My mam bought these in an antique shop a few years ago. We thought they were binoculars, but antique dealer, RJ Keigheryinformed me that they are opera glasses. They’re possibly from the 1930’s.
They are quite common and like all vintage and antique items, their worth depends on their condition.
You may have read about my grandmother’s tablecloth. Click HERE if you missed it!
I also have this antique centrepiece tablecloth which belonged to my late aunt-in-law, Ellen McEntee. It’s linen, trimmed with lace, and decorated with embroidered butterflies. Ellen gave it to my mam many years ago. Mam has recently passed it on to me. She knows that I appreciate the sentimental value of it and that I’ll take good care of it. I will use it, but I will protect it!
Ellen got this as a First Communion present when she was about 6-7 years old. I find it a strange present for a child of that age. Perhaps it was used for a dressing table.
Ellen passed away in 2000 at the grand age of 93. So, this little tablecloth is about 109 years old.
Here’s Ellen in our garden with Mam, me and my brothers.
My husband found this vintage enamel jug in the old hen house at his grandfather’s derelict house. After cleaning it up, we thought about trying to remove the rusty bits. But we decided not to, as it adds to its old-fangled charm.
Granda Rogers’ Enamel Jug
Enamel has been around for thousands of years. Coating cast iron cooking pots with enamel began in Germany in the 1760’s. By the early 1800’s porcelain enamel lined cookware had made its way to European countries.
Enamel kitchenware is by no means a thing of the past. The cookware of today is coated in a higher grade enamel. For example; Le Creuset, is coated in a glass enamel made with a ‘secret’ enamel recipe.
The enamel mugs and jugs might not be coated with the same high quality enamel as the pots and pans. The mugs have always been a popular choice for campers, and I see they’re back on the mug stands in many homeware stores.
Enamel Mug by Lucy McBreen
The jugs are often used these days as a vase for flowers. They’re really pretty.
I’m killing two birds with the one stone today. Esme Salon’s Picture Prompt #7 and my first day of #The100DayProject. Read on!
Old doors intrigue me. A lot of questions whirl around my head when I see one—whether it be in a photo or in real life. I wonder what went on behind that door. I think about the woman who used to polish it. Was it her own or someone she worked for? If only I could step back in time just by opening the door.
But all I can do is wonder and imagine. Was she happy? Did she have a good life? Did she marry and have children? Maybe she married but wasn’t blessed with a family. Was her husband a hard working man who provided for them, or was he a man who earned little and drank that little in his local bar?
Maybe she had a large family, the older ones taking care of the younger ones while she went out to work. How long did she live? What challenges did she face in her life? Was she strong? Did she have support from family and friends? Did she even have any family and friends?
I look at the house that owns the door. It might be a well-built house with thick walls and solid windows owned by people who were well-off. Or a small shack; a home to paupers. Which family was the happiest? The rich or the poor. Their front door doesn’t tell us that.
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I had to do a lot of research when I was writing my novel, which spans over three decades beginning in 1958. Of course, I got carried away too many times and ended up reading much more than I needed. I do intend on making good use of my research though.
Little Miss Ten and I are taking part in #The100DayProject this year. I heard about it from one of my blogging friends Peabody Amelia and I thought it would be fun to do.
Our #100DayProject will be #100DaysofOldDays. I will write about something from the old days and my artist, Little Miss Ten, will draw a picture of my daily old thing/place/tale.
The main character in my novel is Flossie Lynch. She’s very superstitious, as were many people back in the 50’s/60’s. (Some people still are.) I learned a lot about superstitions when writing about Flossie.
One old belief is that if you hear three knocks on the front door, but there’s nobody there, it’s the sign of a death.
It’s considered bad luck to leave a house by the back door if you came in by the front door and vice versa.
Another old superstition is to never enter your new home by the back door on the day that you’re moving in. Yep…bad luck!
Old Door by Lucy McBreen
Are you superstitious? Do you know of any door superstitions? Please let me know.
And do let me know if you’re taking part in #The100DaysOfProject. Leave a link to your blog or social media so I can support you.
Gloria McBreen 