I've owned this piece of furniture since 1998. In Darlington, South Carolina on Monday nights, Cole and I would go to the So-Lina Auction. It's one of those experiences as newlyweds that we still reminisce. Cole's dad dabbled in reselling antiques. So my husband, his dad, mom, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law would hop in our trucks with cash in pockets ready to burn some holes in order to furnish our new houses. I only wish I had my camera back then to document and take pictures of all the beautiful pieces and memorable people we met along the way.
When I bought this wardrobe, it possessed a crackled paint job, the doors were pitifully falling off the hinges, and the backside had a fearsome crack. It looked so sad that no one bid on it. My eyes saw a massive body, sturdy feet, and scrolls still intact. A vision of what it could be, thrust my green bid sign high in the air. Everybody thought I was half cracked. After winning it and taking it home, I repainted it, threw away the ragged doors, and sewed a curtain that matched the bedding of my son's nursery.
Two years later, I repainted it for my daughter's nursery. After they grew, my husband happily, put this piece in the pack-house. It sat in the dust and dark for three more years. Each time I went plundering in the falling down pack house, he would ask me if I wanted to get rid of it or sell it. Of course, I hit him and said,"No!" You see there was a vision for this $100 piece of furniture. There was no way I was going to let it go. If I didn't hang on to it, I knew my husband would purge it. Last Spring my husband brought out the bulldozer and began tearing down our old pack-house in order to clean up the farm. Running out to salvage anything of value, he helped me haul this piece out. He grumbled of course, Cole has hauled this piece and my piano about fifty thousand times. He'd like to get rid of the piano, too, giggle. (not gonna happen)
A month ago this cabinet was hauled to my relative, James Strickland. He, lucky for me, is a cabinet maker. When I told him my plan, he quietly walked over to the piece, rubbed the top arch and scrolls, and said. "You know this was hand carved. You can see the indentations." My husband just shook his head at my cheshire grin.
The Wardrobe-Now Pantry has finally been restored. If it could tell a story, I'm sure we'd could sit for hours enthralled at the life it has lived. Now, it continues to live in my century old house. In it is stored the food my family has canned through the summer. It sits quietly beside the window listening to my little family as we eat dinner. If things could have a soul or voice, this pantry definitely does. In a dark, dusty corner of an auction house, I heard it speaking to me.
Here is my husband's favorite gift from his grandmother. Young's Pecans from Florence, S.C. This year he suspiciously has two cans. He's either special, or he stole someone else's gift!
This is a gift from Cole's dad. Last year he gave me the Foxfire books. He knows my love for the old. Even though this is a current reprinted edition, I can't wait to try out some old recipes.
One thing I must do in January is get my piano tuned. This is my last Christmas gift to myself. I've put it off for two years. I've played songs on a twangy piano to the point where my kids and husband say enough is enough. When the keys start sticking, it's time to find a remedy. After the tuner does his job, my family is in for a rude awakening.
Music! Music! Music!
Giggle :)
This is my favorite gift of all. A small nativity is displayed in my son's room during Christmas, but a larger piece for the den is exactly what my kids and I talked about purchasing when we were decorating the house. It just so happened that I went with Margaret, my husband's aunt, to see Les Miserables. After returning to her house, we took down her tree, because she is recovering from knee surgery. She pulled a box from her closet to give to me. Low and behold, when I opened it, it was just what my family needed most. Jesus is the most miraculously divine gift ever given. He is the most wonderful gift!
Love to all, hope you all had a marvelous, memorable Christmas.
