Saturday, August 23, 2008

Beaver and Owls

Easton and I spent a couple of days in Beaver, UT with my parents and grandma this past week. While I was there I couldn't help but notice all of the "crafts" my grandma had around her house.

Now, I love my grandma's house. It has so much character and it's one of a kind. My grandpa had a tire shop next door, and my grandma had a flower shop upstairs. It's really unique looking and really fun. Easton loved exploring and playing on all the property. I have been there many times before, but this time I just couldn't get over all of the decorations I saw.. All of them made out of yarn. Yarn everywhere.

These are 2 of my favorites. On the left is a pink, knitted owl...I think it's supposed to be a towel holder. And the blue, lacy thing next to it is to hold your toilet paper. Is that not the nicest thing you've ever seen for holding toilet paper? Amazing.

This little beauty is to hold your paper plates and utensils. We went to a party that the high priests put on, and there were about 20 more of these things there. Everyone has them. Please tell me there's an etsy store that makes these.
My mom told me that owls were really popular in the 70's...so my grandparents were totally in style. This guy greets you as you walk into the house...cool huh? And don't forget about the pink owl in the bathroom, above.

And this is my favorite. It's the 70's version of a magnet board. Can't you just hear all the girls at homemaking being so excited to make their message boards? Grab your piece of carpet and your rick rack!

I think I noticed all these things this time because I'm currently struggling to decorate my own house. I make fun of it a little bit, but honestly I love it all because it shows my grandma's style. I had so much fun in those 2 short days learning about her life while she was raising kids of her own. She's an amazing person. She even got up early the last day I was there to make me cinnamon rolls. Growing up her cinnamon rolls were our favorite, and whenever she visited she made them for us. She's 90 years old and can barely see, or stand for too long. But there's no way I was going to let her use that as an excuse and get out of making them. They were as delicious as ever, and even better than the cinnamon rolls was just spending time with her and listening to her stories. Grandmas are the best aren't they? Here are 2 of our favorites.

25 comments:

Amy said...

The owls are cute!!! The pink one from the bathroom is sooo funny!Its fun how styles change all of the time and at some point you just pick one and stick with it. Your grandma sounds really sweet and she is super cute! Grandmas are the best!

Kara said...

I love it! I love the new header too! Thanks so much for giving me some great ideas for our Super Saturday! You're in charge of an owl craft- I heard they're coming back! I bet my grandma's have some of those same things. My Grandma knits all kinds of handy things. Next time I go home, I'll have to document, for our future grandchildren. Glad you had such a good time in Beaver, and with your sweet Grandma- whose cinnamon rolls were BOMB!!

Lima Bean said...

This is a great post. I went to search Etsy for that awesome bag (cause you made me wonder too) and from what I can tell, your grandma has a one-of-a-kind (well, except for all the other ones in her ward apparently) :-)

Unknown said...

This is hilarious. I'm so glad you showed us a glimpse into the home of your grandmother. Maybe owls will make a comeback one day!

Jenni said...

I'm really so glad you went over to beaver!!! the whole time I was reading your blog, I just kept thinking about how many laughs we would have had over the owls if I was there. hahaha dang it! i'm so sad I missed it and super jealous! but I love the pictures!!

Jenni said...

oh my gosh- and yes- the new banner thing is SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!! you're good sis- you're good!

Courtenay Beth said...

Oh! Grandma Fern! CUTE!!! I have really fond memories of summertime's with her! were you there when we were prank calling people? It was so funny, grandam fern really got into it! And picking raspberries...oh the fun times! Glad you got to spend time with her with Easton...soooo fun! Bytheway...OWLS are totally coming back! I see them all over the junirs section (not that I shop there...okay I do...sometimes!) and at places like target...so grandma Fern is so hip! One time, sequioa gave someone in my family an owl wall hanging...that i think you're supposed to put notes in or something...sooo odd...we made Andrew take it...you know..."Hooter"! Anyway, Love you!
Love your Mom, Love Grandma Fern!

Lizzy said...

I love that owl message board. Seriously it's made of carpet? That is too funny.

My sisters and I love snooping around our grandma's house for the same reasons: knick-knacks and crafts. Shelves and shelves of them. Grandma's sometimes seem to be living in (not-so)buried treasures.

Lindsay said...

I was JUST looking for Jan's number, thanks!

Your grandma rocks! What is with all the owls anyway? Didn't Grandma Jolley have kind of some similar decor?

Margaret said...

How awesome is that?! I remember my mom having some owl stuff too! I feel so cool now.

My grandma never makes cinnamon rolls for me....but her garlic spaghetti is divine!

Ilene said...

I must have that toilet paper holder.

We get so cheated on homemaking projects these days.

Teresa, mom, Deitz, Aunt Dee Dee said...

Oh Emily, what memories you brought back remembering my grandparents. I sure miss them, Grandparents are the greatest, and yours looks pretty awesome. Glad that you had such a good time in Beaver Easton and the Grandparents. I love you title page pictures of Easton. He is such an adorable kid.

Carol and Bruce said...

So much fun! I will never forget Easton saying "side" every five minutes and playing in the yard and on the grass and those kisses and hugs for great grandma were the best ever. I think he loves Beaver too! Sorry that had to end. Thanks for making the effort to be there! Miss you already.

AMY AND MIKEY said...

OH MY GOSH- this is a hilarious post! I love it! The owls- I can't get enough of them! Where to begin- the towel holder and that toilet paper holder! And that green one! I love it! I'm so glad you got to visit her, and get your cinamon rolls. I can't believe she is 90- I would have NEVER guessed- she looks awesome for her age.

LeAnn said...

Oh Em, that is So Funny I have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard! First we had owls nad mushrooms, then geese and teddy bears tne then bunnies--I have seen them all!
Thanks for a good laugh--it makes me wnat to clean out my old decor before I become the subject of someones blog!! Love you!You make me smile!!
PS you are a great photographer--I love your headings!

Jessett said...

OMG! Have you had an nightmares about owls yet?? Your little grandma looks like one of the sweetest old ladies.

Those pics of Easton at the top of your page are awesome. He is such a cute little guy.

Cassey said...

Your grandma and I have the same style.

Aimee said...

I think the picnic carrying thingy needs a shout out! Where can I get one? And I love the owls, the green carpet one is my fav. Courtenay is right, I see owl stuff all over the place these days. What is the lesson we learn from this, when you hold on to something long enough it will eventually come back into style! Go Grandma Fern!!

the splendid life of us... said...

I so remember my mom having a few owl things growing up. What a cute and fun grandma you have, I am glad that you have such fond memories of her to shar with your kids!

Bringhursts said...

Beaver is awesome and I bet you were loving the outdoor cool summer weather. The owls are a complete crack up. What a stylish grandma.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I didn't know you went to Beaver, too! I thought I would make it to see you all, but the day I was going to get away got away from me. I totally planned it but it didn't happen. I hope you will all come again. My mom had an orange owl like gma's green one. You didn't get a photo of the the really special plastic canvas owl calendar...FOR SHAME!

Glad you loved the trip. Gma loved it more. :)

Mary said...

That is so darn sweet! I too love the owls. Your Grandma is just too cute! I can almost taste the cinnamon rolls.

Teresa said...

What a fun trip. Your grandma is so cute and how nice to wake up to homemade cinnamin rolls!! I am still laughing about the owls, Jared's grandparents have a huge macrame owl hanging there to greet you as you walk in the front door at their cabin and we always get a good kick out of it when we visit. Grandmas are definitely the best!!

The Webb Family said...

Ya know I guess I've never really thought about all the owls in grandma's house, but there really are bunch. She really is amazing isn't she, we are a lucky bunch of kids. I wish she would write down her recipes, if you aske her she just says "Oh, a little of this, and i don't know maybe a teaspoon of this..." she never makes a recipe the same and it always is scrumptious. Sorry we missed you the other day I think you left just minutes before we got over there. Easton is getting so big!!
Andrea

Jill said...

That makes me miss Beaver and your Grandma so much! What I'm scared about it how my house will look like that one day.