That was a wonderful look back in time Pip! I think I mentioned once before that my Aunty Karen had a newsagency in Regent St at that time. I thought it was so interesting (and a bit posh) travelling to Sandy Bay to visit, from our quirky little seaside town/outer suburb Lauderdale! We would often detour home via Churchill Ave to look at all the 'mansions' being built. Best wishes.
I had two initial thoughts while reading this Pip:
1. You’re going to be a wonderful grandmother; and
2. 2B or not 2B ?
I have continued the family tradition of a ‘junk drawer’ in the heart of the home, but perhaps found the collections in Dad’s garage more mysterious and interesting as a child.
You were a fashionista even back then! Loved seeing your bobbles and pockets xx
Stef had one of these for Vincent when he was little… not deliberate but she kept special things in there for herself, like some tiny red pottery hearts. He was obsessed with them for years. Finally when he was about 16 she gave them to him and he cherishes them still!
My Nan had drawers like this too and I loved a poke around. Often there would be a tube of leaking ointment and a humbug mixed in. Nans have the best stuff. Your place is going to be so fun for the little egg ❤️
You reminded me of many things I had forgotten. One of my "jobs" was to tidy that drawer, and ditch things past being of interest, but keeping all the good stuff. It was about the only job I enjoyed.
I also made grilled cheese and sliced tomatoes on toast for the family breakfast for years. Before your time maybe - the Kraft cheddar cheese in a huge block about 400x90x90 mm, wrapped in aluminium foil that had to be carefully peeled off, lest someone got a sliver between their teeth, with that awful metallic taste.
Remember the swing on the front verandah, Nanna's lolly bucket after meals, the cosy combustion heater in the kitchen, (withn the pantry off it) and the servery through the wall from the kitchen to the formal lounge? The Hills hoist to swing on. The giant pear tree. The laneway full of cars.
It makes me so happy to read this. SO many good additions to the story. I bet others in the family have even more. I LOVE that cheese still, although it's harder to get and possibly slightly different than way back then. That cheese on toast is still my favourite kind. Oh YES. The servery was JUST inside the kitchen door - between the door and the wall heater that bit me? Is that right? xxxx
That servery was further into the kitchen, past the woodheater. In fact, in the little passage leading out to the back porch/foyer. Just inside the kitchen where you mentioned was a huge glass-fronted builtin cabinet for crockery and chinaware.
The kitchen furniture must have chnanged several times, but at one time was a chrome legged table with red and white flecked laminex top, and matching chairs. Was that there is your time?
Ah I seeee! I don't remember the servery, I don't think. I do remember the table though! It's 45 years since I was there so I am not surprised things are a bit foggy!
My family's junk drawers were not so fun, BUT my grandmother's spice cupboard (which had once been an ironing board cupboard) was WALLPAPERED inside (my grandparents were very into wallpaper, especially in cupboards and closets?), and really was only filled with spices, but it was perhaps the most exotic locale of my childhood and the smell of cloves always takes me back.
What lovely images you’ve conjured up! I love recalling my Grandma’s house. It was a perfect 1940s time slip, but I remember a drawer like that, at an old lady’s house we used to visit. Her name was Miss Sweetland (always a miss because her fiancé had died in the Great War) she was my mum’s first boss and they remained good friends. I was really little (she was reunited with her fiancé before I was five) but I remember a creaky screen door, a long shady hall and a parrot on a perch on the back verandah (that I was afraid of). Miss Sweetland was a really genteel and kind old lady and would allow me to look through the kitchen dresser drawers to amuse myself while she and my mum drank tea. I remember the contents including really old-fashioned diecut greeting cards, and that she allowed me to take one with kittens on it home. That card helped to inform my entire aesthetic as an illustrator. Thanks Miss Sweetland! :)
My partner and I have an 'office' in the smaller spare bedroom, with our things taking up two walls each. This makes for more of a room of curiosity... very hypnotic to small people, but also we have bits and bits to fix nearly anything!
That was a wonderful look back in time Pip! I think I mentioned once before that my Aunty Karen had a newsagency in Regent St at that time. I thought it was so interesting (and a bit posh) travelling to Sandy Bay to visit, from our quirky little seaside town/outer suburb Lauderdale! We would often detour home via Churchill Ave to look at all the 'mansions' being built. Best wishes.
Tania in Hawthorn
I had two initial thoughts while reading this Pip:
1. You’re going to be a wonderful grandmother; and
2. 2B or not 2B ?
I have continued the family tradition of a ‘junk drawer’ in the heart of the home, but perhaps found the collections in Dad’s garage more mysterious and interesting as a child.
You were a fashionista even back then! Loved seeing your bobbles and pockets xx
Stef had one of these for Vincent when he was little… not deliberate but she kept special things in there for herself, like some tiny red pottery hearts. He was obsessed with them for years. Finally when he was about 16 she gave them to him and he cherishes them still!
My Nan had drawers like this too and I loved a poke around. Often there would be a tube of leaking ointment and a humbug mixed in. Nans have the best stuff. Your place is going to be so fun for the little egg ❤️
You reminded me of many things I had forgotten. One of my "jobs" was to tidy that drawer, and ditch things past being of interest, but keeping all the good stuff. It was about the only job I enjoyed.
I also made grilled cheese and sliced tomatoes on toast for the family breakfast for years. Before your time maybe - the Kraft cheddar cheese in a huge block about 400x90x90 mm, wrapped in aluminium foil that had to be carefully peeled off, lest someone got a sliver between their teeth, with that awful metallic taste.
Remember the swing on the front verandah, Nanna's lolly bucket after meals, the cosy combustion heater in the kitchen, (withn the pantry off it) and the servery through the wall from the kitchen to the formal lounge? The Hills hoist to swing on. The giant pear tree. The laneway full of cars.
Great recollections in your piece! Thank you.
It makes me so happy to read this. SO many good additions to the story. I bet others in the family have even more. I LOVE that cheese still, although it's harder to get and possibly slightly different than way back then. That cheese on toast is still my favourite kind. Oh YES. The servery was JUST inside the kitchen door - between the door and the wall heater that bit me? Is that right? xxxx
I'm glad you like the comments.
That servery was further into the kitchen, past the woodheater. In fact, in the little passage leading out to the back porch/foyer. Just inside the kitchen where you mentioned was a huge glass-fronted builtin cabinet for crockery and chinaware.
The kitchen furniture must have chnanged several times, but at one time was a chrome legged table with red and white flecked laminex top, and matching chairs. Was that there is your time?
Ah I seeee! I don't remember the servery, I don't think. I do remember the table though! It's 45 years since I was there so I am not surprised things are a bit foggy!
My family's junk drawers were not so fun, BUT my grandmother's spice cupboard (which had once been an ironing board cupboard) was WALLPAPERED inside (my grandparents were very into wallpaper, especially in cupboards and closets?), and really was only filled with spices, but it was perhaps the most exotic locale of my childhood and the smell of cloves always takes me back.
What lovely images you’ve conjured up! I love recalling my Grandma’s house. It was a perfect 1940s time slip, but I remember a drawer like that, at an old lady’s house we used to visit. Her name was Miss Sweetland (always a miss because her fiancé had died in the Great War) she was my mum’s first boss and they remained good friends. I was really little (she was reunited with her fiancé before I was five) but I remember a creaky screen door, a long shady hall and a parrot on a perch on the back verandah (that I was afraid of). Miss Sweetland was a really genteel and kind old lady and would allow me to look through the kitchen dresser drawers to amuse myself while she and my mum drank tea. I remember the contents including really old-fashioned diecut greeting cards, and that she allowed me to take one with kittens on it home. That card helped to inform my entire aesthetic as an illustrator. Thanks Miss Sweetland! :)
Such evocative writing. I’ve been reading your work for years, Pip. I love this new iteration ✨
My partner and I have an 'office' in the smaller spare bedroom, with our things taking up two walls each. This makes for more of a room of curiosity... very hypnotic to small people, but also we have bits and bits to fix nearly anything!