Bond. James Bond.

What do Back to the Future (1,2, or 3), Lord of the Rings (1,2, or 3), Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, and James Bond anything (especially with Daniel Craig) have in common? Well, when I'm channel surfing I STOP dead in my tracks - wherever it is in the movie and I watch it. Dinner burns, phones go unanswered, life goes on without me.

Here are a few images of fabulous old Bond movie posters for your enjoyment. Maybe I should be offended by the depiction of the ladies - but somehow I'm not - I love the campiness of it all.

Bletchley Park

Some of you may know of Bletchley Park. I only first heard of it after recently tuning into the PBS television series "Bletchley Circle".

Bletchley Park was a top secret code-breaking headquarters in England that employed thousands of puzzle solvers and clerks during the second World War. These workers (a large percentage were women) signed silence agreements (Official Secrets Act) after the war and were forbidden to speak of their activities during the war - they could not even tell their spouses or family members. The British government only started recognizing these heroes in 2009!

Bletchley Park was recently saved from disrepair and is now being restored. If you're in the area you can tour the site of the codebreakers. Read more about it here. The following photos came from the Bletchley Park archives.

Photo from PBS' series "Bletchley Circle". The series takes place in 1952. I so love the costumes!

Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt captured the bonds of mother and child perfectly. Happy Mother's Day!

The Barefoot Child - 1897

Mother and Child 1900

Sleepy Baby 1910

A Kiss for Baby Anne (No. 3) 1897

What Kind of Witches Play Croquet?

Croquet's popularity blossomed in the 1860s as a sport that both men and women could play together. It was superseded only by the emergence of tennis. Did you know Wimbledon started out as a croquet court? Croquet is still alive and well today (at least in my backyard...) And, oh how those croquet styles have changed!

Leon Wyczolkowsli "A Game of Croquet" (1892-1895)

1920s Croquet

Croquet is more fun when played together

A family affair

Answer: Wicket Witches

Cinco de Mayo

This Sunday, May 5, restaurants and bars will be full of patrons celebrating Cinco de Mayo (the fifth of May). I have long indulged in Mexican libations and meals on this colorful, happy day, but have never actually asked myself why. Why this holiday? Did someone famous do something on May 5? What do the people of Mexico do on Cinco de Mayo? And do they have the same jokes about their being no Cinco de Mayo in France? - Think 4th of July humor.

Well, as it turns out (according to the internet, which is usually always right...) the festivities began during the American Civil War in California in response to the Mexican defeat of the French army in the state of Pueblo in 1861. Apparently, had the French won, the outlook of the Civil War may have looked quite differently. The French were prepared to help the Southern States before this pivotal defeat. Can you say Napoleon?

Funny, Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday in Mexico except in Pueblo where it is most certainly celebrated. So when you are lifting a glass or enjoying a fabulous Mexican meal remember; we could all be speaking French...

Outstanding Vintage Mexican Circle Skirt

Gorgeous 1940s Embroidered Camp Coat