What do your cherished belongings reveal?

"Ah, the wonderful thing about a house is not that it provides us with warmth and shelter, but that it slowly builds within us a reserve of contentment, shaping, deep in the heart, the immense darkness from which dreams emerge, like water from a spring ... "
Dear friends,

Forgive my absence in the blogosphere lately. Much has been happening in my life, some of which I will write about in the coming days.

For now, I wanted to share with you a little box that is near and dear to my heart. It is a wooden box painted with Mexican folkloric icons. I picked it up at a souvenir shop in Mexico City a few years ago. I collect Mexican artesanías (folk art and crafts), many of which I've picked up during reporting trips throughout Mexico. That particular trip was quite full with interviews and other work duties so, instead of leisurely browsing cute shops, I found myself looking for a jewel in the rough amid a bunch of trinkets at a store near my hotel, just minutes before I hopped into a taxi to take me to the airport.



Here is the box filled business cards from people I met in Mexico City, a reminder of challenging days spent reporting in a foreign country and, more importantly, the city where I was born. I share it with you today because I often wonder the story behind other people's treasured objects. I know that even my own family doesn't know the story behind many of my most cherished belongings.



I was thinking about this because I recently stumbled upon the most delightful book while browsing at an Anthropologie store. "My Mother's Clothes (An Album of Memories)," by Jeannette Montgomery Barron, is a photographic record of clothes belonging to the author's mom, each page revealing a different layer of a life well-lived. Absolutely captivating.

It occurred to me that, just like our clothes, many items in our homes are also a testament to the many journeys we've taken and the people we've become.



Look around your home. What stories would your treasured objects say about your life? Does your family know why these are so beloved to you?

In future posts, I will share some more of the treasured items I've gathered throughout the years.

Photobucket

11 comments:

Razmataz said...

Minnie, I just love the peeks into your home. So colorful and full of personality.

I have dozens and dozens of things that have a story. I should start documentign them in my blog. Very good idea.

Hope you are enjoying your summer with your children.

Chania

brismod said...

What a wonderful post. How uncanny that you were writing about your box from Mexico City. I went to a Mexican wholesaler's shop this morning to look at the lovely handcrafted pottery, icons and textiles. These shops are few and far between in Brisbane. I bought my youngest son a small painted owl because it was beautifully painted.xx

torrie said...

Hi Minnie,

I'm back and am actually glad that you've been absent as well, so I'm not behind on your posts! Thank you very much for your nice comment by the way. It made me smile in the midst of being a little overwhelmed upon returning the the land of reality.

It is such a great question that you asked regarding our own treasured belongings and the story behind them. I want to make it a point to share these stories with my kids rather than walk right by. Right now, as I type, I'm looking at little clay stack-able bowls that I received from my mom (brought back from Mexico) as a little girl. I loved them and as an adult, still love dishes from Mexico- color, tradition, spirit, celebration, delicate/intricate/made from the hand, and heart.

gena said...

Praying all is well with you and that your absence was for all good reasons !

My home is filled with my treasures and I try to keep things around me that have meaning. For instance I collect Lladro porcelain. My beloved Papa ( godfather) bought me my first piece was I was just a kid and each time I see them I think of him and all the love that we shared.

Thanks for sharing your treasure with us !
gena
www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

CACHANILLA73 said...

Hope everything is OK. We have missed you!! ;) Love the box and the colors around your home.
Take care

Un abrazo...

Cotty

Sharona said...

I think I remember that trip to Mexico. :) Glad to see you are back to blogging. :)

Thrifted Treasure said...

Gorgeous images, you always inspire me to try to experiment with colour more!

Tonia Lee Smith said...

OH I'm new here and don't know where you've been but I hope that all is well with you. I see pyrex on the desk, that's exactly what I need to contain all of my sharpies.

Heather said...

Welcome back! I love your treasured box, and I think it's great that you keep the cards of people you've met in Mexico...it seems so fitting for that box!
I'm wondering if there's a "treasured" story behind that great painted end table in your living room...

Blue Moon Mama said...

Stopping by from our Blogging your way ecourse and just had to say I really like the look & layout of your blog! I'm already adding you to my blogroll list :). Hope you enjoy the class!

Tina said...

Hi dear Minnie. Just wanted to stop by and say Hi. I am not sure why I have disappeared from your list of followers:( I am off now to see if I can re-add myself. Hope all is well with you. Hugs ~ Tina xx