The Early Peonies

Old-Time Aprons

The following came from an email that I received awhile back. I don't know who wrote it, but it's worth passing on. There aren't many women today who'd consider an apron to be a necessity, but most of us can probably remember someone who did. Reading this made me glad that I have some of my Grandmother's old aprons. In fact, I think I'll go tie one on!

Enjoy!

Aprons

"I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes. "

Listening to the Past: Antique Phonographs

Looking back over his long career, Thomas Edison once said, "Of all my inventions, I liked the phonograph best." Well, Mr. Edison, your light bulb was pretty amazing, too, but I have to agree with you. There is nothing that quite compares to cranking up the old phonograph and listening to the music of another era, hearing the sounds as they were meant to be played.

My father had a large collection of 78 rpm records that he would pull out from time to time and play for us. He always played them on his stereo turntable, but would tell us about the crank phonograph his mother used to have, always giving a little sigh when he'd talk about it. A few years ago I received one of his albums, and my quest for an antique phonograph began.

It turned out to be easier than I expected to find one in working condition. These machines were produced in large numbers in their day, and many were lovingly preserved over the years. Others have been carefully restored by people who enjoy and respect the charm and nostalgic value these machines possess. Of course, just as many were stored in attics and barns, used as liquor cabinets or, inevitably, as plant stands, so you need to make sure of what you're getting before you hand any money over.

It's extremely important to do your homework before investing in a phonograph. There are several brand names that come to mind, such as Victor, Columbia and Edison. These are probably the most common machines available today as they were produced in the greatest numbers. However, there are many off-brand machines that offer high quality and can often be found for lower prices. My machine is a Silvertone, which I found listed in the 1927 Sears catalog for $45. I purchased it a couple of years ago for $282.00, definitely on the affordable end of the scale; and it works perfectly.

There are many ways to find a phonograph. Antique shows, antique and estate auctions often have them pop up. We purchased ours through eBay, which can be a great source if you're careful. There are a lot of fakes out there. Plus, many people do not know the actual value of their machine and list it as "rare" when it's not...with a price to match. I once saw a fairly common machine with a price in the thousands because the seller claimed it came with a ghost!! Yikes! So, as I stated before, do your homework.

I strongly recommend the book The Compleat Talking Machine by Eric L. Reiss. This gives valuable information on the history of the machines, tips on where to find them, and how to spot fakes. The book mainly focuses on the repair and maintence of phonographs, which is the reason I purchased it. I wanted to know how to care for my little piece of the past. A well cared for machine will continue to entertain for many years.

Thanks, Mr. Edison.

A Streak-Free Shine!

It's spring cleaning time! Even if you don't go all out for this old-time seasonal ritual, you probably have some windows that are looking a bit grimey after withstanding the winter months. Several years ago I came across the following method for washing windows. I believe it was in an old copy of Hints from Heloise that I found in my mother's house. There is nothing easier, and I've never found anything else that leaves the glass so sparkling clean. I even think it resists dirt and streaks longer than other traditional solutions.

*** 1/2 cup of Corn Starch mixed in 1 gallon of warm water

That's it! You can add a teaspoon of mild dish detergent if you absolutely must have soap, but it really is not necessary. Use a clean, low-lint cloth (old cotton flat-fold diapers are perfect) to wipe down the glass. Allow the solution to sit for a minute or so, and then use a clean, dry cloth to rub the glass. At first it will seem to be streaking, but keep rubbing and it will suddenly dry to a sparkling, streak-free shine that no store-bought cleaning solution has yet to match, in my opinion.

Give it a try and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

Historic Harrison

Planting a garden is one of the most satisfying ways I have found to add some nostalgia to the house. Over the years I have acquired quite a few plants that have a history, both in my family's gardens and in American gardens in general. Their stories add an old-fashioned charm and make for great conversation when people stop by for a visit.

The Harrison's Yellow Rose, shown above, is one of those plants. As you can see from the photo, it is just beginning to grow. This is my third attempt to establish this rose in my Central New York garden, and apparently it's true that the "third time's a charm" because the canes are leafing out and sending up new shoots from below the ground...a great sign!

Harrison came from my mother's yard, where it had grown into a sizeable, healthy and beautiful shrub. She had grown this at a different location when I was a little girl. It bloomed next to my sandbox, and to this day I cannot smell the flowers without experiencing a strong sense of deja vu that sends me back to my pail and shovel days! Ahh, the memories!

But this rose has a history much older than my personal recollections (which, truly, are not that old!). First recorded as growing in New York in 1830, this rose is said to have been carried in covered wagons by the early pioneers as they ventured west. It is possible to track the routes these people took by making note of the places this rose can be found growing. It is also sometimes referred to as the Yellow Rose of Texas, although it has pretty much been established that the rose in that famous song actually refers to a person. None the less, it is fairly prolific in that state.

While looking up information on how to care for Harrison, I came across a literary connection in this plant's history. According to the Gardens of Emily Dickinson, by Judith Farr, this pretty yellow rose was grown in her family's gardens. It is well known that Miss Dickinson was passionate about her flowers, and many of her poems speak to that. I am looking forward to picking up a copy to read, and hopefully will also pick up some horticultural tips from this poetic genius. Then I can tell people, "Oh, Emily Dickinson taught me how to care for that!"

Over the next few months I will continue to post photos of my historic rose to, hopefully, record it's growth and allow my mother to see how her shrub's offspring is doing. If we're lucky, it will even bloom this year. It is one of several heirloom plants I have growing on the property, many of which you will probably read about in this blog as they come into bloom.

If you are interested in growing heirloom plants, there are many websites available that can be found through a simple Google search. There is a great deal of information regarding the care and history of various plants, as well as nurserys that have them in stock. The best place, however, to find these heirlooms is in the backyards of our family and friends. I have found that the level of enjoyment that comes from planting Grandmother's flowers and vegetables is much higher than simply popping random plants into the ground. Your garden will become a bit of a photo album, of sorts, complete with stories to be passed on with each division you give away.

Defining Nostalgia

Webster defines nostalgia as a "longing for former times or things." In today's fast-paced, high-tech world I sometimes find myself doing just that. But as I am, in fact, a big fan of hair-dryers and indoor plumbing, I don't really want to go back in time. I do, however, enjoy preserving bits and pieces of the past in my home and lifestyle, items and ideas that allow me to relax, simplify and enjoy the little things that were once so common but are now considered quaint.

In the ever relentless quest for progress, human beings have the tendency to label the customs of the past as obsolete, and in many cases (such as taking a bath only on Saturday night, whether you needed one or not) this is true; but there are also many things worth hanging onto. Antique furniture and tools generally exhibit a higher attention to detail and craftsmanship than similar items that are mass-produced today, and they are often just as functional. Plus, many old ideas are finding new relevance in today's race against global warming, such as starting a compost pile, or walking to your destination rather than driving. On a much smaller scale, making a loaf of bread from scratch can do wonders to release the stressors of life, from kneading the dough, to the wonderful smell of it baking, to the amazing flavor that no package of Wonderbread could ever compete with.

So, my own personal definition of nostalgia is more of a desire to preserve the good things from the past that cause us to stop and take notice; the items and ideas that make the day to day a little less hectic and a little more enjoyable, whether serving a practical purpose or simply adding a quaint touch of beauty to our surroundings.

With this blog I would like to share some of the ways I have brought nostalgia into my home. I've learned quite a bit over the past several years and hope to post information about everything from kitchen utensils and antique phonographs to gardening and housekeeping tips. It will be as much of a personal record for myself as I hope it to be a source of inspiration, however small, for readers. Keep checking back as I will continue to search for ways to bring the past into the present.

Thanks for reading!