Vintage Sewing Lucky Dip Surprises & Irish Stew Recipe

I love a lucky dip and when I saw this little plastic bag in the British Cancer Charity Shop in Enniskillen, for 50p I knew I should have it without even looking inside.

When I got it home I had so much fun looking through it. Were the contents worth the 50p? Ooooh, yes.....

As you can see it had some handmade doilies and ribbon....

and this strange little kit for hanging your clothes up to dry indoors?

That's a great idea...but...will these tiny pegs hold up a wet sock? Methinks not!

 

There were several spools of lace making cotton, iron on binding....

and two truly beautiful hand crafted doilies - one in cream and one in emerald green...but the real treasure was this vintage,engraved, fine crochet hook.

 

I just love it and use it for picking up any dropped stitches when I am knitting (yes, I drop the odd one...(I blame the stew aformentioned)

 

So pretty.

 

I will treasure this little item and keep it close to hand in my knitting basket. It's both beautiful and practical. I wonder if it was a special gift for the lady who made the lovely lace items?

I have been on Ebay again and found this old needle compact. Such a beauty and again very practical. Why use drab, new packs of needles when you can enjoy using one like this?

 

 

 

Then I found these two in Virginia, Cavan on my way to Ballinamore. A lovely old decorative spoon and some sweet buttons.  It reminds me of the song..."Just a spoonful of buttons make....."(buttons  -huh?)

 

and a close up. Hmmm...these are just begging to be crafted into something SWEET! Let me work on it and I'll get back to you.

 

That put me in a frilly frou frou mood and so I piled my frilliest cushions on to the bed. The peachy roses one on the extreme left, I made - and the rest were presents and finds and the one at front right is a nightie case.

 

 

Remember in an earlier post I said I was going to copy this customised chandy?

Well I did it last weekend and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I may add some more to it and even fix some of the matching saucers around the stem. Like many of my projects it's a work in progress!

 

 

Also in the kitchen I have added the old 1940's cooker I collected from Carrick-on-Shannon. I found it on our freecycle site Jumbletown and the lady who gave it to me told me it belonged to her aunt who lived in Ballinamore. So it is coming home!

The old lady is still alive but getting on in years and had to move and was adamant that she did not want her cooker dumped and was sure someone would love it. It was in daily use until a few weeks ago. Her niece told her she would try to find a good home for it but did not think she would find a new owner.

Well!.... Mrs Reilly of Aughawillan, Ballinamore...your much loved cooker has found a new home in my kitchen and is wonderful. It makes a great Irish Stew!

 

...and here it is. Delicious!

As we say here: "Sure there's eatin' and drinkin' on it!"

Irish Stew Recipe:

Lamb or Mutton: gillions = loads!

Spuds: (whole potatoes) 2 each-ish

Onions & carrots: (chunky chopped)

Fresh parsley and thyme :(lash them in on their stalks and remove before serving)

Soup mix :(= dried barley, lentils, split peas mix)

Stock cubes: (chicken and/or veg)

Salt and pepper: (a whiff of each)

Water: (fill yer' pot if there's any room left)

Boil up until meat is tender and serve with crusty bread. DEADLY!

(I don't know the quantities - just use lots of 'em and make enough for the next day as something happens to it overnight and it tastes even better the next day. It's true! (I think it ferments into alcohol or something)

(update: day 3...I have jussss had wha' iz left and I tink it has moo-tated inna sUmm-ing illegal! Wheee!)

Day 4? Don't even go there! ...... We're talkim'  'bout nuke soup!

 

Serve it up on old Willow pattern mismatched crockery for a really old fashioned Irish meal.

Well, bye for now ...enjoy your stew!...Pam

 

Comments

[Josie]

perfect timing with the stew recipe - hubby had tinned irish stew the other day and said it was rubbish so I said I would look on the internet for a recipe!
there's an award for you on my blog!
Josie x

[tracey brass]

Wow! I'm so glad you found me! Thanks for the comment......I love your kitchen, your vintage stuff, your cooking, your humour & your BLOG!!!! I'll be back.....Tracey XXX

[Twiggy]

Some lovely finds there, what a pretty crochet hook. The cooker is just perfect for the cottage, looks very happy there:)
Twiglet said on our walk to school yesterday, do you think the sheep is still in Pams garden ??!!! That boy forgets nothing :) Have a lovely weekend.
Twiggy x

[pam flynn]

Hi Tracy, nice to mmet you. I wanted to add you to my bloglist but can't remember your url. Will you send it to me please. Best wishes...Pam

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[Lorraine]

Oh I am so glad you have posted that recipe, my Dad used to make it for us when I was young. You've just reminded me. I can't wait to try it!
Such lovely finds and as to the little crochet hook, it is gorgeous!
Your kitchen is lovely and the cooker is just perfect for it!

[Betty]

Your finds are great, as usual. I love your new chandelier...you did a fantastic job! And, your kitchen looks adorable (is that an okay word to describe a kitchen? If it isn't, it ought to be.)

Thanks for sharing the Irish Stew recipe. Since I'm not much of a cook, I'll leave out all the ingredients except whatever turns into alcohol...cheers!

[Colleen]

Oh, everything looks amazing! And yummy...and pretty..and cool...and WonDerFUl!

[kimme]

What a fab "lucky dip"! The vintage hook is lovely :)

The Irish stew looks so yummy! I am going to write down
the recipe and make it for my grandmother when I go home.

I like the Chandy. Those little cups worked out so well.
I don't see as many of them at the markets as I did before..
I am sure they are still out there... just have to look :)

hugs~kimme

[Elise]

Love it ! I have a teacup light too ! Oh WOW, this is a great post & you have the most gorgeous site here. I had to stop by to leave this comment for you – and to say hello of course ! Your posts are creative and original and you have interesting pictures. It's all perfect ! Thank you for sharing your site and best wishes....

[Kay Flynn-The Wrought Iron Gate]

Love that emerald green doily and fancy crochet hook. I'm green with envy! You always seem to be in the right place at the right time. Cute, cute cooker story, and it's just right for your cottage kitchen.

Irish stew is a fall/winter staple at our house. My recipe (compliments of my Mother-in-Law's files. I never knew her...she died before we met) is very similar, but I add a bay leaf. Am I allowed to alter a traditional recipe by introducing my own ingredient? What fun to have your tea underneath the tea cups.

Best Wishes,
Kay

[driveway iron gates]

I've being reading your blog and found your post very helpful :) . I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog!