Most of the photos here at Rabbit Run Cottage
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Friday, June 29, 2007

Basement Business

Just a few odds and ends pictures from our basement family room. This is my Hoosier cabinet. It is one of my most loved material possessions! Wicked to feel like that but I do. It stood in the same home for over 80 years and since it came to live with us, the poor thing has had 10! But the old girl has lived to tell her story and graciously accepted each new home bless her. Yes, I collected milk bottles from every city we lived in and some from our travels as well.
This sweet couple are Uncle Pink and Aunt Jenny. They were a gift from my parents several years ago. They were whittled by a wonderful folk artist, Polly Page from Middle Tennessee. Polly's work has been featured internationally and it was she who taught Jane Fonda how to whittle for the film, "The Dollmaker". Dolly Parton knew Polly and took Jane to meet her as she prepared for her role. Polly was always a rare delight. My parents knew her family well and I was privileged to spend time with her on several occasions. These dolls are some of my best loved things.
So many bears, so little time...such is life!
This is Reginald. He is reading through my Father's Navy manual...the one he was issued upon enlistment in 1943. That is one of my favorite photos of Daniel... This piece of art work was done by Daniel when he was 12. Since I was downstairs anyhoo, I took a few pictures of some of my...well...stuff. I like stuff. And oh gosh. I have a lot of stuff! Nothing overly expensive, just meaningful or well loved. Our Kate from The French Nest posted about her favorite stuffed lovey, one she has had for years and years. In these photos you will see just a few of my stuffies. Oh how I love my bears.
I adore my giraffes as well! I really have no idea how this giraffe collection began. I had a small one and then I was gifted with another and another and another! Giraffes are such gentle and beautiful creatures. Elegant and gee. Have you ever really looked at their eyes? So warm, so soulful. With the giraffes you will also see a part of my children's book collection. I started that one before I was married. Oh how I have enjoyed sharing those books with the many children that have come into my life over the years! If I stopped to think how many collections I have it would scare me silly! I don't actively collect most of these things any longer but just try to pry any of what I have away and watch me turn surly. Really! Watch me. Grrrr..... Hey! Be grateful I did not photograph every corner of my basement! There were a few more collections...
Have a sweet weekend everyone! Hugs, Susie Q

14 comments:

Andi said...

Oh Sue!!! I love your collections! Your Hoosier cabinet is wonderful and I see why you would love her. I have such a fondness for some of my "things" as well and I see no harm in it.

Your bears are delightful but I adore you giraffes! You see, I too had a stuffed giraffe when I was a little girl. I thought it was a "draft" so his name was "Draftie" and I thought he was swell.

Tell me please, who is the artist on the print in the Navy picture...looks to be a Hanger with a verse.

Mrs. Geezerette said...

Sue, I will have to bring my sister to your blog so that she can see your huge collection of bears. She has been building a bear collection for years now. I do not know how many she has to date, but when I visit her the house seems overrun by them.

I have a basement full of stuff I have collected over the years except my stuff, unlike yours, is junk. :-)

I know what you mean about the soulful eyes of giraffes. I have looked into them.

Gill said...

Your stuff is great. It makes a home a home and not just a house. We all need some good stuff!

Sheila said...

What a cosy den..!
I love that art piece Daniel did. The boy has talent. Does he still do art work?
My sis collects bears, but I think you could give her a run for her money..!
hugs
xo

Anonymous said...

you have the coolest collections, wow!

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

Oh what a a delightful post!!! I love seeing pictures of peoples collections and especially when set in such a nice backdrop! YOur hoosier is wonderful! I think I am having hoosier envy!!!!! Those dolls are amazing too. Thanks so much for sharing pics!!!

Mom2fur said...

I love your bears, especially the little one with the airline bag. There's just something about his face.
I think the idea to display your dad's Navy manual with Reginald is really clever! That's so much nicer than leaving it up in the attic, forgotten.

Tammy said...

I wish I had seen a set of those wooden dolls while I was in TN...all I saw was your typical smarmy souvenirs in shop after shop...I would have quickly bought a set of those had I spied them!
I've always liked the Dollmaker movie!
:)

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

You know what.....I used to collect Teddy Bears (sadly they are packed away right now)...I used to collect children's books(some packed away now). At one time I searched for Hoosier cabinet for our kitchen. My favorite bears I've had since before I can remember. I do believe we have many things in common....and how lovely it would be to see your home in person and just oooh and awe and hear the stories that accompany many of your treasures!!
XOXO
Love,
Lisa

p.s. I can't wait to receive the art from Grace - I will TREASURE it and it will hang in my home FOR SURE!!

Gretchen said...

I love your collections and your loving sentiment about your whole house. It DOES feel like a cottage.

Carole Burant said...

Can I come live in your basement???? Like you, I adore "stuff" and have so many collections, I think I need a bigger house! lol Such a beautiful cabinet and look at all those wonderful milk bottle collection! I also love bears and had loads of them but finally had to give some away because they were literally taking over the house!! xoxo

Cassandra said...

I just love your home and collections! I think my favorites are your Eiffel towers...I think I need a collection for my office someday!

Sheila said...

I love your bear collection. Are they Boyd's bears by any chance? I have a couple of friends who collect Boyds. Anyway, very nice!

Denise Marie said...

I love old milk bottles and bears too.