Tuesday, November 22, 2011

THE OLD PINE TABLE

"For simple grace and dignity it is unsurpassed, this old pine table that is ours for awhile.
"Children growing up around it, that each generation nurtures the next in the home."
I recently came across those words which promptly brought to mind the story of the old pine table that now graces our home. In 1966, my husband and his family moved from suburbia to the country, to a "big old farm house." Needing a table to accommodate her large family (six children) my mother in-law commissioned local craftsman Austin Alden (who by the way is a direct descendant of the famed Pilgrim John Alden) to build a farm table, six side chairs, a lady's chair for the Mrs and a larger version to accommodate my 6 foot 4 father in-law. Mr Alden was reluctant, being elderly and ready to hang up his hand tools, but finally agreed ( I do believe it was the twinkle in my mother in-law's "blueberry blue" eyes that won him over). The pine table was built and soon ensconced in the old farmhouse. The six resident hound dogs found the table as an out of the way escape, TK the cat would jump on the table using it as a spring board to get to the safety of a nearby hutch. Over the years it has served the family well, the table has been part of celebrations, holidays, weddings, the birth of grandchildren and great grandchildren. There have been many happy times as well as sad. With the passing of my mother in-law last December it was agreed among the family that the old pine table would come to live with us. This Thanksgiving there will be memories shared of loved ones no longer with us, of the many blessings we are grateful for, and of future generations yet to be. The old pine table will serve us well...

24 comments:

Jonette said...

Oh, I love this! Many years ago my husband built us a pine table. We have had so many lovely memories around that table while raising our son and sharing meals with family and friends. Our son now lives in the house he grew up in and he and his wife and sons are still using the same pine table. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Oh I love this post. I'm searching for an old pine table for our home here. I loved hearing the story of yours. How very special!
Hugs!

Julia said...

What a beautiful story, full of warmth and history. How very lucky of you to have it in your beautiful house. It looks like it was made especially for that room and the chairs are just beautiful. That was a smart decision on the part of your mother in law.

Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving. JB

Julia said...

What a beautiful story, full of warmth and history. How very lucky of you to have it in your beautiful house. It looks like it was made especially for that room and the chairs are just beautiful. That was a smart decision on the part of your mother in law.

Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving. JB

Rugs and Pugs said...

Oh, my! What a beautiful table and I love the story behind it! Your dining room is lovely! Thank you for sharing.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Holly Hills Primitives said...

What a beautiful story and it sounds like the old pine table came to live at the perfect home. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Dawn

Farm Girl said...

Lovely story, I love things like that and I would love that table too. It is beautiful.
My table is like that. I bought a farm table that has three leaves so it is huge when we sit around it.
I am going to need a couple more as our family keeps growing. With your mother in law having six children I can just see how much she loved having it filled to the brim.
Lovely story of the table and so cool the man was related to John Alden. Have a lovely Thanksgiving.

acorn hollow said...

Beautiful have a wonderful thanksgiving.
Cathy

annie said...

A wonderful living memory. Wood never dies, it goes on to a new life. Much like the table will be in your home now. This is a wonderful story, thank you for sharing!

jennifer768 said...

That is a beautiful table with an equally beautiful history!Loved hearing about and getting to see your lovely room.Happy Thanksgiving,Jen

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

How fitting that you have a piece of Americana in your dining room to celebrate Thanksgiving upon! Thank you for sharing your story!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Mary

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Julie!
What a wonderful family heirloom this table is. The family knew that you and your husband would take good care of it and appreciate where it came from. This will be a special Thanksgiving as you sit at this piece of family history. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Maura :)

Pix, so thankful this year said...

Moving story Julie and the table looks beautiful there in the soft light of your picture. I bet you already have it set with your Currier and Ives. Your table set for Thanksgiving from a picture you posted is a forever memory in my mind. My farm table does not have that sweet of a story but I love my farm table, it has a life :) Happy Thanksgiving again Julie! We probably can't say it enough to those we care about :)

And a special thanks to you Julie for offering the Name/URL option for commenting!!!

Cathy G. said...

Julie,
Your table is gorgeous! A pine table is the most wonderful piece of furniture that takes on a patina like no other.
It's a wondrous thing to know your family is adding to it's warmth and character each time they gather!
I'll be thinking of you this Thanksgiving and sending happy wishes!
Blessings and hugs from Wisconsin!
Cathy G

Unknown said...

What a wonderful and thoughtful Post! Thanks for sharing it! All The Best! Hugs

The Barn Door said...

What a wonderful story!
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen & the Hound

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

That looks like the perfect spot for that pine table. It has a good home in your home.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Janet

Terry and Linda said...

What a beautiful post! Thank you so much for writing it and sharing it with all of us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Larkrise garden girl said...

The warmth and beauty of your picture is almost like a Norman Rockwell picture but better,Blessing this Thanksgiving,Cheri

Debi said...

I love things passed down with stories attached. A beautiful story and a really pretty picture of it above. You're a lucky family to have it stay in your home. I know you love it.

Rowan said...

How wonderful to have this beautiful table and the chairs so full of family memories - a real family heirloom.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

It is always so much more special to have a piece of furniture in our homes that mean something to us. I love this story of your farm table. I hope you have many, many years of enjoyment around it.

Eve said...

It's beautiful Julie, and fits your beautiful home!

Ellen said...

Yes, thanks so much for sharing this story with us. I love things like this that get passed down through the generations.