I cannot say that I am a fervent follower of the monarchy, but I do very much admire the Queen. She has been *In business* now for 60 years, and still going strong - hats off! I respect her enormous discipline and consciousness of her office, and how she carries out her duties, day for day. I am sure she has had a good life, too, with certainly more diversions, pomp and ceremony than most of us, but she has done her job well. And she has shown herself ready to learn and to listen to advice - I am thinking of her bowing at Princess Diana's funeral. And let's admit - she has had her share of troubles with her family, too!
At Tag Tuesday our theme this week is bunting, and my tags are meant as a little 'homage' to Queen Elizabeth II. As an oldie myself, I remember the parties at her coronation. I was lucky, I went to four - one on the street where we lived, one on the street where my Aunt lived, one at school, and one at a ladies' club, where I accompanied my great aunt. The parties were a great treat in those days. Growing up in post war London was dreary - grey streets, bomb sites which we used as playgrounds, buildings blackened and burnt. Rationing was part of daily life. Sweets and sugar were still rationed at this time, and so parties with jelly and custard and cakes were a real treat! Not to speak of a whole bar of Cadbury's chocolate each to take home. And other presents. At school and at one of the street parties we were given books; 'The Coronation Book of kings and Queens' and 'The Little Princesses'. At the other parties we were given commemorative mugs. The Mugs I gave to my sister when she left England and immigrated to the USA in 1958, as she wanted them as a keepsake; the books I still have and use. And it was also the first time that I was able to watch TV - my Aunt had bought a TV set for the occasion, and we all squashed into her tiny front parlour to watch it all happening.
Okay, enough reminiscences for today, I am starting to feel like Methuselem! (Spell Check evidently never heard of Methusalem, and advised 'Methadone'!!!)
And here's a song we learnt at school:
Here's a health unto her Majesty,
With a fa la la la la la la
To drink this loyal toast of wine.
With a fa la la la la la la.
And he that will not drink her health,
I wish him neither wit nor wealth,
Nor yet a rope to hang himself.
With a fa la la la la la la la la la,
With a fa la la la la la la.
And in case that was not enough:
Have a nice day you all, take care, and thanks for visiting!
WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteYou out did yourself, Valerie! :]
These tags are incredible.
The photos, layout, embellishments, and the color scheme all work great as a whole.
Beautiful work... always a pleasure to visit your blog. ((hugs))
Take care.
Love your patriot tags, we exile Brits need a bit of that from time to time to keep us going! Hugs, Sarah
ReplyDeleteFabulously patriotic tags Valerie and lovely to read of your reminiscences too. Didn't realise you hail from the UK either.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day.
Hugs, Fliss xx
What wonderful memories Valerie :)
ReplyDeleteand a super selection of Jubilee tags :)
Von x♥x
Wonderful tags and memories Valerie.
ReplyDeleteI missed out on the Coronation....born 4 months later.
Hugs xx
Super tags Valerie and thanks for sharing your coronation memories. My mum was given a small bible for the coronation which she still has and I received a commemorative coin for the silver jubilee. Between the jubilee and the run up to the olympics, the shops are FULL of R,W&B decorations, however street parties are very much an English tradition so I'll just be sat in front of the telly! xx
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful to read your memories. :) Thanks for sharing. And fabulous tags you made. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie. Love your tags. I share your thoughts on the monarchy too and greatly admire the work ethic of the Queen.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a good day. x
wonderful patriotic tags Valerie and enjoyed your trip down memory lane. Annette x
ReplyDeleteGod save the Queen!!! Marvelous tags- I totally agree that you outdid yourself and that, my friend is not an easy thing to do!
ReplyDeleteYou're sounding more cheery, I hope this means you're feeling better!
Hugs,
Stephanei
I agree, you did out do yourself on these tags! I loved hearing about your time in London and the Coronation parties. Wonderful tribute to the queen, loved the video too. I could not figure out the singers jacket till I saw a few ladies holding a flag in the audience, lol. And we know you are not as old as Methuselah, ha ha. Have a wonderful day dear friend.
ReplyDeleteFabulous tags! So rich and vibrant... I can feel the celebratory air over here!
ReplyDeleteI love all you projects and the stories and songs too! I have been to London twice and they were great trips! We saw the queen and princes in the courtyard of Windsor castle afar off!
ReplyDeleteThese are really lovely, Val. Loved reading your memories of the Coronation, too! Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeletenice tags and a lovely tribute! I do have memories of seeing her in a parade long long ago!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful; tribute, beautiful work, I laughed so hard when you said that about spell check!
ReplyDeleteFantastic tags Valerie, i can share many of those memories as well.
ReplyDeleteYvonne x
I love this post so so so much! I LOVED reading about your childhood - and all the parties you attended - and it touched me to hear that you played in former bomb sights and that sweets were a treat. We really have so much these days and we take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteAND I LOVE your art to accompany your story - the colors and bold and crisp and the ephemera is perfect. This was one of my favorite posts! xoxoxo
Fab tags love them !!! love your reminiscences too and as for spell check what a riot !
ReplyDeleteMarie
Great reminiscences and fab tags!
ReplyDeleteGreat memories Val and love your Jubilee tags. I'm like you not a Royalist but I do admire the Queen for her tenacity and loyalty to our country.
ReplyDeleteSIMPLY SPECTACULAR! I adore these. so wonderful, Val. take care, gerri
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie. What a lovely post. Really enjoyed reading it. Wonderful makes. I did giggle when I read about the spell checker.
ReplyDeleteRegards Florence xx
Your tags are fabby! I enjoyed your memories. My MIL was an English War Bride to Canada..she would so have been glued to all of the festivities. And likely buying a celebration mug for all of the grands! Hugs,
ReplyDeleteIt's always a pleasure to visit your blog Valerie, what memories you have to share. You have made some beautiful tags, love the newspaper one. You can always rely on spellchecker can't you lol x
ReplyDelete