Goodness, you sure like Lisa Leonard don't you? I'm not surprised.
I have to say I really* enjoyed reading through the uniform comments…it seems most of you like what I like…funny that…I mean really who can beat the humble jeans and tee combo?
I dunno about Skinny though…never quite did like the whole drainpipe thing the last time…though I've certainly got some Skinnies so there must be something to 'em…
Anyway, I don't know if you remember that a while ago I found a real old treasure at a garage sale? It was a transcript of the memories of the folks at a nursing home, I have deduced from what I have read that this book was written in the late 60's early 70's and these folks were in their 70's and 80's.
What attracted me to the book was nothing other than the faded old paper, the brown edges, the age spots and the hand-typed print (you already know I have a bit of an obsession with that). But it so happenend, that I had come upon on a gem, an account of the memories of a handful of old ladies and gents from their days from 1903 to WWII
So the other morning, after the school run and chores out of the way I decided to treat myself to some time with that old book, a coffee and a sit watching the boats go by.
I love to sit down by the wharf, it's somehow relaxing and interesting at the same time.
The thing is this: on the beach sitting down with a coffee and a book on a school day seems positively indulgent, but on this side it's all so very much more industrious…you can sit here and drink your coffee in relative peace, get your 350 in, all the while watching everyone else going about their day and oddly feel a part of it all…the ferries chugging in and out, the fisherman going past, the day trippers coming in and the commuters flying through…as if somehow your 350 squats to get your butt lifted are an essential element of this stage set.
I have to say, looking through that old book, legs dangling over the side with a coffee, that it was the chapter 'Dances' that lured me most. Tell me, would it have lured you too?
I had visions of those lovely old folks sitting in their big chairs all in a circle, smiling and reminiscing and talking about those heydays when people didn't sit at a computer or in front of the tv, when guys and dolls went out to dance…
And I it seems that in those delicious old days gone by, there were dances & ice skaing in a building that I've passed lot of times…a building named Dungowan… a beautiful, commanding old place.
And so I left the wharf and walked round to hunt out Dungowan, now, with my new old knowledge and oh how I very much fell in love with it, the elongated balcony, the Italianate feel, the balustrading…and sigh the to-die-for double entrance door…
I walked around Dungowan, a tad errrm bedraggled from the wind at the wharf and feeling for sure the 350..pulled out my camera, head swimming with jitterbugs and dancing, wriggling bodies and stamping feet and in a complete world of my own was oohing and ahhing looking up and down and walking around.
Lost in all those others' memories of life gone-by, I was in fact, a little disappointed at the up-do this place has recently gone through, I don't know but its newness, it's perfect creamy facade didn't seem to sit right with me and so I went up and stroked the wall and sorta sighed.
…at which point, some guy, clearly a boutique apartment owner stuck his head out the window I had just photographed and asked me "just quite what I thought I was taking photos of?" and "just what was I wiping on the wall?"
Well, people, most offended by his haughty manner, I hesitated, weighing up the benefits of talking about the book, the blog, the ice, the old folk and the jitterbugs...but by the look on his face I decided to hedge my bets, looked at him blankly and pretended to be French.
And that dear Beach Cottagers was the end of that, rudely interrupted in my contemplation of all things past, I packed up my camera and moved on.
But all miserable owners aside, it was so nice to get to know Dungowan.
And how generous that they thought of me when they decorated with beachy putty stripe blinds. So very kind.
I will see you motley crew tomorrow
**don't forget to comment on this post for Lisa Leonard's generous giveaway**
That building was a DANCE HALL?!?! My goodness they did things ‘posh’ down your way! You should see some of Queensland’s old dance halls. Mainly School of Arts’ buildings. Many are getting done up now but started life as variations on an old Queenslander- on stilts and built from wood. But SOOO beautiful in their own way. I well remember going to wedding receptions and parties in some of them. (Of course we USED to have Cloudland here in Brissie but someone (!) tore it down…now THAT was a dance hall!)
What a delightful treasure you have there my dear friend! Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. What special memories must be contained in the manuscript you found. I would love to have you post more!! I know I would enjoy it so much. I would have loved to have been there enjoying the day with you. I so love your posts Sarah. Thank you….as always for being such a bright spot in my day. I always feel my cares drift away. I hope you have a blissful and joy filled weekend.
You really do tell a beautiful story. I wish I could have been there with you. The stripe window treatments really were a sign I think. As for the creep we can just chalk him up as a blog troll! <3
Sarah, Thanks so much for sharing an actual excerpt of your find so that we may dream along with you…and I just love the pretending to be French part! What a creative way to get the best of the cranky and keep your dignity intact. Thank you for sharing pictures – almost makes us feel as if we were there.
Got to agree with you, that someone took the time to capture those memories and typed them out to be preserved, they do deserve a chance to shine. What lovely memories for these folks to have of dances and parties and fun times.
Cool facade, made even better by the history.
It does seem out of balance to make old buildings look like new…there’s always something inviting to me about the imperfect and the little blemishes.
annie
Sarah, you are a lovely old soul! What a gem you have…reading your post just about put me there…I agree with someone above who thought this could be a movie.
Camera angle: old manuscript in your hands with coffee, sitting by the sea…
Cut to:waves lapping up on shore
Sounds: seagulls in the distance
Camera angle: beautiful woman engrossed in stories of long ago
She starts to read out loud, to herself but as she does..
Fade to: another time, another era…Dongowan…1920….
Oh what a great piece of history you found,,, I think it is any way….lol loved reading the bit about dancing,, must be so exciting to read it.. and the building is still beautiful. thank you for sharing.
You live a beautiful life!
I love reading your stories and seeing your pictures.
Your blog is such a great place to visit and escape life for a while!
Thank you for the generous give away!
My everyday wardrobe is jeans and a t shirt and flipflops.
What a treasure. I smiled over the word rumpus. Did anyone else have a rumpus room in their home? We did! Nowadays, I guess kids go to the games room or family room…Thanks for the memory jog. Sue
I, too, thank you for sharing the little piece of heaven you found in the form of written memories! I always tell people I am an “old soul” that appreciates the traditions of days bygone. What a treasure!
How great that you found that manuscript! I have always been drawn to stories from the past, as well. Reminds me of a building I am slightly “obsessed” with, but I will have to email that story to you, as it is a long one! lol
Enjoy the weekend!
How lovely it would be, at this time of year (Canadian end of winter) to sit on a beach somewhere with a hot drink and a good book. I am slightly envious! Lovely pictures of it, though, for me to look at and pretend I am there.
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
What a fun read that book is – you can just sit back, close your eyes and be transported back to the old Dungowan Dance Hall.Alison
That building was a DANCE HALL?!?! My goodness they did things ‘posh’ down your way! You should see some of Queensland’s old dance halls. Mainly School of Arts’ buildings. Many are getting done up now but started life as variations on an old Queenslander- on stilts and built from wood. But SOOO beautiful in their own way. I well remember going to wedding receptions and parties in some of them. (Of course we USED to have Cloudland here in Brissie but someone (!) tore it down…now THAT was a dance hall!)
What a delightful treasure you have there my dear friend! Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. What special memories must be contained in the manuscript you found. I would love to have you post more!! I know I would enjoy it so much. I would have loved to have been there enjoying the day with you. I so love your posts Sarah. Thank you….as always for being such a bright spot in my day. I always feel my cares drift away. I hope you have a blissful and joy filled weekend.
Sally
xoxo
Great post, I can imagine Peggy and Jimmy dancing up a storm, like only the ‘oldies’ can do.
Clearly ‘someone’ in your story has paranoia. I would have delt with him the aussie way and told him to mind his own beeswax… Kath & Kim style
Love your post, pictures and story! Would love to hear more and see more!
You really do tell a beautiful story. I wish I could have been there with you. The stripe window treatments really were a sign I think. As for the creep we can just chalk him up as a blog troll! <3
Sarah, Thanks so much for sharing an actual excerpt of your find so that we may dream along with you…and I just love the pretending to be French part! What a creative way to get the best of the cranky and keep your dignity intact. Thank you for sharing pictures – almost makes us feel as if we were there.
Delightful photos and fabulous find.
Got to agree with you, that someone took the time to capture those memories and typed them out to be preserved, they do deserve a chance to shine. What lovely memories for these folks to have of dances and parties and fun times.
Cool facade, made even better by the history.
It does seem out of balance to make old buildings look like new…there’s always something inviting to me about the imperfect and the little blemishes.
annie
Sarah, you are a lovely old soul! What a gem you have…reading your post just about put me there…I agree with someone above who thought this could be a movie.
Camera angle: old manuscript in your hands with coffee, sitting by the sea…
Cut to:waves lapping up on shore
Sounds: seagulls in the distance
Camera angle: beautiful woman engrossed in stories of long ago
She starts to read out loud, to herself but as she does..
Fade to: another time, another era…Dongowan…1920….
Patti
Oh what a great piece of history you found,,, I think it is any way….lol loved reading the bit about dancing,, must be so exciting to read it.. and the building is still beautiful. thank you for sharing.
Hugs;
Alaura
French! I love it. Will have to try that one day.
Loved the story as well. What a great find.
Love, love, love the jewellery. My everyday uniform used to be whatever I felt like. Now I have a job and it consists of jeans and a work T.
What a magnificent find! it would be amazing to read the first hand accounts of that time… and then to see the places connected with it too… wow!
I am trying this again! The first time I commented it was rejected.
I loved this post! Old people are so interesting and they all have a story!
Scribbler
You live a beautiful life!
I love reading your stories and seeing your pictures.
Your blog is such a great place to visit and escape life for a while!
Thank you for the generous give away!
My everyday wardrobe is jeans and a t shirt and flipflops.
hugz,Dolly
come visit
What a treasure. I smiled over the word rumpus. Did anyone else have a rumpus room in their home? We did! Nowadays, I guess kids go to the games room or family room…Thanks for the memory jog. Sue
i’m so jealous of coffee and a good read by the water…
I, too, thank you for sharing the little piece of heaven you found in the form of written memories! I always tell people I am an “old soul” that appreciates the traditions of days bygone. What a treasure!
Thank you for the trip back in time….it’s a pity it was disrupted by a “wet blanket”….
How great that you found that manuscript! I have always been drawn to stories from the past, as well. Reminds me of a building I am slightly “obsessed” with, but I will have to email that story to you, as it is a long one! lol
Enjoy the weekend!
How lovely it would be, at this time of year (Canadian end of winter) to sit on a beach somewhere with a hot drink and a good book. I am slightly envious! Lovely pictures of it, though, for me to look at and pretend I am there.