The Movies and The Awards! I love Oscar Night, even when I'm not celebrating the fifties! But for today, I tried to celebrate the art and glamour of 1950's movies, all day! In the afternoon I attempted to watch the Oscar winning movie filmed during my birth year, that earned Best Picture at the 30th annual Academy Awards. I tried. I really did. But I have never been to sit through Bridge On the River Kwai. I love the whistling and I love the jungle, but I was restless and gave up. Instead, I just waited for evening and put on some 1950's costume bling and white gloves and enjoyed popcorn with the Awards. BTW, wearing white gloves is a very good diet technique. It's such a lot of trouble removing your gloves to nibble, so you are inclined to eat less. Of course I solved the problem by removing the gloves for good... and stuffing myself silly..
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And an Old Fashioned Pastime I just started a jigsaw puzzle. That's probably something that families did more often in the 1950's, than today. I'm also studying the formal gowns, designed by Charles James, in the 1950's. Decades may pass, by the time I finish this puzzle. (with my short attention span) These gowns may be back in style, when I'm done! At the very least, my slow progress should give me lots of time to absorb and appreciate the glamorous hair and gown styles of the 1950's.
Taking the Time I recently watched Roman Holiday and was intrigued to see how Audrey Hepburn brushed her hair at bedtime. I remember watching my grandmother, "Daw" as she brushed her hair at the dressing table before bed. Daw's Furniture Since Daw's bedroom furniture and brush set now sit in my guest room, I decided I would take some time to do a little old fashioned grooming. I filed and buffed my nails and then settled down to brush my hair 100 strokes. It felt odd and silly at first. Daw's brush is soft and it smells old. But it felt nice after a while and it made me slow down and think about how much I miss my grandmother. I'm not really sure about hair health, but I have a feeling the old hair-brushing routine could lead to more restful sleep! It's at least a lot more calming than checking emails at bedtime!
Celebrating the Holiday with My Birth Year President When I was born in 1957, Eisenhower was president and there was no such thing as President's Day. When I was in grade school in the 1960's, we had Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday... until the Uniform Monday Holiday Act invited us to celebrate all presidents on one day. So, for my own celebration today, I will focus on President Eisenhower. He is not my favorite president, but I did get to see him once. He came to Grinnell, Iowa in 1965. I missed half a day of second grade when my mom entered the classroom and whisked me away to Grinnell College, where he was speaking. I remember so few details of this president or his speech that I am forced to use the internet today and learn about the man. In my search for entertaining facts, I found a curious write-up, which I have shared below. Now I have much to ponder about my Birth Year Prez, who was raised by parents who were originally Mennonites... who almost had his leg amputated as a teen and who was pretty devastated when he didn't make the West Point baseball team.
HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY! http://serene-musings.blogspot.com/2012/02/10-fun-facts-about-dwight-d-eisenhower.html Going Italian For dinner on Valentine's Day, Don and I had a little fun creating the romantic mood of a 1950's Italian restaurant. While Puccini played in the background we set the table with a checkered cloth and a stuck a candle in the Chianti bottle. We whipped up some spaghetti, salad and bread and pondered over which movie to watch. We agreed on the 1953's "Roman Holiday". Watching Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, whip around Rome on a Vespa gave me a new idea for celebrating the fifties. If only I knew someone who owned one!
Doilies, Pipe Cleaners and Construction Paper! Yesterday I decided to make a Valentine's Day card just like kids did in the 1950's. They might have used paste instead of Elmer's and they could have used real lace instead of doilies... but I'm sure they used metal scissors and construction paper! I had a good time making a mess and by the time I finished decorating the front, inside and the back with about a pound of glitter, it was a hefty little thing! Then I had to decide who would get the card.
Since I was "Sweetheartless" on every single Valentine's Day... until I met my husband, I decided I would just pick a random person (out in the world) to receive my gift. It is February 13, so we shall see! |
57 Celebrations of the Fifties!
April 9, 2014 My BYB! I don't remember the 1950's, since they ended when I was 2. But since I turned 57 today and this is my BYB (Birth Year Birthday) I'm going to just appreciate the flavor of 1957! My goal is to celebrate in at least 57 simple ways throughout the year! I will dabble in the fashion, the foods, the music and the culture of those times...just for the fun of it! Archives
April 2015
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