Introductions...

I'd like to introduce two new members of my little household.

Rosencrantz...

and Guildenstern...

They became part of my family on Sunday from the RSPCA rescue centre after their stray cat mother gave birth to them in a foster home. Only 9 weeks old, they were understandably nervous at first, but have already become quite the little characters, keen for both play and cuddles. I've wanted to get cats for years, and now that I am well and truly shore-based and have a house of my own, it felt like the right time. Luckily I've been able to provide some homeless kittens with all the shelter, food and love they will need, and forsee many happy kitty years ahead! They've already shown a great interest in my bookshelves and will hopefully live up to their comedic namesakes.

I'll keep you updated on kitten antics, but for now, from me, Rose and Gilly...we bid you a good night.

The End Of The World!

Like zombies? Want to support an amateur author who is poised to take the world by storm with his interactive online story about the end of the world? Look no further!

A friend of mine is writing said work and needs your help. His story is based upon the trials of a range of characters, beginning on Sunday January 1st 2012 when their lives are changed by a catastrophic event! You can see a timeline of events, read about each character (spoiler: this includes their current status - dead or alive!), and even see their current location.

The story is online in blog format, so you should scroll to the first entry written on December 1 and start from there. Each chapter is broken down into the stories of each individual character. At the end of each chapter, you will be encouraged to cast your vote to save your favourite character, and control where the story leads us...who lives and who dies at the end of this world...you decide!

Dorling's End of the World

Not suitable for children

Christmas Booty!

As requested by Susan...a photo of my christmas booty!

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
Girl Meets Boy - Ali Smith
Slam - Nick Hornby
Tamsin - Peter S Beagle
Dry Store No 1 - Richard Fortey
The Fire Gospel - Michel Faber
The Love We Share Without Knowing - Christopher Barzak
Seeing Further: the story of science and the royal society
Nigel Slater's Tender Volume 1 and Volume 2

P.S. 31-Jan-11: Somehow I forgot to mention my favourite book that I received this xmas!!

Steam, brass and clockwork

While perusing the blog over at Finding Wonderland, I heard that next week several websites will be participating in Steampunk/Alternate History Week, so I thought this would be the perfect time to declare my newfound love for all things steampunk.

My new favourite tv show is Sanctuary, a Canadian sci-fi fantasy series that originally started as a series of webisodes. With heavy steampunk leanings, Sanctuary is the story of Dr Helen Magnus, on a 150 year old British doctor, played by Amanda Tapping, who works to maintain the fragile balance between humans and sentient "abnormals". Magnus worked in Victorian England where she and several colleagues experimented with untainted vampire blood, with some unexpected results. A fun filled scifi steampunk romp with characters including Dr James Watson, the Invisible Man and, my personal favourite, the fabulously dastardly Nikola Tesla. Highly highly recommended! The creators of Sanctuary have started a new steampunk web series...Riese: Kingdom Falling - I for one will certainly be tuning in.

I also came home recently with quite a horde of new steampunk fiction and after finishing the first, I am well and truly hooked!

The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
Court of the Air - Stephen Hunt
Soulless - Gail Carriger

My love for steampunk doesn't rest at books and tv though - check out these recent purchases ;)

What do you love about steampunk?

Autumn festivals, woodlands, cakes and birthdays

I love that my birthday is in autumn, my favourite season. Tis a season for long misty walks, harvesting veggies from the garden, foraging for fruits, roots and mushrooms, and baking delicious cakes. Tis also a season for music and celebrating the land, both of which were in abundance at this year's Rivenstone festival, held on the beautiful Dartmoor landscape.

Weaving looms with the land

An offering

Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer performing at Rivenstone

Early autumn walks in Foxley wood

Anticipation of autumn gathering

Autumn cakes made with Foxley blackberries!

An Italian Wedding

A few weeks ago I travelled to Italy to spend a week with friends and family for my sister's wedding. We spent the week in a gorgeous villa near the small town of San Gimignano in Tuscany, with lots of touristy events, wine tasting, horse riding and parties! My sister and her husband were married in the famous town hall in the ancient town of Volterra (by the mayor!). The weather was glorious most days, though sadly there was torrential rain on the wedding day. Luckily the sun came out just in time for my sister to arrive at the hall!

Volterra town hall

My sister arriving at the hall

After the wedding ceremony

The bridesmaids (I'm on the left)

My sister's lovely dress

Our villa near San Gimignano

View from the villa

Cherry on Top Award

Thank you so much to the lovely Cannwin and Jennifer of the Literary Soundtrack for giving me the Cherry on Top Award! That really made me smile :)

Here's how it works:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Copy award and put it in your blog.
3. List three things that you love about yourself.

• My curly hair - its a nightmare sometimes, but I wouldn't change it!
• My home - it needs work and has created quite a headache over the 6 months since I bought it, but it's mine to make as I wish and I'm happy that I was brave (and lucky) enough to take the leap, and thankful for the help I have had.
• My experiences - although there are many things I still want to do and places I want to see, I am happy that I have done so much with my life already.

4. Post a photo that you love.
I took this picture of Dunottar Castle in Scotland back in 2006, and it has stayed with me as one of my favourite examples of what I love about Britain.

5. Tag 5 people you would like to pass this award on to.

• A Striped Armchair
• Fluttering Butterflies
• In Spring Is The Dawn
• Stuff As Dreams Are Made On
• Stella Matutina

Thanks you guys :)

Awards and absences

Many thanks to the lovely Tina of The Clean White Page, who has kindly gifted me with this Santa Clause Award (yes, that looks suspiciously similar to the lemonade award, with a festive addition!). The rules are simple, to pass the award on to five more people. So my five are:

Naida of the Bookworm - I may not always comment, but I always love reading your blog.
Nymeth of Things Mean A Lot - for putting up with my uber slow reading for a joint review!
Darla of Books & other thoughts - for constantly adding to my TBR list!
Tanabata of In Spring it is the Dawn - for constantly inspiring me to learn Japanese!
Michelle of Fluttering Butterflies - whose blog is always a pleasure to read.

I can't remember every having been this constantly busy (though I am sure I say that every time), but I will endeavour to post some reviews over the festive period, I still have a lot to catch up on! But many thanks to all the new visitors to my blog and for your lovely comments, you are all most welcome!

Winter wandering

Here is a tale of the trees in a wood
They were never that pleased on the land that they stood.
So they upped and they walked as far as they could
'Til they felt the sun shine on their branches.

I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight, cruel world be forgiving
Oh, for once in my life I am living.

There they did stand and there they did stay
When there came a young biy who was running away
From a mad world, a bad world, a world of decay
And it's comfort he sought in their branches.

I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight, cruel world be forgiving
Oh, for once in my life I am living.

There we found love and there we found joy
And the warmth in his heart oh, it filled the young boy
And his friends taught him magic and secrets of old
While the trees kept him safe with their branches.

I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through.
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight cruel world be forgiven.
I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight cruel wold be forgiving
Oh, for once in my life I am living.

Little Jack Frost, Kate Rusby

Holiday Swap

Last year I participated in the Book Blogger Christmas Swap, from which I received the most beautiful gifts from Quixotical and hopefully myself put a smile on my Swapee, kicking-k's face. My Christmas Swap contact was Dewey, and so this year I would like to join up again, in honour of her, and hopefully put a smile on someone else's face. And of course, get a little something myself, because what girl doesn't love gifts, most especially when the gifts are from the people who know us so well!? So if you are interested, take a look at the Holiday Swap website and enjoy the run up to winter.

Mediaeval banquet part two

The evening's revelry continued...

Even a knight pays the price for losing the apple bobbing contest

Even the peasants joined in the fun

Wenches!

True ladies of the court

Warning...two of these will give you nightmares

Archery...health and safety style

Being seranaded with terrible mediaeval poetry!

Friar Tuck, Robin Hood and the wily jester!

Still able to pose for photographs at the end of the evening!

Mediaeval banquet part one

As many of you know, Rhinoa and I both reached a significant birthday this September, and we decided to celebrate in style, with something a little different...a mediaeval banquet. As you can probably tell, I am a big fan of all things mediaeval, and I was delighted when we were able to hire Norwich's famous Dragon Hall for the shindig (see my old advent post!). So together with another of my friends, we three and 60 of our good friends, descended from near and far on the City of Norwich for quite the party. Our evening (and aftenoon for many!) was complete with hog roast, ten homemade desserts (oh yes!), copious amounts of ale, wine and mead, stocks, and of course...compulsory costumes. I think a fabulous time was had by all, I only wish I had the time, energy and money to do it regularly! I thought I would share some pictures of the culmination of my mediaeval summer...

Preparing for battle or the banquet?

A mediaeval banquet is never complete without giant jenga!

The birthday trio

The birthday girls, Rhinoa and myself

More guests

We were never safe from peasants and stinking beggars

Desserts!

Savouring the ambience of the Great Hall before the feasting began

Feasting!

Devouring the hog roast!