Nostalgia at number 1 opens for business!

Today I made a special journey....

I drove to Shepton Mallet in Somerset to wish Niki all the luck in the world in her new venture.......

Here are some of the delights that awaited me in the shop.

Each surface and shelf was brimming with vintage treasures...

From pretty china to sumptuous eiderdowns....

Pictures, mirrors, frames, vintage dresses, shoes, shoe stretchers, baskets, padded coathangers.. and so much more. Niki and Dave have obviously worked extremely hard, and it really does show. It has all come together beautifully. Jolly 30's music added to the atmosphere, and meeting a fellow blogger, Isabelle was an added bonus on a misty Thursday morning in Somerset!

If you are in the area do make a visit, and if you are not in the area, it is worth a journey!

100 followers, Thank you to all of you!

I realised today that I have 100 followers of the rural ramblings. A Big thank you to all 100 of you and many apologies if I haven't always replied to your comments, or even worse.. not visited your blogs in return. Life is sometimes so busy and impossible to catch up. Anyway, a BIG Thank you. xxxxx

PS one of the ladies in the photo is my mum, can anyone guess which one???

She's a model (and she's looking good)

She's a model and she's looking good
I'd like to take her home that's understood
She plays hard to get, she smiles from time to time
It only takes a camera to change her mind

She's going out to night-clubs drinking just champagne
And she has been checking nearly all the men
She's playing her game and you can hear them say
She's looking good for beauty we will pay

She's posing for consumer products now and then
For every camera she gives the best she can
I saw her on the cover of a magazine
Now she's a big success I want to meet her again

KRAFTWERK

Had to share this lady who I bought today. Somehow the Kraftwerk lyrics fit, don't you think?

Vintage knitwear, I love it!

I have always loved vintage knitwear, and in the past couple of years I have been fortunate enough to find somebody to make certain items to compliment the range of vintage winter clothing that I sell ....

A lovely lady makes the fingerless mittens.

Then I discovered a lady who makes vintage style scarves. She used to own a wool shop - so uses "old stock" to make these beauties for charity.

The berets are knitted by another lady who lives locally, she uses an old 40's pattern & makes a variety of styles. A percentage of the money for these goes to the British Red Cross.

All I need now is somebody to knit some jumpers, I have a huge stash of vintage patterns to work from.

Listen the snow is falling...............

Listen the snow is falling, I have always been intrigued by these lyrics.

 I woke up several times in the night to see if it was snowing.

This morning I was not disappointed! It has been hard to take decent photos, but you get the general idea!

Being snowed in and having time on my hands I decided to look up the lyrics.

Listen, the snow is falling over town

Listen, the snow is falling everywhere

Between the Empire State building

and between Trafalgar Square

Listen, the snow is falling over town

Listen, the snow is falling over town

Listen, the snow is falling everywhere

Between your bed and mine

Between your head and mine

Listen the snow is falling over town

Between Tokyo and Paris

Between London and Dallas

Between your God and mine

Listen, the snow is falling everywhere

Snow, dream

Snowfall

Snow, fly

Listen

Listen

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

This morning the sun is shining and the scene is breathtaking, unfortunately still unable to get the car out of the drive & the lane is lethal with compacted ice.

Expanding the Empire at The Dairy House

It certainly has been a very busy few days. Last Wednesday we embarked on the project of expanding our space at the Dairy House.

First job was to start painting as Sue and I wanted to creat a cohesive space on the top floor, and that pink wall had to go!

It is a large space with a high ceiling, so boy was employed to climb the scaffolding tower...... He worked so hard all day, and amazingly we had the whole place painted in time to collapse in a heap on New Years Eve.

Now the fun part, moving in new stock and creating a fresh new look.

It is taking on a style of its own, and I think the lamps add a cosy atmosphere.

There is still the "Lads corner" with flags, ladders, garden furniture, picture frames so you can take the "other half" there knowing he will be occupied while you browse through the textiles and treasures.......

Family Care, 1960's style

I love old books, and my favourites have to be the ones with surreal and often rather disturbing pictures. This crazy selection come from a tome called "Family Care, in sickness and in health" which was published in 1963.

It covers everything from an A to Z of childrens ailments, common medical problems, personal hygeine, mental health, toilet training to care of the elderly. Not only is the text a fascinating insight into life almost 50 years ago, but the photographs are real gems!

" A cautionary word about plastic bags!
"Every mother needs a firm adjustable brassiere...... and many like to have a well made corset."

this sensible looking boy doing his homework looks more like a child from the 40's, rather than a child of the 60's. I find this an interesting snapshot of how little childrens clothing changed in the 20 years following the 2nd World war.

"Young children soon develop an insatiable curiosity, and directly one's back is turned have their fingers into everything."

Above shows the dangers in the kitchen with the sensible advice that "Saucepan handles should be turned inwards so that children cannot pull boiling food over themselves" (I just want that kitchen!!)

"Children should not be allowed to use sharp knives as they invariably cut themselves"

"Children should be trained to wash their hands" Once again the image used looks more 1930's or 40's than 1960's.
"Old people can exercise gently in rocking chairs". This lady appears to be living in a room from the Victorian period...

"Sometimes a Granny lives quite happily with her family" (the use of the word "sometimes" is an interesting choice....)

Not only does the book cover childhood, there is also a chapter on the older generation, this old chap playing the piano makes me smile...and the caption says that "old peoples homes have improved a lot in recent years"

"Bowls is an ideal sport for older men".... what about the women???

Favourite & Best Bits of 2009

Snow dominated the start of the year.. and the end of 2009..... the above photo was taken in Austria where we had a magical holiday.

Below is a view over Somerset fields.

I saw the Dohl Foundation twice in 2009, brilliant band, and I could happily see them again in 2010.... http://www.dholfoundation.com is their website.

The ancient rose above the washerwoman's washing line, sadly it wasn't a great summer weather wise, so not a lot of time spent in the garden this year.

Purchased a van in 2009, a useful vehicle to say the least.... guess who chose the colour?

2009 was a year of several reunions, above is the long awaited & much anticipated get together with Angie, Jacqui & Steve. We all worked together in the early 80's on a certain orthopaedic ward at St Thomas's hospital.

Next came a noisy weekend in Bath with Christine, Aline, Sara & Catherine.

(Hardly any wine was consumed.....) Great weekend & always a special treat to get-together with these school friends & ex-flatmates!

WOMAD, Charlton Park, Wiltshire. Below is Sarah Savoy (and the Francadians) http://www.myspace.com/sarahsavoythefrancadians

One of the highlights over the amazing 3 days, this girl has a great voice & a stylish taste in dresses!

Peter Gabriel played a stunning set on the Saturday night. The special effects were awesome.

Summer day out at the Big Sheep in Devon with Donna, Alfie, Lizzie, Thomas & Tilly was a special day to remember. Donna Thank you so much for organising it.

At the end of August, we moved into the Dairy House (above is the stock we took & used for our business card photoshoot)

September - another trip to France in search of solitude (oops, sorry that is meant to read stock)

Shelves at the Dairy House, our eclectic style taking shape.

Had to add in this photo.. taken this weekend with some friends who are over in this country from Australia. Not seen each other since the very early 90's. Where do the years go?

Photo below is the girls of 1979 Nightingale school of nursing. Thank you Ruth for hosting a super day. It was great to catch up & see everyone.

A Date for your Diary in 2010

I am happy to post news of a great new event for the Textile lovers diary. After several months of chat and planning, Sue and I have come up with a date for the

Vintage Textiles and Costume Day @ Dairy House

Sunday 11 April 2010 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm

Of course it isn't all about textiles & vintage costume. The Dairy House has a fantastic assortment of beautiful antiques, pictures, glassware, ceramics and much more....... There really is something for everybody, so we do hope that you will be able to come along and make a day of it.