Family stories: Elsie Belle Benham

My great-grandmother Elsie Belle Dumm was born in 1900 in the Columbus, Ohio area. This is a photo of her with her little sister, Myrtle, who was known as Mickey. I'm not sure of of the date, but I would guess 1905? The photo was taken at the Williams Studio, located at 527 1/2 N. High Street Columbus, Ohio.

Aren't they sweet?

This photo shows Elsie at eight months old. It was also taken at the Williams Studio.

After my great-grandfather passed away in 1958, my great-grandmother, who we call Nan in our family, moved to southern California. My aunt and grandmother also relocated there with their families. Here is a photo of Elsie and her granddaughters Sherri and Julie (my mother) at LAX. Look at that traveling suit!

I love these shots of Elsie that were taken in 1958. I see my mother and my grandmother in her face and posture.

The film was kodacolor from Kodak. That's my mother on the right.

Here's a photo of Elsie and Clyde, my great-grandfather, before he passed away.

This photo is Elsie and her second husband, Mr. Kent Benham. They met at church and moved into a mid-century home in Palos Verdes, California. My mother has very fond memories of her time with them in that house. It was sold after my great-grandmother's death in 1973, but we still drive by the house  every time we visit California. She chose to have her ashes spread over the Pacific Ocean, so a walk along the cliffs in Palos Verdes is the closest we can get to visiting her grave. It also happens to be one of our very favorite places in the world.

Although she passed away 10 years before I was born, I grew up surrounded by many of her things, and my grandmother and mother shared many stories about her. She loved her church and her family. She enjoyed shopping (apparently she had shoes and purses to match every outfit -- oh, I wish I had some of her purses!), her garden and cooking meals for her family. We bake her Christmas cookies every year. She drove a big Cadillac and loved to collect birds and books. I have a few of her ceramic birds and several of her books. She was old fashioned and extremely ladylike. She believed a lady wasn't dressed without her purse and that a wife should never let her husband see her looking less than perfect. She was definitely a Victorian lady at heart.

If Jonathan and I have a daughter some day, we have talked about naming her Elsie, after my nan and his great-grandmother. Both women were dearly loved by their grandchildren and are very much alive in our hearts.

Collections: English teacups

Today's collection comes courtesy of a long weekend spent opening boxes that belonged to Joan and her mother, Elsie. They have been in storage for the past two years since we sold Joan's home in California, so the last three days have been a bit like Christmas morning around here! These sweet English teacups belonged to Elsie and were once displayed in her living room in Palos Verdes, California. I am toying with the idea of displaying them in a similar fashion, as they are perfectly lovely and remind me of my great-grandmother and my English upbringing. If you followed my very first blog, then you know I have always had a soft spot for Painted Pink Roses...

Stay tuned to see where they end up!

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All photos by Gerald & Joan.

Collections: Pretty Lacy Things

Lacy nighties, petticoats and slips usually fall in the category of "things our grandmothers wear," but when it comes to our own wardrobes, perhaps they are garments we should reconsider. There is something rather lovely about wearing silk, ribbon and lace next to the skin. Even if it's only reserved for date night or other special occasions, every woman deserves to have a few items in her dresser drawers that make her feel pretty.

The romantic and whimsical brand Anthropologie has capitalized on this idea by carrying lines that feature lacy petticoats, trimmings of satin or velvet ribbon and carved pearl or wood buttons.

To recreate a similar look for a fraction of the price, simply visit estate sales, thrift shops and antique malls and look for delicate slips and petticoats. They are easy to find and add an element of pretty when worn under an unlined dress or skirt. If you prefer using them as decorations, they also look just as lovely hanging on a satin and ribbon-trimmed hanger.

Love the look but need help finding your own pretty lacy things? Contact us here.

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Family Stories: Clovis and Eliza Yates

In today's installment of family stories, Jonathan's sister Julie tells us about their paternal great-grandparents, Clovis and Eliza Yates.

Clovis Yates was born on January 26, 1898 and died on January 4, 1981. Eliza Michael Yates was born on March 25, 1899 and died on February 20, 1959. Like all families who lived during the Great Depression and the years that followed, they were poor and often struggled to make ends meet. Although they didn't have much, my grandmother said they never knew it. 

Clovis and Eliza had eight children - seven girls and one son: Mary Katheleen, Lois, Olivene, Martha, Earnestine, Sadie (my grandmother), Linda and Clovis Guy. Earnestine died at age two of pneumonia. Grandmother said they were very close and all had jobs to do to keep the family going. They picked cotton, corn and peas for their landlord in order to live on the property. Eliza made the children clothes out of paper sacks because they could not afford anything else. 

Grandmother has told me on many occasions how devoted her parents were to their family and how determined they were to raise good Christian children. In spite of all of their hardships and hard work, they always sat together at each meal and prayed. Clovis and Eliza were very strict about this.

Through troublesome times and long working hours, the family always made time to study school work and the Bible. Clovis and Eliza raised their children the best they could. Because of their sensible teachings, all of their children have led successful, happy lives that are focused on faith and family.