Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 47
December 4, 2011
"Jimmy Doane," Rowland Thirlmere
Jimmy Doane
Often I think of you, Jimmy Doane,–
You who, light-heartedly, came to my house
Three autumns, to shoot and to eat a grouse!
As I sat apart in this quiet room,
My mind was full of the horror of war
And not with the hope of a visitor.
I had dined on food that had lost its taste;
My soul was cold and I wished you were here,–
When, all in a moment, I knew you were near.
Placing that chair where you used to sit,
I looked at my book: –Three years to-day
Since you laughed in...
December 2, 2011
McDaniel Conference Linkage
I wasn't able to attend the McDaniel Conference on Popular Romance, but here are some reports on the proceedings.
Amy Burge reports on Reflections on (Re)Reading Romance: A 'Hands-On' Harlequin Workshop at the recent conference held at McDaniel College. Not only does the workshop sound fascinating and illuminating, the blog post about it is, too. Here's a bit more about the workshop and conference.
The excellent blog Read, React, Review has three posts on the McDaniel Conference:
November 30, 2011
November 29, 2011
The Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries
From the holiday weekend, I have a Criminal Element post up on The Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C.S. Harris.
I also have another preview up at Heroes and Heartbreakers: The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, another take on "Beauty and the Beast."
November 28, 2011
Philcon 2011: 3 Things I Learned
Philcon actually happened November 18-20th, but I'm only just getting around to my report!
I had quite a good time, despite my lingering cold, which I soothed with hot tea and cough suppressants. I met several new people (without really meaning to!) and had fun chats with them, as well as talking with people I already knew, and even doing some business (I met with my tax preparer, and was invited to speak at an event next June).
Here are the things I learned from this year's...
November 27, 2011
"Canada to England," Marjorie L. C. Pickthall
Canada to England
Great names of thy great captains gone before
Beat with our blood, who have that blood of thee:
Raleigh and Grenville, Wolfe, and all the free
Fine souls who dared to front a world in war.
Such only may outreach the envious years
Where feebler crowns and fainter stars remove,
Nurtured in one remembrance and one love
Too high for passion and too stern for tears.
O little isle our fathers held for home,
Not, not alone thy standards and thy hosts
Lead where...
November 25, 2011
November Baked Chicken
Wait for a chilly day so the oven will keep your kitchen warm.
Ingredients:
–oil, salt, pepper, minced or pressed garlic
–a raw chicken
–an onion
–rosemary and/or sage, fresh
Also, a meat thermometer helps a lot.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a small bowl, mix a couple tablespoons grapeseed oil or low-grade olive oil with crushed sea salt, a pinch of cayenne, freshly-ground black pepper, and a clove or two of crushed garlic.
Remove giblets from interior of chicken, rinse chicken, pat...
November 24, 2011
Women Nurses in War
A reader, Sarah, brought this site to my attention. It has quite a lot of information on women nurses in wartime, from the American Revolution through Vietnam. It includes links to a number of other online resources.
November 23, 2011
Pumpkin Swirl Bread
I'm traveling today, on my way to celebrate Thanksgiving – here's a dessert recipe, from my aunt!
Pumpkin Swirl Bread
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup water
optional: 1 cup pecans
1. Combine cream cheese, sugar, and egg, mixing until well blended. Set aside.
2. Combine dry...
November 22, 2011
Forbidden Crush: Masterharper Robinton
I have a post up at Heroes and Heartbreakers, from Friday, which I neglected to link here on the day it went up: on Masterharper Robinton and forbidden crushes (from Anne McCaffrey's Pern Series).
