Color Me Blue on Blue

The color blue is associated with two of Earth’s greatest natural features: the sky and the ocean. But that wasn’t always the case. Some scientists believe that the earliest humans were actually colorblind and could only recognize black, white, red, and only later yellow and green. As a result, early humans with no concept of the color blue simply had no words to describe it. This is even reflected in ancient literature, such as Homer’s Odyssey, that describes the ocean as a “wine-red sea.”

Blue was first produced by the ancient Egyptians who figured out how to create a permanent pigment that they used for decorative arts. The color blue continued to evolve for the next 6,000 years, and certain pigments were even used by the world’s master artists to create some of the most famous works of art. Today it continues to evolve, with the latest shade discovered less than a decade ago. Read on to learn more about the color’s fascinating history.

Egyptian Blue:

There’s a long list of things we can thank the ancient Egyptians for inventing, and one of them is the color blue. Considered to be the first ever synthetically produced color pigment, Egyptian blue (also known as cuprorivaite) was created around 2,200 B.C. It was made from ground limestone mixed with sand and a copper-containing mineral, such as azurite or malachite, which was then heated between 1470 and 1650°F. The result was an opaque blue glass which then had to be crushed and combined with thickening agents such as egg whites to create a long-lasting paint or glaze.

The Egyptians held the hue in very high regard and used it to paint ceramics, statues, and even to decorate the tombs of the pharaohs. The color remained popular throughout the Roman Empire and was used until the end of the Greco-Roman period (332 BC–395 AD), when new methods of color production started to evolve.

Fun fact: In 2006, scientists discovered that Egyptian blue glows under fluorescent lights, indicating that the pigment emits infrared radiation. This discovery has made it a lot easier for historians to identify the color on ancient artifacts, even when it’s not visible to the naked eye.

Ultramarine:

The history of ultramarine began around 6,000 years ago when the vibrant, semi-precious gemstone it was made from—lapis lazuli—began to be imported by the Egyptians from the mountains of Afghanistan. However, the Egyptians tried and failed to turn it into a paint, with each attempt resulting in a dull gray. Instead, they used it to make jewelry and headdresses.

Also known as “true blue,” lapis lazuli first appeared as a pigment in the 6th century and was used in Buddhist paintings in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. It was renamed ultramarine—in Latin: ultramarinus, meaning “beyond the sea”—when the pigment was imported into Europe by Italian traders during the 14th and 15th centuries. Its deep, royal blue quality meant that was highly sought after among artists living in Medieval Europe. However, in order to use it you had to be wealthy, as it was considered to be just as precious as gold.

Ultramarine was usually reserved for only the most important commissions, such as the blue robes of the Virgin Mary in Gérard David’s Virgin and Child with Female Saints. Supposedly, Baroque master Johannes Vermeer—who painted Girl with a Pearl Earring—loved the color so much that he pushed his family into debt. It remained extremely expensive until a synthetic ultramarine was invented in 1826, by a French chemist, which was then aptly named “French Ultramarine.”

Fun fact: Art historians believe that Michelangelo left his painting The Entombment (1500–01) unfinished because he could not afford to buy more ultramarine blue.

Cobalt Blue:

Cobalt blue dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries, and was then used to color ceramics and jewelry. This was especially the case in China, where it was used in distinctive blue and white patterned porcelain. A purer alumina-based version was later discovered by French chemist Louis Jacques Thénard in 1802, and commercial production began in France in 1807. Painters—such as J. M. W. Turner, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Vincent Van Gogh—started using the new pigment as an alternative to expensive ultramarine.

Fun fact: Cobalt blue is sometimes called Parrish blue because artist Maxfield Parrish used it to create his distinct, intensely blue skyscapes.

Cerulean:

Originally composed of cobalt magnesium stannate, the sky-colored cerulean blue was perfected by Andreas Höpfner in Germany in 1805 by roasting cobalt and tin oxides. However, the color was not available as an artistic pigment until 1860 when it was sold by Rowney and Company under the name of coeruleum. Artist Berthe Morisot used cerulean along with ultramarine and cobalt blue to paint the blue coat of the woman in A Summer’s Day, 1887.

Fun fact: In 1999, Pantone released a press release declaring cerulean as the “Color of the Millennium,” and “the hue of the future.”

Indigo:

Although blue was expensive to use in paintings, it was much cheaper to use for dying textiles. Unlike the rarity of lapis lazuli, the arrival of a new blue dye called “indigo” came from a excessively grown crop—called Indigofera tinctoria—that was produced across the world. Its import shook up the European textile trade in the 16th century, and catalyzed trade wars between Europe and America.

The use of indigo for dyeing textiles was most popular in England, and was used to dye clothing worn by men and women of all social backgrounds. Natural indigo was replaced in 1880, when synthetic indigo was developed. This pigment is still used today to dye blue jeans. However, over the last decade scientists have discovered that the bacteria Escherichia coli can be bio-engineered to produce the same chemical reaction that makes indigo in plants. This method, called “bio-indigo,” will likely play a big part in manufacturing environmentally friendly denim in the future.

Fun fact: Sir Isaac Newton—the inventor of the “color spectrum”—believed that the rainbow should consist of seven distinct colors to match the seven days of the week, the seven known planets, and the seven notes in the musical scale. Newton championed indigo, along with orange, even though many other contemporary scientists believed the rainbow only had five colors.

Navy Blue or Marine Blue:

Formally known as marine blue, the darkest shade of blue—also known as navy blue—was adopted as the official color for British Royal Navy uniforms, and was worn by officers and sailors from 1748. Modern navies have since darkened the color of their uniforms to almost black in an attempt to avoid fading. Indigo dye was the basis for historical navy blue colors dating from the 18th century.

Fun fact: There are many variations of navy blue, including Space cadet, a color that was formulated in 2007. This hue is associated with the uniforms of cadets in the space navy; a fictional military service armed with the task of exploring outer space.

Berliner Blau or Prussian Blue:

Also known as Berliner Blau, Prussian blue was discovered accidentally by German dye-maker Johann Jacob Diesbach. In fact, Diesbach was working on creating a new red, however, one of his materials—potash—had come into contact with animal blood. Instead of making the pigment even redder like you might expect, the animal blood created a surprising chemical reaction, resulting in a vibrant blue.

Pablo Picasso used the Prussian blue pigment exclusively during his Blue Period, and Japanese woodblock artist Katsushika Hokusai used it to create his iconic The Great Wave off Kanagawa, as well as other prints in his Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series. However, the pigment wasn’t only used for creating masterpieces. In 1842, English astronomer Sir John Herschel discovered that Prussian blue had a unique sensitivity to light, and was the perfect hue to create copies of drawings. This discovery proved invaluable to the likes of architects, who could create copies of their plans and designs that are today known as “blueprints.”

Fun fact: Today, Prussian blue is used in a pill form to cure metal poisoning.

International Klein Blue:

In pursuit of the color of the sky, French artist Yves Klein developed a matte version of ultramarine that he considered the best blue of all. He registered International Klein Blue (IKB) as a trademark and the deep hue became his signature between 1947 and 1957. He painted over 200 monochrome canvases, sculptures, and even painted human models in the IKB color so they could “print” their bodies onto canvas.

Fun fact: Klein once said “blue has no dimensions. It is beyond dimensions,” believing that it could take the viewer outside the canvas itself.

The Latest Discovery: YInMn

In 2009, a new shade of blue was accidentally discovered by Professor Mas Subramanian and his then graduate student Andrew E. Smith at Oregon State University. While exploring new materials for making electronics, Smith discovered that one of his samples turned bright blue when heated. Named YInMn blue, after its chemical makeup of yttrium, indium, and manganese, they released the pigment for commercial use in June 2016. 

Fun fact: YInMn blue was recently added to the Crayola crayon collection.

By the name itself, it was invented in Ancient Egypt around 2,200 B.C., the same timeline they built the famous Great Pyramid.

The Egyptians were making complex combinations of certain limestones, sand, and minerals to produce a beautiful opaque blue glass.

Ultramarine (Lapiz Lazuli):

The semi-precious stone Lapis Lazuli, a deep-blue metamorphic rock, was highly prized among the Egyptians.

During the Renaissance, the bright blue mineral initially invented by Egyptians was often combined with other ingredients, which led to the development of the pigment ultramarine ー the most expensive of all pigments.

The famous gemstone can only be found in the rare mountains of Afghanistan.

Ultramarine is also known as ‘true blue’ and became a special detail in jewelry and headdresses back in the day.

Meaning of the Color Blue: 

Blue, a color that commands a unique position in the color spectrum, has permeated various aspects of our lives, imbuing them with profound meanings and emotions. As the color of the sky and sea, it has been a ceaseless source of inspiration and symbolism throughout history and across cultures.

It’s interesting to note that in the Middle Ages, the production of blue dyes, crafted from the precious stone Lapis Lazuli, was quite an expensive process. As a result, wearing blue clothing became a symbol of wealth, power, and prestige among the nobility.

Blue meaning and Psychology:

Calmness and peace are two words that come to mind when thinking about the color blue. It is a non-aggressive color that encourages serenity, orderliness, and tranquility. This could be because we associate oceans with blue, and it can be a mentally soothing color for some people.

Blue tends to be an appetite suppressant color.

Surveys show that blue is the least appetizing color, so some weight loss plans recommend eating food on a blue plate.

It is also known to lower blood pressure, which slows the heart rate and causes the body to relax.

Blue promotes trust and dependability.

The color blue can boost productivity due to its relaxing and mentally stimulating effects.

It has been chosen as the color of choice for law enforcement officers worldwide because it is associated with trust and dependability.

The idea behind blue uniforms is that blue should convey the various shades of blue promote positive and negative psychological associations. It affects our mood, perceptions, and even physiological responses.

Darker shades of blue are known to help improve how we solve problems and make decisions.

Lighter shades aid in focusing on details while performing a given task.

The color blue is often linked to creativity, which helps generate ideas even under pressure.

Music genres that are called ‘blue’ are often referred to as sad songs related to breakup, loss of someone, and other painful experiences.

Blue drinks that are brighter in shade have been known to cause people to feel thirst.

Blue Personality Type:

Somehow, the life purpose of those who like the color blue is linked with their ability to contribute to other people’s well-being. People who favor this color are known to be confident, loyal, and calm. However, they can also evoke feelings of sadness and depression.

So if your favorite color is blue, what does it say about your personality?

Positive Traits of Blue:

Confident

You often display composure and can focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

You believe in yourself, which can motivate others to do the same.

Honest

Those who like the color blue are known to be reliable and trustworthy on a given responsibility.

You are true to yourself, reflecting your genuine intention with others.

Introvert

You spend a lot of time analyzing your thoughts and emotions.

Spending ‘me-time’ makes you feel more energized than hanging out with people.

You don’t like attention and prefer to blend in with the crowd.

Loyal

You prefer strong and deep relationships compared to superficial ones. 

Aside from valuing commitment, you also appear to be determined about everything.

Good listener

Being a good listener allows you to be great friends with others even though you risk becoming emotionally dependent.

You also provide support and encouragement to people you care about.

Great partner

You avoid conflicts because, for you, one of the essential things in a relationship is the ability to communicate openly and honestly, which is why you are a great choice for someone who likes romantic and nurturing partners.

You are often affectionate, warm, and aware of other people’s feelings.

Negative Traits of Color Blue:

Blue can sometimes appear icy, cold, and unfriendly. You may also identify yourself as having some of its opposing sides, especially if under pressure and stress.

Sensitive

Sometimes, you have a hard time letting go of the past and being emotional.

You can be easily affected by how people treat you.

When your emotions take over, you become moody and overly sensitive.

Stubborn

Due to your determination, you often refuse to change your opinion on something.

You visibly feel frustration and impatience when others try to convince you of something you disagree with.

Anxious

The idea of coming out of your comfort zone makes you feel anxious.

You are easily flustered over frequent changes and prefer to keep everything on its initial plan.

You tend to get cautious and worry even about the little things.

Lack of spontaneity

Being comfortable with your comfort zone, you lack a sense of adventure.

When overwhelmed, you act out or become indifferent, which is why others find you cold-hearted.

Your predictability makes you monotonous or even boring.

Self-depreciation

As you’re too busy putting the needs of others first, you often forget you have to take care of yourself as well.

Your negativity at times can also lead to self-pity.

Blue in fashion

One important step towards creating a good impression is your outfit. We dress according to every situation, and we have to choose what color to wear wisely. If your goal is to have people perceive you as a competent and sincere individual, wearing blue clothing is an excellent way to start.

As mentioned earlier, blue is also widely used in uniforms as it conveys an authoritative and confident image. We usually see different hues of blue in clothing for both men and women. It is one of the most comfortable colors to wear in interviews, work, or even casual days.

On your first date, one can even wear a lovely blue dress or a nice blue tuxedo on a wedding day. It’s a color that represents loyalty, peace, confidence, and success – traits that we want to show people when they first see us.

Blue in business

Blue is the color of trust. It suggests loyalty and integrity, which is why it is a great choice for businesses that want to project dependability, security, and peacefulness, such as financial companies.

Different hues of blue in branding and advertising can help manifest all the positive aspects of the color. In addition, it helps in building customer loyalty, which appears to be beneficial for small business owners.

Because blue is linked with reliability and trustworthiness, workplaces painted in this color can help improve business partnerships. Blue also connotes peace, responsibility, and relaxation, so it can boost workplace motivation while also promoting a pleasant and comfortable environment.

Blue is favored by both men and women, which is another good reason to use it for business.

Blue in nature

Blue is known to be the rarest color found in nature. While we may all agree that we often see the blue sky and ocean around us, have you ever seen other blue species of nature? Say for example a bluebird, blue insect, or blue plant? These unique organisms leave us in awe yet are hard to find.

Scientifically speaking, we see colors based on the light it absorbs from the color spectrum. The existence of the color blue in nature usually relies on chemistry, physics, or a combination of both sciences.

Blue Flowers

Did you know that blue flowers don’t really exist? The blue flowers we see are a combination of plant pigments and minerals combined with light. In fact, plenty of what we call ‘blue flowers’ are actually blue-toned purple, lavender, or even a cool-toned red.

Blue Animals

Blue animals on the other hand rely on physics to create a blue appearance. Certain animals that have rich blue hues are blue butterflies, peacocks, and a few other animals. Some are even using their blue hue to warn the predators while some rare sea creatures are like blue lights that are switching from time to time.

Blue in web design

Blue is currently considered one of the most demanding colors for web designers. Because of its common use, it has become too ordinary over time.

Some of the most popular websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, in the world have been using blue color schemes. However, they did it for a reason. Blue websites appear cool, transparent, clean, and modern. They give the appearance of power, but also safety.

Combining blue with different shades of grey can make a website look high-tech and sleek. Lighter shades of blue are mostly used for websites that are about health and wellness, travel, relaxation. Patriotic organizations, legal firms, sports team usually use darker shades.

Blue in marketing

Blue is frequently used for social media logos. One reason for that is that blue represents intelligence, communication and trust. In fact, out of all the colors on the color wheel, blue is by far the most trustworthy one. That is one of the main reasons why blue is a popular choice in marketing.

Besides that, studies have shown that people are 15 percent more likely to go to stores that are painted in the hue such as blue, rather than a warm color. Blue is non-invasive and suggests loyalty and reliability.

It is also one of the rare colors that is favored by people of all ages. While it can suggest professionalism and authority in one moment, in the other, it inspires friendliness and security.  

Blue Random Facts:

• The ancient Egyptians associated blue with the sky god Horus and wore blue lapis lazuli jewelry as a symbol of heavenly power. The color was considered sacred and royal.

• During the Middle Ages, blue dyes derived from lapis lazuli were extremely expensive, making blue clothing a status symbol. Only the nobility could afford to wear blue.

• Indigo dye, originally made from the indigo plant, was the main source of blue until the 19th century. Its production was labor intensive, making blue clothing costly.

• Synthetic indigo, invented in the 1850s, dramatically lowered the cost of blue dyes and made blue clothing widely available. This led to the phrase “born in a blue” to describe ordinary people.

• Baby boys are often dressed in blue to signify masculinity while pink was initially the favored color for girls. These gender color associations have reversed multiple times over the past 200+ years.

• Studies show people associate the color blue with concepts like openness, stability, order, coolness and wisdom. Blue can produce physiological effects like reducing blood pressure and soothing nerves.

• Blue is the most common color found in nature. The sky appears blue due to the way light scatters in the atmosphere. Many flowers, minerals, and animals also have blue patterns or pigments.

• Blue is an appealing color in marketing and branding due to its positive associations of dependability, trust, confidence and competence. However, blue logos lack differentiation if overused.

• Studies show that the color blue can have calming effects on the brain and body. It causes the brain to release serotonin, which regulates mood, appetite and sleep.

• Blue light, in particular, suppresses the production of melatonin. This helps promote alertness during the day, but can interfere with sleep if exposed to blue light at night.

• Some research suggests that viewing or wearing the color blue reduces stress, heart rate and blood pressure. These physiological effects may be due to blue’s association with calmness and tranquility.

• Blue presents more positively in females than males. This is likely due to cultural connotations and gender stereotypes that favor blue for little girls and pink for boys.

• Blue produces mixed responses in marketing and branding. While often viewed as dependable and trustworthy, blue logos can seem dull, uninspiring and less distinctive over time.

• Darker blue hues tend to convey more serious meanings while lighter blues project brightness, freshness and simplicity. Mid-tone blues provide the optimal balance.

• The color blue is frequently used in web design due to its positive connotations of trust, stability and professionalism online. However, blue text can be hard to read depending on the background color.

• According to some thinkers, blue represents the unification of opposites: the masculine (sky) and feminine (sea). Blue becomes a metaphor for balance, bridging heaven and earth.

• Blue is considered a “cold” color which is ironically fitting given its association with water and vast open spaces. In color theory, blue is placed opposite orange on the color wheel.

Blue in Different Cultures:

• In Western cultures, blue is generally seen as a calm, tranquil and trustworthy hue. It symbolizes harmony, wisdom and spirituality. Blue is often used to represent water, the sky and infinity.

• In China, blue traditionally represented the east and spring. It was associated with immortality and wisdom. The ancient Chinese wore blue clothing to ward off evil spirits.

• In India, blue is the color of Krishna, one of the most beloved Hindu deities. Blue is seen as a divine, spiritual color that signifies truth and eternity. It is often used in religious ceremonies.

• In Japan, blue traditionally symbolized loyalty, honesty and symbols the season of autumn. The color was associated with water and wisdom. Darker blues represented masculinity.

• In Egypt, blue was the color of the sky god Horus and represented both masculinity and femininity. It symbolized creation, rebirth, protection and harmony. Blue garments were worn by both kings and queens.

• In Islam, blue is the color of transcendence and represents both heaven and divine truth. Blue mosques and tiles are meant to remind worshippers of the divine and spiritual realm.

• In Judaism, blue represents the heavens and divine truth. Blue threads were woven into the fringes of prayer shawls as a reminder of God’s commandments.

• In Africa, blue has more variable associations depending on the specific culture and region.

However, blue is commonly used to represent water, which is central to life across the continent. So in summary, while the specifics vary, many cultures associate the color blue with spirituality, wisdom, water, the heavens and divine truth. Blue largely carries positive meanings across diverse cultures, though the nuances and symbolism differ in interesting ways.

Colors That Compliment Blue Include:

• Orange: Blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, so they create a highly contrasting and visually pleasing combination. Used together, blue and orange convey a sense of balance and completeness.

• Green: Warm greens like emerald and turquoise go well with cooler blue hues. Their similarity in brightness and saturation helps them harmonize. The pairing evokes natural, peaceful vibes.

• Purple: Blues and purples sit next to each other on the color wheel, so their tones naturally complement each other. Together they convey nobility, luxury and spirituality.

• Yellow: Lemon yellow provides a high-contrast partner to navy and cobalt blues. The complementary combination creates visual interest while still remaining visually soothing.

• Red: Pairing blue with red tones like burgundy and crimson produces a sophisticated, romantic color scheme. The vibrant contrast elevates the impact of both colors.

• Grey: Pairing blue with different shades of grey from silver to charcoal produces a neutral but stylish combination. The achromatic tones help balance the saturation of blue.

• White: White provides the highest contrast to navy and dark blues while still remaining versatile. The combination produces a crisp, clean aesthetic with a nautical or winter vibe.

Some key factors to keep in mind when pairing blue with complementary colors:

• Match brightness and saturation levels for harmonious combinations

• Higher color contrast creates visual interest but can be overpowering

• Analogous color schemes (next to blue on the wheel) blend smoothly

• Complementary colors (opposite blue) produce aesthetic balance

• Neutrals help balance blue’s intensity while adding sophistication

With these principles in mind, most colors can pair nicely with blue tones through altering their relative hues, tones and values. The right mix creates a balanced, aesthetically pleasing and stylistically cohesive color palette.

Colors that provide high contrast with blue include:

• Orange: As complementary colors opposite each other on the color wheel, orange and blue create a vibrant pairing with a visual tension that is both engaging and balancing. The classic combo signifies energy, creativity and balance.

• Yellow: Lemon yellow, mustard and gold hues provide high contrast with both dark and light blues. The combination conveys warmth, happiness and a summery vibe. Contrast can be modulated by adjusting relative tones.

• Red: When paired with blues like navy and cobalt, red produces a dramatic counterpoint that grabs attention while amplifying the impact of both hues. The balance signifies passion, excitement and warmth.

• Brown: Earthy tones like chocolate brown and caramel provide a striking though still natural contrast with blue tones. The relationship suggests stability, practicality and connection to the physical world.

• Black: Black contrasts perfectly with every other color, including all shades of blue. When combined well, black and blue convey elegance, authority and timelessness through their polarity.

• White: White offers the highest level of contrast with blue while maintaining versatility. The crisp pairing produces an atmospheric vibe that is both fresh and clean. Bright whites mimic a wintry color scheme.

Key principles for contrasting colors with blue:

• Complementary colors on the wheel provide the strongest contrast

• Relative tones should be adjusted to modulate the contrast level

• Analogous complements balance blue through harmony more than contrast

• Contrast enhances the expressive power and visual impact of both colors

• Excessive contrast can be jarring; aim for dynamic balance instead

• White and black contrasts emulate air and water, creating simplicity

By combining blue with contrasting colors thoughtfully, designers can tap into the energizing effects of polarity while retaining balance. The relative proportion of each hue determines whether the vibe is calming or stimulating. With wise use, high contrast enhances and elevates the inherent symbolism of blue.

Emily Brontë, ‘The Blue Bell’.

The blue bell is the sweetest flower

That waves in summer air;

Its blossoms have the mightiest power

To soothe my spirit’s care.

In this beautiful poem, the author of Wuthering Heights pays tribute to that bluest of flowers: the bluebell.

Emily Dickinson, ‘A Slash of Blue’.

We don’t just get the colour blue in this short poem by Emily Dickinson. We also get scarlet and purple, as she describes the sky at sunset:

A slash of Blue –

A sweep of Gray –

Some scarlet patches on the way,

Compose an Evening Sky –

A little purple – slipped between –

Some Ruby Trousers hurried on …

 A. E. Housman, ‘Into My Heart an Air That Kills’.

Into my heart an air that kills

From yon far country blows:

What are those blue remembered hills,

What spires, what farms are those?

This short poem from Housman’s 1896 collection A Shropshire Lad earns its place on this pick of blue poems for its memorable reference to the ‘blue remembered hills’ of the speaker’s childhood, with ‘blue’ implying the melancholy quality to nostalgia (literally ‘the pain of returning home’).

Rudyard Kipling, ‘Blue Roses’.

Roses are red, the famous Valentine’s Day inscription tells us, while violets are blue. But here, Kipling (1865-1936) – or rather, the speaker of this poem by Kipling – is sent by his sweetheart on a quest to find blue roses:

Roses red and roses white

Plucked I for my love’s delight.

She would none of all my posies –

Bade me gather her blue roses.

Half the world I wandered through,

Seeking where such flowers grew.

Half the world unto my quest

Answered me with laugh and jest.

So my friends I bid you goodnight!  Elaine 

Part 2: On Increasing the Value of Your Home to Sell!

Planning to sell your home soon? Not so fast, friend. Set yourself up for financial success by making a few strategic updates before putting up that “for sale” sign. Keyword: strategic. Not all updates lead to a return on your investment (ROI) and it’s crucial to take a comprehensive look at surrounding comps and consider potential buyers before making pricey updates to your home. Keep reading to get the scoop on the top updates to make in order to raise your home’s value, and the steps you need to take to be profitable after closing.

Home Improvements: $100- $200

Tip 1: Plant a Tree

If you aren’t planning to sell your house today, plan for the future with a landscaping improvement that will mature over time. Plant shade trees — not only will mature trees make your home more desirable but a fully grown, properly placed tree can cut your cooling costs by as much as 40 percent. Mature landscaping is also good for the environment, providing a necessary habitat for wildlife while adding valuable curb appeal to your home.

Stage year-long color with flowering trees that bloom in different seasons. See some of our favorite examples plus learn how to use them in your yard.

Tip 2: Low-Maintenance Landscaping

No question that shrubs and colorful plants will add curb appeal to any home, but when shopping at your local garden center, make sure that you “think green.” Purchase plants that are native to your region or plants that are drought-tolerant; these require less water and maintenance, which means more savings to you and more green in your wallet.

Tip 3: Money-Saving Luxury

Speaking of water, here’s another way to tap into extra savings; install a water filtration system in your kitchen. Not only do these systems purify your water, they will also lower your grocery bills — no more bottled water. A water filtration system is an inexpensive addition, but it’s the sort of small luxury that homebuyers love.

Tip 4: Improve the Air Quality Inside Your Home

Air quality isn’t just about the conditions outdoors. If you have older carpets in your home, they might be hiding contaminants and allergens. The first step to determine if these need replacing is to hire a professional company to test your indoor air quality. If the results prove that your carpets should be replaced, choose environmentally friendly natural products like tile or laminate floors. Hard-surface floors are much easier to keep clean, don’t hold odors, give your home an updated look and, in general, are more appealing to buyers.

Tip 5: Save the Popcorn for the Movies

Finally, what’s on your ceiling? Few structural elements date a house more than popcorn ceilings. So dedicate a weekend to ditching the dated look and adding dollar signs to the value of your home. NOTE: some older ceilings could contain asbestos so before undertaking this project, have yours tested by professionals.

Home Improvements: $200-$400

Tip 1: Clean up the Lawn

Overgrown or patchy lawns and outsized bushes will cause your home to stand out — in a bad way. The good news is that taming your jungle is an easy fix. For a few hundred dollars, hire a lawn service company to trim your lawn and shape your hedges. Your curb appeal will go from messy to maintain without blowing your budget.

Tip 2: Cleanliness Counts

The old adage that you only get one shot at a first impression is true. So, make the interior of you home shine from the moment someone walks through the door. For less than $400, hire a cleaning service for a thorough top-to-bottom scrubbing. Even if you clean your home regularly, there are nooks and crannies that you may miss or overlook. Let a cleaning service do the dirty work to really make your home sparkle.

Tip 3: Visually Increase Your Home’s Square Footage

The size of your home dramatically affects the value, but square footage isn’t the only space that counts. Visual space or how large a home feels also counts. The key is to make each room in your house feel larger. Replace heavy closed draperies with vertical blinds or shutters to let light in — a sunny room feels larger and more open. Also, try adding a single large mirror to a room to visually double the space. Finally, clear the clutter. The more clutter, furniture and plain old stuff you have in a room, the more cramped it will feel. For less than $400, add an attractive shelving unit to an underused space and store your clutter out of sight.

Tip 4: Small Bathroom Updates Equal a Big Return

Bathroom updates are always a smart move. Even if you can’t afford a full remodel, small changes such as replacing dated wallpaper with a faux or textured finish and replacing old lighting will update the room without denting your wallet.

Tip 5: Add New Energy-Efficient Fixtures

A functional, decorative ceiling fan is a beautiful thing. It provides necessary light and, in warm months, creates a soft breeze reducing the need for expensive air conditioning. But, an outdated, wobbly, loud or broken ceiling fan is a useless eyesore. Replace old fixtures with new ones to make your home more enjoyable for you now and to increase the bottom line should you decide to sell.

Home Improvements: $400-$750

Tip 1: Big Return on Bathroom Updates

A great room to update for less than $750 is the bathroom. The two rooms that benefit most from even small renovations are the kitchen and bathroom. One cost-effective change — like replacing an outdated vanity, old plumbing and lighting fixtures or adding a new tile floor — will guarantee a lot of bang for your buck and give your bath an updated, modern look.

Tip 2: Any Kitchen Update Equals Added Value

The same rule applies in the kitchen. You don’t have to start from scratch to create a winning recipe. For maximizing your home’s value, kitchen updates are key. Start by swapping out just one item, such as a stained sink or ancient microwave for shiny new stainless models. Even small kitchen updates will add big value to your home. Kitchen Is Key to Adding Value Experts tell what kitchen improvements offer the most bang for your buck

Tip 3: Replace Worn Carpets or Rugs

Take a look at your home’s soft flooring. Are your carpets and area rugs stained or worn? Nothing turns buyers off more than the thought that they will immediately need to replace all of the flooring in a home. Ideally, you may want to replace them all, but if a limited budget puts a snag in that plan, start by replacing the carpet in the room that shows the most wear and tear and replace the others as your finances allow. Also you may find some affordable alternative floor coverings which last a long time and are quite stylish.

 

Tip 4: Keep Up with Regular Maintenance and Repairs…This is a major issue when folks go to sell their home.  BEWARE!

Walk around your home and make a list of all the little things that are broken or in need of repair. Individually, small repairs might not seem important, but if every room has just one thing wrong, those small things will add up to create the impression that your home has been neglected. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling the repairs yourself, hire a handyman for a day and watch your “to do” list disappear. Staying on top of maintenance today eliminates problems down the road should you decide to sell.

Tip 5: Get Help with Getting Organized

Hire a professional organizer for a day. They will show you how to organize various rooms in your home and teach you tricks for keeping it organized. How does this increase your home’s value? Simple — a clutter-free home appears cleaner and larger, which is more attractive to homebuyers and therefore more valuable.

 

Now you have a better idea to get your home ready for buyers.  Remember after you sell your home you will become a buyer and will look for the same things.

A Quilt By Any Other Name:  Patchwork Quilts

A trip to Grandmothers house when I was young I knew what to except in winter.  Grandmother had a coal heater so a night it would be cold.  No fear they would put 4 to 5 quilts on top of you and you could not move all night.  Quilts that my grandmother and her mother had made.  We had a few in our house but not like the array of beautiful colors and designs.  It fascinated me as a child. 

The history of quilting, the stitching together of layers of padding and fabric, may date back as far as 3400 BCE. For much of its history, quilting was primarily a practical technique to provide physical protection and insulation. However, decorative elements were often also present, and many quilts are now primarily art pieces.

Europe:

In Europe, quilting appears to have been introduced by Crusaders in the 12th century (Colby 1971) in the form of the aketon or gambeson, a quilted garment worn under armor which later developed into the doublet, which remained an essential part of fashionable men’s clothing for 300 years until the early 1600s.

One of the earliest existing decorative works is the Tristan Quilt, made around 1360 in Sicily. It is one of the earliest surviving quilts in the world and at least two sections survive, located at the V&A Museum (London) and in Bargello palace (Florence). Another of the Tristan and Isolde story is held in a private collection.

Russia: 

The oldest surviving example of a quilted piece is a linen carpet found in a Mongolian cave, dated to between 100 BCE and 200 CE. It is now kept at the Saint Petersburg department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Archaeology Section.

United Kingdom (and colonial Australia):

The National Gallery of Australia has a 3-by-3-metre (9.8 by 9.8 ft) quilt known as the Rajah Quilt. It was created by about 30 convict women as they were transported from Woolwich, England to Hobart, Tasmania in 1841. The quilt was rediscovered in Scotland in 1989. It is a medallion quilt with Broderie perse at its centre.

UNITED STATES:

Quilt making was common in the late 17th century and early years of the 18th century. Colonial quilts were not made of leftover scraps or worn clothing as a humble bedcovering during this period but were decorative items that displayed the fine needlework of the maker, such as the Baltimore album quilts. Only the wealthy had the leisure time for quilt making, so such quilting was done by only a few. Commercial blankets or woven coverlets were a more economical bedcovering for most people.

Whole cloth quilts, broderie perse and medallion quilts were the styles of quilts made during the early 19th century, but from 1840 onward the use of piecework and blocks, often made from printed fabric, became much more common.

Quilting is now a popular hobby, with an estimated base of twenty-one million quilters.

WHOLECLOTH QUILTS:

Early wholecloth bed quilts which may appear to be a solid piece of fabric are actually composed of strips of fabric, since early looms could not produce widths of cloth large enough to cover an entire bed surface. Early quilts that feature the same fabric for the entire quilt top, whether that top is made of dyed wool or pieces of (the same) printed cotton fabric, are referred to as wholecloth quilts. Early wholecloth quilts have three layers: a quilt top, a filling (in early quilts the filler was often wool), and a backing. The three layers are held together via quilting stitches worked by hand, in an age before sewing machines were marketed. In wholecloth quilts, the quilting stitches themselves serve as the only decoration. The earliest whole cloth quilts found in America were brought from Europe. Initially, quilts were owned by the wealthy in America who had the means to purchase imported quilts.

The collection of the Lovely Lane Museum in Baltimore, Maryland contains a quilt believed to have been carried onshore by the Cogswell family who embarked from Bristol, England en route to Bristol, Maine in 1635. Once the passengers were safely on shore, the galleon “Angel Gabriel”, moored in Pemaquid Bay, was completely destroyed when the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 rushed up the coast from Naragansett, Rhode Island, leaving the ship as just a mass of floating debris after it was hit with the strongest winds ever recorded.

The Canton Historical Society in Canton, Massachusetts believes that a wholecloth quilt in their collection may be the oldest wholecloth quilt made in America. The wool wholecloth quilt was made in 1786 by Martha Crafts Howard.

The Buckingham Quilt surfaced in 2014. It was made by the wife of Reverend Thomas Buckingham, one of the founders of Yale University, and passed down through nine generations. It is among the oldest wholecloth quilts made in America (circa 1660s).

A more complete survey is needed to compare all of the wholecloth quilts held in the many museum locations who have collected such textiles. Many early quilts did not survive the test of time or were discarded, or if they survived, the name of the quilter was lost to history. For a time, the trend in wholecloth quilting was a preference for all-cotton white quilts.

Many of the beautiful surviving wholecloth quilts feature feather designs, outlines of flowers, or are based on other designs taken from nature motifs. Some were made even more exquisite by the use of stuffed and corded quilting, a method sometimes called trapunto. Trapunto is an Italian word used to describe the technique of slipping extra stuffing into certain areas of a quilt to create areas of raised motifs that stand in relief. For example, stuffing placed inside the quilted outline of a feather or flower makes the design stands out. Women were sometimes proud of their finely wrought and evenly spaced quilting stitches in their wholecloth quilts. This type of quilting seems to be experiencing a revival today and some quilt stores sell pre-marked quilt tops ready to be layered and quilted, either by hand or by machine.

Broderie Perse Quilts:

Broderie perse refers to the technique of cutting motifs from printed fabric and appliquéing them onto a solid background. This form of quilt making has been done since the 18th century. The popular printed fabric during this period was chintz imported from India.

Printed fabric was expensive even for those who were well off. By cutting out birds, flowers and other motifs from printed fabric and sewing them onto a large homespun cloth, a beautiful bedspread could be made. The technique was also used on some early medallion quilts as in the example.  Broderie perse bedcoverings were usually used on the best bed or sometimes only when guests were staying in the home.

Medallion Quilts:

Medallion quilts are made around a center. The center was sometimes a solid piece of large-scale fabric like a toile or a Tree of Life, an appliqued motif or a large pieced star or other pieced pattern. The central area was surrounded by two or more borders. Although some borders were solid, many were pieced or appliqued.

Mid-19th Century:

Changes came about as progress in technology deeply affected the number and styles of quilts made during the middle years of the 19th century.

The Industrial Revolution brought about the most dramatic change as textiles came to be manufactured on a broad scale. This meant women no longer had to spend time spinning and weaving to provide fabric for their family’s needs. By the 1840s the textile industry had grown to the point that commercial fabrics were affordable to almost every family. As a result, quilt making became widespread.

A great variety of cotton prints could be bought to make clothing and even specifically for making a quilt. Although scraps left over from dressmaking and other sewing projects were used in quilt making, it is a myth that quilts were always made from scraps and worn-out clothing. Examining pictures of quilts found in museums we quickly see that many quilts were made with fabric bought specifically for that quilt.

Another major shift was in the style of quilts made. Although a few earlier quilts were made in the block style, quilts made up of blocks were uncommon until around the 1840s. With so many fabrics being manufactured quilters could create their blocks with a delightful variety of fabrics.

Some block style quilts were made of a set of identical pieced blocks while others contained a variety of blocks made with different patterns. The blocks were sewn together and a border may or may not have been added.

During this period the invention and availability of the sewing machine contributed to quilt making. In 1856, the Singer company started an installment plan so that more families could afford a sewing machine. By the 1870s, many households owned a sewing machine.

This affected quilt making in two ways. First of all, women could make clothing for their family in much less time, which left more time for quilt making. Secondly, they could use their sewing machines to make all or part of their quilts. The sewing machine was usually used to piece quilts, but occasionally the quilting itself was done with the sewing machine.

Civil War Era:

Leading up to the American Civil War, quilts were made to raise funds to support the abolitionist movement then during the war, quilts were made to raise funds for the war effort and to give warmth and comfort to soldiers. The patterns were much like those made mid-century but the purpose was different. Quilts connected to the abolitionist movement and the Civil War were made for a cause, many representing the relevant flag.

Abolition and The Role of Quilts:

Even before 1830, abolitionists were working hard to end slavery. One way they did this was to hold grand fairs to raise both awareness and money for the abolitionist cause. Quilts were one of many craft pieces sold at these fairs. These quilts were usually fine quilts often with beautiful appliqué. Women sometimes put anti-slavery poems and sayings on the quilts they made for fairs as well as for friends and family. The goal was to show the terrible plight of the slaves.

Some abolitionists were active along the Underground Railroad and helped runaway slaves get to safety. There is a popular myth that maintains that certain quilts were used as signals to help slaves in their flight to freedom. For example, a log cabin quilt might be hung on the line of a safe house. However, historians dispute the accuracy of these stories. In fact, the only reference for these underground railroad quilts is a single book (Hidden in Plain View by JACQUELINE L. TOBIN and RAYMOND G. DOBARD) written over 120 years after the war. Nevertheless, the myth caught fire and can be found in children’s books, teacher’s lesson plans, and quilter’s pattern books; it seems loath to die.

For the troops:

Women on both sides were very active in raising money for the war effort and making quilts and other bed coverings for soldiers.

In the North, quilts were still made for fairs but now these fairs earned money to support needs that came about because of the war. In the South, “gunboat” quilts were made to pay for much-needed gunboats.

It wasn’t long before it was obvious that soldiers on both sides would need blankets and quilts for warmth. In the North, women either made quilts or remade quilts from bed coverings. Since the cots were narrow, two bedspreads could be made into three quilts for soldiers. The United States Sanitary Commission was in charge of collecting and distributing them.

In the South, quilt-making was more difficult because although cotton was grown in the south, it was manufactured into fabric in the north. Before long, fabric was almost impossible to obtain so women had to spin and weave before they could sew a bed covering together. Regardless of their construction, most of the quilts made for soldiers on either side were made with practical patterns and fabric. Due to heavy use, very few have survived to the 21st century.

Victorian Era America:

Quilt making continued to be a popular craft during the latter part of the 19th century. The English Victorian influence was slightly delayed in the United States because of the Civil War and its aftermath.

Amish Quilting:

Amish quilts are appreciated for their bold graphic designs, distinctive color combinations, and exceptional stitching. Quilting became a favored activity of the Anabaptist sect after emigrating to the United States and Canada from Germany and Switzerland over 250 years ago. The earliest known Amish quilts, dating from 1849, are whole-cloth works in solid colors. Pattern-pieced bed coverings didn’t appear until the 1870s. Particular patterns and fabrics are identified with specific Amish communities; for example, pre-1940s quilts from Lancaster County were almost always made of wool while those sewn in Ohio during the same period were commonly made of cotton.

Often these quilts provide the only decoration in a simply furnished home and they also were commonly used for company or to show wealth. Amish religion discourages individual expression but quilt making has allowed Amish women to express their creative natures without giving offence. The Amish communities have always encouraged activities that promote community and family closeness so quilting became a fundamental part of social life for the women of the community. Quilts are created for everyday use or to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, raising funds for the church or community cause. Since the “English” (the name for non-Amish people) discovered Amish work in the late 1960s, quilting has become a source of income for many. Their quilts have become collectors’ items all over the world.

Crazy Quilting Fad:

In terms of quilts the latter years of the 19th century are best remembered for the “Crazy quilting” craze. Crazy quilts were made of abstract shapes sewn randomly together. Usually the quilt maker then used embroidery to embellish the quilt. Fancy stitches were sewn along the seams and often, embroidered motifs were added, including flowers, birds and sometimes a spider and web for good luck. Magazines encouraged making “crazies”. These simple, organic quilts were seldom used as bed-coverings, instead they were made smaller and without batting to be used as decorative throws.

Traditional Quilt Survival:

Because crazy quilting was so popular at the time, they tend to eclipse the fact that many traditional quilts were also made for bedding and commemoration. Utilitarian quilts were pieced and tied or simply quilted for everyday bed coverings while beautiful pieced and/or appliquéd quilts were created for special events like a wedding or when a beloved minister was transferred to a new location. These were more often elaborately quilted.

In the 1940s and 1950s many farm feeds were delivered in sacks. These sacks were printed with all sorts of designs. Feed sacks were used to make thousands of quilts.

Contemporary Quilts:

Contemporary quilting has evolved to include a broad range of functional, decorative and artistic styles that incorporate ever-expanding techniques and tools. Many quilters have experimented with creating or dyeing their own fabrics, incorporating experimental materials into their designs and conceptually challenging the notion of what quilting is or should be. Advances in technology such as long-arm quilting machines and computer programs for mapping quilt top patterns and color schemes has significantly widened the gap between contemporary and traditional quilting. There is currently a thriving resurgence in quilting. Thousands of videos of quilting techniques and tutorials have been made and shared online by people from around the world, continuing the tradition of quilting as a social and artistic space where people have connected over countless generations.

So you may be inspired to attend some quilting shows, exhibits or go hunting them like I do in flea markets or antique shops! Some of you may even pull out the needle and thread or sewing machine and give it a whirl.  Whatever you do Good Luck on your Quilting journey! 

These Boots are Made for Walking:  Mother Goose

 

If you’ve ever visited the Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts, you may have stumbled upon the tombstone of Mary Goose, a woman believed by some to be the infamous author of countless cherished nursery rhymes: Mother Goose. Visitors toss coins at her tombstone, presumably to garner a bit of good luck, but the woman who was buried there in 1690 is undoubtedly not the original Mother Goose. According to local legend, it was the widowed Isaac Goose’s second wife, Elizabeth Foster Goose, who entertained her numerous grandchildren and other youngsters with songs and rhymes that were purportedly published by her son-in-law in 1719. Yet despite repeated searches for a copy of this collection, no evidence of its existence has ever been uncovered. Regardless, most historians agree that neither Mary nor Elizabeth created the stories that have passed on from generation to generation.

In fact, the etymology of the moniker “Mother Goose” may have evolved over centuries, originating as early as the 8th century with Bertrada II of Laon (mother of Charlemagne, the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) who was a patroness of children known as “Goose-foot Bertha” or “Queen Goosefoot” due to a malformation of her foot.

By the mid-17th century, “mere l’oye” or “mere oye” (Mother Goose) was a phrase commonly used in France to describe a woman who captivated children with delightful tales. In 1697, Charles Perrault published a collection of folktales with the subtitle “Contes de ma mère l’oye” (Tales from my Mother Goose), which became beloved throughout France and was translated into English in 1729. And in England, circa 1765, John Newbery published the wildly popular “Mother Goose’s Melody, or, Sonnets for the Cradle,” which indelibly shifted the association of Mother Goose from folktales to nursery rhymes and children’s poetry, and which influenced nearly every subsequent Mother Goose publication.

Mother Goose is often cited as the author of hundreds of children’s stories that have been passed down through oral tradition and published over centuries. Various chants, songs, and even games have been attributed to her, but she is most recognized for her nursery rhymes, which have been familiar with readers of all generations. Her work is often published as Mother Goose Rhymes.

Despite her celebrated place in children’s literature, the exact identity and origin of Mother Goose herself is still unknown. Some believe that the original Mother Goose was a real woman who lived in Boston during the later half of the 17th century. After being widowed by Isaac Goose, a woman named either Elizabeth Foster Goose or Mary Goose (depending on sources) moved in with her eldest daughter, entertaining her grandchildren with amusing jingles which quickly gained popularity with the neighborhood children. According to the legend, her son-in-law, a publisher, printed her rhymes, and thus the reputation of Mother Goose was born.

However, literary historians often dismiss the possibility of a Bostonian Mother Goose, as the existence of various French texts that refer to Mother Goose at a much earlier date make the American legend improbable.  These texts, dating as early as 1626, even show that the French terms “mère l’oye” or “mère oye” (Mother Goose) were already familiar to readers and could be referenced. The figure of Mother Goose may even date back as the 10th century, according to other sources.  In an ancient French legend, King Robert II had a wife who often told incredible tales that fascinated children.

Regardless of Mother Goose’s origins, Charles Perrault was the first to actually publish a Mother Goose collection of rhymes and other folk tales in 1697, essentially initiating the fairy tale genre. With the subtitle Les Contes de ma Mère l’Oie (Tales of my Mother Goose), the collection quickly gained popularity all over France. By 1729, Perrault’s collection had been translated into English, in the form of Robert Samber’s Histories or Tales of Past Times, Told by Mother Goose.  Samber’s volume was eventually republished in 1786 and brought to the U.S.

English publisher of children’s literature John Newbery later focused on the nursery rhymes, publishing Mother Goose’s

Melody, or, Sonnets for the Cradle, which helped Mother Goose become further associated with children’s poetry.

Do you have any favorite nursery rhymes? We do! We love “Hey Diddle Diddle” and “Hot Cross Buns.” Have you ever heard “Humpty Dumpty”? How about “Ring Around the Rosie”?  If so, you probably already know a bit about the Mother Goose!

Lots of kids think Mother Goose is pretty great. And why wouldn’t they? She’s an important part of many popular children’s poems. This leads some people to WONDER—is Mother Goose a fictional character? Or is she based on a real person?

If you ever visit Boston, Massachusetts, you may hear that Mother Goose was indeed a real person. Some believe she lived there in the 1660s. They say she was either named Elizabeth Goose or Mary Goose.

Legend has it that this woman cared for 16 children. She loved to sing songs and create rhyming stories for them. This was certainly a common practice at the time. Many women sang rhyming songs to their children to help them sleep. That’s why they’re called nursery rhymes!

However, there’s no proof that Mother Goose was a real person. Still, many fairy tales and nursery rhymes are credited to her. A few examples are “Jack and Jill,” “Little MissMuffet,” and “Hickory Dickory Dock.” She also appears as the title character in one rhyme:

“Old Mother Goose, When she wanted to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander. Jack’s mother came in, And caught the goose soon, And mounting its back, Flew up to the moon.”

The first printed publication of Mother Goose stories came in 1695. It was a collection of fairy tales by Charles Perrault called Tales of my Mother Goose. The collection included classics such as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Cinderella.”

Mother Goose was soon closely associated with nursery rhymes. This grew with the publication of John Newberry’s Sonnets for the Cradle around 1765. In 1781, Mother Goose’s Melody was published in England.

Today, Mother Goose even has her own holiday. Since 1987, many schools and libraries have celebrated Mother Goose Day on May 1. It’s a time to remember and enjoy the fairy tales and nursery rhymes of youth. How would you observe Mother Goose Day? Would you dress as your favorite nursery rhyme character? Recite a childhood poem for friends and family members? There are countless ways to celebrate!  This is an interesting fact I just uncovered.

 

I bet you are very surprised at the long list of just Nursey Rhymes.  How many do you know by heart?  Here we go with your List:

 

1

1 for Sorrow

1 Misty Moisty Morning

1 Potato, 2 Potato

1, 2 Buckle My Shoe

10 Little Indians

2

2 Little Dickie Birds

5

5 Fat Peas

5 Fingers

5 Little Pigs (This Little Pig)

A

A Candle

A Cat Came Fiddling

A Was an Apple Pie

A Week of Birthdays

A-Tisket A-Tasket

About the Bush

Are You Sleeping

As I Was Going to St Ives

B

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Bedtime

Billy, Billy

Birds of a Feather

Bunnies

C

Chop Chop Choppity Chop

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo

Coffee and Tea

Curly-Locks

D

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Doctor Foster Went to Gloucester

Dreams

E

Eeny, Meeny

F

Fears and Tears

Frere Jacques

Friday Night’s Dream

G

Georgie Porgie

Go To Bed First

Go to Bed Late

Going on a Bear Hunt

Golden Slumbers

Good Advice

Goosey, Goosey, Gander

H

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hickory Dickory Dock

Higglety Pigglety Pop

Horsey, Horsey

Humpty Dumpty

Hush-a-bye Baby

I

I Had a Little Hen

I Had a Little Hobby Horse

I Had a Little Puppy

I Hear Thunder

If Wishes Were Horses

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

J

Jack and Jill

Jack Be Nimble

L

Lavender’s Blue

Little Bo-Peep

Little Boy Blue

Little Jack Horner

Little Kitty

Little Miss Muffet

London Bridge Is Falling Down

M

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

My Mother Said

N

Now the Day Is Over

O

Old King Cole

Old Mother Goose

Old Mother Hubbard

Once I Caught a Fish Alive

P

Pat-A-Cake

Pease Porridge

Peter Piper

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater

Pitter-Patter, Pitter-Pat

Pop Goes the Weasel

Pussy-Cat and Queen

Q

Queen of Hearts

R

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross

Ride Away, Ride Away

Ring Around the Rosy

Robin Redbreast

Rock-A-Bye

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue

Round and Round the Garden

Row Your Boat

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

S

See-Saw, Margery Daw

Shoeing

Simple Simon

Sing a Song of Sixpence

Star Light Star Bright

T

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

The Clock

The Hobby Horse

The Man in the Moon Came Down Too Soon

The Man in the Moon Looked Down From the Moon

The Man in the Wilderness

The Man in the Wilderness

There Was A Crooked Man

There Was a Little Girl

There Was An Old Woman

Three Blind Mice

To Market, To Market

Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son

Tommy Tittlemouse

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with Actions

W

Wee Willy Winkie

Where is Thumbkin?

Who Killed Cock Robin?

Let’s Walk on the Wild Side: Your Escort is Mother Goose!

Yes, let’s walk on the dark or maybe some gray side of literature.  So may I introduce to you the one and only MOTHER GOOSE! You heard me the woman of the hour herself who was brought to you when you were a child!

In the tradition of great horror writing, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Bram Stoker, and Mary Shelley tend to dominate the craft. But Mother Goose isn’t too far behind. Yes, that fictional grande dame of kiddie poems has got a bit of a dark streak, as evidenced by the unexpectedly sinister theories surrounding the origins of these 10 well-known nursery rhymes. Let’s start shall we.

1. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep // 1731

Though most scholars agree that “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” is about the Great Custom, a tax on wool that was introduced in 1275, its use of the color black and the word master led some to wonder whether there was a racial message at its center. Its political correctness was called into question yet again in the latter part of the 20th century, with some schools banning it from being repeated in classrooms, and others simply switching out the word black for something deemed less offensive. In 2011, news outlets reported on the proliferation of “Baa, Baa, Rainbow Sheep” as an alternative. If that is true then we are still politically not correct.  We could just say Baa, Baa Sheep!

2. Goosey Goosey Gander // 1784

It’s hard to imagine that any rhyme with the phrase goosey goosey in its title could be described as anything but feel-good. But one popular version of the ditty is actually a tale of religious persecution. Some years after the song’s first appearance in the historical record, it was appended with some disturbing lines. “There I met an old man, who wouldn’t say his prayers, so I took him by his left leg and threw him down the stairs.” Ouch! Look out below!

According to noted English folklorists Iona and Peter Opie, “It is very probable that they had a separate origin. They are much the same as the lines which school-children address to the cranefly (‘Daddy-long-legs’), sometimes pulling off its legs as they repeat,

Old Father Long-Legs

/ Can’t say his prayers;

/ Take him by the left leg,

/ And throw him downstairs.”

3. Jack and Jill // 1765

One of the most common theories surrounding the story’s origin is that it’s about France’s Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, who were both found guilty of treason and subsequently beheaded. The only problem is that those events occurred nearly 30 years after “Jack and Jill” was first written. The more likely story attributes the rhyme to the 17th-century king of England, Charles I. Apparently he attempted to increase taxes on alcohol, which were generally measured in units known as jacks and gills. After that failed, he instead reduced the of a jack (about one-eighth of a pint), and in turn, the gill, which is twice the size of a jack. So the gill’s increased price “came tumbling after.”

4. London Bridge Is Falling Down // 1744

In 2006, Fergie got saucy with some of this classic kid tune’s lyrics. But the original song wasn’t much better. Depending on whom you ask, “London Bridge is Falling Down” could be about a 1014 Viking attack or the normal deterioration of an old bridge. More specifically, many sources tie the nursery rhyme to the alleged destruction of London Bridge at the hands of Olaf II of Norway sometime in the early 1000s. (“Alleged” because some historians don’t believe that attack ever took place.) The song’s popularity around the world is often cited as further proof that it was the Vikings who created it, believing that they brought the tune to the many places they traveled.

There’s a pretty big problem with this explanation, though. It largely hinges on Samuel Laing’s 19th-century translation of an Old Norse poem that seems to mirror the well-known “London Bridge.” The translation begins, “London Bridge is broken down—Gold is won, and bright renown.” That apparently illustrative similarity is no accident, though. It’s quite likely that the translation was, in fact, intentionally mimicking the already well known nursery rhyme. A more accurate translation, from years later, renders the similarities between the skaldic verse and the children’s rhyme basically non-existent.

    5. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary // 1744

“Contrary” is one way to describe a murderous psychopath. This popular English nursery rhyme, which reads like a solicitation for gardening advice, is actually—according to many—a recounting of the homicidal nature of Queen Mary I of England, a.k.a. Bloody Mary. A fierce believer in Catholicism, her reign as queen—from 1553 to 1558—was marked by the execution of hundreds of Protestants. (Silver bells and cockle shells, in this understanding, are actually torture devices, not garden accouterments.)

Side note:  I call my cats Contrary all the time.  I may have to use another adjective, for safety sake!

   6. Three Blind Mice // 1805

“Three Blind Mice” is supposedly yet another ode to Bloody Mary’s reign, with the trio in question believed to be a group of Protestant bishops—Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Radley, and The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer—who (unsuccessfully) conspired to overthrow the queen and were burned at the stake for their heresy. Critics suggest that the blindness in the title refers to their religious beliefs.

     7. Eeny Meeny Miny Mo // Early 19th Century

No, there’s nothing particularly inflammatory about the lines “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo, Catch a tiger by his toe.” Different versions of the tune popped up around the world, and most are appropriately innocent. The late 19th/early 20th century version in the United States was explicitly racist, though, with a racial slur in place of the tiger kids catch today. That version has, for good reason, fallen out of favor.

Even with the lyrical switch-out, a reference to the poem can still be offensive. In 2004, two Black passengers sued Southwest Airlines for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress, following an incident where a flight attendant used the rhyme in a humorous fashion during takeoff when she told passengers: “Eeny meeny miny mo, Please, sit down it’s time to go.” (The court sided with the airline.) this poem may have to be gone away with for good.

    8. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush // 1840

“Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” is often sung as part of a children’s game. Historian R. S. Duncan, a former governor of England’s Wakefield Prison, suggested that the song originated with that 420-year-old institution’s female prisoners, who exercised around a mulberry tree. Which is probably not the connotation your 6-year-old self, had in mind.

    9. Rock-A-Bye Baby // 1765

One interpretation of this famous lullaby is that it is about the son of King James II of England and Mary of Modena. It’s widely believed that the boy was not their son at all, but a child who was brought into the birthing room and passed off as their own in order to ensure a Roman Catholic heir to the throne.

    10. Ring Around the Rosie // 1881

Considering that some of today’s classic nursery rhymes are more than two centuries old, there are often several theories surrounding their origins—and not a lot of sound proof about which argument is correct. But of all the alleged nursery rhyme backstories, “Ring Around the Rosie” is probably the most infamous. Though its lyrics and even its title have gone through some changes over the years, the most popular contention is that the sing-songy verse refers to the 1665 Great Plague of London. “The rosie” is the rash that covered the afflicted, the smell from which they attempted to cover up with “a pocket full of posies.” The plague killed nearly 15 percent of the country’s population, which makes the final verse—“Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down”—rather self-explanatory.

But Snopes labels this reading false, and quotes folklorist Philip Hiscock with a more likely suggestion: That the nursery rhyme probably has its origins “in the religious ban on dancing among many Protestants in the nineteenth century, in Britain as well as here in North America. Adolescents found a way around the dancing ban with what was called in the United States the ‘play-party.’ Play-parties consisted of ring games which differed from square dances only in their name and their lack of musical accompaniment. They were hugely popular, and younger children got into the act, too.”

So here you go ….. Walk on the wild side. Part 1 …..  more to come later!   

Summertime and the Living is Easy: Summer Food in the South, is Unique!

I guess as you have guessed it by now I am from Virginia.  I have family all over the state of North Carolina.  So I was raised on Southern and county food.  I would like to share with you a few STRANGE ALL TIME FAVORITES OF FOLKS IN THE South! I myself have in fact eaten and enjoyed everyone for years.

There are the usual suspects that frequent Southern meals during summertime, such as fresh succotash, squash casserole, peach cobbler, and deviled eggs. However, there are also plenty of unexpected and lesser-known dishes that Southerners can’t wait to eat all summer long. Not only is our favorite produce abundant at the farmers’ market, but family cookouts and warm-weather gatherings with friends fill the calendar, giving the perfect opportunity to make certain beloved Southern recipes that feel fit for the season.

Whether we’re talking about a fruit-studded casserole, leftover cornbread concoction, or controversial sandwich that many folks love to hate, the South has plenty of summer recipes with personality to spare. Here are 16 hilariously “weird” dishes that Southerners make during the summer.

Southern Tomato Sandwich….My Mothers and Grandmothers favorite! 

Let’s call out the elephant in the room. Tomato sandwiches get a lot of hate, but we won’t accept any slander here. It’s the most perfect use of those gorgeous summer tomatoes, and all you need is fluffy white bread and mayonnaise. I cannot wait till this time of year for fresh tomatoes!  YUMMMMMMM

Pineapple Casserole

Anyone who won’t at least try this sweet-and-savory casserole is missing out. Everything from the pineapple filling to the buttery cracker topping is completely balanced, and it goes well with saltier main dishes such as glazed ham and barbecue picked up from your favorite local joint.

Pear Salad……My Aunt Dap and my Mother’s favorite lunch!

Perhaps it’s the maraschino cherries paired with mayonnaise and shredded cheese, but this dish sure does rile folks up. You’ll likely see this unique pear salad anywhere from a baby shower to a summer cookout.

Old-Fashion Tomato Pie…….Please, give me a fork!

Tomatoes are Southerners’ most beloved summer produce, so it’s no surprise that we’ve tried out all different variations of ways to use them, including tomato pie. With cheese and herbs, it’s completely savory, so there’s no need to be scared.

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

It wouldn’t be summer without a creamy mayonnaise-based pasta salad, and this retro recipe has never been retired. To us, mayonnaise is never a bad idea, and the cubed ham and chopped vegetables bulk up this dish perfectly for a family cookout.  Ham is scared in the South, but any meat or seafood will work.  We do like shrimp if you are from the coastal part of the South and I make mine with shrimp a lot.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Another mayonnaise-championing recipe, this cucumber salad fits in at almost any summer meal. It’s simple and surprisingly fresh.  Plus add onion dill and tomato is optional but we like out Duke’s and Blue Plate mayonnaise as the mayo of choice.

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

It might seem odd to some to refer to this fruity gelatin-infused creation as a side dish, but that’s how you’ll see it served at many Southern reunions, potlucks, and holidays. During the summer, it’s a welcome reprieve from the hot weather.

Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad

While it’s logical to assume that crunchy crackers on top of moist tomatoes could be a recipe for a soggy outcome, this salad will surprise you. Southerners do love to dress up saltine crackers, after all. Crackers goes on last.  Made on individual salad plates. Butter, garlic, mayo, fresh chives, Tbs of apple cider vinegar, fresh corn uncooked), fresh basil leaves and of course the beloved tomato.  Crackers on top and it is blissful!

Funeral Potatoes

Another name for hash-brown casserole, this creamy concoction is no stranger on a buffet table. And yes, it can often be seen on funeral spreads, but also at family holidays, cookouts, brunches, and showers. Just done the Southern way!

Homemade Baked Beans

It eludes us why folks find it odd that we like so much brown sugar in our baked beans, but all we can say? Southern recipes use sweet (sugar, molasses or Karo syrup), smoky flavored bacon, onions, a little extra ketchup and pork n beans! Southern version.

Cornbread & Sweet Milk…this is also taken with Butter Milk, or Pot Liquor (another blog) about the Sothern food!

In the South, particularly the Appalachian Mountains, people have long enjoyed Cornbread and Milk, a creation made by crumbling leftover cornbread into a tall drinking glass and topping it with milk. It’s usually buttermilk, although some people prefer “sweet milk”, a term for regular fresh milk and even pot liquor.  May be eaten in place of a meal or just a snack.

Corn Pudding….move over and save a seat for me!

The name might fool those who aren’t from the South, but the natural sweetness of the fresh corn makes for a sweet, buttery, savory side dish that’s even better in the summer when corn is in season.

Tennessee Onions

This simple casserole is lesser-known and packed with one of our favorite summer stars: sweet vidalia onions. These Georgia-grown onions come into season in late spring through the end of summer, so summertime is perfect for trying out this cheesy, buttery side dish.

Fried Green Tomatoes….which I have done another Blog on, so you know how I love them!

Those not well-versed in the South or Southern cuisine might not even know the magic of a green tomato, especially when it’s deep-fried and served with a tangy sauce, ranch dressing or even the beloved mayo.  Eating with nothing on them is just as delicious!

Crab Pie…..yes, please!

Those in Virginia and Maryland specifically can expect crab pie during the summer, but coast-residing Southerners also enjoy the unique dish. It’s akin to a quiche and can be easily added to a brunch lineup, main dish for dinner, lunch or breakfast (yes I said breakfast)!

Cucumber Sandwiches…may Granddaughter’s all-time favorite!

Another frequent dish at Southern luncheons and showers, cucumber tea sandwiches are fresh, crisp, and accented with a healthy dollop of mayonnaise, of course. Southern choice of bread is plain ole white sandwich bread.  Some will put fresh dill or basil from the garden on them.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and there you have it!

Old-Fashioned Tomato Pie Recipe

Nothing says “summer”—or shows off summertime’s best produce—like a classic tomato pie.

Old-fashioned Tomato Pie is summer perfection thanks to garden fresh tomatoes and chopped herbs such as basil, thyme, parsley, or chives. When you serve Old-fashioned Tomato Pie, this plate of goodness is always a home run.

 

Ingredients

Piecrust

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into pieces

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

3 to 4 Tbsp. ice-cold water

 

Filling

2 1/4 pounds assorted heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

 

1 sweet onion, chopped

1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper, divided

1 tablespoon canola oil

1/2 cup assorted chopped fresh herbs (such as chives, parsley, and basil)

1/2 cup freshly grated Gruyère cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1/4 cup mayonnaise

 

Directions

Prepare Piecrust: Process first 4 ingredients in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse meal. With processor running, gradually add 3 Tbsp. ice-cold water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and process until dough forms a ball and leaves sides of bowl, adding up to 1 Tbsp. more water, if necessary. Shape dough into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 30 minutes.

 

Unwrap dough, and place on a lightly floured surface; sprinkle lightly with flour. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness.

 

Preheat oven to 425°F. Press dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim dough 1 inch larger than diameter of pie plate; fold overhanging dough under itself along rim of pie plate. Chill 30 minutes or until firm.

 

Line piecrust with aluminum foil; fill with pie weights or dried beans. (This will keep the crust from bubbling up.) Place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.

 

Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes. Remove weights and foil. Bake 5 minutes or until browned. Cool completely on baking sheet on a wire rack (about 30 minutes). Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

 

Prepare Filling: Place tomatoes in a single layer on paper towels; sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt. Let stand 10 minutes.

 

Meanwhile, sauté onion and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper in hot oil in a skillet over medium heat 3 minutes or until onion is tender.

 

Pat tomatoes dry with a paper towel. Layer tomatoes, onion, and herbs in prepared crust, seasoning each layer with pepper (1 tsp. total). Stir together cheeses and mayonnaise; spread over pie.

 

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until lightly browned, shielding edges with foil to prevent excessive browning. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

The Hatpin: Deadliest Fashion Accessory In History! 

Let me start with you know from one of pervious Blogs I have a small antique hat collection.  Well, one could simply not have a hat collection without a hat pin collection to go along with it.  Thank goodness the pins do not take up much space!

1400 As far back as the Middle Ages in Britain and Europe, pins were used as a device to securely hold the wimples and veils that proper ladies used to cover.

Production

The hatpin was invented to hold wimples and veils in place, and was handmade. In Britain, demand eventually outgrew the number that could be supplied by hand-making, and they began to be imported from France. In 1832 a machine was invented in America which could mass-produce the pins, and they became much more affordable. During the 1880s, bonnets gave way to hats, and the popularity of hatpins soared. They remained a standard women’s accessory through the 1910s and were produced in a vast range of materials and types. Hatpin holder boxes were also produced.

Use in self-defense and as a weapon

Hatpins were sometimes used by women to defend themselves against assault.

Laws were passed in 1908 in the United States that limited the length of hatpins, as there was a concern they might be used by suffragettes as weapons. Also by the 1910s, ordinances were passed requiring hatpin tips to be covered so as not to injure people accidentally. Various covers were made, but poorer women often had to make do with ersatz items like potato pieces and cork.

In January 1918, the Norwegian newspaper Morgenbladet reported that police in Kristiania advised that passengers with uncovered hatpins be told to leave the trams. No law however had been passed against boarding a tram with uncovered hatpins. The tram staff had also stopped selling hatpin covers on board the trams, as regulations on the subject appeared so confusing that the staff preferred not to interfere.

A Brief History of Hatpins

Prized by antique collectors today, hatpins were commonplace and controversial. They ranged in size between 6 and 12 inches long depending on the size of the hat they needed to secure to a woman’s head. They were fancy or practical, made from every available material ranging from precious metals to gemstones to plastics and paste. Hatpin makers marketed their products to the various levels of society, ranging from the extremely ornate and expensive to the simple and functional. The heyday of the hatpin was between the 1880’s and 1920’s, after which hair styles became short and the hats became smaller making the pins unnecessary.

Prized by antique collectors today, hatpins were commonplace and controversial. They ranged in size between 6 and 12 inches long depending on the size of the hat they needed to secure to a woman’s head. They were fancy or practical, made from every available material ranging from precious metals to gemstones to plastics and paste. Hatpin makers marketed their products to the various levels of society, ranging from the extremely ornate and expensive to the simple and functional. The heyday of the hatpin was between the 1880’s and 1920’s, after which hair styles became short and the hats became smaller making the pins unnecessary.

1400 As far back as the Middle Ages in Britain and Europe, pins were used as a device to securely hold the wimples and veils that proper ladies used to cover their hair in place. These small pins and wires were used for hundreds of years.

1800 The making of decorative and functional pins was a cottage industry that frequently employed an entire family. They were time consuming to make which resulted in small amounts of pins being available for the demanding public.

1820 Importing from France was one way of keeping up with demand. Alarmed at the effect the imports had on the balance of trade, Parliament passed an Act restricting the sale of pins to two days a year – January 1st and 2nd. Ladies saved their money all year to be able to spend it on pins in an early example of the “January Sales”! This is thought to be a source of the term “pin money.” However, as Queen Victoria taxed her subjects at the beginning of each year to pay for her pins, this could also be the source of the term.

1832 The pin making machine was patented in the United States and production of pins with long tapering points began, usurping the handmade pins. Within the next two years England and France also began producing the machine made pins.

1848 Head coverings were simply another piece of clothing which evolved and changed with fashion. As women’s bonnets evolved, they employed ribbons and strings tied under the chin to hold them on. As a result of the suffrage movement women were eager to free themselves of bonnet strings and declare their right for equality with men.

1900 The rise in the popularity of hatpins as a result of changing fashions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the Charles Horner jewelry business becoming one of the British market leaders in good quality but mass produced hatpins. Some of the the high quality makers in the United States were the Unger Bros., the William Link Co., the Paye & Baker Mfg. Co. and Tiffany & Co.

1903 American Lillian Russell and English-woman Lillian Langtry, otherwise known as “Diamond Lil” and “Jersey Lil” were popular music hall actresses that fueled the popularity of large elaborate hats and the hatpins that were needed to hold them in place.

1908 An English judge, fearing that their pins could be used as weapons in his court, ordered a group of suffragettes on trial to remove their hatpins and hats, an insulting request. In 1909 a bill was introduced in the Arkansas legislature which copied an Illinois law limiting the length of pins to 9 inches or making ladies take out permits to possess longer ones. The pins were considered deadly weapons. As a result ladies had to cut their pins to the shorter length if they wanted to wear them in public.

1913 The Audubon Society was formed to prevent the wholesale slaughter of native birds for use in the millinery trade. Hunters had devastated more than 60 species of birds to supply feathers for hats. Popular fowl were the Egret, Peacock, Heron, Spoonbill and Ostrich. The Spoonbill feathers alone were worth $80 an ounce – three times their weight in gold.

1923 The opening of the tomb of King Tutankhamen started a craze for all things Egyptian. Hatpin designers were inspired by the newly found art and treasures.

1942 At the start of World War II women took over the jobs vacated by the men who had gone away to war. As they reported to work in the factories, shipyards and aircraft plants the wearing of hats fell out of fashion.

You May Leave Your Hat On!

 

I have a secret obsession with HATS!  Yes I have a small collection of antique hats, which I love!  The first thing I do when I go to an antiquing is I try on any hat I see.  Then I take a selfie or have whoever is unfortunate to be with me take pictures.  This is my ritual.

 

The history of hats extends back millennia, with possible evidence of hats appearing as early as 30,000 years ago. Many head coverings throughout history and around the world carry religious or ceremonial significance. Hats can convey social status or military rank, much like Napoléon Bonaparte’s signature bicorn hat.

A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mechanical features, such as visors, spikes, flaps, braces or beer holders shade into the broader category of headgear.

In the past, hats were an indicator of social status. In the military, hats may denote nationality, branch of service, rank or regiment. Police typically wear distinctive hats such as peaked caps or brimmed hats, such as those worn by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Some hats have a protective function. As examples, the hard hat protects construction workers’ heads from injury by falling objects, a British police Custodian helmet protects the officer’s head, a sun hat shades the face and shoulders from the sun, a cowboy hat protects against sun and rain and an ushanka fur hat with fold-down earflaps keeps the head and ears warm. Some hats are worn for ceremonial purposes, such as the mortarboard, which is worn (or carried) during university graduation ceremonies. Some hats are worn by members of a certain profession, such as the Toque worn by chefs, or the mitre worn by Christian bishops. Adherents of certain religions regularly wear hats, such as the turban worn by Sikhs, or the church hat that is worn as a head covering by Christian women during prayer and worship.

It is unknown how far back in humanity’s history the first hat was created, but experts speculate it was developed alongside other articles of clothing used to protect one from the elements. Throughout history, hats have served functional purposes and fulfilled practical needs i.e. sun, wind, and rain protection. Of equal historical importance, however, is the use of hats as status symbols within the social rankings of societies. Hats were even used as a revolutionary device to diminish the class systems they helped build.

History

While there are not many official records of hats before 3,000 BC, they probably were commonplace before that. The 27,000-to-30,000-year-old Venus of Willendorf figurine may depict a woman wearing a woven hat. One of the earliest known confirmed hats was worn by a Bronze Age man (nicknamed Ötzi) whose body (including his hat) was found frozen in a mountain between Austria and Italy, where he had been since around 3250 BC. He was found wearing a bearskin cap with a chin strap, made of several hides stitched together, essentially resembling a Russian fur hat without the flaps.

One of the first pictorial depictions of a hat appears in a tomb painting from Thebes, Egypt, which shows a man wearing a conical straw hat, dated to around 3200 BC. Hats were commonly worn in ancient Egypt. Many upper-class Egyptians shaved their heads, then covered it in a headdress intended to help them keep cool. Ancient Mesopotamians often wore conical hats or ones shaped somewhat like an inverted vase.

Other early hats include the Pileus, a simple skull-like cap; the Phrygian cap, worn by freed slaves in Greece and Rome (which became iconic in America during the Revolutionary War and the French Revolution, as a symbol of the struggle for liberty against the Monarchy); and the Greek petasos, the first known hat with a brim. Women wore veils, kerchiefs, hoods, caps and wimples.

Like Ötzi, the Tollund Man was preserved to the present day with a hat on, probably having died around 400 BC in a Danish bog, which mummified him. He wore a pointed cap made of sheepskin and wool, fastened under the chin by a hide thong.

 

St. Clement, the patron saint of felt hatmakers, is said to have discovered felt when he filled his sandals with flax fibers to protect his feet, around 800 AD.

In the Middle Ages, hats were a marker of social status and used to single out certain groups. The 1215 Fourth Council of the Lateran required that all Jews identify themselves by wearing the Judenhat (“Jewish hat”), marking them as targets for anti-Semitism. The hats were usually yellow and were either pointed or square.

In the Middle Ages, hats for women ranged from simple scarves to elaborate hennin, and denoted social status. Structured hats for women similar to those of male courtiers began to be worn in the late 16th century. The term ‘milliner’ comes from the Italian city of Milan, where the best quality hats were made in the 18th century. Millinery was traditionally a woman’s occupation, with the milliner not only creating hats and bonnets but also choosing lace, trimmings and accessories to complete an outfit

In the first half of the 19th century, women wore bonnets that gradually became larger, decorated with ribbons, flowers, feathers, and gauze trims. By the end of the century, many other styles were introduced, among them hats with wide brims and flat crowns, the flower pot and the toque. By the middle of the 1920s, when women began to cut their hair short, they chose hats that hugged the head like a helmet.

The tradition of wearing hats to horse racing events began at the Royal Ascot in Britain, which maintains a strict dress code. All guests in the Royal Enclosure must wear hats.[16] This tradition was adopted at other horse racing events, such as the Kentucky Derby in the United States.

Extravagant hats were popular in the 1980s, and in the early 21st century, flamboyant hats made a comeback, with a new wave of competitive young milliners designing creations that include turban caps, trompe-l’œil-effect felt hats and tall headpieces made of human hair. Some new hat collections have been described as “wearable sculpture”. Many pop stars, among them Lady Gaga, have commissioned hats as publicity stunts.

Famous Hatmakers

One of the most famous London hatters is James Lock & Co. of St James’s Street. The shop claims to be the oldest operating hat shop in the world. Another was Sharp & Davis of 6 Fish Street Hill. In the late 20th century, museums credited London-based David Shilling with reinventing hats worldwide. Notable Belgian hat designers are Elvis Pompilio and Fabienne Delvigne (Royal warrant of appointment holder), whose hats are worn by European royals. Philip Treacy OBE is an Irish milliner whose hats have been commissioned by top designers and worn at royal weddings. In North America, the well-known cowboy-hat manufacturer Stetson made the headgear for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Texas Rangers. John Cavanagh was one of the notable American hatters. Italian hat maker Borsalino has covered the heads of Hollywood stars and the world’s rich and famous.

 

Fashion and Function Throughout History

Women’s Hat History

Especially when worn by women, hats were used to imply wealth. At times, fashionable hats were so large they stretched beyond the shoulders. In such cases, it was not uncommon for a woman to lose her balance because of the size of her hat. Alternatively, the bonnet was loved for its function in the 19th century and used by women of all classes. Bonnets shaded and framed a woman’s face while keeping her profile protected from unwanted male attention.

Beginning in 1875, the Kentucky Derby has become the largest event for hat fashion in America. It is still considered a social faux pas if a woman is without a hat at the race.

 

Men’s Hat History

For men, the top hat has long been regarded as a status symbol. Many people are immediately reminded of the sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, as he was commonly photographed wearing one. Lincoln was, in fact, wearing a top hat on the night of his assassination. The height of the top hat evolved over time. It was shortened to appear more conservative until eventually becoming what is known as the bowler or derby. This served as a more functional choice for gentlemen in the working class.

 

Timeline of the American Ball Cap

Before the development of the baseball cap, there was no headwear uniformity within the sport. Players often wore straw hats or even nothing at all. In 1858, the Brooklyn Excelsiors became the first team to wear a version of the baseball cap we know and love. Though, this early version more closely resembled that of a jockey.

 

Baseball Hat History

 

The traditional ball cap design was no accident. The dome shape was adopted so the hat would stay in place through various activities, and the front visor was developed to keep sun and sweat off the player’s face.

Today, most Major League Baseball (MLB) hats are made of a polyester moisture wicking fabric to keep the player’s head dry, a black sweatband to hide stains, and a black under visor to reduce sun glare.

The dress code for spectators changed in the early 1900s. Previously, fans were expected to wear a shirt and tie, and yes, a hat. Although, not a ball cap, men were expected to adorn more formal headwear such as a derby, boater or porkpie. A gentleman of this era wouldn’t be in public with a bare head. When the dress code changed, spectators could wear their team’s ball cap to the game. In 1954, New Era released the 59Fifty cap style that is still worn today. Baseball caps were still not considered an acceptable accessory to be worn outside of the field until the late 1970s.

In the early 1990s, hat aficionados began slicing out the buckram so the crown would lie naturally relaxed against the head. Cap manufacturers took notice, and within a few years, the unstructured cap was released.

 

The 1996 World Series opened the door for headwear licensing used to make a statement or style choice. One can now purchase MLB licensed hats in all colors and styles.

In more recent years, the Hip Hop and Rap communities have developed their own style of hat wearing. The idea is to keep the hat as fresh, clean, and new looking as possible. This includes keeping the manufacturer and retailer stickers or tags on the hat and keeping the visor flat.

Other groups such as fishermen and fraternities have deeply embedded rituals to breaking in a cap. These can include anything from sandpaper to mud to dishwashers.

Hats have played a tremendous role in the history of not only the U.S. but also the world. The New York Times Magazine stated the following:

 “To wear a New York Yankees cap in the United States is to show support for the team, maybe, or to invest in the hegemony of an imperial city. To wear one abroad — the Yankees model is by far the best-selling Major League Baseball cap in Europe and Asia — is to invest in an idealized America, a phenomenon not unlike pulling on contraband blue jeans in the old Soviet Union.”