was hers, and those are more of her antique green pottery pieces.

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        My husband has great memories of waiting patiently (while we were visiting my parents during hunting season), for my father to walk through the living room and say,

“Do you and Bubba want to make a round (go hunting)?”  They almost ran out of the house.

        The rattan rockers (there are two- spray painted white), were my mother’s too.

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        This is a favorite picture of mine, of my father working cattle, that I have hanging in the bedroom area.  There was a little girl with him that day who went along to help- our oldest daughter Heather.

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        And then there is this.

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        My mother served as a justice of the peace for a period of time when we lived on a ranch in Kenedy County.  If she was ever called out in the middle of the night, for any emergency, my father always drove her.  If you are from Texas, you’ll recognize the name of the governor who signed it.

 

Part II?  Design and Color

28 comments:

Loui♥ said...

Oh Laura..
I am enjoying this trip down memory lane with you!
can't wait for the next installment!
such pretty "things'
am sure you feel your mother's love throughout the house,,
and especially when you hold her cherished mementos in your own hands!
again, thanks so for sharing!
warmest hugs..
Loui♥

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh that is awesome to have that little house! I love the antique pottery. Can't wait for more.

Anonymous said...

Amazing. This post makes my chest tight and my eyes fill with tears. I love the pottery and can "feel" it in your photos.

My parents, although Dad is gone now, have such strong family roots in Texas. I still have my mom in Texas and living in Oregon feels so far away for me.

Blondie's Journal said...

A great tribute to both your mom and dad. Written with much admiration and love.

xoxo
Jane

Anonymous said...

Hi Laura! Oh, what a sweet story! And your little house is so charming. How wonderful you have all these lovely pieces from your mother.
Now I want to hear more.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

A wonderful post Laura....
The things...the house ...the history.
Is it John Connally?
Wasn't he with John Kennedy when he was shot?
Your father...a handsome man,
your mom soumds like no grass grew under her feet either!
Looking forward to part 2.
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Very interesting, Laura. Oh, I recognize the name of the governor and I am NOT from Texas....I am just old enough to know who he is! Linda

Lynn said...

This is a fantastic post. The decorating is wonderful and the picture of your father is priceless! I remember John Connally and I am from Oklahoma. I remember clearly when I learned his name. I was in college.

bj said...

I sure can tell how much you loved your mom and dad. I enjoyed every picture...every word you wrote.
Thanks for a great post...

Stacey said...

Laura, I love the little house. It's full of colorful and memorable items from your family. How neat!

Sandy said...

I really liked this post! Neat!! That is cool that your mother was a Justice of the Peace!

Lisa said...

Oh Laura,
Having a guest house is #1 with a bullet on my bucket list! And yours is darling! I so love how you've infused it with memories of your Mother. That makes it extra special.:)

Carole and Chewy said...

Your dad sounds like mine -doing a roof with a rope and "his crew". And you don't have to be from Texas to recognize that governor's name.
A great post for great parents!

Nola said...

Yes, I spotted the signature immediately, then scanned for the date. Who knew when he signed that in February what would unfold 10 months later. Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman and I simply adore her style! I just love things that are old, rustic, Texan, and Mexican; it is all so beautiful!

trash talk said...

L.B.,
This explains so much...starting with your energy level. Your mother must have been something else. She was so ahead of the curve with her unique style and how lucky for you that it was passed on. (And I'm not just referring to the pottery although it is wonderful!)
You know how much I love hearing your stories of growing up. This just makes me want to hear more...PLEASE!

trash talk said...

P.P.S. I bet your girls have some stories of their own to share.
Debbie

Chatty Crone said...

Looks like a beautiful house with a ton of beautiful memories for you. sandie

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: What a beautiful story. Can't wait to read part 2. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

Sharon@keeninspirations said...

Thank you for the introduction to your home and family! You have some priceless memories and pieces. I'm looking forward to learning more!
I am your newest follower!

Theresa said...

Precious, Dear Laura! I have a little house also that I built after my Dad passed away! I wanted somewhere to put his bedroom suite and that is how it started:) Love yours and all of the character! Have a blessed day my friend and I look SO forward to more, more, more! HUGS!

Jojo said...

What a wonderful post. I'm not from Texas but of course I recognize the signature! That photo of your dad is wonderful

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

OH Laura...
I'm going to love this series...I can see it now! :)
Part One has already grabbed my heart as I love to hear about the loving details that have made a house into a HOME.
I'm leaving for Savannah in a couple of days so hopefully at night in the hotel room I can catch up and not miss anything about this wonderful story that you're about to share with us :)

Sarah said...

I'm going to enjoy this series. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Love seeing the antique pottery from Mexico.

DKG aka Scrappy Doo said...

Wonderful post. I love the picture of your Dad.
:-) Nothing says Texas like John Connaly
Have a blessed Sunday

Anonymous said...

I have been following your blog upon discovering it while reading Karen's. I eventually will start a blog when I get my nerve up! I had no idea who your mother was until today! Wanda used to have a booth in our antique mall, Memories Antiques, years ago. She was a delight and always had such interesting things for sale in her booth. And I used to run into her while out and about "junking"! Small world! And good luck on your new booth too! Regards, Lynne Wilson Shropshire

CHERI said...

I've always wanted a "little house" of my own...maybe someday. The pictures are beautiful, such vivid colors. Reminds me of our trip to Mexico awhile back.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Stunning pictures - You had me at the iron gate. I love the sentiment behind every picture! Can't wait to see more. Amazing photos!

Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Thank you so much for stopping by and alowing me to "meet" you! What a lovely post and now I can't wait to hear more! I will be looking back through your blog to get to know you better!
~Nancy

 

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