Thursday 16 December 2021

A Very Umbel Post

It is important you do not muddle up the words umble and umbel.

When the smarmy, obsequious Uriah Heep describes himself as umble it is false humility.

The phrase "to eat umble pie" dates from the Middle Ages. Umbles [plural] were the heart, liver, lungs etc of a deer. After the Master had the best of the venison, his poor serfs got the rest to mince and make into a pie. [Do you remember Yeoman pie filling?] By the 18th century, umble pie was often called humble pie. To "eat humble pie" was to abase yourself, and admit your humiliation.

But an umbel is a different matter altogether- this is a flower cluster, where stalks spring from a common centre and form a flat or curved surface - characteristic of the parsley family.

I love umbelliferous flowers. On our winter walks, we often see the stalks of the cow parsley at the edge of the fields, silhouetted against the grey winter sky. Whether you call it by that name, or Queen Anne's Lace, or the Leicestershire keck or the  Latin Anthriscus Sylvestris, I think the structure and form is so attractive. The designer Lucienne Day produced her 'calyx' design for the Festival of Britain based on these plant forms. John Lewis sell a lovely teal coloured cushion with an embroidered surface.

I took some stuff into a CS in Norwich last week and spotted a skirt made of lovely blue umbelliferous fabric.

The label says "Saltwater" - and it is a size 12, and cost me just £5. It is beautifully made, 100% cotton, fully lined, and fits really well. The cream and blue 'Sarah Lund' Scandi jumper, I knitted 7 years ago will look good with this .[That jumper has been a little too snug since I put on weight in Ferndown - I am pleased I can wear it again]
Skirt, jumper, boots, mask - that's my Christmas Carol Service Outfit sorted. And n
o, I'm not going to buy a new 'Believe' jumper from M&S- I've spent all my vouchers on the turkey. 

Remember it's umbels not umbles !

What are you planning to wear over Christmas? [not that you will be going to lots of parties]





14 comments:

  1. That skirt is gorgeous, it sounds like a wonderful outfit for Christmas, and the John Lewis cushion very tempting.

    Me, I'll be in jeans and my new red Scotty Dog Christmas jumper, I've lost my Pug one in the move ... I am desolate ;-)

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    1. I hope your pug jumper turns up [at least in time for NEXT Christmas]

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  2. I wonder if it is from Seasalt, a Cornish company? It's a very pretty skirt.

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    1. I don't think so, I cannot find it online at all. Seasalt prints are very attractive though

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  3. Lovely skirt! Lovely sweater, too. My daughter and I are not planning to go anywhere for Christmas; there won't be any need to dress up! :)

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    1. The company at Christmas is more important than the cardigans!

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  4. I love Queen Anne's lace, too. That skirt is a perfect find, lovely that it fits well and that your hand knitted sweater also fits well to go with it. I think we will need a photo of the complete outfit, please!

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  5. I remember being asked to take umbelliferous specimens from the hedgerows into Foundation school drawing classes and then on to textile design class at the Norwich School of Art and Design. The design results from our class were amazing and the best things we ever did. I still remember the results and learning how fabric design evolves.

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    1. NSAD must be a great place to study - with its city centre location. I've been to some of their exhibitions. The students produce stunning artworks - your umbelliferous textile designs sound lovely.

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  6. I think Cow parsley is really Pretty!!
    I saw lots of vicars all wearing that Believe jumper and thought, "I bet Ang could do her own with her fancy embroidery machine using an old plain jumper or t-shirt.
    That then got me thinking what other slogans would be good and thought that might be a fun blog post.
    Silent night, holy night?
    The Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, everlasting Father quote?
    Oh tidings of comfort and joy?

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    1. I had a swimsuit one year from [the long departed] British Home Stores - it said "Choose Life!" - Bob referred to it in a sermon. I DO like the idea of embroidering an existing plain jumper rather than buying new

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  7. P.S. I also have an item from Saltwater. I know there is a sandal brand caller Saltwater sandals but I don't think they are linked.

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    1. They are not easy to locate on the web are they? I wonder if they are another small company that has folded in recent months

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