The Mantel Clock.

The mantel has long served as the focal point of the family room, making the mantel clock something of much significance.

From their intricate detailing, ornate facing, solid frames and resounding chimes – their nobility has a sense of grace and stature at the very same time.

I am so thrilled to have recently been given this heirloom mantel clock, passed down to me through the generations that was originally owned by my Great Aunt Ashley, for whom I was named. I can’t wait to get it restored to its former glory and hear the beautiful chimes.

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The Creation of Family Traditions: Road Trips.

There are few things more wonderful in this world than a road trip. The anticipation of the vacation finally coming to a start, generally the many hours of build up you have traveling the road, anxious to reach the destination you’ve been so longing for.

I feel road trips are making a come back too, in a big way, as is the simplicity of a family vacation. Every family creates a different sort of tradition for the time spent on their well traveled paths.

For our family, road trips started with a hearty McDonald’s breakfast, a backseat full of pillows, a bag of Starburst, and country musics original greats on the radio. The many traveled hours took us from the largest interstates to the tiniest small town squares, and all the while we played games as a family.

“Car Bingo” was absolutely a favorite – a retro cardboard square with tiny plastic windows pushed closed when we spotted a cow, an airplane, a firetruck. “The License Plate” game was on-going … the excitement of finding a road-mate from some far-off place like Hawaii, Alaska or Kansas was unimaginable.  And last but not least, the most-played “Alphabet Game” is one that never gets old – broken into “teams” trying desperately to find the Q’s and X’s before the other team and hating when our travels led us off the beaten path where it seemed no letters existed in the world as our game came to an unfinished end.

Road trips are not soon forgotten. The traditions continue through the generations, the memories continue.

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Create family traditions of your own. Give the gift of IceMilk Aprons.

The Passing Down of Heirlooms: Measuring Spoons.

I do believe that some of the most wonderful heirloom treasures in the world are found in the kitchen.

From tin cookie cutters to rolling pins to aprons, these handy items all contain memories from learning to cook in your youth with your family.

I have a set of tin measuring spoons from my Grandmother’s collection that I must admit I use for baking over my trusty, shiny new ones.

Last Christmas, I received a lovely treasure – a set of Tin Woodsman pewter measuring spoons and are sure to become an heirloom for my future generations. My love for pewter continues to withstand day in and day out, but these hearty hammered oversized spoons are simply iconic in the kitchen. A true symbol for a baker, these artful pieces make for such a lovely heirloom gift to enjoy for years & years!

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Give an heirloom gift from IceMilk Aprons

The Creation of Family Traditions: Historical Preservation.

There are many things you can pass down to your children through the legacy of ideals you’ve taught them and traditions you’ve created as a family – one being the value of historical preservation.

When we teach our children the value of history, where they came from and the stories behind what they see and hear in today’s world, we also pass down an appreciation for the past and an anticipation that it continues to be around for future generations to enjoy.

While sitting in traffic yesterday, I was so pleased to see yesterday that Georgia has a license plate dedicated to historical preservation. Our state, like all others, has so many special treasures to be restored to their splendor and glory – from the downtown buildings of Savannah, to the landmarks of Atlanta, and the mansions, city buildings and churches of small towns across our state.

I hope you will create a family tradition of your own to educate & engross your children in the importance of historical preservation by allowing them the opportunity to experience these wonderful gems.

The Passing Down of Heirlooms: Linens.

There is nothing finer that a beautifully made bed, with crisp clean sheets and the kind of fluff that makes you want to sink right into it with a warm lamp and a good book.

Heirloom linens are not something of the past. They are alive and well (and lovely) with my own favorite Papillon Linens. The wonderful creator (friend and mentor) Leigh Chandler continues to put out beautiful piece after piece that are timeless and inspiring.

Much like the heirloom linens of napkins & handkerchiefs of days past, linens have long-since been a treasured part of any collection. They can make or break a room, and a properly outfitted set of heirloom linens is certainly worthy of passing down thru the generations of your family.

Some even have their sheets and shams monogrammed to further customize the lasting qualities of the linens.

I do hope you will check out the wonderful pieces at Papillon Linens and gather a collection of heirloom linens for yourself!

The Passing Down of Heirlooms: Heirloom Aprons

Our difference at IceMilk Aprons can be found in our mission – inspiring others to preserve their heritage. And our new line of heirloom aprons helps you do just that.

To help accomplish our mission, we include an “Heirloom Kit” with each IceMilk Apron.  The Heirloom Kit instantly takes you from apron to heirloom. It is my hope that each apron is treasured part of your life that will one day be passed down through the generations of your family.

The Heirloom Kit includes a “Heritage Tag” that is meant to capture generations of your family by having each woman in your family stitch their initials onto the Heritage Tag.  Your mother, your grandmother, even your great grandmother.  You then stitch your own initials onto the tag and stitch it to the inside of your apron – wearing it proudly.  One day, you will be able to pass the apron down to your children, having them stitch their own initials alongside generations of your family. And hopefully, passing down family recipes that have been influential in creating memories throughout your life, along with the skills needed to truly cook from scratch.

For more on our Heirloom Aprons and our signature Heirloom Kit, I do hope you will visit our website www.icemilkaprons.com.

The Creation of Family Traditions: The Generations Photo.

While some family traditions are created on the fly, others are carefully crafted – timing is everything.

Today I hope to inspire you to take advantage of creating a new family tradition where timing is of the essence – the “generations” photo.  The attached photo is that of my family, capturing four generations of men on my Mother’s side.  The YOUNGEST boy (far left) is MY GRANDFATHER. Holding him is my Great Grandfather (Pepe, 2nd from left) with my Great Great Grandfather (far right) and seated my Great Great Great Grandfather.

I have loved this photo since the day I first saw it, but the sheer thought of this special photo sends chills up my spine. Granted in today’s culture where people don’t have children nearly as young (or often) as they did in generations past, a photo like this capturing four generations is a rarity.

I urge you to arrange to take some “generations” photos of your family – candids, portraits, whatever you wish. I promise it will truly be something you will cherish!

Share with us your “generations” photos for a chance to be featured on our blog.