Who Invented the Teddy Bear?

Everyone loves a teddy bear, whether in the form of a cuddly toy, a cute ornament or even an image on a card.  Teddy bears can even be collectors’ items and sell for vast quantities of money.  But who invented the teddy bear and why was it called that?

Teddy

1954 Teddy Bear

The teddy bear seems to have been created by two people at around about the same time.  One was a toymaker called Morris Michtom in the US and the other is a name still famous today – Richard Steiff in Germany.  Michtom named the bears he created in honour of the US president, Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt, despite the president hating the nickname.  However, he won him over by sending him one of the bears and getting the president’s permission to use the name.

Unaware of the American’s creation, Steiff had begun to make stuffed toys from his own designs and exhibited them at the Leipzig Toy Fair of 1903 when a buyer for a New York company named George Borgfeldt & Co saw the toys and bought 3000 to import to the US.  Legend has it that these bears, with the designation 55PB never completed their journey and were shipwrecked at sea, with none ever being seen again.

Neither men knew of the others creations at the time, as transatlantic communication was virtually non-existent.  But by 1906, more manufacturers were getting involved in the teddy bear craze and books were being written with teddies as the central character.  The famous instrumental ‘The Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ was first written in 1907, with lyrics being added in 1932.

Making a teddy bear

The art of making a teddy bear is still done by hand around the world but mass production has taken over most of the bears available.  These are the bears aimed as toys for kids and comply with exacting safety standards around the world, such as securely fastened eyes and safe joint attachments.  Steiff still sell handmade collectible bears both in shops and over the internet while there are small, handmade teddy companies in the US.  Merrythought is one such company in the UK who were founded in 1930 who continue to make handmade bears.

Teddy bears from those first inventors are among the antiques of the teddy bear world and are very collectible.  Some of Michtom’s original bears still come up for auction while other collectible bears include those from the Knickerbocker Toy Co from New York and the Gund Manufacturing Co as well as Steiff bears.

Modern bears

Tatty Teddy

The teddy bear remains as popular today as ever and there are many famous teddy bears.  From Paddington Bear, the famous bear from Peru, to the bright yellow Pudsey of Children in Need, teddies are an everyday part of life.  Other bears such as the Forever Friends teddies and the blue-nosed Tatty Teddy have travelled from the realm of toys into a huge array of gifts and greetings cards.  And of course, one cannot mentioned teddy bears without mentioning the adorable Winnie the Pooh and his friends, subject of so many children’s books and cartons.

So it seems in its many forms, the teddy is as popular today as it was back in the 1900s when Mr Michtom and Mr Steiff first came across the idea for a cute stuffed bear toy!

Applying for a Passport

As the sun starts to sneak out from behind the clouds a little more frequently and the temperatures start to creep upwards, many people turn their mind to summer holidays and begin cruising the internet in search of the best deals.  But many people forget one crucial element of their trip until the last minute and then panic sets in – their passport.

Children’s passports

Children need a passport to travel just as adults so and as long as they are under 16 and you have parental responsibility for them, you call apply on their behalf.  These passports take around three weeks to issue and require supporting documents such as birth certificates and that of one of the parents as well as two photos of the child, countersigned. 

Getting a first adult passport

When a person turns 16, they are eligible for their first adult passport and many parents buy it for their kids as part of their birthday presents, particularly if they plan to travel in the coming year.  In fact, it can be made into something a bit more fun than a simple legal document with the range of personalised passport holders now available. 

It takes around 6 weeks to get a first adult passport, so ensure there is enough time before the trip.  The standard 32-page passport currently costs £72.50 when applied for online or £82.25 when applied for using the passport check service through the Post Office.  There are supporting documents needed such as birth certificate and, if born after January 1983, a copy of a parent’s birth certificate or their passport.

Two photos are still needed that are identical and have been counter signed by someone to prove your identify – there is exact details online about who can sign.  If you are applying online, these will all be sent with the forms you fill in then print off.

Renewing an adult passport

If you already have a passport but it is out of date, you can renew it and the charges are the same as for a new passport.  It normally takes around three weeks to issue a renewal passport and can be applied for online or using the Post Office service.   Two new photos will need to be provided, again countersigned by someone applicable.

If you have changed your name then you will also need to provide the documents to support this, such as marriage certificate.

Passport Check and Send service

If you aren’t very confident completing the online application form or want the documents to be checked, you can use a service through the Post Office called the Passport Check and Send service.  This is offered in many Post Offices around the country and involves taking all of the documentation and photos to the shop to be checked.  You pay the applicable fees to the Post Office and they send the application to the Passport Office.  It is normally faster than posting it yourself and should eliminate returns for incorrect filling in of the forms.  Currently the fees for using this service mean that a standard 32-page passport will cost £82.25 and a child’s passport will cost £55.75.

Top Long Vodka Cocktails

Vodka is one of the spirits that just cries out to be included in cocktails as the plain spirit doesn’t have a lot of taste.  However, there are lots of great cocktails recipes available using vodka and many of them are long drinks, using a high ball glass.  This lessens the alcohol content a little and means they are perfect for parties or to enjoy on a summer’s evening in the garden.  Here are a few of the most popular.

Bloody Mary

• 4-5 ice cubes
• Juice ½ lemon
• ½ tsp horseradish sauce
• 2 drops Worcestershire sauce
• 1 drop tabasco sauce
• 2 measures tomato juice
• 2 measures vodka
• Salt & cayenne pepper
• Celery stick to decorate (optional)

Put the ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and add the lemon juice, sauces, tomato juice and vodka then shake until a frost forms.  Add this to a tall glass and add a pinch of salt and pepper.  Decorate with a celery stick if required

Long Island Iced Tea

• 6 ice cubes
• ½ measure vodka
• ½ measure gin
• ½ measure white rum
• ½ tequila
• ½ measure Cointreau
• 1 measure fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp sugar syrup
• Coca-Cola to top up

Put half of the cube into a mixing glass and add the spirits, lemon juice and sugar syrup.  Stir well then strain to a high ball glass and top up with coca cola to the desired level and add the rest of the ice.  Can be decorated with a lemon wedge

Moscow Mule

• 4 ice cubes
• 2 measures vodka
• Juice from 2 limes
• Ginger beer

Put the ice in a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, and lime juice.  Shake until a frost forms then add to a tall glass.  Top up with ginger beer and stir gentle before decorating with lime or orange slices.

Chi Chi

• 2 measures of vodka
• 1 measure coconut cream
• 4 measures pineapple juice
• 6 crushed ice cubes

Add the vodka, coconut cream, pineapple juice and ice in to a blender and mix until all ingredients are smooth.  Pour into a tall glass and decorate with a cherry and a slice of pineapple.

Blue Moon

• 5 ice cubes
• ¾ measure vodka
• ¾ measure tequila
• 1 measure blue curacao
• Lemonade

Put half the ice into a mixing glass and add the spirits, stirring everything together.  Add the rest of the ice to a tall glass and strain the cocktail into it them top up with lemonade as required (personal favourite!!)

Sex on the Beach

• 3 ice cubes
• ½ measure vodka
• ½ measure peach schnapps such as Archers
• 1 measure cranberry juice
• 1 measure orange juice
• 1 measure pineapple juice (optional)

Put the ice into a cocktail shaker, add the vodka and peach schnapps as well as the juices, and shake until a frost forms.  Pour into a tall glass and add a cherry to decorate.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many tall vodka cocktail ideas, all of which will have different variations available.  Buying a personalised high ball glass is a great way to remember a special event such as a birthday and a great excuse to then try a few at the party!

Top Herbs to Grow on a Windowsill

Growing your own food in its many forms has appeal to a great variety of people for a multitude of reasons – whether care for the environment, concerns over food origins or just an enjoyment of growing something to name a few.  The great thing about growing herbs is that a plot, garden bed or other outdoor area is a compulsory part of the process because there are a number of herbs that can be grown on a windowsill.

Chives

Chives are a great windowsill herb because they have no specific requirements, don’t need too much sunlight and just keep on producing.  You can grow them from seed but the easiest way to grow them is from an established plant.  You can pick these up anywhere from a garden centre to a supermarket or even just grab a clump from a friend’s established plant.  Place them in a nice pot and cover the roots with potting compost and they will settle in nicely.  When harvesting, cut off around the top one third of each leaf to encourage regrowth. 

One of the easiest ways of using chives is in mashed potato – simply get a nice wooden choppingboard and a sharp knife, dice the chives into pieces of whatever length you prefer then sprinkle them into the cooked and mashed potatoes.

Basil

Basil is the mainstay of Italian cooking, particularly alongside tomatoes and many of the varieties available actually prefer to be in the house.  They need plenty of sunlight and shelter from the worst of the weather so a windowsill is ideal.  Basil is easy to grow from seed, needing only a 5cm pot to plant up five seeds and then tossing the smallest two plants to have a healthy potful.  Alternatively, a small established plant can be bought for instant results, but remember not to remove all leaves from a stalk to allow the plant to keep producing.

Basil works well in salads with mozzarella cheese and tomato or can be shredded to add to pasta sauce.  It can even be put into food bags in the refrigerator and frozen just after picking to be used at a later date.

Parsley

If you’ve ever tried to grow parsley in the garden, you’ll know the biggest problem is stopping it.  By growing it in the windowsill, it is restrained and doesn’t take over the garden plus is at hand whenever you need it.  Seeds can be a little tricky to get started but established plants are easy to come by and to keep, plus there are a few different varieties such as curly or flat leaf.  It only needs moderate light levels and little maintenance but remember not to harvest too many leaves from a stem or you can kill the plant.

Parsley is used as a garnish for many dishes and is also a great ingredient in garlic butter with its many uses.  It can be dried and frozen to extend its lifespan and keeps for a few days in the fridge after it has been harvest.

Why Shabby Chic Isn’t Shabby

The great thing about shabby chic is that it is an easy style to get into, can be personalised to suit your own tastes and is anything but shabby.  Shabby chic is defined as a style of interior design and furniture that has signs of wear and tear and where a distressed look is used to make items appear antique.  It is soft and opulent combining a cottage-style décor with a sense of period décor to make a uniquely personal look.

Budget friendly

One of the reasons that shabby chic is so popular is that it can be very budget friendly.  It is easy to go to charity shops or second hand sales and pick up pieces of furniture that are either in keeping with the style or can be easily adapted to it.  Vintage textiles are another great way to take a plain piece of furniture and turn it into a shabby chic piece without spending a great deal of money.  Plus it’s fun – who knows what amazing thing you will find during your search!

In the bedroom, white bedding is both cost effective and totally shabby chic.  White on white patterns are very popular for the look and can be quite budget friendly as well as easy to wash.  You can use accessories to add colour to the room or even use coloured paint on the furniture.

Furniture ideas

Taking an old dining room set and stripping it back before whitewashing it is a great way to bring the look to the dining room or kitchen.  Covering the chairs with some vintage fabric adds a touch of softness to the look, especially if the chairs are all straight lines and angles.  Add a faded rug under the table to finish the area.

Nearly any piece of furniture from a sideboard to a chest of drawers can be reborn to coordinate with a shabby chic look in the same way as the table and chairs – sand them down and whitewash them or paint them in a distressed fashion.  Anything that looks weathered and aged will work perfectly in the theme and saves the cost of buying brand new items.

Accessories

Mirrors, picture frames and wall art are all prominent features of the shabby chic style.  Grouping them together as a feature on a fireplace wall, for example, is a great way to combine a random selection of items that you can repaint to look the part.  Or buy the odd new piece to sit amongst the upcycled gear – anything with flowers and birds are popular motifs.  Hanging a similar style metal wreath in front of a window is another way to accessorize the look.

Second hand shops always have plenty of small, dainty fine china tea sets to be bought, often missing a piece here and there.  These delicate little items make a beautiful addition to a living room, dining room or kitchen, bringing a little floral colour to the room.  You can even use them as a basis for the colours in the rest of the room, following their colour theme to paint up and distress the other furniture you have found.