Brown Family Treasure

When I was a young child, I lived with my grandparents Norman and Marian Brown on their farm near Petrolia. I remember they had an old style wooden telephone hanging on the wall painted to match their kitchen. My cousin Trudy remembers removing layers of paint restoring the phone to its original wooden finish. It's a novelty antique décor piece in her home. 

My parents acquired the same style phone from a neighbour for their basement family room in Lucan. I remember it suited their barnboard and brick walls (barnboards and bricks from my grandparents' farm). I rediscovered this phone when my Mom was clearing her basement shelves in London a few years ago. 

I love all things "old" especially with happy memories attached. Tony Callaghan a local artist with a booth at the Western Fair Market called "Sidhe Ring" transformed my Uncle Bill's old high chair to tell the Tale of Thomas Orphan. I asked if he could do something similar with this old wooden telephone to commemorate the Brown family name. 

I provided basic information to Tony mentioning my grandparents' farming background plus my love of owls and whimsical faeries. I love what he did with this telephone and ringer box. 

Tony painted the following words on the outside ledge:

BROWN

"Earthy stock, of the land, farmer and family people from over the pond came and in their luggage and trappings the wee folk Browneys: House and hearth fey, polish, scrub, clean and douse to keep a building beautiful and helping full."

Tony painted the words below on the inside of the phone which hinges open to reveal little hidden drawers and shelves to store tiny treasures and oracle cards.

* * *

"this comunicator crosses oceans, universes, realms long forgotten. It is tied to ancestors and kin folk. When times are hard lift the ear talker ask the questions of those across the land of mystery and close your eyes. They will reply with common sense. Take a card from the faery oracle it will aid deciphering messages. The tawney brown owl is the sigil of the BROWN FAMILY."

This Brown Family Treasure has been hanging in our front hallway for a couple years now. I love everything about it!

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Back to Blogging?

I'd like to explain why my blog has been neglected for almost two years now. I lost my blog writing mojo due to a combination of covid-restriction-induced malaise plus a major life change. Don't worry, it was a good change.

I retired in July of 2021 from an office job where I sat at a desk all day. After so many years of sitting, I decided to change things up exploring other interests. I took a break from both crocheting and blogging which eventually morphed into a long hiatus.

My husband and I have been catching up with projects in and around our house, traveling, biking, hiking, rock climbing and relaxing. I love retirement for the freedom it provides. 

Retirement rocks!!!

This fall, I gradually started crocheting again. I joined a weekly knitting and crochet group at a local library with a friend making simple crochet dishcloths while I chat with like-minded people. It's fun and inspires me to create more at home on my own. 

Creating Caroline's photobook was a total joy. The idea had been bubbling up in my mind for months just waiting for the right time. This week was the week. I spent Monday and Tuesday searching through my daughter's shared photos, selecting and downloading what I wanted for the story. On Wednesday, I sat down with my laptop and didn't get up for ten hours straight (except to go to the bathroom and let the dog out) until the book was done.

Wow! I never sit like that these days!! Like I said, writing that book was a joy and I loved every minute of getting my creative mind flowing. That book inspired me to make a post. I also have a few projects to share. Some are old and some are new. 

Am I back to blogging? Christmas is a busy time of year plus we have exciting travel plans for January and February. I am inspired but also realistic. In retirement, I am much easier on myself so no promises. I choose to be happy and see where it leads.

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Celebrating Caroline's First Year

To celebrate our fourth grandchild turning one recently, I was inspired to make a Photo Book "Celebrating Caroline's First Year".

It's a Shutterfly 8"x8" hardcover photo book covering Caroline's first year of life from birth to one including memorable "firsts" and monthly photos. There are 43 pages of photos with my quirky rhyming narration. Images of the front cover plus first and last verses are shown below to give a general idea of how it looks. 

First verse (page 1)

Last verse (page 42)

Happy First Birthday Caroline!

Wish we could slow down time!

So many things to see and do!

Always look forward to seeing you!

I ordered two copies of this book - one for me and one for our daughter. A special gift to treasure these precious memories. 

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