My paternal grandmother
I came across the March/April, 2011, special Ireland issue, of Victoria magazine. It brought back to mind my Irish grandmother, Mabel Beatrice Kelly. She had a saying that she was quite fond of. Very often she would exclaim, "Remember, Doodle Bug, pretty is as pretty does." Doodle Bug was her pet name for me. I don't know how it came to be, and no one else used it, but it was how she referred to me even long after I was a young mother with children of my own. I really don't recall her using my given name ever, and I must have behaved in numerous rowdy and ungirlish ways to remember hearing that warning so many times.
My grandmother and my dad hitching a ride to 'town' with friends
April 4, 1918
My grandmother was very prim and proper. She was forever reminding me to hold my shoulders straight and to talk in a softer voice. Appearances were very important to her.
It's funny that even though all these admonishments might seem like such negative comments to make to a child, I never thought of them in that way. I only remember how attentive she was when I would tell her, in great detail, about a book I was reading, or how she would take the time to teach me all the old-fashioned flower names while working in the garden with me always by her side, and how she kept a box of Wheaties or Corn Flakes in a little side cupboard of the wood stove so that they were always crisp and toasty warm when she poured the cold cream straight from old Bossy the Cow and placed sweet strawberries fresh picked from her garden.
The only negative thing I can remember is how I would have to sit still, for what seemed like hours, to have her put my hair up in rags so I would have pretty curls to wear to school on Monday mornings.
So, now as I'm looking through this beautiful magazine, the cover photograph is so pretty and reminds me of times gone by and I can hear her voice...
"Pretty Is...
...As...
Pretty Does..."
Tea cup, Lefton China, hand painted, Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.
...Judy...
I am sharing this time today with...
What a wonderful story and I will always hereafter, think of you as Doodlebug!;>) have that same magazine and love it still. I often heard that same adage- pretty is as pretty does...yeah..well, and then there was me- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely memories Judy. She sounds like a lovely lady and certainly taught you to appreciate lovely things.Doodle bug is a very unusual name though I have to say I like it!
ReplyDeletehello
ReplyDeletecomme j' aime toutes ces photos anciennes
chargées de souvenirs
votre grand-mère parait très jolie
c' est un bonheur d' avoir découvert la photographie ,
sans elle ou serait nos souvenirs???
je vous ai retrouvé , maintenant je sais ou est votre blog ♥♥♥
à très bientôt
edith (France )
Beautiful post, Doodle Bug! I loved it. I love the new header too.
ReplyDeleteI love that! What wonderful memories....and a Great post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amy Jo
Sweet post with great memories of your grandmother. They do make a lifetime impression on us.
ReplyDeleteFarmhouse hugs,
Cindy
Love this post! My grandmother also said "Pretty is as pretty does" I have wonderful memories of her also!
ReplyDeleteJudy what a beautiful tribute to the memory of your grandmother. I don't remember my grandparents...my mother's parents both passed by the time she was twenty...long before she met my dad. And my father's father died when I was about 4 or 5 and my grandmother passed just a few years later...I was still pretty young. I wish I had memories like yours...they are truly special.
ReplyDeleteXO Babara
I loved hearing about your Grandmother, and seeing the old photos of her. You have some wonderful memories. You took me back there with you.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty post as always,Judy,
ReplyDeleteI hope your keeping well? love julie xxx
Oh Judy, what a beautiful post! How precious are your memories, aren't you glad you spent so much time with your grandmother and that you can remember all those things about her and the things she taught you? Priceless. Love the photos of your grandmother and dad and the one with the strawberries and blackberries-beautiful! Thankyou for taking us down memory lane with you today. Gina
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a heart warming post. I so enjoyed hearing about your grandmother. Your memories of her are similar to my own. How I miss my Granny! So many precious memories!
Your teacup is gorgeous and the photos, lovely. Thank you for joining me at my HOME and thanks for your nice comment.
Blessings,
Sandi
What fun memories of your grandmother and I love the old photos. Your flowers and teacup are beautiful as well as your amazing vignettes!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
sandy :)
Judy,
ReplyDeleteI love your story and pictures with your post. You have a gift. I love that you are sharing it with us. Your pictures are very pretty. Your grandmother would be proud. Please stop by, I love to share stories as well.
Reuzeit Emporium Blog
Reuzeit Emporium
Judy your story is so sweet along with all the pictures on your post. What great memories you have. I hope the Victoria magazine is still available. My mother in law is Irish and I think she would love a copy of that. She has beautiful memories of her childhood and her grandmother coming over from Ireland. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKris
I enjoyed reading those memories of your grandmother - they are precious.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS photos, true treasures, love your Grandmother with the horse:-) My Grandmother gave me the pincurl treatment, I loved those bouncy curls:-) Thanks for sharing your memories and reminding me of my own:-)
Our Daffs sound like they are neck n neck:-) Mine are up too, but not blooming... soon:-)
Hugs,
Bella
Special memories and treasures...loved this post! So happy you found me so I could in turn follow you! So many memories of being a little girl, dressed up with gloves & hat...all things feminine and pretty. So sad that much of that is being lost today...
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
Judy, what a wonderful story! You have such a priceless photo of your grandmother and father, it is just so so special. Very heartwarming and uplifting, thank you for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Andrea
Don't you just love the memories she has left you with. What a great story of days gone by. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLiz
I read your post twice, very sweet. How wonderful to have such beautiful picture of your grandmother. She surely left you with some wonderful memories. I am visiting my grandson tomorrow, I must always remember that I too have to give him some memories he will cherish such as you have been given.
ReplyDeletewishing you a beautiful weekend
betsy
Thank you for your visit yesterday to my blog, The View From Right Here. You have a lovely blog, I loved this post honoring your grandmother... she sounds like a grandmother I'd have liked to have... I never new either of mine, they passes away before I was 3.... I'm your newest follower and rss subscriber...
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures and a wonderful memory!!! Thank you for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!
ReplyDeleteJudy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by the Pink Ribbon. I hope your daughter is okay! Your grandmother sounded like a wonderful person. Thank you for sharing this post. You reminded us all of simpler times, and with this chaotic world we need a trip down memory lane once in awhile.
What sweet memories of your grandmother. I haven't heard that saying in years.
ReplyDeleteSo neat to remember our grandmothers when they are no longer with us. Love the saying and the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to have you link to Seasonal Sundays!
- The Tablescaper
Beautiful post, Judy. My grandmother used to tell me to stand straight head up, shoulders back.:-) She was very prim and proper and always looked like she stepped out of a band box. Even if she was feeding the chickens, cooking supper or weeding the garden.
ReplyDeleteAww how sweet Judy. I sure loved my Gram and admired her so. In fact, we are going to Ireland this coming week and she was 100% Irish. She went there as well, and I just can feel she will be with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, I missed seeing this post for some reason until I scrolled down the page. What a sweet tribute to your grandmother. I love the old photos and stories of your grandmother. Blessings, Pamela
ReplyDelete