Seventy!

Two weeks before his thirtieth birthday Himself became a father for the first time. He was present at the birth, which was rather unusual forty years ago. He was beside himself with joy and amazement, the latter emotion still visible on his face on this photo. 

Many of our friends had completed their families some years earlier with two or more children by the time that we became parents. Nevertheless they listened with great kindness and forbearance (for weeks!) as Himself repeated in great detail all the excitement of the birth. 

Seventy today. I can hardly believe it!

Ceramic Sunday, Danish teapot.

It's cold outside, so here is a ceramic to give a little warmth, a teapot with a base to keep the tea hot, or to stew it gently! The pot was a present to my mother from her Danish friends and bears the inscription Munk Holte (of which I know nothing.) I think that it dates from the thirties.

Of course the best place to be at this time of year is inside, like Bertie, relaxing on cushions with a biscuit.

Bertie takes the biscuit.

Or tucked up all nice and cosy in bed.

As I mentioned on the 'titfer' posting, Wee one was always a very good model - especially when sleeping!

As she grew older a good way of keeping her still was to play a story tape. As a result we both knew the opening chapters of 'Heidi' and 'Swallows and Amazons' off by heart!

Keep warm.

Ceramic Sunday, coronation mug.

There have been a number of television programmes just lately about the British royal family, giving a far more critical assessment than has formerly been the case. Two  recent programmes dealt with the upbringing of King George V and his marriage to his dead brother's fiancee, Mary. 

I had always thought of Queen Mary as a cold, formidable woman, but as portrayed on television she was not so at all and I've now revised my opinion to think of her as rather impressive.

I suspect that most households in Britain have, like ours, a motley collection of royal mugs, not necessarily because they are staunch royalists, but because mugs were handed out to school children as a free gift to celebrate various special royal events. 

 
The transfer on our 1911 mug is now rather scuffed and scratched, the gold rim darkened.

And it tells quite a different story from Britain in the 21st century!

The maker, the style and supplier are all clearly recorded on the base.

Forty!

Forty years ago today I became a mother for the first time. 

Life-changing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ceramic Sunday, two handled mug.

In a couple of days I shall be the mother of a forty year old.  Crickey!

I seem to remember that this transfer mug came free after collecting a number of tokens from something such as Farley's rusks. It was never used because it seemed a bit unwieldy for tiny hands and too hard a surface for newly acquired front teeth. 

Mind you,  the rather forlorn looking teddy bear egg cup is a whole lot older than forty - it belongs to Himself and he will be celebrating his seventieth birthday later this month! 

Ceramic Sunday, Emma's cup and saucer.

This generously sized teacup has been sponge decorated by my friend Emma Hickmott.

 
I need a big drink before I embark on my New Year's resolution, which is to try to maintain a regular exercise routine!