“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” [Proverbs 25]
For as long as I can remember, there have been “Apples Of Gold” calendars hanging up in the houses of many of my Christian friends [I don’t think I have ever had one though!] My landlady had one all through my student years – and we would race each other in the morning to tear off yesterday’s page, and find the bible text for the new day.
They don’t just do verse-a-day calendars – they also produce quite attractive diaries too. [but no good to me, I am a committed Filofax girl]
I was thinking about the ‘settings of silver’ this week. As I helped Marion pack up to move, she said “Do you want this? I was going to chuck it” It was an extremely tarnished, silver plated basket. I brought it home with me.
First of all, I put it in my widest pan, with scrunched up tinfoil and a tablespoon of bicarb, and a kettleful of boiling water. See how black it is!
I let it bubble away for a bit – and after about 15 minutes removed one filthy piece of tinfoil, and a considerably cleaner basket.
I washed it in regular washing-up liquid [dish soap in the US, I think]
Then I discovered I was out of metal polish. I improvised by making a paste of cheap cooking salt and a splash of lemon juice. It is still not 100% right – I still need to get into those crevices with an old toothbrush and some regular polish – but after a total of only 30 minutes boiling, bathing and buffing I’d got it this far…
I am not sure about golden apples, but at Christmas, I think this will look super with some satsumas and a few ivy leaves as a table centre.Or perhaps some pinecones and clove-studded pomanders…
Thanks Marion!
It is going to be a lovely table centre, Angela. I'd forgotten you could use foil in that way.
ReplyDeleteWow what a transformation! And don't forget if its silver it will also keep the vampires away lol
ReplyDeletex x x
so very pretty. I don't have silver around the house, as I hate having to keep it clean!!
ReplyDeleteGill in Canada
Can't wait to see the photos of it at Christmas!
ReplyDeleteJane x
HP sauce is good to use on silver too, but smells awful!
What a beautiful basket! It has a beautiful patina and I think it could make a lovely centerpiece any time of the year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I have just tried it with a completely black silver bracelet. It worked in seconds, no need for silver polish at all!!! Magic?
ReplyDeleteDear Anon - glad it worked!
ReplyDeletefishcake - no vampires round here anyway [too much garlic!]