G'day girls. TGIF, yeah?
Yeah.
Do you need chicken soup? I do…
But, before I show you my new fave vintage plate and wow you with my soup making skills I am re-visiting my wedding dress post from a few months ago – I have a lot of new readers commenting on old posts and recently I oodled back through the blog and sighed at the wedding dress that is, happily now, packed up in it's box until the next time she comes out for a scoot round the Beach Cottage. So I thought I'd re-visit the sparkly number today…here's an excerpt from the post…
What a number it is. I got married at twenty-four, that would be about 14 years ago,just when the fashion was turning from sparkly, white, frothy & Princess-Di puffy to ivoryand plain and not a froth in sight.
I told my mum I didn't do froth, I probably still don't. So we searched and searched. I tried on a zillion dresses. There were none of those mother-of-the-bride-sighs. Because ivory silk and my pale-almost-blue-pale English skin didn't quite, you know, wow anyone.
So six weeks before the big day there was still no dress. We were down to the last straws of shops and arrived in South London at a shop with an owner who knew her stuff. She told me sparkle and white. I sighed no. She persuaded me and said how about this one, just a touch of sparkle on the bodice? So after another round of try-ons I put it on. The sighs came. We ordered it and it arrived just in time.
And today I hunted it out in the Beach Cottage and took it for a little spin. Oh and how I enjoyed it, I implore you, if you have one, to do the same and certainly not because I am particularly smoochy or romantic,there have certainly been some rocky old times here, Beach Cottage style.
But more because I relished the reminiscing, the memories and simply just enjoyed thinking about that girl then and the twinkly little secret she came home with…and more what she's doing now…which of course would be sticking her old wedding dress on a thrifted mannequin, in her white bedroom and taking photos of it…
…and later listening to teenagers and husbands passing that knowing look between them and hearing "dad there's a bride by your bed"
And you wanna know what the little secret was? The oh so wonderful honeymoon baby, also, now known as, Mr Teenage Beach Cottage..
~~~~
Anyway back to chicken soup.
I've long had a love/hate relationship with stock making. I positively love the idea of it there bubbling away in a huge old stockpot filling the cottage with domestic charm 
However more often than not my stock would be, how can I say, rather lacking in something, a little thin, watery and tasteless. So years ago I discovered Swiss Marigold Bouillon, stock-in-a-bottle and bought it by the gallon, and used it by the pint.
Here in Australia, it is mostly only available to me in health food shops and that is both inconvenient and expensive so recently I have begun, again a stock-making extravaganza. And finally I've gotten it right. Secret? The bones from two organic chickens, a bag of chicken bones from the butcher, the contents from the bottom of the veggie drawer at the end of the week – and not too much water.
And why am I telling you this? Well, this will never be a recipe blog, though I'm sure you all know by now I love to cook. I'm telling you because with this stock I have made chicken soup through this long, hard gruelling Sydney winter and neither I nor Mr Beach Cottage have been sick and I believe it's the Jewish Penicillin – consuming copious amounts of chicken soup.
So today, with the kids at surf lessons and therefore PEACE in the cottage I sat with my new vintage plate and thought I'd show you because this is one of those little making life beautiful things – you know taking a bit of time out to sit with an old plate and some soup (go see Melissa at the Inspired Room for more Beautiful Life inspiration) . I cannot ascertain quite how old the plate is but I'm thinking she's about 70, a Johnson Bros, pattern Moderne.
Funny that. Moderne.
my first time participating in Foodie Friday
thank you to Designs by Gollum
see all you chicks next week, yeah?
I've got something really rocking to show you!!
What a beautiful wedding dress, and yes, please…I would like a bowl of chicken soup.
Hi, Sarah… I’m so glad you’re doing FF with us!
That is a gorgeous dress and a fun story to match.
I like chicken soup, too, and my naturopath always puts me on it if I get sick. She’s convinced it works wonders. Your recipe sounds good, and I’m happy that you have been well during your winter/our summer.
Happy Foodie Friday to you!
XO,
Sheila… (BTW, I’m having a giveaway on my blog, and if you win, I’m happy to mail to Australia!)
Chicken soup sounds good to me too. Your wedding dress is so beautiful and I love the story that goes with it.
Sarah-I pulled my wedding dress out when our daughter was getting married last month. My thoughts went more towards “what was I thinking?”.
Did people really get married in turtleneck dresses? 
Anyway, I’m with you on the chicken stock theory and there is nothing that smells better cooking. It makes a house smell like home! Glad you joined FF!
Getting ready to go wedding dress shopping with my youngest daughter, your story makes me a bit nervous about finding the perfect dress. Yours is beautiful.
Hi Sarah!
There is something special about that wedding dress, no matter how glittery or plain. My “dress” was actually just a pink & red skirt with a shirt, but I keep that skirt to this day. It just makes me happy when I see it on Monday morning hanging in my closet. I will never pull it out to wear it again, because it’s horribly out of style now, but the happiness of that special day comes back to me over and over each time.
And you’re right about the soup! It’s almost as good as a glass of sweet iced tea for making you right as rain. It’s the bones that do the trick. Without them, it’s just not the same.
Have a glorious day!
Gina
Oh, yes…I do remember this darling dress…and I can of course, see why you still love it.
The chicken soup is looking delicious. We, too, eat a lot of Chicken Soup and love it in the wintertime. An olden remedy for bad colds and, as you, we didn’t have a cold all winter..
I boil my whole chicken, making a wonderful broth..then, I can use it for soups and chicken and dumplins..yummy
Chicken soup is the best……..you can always eat chicken soup……….I make it in the crock pot with lemon:)
Its so refreshing to stop by your blog.
I loved your story about your wedding dress it was lovely!
And i think i will try your recipe some time.
Thanks for sharing.
TTFN~~Claudia
Sarah, It looks so cozy and comforting. And it is, as I always find both at your blog!
PS beautiful dress!
I bet you were a gorgeous bride. I’ve just made up my mind about something while looking at your coffee table. I’m going to paint mine (an old cedar chest)… everything but the top. Been waffling about it for awhile now; thank you for the inspiration, Miss Sarah. Enjoy your lovely soup.
Sarah what yummy looking soup. Mmm.. I could have done with some chicken soup after being cooped up in bed for 2 days!!
Love ‘bride’ in dad’s bed!!
Have a great weekend.
Looking forward to next weeks news
Alison
Hi Sarah,
Love the post. I took my old wedding gown out and tried it on when my daughter got married. It gave everyone a good laugh but I agree, it does make the memories flood back. Thanks for sharing.
Maryrose
Absolutely beautiful wedding dress! You were ahead of your time girl! ANd your soup looks lovely too!
Have a wonderful weekend!
~Really Rainey~
Hey Sarah
Chicken soup.. perfect for this weather. I used to make a greek chicken soup, particularly if i felt fluey… but been very lazy these days… maybe you will inspire me to get back to cooking! thanks for your stock tip.
Oh wow – love your blog – I too live near the beach & am in awe of your home!!! Looking fwd to scrolling through all your gorgeous pics!! Thanks for sharing
Oh, the chicken soup sounds very yummy! Love your wedding dress story….Take care, Caroline
What a dress. Thanks for tracking back as I am one of the newbies and missed the older post. Great soup, and I do agree that the chicken soup trick to ward off flu and illness is a good one, however I don’t eat meat and have been making a substitute, with fish for myself but do make the chicken for the meat eaters, to keep us healthy at Chez Margie. hugs, Margie.
I love this post. What a beautiful dress! I usually think most white wedding dresses all look that same (my gown was green), but you’re right that there is something about that one. I bought a mannequin not long ago with my wedding dress in mind but have not put it on yet.
I have never made chicken soup and have always wanted to try it. Looks delicious!
Gorgeous wedding dress!
The soup looks delicious! I love the comment about your kids learning how to surf….for some reason it never occurred to me that kids would taking surfing lessons. LOL! I guess that’s what I get for living in land-locked US.
Chicken soup sounds good! Yummy!
Your wedding dress is really romantic!
Your blog and your house are gorgeous! Such a great inspiration.
Kisses from Italy,
Federica.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful dress!
I’m with you on making my own stock, but since you had success with your recipe, I’ll give it a try! Glad to see you join us for Foodie Friday.
Good Morning!! Your *stunning* wedding dress picture is NOW added to my MOST favourites!! I adore your blog and love opening your *news* each morning!! Hugs, Valerie (up in Manitoba, Canada)
That plate is so beautiful. I don’t have a wedding dress to cart out and spend some time with, but I loved seeing yours. Happy weekend!
I love dress pictures. What a fun idea. I hope you’ll swing by my recipe exchange too. I shared a yummy baked flounder recipe and love collecting other inspired ideas:
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/07/friday-feasts-baked-flounder.html
I wish I could catch the “love to cook” bug from you, Sarah. I just don’t seem to have it. I raised my girls and cooked for them, then promptly sort of retired.
Brenda
I think your dress is beautiful!
I loved the pictures of your dress. Your photos in general are amazing! The cottage looks so simple yet cozy and elegant, like you could just flop down on that couch next to your golden retriever and read a book. Sigh. Thanks for the soup recipe, sounds like a good one for a rainy day. If we ever get rain around here again!
Hi there! I came over from Kelly’s Korner and LOVE your blog. What a cute post, too. Thanks for sharing! your cottage looks like a breath of fresh air.
I forget you are opposite seasons to us. I was thinking it was a little hot for soup.
Nothing is quite as comforting is it.
What a great idea for the wedding dress. Wish I could still get into my size 4. Terrific post.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
Well, I’ve been married twice and never wore a wedding dress and never heard the sighs. At least you heard them.
Soup? Yummm… I’ll be right over!
I’m so glad you resurrected the wedding dress post. Your gown is beautiful. I love that you let it dress your room on occasion!
I, too, love homemade chicken stock. I make several quarts and freeze them. Nothing beats it. What a comfortable and beautiful room to enjoy it in. Love your post!
Love your blog and this was a great post…stunning dress…and I love chicken soup.
Beautiful dress. Beautiful soup.
Mine is hanging upstairs. its been such a fun playdress for nieces and (hopefully) my granddaughte. It’s more fun than me playing “dress up” again, but….I may give that a try tomorrow. Come join the fun. Crock Pot Wednesdays at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com beginning August 5. Sign up now! Prizes:)!!!
Sarah,
What a lift to start my day. I am getting reday to head to my little cottage on the sea. It’s so funny you and I got married at 24 14 yrs ago. I love anything beachy and paint cans and sanders are my friends.. I am running a givewaway for an amazing bracelet for a cause.. Very Earthy Beachy. I think you will like.. Leave a comment or twoo would love to stay in touch.
XO<
TFF
Deeeelicious….the old chicken soup…it’s one of my all time favourites and my children’s … they adore it…I always think when I’ve eaten it , that I could run a marathon or something….and I agree with you… I’m sure it keeps all sorts of illnesses away…..
And what a lovely idea to get your wedding dress out….mine’s in the top of the wardrobe and I think it could do with an airing !!!!!
LOVE the look of your “winter” chicken soup!!! Makes me hungry–and longing for a bit of peace of my own!
Hugs from Texas,
Kristin
Welcome to Foodie Friday! Your blog is gorgeous, and your Foodie post is such a beautiful mix of food and decor.From the soup to your white sofa to your wonderful words, this is a winner. Hope to see you soon again at FF!
I enjoyed spending “the day” at your place. So snuggly comfortable. And, to top it off, I love soup! (Don’t think I could fit into my wedding dress.) We have a little seaside cottage on Galveston Island, just south of Houston, TX. Back to the mountains tomorrow, though. see ya, -susan
Love the plate with the flowers. What make is it? Vintage?
The dress made me smile. Yours and mine are quite similar. The big difference is that you still have the guy that wore the tuxedo!
Dawn
Sarah, I loved how you shared your wedding dress memories with us. I never packed mine away. I used to love to look at it hanging in my closet. The day I got divorced I opened the closet to find it lying on the floor, as if it had known. I let my niece wear it in a school play. It was so tiny, I wore a size 3 petite. I don’t think that I could put one leg into it today. ~ Robyn