Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Thursday, October 10, 2013

It Represents Old Comfort

When I moved to the old farm house about 35 years ago
seems I could not stay warm during the long Winter months.

Every room had a big old drafty fireplace and even though I did
much to bring this home  up to date it still seemed drafty to me.

In the addition of a great room with a wood burning stove
seemed this room was the warmest and I still miss that wood fire,

For the first time I bought a goose down comforter.
Oh my it was wonderful and still put it on my bed every Fall.

For many years would just air on the clothesline and once sent out commercially
which I did not like to do.  Once was able to fit in my washing machine and hoped
I would not harm the machine or the comforter.   Last month when my Jamie made a visit I gave it to her to take home and
wash in her big big machine.   It was returned to me yesterday and so wonderfully
clean and when I put it on my bed early this morning realized it is over 30 years old and
still looks like new.

Looks wonderful and on my bed is also a quilt my mother made about 30 or 40 years ago.
Also a wonderful wool Afghan that was purchased from Neiman Marcus in another lifestyle
that is about 40 years old and it was made in Scotland.


So I took an image to share with children and grandchildren
and it represents old comfort to me and also makes the statement that
if it is quality and taken care of it last for many years.

So when it is handed down
hopefully that child or grandchild will care for it in the same way...

Seems like much that is purchased today
is used a while and then discarded.
But you never do this with quality items...

17 comments:

Sky said...

Good morning! Love the photo. I use duvet covers on our down comforters for ease in cleaning. Then I can air the comforters for several sunny hours and wash the duvets. I have a quilt made by a dear friend's mother when she was a young teen. Her mom helped her cut out the material and taught her about quilting. She became an extraordinary seamstress as she matured. She gave the quilt to me a few years before she died 20+ years ago because it meant a lot to her and she knew it would to me as well. Her own child already had one of her quilts made around the same time. If she were still living she'd be 116 years old. This gift means so much to me.

MsGraysea said...

What a lovely post. I adore seeing that old log cabin quilt and comforter. I have one of those comforters, too, and it is my treasure. Seeing the log cabin quilt inspires me to make one again. I already have some blocks done and many strips cut....mmmmm.
Happy day to you, Ernestine!

Balisha said...

I've had my down comforter for years. I tried a duvet cover, but didn't like it. It has been commercially cleaned. You've given me an idea about washing it at home. I have one of those big new machines....I wonder if I would over load it with my comforter? What size is your comforter? Mine is a king size.
My mother always said, "You get what you pay for." I believe this for many things.
Have a nice day today,
Balisha

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Sky, I have a duvet cover that I use sometimes - but really do not like it.
Marcia, :)
Balisha, mine is a queen/king or a double/queen - do not know. My bed is a queen.
Jamies machine is super big.
I washed it once in mine years ago with fear but it was fine. Put this in dryer to fluff.

Tabor said...

I do not encounter many children that treasure older things that carry memories. Even my grandchildren are reckless with special items. Hopefully I can instill a little preservation in their spirits.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a lovely photo of lovely, comforting blankets that cover you and keep you warm.

FlowerLady

Wisewebwoman said...

I love old treasured items. My mother's embroidered tablecloth is one. I was so pleased to see one of the afghans I knitted for family members treasured in one house and displayed artfully in a lovely old armoire. I see my afghans in friends' houses and get a thrill. They have found good homes. :)
Love love love your bed and its treasures.

XO
WWW

lil red hen said...

With those special "covers" you're ready for those cold nights ahead.

I do think we're living in a "throw-away" generation. I've often thought how much of the stuff sold ends up in the landfill.

Of all the quilts I make, the log cabin is my favorite.

Sallysmom said...

My husband and I have talked about how so much today is made of materials that will be thrown away (plastic, etc). Much is not even made of real wood. It's sad. I love your comforter, quilt, and afghan. I totally understand about having things that have so much meaning.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Tabor, I agree and sometimes it grieves me to think of all the wonderful things that were passed on to me from my grandmother and mother. I cannot think about it
and know nothing will be the same when I am gone.
Lorraine - THANK YOU FOR THE SPECIAL GIFT THAT ARRIVED TODAY :)
WWW - We continue to have much in common :)

Judy said...

Thankfully, my children love the old things--maybe even more then I do. They, and my grand girls, have quilts that my great grandmother made--a woman they never met--and they love them. I grew up with the quilts and thought nothing special about them. When they got raggedy, I threw them out. GASP!!

Val said...

What a cozy bed. That looks wonderful.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy, mine like them - but - do not think they will take the care with them that mom has.
Val, :)

Hill Top Post said...

Goose down and wool - For winter, we sleep under both - definitely the way to be comfortably warm. For summer, we sleep under a quilt made of linen which has such a wonderful feel. Your bed is lovely, so snuggly comfortable looking.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Mary, would love to have a quilt made of linen :)

Beverly said...

I love my down comforter and have a quilt my mother made. I recognize some of the patterns in it from when I was young!!! Jamie is a keeper!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, so cozy and beautiful! I love the image! Two days ago, I was thrilled to find the quilt my mother made for me, so that I could put it on my bed. I had not used it for a while, but felt a desire to see it and use it again. I had a very difficult relationship with my mother, but I learned much from her and attribute some of my determination and creativity to what she passed on to me. I am being comforted seeing the lovely, handmade quilt she stitched and pieced together for me twenty-five years ago.