Tuesday Set Too

It has been wet overnight, and is a damp and grey overcast day.  One that feels chilly but I am determined to make the most of the day as best I can. I used the new Blepharus treatment last night for the first time and again this morning with the new eye drops as well.  I am feeling oh so much more comfortable, no problem opening my eyes this morning at all.  So fingers crossed that things will get much better from now on in. I hadn't realised how much of a problem they had been.  Early days yet but things can only get better.  At least the issue has been addressed.  I actually complained on the last eye test that I had, but the Optician did not make much of the problems I was experiencing.  Thank goodness the young lady Optician who conducted the tests was absolutely on the ball.

I have been stiff today and have had trouble moving.  Have had my Paracetamol and that has eased things a little. A side effect of cooler weather and rain. I have therefore chosen to take things more easily today with lots of pottering about going on, but nothing substantive being achieved.  

I have also found the exact replacement of the Pearsons Stoneware cheese dome and plate at quite a good price and have therefore bought that.  I accidentally knocked over its predecessor although I still retained the base plate.

For many years I have collected both Moira stoneware and Pearsons of Chesterfield stoneware.  My Mum's family at one stage lived in the Chesterfield area as my Great Grandfather had his own Wheelwright business situated there.  They also had their own bakery.  My Grandmother (according to my Mum) used to have to help with getting the Pancheons ready and clean for the fresh bread that was made daily.   Latterly they moved back to Lincoln with Great Granddad traversing between Chesterfield and Lincoln as he had his business there. Reading between the lines my Great Grandmother was a business woman in her own right.  It was she who ran the bakery and she also had a small Tobacconist business and bread and breakfast business.  Great Grandmother had been reared on farm and hard work and she could pretty well turn her hand to most things.  It was her that kept the family together.

Quite a bit of my collection was purchased when I was first married and I have added other bits as I have gone along including stone storage crocks, bread crocks etc. I have also bought crocks without lids and I have upcycled some of the items as I have gone along.  Just because a crock has lost its lid does not make it dysfunctional.  Add a wooden lid with a handle and you have a perfectly functional crock for storing either bread or other food items such as flour, salt, biscuits, dried fruit etc.  Many of them are marked with "Bread or Flour" on the front and because of this they are often left on the shop shelf.  Turn the jar around and add your own label and it is perfectly functional and I think gives an old fashioned charm to a Pantry if you are indeed lucky enough to have such a facility.  I have a small walk in one that is continuously in use as well as the under-stair cupboard and soon to be hearth cupboard as well.  It is also loosely speaking "Preserving and re-using an item that was often made by hand/or early manufacturing methods.  Where I come from there is a saying "If it is not Brock don't mend it".  

I have quite an extensive collection of recipe baking dishes, Chicken egg holders, and other feathered friends and unusual cooking casseroles as well.  As I keep saying I have a dream of a kitchen in my mind's eye which will not only have eminently decorative items in it, but many of them will be usable too. It will also be a freestanding kitchen with pieces of functional furniture rather than a fitted kitchen. Practicality, utility as well as beautiful individual items in their own right. It is the collecting and putting lovely things together which gives me the most pleasure.  I love drawing all the different metaphorical threads together to create something different but totally me.  I have also located a small Moira Chicken egg holder as well - yet again at a very good price and this one is a little different to the ones I already have.

On top of that to go with both the Pearson and Moira stoneware I needed some substantial every day plates and I have opted to collect the BHS Blue Brecon crockery.  I have also been collecting this on and off long-term.  I am not quite sure what I have.  I know that I have a number of side plates, cups, saucers, a large ewer jug, a couple of storage cannisters, salad plates and a few dinner plates.  I know that I need to add more dinner plates to the collection though.

The latest piece that has been added to the collection though is a Salt Pig.

My Nan's Collection of stoneware vinegar flagons is also in my collection.  Many of them held vinegar originally and some of them were used in her early days of brewing wine and beer.  Another decorative piece of the dream kitchen aesthetic.  I also have a stone hot water bottle as well.  

I have also ordered some crochet books for some specific projects that can be picked up and put down when I get a few minutes here and then.  A stress buster as it were that will hopefully make a few more nice things for my home. The Crochet books are by Kate Eastwood.  I already have her garlands and wreath book, and I follow her on Instagram.  She has recently written about a few new projects that she has released which I| quite like but will not get done for this year but maybe next.   I already have on the list a large crochet blanket/bedspread.  However am saving up for the yarn for that which is cotton based.

Steak and salad for tea this evening.  Just nice and simple.

I think I may have a day to myself tomorrow although it has not been confirmed so am not totally sure. G is supposed to be fishing, we will see what happens.

Hope everyone has a lovely evening.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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