I am actually a little shocked that I haven't posted anything since Christmas. WOW where does the time go? Oh I know, RL gets in the way and it seems like you are doing good to just get through the day and on to the next without just finding a cozy "cave" and just hiding for awhile. Ever have one of those times? Well that's what the first part of the year has been for me, I'm praying that things are going to slow down and get back to normal, well normal for me at least ; )
I'm hoping to do more writing too. I actually am pretty proud of myself as I've updated Wind in Her Sails this week and already working on the next chapter. I know how this is going to end I just need to get the time, energy and inspiration to put it down in a creative and enjoyable form. So keep your fingers crossed. My muse seems to be working really hard to keep the creativity flowing so I'm going to work hard to take advantage of her talents!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
12 Days of Christmas-Day 12
Day 12--Drummers Drumming
Well we've reached the twelfth day of Christmas which is also referred to as the twelfth night which is the night before the Epiphany, over-wise recognized as the day the three wise men arrived to present gifts to the baby Jesus. Of course during many of the celebrations drummers were part of the many performers hired to entertain guests and many times the drums where used to announce the next course in the holiday feasts.
My last share for this Christmas is around the traditions that we incorporate around the holiday. I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy some of these this year and maybe keep them in mind for next year.
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| Giving Gifts |
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| The Christmas Tree |
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| The Nativity |
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| Santa Clause |
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Reading Christmas Stories
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| Dinner |
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| Mistletoe |
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| Christmas Baking |
Monday, December 24, 2012
12 Days of Christmas-Day 11
Day 11--Pipers Piping
During the holidays it was quite common for musicians, dancers, and performers to be hired to entertain guests at the festivals and celebrations. Bagpipes were commonly heard among the merriment. Since the Stewarts held the throne after Elizabeth of course they brought in their Scottish influence but what many do not realize is that bagpipes were also commonly found in France.
When thinking about sharing something for day eleven I had a bit of trouble. I was thinking I could to the obvious - share something Scottish but that's just to predictable. So how about this, since there is a lot air used while playing the bagpipes I share something that requires blowing. All right get your mind out of the gutter, geeze it's Christmas for heaven's sake. *SMH and Winking* Just look below and enjoy!
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| Stars |
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| Primary |
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| Partridge |
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| Blue Wave |
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| Jewel |
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| Prism |
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| Silver Swirl |
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| Hand Blown |
Sunday, December 23, 2012
12 Days of Christmas-Day 10
Day 10--Ten Lords A'Leaping
It's pretty well accepted the "Lords a'leaping" the song refers to is speaking of Morris Dancers. Morris Dancing can be traced back to the mid 15th century and the dancers were often hired to entertain. Although it was a folk dance style it was often found in demand among the nobility and royalty. In fact it's said that Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were particularly fond of this entertainment and had Morris Dancers at court quite often.
Today Morris Dancing is still popular around the world and Morris Dancing teams can be found from Australia to the United States and even an unlikely place as Hong Kong. Goes to show us how some things help to cross cultural boundaries. Dance is definitely one of these elements which is why I'm sharing ten history making moments in dance.
Morris Dancers
Fred Astaire
Cyd Charisse
Gene Kelly
Hines, Briggs, Slyde, Brown, and Sims
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Rudolf Nureyev
Michael Jackson
Gregory Hines
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson"
12 Days of Christmas -Day 9
Day 9--Nine Ladies Dancing
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| Shall we dance? |
This particular day is pretty straight forward. Ladies dancing were quite common at the parties and holidays. Often the noblewomen would dance to entertain the gentlemen and I'm sure we've all scene these complicated yet beautiful performances in one movie or another. Here is an example of one of the types of dance you might see during this time.
It's so beautiful and elegant. And yes, it is
romantic too. No wonder the giver in our song would send this gift. But here's something I wonder. Do you think they worried about their shoes the way we do today. I bet they did I mean when doing all those fancy steps their feet would be in the spotlight and they would need to have the perfect little slipper or shoe to flatter their dress right? So things haven't changed that much have they. So guess what I'm going to share... You got it fabulous shoes, nine pair to be exact. Boots count as shoes right?
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| Your Highness |
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| Ravishing in Red |
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| Say it with style and flash |
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| A bit wicked |
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| Out of this world |
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| You are a jewel |
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| Everything that glitter IS gold! |
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| Classic and stylish |
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| Strappy and sexy |
Saturday, December 22, 2012
12 Days of Christmas-Day 8
Day 8--Eight Maids a Milking
Milk maids were ladies who were professional cow milkers and often helped make the other products such as cheese and butter. It's interesting because the comment about the smoothness of a milkmaid's skin was based on some truth. They were exposed to cowpox and so when small pox rampaged through the area they were not effected and their skin remained smooth and unmarked.. Hence the comment.
Since we are talking about dairy and milk products I thought I would share some great recipes with ice cream as the main ingredient Just click on the link under the picture for the recipe. Enjoy !
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| Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie |
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| Creamy Frozen Orange Squares |
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| Peppermint Ice Cream Cake |
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| Fudge Mint Torte |
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| Eggnog Ice Cream Dessert |
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| Pin`a Colada Frozen Dessert |
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| Creamy Orange Ice Cream Pie |
Friday, December 21, 2012
12 Days of Christmas-Day 7
Day 7--Seven Swans A'Swimming
Seven swans a'swimming are proving to be pretty elusive in regards to some deeper "meaning" other than the religious one. So let's do some brainstorming about what the giver could possibly mean by giving his/her true love seven swans a'swimming. Well first of all we all know seven is a lucky number and considered the number of God and then we come to the swans themselves. Most of us think of grace and beauty when we think of a swan. There is something very beautiful about these white birds that seem timeless. So I could see why someone might give their love something with a swan with the idea of it being representative of timeless beauty and grace. Who knows maybe the "swimming" part meant they were giving their true love a piece of real estate with a lake which just happened to have seven swans living on it. Hey that would be a great gift wouldn't it!
Since we are talking about timeless beauty and elegance I have several ideas of topics I could share on this topic but I think I will go with my first idea --Seven women I consider represent timeless beauty and grace. (left to right-Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Barbara Streisand Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, Benazir Bhutto)
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