Smashing.......

I was rather upset to discover this beautiful antique cast iron book stand in many pieces on the kitchen floor one morning towards the end of summer. I had left a rather large cookbook open on the stand  which was on top of the servery near the window which was left open overnight. A gust of wind must have caught the surface of the book and made the stand topple to the floor. Amazingly no one heard what must have been quite a loud smashing sound. Thanks to Rod for his patient and skillful work in glueing it back together. 

Cast iron and enamel cookbook stand purchased on holiday in Kempton Tasmania.

Jaffa Lantern

                           

                                                      This newly purchased plant has been the most wonderful discovery. 

The seed inside is the colour of a Jaffa

I love the framework encasing the seed.

Nature is truely wonderful.

Physalis alkekengi, is a relative of P. peruviana, easily identifiable by the larger, bright orange to red papery covering over its fruit, which resemble paper lanterns. It is native from southern Europe east across southern Asia to Japan. Wikipedia

More favourite items

Then on to the Mantel Piece, all before lunch.

This is just a weathered piece of wood found outside, but it is rather interesting.

Brass bowl given to us by Phyllis

Either Alex or Aly's egg cup. 

Taddy & Co. Jar from Clyde.

Painted resin steam loco - one of my better gifts to Rod.

Ditto

Brass Bell, repaired by Rod.

Royal Winton 'Gateway' cup and saucer - a keep sake from my Grandmother Gladys

 Knight & Gibbon's reproduction wall clock.

Green glazed terracotta bowls.

Bye gone days

More dusting today was the inspiration for this post. 

Copper kettle, was in daily use until we purchased the electric kettle.

Not an antique but treasured as this was give to us by Fiona.

Antique Copper Jug

Easter Egg mould.

Mincer was used by us until we got our food processor.

Extra large wine bottle.

Antique Copper preserving pan.

Reproduction Nautical Lantern.

Bakerlite Speaker

Antique scales, we had the bowl gold plated. Metric and Imperial weights.

Drop scone pan made of cast iron.

Laundry Decor

 A cold rainy day was the inspiration to get the antique items down from the pelmet over the laundry door and give them a well needed dust.

Antique Iron

Not Antique but still the part, two brass pegs.

Soap dispenser from the days before washing machines.

Antique Brass fire extinguisher.

Antique Copper and Brass insect sprayer.

Antique timber and glass wash board.

Antique cane laundry basket.

Sorting, salvaging and storing seeds

As far back as 1989 I started collecting seeds which I bought, swapped, collected from my own garden or was sometimes given by friends. A few seeds soon became a box of seeds. Empty film containers were the perfect receptacle for storing the different varieties. 

Sorting the empties.

Flower, herb and vegetable seeds.

Some were still in their unopened original packets.

Out of the box and onto the shelf. Flowers down one end.....

....vegetable seeds down the other end. The tablet containers
were the more recent receptacle for storing current seeds but
take up too much space. I will still keep large quantities such as
oriental poppies in the larger tablet containers. 

Film is certainly a thing of the past for most
of us. I will be sure to hang on to these canisters
which may become quite rare.

These red faux leather boxes sit in front of the canisters and
hide them from view.

 I have collected a large container of mixed flower seeds and another one of mixed vegetable seeds. I do not want to waste time and potting soil trying to get these extremely out of date seeds to grow, but I will scatter them in an area and see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Colour my day

Since a session of trimming dead branches off our big old stringy bark we have had two beautiful Crimson Rosella's visit our bird feeder on at least two occasions. The view from the dining room window has been very enjoyable.

Another purpose for our hieroglyphic totem poles.

We wonder if the sawdust that was caught on the top of the
bird feeder was what attracted the birds to stop off for a visit.

One stands guard whilst the other snacks.

We will try and keep the seed fresh and stocked in the feeder so that we can enjoy more visits.