My (Current) Favorite Things
Sep 21st 2007
Suzanne EnochMy Life As A Plebe
How does the song go? Something about whiskers on kittens and wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings (I love that line, by the way). I’ve talked about stuff and how much I like to have my stuff around me, but today I’m talking about my very favorite things. Not family or love or any mushy stuff like that, but material things I own. And yes, this list changes VERY frequently.
4) Kermit and his banjo – I have this sitting on my hearth. When you wind it up, it plays “Rainbow Connection” and the fireflies flash on and off.
3) Giraffe – this is the 7′2″ giraffe I have in my foyer. Technically he’s not part of my film and movie collection, but I know it’s got to be the only one in the neighborhood. And at Christmas I give him a Santa hat and wrap lights around his neck.
2) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring standee – I just went online to New Line Studios and ordered it. For awhile they sent me emails about other standees, etc., and then I realized they probably thought I was a movie theater. I practically am.
1) Han Solo and Princess Leia Polystone figures – yes, technically this is two things, but I display them together. They just look so cool.
What are your favorite things to display? Things you make sure anybody who visits your house is going to see?
26 Comments »
26 Responses to “My (Current) Favorite Things”
Lisa H on 22 Sep 2007 at 6:50 am #
I have some beautiful dishes, platters and bowls I bought in Paris a couple years ago. I have them in my kitchen and dining-room. I love them but I also love simpler things like candles, I have tons of them all over my house, pictures of my kids, and topiary plants.
I have thousands of books, but am waiting to be able to display them attractively before I pull them out.
Suzanne, I LOVE your giraffe. I would love to see a picture of him in his Christmas finery!
Meg on 22 Sep 2007 at 6:58 am #
About three months ago I moved into a new house and believe it or not, I still have a few boxes that I haven’t unpacked. That means that I don’t have all of my “must-sees” on display yet. But I do have two. I have my collection of old black and white photos that I copied from my grandma’s collection that I have in frames on an entry table. They are ones of her at my age and younger and some of my mom growing up–I love her baby pics. And the other is my Hot Diggity Dog collection. I am the proud mom of three mini dachshunds and when I found this particular collection in a Hallmark store I had to have them. I found them online and ordered all that I wanted. Now they are all over my house! They have names like Armour Hot Dog ( he’s dressed in a suit of armor holding a sword in his mouth) and Long Dog Narrow (he’s dressed like a pirate complete with tricorn hat, eyepatch, and boots!)
Lisa H on 22 Sep 2007 at 8:12 am #
Meg,
I wish I could see your collection of hot diggity dogs! My girlfriend and I could make alot of juvenile jokes about these dressed up dogs!
Your other collection sounds so beautiful. I’d love to come in my house and see pictures of my Grandma on a table. In fact, you have given me a great idea…
FreshEChelle on 22 Sep 2007 at 8:15 am #
My first Christmas away from my family, my mom’s sent me a gift that became my “must see” item for all guests. It’s her 1964 BOMC edition of Gone with the Wind printed in double columns. She had it rebound, because my carrying it to school repeatedly had destroyed the binding. The rebinding is beautifully done in red leather with gold lettering and she had my name embossed on the spine. It’s so special to me because of how memorable it made what I expected to be lonely Christmas. Now nobody is allowed to leave my home until they’ve ooh’d and aah’d over it.
doglady on 22 Sep 2007 at 8:21 am #
Love your LOTR standup, Suzanne! And the giraffe is perfect! Okay, Meg I have got to check out the Hot Diggity Dog collection. My half dachshund/half basset puppy needs some cuteness competition. Of course my first edition Byron is always on display on its own faux marble pedestal. My personalized autographed romance novels have their own place of honor as well. When I started winning romance writing contests (all two of them to date!) I decided I would treat myself to an antique teacup to commemorate each one. I have a great little display case in what is becoming my writing studio with all two teacups in it. Oh and I have all of my late husband’s chess sets on display in the livingroom. I tried to send him one from every country and several states to which I traveled when I was singing. He was like a little kid whenever I came home, “What’d you bring me?” I like having them around. They remind me of the places I have been and of the love of my life all at the same time.
Nicole Jordan on 22 Sep 2007 at 8:42 am #
I love your giraffe, too, Suzanne! But Kermit is just adorable. And Meg’s Dog collection sounds precious.
I put out a few pics of me jumping my horse over some big fences, so guests can properly appreciate him *G*. And books, of course. I have books everywhere.
Fresh, I can understand your feelings!! That’s a wonderful story, and your mom must be a very special mom.
Meg on 22 Sep 2007 at 9:13 am #
I found the entire Dog collection at a place called fun2collect.com. If you go there just click on the Hot Diggity Dog link on the left side of the screen and from there you can see the entire collecdtion. SO CUTE! And they have they cutest names, too.
Claudia Dain on 22 Sep 2007 at 9:21 am #
Well, I don’t know if I’m going to make *sure* they see it because they won’t be able to help seeing it: books. I have an honest-to-goodness library and it’s right off the kitchen and the foyer. Hard to miss! I think anyone who has ever come into my house has commented on how many books I have, and that’s before they’ve seen my office!
Turnaround being fair play, I am continually astonished at how many homes have NO books. Model homes will proudly display their bookshelves, a big selling feature, and they have a bowl, four books, and a potted plant on them. Very pretty, but where are the books? You could fit 1/100 of my stock of books on the average built-in bookcase in the typical home.
Every time my DH and I talk about downsizing, it always comes back to the same question: “What about all the books?” We’re staying put. The kids can move out, but not the books. *G*
Sabrina Jeffries on 22 Sep 2007 at 10:15 am #
I don’t think I own a single thing that I would insist upon people seeing. I mean, I love all my little things, but I don’t care enough to draw attention to them. Maybe my office as a whole, because I’ve got it done up so nicely (although I’m still working on it). I like the prints I have framed on one wall–the 1850’s map of London and the prints Liz Carlyle and Deb Marlowe gave me, soon to be joined by the lovely art Claudia gave me from England (when I get it framed). Oh, and my Currier and Ives prints. I couldn’t resist buying them–one shows a single man in the Victorian age and the other shows a married couple. I just love them.
dbrown3400 on 22 Sep 2007 at 10:37 am #
Like Claudia, my favorite thing is my book collection. I have about 700 books here in my room. I’ve listed 650 on my spreadsheet so far, some of them signed first editions, with signed limited editions as well. I have thousands of books in storage and want to get my other signed editions here when I can get over there.
I’m with you about people who have one or two or NO books in their homes. I know people who don’t read, not that they don’t know how, just that they don’t. They make excuses but it makes me sad that they miss the world available in books.
But my favorite new possession is a picture of my father with me and my brother when I was four and he was one sitting on Daddy’s lap that my brother unearthed. It’s wonderful.
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Sep 2007 at 10:48 am #
The hot diggity dogs sound adorable! And photos — I have a wall of photos I’ve taken of my nephews. Books, check, but for me it’s my research books. Ask anybody. I’m obsessed. In fact, I have to hopscotch into my office right now because I haven’t had time to put the new ones on the shelves.
Have I mentioned my life-sized Terminator exo-skeleton hand next to my television? That’s a good conversation piece. *g*
Karen on 22 Sep 2007 at 10:51 am #
I collect Dept 56 North Pole Series buildings/accessories and display these in bookcases in my two living rooms. I just want the Christmas feeling all the year round though my DH theatens me if I purchase anymore. He is so wonderful in ‘allowing’ me to purchase and display.
Cookiedough on 22 Sep 2007 at 11:15 am #
I have a set of African fertility gods that my parents brought back from a trip in the 60’s. I used to play with them as Barbie and Ken when I was child. maybe that’s why I had twins right off the bat! lol
In my twenties I took them with me and set them up proudly during my many moves from apt to apt. A friend jokingly bowed to them alot and whoops! pregnancy scare! I told her to stay away from them. she never went near them after that.
I also have an accordian from my late mom on display and her painting, as well as my sister’s paintings on display. I tried my hand at painting a beach scene.. with pretty good results, so that is up too.
I hate dusting though, so not too many nik naks are out at any given time.
Kermit and his banjo made me want to dig out my muppet show video!
I still have my sesame Street records and a Bambi record narrated by Shirley Temple as a teen. but they are in my closet, not on display.
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Sep 2007 at 11:40 am #
doglady, that’s great that you reward yourself with teacups. They’re something to be proud of.
And Cookiedough, fertility gods? That’s so cool! Another of those “no one else in the neighborhood has these” items.
Karen Rose on 22 Sep 2007 at 12:16 pm #
I collect masks and I love them. Each has a story. One is an African mask I bought in a seaside shop in Wales while visiting friends. One is from New Orleans, a special treasure. One is a demon sticking its tongue out from Mexico. And one I got from my three friends and RWA roomates when National was in Atlanta. It’s a beautiful mask, but the memory is sweeter!
Julia London on 22 Sep 2007 at 12:40 pm #
Thank you, Suzie. I have been DYING to see that giraffe!
Meg on 22 Sep 2007 at 12:50 pm #
I love to show off my library too. But since I have three little “men” running around the house, I have to keep the door closed unless I am in it. One of my favorite things in there that I like to show off is the autographed coverflat I have of Something Sinful by Suzanne Enoch.
When I found out that RWA was going to be in Atlanta, I HAD to go! Not long after I moved I had it put in a “floating frame” (that means if you turn it over you can also see what is on the back) and put in on a small wall that is right in front of the door to the library. Kind of hard to miss! Thanks Suzanne!!
Claudia Dain on 22 Sep 2007 at 1:43 pm #
Meg, what a great idea for displaying a cover flat! You could build up quite a collection.
I love the giraffe in the foyer! Talk about a conversation piece.
Sherri Erwin on 22 Sep 2007 at 2:25 pm #
My favorite thing is Puffy, my stuffed Pillsbury Dough Girl doll. I got her when I was a tot and just adored her and she’s still in darn good condition. I keep her at my writing desk and poke her belly when I’m lost for words. No one sees her. She’s all mine.
I love hearing about everyone’s great stuff. Books, Hot Diggety Dogs, African fertility gods, masks, a big giraffe, Kermit– so fun!
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Sep 2007 at 2:33 pm #
Wow, Meg, that’s so cool! I feel honored. I keep my autographed books on a special shelf — Hawkins, Quinn, Laurens. I’m a big fan, too.
Ronlyn on 22 Sep 2007 at 3:14 pm #
My books are all on display in my diningroom on the shelves under the aquarium.
We’re still in the getting organized part of unpacking and settling into our new (since May) house. (I had a baby in June, so that slowed the process WAY down.) We have an old family business poster (from the 1920s) with our family name on it prominently displayed, along with many photographs.
I have all sorts of really cool things that went to live in boxes when my oldest was born. Someday those things will reappear.
Brandy on 22 Sep 2007 at 9:50 pm #
My books. *g* When we moved into our house we were stumped as to where to place my bookshelves. I decided to use some sem-useless space and placed the shelves on the landing for out stairs. Everyone who has seen it has said “what a good idea” and “good gosh you have alot of books”!To be honest, I don’t really display many things.
Chantal on 23 Sep 2007 at 10:37 am #
I love your giraffe! I want one for my house.
THis is very highschool, but something I have on display is my collection of Johnny Depp pictures and posters.
Karen Hawkins on 23 Sep 2007 at 11:50 am #
I have SO got to visit your house, Suzanne. It’s like a cross between a movie set and Fantasy Land. I love it!!!
I am just getting things for my house, however, I do have a collection of ink wells and just started a collection of snuff boxes. I’m just not sure how to display them.
Isn’t finding the best place/way to display things the hardest part about collecting?
darkshire007 on 23 Sep 2007 at 2:01 pm #
My must have displayed are my pictures. I have pictures (collage style) that are photos of my family and friends doing different things. They are all done randomly; different frames, different eras (some are of my great grandmother), weddings, birthdays, births, and reunions. I have found over the years that people like to look at these and they are great conversation starters (when you have people over for poker night). There is one photo I get more questions about than any other and that is a tin type. This was taken in Ireland of my great grandmothers family (one great?). Anyhow, people are intrigued that it is a hard picture and that I have something that old.
cail on 24 Sep 2007 at 12:52 pm #
i’m extremely late on this one, but my must sees are my old baseball prints in my multipurpose room. they’re beautiful.