Monday 10 September 2012

Magpie Monday - Shopping List

I managed to spend a lovely few hours at the auction this weekend.  It's AGES since I've been but reassuringly all the old faces and characters were still there.

I bid on a few items without fully thinking it through, and I've still yet to work out how I'm going to get those home, so sadly I can't show you them yet.

But I did manage to get a successful bid on a job lot of assorted tat.  Most of it I didn't want so I'll leave it in for next week to re-sell (who knows, I might even end up quids in on the deal!).

What I did want was this vintage enamel kitchen sign.



It's a shopping list, with little tabs that you flick over as and when you run out of household essentials.  You know, essentials like candles; coal; gravy browning and starch.

I'm pleased to see that 'spirits' is on there - although I suspect that doesn't refer to gin in a tin, rather more likely to be surgical spirit.

It's helpfully listed in alphabetical order, starting with that thing you always seem to run out of - ammonia.



I don't even have a clue what some of these things are.  What the hell is 'blue' for example?  Or 'plate polish'?  Or 'gas mantles'?



I love that coconut was so exotic back then it was even spelt differently.

This harks back to the era when shopping was done on a daily basis.  Taking your basket to the local butcher, baker and candlestick maker.  No filling the people carrier to the rafters at supermarket, or waiting in for the nice Ocado man.

I still need to give it a damned good clean, but unfortunately I'm fresh out of Vim.



My list-freak Old Man approves of this purchase.  He hopes it will help me be more organised in household management.  I'm pleased that it has settled a weekly argument.  When I write a shopping list (I hate lists), I write 'potatoes' and 'veg'.  To me that covers it.  I'll wait and see what they have on the shelves.  What looks nicest and what's on offer.  To him, he requires it to be spelt out, i.e carrots; broccoli, onions, cabbage etc  etc.

The Good Housekeeping Institute have just proved what I've always known, that in this (as in any argument between me and him) I am right.



Have you found any vintage or second-hand treasure?  Grab the badge and link up x

Me and My Shadow





27 comments:

  1. Hello! I'm back, I've been round the back of the bike sheds with the wrong'uns for the last few weeks but I got bored so here I am.

    Loving that bit of kitchenalia, I use an app on my iphone for my shopping list (your Mr would be proud), although somehow I don't think a housewife will be nailing that to her kitchen wall in 50 years time. xxx

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    1. An app? Gah yes my OH would LOVE me to be that organised.

      Welcome back, I've missed ya x

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    2. Ah cheers honey, I've missed you too, don't go changing. x

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  2. Hehehe, as ever, a brilliantly entertaining post :D
    I love finding little things like this- they give such an insight into the nostalgic way of life.

    xx

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    1. Isn't it lovely. I wonder who's wall it hung on?

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  3. I've added my car booty post to your link, hope that is ok?

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  4. Oh, I just love love LOVE it. I'm not a massive lover of vintage, but for some reason this just floats my boat! Great find!

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    1. Ahh thanks Caroline, I'm pretty chuffed with it.

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  5. I think 'blue' is the little bag with blue stuff in that used to be put in with a whites wash.

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  6. What a cool find! I love all the old-fashioned ones... like why was turpentine on the grocery list??

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  7. Not only do i love an auction, (I posted about my 'Serendipity' auction adventure in July) but i most especially love a 'box of crap' Bringing it home and going through what's in it, is as close to buying one of those storage units on 'Storage Wars'as i'm going to get. My box of crap ended up being my most profitable purchase this year. Thanks for hosting.

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  8. Utterly FABULOUS! Never seen anything like it. Have to admit to loving a list, and I'm always forgetting the ammonia :)

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  9. What a beautiful and interesting thing!

    I'm joining in from my new blog after taking a month off blogging - so lovely to be doing Magpie Monday again! :-)

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  10. If you ever get bored with it please send it to me. I love it. I have linked my post to your blog

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  11. My mum loved her vim. What a classic! xxx

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  12. That is such a cool find! I'm new to Magpie Monday found you through Thrift Bee, love seeing what everyone else found!

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  13. God, I enjoyed your post- so funny! Laughed at ammonia and coconut issues!

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  14. This is great! I think they showed something similar that was used as set dressing in the kitchen on Downton Abbey in the behind the scenes featurette.

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  15. I thought blue was the blocks you put down the toilet but that probably came later, I think Anonymous above is probably closer to the mark.

    Your Hubby would hate my shopping lists it normally goes;
    Fruit, Veg, Meat, Puddings, Milk, kids pouches, cleaning stuff!

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