What's so good about sliced bread?

I've a lot of jetlagged 3am thoughts - but not necessarily at 3am. What do you think was happening in 1928 when sliced bread was invented that made it 80% of bread sales by 1933? Were knives terrible? Were they making 100s of sandwiches a day? What was so hard about cutting bread that made it so popular? Was it because kids could make their own lunch without using sharp knives?

I found this article interesting, but it didn't really explain it (but when it was banned during the war, it caused public outcry). If you can believe it, there is a book which I've just ordered on the social history of sliced bread...I will no doubt keep you informed of such pressing matters as I learn.

Why do you think it became the standard of the most popular invention with which to compare all other inventions since?

There is an irony that we now pay double for unsliced bread, deemed 'better'. Unsliced loafs are now the best thing since sliced bread!

Linking with #WeekendReflection

 

Back but not back....

I've landed safe and sound, hit the ground running into the delights of the Sydney festival.

But not quite back to blogging...still enjoying holiday mode.

However, I will launch #Allseasons linky this week as promised...just may be slow on comments and promotion...

We were lucky enough, especially for the teen, to have Paris in snow!

Magic I also experienced when I went to Paris for the first time in the early 1990s. So expect another then and now post. More great quality photos when I drag out my albums - lucky you!

So welcome back everyone who took a break, and share your 'seasonal' posts.

#Allseasons linky runs  from Thursday to Wednesday each week. 

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration or event.  Please link relevant posts only.

Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

  

Little Loves - December

READ So many restuarant reviews for places in Paris...ended bup booking a really crazy place that might be terrible (but the kiddo will love it). See the pics of Jungle Palace.

HEARD  Saw Ely Oaks and he was so good. If you get a chance to see him (and that's your music),  go because he is def the best DJ live at the moment. By a long shot. What a little bundle of energy he is, and so adorably sweet. He let people take selfies both before the show when he was sorting things with the videographer and after the show when he had to tear across town (an hour away) for his next gig straight after.(as an old lady, I was glad we got the 11pm start time not the 1 am - ha!) So his new song is here.

On FB I've asked friends for their list of top 5 (good/and or bad) and a song that meant something to them this year. It doesn't have to be a new song and they don't have to explain why. I've heard so many songs I don't know - from Joni Mitchell to Taylor Swift. 

We drove around the Hunter with the Furnace and the Fundamentals Xmas album playing (as it was the day after their xmas party).  

WATCHED Nuremberg on Boxing Day and off to Sentimental Value today. On TV just starting Sunny Days and really enjoying Population 11. Both filmed here. Off to my postponed performance of King Lear tonight.

WORE My Santa dress for Christmas day with 'matching' St Nick bag.

AND LASTLY What a great end to the year. So many fun catch ups in December, the overnight adventure to the Hunter Valley with the kids, a lovely Christmas day and Christmas eve - the two celebrations with our families.

I'm shutting the blog for about three weeks. Happy New Year, stay safe (on the roads and otherwise) and I'll be back with the #Allseasons link up around the 22nd Jan. 

I will be on Inta here if you want to see pretty pictures of my travels.

Linking with #LittleLoves #TuesdayTwirl #SundayBest #MondayMusicMovesMe #TforTuesday #HappyTuesday #ThruMyLens #WordlessWednesday

Share Four Somethings - December

As I wrap up the year, it's time to think about how things were. It's been a really rough time in Sydney as you would expect. The shock and horror turned to a rage that flew around wildly, landing on whatever it could (for me, it was directed on predominately offensive and stupid jerks on Twitter telling us we need more guns).

However, there was a lot of comfort in time with friends. It grounded me. I've also had some nice moments with the kiddos and I've a lot to look forward to. So I will try to focus on that and save you the jumbled thoughts.

Something I loved I've written a few times about fading Christmas traditions and our annual trip to the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights - We just got back from what I am assuming will be the last time.

My youngest had her friend over to make gingerbread - they had Elf running in the background and she brought out her little Christmas tree from her room (as ours was not up yet). It was really sweet to see them enjoying so merrily these wholesome traditions. 

Something I learned Christmas carols are called such from the old French word carole, that in the 1300s mean "meant both a joyful song and a form of dance in a circle or ring." It's the joyful nature that makes them carols over hymns. (See post)

Something that went well  We couldn't get our normal accomodation in the Hunter due to late booking, but the kids had a great time at the Hunter Valley Christmas lights, and doing our other 'traditions' in the Hunter, even thought the weather was crazy hot. Bonus we discovered the Cold Rock ice cream place in the servo near Cessnock. Added a new tradition to the list. I pointed out to the kids that next year they'd be able to go own their own and go wine tasting and they both looked at me as if that was a terrible idea, which I thought was hilarious...if I get another year as chaparone, I won't complain!

Something I let go of  2025. It's been a good year personally but the whole vibe, globally and with the Bondi massacre, it's just a depressing state of affairs. Too many people are facing persecution, here and in other countries. Too many people are struggling financially. Or just struggling in general. Sorry to end on downer but it's how I'm feeling at the moment. I am trying not to read the news - everywhere seems to be in downward spirals, pending war and terrible treatment of citizens. Not that 2026 will change any of that, but it's mentally a fresh start.

To leave on a happy note, I have to say I've been watching Nazare Surf Competition and you can't beleive how amazing it is. Fabulous skill, extreme rescues and strangely mesmerising. Nature in ferocious beauty. Laura Crane may have ridden the biggest wave, Justine Dupont won the women's again, Lucas 'Chumbo' became everyone's favourite with some scorching surfs, some stacks and nail biting rescues and of course, James Carew, the Aussie.

Linking with #ShareFourSomethings #MySundaySnapshot #Keithsramblings

#WeekendReflection  #CosyComfyChristmasLinky #PictorialTuesday

 

Travel post on past Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Light Spectacular overnight visit.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and happy holiday break. I'll be back late January.