The pirate and the pepper mill and a certain leather treasure

As a reference point, the pirate carving stands at ten inches

You know how Christmas is ... lots of warm fuzzies floating all around, permeating the very air you breathe.

It can make you sneeze. A lot like pepper.

Even I don't know what I'm on about this time so grant me a moment to explain. If I can.

We were opening presents on Christmas evening after dinner. Present for the presents were TG and me, Audrey and Dagny, Chad and Erica, and Baby Porter, a/k/a the player to be named later.

Without divulging an undue number of closely guarded family trade secrets, I can reveal that, year round, we lot make prodigious use of Amazon lists.

As in, we refer to the lists for gift-giving not only on Christmas, but for birthdays and other occasions as well.

At Christmas though, those lists really get a workout. They become so crucial, in fact, that if I start checking the lists in, say, late October, with an eye to getting out in front of my shopping, and those puppies are not fully fleshed? I will issue a global email to this effect:

TIME TO GET YOUR LISTS UPDATED

And most of the time, everyone complies.

Mine stays updated. Just so you know. No grass grows under my feet on this score.

And on said list o' mine, this year, was a Peugeot pepper mill.

It is pictured above, standing beside the custom-made carving of Jenny the Pirate herself, made for me in 2014 by Bob (of late I refer to him as Bon but that's an inside joke between him, Mari, and me, so never you mind), husband of Mari, beloved blogger known to most, if not all, of those who may be reading.

If you care to know the details about when Bob made the pirate carving for me, just click on the picture of said scallywag sculpture, at the top of my sidebar. Savvy?

At any rate, there is a story behind the landing of the pepper mill onto my list. And I think you should be brought up to speed on that, at least.

So let's get started.

I've long been enamored of the concept of what I refer to as instant heirlooms. Second- or third-hand swag.

God is in the details

Those things being items owned by a particular individual that, by nature of their timelessness and continual long-term use by the owner, or by who made them (if it is a handmade item), become something that will be passed down to (probably) said individual's children or grandchildren.

I'm not talking about things that are, necessarily, of any great monetary value. Although, they certainly can be.

(For example, my custom-made Jenny the Pirate carving qualifies as an instant heirloom. This is true although I have no idea how much it is worth in dollars. To me, it is priceless. As such it will be handed down to one of my children or grandchildren. I haven't yet decided who the lucky recipient will be so they'd all best mind their p's and q's.)

Late last summer, when my mother was dying, Henry, my sister Kay, and I took a day to go through her jewelry box, and made some decisions about who should get what. Mom was past the time when she would ever wear jewelry again, except for her wedding rings, which she wore until a few days before the end.

We were prompted to begin earmarking the pieces by a multi-page document that Mom had completed several years ago, in which she identified a number of her more important possessions -- both personal and household items -- and spelled out her wishes as to who would get them when she was gone.

Certain furniture items will go to my sister and others to me, when Henry has made his exit and no longer needs them. 

Granddaughters and grandsons will receive various things too, everything from Mom's red transferware to Henry's antique rolltop desk, and many things in between.

This list and the dispensing of said items was separate from both her will and from what had long been a cardinal rule established by Mom: Whatever you gave to her as a gift, you would get back.

So, the black birdcage you can just glimpse behind the pirate and the pepper mill in the picture at the top of this post, is mine now because years ago, I gave it to Mom.

She loved birds and I bought her several bird-themed gifts over the years. I've got them now too.

But among the items earmarked for sundry loved ones on the pages she had completed, written in her own handwriting were the words: Diamond earrings to go to Jenny.

I admit to gasping with joy when Henry read this to me. She wanted me to have her earrings.

I don't remember when she got them but it seems as though Mom had the earrings for twenty-five years or more. All I know is that for at least the last ten or fifteen years, they were the only earrings she ever wore. And I know that when she acquired them, they became an instant heirloom.

They are smallish, which is not often my style. But what they lack in size, they more than make up for in dazzle. They are made up of baguettes that encircle three round stones. And whenever I saw my mother, for all those years, the earrings glittered on her ears and I could hardly take my eyes off them.

Although we never discussed it, I imagine she noticed me gazing at the earrings and, knowing my preexisting penchant for diamonds, decided years ago that when she no longer needed them, her earrings would be mine.

In my defense, the earrings are completely riveting, due to their cut and sparkle. You should see them in the sunshine, or in bright direct light! I am wearing them in this picture:

I admired the earrings for longer than I can remember

See? They're not big size-wise but trust me: they're extra long on elegance. 

And they are so strongly associated with my mother that, when I wore them to her funeral, folks commented on how much I looked like her and, further, the extent to which her earrings on my ears contributed to the illusion.

What does all of this have to do with a Peugeot pepper mill?

Well, my mother had one. A Peugeot pepper mill, that is. Like her earrings, I imagine that she'd owned it for many years. But it wasn't until I was practically living at her house, helping to take care of her, that I really noticed the pepper mill and realized how great it was.

It was the Paris model, made by Peugeot -- yes, the car maker. One and the same! Why a car maker would make a pepper mill, I have no idea, but you know how the French can be. C'est si bon! It's all good.

Why didn't I just wait and claim it someday when Henry is done with it, you may be wondering.

For one thing, I didn't want to wait; Henry is only eighty-eight and is more active than most people half his age. 

For two thing, Mom's pepper mill is a brown color and I wanted black.

So I located it on Amazon and added it to my list.

And Erica and Chad bought it for me, for Christmas.

After I'd opened the gift and spent a considerable amount of time examining its shiny black proportions and squealing with delight, I said to Erica: Someday this will be yours.

(Adhering both to Mom's rule of what you give me you someday get back, and to my cherished concept of instant heirlooms.)

It weighs three ounces

What if it breaks, you may be asking. What if YOU break it?

It won't. It's solid. It's made to last. It's made to just grind and grind and grind the peppercorns as much as you need and as often as you need, for as long as you need. And beyond. 

It is a treasure and I love it. I am so proud of it that it sits out, on the counter, near me pirate cooktop.

The perfectly proportioned and pulchritudinous Pirate Peugeot Paris Peppercorn Pulverizer won't be hidden in a cabinet on my watch.

But wait! There's more.

I also was given, by another of my daughters, an object from my list which I consider to be an instant heirloom.

In fact, so heirloomish is it that it came with a one-hundred-and-one-year warranty which does not expire until September of 2121. 

I'm pretty sure we'll all be well out of the picture by then.

Technically this item is a paperweight, but as it weighs scarcely three ounces, I'm not sure how much good it would actually do in that capacity.

(Some reviewers of the paperweight on Amazon commented that the makers should have loaded some buckshot inside it, to make it heavier.)

But I don't care because i don't have a whole lot of need for a paperweight in the classical sense. Will it hold a recipe down? I think so. Which frees up the Peugeot Paris for doing what it does best.

The reason I wanted the lightweight leather paperweight is because it looks like something a pirate would own and consider to be among his cherished effects.

It's a four-inch disk of full grain leather, slightly puffed up (something is inside there), hand-sewn around the edges and branded on top with the distinctive Hide and Drink owl logo.

Not without my effects

(Hide & Drink; I know. Sounds funny. Kind of mysterious, like Pass & Stow. Just go with it.)

I love it so much. Not only is it adorable and different and useful and durable and heirloomish, but it came in a burlap bag with leather accents and also a leather square dangling from a ball chain and featuring, again, the H&D owl logo.

I'm wild about it. When I touch it or hold it (I haven't actually used it to weigh anything down yet), I feel all piratey.

There is no downside. The kids will be fighting over it when I'm gone.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Jeanette]

How wonderful that you got those earrings from your mom. Maybe you can post a picture where we can see them better some day? There is a sad story about my moms diamond stud earrings that one was lost in a tear filled tissue on the day she passed away. I do have the one though and along with some other family diamonds will be having a pendant made for my daughter for her birthday, I'll post about it after her birthday in July. I love your paperweight!

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... I know, I really should take a decent picture of them! They really are lovely. What an incredible story about your mother's earring! And the plan to make her diamonds into something your daughter will wear, is just fantastic. I can't wait to see a picture of it in the summer. Yes my pirate paperweight is pretty special, Haaaha! Happy New Year xoxo

[NanaDiana]

I love that you got the earrings back and your mom's motto of 'you get back what you give' is perfect. That is a great idea about making something for your daughter. There is nothing like a piece with history. Love the paperweight, too.
Happy 2021! xo Diana

[Mari]

Bon will be thrilled that you are still enjoying the pirate. I think it was one of his favorite pieces to carve!
I love your thought on instant heirlooms. Things with meaning, things that are well made and last, that will make people remember the owner years from now.
The peppermill is beautiful and useful too, truly a classic. And that paperweight? I've never seen anything like it. Don't you think anything with leather is just high quality - a piece of art.
The earrings make me happy. They are beautiful and because they were such a part of your mom, they are a treasure!

[Robert]

I am so touched, (some say I should stop right there), that you love your carving so much, it brought tears to my eyes. I love the idea of instant heirlooms that can be passed down, I’ll be looking closer at some of my treasures just to plan on who will get them.

Signed,
Tres Bon

[Jennifer]

@Diana ... You'll have to tell me what I'm making for my daughter, haaahahaaha! xoxo

@Mari ... so true, all. I LOVE my pirate carving. I look at it every day where it sits in a place of honor. It's one of the most wonderful things I own! And YES I think leather is art without even having to try. Those earrings aren't bad either, haahaaha thanks Mom xoxo

@Robert ... Good plan. They will be grateful I'm sure. Let me know what you decide! xo

[Mari-Nanci]

Delightful...

Personal....

Perfect heirlooms....

Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci
'Beside a babbling brook' blog

[Cheri]

Oh, how I love heirlooms! Since I now have only the one son plus a beautiful granddaughter and a handsome grandson, they will get it all. G'daughter will get all the jewelry except for one diamond ring specified for g'son in case he wants to use it or trade the diamond in for a bigger one. Hubby and I have several heirloom pieces of furniture from his grandmother that will be passed down through the generations I hope. Like your mother, my mama (age 92) has many things specified...or she's already given some of them to my 3 siblings and me. I do not look forward to working all that out though! I just love reading your blog...you are truly one of the most interesting ladies that I follow (probably THE most interesting:) Happy New Year, beautiful pirate!

[Jennifer]

@Mari-Nanci ... thank you my friend! xoxo

@Cheri ... I thank you so very much for that wonderful compliment. Sounds as though you are like me ... the more personal the gift, the better. My mother was diagnosed on July 31st of last summer; the next day, several of us gathered for a meal at a restaurant to celebrate Henry's birthday. Mom brought along a gift for each of us there. They were things from her home, that she had picked knowing what each of us would like. It was a moment. Now, as you say -- we get it all. It's truly wonderful. As is your blog as well! xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

I enjoyed your stories. The earrings are lovely.
Happy New Year!
Carla

[Debbi]

I love family heirlooms and I loved this post! I love reading about everybody else's heirlooms and special keepsakes. the earrings are GORGEOUS, they sound very sparkly and every time you wear them you will think of your Mother. I miss my Mom so much and I know you miss yours too. I lost mine two years ago this month. Well, it's the weekend again already, hope yours is great and did you say y'all have a new grandchild on the way??--now that is very happy news!

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... thank you my new friend, and the same to you! xoxo

@Debbi ... Thank you! Heirlooms are pretty great and I enjoy reading about precious memory-laden things in others' families too. My condolences on the recent (because two years IS recent) loss of your mother. YES a new grand baby coming in July and we are already captivated by the wee thing! Happy 2021 to you! xoxo

[Barb]

I loved this heirloom post - it brought good memories back to me. One is of Bob's grandmother who was having an estate sale when I was a young just-married woman. I happened to notice that there was a very old china pitcher and shaving set on the sale. I couldn't believe she was selling it because it was obviously already an antique from her family. However, I didn't say anything. Well, she must have seen me looking at it longingly because she set it aside and after the sale gave it to me. It has moved with us several times and now sits on the fireplace mantel in our master bedroom. My granddaughter,Amanda, is named after her, so I have a note in the pitcher giving the set to my granddaughter when I'm gone. I've also been thinking a lot recently of my "good" jewelry and may start passing some on since I rarely wear it anymore. (Diamonds and sapphires in the forest?) I love your alliterative pepper mill in black. I am a lover of different types of peppercorns. I have many peppermills, but none as handsome as yours. I have never heard of Hide and Drink, but now must look it up! I am awaiting our card....

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... well with any luck, and if only the actual post office was not required to get involved, you may receive that card before the Christmas 2021 version arrives. Meanwhile I'm thinking of investing in carrier pigeons.

Putting the note denoting (see what I did there) who will receive the object in future, sadder times (if indeed the object can hold a note), is BRILLIANT. I may have to do that with some of my teapots and so forth. No one will notice and I can discreetly remove the note before using the pot to make tea (something I don't do often). I have a small but, if I say so myself, beautiful collection of teapots. Unfortunately my small array of Bodum French press coffeepots are see-through, but we'll get around it somehow.

For the things that won't hold a note, a document like my mother had made, however casually, can be a real help when it comes time to divvy up the spoils. Although I will say, one bequest she'd made was contradicted by both my sister and me -- and Henry did not argue -- because Mom had contradicted it herself, after making the document, in spoken word, to my sister. It involved Mom's wedding rings which should, of course (I think), always go to the eldest daughter of the deceased lady. (In this case Henry is not our father, but still. They were married for thirty-seven years.) And I got the earrings, after all.

But Mom had written to give them to her first grandchild -- my sister's eldest daughter -- instead, then later contradicted that in a conversation with my sister, indicating that they would someday belong to her. So we agreed that my sister should get the rings and Elisabeth will receive something else.

Anyway, it all worked out. It's only things, after all -- but like your china pitcher and shaving set, they are precious things by virtue of those who loved and used them. Amanda will cherish the pitcher as you have, I am sure. And what a lovely name that is -- Amanda! I'd be willing to bet that she's as lovely as her name.

Definitely do earmark your good pieces of jewelry but meanwhile, I rather like the mental image of you traversing the forest on skis while sparkling with diamonds and sapphires. I would totally do that. Aren't peppercorns and pepper mills fascinating? I think so. TG and I had such fun peppering our Fettuccine Alfredo yesterday afternoon at lunch. Delicious. Hide and Drink items are wonderful! Leather is a perpetual winner. Love you my friend. xoxo

[Gayla]

Oh, how delightful! I think it is an excellent plan to have instant heirloom status for some items. That pepper mill looks fantastic! I am the only daughter/child of an only daughter/child of an only daughter.... so I have just a few too many heirlooms actually. But I am not complaining.

[Jennifer]

@Gayla ... your heritage is completely fascinating! I love family history. I imagine you do enjoy a store of many heirlooms. What a nice problem to have! xoxo

[missy]

I too ,wear the same diamond ear rings every day..Not sure that anybody wants them..The heirlooms in our family have pretty much gone by the wayside..everybody seems to have enough stuff and the kids don't seem to be in to sentimentality much less the grandkids..Kinda sad really...I already gave most of my better jewelry away..Was it appreciated? Not so sure..The amazon list is a great idea altho we don't do gifts anymore either..Thanks for your visits on my posts..Enjoy your week...

[Jennifer]

@Missy ... awww that makes me sad too. I love sentimentality. It's in my DNA I think. You have a good week too! xoxo

[Debbi]

Hi there Jenny, glad you stopped by and so glad you liked the post and that it brings back memories for you of your honeymoon!!--a most very special time and such sweet memories! Yes, we go by that big church all the time and once in awhile over by the Citadel as well--so neat your hubby is a graduate from there. I think it's so neat you were here for your honeymoon, the big Francis Marion is still here of course, we are by it almost daily, but you know...we have never stayed there? I bet it's nice. We also have quite a few "new boutique" hotels. Of course, I prefer old hotels anyway. Old hotels, old churches, old houses......old old old.......just like ME, HA HA LOL! I was going to ask when the new grandbaby ariives, but I just saw where you replied to my comment up above and I think it says the month is July. How is your daughter feeling?--great I hope. Do they know or are they finding out if it's a little boy or a little girl yet? Gosh, back when I was having children......that was unheard of, LOL!! You found out when the baby was BORN, and that was that, ha ha ha! Glad you stopped and yes, I love my new little doll, guess I am reliving my childhood, LOL. Takes me back to a simpler and happier place.....a more civil world and old fashioned morals and customs and traditons were still important.

[Jennifer]

@Debbi ... my friend I hear you loud and clear regarding reliving simpler times, when old fashioned morals and traditions were still important. I think they are still important, and we are not alone in that. It's just that increasingly, our voice is going to be silenced. Yes the memories are nice but I must say that in the late '70s, The Francis Marion Hotel had fallen on hard times. I remember it as very old and dated ... and when we went back and stayed there again in 2004 for our 25th anniversary (TG remembered the room number from June of 1979, hahaha but we did not stay n that room), it had fallen further still. I believe it has undergone some renovations since then and I'm sure it's better now. I wish we could have stayed at the Planters Inn but it was too expensive. However we did go to the restaurant and have some of the famous coconut cake! It was pretty good although after all the hype I think maybe a trifle overrated. But we had a good time. I like old things too! Most definitely. xoxo