Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 48
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).
November 21, 2011
Basic Chicken Stock
In honor of American Thanksgiving, I give to you a week of receipes.
Basic Chicken Stock
One really needs a stock pot to make stock. If you use smaller quantities of everything, you can get away with a large saucepan. However, stock takes so long that the time spent isn't usually worth it, unless you're making a large amount. Or you have nothing to do but cook.
Ingredients:
–1 stripped chicken carcass (i.e., you've removed the skin and as much meat and fat as you can). This can be the...
November 20, 2011
"The Volunteer," Herbert Asquith
The Volunteer
Here lies a clerk who half his life had spent
Toiling at ledgers in a city grey,
Thinking that so his days would drift away
With no lance broken in life's tournament:
Yet ever 'twixt the books and his bright eyes
The gleaming eagles of the legions came,
And horsemen, charging under phantom skies,
Went thundering past beneath the oriflamme.
And now those waiting dreams are satisfied;
From twilight to the halls of dawn he went;
His lance is broken; but he lies content
With...
November 19, 2011
On Not Attending
I have a post up at the Novelists, Inc. Blog on Non-Attendance is Also Useful.
November 18, 2011
Philcon 75
This weekend, I'll be at the 75th annual Philcon, held this year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ. My schedule is here.
Principal Speaker: Cory Doctorow
Artist Guests of Honor: Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell
Musical Guest: S.J. Tucker
If you're attending also, I hope to see you there!
