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A Swine-ish Flu

December 23, 2009 By Cari

My goblin has been quite poorly the last few days. Yesterday he decided he has Swine Flu. I gave him a funny look and pointed out he could just have the regular flu or with his luck menengitis. He gave me a look and said, “I know the symptoms for Menengitis, I don’t have it.” He was burning up with fever. I know he was really unwell as he let me put a wet washcloth on his bald head and he thanked me. Normally when he has a fever and I offer to get him a wet cloth he gives me an exasperated look as if being a man means he has to prove he can suffer and says, “I’ll be fine!” Bless him! He’s so cute when he’s sick, but whatever he has I’m coming down with it. It’s going to be another sick Christmas. Why aren’t there any Christmas songs about that? We can’t be the only household that gets sick almost every Christmas.

When I got up this morning I knew if I didn’t go to the store we’d both end up sick with nothing to eat that didn’t take an hour to cook (I’m not going to stand over the stove with the flu or spend a week eating uncooked porridge) so I wrapped up and walked into town through the melting slippery ice-snow. I don’t have any boots so I used the “large plastic bag between two pairs of socks trick”. It really works as long as you don’t tear a hole in the bag – minor details. I’ve never tried it sub-zero temperatures, but then why would I be in sub-zero temperatures without a pair of boots? [Read more…] about A Swine-ish Flu

Filed Under: General

Once Upon a Wager…

December 9, 2009 By Cari

At last I have a title to the second book I’ve been working on all year. I recently started reading The New York Times to keep up with what’s going on in the States and as I was scanning it the other day for anything interesting or weird (I love the weird and bizarre) I found an article about this man who makes a good living off betting tickets other people have thrown away. Half way through the article I found my title. I swear the four words were practically flashing. My brain came to a full stop and then the light went onĀ  I’ve wracked my brains for months, but nothing seemed right. Once Upon a Wager is a perfect title and I’m so excited about getting it finished. May that be soon! If I could have anything for Christmas I’d wake up to find the manuscript finished. [Read more…] about Once Upon a Wager…

Filed Under: History Notes, Museums, My Regency Romance Novels

A solution to the tree skirt dilemma…

December 3, 2009 By Cari

I was talking to my sister Becky the other day and she mentioned she was in need of a tree skirt. For the past seventeen years she’s been using a table cloth. This year she wants something that lays flat and doesn’t look like a table cloth under the tree. She’d seen one in a shop that she liked, but it cost $25. She didn’t buy it. I understand her tree skirt dilemma. If one has a fake Christmas tree (and we both do) then it looks really fake if you don’t cover up the stand. So for my sister Becky and anyone else in need of a cheap pretty tree skirt, here is my solution. All you need is clear tape and a roll of rubbish/bin liners (or small kitchen garbage bags depending on where you live or how big your tree is). I use white ones, but if you couldn’t find a colour you wanted you could spray paint the white plastic bags! However you dress your tree, this is how I did it. I didn’t actually use the scissors though they come in handy for cutting open bags…or fending off Goblins trying to eat the newly hung chocolate ornaments. Note to self: next year make the tree skirt before you decorate the tree! [Read more…] about A solution to the tree skirt dilemma…

Filed Under: General

Garrow’s Law…

November 28, 2009 By Cari

Henry Dawkins
Henry Dawkins

If you enjoy watching period drama set in the late 18th century, there’s a new short BBC series running now. I downloaded the first three episodes off itunes…and now I’ll have to wait I don’t know how long before I get to see the fourth and final episode. Heavy sigh! It’s really good!!! It’s based on the life and work of William Garrow, a barrister who pioneered the defence of prisoners in court. It draws on real trials and the script writer/s and the actors (and the costume designer) all do an excellent job. I give it 5 stars!!!

The last few days I’ve been suffering from an infection in my jaw (bad tooth gone long unatended – I know burying one’s head in the sand never makes problems go away, but I keep doing it hoping they will) I’ve been taking antibiotics for three days and finally my jaw is feeling better but the tooth is now throbbing along with my head…go figure. The point of my rambling being, as I was watching these 18th century characters wander past the screen I couldn’t help but feel heartily relieved that I live in the 21st century where I can go to the drugstore and buy painkillers. [Read more…] about Garrow’s Law…

Filed Under: History Notes

Time travelling for the chocolate lover…

November 23, 2009 By Cari

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back through time to visit a Regency chocolate shop? I have! The Universe has heard my silent wail of longing for the impossible; the other day I read an article in The New York Times that mentioned a chocolate shop in Paris that was built in 1800! The shop is still there with it’s original fittings and still selling hand made chocolate and though I suspect most of their recipes have changed you can buy dark chocolate pistoles (it looks like a chocolate coin without the wrapper) that were made for Marie Antoinette. (The business was running years before they built this particular shop.) I am so excited!!! Cheap it is not! It costs about 200$ for the average box of chocolates.

As I have not yet been to Paris (the Charles de Gaule airport doesn’t count as visiting Paris) I will visit au personne and see if the shop will sell me a piece of chocolate. Can you see me…walking up to equisite counter (looking like I’ve been under a spell, asleep in a bad second hand clothes store for the last twenty years) and smiling at the well groomed individual on the other side of the counter and saying, “Bonjour!” only of course I’d be so excited it would come out sounding like “Banjure”…and then saying in broken French, “I would like one piece of chocolate…” I can see the eyes glaze over in exasperation…surely they must humour weird Americans who want to watch their weight yet taste chocolate heaven? J’espere! So if you’ve ever wanted to travel back in time have a look at their website…I particularly recommend reading the history and the blips about each different kind of boxes of chocolate they sell…the person who wrote the English was French…very charming!!! To see Debouve & Gallais’s shop go here

One day I shall go to Paris and buy a large box of truffles. I shall find a comfortable corner surrounded by beauty and sit there watching the French world pass by to the glorious taste of chocolate. Hmmmmm…yummmm!

If you’re interested…here’s the article in The New York Times…warning…it may make you hungry or desperate to visit Paris and eat…

Filed Under: History Notes, Regency Notes

A brief Update on my books in progress…

November 4, 2009 By Cari

If you’ve been wondering where I’m at in my books in progress here’s a brief update :

Dancing The Maypole – 60,025 words (finished book will have about 80,000)

The story without a definite title – 44,962 words (finished book will have about 65,000)

Both stories have reached critical scenes. I’m hoping both will be done by the end of the year though I can’t promise as my writing speed fluctates and then there are the mental brick walls which can appear without warning. I hope I’m done with those for the year…that would be an excellent Christmas gift to self!

Today I went down to London with a friend. I’m absolutely shattered, but I had a great time. Hopefully I’ll wake up feeling refreshed and have a really productive writing day tomorrow.

Filed Under: Dancing the Maypole, General

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