Monday, January 14, 2013

The Story of a Dough Bowl


Today I wanted to share the story of my dough bowl with you.  You may have noticed it sitting on our living room shelves a couple posts ago... it was a very special gift from my father-in-law who recently made it by hand for me.


 I've known for a while that he was making this for me and periodically he would share his progress, but when he gave the finished bowl to me on New Year's Day, I was simply in awe.  My father-in-law is very gifted when it comes to wood-working... it's his hobby and as long as I've known him, he's always whittling on a piece of wood in his down-time, but I was still blown away. 

A more perfect dough bowl there could not be in my eyes.  It was made from a pecan tree that had been cut down about 50 years ago and is large at 2 1/2 feet long. 


When I held it for the first time, I couldn't believe how perfectly the handles fit in my hands. Instead of being a simple straight cut, you can see here how rounded they are and were carved in a downward fashion to make handling comfortable.


I love every little detail, from the worm holes in the side of the bowl to the natural cracks in the wood.


The back of the bowl is every bit as beautiful as the front and so smooth that it's hard to comprehend what it looked like originally.


 I was thrilled when my father-in-law told me he had taken some pictures of the bowl in process and when he sent them to me this week, I knew I had to share them.  You can see here the piece of pecan wood he started with. 


The hollowing was created with a spade drill bit and a grinder.


As the bowl took shape, he used a wood roughing-out tool (Scorp) to smooth the inside before sanding.


  Afterwards he sealed the bowl with food safe Watco butcher block oil.  I love how the oil slightly deepens the color of the wood and gives it a finished look and feel.


 I'm not sure where the permanent home will be for our dough bowl, but for now it's displayed with some wintery pine cones. I don't feel like I could ever say thank you enough to my father-in-law for such a special gift - it's a treasure in my eyes. 


I thought I'd share this last picture with you as it makes me laugh... I frequently use our kitchen table for taking photos because the natural light is wonderful, particularly when it's dark and rainy out like today.  When I take pictures I'm often shooting around table clutter and little hands that love to help me "style"... see the pine cone tower?  (smile)

I hope you've had a great Monday!

54 comments:

  1. Oh Andrea, that is beautiful. What a wonderful gift that he gave to you to keep and then to pass down for many generations to come.

    What talented men you have in your family.

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  2. Wow, Andrea that is amazing that he made that and I loved seeing the process. What a very special gift.

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  3. I love the story behind it - what a beautiful treasure!

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  4. What a priceless gift from the heart and hands of a loved one. The dough bowl is just beautiful and it's wonderful you have pictures of the bowl's progress.

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  5. Andrea- That is a thing of beauty for sure. Amazing piece and a treasure of the heart. I LOVE that last picture! xo Diana

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  6. How beautiful.. even more so because he made it for you. What a story and a piece to pass down.
    Timeless treasure.
    Cheers, Gee

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  7. What a wonderful piece that will become a hand me down as a family heirloom.
    How special!

    Judy

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  8. I just love things like this. I have a wooden bowl that my Grandpa made for me more than 20 years ago. He was recently retired then (he'd had his own machine and welding shop) and he took up woodworking after selling the business. I treasure that bowl, as I know you will yours. Thanks for sharing. It's so unique and beautiful.

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  9. YOU ARE MUCH LOVED!! SMILE.

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  10. What a lovely piece !!! I love things made from hand ! Have a great day

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  11. That is truly a beautiful treasure....made with skill and love : )

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  12. First the beautiful bread board from Justus and now this wonderful bowl from his dad. You are blessed Andrea. I love the last two pictures. The close up of the bowl and once more your busy little assistant. Too sweet. Have a wonderful week.

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  13. What a treasure you have!!! Your father-in-law is a very talented man. I had know idea how much work went into crafting a bowl like yours.

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  14. Your dough bowl is indeed a beautiful treasure and something that will be passed down for generations. Your father-in-law is very talented and has such a wonderful heart to pay attention to the smallest of detail for you. That last photo was my favorite because of the way it connects that special bowl generationally. One day that bowl will be hers and she will have the memories of helping her mama style it for it's first photo shoot. Hope the rain goes away soon for you. I think peerhaps we are in the same vacinity as it has been raining here where I live in East Tennesse for days!

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  15. What a beautiful gift to treasure always!

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  16. What a lovely gift. Lucky you, Dear One.

    And what a lucky father-in-law. To have his heartfelt work, be so very much appreciated.

    Must show this post, to my wood-working husband. :-) He will love it!

    "Auntie"

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  17. You are one lucky lady! First the bread board from your hubby and now this lovely dough bowl, enjoy!

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  18. Wow! It's gorgeous! I'll take one, please! LOL.

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  19. What a beautiful gift! I would treasure that always!You are very lucky to have such a sweet and talented Father in law!
    xx
    Anne

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  20. Your dough bowl is not only gorgeous, but oh so special, since made by your father-in-law. I know a lot of love went into making that for you.
    Mary Alice

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  21. Your dough bowl is amazing! And extra wonderful because it was handmade with love!

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  22. Wow it's beautiful. To know that he went to so much loving care must mean so much to you and your husband. That's a piece that will be passed down forever. :)

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  23. My brother wood works, and it's incredible what he creates. I always look at the pieces as art. I know you probably do as well. I won't even use my cutting board that he made. He thinks that is ridiculous... ;)

    -Angie

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  24. Best kind of gift ever! A gift of love, time, and talent. I would suggest putting the details of who/how/what - maybe on the bottom of the bowl? That way when it is passed down to the next generations they will know the story of it and it hopefully won't end up at a thrift store somewhere. So grateful my dad and his mother before him did this or I would not know the sentimental value of some of the things I now have.

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  25. Hi Sweet Andrea,
    I believe your father in law made that for you with love because you are clearly lovely and wonderful with him. It is obvious in the way you speak. He must adore you. It made me think of my sweet father who passed away 3 years ago. He was always with a knife in one hand and a piece of wood in the other. We have 4 acres and he would walk around and pick up pieces. When we had the Amish build our barn, we talked about how I wanted my dad to carve me a cross for the loft inside my barn. He promised he would and then he passed before they even began building. When my barn was finally built and finished my heart ached at the though that my dear father would not be able to see it. He had always marveled at the amish and how they were perfectionists in their craft. He and his brothers all worked with wood and his father was a well known carpenter in his town all his life. I told my loving husband how sad I was. A few days later I saw my husband walking our property but never made the connection until I saw that he was spending extra time in our barn. As you guessed, he carved a rustic cross for me. Of course it will never be as polished and perfectly etched as my father would have made it, coming from a long line of carpenters blood running through his veins, but for me, his act of love made that rustic crooked cross the most beautiful I've ever seen. It hands above on the wall in my barn and every time I go to the loft I touch it, say a prayer and am thankful. Although my father never actually saw the barn or made the cross its as if he is there.
    xoxo
    Lisa
    Leeshideaway.blogspot.com

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    1. Lovely, sweet story. I'm glad you got your cross in your barn.

      -Angie

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  26. What a special gift from apparently a very special person to you. The bowl is gorgeous! It is obvious that your husband inherited his woodworking ability from his Dad. I was so impressed with the cutting board he made for you that I showed it to my Dad and he surprised me with his version which he made from scrap wood. I enjoy gifts made with care from the hands of someone as special as my Father or your father-in-law. Shannon

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  27. Oh my WORD!

    WOW WOW WOW WOW - I think that is about one of the most amazing gifts ever in the history of ever.

    Give him a huge hug from blogland - that is INCREDIBLE!

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  28. Now thats a keeper and family heirloom. Treasure it forever!!!

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  29. Andrea, what a heartfelt gift your father-in-law made for you. I so admire his ability to take a rough piece of wood and turn it into a work of art! So glad that he took pictures of the steps. What an heirloom to pass down to one of your girls!

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  30. Hi Andrea,
    Your father-in-law is so talented...and the patience he must have ;0)
    Such a lovely handmade dough bowl, a true one of a kind. Enjoy using it!
    All the Best,
    Christine

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  31. Gorgeous, what a wonderful treasure. A keepsake for sure!!!

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  32. That's what you call a gift from the heart. Pure love.

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  33. Perhaps someday those little hands will hold an heirloom bowl that her precious grandfather made for her mama many years before...

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    1. I love this thought.

      Amen! and ditto... to what Faye said here.

      A treasure indeed.

      Love this story.

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  34. That bowl is simply stunning! What a gift...a treasure for sure. SO wonderful that he took photos along the way.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  35. What a lovely gift. And the work in progress shots are just fascinating.

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  36. I adore this and the lovely story behind it. What a treasure!

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  37. THat is so beautiful! He is a very talented man, I can't beleieve he made that out of a length from a Pecan Tree. Love the pics:).Enjoy the rest of the week,
    Jen ps-The bread I baked didn;t turn out so hot, you make it look so easy. I am going to have to pick your brain before I make it again:).

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  38. How magnificent is that dough bowl....It is so wonderful that you have a treasure to keep in your family for generations to come...It is so great that he took pictures along the way, as i am sure these will accompany the bowl where ever "home" is....You are blessed to have such a thoughtful and talented father in law....as you can see, the dough bowl was definitely made from the heart...for the love of a daughter in law. You must beam with pride and smile every time you see the bowl..

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  39. A one of a kind gift that could never be replaced. He must have had something to do with your wonderful butcher block countertops too. You are a very lucky daughter-in-law.

    Lynn

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  40. Wow, he could sure sell these beauties!
    Brenda

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  41. Oh my goodness your dough bowl is absolutely gorgeous!! Your father-in-law is so talented and what a blessing for him to make you something so special!!

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  42. You are one fortunate daughter in law for sure! I love the bowl and the post :-)

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  43. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful bowl and post.

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  44. Andrea...It is absolutely beautiful. A labor of love to be treasured forever. And how wonderful that he took photos of the progress.

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  45. his gift is just amazing, andrea. the making of a family heirloom:)

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  46. Such a beautifully, touching gift! I'm sure you were speechless!

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  47. Wow! What a treasure! Love the last pic of your assistant stylist,
    Brenda

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  48. I have a large chunk of pecan at the shop......i know what i'm doing today :)

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