Every once in a while I get homesick after the tastes of my german life.

Not overly prone to cravings for certain foods, textures and tastes those moments when my body demands a certain flavor that has been an integral part of the first 30+ years of my life hit me like a sledgehammer, hard and quick and with surprising impact. The memory of such a flavor is strong on my tongue in those moments, so close I can almost taste it, and yet short of receiving yet another care package from my family nothing will be able to still this want. And worst of all, some can't be stilled unless I travel back to my home country.

Yesterday I got hit with two cravings at once : Malzbier und Milchschnitte [and with it the realization that that is also a part of my childhood I'll have a hard time sharing with my own little munchkin unless we go and see the grandparents in Germany].

Malzbier is a sweet, slightly fizzy, non-alcoholic beer. It's dark and malty and sweet sparkling refreshingly on your tongue and drawing a little soft foam moustache on your upper lip. It's what we had as kids when we weren't allowed to drink from father's or mother's glass of beer. "childrenbeer" or "Mommybeer" is what it's called with friendly mockery, and man, do I miss the taste. It's a wonderful drink and I have no explanation for the fact that it doesn't sell here. Now, on one of the immigrant's message boards I discovered a note that hints at a substitute sold on the american market which I'll try to find here tomorrow. It'd be too good to be true so I'm trying to not get my hopes up very high :o)

Milchschnitte is a snack. Imagine two thin layers of a fluffy airy chocolate biscuit/cake layer glued together with a milk and honey cream. It's fresh, in small individual wrappers in the aisle with milk and butter and yoghurt, and best eaten by peeling off the chocolate biscuit first and then eating the milk-honey cream layer all by itself ...  Soooo yummy !

And don't get me started on curd ... *sigh* I'm german. I -need- Quark !

Looks like I'll have to buy that kitchen appliance and make my own afterall ...

Yesterday's Scribal Tea was wonderful. I had 4 people attending my new scribes class who left dazed with all the new knowledge I crammed into them *L* No, not that bad, really, but it's a lot of info packed into 1.5h which I decided to touch quickly and present with more detail in the accompanying handout that everybody took home. Next time we can actually get started on the technical aspects of painting and/or calligraphy :o) Wheeeee !

Monday, of course, started sluggish what with an exciting and active sunday afternoon, a great dinner with lots of food and friends and a late evening the day before, and everytime sluggishness tries to claim it I counter it with grim action. This time my chosen weapon was oven cleaning. I branded myself in funny places on my arms yesterday balancing a wiggly and -hot-cookie sheet and so today I tried to appeal to the gods of the oven to get my oven fu back in order *sigh* What a mess ! Now, hours later, the oven is scrubbed top to bottom and looking all new and most of the sluggishness has been scraped and wiped and soaked and scrubbed into submission. Good thing there isn't much more monday left :o)

Off to a few more loads of laundry and some dishes, fixing dinner for the munchkin, myself and hubby and then we got another monday beat. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we'll escape to the beach ! 

Obviously there is some confusion out there how the whole award system in the SCA works. *S* Afterall there are no grades, no points list, nothing but the obscure "letters of recommendation" thing.

So after this confusion was brought to my attention last night and I hope did an okay job on eliminating doubt on the matter here's a quick run-down based on my experiences. I have never been Queen so I'm by no means a primary source but this is what I have seen and heard and have been told and I would not expect anybody who is a member of a group that praises and holds dear knightly virtues to intentionally lie.

In order to receive a, say Award of Arms you will

- first need to bust your butt with some good and continued amount of service such as but not limited to filling event positions, holding an office, promoting the arts including the martial arts and sciences with teaching, etc. There are tales of people who have been awarded an AOA because they were found cleaning the bathrooms all weekend of their first ever SCA event but most of the time people have been members for at least a year or longer before receiving this recognition. It does take some serious work for the benefit of the Society.

[- In some Kingdoms you have to hold a current paid membership in the SCA to receive an armigerous award. Trimaris is one of those]

- need people writing and sending in letters of recommendation.
*It always needs more than 1 person sending in a letter* You need more than 1 letter of recommendation [I have heard of a variety of numbers on this one, ranging from 2-4 letters for a non- armigerous, 5-10 or more for an award of arms, and more for 'bigger' awards.

*I have also heard the statement the standing of the person who is sending the letter of recommendation matters ie a Laurel sending in a letter of recommendation may weigh more than a M'lord/M'lady but I do not have proof for that]

- need people sending in letters stating good reasons why you should be worthy of a particular recognition. A letter explaining that "I think he/she should get an AoA because everybody else has one" or "I think you should give him/her an AoA because it would really freak him/her out" is not going to cut it, seriously *G* The more details to the reasoning the more information you are providing to the Crown so that they can make an informed decision.

- finally need to trust in the royal wisdom and especial grace of your rightful King and Queen. They read all those letters brought before Them and They have the final word on all awards and honors. Nobody else.

Hope this helps :o)

Peasant Fires: The Drummer of Niklashausen

by Richard Wunderli
Indiana University Press
ISBN 0253207517

From Publishers Weekly
Wunderli ( London Church Courts and Society on the Eve of Reformation ) has lucidly reconstructed a controversial conflict in 15th-century south-central Germany. Aimed at the general reader, this engaging narrative takes off from Hans Behem--the peasant who claimed to see the Virgin and gained followers until crushed by the established church--to explore larger forces at work in Germany on the eve of the Reformation. For peasants, the world of spirits and saints was more powerful than nature; only there could they imagine a different social order. The hardships of nature in 1476 provided impetus for the peasants, temporarily emboldened by pre-Lenten Carnival, to be ripe for a visionary shepherd like Hans. But Hans's call for the leveling of society prompted the wrath of Bishop Rudolph, who, according to Wunderli, was a reformer in his own right. Building on sketchy records and elements from other contemporary sermons, the author invents a sermon for Hans, showing how he might have appealed to peasant fantasies of egalitarianism. Wunderli also attempts to sort out the violent conflict that ensued and Hans's subsequent trial. His scrupulousness and sensitivity make for a small but valuable book.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Magdalena and Balthazar -An Intimate Portrait of Life in Sixteenth-Century Europe Revealed in the Letters of a Nuremberg Husband and Wife

translation by Stevenn Ozment
ISBN 0300043783
Yale University Press

An especially rich story . . . well researched, fascinating, and endearing. . . . The Sixteenth century comes alive in the sensitive framed portrait that . . . serves as a worthy contribution not just to social history of that period but also to general documentation of family and male/female relationships. Readers and teachers of German, as well as students of history, culture, and world literature, will find Magdalena and Balthasar fascinating reading."Susan L. Clark, The German Quarterly

Three Behaim Boys: Growing Up in Early Modern Germany : A Chronicle of Their Lives

by Steven Ozment
ISBN 0300051336
Yale University Press

YA-- `` `Dear Mother, enclosed is Sebald Gruner's bill for my board. Would you send the money as soon as possible? . . . I owe the laundress. I have no more time to write, as I must study for exams.' Your Loving Son, Friederich Behaim.'' This letter, written by Friederich III Behaim in 1579, is just a sample of the delight that awaits readers as they peruse the letters that chronicle the lives of three boys, all members of a powerful merchant family in 16th- and 17th-century Nuremberg. Through their writings, which span the years from age 15 to 25, readers learn about the concerns of these teenagers as they attempt to deal successfully with their mother, guardians (who most often controlled monetary assets), teachers, and masters; leave home; and prepare themselves for the adult world. Ozment's meticulous selection of the 207 letters and his informative notes and commentary create an environment that brings Michael, Friederich, and Stephen Carl to life. The excellent maps and documents and the supplementary information in the six appendixes add scholarly documentation to this highly desirable primary source. --Dolores M. Steinhauer, Jefferson Sci-Tech, Alexandria, VA

The Burgermeister's Daughter: Scandal in a Sixteenth-Century German Town

by Steven Ozment
ISBN 0060977213
Harper Perennial

From Publishers Weekly
Ozment brings a medieval drama to life in this meticulously researched and engrossing narrative of the 30-year lawsuit between Anna Buschler (1496/98-1552) and her family. Anna's father, Burgermeister (mayor) of the German town of Schwabisch Hall, banished his daughter from the family home in 1525 after he read letters that confirmed her sexual involvement with two men. Anna responded by suing her father, and after his death her siblings, for disinheriting her. Ozment details the twists and turns of Anna's legal battle, which continued during her two marriages and resulted in her being shackled to a table for six months by her father and later jailed briefly by the town council. She escaped from both incarcerations. Although Anna was promiscuous, Ozment convincingly argues that the Burgermeister's treatment was overly severe, and Anna emerges in this account as an unusually resourceful and feisty woman. Illustrated. History Book Club selection.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Next on the list is

Erica Bastress-Dukehart "The Zimmern Chronicle"

When my Mom sent Finndragon his birthday presents she also sent a small package for me with it. Usually it contains the letters I receive at their address; my last connection to my former life in Germany. This time it held voices from the past.

From grade 5 through grade 13 I went to the Staedtisches Gymnasium Neuwerk in Moenchengladbach. I graduated in 1992 and after that only went to visit my school maybe half a dozen times. I showed hubby the arena of the tribulations of my youth on his first visit to Moenchengladbach but I felt strangely disconnected recognizing only a few teacher names on the curriculum. I didn't pay much thought to my school until my parents told me about its impending closure. My school would be shut down and the building used for a different kind of school type afterward starting this year. How odd. To know that one of your childhood places would step out of existence so early, so soon.

Sadly, I could not attend the final ceremony before my school closed its pale turquoise glass and steel doors forever. I think it would have been fun to see who else would pay a last respect but then my immigration process wasn't finished and we didn't want to file for AP so I could go. It wasn't that important.

Apparently, my parents did go and said "Hello" to Frau Mietz, the school secretary, the school secretary of -my- school times, when they picked up an anniversary book with the history of my school, pictures and name lists and my final exam essays. After 13 years I finally got to see and re-read my final exams [back then we were only told our grades]. OH BOY ! *L*

I picked English, Biology, Mathematics and Pedagogics for my final exam and until this very day I remember not being happy about my english essay I wrote for the final exam. Nothing beats reality and I found my worst suspicions confirmed. Boy, it's bad. Really *G* Scary to think that I was one of the dozen of our class who were considered "talented", "gifted" and "excelling in our english language skills". My first thought was "If my english teacher were dead he'd be rolling over in his grave" .... On a related note he would do the same hearing me babble now, my english pronounciation now clearly colored a bright red,blue and white American English. He would probably love the fact and be tickled pink that I now talk without perfecting the sentence, every sentence, in my head first, a habit that used to render me quiet and pensive during class. And I believe my writing has improved somewhat too *S*

And he probably is. Or maybe he is smiling amusedly at me from his place in Heaven or whereever he may be. My favorite teacher, the one person who nurtured my love for the english language, and sparked my interest in history by teaching us that history is "his story" [or hers] packed with love and hate, peace and war, intrigue and murderous schemes, is no longer alive. He died last year and while the book doesn't give any more information it sounds like it wasn't something people anticipated. A heart attack maybe ? Something sudden and unexpected.

*sigh*

Well, here is to you, Mr Kabuss. You were one of the best teachers I ever had and I wish I could have learned more from you and with you but I'm so grateful for the time I was your student. Without you my english skills wouldn't be anywhere near as decent as they are today and history would be best remembered as a collection of dates.

Thank you.

1.You and Jesus go out to dinner - who pays? Nobody. He takes care of wine and bread and I'll bring some brie.

2. You suddenly have to flee the country and adopt an alias, what country do you run to and what name do you take? I would have to kill you if I told you :o)

3. Pick one state in the U.S. to get rid of permanently ? Kansas - nobody would really miss it

4. You wake up as the opposite gender what's the one thing you wanna try ? Exactly -that-. Oh, and peeing while standing.

5. Luke Skywalker or Han Solo? Han Solo unless I can get my hands on the young Obi-wan Kenobi

6. Toy you always wanted but never got as a child? A horse

7. Top three celebrities you would wanna do. Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp, Ewan McGregor, Joaquin Phoenix - yes, I know that's 4 but I'm on a roll here

8. What's an automatic deal breaker in a potential significant other? Ignorance

9. What is the last movie you saw that actually scared you? Winnie Pooh and the Heffalump

10. Stupidest thing you've ever said out loud? I erased that from my memory, really

11. You're sentenced to death and its the morning of your execution, what do you want to eat ? Breakfast at Bishwind in PA

12. What's something that most people do that you've never done ? ?

13. Before you die you want to go to... ? Egypt, Jordan and Syria

14. Something you'd really like to do but probably won't ever be able to do? Never say never

15. A wild animal you'd like to have as a pet? Wild animals make bad pets.

16. A drug you'll never try? I've never done drugs and have no interest in ever doing so.

17. If you were an animal what would you be ? A lizzard

18. If you had to marry someone you knew since the age of 12 who would it be ? My friend's big brother if he were still alive.

19. What's something most people don't know about you ? Before my life as full-time Mom and wife I was manager of a 3-star business hotel in Hamburg, Germany

20. First celebrity crush? Michael J. Fox

21. What's a weapon to suit your personality, habits and abilities? Sniper Rifle. You already have to go through the hassle of 'taking care of the problem' why get your fingers dirty in the process ? Quick and clean and simply straightforward is how I like it.

23. Favorite breakfast bread (pancakes, waffles, toast etc...)? Bagels or german breakfast rolls

24. Favorite parody movie ? I have a german sense of humor so .... I'll have to pass on this one.

25. Worst way to die? Being eaten alive

26. Grossest injury you've ever seen? Missing head on a motorcycle rider after an accident

27. The worst injury you've ever had? Getting 4 wisdom teeth pulled at once unless you count giving birth to an 8 pound baby as "injury" *L*

28. Favorite thing about thanksgiving? Turkey & stuffing !

29. Sport you hate to watch on TV the most? Any kind of sport

30. What city in the U.S. do you want to visit ? New Orleans, despite Katrina

31. What's something you think would be cool to know everything about? Lampworking

32. Favorite Actor/Actress? Anthony Hopkins

33. What's one phrase you absolutely detest? The Dream - all capitalized

34. What makes an awesome party? A intriguing mix of guests

35. What's your material obsession? Books and Paper

36. What's something most would consider an insult but you enjoy having said about you? "You bitch" from Master Iefan - huge compliment in this case really and I did curtsie :o)

37. Favorite kind of dog? Chow-Chow

38. Favorite carnival food (everyone has one)? Buttered Corn on the cob or german Mutzen

39. Morning or night person? Morning - sunlight charges my battery

40. Worst drunken habit? Hugging friends

41. Weirdest ebay purchase? A pump for a koi pond for my Dad's birthday

42. Favorite food to eat when you're wasted? Grilled sausages and hot chocolate - I kid you not. Made for a lovely breakfast after a night worth of craziness at Hamburg's Headbanger's Ballroom

43. It's Saturday at 3am where are you? In bed :o)

44. Who's your favorite friend to go out with? My husband

45. Worst job you've ever had? Summerbreak job at the family business sorting vegetables and fruit

46. What's something your friends make fun of you for? I'm short and don't like paperplates

47. Favorite cereal ? Kellogg's Frosties

48. Book you could read repeatedly? Just one ??

49. What's the meanest thing you've ever done? It's hardly anything worth bragging about

50. What was your best Halloween costume ever? We don't really celebrate Halloween in Germany but do dress up for Carnival and LARPs. I recreated an outfit from one of the Elfquest elfves including make-up, contact lenses and latex ears. Last year I wore my green velvet Cranach gown and got lots of compliments when we went trick'n treating with the babydragon :o)

The past couple of days I've been spending browsing books and webpages for inspiration for some more scrolls. I have two commissions sitting on my desk and since I have names to go with the award I love to tailor the artwork a bit to the recipient.

Just as with my garb I've for the past hmmm.... almost two years now, felt a greater interest for anything german and I absolutely -love- the calligraphy of the 15th century of my home country. Sharp, quick paced and energetic are the descriptiv terms that come to my mind when looking at the secretary hands of the Holy Roman Empire. Often the accompanying illumination is additional decoration at best, not lavishly luxurious as for example in France or England or Italy but nimble ink sketches drawn with a light hand and brought to life with washes of color. In its simplicity definitely intriguing and a anice break from the overwhelming splendor of contemporary book illumination.

So while nosing through the leaves, digital and real, always on the quest for a layout idea or a brilliant little feature to incorporate into a scroll design I come across the one or other oddity. 

Such as this folio from a german Codex :

What the heck was the illuminator thinking ? What's with the 'christmas tree thing' leaning into the -huge- empty space  above the illuminated letter ? It looks like it's been added almost like an afterthought ["What do you mean there's no text going there ? That looks so out of whack ! Let's paint something into it. Tree. A tree is good. Maybe give it a light angle so it points at the acanthus leaf I think turned out really well ... yeah, that'll look good"] ] Or the green and pink acanthus garlande drooping down the right side of the leaf ?

It is kind of balanced as in balanced in a medieval way of thinking. There's the blue and red acanthus starting from the upper left and emerging from the lower right of the capital letter and there's the green and pink leafy border starting from the lower left and upper right and both color schemes can be found inside the illuminated capital but, man, this looks pretty much tossed together on a whim ... Alcohol ? Sniffing too much pigments ? I don't know but I'm geeked out enough about calligraphy and illumination to be laughing myself to tears over it :o)

I feel for my officer because obviously she suffers from the same strange "whatchamacallit&quo t; that I do : the evil event plague.

I go to an event.
I stay in a cabin.
I breathe in mold all weekend.
I get sick.

I go to an event.
I stay in a pavillion.
It rains.
Everything gets wet.
I get sick.

I brought back some kind of sniffles from Coronation and finally, after a few days of laying in wait as a dull ache in my head and bones for the perfect moment, it knocked me out on thursday morning. Finndragon as innocent bystander got his own fair share as well and we both spent the last couple of days wheezing and sniffling and a bit warm from fever [which broke yesterday so at least we're on the mend]. On top of that I always have to be careful with the sun at events as it triggers migraine-style headache attacks in me. Tearing down the camp in the early afternoon when the sun s burning down on everything and no shade in sight is very taxing but this time I got away just in time and a bottle of gator-aid and an Ibuprofen later I was good to go and did not have to crawl into a dark and cool hole :o) Yay me ! And a big "Thank you" to hubby who took me report notes to the Shire meeting and reported for me.

Either way, I had fun, met a bunch of people from far away, missed even more people from far away because I went to a couple of meetings and got to meet a few new people from surprisingly nearby and di not have nay unpleasant wildlife moments so all in all it was a good event. Cudos to Mistress Marie Ceilidh and her team for throwing an excellently organized event !

So naturally, in light of my physical tribulations, I have been slacking on the project front. I only managed to get one scroll illumination done and but with the old ones I squirreled aside I now have a neat and already not to shabby stack of scrolls for Art-Sci. A few more to be on the safe side in case our Laurels are on a roll again *G* and I'll be all set with scrolls for Winter Art-Sci.

Today is hubby's birthday so he gets to sleep in a bit before Finndragon and I raise loving hell by banging on pots and pans and singing Happy Birthday to him ... hehe ... what can I say, some family traditions are just sweetly evil :o)~

So here is the plan for the wardrobe improvement for the next couple of months based on last weekend's experience that 3 dresses is the minimum to bring to an event. It was nice to slip into something fresh and clean in the afternoon after running around for the first half of the day like a crazy chicken and it was much nicer to dress into something clean and dry after the the big rain and soaking up muddy water with the hem of my dress in the evening. Nothing beats a dry and clean smock or hosen and a clean and smooth apron and headdress can make you feel like a million Taler :o)

Since Finndragon allowed Mommy to muck around with the scanner and Adobe Photoshop this morning I got some concept sketches colored in and prepped for the web so you can take a look.

Dress I

Darkblue and red linen lined with white cotton in a slightly Landsknecht- y syle and short sleeves. I might add some short lower sleevelets to tie on later but the short sleeves are -really- comfortable in Trimarian climate [see "Squirrel dress"]

Dress II

No kidding, it's a pale pink *G* I have some soft pale pink cotton kicking around and that dress just works in pink, in my opinion and hey, I'm biased. Pale pink cotton it is and black velvet for guards and cuffs in simple classy merchant-class style.

Dress III

Butter-yellow wool with either brown or black velvet guards edged with seed beads. Belt cut from velvet with gold quatrefoil shaped spangles and I'll spiffen the whole outfit up by using some of the scrumptious gold brocade for an underskirt. The dress is based loosely on the painting "Hans Holbein the Elder. Portrait of 34-year-old Woman. 1516/17".

Then of course I'll need an assortment of underskirts, smocks and shirts and hosen as well as another headwrap, a somewhat fancier Steuchlein for my Wulsthaube, an apron or two :o) I guess I'm all set costuming-wise for the next couple of months. Now, what experiments can I come up with for the scribal arts ? There's the Cochineal bugs I got from Finneadan [way cool !] and my current excursion into the world of byzantine and russian icons :o)

Now, who do I talk to for an extra hour of time every day ? Hmm ? 

Vivant, King Martin and Queen Islay of Trimaris ! May their reign be prosper and joyful !

This past weekend saw Trimaris's Fall Coronation. Gregory's and Maisie's reign ended with a last great court that had everything I love so much about court. Yep, I'm a court nut. I actually do enjoy going to and sitting through court and we have been fortunate lately to have had great kings and queens with a penchant for good entertaining courts with tear jerkers and court schtick alike. Gimme more of that :o) Interesting family ties were revealed and there is a dead queen to demand justice for. I wonder if the Pope is going to interfere some day soon ? and were were allowed to be witness to HRM Martin and HRM Islay exchanging vows before taking the throne.

I did get off to a bad start though. While I'd planned on making it to early morning court and arriving on site sometime between 8am and 9am on saturday morning my car was set on keeping me from achieving just that. For no apparent reason it decided to break down with a wonky battery malfunction, furtunately while I was still in Jacksonville and a wonderful hubby could come to my rescue like a knight in shining armor. I made it to site in record time with just enough time left to hunt down Master Octavio, my favorite herald, to drop off a very important scroll for Gregory's and Maisie's last court, Phew !

How funny it was to sit there in court, sweaty and relief to have made it in time slowly replacing the stress and feeling of chaos of the early morning, only to notice that a certain person was still not in court despite having an accomplice who was supposed to make sure this person was there for a big surprise. Luckily, she did arrive in time with Milica hard on her heels. She'd been bugging her long enough that Martine attended court without getting to finish breakfast in camp or putting on her make up *L*

Penda finally, finally, FINALLY received his Award of Arms. This has been a along time in the making and it's been only his health issues that have kept him from being recognized earlier this year. This time, thanks to the help of his lady, he was in court and presented us a wonderfully surpised and genuinely floored face when he was called forward. I'm really happy for him and I'm tickled he liked the scroll I created for him :o)

And then Martine was called in court. Hehe :o) She did not expect anything which really speaks for our little plot creating a scroll for her in french based on Joan of Arc's Grant of Arms without her suspecting anything. Milica helped with the translation and Darlene and I took care of the artsy part.

That also means I now get to show it off :o) First, Penda's AoA

Gouache on Pergamenata

And here is Martine's AOA :

 Gouache on Pergamenata, text in french and based on the Grant of Arms for Joan of Arc

These were of course not the only cool awards given out. among many other awards there were Master Octavio's call to join the Order of the Pelican and Koshka's invitation to join the Order of the Laurel. Subadai the Bear was asked to join the Order of the Chivalry at the one court I missed and Mistress Gianetta was awarded a Court Barony. I apologize for everyone I don't mention here but my brain is still a bit flakey from the past weekend and it appears I brought back a sneeze and a cough and the medication ins't helping. I'm happy I don't make more typos than usual :o)

The weather was a bit on the wonky side of things. After Ernesto missed us a diminutive waana-be depression decided to spoil afternoon court on saturday. The sky opened up and rain came down in buckets. BIG buckets. Everybody squeezed into the barely sufficient shelter of the pavilion sending prayers into all directions that there'd be an encampment to return to afterwards. I did too and 'lo and behold, the sunshade was still there and the Raspberry was bone-dry *G* I couldn't have been happier with my little experiment. There was even a bigger cousin of my experiemt that didn't even use a pole for the shoulder, just plenty of guylines to give it shape. Fantastic :o)

Saturday night we had a great dinner in camp and a few people came over to join us ever once in a while. Neither of us felt awake and active enough to march around and we stayed mostly put before crashing early. No surprise after getting up early and/or not getting enough sleep the night before.

Sunday saw me at the MoAS meeting, running around to fix up and finish prize scrolls for the Youth Combat and attending the scribes meeting. 2 of the 3 prizes for the Celtic Scroll Ralye went to Castlemere - W00T ! I picked one of those very neat artbin boxes since my old trustworthy green one had fallen off the desk and broken in a few structurally important places this gift was a godsend. Master Iefan sponsored most of the prizes and here's ahuge Thank you for his generous heart. I promise to put it to good use. The scribes showed up in full force to the meeting. More than 20, I counted at one point, which is fabulous. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to encourage and corrupt many more spreading scribal joy where ever we go *G* 

After the meeting I felt the first stings of a heat migraine building up so I tore down my camp and had Gaest, Innis and Martine helping with the big sunshade hoping to leave before it got worse. 2 Ibuprofen and lots of Gatorade later I was on my way home to join my men for dinner. I managed to see a few dear people briefly, some just in passing and I grumble about the fact that there wasn't enough time ... but, is there ever ? Meh ... well, at least I got a smooch from Mistress Bela and a drive-by hug from Sir Terrell so not all was lost ;o)

Today is tuesday and everything is washed and stashed neatly for the next mission. Seeing all the beautiful new garb has definitely renewed my desire to sit down and add to my wardrobe and I've already done some poking through my fabric stash. Time to sit down for a few concept sketches :o)

Tada ! 

When hubby read the news to me that Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, had died I at first thought he was joking. Killed by wildlife aka a stingray nonetheless - that sounded even more like a joke. I mean, c'mon, I've watched him wrestle all kinds of creatures most of them with pointy teeth, a sharp bite and a venomenous sting that this was just too bizarre an idea.

Unfortunately it is true.

The enthusiastic Aussie sharing his contagious excitement over any kind of wildlife with us for the past years is no longer. May he rest in peace and find a beautiful corner in Heaven filled with the creatures of our planet he loved so much. We are fortunate to have been able to watch him and will be able to continue to do so as he left his legacy in many rolls of film. My sincerest condolences go out to his family wishing them strength in this difficult time.

 www.thefirstpost.co.uk

Everything I need and more is packed and stacked neatly next to the stairs so that when hubby comes home from work he can help me load the car for my trip tomorrow.

All that's left to do is cooking up two more dishes for my men so they don't starve while I'm gone :) 

This is what I'm doing right now. Instead of finishing up my adventure in getting packed for Coronation I'm here procrastinating at every opportunity that life offers [and with a toddler int he house there are plenty] :o)

I'll be leaving tomorrow morning for the event preferring to drive before the chicken get up to arriving late at night to arrive in time for early morning court at 9am because I have a very special scroll to deliver for somebody who will be awarded at TRM Gregory's and Maisie's last court. There's another  special moment that'll finally come true too and there is a dinner with the squirrels I'm looking forward to and a scribes's tea but other than that I'm not really excited. I much more enjoy smaller events heavy on a fun theme like "Pilgrimage to Rome" these days and of course art-Sci. I'm planning on hanging out at Scribes' Point a lot so swing by and say hello and let's swap some tricks of the trade. 

I also have nothing to wear ... heh. Right after Coronation I'll get started on the new garb projects. I know exactly what I want, I have the fabric and I just need to sit down and do it.  Tomorrow I'm going to wear my squirrel dress [blue and yellow german] because it is very comfortable and looks bright and cheerful which has gained it its status as favorite dress for the time being. Now all I have to do is make up my mind as to whatelse to bring :o)

The Raspberry and the sunshade need to come along as well as the firebasket for tomorr night's dinner. I have a small box of squirrel accoutrements namely banners and painted tablecloth so that'll have to come too. I attached a nice hook tot he centerpole of the Raspberry which will allow me to attach and hang things like my little fan that runs on batteries, a light and of course the dress[es] so they don't end up all crumpled and wrinkly. 

Feastgear is in a box and I should maybe bring some scribal stuff along if I want to hang out at Scribes' Point.

I need to shop for Gatorade later and some snacks.

Guess I need to get started ...really