Work just went through a big purge of books (we get many donated books) and I snagged a couple that looked particularly terrific. I was very excited about this one, published in 1966:



It's a story about a band of musicians who refuse to play for a Troll in the middle of the night, so he enchants their instruments, making them play only animal sounds. Terrific illustrations, and an engaging story all about working together and not judging people by their appearance, until I got to this page:



See, isn't it beautiful? Too bad the problem of the Troll is solved through the judicious application of a little casual domestic violence:



I'm sure we'll still read it (and talk about it), but there was definitely the sound of a needle scratching across the record when I got to that page.

E has lost his first tooth!

Unfortunately, it came out while he was asleep and we're pretty sure he swallowed it (in any case, we can't find it). He's mildly disappointed that the tooth fairy did not come last night, but we've assured him that she'll come tonight.

I think it's interesting that the tooth he lost first was the tooth he got first. And it makes me remember this tiny boy with his two tiny adorable bottom teeth. How fast the time goes....

Text by me, then fixed by Mistress Alys:

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Gregor and Kiena, by divine providence king and queen of these Eastern lands, and of Tir Mara Crowned Sovereigns, to all people base or noble to whom these presents shall come, send greeting.

These letters are to let you understand that, upon receipt of sufficient testimony of the good life and gentle bearing of Eva Woderose, artisan, and upon our further examination of her and her good works and sterling reputation, it is ordered and decreed that for the better increase of learning and knowledge in our Kingdom and not only for this but as it is and always has been our noble and sworn duty to strive to kindle in the hearts of our subjects the imitation of virtue and nobleness, even so that the same has been, and yet is continually observed, to the end that such as have done commendable service to their Crown and country, not only in time of war but at other times and other places, may both receive due honor in their lives and also in the rolls of history such as are maintained by our Kingdom and by all our brother sovereigns throughout creation, thus do we by these presents ordain, create, erect, make and appoint the foresaid Eva as a companion of our Order of the Laurel to the intent that she thereby may be more able to serve well in her vocation at all times and in diverse places and particularly charging that she may instruct those who will be taught the principals of her art reverently and with great care, at whatever times and places she may find most mete and convenient, not only binding her to observe her duties to her Crown and Country according to those ancient oaths and traditions of our lands, but to also further enjoin her to ensure that all those duties, and every one of them, shall be observed and kept according to her ennobled station as hath been customary since most ancient times.

In sign and token of this our will we do ratify, confirm and bestow upon her the right to display arms by letters Patent in the manner and form following, Gules, on a bend sinister between two wolves couchant argent, three roses proper, at such times and in such places at her liberty and pleasure according to the law of arms to use and enjoy forever. It is further ordered and decree that for a more certain and true keeping of the records of this our most just and ardent desire and command that a memorial of this act be made or set forth on paper in order that a record of our decree may be prudently kept. Thus do we set our hand and sign manual to these letters on the 4th day of February in the forty-sixth year of the Society.

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Text based on about a half-dozen period sources; cites available on request.

Josh is home sick today.


This is a photo of some peas I'm growing inside our house.


This is a photo of my Christmas tree on fire at Jenn's annual tree burn. It was, by far, the most spectacular tree of the night (partly because it was the largest).

Inchmark: a craft blog

America's Test Kitchen now has a Tumblr blog and it's quite good.

I really love these home made treats in a 'sealed' tin can and am considering doing them as E's Valentine's Day thing-to-take-to-school.

Handmade by Mother is a blog that showcases (and mocks) some very ... er ... interesting vintage knitting and crochet patterns.

The Fine Rolls of Henry III
"A fine in the reign of King Henry III (1216–1272) was an agreement to pay the king a sum of money for a specified concession. The rolls on which the fines were recorded provide the earliest systematic evidence of what people and institutions across society wanted from the king and he was prepared to give. They open a large window onto the politics, government, economy and society of England in the hinge period between the establishment of Magna Carta at the start of Henry’s reign and the parliamentary state which was emerging at its end. This Project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, makes the rolls freely available to a wide audience while at the same time, in the Fine of the Month feature, providing regular comment on their historical interest."

I didn't get any books for Christmas -- possibly a first -- so I placed an order on Amazon and got A. Weir's life of Mary Boleyn and this awesome looking book about the murder of James Garfield.

Today I made two pans of rice krispie squares using peppermint marshmallows to make Peppermint Bark Rice Krispie treats. (I only topped them with drizzled chocolate, not the chocolate + white + crushed up peppermints in the photo. That's overkill.) They're really an alarming pink color, but the flavor is remarkably subtle. I don't mind them.

E has been kicking my ass at Uno. He's very proud of himself, too.

We're hosting a "late Christmas Eve" party (aka "chosen family Christmas") on New Year's Eve ... which I just realized today is Saturday, not Sunday. Oops. I have more to do tomorrow than I thought.

My grown-indoors peas (ok they might be beans, I forget, but I'm pretty sure they're peas) plants have produced .... a single snap pea (which looks pretty good, actually). There are also three more blossoms that might turn into peas in the future. Too bad the radishes just sit there all leafy and refuse to produce any actual radishes bulbs. (I also got seven great tomato seedlings, but I let them die because they ended up being too needy.)

Twinnings cold-brewed iced tea is the bomb. Super duper easy. Easiest iced tea ever.

Actually, that's a big lie: the Christmas rush is in full swing at my house. I spent the weekend baking and cooking (although not getting as much done as I'd hoped). Today is more cooking (candied walnuts, hopefully rice krispie treats), finishing the name on a stocking, and hopefully a few bibs.

Actually our house is quite full of holiday cheer.

On thing is making me a little sad, though, and that's watching a tradition fade away in real time. We've all known for a while that Christmas cards are on their way out, but this year (ironically enough, the year I picked to actually hand-make my cards) it's measurable. The store where we normally buy our cards went from four big displays last year down to one medium-sized display this year, and our living room card display only shows 8 cards right at the moment. (Last year we got 46 cards - I keep them and turn them into gift tags the following year, so I have a good count.) We sent pretty much the same number -- around 40 -- because I love cards and I find them to be an important part of "getting into the holiday" for me. I'm not unsurprised by the demise of cards in general, but it's fascinating to see it in such stark terms.

It has been crazy busy in my life over the past week or so. I feel like the "how many days until Christmas" is actually the timer on a bomb set to go off in my kitchen.

The tree is up. Today I have to take all the boxes and things back down to the basement, and try to straighten up.

I went to a professional networking event this morning for training folks that was actually amazingly good. I just spent an hour sending out follow up emails to people I met there.

E is his usual amazing, charming self. He's very, very excited about the tree.

I've started a new project. Shhh. You an see it here. This is a project I've been dreaming of for at least five years. I find it somewhat hard to believe that it actually exists in a physical form.