One reason I loved visiting my grandmother was because her house was filled with interesting knick-knacks and pictures. I particularly liked her collection of small animal figures which she kept in a large curio cabinet. And framed family pictures were liberally distributed on top of most of the end tables and open shelves in the parlor and dining room. This type of elaborate frame was saved for the very special formal portraits of engagements, weddings, and children. My grandmother told me many family stories based on these old photos.