Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Meet My Secretary

I am joining Barb at Grits and Glamour for a fun new party—Tabletop Tuesdays. Today I would like for you to meet my secretary…the closest I’ll ever get to having one. Barb, I hope this counts!

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This is in our formal living room…and (I never really realized until today) filled with more than bric a brac. It is filled with keepsakes and things I love. Almost every piece has significance.

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The small nooks and crannies of a secretary make it the perfect place to store small treasures that might be lost in a bigger space. The tiny porcelain pink and white shoe was given to me when our daughter was born—twenty eight years ago tomorrow. The rose is a Herend rose given to me by a friend I helped during a difficult time. It was her way of saying thank you. And now it reminds me to be grateful too.

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This plate belonged to my great grandmother. I never knew her, but always loved this plate. There are no markings on it….except for the crack. I don’t mind the crack…it’s the face I love.

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Even the books have meaning. The Amy Vanderbuilt book of Etiquette is the one I used to plan my own wedding and referred to when Sunshine got married last summer. I find that good manners don’t change much over the years. The Rumford Cookbook is a very old one that belonged to my great grandmother. The others belonged to my dad.

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Beloved’s grandfather’s pocket watch on a small easel for display.

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A picture of Sunshine and us when she was presented at Cotton Carnival. She promised she’d get married in this dress if I would buy it. It’s okay---I knew she didn’t really mean it :)

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A porcelain dogwood bloom and a miniature teapot. There are three teapots in this secretary…I didn’t even know I collected them :)

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Thanks for sharing this with me. You can visit Barb at Grits and Glamour here for inspiring vignettes. Thanks for hosting the party Barb!

EDITED--If you read my last post, I dont' know what happened! I'm back!

31 comments:

  1. O, I loved seeing your beautiful secretary, all dressed out in these treasures. Thanks for sharing and I hope to join you next Tuesday for this fun new meme....
    xo bj

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  2. What a wonderful place for the special mementos! It would be such a soothing place to just sit at and relax surrounded by all the love shown!

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  3. Hi Susan! I love your secretary and how special that it's filled with so many sweet memories! I love it!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  4. Your secretary is just stunning and I love that you have some of your most precious treasures displayed in it. Just beautiful. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Your secretary is just lovely, Susan, and the perfect place for all of your treasures. Extra special because the treasures hold personal meaning. It's nice to have them grouped all together...

    xoxo
    Jane

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  6. What a pretty secretary. It is great that you have many treasures that have memories for you.
    Just curious - Did her dress get cut off at the ball? :-) Hope it does not rain, I need to get out today.
    Glenda

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  7. I have almost the identical secretary. It belonged to my grandparents. I used to play under the folded out part as a small child, so it has wonderful memories for me.

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  8. What a beautiful secretary desk. I love the wood detail on the glass.
    Thank you for your kind comment on my recent post. I was freaking out but had a ton of fun taking them :0)
    Hope you have a lovely day!

    http://domesticprincessintraining.blogspot.com

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  9. I am a big fan of old books, especially cookbooks. I would love to sit by your secretary and just get lost in your great grandmother's cookbook. Sweet little shoe in memory of your daughter's birth - wish her a happy birthday from me! Lovely piece of furniture and special place for keepsakes. Enjoy your week.

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  10. You have the secretary I have wanted for over 30 years! It is lovely!! I think it is even more special with all your treasures. Thank you for sharing this with us. Glad you are back!!! I appreciate all the wonderful comments you leave when you visit me! Thank you!

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  11. A beautiful piece, Susan, and a lovely collection of memories.

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  12. Beautiful my friend...loved seeeing all your sweet treasuers...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  13. What a wonderful way to utilize your secretary and how wonderful it must be to pass by each day. I love the story behind all your memories, but the "thank-you" rose was my favorite. Such an easy, yet thoughtful way to repay a kindness. I'll have to remember that one.

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  14. Oh, I truly covet that secretary! And the fact that you use it to display such meaningful treasures makes it extra special. Thank you for sharing it

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  15. That is a LOVELY piece of furniture!

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  16. I always wanted my own secretary....both wooden & otherwise! LOL
    You've got some beautiful treasures on yours but the one I loved the most was the photo. BEAUTIFUL....& Priceless memories!

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  17. I love that secretary - I never never never see them for sale ever :o( You are so lucky.
    I adore those books and your little area - so sweet !
    Kammy

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  18. Beautiful secretary and filled with your special treasures makes it all the more precious. I really like that pocketwatch and display stand, it looks perfect here.

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  19. I've been wanting to get a secretary for a couple of years now. Yours is beautiful, and I love how you have some of your most precious treasures displayed there.

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  20. Your secretary looks so pretty. Now mine is a different story. It also sits in my living room, but it serves as a mail collector for LBeau. Just another place for his piles of stuff. Sigh!

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  21. I love your secretary, Susan. It's one item that I have always wanted to have but do not have one. I love everything you have in it too especially because they have special meanings. I think that is pretty neat. You have a beautiful family....Christine

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  22. We have treasures in our secretary also. It is one piece that I do not mind dusting. I pick up every treasure and remember while dusting.

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  23. Thanks for sharing your lovely secetary. I'm still waiting for the perfect secretary for our home. Some day it will show up. I'm sure of it!!!

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  24. It's lovely. Especially the little drawers, and a lovely place to have those things that mean so much to you. xx

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  25. Lovely momentos displayed beautifully! Hugs!

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  26. Oh I love those secretarys and yours is truely lovely. Beautifully done.

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  27. That is a beautiful piece of furniture, and I love all of your treasures stored inside. (Too funny about the Cotton Carnival dress!) laurie

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