A Great Place to Visit
Summer is coming and no doubt you are thinking about travel plans. We have noted that Portugal is a very popular country to visit and so thought you might be interested in this!
Read moreApr 16
Summer is coming and no doubt you are thinking about travel plans. We have noted that Portugal is a very popular country to visit and so thought you might be interested in this!
Read moreApr 6
King Charles II being presented with a much-coveted pineapple
If you’re planning to throw a party, you might need to rent extra tables or chairs, perhaps even a tent or a tux. But in the 1700s, party hosts and guests looking to make a statement were in the rental market for an entirely different accessory: pineapples.
Read moreMar 28
Good Friday, we know. And Easter most certainly. But what is Maundy Thursday?
Read moreMar 28
As a child, Lucille Ball was reserved, but she knew she wanted to try her hand at show business. At age 14, she enrolled in Manhattan’s John Murray Anderson School for Dramatic Arts, where her classmates included some future leading ladies. “I was a tongue-tied teenager spellbound by the school’s star pupil, Bette Davis,” Ball once said. The school wasn’t so convinced of Ball’s own talents, though; teachers told her mother that Ball was “too shy” to ever be successful.
Read moreMar 25
It’s that time of year again when there are lots of celebrations…Easter, Mother’s Day, Graduations, Showers, Birthdays…the list goes on. And what is a celebration without cake?!!! So if you are having a crowd and only have one cake, we came across a genius way to cut your cake to serve a maximum number people. Watch this video we found on social media and be amazed!
Read moreMar 15
Sunday is March 17th…St. Patricks Day and people everywhere will be doning something green as they get dressed. It is commonly known that Ireland is referred to as The Emerald Isle. But there is more to the story of why we wear green on St. Patricks Day.
Read moreMar 14
This Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day, and in celebration there will be a lot of green clothing worn and many pounds of corned beef and cabbage eaten. All of that is fun and yummy. But in case corned beef isn’t your favorite or, even if it is, we have another way for you to celebrate.
Read moreMar 5
It’s all about the movies!
Some of the most enduring scenes in cinematic history come from unscripted moments when directors or stars dared to veer off-book and go with the flow of spontaneity. Here are eight such moments that weren’t part of the original plan, but unquestionably turned into movie magic for appreciative audiences.
Read moreFeb 13
Feb 9
This Super Bowl Sunday, everyone is looking for a good sandwich to celebrate with. It needs to be easy to prepare, with simple ingredients, and very yummy. We’ve got just the thing for you and your family or guests for your Super Bowl get together. A very juicy easy to prepare and tasty French Dip sandwich.
Read moreJan 15
Today, as a nation, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what we learned from him and are still learning from him about love and justice. Today also happens to be his actual birthday. Had he lived, Dr. King would be 95 years old today.
Jan 5
For many Christians tonight marks the celebration of Twelfth Night, or the end of the Christmas Season.
Read moreDec 26
December 25th, the official day we celebrate Christmas has passed. But Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ is more than a day.
Read moreDec 20
You probably already know the catchy classic Mexican Christmas song entitled Feliz Navidad. But we would bet you’ve never seen it danced to like this!
Read moreDec 7
Tonight begins the 8 day Jewish Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah. One of the iconic dishes served during Hanukkah is latkes. If you are unfamiliar they are a sort of hash brown potato meets a potato pancake….yummy. or at least we think so but it turns out not everyone loves them…not even all Jews apparently. So these potato cakes are an alternative. And tasty one too!
Read moreNov 27
Four weeks from today will be Christmas morning. If you’re making your Christmas list for Santa we have an idea for you…
Read moreNov 22
While apple pie may have misappropriated origins (the first recipe appeared in England around 1381, not in the U.S.), pumpkin pie deserves more credit as a purely American dessert.
Read moreNov 21
In October, 1705, the Connecticut settlement of Colchester was facing an early winter. While New England was known for its cold snaps, this one was unusually premature and severe, with temperatures so low that nearby waterways froze. The timing was unfortunate!
Read moreOct 31
It ‘s not exactly clear what ancient Celts did during Samhain, the pagan holiday we now link with Halloween, but historians have some idea thanks to a surviving bronze calendar.
Read moreOct 30
Turnips aren/t usually considered fancy fare — over the years they’ve served as livestock fodder and occasionally been used to pelt unpopular figures in public.
Read moreOct 19
Jul 25
Well, it really is a very special day and I am doing a lot of celebrating today!
Read moreJul 18
May 12
Looking back over the years of all the gifts our children have made or bought for us, without question it is the cards and notes, the sweet words of love and affirmation that mean the very most.
Read moreMay 8
Well, after a very celebratory weekend, we are starting on another new week. And, along with a new week is a newly crowned King!
Read moreApr 4
Mar 30
It’s that time of year. If you know anything about your Two Chums it’s that at this, or any time of year, we simply LOVE deviled eggs!
Read moreMar 17
It’s that time of year again when everything turns green for a day, the leprechauns reign, and there is a corned beef in every pot. Or is there?
Read moreFeb 22
Yesterday was the final day of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and celebrate they did. Colorful and joyful and all sorts of other things, THIS is Mardi Gras!
Read moreFeb 14
Ever wonder exactly who St. Valentine is and how he became associated with this holiday for lovers?
Read moreJan 16
As the only non-President to be honored with a national holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. most certainly gave us some words of wisdom which ring as true today as they did 50+ years ago as he was leading the civil rights movement. Today we share a most important quote that comes from a speech he gave when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.
Read moreDec 30
Not sure if all of our chums agree but we have found that 2022 raced, if not sped, by! Here we are, a couple of eves away from a new day of a new year! Here are a few quotes which we think you will appreciate:
Read moreDec 19
To be a snowman is to live a life of extreme impermanence.
Read moreDec 9
With the Holidays upon us, a lot of us are being invited out and needing that extra little bit of “polish” that perhaps we learnt when children…..or NOT! There is good reason for this polish, to be sure. Why?
Read moreNov 25
This dear “thank you” note card is available on Shutterfly!
In days gone by, a short and sweet thank you note for a meal well enjoyed or the such, was called a “Bread and Butter Letter”.
Read moreNov 24
On this day we set aside each year to offer thanks and gratitude for all our blessings, we came across a quote that touched our hearts. We hope it might touch yours too.
Read moreNov 22
As you are well aware, Thanksgiving is only couple of days away. And no Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without that iconic and yummiest of sides, mashed potatoes. So today we have a Savvy Secret for making those mashed potatoes to go alongside your turkey. We came across this great idea on Instagram, gave it a try, and want to share it with you, our chums.
Read moreOct 31
Everyone loves a fun jack o’lantern on Halloween, but the carving of one can be a challenge. Today we have some tips and a video from Good Housekeeping we think might help you have an easier time.
Read moreSep 19
One of the most touching tributes to the Queen is in this video.
A poem from a 7 yr.old girl, Lincoln, from northern England near the Scottish border in Carlisle. It is hard to watch without a tear. We share this with heavy and grateful hearts.
Again we say… “Thank you Ma’am”
And… “Long live the King”
Sep 5
You may be familiar with the gentleman pictured here. He is Jon Bon Jovi of the famous rock band known simply as Bon Jovi. And you may be wondering what he has to do with our national celebration today of Labor Day. Labor Day quite simply is a day in which we honor the men and women of the American work force…in other words it is a day to celebrate the achievements of the American worker. Today we are acknowledging and celebrating this man for his contribution, but that contribution may not be the one you think.
Read moreAug 17
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 moreJul 14
Jul 4
Your Two Chums wish you a very happy Fourth of July! Celebrate well and enjoy! We do have one question for you. What color was the Statue of Liberty originally?
Read moreJul 1
Today is the 1st of July which means the 4th of July is almost here. Today we want to share two unrelated yet important ideas for having a wonderful celebration with family and friends.
Read moreJun 30
Will there be corn on the cob in your weekend BBQ plans? We’ve got a great savvy secret for you today you’ll love!
Read moreJun 29
The 4th of July weekend is quickly approaching. Many of us are planning to head for the beach, the lake, the mountains, or to visit friends or family for a BBQ. With gas prices at an all time high, some people may be rethinking their plans and everyone is looking for the best price when they need to fill up their tanks. Did you know there is a phone app for that?
Read moreJun 23
Who doesn’t enjoy the occasional visit to an amusement park? And, there are some little known facts that we would like to share with you…
Read moreJun 10
We close out this week of coverage of the royal Platinum Jubilee with a look back at some of our favorite moments of the celebration.
Read moreJun 9
The Royal Jubilee this past weekend was of course designed to celebrate the remarkable 70 reign of Queen Elizabeth II on the British throne. The focus was meant to be on and stay on her. But it was her little great grandson, Williams youngest child, Prince Louis who very often stole the show.
Read moreJun 7
As you know by now this past weekend was the Jubilee celebration for the Queen as the world celebrated her remarkable 70 years on the throne. Yesterday we gave you some info about the dress Queen Elizabeth II wore when she was formally crowned at her Coronation. Today we want to share a highlight from this weekend’s celebration.
Read moreMay 18
May 12
The life of Queen Elizabeth II is remarkable in more ways than one. Born on April 21 in 1926, she is the longest-reigning British monarch in history. She is also the fourth-longest reigning monarch of all time, having taken the throne almost 70 years ago. And few would bet against her reign becoming the longest ever — a record currently held by Louis XIV, the Sun King, who reigned in France for 72 years and 110 days – but you never know!
Read moreMay 10
Sometimes life is hard. Things can be tough for all of us at one time or another, and sometimes, for long stretches it feels like you just can’t catch a break. So when you have a reason to celebrate…CELEBRATE!!!! And when you don’t have a reason….find one!
Read moreApr 14
It’s one of those weeks when the Words of Wisdom just keep popping up everywhere we turn so of course we want to share them with you, our dear chums!
Read moreApr 8
Apr 6
We all have things in the realm of our possessions that we tell ourselves are saved for those special times that are out of the ordinary…treasured items we save for special occasions. These words of wisdom we came across today change all that.
Read moreMar 29
After all, it is Oscar week so why not quote our much-loved grand dame of the cinema?
Read moreMar 17
Today happens to be St. Patricks Day which means many people will be wearing their favorite green clothing. Many will eat corned beef and cabbage and soda bread today. And a lot of Guinness will be consumed as will Irish whiskey and Bailey’s Irish Cream in celebration of St. Patrick.. But food and drink and wearing green is not all St. Patricks Day is about or even the best thing the Irish are famous for giving us.
Read moreFeb 22
Feb 7
Yesterday was an historic day to be sure. February 6, 2022 marked 70 years since Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, making her the longest serving monarch in English history.
Read moreFeb 2
And as if all these things were not enough to acknowledge and celebrate today there is also Chinese New Year and…
Read moreDec 31
As we close out of 2021 and prepare to start 2022 we came across some words of wisdom and encouragement we want to share with you, our dear chums.
Read moreDec 30
Want a delicious and simple appetizer this New Years Eve that everyone will love? We’ve got that!
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 22
Want to make your home smell heavenly this holiday season? We’ve got the “recipe” for a DIY home fragrance that is very easy, very quick and very affordable.
Read moreDec 10
Oh golly! Your Two Chums do love beauty and a lot of jewels, especially the famous ones, exemplify that quality!
Look at these famous ones!
Read moreNov 25
Nov 22
Its almost time to celebrate that iconic American holiday…Thanksgiving! And what is more synonymous with a Thanksgiving meal than turkey? Still cooking a turkey strikes fear in the hearts of many, so today we have a couple of tips… aka Savvy Secrets…for cooking a delicious flavorful, juicy bird.
Read moreNov 19
Keeping your home smelling delicious and inviting during the holidays is a matter of a very simple concoction you can make easily and delight your family, your guests and yourself for that matter!
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 8
We were asked by one of our chums to do a post on “The Royals” and we thought this would be a great one to explore! After all, who does not love jewels?
The Crown Jewels are a collection of treasures, including coronation regalia, crowns, orbs, medals, and insignias from English monarchs whose history dates back nearly a thousand years. Their total worth today is estimated between $3-6 billion dollars. Famous gemstones like the Koh-i-nûr and Cullinan diamonds help comprise the collection.
Much of the original collection was made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661. The Crown Jewels are still worn by the monarch during the Coronation Service and the State Opening of Parliament. For 600 years, they have been stored and protected at the Tower of London, where over 30 million people have caught a glimpse of them.
Today’s Crown Jewels are real, but those from before 1661 are not the originals. After the end of the British Civil Wars in 1649, Charles I was executed, and the winning side, the Parliamentarians, had them destroyed as a symbol of the end of a corrupt monarchy.
At the heart of the Crown Jewels collection is At. Edward’s Crown. It is solid gold and was made for Charles II as part of his coronation, replacing the previous crown, which had been destroyed. Until 1991, the gems in the crown were rented and returned after the coronation ceremony. The coronation of George V had semi-precious gems set into this famous crown.
The coronation’s Investiture section includes the Jeweled Sword of Offering and Sovereign’s Orb. The sword is from 1820 and symbolizes the king’s nature of chivalry. Made of gilt steel and silver, a cruciform gold hilt is set with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds and decorated with national emblems. It is presented as an ornament along with bracelets and spurs. In this part of the ceremony, the king promises to protect good and punish evil, upon which the sword is placed around the king’s waist. Queens are not adorned with this sword during coronation ceremonies.
The Sovereign’s Orb represents the monarch’s power over the Christian world. It is a gold globe with a cross on top adorned with rose-cut diamonds. Emeralds, rose-cut diamonds, rubies, pearls and sapphires separate it into three sections. During the medieval period, the three sections represented the three known continents at the time. The monarch takes the orb in his or her right hand during the coronation service. Just before the crowning, both the jeweled sword and the orb are put on the altar.
The Imperial State Crown was added to the collection of Crown Jewels in 1937 and is decorated with renowned historic jewels. At the front is the Black Prince’s Ruby. The story goes that this semi-precious stone (not truly a ruby, but a spinel) belonged to Pedro the Cruel, King of Castile. In 1367, he bestowed it upon Edward, Prince of Wales to thank him for his help in a battle. Aside from the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Imperial State Crown includes over 2,000 diamonds, over 200 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and four actual rubies. The monarch wears this crown leaving the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey as well as during other formal occasions.
In the moments before the crowning, the monarch receives the Sovereign’s Scepter and Rod, one in each hand. Their significance has a history that dates back to 1066, when William the Conqueror declared that the scepter would control uprising, and the rod would rein in constituents who may stray.
There is more than one Sovereign’s Scepter. Usually, both are offered to the new monarch during coronation. The Cullinan I diamond was added for George V in 1910. This diamond weighs 530.2 carats, the largest of its kind and quality in the world. This scepter is a symbol of temporal power. The Sovereign’s Scepter with Dove is the second scepter. It includes an enamel dove on top, and his wings are spread as a symbol of the Holy Ghost to represent the spiritual role of the monarch.
Before the scepters are presented to the monarch, the coronation ring is placed on his or her right hand. The ring’s place in the ceremony began in 1831, symbolizing dignity. In its center is an octagonal sapphire set in gold and overlaid with four rectangular rubies in the shape of a cross, all surrounded by 14 diamonds.
Thank you to Trivia Genius for this historical information. Love to learn all about it!
Sep 6
You may think of Labor Day, as so many of us do, as marking the end of summer and the beginning of the new school year. But that was not how Labor Day started or what it celebrated. According to History.com, Labor Day is an “annual celebration of workers and their achievements, that was originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters.”
Read moreSep 3
Some people call this delicacy, Neiman Marcus Dip, some call it Million Dollar Dip, some call it Almond Bacon Cheese Spread, but everybody calls it YUMMY!
Read moreAug 27
We all know the proverbial saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”…or can you? In this case the “old dog” is any of us who has been accustomed to adorning a present for someone with traditional paper gift wrapping. The “new trick” is a Japanese method for gift wrap called “furoshiki”.
Read moreAug 12
Yes, this time of year reminds of weddings and so we thought it would be fun to look at Elizabeth Taylor’s many wedding dresses!
Read moreJul 2
As you know Sunday is the day we celebrate our independence and the birth of our great nation. It’s the 4th of July! And there is hardly a food you can name that is more frequently associated with the 4th of July…more quintessentially American… than the hotdog.
Read moreJun 16
Sunday is Father’s Day and we have a great idea for a treat everyone will love when you celebrate 🙂
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 moreMay 31
The freedoms large and small we all sometimes so casually enjoy, were bought with a price…the highest price of all. Remember those who paid it and honor them by being the best citizen and neighbor you can be. That is the least we can do to show our gratitude for their sacrifice.
Very thankful today and everyday,
May 5
Apr 26
Even though it is Monday and a lot of us do not feel like starting the workweek once more, do your Two Chums a favor and take it up a notch!
Read moreApr 22
Today is International Earth Day. This NASA photo of earth taken in 1972 by the Apollo 17 crew, has been titled “Blue Marble”. We think the reason is obvious.
Read moreMar 31
Our Easter celebrations will look a little different again this year, but regardless of how small our gatherings may be, that doesn’t mean that we can’t still make them fun, and as joyful as they can be.
Read moreMar 2
So many of you were so kind to wish me and my husband “Happy Anniversary” after my darling chum Jackie did that lovely post yesterday.
Read moreJan 20
Yes, they’re changing the guard at Buckingham Palace
Christoper Robin went down with Alice.
Read moreJan 18
There are hundreds of quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. that are spoken and printed regularly…his own words of wisdom and those he took from the Bible scriptures and reworded for the common man. But today, given the difficult and turbulent times where we find ourselves, and given the violence that we witnessed all summer long and even as recently as 2 weeks ago in our nations capitol, these quotes stand out today above the rest.
Read moreJan 12
With all the bad news out there, sickness and lockdowns due to Covid, the political strife everywhere we turn, we thought we could all use something to smile about today 🙂
Read moreDec 31
Have you ever thought about where the idea of “ringing in the new year” came from?
Read moreDec 24
Sometimes amidst the hustle and bustle, the shopping and baking, the wrapping and Santa, we need to pause for a moment and remember what this night is really all about. This year it was the children who helped us remember the silent night, the holy night.
Read moreNov 25
If you’re planning an appetizer platter for your Thanksgiving gathering, also known as a charcuterie platter, we have some ideas for you today.
Read more