New Cyphers
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have chosen their respective cyphers to be used on all official communication.
Read moreNov 9
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have chosen their respective cyphers to be used on all official communication.
Read moreNov 8
Nov 7
We might be a “little late to the party” as they say but wanted to make sure that you all saw this!
Read moreNov 3
Goodnight Moon is a very familiar book to most people. It is one of the first books that newborns receive, for sure. And “read” it they do, over and over again!
Read moreOct 28
Oct 27
The next time you want to do something or learn something new and someone tells you that you are “too old” (it might even be you telling yourself that) remember this:
Read moreOct 26
Oct 21
Years before Edgar Allan Poe wrote “The Raven,” Charles Dickens had an actual pet raven.
Read moreOct 13
Interesting Quotes shared with us some valuable tips!
Sometimes the hardest thing in life is letting go of what’s holding you back. It could be a painful situation you have to overcome, the loss of someone you love, the consequences of a poor choice, a deflating job, or even just a negative mindset you can’t shake. We can get stuck in a holding pattern where we focus on the things that we struggle with, and wind up in a cycle of stress, frustration, and sadness.
Read moreOct 5
This just might be one of the most useful Savvy Secrets we’ve ever shared!
Read moreOct 4
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us,” Helen Keller wrote in 1929. Being deaf and blind, she knew well about “closed doors”!
Read moreOct 3
Sep 14
Everyone feels they “know” her. Obviously only relatively few have had the privilege or pleasure of meeting her, much less actually knowing her. But so many of us feel she is a part of our lives. Your Two Chums are certainly among those.
Read moreSep 8
You probably know the legend of William Tell, or at least the gist of it.
Read moreSep 1
It’s a common American Parable: Founding father George Washington got a hatchet as a gift when he was 6 years old and, eager to test out his new tool, he hacked up his father’s cherry tree.
Read moreAug 25
Aug 12
Was it Henry Ford? Read on to find out…
Read moreJul 29
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Jul 18
Shakespeare was a huge fan of the summer season, famously writing, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.”
And here a few quotes from other luminaries regarding summertime.
Read moreJun 28
For many of us, one of our first memories of cooking is listening to the jovial voice of a very tall woman on PBS, chuckling as she methodically deboned a chicken or loaded a dish with butter.
Read moreJun 8
Sometimes you can have the most unexpected visit and have a serendipity you never saw coming. That’s today’s story in our continued celebration of the Royal Jubilee 🙂
Read moreJun 2
The word “girlfriend” first appeared in 1859, according to Merriam-Webster. It was originally just defined as female friends.
Read moreJun 1
Today’s first Two Chums post was about true wealth. This is something I happen to know something about as I have a truly wonderful chum! She is one who is most wealthy of heart and soul, and generous beyond words. Of course this would be our dear chum Jackie, whose birthday we are celebrating today. Jackie brings joy with her because it is in her, everywhere she goes and any event large or small is grander when this precious lady is present. It’s her birthday but as the saying goes…she IS the present! Please help me in wishing her many, many, many, sweet memories and happy returns of the day. Happy birthday Jackie!
Jun 1
As you who read Two Chums know, we love Inspiring Quotes. These ones are on the meaning of true wealth:
May 25
If you’ve ever had your identity stolen, or your social media account hacked, then you have most likely been the victim of “phishing” (pronounced fishing)
Read moreMay 20
One of humanity’s oldest culinary creations, cheese has been around for nearly 4,000 years and comes in more than 1,800 varieties. Here’s a sampler platter of facts about everybody’s favorite dairy product.
Read moreMay 18
May 16
The Swiss are known for their historic commitment to neutrality, but they’ve taken a firm stand on one of the most important issues of our time: guinea pigs.
Read moreMay 5
We are coming up to summer when roasting marshmallows is a favorite thing to do!
Read moreMay 4
What is success?
Depending on who you ask, success can manifest itself in a number of ways: an oversized bank account, hundreds of thousands of social media followers, or a resume full of accolades and accomplishments. It can also look like a healthy relationship, a stable family life, or finally kicking a harmful habit.
Read moreMay 3
Some people call great and helpful tips “life hacks”…your Two Chums call them “Savvy Secrets”. If you’ve ever struggled to put a bracket on one handed and then do up the clasp, we have a terrific Savvy Secret for you today!
Read moreApr 29
Apr 22
There are so many varied and delicious ways to enjoy this amazing super food. One of our favorites ways to eat an egg, a classic preparation, is to poach it. Why then, does this seem so intimidating to so many people?
]Read moreApr 20
With busy lives and hectic schedules, relaxing and de-stressing is something most of us don’t do often enough. We have a Savvy Secret to help you with that today.
Read moreApr 7
Apr 4
Today, in reflecting on what it is to have a life well lived, and pondering what the true measure of “success” for any person may be, these wise words from Ralph Waldo Emerson ring particularly true.
Read moreMar 31
It’s Spring. Time to tend the garden. Nothing is better in Spring than the blooms that pop up and adorn the garden or flowering house plants like beautiful decorations. Feeding those plants is crucial. But expensive commercial fertilizers aren’t necessary.
Read moreMar 30
Emily Dickinson is considered one of the greatest American poets of all time, famous not only for her singularly brilliant and innovative poetry, but also for her mysterious habits, reclusive tendencies, and morbid fascination with death.
Read moreMar 28
Yes…there are problems a plenty. Yes…there is still the remains of a pandemic. Yes…Ukraine and her people are in the midst of an attack. Yes…if you watched the Academy Awards last night you saw Will Smith get out of his seat and punch Chris Rock in the face on live TV. And Yes…there is more than enough trouble in the world. BUT….
Read moreMar 3
Feb 17
Other than their legendary coffee and coffee drinks, the most popular beverage that you can buy at Starbucks is The Pink Drink.
Read moreFeb 15
Feb 11
You know how much your Two Chums LOVE butter! Here’s a great savvy secret!
Read moreJan 31
As you no doubt know, your Two Chums love the idea of “gratitude”.
We found this article on Inspiring Quotes and know that you will love it, along with the quotes.
Read moreJan 20
Discovering the origins and meanings behind common phrases was so much fun we decided to continue with this exploration and share a few more with you today 🙂
Read moreJan 12
The question of whether or not you can reliably water your orchid plants with ice cubes is a good one. We did some research and here’s what we found out.
Read moreJan 7
Your Two Chums sent this out, mistakenly, on Wednesday and realize that most of you did not see it. We loved it so that we felt it was worth re-sending!
We all know the name “Mr. Rogers”! Most of us know also that he was a very kind human who taught young children valuable lessons through his television program.
Read moreDec 23
Family and friends will gather together over the next few days. Your Christmas tree will no doubt be admired by those who come to our home to celebrate Christmas with you. But besides the one that holds your ornaments you can also have some edible trees that can be enjoyed on a whole different level. Here are few ideas for edible trees.
Read moreDec 20
The countdown to Christmas has begun. If you are like most of us, you still have things to wrap for Christmas and you may be running out of ideas, or even paper or ribbon for that matter. Another blogger we follow, Carolina McCauley, has some great gift wrapping ideas we wanted to share with you today.
Read moreDec 16
“The meaning I picked, the one that changed my life: Overcome fear, behold wonder.” Thus said Richard Bach!
Read moreDec 14
In the UK, you’re likely to hear “Happy Christmas” instead of “Merry Christmas,” and “Father Christmas” instead of “Santa Claus.”
Read moreDec 9
Holiday time can bring, to some people, a feeling of loneliness. Totally understandable, for some situations, but, on the other hand, this is really a time for joy!
Read moreDec 3
Nov 24
Oh yes, this glorious week of Thanksgiving! What a very blessed time it is for all of us. Everyone celebrates it and we can all join together in gratitude!
Read moreNov 15
Apparently, the game of golf dates back to medieval times! Can you believe that?
Read moreNov 11
Today is the day we honor those who have served in our armed forces. Today is Veterans Day. With each passing year there are fewer and fewer veterans from WWII still living. Many have been honored as they should be for their sacrifice and service to our country. One group of WWII soldiers is little known to the public. These were the Japanese Americans who fought for this country at a time when Japan was our enemy.
Tonight on the History Channel at 8pm you can take the opportunity to learn more about the most decorated soldiers in our history and the brave fight they gave to defend our freedom.
We honor, celebrate and thank these men, and all the brave men and women who have served to keep us and the things we hold dear, safe. Be sure to tell a Veteran today “Thank you for your service”. It is the very least we can do to honor them.
Oct 25
Oct 20
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Oct 11
It is always a good idea to keep your sense of humor intact, especially as it seems the world gets crazier and crazier. So today we are offering you a little something that came to us from another of our chums. If you happen to be a person of a certain age you will immediately appreciate this. If you are a younger person, you’ll still appreciate it because you no doubt know an older person and/or you will be there yourself sooner than you think. Whether it brings you a small chuckle or finds you laughing out loud…enjoy!
Read moreOct 8
If you like comfort and spice this is the dish for you. Fried chicken (the comfort food) drenched in a sweet hot sauce (the spice). This tasty delight is known as Nashville Hot Chicken.
Read moreOct 7
A lot of us have been stretched and stressed over the events of the past year and those of current days as well. We came across some wise words from a national hero who was no stranger to difficult times within the country. These are the wise words of President Abraham Lincoln.
Read moreOct 6
Babe Ruth about to swipe at a huge ball in 1927. Photo: Getty Images
The son of a saloon owner in a seedy section of Baltimore, as we mentioned yesterday, Ruth was sent to the St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys at age 7 to keep him out of trouble.
He developed his formidable baseball skills at St. Mary’s, playing upwards of 200 games per year between classes, but the no-nonsense Catholic monks in charge required each boarder to learn a useful vocation. And we bet you cannot guess what Babe’s “useful vocation” was!
Read moreOct 5
Oct 5
If you are a baseball fan or live in a house with one, you know that this time of year is really important in the baseball world and you also know that Babe Ruth is a household name!
Read moreOct 1
What is Beefy Asian Yum you might be asking? It’s the iconic Asian dish, Beef with Broccoli and this one is not only yummy, it easy to prepare too!
Read moreSep 30
In the whole world there are only a handful of women and girls who legitimately hold the title of “Princess”. This one, in the estimation of your Two Chums, tops the list.
Read moreSep 27
As we start the week, we came across some great encouragement and very wise words we wanted share with you, our chums.
Read moreSep 24
Beauty treatments at home can be simple and easy when you combine three very simple ingredients from nature…raw honey and coconut oil and apple cider vinegar.
Read moreSep 23
Famously described by the Queen as “the one place I can truly relax”, the Royal Yacht Britannia was a home away from home for the royals from her maiden voyage in 1954 until she was decommissioned in 1997. Sailing more than one million nautical miles to 135 countries, the vessel also played a key role in Britain’s diplomatic work, allowing the Queen to serve as a host wherever she went. Now moored in Edinburgh, Scotland as a tourist attraction, the ship remains the last of 84 royal yachts, ending a tradition that first began in 1660.
While plans to build a successor to boost Britain’s trade continue to attract criticism, Britannia is once again attracting hordes of visitors after being forced to close because of COVID-19. And it’s no surprise, because from being able to look right into the Queen’s bedroom to learning about what life was like for the up to 220 yachtsmen on board, this is a boat with some fascinating stories to tell.
Town & Country went aboard to learn the secrets of this much-loved vessel. Here’s our pick of the best royal tales.
Many photographs of the Royal Yacht Britannia show the family waving from the Royal Bridge as the vessel departed from or arrived at its destination. And the bow of the ship was specially adapted to make sure these public moments did not reveal more than was intended. “The curved teak windbreak was a later feature, added for modesty’s sake, to prevent sea breezes from lifting royal skirts,” visitors to Britannia are told.
When the 412-ft yacht was built in 1953, it was considered important that it had a garage to house the Queen’s Rolls Royce. However, getting the car on board was no easy feat. “First, the car, in its transporter, had to be hoisted onto the special track that is fitted into the deck. Even then, it could only be squeezed into the garage by removing its bumpers,” Britannia’s guide notes. Thankfully, in later years the Queen usually traveled in a car from the country she was visiting which meant that the garage was eventually used as a beer store.
Now, visitors to Britannia get a full view of the Queen and Prince Philip’s (separate) bedrooms, albeit through glass. However, when the ship was in use it was important that no-one could peek into these rooms. Pointing out that the windows looking into these areas are “higher than anywhere else on the Yacht,” Britannia’s guide explains: “By placing them at this height above the deck, any accidental glimpses into the royal bedrooms could be prevented.”
One of the most fascinating things about touring the yacht is looking into the living quarters—from the relatively luxurious rooms of the Queen and Prince Philip and the ship’s Admiral, to the officers’ comfortable sitting room and dining room, to the approximately 220 yachtsmen who lived, slept, and worked, as the guide describes “in fairly cramped conditions”. Tourists are told: “Britannia was a ship in which hierarchy was strongly defined”. And there were plenty of people to accommodate. Some 45 working members of the royal household accompanied the Queen on her overseas visits.
As the yacht was build with their use in mind, the Queen and Prince Philip both had a say in the ship’s design and as such, it gives some insight into their taste. The Queen’s (single) bed has a specially-commissioned embroidered silk panel above it, and her room is decorated in pale and neutral colors. By contrast, Philip’s room features vibrant maroon linen and curtains and, at his request, his pillows, unlike the Queen’s “do not have lace on the borders”.
The honeymoon suite on the yacht is opposite the Queen and Philip’s bedrooms. “This is the only room on Britannia with a double bed which was brought on board by Prince Charles when he honeymooned on the Yacht with Princess Diana,” tourists are told. “When the Royal Children were small, this bedrooms and the adjoining room were used as nursery suites.”
Food on board Britannia was prepared in three galleys—one for the yachtsmen, one for the officers and one for the royal household. Buckingham Palace chefs were flown out to prepare royal food and there was a room that, according to Britannia’s guide, was known as the Jelly Room “for it was in here that the royal children’s jellies were stored.”
The largest room on Britannia is the State Dining Room where lavish banquets were held. It could also be used as a cinema room. “The silver-grey carpet could also be rolled up to expose a wooden dance floor beneath, although the last time this was used was for Princess Anne’s 21st birthday celebrations,” the guide notes.
Just like their separate bedrooms, the Queen and Philip had separate offices on board Britannia. Philip’s had a “specially designed display case,” the ship’s guide notes, in which he kept “a model of HMS Magpie, His Royal Highness’s first naval command.” The Duke of Edinburgh famously gave up his active naval career in 1951 to support his wife in her duties when King George VI’s health was ailing.
The royal family and their guests relaxed in the drawing room, which featured a grand piano. The instrument was played by members of the family and even some of their famous guests, including composer Noel Coward. “The Welmar baby grand piano cost £350 when it was supplied in 1952, and is firmly bolted to the deck to stop it taking off in choppy seas,” tourists are told.
Walking through the laundry at the end of the tour provides an insight into what was once a “hot and noisy environment”. Some 600 shirts could pass through the laundry in one day, with the royal family’s washing done on separate days to that of the crew. Britannia’s audio guide recounts “one occasion when the royal washing turned a delicate shade of blue, and Her Majesty’s Dresser was less than amused. The cause, it turned out, was a chemical reaction in the copper pipes, which was quickly remedied by adjusting the pH value of the water.”
What a very fun tour! The next time you are in Scotland, you should go and tour!
Ahoy!
Sep 20
Are you having a little one to stay overnight and don’t have a place for them to sleep? We found this fabulous idea on social media and had to share!
Read moreSep 10
An old man meets a young man who asks: “Do you remember me?”
And the old man says “no”.
Read moreSep 1
Aug 31
Years ago, noted anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture.
Read moreAug 19
Aug 18
We always love to share precious ideas with all of you, our chums. This is a precious book and a “must have in your library”!
Read moreAug 10
Aug 2
Jul 22
Though most aspects of the United States Secret Service live up to the agency’s name, some details are public information. The most enjoyable of these would have to be the code names assigned to the Secret Service’s protection detail, which extend beyond the President and his or her family. Vice President , cabinet members, presidential candidates, and high-profile visitors like the Pope and Queen Elizabeth II (aka Halo and Kittyhawk, respectively) fall under their purview as well.
Read moreJul 6
(See at the end of this read where you can purchase this bikini)
Ever thought about where the name “bikini” came from?
On July 5, 1946, French designer Louis Réard unveils a daring two-piece swimsuit at the Piscine Molitor, a popular swimming pool in Paris.
Read moreJun 18
Jun 17
August 8, 1982. A line drive foul ball hits a four year old boy in the head at Fenway.
Read moreJun 10
The popular image of Josephine Baker is of a daring entertainer, one who often shocked audiences by defying all the conventions of the day. But behind the tabloid fodder of her dramatic stage performances and glamorous lifestyle — including a pet cheetah — there was a complex woman who many of her fans never saw.
Read moreJun 9
With a spectacular victory at the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat became the first horse since Citation in 1948 to win America’s coveted Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby , the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.
Read moreJun 1
The day after Memorial Day, we really should have a chuckle but we just wanted to post one more rather serious post before we have a chuckle.
Read moreMay 13
Repeating the good that we hear about is one of our favorite things to do! This one is certainly worth repeating!
Read moreMay 11
Now, before we start this, let us just say that we have not tried these ourselves so cannot say for certain that they are fact but…..it’s worth giving them a try.
It’s all about cucumbers!
Read moreMay 5
May 4
We love to hear these “stories of goodness” and love, even more, sharing them!
Read moreMay 3
It’s that time of year again….Girls Scout Cookie season. If you’re like many of us you may well have a stock of Girl Scout cookies in your cupboard. They are tasty by themselves of course, but the we came across this easy recipe for a Thin Mint Cheesecake we had to pass it along to our chums!
Read moreApr 27
We came across this wonderful story posted on social media by a great chum of ours – in fact she was a Latin world champion dancer!
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