Hi everyone!! How was your weekend? Our trip to Chicago was so-so; to sum it up, the boys were cranky, Chicago was COLD and RAINY and we decided we aren't taking anymore road trips with the kids for AWHILE!!
So this rain and the spring weather has got me thinking...
I DISLIKE RAIN!
I mean its gloomy, I hate when my hair gets wet ;)... but it IS good for our pretty spring flowers that need to bloom, the chance to see a rainbow after the rains and well, of course... green grass!
I've been needing a NEW umbrella for some time; mine is a boring ole black one that is literally falling apart!
I see cute umbrellas but don't ever by myself a new one.
I said to my hubby on Saturday, "You know what I want for Mother's Day? A NEW Umbrella! Mine is such a piece of junk!"
My oldest son says, "I'm surprised you haven't bought yourself a new one, mom!"
WHAT A STINKER!!
Is he making an assumption that I am a shop-aholic?
LOL!!
Soooo... now that I think about it, Mothers Day is in May... which means 2 more months of using my junky umbrella! Should I just go and get a cute new one?
Like maybe this one with fun bubbly polka dots?
The boys would love this fun pirate one...
Awwww, sweet butterflies for a cute lil girl:)
Oooh now this one above is super cute and from TARGET for $11.99!!
Are you odd like me and ever wondered the "story" behind umbrella's?
(hahaha!)
"Ancient umbrellas or parasols were first designed to provide shade from the sun."
The basic umbrella was invented over four thousand years ago. We have seen evidence of umbrellas in the ancient art and artifacts of Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and China.
These ancient umbrellas or parasols, were first designed to provide shade from the sun. The Chinese were the first to waterproof their umbrellas for use as rain protection. They waxed and lacquered their paper parasols in order to use them for rain.
Origins of the Term Umbrella
The word "umbrella" comes from the Latin root word "umbra", meaning shade or shadow. Starting in the 16th century the umbrella became popular to the western world, especially in the rainy weather of northern Europe. At first it was considered only an accessory suitable for women. Then the Persian traveler and writer, Jonas Hanway (1712-86), carried and used an umbrella publicly in England for thirty years, he popularized umbrella use among men. English gentleman often referred to their umbrellas as a "Hanway."
James Smith and Sons
The first all umbrella shop was called "James Smith and Sons". The shop opened in 1830, and is still located at 53 New Oxford Street in London, England.
The early European umbrellas were made of wood or whalebone and covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. The artisans made the curved handles for the umbrellas out of hard woods like ebony, and were well paid for their efforts.
English Steels Company
In 1852, Samuel Fox invented the steel ribbed umbrella design. Fox also founded the "English Steels Company", and claimed to have invented the steel ribbed umbrella as a way of using up stocks of farthingale stays, steel stays used in women's corsets.
After that, compact collapsible umbrellas were the next major technical innovation in umbrella manufacture, over a century later.
..................................................
Kinda some interesting info there...
lets face it, its Monday I'm tired and bored and didn't feel like uploading pics from my camera so this is all I got for ya today!!
Do YOU have a cute umbrella?
Or a "junker" like mine??
Noelle ♥
12 comments:
I have never used or owned an umbrella!
those are cute though :)
i have junker umbrella. instead of getting a new one, i'm determined to get a rain coat. i think they are more practical - especially when you have kids to carry! i hope you get a fabulous new umbrella!
Your to funny! I like the polka dot one and the target one. I would get one now!... by mothers day the rain my be gone for good. Maybe like Carissa mentioned you can ask for a cute rain coat. Hugs, JGG!
haha! to the comment your son said about buying one:-) kids say the funniest things sometimes. I "had" to have one last year just to take pics of my daughter in the rain and her boots...so much fun! I definitely think you should get a cute one!!!!
Aw I am sorry the trip to Chicago wasn't all you wished it would be! It's so rough when you plan a special event you think is going to be awesome, AND shell out the moola for it, and it doesn't go over so well. I wondered about the rain, when we got it here in MI. Didn't have time to check the weather but hoped it passed you by. I think after the boys were cranky you need a new umbrella STAT. Don't wait for Mother's Day!
I loved the history, very interesting. I have a great big umbrella I got from Ikea for $2.99...LOL...lots of rain here in the Pacific Northwest...but I only really use it at the bus stop with my daughter. Hugs BeCca
I like that one from target. So cute! Thanks for the education, haha!
Love that Target one!! I have a hot pink one, it does the trick but I almost never have it when I actually need it :)
Your time away sounds like when we get away.
We went visiting yesteday ad it was a huge effort to even get in the car with the 3 kids and then they were ratbags the whole time! Grrrrrr!!!!
I own a old black Brolly but reckon I have'nt opened it for like....15 years!
Yes you should buy yourself a new one.
I don't use mine like I should with all this rain we are getting.
Thanks for sharing the history of the umbrella. It was very interesting.
bummer about your trip!! And yes trips with kids is not a vacation by any means!!!!! At least you got out of your house and now know what chicago rain feels like!! :) BTW: Get an umbrella, if you get in trouble tell hubby I made you!! :)
Sorry the trip wasn't better!
Are you kidding? I'm a Washingtonian. We don't use umbrellas! ☺ I *did* have a cute one when I was little, though. ♥
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