Nearer God's Heart in a Garden....

      One of the things I've promised a lot of our friends (and never seem to get done) is that I would take the time to send them pictures of our gardens...the gardens that have we've laid out, nurtured and cherished for some years now.  Actually....Les,  even with all he's been through, gets the credit for what has been accomplished.  Today seems to be the perfect day to keep my promise...today is my birthday and, more importantly, our 14th anniversary!  Those who know us well know what a remarkable achievement that is!

      Les and I met in the mid-90's after both of us had lost our spouses about the same time.  We had gone to the same high school but for some reason our paths had never crossed.  We found that we loved so many things in common...country living, gardening, antiques and vintage things...even German Shepherds!  In 1997 we married.  We would live in our old 100-year old house in the northeastern Oklahoma hills, create beautiful gardens, and grow old together quite gracefully...we thought.

      Three weeks before we were to get married, doctors found a malignant tumor in the base of Les' tongue.  He had no idea it was there.  Different doctors had different ideas about treatment (most of them pretty drastic), so the future prognosis was pretty scary.  There was no question in my mind though that we wouldn't go ahead with the wedding...I had known for a long time that he was the best thing that had ever happened to me!

      After our wedding we started planning wonderful gardens.  At the time I had had a flower shop in another town for almost 20 years so I had never had a chance to develop the old-fashioned gardens this gracious old house deserved.  Although I had had a large garden where we lived before and moved a very extensive iris garden with me, most everything had dwindled to whatever could take care of itself (anyone who has ever worked in a flower shop understands!!)   I just had never had the time.

      Working with volunteer redbud trees that had been "doing their own thing" all those years plus 2 lilac bushes and a japonica (flowering quince) that I had planted when I moved, we started with a mixed bed by the patio, added one surrounding some redbud trees, then another facing it with a fountain between....and so on as we thought of more and more things we loved and wanted to include.  Eventually our ideas had to be curtailed by the need to get on with the cancer treatments.

       By the next February we had found the doctors we knew were right for this....at the University of Washington in Seattle.  This was the beginning of a long, sometimes frightening, always interesting journey to address this unusual "critter" that had invaded our lives.  Our first trip to Seattle was the beginning of another love affair...we went at the time of year the Yoshino cherry trees were in full bloom.   There were great avenues of these beautiful trees at the Medical Center, magnificent ones over a hundred years old on the UW campus...we had come to a city where we were totally awestruck by the beauty everywhere.  There were other new things for us to love as well, but the glory of these trees in bloom made a lasting impression on us.  We would simply have to have some of our own!

       This was the first of so many trips back and forth over the next ten years...the tumor was destroyed thanks to these magnificent doctors.  Reconstructive surgeries however went on for some time...but each phase had the rewards of Les' progress, the friendship of a group of incredible brilliant doctors, and being able to come home each time to our ever expanding gardens.

       Early on we decided that, as a tribute to each of our anniversaries and this journey, we would plant a Yoshino cherry each year until we could have our own magnificent display.  Although we don't have quite the same climate that they love in Seattle, our Yoshinos have acclimated themselves quite nicely to our strange Oklahoma weather and provide a spring display that surprises people who drive down our country road!

      Now our garden is a beautiful mixture of many more of my beloved lilacs, spirea, mock orange, hydrangeas, more quince, Les' peonies, crepe myrtles, daylilies, clematis, hostas, a dozen redbud trees (all of whom volunteered!), summer phlox, bright monarda for the hummingbirds, summer annuals, plus an ever-growing iris garden again.

      By now the garden has spilled down a slight hillside with the cherry trees watching over each bed; at the bottom of the hill close to the road Les decided that was the place for our rose garden.  After his mother passed away, he wanted to create a special way to remember this gentle lovely lady...so now the cherry trees create a frame for a garden that lies in a peaceful curl that lets us enjoy our old-fashioned roses from either side.  A white arch lets my favorite pink climber frame a walkway...and each year new roses join the others.  It is a fragrant garden and serene.

      We have other friends that love our gardens as well...for several years we had a white squirrel that enjoyed visiting us, even getting close enough to the patio to snack at the bird feeders.  There are families of barn swallows and martins that return each year to raise their new children here; house finches and the funny little goldfinches love it too.  Some visit for short periods...just last week before our massive storms we had a touring group of painted buntings that felt our yard had elegant buffets for them.  We hope they'll return when the weather settles down.

       We have found such peace in these gardens; it has been a refuge from his battles.  I've walked with him through each step, listened each time he has said, "It will get better", and watched as he has pushed to keep working and regain his strength in each recovery.  I can honestly say that he is the strongest man I have ever known.

      He has encouraged each new endeavor that I have tackled, he has been my voice of reason and wisdom that helps me (hopefully) make good decisions, he has raised an eyebrow or wrinkled his nose at my foibles and goof-ups, and he is always there when I just need to sit by his side.  He is a strong man who know how to be gentle; he is a quiet man who shares his thoughts carefully.  Above all else, he is the man who has taught me to live life fearlessly, to be spontaneous, and to enjoy each and every moment.  In addition he has dreamed of a place of beauty and peace...and is bringing it to life.  The line in the poem "one's nearer God's heart in a garden, than any place else on earth" is so true for us. 

      Thank you, dearest Les, for having the soul of an artist to bring this dream into reality, for creating a haven for us to enjoy, and for being my strength, my joy, and my great love.  Thank you for these fourteen years...and for looking forward with me to so many, many more.

      Happy anniversary!  I love you! 

One Possibility for Our Mystery!

      A sweet friend in Austrailia has given us one possibility for the yellow satin top:

      "I don’t think you (could) call it cheongsam since the word literally translated means ‘long dress’.  Could be some kind of sam foo meaning ‘trouser clothing’ although with a front bodice of cheongsam style buttons etc.  What a lucky treasure – wish I owned one."

      Thank you, Hilda! 

A Lovely Oriental Mystery!

     When you love vintage clothing, you sometimes are lucky enough to get to help solve a mystery!  Well, partially solve it anyway!

     A week or so ago a friend who is also into collectibles brought a bright yellow top with beautiful embroidery to show me; he wanted to know if I could tell him anything about it.  It had been in a collection of things from a relative's estate, simply tossed in quite carelessly with a lot of other things.  The gentleman had served in World War II and had been in the Orient.

    We established that was probably pretty old, was some kind of satin that I felt from the feel of it had rayon in it  and that it was both handmade and Oriental.  My best bet, I told him, was for me to take some pictures of it and ask some very knowledgeable friends (who are much more capable than I am)!

    There were a few condition issues which you would expect from something that is evidently old and had not been well cared for...a couple of scuffs on the satin and a bit of fading in two or three places that seem to be from the peach and green embroidery threads.  There was a very faint ring that looks like a place where dampness or water had come in contact with it...not badly, but enough to cause the leaves and a few of the poppies in the embroidery to leave their mark on the satin.

    The front is definitely a work of art.  The buttons are delightful, 2 colors of "braid" woven in and about to make stunning accents.  The embroidery is incredibly lovely, hand done in beautiful colors.  The curved front opening is edged in tiny lace...one more delicate touch.

     I pressed it just a little and took pictures on a mannequin and sent them on their way.  One friend came back quickly with the opinion that it was probably Chinese, possibly a man's shirt/top?

     The second friend, after ooh-ing and aah-ing, was much more definitive.  In her opinion, the buttons, the collar, the round collar opening and facing, and the embroidered poppies (reminiscent of the opium trade) would certainly peg it as Chinese.  She asked us to do a burn test to see if it was silk or rayon; it was a little hard to tell but we decided it was more likely rayon.

     She agreed that it probably was indeed rayon...that silk had been in short supply during the war and long afterward.   She went on to say that the defined waistline and the cheong-sam type closure would be indicative of a woman's top.  The tiny lace around the edge and the ruffles on the sleeves also were indicators.   She wanted to know if it might have come from Shanghai or Formosa, but we have no way of knowing for sure of course.

     To weave a bit of "supposing" into our story, we decided that it was probably brought back as a treasured gift since there was a lot of beautiful embroidered work available for the GI's to take home with them (especially in the R&R ports, such as Shanghai).   Whatever its delightful surprise factor was (perhaps it didn't fit?), it had been quite forgotten with time and its fate was to be tossed aside and hidden away...until my friend found it! 

    At least this pretty little top has a new home and is being admired once again for its beauty.  I suspect my friend will eventually sell it, so we will hope that it finds someone who will appreciate it...even wear it (yes, it's in quite good enough shape to wear...and wouldn't it be a stunning conversation piece???)

    Special thanks to Elaine for sharing your wealth of knowledge on vintage clothing on this.  We have so many more answers as a result of your expertise, my friend!

    What we still don't know, and are hoping that another knowledgeable person will provide us with the answer is...is there a specific Chinese name for this type of garment?  Something this charming deserves to have its identity established...and be provided with a new lease of life!  We've made the first steps...can one of our readers help us solve the rest of our charming mystery?

Easter Surprises!

     When the mail lady honked this afternoon I wondered what on earth she had...I knew I wasn't expecting anything...and that's when you get the nicest surprises!  She handed me a large box that was decorated with flowers.  I still wasn't tracking until I opened it and looked at the card inside!  
     A customer of mine had sent me an Easter basket....all the way from Pennsylvania!  I won't tell you how many years it's been since I've had an Easter basket, but it's been a lot!!!  I had to laugh...and I've laughed all the rest of the afternoon.  What a delightful unexpected surprise!  (And yes, I've already opened it without making any excuses!)

     Right on the heels of that I received an Easter greeting from another customer/friend with an audio recording of "How Great Thou Art"...a song that is very dear to me and particularly so since it was a piano recording (I play the piano too).   I had already received one of the beautiful e-cards that a lovely friend in France sends for every holiday, so I have been totally blessed today!

     For all the years I had my flower shop and even now since I still prepare the special music for the church I play for, I tend to get so wrapped up in "getting things done" for a holiday, I don't often take the time to enjoy the holiday itself.  That's entirely too much of the wrong focus!!

    Thank heaven I have people in my life who take the time to care...and share...and think of others.  I must have some of the very nicest and most thoughtful friends and customers in the world!  Some I have met, so many others are friends across a lot of miles whom I may never get to meet in person.   That is the beauty of this...thoughtfulness transcends the miles and makes the world a happier place!

    May each of you have a blessed Easter...I cherish you all! 

Pictures from the Past as Well!

     I was looking for pictures of Granite, Oklahoma where my grandparents lived and my father grew up.  There is some interesting history from this tiny town...but naturally I can't find those pictures at the moment. 

     I found these though of my grandmother Roberts.  The first ones were taken I think while she still lived in South Carolina.  I would be pretty sure she made the dress; look at the lace bib/bodice and the buttons all the way down the front.  And the hat!  Love the hat!!

      The third picture I'm guessing was their wedding picture.  The dress is slightly different, more of a shawl collar to the waist and different hat.  There's even a possibility that she just changed the top!  The writing on the back is almost obliterated but starts off "Marr....",

      Wouldn't it be a delight to have those dresses, and especially the hats, today to cherish!  At least we have the pictures!

Pieces of the Past from My Own Past

         As we've discussed previously, our relatives in the past were very good at finding ways to be thrifty and re-use things    My daddy's mother left a legacy of some charming pieces and I was so fortunate to become their caretaker.  When the family was sorting through all the things that come with closing a home, I was asked what I would like to have.  It was simple...flowers from her yard and pieces of her handwork.  This was, and is, how I remember her.

       She was the consummate gardener who could make anything grow...her garden was a collection of all the old-fashioned beauties:  roses, irises, lilacs, hollyhocks, poppies. phlox...from spring through frost, in the driest part of southwestern Oklahoma, her entire yard was a kaleidescope of colors and fragrance, each bed edged in the tidy borders she remembered  from her South Carolina roots.

       Each evening, weather permitting, she would sit on the porch after dinner so we could visit...always with a piece of handwork, the current bit of her endless creations.  No one else was interested in these treasures...I got everything there...and still cherish them.  One of the surprises in all this came along some years ago.

       She had crocheted an edging around a set of damask napkins, so I chose to use these for our family holiday dinners.  Washing and ironing were standard afterwards; I was surprised one day when I shook one of them out.  When I held it up to the light I saw some very faint lettering here and there on the napkin.  It was in block letters and printed outside the woven damask pattern (the only place I could see..it was almost like trying to read shadows!)

 

        The damask fabric must have started its life as flour or sugar sacks?  The pattern was done on the sack in squares so it could be used that way?   I'm still not sure, but what little research I've done indicated there were finer fabrics which were used for handkerchiefs or baby clothes...so why not!  I tried hard to photograph some of the lettering to share, but it is so faint now that the camera wouldn't capture it.

       Maybe one day we'll find out!

        I'm a life-long lover of gloves.  To me they are (were) the finishing touch to a special outfit.  These are a special treasure of my grandmother's.

       Life can hand people lots of hardships; unfortunately my grandmother was left on her own to raise two small boys, my father and uncle, during the Depression.  She worked at anything she could find, mostly cleaning and washing for people, in a time when it was hard to keep a roof overhead and food on the table.  There was nothing left for the niceities.

        She kept her small family in church...and no lady ever went to church without hat and gloves.  I suspect that these were something she created during a time when she had little else...and probably were a blessing to cover hands that had washed and scrubbed all week.  I am so very proud to have these...they make me feel that I have come from a strong line of women!

         This table runner/scarf is definitely a piece that can be dated...not an easy task sometimes!  Since it says "Christmas 1916", this must have been something she made not long after she married.   Several Oxyclean soaks haven't been able to take out all the spots and stains, so she must have used it over and over again.  Perhaps she put it out during those Depression years to be a background and "dress up" whatever she was able to provide for her young boys; perhaps she kept it to remind herself of happier times.

         She was a tall, large-boned woman (yep, I come from sturdy stock!) who was forever tucking a stray wisp of hair back over an ear.  She always wore a starched sunbonnet when she was outside and made it a point to teach me the wonders of a flower garden from my youngest years.  Sometimes I was even allowed to wear one of those sunbonnets!  It's a good thing...my Scottish/Irish heritage also includes the very fair skin that either burns or freckles!  Her everyday life was hard but what I remember most was her gentleness in teaching me to make hollyhock dolls, in showing me how to root cuttings from her roses or lilacs...or patiently teaching me the fine points of handwork.  

         One of her great disappointments in life was not being able to teach me to crochet...she just couldn't find a system that would work between a right-handed teacher and a left-handed granddaughter.   Her rough hands though could work magic with needle and thread; she worked deftly and quickly, so practiced that she could drop neither a word of conversation nor a stitch.  That vine-covered porch was always a peaceful place, even in the hot, dry summer.

         She saved bits and pieces of our family history for me too...my great-grandfather's Civil War hatband, his papers, my grandfather's barber tools, and shared the stories with me that made them precious.  But those will be stories for a later time....   
   

          
                                                                                                                                                           

Thanks to Those Long-Ago Ladies for Today's Treasures!

     After getting the 1890's jackets out for pictures on the last post, it was an easy jump to another box of "treasures" I hadn't had time to delve into very far.  I found these items at the very bottom of the box of vintage children's clothing that I've started listing in Childhood Memories (hidden surprises indeed!)   

     Here were pieces of beaded laces, dickeys, and other handworked pieces that had been saved from garments past.  If you've ever done handwork it's easy to see why these bits were saved to be used again!
     Some of them have been given a time line; others are simply guesswork, but they all have one thing in common...they were valued because of the beautiful craftsmanship and time it took to create them. 

     Among some favorites there is a fragment of black Chantilly style lace, a smidgen over 12" long whose design is simply covered in glass bugle beads with accents of seed beads. 

     The thread used to sew the beads with has turned that odd rusty black that comes with age...the lace and the beads are still dramatically black!  

                                  

      It would be stunning reinforced and used as an embellished collar or an accent somewhere on an outfit.  Certainly a tiny treasure!


     There is a dickey style collar made of ivory French netting plus lace designed with pointed edges.  The neck band that it is attached to is made of tiny horizontal tucks in the netting and a tiny lace top edge...interestingly enough there are "squiggly" metal pieces on either side (presumably to keep the collar standing elegantly) and hooks and eyes for closure in the back. 

                                                                              

      The drop is about 11" from the bottom edge of the collar, enough to fill in the front of that long-ago jacket.  With a tiny mend in a place or two, it could be used today...what a conversation piece!  Can't you see it with a dainty bar pin or small brooch?

      A totally versatile item, totally practical, totally charming!  

      I have a very good friend who is an incredible seamstress and is knowledgeable as well on textiles and handwork like this.  I shared these treasures with her...and this next piece made her say "Ooh-h!!"  That had been my reaction too! 
      It a strip of rather crepey black chiffon about 40" long and 5" wide, beaded linerally (is that a word?) with "streaks" of frosty silver bugle and seed beads.  There is a motif just about halfway down the length that is simply wonderful...I'm going to try to add pictures taken outside that might do this justice!

                                             

      The motif is a mix of more beads plus crystal rhinestones...a most interesting part is how the rhinestones are attached on the back.  The coloring is subtle but the effect is wonderful.  It's hard to imagine what this might have been a part of, especially since the motif is not balanced...it must have had a matching piece?

      Whatever it was at the beginning of its "life", it certainly deserves to have another opportunity to show its "Wow!" factor!  With a bit of support, it could become an incredible work of art on a garment.   I'm hoping someone with an artistic flair will see this and know exactly what it should become!


      There are about a dozen of these pieces...dickeys, collars, an entire skirt bottom that was beaded in swirls all round, some heavily encrusted lace motifs...even a black satin jacket "insert" with incredible buttons that is said to be "turn of the century."  I'll be getting these listed in the Finishing Touches store in the next day or two; these are great examples of the needle arts of yesteryear. 
     They are also perfect examples of the thrifty mindset of times past...it took time and patience (and skill) to create these small treasures.  They certainly would want to save each beautiful bit...I know I would have!!!  

      I'm very grateful someone did...it will give a whole new generation something beautiful to cherish!!