Blog entry

Countdown to Mother's Day - Handmade and Vintage Gifts - Week 3

Week 3 of the Countdown to Mother's Day, hosted by Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog, has come and gone. Sixty-three mostly handmade items, with a few vintage pieces, were left in its wake. Now is the perfect time to start browsing gift ideas and buying that perfect gift(s) for your Mum.  Any one of the mostly one of a kind handmade items and the vintage items shared this week are perfect for even the pickiest Mom. Visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mom something that was handmade from the heart or that will re-live as a vintage piece.

Countdown to Mother's Day - Handmade Gifts - Week 2

Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions are once again hosting the popular "Mother's Day Countdown” on their BluPrint blog.  Last year's Mother's Day Countdown 2016 was a resounding success so a 2017 version, which started last week, is up and running.  Mother's Day will be here before we all know it!  Now is the perfect time to start browsing gift ideas and buying that perfect gift(s) for your Mum.  Any one of the handmade (many of which are one of a kind) and vintage items shared this week are perfect.  Visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mum something that was handmade from the heart or that will re-live as a vintage piece.

Countdown to Mother's Day - Handmade and Vintage - Week 1

Julie and Blu of BlueMorningExpressions are once again hosting a wildly popular "Mother's Day Countdown” on their BluPrint blog.  Last year's Mother's Day Countdown 2016 was a resounding success so a 2017 version is up and running.  Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, now is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mum.  Browse the handmade and vintage shares for this week, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mum something that was handmade from the heart or that will re-live as a vintage piece.

Countdown to Christmas - Week 12 - Wales

The Mari Lwyd entering a bar as part of Christmas celebrations in Llantrisant; photo by visitwales.com

Y Nadolig (Christmas) celebrations in modern times in Wales are similar to the celebrations in the rest of Great Britain. Several days before Christmas, a small tree (sometimes artificial) is hung with lights, ornaments and trinkets. Paper decorations and streamers often lavishly decorate the rooms of the house. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Day. The Christmas meal traditionally consists of roast turkey with all the trimmings, a wide array of vegetables, followed by a Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.  BUT . . . it is the older traditions that are the most interesting to me, some of which are still practiced, some of which are making a comeback and one, thankfully, that has fallen by the wayside (for obvious reasons, as you will see). As with all traditions, the same tradition can be different in different parts of the country. I chose my favorite to share here.