Drop by the Pink Heart Society Blog, to find me today. I would so love to see you there.
http://pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/
Comment for a chance to win a copy of Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What Am I Reading?
Drop by the Pink Heart Society Blog, to find me today. I would so love to see you there.
http://pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/
Comment for a chance to win a copy of Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Regency Fashion February
by Michele Ann Young
Here is a little bit of something fun for a cold February day!. Although if you are one of my Australian readers I gather you are having some pretty hot hot weather right now.
Head-dresses for February 1805 from the Lady's Magazine.
Here is how this plate is described.
HEAD-dresses in hair and turbans are still in undiminished vogue for full dress. In undress, next to the hats of black velvet, or of the same colour with the great coat now generally worn, a capote of rose-coloured satin, trimmed with a wide tulle, is most fashionable. The velvet hats are usually ornamented with feathers and flowers, and some are lined with a different colour: Cassimere [also called kerseymere] hats, of the same colour with the great coats, are edged with black velvet.
The dress represented in the annexed plate is now much worn. --a great coat of blue cassimere with a black velvet collar, and a velvet edging of the same colour. (This great coat comes down to the shoes and is trimmed in the same manner at the bottom)--Colerette à la Medicis--Coral necklace and ear-rings--the head-dress of hair raised on the top of the head, and fastened with a gold comb.
The cloth great coats have always large collars with folds.The taffety douillettes, which are pretty numerous, have likewise large collars of black velvet: they are usually of a bright nut- brown. The number of shawls continually diminishes: Palantines, both white and striped, begin to make their appearance.
We don't see the coat in the annexed plate, but I thought the description worth including. I also notice the use of the word "great coat". I have heard this used for men, but not for women, so I was interested to see this here.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Here is a little bit of something fun for a cold February day!. Although if you are one of my Australian readers I gather you are having some pretty hot hot weather right now.
Head-dresses for February 1805 from the Lady's Magazine.
Here is how this plate is described.
HEAD-dresses in hair and turbans are still in undiminished vogue for full dress. In undress, next to the hats of black velvet, or of the same colour with the great coat now generally worn, a capote of rose-coloured satin, trimmed with a wide tulle, is most fashionable. The velvet hats are usually ornamented with feathers and flowers, and some are lined with a different colour: Cassimere [also called kerseymere] hats, of the same colour with the great coats, are edged with black velvet.
The dress represented in the annexed plate is now much worn. --a great coat of blue cassimere with a black velvet collar, and a velvet edging of the same colour. (This great coat comes down to the shoes and is trimmed in the same manner at the bottom)--Colerette à la Medicis--Coral necklace and ear-rings--the head-dress of hair raised on the top of the head, and fastened with a gold comb.
The cloth great coats have always large collars with folds.The taffety douillettes, which are pretty numerous, have likewise large collars of black velvet: they are usually of a bright nut- brown. The number of shawls continually diminishes: Palantines, both white and striped, begin to make their appearance.
We don't see the coat in the annexed plate, but I thought the description worth including. I also notice the use of the word "great coat". I have heard this used for men, but not for women, so I was interested to see this here.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Monday, February 1, 2010
Launching
by Ann Lethbridge
The excitement of a book coming out, never dwindles.
I am also really lucky, I get to celebrate new releases twice.
Once when they come out in the UK, and again when they come out in North America.
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress, is now out in the UK, probably on shelves around February 4, so if you live in the Britain, this is lots of notice that you can find my book there later this week. and to make sure you can recognize it, here is the cover (again).
Bear with me, I am excited.
For those of you in North America, you have to wait until May for this book. But I have posted the cover below just as a teaser, to whet your appetites.
Such a different take on the cover, but I find I like them both very much.
Oh, and by the way a little bird told me that Captured for the Captain's Pleasure will be out in North America in June!
Oh be still my fast beating heart!
and then it will be almost time for Michele's next book!
Watch out for my next newsletter, coming soon. As usual there will be a prize!
Regency Fashion for February, coming up next time here on Regency Rambles
Until then, Happy Rambles.
The excitement of a book coming out, never dwindles.I am also really lucky, I get to celebrate new releases twice.
Once when they come out in the UK, and again when they come out in North America.
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress, is now out in the UK, probably on shelves around February 4, so if you live in the Britain, this is lots of notice that you can find my book there later this week. and to make sure you can recognize it, here is the cover (again).
Bear with me, I am excited.
For those of you in North America, you have to wait until May for this book. But I have posted the cover below just as a teaser, to whet your appetites.
Such a different take on the cover, but I find I like them both very much.
Oh, and by the way a little bird told me that Captured for the Captain's Pleasure will be out in North America in June!
Oh be still my fast beating heart!
and then it will be almost time for Michele's next book!
Watch out for my next newsletter, coming soon. As usual there will be a prize!
Regency Fashion for February, coming up next time here on Regency Rambles
Until then, Happy Rambles.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Stourhead Continues Some More
by Ann Lethbridge
Fascinatingly, at one point in time, Stourhead had its own hermit.
Now this picture of some ruins in the grounds is probably not it. The guide says the hermitage is no longer there.
But I had fun imaginingt some bearded elderly gentleman earning a living by sitting in this structure, just so those living in the house could say, there is a hermit living at the bottom of my garden.
And if you can have a temple and a parthenon and a gothic cottage, why not have a hermit?
That is it for the garden. There is a walled garden. There is also a tower. Since we wanted to see the house, we decided to save them for another day. And so, you will have to wait for those too.
Stourhead House
No, no, this is not it! This is just the gate.
But you knew that, didn't you?
Imagine driving up to the Stourhead house in your carriage or phaeton. Such an impressive entrance.
The gate was built in 1799 and was a replica of an earlier gate set between the village and the stable yard.
As you can probably tell I did not take the above picture, but I did want you to see the front of the gate. By this time my camera was misbehaving - I had to buy a new one, and so a couple of my pictures didn't come out.
I did want to share this one with you. Over the years I have seen lots of gatehouse, but I did think this was one of the prettiest I've ever seen.
There are a lot of things about Stourhead that makes one want to say that. But the reason I was so excited to find this gatehouse was that it is how I imagined the gatehouse in "Captured for the Captain's Pleasure" would look. Only I added a bedroom in the eaves.
Yes I know that title makes you think of ships and ocean, but there is a fair bit of dry land too. In that book, the house itself is burned down, but fortunately Stourhead while it did suffer a major fire in the early nineteen hundreds, much of the interior was either saved or replicated.
A wide drive sweeps in a curve up to the house. It is bordered on the right by Spanish chestnut trees.
To give you an idea of the size and age of these trees, my husband kindly offered to stand next to one.
Did I say offered?
Well he suffered through it anyway, bless him.
Where is the house, say you?
But first we have to park our car in the garage. Ahem, take the carriage to the stable.
We will start there, next time. I promise you, it is worth the wait.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
Fascinatingly, at one point in time, Stourhead had its own hermit.Now this picture of some ruins in the grounds is probably not it. The guide says the hermitage is no longer there.
But I had fun imaginingt some bearded elderly gentleman earning a living by sitting in this structure, just so those living in the house could say, there is a hermit living at the bottom of my garden.
And if you can have a temple and a parthenon and a gothic cottage, why not have a hermit?
That is it for the garden. There is a walled garden. There is also a tower. Since we wanted to see the house, we decided to save them for another day. And so, you will have to wait for those too.
Stourhead House
No, no, this is not it! This is just the gate.
But you knew that, didn't you?
Imagine driving up to the Stourhead house in your carriage or phaeton. Such an impressive entrance.
The gate was built in 1799 and was a replica of an earlier gate set between the village and the stable yard.
As you can probably tell I did not take the above picture, but I did want you to see the front of the gate. By this time my camera was misbehaving - I had to buy a new one, and so a couple of my pictures didn't come out.
I did want to share this one with you. Over the years I have seen lots of gatehouse, but I did think this was one of the prettiest I've ever seen.There are a lot of things about Stourhead that makes one want to say that. But the reason I was so excited to find this gatehouse was that it is how I imagined the gatehouse in "Captured for the Captain's Pleasure" would look. Only I added a bedroom in the eaves.
Yes I know that title makes you think of ships and ocean, but there is a fair bit of dry land too. In that book, the house itself is burned down, but fortunately Stourhead while it did suffer a major fire in the early nineteen hundreds, much of the interior was either saved or replicated.
A wide drive sweeps in a curve up to the house. It is bordered on the right by Spanish chestnut trees.
To give you an idea of the size and age of these trees, my husband kindly offered to stand next to one.
Did I say offered?
Well he suffered through it anyway, bless him.
Where is the house, say you?
But first we have to park our car in the garage. Ahem, take the carriage to the stable.
We will start there, next time. I promise you, it is worth the wait.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Stourhead Continues
by Michele Ann Young
We are in the middle of our January thaw, with a couple of days of very mild weather, but the weatherman kindly assures us it will not continue.
It seems appropriate, therefore, to resume our ramble around Stourhead and forget about the climate.
Here we have the Pantheon as promised.
‘Few buildings exceed the magnificence, taste and beauty of this temple’
- Horace Walpole
The Pantheon is the garden's largest and most important building, we saw it in my earlier pictures. It sits on the edge of the lake and can be seen from all different angles as one walks.
Its interior is equally magnificent, with marble statues and reliefs set around the main circular hall.
It was designed by architect Henry Flitcroft, and built in 1753-4, and no doubt provided an impressive setting for Henry Hoare II’s picnics and summer parties. And yes, if you think you recognized it from Pride and Predjudice - you are right.
This is the temple, called after The Temple of Apollo.
Remember we saw it in one of my earlier pictures. It stands at the western edge of the garden up on a hill.
It was built in 1765 by Flitcroft, inspired by the circular temple of Baalbec in Syria.
Apollo is the sun god without whom no garden can flourish.
Actually I'm feeling a bit like a sunless garden myself at the moment. Roll on spring.
This last picture is of a cascade or waterfall. It is one of those things that one just comes across. Another one of Stourhead's surprises
There are more to come.
Until next time, happy rambles
We are in the middle of our January thaw, with a couple of days of very mild weather, but the weatherman kindly assures us it will not continue.
It seems appropriate, therefore, to resume our ramble around Stourhead and forget about the climate.Here we have the Pantheon as promised.
‘Few buildings exceed the magnificence, taste and beauty of this temple’
- Horace Walpole
The Pantheon is the garden's largest and most important building, we saw it in my earlier pictures. It sits on the edge of the lake and can be seen from all different angles as one walks.
Its interior is equally magnificent, with marble statues and reliefs set around the main circular hall.
It was designed by architect Henry Flitcroft, and built in 1753-4, and no doubt provided an impressive setting for Henry Hoare II’s picnics and summer parties. And yes, if you think you recognized it from Pride and Predjudice - you are right.
This is the temple, called after The Temple of Apollo.
Remember we saw it in one of my earlier pictures. It stands at the western edge of the garden up on a hill.
It was built in 1765 by Flitcroft, inspired by the circular temple of Baalbec in Syria.
Apollo is the sun god without whom no garden can flourish.
Actually I'm feeling a bit like a sunless garden myself at the moment. Roll on spring.
This last picture is of a cascade or waterfall. It is one of those things that one just comes across. Another one of Stourhead's surprisesThere are more to come.
Until next time, happy rambles
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Regency Food
by Ann Lethbridge
What can we serve for breakfast?
Toast and marmalade of course.
Last week I handed in two books, which left me at a bit of a loose end. So, since my husband sneakily bought home some Seville oranges, I decided to celebrate meeting the deadlines by making marmalade. I thought it particularly fitting, because marmalade was indeed Regency food since it was first produced in Dundee in 1797 and can therefore show up on our Regency heroine's breakfast toast.
This is something any Regency cook would be able to make in her kitchen, since it requires nothing but Seville oranges, which are sour and bitter and lots and lots of sugar. Along with a fair bit of elbow grease. I was lucky, my daughter was home and took an interest so I had my scullery maid to help out.
Here we have the squeezed skins already for chopping. These particular oranges turned out to be very juicy, full of lovely pips and the rind was almost perfect.
I added a couple of lemons for extra zip, but it could have been all oranges.
I like to use an old-fashioned glass squeezer, as you can see in the picture. The glass edges really make a good job of crushing the pulp out of the juice and it catches the pips. In making marmalade pips are very important.
Here you can see the juice in the pan along with a muslin bag full of... yes pips.
The sticky juices that come out of the pips is natural pectin, it requires 2 to 3 hours of simmering in the juice from the oranges and 15 cups of water, and all those peels we chopped. Pectin is what makes the preserve set, you know so it looks like jelly rather than juice.
That's a lot of simmering, my friends, steamy windows, cups of tea, and gossip. And of course you need to be sterilizing the jars and writing the labels during that time too.
And when you are done all the simmering there's this icky sticky job of squeezing the warm muslin bag. Such fun. And just to prove it here I am. Not looking my best, but by this time I'd been working for hours. Still, I am smiling. You can see the simmered peel in the pan. by this time it is soft.
Then 15 cups of sugar gets added, and there's a lot of stirring and putting drops onto chilled plates to see if it's set yet. Very nerve wracking trying to see if thick juicy stuff is actually wrinkling when you push it with a fork or not.
I must say I was a bit shocked at the amount of sugar that went in there. Almost appalled. But even with all that sugar the end result was not all that sweet. The other thing to remember is to only spoon a small amount on your toast, because it has a wonderful flavor and it is quite strong.
We made the final marmalade in three batches. And to one of them I added chunks of crystallized ginger. Yummy. the first picture at the top is the finished result of a whole day of hard work. I'm glad I don't have to make everything from scratch, I'd never get any writing done.
I'm going to try to keep some of it for hostess gifts, but we've already polished off one whole jar. It even ended up on ice cream as dessert the first evening - it was still warm too.
I wish I could share it with you. Nothing quite like home made, especially when it is authentic regency food. So if you ever pop by for breakfast don't forget to try the marmalade.
Until next time, which will be next week, happy rambles.
.
What can we serve for breakfast?Toast and marmalade of course.
Last week I handed in two books, which left me at a bit of a loose end. So, since my husband sneakily bought home some Seville oranges, I decided to celebrate meeting the deadlines by making marmalade. I thought it particularly fitting, because marmalade was indeed Regency food since it was first produced in Dundee in 1797 and can therefore show up on our Regency heroine's breakfast toast.
This is something any Regency cook would be able to make in her kitchen, since it requires nothing but Seville oranges, which are sour and bitter and lots and lots of sugar. Along with a fair bit of elbow grease. I was lucky, my daughter was home and took an interest so I had my scullery maid to help out.
Here we have the squeezed skins already for chopping. These particular oranges turned out to be very juicy, full of lovely pips and the rind was almost perfect.I added a couple of lemons for extra zip, but it could have been all oranges.
I like to use an old-fashioned glass squeezer, as you can see in the picture. The glass edges really make a good job of crushing the pulp out of the juice and it catches the pips. In making marmalade pips are very important.
Here you can see the juice in the pan along with a muslin bag full of... yes pips.
The sticky juices that come out of the pips is natural pectin, it requires 2 to 3 hours of simmering in the juice from the oranges and 15 cups of water, and all those peels we chopped. Pectin is what makes the preserve set, you know so it looks like jelly rather than juice.
That's a lot of simmering, my friends, steamy windows, cups of tea, and gossip. And of course you need to be sterilizing the jars and writing the labels during that time too.
And when you are done all the simmering there's this icky sticky job of squeezing the warm muslin bag. Such fun. And just to prove it here I am. Not looking my best, but by this time I'd been working for hours. Still, I am smiling. You can see the simmered peel in the pan. by this time it is soft.
Then 15 cups of sugar gets added, and there's a lot of stirring and putting drops onto chilled plates to see if it's set yet. Very nerve wracking trying to see if thick juicy stuff is actually wrinkling when you push it with a fork or not.
I must say I was a bit shocked at the amount of sugar that went in there. Almost appalled. But even with all that sugar the end result was not all that sweet. The other thing to remember is to only spoon a small amount on your toast, because it has a wonderful flavor and it is quite strong.
We made the final marmalade in three batches. And to one of them I added chunks of crystallized ginger. Yummy. the first picture at the top is the finished result of a whole day of hard work. I'm glad I don't have to make everything from scratch, I'd never get any writing done.
I'm going to try to keep some of it for hostess gifts, but we've already polished off one whole jar. It even ended up on ice cream as dessert the first evening - it was still warm too.
I wish I could share it with you. Nothing quite like home made, especially when it is authentic regency food. So if you ever pop by for breakfast don't forget to try the marmalade.
Until next time, which will be next week, happy rambles.
.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
New Story Coming Out
by Michele Ann Young
It is always exciting when you see a new cover, knowing one of your stories lies beneath the artwork.
This one is lovely, don't you think? I did look at it with a faintly jaundiced eye, wondering if that corset isn't just a bit too Victorian, but then I decided that the front-closing stays fit with the Regency. And the girl's face is lovely.
This is a compendium of twenty-five short stories due out in May and I am in such exalted company as Mary Jo Putney, Eloisa James, Loretta Chase and Mary Balogh. I feel honoured, I must say.
My story is called Remember and is about two lovers meeting after a long, bitter separation.
Due out in May, at the moment the only place I am seeing the book listed is at Amazon UK. I am not sure if there will be a different North America date. Here is the link. The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
.
These books are also founds in bookstores everywhere.
Naturally I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
It is always exciting when you see a new cover, knowing one of your stories lies beneath the artwork.
This one is lovely, don't you think? I did look at it with a faintly jaundiced eye, wondering if that corset isn't just a bit too Victorian, but then I decided that the front-closing stays fit with the Regency. And the girl's face is lovely.
This is a compendium of twenty-five short stories due out in May and I am in such exalted company as Mary Jo Putney, Eloisa James, Loretta Chase and Mary Balogh. I feel honoured, I must say.
My story is called Remember and is about two lovers meeting after a long, bitter separation.
Due out in May, at the moment the only place I am seeing the book listed is at Amazon UK. I am not sure if there will be a different North America date. Here is the link. The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
.These books are also founds in bookstores everywhere.
Naturally I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Monday, January 11, 2010
Flora and Fauna of Regency England ~ January
by Ann Lethbridge
Weather
The weather has a huge impact on Flora an Fauna, naturally. Duh, you might say. but since we all live in vastly different climates I thought a bit of weather information might be of interest during this discussion.
In January 1814 the coldest temperature each day ranged from 3 degrees Fahrenheit (-16C) to 21.5 degrees F (-6C) Remembering that it will warm up during daylight hours - what there are of them. This was an exceedingly cold winter for England. Quite often it is warm enough to walk outside with a sweater, other times you need to be well bundled up.
Flora and Fauna
Not much going on at this time of year you might say. And to be honest many of the creatures I have posted about before appear in the winter too. Our Naturist has, among other things, this to say:
In other words he says there is a great deal of spring-like activity happening already.
As you can see, I picked one of my favorite birds, called the titmouse in the diary, it is also commonly known as the blue tit these days. It is very acrobatic.
The naturist also tells us that marauders such as the fox and the polecat invade farms when there is little to eat in the wild. Our Regency farmers would not be happy about them. Polecats are interesting creatures. They are mainly nocturnal and are found in woodlands, farmlands and wetlands. They often make dens in stream banks or under tree roots and feed l on small mammals such as voles and rat and also on frogs.
Until next time, happy rambles.
Weather
The weather has a huge impact on Flora an Fauna, naturally. Duh, you might say. but since we all live in vastly different climates I thought a bit of weather information might be of interest during this discussion.In January 1814 the coldest temperature each day ranged from 3 degrees Fahrenheit (-16C) to 21.5 degrees F (-6C) Remembering that it will warm up during daylight hours - what there are of them. This was an exceedingly cold winter for England. Quite often it is warm enough to walk outside with a sweater, other times you need to be well bundled up.
Flora and Fauna
Not much going on at this time of year you might say. And to be honest many of the creatures I have posted about before appear in the winter too. Our Naturist has, among other things, this to say:
Linnets (fringilla linota) congregate; and rooks (corvus frugilegus) resort to their nest trees. The house-sparrow (fringilla domestica) chirps; the bat (vespertilio) appears; spiders shoot out their webs; the blackbird (turdus merula) whistles; and the skylark sings. The titmouse (parus) pulls straw out of the thatch in search of insects. This bird is also very active in climbing and running about the trees for the same purpose, and the redbreasts search about the holes of walls for snails.
In other words he says there is a great deal of spring-like activity happening already.
As you can see, I picked one of my favorite birds, called the titmouse in the diary, it is also commonly known as the blue tit these days. It is very acrobatic.
The naturist also tells us that marauders such as the fox and the polecat invade farms when there is little to eat in the wild. Our Regency farmers would not be happy about them. Polecats are interesting creatures. They are mainly nocturnal and are found in woodlands, farmlands and wetlands. They often make dens in stream banks or under tree roots and feed l on small mammals such as voles and rat and also on frogs.Until next time, happy rambles.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Regency Fashions for January
by Michele Ann Young
Before we get to the important stuff here is a bit of writing news! Michele has a story in the Mammoth Book of Regencies. The working title is Remember and it went in to the editor on Wednesday. More to come on that later.
These two gowns are so very January, aren't they? And with the weather in England the way it is right now, to me they look perfect. (It would just take the Thames to freeze over, and I would be over there in a heartbeat. Can you imagine, a 21st century frost fair).
Right, back to fashion.
This place comes from the Ladies Monthly Museum for January
Walking Dress.
A Green Velvet Hat, turned up in Front, and edged with White Swansdown, ornamented with a Green Velvet Flower. A Pelisse of Green Velvet, with Bishop’s Sleeves, trimmed with Black Lace. Habit Shirt of clear Muslin; Swansdown Tippet. Buff Boots.
Notr the habit shirt, these were worn under riding habits, but I suspect it is added here for a bit of warmth.
Full Dress.
Head fashionably dressed, ornamented with a Silver Wreath, and Heron’s Feathers. Walking dress of clear Muslin; a deep Lace let in round the Bottom. A Robe of Crimson Satin, edged round with White Swansdown, full sleeves, looped up with a Diamond Button. White Muff, Gloves, and Shoes.
The colour of the robe is gorgeous isn't it. Heron's feathers. My, whose for dashing out and tackling a heron. I bet we'd be in trouble.
And just for fun, for those who may not have seen this:
Snowy Britain on January 7, 2010. Brrrr.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
Before we get to the important stuff here is a bit of writing news! Michele has a story in the Mammoth Book of Regencies. The working title is Remember and it went in to the editor on Wednesday. More to come on that later.
These two gowns are so very January, aren't they? And with the weather in England the way it is right now, to me they look perfect. (It would just take the Thames to freeze over, and I would be over there in a heartbeat. Can you imagine, a 21st century frost fair).Right, back to fashion.
This place comes from the Ladies Monthly Museum for January
Walking Dress.
A Green Velvet Hat, turned up in Front, and edged with White Swansdown, ornamented with a Green Velvet Flower. A Pelisse of Green Velvet, with Bishop’s Sleeves, trimmed with Black Lace. Habit Shirt of clear Muslin; Swansdown Tippet. Buff Boots.
Notr the habit shirt, these were worn under riding habits, but I suspect it is added here for a bit of warmth.
Full Dress.
Head fashionably dressed, ornamented with a Silver Wreath, and Heron’s Feathers. Walking dress of clear Muslin; a deep Lace let in round the Bottom. A Robe of Crimson Satin, edged round with White Swansdown, full sleeves, looped up with a Diamond Button. White Muff, Gloves, and Shoes.
The colour of the robe is gorgeous isn't it. Heron's feathers. My, whose for dashing out and tackling a heron. I bet we'd be in trouble.
And just for fun, for those who may not have seen this:
Snowy Britain on January 7, 2010. Brrrr.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Happy New Year
It is always difficult to get back into routine after a holiday, isn't it? But here we are.
Family is very important to us all when there are celebrations, and we were lucky enough to communicate with all of ours over the past two weeks.
There is also the surfeit of food to contend with and the odd glass of cheer, and those couple of extra pounds. All in all, though, it was a great holiday for us.
I am glad to be back with you all. 2010 promises to be an interesting year, with at least 2 full length and two (or is that three) short stories coming out. We look forward to sharing our research, travels and jubilations with you. (You won't find any snark here. Ever.)
For me that is the key to the New Year. Looking forward, making plans, tucking the regrets away in a private corner and rambling on.
Wishing you all the very best for a happy, healthy and rewarding 2010.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
by Ann Lethbridge and Michele Ann Young
,
Wishing you all the very best. We are taking our own holiday and will return in the New Year for more walks about Regency Britain.
,Wishing you all the very best. We are taking our own holiday and will return in the New Year for more walks about Regency Britain.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Regency London
by Michele Ann
It's been a while since we visited London, but I thought we might have a change of scene.
Inns in our period were very important places. The larger ones were not only watering holes, but they were meeting places, transportation terminals and hotels.
The Talbot pictured here in 1810. This inn which was established in 1307 on the east side of Borough High Street in Southwark. A principal route in and out of London.
(Originally called the Tabard after a short coat, either sleeveless, or with short sleeves or shoulder pieces, which was a common item of men's clothing in the middle ages.)
The Tabard appears in Chaucer's Cantebury Tales as the place where the pilgrims gathered prior to setting out on their journey.
It was renamed after a fire destroyed it and it was rebuilt 1669.
It became a posting house, and a place for visitors to London to stay on the other side of the Thames opposite the city.
The gallery which runs around the inside of the courtyard of many these inns always reminds me of a modern motel.
The Cock Inn Leadenhall Street.
This is a lesser known inn according to my source "Inns and Taverns of Old London" and was thought to be originally a boys charity school - the carvings of small boys holding up the over-hanging second story giving it away. You can also make out the cockerel sign below the bay window. It is a beautiful building and still in existence during our period. It is a tavern rather than a coaching inn and would have provided food as well as a favourite libation.
That's all from me. Until next time, happy rambles.
It's been a while since we visited London, but I thought we might have a change of scene.
Inns in our period were very important places. The larger ones were not only watering holes, but they were meeting places, transportation terminals and hotels.
The Talbot pictured here in 1810. This inn which was established in 1307 on the east side of Borough High Street in Southwark. A principal route in and out of London.(Originally called the Tabard after a short coat, either sleeveless, or with short sleeves or shoulder pieces, which was a common item of men's clothing in the middle ages.)
The Tabard appears in Chaucer's Cantebury Tales as the place where the pilgrims gathered prior to setting out on their journey.
It was renamed after a fire destroyed it and it was rebuilt 1669.
It became a posting house, and a place for visitors to London to stay on the other side of the Thames opposite the city.
The gallery which runs around the inside of the courtyard of many these inns always reminds me of a modern motel.
The Cock Inn Leadenhall Street.This is a lesser known inn according to my source "Inns and Taverns of Old London" and was thought to be originally a boys charity school - the carvings of small boys holding up the over-hanging second story giving it away. You can also make out the cockerel sign below the bay window. It is a beautiful building and still in existence during our period. It is a tavern rather than a coaching inn and would have provided food as well as a favourite libation.
That's all from me. Until next time, happy rambles.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Stourhead - Part of the sixth
by Ann
This must be the longest walk we have ever taken together. I do so enjoy your company.
I promised the Pantheon, but this is not it.
This is just the sweetest little cottage. I honestly do not know the history behind it. If anyone does, there is a prize waiting for you.
I'm guessing it was a sort of half way house where the owners could stop and have a cup of tea and pretend to be rustics, the way Marie Antoinette did, but I'd be more than pleased to have the true story.
So here we have our Temple dedicated to Apollo, the sun god and without whom no garden can flourish.
And the Pantheon
The Pantheon first called the Temple of Hercules, as its interior is dominated by a marble statue of Hercules by Rysbrack whose biceps were apparently modelled on Jack Broughton,'the father of English boxing'.
Other statues lining the curved wall below the dome are St Susanna; Diana, goddess of hunting; Flora, goddess of gardens; Livia Augusta, wife of Emperor Augustus; Meleager, Atalanta’s lover and god of hunting; and Isis an Egyptian goddess. You can see a picture of the inside here at the National Trust Website
And so we continue on our journey.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
This must be the longest walk we have ever taken together. I do so enjoy your company.
I promised the Pantheon, but this is not it. This is just the sweetest little cottage. I honestly do not know the history behind it. If anyone does, there is a prize waiting for you.
I'm guessing it was a sort of half way house where the owners could stop and have a cup of tea and pretend to be rustics, the way Marie Antoinette did, but I'd be more than pleased to have the true story.
So here we have our Temple dedicated to Apollo, the sun god and without whom no garden can flourish.And the Pantheon
The Pantheon first called the Temple of Hercules, as its interior is dominated by a marble statue of Hercules by Rysbrack whose biceps were apparently modelled on Jack Broughton,'the father of English boxing'.
Other statues lining the curved wall below the dome are St Susanna; Diana, goddess of hunting; Flora, goddess of gardens; Livia Augusta, wife of Emperor Augustus; Meleager, Atalanta’s lover and god of hunting; and Isis an Egyptian goddess. You can see a picture of the inside here at the National Trust Website
And so we continue on our journey.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Monday, December 7, 2009
Regency Fashion for December
Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat Please put a penny in the old man's hat If you haven't got a penny and ha'penny will do, If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you.
An old song, but one we still remember and that reminds us to be charitable in this time of feasting.
A carriage dress from La Belle Assemblee 1813.
It is quite beautiful.
Thanks to Sue, whose comment you will find below, here is the description!
Kutusoff Mantle. Pink or scarlet cloth mantle, trimmed with a broad velvet ribband to correspond, a spenser of the same materials, one sleeve of which is concealed by the folds of the mantle; the collar, which is high and puckered, fastened at the throat with a broach; and a long lappel, which ends in a point, falls considerably over the left shoulder.
A Kutusoff hat of pink or scarlet cloth, turned up in front, with a little corner to the right side, ties under the chin, and is finished with a pink or scarlet feather; a full puffing of lace or net is seen underneath. Plain cambric high dress, and pink or scarlet leather half boots.
Our readers will be able to form a much better idea of this very elegant mantle from our Plate than from description; its effect upon a tall and graceful figure is amazingly striking, and it is, for the carriage costume, decidedly the most elegant cloak that we have seen for some seasons back, and does the greatest credit to the tasteful fancy of its inventress, Miss Powell, successor to Mrs. Franklin, Piccadilly.
This is a morning gown from:
Here you see the classic look and the very high waist, but a surprisingly dark bodice.
This is an unusual print because it shows the back and the front of the same gown and is described as follows.
Demi corset of black or coloured velvet, lined and trimmed with blue silk. Bonnet a la Repentir, of black velvet trimmed with blue, and deep lace veil. White muslin or chintz dress. Slate-coloured gloves, bear muff, and purple shoes.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
An old song, but one we still remember and that reminds us to be charitable in this time of feasting.
A carriage dress from La Belle Assemblee 1813.It is quite beautiful.
Thanks to Sue, whose comment you will find below, here is the description!
Kutusoff Mantle. Pink or scarlet cloth mantle, trimmed with a broad velvet ribband to correspond, a spenser of the same materials, one sleeve of which is concealed by the folds of the mantle; the collar, which is high and puckered, fastened at the throat with a broach; and a long lappel, which ends in a point, falls considerably over the left shoulder.
A Kutusoff hat of pink or scarlet cloth, turned up in front, with a little corner to the right side, ties under the chin, and is finished with a pink or scarlet feather; a full puffing of lace or net is seen underneath. Plain cambric high dress, and pink or scarlet leather half boots.
Our readers will be able to form a much better idea of this very elegant mantle from our Plate than from description; its effect upon a tall and graceful figure is amazingly striking, and it is, for the carriage costume, decidedly the most elegant cloak that we have seen for some seasons back, and does the greatest credit to the tasteful fancy of its inventress, Miss Powell, successor to Mrs. Franklin, Piccadilly.
This is a morning gown from: The Ladies Monthly Museum, 1799
Here you see the classic look and the very high waist, but a surprisingly dark bodice.
This is an unusual print because it shows the back and the front of the same gown and is described as follows.
Demi corset of black or coloured velvet, lined and trimmed with blue silk. Bonnet a la Repentir, of black velvet trimmed with blue, and deep lace veil. White muslin or chintz dress. Slate-coloured gloves, bear muff, and purple shoes.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Bits and Bites
Here is a neat link for history buffs: A Christmas Carol
Nothing quite like seeing the writer at work, in this case Charles Dickens. Dickens was born in 1812, so while his novels were written later, his childhood is squarely in the Regency. And it being the Christmas Season, I thought you would enjoy this particular fascinating bit of information.
Until next time, Happy Rambles
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Flora and Fauna of Regency Britain
by Michele Ann Young
The streams and rivers of Scotland team with Atlantic Salmon. The reason I have chosen to talk about this in November is that it is in late November when the female lays her eggs.
Up until then, salmon fishing is a prevalent in Scotland. As is it is in many countries with coast lines on the Atlantic.
Various forms of salmon preservation was used in the 18th century and salmon was transported to London in boats called smacks. If the weather was cold and the ship fast, then they might even be shipped fresh.
In 1786, and enterprising supplier sent salmon to London packed in ice from the Spey. This proved to be an instant success.
Ice houses were built to store ice all over the place.
Now those of you have followed some of my nonsense know I collect ice houses. So here is another one to add to my collection.
This one is situated at Tentsmuir Point near Tayport.
In the 1800's and before, highlanders in the Glens speared Salmon. At that time it was a legal form of fishing.
Here is a picture of spearing at night. They called it burning. When they speared in the day, they called it sunning.
Commercial fishing took place in the estuaries with various forms of nets and small boats called cobles or stake nets set in the ground.
Fly fishing or angling was a fairly new way of catching fish at the beginning of the 1800's, but soon caught on amongst the gentlemen around our period.
Much of the salmon these days is farmed, but if you are like me and love salmon in its many forms from sushi to smoked, then I think you know why it has always been popular.
That's it from me. Until next time. Happy rambles.
The streams and rivers of Scotland team with Atlantic Salmon. The reason I have chosen to talk about this in November is that it is in late November when the female lays her eggs.
Up until then, salmon fishing is a prevalent in Scotland. As is it is in many countries with coast lines on the Atlantic.
Various forms of salmon preservation was used in the 18th century and salmon was transported to London in boats called smacks. If the weather was cold and the ship fast, then they might even be shipped fresh.
In 1786, and enterprising supplier sent salmon to London packed in ice from the Spey. This proved to be an instant success.Ice houses were built to store ice all over the place.
Now those of you have followed some of my nonsense know I collect ice houses. So here is another one to add to my collection.
This one is situated at Tentsmuir Point near Tayport.
In the 1800's and before, highlanders in the Glens speared Salmon. At that time it was a legal form of fishing.Here is a picture of spearing at night. They called it burning. When they speared in the day, they called it sunning.
Commercial fishing took place in the estuaries with various forms of nets and small boats called cobles or stake nets set in the ground.
Fly fishing or angling was a fairly new way of catching fish at the beginning of the 1800's, but soon caught on amongst the gentlemen around our period.
Much of the salmon these days is farmed, but if you are like me and love salmon in its many forms from sushi to smoked, then I think you know why it has always been popular.
That's it from me. Until next time. Happy rambles.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Normans Are Coming
by Ann Lethbridge
Love History? Then this is one is for you. Not Regency, but as I never grow tired of saying, what went before is all part of the tapestry that makes up Britain. You might find yourself watching more than once to pick up new things each time.
Until the current story is finished, my rambles are very much restricted, but by the end of the week, I should be back on the hoof.
Until then enjoy this ramble through a very interesting time in our past.
Love History? Then this is one is for you. Not Regency, but as I never grow tired of saying, what went before is all part of the tapestry that makes up Britain. You might find yourself watching more than once to pick up new things each time.
Until the current story is finished, my rambles are very much restricted, but by the end of the week, I should be back on the hoof.
Until then enjoy this ramble through a very interesting time in our past.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Fashion For November
by Michele Ann Young
The last of the leaves are sitting in brown bags at the curb and I must say I now really feel as if winter is just around the corner. I can remember Novembers in England as a child, the nights drawing in, the smell of coal fires in the fog. In fact, it was more than a smell, it was a taste on your tongue. And chilblains. And chapped knees that would only get worse as winter went on, since girls never wore pants. We were not allowed to wear trousers, even in the depths of winter, even right through high school. I used to wear pantyhose and socks over the top, and that was a no no, too.
Ah, those were the days.
I think I would have done anything for a nice long frock like the ones pictured here.
Aren't they glam?
These are from the Lady's Monthly Museum for November 1806
The first is a Walking Dress
"Nankeen Pelisse, border of White Lace; Straw Gipsy Hat ornamented with a Wreath of white Flowers, and Bow of Ribbons on one side; Swansdown Tippet."
Interesting the use of Nankeen for a pellisse. We often see it as little boy's trousers, or for working men. It was a durable fabric originally loomed by hand in China from natural cotton having a yellowish color.
The second gown is of course the one we all want to wear, provided we have a sylph-like figure. Sigh - those were the days.
Full Dress
Round dress of pink or brown Silk Gauze, fastened up on one side with white Silk cord; Turban sleeves, lined and trimmed up with white Silk; Head fashionably dressed with a Plume of small Feathers, fastened with a sprig of Pearls; White tied Gloves, and Swansdown Muff.
Very pretty. A round gown refers to the construction of the dress. It simply means the gown does not open at the front and show the petticoat, as was common earlier in the previous century.
That is is from me, until next time, Happy Rambles
The last of the leaves are sitting in brown bags at the curb and I must say I now really feel as if winter is just around the corner. I can remember Novembers in England as a child, the nights drawing in, the smell of coal fires in the fog. In fact, it was more than a smell, it was a taste on your tongue. And chilblains. And chapped knees that would only get worse as winter went on, since girls never wore pants. We were not allowed to wear trousers, even in the depths of winter, even right through high school. I used to wear pantyhose and socks over the top, and that was a no no, too.
Ah, those were the days.
I think I would have done anything for a nice long frock like the ones pictured here.Aren't they glam?
These are from the Lady's Monthly Museum for November 1806
The first is a Walking Dress
"Nankeen Pelisse, border of White Lace; Straw Gipsy Hat ornamented with a Wreath of white Flowers, and Bow of Ribbons on one side; Swansdown Tippet."
Interesting the use of Nankeen for a pellisse. We often see it as little boy's trousers, or for working men. It was a durable fabric originally loomed by hand in China from natural cotton having a yellowish color.
The second gown is of course the one we all want to wear, provided we have a sylph-like figure. Sigh - those were the days.
Full Dress
Round dress of pink or brown Silk Gauze, fastened up on one side with white Silk cord; Turban sleeves, lined and trimmed up with white Silk; Head fashionably dressed with a Plume of small Feathers, fastened with a sprig of Pearls; White tied Gloves, and Swansdown Muff.
Very pretty. A round gown refers to the construction of the dress. It simply means the gown does not open at the front and show the petticoat, as was common earlier in the previous century.
That is is from me, until next time, Happy Rambles
Friday, November 13, 2009
Writer's Corner
Fashion for the month will be here in the next post but here are a couple of fun links for those of you who are writers.
Ever wondered about all the technical terminology a writer needs to know, in addition to needing to write a book. Tom's Glossary explains them all.
A couple of for examples right from the top
ADVANCE: A secret code signalling to the marketing department whether or not to promote a title.
ADVANCE COPY: A bound book that when opened by an editor will instantly expose an embarrassing mistake.
AUTHOR: A large class of individuals (approximately three times as numerous as readers) serving a promotional function in book marketing or providing make-work for editorial interns.
AUTHOR TOUR: A hazing ritual intended to make authors compliant to their publishers.
And just in case you are not having fun yet, I think this link all about copyediting Shakespeare will make you smile. I hasten to add that I have never ever run into anything like this with my editor, so it is easier for me to laugh about this one.
Have a great weekend and until next time, Happy Rambles.
Ever wondered about all the technical terminology a writer needs to know, in addition to needing to write a book. Tom's Glossary explains them all.
A couple of for examples right from the top
ADVANCE: A secret code signalling to the marketing department whether or not to promote a title.
ADVANCE COPY: A bound book that when opened by an editor will instantly expose an embarrassing mistake.
AUTHOR: A large class of individuals (approximately three times as numerous as readers) serving a promotional function in book marketing or providing make-work for editorial interns.
AUTHOR TOUR: A hazing ritual intended to make authors compliant to their publishers.
And just in case you are not having fun yet, I think this link all about copyediting Shakespeare will make you smile. I hasten to add that I have never ever run into anything like this with my editor, so it is easier for me to laugh about this one.
Have a great weekend and until next time, Happy Rambles.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Georgian Theatre Royal ~ Richmond, Yorkshire
by Michele Ann Young
I stumbled across a pdf today on the renovation of the Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, Yorkshire. I was looking for something completely different. Trying to find out if a retracting roof might be a possibility. As it happens, I did find one in Venice for our period. Decided against it in the end.
Anyway I don't have permission to post the pdf here, but this theatre is so typically and beautifully Georgian and was open during the Regency, all I can do is suggest you visit the link and enjoy. If you click the picture it will take you to the theatre's official website.
My other bit of excitement was the unexpected arrival of copies the next Ann Lethbridge book,
Wicked Rake, Defiant Mistress. These are hardback copies primarily for the UK library market, but since it was the first time I got a peek at the cover, it was a thrill. I did manage to scan it in for you to see, but I now see it is up on Amazon too.
TaaDaa
I like it. Actually, crazy fool that I am, I got goose bumps. It clearly doesn't take a great deal to make me happy.
Until next time, Happy Rambles.
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