The worse mother in the world was what I was thinking as I took my son into the Emergency Department at Flinders Medical Centre.
I felt terrible. The Doctors told me that ingesting propranonol was very serious and that it can kill babies and people use it to commit suicide. Straight to the point they were. It was a very serious matter.
I was typing away on my computer, and generally doing what I have been doing a lot of lately, hanging out in the kitchen, cooking, surfing the net, checking my items on ebay. Owen was in our bed, he had been asleep for about half an hour when I heard him winging at my door, and cry and a few bangs. I thought he would be okay, he went quiet, great so I kept on doing what I was doing in the kitchen. A few more bangs on the door and a cry. So after about 10 minutes, I kept forgetting him, I went down to see what he was doing.
I opened the door to find little pink tablets on the floor, saliva and pink crushed tablets dribbling down his chin and onto his tshirt, some pink patches on the floor and some on the bed. He had been eating my prescription tablets, ones that had been in the bottom of a bag for a few years. I had forgotten that they were in there, and he had obviously dragged the bag out of the bottom of the wardrobe, poked those little hands down into the centre part of the bag to find the drugs.
The thing with Owen he puts everything into his mouth and is constantly into everything. That day I had found him trapped under a medium sized picture, the glass broken and cut his chest. Nothing serious luckily. He nearly swallowed a little yellow ball, and had fallen backwards to crack his head onto the floor boards. All in one day. He was on a roll.
So the tablets just topped it all off. In a panic I looked up the hospital number. At that stage I was not sure if it was a medical emergency so would talk to the health hotline first. It was busy. I rang my Doctor, I know the number by heart, explained my story. They said it was important for me to get Owen to the hospital straight away and that it was very serious. They said if I had insurance to ring the ambulance. So I put both boys in the car and drove to Flinders Medical Centre.
It was not clear how many tablets Owen had consumed so the Doctors decided to keep him in overnight. Poor little thing, ECG, blood glucose test by prick to the finger, and two attempts to put a jelco needle into his hand with no luck. The medical staff monitored him all night, every two hours they did their tests to make sure he was okay because they did not know if he was going to get worse. But thankfully, after six hours they knew that he was in the clear and would be okay.
At the morning Paediatric ward round, the Doctor made a point that children who help themselves to tablets tend to do it again if the parents are not careful. It is in their nature. I agreed straight away. The consultant asked me to watch poisons in cupboards under the sink and anything dangerous to be put up higher in cupboards and that I will need to keep an eye on him up to school age because he just does not understand.
It is so true, Owen puts everything in his mouth and Charlie his brother was exactly opposite. So I suppose we never had to worry about Charlie and that has made me a little complacent. I never had a problem with Charlie doing that, such a careful child. But Owen on the other hand is one I am going to have to watch.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
History through china - traditions both new and old
My new china my 'little treasures to cherish' gave me the opporunity to talk with their owner, Dianne. The start of this story was on my blog History through china - little treasures to cherish
She responded to my email, a beautiful story that has inspired as she reflected upon her life and its traditions both new and old.
At the bottom of the page is my email. Hers at the top, as I wanted her story to be the focus of this blog. I am so thrilled that she shared some of this life experience with me.
Through fine china, women have often bonded by getting together to enjoy a cup of tea with scones and cakes. These traditions have been formed through these connections. Similarly, my friends and I like to paint pictures on canvas together, like women used to sit around doing needle work. Another tradition formed by women.
These are Dianne's lovely words:
Cherie , How lovely.
I am glad your grandmother is happy in the nursing home. It is such a hard thing for the family to do. Having faithfully promised never to do this to my mother, when, at 96, she could no longer walk, it becaue a "no choice" situation as I am only 4'10" tall and one week of lifting her from the bed to the wheelchair I had hired, etc., proved I was not as strong as I used to be. Fortunately, I do not think she was really aware of what was happening. Nevertheless, guilt, guilt, guilt!
However, during the 12 months or so she was there, fortunately very close to my home, I became quite friendly with other more compis mentis residents and we used to have afternoon tea outside using my grandmother's and mother's tea sets, cloths, napkins and silver.
A couple of staff members decided to continue this practice, having special weekly afternoon teas. I and family members of other residents donated china, linen and silver and I believe it is a much enjoyed event.
I have not just kept the "valuable" pieces belonging to family members, but rather things that I remember were important to them or that they used regularly. I would never serve trifle in anything other than "Nanna's trifle set". It is only cut glass from the 1930s and of very little value I should think, but for me it means Sunday tea at my grandparents' house.
I use her 1930s Alfred Meakin second best dinner service every day and I love it. Ebay allowed me to bring it back to full complement. She might not be happy with me using it as a "kitchen service" but it is my favourite, so why not.
I'm afraid her Rosa "kitchen service" did not survive the 1966 cull when we moved. I was relatively newly married with bright shiny wedding presents. Mind you, I do not regret donating it to charity. It was not that wonderful and there must have been a million of them around. They became standard town hall and Sunday school hall crockery after the demise of the glass sets that once were the norm in these places.
So, enjoy your afternoon tea and your little crinoline lady butter dish.
Dianne
My response to History through china part 1:
Hi Dianne
I also to let you know the reason why I bought these pin dishes. Recently my grandmother 92 years was put into a nursing home. She is very happy there now thank goodness.
We had to decided what to do with all of her belongings, a life time of belongs. Some of them went to family and the rest were donated to charity or given away to strangers. It was quite a stressful experience especially for my aunt and uncle. But they are all okay now, they managed to get through it fine.
So a few weeks ago I visited them in Mt Gambier. My aunt, mum and I were going through the last of my nan's boxes when I came across a small shell dish. It was totally covered in dust and didnt look like anything special. But I decided to keep it for tea bags and also it was my nans so it would be cherished.
When I got home I noticed it had the Sandlands stamp on the bottom, did a search on the internet to find it was In an olde world garden with a crinoline lady walking in the garden near a bridge and that it was a collectable. How lovely.
This started my desire to collect some more and to host a tea party with my best friends to enjoy of these vintage things. So since then I now have all of the pretty things for a tea party, and a few pin dishes too. They are all displayed in my china cabinet and will be cherished.
Thank you so much for your story, I really enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Cherie
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| my new teapot |
She responded to my email, a beautiful story that has inspired as she reflected upon her life and its traditions both new and old.
At the bottom of the page is my email. Hers at the top, as I wanted her story to be the focus of this blog. I am so thrilled that she shared some of this life experience with me.
Through fine china, women have often bonded by getting together to enjoy a cup of tea with scones and cakes. These traditions have been formed through these connections. Similarly, my friends and I like to paint pictures on canvas together, like women used to sit around doing needle work. Another tradition formed by women.
Cherie , How lovely.
I am glad your grandmother is happy in the nursing home. It is such a hard thing for the family to do. Having faithfully promised never to do this to my mother, when, at 96, she could no longer walk, it becaue a "no choice" situation as I am only 4'10" tall and one week of lifting her from the bed to the wheelchair I had hired, etc., proved I was not as strong as I used to be. Fortunately, I do not think she was really aware of what was happening. Nevertheless, guilt, guilt, guilt!
However, during the 12 months or so she was there, fortunately very close to my home, I became quite friendly with other more compis mentis residents and we used to have afternoon tea outside using my grandmother's and mother's tea sets, cloths, napkins and silver.
A couple of staff members decided to continue this practice, having special weekly afternoon teas. I and family members of other residents donated china, linen and silver and I believe it is a much enjoyed event.
I have not just kept the "valuable" pieces belonging to family members, but rather things that I remember were important to them or that they used regularly. I would never serve trifle in anything other than "Nanna's trifle set". It is only cut glass from the 1930s and of very little value I should think, but for me it means Sunday tea at my grandparents' house.
I use her 1930s Alfred Meakin second best dinner service every day and I love it. Ebay allowed me to bring it back to full complement. She might not be happy with me using it as a "kitchen service" but it is my favourite, so why not.
I'm afraid her Rosa "kitchen service" did not survive the 1966 cull when we moved. I was relatively newly married with bright shiny wedding presents. Mind you, I do not regret donating it to charity. It was not that wonderful and there must have been a million of them around. They became standard town hall and Sunday school hall crockery after the demise of the glass sets that once were the norm in these places.
So, enjoy your afternoon tea and your little crinoline lady butter dish.
Dianne
My response to History through china part 1:
Hi Dianne
I also to let you know the reason why I bought these pin dishes. Recently my grandmother 92 years was put into a nursing home. She is very happy there now thank goodness.
We had to decided what to do with all of her belongings, a life time of belongs. Some of them went to family and the rest were donated to charity or given away to strangers. It was quite a stressful experience especially for my aunt and uncle. But they are all okay now, they managed to get through it fine.
So a few weeks ago I visited them in Mt Gambier. My aunt, mum and I were going through the last of my nan's boxes when I came across a small shell dish. It was totally covered in dust and didnt look like anything special. But I decided to keep it for tea bags and also it was my nans so it would be cherished.
When I got home I noticed it had the Sandlands stamp on the bottom, did a search on the internet to find it was In an olde world garden with a crinoline lady walking in the garden near a bridge and that it was a collectable. How lovely.
This started my desire to collect some more and to host a tea party with my best friends to enjoy of these vintage things. So since then I now have all of the pretty things for a tea party, and a few pin dishes too. They are all displayed in my china cabinet and will be cherished.
Thank you so much for your story, I really enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Cherie
A mermaid in 1901
This is one of my favourite paintings of a mermaid.
It was painted by John William Waterhouse in 1901, oil on canvas and it is absolutely dreamlike and existential. A pretty mermaid sitting on the shore, brushing her long red hair, appearing to dream.
This painting was Waterhouse's diploma work for the Royal Academy.
John William Waterhouse is an amazing artist. I just love his work. Here is a link to his official website John William Waterhouse
A mermaid (masculine Merman) was a fabled marine creature with the head and upper body of a human being and the tail of a fish. Similar divine or semidivine beings appear in ancient mythologies (e.g., the Chaldean sea god Ea, or Oannes). In European folklore, mermaids (sometimes called sirens) and mermen were natural beings who, like fairies, had magical and prophetic powers. They loved music and often sang. Though very long-lived, they were mortal and had no souls.
Many folktales record marriages between mermaids (who might assume human form) and men. In most, the man steals the mermaid's cap or belt, her comb or mirror. While the objects are hidden she lives with him; if she finds them she returns at once to the sea. In some variants the marriage lasts while certain agreed-upon conditions are fulfilled, and it ends when the conditions are broken.
Though sometimes kindly, mermaids and mermen were usually dangerous to man. Their gifts brought misfortune, and, if offended, the beings caused floods or other disasters. To see one on a voyage was an omen of shipwreck. They sometimes lured mortals to death by drowning, as did the Lorelei of the Rhine, or enticed young people to live with them underwater, as did the mermaid whose image is carved on a bench in the church of Zennor, Cornwall, Eng.
Source: Encyclopædia Britannica
 |
| Mermaid by John William Waterhouse |
It was painted by John William Waterhouse in 1901, oil on canvas and it is absolutely dreamlike and existential. A pretty mermaid sitting on the shore, brushing her long red hair, appearing to dream.
This painting was Waterhouse's diploma work for the Royal Academy.
John William Waterhouse is an amazing artist. I just love his work. Here is a link to his official website John William Waterhouse
A mermaid (masculine Merman) was a fabled marine creature with the head and upper body of a human being and the tail of a fish. Similar divine or semidivine beings appear in ancient mythologies (e.g., the Chaldean sea god Ea, or Oannes). In European folklore, mermaids (sometimes called sirens) and mermen were natural beings who, like fairies, had magical and prophetic powers. They loved music and often sang. Though very long-lived, they were mortal and had no souls.
Many folktales record marriages between mermaids (who might assume human form) and men. In most, the man steals the mermaid's cap or belt, her comb or mirror. While the objects are hidden she lives with him; if she finds them she returns at once to the sea. In some variants the marriage lasts while certain agreed-upon conditions are fulfilled, and it ends when the conditions are broken.
Though sometimes kindly, mermaids and mermen were usually dangerous to man. Their gifts brought misfortune, and, if offended, the beings caused floods or other disasters. To see one on a voyage was an omen of shipwreck. They sometimes lured mortals to death by drowning, as did the Lorelei of the Rhine, or enticed young people to live with them underwater, as did the mermaid whose image is carved on a bench in the church of Zennor, Cornwall, Eng.
Source: Encyclopædia Britannica
Little girl painting
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| Cherie by Cherie |
On the day I decided to challenge myself by painting myself. It was very difficult because I was painting onto a small canvas so the finer detail needed to be more perfect than ever. Especially the shape of the eyes, the nose and the smile of the mouth.
Its not a bad painting considering the challenge and I enjoyed the day with Cathy's tuition and the other girls. My Auntie Christine and Auntie Joan were there too, so that was awesome to share the day with them. They did photos of their grandchildren Dakota and Jordan.
From all the positive comments made by all, we all enjoyed ourselves, painted, chatted, laughed, had lunch, beers and wine, and enjoyed Maeve's help with our paintings too. You would have thought it was Cathy talking, Maeve knew exactly what to do with the paintings, just like her mama. She's a gorgeous little girl.
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| LtoR: Cherie, Chris, Joan, Maeve, Coralie, Renae, Patrice, Rachel |
I have also passed by Cathy the idea to exhibit our work at some point. Counting the three workshops, there have been 16 paintings completed and they are all pretty good. It will be interesting to see what direction these workshops take us.
The present
I really love this poem.
The present
To realise the value of one year, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realise the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realise the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realise the value of one minute, ask a person who just missed a train.
To realise the value of one second, ask someone who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of one millisecond, ask the person who won a silver medal at the olympics.
Author unknown
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present.
The present
To realise the value of one year, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realise the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realise the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realise the value of one minute, ask a person who just missed a train.
To realise the value of one second, ask someone who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of one millisecond, ask the person who won a silver medal at the olympics.
Author unknown
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
History through china - cherished pin dishes
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| cherished pin dishes |
I have collected a variety of fine bone china cups, saucer and side plate trios (thirteen to be exact), side plates, creamer and sugar bowls, sandwich and cake plates and even a two tier cake plate stand. All of these have been adorned with beautiful flowers in pinks, reds, yellows, blues, orange, yellow and gold gilding on the edges and some of these have been hand painted. Most of them English from Lancastershire. Next week I will pick up my new teapot covered in flowers and some more side plates and that will be the last of my purchases for my tea party.
But I keep thinking will it stop here. A few days ago I bought a cake plate and some small side dishes from a lady at South Plympton and she told me that she started buying fine bone china and could not stop, so eventually decided to sell it because there was so much of it. I love antiques especially English fine china.
I was so excited to see my parcel sitting on the outside table when I arrived home from work yesterday. I opened the plastic postage bag straight away to find a small brown box with brown ribbons tied in a pretty bow on top. Wow! It looked gorgeous and I felt like I was getting a birthday present and so beautifully wrapped. There was a small card on top of the box with a painting of little fairies gathering in a forest in the moonlight. The painting was called Les Fees by Paul Gustave Dore (1832-83). I opened the card. Inside read the word Enjoy!
It got me thinking. The person who sent this to me must have some sort of attachment to what was inside.
I decided to send them an email to say thank you for the small pin dishes, and that I was so thrilled to receive, and appreciated the way they were wrapped.
She wrote back:
Pleased you are pleased. Also pleased I was able to use that box.
I am the last of my generation and everything has ended up here. I just can't keep everything, particularly as I have moved back to my little miner's cottage in Bendigo from a largish house in NSW.
I am working my way through tea chests, some of which have been in storage since 1987 when I bought this house and they have been languishing in the attic.
The object of selling is to make some space in my attic and shed, and avoid my children having to have the world's largest garage sale when I am pushing up daisies
Nice to hear someone other than me uses butter dishes. I have sons, and my daughters in law are only interested in things that go in the washing machine, clothes dryer or dish washer. However, I am working, with some success on my grandchildren who have chosen their dinner services, glassware, etc. And I still use them. Washing up by hand is not exactly a mega drama and I prefer the cupboard space to a dish washer.
So, thank you for your email and use the dishes in good health.
Dianne
This has reminded me of my own grandmothers belongings when she went into the nursing home, how we had no where to put everything. So the family had to find places for them because there was a lifetime of belongings. That's how I found the In an olde world garden pin dish that no one wanted. It nearly ended up at the Salvation army but I thought it was very cute and would use it for tea bag. So this little pin dish started me on this journey. How fascinating! Is it possible to find history in fine china?
This is the ad on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120684404153&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123
More information about the dishes from the eBay advertisement as follows:
Six Gorgeous Little English China
These 6 lovely jam, butter or pin dishes all have floral designs. They all have the appropriate back stamps for their makers.
All are in excellent condition, free of chips, cracks or crazing.
The decoration and gilding is fresh and bright on all items with no evidence of wear.
The first little dish is Sandland Ware and as well as a back stamp it has "570 BUTTER" impressed on the back. The design is bright tapestry pansies and tulips on a cream ground. It is 10.5 cm square. It has a pretty gilded scallop rim.
The second dish is by Duchess. Lovely yellow roses on a white ground with a gilded scallop edge. It measures just over 12 cm in diameter.
Numbers 3 & 4 are a matching pair Burleigh Ware made by Burgess and Leigh, Hanley. They both are just over 12 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm deep. Pretty floral design on a white ground, with wide blue band and file silver band and edging.
The last 2 are made by Alfred Meakin. They feature the same deep red and gold rose design on a white ground but one has wide gold lace banding on the rim, and the other, a single gilded line. They are just over 12 cm "square" and are 2 cm deep.
The egg cup is by Newhall, Staffordshire. The design shows a sleeping pixie on a branch, surrounded by flowers. It has a fluted footed base and an moulded leaf band around the rim. It stands 6.5 cm tall and the rim is 4.75 cm in diameter. I have included the egg cup because it needs a home.
Pretty items to use and display.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Devastating natural disasters hit Australia and New Zealand
The past couple of weeks have been horrific with massive casualties and damage to land and life in Australasia caused by natural disasters. There have been flooding, cyclones and earthquakes.
There was massive flooding in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in January 2011. Many people lost everything, their homes, livelihood, personal possessions and some people died. It was devastating for everyone. Some children died which I found quite distressing and at that point opted to ignore some media coverage. It was very upsetting. Many people have rallied to donate food and clothes, and other things people need. Much support has been provided from people all over Australia.
I saw some video footage taken at Toowoomba QLD on You Tube. Some people were watching the river near their house (through the window) as it grew bigger and bigger, and eventually covered the bridge. It also started to move the cars that were parked in the car park right next to the river. Eventually all of the cars were engulfed by water and taken downstream. The brutal strength of the river was incredible to move tonnes of metal pushed under the water like a small toy. The footage also showed a man trying to save his four wheel drive. First of all he let down the tyres and was holding onto the car only by one hand as the other had an umbrella to stop the rain. I could not beleive my eyes. He was actually risking his life. He then got in the vehicle and drove away but only just made it as another car washed through were his car was previously. Totally intense. Here is some video footage posted on You Tube taken at Toowoomba QLD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYUpkPTcqPY
Then about two weeks ago in the early hours of the morning on the 3 February there was the tropical Yasi cyclone in Queensland that destroyed hundreds of homes and some people were killed. It was a category five which is the strongest on scale for this type of cyclone.
It was pretty scary watching on television the people all hiding in the local shopping centre waiting for the storm. People did not know what to expect. Some people decided to stay in their homes and others fled for their lives. It was massive with winds up to 300 kilometres per hour. People were told not to leave their homes because that could be the eye of the storm as it would start again, and they could be caught up in that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_Tropical_Cyclone_Yasi
Thank goodness there was not massive loss of life. But it has destroyed many farms and killed a lot of wild life and farm animals. Crops have been destroyed like banana's and other things that are grown in the region. We are all paying top dollar $8 for banana's and the price of everything else has gone up.
Yesterday something terrible happened in Christchurch New Zealand. There was a massive earth quake. High sky rise buildings were reduced to piles of rubble with people trapped inside. Especially building in the central business district were affected. As I write New Zealanders are saving people's lives. A lot of people are trapped in buildings, they can be heard yelling for help, tapping, and making phone calls to be saved. It's so sad.
I saw some media coverage on television which was very upsetting. People were being carried out of buildings that had been totally flattened. Blood all over them, some people had to have limbs removed so they could be saved from underneath slabs of cement. There's been massive loss in life. New Zealand is like our closest cousin/neighbouring country, they are like our family. I am so sad for them at the moment. According to news coverage, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.3 as reported in this online article http://www.makli.us/new-zealand-earthquake-0072461/. The media is currently reporting on anything, so I am not exactly sure of all of the details. All I know is that it is very serious. It is very distressing.
So what is happening to us at the moment. The weather has been very unusual. Even in Adelaide we have had a cooler summer, with an abundance of water and cooler days which is amazing because usually we have the driest and hottest summers. Most of the plant life dies during the summer months unless it is really hardy and sometimes animals die because of the heat. Now all of these natural disasters have been surrounding our neighbours too. Lets pray for the safety of all those directly affected.
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| Yasi |
There was massive flooding in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in January 2011. Many people lost everything, their homes, livelihood, personal possessions and some people died. It was devastating for everyone. Some children died which I found quite distressing and at that point opted to ignore some media coverage. It was very upsetting. Many people have rallied to donate food and clothes, and other things people need. Much support has been provided from people all over Australia.
I saw some video footage taken at Toowoomba QLD on You Tube. Some people were watching the river near their house (through the window) as it grew bigger and bigger, and eventually covered the bridge. It also started to move the cars that were parked in the car park right next to the river. Eventually all of the cars were engulfed by water and taken downstream. The brutal strength of the river was incredible to move tonnes of metal pushed under the water like a small toy. The footage also showed a man trying to save his four wheel drive. First of all he let down the tyres and was holding onto the car only by one hand as the other had an umbrella to stop the rain. I could not beleive my eyes. He was actually risking his life. He then got in the vehicle and drove away but only just made it as another car washed through were his car was previously. Totally intense. Here is some video footage posted on You Tube taken at Toowoomba QLD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYUpkPTcqPY
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| Cyclone Yasi's path |
It was pretty scary watching on television the people all hiding in the local shopping centre waiting for the storm. People did not know what to expect. Some people decided to stay in their homes and others fled for their lives. It was massive with winds up to 300 kilometres per hour. People were told not to leave their homes because that could be the eye of the storm as it would start again, and they could be caught up in that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_Tropical_Cyclone_Yasi
Thank goodness there was not massive loss of life. But it has destroyed many farms and killed a lot of wild life and farm animals. Crops have been destroyed like banana's and other things that are grown in the region. We are all paying top dollar $8 for banana's and the price of everything else has gone up.
Yesterday something terrible happened in Christchurch New Zealand. There was a massive earth quake. High sky rise buildings were reduced to piles of rubble with people trapped inside. Especially building in the central business district were affected. As I write New Zealanders are saving people's lives. A lot of people are trapped in buildings, they can be heard yelling for help, tapping, and making phone calls to be saved. It's so sad.
I saw some media coverage on television which was very upsetting. People were being carried out of buildings that had been totally flattened. Blood all over them, some people had to have limbs removed so they could be saved from underneath slabs of cement. There's been massive loss in life. New Zealand is like our closest cousin/neighbouring country, they are like our family. I am so sad for them at the moment. According to news coverage, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.3 as reported in this online article http://www.makli.us/new-zealand-earthquake-0072461/. The media is currently reporting on anything, so I am not exactly sure of all of the details. All I know is that it is very serious. It is very distressing.
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| Christchurch's earth quake Feb 2011 |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A tea party in April
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| not vintage but gorgeous |
In the past few weeks I have been buying pretty vintage crockery on ebay. It has been a lot of fun, and the things I have bought are very pretty and not overly expensive either. It is probably going to cost me a couple of hundred dollars to buy, but once I have them it is for life. Unless the obsession continues, and I keep buying.
Jamie has stressed to not buy too much because our house is so small. So I have decided that I am just going to buy enough to host a dozen friends and use some on a daily basis. If it gets broken it does not matter because there is no point having it unless you are going to use it.
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| royal albert - old country roses |
- small pin plates - $5
- two tier cake stand with pink flowers - not vintage but gorgeous only $25
- two trios of Royal Albert cups in old country roses style - $16 bargain!
- six trios of Royal Vale cups with pink and yellow roses - $37
- trio of Queen Anne cup with pink roses - only cost $10
- a sandwich plate with flowers - vintage only cost $10
- sandlands ware creamer and sugar bowl - $7
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| old foley james kent sandwich plate |
I am really keen to make the most of our afternoon so have done some research about proper tea etiquette too. If I can I will follow that, but it is a little over the top like putting your tea saucer on your lap if your not sitting at a table. Can you imagine trying to do that with our crazy kids running around the place. I am not sure if the kids are coming yet, but will organise food for them too if they come.
So to start with I have to plan the party. I'm finding a day that suits the girls for next month in April. I am planning to invite 12 girls my best buddies. Renae is going to design and print the invitations too the gem she is. All of the crockery will be purchased by then.
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| royal vale - blue flowers |
I have found some lovely recipes on this website: http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/afternoon-tea-party.html#top2 There is a way you need to set up the food on the table and cakes/scones are served before sandwiches and then sweets which I thought was really odd.
I know how to make tea and I have collected tips on how to serve tea but that should not be too hard. I am also going to serve champagne in the old wide rim champagne glasses that were once used by Jamie's grandparents (may they rest in peace).
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| Royal Vale - pretty roses |
I am really looking forward to the tea party in April!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Rest in peace a good man too young to pass
Sad to hear the news of an old school friend passing.
We were out with friends on Friday night, when I met this lovely girl. As we started talking we found how we had both grown up in Aberfoyle Park/Flagstaff Hill and had gone to the same high school. She was much younger than me so we would not have been there at the same time. We were surprised about these coincidences. Then she told me her brother's name and that he had passed away 1 1/2 years ago.
A huge wave came over me and drained my energy. I could not beleive what I was hearing. It was a massive shock because I had known him. We were not very close or anything, but I knew him and had spoken to him on quite a few occasions when I was young. He was in the year level below me at school and we had spent nights at Le Rox talking. I remember him being a sweet and friendly guy, a really nice person and always made an effort to say hello and make that connection. I also had kept contact on Facebook in recent years so had seen photos of him and his amazing two metre tall sand sculptures, and family.
I couldn't beleive it. Poor girl and family.
She told me the had a stroke and they did not even have time to say goodbye. There was an abnormality in his artery going into his brain. It was like a time bomb ticking away. He was on life support but they couldn't save him so they turned it off. Tragically and sadly he left behind a wife, little girl and an unborn child (a little boy). His wife was only one month pregnant. He was also a talented artist sculpture. He was not like the rest of the people in their family (she told me) as he was a special person. There was something different about him. She cried...I cried.
I felt sorry that she had to relive this experience every time she met someone like me who knew him and did not know of his passing. This will happen to her again no doubt. She showed me photos of his children on her camera. I feel so sad for their family. I hope they do not mind I wrote about him in this journal.
What a horrible tragedy. He was only 36 years old.
RIP Simon Benn (1973 to 2009) - a good man too young to pass away. I will remember Simon.
We were out with friends on Friday night, when I met this lovely girl. As we started talking we found how we had both grown up in Aberfoyle Park/Flagstaff Hill and had gone to the same high school. She was much younger than me so we would not have been there at the same time. We were surprised about these coincidences. Then she told me her brother's name and that he had passed away 1 1/2 years ago.
A huge wave came over me and drained my energy. I could not beleive what I was hearing. It was a massive shock because I had known him. We were not very close or anything, but I knew him and had spoken to him on quite a few occasions when I was young. He was in the year level below me at school and we had spent nights at Le Rox talking. I remember him being a sweet and friendly guy, a really nice person and always made an effort to say hello and make that connection. I also had kept contact on Facebook in recent years so had seen photos of him and his amazing two metre tall sand sculptures, and family.
I couldn't beleive it. Poor girl and family.
She told me the had a stroke and they did not even have time to say goodbye. There was an abnormality in his artery going into his brain. It was like a time bomb ticking away. He was on life support but they couldn't save him so they turned it off. Tragically and sadly he left behind a wife, little girl and an unborn child (a little boy). His wife was only one month pregnant. He was also a talented artist sculpture. He was not like the rest of the people in their family (she told me) as he was a special person. There was something different about him. She cried...I cried.
I felt sorry that she had to relive this experience every time she met someone like me who knew him and did not know of his passing. This will happen to her again no doubt. She showed me photos of his children on her camera. I feel so sad for their family. I hope they do not mind I wrote about him in this journal.
What a horrible tragedy. He was only 36 years old.
RIP Simon Benn (1973 to 2009) - a good man too young to pass away. I will remember Simon.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Gone vintage
After discovering a gift from my grandmother is vintage, I have been overwhelmed with the desire to get more precious vintage fine bone china crockery.
My little treasure is a small shell shaped plate about 7 centimetres wide with a hand painted picture of a lady walking near a bridge in a garden. In an olde world garden is written on it. How quaint. Finding this is a vintage treasure has been quite a surprise. I will not be putting used tea bags on it anymore.
I searched the internet to find the plate was a collectable. Its brand Lancaster Sandlands Ware was manufactured between 1930 to 1969 in Lancaster County England. People actually collect whole sets and love it. My plate is not worth any great amount of money but it is lovely and old. I am guessing but it could be 50 to 60 years old. It has given me the desire to start collecting old vintage crockery like cup and saucer sets, tea pots, cake stands, etc particularly Royal Vale, Royal Albert, Keele etc. Eventually I will have my own collection of old goodies.
Ebay is a great place to buy this type of stuff. I found a gorgeous set of Lancaster Sandlands creamer and sugar bowl with a crocheted flower print. Luckily I won the auction. Bargain $7. When I received them I was so excited and stood there admiring their prettiness and then put them in the china cabinet for safe keeping from my three year old and 11 month old boys. They would have a smashing time with them. I am not sure if anyone else shares my enthusiam but I am loving these pretties and I cannot wait to use and admire them.
I have also bought a pair of Royal Albert cup and saucer set $16, some small pin plates of various branding (german, english and australian) and a Queen Anne cup and saucer set. Mum would be pleased with the Queen Anne set. This is the beginning of a collection of vintage pretties.
My Mum's butter dish which is Keele brand is in the china cabinet at my place. It is vintage so I'm planning to get a matching set of the teapot, creamer and sugar bowl. How gorgeous. These are rare in Australia. It is a really cute set. The butter dish is a little English house that sits on a plate. Mum told me that when she was a little girl she thought the fairies lived it it.
I am very excited about being materialistic but imagine sitting outside in my beautiful garden with my girlfriends having cups of tea, small cakes and sandwiches with gorgeous shabby sheek fine bone china. It will be lovely.
To read more about 18th to 19th century crockery see http://www.ehow.com/about_5445983_history-crockery.html
 |
| In an olde world garden |
I searched the internet to find the plate was a collectable. Its brand Lancaster Sandlands Ware was manufactured between 1930 to 1969 in Lancaster County England. People actually collect whole sets and love it. My plate is not worth any great amount of money but it is lovely and old. I am guessing but it could be 50 to 60 years old. It has given me the desire to start collecting old vintage crockery like cup and saucer sets, tea pots, cake stands, etc particularly Royal Vale, Royal Albert, Keele etc. Eventually I will have my own collection of old goodies.
 |
| Creamer and sugar bowl |
I have also bought a pair of Royal Albert cup and saucer set $16, some small pin plates of various branding (german, english and australian) and a Queen Anne cup and saucer set. Mum would be pleased with the Queen Anne set. This is the beginning of a collection of vintage pretties.
 |
| Keele butter dish - fairies live here |
I am very excited about being materialistic but imagine sitting outside in my beautiful garden with my girlfriends having cups of tea, small cakes and sandwiches with gorgeous shabby sheek fine bone china. It will be lovely.
To read more about 18th to 19th century crockery see http://www.ehow.com/about_5445983_history-crockery.html
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