Archive for May, 2007

What I’ve been making lately

This is a wrist warmer. I’m on the verge of carpal tunnel and read that keeping my wrists warm (especially in a cold office) helps slow down the progress. So I made a pair of these and there’re so adorable I’m going to make more, coordinating with many of my outfits. Hee hee!

I’m no model but I did make this jacket totally free-hand. And I’m damn proud of it!

And, because I love Brenna I will give her store a little free publicity. This was taken in the back room of her B Sharp Fabrics, where she caters to historical costumers. Now, obviously that’s not an historic costume I’m wearing, although I was there for a class on Viking garb at the time…

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Blood Ties Conversation Part Deux

Here we are, ladies and gentlemen. The second entry. I hope we can keep ourselves sane until October.

June
July
August
September

OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I need to figure out what she’s wearing

This is a picture of a statue, representing Anastasia Romanovna Zakharyina . She was the first and best beloved wife of Ivan Grozny (known in English as Ivan the Terrible) who was the Tsar of Russia from 1547 until his death in 1584. My SCA persona, Izadora Ivanova, would be from around 1550, the more moderate period of Ivan’s reign. Credit for this less violent and non-destructive period is often given to Ivan’s happy marriage to Anastasia, who was chosen at an event reminiscent (to my mind) of the ball Cinderella crashes … er … attends in disguise.

My attempts to find examples of the garb of the minor nobility of that era have brought up a lot of adapted peasant wear. This is the only example I’ve found of a noblewoman’s garb. Leaving out the crown (which obviously does not belong in SCA garb for anyone not of the SCA nobility) I need to figure out what she is wearing and try to reproduce it. Arghhhh!!!!!

This is the only other picture I can find of her and as you can see, all that shows is her blanket and her headdress. Now, the headdress is a nice thing to have a picture of. But I want to know what 16th century Russian court dress looked like up close and personal. Damn!

Awww, isn’t it touching? I think that’s supposed to be ol’ Ivan sitting beside her as she lays dying. And he’s losing his mind and planning to take it out on his citizenry. A fitting tribute to a beautiful, intelligent, and wise wife, don’t you agree? (NOT!)

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I think this ought to suffice for the month of May, don’t you?

To converse you have to call it a comment. I believe I’m set up to accept comments from anyone but if you don’t register you have to wait for me to approve it. I’m pretty fast on that and I’ll reset the rules if I can as soon as I can.

We can stay at Lifetime’s blog til the end of May but after that, if no one is giving us new posts to comment on the site’ll be too big for some folks to load. So I’ll put up a new post here in this topic every once in a while so we can continue the laugh and blood fest (snort!)  in more manageably sized chunks.

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Just so it doesn’t have to be posted over and over again

Thank you, Sandy, for gathering all this information for us!Here’s the info for sending in those emails and postcards!
Postcards (Lifetime will only accept/read postcards) can be bought on-line at usps.com for the price of the postage. The link is: http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&productId=20155&langId=-1

Lifetime’s address is:
LifeTime Television
309 W. 49th Street
New York, NY 10019

The email link for feedback is:
http://www.lifetimetv.com/feedback/form.php?area_id=1&section_id=1 and for the petition for more seasons… http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bloodtiesseason2/index.html

(NO icepick! – I’m only posting this once!)

Posted by: Sandy

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Oh, good golly gosh gee whiz

See this here icon? It’s a 16th century icon showing the Archangel Michael. And it’s exciting. Why is it exciting? you ask. It’s exciting because a few weeks ago I scanned an emboidery pattern from a book of Russian embroidery. It was … drum roll please … this exact picture, 16th century Archangel Michael. So I may not have my icon done yet but I’m darned close on its shroud. I know what colors to use. That’s half the battle for me, un-artistically inclined as I am.

Please forgive my enthusiasm and permit me a moment of pure joy on an otherwise dreadful day.

Russian Icon. The Archangel Michael. 16th century. 35 x 39 cm. Art History Museum, Rybinsk, Russia.

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So now we’re doing limericks

Just saving some really amusing limericks and other poetry from the Bloodties Lifetime blog. I’ll add more poetry as it appears.
Please note that I’m only responsible for writing one of these. I’m just saving the rest for posterity. Comments in parentheses and italics are mine.

There once was a P.I. named Vicki.
Took on cases extremely icky.
Met Henry Fitzroy
And oh what joy
Things proceeded to get really sticky.
Posted by: Annalaise duChat

Despite limited visual ability,
Vicki checked on the clinic of fertility
But Henry’s assistance
Was moot in this instance
For his swimmers were lacking motility
Posted by: ms.gyspy | (That would be me. That second line is awkward, innit?)

There once was a lady named Gypsy
Who made beer and got a bit tipsy
Drinking games we did play
On the floor we did stay
Now I drink to get tipsy w/Gypsy**
Posted by: DIZEY1 (I’m blushing!)

Will Vickie choose Henry or Mike?
One of them must take a hike
Vamp and then human
She keeps going through them
Which one does she actually like?
By Kurapika404 (posted by Laurel)

There once was a cop named Mike
Whom Henry tried not to bite
Along came a monk
Mike lost a chunk
And Vicki’s staying out of sight!
Posted by: DIZEY1

I’ll first taste your blood my dear,
To do that I must bite here
I said “what the heck!”
And showed him my neck.
Cuddling after? Yes dear!
Posted by: Laurel

There once was a man called Fitzroy
Who was *VAMPED* when only a boy
He wandered through history
To many a mystery
Hell I wish I could just be his TOY
Posted by: DIZEY1
There once was a vampire named Henry
Who counted his lovers as many
Then he met Vicky
And things got sticky
Since there were not any
Could make him forget Vicky
Posted by: Claire (It’s not very limerick-y but I like it nonetheless)

Really enjoyed the things you’ve been rhyming
I thought I would try, but I’ve got really bad timing
This blog is the best,
of that I attest
The walls it does keep me from climbing.
Posted by: Tango

I know of Henry of Richmond
Who’s condo had no kitchen
The zombie he salted
The priestess he halted
And now Vicki’s no longer bitchin’
Posted by: DIZEY1 (I think DIZEY1 is the reigning Duchess of Rhyme, working up to Queen.)

We watched as Vicki, Henry did sniff
We watched as his body did go stiff
We watched him fight the perp
and from her arm did slurp
Oh Lord do we think our Blood Ties terif
I think it works… *shrugs* We’ll try again later. :-)
Posted by: Anzia
There was a vamp named Fitzroy,
Man he looked good, this our boy,
For vicky we long a kiss, oh my,
Soon to be, we scream with joy!!!!
Posted by: susana (Not a limerick per se but rather good nonetheless…)

There once was a man named Henry,
Who sent all our hearts into a frenzy,
But Lifetime said NO,
you won’t see the show,
Until there’s snow.
Posted by: Margaret (Again, a poem, not a limerick. I hope Lifetime doesn’t really say NO, though!)

There once was an addict named Tango
Who liked her youtube vids in slowmo
At Kyle she did gaze,
her heart was ablaze
Keep those videos coming ~ I say, “Bravo”!
Posted by: Tango |

We thought that Norman was dead
Sucked into a vortex they said
He duped Henry & Vicki
The kissing got really icky
And Astaroth’s coming for her head
Posted by: DIZEY1

Said Henry to Vicki “I bite!
But I’ll try not to give you a fright.
Try not to struggle,
after we’ll snuggle,
if passion you’ll let me ignite.”

Said Vicki “I think that I might.”
But she opted to put up a fight.
Avoiding his kiss
she’s likely to miss
a preternatural delight!
Whooo I did it! I managed to use “preternatural delight” in a limerick. It wasn’t easy.
Posted by: Annalaise duChat (and congratulations on using preternatural delight. That can’t have been easy!)

Henry had a little take-out
Vicki had a little freak out
Demon Tats a burning
Astaroth is yearning
Watch while they knock Norman’s light out
Posted by: Maddie Mo

Henry, he wanted some passion,
Which Vicki, she wanted to ration;
They both leaned in tight,
But Vicki veered right,
So Henry must just keep on askin’.
Posted by: ndayeni
There once was a vampire named Henry,
Who lived life with gusto and energy;
He met an ex-cop,
Who had issues–a lot–
Now to love her is the fate of poor Henry.
Posted by: Ndayeni


There once was a BloodTies fan Sandy
Who loved all the BloodTies eye candy
With fang in her throat
This limerick she wrote
With the help from her BloodTies blog fam’ly.
*bows to blog-kin* – it’s all your fault!
Posted by: Sandy

TO ALL MY BLOOD TIES BUDS
THE SILENCE HIT W/A THUD
WE SCRAMBLED AND WROTE
TO EACH OTHER A NOTE
NOW I’M READY FOR ABUCKET O’ SUDS
POSTED BY: DIZEY1
Danielle |

The Lifetime blog is saying goodbye
But the Blood Ties fans never say die
To Gypsy’s we did move
We had something to prove
Waiting five months and still asking why

Norman from Hell got his ticket out
Most people still thought he was a lout
The three items he found
While slinking around
But in the end he went back to pout

Several people we have tried to turn
But some of them can’t seem to learn
They won’t listen to us
So then we want to cuss
It appears that they don’t give a durn

Hey I am pretty damn proud of them (As they say, I don’t know much about art but I know what I like and I like these! Thanks, Danielle!)
DIZEY1 Says
There once was a girl named Beth
Who lived her life obsessed
She impatiently waited
For Henry she stated
Now this summer will be her test

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This may or may not be by Foxworthy but it’s ALL TRUE! LOL!

The Pacific Northwest According To Jeff Foxworthy

(or at least that’s the title it came with)

You know you’re from the Pacific Northwest if ..

1. You know the state flower (Mildew)

2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.

3. Use the statement “sun break” and know what it means.

4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.

5. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.

7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” Signal.

8. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.

9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Veneto’s.

10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon.

11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette.

12. You consider swimming an indoor sport.

13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food.

14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark – while only working eight-hour days.

15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

16. You are not fazed by “Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,” and “Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers.”

17. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

18. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.

19. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see them through the cloud cover.

20. You notice, “The mountain is out” when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.

21. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

22. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60.

23. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

24. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.

25. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.

26. You measure distance in hours.

27. You often switch from “heat” to “a/c” in the same day.

28. You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.

29. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk Season (Fall).

30. You actually understood these jokes and will probably forward them!


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Mint Kvass

I found this recipe online and don’t want to lose it. I don’t know how “period” it is, but Kvass is certainly period and mint has been around for ages so I may just have to try this one.

Mint Kvass

 Ingredients: (for 6 cups)

1 pound day-old black bread or Danish pumpernickel
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup lukewarm water (110 – 115F)1/4 cup lukewarm water (110 – 115F)
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves or 1 tablespoon crumbled dried mint
2 tablespoons raisins

Procedure:

 

Preheat the oven to 200F. Place the bread in the oven for about 1 hour, or until it is thoroughly dry. With a heavy knife, cut and chop it coarsely. Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in an 8-quart casserole and drop in the bread. Remove from heat, cover loosely with a kitchen towel, and set it aside for at least 8 hours. Strain the contents of the casserole through a fine sieve set over another large pot or bowl, pressing down hard on the soaked bread with the back of a large spoon before discarding it. Sprinkle the yeast and 1/4 teaspoon of the sugar over the 1/4 cup of lukewarm water and stir to dissolve the yeast completely. Set aside in a warm, draft-free spot (such as an unlighted oven) for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture almost doubles in volume. Stir the yeast mixture, the remaining sugar and the mint into the strained bread water, cover with a towel, and set aside for at least 8 hours.

 

Strain the mixture again through a fine sieve set over a large bowl or casserole, then prepare to bottle it. You will need 2 – 3 quart-sized bottles, or a gallon jug. Pour the liquid through a funnel 2/3 of the way up the sides of the bottle. Then divide the raisins among the bottles and cover the top of each bottle with plastic wrap, secured with a rubber band. Place in a cool — but not cold — spot for 3 – 5 days, or until the raisins have risen to the top and the sediment has sunk to the bottom. Carefully pour off the clear amber liquid and re-bottle it in the washed bottles. Refrigerate until ready to use. Although Russians drink kvass as a cold beverage, it may also be used as a cold-soup stock in okroshka (chilled vegetable soup with meat) or botvinia (green vegetable soup with fish).

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Canadian Cuisine part deux

Oh, how could I have forgotten Molson? How? How? It’s pretty much the definition of Canadian beer and, let’s face it, “Blood Ties” fen, what do we all think it is that Vicki clearly needed more of?

Now, being from Oregon where we not only like, but pretty much worship our local microbrews, I of course have found what ought to be Henry’s favorite malty beverage. (Yes, it has been established that he drinks. Presumably he doesn’t get drunk. Cuz that would be ugly.)

And while Dead Guy Ale is one of my favorites, it’s no

Hmmmm … I think I need to head out to the store now.

Beer reviews are always welcome here. I’m a brewer (not necessarily great at it yet but I’m getting there) and a bit of a connoisseur of grainy, malty beverages. And a Pacific Northwet beer snob. (And a PNW wine snob. But I concede that other regions have excellent beer and wine, too.) In fact, I believe I’ll start a brewing topic here. After all, I’m city famous (in a certain number of circles) for my autumn apple ale, and I intend to make a batch of herb beer this summer as well as some regular beer. I’ll need a place to keep my notes. And share them with the world. Or at least with the world’s residents who are really dedicated to finding stuff buried deep within the World According to Google.

And, clearly, I need more coffee.

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