Monday, September 13, 2010

Meet Garlic Gus!

Garlic Gus

When I would visit my maternal grandmother, "Jean", I would sort of take inventory throughout the house. There were certain things that I loved to look at in her beautiful home. The kitchen was one of my favorite places. I would look for my favorite salt and pepper shakers, see if Jean had plenty of 7-Up in the pantry (soft drinks were not allowed in our home), and check to see if she had remembered how much I loved bacon and soft boiled eggs... a quick look in the "icebox" told me, "yes", she remembered. But what I really enjoyed looking at was Garlic Gus. He was a little ceramic elf that sat on a garlic pod, holding his nose. I always made sure that Jean knew how much I loved Garlic Gus, just hoping that someday he would be mine. Jean told me how much she loved Garlic Gus... so much so that she stole him. What?? My grandmother was a thief? She was visiting her oldest sister in Ithaca, New York and commented on the cute elf that rested on her sister, Irma's, stove. During the visit she had teased Aunt Irma about how she was going to take Garlic Gus back to Texas with her. Somehow, Garlic Gus made it into Jean's suitcase and, sure enough, he ended up on her stove in Dickinson, Texas. Now whether or not there was an agreement about Garlic Gus or not, I do not know but Jean's eyes always twinkled with mischief when she told me the story. 


On my last visit to Jean's home (by that time she had moved into an apartment) I realized that Garlic Gus had survived the years. I asked Jean to please put my name on Garlic Gus. I loved him! Rather than wait she said she wanted me to take him home with me then, so she could enjoy knowing where he had ended up.

Last year while on a trip to Minnesota, I found a couple of other elves, very similar in appearance to Garlic Gus. Jean's had nothing on the bottom of the piece to state who had made it. I had to buy the elves. Then a few months later I found two more in an antiques store here in Texas. They were not expensive at all. These were made by Hollywood Ceramics, made in California. Garlic Gus will always be displayed in front of the other pieces, but I thought it was fun to find elves very similar to him.

Garlic Gus and Friends





Come and enjoy the 94th
Three or More Tuesday at
The Gypsy' Corner!


I'm so excited to link up with
It's a Very Cherry World for
"Rednesday"
...especially since there is so little red in my home... and when I find
some I love to participate in "Rednesday"!!

29 comments:

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

What a great story and memory! And, what a happy home and memory for your Grandma Jean's Garlic Gus..

Julie Harward said...

Oh boy, what a cute story..and I think she did steal him or her eyes wouldn't be so twinkly! LOL I like him too, love how he holds his nose! You must have a million family stories..love them ;D

Celestial Charms said...

What a delightful story. I like your Grandmother's Garlic Gus too. His other buddies are cuties also. Do you ever wonder, what a kick our deceased relatives get out of watching us blog about these things? I'm sure they would be delighted! Have a wonderful week.
Maureen

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Not only do you have a lovely story to go with Garlic Gus..but..you have a nice little collection going. So cute!

Theresa said...

Sweet story and that Gus is too cute! I love it when a childhood memory stays with us! I bet you remember that day that Jean gave you Garlic Gus everytime you look at his cute face! It is cool to add friends to sit with him:)

Have a blessed day my friend! HUGS!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

That is a twofer (two for one) ...something you love from someone you love. I really like how the colors of the other pieces set Garlic Gus up as the star. (())

Nancy's Notes said...

Wow, that Garlic Gus has been around and he is just as cute as can be! Now wonder you had an eye on him. What a great little story Karen, you have so many wonderful treasures and all of your stories are just precious. I love them all!

Enjoy your day!
Hugs,
Nancy

Blondie's Journal said...

Garlic Gus is adorable and the elves make it look like a great collection! I wish you the best in finding more 'matching' pieces!!

xoxo
Jane

Hearts Turned said...

I LOVE Garlic Gus, Karen! I used to do the same thing at my grandmother's house...so filled with wonderful treasures. Now so many of them are in my home, and I'm sure my granddaughters will do the same thing someday!

Thanks for sharing your sweet memories!

Julie

Pam Kessler said...

I have never seen anything like him before. He is cute. And what a great story about grandma!

Ann said...

Hi Karen,
What a great story!! I am so glad to read that you were the recipient of Garlic Gus.:o)
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

LV said...

Loved your post and the story of Garlic Gus. I have not sen oen of those little fellows.

Kathleen said...

Garlic Gus has a very good home! Love the story!
I am married 40 yrs too!

Sarah said...

What a great story and fun post! It's nice that Garlic Gus has some friends, but most of all it's fabulous that he lives with you. Isn't it interesting how the simplest little things can mean so much? Thanks for sharing these elves with us. ~ Sarah

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Such a cute story of how you got garlic Gus. I have never seen one of those before. Thanks so much for leaving such sweet comments. KIm

★Carol★ said...

I love the whole story behind Garlic Gus! It reminds me of trips to my Grandma's house. As soon as I got there, I had to go look at all of my favorite things. I'm happy to say that some of those things are now in my home! Love the little guys that you've brought home to keep Gus company!
Happy REDnesday!
Carol

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

I'm so glad to see that Gus has friends!! You and I have that in common - when I find something I like I tend to find multiples of it so it ends up being a collection. I bet I starting finding little elves of my own now - he's sooo cute!

From the Kitchen said...

I don't think there's any object more dear than from a beloved family member. What joy to think of your dear grandmother every time you spy "Garlic Gus".

Best,
Bonnie

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Hi Karen!
I love this post, so very sweet and a lovely tribute to your grandma. Garlic Gus is darling and I can just imagine how especially intriguing and delightful he was to a child. How fun that you found him some companions too. (I will have to watch out for Hollywood Ceramics since I'm in Los Angeles!)
Your post evoked lots of memories of visiting my paternal grandmother and how I loved eating cottage cheese and jack cheese at her house - for some reason, hers was so much better than ours! And she had a collection of Toby mugs and I thought they were the neatest things ever. Thanks so much for the memories!

Happy Rednesday,
Sally

Unknown said...

Hi Karen! What a wonderful post. I guess we all did that when we went to visit Grandma. Nothing was ever to change in their houses. I did that even at some of my Aunts. I too have some wonderful memory treasures from these special people. Actually....a lot of my stuff are those memory gifts! They are the best.

Simply Shelley said...

Cute little fellow and such a cute story to boot...blessings

Ann said...

Garlic Gus is just too cute. Your story is so sweet, it great to have such wonderful memories with Grandmas and Aunts. Love all of his new friends.
Happy Rednesday.
Ann

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh, Garlic Gus is a sweetie, and his elf friends are the beginning of a terrific collection.

I have some precious things that belonged to my grandmother; I love them and the memories they hold.

My grandmother would have totally stolen that elf; I'll bet yours did, too.
Well, it's fun to think so~!
Cass

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Karen, Thanks for sharing that wonderful story! Garlic Gus is really cute :) Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the nice comment!

Unknown said...

So enjoyed your story, Karen. Way back when these were highly popular pieces in homes ... Mother had a lot of them. The kitchen pieces were very useful & decorative as well. Mother loved green, let me tell you so she looked for these adorable pieces ...

Thank you for resurrecting wonderful memories ...

Have a lovely day ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Debbiedoos said...

Karen that is so touching, Garlic Gus is a cutie and I could see why you would eye him up as a young girl. So glad you have him and you will cherish him. Cute other additions too to go with.

Anonymous said...

I love the story of Garlic Gus, Karen! Wonderful post!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a sweet story! I love these little elves, too. They have such personality. Now watch out for your little Gus... he might just disapear!
Patti

mo said...

Hi Karen, Don't you just love reminiscing about your Grandmother's house and how special it was to visit her. I too remember the aluminum cups and 7-up she had. (We were not allowed "pop" in the house too) Both of my Grandmothers lived in Buffalo, which is also in New York. *hugs*