Grandma's Teapot and other Memories...

I was thinking of my Grandma today and though she is gone she seemed very close to me...she was my Dad's Mother.

Grandma passed away many years ago and I was fortunate enough to be left a few of her favourite things such as the beautiful teapot there in the photograph and the little crocheted milk jug cover, with its heart design and pretty turquoise and opalescent beaded edge, most likely made by her.
I love this teapot with its beautiful blue colour and decoration of painted flowers...these things are very old and priceless as they are one of a kind...yes irreplaceable as they evoke such happy memories of times spent with her and an era which will never come again.

Grandma was a sweet natured lady, with a beautiful face and sparkling soft brown eyes... she was kind and always had a smile for you . She would wear her shiny silver gray hair pinned back and secured with a hairnet, she always wore a touch of rouge and a little lipstick, always dressed nicely, with a neat pinafore over whatever dress she was wearing and no matter what she wore always her amethyst and gold brooch pinned at the neckline....

I have her wedding ring which I wear occasionally, just a simple gold band which is worn thin from too many hours washing at the scrubbing board; I remember her little hands and how dry and red they would be sometimes from the winter cold and too much hard work...
My Grandfather died when I was very young, I dont remember much about him as he was ill and confined to bed, she nursed him at home until he passed away so Grandma was a widow at a young age and on her own for a long time.

Grandma lived in a two storey terrace house in an inner city suburb, I always thought it was a privilege to be allowed to go to her bedroom and to magically step through the bottom half of the window onto a balcony which overlooked the tree lined street...a two storey house with a staircase held a lot of fascination for a little girl like me...it was like stepping into another world.

My Mum and I would catch the train in to see her and our visits were always memorable, we would hear the the latest news of the family who lived in the countryside or read a lovely handwritten letter from a family member who lived overseas or just far away.

Lunch was always a treat, the table would be laid with a crisp white damask cloth, the teapot would be there, along with the little milk jug adorned with its beaded cover, pretty crockery, silverware, crisp linen serviettes and Grandma had this lovely Depression glass butter dish and cheese dish both with lids, also a matching sugar bowl.
I have always been a very visual person and I noticed all of these things, to me they were fascinating and objects of beauty.

We always had tea, dainty sandwiches and some of her beautiful light sultana cake or something delicious my Mum had baked. This was special to me, it was an occasion and it was always a kind of tradition which I enjoyed immensely; spending time with her was the best part.

I loved her kitchen, there were cotton lace curtains on the window where the sun always seemed to shine through. One wall was dominated by a large wood fuelled stove which sat in an alcove and on the mantle were all her lovely yellow enamel pots and canisters, which when we stayed for dinner used to bubble away happily on the stove, steam rising releasing the aroma of their delicious contents.

I always cleared the table and washed up the cups and plates, I loved playing 'house' and I used to enjoy helping her and spending time with her, nothing was too much trouble for me.
There was also the pine table and bentwood chairs, the table was the centrepiece where most meals were served, a place of many family discussions, where plans were made, where engagements and births were announced, wedding plans were discussed and sadly funerals planned.

I miss you Grandma, you know I loved you very much, still do, as you were never afraid to show your affection and I will never forget your warm and friendly nature and your sweet little laugh. ♥