By Royal Approval

MUSINGS
Happy second birthday of the year Maarm. But, why is it you celebrate twice?
Well you see many moons ago specifically in a cold dank November in 1748 George II was born. When he was crowned king he felt that the good ole British weather at that time of year wasn't the best time for his annual birthday parade. So he decided to combine his celebration with the annual Military parade we all know as Trooping the colour.

All British Kings and Queens are offered the chance of celebrating twice. So Queen Elizabeth the 2nd stayed with tradition although she has changed it from a Thursday in June to a Saturday in June so we can celebrate it with her. This year her second birthday of the year is after the Duke of Edinburgh's 95th birthday, and the day of The Trooping of the Colour.
To read more about Queen Elizabeth here's a link to the Telegraph giving us a time line from her birthday.

I do wonder though, on this day does the Queen celebrate with all the “By Royal Approval food and beverages” for Breakfast, Eleven’s, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Supper and a sneaky Midnight Snack?

BEER
The Queen may not like a slurp of beer, but, Prince Charles likes a swift one. In-fact he originally award a Royal Warrant to Shepherds Neame Brewery back in 1998 for Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy. But, Prince Charles thought the brewery had earned the right to place his coat of arms onto their flag ship beer “Spitfire” which is big Kudos! 
"A Royal seal of approval" blog by Shepherd Neame

“Spitfire” was first brewed in 1990 to commemorate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent in 1940. The tasting notes for this 4.2% blood Orange tinted Kentish Ale will make you want to just lap it right up. “Hints of marmalade, red grapes and pepper are thrust from a springboard of warm, mellow malts. The floating fruity finish signs off with a smidgen of spice and raspberry”.
Here's more of the tasting notes

Have you tried this beer yet? What did you think? I'm off to the local posh store with it's vast array of beers to find myself one. Get yourself down to the beer store today and grab yourself a bottle or two and raise a toast to the Great British fighting Spirit and of course Her Royalness Queen Elizabeth the second.

ART   Winsor and Newton
Queen Victoria in 1841 awarded Winsor and Newton their first Royal Warrant and since then they have been on the Royalty “must have cause they are awesome” list. Because of this W&N were able to introduce artist from all over the world to their wonderful array of artist colours.
The Prince of Wales who his known for his commitment to ecological issues keeps re awarding them for their good environmental practices and no doubt a few other things to boot.

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Back in the 1800's artist paints weren't all that vibrant, their palate was limited and the colours inconsistent. Out of frustration (probably) Henry Newton got together with his childhood friend and fellow painter William Winsor (a Chemist) in his home to create some artist paints that would be consistent in texture and colour. That was when Winsor and Newton were born in 1832, at the time Henry and William were in their twenties. The young men invented ‘moist' water colours which could be applied with a wet brush. The secret ingredient was glycerine.  Glycerine, blimey that is in my Honey and Lemon drink when I have a cold and it can harden your Icing too!

Do you use Winsor and Newtons paints? Which colour is your favourite or most used? My favourite named colour is Hookers Green! I mean who thinks up these names? LOL

COVERED IN WEEDS
I bet The Queen's garden isn't covered in weeds!
I wonder though what is actually her favourite flower / weed and which one of these flowers named after her brings back the happiest memories?

Queen Elizabeth Rose was named for her Coronation.

The Dendrobium Orchid 'Queen Elizabeth II’ named after her tour of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei in 1972 with Prince Philip.

The Camellia Japonica 'Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’ named in the United States in 1953,

Tunes for the week
Of course the first choice is the mighty Queen. I can just imagine the Queen popping along to this.
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now 
Not sure she'd be bopping to these though - but, you never know.
Royal Blood - Figure It Out
Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
Lets end with a song the Queen apparently likes - according to the Digital Spy Website
George Formby - Leaning On A Lampost

Have a great weekend peeps.
Thanks for keeping coming back and "Hello", if this is your first time reading my blog.