Thursday, July 22, 2010

Old crocks, marmalade and lavender..............

.....now doesn't that headline make you think "English"?

I doubt there are many of you who don't love lavender.  Freshly blooming while growing it's beautiful, especially massed in rolling fields such as in Provence, also now in some areas of the US, Britain, and other countries.  Why it decides not to do well in my garden has always confounded me! But I keep on trying, planting some most years in hopes I'll eventually be drying enough for a few homemade sachets.

Meanwhile, I buy my dried lavender, so of course had to try a little bag full of freshly dried blooms from this lovely shop in New Hampshire.  Loved how it was displayed in a vintage glass jar with a china cup to scoop.

I was thrilled to find this very old and well-crazed marmalade crock at this same shop.  Like all proper Brits, I grew up getting my oranges spread on something crisp and buttery!  I have always preferred a good chunky marmalade on my morning toast over any other jam or jelly.
My collection of English crockery containers is still small, but I'm always on the lookout for more.



bowerbird and friends ~ a cute shop across from my favorite Red Chair Antiques in Peterborough, NH



16 comments:

  1. I spotted your Dundee jar immediately! Oh how I love those! I have several of varying sizes and I just adore them. They're all crackled and chipped, but beautiful just the same.

    This was such a beautiful post!

    Ruth

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  2. I don't know a soul who doesn't love Lavender -
    Beautiful shop you've found :)

    Take Care

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  3. Oh yes we love lavender! Your crocks are divine. Happy sacheting...

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  4. The Island is perfect lavender growing ground. Everyone seems to grow it and lavender fields are everywhere. I'm addicted to it - spraying the bedsheets, spraying my baby pillow, spraying the light bulb.........honestly, it helps me to have a lovely sleep.

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  5. I've always loved the scent of lavender. Your marmalade crocks are brilliant, I really like the Keiller's jar.

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  6. oh....I love lavender! At my other house I have several plants lining the walkway. Here I have planted 4 plants and so far they are doing well, but no lavender this year.

    Love the crazed crocks....love them!
    xo
    Penny

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  7. I loved that shop Mary, there seemed to be something for every taste and budget. Bob and I may wander that way on our way to Castle Hill Resort in Ludlow Vt this weekend.

    Thanks for the memory...

    Janet

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  8. Those photos are wonderful! I would love to be able to just jump right in that huge jar of lavender~ the smell is intoxicating!
    Beth

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  9. Hi Mary!

    I love the way you displayed everything on your shelf it looks beautiful. I want to see more!
    I am crazy about lavender and here on the island it grows so well. There is also a lavender farm here that i have yet to discover.

    Love your new header photo.
    Pamela xo

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  10. Mary, lavender, orange marmalade, and old English crocks are favorites of mine too. Both the lavender and orange marmalade are in our home, but I only long for a small group of the English crocks. I see them at antique shows from time to time, but they are usually more than my budget allows. You have a delightful group. ~ Sarah

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  11. I would love to grow lavender here in North Carolina, but have not had any success. I think it is just to darn hot here in the summer. Good luck with yours. Carla

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  12. I put some lavender in a couple of years ago (a couple of hours west of you), ignored it, didn't water it, and it's grown huge. I think the trick is to give it not very good soil and just let it be.

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  13. The smell of lavender is so instantly relaxing, isn't it?
    And marmalade... delicious word for delicious creation. I am such a pushover for marmalades and preserves, jellies and jams. I could buy scads, but strangely, I rarely eat them. I just love all the colourful jars!!

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  14. Hi Mary Sweetie...
    I love your share today. Wouldn't you just love to have that jar full with the cup to scoop at your own will? What a gorgeous way to display in a store.

    I have always loved lavendar. I have a lotion with lavendar, as it is so soothing to me after a bath. I find it quite relaxing.

    Love the crocks. Jellies and jams are my favorites. I can't imagine having breakfast without jelly on my biscuit or toast either.

    I so love this share today. The more I read on your blog over all this time, the more I find we have in common. Beautiful post Mary. Just beautiful. I love taking your trips with you.

    Give my love to Jasmin. I so miss her writing. I pray she is well and still writing.

    Many hugs sweetie and so much love, Sherry

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  15. Love lavender, planted 20 plants this year in my yard and hope they survive. I also really, really like your crockery collection, especially the marmalade one. It goes great with your home decorating.

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  16. Mmmm, I love orange marmalade! One of my favorites!! I have been so busy with my garden house that my lavender is still sitting in the guest bedroom! Oh well, at least it will smell pretty in there!
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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