I like useful gifts. You’ll often hear people joke that husbands should never give their wife a vacuum cleaner or microwave as a gift or else they’ll be in the doghouse. I would be thrilled to get either if it was something I needed.
After all these years my immediate family knows I prefer useful gifts. The girls might get me cleaning supplies or my favorite shampoo or even my favorite snacks.
Matt often gets me things for the garden, but this year he surprised me for my birthday with an old bowl.
He loves to shop for various things on Ebay and that’s where he found it. The bowl came from Oklahoma and the seller said it belonged to her grandmother who loved the bowl and used it for everything from salads to making breads.
The bowl has some flaws on the outside in a few places but still feels sturdy and solid. I don’t think it is terribly old. I think it was made sometime in the 70s or 80s, but I guess that’s getting to be pretty old to most people 🙂
Matt knew I would love it because it is a good size and it once belonged to a grandmother who enjoyed feeding her family out of it. He was right, I love it.
Last night’s video: The Family History & Stories of Opal Corn Myers.
Tipper
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I love my mother’s and grandmother’s old dishes. I love your channel as well as the Presley Girls and Paul’s posts. I know we must be kin!
I’ve been feeling sorta puny this last week or so and all I’ve done is sleep. I’ve not caught up on videos or reading until today. Many birthday blessings to you Miss Tipper. May God bless and keep you. That’s a lovely bowl by the way. Matt surely has good taste:)
It looks like you had a pretty great birthday. Matt did good that bowl is so pretty. It might be orange bread worthy! I bet one of the best things was granny being up there with you all, what a blessing. Happy Birthday again
Happy birthday
I’m so glad that I’ve discovered you and your blog. I started to become “reinterested” in Appalachia about a year or so ago and this SoCal gal hopes to visit your part of the country before too long.
Vivian xxx
Beautiful!!! And so sweet !!!
I love old bowls. ♥️ Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Tipper!
That’s a nice bowl. It would make a good bread dough bowl. I hope you have many years of use with it.
Happy late birthday,yall are like family to me ,I look forward to seeing yall ,,it was good to see Granny.
I agree about useful presents. I once received a weed whacker and needed it. It was very much appreciated. That bowl might not mean much to some people but it seems special to you because Matt chose it knowing it was something you would appreciate and since it included the history you would also appreciate. He could have spent a lot more on something others would think were expensive or elaborate that would not mean nearly as much to you. I would feel the same way. I’ll bet that grandmother who owned it would appreciate your having it too. Its future will continue to be meaningful as you use it. Stories like this are just another example of why you are so popular with like-minded people. I appreciate that some of the things I have used are continuing to be used by the people I have shared them with. Even things as simple as baskets my family used in harvesting the gardens we used to have are being used and cared for by people I have passed them on to. Thanks for sharing the story about the bowl.
And I have to say I love hearing Ira and Woody talk. They are so sweet and special, especially since my grandchildren are older. I miss that age of wonder and learning. Thanks for allowing us to hear them.
I love useful gifts that can be used around the house, for cooking, canning, or cleaning. Pretty things have their place but useful is the best!
When my grandma passed away pretty much everyone want her pretty stuff so my dad, aunts and uncles decided to do a silent auction for all of her possessions. I didn’t have much money at that time in life so I didn’t get anything that was pretty, but what was not taken I got to go through. There was jewelry, kitchen utensils, pictures and other things. I got her jewelry, her kitchen utensils, especially her rolling pin, and some pictures. Those items mean so much to me, whenever I use them, wear them or look at them, I think of her, and my dad.
So glad you have this pretty bowl to use, excellent choice Matt!!
Tipper, to piggyback on B.N.D. Miller’s historic information; the timeframe of the company and the Oklahoma origin just cover the 1888 Oklahoma land rush. Even though she mentioned that they shipped to the west and northwest, what if it were a family that moved from Ohio or thereabouts, carrying the bowl with them? History’s threads have an astonishing way of ending up making a tighter weave than we would first imagine.
Now at 71 years old and with the death of so many family members and friends, many of them lifelong, I now tell my son and two grandsons, the most valuable and meaningful gift they can give me is TIME to be together and be able to enjoy being with them during my remaining time on earth. Later on today, I am going to another one my lifelong friend’s funeral visitation. There is only One that knows the answer to this question, “how much longer before it’s my time?”
What a beautiful bowl! Great find and great gift Matt! Oh, the stories that bowl must have about its use and the hands who used it. I am sure you will be pondering on them while your own hands are making some good eats for the family, adding next chapters of your own to its story. I am like you Tipper – preferring practical and useful gifts – and my husband actually did buy me a vacuum for Christmas one year! 🙂
Tipper, you a lovely piece of pottery for your birthday..Matt did good!!!
That “old” bowl seems beautiful to me. Hippo Birdies Two Ewes Tipper dear.
I’m with you Tipper. I much prefer useful gifts. My wife, kids and grandkids know this so they typically give me tools since it’s impossible for a man to have too many tools.
well, i found a very similar bowl online from 1896, the only way i can think to send the picture here is to link to my own post: https://www.facebook.com/elithea.whittaker/posts/pfbid02hq4rAYuqCZ7WrUpg7KCQ7wdxifhQ6RRKYVUsMxPquHJVMxZJaXbRp3EugV1XDECtl
it’s not burford, but cartwright, and it says one is also in east liverpool, oh, where burford was: VERY RARE ANTIQUE PRE 1896 CARTWRIGHT POTTERY WHITE SEMI-PORCELAIN BOWL. SIMILAR BOWL ON DISPLAY IN EAST LIVERPOOL,OHIO POTTERY MUSEUM. CRAZING AND HAIRLINES THAT DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH. CLEARLY MARKED ON THE BOTTOM. BEADED EDGE UNDER THE OUTER RIM. 13-1/2″ TOP DIAMETER AND 6-1/4″ BOTTOM DIAMETER. HEAVY—OVER 5-7/8 POUNDS WITHOUT PACKING MATERIALS. “
Elithea, Wow! Thank you for sharing that information 🙂
When I watched the video of your birthday supper that your family had for you and I saw you open Matt’s gift, I knew you would love it. Matt is so very thoughtful & did his research well on the gift. Hope you will enjoy using it for many years to come. Happy Birthday!
First Happy extended Birthday, Tipper! I don’t like to say belated because it makes me think of what we say about those who have pasted on. I like extended because it is a continuation to celebrate life. Matt, did good in picking out the perfect gift for you buying that bowl. I think it’s a pretty bowl and one I can see you pondering what the grandmother made in it while you make one of your delicious recipes in it. I too prefer useful gifts, handmade gifts or simply spending time with me. My family knows I am at a point in my life that I just don’t really need anything, in fact I’m starting to give things away that I know I no longer use, but these things mean something to me so I’m giving them to family or friends if they want what I’m offering. If not then I donate the item to a local charity thrift store. I watched a video on YouTube where the home owner unexpectedly passed leaving a distant cousin his entire house filled with all the years of things he and his wife who had passed before him to deal with. The couple had no children, no other family, except for the distant cousin who lived 10 or 12 hrs away. The cousin didn’t want to deal with the house after seeing how packed it was, even thought the man kept it clean and somewhat organized. He asked a local realtor to ask if any of his buyers wanted to buy the house as is, because he didn’t want to put it on the market for showings. He said he would pay to have a company clean it out of all the contents. A young woman who was looking to buy a house was contacted. After her and her father looked at the house she made an offer, with the condition that the entire contents of the house was included in the price she offered. The cousin agreed and the young woman bought her first home for $97, 000. She calls it “The Treasure House”. Her videos are fun and interesting as she goes through the house contents. After her grandmother came to look at the house the young woman said her grandmother went home and started cleaning out her house. When the young woman asked her grandmother why she was giving her things away, she replied “I’m a givin, so I know where it’s a goin!”. I thought that was the smartest thing I’ve ever heard, so I started doing the same. I always ask my daughter first, then my granddaughter, niece, nephews, or close friends if they want what “I’m a givin” and if not then I decide which charity it goes to, so “I know where it’s a goin”. This way if I pass my family won’t have to deal with an overload of my things. Now my husband, well he said he’s keeping all his stuff until he’s gone, so my daughter will have her hands full getting rid of his things…lol. Anyway, sorry for getting off track, but I have no doubt that the grandmother that had cherished her bowl would be thankful it now belongs to you. It’s like in some small way her story continues through the use of that bowl each time you use it. I don’t know if I’m explaining my thoughts right, but for some reason I know if nobody else doesn’t get what I’m saying, you will Tipper.
Christine, thank you for sharing! Miss Cindy did the same thing and it gave her pleasure knowing she had taken care of everything and found the best home for it 🙂
Beautiful bowl! Older items are so much better than the things that are being made today, and I love that the items have had a history…..hopefully a very good one! Happy belated Birthday.
Love the bowl. It’s special. I still have my grandma’s crock bread bowl. Must be close to 100 by now and it’s a miracle that I still have it and that it’s not broken. I had lost most a good share of my possessions. Like your Miss Cindy, I pick up things at resale shops and always look at old glass bowls. They’re pretty, last forever and so useful. A pain to store because they take up so much room but better than stackable Tupperware for good health. Plastic has it’s place but can’t replace a heavy duty glass bowl. ps Happy Belated Dbl Nickel!
Hi Tipper! This looks like a Burford pottery mark and it may be older than you think. They used a globe with 2 laurel leaf branches and were out of Ohio. Great present!
I am hoping someone will recognize the stamp to identify the maker of the bowl.
I like to do something for a birthday or holiday versus get something. But I feel the same as you about a useful gift. In my eyes it’s more meaningful that the person knows I’ll use it on a regular basis. They truly KNOW me. And that’s the blessing.
Tipper,
I’m the same way! I’m fact I request it, get me something from a thrift store or garage sale. it’s nice for things to be reused or repurposed!
and that bowl is lovely!
happy late birthday!
Such a a pretty, big bowl, and so much thoughtfulness in the giving of it! Lovely to know its usefulness will continue on in your family. I have bowls I use from my grandparents and great grandparents and I think of them every time I see them or use them.
A useful present my parents gave me as a teenager every fall was my hunting license. If times were good, there might be a box of .22 cartridges or a box of 12-gauge Federal Monarch shells.
“Burford Brothers was founded by brothers Oliver, George and Robert Burford. This potter was in existence from 1882 to 1902.”
According to Google lens search.
Gene, I wrote about this before. My Daddy had been out of work of work with pneumonia in the weeks before Christmas when I was as about 12 years old. You know in the past years no work meant no paycheck. My aunt asked me what I would like to have for Christmas, I asked for a box of 16 ga. Remington Express number 6 shot shells. That was the first full box of 25 shells I had ever had. I used them for squirrels or rabbits. Meat for our table.
I think that bowl might be older than that. I’d love to know what is marked on the edge under the porcelain stamp encircled by laurels. I have an old porcelain bowl, and it dates back to the 1900s. I absolutely love your bowl! I’m your viewer that posts as VirginiaBred.
Tipper, I agree with you. Practical, useful gifts have always made the most sense to me. That beautiful old bowl should serve you and your family well for many years.
I love getting useful gifts. I don’t need knickknacks everywhere.
Happy Belated Birthday Tipper! The older I get, I find myself really liking gifts that are more practical than those that need to be “saved back” for special occasions or to look at and have to dust.
I really enjoy your videos and read the blog daily but rarely comment.
I’m planning my fall garden and next years garden. I think that I’m going to follow Matt’s suggestion of “planting what you “know” next year. I love to plant different varieties of tomatos. For the past several years I planted only heirlooms, but had poor production and problems with pests. I love Cherokee purples and did plant a couple of this year that did well. I did find a hybrid tomato “Purple boy” which did really well, didn’t crack, didn’t develop bottom rot and tasted very very similar to the Cherokee purple. Celebrity plus also did well, a hybrid of the heirloom Celebrity. Good producer, disease resistant and delicious.
May God richly bless you this next year. Love on Granny and the boys.
It is a lovely bowl and I loved that he had the backstory on it. He sure knows his lady! I am like you, I’d be very pleased to get a vacuum if I needed it. In fact a sturdy, pretty, handmade broom has been on my “gift list” for years. This last year for Christmas my husband got me fermenting supplies and I loved it.
The bowl is a lovely gift. And I imagine it will be used in preparation of many a Pressley family meal. Sounds like it was well loved and will continue to be by your caring hands.
Good morning. I agree with you, Tipper, about useful gifts. It took a long time to convince my hubby that I love to get new pots and pans and dishes. I love cooking, so when I need new cookware, it makes a wonderful gift. I also love old things. The bowl Matt gave you for your birthday is so pretty. Some of my favorite things belonged to my grandma or mama, or were made by hubby. He made me a wooden fruit bowl and cooking utensils. They are precious to me. He continues to work on the treehouse for our grandkids. He is using boards he made from a tree we cut down in our yard. The children are so excited. They will make many memories playing and hanging out in it for many years to come. Have a blessed day and thanks again for sharing your lovely birthday celebration with us.
It’s beautiful! Matt’s not only a hard worker and provider, now we know he’s a great gift giver! Y’all have a great day! Your friend in SC, Jane ♥️
Your bowl is way older than you think. Just think of where it has been and who all must have treasured it for it to still be here this long. Such a precious gift. Well done Matt. …. Burford Brothers Pottery
Burford Brothers (1879-1904)
The Burford Brothers Pottery (founded in East Liverpool Ohio by Oliver, Robert, and George W.) began producing floor and wall tiles in 1879. After three unsuccessful years, they completely changed focus and began to produce ironstone and c.c. ware (short for cream colored ware, or common clay ware). By 1887 there were two kilns producing ware, with an annual production of $50,000. They shipped all over the United States, but mainly to the west and northwest. They eventually made hotel ware, and ware they called ‘porcelain’ but which was not porcelain. Some backstamps refer merely to ‘B.B.’, or ‘Burfords’. In 1904, the brothers went out of business, selling their pottery to the Standard Pottery Company. (information compiled by S. W. Vodrey mainly from the Gates/Ormerod book on backstamps and marks)
Barbara, thank you for sharing that information!
I wish that I had anything from the kitchens of my grandma and nana’s kitchen. What a treasure even though it was not your very own relative’s bowl. Now your grandsons will be able to enjoy your cooking with that part of your history. Matt is very thoughtful and takes real good care of you.
Happy belated Birthday Tipper.
And many more ……
Tipper, I am like you, I had lot rather get something I want or need and can use for a present. Many times I have asked for some type of tool, nothing big or expensive, maybe just a certain wrench. One year, my father in law gave each of his son in laws a case of antifreeze for Christmas. I enjoyed and appreciated getting that a lot more than clothes. I read this one time, it had to do with Christmas, birthdays and children, it was children are suppose to have clothes and other necessities they need during the year, Christmas or birthdays is the time for them to get some of their wants. I realize there were times in my family as a child when necessities were all my parents could buy, there was no money for our wants. I think this was true for a lot of us older ones.