No, not my life story - although I do feel like an old crock these days - but the story of a very useful old bread crock.
This bread crock belonged to my paternal grandmother (possibly even my great grandmother) which makes it about 100 years old. It was always in use when I was a child and stood in the far corner of my mother's kitchen. I never thought too much about it, it was just where the bread was kept.
Somehow over the years it got used less and less and last summer my mother decided she could use the room so asked me if I would like it. Now this is an enormous (about 2 1/2 feet high), heavy old piece of terracotta-ware (sadly, the lid is a replacement, having been broken about 30 years ago) and much as I wanted it I couldn't imagine how I would ever get it back to Essex on the train. In the autumn Mum was unwell and had to have an operation so I went to stay with her for a few weeks. P came to visit in the car and so the bread crock was duly dispatched with him - safely seat belted in on the back seat. I told him to put it in the shed, having vague plans to use it as a large garden planter. It stayed in the shed all over the winter, until we got invaded by the mices!!
Now it has pride of place in my kitchen and is back doing sterling work in the way it was always intended - as a mouse-proof bread crock. Not only does it keep the darned varmint away from the fresh bread, it also keeps the bread fresher for longer and I love being able to use this little piece of my family history on a daily basis.
Up until now I've been wrapping the fresh bread in a tea towel to put it in the crock. But yesterday I found these little beauties at the car boot sale
They are large white cotton drawstring bags with this wonderful embroidery on the front. They will really keep my bread fresh in style from now on.
Whilst at the car boot I also scored this fantastic piece of whimsical material. Its not old, having an Ikea label on it, but I just love the wonderful depictions of this mummy squirrel and her little ones.
I particularly like the top picture with mummy squirrel bandaging the litlle one's tail. Not sure what I'll do with this material but a bag is the most likely outcome!!
I was delighted to discover your blog today -- I found you via a comment you left on "small pleasantnesses" over at yarnstorm's blog. I've enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to visiting regularly!
Posted by: Jennifer | 06/04/2007 at 07:34 PM