Love Spoons

Hello folks!

I realise that you still expect posts from me about my collections and new items that I've found, and though I'm not buying many items these days -  after 'finding' something very recently I realised the other day that I have another collection that you will not know about - yet!

Welsh Love Spoons.

The carving of love spoons probably dates back to the 17th century, when young men would carve from a single piece of wood simple utilitarian spoons for their loved one - probably with just their initials and a simple hole to hang up the spoon likely using only a penknife and a saw.

Traditionally they would have used sycamore, as this is the type of wood which is well suited to use as a cooking utensil, though they could also have used oak, box, and fruit woods such as apple, wild cherry and pear.  Close grained woods would have to be harvested and dried so that the wood didn't split as they were carving the spoon.  Over the years they became more intricate so that they would be used as decoration instead.  These young men would spend hours carving the spoon to give as a token of their love, in the hope that if it was accepted their loving relationship would begin.  This is where the origin of the word 'spooning' comes from.  (There is also a belief that the carvers expertise would show the girls family that he would be able to provide for the girl with his carpentry skills.)

The handle of the spoon then expanded to more of a paddle shape so that more and more intricate designs could be added.  

This form of love token was also used in other European Celtic countries too.

Today, the carving continues and though I imagine rarely carved by the suitor there are many Welsh carvers that make and sell them, prices start in the tens of UK pounds to the hundreds depending upon the detail.

The symbols used in the carvings are generally accepted to mean the following:

Hearts = Love

Dragons (the symbol of Wales) = Protection

Locks/keys = Home and security

Knots = Everlasting love

Ship = Smooth passage through life

Bell = Weddings and anniversaries

Vine = Love grows

Comma shapes = Soul signs for deep affection

Ball = Love held safely

Cross = Faith

Flowers  = Affection

Horse shoe = Good luck

Diamond = Wealth/good fortune

Double spoon bowl = Togetherness

Heart shaped bowl = Togetherness

Wheel = Work
Shield = Safekeeping & Protection
Twist = Binding and growing together

I have found my small, motley 'collection' from charity shops over a number of years, and I display them on the wall between the kitchen and dining room.  Of course, as you can imagine I certainly haven't paid anything like the tens of pounds that they would have originally cost ;o)

and in close-up:

The bell for marriage/anniversary, and the heart for love.

The cross is for faith, the shield for safekeeping and protection.
(And a chipped spoon bowl because I'm clumsy and dropped it!)

Probably my favourite one, the Prince of Wales feathers to give good service, heart for love, and the lovely twist which means binding and growing together.

The horseshoe for good luck, and a heart for love.

And finally

A heart for love, the commas are soul signs for deep affection

and a double spoon for togetherness.

(Incidentally, after further tracing of my family tree I have found that there is Welsh blood running through my veins on both maternal and paternal sides of my family, so it looks like (finally) I have an apt collection!)

Hope all is well, and you have had an enjoyable weekend.

Best wishes to all!

x x x

Good news and goodies.

Hello folks, and a big welcome to my new followers - good to see you here!
Thank you for your moving comments about Dad's medal, you made my day.

Yesterday (Tuesday), I collected Octavia back from the hog rescue as she is now up to weight :o)

When I 'hog-napped' her she was around 232 grams, well underweight for winter,

 but she is now 641 grams :o) thanks to Joan's tender care.  

As you can see she's grown somewhat, and I've marked her with a nice stripe so that I can easily ID her.

She was snuggled into a hog box, freshly filled with lovely sweet hay around 10 pm last night. 

(I covered her over after taking this image)

I leave fresh food out every night anyway, so there was plenty to tuck into.  When I checked around an hour later she'd disappeared, and only a little mealworm had been eaten.  I kept a watchful eye until I went to bed at around 2 am, but she never re-appeared, and this morning the sleeping box was still empty :o(

I'm sure she'll be about for a few nights before settling on a nice warm place to snooze...I really wish she'd choose one of my hog boxes though.

Over the last few weeks I have of course 'popped in' to my local 'suppliers' and found a few things that called out to me ;o)

This pretty Caithness paperweight 3" high £3.50.
I have visited the factory where they are made on few occasions when we have been in Scotland.  Paperweights have fascinated me since I was a young girl, my Aunt had a collection and I spent many hours looking at them.  I started my own collection as an  adult, then I inherited hers, and now have a collection of  75 paperweights!

I also spotted someone else's collection, especially this item.

A delightful Swarofski large hedgehog, which as you can imagine had my name on ;o)
I purchased this for £3.75 but left the other items in the shop.  When I came home and washed it I realised just how gorgeous the refraction was I HAD to have the other items too.  I rang the shop and asked them to keep them until the next day, here they are:-
(Sorry, they are difficult to photograph)

A blue-eyed tortoise

this dear squirrel with an acorn

a 3" cat, which is MUCH nicer than shown.

and the owl and the pussycat in their crystal boat.
Most of them were £3.50, but this one was £2.50 :o)
I was pleasantly surprised when I checked the prices on Ebay...
A few days later I found this crystal handled letter opener.

in it's original box for £7.00.  It is 11" long, and the handle is beautifully cut.

I was amazed to find this Spode Christmas Tree dish for £4

Last week I saw a side plate in another shop for £10.  I think I had a bargain :o)

I read somewhere that if you have three of something it's a collection..
This is the third Babbacombe Pottery cat masked string holder I have found over the years (all in different colour ways)

The back is hollow which holds the ball of string this is then fed through a hole in the mouth, and the scissors fit into the bow.  I also have an owl one.  Having just checked there web site I see there's a hedgehog one - I may be leaving BIG hints around the house about that!

And finally,

This wonderful deer candelabra which stands around 12" high and cost the princely sum of £2.75
Guess who's Christmas table this will grace?

I'm sorry that I'm behind with making visits, and leaving only few comments.  Things have been hectic here lately and I cannot see things getting any better for a while, so my postings will no doubt continue to be sporadic.  Please bear with me, I really do appreciate your visits, comments and friendship.  I endeavour to catch-up with you as time allows.

Sending you all my very best wishes.

GIVEAWAY!

Hello folks, hope all are well and warm.

As promised now I'm up to 100 followers I have a little give away to celebrate :o)

So here it is...

As this is Jubilee year I thought this handsome (Lakeland) Jubilee apron  was appropriate- I LOVE all those stately crowns :o)

with this really useful blue pocket.

A beautifully worked white vintage crotched table centre 22.5" x 13"

with lovely raised centres to the flowers.

I just HAD to put in a cute little cuddly Hedgehog!

And a tiny friend too :o)

I'll also add a little 'something from my own collection....

There is only one prize.

To qualify for the draw you must be a follower, and leave a comment on this post - if you are a 'no reply' blogger you MUST leave an email address for me to contact you if you are picked..

I will leave the draw open for comments until noon on Monday 24th September, then I'll make the draw and notify the winner.   I will also post the winners name on the same day - GOOD LUCK!

I found a few more bits 'n bobs.  

This gorgeous Autumnal table runner for £2.50

These two plates/chargers have been in the charity shop for some weeks priced at £2.50 each, I hesitated to buy them as storage space is getting VERY limited at home!  But when they were put in the 40p box there was no contest and home they came!

I really like the shape.

I then found this pretty china Edwardian 'Hairpin' lidded dish, with it's pretty lustre glaze and 'pie crust' edge on the lid, in absolutely perfect condition for £2.50.

It reads 'Lucky White Heather from Harrogate'

The side view with the beautiful enamelled lettering.

(The lid is enamelled too)

It measures 1.75" wide x 4" long x 1.5" deep, and has found a home on my dressing table :o)

Then I spotted another Wedgwood beauty, a spill vase 6.5" tall x 2.5" wide.  It was filthy!  But after a scrub and a soak in a mild solution of washing up liquid came up as good as new - £4

Lastly, as you know I'm a bit of a cat fan ;o) so when I spotted a set of six placemats for £2 did you really think I could resist?

Three of each design.

Here's the news/updates since my last post..

The pond has settled down well and the fish are happy.  The dear frogs have made a welcome return too.

A bit of sad news on the hedgehog front though.  Now Autumn is approaching we must keep an open eye out for 'late juvenilles' babies born in the last few months that stand no chance of making enough weight to over Winter.  I've had one visiting for a few weeks now, and have been keeping a good eye on it.  I knew that the time was coming to catch him and get him to the rescue centre to be over-Wintered safely.  The other (cold and windy) morning I was in the garden when one of the dog walkers who pass our house regularly told me that there was a little hog in the middle of someone's lawn further up the road.  I went up with her to investigate, it was the little one that had been visiting my garden.  It was asleep in a ball, in the open in daylight.  I picked it up and it seemed very cold to the touch, so I bought him home and put him in the 'rescue' box on a hot water bottle covered in paper and made him a nest with shredded paper before ringing Joan at the rescue centre.

(You can see from  the size of my thumb (top left) that he is only around 4.5" long.)

I 'phoned Joan and arranged to meet her at our local vet's (without whose help Joan wouldn't be able to run the rescue centre)  as she had to take to badly infected hogs there. The little mite never moved off the warmth, and I very much suspect he was hypothermic by the time I'd got him.  Craig (the vet) had to give him a whiff of anaesthetic to get him to uncurl.  Craig checked him over (yes, it was a male) and said it appeared to be okay with no obvious injuries, so Joan took him back home with her.  Sadly he never really came around and died in the night, even though Joan had him safely on a heat-pad.  I'm still wondering if it had eaten a slug that had eaten slug-pellets?   Not a good day for the hedgehogs, as the other two had to be put to sleep too.

Craig was so upset, and said sorry to the poor hogs as he gently administered the injections.

I still have healthy adults though, and continue to feed and watch them each night.  (And happily Joan has a lot more success stories than sad endings. )

Now news on the photo's I didn't manage to take :o(

The one when I spotted a field mouse taking a long drink from the pond - and the next day when it was back again... Soon though - soon!.

The two tiny baby field mice that I disturbed in the dry-stone wall :o(  Put safely back in their nest though.

Last Saturday in Nottingham city centre.  It was my birthday and I went shopping with dear daughter - and didn't take one photo of the most beautiful buildings - doh!  Though I did have a lovely day :o) with lunch in The Pit & The Pendulum The BEST Goth pub!  (Kim, if you haven't been it's a must ;o))  and with two lunches for £8 a bargain.

This week Hubs and I are planning a day on a beach somewhere, anywhere in fact!  I just NEED a breath of fresh sea air.

Don't forget to leave a comment for the draw.  'See' you all on Monday 24th.

Best wishes

New Treasures.

Hello Folks. 

 I hit a bit of a blog wall so haven't posted for a few weeks again - thank you for your patience.

Hello and welcome to my newest follower :o)

To catch up, I still have the hedgehogs visiting, but now there is one this years juvenile that's about half the size of the adults.  The little blighter is certainly camera shy, I've only managed to get a couple of snaps.

You can see how tiny it is :o)

A couple of weeks ago we had a calamity with the pond.  The pump stopped overnight and I lost three of the four lovely silver orf that we've had for around nine years.  The decision was made to clean out the pond.  We were taking it in turns to do this awfully dirty job, it was so hot and humid.  Hubs took a break on the bench and saw something moving in the border, it was one of our little field mice.  We placed some sunflower hearts down by the hole and it kept popping in and out getting food, a welcome break watching the little soul :o)

 (Sorry, no new photo's of mousie this time, this one was taken months ago.)

We also made the decision to have a larger pond - the one we have is very small!  As neither of us can face digging out the hole we have a builder coming this week to give us quote - fingers crossed it'll be reasonable?  (We already have the preformed 6' X 4' liner.)

This weekend the 'V' festival has been on At Weston Park, just about 8 miles as the crow flies.  It's on as I type, the noise has been awful all weekend.  The base has been booming ALL day, and frankly I am a little tired of it!  Sorry - moan over.. I must be getting old!  (Goodness knows how loud it must be there?)

The other day we went out, and as we were driving down one of our local lanes we happened upon these two beauties.

They were huge!  We have no idea where they'd appeared from as there

are no farms or houses anywhere near.  I so wished I had room for them at home...

If anyone out there know which breed they are I'm very curious, I thought at first they were marans, but the tails seemed too fluffy and the legs are bright yellow.

They were a little skittish, so these photos were taken about 40 feet away.

Okey dokey, down to the good stuff!  I have of course been treasure hunting, here's a selection of the latest.

First up, this Wedgwood Jasper ware vase, 8" tall.  A very reasonable £7.50

An OLD Spode Blue Italian bowl, 9.5" Diameter

Marked, hence the £2 price ticket.  Fine for display or Potpourri though.

Some of you may remember I found one of these Gosport Pottery biscuit/butter stamps before, this was also in its own wooden box.

£1 :o)

This sweet button heart,in it's 7.5" square frame was £2 

is now hanging in our bedroom :o)

Two tiny cast iron birds in their own little tin £1, they are now residing on the dresser.

Couldn't believe my luck with this Merrythoughts teddy 10" tall £5.

All he needs now is a smart ribbon bow.

This 6.5" vase is much nicer in real life.  An unexpected lucky find for £1.25

After closer inspection when I got home at the sticker on the base...

I discovered it was also signed - Royal Brierley Studio Glass.

(on the left hand side of the photo)

I was surprised to find these for £2

A BIG bag of buttons.  Some of you will understand!

I was also delighted to happen upon this..

Ideal as a cutlery box, 13" x 8.5" x 5"

£3  I love the flowers.

As you know I'm crazy about cats, so when I saw this Peter Fagan wall of singing cats for £1 I just couldn't resist.

3" x 2.75"

Then I saw these jewel encrusted enamelled photo frames, even though they're modern I thought they were so pretty, just the thing for photos of ancestors.

Two of them are 6" x 4" and the other is 4"x 4"

All for £2.75

This 3" high enamelled Scottie dog trinket box for £1

Two large tablecloths (sorry, I didn't iron them)

Blue and White Damask £3

and a beautiful hand embroidered floral one

Also £3

And finally, I quite like naive paintings of cottages, I found this one for £4

A slightly 'wonky' Keepers Cottage, that now hangs in the dining room below the other naive cottage garden painting.

Signing off, wishing you all well.

Hopefully I'll be posting on a more regular basis again.

Very best wishes to all