Wednesday 20 May 2015

Odd One Out!

Couldn't resist showing you these photos of the ducklings at the Highland Folk Musuem.


There's always one!!!


Love, Liz

Wednesday 13 May 2015

It's not what they say, but how they say it!

If you thought my doll Poor Margaret was strange then you might not like this post.


I'm sure we've all had a talking doll at some point.  I had one, her name was Joan, she said "Mama" if you bent her forward.  I loved her very much, but eventually, probably due to overuse, she started sounding like a constipated sheep and just uttered a sort of "mwa" bleating sound!


I discovered on the Smithsonian (I do the daily Sudoku) website an article about talking dolls.  Seemingly way back in time when the phonograph was just in its infancy in 1890, Thomas Edison's company made dolls that spoke!  Can you imagine the novelty that would have been in those days?!  Someone has now managed to record what these sounded like.  Warning - they are very spooky!  Go to the Smithsonian site - but not if you are of a delicate constitution!

I did warn you!

Love, Liz

Tuesday 12 May 2015

A Prize Possession

It is not often that our family has something really interesting to pass down through the generations, but this pocket watch is one of those few items which I'm sure will continue to be treasured.


It was a school prize awarded to Hubby's grandfather in 1914.  Cartsburn Public School in Greenock was bombed during WW2 and no longer exists.  Funnily enough my own parents went to this school too - none of them won any prizes!


I would imagine he would have been about 14 years old when he won this - the Macknight Crawfurd Prize.  The Macknight Crawfurds were local landowners and benefactors.


Session 1913-1914 - just before WW1 - wonder how many of his classmates survived the war?  How poignant.


We got the watch cleaned and it now works.  We recently passed it on to our son - hopefully it will then pass to his son.  Our son is going to get a chain for it and it will look great when he wears his waistcoat with his kilt at special occasions.


A real prize possession for our family.

Love, Liz

Sunday 10 May 2015

Do You Remember IZAL Toilet Paper?

Do you remember IZAL toilet paper?



It was shiny on one side and slightly rougher on the other.  It smelt very like disinfectant.  In our house there was a limit on how many sheets you could use!  This is one part of the past that I have absolutely no desire to revisit!!!!!


It was also handy as tracing paper - I remember tracing maps from my atlas with IZAL.


These photographs are from a little sweet shop which is part of the Highland Folk Museum.  As well as the wonderful exhibits, it also sells lots of old fashioned sweets too!  Brings back a few memories.


Some things are definitely better left in the past - IZAL toilet paper is one of them!

Love, Liz


Saturday 9 May 2015

Pretty Cups All in a Row

Some pretty crockery to look at today.


These cups fit perfectly into this little dish.


It is Queen Anne design, Grimwades, Royal Wilton - the flowers look like they have been done in cross stitch.



Like the way the cups just fit in perfectly!


Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Love, Liz

PS - If you are interested in the story behind the pirate Captain William Kidd's treasure you can find out more on my other blog - The Greenockian.  It was believed that Kidd was born in Greenock!

Friday 8 May 2015

Strange New Addiction!

I've a confession to make!
I have a strange new addiction to ................. tinned creamed rice!


I tasted it for the first time earlier this year when my brother in law won a food hamper at Christmas and gave us the things he didn't like.  Among the items was a tin of creamed rice.  So in the spirit of waste not, want not I opened it - not really expecting to like it.


Well, a few months later and a tin of creamed rice is now on our weekly shopping list!  I love the stuff!  I'm supposed to be on a diet, but have to have my weekly fix.  I open the tin, pop it in a tub and put it in the fridge - I love it nice and chilled!  Yum!  Doesn't even have to be the well known brand - cheaper versions are just as good, to me!


Do you have any strange food addictions?

Love, Liz

Thursday 7 May 2015

Waist Training - Nothing New!

All this waist training palaver is nothing new!


Back in the 1880s and later, women were given dire warnings about the dangers of tight corsets!


Magazines printed diagrams of how internal organs were squashed out of place by continuous tight lacing.  Wasp waists may have been the style, but getting one could be torture!  The dangers to reproductive health were also emphasised - in a very round about way, of course.



However, fashion was everything - just like today!


Love, Liz

Wednesday 6 May 2015

Warning - Nostalgia Overload!

Well, I suppose it will only be a nostalgia overload to those, like me, of a certain age!  Shortbread & Ginger fans - bear with me!


What a dresser!!!!!  How gorgeous is this wonderful crockery filled dresser.


What about this living room from the 50s - just reminds me so much of my Granny's house!  Is that why I felt that I wanted to go in, curl up on the sofa and sleep - I'd have to shift that cat out of the way first?  (Or was that down to the late night and too much wine the night before?)  Seriously - I wanted to live here.  If I thought I had only hours to live I'd want to spend them in this room - I even feel the tears starting just thinking about it - I must be seriously ... nostalgia prone (or something)!


All these photographs were taken at the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore.  They have lots of houses from different eras which have been brought and rebuilt on this site, complete with contents.  It would take me weeks to describe all the wonderful things that they have here (look out for a few more blog posts over the next few weeks).  Their attention to detail is amazing!  I loved this place so much.  I almost wore out my camera!


The Museum is set out over a couple of miles so there's a lot of walking, although they have a transport for those less able.  I know I often say this, but for fellow vintage fans - this really is the place to visit if you are ever in the area.


PS - Am I the only one who thinks that our new little Princess looks like the Queen?

Love, Liz

Tuesday 5 May 2015

Gazing Out For Eternity on this Beautiful Place

We almost drove past the Commando Memorial on our recent trip up to the Scottish Highlands.  I'm glad we didn't.  It is an amazingly atmospheric place.




The Commando Memorial by sculptor Scott Sutherland was unveiled by the Queen Mother in 1952.  Situated near Spean Bridge, it depicts three Commandos in World War II uniform gazing out across the countryside where Commando training took place.  The Commando Basic Training Centre was established at Achnacarry Castle and the strict, hard training took place all over Lochaber.


Winston Churchill established the British Commandos in June 1940 as an elite force and this memorial is dedicated to them.


Around the Commando Memorial itself are lots of other memorials filled with flowers and unit badges.  It is obviously a well visited place and of great sentiment to many who will never forget loved ones who died in the service of their country.


A very moving memorial in an unbelievably beautiful place.

Love, Liz

Monday 4 May 2015

Je Suis Prest in Beauly

I don't think I've ever written a blog post about a carpet before, but I just had to share this amazing carpet with you!


"Je suis prest" - I am ready - is the motto of the Fraser Clan and well known to Outlander fans.  It's the carpet of the Lovat Arms Hotel in Beauly in the heart of Clan Fraser country.  We stayed there recently on a trip up to the Scottish Highlands.


The Lovat's rooms are decorated in the Fraser tartan and lovat green.  Lovat green is a muted green colour which you often see in tweed jackets and kilt socks.  It was supposed to have been made popular by Thomas Alexander Fraser, 12th Lord Lovat (1802-1875) who was fond of hunting, fishing etc.  Good camouflage colour when out on the moors!


The dining room is beautiful and would make an amazing backdrop for a wedding.


There's even a cosy wee nook where you sit by the fire and read all about the history of Clan Fraser.  This is a wonderfully unique hotel and ideal if you are looking for a change from the usual standard modern hotel accommodation.  The staff were really friendly and we had a lovely time.


Even if you are just passing through Beauly, I would recommend stopping off at the Lovat Arms for a coffee, drink or lunch - you must get a look at that carpet!


Love, Liz