Friday, October 3, 2008

MEMORIES FROM "THE GOOD OLD DAYS"

It is almost time to close up our screened porch before the snow flies, but thought I would take you on a tour first.




Both sides of my family were farmers and ranchers after homesteading on the prairies of Colorado. When we cleaned out my father's shop, I just couldn't get rid of some of the things that remind me of those days long ago. Somehow, they have accumulated on our back porch.


The candle holder is a part from an old piece of farm equipment, and the toy truck belonged to my husband as a child.

This stool is made from an old tractor seat and was at my Dad's workbench for years. The blanket is from the Chimayo Trading Post in New Mexico, and was purchased a long time ago on a sheep buying trip by my Grandfather.

A sheep crook that was salvaged from an old sheep herder's wagon.


A branding iron for cattle.


This little table is where our grandchildren play and eat. The little tractor and wagon were mine as a child. We call the little silver man driving "Granddad Man"! He occasionally gets lost, but we have always managed to find him. In the background is my Mother's wooden ironing board from 1937.


A chicken coop and a stoneware chicken water jug.


This old rake holder holds my Dad's spurs and several wooden and metal brands for sheep.


Old stoneware jugs -- for "moonshine", I guess.


An old red tool box with tools from my family, plus others that Bob has collected over the years.


This is a lantern that belonged to my Great Grandfather.


In the background is a Dutch oven used in a sheep camp. Bob made the rustic stool, and there's an old copper wash boiler where we store the kid's balls.


Hope you enjoyed the tour into yesteryear. There are a lot of memories here!!



Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

11 comments:

onlymehere said...

What a wonderful space to display your heritage! I have things of my parents, grandparents, etc. that mean so much to me. These are really cool and the stool made from the tractor seat takes me back bz my dad had one in his work shop on the farm too!

SmilingSally said...

Your porch is a conversation pit--just full of things to talk about.

bj said...

Oh, Sally...I DID enjoy my visit on your back porch. You have some real treasures from your family and a lot of people just don't have that. Of all, I love that tractor seat stool....You have a lot to be proud of....
love, bj

Mrs. B said...

That is some cool stuff! I especially love the lantern, the vintage toys, and that blanket. I bet it all adds so much character to your porch!

nikkicrumpet said...

Not only alot of memories...but you've put those memories together in a way that creates a visually beautiful room...and one thats filled with charm. Everything is a conversation piece and brings you the warm fuzzies...now THAT'S clever decorating!!!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wonderful post. I love how you've used these extra special keepsakes.

Tricia said...

I too was raised as a farm girl..except in Alabama. I have an old hay hook, wooden pully and singletree. I use them on my porch as a daily reminder of those wonderful, hard working days with my parents. I found your blog by surfing, and I'm glad I did.

Bo said...

Nice walk down memory lane or should I say porch...I wish I had a screened porch to enjoy as you do...very nice. ;-) Bo

Elaine said...

Your porch is so cool, a living history of your family. I can honestly say I don't know anyone who has a tractor seat or a chicken coop on their porch! I love how you've repurposed some of your old items- very ecofriendly!

santamaker said...

I really enjoyed seeing your rustic antique tools and that little tractor is too precious. Thanks for coming to my open house!

Susie Q said...

Wow...these are all such treasures!
Your tractor toy was my favorite...I am just a big kid at heart I guess!

Love,
Sue