{These Are a Few of my Favorite Things}

Cherie over at Bakow Babble did a post/challenge last week to show some of your favorite things in your home. I'm taking her up on that challenge and decided to start with our living room, or the Home Teacher room as we've dubbed it. This is the one room in our house that's supposed to be off limits to play in, I say supposed to be, because last week Carlie and Tylie claimed it as theirs.

And took over...Silly Girls!

One of my most treasured and favorite things in my living room is this tatted doilie. It was made by my Great Grandma, Eva Beckstrand. Not only is tatting a lost art, but it's difficult (so I hear). Great grandma had horrible arthritis, and her hands were quite disfigured from it, but she didn't let that stop her, she played the piano daily and beautifully and continued tatting. We lived across the street from Grandma when I was about 4, and my sister and I became her little buddies. I know that Grandma made sure each of her Grandchildren received a doilie, but to my knowledge, Lisa and I are the only great grandchildren that got one.

This four generation picture was made for me by Ann. She was sneaky and got the pictures from my mom. She also was sweet enough to give me a matching frame so I can do one for Derrick, if I can ever get the pictures I need.
My plant shelf, filled with things I love.
My Grandma Ainge loved to do ceramics and made the all the figures of Christ. She also made the small replica of the Manti Temple, and gave it to me the day I went to the Temple. The framed picture of the Manti Temple was given to me by Ann. Along with it, was a card telling me how she looked forward to the day when she would have the chance to attend that particular temple, but that she would wait, so she could share that day with me. I was not even close to being ready to take that step in my life at that point, and she did wait quite a few years. The tea cup and saucer were a gift brought back from a trip to Nauvoo by my parents. And the blue cream picture and saucer came with my ancestors from Iceland. They have been handed down from oldest child to oldest child for many generations..... I pray we never have an earthquake, with them up so high!
My well loved piano. When my Grandma Ainge passed away, I inherited her piano. I have many memories of singing around this piano with my Aunts and cousins while my Grandma played, and also, of just hearing my Grandma play. That's one thing I truly miss each Christmas, hearing my Grandma play the piano.

My old school desk. This desk came from the town schoolhouse. It was attached to two more like it. My dad took them apart and my mom, my sister and I each have one. I wonder if my grandpa and his brothers may have sat in this very desk at some point?

My Grandpa's mission suitcase. My Grandpa took this on his mission to South Africa, many, many years ago. I'm guessing at least 75 years or even a few more. I love that they painted the addresses right on the suitcase itself. Lisa has a trunk that they did the same with. Guess where we found them? In the old milk barn, covered in dust and grime. A treasure for sure.

As you can see most of my favorite things from my living room have sentimental value. I'd love to see some of your favorite things if you want to take the challenge!

I for got to add my 5 things I'm thankful for.....better late than never, right? 1-Tithing. 2-Ancestors. 3-A girls day/night out to look forward to (I need one bad). 4-My children. 5-The Conoco in our little town (formerly the Chevron).