Comfort Writing

It occurred to me today that I am being drawn to comfort writing - you know, just like comfort food, comfort writing feels good, homey, and gives me the sense that all is right in the world.

I just read The Kitchen Linens Book by EllynAnne Geisel (actually I read it again!). This is a great example of comfort writing. My daughter gave me the book for my birthday and I took it with me when I recently stayed with my 90 year old aunt. My aunt really enjoyed the book and brought out some vintage linens to give me, including a hot pad that is a cluster of oranges made by my grandmother! The book has a "purple" example that is a cluster of grapes. The orange "grapes" are crocheted around cork-lined bottle caps. I am sure that the choice of orange over purple was an easy one. Orange and browns and yellows and greens were some of my grandmother's, and are my aunt's and my favorite colors.

I have been "rescuing" vintage linens from thrift shops and yard sales for a number of years. I am thrilled when I find a piece that has a interesting design or a great feel to the fabric. When I told that to my aunt recently, she laughed and said that is what my Mom called it, rescuing, when she bought quilt tops and pieces from thrift shops and yard sales. My appreciation for fabric and handwork comes directly from my Mother who was an accomplished seamstress and quilter. My Mom and her handiwork is a great topic for future comfort writing.

Vintage linens are treasures and writing about them is very comforting.