The Hewn Spoon. Op-Shop Show-Off: 30th July, 2013

This flat bottomed wooden spoon was thrown in when we bought pottery from an elderly local craftswoman/ex-craft gallery owner. She suggested it was made by Levi Borgstrom, but its not. It's teak I think, not a local timber, and it's rustic with a capital R.  It's clearly hand hewn, somewhat inexpertly too as there is a random chisel scrape in the bowl of the spoon, and the tail is just unevenly hacked off. What it does share with a Levi Borgstrom (we're into treen and have a few) is it's ergonomic comfort in hand. The handle still feels like a branch rather than dowel.

The main point of difference from a Borgstrom though is that I'm actually allowed to use this one! The husband lives in fear of dying before me. Not because you know, I'd be lost without him, or he'd have a shorter life or anything, he just worries I'd feed the cat out of the Hamada and stir my broths with the Borgstroms. (I will too, I hate fetishising craft). In the meantime this wannabe is perfect for scrapping off all those congealed, slightly burned bits in the bottom of a pan after a roast which taste so good or make gravy, and hack you off when it comes to pan scrubbing hours later.

I have several well used wooden spoons in my kitchen, including one that always smells of curry, but I could never contemplate buying a used one though my local salvos stocks them. Ick and tut. Surely it's unhygienic?! Except, perhaps if it was old/carved then I might scald it before I used it? Not that I ever scald any of mine. Also, a sycamore chopping board is high on my op-shop wish list and I wouldn't mind if that was obviously used either, just because I'm just so desperate for one. And I probably wouldn't even bother scalding that. No. Logic.

So, I'm interested to know, is there anything you just couldn't contemplate buying second hand, logically or illogically, or is it all fair game?

At which juncture I'll just mention one of the highlights of our honeymoonal trip to Paris; the obligatory flea market jaunt. Stop romanticising about pre-loved Hermes scarves and chipped stoneware jugs right now and instead imagine...a second hand g-string stall (true story).




As always, I'd LOVE it if you linked up any second hand shopping related posts x

30/52 Portraits of my Children in 2013

Claudine: "...it's not a stick, it's a taniwha"








Findlay: a swing, some sun=bliss


Week 30 of the Portrait Project at Che and Fidel.



*My favourite from last week was Jackson's jump


** and I already picked a favourite for this week (and quite possibly the whole year) this incredible portrait, at bluebirds of happiness

Agee with me? Op-Shop Show-Off; July 23rd, 2013

Ah, the Agee jar. Not just for preserves? How do you use yours?

29/52 Portraits of my Children in 2013

Claudine-With Pony; aka Pones, Pony Mahoney. Her favourite toy, ever.

Findlay-With feet he can finally reach. His favourite toy, at the moment.


Joining in the Portrait Project at Che and Fidel.


*My favourite of last week's contributions was this wee girl with a giant spring in her step

Le Moulinette de la rogue: Op-Shop Show-Off July 16th, 2013

 I found my handwritten recipe notes from the Italian cooking class I took years ago as I unpacked another box of household effects post earthquake repairs a few weeks ago.  Cat's heirloom cookbook came to mind as I laughed at the memories evoked by the scrawled entries, missing ingredients and stains (we were encouraged to drink red wine steadily through every class. heh).

It's a testament to the brilliance of the course and my love for Italian food that I've retained all but one of the dishes we were taught in our current family eating repertoire. Gnocchi was my nemesis. Initially I embarrassed myself in front of the class by being repeatedly incapable of picking up the skill of the fork wrist flick necessary to shape the little buggers. Undeterred, privately I attempted to make gnocchi again.  Close your eyes and imagine chewing a slug cum one of those escape-from-you-hand-toys and you then know how that turned out. 

That issue was the lack of a potato ricer, but ever the grinch I just couldn't bring myself to spend $50 on a single use cupboard cluttering gadget and so since I've tried pretended gnocchi doesn't exist. Which is quite hard for a pasta and potato addict. I get really excited when I see it on a menu, especially when it's paired with sage and I vow to revisit it often. Then I go to the deli, prevaricate over the $50 potato ricer and put it back again... until next time. 

A few weeks ago I had a lightbulb moment as I was reading the deeply wonderful Rachel Eats. An old mouli: of course! I hunted, and held out for one with the three blades so it could multi-task. Trademe once again came up with the goods. For half the price of a new potato ricer I couldn't press "Buy-Now" fast enough.

The Mouli was invented in 1932 by Frenchman Jean Mantelet who was dissatisfied with his wife's lumpy mash! It proved immensely popular and lucrative and Mantelet's company morphed into Moulinex. My mother still calls a food processor a "Moulinex" in the same way she still calls a vacuum cleaner a "Hoover"; they were and remain big in Europe.

So there I was this morning, full of good intention: crack knuckles, crack gnocchi. Photo gnocchi,  eat gnocchi. Do foodie linky with Ange; Treading Gently... Linky with Hettie, and then Op-Shop Show-Off the hell out of my mouli baby. I fed in the first steamed potato and the mouli handle promptly disintegrated in my hand. Sigh. After I made potato cakes, scarfed potato cakes etc I emailed the seller.




Hi there,
I just used the mouli this morning for the first time and unfortunately the plastic turning knob just disintegrated in my hand. I've attached a photo so you can see what i mean.
When my husband gets home i'll see if there is anyway he could make/attach a new handle-i've been looking for a mini mouli with three disks for ages so id prefer to fix it if i can; but in case we cant could you let me know how to go about returning it to you/obtaining a refund.
Thanks,
Max Bennett


and he replied

Hi Max

Sorry to hear that you have broken the handle.

We used this item for over a year and never broke it and you have managed to in very short time!. Seriously I cannot be held responsible for the way in which you used it so unfortunately there will be no refund.

There is a way that the handle can be fixed:

Get a piece of hose clear black whatever that is slightly bigger or less than the handle top, heat it and force it over the flange.

Alternatively a large wooden ball from a craft shop, redrill it out and slip it over the handle end loosely. It could be held with a locking clip of some sort if a more permanent solution was required.

Sorry that is the best advice I can give.

Kind Regards

James

Sigh.
Here is the reply I want to make:-

Ah salesman of shoddy goods, your are also a peddler of shoddy advice. Husband says neither of these methods will work. But I am impressed with the surprising detailed thought you've afforded this issue. Must have been quite hard without an actual mouli in front of you. A cynic might think you gave this some forethought and reached the same conclusion my husband did, but then decided to sell it rather than put it in the bin where it belongs. I am that cynic.

ps. Your lying about the kind regards too



I'd also quite like to add a bit in about 'fit for purpose', 'consumer guarantees act', 'give me my money back you toad' etc but according to the Trademe site there is no comeback on private seller sales such as these. I did not know that, did you?

I haven't decided yet whether I shall vent with a further email as outlined above, or just let it go like a fart; it stink but I'll quickly forget it,  so if you have any suggestions for additions to my draft email, or any op-shop fizzles of your own to share please feel free to make me laugh!



Next time gnocchi, I'll get ya, next time  *shakes fist*

28/52 Portraits of my Children in 2013

Findlay: Trains make teething and tummy time tolerable

(looking good in merino, a present from Cat. thanks again lovely x)


Claudine: Watching the storm. She played outside for all of two minutes today before announcing she wouldn't be going outside again "...until it's summer".  





Taking part in the portrait project at Che and Fidel. Here are my previous photo-portraits



*My favourite from last week was of a snowballer

Handy Scandi Tablecloth:Op-Shop Show-Off:Tuesday July 9th, 2013

I'd been very fixated on the vintage Danish tablecloths Danish blogger Birgitte sells on Etsy.

Then I think I found one. Rangiora Charity Barn, $2. YES!

Things that shriek "YES!" No ironing necessary; looks and feels like thin woven wool; good looks.

Things that say "nah, but I love it anyways". It's a long, long way from home!

It would be kicking a serendipitous gift horse in the mouth to mention that I'm a little disappointed it's too small for my dining table so instead I'll say I'm thinking maybe oversized scarf/wrap as it's just too lovely for relegation to my pet textiles cupboard.



*It was so brilliant to see so many of you linking in last week with some class finds. Hope you've had as fortunate a week and can link in again x