Hattie’s Style
Posted by annblackman in Ann's Posts, tags: Family, Shadow, Wambach, Wisconsin
It was time for some new beach towels. I found these on sale and got more than just a good deal – I got a bunch of memories of spending summer days at my grandparent’s on Buffalo Lake, Montello, WI.
The colors and the texture of these towels just brought back a flood of memories: Gramma’s Fiestaware, the turquoise blue butterfly chair, those metal geese flying over those HUGE white leather recliners, Mexican blankets on the extra beds, and that funny, impossibly small metal table and chair in the bathroom off the breezeway … I don’t even know what I remember and what I’m conjuring up in my own mind.
It makes me think of Gramma yelling “Paul? Paul!” from inside while she got everything together and Grampa outside having a laugh while he entertained everyone. I think of Gramma coming to the top of the boathouse to watch us playing down below in the water or for us to zoom by in the boat. I think of the meals. Oh my gosh. All the food.
I’m absolutely certain that, as a result of my time spent at my grandparents, these days when I’m hosting a large meal it somehow doesn’t feel complete unless I offer crudités like olives and fancy little pickles … It wouldn’t be a holiday meal at our house without a door prize … and I have an EXTREMELY hard time following recipes without some sort of spontaneous change to the ingredient list. These are all things that must be deeply embedded in my DNA because I swear they happen without me even thinking about them!
It all comes back to style, though. It was the big things like the huge windows overlooking the lake and the repeated use of white – even the rocks that bordered the driveway were painted white! It was the little things like the fancy ashtrays and the many different glasses. It was the blessings at the meals. It all came together in Hattie’s own style.
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Yes, the Fiestaware and the butterfly chair are what immediately came to mind when I saw your new towels. Another thing I remember from our visits there were the enormous amount of acorns, and the sound of Whipperwills as we went to sleep. Then there was Grandpa’s great breakfasts in the morning, and if we weren’t awake by the time the food was ready, he’d start dropping pans on the floor and then when we came out all bleary-eyed, he’d look all innocent and say, “Oh, are you awake?” LOVED that guy. Thanks for the memories.
Annie, What a fabulous memory. The colors were all there and I could close my eyes and even the wonderful smells from Hattie’s kitchen were there for me.
Before Grampa would take you kids for a boat ride into town Gramma wpuld tell Paul.”and don’t take those kids to Jimmy’s’
There were very few people at Grampa’s funeral. It was Dec.23rd and about 20 below zero in Montello, but here was this older man sitting by himself in the back of the Church. We found out that it was my dads friend Jimmy from the Pool Hall.
Thanks ,Love, Mom
Here’s some memories from Shelly LaLonde (via facebook) …
Shelly La Londe: Ann, I love your blog and a I think that you did a great job describing summers in Montello…the only thing I have memories of is our kiddie cocktail’s that grandpa called “Montello Mud” and Julie’s artwork hanging in the guest bedroom and the peony bush in the front yard that Paulette stood next to as she got stung by a bee while we were having our pictures taken.
July 18 at 9:32pm ·
Ann Wambach Blackman: Ahhh, the Shirley Temples and Montello Mud!
July 18 at 10:18pm ·
Shelly La Londe: I also remember Grandma and Grandpa had separate bedrooms and boating across the lake to a classic lake tavern to have lunch, my memories are a bit sketchy but I do remember the birds on the wall and flat roofed boat house where we dried off after swimming, I loved that place but wish I had had more time with them and your family.
July 19 at 10:24am ·