19-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Tuesday, December 22, 1914: <<no entry>>
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
After Grandma and Grandpa’s children grew up, they built a small bungalow on my uncle’s farm. This is where they lived when I was a child.
Since Grandma didn’t write anything a hundred years ago today, I’d like to repost a picture of Grandma and me that shows what the kitchen in the bungalow looked like.
This is wrote when I originally posted it on July 31, 2013:
Others who have family history blogs often have awesome pictures of themselves with the relative they are writing about—and I’m always slightly jealous.
The few pictures that I have of me with Grandma have many limitations. Time has taken a toll on the color, the picture has lighting problems or is blurry, and so on.
But, in spite of the poor quality of the picture above, I really like this photo so I decided to share it with you.
A Hundred Years Ago 
About the kitchen picture–if you have a nice scanner with a photo adjustment program (I have a Cannon) or photoshop–you can try adjusting the colors and tone. I have had a lot of luck with old photos and making them look almost new–instead of with a red or blue cast. You can remove the flash showing in the window by “cloning” pixels from other glass portions that are the right hue. Blurry can’t be fixed–but I got into this just by Googling how to repair and retouch old photos. Give it a try!
Thanks for the very helpful information. I didn’t know that you could remove the flash. If I could get rid of that, it would make a world of difference in the photo. When I get a little time after the holidays, I need to experiment with this.
Awww, sweet picture, it’s nice that it’s a natural family moment 🙂
Yes, I think that the naturalness is what I really like about this photo.
Simply love the photo. Quality is by no means everything!
You’re absolutely right–though I still wish that the quality was just a little higher. 🙂
Could you get it professionally ‘fixed,’ if you would like the quality enhanced. I know it could take away from the authenticity but may well be worth a try?
It’s such a precious photo of you and your Grandma. Thank you for sharing. I can see why it is such a treasure to you. 🙂
It’s nice to hear that you liked it.
How special is that picture! I’m sure it brings back memories each time you look at it. And to know that SHE wrote this diary (and the little girl in the picture has shared it with us) just makes the picture even more meaningful!
You described it very nicely. The photo also takes me back to memories that I’d almost forgotten.
A wonderful picture! I really like it for it has caught the normal side of life. Looks like you needed something or wanted to tell her something that was great news!
I think that my mother probably took the photo–and (even though my eyes are shut in the photo) I may have been looking at her.
Well, I’m jealous that you have a “few” pictures of you with your grandma. I only have one of mine, taken at my third birthday party. It will be popping up in a post in the new year, so you’ll have a chance to see it.
Love the details in this photo, especially the table that looks just like the one in our kitchen when I was growing up, and the camera bag on the table. Most of all, I love seeing your grandmother paying attention to you, just like you’re paying attention to her today.
I think that the camera bag on the table was my mother’s. It’s surprising how few photos there are of some people. I’m looking forward to seeing the photo of your grandmother in a future post.
Actually, that is a really special photo for that time. It is not posed and is in the kitchen. Your grandma’s kitchen brings back memories for me. I am currently scanning all my Dad’s slides and the ones I like the most are of the inside of our house, furniture, knickknacks and wallpaper choices.
I also really like photos that show the inside of relatives’ homes, as well as the home where I grew up. They really help re remember details that I’d long forgotten.
Your picture is beautiful! It’s real and tender and perfect.
It is nice. I’m glad you like it.
I took the liberty of adjusting your photo. You can download it to your desktop to keep.
Thank you! Your adjustments make it much better. It was very kind of you to take time to do this. I really appreciate it.
My pleasure. It didn’t take much time. Sadly, the colors were quite faded. But, enough was still there to come through.
Glad you liked it.
What a blessing you are, Jim. That was so thoughtful of you.
What a sweet gesture. What a pleasure to see it in more detail…
She gives the impression of a woman of wit who knows how to make herself useful, much like the impression you get from the diary. I can imagine many lovely memories.
Yes, she had a sense of humor, and she knew how to work. 🙂
Wonderful photo, and so similar to one I have with my mom. She must be around 50? Such great details, like the Formica table; do you remember spending time here in this kitchen with her?
She would have been in her early 60s when this photo was taken. The kitchen has such a wonderful 1950s look to it. My grandparents lived just over the hill from my family so I often visited them. I can remember frequently sitting at that table.
Imagine how interested she would have been to know that the little grandchild would grow up to write about her life! Jane
She would have been absolutely amazed!
I like these old photos that don’t look posed or too prettified. They seem to speak of an era and capture the authentic look of the time and the people. I’m glad you have this photo!
I’m glad that I have it, too. It’s interesting how photos from different eras have different looks.
I love, love, love seeing these photos!
It’s wonderful to hear that you “love, love, love” seeing this photo. 🙂
memories – we used to have a table just like that – in red!
I’ve love the look of these old formica tables. Red sounds awesome. 🙂
that is amazing how that pic could be my Grandmother’s kitchen! 🙂 Merry Christmas Sheryl!
Grandma and Sheryl. How delightful. Thank you for a glimpse into the past.
Thanks for the kinds words. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
So strange to see your grandmother in this more modern environment – it really is a reminder of the amazing changes that happened in her lifetime! A lovely souvenir for you.
It is amazing. The only constant is change. 🙂
A treasured photo, for sure.