Thursday 29 August 2013

So it's 19??...........


Thank you for calling in - it is greatly appreciated that this blog is read as I often think it is just floating around not doing very much, twiddling its thumbs, searching for a purpose, a puzzled look on its face and I begin to wonder why I write it.  I will reply to kind comments on the previous post later today and intend to blog visit this evening (I will leave a calling card should you not be available for visitors today)

This is the last of the 'table setting' photographs for now - I will be in danger of boring the pants off you all by just showing each meal time for each day and nothing else.  These were taken back in July when Dom decided to set out food a la 1970s (though I do not recall ever eating an avocado in 1970s - cucumber was about as exotic as it got I think!)



I like a nice colourful spread at meal times


All of the china shown was bought from local charity shops before the 'vintaajh darlink' craze went a bit crazy











When the children were little  I remember using this tablecloth for  a picnic in a park - the children were very embarrassed that we were the only family using a tablecloth...I reminded them that standards should be maintained all times.....

If you are not so fond of red tablecloths this particular design is available in other colours.......


I have also seen it in green.  I DO NOT HAVE THE GREEN VERSION


What do you think I am tablecloth crazy!!!

Sadly I no longer have my wonderful Pixie Grippa 1930s portable record player (I cannot keep EVERYTHING)....something else that I would amuse the children with and play tiny child sized records on it.  I used to take into their school to show them how people 'lived long ago' ('But mum we gallop around to this all the time'....' 'Sshh dear'....) (I still have the records...)



Dragging out an old china favourite for Dom's scones.


If we were to enter the GBBO I would be the one NOT following the recipe and Dom would be the one carefully measuring out and getting it exactly so....the differences between us.... I also paint AROUND furniture, move in BEFORE paint is dry (using a hairdryer if need be..),  NOT read instructions on how to use my camera, spend much longer trying to figure out MY OWN way of doing things... so on and so on...

I get a teeny bit frustrated by Dom's reading of instructions and he gets a teeny bit frustrated by my not reading of instructions.....'If you had read the instructions...' is  familiar resound in our house.

Dom did not make the jam in this instance - but this afternoon I am making lemon curd with the children







Ending with some photos of Maille earlier this year - I bought her this NEW skirt and made her dress up a la 70s and she kept shaking her head and asking if other mothers were like this.....



We have indeed moved back a few decades in our house




'What are we going to do....'



'I give up'.....




'No hope'



Give us a twirl









You do this too don't you....

PS: I am attempting to write a tutorial for a weekend bag that I have made.....taking a very long time about it - it will appear eventually.

PPS: Hurtling towards C.......s alright already...

PPPS: Enjoy the last rays

PPPPS: It has been nice not working over the last couple of weeks....
































42 comments:

  1. oh custard.....i too lament the days before vintage got popular....i used to pick up treasures for pennies! i have a dresser full of china that cost me pennies and if i tried to buy it all now would cost me hundreds!!!..tablecloths are also a passion of mine..i have one my mother can remember her grandmother sewing when she was a little girl...i love holding and looking at them and wondering who made them..and realise every stitch WAS made with love because no one would invest that much time and energy into it if they didn't love it...so much so i have just finished my own..has taken me one and a half years to sew! please pop over and see it on my blog...doing a post on it today x i have very much envy of all your treasures x x

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    1. Those were the days my friend......
      How lovely to have heirloom tablecloths - I have one that my grandmother made in the 1930s though it is a little threadbare now. Embroidery is a wonderment I think
      Thank you for letting me know about your blog - when I clicked on your name it tells me that I cannot view those pages. Would you have a link that I could click on please?
      Many thanks
      Kind regard
      Jenny

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  2. YES!! I Love reading about your crockery and tablecloths.
    often "Pop in " to see your treasures.
    Please keep it up.

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    1. Aww - thank you ella - I will keep going for now!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  3. I too love reading about your treasures. We take a tablecloth and matching napkins in our little picnic basket.
    Julie xxxxxx

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    1. Hurray - good for you Julie. Napkins is really pushing the boat out!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  4. love the pattern on your bowls. I'm jam-making today, seems like a good day for it!

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    1. Yes indeed - I hope that it turned out well
      I am just eating the lemon curd straight from the jar....
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  5. Loving the blue/olive tablecloth Jenny!! Yes it is that sticky time of the year... I made blackberry and apple Jelly and jam yesterday... now out of jars! and i need to make another batch of chutney soon so hope some more jars come through the grapevine soon. Have a lovely weekend. Cx

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    1. Thank you Cass - that particularly tablecloth also comes in a range of colours....oh dear
      That jam sounds lovely and I LOVE home made chutney though the children cannot bear the smell of making it sadly

      Take care
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  6. It has been wonderful having 8 weeks off!

    But I do so love the turn of the seasons...that nip in the evening that woodsmoke smell....ahhh

    I too love that last tablecloth...and we all love your blog...

    Do please try to press on with the bag tutorial...not good at waiting patiently...
    bestest d xxx

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    1. I trust that you are nicely rested miss Daisy

      Indeed - a nice crisp Autumn is a delight
      Thank you for kind blog words - I will do tutorial but not too happy about one that I have made so far so need to start again....tried to get my piping in a better order!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  7. Oh yes the vintage craze - replica apple crates in a vintage shop recently selling for £35 each - even the shop owner said some sellers are just getting gready. Sad. I miss out on many a treasure because I won't pay out for them, clearly they were not meant to be mine! X

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    1. Good grief that is a bit pricey - I have some old Schweppes crates that I bought for 5p each when I was about 10 years old.....what was I thinking!!!!!

      I too have my limits

      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  8. I love the bright colours and your blog with its photos- it's a treat to read it! Your daughter looks lovely in her skirt and I know that phrase only too well. My children say, "it's no wonder we are so weird, look at you Mama"! Jane xx

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    1. Thank you so much Jane - very kind of you to say so.

      The other day the children were laughing and asked what about and they said:' We love you eccentric ways mum - that's all'. I think that they had heard me singing 'The Auld Triangle'...again... where I nearly break down in tears...
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  9. Thank you so much for the blast of colourful tableware.....just what I needed! :) x

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    1. Thank you kindly Ada Bea - colour always cheers
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  10. You've spurred me on to make some jam, and we need to decide what to do with a tree that is groaning with Discovery apples. They don't keep - maybe a juice press is the answer. I often recall the days before second hand became 'vintage darling,' but sadly I didn't squirrel away as much as you did BVD.

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    1. Hello again - sometimes I did a bit too much squirreling (hoarders here we come) but slowly getting a grip on it I think
      How lovely to have so many apples - we used to store them in the shed as a child and there were some many that we could afford to 'loose' a few on the way

      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  11. Love the tablecloths Jenny ... And I've lusted over the circus crockery since the last time you showed it! I never follow instructions either ... Steve does though! I just thnk "oh, that looks easy enough" but never is ....

    Maille looks delightful and yes, of course, all mothers do this (I do anyway) and get the same reaction!

    Please don't mention the C word ... I'm still on Summer time.

    Have a great evening

    Love Claire xx

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    1. Dear Claire
      Thank you for assuring me that I am not alone - I get quite a bit of eye rolling from the children...

      C......s is still a way off....

      Thank you for calling in Claire
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  12. Love your tablecloth and the circus dishes!! Your daughter is lovely.
    hugs,
    Dorothy

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    1. Takes after her mother don't you know......!!!!
      Thank you kindly
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  13. You are recording life for future generations, that is why you blog. I wonder what they'll say. EE xx

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  14. Your house looks so lovely and the scones look good to Yum Yum

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    1. Selective photography helps I think!
      Thank you for kind words and calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  15. Such pretty dishes and table clothes! And the skirt looks so pretty on her!! So lovely! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xo Holly

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    1. Thank you Holly
      Belated happy Labour Day (is that right) to you and yours
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  16. ~Haha we are all cut from the same cloth us bloggy gals!! I see that same chuckle and look from my daughter, Jenny LOVE as always that you spread out a table cloth and bring out the china!! YEY perfect days....hugs and summer kisses**** Maria x

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    1. Thank you Maria - good to not be alone...
      I do like a nice tablecloth...
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  17. Dear Jenny I do so look forward to your posts,they cheer me up no end,LOVE that china.You have such pretty daughters.I always skim read instructions!!Have a good weekend TTFN Pam.

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    1. Best to skim read - takes less time...perhaps not in the long run though...
      Thank you for calling in Pam
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  18. i love your tabecloths, my dining room is so blahh its needs some TLC..off to save some pennies..
    love following your blog, its so bright and cheery, keep up the good work!! xx

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    1. Dear Angrad - just a bit of paint is often all that is needed - we repaint quite regularly when I get bored of something and it makes the world of difference. Plus I spend very little on furniture and most of it was bought second hand 25-30 years ago. Keep going and I look forward to your makeover
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  19. Wonderful post Jenny. Love your tablecloths and the crockery is amazing with the fairground scenes.
    Yes to the difference man/woman with reading instructions....I know it so well :)
    x

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    1. Thank you Barbara - it is lovely china and I bought it from a charity shop whilst on holiday in Devon two or three years ago. It had been placed at the BACK of the shelf!!

      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  20. Hello Jenny :) I've been reading your blog for quite a while, but have never commented (a bit shy). When you questioned whether anyone was even reading it I knew I had to leave a comment. I am! We are! Your blog is lovely and you never fail to make me smile. Sending you a big hug from across the pond, Carolyn

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    1. Thank you kindly Carolyn - very kind of you indeed
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  21. Now wishing I had a red tablecloth. And the long skirt is gorgeous! I never see dish patterns here in the US like you have collected. I have collected lots of sets of dishes that are more traditional patterns. Many pieces from England. LOVE Staffordshire! My fav!

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    1. Hello Linda - Staffordshire is very nice indeed (which time period do you collect though?). Sadly charity shops tend to full of old china so not too hard to amass a large collection....oh dear

      Keep collecting
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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