Marsha's Place

On my way to Vegas last week, I stopped in La Verkin for the night.  Marsha graciously offered to let me stay at her place overnight.  I picked up the keys from Chuck and headed over there.  I can't help but think about it as Grandma and Grandpa's place. Marsha has made it so cute and so homey but as I was there, I noticed things that reminded me of Grandma and Grandpa.

When they moved to La Verkin, they were so incredibly excited for their new adventure outside of Salt Lake.  The way I remember it, it was a pretty impulsive decision to up and sell the house in Sugarhouse and move to the warmer climate.  I honestly have no idea how they decided what to take and what to leave as they worked to pare down their belongings.

The minute I opened the door to the house, I could smell the smell that instantly reminded me of Grandma and Grandpa.  They haven't lived there for many years so it must be the house smell but to me, it is the smell of my lovely Grandparents.  Marsha has her house closed up until her next visit.  She had the furniture covered, beds stripped down, and blankets over the windows.  Some of those blankets were blankets I made for Grandma and Grandpa years ago.  I chose to sleep in the big bedroom.  I remember how excited Grandma was to have a garden tub in the house.  And the curio cabinets.  And the cute kitchen with a place for a dining table. And the shed outside - Grandpa was a wood worker so he was thrilled to have a place to piddle around still.  He collected petrified wood to decorate the outside.  That was still there too.  I couldn't help take some photos of some of the things that really made an impression on me and my memories.

Grandpa made these bead dolls as a hobby.  They were the oddest things at the time but they've become very important to the family.  I totally forgot about this music box until I saw it in a curio cabinet.  I have no idea the history but I do remember it growing up.

Wow this bowl.  It is the most beautiful blue with the pink flowers inside.  We've had waldorf salad, green salad, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, and other various delicious dishes served in this bowl. Grandma was the BEST cook! Such sweet memories!

The curio cabinet has a mix of old and new.  Some tea cups from Grandma's collection. 
Other little bowls and vases...but also some from Marsha's collection. 

I totally forgot about this needlepoint picture.  I have no idea where it came from or it's history but it
warmed my heart to see it still in the same spot as when Grandma and Grandpa left the house.

Marsha has done a great job making the house her house.  I don't want to take that away from her.  I was really touched by how she honored her parents (my grandparents) but also made her mark.  Mixing the old and the new.  She is a fabulous painter and has her own artwork hung all over.  I took this picture (which has a copyright...hope you don't mind Marsha) because I spent time while there looking at it over and over since it was in the bedroom I stayed.

Thanks Marsha for letting me stay and allowing me the surprise walk down memory lane.  It was bittersweet for me but absolutely filled my soul which has been pretty empty as of late.