One Picture - Many Stories

So many stories in this picture of our living room in Worthington

Christmas 1982

Wall sconce - We bought this on a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. A family member now has it.

Marble top buffet - John and I bought this at an auction in Plain City. We liked it because the burled walnut matched the secretary we had purchased years before at an auction in the Cincinnati area when we were newly married and living in Oxford, Ohio during John's senior year of college. I had already graduated. The secretary is on the right side of this picture and can barely be seen. Family now has the secretary. The buffet came across country with us. 

Leaded glass door bookcase - Joe and I bought this at a sidewalk sale at Graceland Shopping Center. A family member now has it. 

Marble top buffet, leaded glass bookcase and secretary are three of my favorite pieces of furniture from my adult life. 

Christmas stockings - My stocking was knit by Mom's mother, Mildred Browne Floyd. Each of the Holton children has one with his/her name and birth year knit in it. The stockings appear in pictures in the early 1950s. After Joe and I married, Mom knit a stocking for Joe. 

Angel chimes on top of bookcase - I remember angel chimes from childhood Christmases. I think Mom and Dad gave us these angel chimes. Last year we gave angel chimes to our children. 

Advent calendar - Mom made these for her grandchildren. When I look at the tiny, hand stitched felt pieces, I think about the time, love, and effort Mom put into this gift. Her hands didn't work well so the sewing must not have been easy for her. Each piece has multiple parts, sequins, and/or other decorations - as well as a tiny looped hanger. These were not easy to create - and each calendar had 25 pieces plus the larger tree to stitch.  As a grandmother I understand the desire to give something meaningful and a gift that reflects my love. I feel Mom's love for her family when I look at this Advent calendar. 

Wingback chair - this came across country with us. Unfortunately we didn't have room for it. A friend from church was very happy to receive it for her apartment. We bought this chair at Ethan Allen in Worthington. Joe likes wingback chairs and the fabric was similar to the fabric in our drapes. Joe's mother had a large wingback chair when Joe was a child. We still have the tiny footstool that went with his mother's wingback chair. Joe remembers sitting on the footstool. 

Birdcage - we never did have a bird - just liked the brass bird cage. Neither of us remember when we got it or when we passed it along to someone else. 

Two pictures over bookcase - these came from Joe's mother & step-father, Maude (Mary Elizabeth aka Betty. Joe called her Maude) & Ray Pepper. The pictures appear to be gold foil scenes from perhaps Thailand. They were probably given to Maude by her brother John Neely who lived and worked in the Philippines for years. The pictures are now with family. 

Grandfather (or is it a grandmother because it's smaller) clock - we bought this at the grandfather clock store that used to be on High Street behind the Dairy Queen. We went for a walk one evening and ended up buying a clock!!! It's now with family. 

Drapes - I made drapes for the 5 windows in the living room and dining room. This crewel upholstery fabric was purchased at Fabric Farms on Riverside Drive in Columbus. I sewed these about 1979 or 1980 after we repainted the living and dining rooms. I lined the drapes with material that blocked the sun rays. It must have worked because those curtains were still in good shape when we moved 30+ years later. I made pillows out of the extra fabric. We have some of those pillows with us in Kirkland. 

Christmas tree 

- red & green garland - MichaelK made this in preschool

- Lifesaver garland - Michael & I bought that the first Christmas we were by ourselves

- Christmas tree topper - Michael gave this to Joe for Christmas not long after we were married

- ornaments - I spy some ornaments that are still in our Christmas boxes

Stacking tables - between tree & chair - There are three tables that slide together. They came from Grandpa & Grandma's on First Street. We have them out here in Kirkland and use them every day.

So many wonderful memories