Saturday 18 August 2012

NATURE ~ Amazing Rare Things



Sometimes you find the most amazing rare things in everyday life - as long as you remember to keep your eyes open for them! 

Our House Martins who have made their nests on our cottage are beginning to fledge. This is the last nest with young ones yet to venture out. Soon they will join their parents and relatives swooping acorss the nearby fields and one day they will all join up on a roof or a wire, and then begin their long journey of many thousands of miles to Africa where they winter. This nest is just above a bedroom window and even at night you can hear them shirping and chattering. I love that sound and always look forward to the return of the Swallows, Swifts and House Martins. I will miss them and even though I am a winter person each year when they take wing a little part of me goes with them.

We were in Hungerford yesterday to visit our unit at The Emporium. We added a new shelf unit to display items. It had been dark wood and we painted it a pale blue-grey. My Great Grandmother had one which got passed down the family and finally sadly disappeared. She always called it a 'what-not' shelf. I'm not sure where that comes from but have never heard it said in England. Has anyone else heard this?



I can never resist having a look around the other dealer units at the Emporium, and rarely escape without buying something. We all joke that our homes must be full of each others things! As it is August and the days are filled with flowers in full bloom I was drawn to this Chintz, so very pretty and well displayed here. I do love the one with the Chicken.



Late summer for me is all about blooms and the last efforts of flowers and insects to enjoy what sunshine we have left. I'm with them there! No wonder I was drawn to all things floral as if to celebrate the end of summer.

We have this wonderful little hand painted pottery cat from Portugal in our unit. Mrs Black does not want to part with him as she collects cats but he really needs a good home. We also had an Owl and they looked like they might become The Owl and The Pussycat, but someone bought the Owl and now this cat is lonely. Isn't he cute?





This tiny Italian hand painted chest of drawers is beautiful and it is only £20.00. I can see many uses for it, holding precious pieces of jewelry, as a button/bead store or just to display on a table where the light would catch it. Such pretty colours and so delicate.



The vintage display I mentiioned in another post (with that super Black Cat  Lamp!) also has this Owl lamp (at £68.00) which the men amongst us must covet as it would be fabulous in a study or corner of the sitting room devoted to books and tv. It would light up a dark hall. Actually I covet it too!





In keeping with blooms and rare and amazing things we have this book by David Attenborough for £10.00. It's in perfect condition, like new. We have a selection of second hand books, some old and some never used, all at very reasonable prices. We thought this Portmeirion jug complimented it. I'd love to have someone do some murals on a wall from this book or pottery. The Passion Flower on the cover is so exquisite!  Amazing Rare Things





It was totally appropriate that we had a Butterfly adventure as we left Hungerford. There have been so few seen this summer due to all the rain and wind and as we strolled past one of our favourite shops called  Peppermint and Cream   there in the window was the most perfect Peacock Butterfly trying it's best to get out. A small crowd of Lepidopterologists (for that is what those who study Butterflys and Moths are called) had gathered and were snapping photos and calling for it's release. Fortunately the kind shop keeper took pity and moved many objects in order to get into her large window and rescue the Butterfly. Upon release it landed on my husband's shirt and we ended up walking up the street with it to try to release it into a garden. Off it flew. Such a beautiful uplifting sight.


And when we arrived home what should greet us in our garden but another Peacock sitting on our Butterfly Bush.

25 comments:

  1. I just love the first picture.

    Hugs
    Elna

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    1. Elna, Thank you! They are so pretty aren't they? x

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  2. Hello:
    What a wonderfully eclectic mix of treasures you have on your stand at the Hungerford Emporium. So very many goodly things and we do very much like your grey painted 'What-not', a term which we have heard before to describe a set of self standing shelves.

    At one time, many years ago, we rented a flat on The Croft in Hungerford and so know the town from those days. Perhaps before the Emporium?!!

    Thank you so much for becoming a Follower of our blog, through which we have found you, and for your comment on 'Exceptional People' to which we have made reply.

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    1. Jane and Lance,

      Thank you for stopping by, for the kind comments and for following us, we love your blog! The Emporium is only a couple of years old, so it would not have been there when you lived there, but how fascinating. Small world. x

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  3. The House Martin knows where she/he is going somewhere, and not to have a holiday, I love 'em.

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  4. It must be lovely to watch the progress of your House Martins close up and to hear their little noises at night. It's been a disappointing year for butterflies but now we have the sun at last I've seen lots more in the garden over the past week or two. Love looking around your Emporium. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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  5. Though, come to think of it, I really don't own much at the moment, I've long been a fan of chintz and would have instantly been drawn to those beautiful mugs, too.

    Many thanks for your lovely comment on my post today, I sincerely appreciate it and hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

    ♥ Jessica

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  6. Oh, what treasures you have found... plus a treat when you returned home with that magnificent butterfly on the budlea (?). The chest is a perfect miniature with lovely detail.

    I hope that you have a wonderful week ahead, ma chère.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  7. i feel so very fortunate when swallows decide to nest on my front porch - those house martins are precious.

    thank you for your kind comment on my blog♡

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  8. It's lovely to have birds nesting in your garden. You have a good collection of items there and I have heard of the term 'Whatnot Shelf' before. My school friend's mum used to call it that. I think she was from Newcastle. :)
    Jess x x

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    1. It's fascinating to me that term 'what-not' I love the old sayings. x

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  9. I am over from American in Bath's site, got fascinated by the name Minerva Black. Lovely blog site! I wish I could go with you on your ventures to the Emporium! I will be back!

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    1. Susan, Thank you for stopping by! Nice to meet you. x

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  10. Dear Minerva, lovely little treasures....love the Italian small chest....yes, I have heard of a what not shelf....my mother in law called hers one! Very small, enough to hold small collectibles...I live in Canada! I am longing for a trip to England, anywhere there actually! We had to postpone our trip this fall due a renovation, but am planning London next September!
    N.xo

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    1. Nella, You are always so busy, I wish I had your energy! Hope the renovation goes well and can't wait to see photos. Minerva x

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  11. Yes, my mother & grandmother called a small shelf 'a what-not' shelf. We originate from Nottingham & Lincolnshire. From wikipedia 'A what-not is a piece of furniture derived from the French étagère, which was exceedingly popular in England in the first three-quarters of the 19th century. It usually consists of slender uprights or pillars, supporting a series of shelves for holding china, ornaments, trifles, or what not, hence the allusive name. In its English form, although a convenient piece of drawing room furniture, it was rarely beautiful. The early mahogany examples are, however, sometimes graceful in their simplicity.
    What-not is also an English term used to incorporate any other details not mentioned. This term is used much like et cetera to supplement details.' Love your place, would love to visit one day...Take Care, hugs Chrissy x

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    1. Chrissy, Good to see you here! And thank you for this information, I am always learning and seeking knowledge. Do visit us one day, and have coffee or tea with me and Mrs Black. x

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  12. Dear Minerva, it was very nice going shopping with you . . . your booth it lovely. I really like that new shelf and the color you choose is beautiful.

    Thank you for visiting my new blog . . . at the moment I am just in the planning stages, but any pointers from shop owners and market booth sisters, would be very helpful at this stage. Thank you for following my blog, I truly appreciate it. Connie :)

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    1. Thank you Connie, I look forward to your new blog coming together and will leave you some comments! x

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  13. Hello, I loved that you had Baby House Martins nesting safe and sound with you...
    I do believe 'butterflies' are messengers and found it uncanny, that you rescued one, only to see another,on arriving home (lovely)
    My felines are very naughty with butterflies and I am afraid they do try to capture and eat them, but with the rains they have been a rare sight this summer....
    Thanking you for the kindest words over on mine!
    LoVe Maria x

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    1. Hello Maria, Thank you for your comments, we love the House Martins too and are always sad when they leave.

      I think Butterflies are magical and mysterious too. Our cats chase them but rarely capture, thank goodness! x

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