When we cleaned out my Grandmothers basement, we found an older version of the Canadian Food Guide from 1969 called "Healthful Eating". It has some interesting tips. Such as suggesting that you start feeding your baby orange juice at two weeks old, that teen boys should have 16oz of butter a week (teen girls only need 10oz if you were wondering), and every meal should include … [Read more...]
A Boy Named Bimbo
A few weekends back I was sitting in my driveway eyeing crates full of old kids books, waiting for customers who weren't showing up during one very slow moving yard sale. To help pass the time I started flipping through books, and inside a 1950-something copy of Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories I found this gem. "You horrid Bimbo!" I'm guessing sixty some … [Read more...]
Mickey and Me, circa 1983
Me, my brother, and Mickey Mouse at Disney World circa 1983 or 1984. … [Read more...]
Teddy Ruxpin is My Friend…
This is me circa 1986 meeting Teddy Ruxpin for the first time. I loved this toy so much. I remember for the first few moments when he started talking, I thought he was real. My three year old mind was blown. Then I figured out it was a doll and was so let down. Still loved him to bits. Did any of you have one? … [Read more...]
It came from the 70’s… and it should probably stay there…
From my mother's 1973 copy of The Complete Book of Handicrafts I bring you this very, ummm..., let's say "unique" hat. I have no idea why Mom never made this one. … [Read more...]
All Across Canada, 1967 Storybook Map
Two weeks ago we saw a vintage map of Canada from the 1967 World Expo Official Guide book. This week I thought I would share the maps of all the provinces and territories. I love the vintage story book illustration style! … [Read more...]
Netflix has CanCon, eh? Exploring Canadiana on Netflix Canada
You can not get more Canadian then this: Helicopter Canada. This historical documentary was produced to help commemorate Canada's centennial anniversary, back in 1967. Given that it was filmed forty-seven years ago, the video quality is surprisingly good and some of the one liners are genuinely hilarious. Helicopter Canada was originally meant for an international audience … [Read more...]
Vintage Cartoon Map of Canada, celebrating 100 years of Confederation in 1967 #ThrowbackThursday
When we cleared out my grandmother's basement after she passed away, one of the cool things we found was a pile of pamphlets and such from Expo '67, (the International World's Fair which was held in Montreal in 1967) This wonderfully cheesy vintage map that I've taken a scan of was the centerfold for the Expo '67 official guide book. Any guesses as to what Rapunzel is doing … [Read more...]
I Wore Pants Once…
In honour of our wedding anniversary, throwing it back to the 90s. Here's hubby and I visiting the flea market in Grand Bend while on a camping trip circa 1994. … [Read more...]
The Fab Four, Live
My Little Pony, 1980s Style
My kid sister playing with her My Little Pony toys in around 1986 or so. Her baby ponies were hanging out at The Baby Bonnet School of Dance and the My Little Pony Lullabye Nursery (and if you look closely you'll see a couple of Glo-Bugs joining in the fun). Personally, I was never big on My Little Pony. I remember getting Apple Jack as a birthday gift when I was in Grade … [Read more...]
This THING Makes Music??
Last week I dusted off my old Fisher Price Record Player, which I've had since I was 5 years old, maybe longer. I dug through the record collection (yes, I still have a record collection) and pulled out such childhood gems as Disco Mickey Mouse and The World of Strawberry Shortcake and spent the afternoon listening to LPs with my 4 year old. I've got to say, that Fisher … [Read more...]
Holly Hobbie, Take Me Home
Me and my Holly Hobbie playhouse, circa 1977. For something made out of cardboard this thing was pretty darn sturdy. For several years it served as play space and doubled as the spot where I dumped all of my stuffed animals. When we moved, around 1980, my parents tried to take it apart and then reassemble it, but they "couldn't put Humpty together again". I remember that … [Read more...]
You Never Forget Your First Love
My kid sister with our T1-99/4A. While our Texas Instruments computer was technically not a toy, I spent so many hours of my childhood playing around on this thing that I think it qualifies for my Retro Toybox theme. It took cartridges, like Nintendo style cartridges, that held games such as Alpiner (climb the mountain while dodging snakes, cougars, giant egg laying … [Read more...]
My Little Pony, from my 1980s childhood
My kid sister circa 1986-ish, proudly showing off her My Little Pony playset with newborn twins Jangles and Tangles. While My Little Pony wasn't a personal favourite, in my childhood memories they are strewn across the bedroom floor my sister and I shared. … [Read more...]