Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Box filled with treasures “Wednesday Wee Ones”

I’ve mentioned a few times on my blog that I grew up living next door to my Grandparents. And my Grandmother influenced my life in many ways. She taught me the joy of music, books and poetry. She paid for piano lessons with I was a girl and read to me from books she had on her bookshelves. The one I remember most was Heidi.

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I married when I was young. And I didn’t really have a whole lot. My grandmother told me to keep some of my childhood things to take with me. So when I moved away from home, I packed a box filled with treasures.

The box I packed my treasures in was a shoe box.

It would sound like a sad story except for the fact that I’ve spent the past 20 years collecting many of the things I had as a child and things I probably ‘wished for’. So it has a sweet ending.

But my advice for anyone getting married or even ‘purging’ is to be sure you keep a box filled with treasures.

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My hubby put up another small shelf in the doll room this week for the Nancy Drew books I’ve collected over the years and I filled out the shelf with the Hardy Boys.

And then I decided to dedicate the shelf to my little collection of childhood treasures.

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Let’s see…the baby cup I got at my birth, an armless doll with crochet dress, a tiny tea pot, a little cloth dollie and my teddy bear.

I’m joining the Vintage Inspiration Link party HERE,

and Roses of Inspiration.

I hope you cherish the memories of your childhood and hold on to the good ones.

56 comments:

ann said...

I have so little left from my childhood, only Susie, a big baby doll. So I, too, am inclined to collect. I suppose that's why I am building dollhouses because I never had one as a child. You probably have the best collection of vintage books I have ever seen. Stories that teach values and entertain. Bless our grandmothers.

Diane said...

So sweet! Good advice too.

Arlene G said...

Great advice Diane. I still have my childhood doll and my granddaughters have loved her too!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Love your little bear - he looks well loved. I can just imagine you carrying him around. xo

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love your treasures... oh, that little cloth doll. Precious. (and you know I'm not a doll person).

Unknown said...

I couldn't agree with you more. I didn't have a lot of toys or special things growing up. What I did have, I have since parted with except for a couple of stuffed animals (one of which my oldest sister gave me who passed a little over a year ago). My mother slowy gifts us with things she wants us to have. But I too have found myself buying things that I used to have or my mother used to have. You just don't want to let go of the past too quickly.

Primitive Stars said...

Morning, I love love love your sweet treasures, precious.Blessings Francine.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I have a few treasures from my childhood. We moved so much that many things got downsized as I grew up and then I've moved so much in my adult life. You know I collect things also. Sweet memories! I did keep things for my girls and they both have childhood books and a special stuffed animal.
hugs,
Linda

Christine said...

So glad you got a box of childhood treasures and they are so precious ! I don't think I have much apart from a nursery rhyme book. It's cool to remember back then!

Pamela Gordon said...

This is such a sweet post Diane. I have a few of my childhood things but not one doll. I gave them all to the church rummage sales even as a young girl as I thought another less fortunate child might want them. I had my sister's dolls here for years but she took them home with her 2 years ago. I did save my own kids things but they aren't as interested in them it seems. I'm glad you have saved your treasured childhood things and have added to them over the years. xx Pam

magnoliasntea said...

Your grandmother was a very smart lady. It's good to hold onto the good memories and let the others go, I think. Love the shelf and treasures.

The Rusty Thimble said...

Wonderful treasures ! I have no treasures from my childhood
Which someone would of given me this advice years ago
Brenda

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Those early memory toys are so very special Judith. I know I searched until I found similar toys to match my memories.
Joy

Susie said...

Diane, What a wonderful grandmother. I love your special little treasure from your childhood. My girls have things they had as kids...not many but some. I do not have a thing from my childhood. We never had many toys. Blessings to you, xoxo,Susie

Montanagirl said...

That's a sweet collection of childhood keepsakes!

Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That) said...

I keep so much stuff Sometime I think it would be better to not . But that day will never come. I I really like vintage. I think you shells are nice would to visit your home
Laura

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What sweet treasures. And what fun to re-collect the things you left behind, plus ad more. Your new shelf is wonderful - perfect for your display. I read all the Nancy Drew books and Hardy Boys books when I was in 4th grade - what a grand adventure.

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Love the idea of a "box full of treasures!" So wonderful that you've gotten to keep some from your childhood and get things that remind you too! And nice to have in on those shelves so close to your heart! :) Happy Tuesday! xo Holly

Maggie Ann said...

What a treasure of a post! I didn't start out with much either...and when I was in high school...working in the library...we got to buy hardback books for a song....I treasured those like no other, and in high school 'shop'....the teacher helped me make a bookcase. Wow! When I married, that bookcase was the only thing that went off with me. And/but....a neighbor of my Aunt's passed on and I bought her three rooms of furniture for $80, A big blessing, even though I didn't like the furniture style at all....ungrateful me...lol Thanks for praying for my hubby!!!! He is doing so well....God be praised! and answered prayer for sure and certain. I hope you have a good day.

Debby Ray said...

How wonderful it must have been for you to have Grandma as a next door neighbor! She sounded like a wise woman, too :)

Linda Kay said...

I don't have too many childhood treasures, but my hubby has almost everything he ever played with.

Unknown said...

I loved Nancy Drew books :) Love all your sweet memories :)
Kim

Ariadne said...

You are so right. When my childhood toys were stolen I cried so much. And my mum used to declutter and give away so much so I miss having my childhood treasures therefore I try collecting now.AriadnefromGreece!

Kathy said...

This is a sweet story and I am happy you held on to those little treasures.

NanaDiana said...

How very sweet,Diane. I grew up with not much and have very few things from my childhood-except memories. I am so glad you have those sweet things. I, too, loved Nancy Drew and wish I had my collection of her books. xo Diana

Deborah Montgomery said...

Very sweet story. How blessed to live next door to your grandmother. I collect things now which remind me of my grandmother's home. Heirlooms and special treasures can connect us with memories and special people. Love your wee collection from childhood.

helen tilston said...

Hello Diane,

You were very wise to save your shoe box full of treasures and how unique they are too.
I agree with you suggestion to those who are purging to consider saving some treasures.
Children must love visiting your home
Helen xx

Debby said...

You seriously need one of the dolls that I am selling. The little girl in the gingham dress looks perfect for you. She is so new looking.

Red Rose Alley said...

Diane,
I enjoyed looking at your childhood treasures. The tiny tea pot is sweet. Yes, I have many treasures that I'll never part with. They are a part of who I am. Thanks for this lovely post today, friend.

love, ~Sheri

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, your Header is delightful, and looks just right for spring time. :~)

~Sheri

Margaret said...

I agree so much! We must hold on to our childhood stuff! That is priceless advice :) Maggie

Lorrie said...

These are sweet childhood treasures. Now you have me casting my mind around to think about anything I might have. My things would likely fit into a shoebox as well.

Karen and Gerard said...

Beautiful header picture! I love it!! I agree with you about keeping childhood keepsakes. I am so glad I have some of my first books and most of my box games.

Nancy Vance said...

I have a shelf like this too! After emptying my parents' house after their deaths, I came home with some of my childhood treasures. I added them to what I had already brought with me and displayed them on a shelf in my sewing room. Isn't is funny to think of our childhood toys as vintage now?

Linda Walker said...

Hi Diane,
I have quite a few things from when I was a youngster. I have saved many things from my daughters' childhoods and went on a mission today to find a treasure box for each of my girls. I thought I would put away some cherished keepsakes, cards they received etc....I saved so many things! Good advice Diane!
xo
Linda

BeachGypsy said...

I kept lots of treasures too! Very sentimental!

Anonymous said...

Your treasures are so sweet displayed. I have many of my dolls and little jewelry from childhood. I also have a lot of mother's china/crystal. No matter how much we downsize, these treasures will remain.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Your childhood treasures are so precious! I love your adorable little teddy bear; he looks so loved. I have several little things from my childhood, but I still remember the ones that got away. Thanks Diane for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

Patti said...

I do have a few things from my childhood, and even more from my children's youth. It is fun to collect, but holding the doll that belonged to me means the most. I've even purchased a few dolls that were like mine when I was little, but it's not the same. You have a wonderful collection.

Carla from The River said...

A sweet post and great advice. My husband has a teddy bear a lot like the one you have. We are going to pass it on to the boys someday.
When I look at that collection, I see LOVE!

Petite Plangonophile au chocolat said...

What a lovely post! I don't have any childhood treasure anymore.
Almost 17 years ago, I gave the remaining plushes I had to a little girl: a 25in dog and a fushia and yellow elephant. They had spent almost 20 years with me. I remember borrowing some needle and thread from my parents in order to make some repairs every time it seemed necessary.
Hugs from The Midi,
Arlette

Nancy's Notes said...

What precious treasures, they are truly so special. Thanks for sharing your charming keepsakes. What a sweet post.
Nancy

Poppy said...

Diane, I so enjoyed reading about your precious memories of life with your beloved grandmother, and how she had influenced you in so many ways. Your collection of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys novels reminds me of the few that I had read, too, as a teenage girl in Canada, the difference being that you have added on to your collection, whereas I have no idea what happened to mine.

Hugs,
Poppy

Donna Wilkes said...

I have my mother's and my grandmother's dolls and doll clothes in a trunk with my childhood treasures. A little piece of personal history. Love how you have displayed yours.

Vee said...

Oh this post brought up lots of memories. I think you are right in your advice to young people. A small box of treasures doesn't take much room and there may come a day when you will be pleased to have these items. When I saw the dolly in the crocheted dress, I remembered that there were two on the wall of my girlhood bedroom. Their skirts were pinned in a circle around them so it looked like two circles with a doll in the center. Is that how you displayed yours? Perhaps it was my mother's thing. (I wanted to play with them.)

handmade by amalia said...

My grandmother was a great influence in my life as well, and we shared books and crafts and cooking and a lot of other things. These memories have stayed with me. My toys and books from childhood have gone to my sisters and never came back. I don't mind. I make new ones every day.
Amalia
xo

hobbyloes said...

So beautiful, I love your little box with treasures, they are so special. I lived too next door with my grandparents after my marriage. I have many good memories
and I loved them very much.

Helen Philipps said...

Hello Diane Your childhood treasures are so sweet. It is good advice to always keep a box of treasures especially when de-cluttering....some things need to be held on to!
Happy week!
Helen xox

Musings from Kim K. said...

My husband would tell you that I'm guilty for saving lots of my childhood and now I'm recreating my mother's childhood with my other collections. We grew up down the street from my mother's parents and I remember playing with so many of her precious toys from the 40s & 50s when we would visit my grandparents. Keep on playing and collecting!

Scrappy quilter said...

Oh my, what a fun childhood collection.

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Such a lovely memory and tribute. I really enjoyed Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys when I was a kid.

Stephanie said...

Wonderful advice, sweet friend! Your childhood treasures are simply precious! And what a blessing to still be able to enjoy them.

Thank you so much for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. I LOVE having you at the party :) Hugs to you!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I LOVED Heidi! And of course, Nancy Drew :)

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Evening Diane, Well I had to smile when I saw the book you have of Heidi. I loved reading about Heidi when I was a little girl. Sadly as a family we moved around a lot, so I do not have any of my childhood possessions. I think your advice to newly weds about being careful what they throw out is a good one. I wish I had been able to keep some of my treasured possessions.
Best Wishes to you.
Daphne

Elizabeth said...

Heidi was one of my favorites also! Thank you so much for the concern and encouragement on my blog, I am having a better day today.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your childhood memories with us. I just LOVE your childhood treasures. Heidi was also my favorite. Your little dollies are so sweet.
Have a wonderful week,
hugs,
Dorothy