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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Personal Possessions



I love decorating with antiques, and unique old things found at a flea market. I'm also big on seashells and other natural elements. Leaves and nests and such. I enjoyed recently seeing a wonderful collection of heart shaped rocks found in different places all over the world.





Though I don't have a collection of heart shaped rocks myself, my most favorite things to decorate with ARE things from the heart. Keepsakes with personal meaning. Objects accumulated over a lifetime that capture some of the character of your own nature.




Apart from the obvious Mother's Day offerings from kindergarten, the little white shelf is a keepsake too. I hope it someday finds itself among the coveted few possessions my kids will want to draw straws for, because it was made especially for me by their father eons ago.

















This shelf was updated with a creamy paint in the 90's, and now holds shells and driftwood from many forays to the Oregon coast. Bits and pieces of my own natural history. The sea star was a gift, and the first of my collection, a symbol of regeneration to me.





To look at it, one might surmise that I merely like sea themes. But sea stars also remind me that at times I must go far out of my way to find what is worth keeping in life. After all, starfish don't turn up much on the banks of the Rio Grande in my town. On the other hand, I was also greatly influenced by the reading of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's wonderful book Gifts From the Sea in my thirties. In it she writes, "The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach--waiting for a gift from the sea."   





I like discovering the interconnectedness of nature, and I see similarities in the shape of little hands, sea stars, and even Sycamore leaves, which are sometimes found on this shelf in the fall. Occasionally a postcard or note will find its way here as well. And I've found that you don't always know at first what a treasure a humble little offering made of plaster will eventually turn out to be.













Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline






14 comments:

  1. Jacqueline~
    Simply beautiful! I love the combination of the whites of the shelf and seashell collection and the kids handprints...all are special creations from God!

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  2. Beautiful, Jacqueline. Things of the heart are very special. I'm forever picking up bits of nature when on a trip to the beach or the mountains. I do have a small collection of rocks that in the shape of a heart. Not many, but I started to pick them up many years ago. ;-)
    Love the hand prints. Makes me wonder what happened to the one's that were made when my siblings and I were children.
    ~ Sarah

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  3. Very, very pretty. Objects of nature in their pure simple state ~ lovely.

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  4. I love how you decorate - you're home is just lovely. Happy "Good Life Wednesday" to you! :O)

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  5. It's funny Jacqueline, but I was just walking along the beach on Sunday looking for a heart-shaped rock! Just popped into my mind that it would be nice to find one. Great minds think alike! Oh, and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "Gifts from the Sea", one of my all time favorite books! As I read it I wanted to write down practically every word to keep for later. Such a small little book but oh so filled with such goodness. Thanks for sharing.
    Kim:)

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  6. We truly are kindred spirits. I life in a landlocked state yet I am energized and inspired by the sea. I LOVE "Gifts from the Sea". In fact, I think you have inspired me to read it again. Such wonderful words of wisdom. Hope your week is wonderful.

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  7. It looks beautiful! I love how you displayed all your gorgeous treasures.

    Kathy

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  8. So beautiful! I love your little shelf and the way you have decorated it. Have a wonderful day. Pamela

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  9. such a lovely, sentimental collection of tresors. j'adore the sweet handprints. this is a "must read again" post! TFS! :)

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  10. The shape of your special shelf is wonderful! I'll be in Santa Fe this weekend - hope to find my way to Albq. on one of the days. Sally

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  11. Love your shelf vignette! Objects from the heart are the best to decorate with.
    Thanks for visiting Red Hen Home!

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  12. Lovely post Jacqueline! I love that shelf with all the treasures! I love hearts and last summer found a shell in the shape of a heart!!
    There are always starfish at the ocean when i visit but i don't have the "heart" to bring them home...being that they are alive. I always make my boy put them back in the ocean! Ours are purple too...so pretty!

    Love the hand prints of your children..priceless!!

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  13. Hi J,
    Love the hand & starfish combo, you have the best idea for the details!! The shelf is beautiful! I get the feeling you have many treasures your kids will some day draw straws for, you are a great keeper of memories and true keepsakes:-)
    Hugs for you:-)
    Bella

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  14. Jacqueline,
    Had fun looking at your site. Gave me lots of new ideas, not always a good thing, HA.
    I was thinking about a book I have while looking at your site, "LIVING WITH LACE", by Bo Niles. Really pretty book, lots of beautiful pictures.
    Nancy Jo

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