An Embarrassment Of Riches

This weekend there were so many bargains to be had that I hardly know where to start.  I have been wanting to plant a grapevine at Shoestring almost since we moved in, and finally found one which fits the stringent financial criteria.  ($2 at the local Anglican bring and buy.)

Of course there was no indication as to what sort of grape it may be, but as the fruit will most likely be scoffed by greedy birds that is not much of an issue.  Another interesting plant was one which is apparently a clematis , but not the usual climbing type.  It is a herbaceous plant and has brilliant blue flowers and I have popped it in on the shady side of the house hoping it will be happy there. 

This idea was suggested by my mum Bobbie (aka Wobblie) when I was telling her how sad the venerable old cherry tree was looking where it had had various limbs lopped off, resulting in large round sawn off areas daubed with green paint.  She thought hanging plates on the bare areas would be a nice idea and it turned out to be such a hit that I now want to scatter plates, and possibly cups and saucers, through the whole garden.

It is easy to find small plates cheaply priced but the larger ones tend to be a bit more expensive so it was a bonus to find two large ones this weekend (the top and bottom ones above).  Then when I spotted the smaller ones I felt I had to take them home, they looked so forlorn the poor things.  What to do with them though?  Onto the trellis they went, soon they should be surrounded by climbing peas and beans, plus a rose which is about to flower beside them.

Also thanks to Bobbie I finally have a Philadelphus Virginalis (mock orange blossom), so the ambitious plan for a white/scented back garden is finally under way.

Next on the shopping list is a Michelia figo (port wine magnolia) which has insignificant flowers, but with an  intense scent of winegums. 

And on the same stall as the plates was this old print which had a very spotty glass.  Fortunately that cleaned up well and Mr Shoestring has painted the frame for me also.  It will look lovely in the colourful gypsy room. 

Last but not least, no foraging expedition is quite complete without a bit of fabric as the icing on the cake.  This week I found a brilliant old silk blouse which will be perfect for crazy quilts.  It has such a wide variety of patterns included in the print that I will be able to use it in lots of different blocks.

  

The Complete Hostess

This week my dear friend Fran presented me with a book she found on the "free" table when she was out and about fossicking for treasure in a Hospice Shop.  I am sure she did not mean to imply that my hostess skills are lacking; even those of us who shine in the firmament of hospitality givers can do with some helpful hints from time to time.  I am not sure when this book was published, for some reason this is not recorded in the front pages, but the author (Nell Heaton) had also published volumes entitled Shell Fish, Cooking Dictionary and The Complete Cook.

Tea Time

Since Mr Shoestring was preparing a curry feast and we had invited Mr and Mrs Peaceable around for dinner before an outing to the local playhouse I eagerly consulted my new book for useful advice.  It has several colour plates, most of which depict violently colourful dishes which appear strangely unappetising.

 Stuffed Eggs

Banana Pancakes

But I had to admit that there are many useful recipes included, particularly if you are planning to feed 50 people.  I was rather surprised when I read the section about "The Temporary Help" to discover that the "help" should have "No perfume, no nail varnish, and not plastered with jewellery."  If this book had been written in recent times it could more accurately have suggested that tattoos and body piercings be as unobtrusive as possible, and not too much midriff bared.

The section on Uses For Macaroni was rather uninspiring by today's standards.  For some reason the idea of serving macaroni cold with raw grated carrot, cheese and celery, garnished with lettuce just did not appeal.  Likewise serving spaghetti in a milk pudding did not have me licking my lips in anticipation.

By far the most interesting section though was the one about table etiquette.  I will never again cut a bread roll, it must be crumbled.  (I think I remember being instructed on this point as a child but blithely ignoring it.)  Also must remember that the over hang on my table cloth should be 12 - 15 inches.  I had already put my cloth on the table and it fell woefully short of this measurement; despair was setting in.  But I was relieved to learn that crescent shaped salad plates are not essential - apparently this is entirely according to the taste of the hostess.  When I came to the section on napkin folding I almost began to chew my nails - like origami but even more confusing, if possible.  Eventually sighed and flicked past this part.

All in all I was pleased Mr Shoestring was pulling out all the stops in the kitchen, I realised I would never have what it takes to be a good hostess but he can whip up a mean curry.  He made his beef rendang, a butter chicken, popadoms, raita and all the trimmings.  Mr and Mrs Peaceable were very polite and never complained about the service, the table settings or the lack of cocktails or sherry before dinner.  They are the soul of discretion and all that is to be desired in dinner guests!  Even when I brought out my new wine glasses (50 cents each at the Anglican Bring and Buy and not identical) there were no complaints.  

Return of the Rain

Though we were looking forward to spending time at the cottage this weekend, the weather had the last laugh.  It was once again cold and rainy but as a compensation the local monthly country market was celebrating its 10th birthday and there were some great bargains to be had.  The best from my perspective was the fact that one hosta grower was quitting his entire stock, and he had a wide selection of different varieties for only $5 per plant.  He and I did have a minor disagreement because when I pointed out the specimens I wished to purchase he mocked me!  Yes, he did!  I know, I couldn't believe it either!  He scornfully remarked, "You people are all the same.  I don't know why you do it!  You always go for the variegated ones and the plain coloured ones are much better."  When  I asked him why he thought that he assured me that en masse the plain ones were much more effective, rather than creating a spotty effect as the multi coloured ones would do.  I nearly weakened, in fact I was so startled that I was about to say, "Well then, if you're so clever which ones do you think I should buy?"  But at the last moment I resisted him and stuck with my initial choice - and I don't care how spotty they are, to me they are very beautiful.

  At the church shop there were also irises at knock down prices - but who knows what colours they will turn out to be?  All part of the fun of gardening on a shoestring.  We found a gas barbecue for $2.  Needless to say Mr Shoestring was the person who sniffed out this bargain.  He almost had a conniption because another prospective purchaser was all ready to cough up her money and make off with the bargain, but for some reason at the last moment she abandoned the idea and did not buy after all.  Perhaps it was Mr Shoestring's hot breath blowing over the back of her neck which put her off?  Mr Shoestring was on fine form this weekend on the bargain front, actually.  He found a lovely wooden curtain rod with turned ends for $5.  It was a bit of a struggle for him to drag all his treasures back to the car, actually.

More of the roses are coming into bloom

and the first of the sweet peas are flowering.

The problem there is that though I only put in pink plants, already I can see that there are mauve and pink flowers and I am wondering if all sorts of other shades will turn out to be present.  Never mind, they will give a verycolourful if spotty effect, much like the hostas.

On the way to the cottage we called in to visit my dear mama, and saw the tuis all feasting on the nectar in one of the trees in her back garden.

 At the cottage the sparrows have finally mastered the art of eating the seed from the seed bells I hung in the garden - ah happy day!  They seem to be working cooperatively; one bird hangs on the bell and flicks off all the seed and the others happily hop about underneath, gobbling up all the seed which rains down on them.

Because the weather was disappointing we spent time indoors.  Mr Shoestring beavered away altering the pretty door with a stained glass insert which will soon be ready for hanging - it just needs a new lock.  I sewed myself a new dress using left overs from another project and was very pleased with the result.  The bodice is watered silk and the skirt is covered with sweet pea blossoms - a bit hard to see here.