Realm Lovejoy's Blog, page 13
March 14, 2016
Photos - Backyard Ducks
I wanted to share with you a few photos of my pet ducks since it's almost their six month birthday when they become real adults! They just laid their first eggs.
I have always wanted fresh healthy eggs and have taken a particular liking to duck eggs over chicken eggs due to the rich flavor. Once I learned of the health benefits of eating duck eggs, I knew I really wanted to raise my own! (It's costs $6 for half a dozen duck eggs and store bought eggs just aren't fresh--they are often 1-3 months old in the store.)
I researched the duck breeds I wanted very carefully.
I got two ducklings that were born on the autumn equinox: Paimei and Phantom! I was in love as soon as I opened the box they were contained in.
Paimei is the light colored one. She is a Welsh Harlequin, one of the best egg layers and also the calmest breed. She is very chill when I pick her up and not easily spooked. Her breed lays white eggs. Personality: Paimei is stoic, classy (she loves to keep herself clean), and very protective of her buddy Phantom. When Phantom was sick, Paimei would guard over her, never leaving her side.
Phantom is the dark one. She is a Cayuga, a favored breed for urban farms due to their quietness. Indeed, Phantom still peeps like a baby as an adult, unlike Paimei who makes goosey sounds. Her breed lays gray and black eggs (which looks amazing)! Personality: Phantom is friskier than Paimei--she likes to run, jump, and be the first in line for their breakfast. She loves goofing around and causing mischief.
My husband who has keen eyes for design and a talent for building pretty much anything, built the coop mansion for them! I had fun designing the coop but he definitely did the heavy lifting on this one.
Other use of ducks: foraging (they eat weeds and pests), manure can be used for great compost soil, they eat left over veggies, and they keep you company while you do yard work.
The past two days the ducks both laid eggs! I love going out to the coop every morning to collect them. It feels romantic in an old timey way. I tried the egg for the first time by frying it in a pan. Best egg I ever tasted! I'm hooked.
Eggs aside, they have been a great source of joy and peace for me. My favorite thing to do is go outside with them and watch them march around the yard. They have taught me to slow down and relax.
Hope you enjoyed the photos! If you enjoyed this, I post more urban farming stuff (plus my original recipes) on my Urban Nature Tumblr and FB page.
--Realm
I have always wanted fresh healthy eggs and have taken a particular liking to duck eggs over chicken eggs due to the rich flavor. Once I learned of the health benefits of eating duck eggs, I knew I really wanted to raise my own! (It's costs $6 for half a dozen duck eggs and store bought eggs just aren't fresh--they are often 1-3 months old in the store.)
I researched the duck breeds I wanted very carefully.
I got two ducklings that were born on the autumn equinox: Paimei and Phantom! I was in love as soon as I opened the box they were contained in.
Paimei is the light colored one. She is a Welsh Harlequin, one of the best egg layers and also the calmest breed. She is very chill when I pick her up and not easily spooked. Her breed lays white eggs. Personality: Paimei is stoic, classy (she loves to keep herself clean), and very protective of her buddy Phantom. When Phantom was sick, Paimei would guard over her, never leaving her side.
Phantom is the dark one. She is a Cayuga, a favored breed for urban farms due to their quietness. Indeed, Phantom still peeps like a baby as an adult, unlike Paimei who makes goosey sounds. Her breed lays gray and black eggs (which looks amazing)! Personality: Phantom is friskier than Paimei--she likes to run, jump, and be the first in line for their breakfast. She loves goofing around and causing mischief.
My husband who has keen eyes for design and a talent for building pretty much anything, built the coop mansion for them! I had fun designing the coop but he definitely did the heavy lifting on this one.
Other use of ducks: foraging (they eat weeds and pests), manure can be used for great compost soil, they eat left over veggies, and they keep you company while you do yard work.
The past two days the ducks both laid eggs! I love going out to the coop every morning to collect them. It feels romantic in an old timey way. I tried the egg for the first time by frying it in a pan. Best egg I ever tasted! I'm hooked.
Eggs aside, they have been a great source of joy and peace for me. My favorite thing to do is go outside with them and watch them march around the yard. They have taught me to slow down and relax.
Hope you enjoyed the photos! If you enjoyed this, I post more urban farming stuff (plus my original recipes) on my Urban Nature Tumblr and FB page.
--Realm
March 9, 2016
News Week - 03/09/16
I started a new Tumblr for my other hobbies--cooking and urban farming! If you're interested in my recipes and such, please check it out. It's called Urban Nature. I also have an FB page for it.
In other news, I never posted my birthday photos this year so here it is! This year I wanted to do something simple and requested to go to the aquarium. It made me nostalgic to be in there and be surrounded by sea life. It was fun and relaxing. As I start a new decade it felt right to reconnect with my childhood. We ended the day by going on the ferris wheel and having dinner by the sound. Perfect!
--Realm
In other news, I never posted my birthday photos this year so here it is! This year I wanted to do something simple and requested to go to the aquarium. It made me nostalgic to be in there and be surrounded by sea life. It was fun and relaxing. As I start a new decade it felt right to reconnect with my childhood. We ended the day by going on the ferris wheel and having dinner by the sound. Perfect!
--Realm
March 7, 2016
Le Fay Series - Awesome Readers and Prize Winners
Today I'm feeling especially thankful to have awesome readers of the Le Fay series!
Florentine from Readiculously Peachy wrote a very touching letter that was voted for spotlight on Feature and Follow:
It means the world to an author to get a letter like this! I'm so honored that Florentine enjoyed the books and that she believes in me as a writer. I couldn't ask for more! I keep each letter I'm given (and print them out if they are digital letters) because they mean a lot to me. If you'd like to read the rest, please visit her blog!
The winners from my giveaway received their prizes! I threw in more presents in their packages.
Check it out:
Florentine from Readiculously Peachy -- Photos by Florentine:
Go to her blog for more details!
Paula from Her Book Thoughts -- Photo by Paula. She enjoyed CLAN back when it came out a couple years ago, so I also gave her some CLAN goods:
I'm so happy I got to send the prizes to these two awesome readers! I hope they will like the next book as well. I'm looking forward to posting another giveaway when the third book is out!
Xo,
--Realm
Florentine from Readiculously Peachy wrote a very touching letter that was voted for spotlight on Feature and Follow:
It means the world to an author to get a letter like this! I'm so honored that Florentine enjoyed the books and that she believes in me as a writer. I couldn't ask for more! I keep each letter I'm given (and print them out if they are digital letters) because they mean a lot to me. If you'd like to read the rest, please visit her blog!
The winners from my giveaway received their prizes! I threw in more presents in their packages.
Check it out:
Florentine from Readiculously Peachy -- Photos by Florentine:
Go to her blog for more details!
Paula from Her Book Thoughts -- Photo by Paula. She enjoyed CLAN back when it came out a couple years ago, so I also gave her some CLAN goods:
I'm so happy I got to send the prizes to these two awesome readers! I hope they will like the next book as well. I'm looking forward to posting another giveaway when the third book is out!
Xo,
--Realm
March 3, 2016
News Week - 03/03/16
Hello everyone! Apologies for the long inactivity on the blog! I was wrapping up some projects. Now I'm back to post regularly. Hey, it's March now! Happy March! I'm so pumped for spring. We just had the wettest winter in history over here in Seattle.
--What's new? I finished my children's book manuscript! Hurray!
--I'm opening up my freelance service again. Want an illustration from me for you project? (Book cover, promotion art, character design, tattoo art, logo, etc.) Send me a query: rtlovejoy (at) yahoo (dot) com
--Review policy reminder: Want a review copy of the third Le Fay book? Be sure to post a review of SWORD on Amazon to be on the list. (Due to time and cost I will only be sending it to readers who are reliable and genuinely enjoy the series--those who review 4 stars or higher.)
There will no longer be an open review query for SWORD and the third book--the only way to get a copy now is through the policy. HENGE will still be up for open review query.
We left off at Valentine's Day last month. Here are photos from my Valentine weekend:
I made lunch: grits with red onion jam:
Coolest chocolate box ever:
My nails for the day... "Isolde" from A-England! The palest of pinks, a romantic Arthurian color:
I tried to photograph my dress before the date... but Baron did not want me to leave:
We went to a speakeasy bar. The absinthe panna cotta I mentioned was very delicious!! I must try making it myself.
More soon!
--Realm
--What's new? I finished my children's book manuscript! Hurray!
--I'm opening up my freelance service again. Want an illustration from me for you project? (Book cover, promotion art, character design, tattoo art, logo, etc.) Send me a query: rtlovejoy (at) yahoo (dot) com
--Review policy reminder: Want a review copy of the third Le Fay book? Be sure to post a review of SWORD on Amazon to be on the list. (Due to time and cost I will only be sending it to readers who are reliable and genuinely enjoy the series--those who review 4 stars or higher.)
There will no longer be an open review query for SWORD and the third book--the only way to get a copy now is through the policy. HENGE will still be up for open review query.
We left off at Valentine's Day last month. Here are photos from my Valentine weekend:
I made lunch: grits with red onion jam:
Coolest chocolate box ever:
My nails for the day... "Isolde" from A-England! The palest of pinks, a romantic Arthurian color:
I tried to photograph my dress before the date... but Baron did not want me to leave:
We went to a speakeasy bar. The absinthe panna cotta I mentioned was very delicious!! I must try making it myself.
More soon!
--Realm
February 14, 2016
Le Fay Series - Art: Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day from Morgan le Fay from SWORD!
I hope everyone has a day full of hearts. I use Valentine's Day as an excuse to eat sweets. My husband and I are going to a speakeasy where they're gonna serve absinthe panna cotta which sounds strange and delicious.
--Realm
I hope everyone has a day full of hearts. I use Valentine's Day as an excuse to eat sweets. My husband and I are going to a speakeasy where they're gonna serve absinthe panna cotta which sounds strange and delicious.
--Realm
February 9, 2016
Le Fay Series - Art: Bad Romance
Valentine's Day is near! Thought I'd draw something Valentine-y and related to SWORD.
Morgan le Fay--she stains the heart:
Have a good week, everyone! XO
--Realm
Morgan le Fay--she stains the heart:
Have a good week, everyone! XO
--Realm
February 2, 2016
Le Fay Series - Research Travel: Dozmary Pool
Today I am launching the research travel series back up! You may remember my adventures in the UK. I posted various photos of Morgan le Fay's hometown Tintagel and also Stonehenge.
Today I am sharing another special location with you! This one is important for SWORD.
This place is one of the strongest candidate for being one of the most famous lakes in legends... the lake where Excalibur was thrown into and where Lady of the Lake resides. Some have pointed out that Dozmary Pool is the most likely candidate for being this lake. Yes, I had to see this lake!
The road there was the kind of road you felt you weren't supposed to be driving on and seemed to lead to nowhere. It was a lonely road that could go on for eternity. My husband and I felt something bad would happen, kind of like the feeling you get when you walk into an alleyway?
We came upon the dreary and depressing shore of isolated Dozmary Pool. A lone cow silently stared at us from a distance. The lake was very still. You could almost imagine a hand with the fabled sword jutting out of the surface. The lake could surely inspire mystical and scary tales. There's certainly something very lonesome about the place. Not a bird in the sky or a fish in the water.
In SWORD, Morgan le Fay experiences the lake in Avalon, where she feels dread. I also used the lake as an inspiration for her fight scene where she also feels dread, hopelessness, and sadness. Interesting enough, I learned that watery scenes can symbolize a shift or change in one's life or mind. (As an author, artist, and game designer, I often have to study symbols!) I also used the lake as reference for the opening spread illustration in the paperback.
I hope you enjoyed the photos! There's more to come.
--Realm
Today I am sharing another special location with you! This one is important for SWORD.
This place is one of the strongest candidate for being one of the most famous lakes in legends... the lake where Excalibur was thrown into and where Lady of the Lake resides. Some have pointed out that Dozmary Pool is the most likely candidate for being this lake. Yes, I had to see this lake!
The road there was the kind of road you felt you weren't supposed to be driving on and seemed to lead to nowhere. It was a lonely road that could go on for eternity. My husband and I felt something bad would happen, kind of like the feeling you get when you walk into an alleyway?
We came upon the dreary and depressing shore of isolated Dozmary Pool. A lone cow silently stared at us from a distance. The lake was very still. You could almost imagine a hand with the fabled sword jutting out of the surface. The lake could surely inspire mystical and scary tales. There's certainly something very lonesome about the place. Not a bird in the sky or a fish in the water.
In SWORD, Morgan le Fay experiences the lake in Avalon, where she feels dread. I also used the lake as an inspiration for her fight scene where she also feels dread, hopelessness, and sadness. Interesting enough, I learned that watery scenes can symbolize a shift or change in one's life or mind. (As an author, artist, and game designer, I often have to study symbols!) I also used the lake as reference for the opening spread illustration in the paperback.
I hope you enjoyed the photos! There's more to come.
--Realm
February 1, 2016
News Week - 02/01/16
More reviews for SWORD!
"All the plot twists in this novel are enough to give me a heart attack. While I can't reveal them for obvious reasons, just know that this book will take you on an amazingly epic journey that will leave in a state of shock by just how freaking amazing it it."--Riv, Forever Obsession
"Sword is the second book in the Le Fay series by Realm Lovejoy and is even better than its predecessor, giving the first novel a run for its money in the high stakes department and taking readers on an exciting adventure from beginning to end!"--Rachel, The Rest is Still Unwritten
"Sword was a fantastic, utterly thrilling continuation of the Le Fay series. I'm still reeling from the story. Just like Henge, Sword is well written, amazingly paced, and the storyline does not disappoint, plus the characters are fantastic."--Bri, Books and Ashes
"I loved the first book and this is quickly becoming one of my favorite series."--Michelle, Because Reading is Better Than Real Life
Thank you, dear readers, for reviewing! It helps the series so much!
How was your first month of the new year? I spent mine learning a bunch at Oculus. I spent January focusing on learning to balance since I've overworked myself a lot the previous years. I'm incorporating more yoga into my life, yard work, and also having longer mornings before starting work. All these things help my brain have some quiet time.
Things accomplished in January:
-Picture book dev edit finished!
-Third LE FAY book 2nd draft reached 10k words!
-A bunch of promo art for SWORD was completed.
This month I hope to finish the picture book line edit and get it to my agent. I want to get the book 3 draft done for LE FAY and let it cool for a bit before another round of my drafting. I plan to continue SWORD art and photo promo throughout spring.
Hope your new year plans are going well!
--Realm
"All the plot twists in this novel are enough to give me a heart attack. While I can't reveal them for obvious reasons, just know that this book will take you on an amazingly epic journey that will leave in a state of shock by just how freaking amazing it it."--Riv, Forever Obsession
"Sword is the second book in the Le Fay series by Realm Lovejoy and is even better than its predecessor, giving the first novel a run for its money in the high stakes department and taking readers on an exciting adventure from beginning to end!"--Rachel, The Rest is Still Unwritten
"Sword was a fantastic, utterly thrilling continuation of the Le Fay series. I'm still reeling from the story. Just like Henge, Sword is well written, amazingly paced, and the storyline does not disappoint, plus the characters are fantastic."--Bri, Books and Ashes
"I loved the first book and this is quickly becoming one of my favorite series."--Michelle, Because Reading is Better Than Real Life
Thank you, dear readers, for reviewing! It helps the series so much!
How was your first month of the new year? I spent mine learning a bunch at Oculus. I spent January focusing on learning to balance since I've overworked myself a lot the previous years. I'm incorporating more yoga into my life, yard work, and also having longer mornings before starting work. All these things help my brain have some quiet time.
Things accomplished in January:
-Picture book dev edit finished!
-Third LE FAY book 2nd draft reached 10k words!
-A bunch of promo art for SWORD was completed.
This month I hope to finish the picture book line edit and get it to my agent. I want to get the book 3 draft done for LE FAY and let it cool for a bit before another round of my drafting. I plan to continue SWORD art and photo promo throughout spring.
Hope your new year plans are going well!
--Realm
January 28, 2016
SWORD - Paperback Illustration Samples
Like HENGE, the paperback version of SWORD contains several of my illustrations. Here are some samples:
Opening spread. The illustration is based on a lake I visited in Cornwall:
Look who joined the cast... Arthur!
Morgan le Fay grows a year older in SWORD. Gorlois says, don't grow up so fast!
Mystery and magic!
Heated conflict:
SWORD contains a lot of angst:
What's the Le Fay Series without fire?
You can check out the Amazon page for SWORD here.
--Realm
Opening spread. The illustration is based on a lake I visited in Cornwall:
Look who joined the cast... Arthur!
Morgan le Fay grows a year older in SWORD. Gorlois says, don't grow up so fast!
Mystery and magic!
Heated conflict:
SWORD contains a lot of angst:
What's the Le Fay Series without fire?
You can check out the Amazon page for SWORD here.
--Realm
