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 no, 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]