Christmas Baubles and Wishes

I found these Christmas baubles in a charity shop recently - just 50p for the box!  What a bargain.

 

They are so delicate and pretty!

 

I'd like to wish all my bloggy buddies and followers all a wonderful Christmas!

 

 

 

Cheers!

Love, Liz

Christmas Crochet

Another little crochet baby blanket finished. 

 

 

Lovely and bright and Christmasy!

 

Love, Liz

People's Palace, Glasgow

Visited the People's Palace in Glasgow at the weekend.

Love the intricate cast iron framework of the Winter Gardens.

The People's Palace is a wonderful museum which really shows the social history of the city of Glasgow.

Well worth a visit if you are in Glasgow over the Christmas holidays.

 

Blog Error

Has anyone else been getting a strange "Error" message when they sign into their blog?  Does anyone know how to fix this?

Love, Liz

Vintage Cookers

I'm looking for a new cooker.  Let's see ...

 

No!

 

Don't think so!

Argh!!!!!!

 

Ah well, no bread making for a wee while!  (Ha ha - as if!!!!!)

 

Love, Liz

Timing Is Everything!

I've had a rotten cold this week - been feeling really sorry for myself!  And then to crown it all - my oven gave up the ghost! 

 

I've had 15 good years out of it, so can't really complain, but it just rounded off what had been a rotten week!

 

Never mind - this year's raspberry vodka was ready to decant into pretty bottles!  In your interest, dear readers, I had to have a little tiny sip so that I could tell you how it tastes!  It is marvoul  hic  stoopend really good!

 Love, Liz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Many Birdies?

Here's a wee quiz.

 

How many birds can you see in the picture above?  Aren't they well camouflaged?

Don't forget the wee cheeky chappy at the bottom right of the photograph.

 

I think they are an oyster catcher and some redshanks - let me know if I am wrong.

Photograph taken on Sunday at Greenock Esplanade.

Love, Liz

Cornflower Blue

Here's something to brighten up a foggy Monday morning.

 

Its a beautiful vintage Queen Anne plate.

 

Gorgeous detail in the cornflowers - vivid colours too.

 

Have a great week.

Love, Liz

On A Cold and Frosty Morning

It was a cold and frosty morning, but I wasn't skipping round a mulberry bush!  (You must remember that nursery rhyme.)

 

I was out taking photographs.  The sun was shining and making even mundane things look absolutely magical!  This is the roof of a bus shelter.  The sun made the frost look like colourful glitter.

 

The sun reflected off the Clydeport cranes - they looked electric!

 

Another glorious Greenock day.

Love, Liz

Did you know that a Greenock man, Gilbert Cameron, built the Smithsonian in Washington way back in the 1850s?  You can read about it here.

My Favourite LP - well, one of them!

This has to be one of my all time favourite LPs.  Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road from 1973.  I think I probably got this for Christmas - or saved up for it!  Oh gosh, I've just realised that was 40 years ago!  How can that be?????

 

I love it not just for the music, but for the incredible art work.

 

Its not just the cover that is beautifully illustrated.  Because it was a double LP, it opens out to give all the lyrics and some amazing pictures.

 

Love this style of art.

 

Altogether brilliant!

 

What's your favourite LP art work - if you are old enough to remember LPs, that is!!!!!!!

Love, Liz

Vintage Wooden Pencil Case

I wonder if any of you had one of these wooden pencil cases.  They are probably still available, but this one dates from when my brother and I were at school in the early 60s.  You can see that it has been well used!

 

The lid slid out and then the top part swivelled to reveal the lower part.

 

There was a separate space for  a sharpener.  They didn't really hold a lot of pencils and were heavy to carry around in your school bag. 

 

This reads E and J - my brother and I used to fight over this a lot and eventually we decided that we would share it.  Wonder why I ended up with it?  Wonder if he wants it back?

 

Love, Liz

 

If you dislike rats, then don't read The Greenockian's latest blog post!

 

 

Colourful Historical Scotland

I came across this fabulous Historical Map of Scotland in a charity shop at the weekend.

 

It was published (in the 60s?)by John Bartholomew & Sons Ltd of Edinburgh and originally cost 5/- (five shillings).  It is printed on cloth so is very sturdy and in pretty good condition.

 

Inside is a wealth of colour!  The map of Scotland is surrounded by coats of arms of various clans and towns. 

 

There are historical snippets within the map.  It is absolutely fabulous.

 

Modern Scottish pictorial maps (by Harper Collins) are available from Amazon.  There's the Scotland of Old map and the Tartans map - both of which are very colourful and would look great framed. 

Love, Liz

6Art & Architecture

I was delighted to be invited to the launch of a new art gallery - 6Art and opening of '456' - an exhibition by Quigley Architects of Greenock.

 

The exhibition is to celebrate Quigley Architects 45 years in practice and contains 45 sketches of Inverclyde landmarks such as the Glebe Sugar Refinery, the Municipal Buildings and many the other fabulous structures in the area. 

Quigley Architects are a family business.  Dad Gerry started the practice forty-five years ago and his sons Dominic and Graeme followed him into the business.  The sketches on display are by Graeme.  Dominic researched the history of the buildings and there is a little explanation of their importance beside the sketches.  It is a fabulous exhibit telling the timeline story of Greenock and surrounding area through our architectural heritage.

George Wyllie brochure by Inverclyde Council.

One room in the gallery is dedicated to local artist George Wyllie.  The exhibition which is called 'George Wyllie: Scul?tor and Navigator' looks at some of his ideas and designs, especially in connection with the River Clyde.

The gallery and exhibitions will be open during office hours at 6A George Square in Greenock and is certainly worth a visit.

Love, Liz

More Big, Blousy Roses!

What a coincidence!  Right after I blogged about my little milk jug - along came some more big blousy roses.

These were given to me by a friend.  They are Royal Albert "June Delight" - absolutely gorgeous.

 

I love bright colours of the pattern and pretty shapes of the cups.

 

Perfect vintage June delight - even if it is November!

Love, Liz