Thank You and Craziness

First of all I want to thank everyone who commented and gave me such great advice on my last post you are all now entered in my Giveaway.  There is still time to put in your 2 cents if you haven't already, I will be selecting a winner tomorrow.

I'm sorry if I confused people by having them think that those color stripes along the sides, tops, or bottoms of the images would be in the finished product, they will not, and neither will the obnoxious watermarks.  But I put them in obnoxious places for a reason, to make it harder to edit them out, so I'm afraid they were meant to cover up parts of the image. :(

Ok, now on to why I haven't replied to any of your lovely comments, returned emails, or even had time to eat lunch until 3:00 every day.  Yesterday my day started with a phone call from our daughter Angelfish.  It went something like this...ring, ring..."Hi, I'm fine, but can I talk to Dad?"  Ok, for those of you with grown children, you know that that is never a good way to wake up in the morning!!!

It turns out that on her way to Ash Wednesday service she was stopped at a green light waiting to let a firetruck go through the intersection on a call when the person behind her wasn't paying attention and ran right in to her!

Thankfully Angelfish was fine, and so was "S" who was riding with her, but her brand new car didn't fare quite as well.  It did really well all things considered, but she will need a new bumper and some other repair work.  Based on the pics of the other car, we are all just VERY thankful that she and S were not badly hurt.  They are both sore with neck and back pain and are working with their doctors to make sure they didn't damage anything that may not show up for a day, a week, or more.  Thank you S for being there and helping out, we really appreciate it!

As the day progressed we got news that our appraisal had come back, and it was low...which is a bummer and will probably mean that it won't be worth it for us to refinance and save a little money.  In what seems like another life, I was a mortgage loan officer, so I understand all too well what Private Mortgage Insurance means, and it adds a lot to a monthly payment...sigh!

I know there are so many people who have homes that are now valued at half of what they payed, so I won't moan and groan too much.  Plus we don't need to refi, it's just that the rates are so good right now, and we haven't been in our home that long, so we thought why not?!  But we are fortunate, we didn't buy at the height of the market, and our house is still valued above what we paid, so all is not lost.  Kind of like our daughter and her friend being ok yesterday, there is always a silver lining to almost everything.

Just when I was feeling bummed about how the day was going, I heard the mailman at our front door and that can only mean one thing...that he has dropped off a package...yipee!

It turns out that my sneaky husband (who had agreed that we weren't going to exchange Valentine's Day gifts), had sent me something I've been pining over for 2 years!  I rarely pine over anything, much less for 2 whole years, but the moment I saw these etched hyacinth bulb vases on the Cox and Cox website a few years ago I knew I had to have them!  I even have proof that I've been drooling over these for 2 years because you can read about them here!

But because they hail from a company located in jolly old England I put them on the back burner and added them to my list of all things European that I can't get here in the US!  So when I saw the box sitting on my porch yesterday and saw where it was shipped from I almost jumped for joy! 

Mr. Tide was bummed that they hadn't made it in time for Valentine's Day, but I thought their timing was absolutely perfect!  It was a very bright spot in an otherwise nerve-wracking day!


 

I know some of you are saying...umm those are cut flowers not bulbs in your "bulb" vases missy!  I know, and I may even be too late to force hyacinth bulbs at this point, but I don't care...I've wanted these dang vases for forever so I'm going to use them.

I have had a vision of them sitting in my windowsill filling my kitchen with the lovely scent of hyacinths for so long now that I may just go buy some planted hyacinth bulbs at the nursery and remove all of their dirt and plunk them in these vases and pretend they started as tiny bulbs...yup I'm that crazy!

For now, until I go crazy and go on the hunt for hyacinth bulbs, they will serve as little vases for my pale pink ranunculus.  And if you see some woman shaking dirt off of perfectly planted bulbs, just back away slowly and don't ask her what she's doing...she's on a mission and you don't mess with a woman on a 2 year mission!!!

Across the Universe

Fountains Abbey I miss you...

England I miss you!

Usually I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to the Beatles, but for Fiona I'll make an exception!

Perfect

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a morning person.  I tend to go to bed late and wake up after the sun is up and brightly shining.

So when I asked Mr. Tide to wake me this morning as he got ready for work (when he goes into the city he has to get up at an ungodly hour) so that I could watch the royal wedding, even he was skeptical that I would actually get up.

I have to admit that after going to bed at 1:00 am, I was a bit skeptical myself, but when he did wake me this morning I was bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to tune in to watch history in the making.

I haven't followed along all these months with the hype and speculation about this wedding, but I think as a mother there was a part of me that wanted to be there for Prince William on such an important day when his own mother would be absent, at least physically.

And as I sipped tea I purchased in London from my very English Wedgwood china I was filled with emotion, something that caught me completely by surprise.  If I was asked to pick just one word to sum up what I thought of the wedding, it would be "perfect."  From the dress to the pomp and circumstance it was all very magical to watch.

Although we all know that life is never perfect, I hope for Kate and William what I hope for every bride and groom...that their life will be as close to perfect as it can be, and that they will know the kind of love that Mr. Tide and I have shared for almost 25 years!

Today, I think all of us were a wee bit British!

The Queen's Dollmaker - Giveaway

Last weekend while out running errands I stopped by one of my favorite local bookstores, Bay Books.  When I went in I wasn't looking for a book like I normally am, I was actually trying to find a birthday card.  Along with a wonderful selection of books, they carry great original cards, so it's often my "go to" spot to find cards.

Bay Books has long been a supporter of local writers and they carry lots of books about our area along with many books penned by local authors, so I was both surprised and delighted to find that they were having a book signing by local author Christine Trent the day I was there!

The store was buzzing with excitement about her debut book entitled The Queen's Dollmaker  and people were lined up eagerly anticipating buying their very own copy.  A table was set up in the middle of the store and stacked with copies of her first historical fiction novel and topped with a large cardboard poster of the book's beautifully designed cover.  Christine was happily greeting people and signing copies for those who had come to purchase her book.

So when I saw all of this going on, the "blogger" in me took over and I approached Christine, during a brief lull in the action, to ask if she would mind me taking her photo and then contacting her later to ask a bit more about her work.  She couldn't have been more gracious and even posed for several photos before heading back to the matters at hand.

Not only did Christine allow me to photograph her while she was busy signing copies of her book, but she also generously agreed to offer me a personalized signed copy to give away to one of my lucky readers! (see details of the Giveaway below)

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I'm more of a flip through and look at the pictures magazine reading kind of gal, but this book has peaked my interest.  Maybe it's the beautifully period clad woman on the cover, or the fact that it was written by a home grown author.  But I think it is more likely the storyline about a woman's triumphs and tribulations historically intertwined with the much maligned female figure, Marie Antoinette.  It also doesn't hurt that it's set in two of my favorite European countries, England and France.  So I look forward to reading this book and being transported to a different time and place.

I also had the opportunity to interview Christine and ask her a few questions.  Her answers are below:

What was your inspiration for the novel The Queen's Dollmaker?

Well, I have a fairly large doll collection, more than 300 pieces.  The collection ranges from Barbie to porcelain collectibles to handmade dolls from Africa.  So, combined with my love of European history, particularly that of France and England.....voila, a novel was born.


What motivated you to change careers and become a novelist?

I’ve always collected books (and dolls, and cats...).  And historical fiction has always been my favorite genre.  Writing a book really just started as a hobby back in 2003.  It was only once I got past the halfway point and realized I might finish it that I actually got serious about finishing it, if that makes sense.  And once I wrote “The End,” I figured it was time to get serious about trying to sell it.


How would you describe a typical day for you as a writer.

A “typical” day?  I’m not sure there is one!  Since I’ve been promoting THE QUEEN’S DOLLMAKER, I’ve done almost no other writing.  Instead, I’m visiting nice bloggers like you, attending book signings, mailing out promotional materials, etc.

But when I’m buried far deep in another century, I’ll write seven days a week.  And when I am actively writing, I do so to the accompaniment of a spreadsheet that I use to track how many words each day I’m writing as I go along.  It helps me to figure out what my best writing days are, and how long it takes me to write each book.  My other writer friends tease me mercilessly about my spreadsheet.

Then there are the times when I’m going through copyedits, or final proofs, or other activities for my publisher.  And when my publisher needs something, everything else goes on hold.


What has been the most fun or rewarding part of having your first novel
published?

The opportunity to meet other readers has to be the most fun I’ve had yet.  Next to that, though, has been the unexpected support and encouragement I’ve experienced from my friends and family.  They’ve been overwhelmingly excited on my behalf, which is deeply humbling.

When will your next book be released and can you give me a brief
description of it?

My next book is a sequel to THE QUEEN’S DOLLMAKER.  It follows the adventures of Marguerite du Georges, the heiress to the doll shop, who goes on to become an apprentice to the great waxworker, Madame Tussaud.  Marguerite joins Tussaud’s traveling wax exhibition in Great Britain, putting her dollmaking skills to use in creating realistic wax figures of the famous and infamous.  But her new career nearly melts down when she assists the English crown in a scheme to create wax effigies of important political figures to fool Napoleon into thinking that England is negotiating treaties and alliances with other countries, when in fact something else entirely is happening.  A French spy catches on to Marguerite's game and Napoleon's long grasp puts her in mortal danger.

It’s scheduled to be released next year.  I don’t have an exact date yet.

What is the hardest part about being a novelist?  (ie. character
development, research, getting started?)

For me, the most difficult part is definitely the research.  Historical fiction readers tend to be very detail-oriented and they really know the time periods they read.  They can be very unforgiving about sloppy details, so I try very, very hard to be painstakingly accurate.  For THE QUEEN’S DOLLMAKER, I literally drew out a timeline of Marie Antoinette’s life that was nearly a day-to-day accounting of her life near the end, just so I could ensure I got everything right as I mixed fictional characters in with the queen’s well-documented life.


What are "you" reading right now?

Actually, I’m in the middle of judging a writing contest, so I’ll be reading several historical romances over the next few weeks.  After that, I’ll return to my To-Be-Read pile, which contains NOTORIOUS ROYAL MARRIAGES by Leslie Carroll, AGINCOURT by Bernard Cornwell, SIGNORA DA VINCI by Robin Maxwell, and WOLF HALL by Hilary Mantel.  But truth be told, I’ve actually got lots of books on my shelves I need to dig out and read for the first time!  Not that it ever stops me from buying more. :)

Is any part of yourself reflected in the characters you write about?

Well, naturally I like to think that I’m a combination of Claudette’s self-reliance, Marguerite’s sassiness, and Madame Tussaud’s innate business sense, LOL.  But, um, my husband says that I’m more like Marie Antoinette, and may have lost my head to say such a thing. :)

Click HERE to visit her website where you can learn more about Christine Trent herself and her novel The Queen's Dollmaker.  At her website you can read excerpts from the book,  find a more in depth interview with Christine, and you'll also find links to various book sellers both in North America and the United Kingdom.

***Christine Trent will be having another book signing at Fenwick Street Books in Leonardtown, Maryland this Friday, February 5th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.  Stop by to get your own personalized copy and tell Christine I sent you! ***


Now for the Giveaway Details! 

One lucky winner will receive a personalized signed copy of The Queen's Dollmaker by Author Christine Trent!

The Giveaway will be open until midnight PST, Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010


For up to 3 chances to win do one or all of the following.  Please be sure to post a separate comment for each.  If you're already a follower you'll be automatically entered to win.  If you're not, become a follower for an extra chance at winning.

1.  Post a comment  

2.  Become a follower and post a comment letting me know.

3.  Post a link to this Giveaway on your own blog for a 3rd chance at winning. 
*** (Don't forget to leave another comment letting me know that you have done this please.)***

If you don't have a blog, please make sure that I have a valid email address to contact you should you be the winner of the drawing. 

Picture Perfect

Window at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Two years ago I had the best travel year of my life!  I had only been to Europe once prior to 2008, but with our daughter studying abroad in the south of France, and my husband having lots of frequent flier miles saved up over the years, it was the perfect time to go somewhere!

So during the Easter holiday, which was also our son's spring break, we ventured over to see our daughter in Montpellier, and then we all went to Paris for four glorious days.  I had hedged our bets about where to stay and hadn't made any sort of reservations with only one week left prior to going.  Not a very smart idea considering the fact that Paris is "sort of" a popular destination and it was Easter!

Near the train station in Montpellier, France 

I lucked out and had an apartment rental company, who normally only rents by the week, contact me and offer us the apartment for way less per night then booking two hotel rooms would have cost just a few days before we left.  With 4 people in most European hotels, you need 2 rooms.  Thanks to the wonderful company known as Paris Perfect, our visit to Paris really was perfect!  If you ever get the chance to visit Paris and want to live like a Parisian, I highly recommend you contact them and rent one of their lovely apartments!

As if a trip to France wasn't enough in one year, our daughter also had a 2 week break just a few weeks later and called to see if I wanted to meet her in the north of England for what she described as "a week of drinking tea and watching sheep."  She phoned to ask me to do this just prior to our trip to see her in France and I immediately said "No we can't afford that," to which Mr. Tide replied "GO, you won't regret it!"

Wall surrounding York, England

I spent the next few days hemming and hawing about the cost, flying by myself to a foreign country for the first time, who would watch the dogs...I came up with any excuse possible.  But the thought of seeing our daughter and spending a whole week in England was just too tempting.  So the internet searches for low airfare, cheap B&B's, and discounted train tickets began, and in April of 2008 I was winging my way across the pond...alone!

Before I left, Mr. Tide decided we really did need a good digital camera.  So we purchased the Canon Rebel XTI and several specialty lenses so that I could capture every memorable moment.  Did I mention that one of my best friends in the whole wide world lives outside of London and he and his wife, mother, and step dad had agreed to drive up to meet us in York?!  So getting great pictures of my time spent together with our daughter and our friends was a must!

Now, I'm no Ansel Adams, and I'm as likely to take a fuzzy shot of something unrecognizable as I am to get a spectacular (by my standards)  shot.  But when I got home, after taking over 800 photos, I was amazed at what "I" had taken.  Almost none were out of focus and the color quality was amazing!...Go Me!!!

Overlooking the North Sea, Robin Hood's Bay, England

Since then the camera has become like another appendage, I take it everywhere with me!  And it still continues to produce wonderful photos!  Along the way I've learned a few things, like take risks and view things from unusual angles or try different settings, but I still have a very long way to go.  My next adventure will be trying to use Photoshop to color correct or just have fun with some of the pictures I take.  But for now I'm just happy to click away and capture little snippets of life as they happen.

Here are a few of my favorite photos taken over the last several years. (All pictures on my blog are mine or Mr. Tide's unless otherwise noted)  You can click on any photo to enlarge it.

The beautiful and majestic Fountains Abbey, England

The stunning ceiling at the York Minster Cathedral, York, England

Quinn doing what he does best...being cute!

Our sweet and crazy snow bunny, Kylie

The full moon last night

Mr. or Mrs. Eagle, not sure which, who likes to hang out in our dead tree during the winter months

What are some of the things you enjoy taking pictures of in your spare time?

The British Are Coming!

I've always been a bit of  an anglophile.  I think it all goes back to both my mother and father's love of Beatrix Potter, Wedgwood China, and Waterford Crystal.  Our daughter has also caught "UK" fever as I call it, and has spent all her free time and money traveling to England and Scotland over the last few years.

Although I love travel in almost any form to almost anywhere,  it's no wonder that I am drawn to British magazines and websites filled with pottery, linens, and accessories produced in the United Kingdom...and let's not forget Ireland!

Here are a few of my favorite kitchen related things from across the pond.  Many of the items I've listed can be purchased here in the US, but sadly some require you to visit in order to buy them.  That's not all bad though, I mean if you are going to go shopping, why not go BIG?!

This kitchen by Plain English has "Kat" written all over it, and look they even knew I was coming they have tea waiting for me!  

Photos:  Plain English

You may have noticed in a few of my photos some of Emma Bridgewater's darling pottery from her "Black Toast" line.  I would love to have more!

Photo:  Emma Bridgewater

These bespoke tiles from Wellbeck Tiles are all so beautiful, I can see them in an all white kitchen with black counters.  You could even frame them, they are truly works of art!

Photo:  Wellbeck Tiles

Burleigh ware has always been a favorite of mine, especially their "Natural White" ironstone collection.  The numbered pudding basins have been on my wish list for quite awhile now...are you reading this family of mine?

Photo: Burleigh

Of course you'll want to display all your new pottery and stoneware so why not get a pretty kitchen dresser to hold all of your new finds, like this one from Kit Stone Interiors & Gardens.

Photo:  Kit Stone

I could buy nearly everything I find on Pale and Interesting's website, like these beautiful linens.

Or this lovely table and those colorful tea label boxframes.

 

 Photos:  Pale and Interesting

And for my anglophile daughter "Angelfish" you'll want a few yummy British treats to stock your new kitchen.

And

 

Photos:  British Delights

And if you really want a more authentic experience, just dust off your passport, apply for a visa, and go live there for a while!  If you think that's not even a possibility, check out the latest post over at Pigtown Design to find out how to live in the UK on the cheap!

Tea for Two

Tonight I called a dear friend whom I've known for many years now. She has helped me through child rearing, losing parents, and has always provided a sympathetic ear. But what I love about her most is that we share the same silly quirks. We both love dishes, though not always exactly the same patterns, and silver, and crystal, and anything pretty! She is the kind of friend who I can call and excitedly tell her I found something really cool, and no matter how simple or completely unnecessary it is, she'll understand and be thrilled along with me.

So when I called to catch up and find out how her holidays were, I just couldn't resist telling her, and then eventually sending her an email with my latest discovery! Sugar...yes sugar, but not just any sugar! These are beautiful sugars that are meant to make tea even more special! Now anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit of a tea fanatic! When I went to York, England in 2008, to meet up with our daughter who was studying in the South of France at the time, the first thing I did was to look and see which tea shops I could visit! My daughter and I took tea at Bettys Cafe Tea Room in York two times, and then once at Little Bettys, and every sip and morsel was glorious! I love tea cups and tea strainers and all sorts of teas!

Little Bettys was the perfect place to sip a pot of tea and nibble on some goodies while escaping the cold and rainy weather of York, England in the Springtime.

Everything was so yummy at Bettys, and the atmosphere took you back to a more gentile time.

For my 40th birthday my husband took me to tea at Keswick Hall, just outside Charlottesville, Virginia. Keswick was one of the many beautiful homes owned by Laura Ashley. So as you can see I'm a tea-a-holic! Tea is one of those magic elixirs that can be dressed up or down. It can be served in fine china cups from a sterling tea service or it can be created in a plain unassuming mug and it still makes you feel like you are somehow descended from royalty! Who wouldn't love that?!

Keswick Hall is the perfect spot to take tea, it's beautiful setting only adds to the whole experience.

I loved the cranberry black tea I had so much that our waiter was kind enough to tell me where I could purchase more to use at home. It's that sort of care and attention that keeps visitors flocking back to Keswick, time and time again!

So when I stumbled upon Sugars by Sharon recently I was in pure heaven and couldn't wait to tell my friend J! These sugars (something I rarely even put in my tea) were beautifully molded into dainty shapes that would make the tea drinking ritual all the more special! There are tiny teacups, hearts, snowflakes, bunnies, the list goes on and on! And they come in the most wonderful packages that make them all the more special! I would love to use these for a special luncheon or a baby shower or any number of events, but mostly I would love to just have them next to my tea station in my kitchen to plunk into my ordinary mug of Yerba Mate or English Breakfast to make it seem like something oh so special!

These Snowflakes would be perfect for a wintry tea party!


Or what about some sugary hearts to show your Valentine how much you care?

To see these and so many more darling sugar designs visit Sugars by Sharon and pick something pretty up for yourself today!