Show and Tell Friday: Grandpa’s cabins

Posted on by

show-and-tell.jpg My husband’s father was partially disabled the last several years of his life after a fall from a ladder resulting in a torn hamstring. Later heart health issues further drained his energy. He had always been an active man and it was very hard for him to sit back and take it easy for very long.

At one point, just for something creative to do, he began making small log cabins. If I remember correctly, he gave several away. My husband gave him the idea of selling some on ebay. He didn’t have a computer, so he shipped some to us and my husband took the pictures and set it all up, explaining that he was a WWII vet in his retirement years. To his dad’s surprise and delight, they sold. He was excited and made several more and shipped them to us. They sold very well for a time, and then interest dropped off. But it was amazing to see the joy and energy that came about just as a result of having something useful and profitable to do.

We had enough leftover cabins to keep a couple on display and to keep one in the attic for each of the boys to take with them, if they want to, to remember Grandpa by. He passed away several years ago, and now these cabins are a remembrance of him.

We keep our two at the top of the bookcases that came with this house.

Grandpa's cabin

I took one down to get some close-up pictures.

Grandpa's cabin

Grandpa's cabin

Grandpa's cabin

I always especially liked the chimney. I am not sure what kind of rocks these are.

Chimney

I’ve wished that the roof came off or the back could be removed and I could place some small furniture and rugs and such in there, but it is all very firmly attached. I’ve thought about placing a rocking chair on the little front porch, a welcome mat. etc. Where we have them now those kinds of things wouldn’t be seen. But maybe some day I’ll do that. But they are nice just as they are in all their rustic simplicity.

Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.“

27 thoughts on “Show and Tell Friday: Grandpa’s cabins”

  4. Wow, the intricate work is astounding! I had chills reading the story you shared….lovely and heartwarming. Those cabins are a definite heirloom to hold on to, dearly!!!

    My S n T is posted. Drop by if you can find time, won’t you?

  5. wow that is spectacular !!! That sure would be neat to display furnishings inside.. what would Grandpa say to that ??? Great craftsmanship too !!!

    Mica

  6. So wonderful that you were able to add a spark to his life with the wonderful idea of his selling them on E-Bay. It is so important for us to stay active.
    Susan

  8. What a wonderful legacy! They are amazing.

    Thanks for stopping by today. I put an “edit” at the bottom to tell where the books can be found now.

  10. I how lovely, i would love to build something like this. Love the Cabin. You are so sweet to left me a comment. hope we can become better acquainted.
    “Have a lovely weekend.”
    Jeannene

  11. Those are so neat! I love log cabins anyway, and they make perfect decorations. What a neat story about selling them on ebay. I am glad that your felt useful after not being to do normal “stuff”. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading that. 🙂

  12. Hi Barbara! What wonderful cabins – they look very authentic. Like you, I think the chimney is fantastic. What a sweet memory! Blessings, Q

  14. I love these! When I was in first grade I had a wonderful teacher and he had us make all sorts of neat things. I still have my log cabin I made then. These are nicer made, but considering I made mine in first grade I’m pretty proud of it too. Maybe I’ll post it in a show and tell some friday.

    They look so nice and how wonderful that they’re something personal too. I wonder if you tried again if they would sell again. The internet can be a fickle market place.

    How wonderful that he got such joy from sharing a wonderful craft!

  18. Those are just precious, Barbara! Your grandfather was very talented – the chimneys are my favorite part, too! I’d love to live in a log cabin, so these are right up my alley. :o)

    Have a fabulous and blessed wknd!

  19. These are just beautiful! Just as they are… but it would indeed be fun sometime to add a rocker on the front porch, a welcome mat, etc.

    Thanks for sharing!

    (By the way, I have the photo up on mine now. I can’t believe I forgot that! Thanks for telling me it wasn’t there.)

  23. Those little log cabins are indeed special! How nice that you have such a sweet remembrance of him, and one for each of your boys too!

    Katherine

    Yellow Rose Arbor

  25. What a precious little cabin your father in law made, I can’t get over all the details, he certainly did beautiful work. I think it’s awesome that you kept a couple to give the children in remembrance of their grandpa!! xo

  26. What a talented man and what a keepsake for you and your family. Such a charming reminder of someone you love.

    Kimmie
    mama to 6
    one homemade and 5 adopted

  27. That is just so cute! What a wonderful treasure! My dad would probably enjoy making something like that, I should tell him.

    Blessings! Sharon

Comments are closed.