A Month of Thankfulness: Michele of My Notting Hill

Is it just me or is November flying by quickly? This week, I've got a pair of Michelles (actually, Michele and Michelle) guest posting on the theme of thankfulness--isn't that great?

Today, the very talented Michele of My Notting Hill is here and I'm tickled at the way she ran with the theme of thankfulness, how she sees it in some very special mementos around her home.

Michele of My Notting Hill is one of those old-guard bloggers--the creative folks out there who have been blogging much longer than I have, who have built a substantial following and who continue to inspire readers and fellow bloggers alike. My love for My Notting Hill was cemented when Michele shared the sofa she had reupholstered in Kelly Wearstler's "Fern Tree" fabric. Like that, I was sold on Michele and her style. Without further ado, here she is.

I love that Ashley is devoting November to a month-long exercise in thankfulness - thank you for including me! It goes without saying that I'm grateful for my husband and children and all my friends and extended family. For this guest post though, I thought I'd share some of the things in my home that I'm thankful to have - mementos that remind me of loved ones who are no longer here. Here's just a few of the ones I treasure:

This little slip of paper was given to me by my Aunt Rita over twenty five years ago. Every time I look at it it reminds me of happy 4th of July celebrations on the Cape.

My mother bought  a pair of these lucite bookend when my parents lived in Wisconsin. Countless hours were spent staring at them as a child and I love to pull them out this time of year. It's like peering into my own little winter wonderland.

An eccentric wedding guest pulled this antique mirror off his own wall and gave it to my parents. The patina is beautiful. I think my mom sensed I had coveted it for a long time and she gave it to me to enjoy a few years ago.  

This handcrafted Italian hat was worn by our dear neighbor, a decorated war hero, while he was stationed in Italy after WWII. Somehow this hat was overlooked in the attic by the new owners and subsequently found by the construction crew that came to demolish the home many years later. I came home from work to find it perched amidst the debris.

With Christmas just around the corner, I am so grateful that more than half our ornaments are vintage. Most from my family and others gathered from estate sales, I cherish the thought of all the Christmas seasons they've "seen."

Now, on a completely unrelated note, let me add that I am so thankful that Netflix now has all 11 seasons of "Cheers" available to watch! We're having such a great time watching it - our 15 year old absolutely loves it too.

And, of course, we sing right along to the opening song:

Sometimes you want to go 
Where everybody knows your name, 
And they're always glad you came; 
You want to be where you can see, 
Our troubles are all the same; 
You want to be where everybody knows your name.

****

Thank you, Michele! Isn't this post wonderful? It's such a great reminder that the pieces we surround ourselves can be much more than pretty objects to admire--they can also carry history of the people that mean the most to us.

What special objects, heirlooms or mementos are you thankful for? 

(Plus, who doesn't love "Cheers"?)