Friday 21 July 2017

Celebrate the small things & July Birthstone


Thanks to Lexa and her lovely co-hosts
            L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge 
       Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog


Today has been a special day as we saw our youngest daughter graduate! It rained heavily most of the day so no outside pictures but here is one of me with my two lovelies inside to mark the occasion.




Whilst I'm here today I thought I'd add my birthstone post for this month.

This month's birthstone is the gorgeous ruby.  Read on for some fun facts . . . 
  • According to lore, if you dream of rubies it signifies that you will soon experience success in love and money.
  • It is thought that rubies grow darker in colour when the wearer is in mortal danger. It is said that Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, predicted her downfall in seeing the darkening of her ruby.  
  • If a ruby is placed under a building's foundations it is thought to strengthen the structure.
  • In the Bible the ruby is the most commonly mentioned precious stone.
  • The most valuable colour of a ruby is known as 'pigeon blood.' The darker the colour the more valuable.
  • In the Orient, rubies were once believed to contain the spark of life.
  • In the Middle Ages, rubies were thought to bring good health as well as guard against wicked thoughts, amorous desires and disputes.
  • Rubies were said to cure bleeding.
The verse from the traditional Gregorian Poem reads;

The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

If you are celebrating a birthday this month, happy birthday to you.  Or possibly a 40th Wedding Anniversary?

12 comments:

  1. Congratulations to your daughter!
    Lovely ladies - which one is you?

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    1. Alex you're too kind! I'm the short one in orange on the end :)

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  2. Congrats to your daughter! Not sure I'd want to have my color called pigeon blood.

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  3. Loved the photo Suzanne.....the proud mum.
    I wear my late mother-in- law's Ruby engagement ring so your July birthstone was something close to my heart. Thank you.

    Yvonne.

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  4. Hi Suzanne - lovely photo of the three of you ... great to see it. These facts are fascinating ... burying a ruby under a building to make is secure - I'm sure doesn't stack up! But I'd wear one if I had a ring ... love reading these fun facts - cheers and now enjoy the summer with family home ... cheers Hilary

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  5. Ooh, the lore for rubies is so fascinating, especially the bit about being in mortal danger if it darkens...

    And many congrats to your daughter! ^_^

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  6. I'm really taken with the idea of a darkening ruby - although it would suit a fantasy story rather than the things I write.

    Congrats to your daughter. Judging by your smiles, the rain didn't put too much of a downer on the day :-)

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  7. Congratulations to your daughter! I love rubies. They're gorgeous.

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  8. Congratulations on your yougest daughter graduating!

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  9. Hi Suzanne,

    Hearty congrats to your daughter upon her graduation. Nice to see three very young ladies in the photo.

    Yay to rubies! :)

    Have a nice weekend, despite the now ongoing rain.

    Gary

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  10. Congrats to your daughter on her great achievement, and thanks for the fascinating 'ruby' trivia

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  11. Lots of fun facts about rubies. I definitely didn't know that rubies were the most commonly mentioned stone in the Bible. How cool! :)

    Congrats to your daughter!

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