Green Tea and Chocolate

Ok all. I was planning on starting another blog called ‘Green Tea and Chocolate’ which are my two favourite things to have in front of me while tapping away at the computer. You know, dip the chocolate in the hot tea, let it melt a bit and then devour…mmmm. This second blog was going to be a place for me to put everything that wasn’t related to vintage. You know the everyday stuff that might be slightly interesting and some nice pics. However, it has been sitting there empty for a few weeks as I have been humming and harring about starting it. So I am going to trial slotting some other things into this blog while sticking to the vintage theme and see how we go.

I thought I would start with a quick get to know me. I have two young children with my husband, a four year old boy and a nearly one year old little girl. I will be soon working again two days a week. Blogging is a bit of a hobby  and I am hoping to learn a bit of photography along the way. So here are some random things to share...

My favourite places in the whole wide world apart from my home are:

1. the property (farm) that was owned by my Great Grandparents. A small part of it has been kept in the family. See above picture.

This is my son who was 2 at the time. He was sick that day so was carrying his ‘Sheepy’ with him. I love that Sheepy is his favourite security toy as I bought Sheepy for him before he was born. I have since purchased a back up Sheepy from eBay as they are no longer in the shops. His sheep blanket had a close encounter with a shopping trolley a while back. His face was black from grime and torn from getting suck under trolley wheels, luckily my Mum was able to stitch him back together. If the spare sheep isn't needed  I will keep it for his first child. I think it would be a laugh.  

I remember the day this pic was taken clearly as I was 5 weeks pregnant. I was riding a motorbike at one stage and then realised that maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. The next day I got quite sick with food poisoning but luckily all was well with the baby and morning sickness soon took over - doh.

2. This place is what I call ‘The Rocks at Port Elliot (South Australia)’. I would be found here if I had time to myself to ponder the world. Love all the different sounds - it's amazing how loud the ocean can be and the salt in the air feels cleansing. The force of the waves crashing against the rocks is so powerful yet a few metres out we once saw a huge sea lion having the most relaxing time bobbing calmly in the green water.

This is one of my favourite pic from our trip overseas (UK and Europe) taken in Venice. I was 13 weeks pregnant with my son and had a terrible time with morning sickness but still glad we went.

 I recently was sent this photo of me on my Christening day with Dad. I love this photo as Dad is no longer with us and this house were I grew up has been demolished. He did all the brick work behind us and I spent hours in front of that wood stove reading, watching TV or just  keeping warm. I even have a scar on my bum from getting too close to it when I was little.  I also managed to melt/burn/scold numerous clothing items. I was reminded about my school jumper time and time again. Luckily mum didn’t notice I had burnt my school skirt on another occasion. The big silver kettle was always boiling.

Love this photo of my husband, Mr M.

So there you go, not vintage and quite random but hey, we will see how we go. I am working on a vintage apron 'parade' right now so should have that up soon!

Pics from the Wharf Markets, Pt Adelaide.

On Mothers Day we were having an afternoon tea at my SIL's house, so we left home a little early and visited the Port Markets on the way. Not much else to do on a Sunday.

I always ask the owners of stores if it is ok to photograph. Some of them look at me like I am crazy but others seem to understand - lol. Here are some pics for you.

As I have mentioned in the past, I have a thing for these old electric kettles. I really love the blue jug that is third in from the left. It has great curves and the colour is gorgeous. However being a bargain hunter there is no way I could bring myself to pay the $50 it has marked on it. Will have put it on my 'To Find' list.

Pretty Meakin set for four. Did I just say that? Hmm. I am getting old.

A retro budget box. Love this, check out the cute pics. Was marked $38 (too much for me). Wouldn't it be nice if we could pay our electricity bill in coins these days!

These look familiar, and again only four in this set. Maybe I was wrong when I thought I was missing one. I much prefer the blue and white (in other words - mine are sooo much better - lol).

The top part of this Edwardian high chair is adorable but the gears around the legs are a bit creepy and make it look like a piece of equipment that could be used in a torture chamber. It had an eerie feeling to it sitting there by itself. Sometimes antiques give off these kind of vibes don't you think? Times like this  I am glad that I live in this day and age where my best friend at meal times is a white IKEA Antiploe plastic fantastic high chair that I can hose down if need be.

 The gentleman at one stall wanted me to know all about this book. Printed in the 1930's it certainly not up to todays strict standards for our precious children's eyes. Perhaps we are overly cautious these days about what our children read or see on TV but now I can see how have become this way. Umm, Jack hung the Giants with a noose around the neck and illustrations included!! Night terrors anyone? Thank goodness they decided to only show the giants from behind!

Sigh. Can really see why some people love old type writers. So much character...

More canisters. Love the set with the green lids and I am pretty sure my Nana had some similar to the red and cream ones.

Miss Piggy would love this 'Kermit the Frog green' kettle.

Not usually such a fan of amber Depression glass but quite like it frosted. An elegant pair.

Had a great time but it was reaffirmed that children and vintage don't mix - even on Mother's Day!

Welcome to my house.

When I was a little girl all I wanted for Christmas one year was a doll house. I don't remember if I actually told my parents or not but hey, Santa can read your thoughts can't he? About 6 years later my little sister was given a large wooden doll house for Christmas. Well, Mum will never live that one down.

My husband heard my sad story and when we were rummaging at some markets he decided to buy me this little retro plastic doll house which had never been opened. My son and I have played with it numerous times but generally it gets set up just so that an out of control driver can come crashing though it as soon as the last piece of furniture is moved into position.

 Just about finished but still needs to be fenced off with the bright red, tube fencing panels. Will call the contractors on Monday.

Audrey in the bedroom sitting staring at the chest of draws - maybe she's in the naughty corner.

Grandpa the dirty old man watching the dancing girls on the new fangled colour TV.

Total lack of privacy in the down stairs bathroom for Billy.

Sally and her Mother in Law having an amicable conversation under the umbrella in the sun. Check out the body language.

Oh no!! Watch out for the hoon driver! Teenagers these days - grr!

Total carnage.

Disclaimer: Nobody was harmed in the photographing of this entry...

Gemsen Junk

A week or so ago I had my last all girls day. Master M had his last day at family day care before his carer goes on a three month holiday (he goes there once a week). By the time she is back, I will be back at work as I will have finished my maternity leave. Scary thought!

Decided to take a trip to Murray Bridge (South Australia) as they have some great oppies. Murray Bridge also has my favourite antique shop (which was sadly closed) and a  great kids clothing shop...well did have, I found it deserted. Hmm. Luckily Murray Bridge a couple fantastic junk shops and Gemsen Junk is one of them so was very glad it was open. As it turns out it is open 9am - 5pm 7days a week. Gotta love all week junk shopping!

You are going to have to excuse my photography as I had my 9.5kg,10month old in a sling on the front of me.  I was trying to take photos AND stop her from breaking anything. She has hands the speed of a pick pockets.

When I walked into Gemsen Junk I had to try and contain my excitement. It is HUGE and filled to the brim with STUFF!! The lovely owner seems to be able to pin point any object you may be looking for faster than a speeding bullet. They have my favourites: old kitchen scales - check, Pyrex - check, depression glass - check, kitchenalia - check. There is a stunning range of jewellery but unfortunately she didn't have any glass necklaces as she collects them herself and has over 4000!!! Yes, you heard me correctly, 4000! Wow that must be some collection! Makes my collection of about 15 look a bit pathetic. :)

Took some pics for you as best I could. This entry has taken a long time for some reason due to the pc  running slow and having trouble with the photo editor I am using. Grr. Enjoy! :)

Love these 50s red glass bowls.

These guys made me smile.

Love these old ice chests. When they were clearing my Grandparents place there was one like this out the back. Wish I has asked about it - hmm, hind sight.

Lots of jewellery - this is just a tiny sample.

Love the colours of these vases.

Salter scales of course!

Check out these packed shelves, I mean, where do you start?!

More shelves...

and more.

Some out of focus, bright coloured glass.

Here is a 'boys room' full of old tools.

I must go back there one day without any children and have a really good look around and maybe take some more photos. It's so much fun! I have my eye on some Pyrex and vintage mixing bowls also...

Gemsen Junk
60 Bridge Road
Murray Bridge
South Australia
(08) 8531 3592  

Uranium glass glow!

Have not posted lately as I am on a very dodgy internet plan that only allows me 2GB download a month. What was I thinking when I signed up for that?! The entry I am working on was driving me crazy as there are quite a few photos and editing, uploading and downloading was taking forever. However tonight I  got the blogging bug and thought a quick entry would be bearable (only 1 hour until it speeds up again - yay!).

A few months ago Mr M thought it would be fun to buy a UV globe. Not really sure why  he bought it but he got it out tonight and UV'd up the lounge room. Our black and white photos looked fantastic! Then I remembered that I had always wated to try out some Depression glass under UV light. Some glass of that era contains uranium to colour it. Apparently the glass is slightly radioactive (and looks fantastic glowing) - this link gives you a bit of  history about uranium glass and about the radioactivity element.  

I  tried a couple of my green glass pieces under the light with no luck and then remembered this bowl I had in the shed with a more refined look about it. Sure enough it glowed. Check it out!

 

Now that I have done some Googling I am fairly sure I have a plate that is uranium glass also. As tempted as I am to dig it out, the slow pc and the cold weather means I will stay here and have a look in the shed another day.


Check this picture out. That is some collection!

Under normal fluro globes with flash.

What I did on Saturday morning...

Mr M said 'you can go to some garage sales if you like' (and leave the kids for a couple of hours). Woo hoo! Here is what I found.

The clock is now in our lounge room as Master M requested that Mr M swap the clocks. The other clock we had in there was round. Master M told us that we would need to 'paint a square now'. We told him that we had painted the wall behind the clock so that wouldn't be necessary. LOL. The green doesn't really complement the rest of the room but we are pretty much just dreaming about our extension at this stage so it can stay (for now)

The mixing bowl is JAJ - England. I am wanting to collect some old mixing bowls but I am not that keen on the pattern so this one is likely a seller.

Love the vintage playing cards but not yet sure if it is a full set. I bought them as I thought there would be someone who would find them useful (maybe scrap booking), and they are sure to be collectible. I think they may be 1950s but please correct me if I'm wrong. I found this great site when I was Googling the cards and placed a pic there for a bit of fun.
My cards on Collectors Weekly

The bowl is an Anchor lustre glass bowl. I found this website on the Anchor glass. There are some gorgeous things there (especially the Ruby glass). Anchor Hocking Museum

Couldn't let this little guy go. I am considering using it for one of the kids rooms. Master M needs a night light but not sure if I would trust the wiring. It is marked 1982 on the bottom. Cute.

Check out this adorable couple. Mabel Lucie Attwell - 'Memories of Yesterday' - 1987 

 

Excuse the green vase pic will you please. The computer is running sooo slow and to go back and fix it will likely lead to me having a nervous break down.

Another piece of depression glass in the first picture. I actually have one of these already but will hang onto it. I bought the fan because it reminded me of the one my Grandmother had. Don't really have any plans for it yet (why do I buy these things?- lol). The green trough vase is a bit 'ho hum' and I am not sure of the maker so will see how we go with that one( however it is that green colour I am liking so much at the moment). The old 'Book for Girls' is from the 60s.

At least I can feel good about my purchases on Saturday as the two sales I bought most from were both benefiting charities.  

Last stop was a Church market where I bought these hand made kitchen hand towels for $6 each!

Has anyone else picked up cute handmade things at Church or school markets?

Three finds.

The big boy fell asleep on the couch and the little girl is in her cot. This NEVER happens during the day. Party time! Well if you call ‘partying’ enjoying a cup of tea in front of the pc… I guess it’s in full swing!

I have a couple of finds to share with you. Firstly the lovely pink Depression glass plate that I picked up from the good old Lions shed. 

Then the 'Woodies' syphon bottle. South Australians love their Woodroofe Lemonade. I bought this from a garage sale. Unfortunately someone had knocked it over and broken the top (underneath the cap). The owners were quite disappointed but I must admit they had a really silly set up for a garage sale and it was bound to happen. I grabbed it for $2 because you can’t tell it’s broken unless you lift the top and the glass straw is still intact.  Oh dear, I just got a shiver. Does the word ‘hoarder’ mean anything to me? No, no I am not at that stage yet, I am still able to throw away old plastic containers. Lol  

 

 

Last is my cute pinny apron with gingham cherry. I have sold quite a few aprons but lately have started keeping them for myself (hoarder). Really like this one.

One more day until the weekend!