Well, it’s official. We spent three whole days with each of our living grandparents and have crossed number fifteen off our pre-baby bucket list! This past Saturday we drove up to Oroville and were promptly greeted by four barking dogs and two giant smiles….
My dad’s parents are what you would call semi-hoarders collectors, which might overwhelm some people, but I happen to LOVE it. Their house is like a giant antique store, full of old charms and treasures. Furniture, record players, old bottles, dishes, paintings….you name the treasure, they’ll show you where they keep it. After lunch we popped by a thrift store, where I told my grandpa I was on the hunt for vintage cameras to add to my collection. He laughed and said, “Cameras? I’ve got a ton of those at home!”
Bingo.
This next find was one of my favorites from the day….my grandmother was such a good girl.
My great grandpa was a jeweler, and although I already own many pieces he made for me, I jumped at the chance to sort through an old box of jewels that was sitting in the garage. He passed away a few years ago, but him and I used to be pen pals when I was younger. He would write me letters and ask what kind of jewelry I wanted him to make for me (necklace, ring, bracelet, etc). After I wrote him back and told him what I wanted, he would draw two designs and tell me to pick the one I liked the best before making it for me. I think half of my current jewelry collection was designed and created by him. Aren’t they beautiful?
At dinner my grandpa told us about his first job, and second job, and thirtieth job, and every job in between. My two grandfathers worked just about every job imaginable—whatever it took to put food on the table. It’s pretty safe to say I come from a long line of hard workers, which not only attributed to the person I am today, but also influenced who I chose to marry. Hearing my grandfather talk about his work history gave me a whole new appreciation for Brett. He might not be setting up bowling pins, or digging holes for swimming pools, but he works very hard to provide for our family and I love him for that (among many other reasons).
Even though we’ve crossed number fifteen off our list—our grandparents can rest assured that we’ll be visiting them again soon. If anything, for a fix of chocolate fudge, apple strudel, and antique treasures.
That jewelry is insanely beautiful! And the photos are lovely as well
I love the idea of a pre-baby bucket list!
Alivia´s last [type] ..more from our trip
I LOVE this post so much. SO MUCH. And wow, your great-grandfather’s jewelry is beautiful. My grandpa was a dentist, & he used to make jewelry from dental gold; I still have a pendant he made when I was younger, but nothing else. What treasures you stumbled across – not to mention a lot of love!
Suburban Sweetheart´s last [type] ..Onions- Alcohol & Anatomy Lessons
Lovely jewelry and vintage cameras.
Plus visits with the grandparents are the best!!
Aww i love this! The cameras, the jewelry. Family is the best.
Angeline´s last [type] ..A blogiversary for me and Shabby Apple for you
great ideas, and such a special time with your grandparents:) I’m sure they are excited for baby!
Lauren´s last [type] ..to weekend
Yay for visiting family, and woo for crossing things of your list! I love things like that, it’s always so satisfying to complete something you’ve set out to do
Elly´s last [type] ..Roasting Fires- Tuscany
aw! i love this post. and the jewelry is BEAUTIFUL!
All of your grand parents seem like such awesome people! The jewelry from your Great Grandpas is gorgeous!
katherine michael´s last [type] ..Day Dreaming and Penny Pinching
How adorable! It’s so good of you to spend time with your grandparents.
Your jewelry story makes me think of my husband’s uncle! He owns a dental lab and uses the tools and his gold and silver materials to make gorgeous rings. He made his and his wife’s wedding bands, rings for each of his daughters, and he also made my wedding band exactly the way I thought it would look lovely. It’s such a special piece to me… not just because it’s my wedding band, but because I know a lot of care and time went into it with me in mind!
Glad to see you’re blogging again! =]
Awh, Ash I love this. Super jealous of your fab custom jewelry collection!
Liz´s last [type] ..Who Do You Think You Are
so, so sweet…
53 years is too awesome…that is rare these days
I love this post!! Family is so important! And, yours sounds amazing!
I am so happy I stumbled upon your blog tonight! It’s very sweet!
By the by, I read your “about me” page. I love downtown Sacramento! I was
there for a wedding last year and enjoyed the area very much!!
Love this idea. Love that you spent the day with them. Love that you took the time to learn and listen.
I miss my grandparents..
lori´s last [type] ..Miscellany Monday Tuesday
Can I tell you again how much I *love* your grandparent posts?? Keep it up! They are so entertaining and so endearing. You both are lucky to come from such wonderful lineage.
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