Welcome, everyone!
Time for our very first A Favorite Thing Saturday! I’m so glad you’re here. The idea for A Favorite Thing grew out of a recent post where I shared photos of my great-grandmother’s syrup jug. I often do that sort of thing around here and it got me thinking that a weekly get-together in which we could share a favorite thing might be a neat idea. You’re not limited to an antique or something vintage, it could be a car or your lawnmower or your mixer or your local beach….
I’ll start the party off with this:
Not easy to photograph, the darn glass kept reflecting me and my camera. In this shadow box frame is a brooch my late brother gave me. He fought a long battle with lymphoma in the late eighties and early nineties. In 1988, he drove out to visit me in Philadelphia, where I was living at the time. Dave wasn’t necessarily a demonstrative person, though I knew he loved me. One day, while he was staying with me, I came home from work to find a present waiting. He’d been out walking around and found this brooch in a shop. It was perfect for me, as I wore a lot of black and red in those days and I loved jewelry. I wore it often, thinking of my brother every time I put it on. He died in 1991. I was so afraid of damaging or, even worse, losing the brooch that I decided to frame it.
It’s so striking that it works as a piece of art. It lives on the wall in our guest room. Thank you, Dave.
Now, what do you have to share?
The nuts and bolts:
You can link up any time from this evening through Sunday night. Make sure you put in the URL of your post. If you’re unsure how to do that, just click on your post title after you’ve published it and copy the information in your browser address window. Come on over, paste the URL info into your link info and there you go! If you have any questions about it, drop me an email and I’ll help you out. (When you copy your post URL into the link, make sure that http:// only appears once, otherwise the link won’t work.) Also, please link back to this blog on your post. That way those that read your post and are interested in reading more can do so.
One of my concerns about link parties is that the very reason for them has somewhat gone by the wayside. They’ve become so big and there are so many of them that many bloggers don’t take the time to visit other blogs. They are a way to meet new bloggers and share with each other and the only way to do that is to visit each other. So, please, take some time to visit everyone over the next few days. No rush. Stop by, introduce yourself, and leave a comment. It’s the neighborly thing to do.
Have fun, everyone!
Well, I have lots of favorite things. And I may just have to get a few aqua favorite things, ya know? Thanks for hosting, Claudia!
Brenda
Congrats on your first party Claudia! My pic did not show up, but that’s my fault. I’m using David’s laptop and I’m not used to it. Great party. Plan on me being here often! Thanks for hosting!!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Love your framed broach and the story. It is very special. Thanks for hosting this fun party!
hugs,
Linda
Thanks for thinking up a new game Claudia. I enjoyed Reality Thursday and was sorry it ended, but I think this one will be even more fun!
What an amazing brooch from your brother. He must have been a creative soul to pick something so special. I think framing it like this was a wise and beautiful thing to do to keep it always safe and on view to remember him, rather than hidden away in a jewelry box.
Happy weekend dear friend.
Hugs, Mary
Claudia – Sorry!! Remember I’m new to this. Brenda’s going to try to fix my error.
Judy
Claudia, what a wonderful way to display this keepsake. It is touches like that that turn houses into homes. Thanks for hosting this party. Have a good weekend… Donna
I’ve been looking forward to this all week! Thanks so much for hostessing a great new party. Mary
Just happened on your new event – thanks bunches for hosting. I joined in and if my entry does not qualify just let me know. I like the idea of framing the broach that means so much to you.
Enjoy your weekend.
Claudia, how exciting. I had just done a post so I am joining in!
Claudia,
Congrats on your first linky party! So glad I found you through Brenda~!
Thank you for hosting and for being so neighborly!
Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Hey Claudia ~ I just finished setting up for a yard sale tomorrow morning (whew), but wanted to join in the party. Well… you said we it could be ANYTHING. But if my entry is too far off base, it’s okay if you delete it (:
What a touching story about your brother and the brooch. I think it does make it special that you framed it. Thanks for hosting such a fun party. Great idea!
This is a great idea!!
And already so many people linking up, congratulations!!
Beautiful memory, Claudia. A perfect kick-off to favorite things. I’m glad you decided to frame it. I have several older pieces of jewelry in a collage with black and white photos and an antique fan. Good send off wishes.
Hey Claudia – thanks for this party. I’m going to really enjoy this. I love your new format on WordPress. You’re right – it looks nice and clean and fresh.
I loved hearing your memory. Thanks for sharing with us. This is definitely a good choice for your first favourite thing. J
What a perfectly lovely way to honor your brother and his gift. I think I’m going to enjoy your favorite things parties!
How fun!!! I LOVE that brooch and yes it does look like Art.
Blessings, Joanne
Thank you for this special posting opportunity. I have several other special things to share.
Your brooch from your brother is perfect. You are right. It is art. I lost my brother when I was 18. Maybe you have read Bobby’s Story on my blog.
Still thinking of you and your sweet puppy.
Hi Claudia,
I love the brooch you’ve chosen to share tonight. Great idea to put it behind glass and keep it safe and be able to enjoy it as art, I really like your idea. Your brother, Dave was so thoughtful to take the time to pick out something that would appeal to you in colors and style that you enjoyed and it truly shows.
Wishing you a good weekend, I hope Scout is doing a bit better ~ we’re sending all of you good wishes.
xoxo~Tracie
What a beautiful, heartfelt post.
Thanks for hosting, Claudia and have a lovely weekend!
As it is getting cooler where I live, there is one thing I love best today and for ever. :-)
Claudia, this is a wonderful post and thing to do. I love the brooch preserved in that frame forever. Your brother must have been very in tune to you to buy such a wonderful piece. I just imagine you wearing that with a beauitful black/red outfit. I have my Dad’s General Motors 35 yr pin that he had made into a necklace for me. It has the GM coach and 3 stones: an emerald surrounded by two diamonds. You’ve given me an idea on how to display it! I’m so afraid to wear it out in public. I love reading the meanings to the favorite things. I was really touched by Donna’s finding her dad’s wedding band. They are all lovely.
I just entered one of my favorite things but I am not sure where or how to describe it or tell about it..Do I need to??
What a fun party. Thanks for hosting.
Claudia, I am not linking up, but I just wanted to say how much your beautifully written post stirred my heart.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Claudia, due to being crazy with unpacking I will wait to join in. I think this is a wonderful, simple linking. I have stopped linking lately because I find that not everyone takes the time to look at each entry and comment. But, I understand not everyone has the time. I like the idea of highlighting a favorite thing with a simple explanation why. Your brooch from your brother is so special. I love that you have framed it and I am sad that he lost his valiant fight. What a thoughtful man he was. Ann
Thanks for stopping by
Enjoy your weekend. and nice comment on the necklace.
What a lovely memento of your brother. And what a good idea to preserve it. I saw your party on another blog and just linked up. I’m your latest follower, too. Off to visit some other blogs. Cheers.
Thank you for this post. Oh gosh! You can’t possibly know how timely your post is for me. I lost my brother in 1995 and because of other recent family events, he has been in the forefront of my thoughts.
What a lovely and loving tribute this is for your beloved brother. How lucky you are to have this lovely gift from him and perfect to frame it.
Sending lots of hugs!