Showing posts with label Happy Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happy Easter. Show all posts
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Easter Weekend!
Hello, all! As it's Easter weekend, Bertie, Mr. Punch and I will be taking a break from the usual posting schedule. We'll be back up to our usual hijinks on Monday.
So, let's start celebrating with a glimpse at my collection of ephemera and some of the Easter-related articles there-in.
I like this trade card quite a lot, and want a similar hat. I often make the face which the bunny is making.
Here, another bunny sits on a very handsomely printed 1907 postcard, complete with metallic ink. He, too, looks a trifle grim, but I think he's tired from delivering the eggs. Look at his lovely little outfit!
how cute is this postcard from 1910? Don't think about the fact that the chicks are as big as the little girl. Just love its inherent Edwardian cuteness.
Next, we have a dour bunny. I'm not sure if he's delivering or stealing the eggs. I like to think he's stealing them. I think that might cheer him up. I just want to hug the little fella. Bertie, of course, wants to eat him.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Object of the Day: An Antique Easter Card Featuring Mr. Punch
Embossed creamy yellow-lilies and an ornate cross-like pattern form the background of this Edwardian Easter card. Made in the early Twentieth Century, the card is stamped 1912. Three embossed Easter eggs adorn the phrase “Easter Greetings.” As beautiful as these elements are, they are not what I like best about this wonderful card. Obviously, I’m drawn to the little framed scene in the upper center.
Depicted are a group of children against a springtime backdrop. They are engaged by a Punch & Judy show being performed in a blue and red striped fit-up. But, it’s not Judy who joins our Mr. Punch. It’s an enormous rabbit holding an Easter egg! Actually, a giant rabbit does sometimes make an appearance in the Punch and Judy tradition—usually as a novelty or trick puppet. But, here, he serves as the Easter Bunny.
Mr. Punch, very correctly, has made a point to not hold his slapstick aloft. In a show of politeness for the Easter Bunny, he cradles his stick in his arms, making sure the gargantuan rabbit doesn’t feel threatened.
The reverse of the card says simply, “Post Card” with no other information.
The card has been used and mailed. Let me see if I can make out what has been written on it.
To: Mrs. Mary Miller
Clinton
R.R. #326, Ohio
Hello all, this is…
…errrr…Okay. Sorry. I can’t do it. I can’t make it out. Sorry. In short, the writer wants someone named Norma to come visit. Click the image to enlarge it. See if you can make it out. It's faded, and, on top of the reversed embossing, it's hard to read.
Regardless of the indecipherable writing, the card is absolutely adorable.
At the Music Hall: Easter Parade, 1933
In your Easter bonnet
with all the frills upon it,
you'll be the grandest lady
in the Easter Parade!
I'll be all in clover,
and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fella
in the Easter Parade!
On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue,
the photographers will snap us
and you'll find that you're
in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!
Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!
"Easter Parade" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1933. The song was introduced by Marilyn Miller and Clifton Webb in the Broadway musical revue “As Thousands Cheer.”
More notably, the song was performed by Bing Crosby in the film “Holiday Inn” (1942), which featured an Irving Berlin song focused on each major holiday. However, most famously, in 1948, the song was performed by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in a musical film which borrowed the name of its song as the film’s title. The film—a long-time Easter tradition—also stars the crazy-eyed, disturbing Ann Miller and her machine-gun taps as well as the icky Peter Lawford and…his overall ickiness. The film is described as “the happiest musical ever made” and that characterization has nothing to do with the fact that Judy was high throughout the entire picture.
The song was also featured in the Rankin/Bass special “The First Easter Rabbit,” in 1976.
Interestingly enough, Irving Berlin originally wrote the melody in 1917. At the time he called it "Smile and Show Your Dimple." It was a tremendous flop. But, the melody was good and Berlin trotted it out again in ’33.
Enjoy this scene from the 1948 film.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Treat of the Week: Our Easter Feast
The Easter Bunny was very good to us. By that, I mean my parents, of course, though I am convinced of the existence of the aforementioned anthropomorphic, long-eared mammalian giver of sugary delights and eggs. Bertie enjoyed a long weekend at "Grandma and Grandpa's" and I got a chance to visit with my parents during the Easter holiday.
On the Saturday before Easter, while my father and I worked on my rather difficult income taxes, my mother worked on the exceptional Easter cake. We’re a cake family, as you all know, and I always look forward to the annual Easter cake. The tradition of the checkerboard Easter cake continued this year. Since I was a little boy, my mother has made checker-board cakes from scratch and, though I'm aware of how it's achieved, it's still a bit of magic to see that pattern when the cake is first cut. This year, some of the squares in the cake would be spice cake and some would be white cake. Once again, it's frosted in scrumptiously smooth buttercream icing and adorned with bright, piped spring flowers. I even got to pipe some of the flowers on! A lovely, thick and creamy chocolate ganache was spread between each later, giving each bite a luxurious blend of textures and flavors. You'll see more of that later.
On Easter morning, we began with a breakfast of bacon, freshly-baked biscuits and our brightly-colored Easter Eggs. I look forward every year to dying the eggs with my mom and dad. I know, I’m thirty-nine and probably shouldn’t be as chuffed about these things as I am, but, I do anyway.
We always marbleize the eggs. This is accomplished by first dying them one (or more) base colors. Then, the dyed eggs are rolled in dishes containing food coloring and vinegar, and a little oil. The oil doesn’t combine with the other media and, therefore, causes a marbling effect on the surface of the egg. The finished eggs are then gently buffed to a shine with paper towels.
After breakfast, we began the preparation of dinner—a lengthy process (almost entirely for my mother), but very much worth it. In between, we snacked on the the candy the Easter bunny left in footed silver compotes.
We enjoyed roasted pork tenderloin with a savory sauce and sour cream season with mustard, fresh spring peas, glazed carrots, a creamy potatoes au-gratin, and an asparagus and gruyere tart in a lovely homemade pastry shell. Wonderful stuff!
Then, the cake made it's official first appearance and all was right in the world.
I hope everyone else had a wonderful Easter/Passover.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Easter Weekend: Part II
Hello, all, and Happy Easter! As it's Easter weekend, Bertie, Mr. Punch and I will be taking a break from the usual posting schedule. We'll be back up to our usual hijinks on Monday. Until then, you can come back each day to see some of the Easter-related ephemera in my personal collection.
You can click on each image to enlarge it.
Let's celebrate with the Easter Bunny...
Here he sits on a very handsomely printed 1907 postcard, complete with metallic ink. He, too, looks a trifle grim, but I think he's tired from delivering the eggs. Look at his lovely little outfit!
We'll be back to business as usual tomorrow. Lots of fun ahead...
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Easter Weekend: Part II
Hello, all! As it's Easter weekend, Bertie, Mr. Punch and I will be taking a break from the usual posting schedule. We'll be back up to our usual hijinks on Monday. Until then, you can come back each day to see some of the Easter-related ephemera in my personal collection.
You can click on each image to enlarge it.
Let's continue hopping...
Firstly, how cute is this postcard from 1910? Don't think about the fact that the chicks are as big as the little girl. Just love its inherent Edwardian cuteness.
Next, we have a dour bunny. I'm not sure if he's delivering or stealing the eggs. I like to think he's stealing them. I think that might cheer him up. I just want to hug the little fella. Bertie, of course, wants to eat him.
More tomorrow!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Easter Weekend: Part I
You can click on each image to enlarge it.
Let's begin with these:
Since it's Friday, which is typically a Punch-themed day, I'd be remiss if I didn't share this Victorian Easter postcard...a favorite of mine.
I also like this trade card quite a lot, and want a similar hat. I often make the face which the bunny is making.
More tomorrow!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
We'll be back with regular updates tomorrow. Here's wishing everyone a great day!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
At the Music Hall: Easter Parade, 1933
In your Easter bonnet
with all the frills upon it,
you'll be the grandest lady
in the Easter Parade!
I'll be all in clover,
and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fella
in the Easter Parade!
On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue,
the photographers will snap us
and you'll find that you're
in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!
Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!
"Easter Parade" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1933. The song was introduced by Marilyn Miller and Clifton Webb in the Broadway musical revue “As Thousands Cheer.”
More notably, the song was performed by Bing Crosby in the
film “Holiday Inn” (1942), which featured an Irving Berlin song focused on each
major holiday. However, most famously,
in 1948, the song was performed by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in a musical
film which borrowed the name of its song as the film’s title. The film—a long-time Easter tradition—also stars
the crazy-eyed, disturbing Ann Miller and her machine-gun taps as well as the
icky Peter Lawford and…his overall ickiness.
The film is described as “the happiest musical ever made” and that
characterization has nothing to do with the fact that Judy was high throughout
the entire picture.
The song was also featured in the Rankin/Bass special “The
First Easter Rabbit,” in 1976.
Interestingly enough, Irving Berlin originally wrote the
melody in 1917. At the time he called it
"Smile and Show Your Dimple." It was a tremendous flop. But, the melody was good and Berlin trotted
it out again in ’33.
Enjoy this version by Al Jolson as well as the "Easter Parade" trailer from 1948.
Object of the Day: An Antique Easter Card Featuring Mr. Punch
Embossed creamy yellow-lilies and an ornate cross-like
pattern form the background of this Edwardian Easter card. Made in the early Twentieth Century, the card
is stamped 1912. Three embossed Easter
eggs adorn the phrase “Easter Greetings.”
As beautiful as these elements are, they are not what I like best about
this wonderful card. Obviously, I’m
drawn to the little framed scene in the upper center.
Depicted are a group of children against a springtime
backdrop. They are engaged by a Punch
& Judy show being performed in a blue and red striped fit-up. But, it’s not Judy who joins our Mr.
Punch. It’s an enormous rabbit holding
an Easter egg! Actually, a giant rabbit
does sometimes make an appearance in the Punch and Judy tradition—usually as a
novelty or trick puppet. But, here, he
serves as the Easter Bunny.
Mr. Punch, very correctly, has made a point to not hold his
slapstick aloft. In a show of politeness
for the Easter Bunny, he cradles his stick in his arms, making sure the
gargantuan rabbit doesn’t feel threatened.
The reverse of the card says simply, “Post Card” with no
other information.
The card has been used and mailed. Let me see if I can make out what has been
written on it.
To: Mrs. Mary Miller
Clinton
R.R. #326, Ohio
Hello all, this is…
…errrr…Okay.
Sorry. I can’t do it. I can’t make it out. Sorry.
In short, the writer wants someone named Norma to come visit.
Regardless of the indecipherable writing, the card is
absolutely adorable.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)