Living in a grandmother's house!

Houses collect ornaments; especially houses where children and grandchildren lurk in the background.
In truth, the house is not the collector: rather it is the result of a remark like: "oh! penguins are lovely creatures" that informs those who want to make gifts to a grandmother that a penguin of one sort or another would be well received.
This is just one of a number of penguin ornaments in our house; this one being useful in that he or she, -I'm not sure how you tell the sex of an ornamental penguin, or a live one for that matter - keeps good time.

Grandfathers tend to buy their own ornaments. This one, made from nuts and bolts, was bought as a golf trophy for a small group of players who were wont to go off to France for a week each year.

This is a picture of Chamouille near to Laon, where they went. A delight worthy of a good trophy.

Occasionally, you see 'something different' while on holiday which somehow rings true of where you are, an example being this shepherd who was brought back from Sardinia. 

Of course, there are the uncategorised trophies that remain, usually in obscure corners,  out of consideration for the givers. 

But such gifts are balanced by the slightly more elegant cat who sits in a place where she can be seen by all.

You may understand why someone should think of a cat for a gift when you pass by this selection of the recipient's own choice of ornaments. Note the mouse!

Personally, I favour this pair of angels who, in the picture, have managed to hang their feet in a reasonable position but who when not being photographed sit with them back to front. I can only assume they are holding binoculars, if that's what they are, so that they can keep an eye open for us wherever we are.

Grandchildren sometimes put in great efforts to make gifts for a grandmother which fill her life ever after with love and affection for the thought and work that went into making them.  Here are two such:  Chloe's bell and Leonie's butterdish.

Grandfathers, more often than not, must resign themselves to enjoying the 'offerings to a grandmother'. I like this one: at least he has the courtesy to look into the camera when being photographed!

"How long have I got to sit here with my hand stuck in my ear?"