This lovely solid silver box was made in England circa 1850.  Its arrangement of small cherubs is placed in a pleasing design covering the lid. The lid is a little larger than palm size and mounted over a leather heart form base.
Small handmade hinges attach the lid to the base to hold the lid and box together. 
Boxes such as this held locks of hair, precious small notes , jewelry or anything of sentimental value to the owner. 
I have seen small keys inside that opened great boxes containing valuable pieces of gold and silver.  A small box such as this can hold the keys to a much larger fortune.
I have a similar box on my dresser at home and in it are my great-grandmother’s hair pins, one of her rings, a few dried rose buds, small jeweled hat pins and her spare house key.  I have never emptied it as they represent her life to me. 
She often left things behind that may seem ordinary but, they take me back to a time when things seemed so wonderfully ordinary.  I would love to have a few days like that now and I know you would, too.
When I appraise pieces such as this for my clients, I ask them where their a piece came from and to tell me its story. I appraise things weekly that turn from “old stuff” into “family history” by talking about who may have owned it. The keys to many bits about your family are often held within their possessions.
I hope you will look again at things you may have overlooked.  These things we take for granted are most valuable as they connect us to places and times.
My recipe this week comes from Chuck’s aunt Bobbie Corley Fuller of Springdale.  She passed away a few years ago but this recipe keeps her memory alive.  
She often made party mints in the shape of a heart with a mold.  What makes these mints special at Christmas is the love Aunt Bobbie showed us. We love that we keep a little of her with us at family parties, weddings, showers and Christmas time. Traditions are born of caring and love for others. 
I wish each of you joy and peace as you enjoy your family’s yearly traditions. To create a tradition of your own- Aunt Bobbie’s mints may be the thing. 
Merry Christmas!
Aunt Bobbie’s Mint Recipe
2 cups confectioners’ sugar- sift twice
1 stick of room temperature salted butter
1 tsp clear vanilla 
Use the flavoring of your choice and food coloring (1/2 tsp) if you want to color them
I make them their natural color and add small bit of peppermint extract.
Mix all together. I wear gloves due to the food coloring and peppermint extract.
Press at room temperature into molds. If you do not have molds, roll flat on waxed paper over half a cookie sheet.  Cut out with tiny cookie cutters or cut into squares before it begins to cool and harden.
Store in protective packaging - perfect for party favors.