Cleaning out grandpa's house

[Gingerbread]

So my Grandpa passed away about a month ago and we've been working on organizing and cleaning out his house. It's quite the project cause he has so much stuff! Even though it's sad to not have him around, the family has actually had kind of a fun time working on it. I haven't spent this much time with my extended family in a long time and even though it's kinda bittersweet we find ourselves going down memory lane and laughing and enjoy remembering these treasures we find. He loved to yardsale and accumulated so much stuff, and kept everything! There is also so much of everything that no one cares to fight over anything cause there is PLENTY to go around LOL We're still in the process of going through, seeing what anyone is attached to and would like, what is just trash and not worth keeping and what will be left over to sell either online or maybe with an estate company. I'm not kidding when I say it's tons of stuff. BUT no ponies! What the heck, Papaw!

We've finished all of the house except the attic, dreading that but looking forward to some vintage Christmas! My grandparents decorated big time for Christmas and growing up Christmas Eve dinner at their house was our family tradition. I will always remember those times and miss them. My Grandma passed away 10 years ago and we still did it there for a few years but it got to be too much on Papaw even with help so now we take turns hosting at our houses.

But I have acquired some pretty nifty things, cleaning out Papaw's!

One of my favorite things is this Nestle clock. It's so cool, the month dial spins around and indicates beneath what recipes are especially appropriate for that month! As an avid baker and lover of old things this was like the holy grail! And it still works! It took me a while to get the whole thing set up with the moon phases and calendar but it's been running beautifully for over a week now. I went online and did a little research, they were a mail in thing in 1980 and came with a little recipe book with all the listed recipes. We're still on the lookout for the original recipe booklet but I managed to find one online and print and put together a reproduction as well as a copy of the original ad for it. I'm super excited to bake stuff according to the "schedule" and am making the first thing this weekend; Fudge Drops! I'm going to bring them over to Papaw's for everyone Isn't this thing awesome! It will forever live in my kitchen

The other thing I came across was this old Mason jar, it was immediately bestowed to me because Nov 30th is my B-day. How neat is that! Apparently Mason jars were patented on my B-day. I don't know much about jars, other than whatcha do with them, cause I do "can" stuff every year but I don't collect jars so don't know much about that. No matter though, I wouldn't get rid of it cause it's special, it's got my B-day on it! I think I'll make some flower arrangement to stick in it and display in my kitchen

I've also got a cool, old metal haunted Halloween house thing. I've gotta clean it up and tinker with it a bit but once I do I'll update with pictures!

 

[Leave a Whisper]

:xmashug: :xmashug: :xmashug:

 

[Skybreeze]

These are all beautiful things to remember your Papaw fondly for years to come. I love love the artwork on that clock.

I can’t wait to see the Christmas goodies you find. I have ornaments my Oma and Opa has brought with them when they immigrated to Canada from Germany. They are my most treasured items and are proudly displayed every Christmas along with my “Teddy” whom my Opa gifted me when I was a baby and that bear went everywhere with me for many years.

 

[Uftaki]

That sounds like it's been a really interesting experience, going through all those old collectables and all. I bet all the Christmas stuff'll be amazing.

And speaking of amazing.... WOW, that clock! That is such an awesome clock! It's beautiful, and fantastic that it still works!

 

[evilbunnyfoofoo]

We called my grandfather Papaw as well!

How wonderful you were all able to gather and go through all that history together. While sad, everyone being there for each other makes it so much easier to deal with. You hear horror stories of loved ones dying and the families bickering over every item in the house, so it's always a delight to hear of the families who keep it fun and classy!

The clock is so cute, I bet it looks great in your home. YOu can look at it and smile, thinking of your Papaw every day!

 

[ladyaquitaine]

Sorry for your loss! It's good to see your whole family getting together and enjoying one another! Those are great items to inherit so you always have something to remind you of your grandfather! I'm sure he was in spirit, happy to see his family together again! Blessings to you all!

 

[OctoberMoon]

This post brings back memories of last year when we lost my Nana. We did the same thing. I've brought home some really cool things. My grandfather still lives there but he has given me a piece of furniture that his grandfather made. I can't wait to make room for it in my house!! That clock is something special!!! Can't wait to see the Halloween house!!

 

[Gingerbread]

Well, I'm lucky that I had my grand and great-grand parents well into 20's and 30's. I got to spend time with them when I was a little older and more appreciative of such things. I lost my last great-grand parent when I was in my mid thirties, and even now I still have my 2 grandparents on my mom's side left. So I consider myself fortunate and try to visit and stay in touch often cause I know they won't be around forever

As family has passed and we've gone through this process, I have accumulated things that are special to me of theirs and it kinda brings me comfort to think of them or times we spent together whenever I see or use these things. Luckily for me, I always ask for practical or personal things that usually no one else wants LOL Like when my great-grannie passed, I took one of her hair curlers, cause I always remember visiting her and she'd be setting her hair in curlers, I have it in my jewelry box and I took a magnet from her fridge that had a cat on it, it was probably 50 years old and I remember always thinking it was cute as a kid. I did also get her cast iron frying pan and a platter she used on Thanksgiving. Those items are worth more to me than anything in the world! The pan is probably close to 100 years old, and if you've never cooked with a GOOD cast iron pan, you just won't understand, that pan has decades of good Grannie seasoning! and I've used the Thanksgiving platter every year since she passed, so it's like she's still with us on the holiday. Let the other relatives fight over jewelry, these are the treasures I love. Things I can use everyday and think of my sweet, missed family

 

[OctoberMoon]

Well, I'm lucky that I had my grand and great-grand parents well into 20's and 30's. I got to spend time with them when I was a little older and more appreciative of such things. I lost my last great-grand parent when I was in my mid thirties, and even now I still have my 2 grandparents on my mom's side left. So I consider myself fortunate and try to visit and stay in touch often cause I know they won't be around forever

As family has passed and we've gone through this process, I have accumulated things that are special to me of theirs and it kinda brings me comfort to think of them or times we spent together whenever I see or use these things. Luckily for me, I always ask for practical or personal things that usually no one else wants LOL Like when my great-grannie passed, I took one of her hair curlers, cause I always remember visiting her and she'd be setting her hair in curlers, I have it in my jewelry box and I took a magnet from her fridge that had a cat on it, it was probably 50 years old and I remember always thinking it was cute as a kid. I did also get her cast iron frying pan and a platter she used on Thanksgiving. Those items are worth more to me than anything in the world! The pan is probably close to 100 years old, and if you've never cooked with a GOOD cast iron pan, you just won't understand, that pan has decades of good Grannie seasoning! and I've used the Thanksgiving platter every year since she passed, so it's like she's still with us on the holiday. Let the other relatives fight over jewelry, these are the treasures I love. Things I can use everyday and think of my sweet, missed family

I am lucky too. I still have two grandfather's still living. One 94 and one 91. My Nana passed last year at 87, and she bought me sooooo many of my ponies as a child. My mamaw is also still alive at 94! I have been so blessed to have them and share them with my son. I have taken the most random things that others would care less about. Agree they can keep the other stuff!!

 

[Sunkissed]

My condolences for your loss.

You could donate anything, in decent condition, to Good Will or a thrift store...

 

[Tak]

Well, I'm lucky that I had my grand and great-grand parents well into 20's and 30's. I got to spend time with them when I was a little older and more appreciative of such things. I lost my last great-grand parent when I was in my mid thirties, and even now I still have my 2 grandparents on my mom's side left. So I consider myself fortunate and try to visit and stay in touch often cause I know they won't be around forever

As family has passed and we've gone through this process, I have accumulated things that are special to me of theirs and it kinda brings me comfort to think of them or times we spent together whenever I see or use these things. Luckily for me, I always ask for practical or personal things that usually no one else wants LOL Like when my great-grannie passed, I took one of her hair curlers, cause I always remember visiting her and she'd be setting her hair in curlers, I have it in my jewelry box and I took a magnet from her fridge that had a cat on it, it was probably 50 years old and I remember always thinking it was cute as a kid. I did also get her cast iron frying pan and a platter she used on Thanksgiving. Those items are worth more to me than anything in the world! The pan is probably close to 100 years old, and if you've never cooked with a GOOD cast iron pan, you just won't understand, that pan has decades of good Grannie seasoning! and I've used the Thanksgiving platter every year since she passed, so it's like she's still with us on the holiday. Let the other relatives fight over jewelry, these are the treasures I love. Things I can use everyday and think of my sweet, missed family

I'm glad you got to have so much time with them. It sounds like you had some great experiences.

My last, and only, great grandfather passed away when I was 15. He was shopping at the mall, got tired and sat down instead of going in one store, and was gone when my great aunt came out. The doctor said it was fast and not painful. I only have one grandpa left now.

 

[Gingerbread]

Finally got around to dissecting the Halloween house. It has several buttons on the side and each controls a "spooky thing". It does have electrical mechanisms and takes batteries for the sounds and light but the rest of it is just springs and bars. It was terribly dusty and needed a good cleaning in and out and some the the functions needed some minor repair but I managed to figure out how to take it apart, tinker a bit and put it back together. I couldn't get the door to open and shut you can do it manually but I couldn't get that one figured out.
Here are some pics of it and what it does :Glowpump:

 

[Tak]

Finally got around to dissecting the Halloween house. It has several buttons on the side and each controls a "spooky thing". It does have electrical mechanisms and takes batteries for the sounds and light but the rest of it is just springs and bars. It was terribly dusty and needed a good cleaning in and out and some the the functions needed some minor repair but I managed to figure out how to take it apart, tinker a bit and put it back together. I couldn't get the door to open and shut you can do it manually but I couldn't get that one figured out.
Here are some pics of it and what it does :Glowpump:

View attachment 33652 View attachment 33653 View attachment 33654 View attachment 33655 View attachment 33656 View attachment 33657

That is so awesome!

 

[OctoberMoon]

Finally got around to dissecting the Halloween house. It has several buttons on the side and each controls a "spooky thing". It does have electrical mechanisms and takes batteries for the sounds and light but the rest of it is just springs and bars. It was terribly dusty and needed a good cleaning in and out and some the the functions needed some minor repair but I managed to figure out how to take it apart, tinker a bit and put it back together. I couldn't get the door to open and shut you can do it manually but I couldn't get that one figured out.
Here are some pics of it and what it does :Glowpump:

View attachment 33652 View attachment 33653 View attachment 33654 View attachment 33655 View attachment 33656 View attachment 33657

What a great find. That is a wonderful piece. Super jelly here.

 

[Skybreeze]

Ooooooo I love old tin toys and decorations. This one looks amazingly beautiful and nice that your able to get most of it functioning.

 

[Mintyeon]

So my Grandpa passed away about a month ago and we've been working on organizing and cleaning out his house. It's quite the project cause he has so much stuff! Even though it's sad to not have him around, the family has actually had kind of a fun time working on it. I haven't spent this much time with my extended family in a long time and even though it's kinda bittersweet we find ourselves going down memory lane and laughing and enjoy remembering these treasures we find. He loved to yardsale and accumulated so much stuff, and kept everything! There is also so much of everything that no one cares to fight over anything cause there is PLENTY to go around LOL We're still in the process of going through, seeing what anyone is attached to and would like, what is just trash and not worth keeping and what will be left over to sell either online or maybe with an estate company. I'm not kidding when I say it's tons of stuff. BUT no ponies! What the heck, Papaw!

We've finished all of the house except the attic, dreading that but looking forward to some vintage Christmas! My grandparents decorated big time for Christmas and growing up Christmas Eve dinner at their house was our family tradition. I will always remember those times and miss them. My Grandma passed away 10 years ago and we still did it there for a few years but it got to be too much on Papaw even with help so now we take turns hosting at our houses.

But I have acquired some pretty nifty things, cleaning out Papaw's!

One of my favorite things is this Nestle clock. It's so cool, the month dial spins around and indicates beneath what recipes are especially appropriate for that month! As an avid baker and lover of old things this was like the holy grail! And it still works! It took me a while to get the whole thing set up with the moon phases and calendar but it's been running beautifully for over a week now. I went online and did a little research, they were a mail in thing in 1980 and came with a little recipe book with all the listed recipes. We're still on the lookout for the original recipe booklet but I managed to find one online and print and put together a reproduction as well as a copy of the original ad for it. I'm super excited to bake stuff according to the "schedule" and am making the first thing this weekend; Fudge Drops! I'm going to bring them over to Papaw's for everyone Isn't this thing awesome! It will forever live in my kitchen

View attachment 32438
View attachment 32439
View attachment 32440

The other thing I came across was this old Mason jar, it was immediately bestowed to me because Nov 30th is my B-day. How neat is that! Apparently Mason jars were patented on my B-day. I don't know much about jars, other than whatcha do with them, cause I do "can" stuff every year but I don't collect jars so don't know much about that. No matter though, I wouldn't get rid of it cause it's special, it's got my B-day on it! I think I'll make some flower arrangement to stick in it and display in my kitchen

View attachment 32441

I've also got a cool, old metal haunted Halloween house thing. I've gotta clean it up and tinker with it a bit but once I do I'll update with pictures!

I have to ask, did you found any sewing machine's!?
Also I adore the design on that clock! I love food themed aesthetic's so much!
And that Halloween house is to DIE for lol I love all those buttons!

My grandpa grandpa who is now 95, has a hoard just like this in the basement of his house in Wisconsin that has been left untouched for years.
According to my dad there are super rare original paintings from when our family was stupidly rich about 4 generation's ago.
Unfortunately when he dies all of his property and belongings will go to his 70 year old son who has openly stated that he is going to buy a dumpster and throw every thing away so he can sell the house for all it's worth!
Just the thought of it makes me upset!
And there's nothing we can do about it since his name is the only one remaining on GG's will...

 

[Mintyeon]

For living relatives I've got my GG on my dad's side, and his mom, my grandma Meeme, And my grandpa's two brothers one super nice one,
and the other one who will inherit the house.
He is best described as being "born without a personality"

 

[Tak]

For living relatives I've got my GG on my dad's side, and his mom, my grandma Meeme, And my grandpa's two brothers one super nice one,
and the other one who will inherit the house.
He is best described as being "born without a personality"

Why not talk to your GG about it and see if he'd like a visit and some clearing out?

 

[Mintyeon]

Why not talk to your GG about it and see if he'd like a visit and some clearing out?

GG has said in the past that we could come and get stuff...
But you know how life has an annoying habit of getting in the way...

 

[Tak]

GG has said in the past that we could come and get stuff...
But you know how life has an annoying habit of getting in the way...

I wish we could help. I pretty much feel trapped here right now.