Traveling the World (well Nothern Ireland)

Since I started my job in December, I've been to parts of N.I that I'd never have gone to otherwise.  Lurgan, Larne, Whiteabbey train station and yesterday Derry.

There was even a Starbucks in Derry although I have to admit that it would be easier to get out of the Bermuda Triangle than it was trying to get out of the shopping centre where Starbucks was.

I only took one photo but it's an important photo:

Derry Walls

A lot of wall.

The Artist and his Muse

Other Artists and their dogs.

George

Apple Lovers Hate Waste

I was at the Health Fair for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and People with tinnitus on Saturday and learnt a lot from the various stalls that were around. I chatted to the Council for a while about waste and was truly horrified. I did like this leaflet though. I also came away with quite a hoard of freebies from pens, personal rape alarm, mouse mat, stress ball (which Pen destroyed), rice measure - we all need one of these, poo bags etc and two bags to carry my haul in. I do like a freebie. I am sad about my stress ball though, it was the first one I'd ever owned.  Does anyone have a spare lying around? Preferably with naff advertising on it.

 I visited a Tooth Stall (Not actually called that) and was given a sweetie that has a Tooth with an umbrella on its head. I don't understand but it looks adorable all the same.

I was at the Women's Institute on Friday and the seminar was 'Aches and Pains'. It was actually very useful.  Everybody gets a sore back now and then right? I got a £25 voucher for the Apex Clinic to use by end of April if anybody would like it?  Anyhow...at the church hall where the monthly meeting is held there is an ongoing book sale. 50p a book. 50P!!! I bought Dallas, The Room and some others but best of all was Dallas. The book was based on the TV series. How often do you see that? It's usually the other way round. I do like Dallas and Dynasty and anything retro-y so it had to be brought into my possession.

I saw a bracelet in the Sunday Magazine that I covet. I already own a couple of Sabo rings but I haven't worn the snake one yet - I wonder if they'd be kind enough to let me swap the snake ring for this bracelet and let me pay the remainder? I LOVE skulls and black so this is something I must have come hell or high water.

Anyhow - that's my waffle for today.  I'm going to read a Book of Lists and plan my visit to London. There is an exhibition on in the The Barbican by Song Dong called Waste Not and is on until 12th June.

Liberating Cacti

I recently came across a distressed looking Cactus at a place I was at for a few days (names and places omitted for fear of prosecution) and found myself enraged at the blatant abuse.  So...it was my last day at the secret location and with the help of a polystyrene cup I rescued, the aptly named, Lazarus.

Here is the poor soul  but he's in safe hands now.

Occupy  Belfast are still occupying the (privately owned) Bank of  Ireland Building. I hope they're not wrecking the inside of it though, I love this building design.  Imagine living in it.

I do like the Sheriff in one of the windows though - that made me chuckle.

But most of all, I LOVE this retro Clarke's Dance Studio sign on Donegall Street. There is a new, flappy plastic thing below it advertising Zumba class. I'd rather do old school Disco to be honest.


My adventures are over for the time being. Working a 6-day week so being as lazy as humanly possible when I'm home in the evenings. Anybody want to volunteer to walk Penny?

Tupperware Parties - Where to be seen in the Seventies

I was rooting around in the roof space and came across a Tupperware Catalog. I am green with envy:

Nowadays it's all trashy Ann Summers parties and Botox parties - why not have something a little more practical. I, for one, obsess for retro and am amassing a vintage tupperware collection for whenever I get my own home.

Here are some of the fabulous offerings from Tupperware of the 70s:

Look at these new products, there is a pour and store (I have the one for oils/dressings), a blancmange  mould perhaps? NO! a 'Jel-A-Ring' - versatiile 1.5 litre ring mould with centre seal to turn out perfect jelly, mousse or rice (or blancmange).

Just fabulous. Sturdy, long lasting, hard wearing but not always dishwasher proof. They tend to warp, FYI.









Look at this!! Your problems all solved! A box to fit everything and anything. It is a little obsessive, I think, but how brilliant is that. I can guarantee that if I was a grown-up in the 70s my fridge, freezer AND cupboards would have looked like this.


Mum puts in an order. Look at the cost of that! Can you imagine buying such amazing items today at a good price? (Not taking inflation into account here).

The Crisp-it kept lettuce crisp and fresh with a special holder. Remember Iceberg lettuce was all the rage back then.

The Pitder? Paddle Saspah? - Paddle Scraper and Pitcher.

Nirvana, I tell you. I couldn't think of a better place to be than at a Tupperware Party. To finish off this wonderful post about the Tupperware Party Catalog, here is a recipe for some Party Cheese Balls by Zena Skinner, Television's 'captivating cook': (Anyone notice a resemblance to Frank Skinner here?)

Party Cheese Balls - to guarantee the best party ever. It's not vegetarian friendly but if you substitute the Worcester Sauce for a vegetarian one and make sure the cheese is vegetarian too then we can all rejoice and stuff our faces with Party Cheese Balls.

You can store them in a Seal-N-Serve.