Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Friday, April 27, 2007

Show and Tell Friday



Only a short post today, I'm having problems(temporary) with my back and the pain is sufficient that concentrating for any length of time is beyond me. The lead crystal dish above once belonged to my grandmother. It only came out once a year and that was when it held the trifle that she always made for Christmas Tea. My aunts,uncles and cousins all gathered at my grandmother's house on Christmas afternoon and, as it was in the days before television got a grip on the life of the nation, we all had a lot of fun. My Uncle John played the accordian and we sang carols and songs and played games and all the cousins had to do a 'turn'. My cousin Terry and I both hated this as neither of us were very good at that sort of thing. We always hid under the long red chenille tablecloth that covered the dining table hoping to escape - but, guess what, they always found us! Whenever I look at this dish I am instantly transported back to those happy childhood days and I can still taste the trifle - gran made the best one I've ever tasted and she took the secret with her to the grave, not one of my aunts had the exact recipe. I suspect there wasn't one really, but I do know it included a generous dollop of sherry:) Maybe that was why I liked it so much - I know that I have always include a good spoonful of Cointreau in the syrup for my fresh fruit salad and, when they were little, the children always asked for 'more juice, mummy' :):)


I've just made these little Mary Jane shoes for Kaitlyn.

31 comments:

La Tea Dah said...

What lovely memories that beautiful crystal dish evokes. The value of any heirloom is multiplied many times over by such memories.

Anonymous said...

MMMMmmmmm - trifle. My mum-in-law makes trifle too, for Christmas and family dinners. She even has a similar bowl!

Isn't it wonderful how certain objects are imbued with the essence of the moment?

PS - love the Mary Janes. Sadly I have no little ones to knit for right now, otherwise I'd be begging for the pattern. Actually, would you mind sharing it anyways?

Trella said...

What wonderful memories. I love the little Mary Janes so cute!

Forgetmenot said...

Shoes are very sweet. Hope your back is better soon.

Kelli said...

Your crystal dish is beautiful and I really enjoyed hearing your childhood memories!
The little shoes are precious!
Kelli

Tracy said...

What a beautiful dish. The shoes are adorable!

smilnsigh said...

On the topic of 'Victoria' magazine to be re-launched.. Yes, we will hold our breath, and hope that it will be like the original.

Mari-Nanci

Sheila said...

Trifle was and is always a special treat at Christmas. I think it's lovely that you have your grandmothers trifle dish.
I hope your back is soon better...too much gardening perhaps...?

smilnsigh said...

I am sooo sorry about your back pain. -sigh-

Mari-Nanci

LBP said...

Those little shoes are adorable! I love your trifle dish! It is very lovely as is the story that goes with it.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Linda

PAT said...

Wonderful post, Rowan. The bowl is beautiful and I love hearing about your memories!

Those shoes are so cute!!

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Pat
Back Porch Musings

Anonymous said...

Isn't it lovely how a simple dish can bring back such wonderful memories? I love the knitted Mary Janes ~ too cute! I hope your back feels better soon. ♥

Anonymous said...

What sweet memories with that lovely dish! I wonder what my children will remember years from now.

Those little shoes are just gorgeous!

Susan said...

Beautiful bowl. I love lead chystal. Darling shoes.

Ragged Roses said...

My mum used to make trifle in a very similar dish that only came out at Christmas - I can taste it now, I loved it! Hope your back is improving. Gorgeous little shoes.
Kim x

rel said...

Rowan,
Those back twist can really slow down your activities...I hope yours has subsided!
Those booties are adorable. Your talents abound.
It's kitchen aromas that transport me back to my childhood days. Whether it was my mother's or aunt Nellie's kitchens mattered not, the smells emanating from them always made me feel warm and comfy....Oh yes, and Hungry too. ;-)
rel

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous bowl - my mother has many heirloom pieces with lots of memories attached. Unfortunately we have a long line of only-children so there aren't many people to share it with nowadays!

And the mary-janes are just stunning - do you do adult sizes?!

Anonymous said...

Hi, thank you for stopping by and leaving such a kind comment about our "horse" situation. George will be ok. I hope to get her into a little riding school, I think that would be nice for her. Also, those little baby shoes have made are simply gorgeous!

Knot Garden said...

Isn't it amazing how childhood memories can come flooding back with one closely associated object. I think that must be why we treasure something that belonged to our parents or grandparents.
The baby shoes are gorgeous. Hope your back is feeling better.

La Tea Dah said...

Thank you for your comments on "Tea Lady" --- and yes, it is definately a matter of perspective, isn't it! I loved your description of a "Tea Lady". The American version is so romanticized, isn't it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rowan,

What lovely memories you have of Christmas - I hope my children will have some nice ones too.

Love the little shoes they are so gorgeous........

Shropshire Girl said...

I hope your back is feeling better soon. I never liked trifle as a child, my love of it only developed as an adult, and believe me I love it!
The little shoes are adorable, could you tell us the pattern you used?
Sandra

Marilyn in NM said...

Rowan, I love the little Mary Janes. Where did you get the pattern? I'd love to make a pair for my little granddaughter. They're just adorable!

kerrdelune said...

Rowan, it is a beautiful crystal bowl, and I have one somewhat like it, but in a pinwheel (perhaps Wheel of the Year?) pattern. I loved the wee slippers too.

I hope your back is better immediately (if not sooner). Happy May Day, Happy Beltane!

smilnsigh said...

Dear Rowan,
I hope your back is better... To welcome in the month of May.

Mari-Nanci

Mary said...

Hi Rowan - sorry I'm so behind in commenting on your delightful posts. You are always so quick to drop me a line and I really appreciate that as I love hearing from you.
As you know I was away for a few days and now seem destined for the garden every day - so much to do this time of year.
I love trifle and always use my Mum's recipe - plenty of sherry of course! Usually only make one at Christmas or if special company is coming for dinner - because I always eat far too much of the leftovers!
Loved the poem, seeing your precious granddaughter celebrating her B'day, and at the pond. The little Mary Janes shoes are gorgeous - think I'd love them for myself, my feet are sore from the garden chores!
Really sorry to learn your back is paining you - hope so much you will find fast relief.
Take care and get some rest.
Hugs, Mary.

Anonymous said...

What wonderful shoes! Maybe if I had some that looked like that I could be bothered to wear them more. Take care of your back, Rowan. Stretching is good. . .Oops I just slipped into massage therapist mode.

Tea said...

Hope your back is feeling better Rowan. Kaitlyn is just so sweet! And what a cute picture of Bilbo and Pip!!

tea
xo

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Hope your back is better now, Rowan. Don't forget to warm up before gardening!
Love the little shoes.

Victoria May Plum said...

I hope that you feel better soon. Back ache is horrible.
My little girl used to wear little knitted dolly shoes, because her feet were so tiny.
I'm going to add you to my blog list, so I can see more of that darling little cherub.
Victoria x

kate said...

What adorable little shoes! Your grandchildren are very lucky.

Oh and English trifle. What a beautiful bowl. I love how it brings to mind such good memories for you.

How are you doing? How is your back?I hope you are taking good care of yourself. Hug for you!