Thursday 31 December 2015

Honey, I found the parsnips!

Ok - so yesterday, I found the parsnips that should have been cooked on Christmas Day!


I searched high and low on Christmas Day for these blinking things.  The family even helped, but then assumed that Mum was "losing it"!  They even suggested I hadn't actually bought them. But I knew I had, I just couldn't find them.  Of course they were "hidden" in plain sight - second tray of the vegetable rack.  They look a bit scabby now - but they'll make a great pot of soup!


Don't know about you, but I always, for some reason,  miss something out when I've a big meal to cook.  Ah well, there was so much food, I don't think anyone really missed them.

Love, Liz

Tuesday 29 December 2015

Japanese Tea Set

This has to be my find of the year - a beautiful vintage white and silver tea set complete with gorgeous teapot.



I admired it in a local charity shop and my lovely sister in law bought it for me - what a perfect gift. It has a beautiful design of mountains and trees.



 I think next year I am going to decorate my Christmas lunch table around this colour theme.  It would look wonderful with some greenery arranged down the centre of the table.




I presume it is Japanese.  When you hold a cup up to the light you can see a Japanese woman's face. The only markings are the letters CTS (china tea set?).  If anyone knows what this means could they please let me know.


Do you like it?
Joining with Let's Talk Vintage.


Love, Liz


Sunday 27 December 2015

Dusting can wait!

The sun is actually shining in Greenock today after many days of rain.  Only thing is - it is showing up all the dust around the house!


I've been a bit lazy over the last few days and it shows around the house.  But it's Sunday and I'm just going to relax (a bit more).  A brisk walk then a lunch of leftovers (yup, still got some).


Then I'm going to settle down with one of my Christmas presents - didn't watch Poldark when it was on BBC because I thought it would be the kind of thing I'd like to watch lots of at once.  Well, perhaps two of my Christmas presents - got lots of lovely chocolates too!

As for that dust - well, it will get dark soon and it won't show.  Dusting can wait till tomorrow!

Love, Liz

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Beautiful Surprise

A lovely, unexpected gift arrived for me today -


It's from my brother in Canada.  Isn't it beautiful with the lovely background of moss, pine cones and wood.  The bulbs are lovely too and the joy of this arrangement is that it will last for ages.  I can look forward to the bulbs opening well after Christmas!


My brother and I don't see each other very often, but it is so lovely to know that he's thinking about me.  This is an old photograph of us taken many, many years ago.  Don't look very happy, do we?!


This can be a difficult time of year for many folks separated from families by miles.  Especially for parents whose grown-up children have moved away.  It is sad not get to see grandchildren open their Christmas presents and join in the joy of the festive season.


So, thanks Bro for thinking about me.
Thanks also to the lovely florists, all over the world, who spend so much time creating beautiful gifts that bring so much joy.  Thank you local florist - Studio Flowers in Gourock - this is just beautiful.

Love, Liz

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Pretty pink basket

I found this gorgeous little vintage china basket in a charity shop at the weekend.


It is by Govancroft - you can read about them by clicking on the link - I have one other Govancroft item in my collection.


It is a lovely shade of pink, but it was such a dull day when I photographed it that it hasn't turned out very well.


Hope all your Christmas preparations are going well.
Joining with Let's Talk Vintage.

Love, Liz

Monday 14 December 2015

Star of Wonder

Two more vintage Ladybird Books from my collection - 


Baby Jesus from 1961 by Hilda L Rostron, illustrated by Clive Uptton is my favourite.  The other is The Little Lord Jesus from 1954 by Lucy Diamond, illustrated by Kenneth Inns.


My favourite illustration from them has to be this one of the wise men following the star.  The colours are just fantastic.



These sort of illustrations remind me of a Bible I used to have when I was a little girl and it had illustrations inside.


Don't tell anyone, but when I got bored at church, I would look at the pictures in my Bible - I suppose in a way they did the trick!  I might not have been listening, but I was taking something in.


Love, Liz