This time I kind of threw myself at the weekend, trying to say Yes to as many things as possible and be a little braver.
There were long train rides (accompanied by new music on my iPod), crowds of people to navigate through, catching up with family, (a bit of bravery required to get to..) a thrifty antique shopping trip, more train rides (a very scary moment when I accidentally stumbled upon a disagreement between protesters and police, midway), a monsoon-like down-pouring of rain, a late night knitting session, a sunny morning in the garden, a fight with an overgrown rose bush, home made courgette soup, juicy plum tomatoes from the market, several hours trying to fix an issue that had locked my computer (P.S. Have you backed up lately?!) and teaching myself to knit picot cast on and bind off among other things.
Now it's Monday morning and I have a big to-do list but I'm happily working my way through it because I feel refreshed, recharged and re-inspired.
I thought I'd link up with Magpie Monday today and show you my antique shop finds!
My Mum and sister took me to one of their favourite bargain hunting spots. There were so many wonderful things but I was very restrained. I turned down pyrex mixing bowls (they were quite scratched) and a set of pyrex bowls and plates that I didn't really need (half price as well - how's that for restraint?).
I ended up bringing away books.
I got a copy of Alice in Wonderland. Following on from last Wednesday when I was talking about how I'm reading a lot of children's fiction that I didn't (or don't remember) reading as a child, this book has been on my list of things to read for a while. Alice references are littered through life and whilst think I know the gist of the story I think this book is going to put a lot of things into place for me.
Salads for All The Year Round by Mary Woodman. This book attracted me because I love salad but don't tend to vary it very much, particularly in the colder months, so I'm looking forward to gleaning some ideas. I'm also hoping it might inspire what I plant out in the garden/greenhouse for the colder months.
A little taste from the introduction: '..salads, when reduced to a fine art, have the power to transform a commonplace meal into a pleasurable diversion.'
And, saving the best for last...
Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches from 1934. I had been dithering over whether or not to buy this book for a while after seeing it somewhere else but when I saw this copy for little over half the price I had seen it online, I had to snap it up and I'm so glad I did.
The book is in really good condition and the instructions go way beyond anything you see in modern embroidery books with very complicated and interesting stitches and plenty of explanation.
Possibly the best parts of buying old books, though, are discovering things from its previous owner's life. I LOVE it when this happens - sometimes a pressed flower, a note from church or even a handwritten recipe!
My embroidery dictionary has some pattern transfers in the back which are still very useable.
What did you say Yes to, this weekend?
Don't forget to check out Friday's post to see if you won the giveaway!
I tend to use Monday catching up with all the stuff I told myself I'd do at the weekend!
ReplyDeleteLovely books, I like finding things in them too, I just found a load of Co-op stamps from the 50s in one - I'll probably use them in some kind of collage one of these days.
A collage is a great idea for using the stamps.
DeletePs. Visiting from Magpie Monday
ReplyDeleteLove the salads book. I have a similar titled one by Joy Larkom. I found some wooden spills that people used to light the gas with in an old cookery book I bought. I've also recently found a piece of card with an ad for caramel wafers from Peak 6 for 1'9. Peak was a derby bakery. It says makers of Scotch Dundee (yum) and Continental Canned Cakes..I wonder what they are?
ReplyDeleteOoh, lots of local history, there, Elaine!
DeleteAhh it's great finding little snippets in old books. That, and the smell of them - you don't get that with a Kindle!
ReplyDeleteNo, you dont - I'm yet to try a kindle!
DeleteFab weekend. I have learned that weekends are family time and not time to get a head start ion the week. Much better for us all
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Jen x
DeleteWhat lovely finds. That embroidery book looks absolutely fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThanks :o)
DeleteThat embroidery book is worth its weight in gold! I want to try out the stitch you took a photo of right this very minute. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, it looks great doesn't it?!
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ReplyDeleteSo much for me to digest in that post Hannah!
ReplyDelete1. How you exited your weekend feeling refreshed I don't know, as I was exhausted just reading about it.
2. Congratulations on finding your brave and really going for it. Glad it paid off and that you had such a rewarding weekend.
3. Your embroidery book looks like a real treasure. Winchester Cathedral have a fab second-hand book shop where I picked up a pile of exciting craft book for next to nothing (plus a donation because I felt like I was robbing them!) One is from 1927 called Embroidery Design and Stitches by Kathleen Mann. Despite being in black & white it is utterly, utterly enchanting. Another was And So to Embroider by the Needlework Development Scheme (think it is a school/college textbook) which is also pretty awesome.
4. About finding personal momentos inside purchases - shortly after your recent post about Beko recipe books I found one in a charity shop which had been well used (it was falling apart) but also well-loved (it was still in its original plastic packet and in perfect page order), but slipped between the pages were hand-written cake and bread recipes. Would have loved it but had spent enough already :(
5. Miixed results about saying Yes at the weekend. Had an exhausted, grumpy and aimless Saturday but said Yes to a cycle ride on Sunday and ended up doing 8 miles .... which I am still surprised about.
Apologies for the very long comment. Have a good week.
Elaine x
Hi Elaine
Delete1. They say a change is as good as a rest!
2. Thanks :o)
3. What a great find! I often find myself making a donation when I get something really cheap that I know has a lot of value, too.
4. What an interesting find! I think handwritten recipes are such amazing treasure - it makes me wonder who wrote it, what for and so many other things... Just think of leaving it like a gift. Someone else will have discovered them now!
5. 8 miles of cycling is very impressive - well done!
Protestors and police..you werent in my neck of the woods by any chance lol?
ReplyDeleteThe salad book sounds interesting though Im like you, salads can get monotonous so I may look into it!
I think it was an overspill from what happened in your town, Mel. It was very scary.
DeleteI'll let you know if I find anything good in the salad book.
Our store had to lock its front doors because they were coming from the train station, some by coach and were literally rocking it side to side, it was more race related tha anything since all they wanted to do was start a fight with any muslim in sight!
DeleteBut yes please do, I need to kick start my health again so I am looking for inspiration!
I love old books too. When my grandma and great-grandma died, their cookbooks were the first things I asked for. So much of them are inside those pages. It also allows me to continue food traditions that would be lost.
ReplyDeleteWord of caution on those embroidery transfers. I would use them for design ideas only. Transfers that old may not wash out of your material after you are finished embroidering them. My mom had that problem with some really old carbon paper she used once. Nearly ruined a beautiful blouse.
Oh, thanks for the tip, Paula!
ReplyDelete