This gorgeous sterling silver necklace adorned with these beautiful blue stones was my Mother's. Mother (Mary C. Neu Middaugh) wore it a few times when I was younger. I always loved holding it. One day I will wear it, but not yet.
I have shared with you how Mother was a beautiful seamstress, knitter, crocheter, etc. This was a sweater that she made c. 1937. She even has shamrock buttons. Now we are one Irish family. Mother actually went to Ireland & met the love of her life, Johnny Lynch. Unable because of WWII coming on, never to return to him. I love her engagement picture. I gave this sweater to my daughter, who is her name sake ... sadly she returned it.
When my daughter, Caroline/Cari was going to kindergarten, Mother made her several dresses. With each dress she made a matching dress for her dolls. I still have these (2) darlings that I treasure.
Alas, this year Mother's Irish linen doily is giving way to age. She monogrammed & stitched it.
This is a stitched piece for a pillow form of the Spirit of St. Louis. I gave it to my sister. The detail is just fabulous & I love touching the things she made.
This is my Mother's parents. G'ma Maggie came to this country as a young girl in her late teens. She was trained to be a store clerk when she was in school in Ireland. Eventually she moved from Portland, where she stayed with her sil, Lizzie Carty ... to Napavine, WA & worked as a cook at the Somerville Mill. Hence, she met G'pa Robert Neu there.
As I was going thru some linens recently during my 'spring clean' I found this piece. I couldn't place it. It sat at my desk table for several days. One day I lifted the top of it & nearly fainted. It had G'ma Maggie's sur-name hand written on it. This is a bag for her 'personals', all hand done. It is no doubt her's from when she came over on the ship from Ireland.
G'ma Maggie I am sure made this ... it is now in my newly redone bedroom (presentation soon). The necklace at the top sits beautifully upon it.
Hold fast your dreams!
Within your heart,
Keep one still, secret spot
Where dreams may go
And, sheltered so,
May thrive & grow
Where doubt & fear are not.
O keep a place apart,
Within in your heart,
For little dreams to go!
(Louise Dricoll)
Don't you wish you could talk to her just once and ask her about that bag - how the trip was - and how she and your grandpa met?
ReplyDeletesandie♥
What wonderful bits and pieces of your heritage! Do you mean she never got to see Johnny Lynch again? Were they married? What a touching story.
ReplyDeleteI love that necklace and the blue sweater is just gorgeous. Did your daughter just not want it? I can't imagine.
Those little doll dresses are so cute. I do that sometimes when I make dresses for my granddaughters, too.
And that bag? Can you imagine it surviving all these years? She probably cherished it because it came over with her. Blessings- xo Diana
Aaahhh .. what a sweet, endearing post Marydon !!
ReplyDeleteYou really have some family heirloom treasures .. How wonderful to have them out to enjoy in your bedroom !! I really think it's important to be able to look, touch and feel these pieces, and not just have them tucked away, never, to be appreciated and loved ..
Now you know, I will be getting to see all these really soon .. right .. Can't wait to see all the pretty re-done rooms you've been playing in .. Can you even believe it's just about time ?!
Take good care of yourself, and save some energy for meeee !!
Love to you my friend ~Tanza~ xo
Beautiful post Marydon!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful you have the items to complement the stories, which makes the family stories even richer. Lovely sewing and crocheting. Did she ever see Johnny again?
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful treasures you have!!! Just so touching!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful treasures! It is sad the younger generation does not hold our history as dear as we do.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful keepsakes, love them all! That sweet little pouch is just too precious! Have a MOST blessed day dear Marydon, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteTreasures to be sure. Little things we hold dear to connect us with memories of loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI've missed your posts! I'm back from my retreat and have reopened my old blog. Can't wait to reconnect with my fav blogs.
Oh, what beautiful treasures. Keep them close to your heart.
ReplyDeleteBalisha
Lovely treasures Marydon. Thanks for sharing them with us. Valerie
ReplyDeleteSo much history in your life, and beautiful heirlooms to treasure.
ReplyDeleteJen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
These are some very dear treasures here...all so beautiful... I don't know which item is more beautiful...
ReplyDeleteTreasures like this are wonderful to own. I have a few..but just a few. We are doing our Ancestory..and what fun that is.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
I am glad, in a way, that I have hoarded so many things from my childrens..babyhood..and mine..
Marydon, Those are precious treasures. You are Irish aren't you :):) I got the lamp, from your give away, today in the mail...I will post on it tomorrow. It is so very sweet, thank you so much. I can't wait to show my sisters.:):) Smiles, xo, Susie
ReplyDeleteIsn't it precious and beautiful how small treasures can mean so much to one? I still have my grandma's pink bedspread and an afghan she made for me doing a very troublesome time in my life! They have prominent presence in my home today! Thanks for sharing these treasures with us! I have a special feeling from seeing them! Take care and love to you both!
ReplyDeleteLoretta
Oh Sis...
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful is this sweater, and look at the gorgeous buttons. I love those most of all.
And that necklace, be still my little heart. It is so pretty. I can just see her with that beauty around her neck. Isn't that just the most beautiful thing ever? How her eyes must have twinkled when she wore it.
Love the little doll dresses as well. What treasures of love, to know that your precious Momma sewed them. She was a beautiful seemstress. What gorgeous creations came from the work of her hands.
Love that little personal bag as well. How wonderful to find your Grandma Maggie's signature inside. What a treasure to have and hold. Makes your heart "SING".
Have a glorious evening sweet Sis. I miss you so much and love you forever and to eternity, Sherry
Love this post and all the things the women in your family have made! SO many pretty things and your mother was so talented. Love the little stories that go with these.
ReplyDeleteOften, I wonder who made the vintage things that I have found over the years that just touched my heart and had to bring home. I do not have things my grandmothers or mother made. They replaced those old handmade things with store bought when they moved up in jobs and society. I just hate it that they tossed all those treasures.
So glad you have some to enjoy.
Sweetie, this has to be the most precious post you've done yet! I love that you have soooo many of your mother's beautiful handiwork! I know you will treasure it always. I have tons of both of my grandmother's handmade items and I'll never part with them!
ReplyDeleteQuick reminder about my upcoming annual WEDDING BLOG PARTY on June 8th ~ AND I'm having a great giveaway right now, so come on over and enter!
Hugs,
Stephanie
You have so many lovely treasures and thoughts to share here. Glad you have all these items to fondly remember your family with.
ReplyDeleteHi. Here I am ..such as I am. I tell you it's hectic.
ReplyDeleteI want my yard to look like that with all those roses..but... :( NOT likely. Maybe since I made those Fairies a home..they'll help with the blasted Gardening.
Ya think?? :)
Hugs to you my friend.
Mona