Caroling, caroling through the town

So here are some funny words that you mostly only see in Christmas Carols (you might see them in other hymns, and ye olde English but do you really go around saying them all the time?) and what they mean.

Hither - as in "Come hither" or "Hither page, and stand by me" - To or toward this place
Thither - a bit rare than hither - "When we bear them thither" - To or toward that place - see the difference.
Whither - " Pray, wither sailed those ships all three" -  To which place - getting the pattern now?

Oblations -  "We to the Christ-child, bring our hearts' oblations" - A thing presented or offered to God or a god -  we are offering Jesus our hearts
Wassail/wassailing - "Here we come a-wassailing, among the leaves so green" or "And to you, your wassail too" - the practice of going round to your neighbours and toasting them good health and possibly begging for scraps.
Troll - "Troll the ancient Yule tide carol" - not the internet kind. To sing loudly, freely or in a carefree way.
Cloven - "Still through the cloven skies they come," - split or divided (like the Devil's hooves)
Lo - "For lo! the days are hastening on" - Look, see, behold
Exultation - "Sing in exultation" - The act of exulting; lively joy at success or victory, or at any advantage gained; rapturous delight; triumph

And here's a picture of us all caroling at my parent's house, with all our friends and relations - it's a yearly tradition.

P.S. If I get to 50 readers, I'm going to do something super special. If you can't wait, you could create 2 phony blogger accounts and give me a bump. *wink*

WANT!

I want these so bad - so I am saving all my pennies in my secret shoe fund which I fund with doing odd jobs for people. Or hoping that Santa brings them in his sleigh.



Vivienne Westwood

Product Review: Junior Mints

So I was inspired by this post by Ginger at Sailing over a Cardboard Sea for Junior Mints, and when I saw them at my local coffee shop I thought - Why not? It seemed like a cleansing burst of synchronicity.

Apparently, Junior Mints are some kind of American Movie Theatre Institution. A family favourite at the movie concession stand - not unlike a box of Maltesers in Australia.

They have also featured in a Seinfeld episode "The Junior Mint" which obviously means they've reached the pinnacle in contemporary culture.

"Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate, it's peppermint; it's delicious!"

So my review of this sweet treat -

Pretty much an after dinner mint in a box. Possibly providing for easier delivery to the mouth - but for $3 a box, nothing so amazing that I need to buy a box every week.

I like mint, I like dark chocolate, I like the combination, but I think I'll stick with a mint slice - after all, you get a junior mint and a chocolate bbiscuit all in one.

Lest we forget

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Photo from here

Today is Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day, so buy a poppy to support our veterans, and  the families of the men and women who give their lives and service in defence of our country.

Having recently cycled through the Somme I have a new respect of those men who charged through the hills of the somme with a full pack under heavy fire.

Here's a photo from my cycling trip showing the beautiful hilly nothingness that is the Somme countryside.

What not to wear

To the races - if you are a television personality.

Dear Channel 7,

Please extend your wardrobe budget so that
1) Fifi Box has a dress that fits her and is not pinned up the back
2) Fifi Box has a dress that isn't an ugly sack
3) Fifi Box has a hat, fascinator or hattinator - for pity's sake, it's the races - it's the Melbourne Cup!



Sincerely,
This young crank

Everyday is somebody's birthday

Someone's born on each and every day
One day it's yours, and one day it's mine
Last month it was mine and so we say
"Happy birthday, Elise, Elise,
Happy, happy birthday, you're our friend"

"That is very kind of you, what a lovely thing to do
and I hope this day will never end."

And now, some photos of me being silly on my birthday - as it my wont to do.







And in case you were wondering, the lipstick is MAC 'Girl about town' and the nail polish is Revlon 'Fuschia Fever'

So....

I've been thinking. As I have returned to work 4 days a week, I don't quite have as much time to create as many culinary masterpieces as previously.

So I'm wondering if you would be interested in hearing my other thoughts about life, love, clothes, society, history etc. And if so, do you mind if I put them here or would you prefer to follow me elsewhere.

I still plan to keep updating here but it's likely to be about once a month.

So let me know what you think - can Mrs Beeton make room for other things or should they find their own home elsewhere?