Saturday 30 November 2013

 Christmas 2013 is here……
Hi Vintage Lovers,

 I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME
It is the most wonderful time of year.
But I am the type of girl that waits till the 1st of December,
then it is CHRISTMAS. BRING IT ON.....
 
Santa, Elves, Reindeers, a sack of gifts and the true magic of Christmas.
Decorating, Baking and being with Family and Friends.
 
Christmas is not something that is bought in a store, or found under the tree. Christmas is magic, a spirit, and it is found in your heart...and not in your wallet or purse.
 
Soooooo, I have a challenge for you all if you would like to accept (that I try to do every year).
 
Really think about the person you are buying for this Christmas season:
 
Instead of purchasing a "cheap, mass produced, barcoded, made in Taiwan or China" present; that really only tells them that you didn't put a lot of time and thought into their gift.
 
I understand it is not always possible, but instead, try and find that unique and individual gift that tells them how well you know them. Show them that you put a lot of time and thought into it and that they really mean a lot to you and that you love them.
 
If you are anything like me you will be doing the latter, and finding that unique and individual gift to suit your loved one.
 
I also try to shop locally and support small business wherever possible.
Oh, and try to keep away from barcodes.  Eeeeek !!!!!!
Mel xx

P.S.  When you stop believing in Santa Claus you get socks and underwear in your Santa Sacks.
J
 


 



Saturday 23 November 2013


Moving In and an Open Pantry………
Hi Vintage Lovers,

A big Sorry, It's been a few weeks between posts.....
we have been rather busy around here and not taking it easy.....anything but!!!
 
 
After Agatha (I am smitten with her) arriving a few weeks ago we have been making the most of having an oven again and doing lots of cooking and baking. I cooked my first batch of shortbread in her last week. Lets just say they were delicious and disappeared very quickly.

 
We have also moved our leadlight cabinet into the kitchen and unpacked all of our kitchen bits and pieces. Everything has fitted in perfectly, like it was meant to be......although I did have a big cleanout and did take quite few bags to Goodwill.
It is amazing how much you collect.....without even trying!!!


We then had a decision to make.......what to do with the old kitchen window cavity that the previous owners had made in to a pantry (with doors).
We have been deciding which doors to pop back on that will suit the kitchen as we are planning to change the cupboard doors on the kitchen bench now also (they are just tounge and groove timber). 
 

 
I then had a thought - why don't we have an open pantry and make a feature out of the old window cavity instead of trying to hide it away.

 
We then attached matching architrave moulding (the same as the old door frames in the kitchen), sanded it down and stained and varnished.......and here is the outcome........
 
 
........We couldn't be happier with the result.
It matches the kitchen perfectly.
  I have a spot to display all my old tins and also an excuse to buy more old kitchen tins to pop food into to hide the modern packing.
 
 
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.
 

Mel xx

 

 
 

Wednesday 6 November 2013


Agatha’s Home for good…….
Hi Vintage Lovers,

The day finally arrived yesterday, I feel like I have been waiting forever, when Agatha came home for keeps and I couldn't be happier. It has been about six months in the planning and waiting (she spent four months on a ship traveling from our Mother England). I never do anything by halves!!!! I am one of these people that never take the easy option and visit a Harvey Norman or Ikea store. I haven't even ventured through their doors at all and have NOOOO plans to in the near or distant future!!
 
For those of you that are new to the blog Agatha is our new Aga stove. Who has travel half way across the world to be with us and I couldn't be happier now that she is sitting in our heart of the home. Yes, I name non living items in our home. I am a little unconventional or maybe unique and eccentric would be better words to describe me. J
 
 
We had the house full yesterday with all the tradies. Wayne had the day off of work, then we had the Aga Store guy and our electrician and plumber here also. A full house for most of the day. Wayne jokingly said to me last night that he now knows what I do all day now - have Cuppas and Tim Tams and long morning tea sessions with all the tradies that we have had at our Old Lady over the past six months!
The cheek of him!!! Or maybe he knows me oh so well, I love a good cuppa and a chin wag!


Agatha is gorgeous and looks perfect in our kitchen.
 As soon as she was unpacked yesterday, we knew we had made the right decision, and all the planning and waiting had been all worth while. She has two electric ovens and four gas hobs which is perfect for what we want.


We cooked a potato and leek soup last night. I know it's not a gourmet meal as it is mid week, but very yummy none the less. That will have to wait until the weekend as our youngest has cricket training and I have yoga tonight and then tomorrow night we have an under 10's cricket match to go to and support.


I am Soooooo looking forward to also doing some baking. I have missed it and can't wait to get back into it. One of my plans for over the weekend.



Hope you are having a great week.
Mel xx

P.S. I am now on Instagram, I would love you to pop over and have a look. I have popped a link to my instagram page on the side of blog for future reference. It's a great way to follow along between posts. Click here, if you would like to have a peek at it. J