A Quite Night In...

It's Saturday night...
A quite night in...
Sitting on my bed with new, second hand laptop in hand...
It feels strange begin able to blog from just about anywhere...
Maybe it will make me more spontaneous...like now...
Just writing for the sake of it...No particular reason...Just to say "hi"...

We had silver side with white sauce and veggies for dinner...
It took ages to make and 5 minutes to eat...
Dinner always takes longer in our house...With no working stove...
My fabby buy of the new Baby Belling wasn't fabby after all...
Maybe they didn't have as many appliances in the 50's like we do now...
All I know is that the minute I plug in the Baby Belling it short circuits everything in a 40mile radius...
So I am back to microwaving and frypaning everything...
Seriously...if there were more take-away shops in our town I would eat out...
But back to reality...We did have our own corn and pumpkin from the garden...Now that makes it all worth it...Healthy homegrown veggies just make you feel like you have achieved something...

However simple and fast it is eaten...It is just...special...

The weather has been rather steamy...33degrees today...
I think a bit of rain wouldn't go astray...the ground is suddenly cracking before our eyes...
and the garden needs watering every afternoon...
I do like that time of day thou..Pottering around as the sun goes down...watering, sitting,talking...

planning what to do and dreaming of what we would love to do...

Do you do that...sit and chat...about stuff that will probably never happen...
the dream...
It's nice to have dreams...and people to share silly ideas with...
I am just very lucky that I have someone that likes to have creative dreams and doesn't feel bad if the don't every come true...thou I do hope the dream of a stove does come true...

whatever your dream is I hope at least some of them come true...or you have someone that enjoys the process of planning the dream...

Thanks for listening...to me on my quite night in...

vintage hand crocheted bedspread

vintage hand crocheted bedspread
Originally uploaded by H is for Home

H is For Home
has kindly added this to the group...

Just yesterday I was thrifting away...
out of town...
and came across a gorgeous
crocheted blanket myself...

I had to buy it,
an absolute bargain at $2
I will take some happy snaps soon...

I also came across a few plates...
A couple of doilies and some summer tops...
well worth the outing...

If you have any granny goodness pictures or
some great vintage finds...
Pop the pics in the group...
The more the merrier...

Sweet Treats

Sweet Treats
Originally uploaded by Betty Jo Designs

If you have ever loved vintage lino
as much as I do..
Then be sure to pop over and visit Betty Jo...
These amazing brooches and
so much more crafty lino goodness
can be yours...
I am very lucky to have some of Betty Jo's
creative goodies...
My favorite necklace ever is a Betty Jo bird...
I wear it all the time...

I am loving these cupcake inspired sweet treats thou...
Hmmmmm tea anyone!!!

rediscovered

rediscovered
Originally uploaded by LolaNova

When I spotted this picture
in the group today...added by LOLA NOVA...
I just had to share...
I remember these fisher price toys...
I'm not sure who in the family had one,
but they were played with a-lot...

A great treasure to find!!!

Cooking with Bella

Cooking with Bella
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

Bella managed to cook some banana muffins...
and not cook them to a frizzle like my first attempt
with the bread and butter pudding...
I think we will work things out just nicely and get it just right in the end...

The salad is a mix of things from the garden...
Our own lettuce, carrots and coriander...
I really can't wait until all the other vegetables are ready...
then no more shopping at the supermarket for these things...

My new baby belling...

My new baby belling now called"Bella" for short is home and clean
and will soon take pride of place in the kitchen...

It is always funny how things work out...
and finding my new baby belling was just that...

 I was popping down the street today to pick up some milk and bread...
and on the way home and I spied a garage sale sign...
It was not really a garage sale, it was in fact a sale at the CWA building with a garage sale sign...
Yes the sweet dears from the Country Woman's Association were having a clean out...
and I had no idea...
Apart from nearly fainting at the thought of all the lovely sweet thrifty finds already running out the door, as it was 1pm by the time I went past, I tried to gathered myself and hope that something was left...
And there she was...
In the middle of the room...
and looking still as good as new...
Waiting for me...
My heart skipped several beats, and when I asked about her I found to my surprise
that she was in fact the original oven from the CWA rooms...
and had been in the storage room for as long as anyone can remember...

and the best part I am yet to tell...

 She works!!!
no even better than that...
Bella was only $5....
yes that's right....$5....
I can't quiet describe the joy I am feeling at the moment...
I have a oven...it works...and it was cheaper than the milk and bread I had just bought...
It really doesn't get any better...Does it!!!

This is a pic I found on the belling site...
I am off to e-mail them to find out as much as I can about mine...

I do hope your weekend is full of vintage goodness and thrifty finds this good...

Country Show

On the weekend we headed to the country show...

 

Lots of colour on the way...

Lots of games...

 Lots of food...

 No show would be complete without lots of animals...

These look like they are planing a breakout...

I think this one is keeping a close eye on me...

And low and behold!!!

Lots of crochet...

If I would have known I could have entered...

I will be making a note for next year...

But the winner was this amazing crocheted blanket featuring cats...

And of course lots of colour on the way home...

I love living in the country!!!

to bed to bed sleepy head

bedroom 4
Originally uploaded by LolaNova

This photo by Lola Nova...
sums up tonight...
I have managed to spend my day,
writing patterns, sending patterns,
finishing of projects and getting them ready to express post...
picking up after everyone but me...
making dinner and blogging and adding things
here there and everywhere...
Now!!!
To bed to bed sleepy head...

Poole Butterfly Plates 122

Poole Butterfly Plates 122
Originally uploaded by badhesterprynne

Feeling a little
fluttery myself this morning...
Lots going on...
Too much in fact...
Am I feeling the pressure!!!
Yes!!!
I was looking at all the lovelies in the group
this morning and spotted this...
And though it summed it up nicely...

I have so many projects going on and so many commitments...
which is finishing my patterns, taking care of the family with the Lurgy...
Cleaning the now contaminated house...From the lurgy...
A huge project for something "special" , will tell very soon...
But I have only 2 weeks to get it done...
and lots more that I will have to tell you all about...
But not this morning...
This morning I am waiting on the gas man...
We have run out, which means no hot water...
Which means I can't possibly function...
I have to have a shower to start the day..and think straight...
So till then...
Keep Loving the vintage...and thinking straight my dear...
Someone needs too...lol...

Twit twoo

Twit twoo
Originally uploaded by knitted owl

This is some serious
granny goodness...
What an amazing find by
"Knitted Owl'...
And for the rock
bottom price of a fiver...
I know quite a few
friends that would
LOVE this...

Dhal-ling Tutorial

I thought I would share a tutorial different to my usual...
This time it's all about my new favorite food...
Dhal...
I have only recently tasted this delight
and fell in love with it's yummy flavour
and ease in making...
So I have put together a little photo tutorial to help...
Well if you are like me and find it easy to look at pictures and understand
then read some long recipe that doesn't make sense that is...
so lets get started...

The ingredients are all here in the picture.
But I will list them below in the order they go...
But first I have to make sure I have the fire going
but I am sure you probably just need to turn the hot plate on...

So to start... heat oil and lightly fry onion with garlic and ginger till soft...
3 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of minced ginger or fresh it you have it
1 teaspoon of crushed garlic
1 onion diced

Add

2 tablespoons Turmeric ground...
1 tablespoon Cumin ground...
1 tablespoon Coriander ground...
fry until all is fragrant and smelling lovely

Add
1 1/2 cups of diced vegetable like zucchini and squash

Add
1 1/2 cups of diced sweet potato
I do like to steam mine first in a plastic bag in the microwave
for about 3 minutes

It will look a bit like this
But be careful not to burn it at this point as it is very thick
and only needs to get tossed around a bit

 Add
 2-3 cups of vegetable stock
just enough to cover

 Add
1 cup of red lentils  non soaking variety
I like to give mine a rinse first
This will thicken up a lot when the lentils expand
so don't worry if you think that it is a bit soupy...

Now after about 40 minutes it's read to serve...
I like to add a bit of fresh Coriander and sometimes mint yogurt and boiled rice...
Perfect as an accompaniment  to a curry dish
or just by itself to warm you up...

Flower Garland shelf

Flower Garland shelf
Originally uploaded by mo + me

Oh my Goodness...
this is just the prettiest!!!

A amazing mix
of granny goodness
and thrifty finds...

There is a helpful link
to a "How To"
for the flower garland...

Just click on the pic
and follow the link from
MO + ME...

first aid vintage

the agony of defeat
Originally uploaded by LolaNova

When this delightful picture from
"Lola nova"
popped up in the flickr group
I could not resist posting it...

First aid vintage...
so cool!!!
It always amazes me
seeing the same company names
all over the world...
Johnson and Johnson...
I think of talcum powder...

The smell of talcum powder
reminds me of my grandma so much
She had a old fashioned powder puff
that was yellow...
and we would cover ourselves in powder after every bath
and it smelt so comforting and pretty...

When you think of Johnson and Johnson
what do you think of???

Just vintage loveliness!

Just vintage loveliness!
Originally uploaded by ticking stripes

I just love this picture...
Green glass...
and amazing doily!!!
Thank you "ticking stripes" for sharing
this with the flickr group...

playing house-

playing house-
Originally uploaded by oldflowers4me

I think if I were to play house anywhere...
This would be a great place
to start...
Picture courtesy of
Old flowers 4 me...
I adore the round cushion!!!

Birthday granny goodness

Knit Nook
Originally uploaded by blondiebluvintage

For a little birthday cheer
I looked at all the lovely
pictures that are growing
in the "Loving the Vintage" flickr group...
and thought this picture,
Knit Nook by Blondiebluvintage...
was just the prettiest thing to make me feel all warm and fuzzy...

Please take a look at this sweeties pictures
and follow her profile to her blog...
I am sure you all will love it...

And a quick mention that as a bonus
I am spreading the birthday cheer to all my follows and friends...
In my etsy shop you will find a sale to make you smile...
A two for the price of one on all of my granny patterns...
Just add a note in the checkout of what pattern you would like as a bonus and it's yours...

I do hope you day is as perfect as mine has been...
and will be sure to show lots more vintage goodness very soon...

Vintage home

vintage 1930s kitchen cabinet
Originally uploaded by H is for Home

This gorgeous picture
is the latest in the
" Loving The Vintage"
flickr group...

I would love my kitchen
to look this vintage...

I also love the way
"H is for Home"
has using this
vintage 1930s kitchen cabinet
and styled around it so well...

I really need to takes some pointers...

So for more vintage goodness or to add your pics...
Pop over to the group...

Loving The Vintage Too

Loving The Vintage Too
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

So many gorgeous pictures
uploaded to the group already...


A huge thank you...
and please keep them coming...

I love seeing them and I am sure
everyone else will too...

I love the mix of old and new...

The amazing thrifty finds
lovingly cleaned and prettied up
and given a new lease on life...
and a very cozy place to spend there days I think...

Hmmmmmm
makes me want a pot of tea and a biscuit...
and maybe a comfy place to sit...

Flickr group for all that love Vintage...

river cottage
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

I have added a new flickr group...

"Loving the Vintage" will be a place
to share your granny vintage style...

Everything from kitschy goodness to thrifty finds...
Anything that you love...

Interior and exterior...

Decor, crochet, knitting, clothes, handmade, colour,
quirky objects, flying ceramics, forsaken deer and
so much more
that makes your heart skip and want to go back to the thrifty shop for another look...

so if you enjoy sharing your pictures on flickr
please take a look and add some photo's...
and once a week I will share all the Loving the Vintage goodness
with my blogging friends...

Brightening up my day

Dear Friend...
How cold is it???
Freezing here at the moment...
Some nights as cold as -5 degrees...
Too cold to go outside I think...
But after a little inspiration from my dear friend and her peachy pages of summer sunshine
and with a package from the postman...
I was feeling much brighter...and warmer...

I took my African violet for a spot of sun baking and it is feeling just as warm now...
I do hope the sun is shinning and you are feeling just as bright and chirpy...
with lots of colour and granny goodness...
Regards my dear...
Michelle...
Loving the Vintage...