In days gone by.....

Little Nell's presume grave

2012-02-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I was in the UK for a little business trip. I had very little time, but on the last day I took a quick look at the world's smallest cathedral. The church of st Bartholomew.
Charles Dickens made the local town famous in his novel 'The old Curiosity shop', in the story the heroine Little Nell is buried in the graveyard. The story is fiction, but to accomodate the growing number of tourist someone took the initiative to have a presume grave for the famous Little Nell.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Curiosity_Shop


St Bartholomew, Tong

The presume grave of little Nell

Mrs chippy

2012-01-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

    I recently saw the mini serie about Shackelton's adventure in Antartica. He was planning on doing a trans-Antartic expedition in 1914 when his boat- The Endurance- got caught in pack ice.
    The story of the men's adventure and survival, and the captains promise to bring them all home alive is a story that will live on as a tale of unsurpassed courage.
   But, what about the animals that were on board ? When the order came to abandon the ship as it was slowly being crushed, they set up a camp on the ice and moved all their dogs there. Regrettably they knew the few puppies they had and the ship’s cat would not survive. The captain ordered them shot.
   Mrs Chippy, the carpenters cat, who was actually a male , was fed a last dish of sardine before being shot. His owner never forgave the Captain for it.
   In time the rest of the dog would also be killed and eaten by the desperate men, but in the end every man was rescued and some even accompanied Shackelton on one more expedition.
    You can read more about Mrs Chippy’s adventures, and how he had to be rescued after he became a ‘ cat overboard here : http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/famous/chippy.html

Mrs Chippy and Blackborow

The story doesn't here, in 2004 a life size bronze statue of Mrs chippy was placed on his owners grave in New Zealand.

Harry McNish's grave with the statue of Mrs Chippy

scrimshaw

2012-01-21T00:13:00.000-08:00

Scrimshaw was the hobby of sailors who had time on their hand, and were far away from home.
Using bone, teeth, ivory or such natural material from whales, or other animals the artist would scratch the pattern with a sharp tool, or needle and finally highlight it with ink, or other pigments.

There are many artist who keep the technique and who produce beautiful little items, with intricate drawings.
Here is a beautiful nautical scened on a magnifying glass, and paper cutter set I got from an amazing ETSY seller. It was to be a gift so I asked her to engrave the initials on the back.

You can see more of her work here : http://www.etsy.com/shop/lindalayden

Lovely scrimshaw

Details

Nicolas cage is a vampire ? You be the judge ...!

2012-01-14T12:02:00.000-08:00

I just had to add this photos, it is for sale at the very reasonable price of 100 000,00 $ from this seller :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77640543/nicolas-cage-is-a-vampire-cdv-photo-from

The late 1800's portrait of a man who is said to resemble the actor Nicolas Cage.

Do you see a similarity ?

1870 portrait

Two antique card holders

2012-01-08T06:05:00.000-08:00

In the 1800's calling cards were very popular, and if you had cards, you needed a card holder. Here are two examples from our collection.

Both are ladies card cases, the one with the little chain is in mint condition, and has a monogram. The filigree one is beautiful, but is missing the metal case that would have been inside the pretty cover.

A ladies' card holder

Lovely filigree case

Écarté card game

2012-01-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

Here is an 1800's French card game called ' Écarté ' .

Écarté is a two player card game that was popular in the 19 th century, you can read more about it, and find the rules at the link below :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cart%C3%A9

The cards, and the deck were bought seperatly, one of the cards has a little blue tax stamp saying :

Republic francaise

Decret du 12 Avril 1890

French Écarté cards from the 1890's

Card game tax stamp

Sewing acorn

2011-12-27T06:37:00.000-08:00

A little sewing acorn from my collection.

This little copper acorn opens in the middle and has a little wooden thread holder with a place for needles. I think originally it would have had a thimble inside also, and a little hook where the hole is at the tip for attaching the acorn to a chatelaine.

Antique sewing acorn with pretty etchings

100 years since Amundsen arrived at the South pole

2011-12-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

Today December the 14 th 2011 is exactly 100 years to the day since Roald Amundsen arrived at the south pole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Amundsen


Roald Amundsen

From the left: Amundsen, Hanssen, Hassel and Wisting salute the Norwegian flag, December 1911. Photo taken by Olav Bjaaland

Little photo album from 1918

2011-12-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

My husband picked up this cute little leather photo holder on Ebay.

He was looking for a vintage pocket photo holder, but when we saw that it had an handwriten note inside, it was hard to think about removing the original pictures of a little girl, her parents and grandparents.

This is a good question for collectors. Should one remove photos from old frames ?


To my dear little girl on her thirteenth birthday. 10/20-1918, Dad

H.M.Ruff's dedication to album

2011-11-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

First page of the album

Accept this book an emblem bright,
Of thy expanding soul.
An while the years revolving flight
That others around us roll.
Resolve that like thy album white
Thy heart shall album be,
And if at all some stain should fall,
Thou'll cleanse it soon from Thee.

R
Balt ( ? ) Sept 28, 1826

The name is a little hard to read, but I have found ' Balt' other places in the book, and in some 'Baltimore'...A person, or the place ?

H.M.Ruff's album

2011-11-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

M.R.Ruff's Album

I usually try to find something original, and unique when I select my husband's Christmas present. Last year I was the lucky winner at auction of an amazing book/journal from a young lady who lived in the early 1800's.

   I think I got away with it within my budget because the seller had a typo in the description, I thought it was a mistake, but did not risk too high a bid...just in case. But my intuition was rewarded, and I was able to present this amazing book to Kyle for Christmas 2010.

   Embossed leather bound, with the name H.M.Ruff on the front cover. This was an album, or friendship book, an hobby that was very popular at the time and still is among young ladies ( I have a similar, though not so ornate, and very silly one that I kept from when I was 15-20 years old )

    There are entries starting from 1826, and going on through the 1830's. Little poems, saying, good-bye's and notes from friends, family members, etc...There is a variety of handwriting style, some are common, but others are very graceful, and artistic.

   I will be posting some of the best entries from the album.

Beautiful penmanship

Some of the pages show wear from age

Pre 1874 Crocheted Beaded Bag with Story

2011-11-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

I found this amazing item while browsing ETSY.com

It is for sale here : http://www.etsy.com/listing/75546723/pre-1874-crocheted-beaded-bag-with-story

Indian bead bag from the 1870's

Here is the sellers description :

Pre 1874 Crocheted Beaded Bag with Story. This extraordinarily beaded bag which measures 10" long and 2.5" across is crocheted incorporating beads in every possible place you could put a bead. The beads are all hand made and thus somewhat irregular. Besides the beaded crocheted into the bag itself, there are many tassels of beads in rows from the top to the bottom of the bag.

Besides the bag itself, a note typed on a 3 X 5 card was with the bag giving it's history. It is written by Mrs. E. B. Hoagland who would have been born in 1867 and if I do my math right, it would have been typed in 1944 when Mrs Hoagland was 77 years of age. (This substantiated by the typed note.)

The bag itself is truly stunning and with the story, it makes it even more incredible. It is very rare that you get a piece that has a story and history with it.

According to a friend of mine who herself is in her 70s and has done needlework all of her life says that the beads that are translucent would be even more beautiful if cleaned. I will not clean this bag as I do not wish to risk possible damage to it.

I have had a very hard time deciding whether to sell it or keep it, but I have decided to offer it to someone who will truly appreciate it for what it is and it's story. It is truly a very unusual find and is priced accordingly.

There are a couple of threads that need to be "caught" so they don't unravel. Otherwise the bag is in perfect condition.

Such amazing work

Irish crochet reticule purses

2011-10-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Irish rose crochet purse

Here are some photos of two Irish crochet reticule purses in my collection. They are not too tiny, both are about 20 cm long.. The black one has a ripped silk lining inside, and is missing an acorn, but otherwise both are in good condition.

I wonder where those two purses have been.....? Perhaps to the theater, or ballet ? Or simply to the restaurant ?

Both are excellent example of neat, and durable worksmanship.


Irish crochet reticule


Lovely acorn fringe.

Sewing circle tintype

2011-10-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

This is a nice antique tintype photo of some young ladies doing sewing together.

It is available for sale from this seller :
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83482652/sewing-circle-tintype?ref=v1_other_1

Kongsberg - Heddal stave church

2011-09-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken by my husband of the stave church in Kongsberg.

It had been rainning a lot, so these were the best shots he could get..... I hope I can go and visit it one day....

Stave church in Kongsberg

Beautiful carvings

Link : http://www.heddalstavkirke.no/lang/gb

Marie Angenieux's sampler

2011-08-05T04:16:00.000-07:00

I bought this beautiful French sampler on Ebay some years back. It had to have it reframed as the original frame was damaged, and I had asked the seller to send it to me unframed.

It is done on fine weave, with silk threads. I believe it was the work of a young lady, as I see no obvious mistakes. It features a poem of endearment to her parents.

I might be wrong, but the date is written - 2 7bre 1844. I believe it is 2 september 1844.

Sampler from 1844

Cher papa et chere maman

Ce n'est point en offrant des fleurs

Que je veux peindre ma tendresse ;

De leurs parfums, de leurs couleurs

En peu d'instants le charme cesse.

la rose nait en un moment

En un moment elle est fletris ;

mais ce que pour vous mon coeur sent

Ne finira qu'avec ma vie.

Outre Furens ce 2 7bre 1844 Fait par Marie Angenieux

In English it would translate as :

Dear papa and mother

It is not in offering flowers

That I want to paint my tenderness
Of their perfums, and their colours
In a short instant the charm is done
The rose is born in a moment

And in a moment she is withered

But what my heart feels for you

Will only end with my life.

Last photos......

2011-07-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

Downstairs

These are the last photos in ' Portrait of an old house'.

There is a sort of odd saddeness to say farewell to a place where one has lived, loved, cried, laughted, and raised their children.

We took most of our furnitures and belongings, but did not have the time or space to take everything. We leave behind many good memories, some frustrations..... leaks in the roof, and a pink climbing rose that was too tall to move.

My room

Upstairs

Souvenir

2011-05-31T01:19:00.000-07:00

I acquired this little embroidery a few years ago, it features delicate flowers stitched on gauze in petit point with silk threads.

In the Victorian era cards, gifts and small embroideries often had the French word ' Souvenir' on them....maybe this had been a present to a departing friend ?

Souvenir

Neat, and tiny stitches in silk

Antique Singer sewing machine

2011-04-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

My husband bought me this old Singer sewing machine at a charity shop for Valentine day a couple years ago.

Singers are not that expensive as they were so many of them produced, and since they were such good quality they were rarely discarded and you can easily find them at second hand, or antique dealers. Older models, or intact machines with matching box, decoration and accessories fetch higher prices.

But personally I feel a well worn model has more charm, just picture the mother sitting for hours in front of her machine, sewing clothe for her family.

Missing a couple parts, but works.

Singer sewing machine

Each Singer has a serial number, and if you write to the company they can give you a little information about your machine.

Made in 1899

   Here is the email I received :

Thank you for writing.

Please find below, requested manufacture dates on your Singer Sewing Machines:

SERIAL NUMBER    MODEL NUMBER    DATE & LOCATION

16165285 Number      28K Machine             April 27 1899 in Kilbowie

Cordially,

Singer Consumer Affairs

TalkToUs@SingerCo.com

The back window

2011-04-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

I'll admit, I love windows. They are the eyes of house, and reflect the personality of the people living there.

This window is in the back of the house, it faces the rocky cliff. No one sees it, and the wall was painted rather roughtly..... yet, the little flowers that bloomed on the ledge during the winter months, give it a certain charm.

Notice the pink perlagonia bloom...?

10, and 25 øre coins

2011-04-14T04:19:00.000-07:00

Some years back my husband bought at a used dealer, a jar full of 10, and 25 øre coins. Those coins are out of circulation for years now, and since the government now will also be doing away with the 50 øre coins it makes one think back about simpler days, when a little was worth a lot more.

Different models from the 50's through the 90's

The end of the 50 øre coin

2011-04-14T04:11:00.000-07:00

On the 1st of Mai 2012 the 50 øre coin from Norway will be history.

I keep an old jam jar in on a ledge in my pantry where I save the little coins that I find in my husband's pockets when I do the laundry, that take up space in my wallet, and that I find on the ground. Most are 50 øre coins, as they seem to be forgotten in an ever modernising world where most people ( including me ) use their bank cards to avoid having to count coins.

Wondering if I should turn them in, or save them......?

Norwegian 50 øre coin

Found in the snow

2011-03-23T03:52:00.000-07:00

I found this well used, monogrammed fork in the snow... ( silver plated ? )

Is anyone missing a fork from their collection ?

Monogram E F

Odds and ends

2011-03-23T03:43:00.000-07:00

Little things that were found buried in the ground behind the house.

A little aluminum pot and an old pocket watch cover.

Pretty old pocket watch...perhaps a lady's ?

Old Norwegian coin

2011-03-04T03:01:00.000-08:00

Old Norwegian coin I found in the back of the house while I was watering my plants.

1/2 shilling from 1867

Leaffy ice designs

2011-02-23T00:52:00.000-08:00

These photos were taken by my husband last weekend, it's our bedroom window and it was about - 15 degrees the night before.

Isn't it pretty ?

Ice on window, winter 2011

Ladies of the 1800's

2011-02-21T06:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a cute little description of ladies from the point of view of a writer from the 1800’.

This excerpt is taken from : The royal path of life ( Thomas L. Haines )

These are the national traits of woman’s character: The English woman is respectful and proud, the French woman is gay and agreeable; the Italian is ardent and passionate; the American is sincere and affectionate.

With an English woman love is a principle; with a French woman it is a caprice; with an Italian it is a passion; with an American it is a sentiment.

A man is married to an English lady; united to a French woman; cohabits with an Italian; and is wedded to an American.

An English woman is anxious to secure a lord; a French woman, a companion; an Italian, a lover; an American, a husband. The Englishman respects his lady; the Frenchman esteems his companion; the Italian adores his mistress; the American loves his wife.

At night the Englishman returns to his house; the Frenchman to his establishment; the Italian to his retreat; the American to his home.

When an Englishman is sick, his lady visits him, when a Frenchman is sick, his companion pities him; when an Italian is sick, his mistress sighs over him; when an American is sick, his wife nurses him.

When an Englishman dies, his lady is bereaved; when a Frenchman dies, his companion grieves, when an Italian dies, his mistress laments hi; when an American dies, his wife mourns.

An English woman instructs her offspring; a French woman teaches her progeny; an Italian rears her young; and American educates her child.

Living room

2011-02-08T05:38:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple photos of our tiny living room. We are moving soon, so these are the last photos of 'Portrait of an old house', before we start packing.

Our living room of 8 years has a warped floor with original wooden boards, the ceiling only 200 cm high, and about 10 sq meters, it was a challenge to find furniture that matched both the style, and available space. All our furniture was bought second hand, and we have been satisfied with both our savings, and the 'vintage' look we were able to achieve.

When we decided on a piano, we realised there was no space. So without any regret our large Philips TV was given away to neighbors, and we managed to squeeze a vintage Ronisch piano into the little living.

Our little living room

Moustache brush

2011-02-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

Another little treasure from my husband's collection.

This little well used moustache brush with its leather case, must have belonged to a well groomed gentlemen.

Moustache brush

Decorated with a little silver picture of the famous Hans Sachs statue.

Hans Sachs, who was actually a cobbler, is one of Nurnberg's most well-loved historical figures. He wrote more than 400 songs, 400 tragedies and left behind as many as 2000 quotes. Konrad Kraußers statue (1874), which stands in the middle of this square shows the poet sitting down, surrounded by books. His house which was once a tourist attraction burnt down during the war but his words are kept alive by the Hans-Sachs Players who perform at regular intervals.

Courtesy of : http://www.nileguide.com/destination/nuremberg/things-to-do/hans-sachs-platz-und-hans-sachs-denkmal/661678

Vintage carving set

2011-01-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

I would probably not dare use real antiques in day-to-day life, but many vintage items are still in working condition and their availability makes it affordable to have some pretty little things around the house, and in use without feeling like one is diminishing their value.

This vintage carving set was bought on Ebay from France, bone handle, lovely design and still in its original box. I would date it as the first half of last century, old, beautiful, and the knife though well used, sharpened to perfection and was used for several Christmas dinners.

Vintage french carving set

Lovely details

Filigree needle case

2011-01-05T04:55:00.000-08:00

My husband picked up this old filigree needle case at an antique dealer for cheap because it is quite damaged.

Real filigree is wires twisted, and bend into intricate patterns, it was a time consuming art and usually made with precious metals. Now days there are many items marked' filigree' which are nothing more than stamped, or laser cut decorations.

Despite the fact that the needle case is a bit flattened, and missing some of the wires, I still find the design amazing and beautiful.

Antique filigree needle case

Old bow compass

2011-01-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

My husband found this old bow compass on his way to work one day...

We live in an old shipping, fishing town, bow compasses were used to measure distances on maps, especially on boats...I wonder who it had belong to, and what they had used it for.

Bow compass

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T23:57:00.000-08:00

Adolph Tidemand 1846

More cottage life

2010-12-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Kilian Zoll

Bengt Nordenberg

The cottage life

2010-12-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

Ernst Josephson

Knud Bergslien

Winter in Norway

2010-12-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

Here are several painting depicting Norway in the winter time by artist Gustav Wentzel. ( 7 october 1859 - 10 February 1927 )

Vinterlandskap i Vågå, 1914

Skirenn i Fjelkenbakken, Asker (1898).

The little house under the cliff

2010-12-02T01:15:00.000-08:00

Holmestrand the little town we live in is built at the foot of a high cliff on one side, and touching the Oslo fjord on the other. As the town grew the population built homes on the top of the cliff, so at present the larger part of the town is up the hill. But the old town, train, bus station and main offices are in the center at the bottom, while the residencial area is above.

See our little red house at the bottom of the high rocky cliff ? It may look dangerous, but there are security netting and the house has stood there for nearly 200 year after all.

Holmestrand

Iced windows

2010-12-02T01:01:00.000-08:00

This month has been in some parts of Norway the coldest November in over 140 years.

Take a look at the ice on our windows, even with the wood fire going for hours, the ice does not melt...at least it saves me from having to wash the windows.

The windows frames are typical of the beginning of the last century, and there are a couple of the single glass panes that are not completely clear and thus would be originals, or very old.

November 2010

A ladies shaving kit

2010-11-16T01:49:00.000-08:00

This sweet little lady's toilet necessaire is part of my husband's 1800's collection. Paper box with a lovely picture on the cover.

Pretty porcelain cup, but I am not sure the brush is from the original set as it is plastic and stamper ' M. USA, sterilised ' at the bottom. I would suppose such a pretty set would have had a more feminine brush, probably also from better material.

But it does not distract too much from the overall beauty of the boxed set.

A lady's shaving kit

The upstair window

2010-11-04T01:35:00.000-07:00

Though this window does get a thin cover of ice on it's pane in the worst months, is the best place for my plants to winter. I always place my Pelargoniums there in late autumn, and they are quite happy till summer when they are taken out again into the garden.

The upstair window

Tired mother

2010-10-28T01:25:00.000-07:00

I always loved this painting by the Norwegian artist Christian Krohg ( Born 13. august 1852 in Vestre Aker, died 16. oktober 1925 in Oslo, painter, write, and journalist.)

It shows a young mother sleeping near her babies crib, totally exhausted. There is bowl of porridge on the table, and she was knitting sock.

Sovende mor med barn ( Sleeping mother and child ) 1883

Ladies with long hair

2010-10-20T01:43:00.000-07:00

These photos are not my own ( a little beyond my budget, but can be bought here : )http://www.etsy.com/listing/56883451/rare-civil-war-era-photo-idd-woman-with
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57993065/antique-photo-of-victorian-girl-with

Most ladies in the 1800's posed with hats, or fancy hair styles, so I thought these were very interesting photos of young women with very long hair.

Antique Photo of Victorian Girl with Very Long Hair / Pach Bros

Rare Civil War Era Photo ID'd Woman with Very Long Hair

WW 1 postcards

2010-10-18T04:03:00.000-07:00

Here are two WW 1 army postcards from my husband's collection.

Printed in great britain.

God Keep You

An unused string in Memory's harp,
Was softly touched to-day,
And thoughts of you came crowding fast,
God keep you dear alway.

I Miss You

I miss you in the morning,
And miss you so at night,
The days are long without you,
And nothing seems just right.

WW 1 postcards

Heinz advertisement 1909

2010-10-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

This full page advertisement for heinz ketchup is from the July 1909 edition of ' The modern Priscilla'.

What I find interesting in this 102 years old add, is that they explain that they have no preservatives in the ketchup. Our great, great grandparents were health consious even back then.

Heinz advertisement 1909

The Heinz company was founded in Sharpsburg . USA in 1869, by Henry John Heinz

http://www.heinz.com/our-company/about-heinz/history.aspx

Old Irish Bible

2010-10-05T01:17:00.000-07:00

My husband's father gave him this Bible this summer for his birthday. It is an old Douay version,

The Approbabtion is writen by Paul Cullen and dated 1865 ( The date is a little unclear, but it does look like a ..65 )

Printed in dublin, cloth over board, a large volume. 24 x 31 cm, and 8 cm deep.

There are some beautiful black and white illustration inside.

Douay Bible 1865

Illustrations

Paul Cullen (29 April 1803 – 24 October 1878) was a Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin who became the first Irish Cardinal

Hill's manual

2010-09-29T01:35:00.000-07:00

If you were growing up in the United States in the late 1800's it is most probable that along with the family Bible you would have an Hill's Manual on your book shelf.

First published in 1873, it was repeatedly reprinted, and enlarged.

Preface.

The purpose of this book is to teach how to write the document correctly, and do the right thing at the right time in various important positions in life.
......The author of this volume realized the want of a work that would serve as a teacher and guide to those who desired an education, but have little opportunity for obtaining it.......

Mr Hill thought that everyone should know the basics of etiquette, and gentle upbringing no matter what their station in life.

The book contains information covering just about every aspect of life, from daily hygiene, to how to write a complain letter, job application, how to address a monarch, what colors compliment the blond, versus the brunette, penmanship, poetry, etc....

My copy is from 1889, and on the front page is the name : D B Campbell 1889 written in ink.

It is rare to find a copy in good condition, as it was a book that was well used, But it is possible to find it on Ebay, or antique book sales. There was a later reprint and I have seen copies on Amazon, and Alibris...though they lack the charm of the 1800's ones.

Hill's manual of sosial and business forms 1889

1930 gentlemans grooming kit

2010-09-20T03:59:00.000-07:00

It is always amazing what you can find on Ebay, little time capsules of a by-gone era.

My husband got this leather grooming kit for a bargain from a UK seller, still in the original box, paper wrapping, and stamped at the bottom : 12 Dec 1938

The unused kit contains everything a gentlemen would need to stay well groomed while traveling. Comb, metal mirror, toothbrush box, clothes brush, shaving kit, and even the original shaving soap ( though it does smell rather 70 years old...)

Boots toilet dept. kit

All stamped 'Made in England'

The cellar

2010-09-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

The old cellar door, less than 170 cm high.

The cellar

Old farm in the fall

2010-09-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

I bought this oil painting years ago at a flea market for about 10 $.
Not a particular good painting, and badly framed. But I always loved it....
It has a nostalgic autumn feel about it, you can almost smell the dead leaves, and wet earth. The scenery is typical of the Norwegian rounded, and wooded mountains.
There is a rough pencil signature..' MINALLE..? '

Norwegian farm

The kitchen table

2010-09-07T04:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of my kitchen table, adorned with a filet crochet table cloth. The pattern used was from a 1911 filet booklet, and it took me well over a year to finish.

The table is a solid oak ( ? ) country style model that I found in pieces behind the house when we first moved in. It is very heavy, narrow and a bit too low for comfortable dining, but it is the only table that fits 6 people into our tiny kitchen.

The wonderful thing about old, and solid furniture is that you can roll your pies, knead your bread, and have the children do cutting, gluing, drawing on it without having to worry with damaging it. A good rub with sandpaper and it is as good as new....

Filet crochet

Old family photo

2010-09-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a scan of an old photo showing the allies ( americans ) arriving in Fouchere ( France )
You can see my great grandmother in white waving, the little girl on the left is my grandmother.

Fouchere, France

Living room 1889

2010-08-31T03:11:00.000-07:00

Furnishing suggestion for a small 1889 living room. La mode illustree

Petit salon

More fashion plates

2010-08-31T03:08:00.000-07:00

Large fashion plates from La mode illustree 1889

Spring and summer fashion

Fashion for evenings, and dances

Mourning embroidery

2010-08-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a punch paper embroidery in my collection ( also known as Bristol board ).

It is done in long stitch and has a photo of the deceased. The photograph is quite faded, but it shows a middle age lady wearing a hat.

Punch paper embroidery was very popular, and there was a large variety availble with the pattern already printed on.

Bristol board embroidery

1851 fashionable wear for a walk in the park

2010-08-19T02:14:00.000-07:00

L'ami de la maison April 1851

Holmestrand church

2010-08-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

King Christian V gave the inhabitants of Holmestrand the permission to built a church, it was consecrated the 15 th of February 1674.

It is built in the shape of a Y representing the trinity, there are only four such churches left in Norway, and the one in Holmestrand is the largest. The bell tower was originally in the center of the building, but was moved in 1794.

The church is a log construction covered with paneling, it was neglected for years, and now is undergoing a large scale renovation. The roof was removed to lighten the structure so it could be slightly lifted in an effort to aid the removal, and replacement of rotten logs.

Holmestrand kirken

Notice on the left hand side how rotten the lower logs had become

The logs bared, and the roof covered with plastic tarp

New logs, cut and shaped like the original from the 1600's

The old coal burner, and cats.

2010-08-10T01:37:00.000-07:00

This very old oven is marked ULEFOS N 346 B.

It was built as a coal burner, but it is not allowed to burn coal in private houses anymore. We burned wood in it when we first came to the house, but now it has too many cracks, so we simply keep it as a decoration.

Once I had a fire inspector come to the house, he said that my two stoves need a good cleaning. They should be taken outside and thoroughly scrubbed, but if I replaced them in the house it would be like installing older models, and that is illegal. But as long as they are in the house it is fine to keep them, and the oven in the living room is still in working condition.

The old coal burner

My three cats. All are needed to keep the mice population under check

The old house under the cliff

2010-08-09T03:08:00.000-07:00

Why do we often romanticise life in simple cottages, little houses by the sea, or cabins in the woods ?

Maybe the human heart longs for simplicity, for the uncluttered life of days gone by, of simpler times.
Perhaps it is because we feel like Cinderela, Snow white, or Sleeping beauty, that if we wish hard enough our dreams will come true. Even if for the present the only roof over our head is a humble one.

If only old houses could talk, tell the stories of the people who lived within their walls. The babies who were born, the people who died, the happiness, and the sorrows witnessed through the years.

This little house was built in 1824, no one who lived there ever had enough money to renovate it and make it new. The ceiling in the first floor is barely 200 cm high, the walls are thick logs, with layers of wood panelling. The windows have seen better days, and the original wooden board that make the floor in the living are warped, and shrunk.

Now it is up for demolition by the commune to make place for a large concrete parking house, but before it is gone I want to share with my readers our home of 7 years, where my last child - Rosaline was born, in a simple home birth.

Bakken 22

The first rose

A little book colection

2010-08-03T05:58:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you a little collection of vintage/antique books that keeps growing on the top of a cupboard in my bedroom.

Vintage/antique books

Most are from the 1940's, the oldest being from 1864 ( Imitation de Jesus Christ )

One of the best place to pick up a real bargain in antique/vintage books are salvation army stores, flea markets, charity shops etc...There you can often find treasures buried under a pile of worthless books, and usually you can get it for a give away price.

Another good place to find that' special' book is of course E-bay. But then you might have to compete with other bidders to get ahold of a rare copy. With a bit of patience, and some luck you can still find reasonably priced books.

What I love about old books are the little treasures found inside, inscription, bookmarks, or notes.

See the lovely little Victorian religious marker found in the 1890 copy of ' L'epave mysterieuse'.

Victorian collectible religious card.
St Lazarus

Baby hair clips

2010-08-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

These sweet little hair clips are just 2.5 cm long, and close with a simple little fold over mechanism.

Sterling silver, with a pretty enamel decoration.
I'm unsure of the age, but it was before the time of plastic baby hair clips.

So delicate

Stamped ' Sterling'

Hvaling museum in Sandefjord. Norway

2010-07-29T00:10:00.000-07:00

   Yesterday my husband and I took our two boys ( 8, and 6 ) to the whaling museum in Sandefjord.

    This is said to be the best European museum specialising in whaling history.

    Good exibit of polar animals, whale bones, and a life size model of a blue whale. Whaling boat models, harpoons, films etc....

    There is also a restored whaling boat from the time of industrial whaling to visit. The 'Southern actor'.

http://www.hvalfansmuseet.no/

Harpoon

Whale jaw

Improving the complexion

2010-07-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

The following advice is taken from the 1889 printing of Hill's manual

Improving the complexion

Take a teaspoonful of powdered charcoal ( kept by druggists ) mixed with sweetened water or milk, for three nights successively. This should be followed by a gentle purge afterward, to remove it from the system. Taken once in two or three months, this remedy will prove efficacious in making the complexion clear and transparent.

Victorian fashion

2010-07-25T04:06:00.000-07:00

This hand tinted Lithograph is taken from a book in my collection of combined French household magazines from the 1850's.

L'ami de la maison, march 1851

Beautiful fjord

2010-07-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Here is another beautiful national romantic painting by Hans Gude 1847

Wedding party in hardanger

2010-07-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

The wedding in Hardanger is one of the most famous Norwegian paintings.

Painted in 1848 by Adolph Tidemand, and Hans Gude.The painting is typical of the national romantic style of the time period. With the bride, groom and guests in traditional clothing, and picturesque mountains in the background.