A new obsession: hobnail milk glass

Image via Zsa Zsa Bellagio 

Do you ever wonder how you become fixated on certain items? Or how you go from not knowing what something is one day to feeling like you must have it the next? I must have an obsessive streak in me because I know too well the feeling of lusting after things, especially interior-related items. Sometimes, it's all about the thrill of the chase and tracking down hard-to-find beauties. Since this blog is all about the hunt for things that make my heart sing, it's probably obvious that I enjoy a good hunt, even if I'm not always collecting a booty. Must be the thrill of the chase. Truth be told, I'd love to be bringing all the treasure home, but neither my bank nor home can stretch that far.

Image via Haus of Mason

So, what's my latest obsession you ask? One look at the title of this post gives it away - hobnail milk glass. Do you know it? Milk glass is pretty much as it sounds - glass coloured the shade of a creamy white milk, while hobnail refers to the textured pattern of the glass which mimics the look of a hobnail. A hobnail is a short nail with a thick head traditionally used on the soles of shoes or boots. 

Image via Haus of Mason

I'm not having much luck finding it on eBay here in Australia but it seems to be everywhere on Etsy and blogs in the US. There's an old manufacturer called Fenton that seems to have made the bulk of it and I'm hoping some of it will surface when I get around to fossicking in some op shops and vintage stores. You can see my Pinterest board on hobnail milk glass here. 

Image via Haus of Mason

As for how this new love grew, I can only think that a certain mug I fell for while on holiday over the Australia Day weekend is to blame (holiday deets below). It wasn't hobnail as such, and I've since found they are currently available new in stores (yay), so not at all vintage either. I guess it just ignited something in me, most likely a memory of beautiful milk glass collections on the blogosphere. 

Image via House

It's made by Alex Liddy and is available in House stores. They call it a "Textured Mug - Dots" and at only $7.99 a pop, I gotta get me some! Usually I stick to my Country Road Bistro mugs in various patterns and colours but I've noticed my mum steers away from them when she stays, instead preferring some smaller bone china mugs I have (but don't like). Hopefully she likes drinking from these as I want to say goodbye to those other ones. Hello imitation hobnail! While I hunt down the real deal, these are sure to make my heart skip a little faster. 

Note on the holiday long weekend: We spent a lovely long weekend at Martha Cove on the Mornington Peninsula in this holiday house. Clearly I was a fan of the crockery! The kitchen was very well-equipped and overall the furnishings were pretty tasteful. Plenty of room for three couples and little ones. I'd also highly recommend a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs and a wander around Sorrento. Elephant is a must-visit homewares store there (oh my, LOVE that place. I stumbled on it a year ago and I was so happy to be nearby recently that I went twice in one day!). We also enjoyed visiting the Ashcombe Maze and the Red Hill Brewery. We had a Mornington Peninsula attraction pass which made things more affordable. There is so much to do in this part of Victoria and it's an easy drive from Melbourne for a day trip or weekend. 

Christmas baking: almond bread

The lead up to Christmas can be such a wonderful time. I think I might even like it more than the day itself. Now I don't mean the shopping with the hoards or driving around on the chaotic streets. Hate all that. It's the Christmas decorating, baking and catch ups I love. When the tree is up and the stockings hung, the carols go on full blast and I mix bags and bags of flour and sugar with towers of butter! So far I've brewed up gingerbread, mini rocky roads, salted caramel fudge, cookies and cream fudge, date, raison and hazelnut liquor truffles and my old favourite, almond bread. My mum used to make this and I've been baking it for at least the last six years. I always make at least four loaves and give it away in clear cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbons (The wrapping is important! I also love wrapping presents nicely. What can be more exciting that opening a pretty package?). Almond bread is also great to serve to guests that pop in ** over the festive season. Great with a coffee or a bowl of cherries. 

Almond bread 

Ingredients

2 egg whites
½ cup caster sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 egg yolks 

1 cup plain flour
120 grams unblanched almonds

Method

Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry.
Add caster sugar gradually while continuing to beat.
Fold in vanilla and lightly beaten egg yolks.
Sift flour and fold in with almonds.
Place in loaf tin that has been lined with baking paper.
Bake at 180C for about 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
When cool, wrap in a glad wrap and leave for 2 to 3 days.
Slice with a sharp knife as thinly as possible.
Place on a baking tray and dry in oven at about 120C until golden but not brown.
This should take an hour at most. Turn off oven and leave to cool.
Store in an airtight container. 

** A note on popping in. No one pops in when you want them too, do they? When the house is clean and something delicious has just come out of the oven, all your friends and family are no-where to be seen. The act of popping in seems to be dying off and I wonder if it's a generational thing. I admit that I like a bit of notice when having guests. I need time to pull off my ancient slippers with the paint splotches and wash all the baking dishes! But I have great childhood memories of family friends popping in when growing up, especially at this time of year. So, now that the cupboards are stocked with freshly baked goods, should I put the vibe out for a few pop ins?!?