Friday, November 09, 2007

"Show and Tell Friday"!


This is my first time for Show & Tell Friday and I am excited for the opportunity to share some family heirlooms. Today I would like to show you a pitcher in the shape of a moose.



This pitcher was part of my grandmother’s pitcher collection. When I was growing up, she displayed this collection in a corner cupboard and on some smaller shelves in her dining room. As a child, I loved to go into the dining room and just look at all the different pitchers she had on display. There were animal-shaped pitchers, like an orange-and-black striped tiger and this lifelike moose head. There were brightly painted Toby jugs and other pitchers made to look like people. There were small, shiny copper pitchers. In fact, her collection included almost every kind of pitcher imaginable. The ones that delighted me most were the miniatures. Some were no bigger than my fingernail, and they were beautifully detailed, painted with tiny flowers, rimmed with gold.

Inside many of the pitchers Gram had little slips of paper noting who gave her that pitcher, and when. In the moose pitcher, wrapped in plastic, is a brittle piece of paper -- a note from my wonderful Great-Aunt Mabel, who gave Gram this pitcher. Here’s what it says:

“I got this in Manchester [NH] for (10) [I assume she means 10¢; she could never have afforded $10 in those days!] in winter of 1921. Was the first time we went shopping in M. after we were married. Didn’t use car in winter in those days -- we went by train.
“I think it will look o.k. on your high shelf with the other animals. I don’t think you have one of the same.”

My mother inherited this particular pitcher from Gram, and several years ago she gave it to me. My mom always kept it boxed up and stored away, but I am displaying it. I see no sense in having lovely things if they are stashed away where no one can see them. And so I am sharing it with all of you!

13 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:43 PM

    I don't see any pictures, but they sound interesting!

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  2. I'm afraid I can't see any pictures. :(

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  3. Thank you for telling me, Barbara! I can't believe I forgot the photo! I did several posts this morning in quite a hurry. Guess that will teach me to be more careful!

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  4. Thank you, too, Amanda! There's a photo there now...

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  5. What great memories!!! [I can see the photo, but I'm sure it's AFTER the fact. *s*]

    My show n tell is autumn decor this week, won't you join me?

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  6. Anonymous3:57 PM

    That moose pitcher is great. Now why haven't I been smart enough to put little notes in my collectables to explain when, where, and why I bought them etc., etc.
    Blessings...

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  7. How cute! The note inside makes it even more special. To have something written so there is a story behind it, makes it more priceless. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  8. Wow 1921!!! 86 years old. How special. Glad you are displaying it :o)
    Susan

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  9. Hi Mrs T :) What a unique treasure! I love the story, too. Blessings! Q

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  10. Hi everyone!

    Thank you so much for stopping by my kitchen table to see this moose pitcher. Thanks for all of your sweet comments.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    God bless,
    Mrs.T

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  11. What a very unique pitcher and I'm so glad that you are displaying it instead of leaving it packed up and put away...as you say, such treasures are to be enjoyed:-) Love the fact that you're gran would keep notes insides of them telling who gave her the pitchers!! xo

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  12. Anonymous4:48 PM

    How unique! And how neat to have the details about it -- that's a great idea.

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  13. Hi ladies --

    So true, that was a good idea my Gram had to put notes inside the pitchers. Some, I'm sure, just told the date she received them and who gave them to her. It's so neat that this one actually tells the story of where it was bought and when, and for how much!

    I should really do much better about "documenting" my own little collections in this way...

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