Placement of Pretty Things - Page 3 of 4 - Telling the stories of family heirlooms to help us remain present

The Rhinestone Barrette

by Robin Turnipseed May 20, 2021

“Mama, can I have this?” my daughter’s voice calls to me from the far corner of my closet. It is a spring Sunday afternoon, and I am currently in the early stages of a closet clean out. She has decided to help me. I use this term loosely as my eight-year-old’s definition of help mainly consists of digging through all my earthly possessions to see if there are any treasures she can claim as her own.

While we work, she entertains us with made up knock-knock jokes. After a few minutes, I notice that she has gone quiet over on my end of the closet I share with my husband. That is when I hear her ask again, “Mama, can I have this?”

I motion her to meet me in the middle so I can see what she is asking about. She slowly walks over, her fist closed tightly around her newly discovered treasure. I can tell she believes this item is of great value and the last thing she wants to do is to turn it over to me.

May 20, 2021 0 comment

Decor

The Books

by Robin Turnipseed December 30, 2020

“I need space.” I say these words during date night and watch as confusion graces my husband’s face.

Realizing what he may have thought I had said, I rephrase my statement: “I need a space of my own. A place for all my work, my books, and the paperwork that is scattered over every single surface of the kitchen! I need an office.”

I see him nod in agreement. Message received. So what next?

December 30, 2020 0 comment

Decor Featured

The Farm Picture

by Robin Turnipseed November 19, 2020

“Want to hear a story?” my dad quietly asks between sips of coffee.

“Always,” I say.

We sit in a small café and the restaurant noise fills the air surrounding us. Something in his tone hints at a good story and I lean in, not wanting a single detail to be lost in the clinks of cups and saucers.

We have been meeting for donuts and coffee more frequently lately and as the years roll on, I notice how we find great solace in telling stories from the past. They bring warmth and comfort and, like old friends, we enjoy sipping strong coffee while we sit with them for a while. I especially love the stories that are unearthed from my father’s side of the family. Each of our visits gifts me with an unknown piece of my history, which I eagerly devour.

November 19, 2020 0 comment

Featured Small Pretties

The Recipe House

by Robin Turnipseed October 28, 2020

Every autumn I find myself facing the same problem: I am completely lost about what to cook for the humans that call my house “home.” I have put all my recipes on a biweekly rotation with the occasional new meal tossed in just to keep my family on their toes. My curveball is usually met with displeasure, so in general I try to stick to the basics.

However, about the time that the leaves begin to change, so do my feelings towards my meal plans. This year proved to be a bit more daunting because I feel like I have spent the last six months living in my kitchen. Summer consumed every bit of my energy and early September saw me leaning into more processed foods.

After a couple weeks it hits me: I must back away from the boxed meals and chop a vegetable. It’s time I take to the cookbooks.

October 28, 2020 0 comment

Decor

The Oak Bookcase

by Robin Turnipseed October 21, 2020

“I have decided to sell my house,” my mom says the moment I answer my phone.

I tread gently into the conversation with a simple, “Really?”

The selling of this house has been a contentious topic over the past few years. Despite the fact that it currently sits empty, the house was her first large purchase after my parents’ divorce. Already married and living on my own, the tiny house created a home for my mother and brother and symbolized new beginnings on multiple fronts so I’ve always understood her resistance to sell even though she hasn’t lived in it since getting remarried 10 years ago.

October 21, 2020 0 comment

Decor Holiday

The Vintage Tree

by Robin Turnipseed October 8, 2020

It is mid-October and I am currently digging the box of Christmas décor out from under the basement stairs. All the celebrations are starting early this year. The pumpkins came on display mid-August and now, with barely a chill in the air, I tear through the boxes stored in my basement searching for all my Christmas cheer.

There are usually two very staunch camps of people when it comes to decorating for Christmas:

The “Day After Thanksgiving” crowd that believes any Christmas paraphernalia prior to that November day shows sheer irreverence.
The “Whenever I Feel Like It” crowd that has already ushered in Bing Crosby’s mellow crooning before the leaves start to golden.

October 8, 2020 0 comment