Friday Funny

I know its not Christmas but this made me chuckle (and forget that the clock at a local church said 102 this afternoon....).

Shameless Self-Promotion!

Who likes to curl up with a good book?

You? Yes, I thought so! Me too!

And what goes great with a good book?

Correct! A yummy snack and a good drink! Y'all are just so smart!

So where can you find some really yummy food and drinks that are quick and easy to make?

Well I'm glad you asked! I have the perfect solution for you!! Check out my website HERE and see what Tastefully Simple has to offer!

What is Tastefully Simple?

Awesome question! Tastefully Simple is the original home taste-testing company. We offer a wide variety of quick and easy to prepare, gourmet quality foods, helping people spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their friends and family.

What kind of products do you have?

Another great question! I knew I had smart readers! The company's best known products are the Bountiful Beer Bread and the Absolutely Almond Pound Cake. There are also a variety of spices, dips (cold and warm), desserts, meal starters, and drinks. Reading a Jane Austen novel on a cool evening? Stir up a mug of our Malted Cocoa and grab an Orange Cranberry Scone (both products available starting September 1). Need a quick meal? Cook up a batch of the Perfect Parmesan Biscuits and Perfectly Potato Cheddar Soup. How does a glass of Samba Sangria Slush sound?

If any of these sound tempting to you, please check out my website and consider ordering something; everything is shipped directly to you (I'm sorry but the company can not ship internationally at this time). There are over 60 products and gift ideas in the catalog so I'm sure you can find something you'd love to have on your table!

Click here to be taken to my site!

Thank you for your support!

Sorry for the moment of shameless self promotion! ;)

Friday Funny

Another wonderful one from Bookfessions!

Friday Funny

Thank you Bookfessions for this one!

Recent Search Terms!

I know I haven't posted much lately and I apologize. Looks like folks are still finding their way over here (thank you!). Here's how they found me:


gwyn movie

Oh yay! I'm so flattered!

jan austin

Not to be confused with Jan from Austin.

William the Conqueror blogger

You heard it here first, folks! I gotta find this blog!

Jane Austen bilder

I'm not quite sure on this one?

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year! We got SNOW here in Georgia! That's big news since we haven't had a white Christmas since 1882!!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year!

Apologies!!

Hello all!

I know I have been absent from my blog for stretches here lately and I want to apologize for that. There have been many things I've wanted to post but have not been able to sit at my computer.

From about September to November I was dealing with the exhaustion and quesiness of a difficult pregnancy (they say each is different and I didn't have a moment's problem with the first one!) and finally shook off that ick around Thanksgiving. Since then I have been in bed almost the entire month of December with either upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, or horrible colds. Needless to say it has really interfered with my computer time (and has made this Christmas not so fun).

I promise I have NOT forgotten you and I do have some wonderful reviews up coming (Susan Higginbotham's new novel Queen of Last Hopes is one!).

Recent Search Terms!

I know I'm horribly behind in posting but things are really crazy at home these days. Here are some of the recent search terms used to find my blog...some of them have me scratching my head!

gwyn's cancer fight

Wow...I guess I should have taken that call from the doc...

reading books

No, I really don't. I just like the way they look lined up on my bookshelf.

johnny kingdom talking about lady who died

Oh yes, THAT lady.

find a mistress in kalispell, montana

What? I don't know whether to laugh or be worried that this searcher was directed to my site...

Roger Bigod time of singing virgin?

I don't think he'd appreciate it if we asked.

Susan Kay Penman scottish history

I must have missed this book?

Sorry!

Hello all!

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days. Besides being overwhelmed with personal issues our internet connection randomly disconnects itself many, many times during an online session thus preventing me from being able to do anything online.

I'm hoping to have the connection fixed by Monday so hopefully I'll be able to start my daily posts again and get some reviews up that are DUE!!

Happy weekend!

This Day in History...

Can't find anything for today!


October 5, 1930 - The British Airship R101 crashed in France while en route to India on its maiden voyage. It is thought the crash was caused by overloading.

October 5, 1962 - The Beatles release their first hit record "Love Me Do."

October 5, 1962 - The first James Bond film "Dr. No" is released.

Where Were You?

Where were you on September 11, 2001? Do you remember? Is it still so clear in your mind it could have been yesterday? I certainly hope so. What happened MUST be remembered. The innocent victims MUST never be forgotten. If we forget, we give those cowards a victory.

I was in Kalispell, Montana. My cousin had been married on the 8th. My mom and I arrived at the tiny airport early in the morning on September 11. Our flight was to leave at 8ish mountain time. I had talked to Johnny the night before - the flight was wide open, we'd have no problem getting on (we were flying standby). We got to the gate ... and the flight was suddenly full. This was a bit of a problem as the next flight out of this tiny airport to Salt Lake City wasn't until after 1pm. Sigh.

We went back to the main area of the terminal. Mom walked to the windows on the opposite side to contact our family to see if we could get a ride back to their house. I sat down at a table in the small "cafe" to wait and see what we'd be doing. I remember an airport worker coming up to the lady in the cafe and telling her that there had been a plane crash and to turn on the news. The first thing that popped in my head was "Oh my stars! The plane we were just supposed to be on has crashed!" So the cafe lady turned the little TV mounted on the wall on and flipped through the channels; I recall it went past a station and there was a picture of the Twin Towers there, smoking, but we didn't notice it, we were looking for plane crash coverage. The first worker told her," No, no. Go back. That was it!" Horrible reality set in.

I sat there in my little chair staring at those building with smoke pouring out of them. The two ladies stood there staring. I kept trying to get my mom's attention across the room. Slowly, people in the airport gathered around in silence. My mom came back to the table. This airport is really small (REALLY small) and its not going to be noisy like Hartsfield here in Atlanta but it was dead silent. Dead silent. I remember glancing around at the people gathered around us, maybe a dozen or so, and everyone had the same expression: shock, horror, sadness.

Then there came the report that another plane had been flown into the Pentagon in DC (and I think I remember there was a mention of a fire or explosion on The Mall). I looked at my mom and said, feeling like I was 5 and not 22, "Mom, what in the world is going on?" She just looked at me, tears in her eyes, and shook her head. I have never felt so young or helpless or confused or scared in my life. This was America. Things like this didn't happen here! We hadn't been attacked since 1941 and even then there was a war going on (even if we weren't in it then).

Suddenly, there was more smoke pouring from one of the Towers and a gentleman to my left said there had been another explosion. I stared at what was on the screen and knew that was no explosion and cried, "No! The building is collapsing!!" They didn't want to believe me. Nerd that I am, I have watched those shows where they show building demolition and I recognized the sight of a building collapsing. It was soon apparent I had been right. I remember glancing kind of behind me and to my left. There was an elderly couple standing there, the gentleman had a cowboy hat on, and I can still see the expression on his face. We probably all looked like that. There was no sound; we all watched in silence as the second Tower fell.

We heard the flights had been canceled. We went to the Delta desk to ask what we should do? When would there be another flight? I'll never forget the poor girl behind the counter in tears just shaking her head and saying over and over "I don't know, I don't know."

I have never been so glad to see someone as I was when my cousin walked in to pick us up and take us back to their house in town. We would be stuck there for another week as there were no open seats once flights resumed (standby remember?); there weren't even any rental cars left in town. I am just glad that we were with family.

When we were finally able to get on a plane home a week later, the flight from Salt Lake City to Atlanta was....interesting. After dinner, while they were serving us ice cream sundaes we hit some turbulence. Not really bad but enough to bounce the plane around pretty good for a couple minutes. Needless to say, everyone on the plane was pretty freaked out. We had been lucky enough to get seats in first class for that trip and I remember the stewardess looking pretty freaked out herself.

We can never forget what happened to this country. There are people out there that just want to wipe us off this planet. They will try again.

Friday Funny

I hope everyone can read the print on this! I can't figure out how to make it any bigger!

Why Do I Read...What I Read?

I get asked that question quite frequently. People see all my books and wonder why I read them (or how I manage to read so many). Personal preference is my answer and I think most avid readers of a specific genre(s) will give you the same response. We read what interests us, what stimulates our mind, what makes us want to know more (in some cases anyway). That is certainly why I pretty much stick to my preferred genres. It also helps that I truely love to read; I always have. There is nothing better than curling up under a soft blanket with a yummy drink near by and loosing yourself in a totally different time.

I read historical fiction. I can be more specific than that even: I read mainly medieval British historical fiction (with some stories from earlier times and of course Tudor material as well). I also dearly love Jane Austen (and even some of the numerous sequels that have become all the rage). That is not to say that I don't occasionally read something from another time period (or even another genre) from time to time - though you will never see me with any of that vampire nonsense in my hands. I just prefer historical fiction and the information it brings me. I love to learn and some authors have a wonderful way of teaching me new facts and details; I can't gobble it up quick enough sometimes. There is just something magical in feeling like you're being transported to a time very distant and strange from your own and reading about people who lived, loved, laughed, hundreds of years ago. As I dearly love British history, these novels help in my constant quest for more knowledge. Yes, yes, I know they are technically fiction but my favorite authors (Sharon Kay Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Susan Higginbotham, to name three) are very meticulous and detailed in their research; I know they are not going to lead me astray by filling their pages with junk merely to appeal to the masses and to sell their book. I think it takes a very talented writer to be able to take a person who has been dead for hundreds of years and create a life for them out of the small bits of historical fact that has survived ... and to make that story not only believable but very enjoyable to read. Historical fiction can also give you many different sides to known history. History is, after all, written by the victors and we are not likely to get a very truthful look at the losers. That is such a fascinating aspect to historical fiction - it can really show you the "could have beens." Some authors do an absolutely brilliant job of bringing these distant times to life for their readers and make it incredibly easy to envision the landscape, the food, the clothes, the daily lives, the weather, etc. What is equally wonderful about these books is after finishing them I usually want to know more about the people, events, and time period, leading me to do research on my own and discover more interesting facts. In many instances I have come across another historical figure or event while researching on my own which in turn makes me want to find some historical fiction about that person. It is a never ending cycle...thankfully! Historical fiction has also opened up a whole new world to me - the blogging world! I have really enjoyed getting to know other HF bloggers, authors, and blogging on my favorite topics!

As I stated at the beginning I also love Jane Austen. There is something so peaceful about reading her novels. I find the Regency period fascinating with their strict codes of etiquette, elegance, and beautiful clothing. Her wit and sarcasm is wonderful and I love the fact that in many cases she is poking fun at the very class she writes about. She obviously went about the world with her eyes open and saw things for what they really were. I think what really attracts me to Austen's novels - besides the fact that they are brilliantly written with some fantastic story lines and very memorable characters - is the respect and honor and dignity that guided every aspect of their lives. We are sadly lacking in anything near respect and honor in today's society and it is refreshing to loose myself in a time when people had manners, respected and honored each other, and had morals. How can you not adore a period of such elegance? When men respected ladies? I am glad that a new era of readers is being introduced to Austen's writings and her world via the new fad of publishing Austen sequels and prequels and spins offs.

I do read other things from time to time - a non-fiction book on a topic that has captured my interest, random chick lit (I do enjoy Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts for instance), the occasional bodice ripper type romance (when I feel like indulging myself in something that doesn't require a ton of thinking!), and I still will pick up my copies of the Anne of Green Gables series or the Little House on the Prairie books if the mood hits me. Like I said, I LOVE to read and in a pinch I will read almost (almost) anything. My books of choice, though, will remain historical fiction and Jane Austen.

Why do you read what you do?

Friday Funny

CSI - Norman style....


see more Historic LOL

Friday Funny

Thank you to my friend Karen for sending this my way!

This Day in History...

August 18, 1587 - An expedition led by Sir Walter Raleigh landed at what is now Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

August 18, 1590 - The governor of the Roanoke Colony, John White, returned from a supply trip to England only to find the colony deserted. Nothing was ever found of the colonists.

August 18, 1962 - Ringo Starr joined The Beatles.

This Day in History...

Some pretty random stuff today!


August 16, 1513 - Henry VIII and his troops defeated the French in the Battle of the Spurs.

August 16, 1841 - President Buchanan and Queen Victoria exchange the first messages on the newly laid transatlantic telegraph cable.

August 16, 1948 - Famed baseball player Babe Ruth died.

The Sime Medieval - Coming Spring 2011!!

So besides being an avid lover of historical fiction and all things British and medieval, I also love computer games. I am a long time player of World of Warcraft and I love role-playing type games.

I saw this and about fell out of my chair. I know what I am purchasing next year!! I loved the original Sims game so this is right up my alley! Medieval Sims!!! How awesome is that! The description I found was quite intriguing.


The Sims Medieval


From Medievalists.net: The Sims Medieval offers players a chance to build up a medieval kingdom, controlling characters from all walks of life, from Kings and Queens, to Knights and Wizards, Blacksmiths and Bards. It provides a host of storytelling possibilities in the form of quests, from crafting a legendary sword to arranging a royal wedding, to protecting the kingdom from an evil sorcerer, to finding the fountain of youth. Every quest plays out differently depending on which Hero Sim the player is controlling.

From Medievalists.net: Players can choose to customize every new Hero that comes to the kingdom, including selecting their traits and their fatal flaw. Players get close to their characters, not only sending them on epic quests, but also making sure they carry out their daily responsibilities such as healing the sick, trading for exotic goods, or forging armor. From having a baby to competing in a royal tournament, what happens to their Sims is up to the player.

Jane Austen....in a way....

A friend of mine posted this video this morning on her blog and I about fell out of my chair watching it. I loved it! Jane Austen fans, I hope you find the humor in this and are not offended...I LOVE Austen and found this priceless!

How Did You Find Me?

So I clicked on over to see if there were any amusing keywords or phrases that people used to find my blog. Not many but there were a few that had me scratching my head!

1. tudor sea monsters
that would've brought a whole new element to the series...

2. new book henry viii wall
if you're confused about this one you're not alone

3. things that the first letter is A alphabet
that really narrows down the search field

4. "Isabella Plantagenet" OR "Isabella * Plantagenet" OR "Plantagenet, Isabella" ~genealogy OR ~ancestry~
making sure all the bases are covered aren't we? random punctuation is always fun too