Meanwhile, in Rivendell . . .

Today I shipped off packets to most of the several winners of the giveaway:)  Thank you all so much for participating, and I wish I had enough of those that different people wanted to give you ALL some. As it is, I promise that these winners were all selected fairly, via a drawing (some were the lucky winners of more than one drawing).  But anyway, here are the winners for the books/bookmarks that multiple people requested (those that only received one preference were also shipped to the winners) : Kaiulani:  The People's Princess :  Winner:   Kerry The Last Trail:   Winner:   Emma Jane The Thief and the Beanstalk:   Winner:   Cryslyn The Princess Bride Inigo bookmark:  Winner:   Lois The Robin Hood bookmark:   Cryslyn The Samwise bookmark:  Winner:   Lois I think those are the only "contested" ones?  Congratulations, winners!:D

What-ho, all!  I'm just popping in to share a 'gripping story opening' for  Heidi's  June edition of Inkling Explorations! The prompt is a beginning that grabbed you and kept your attention, not necessarily a high-action one.  I decided at length to go with the opening to The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern  by William Goldman;)  (The opening to the actual PB opening, that is, not the first line of the book.  Because, as anyone who's read it knows, it's a rather strangely constructed book in that regard…anywho.  Rambling.) The year that Buttercup was born, the most beautiful woman in the world was a French scullery maid named Annette.  Annette worked in Paris for the Duke and Duchess de Guiche, and it did not escape the Duke's notice that someone extraordinary was polishing the pewter.  The Duke's notice did not escape the notice of the Duchess either, who was not very beautiful and not very rich, but plenty smart. The Du...

I'm currently rereading Louisa May Alcott's Rose in Bloom (which, by the by, is a book I absolutely love), and recently I started thinking of people whom I'd love to see play the main characters if the book were ever made into a movie.  (Which sadly seems unlikely.)  So I decided to try and make up a dream cast!  I don't have a mental picture of all the characters yet, but here are a few actors that I think could do well in the more prominent roles:) ~ Rose Campbell ~ Sarah Gadon ~ Mac Campbell ~  George Rainsford ~ Phebe ~ Anna Popplewell OR Hailee Steinfeld ~ Charlie Campbell ~ Christopher Egan ~ Uncle Alec Campbell ~  Viggo Mortensen ~ Archie Campbell ~ Sam Claflin Those are all I can think of at the moment.  What're your opinions?  Agree or disagree with any of these ideas?  I'm not rock-solidly-sure of them myself, but it's a start;D ...

Hello, my pretties.  How is everyone today?;) So you know how I like those name the actor/actress games?  Well, I've come up with an idea sort of like those, except for this one, I'll be posting pictures of authors instead of actors (and yes, I realize that there are more male than female authors in this list.  I gotta work with what I have).  Let's see how well we know our writers, yes?;) #1:   #2: #3:   #4: #5: #6: #7: #8: #9: #10: Wow…this turned out to be a much harder game than I had planned.  Honestly, if any of you get all of these, I'll be impressed!  I don't think I'd get most of them.  But have at it, if you'd like:)

Ahem, no, not really.   The Great Book Giveaway Bonanza , however, IS here!  (I'm a little hyper right now because I've been quite excited for this for a while.  And…) I'm shameless, I know. But anywho!  Click the link I provided, and you'll go to a page on Hamlette's blog that links to all the participating blogs, so you can check out all the giveaways at once:) Here are my giveaway options!  ( *Note*  I'm sorry to say that, for financial reasons, I have to restrict this to US residents only:( ) Books (Please note--all of these books were bought used and still have their price stickers on them, which I can try to remove, if you prefer, except Zia , which was bought new.) Apologies for the poor picture quality. The Last Trail by Zane Grey--I picked this up at a library sale; good condition. Zia by Scott O'Dell--This is a sequel to Island of the Blue Dolphins .  It is gently used, but in great condition.   Kaiu...

Howdy, peeps. First of all, since yesterday evening, I can officially say that I have read Tolkien's The Silmarillion !  That probably sounds inconsequential, but trust me, it was a big thing for me to accomplish (because it's not exactly bite-sized and it IS a little, ahem, dry in parts).  Let's talk about it, those of you who've read it!:D Secondly. The Great Book Giveaway Bonanza (instigated by  Hamlette ) draweth nigh.  In precisely six days, I'll (hopefully) be giving away some books/memorabilia.  I'm not sure how popular my selections will be, since I'm rather fond of most of my books ;-P , but I'll do my best.  Stay tuned, and check out Hamlette's blog for more details! Third, two gifs to brighten your day:) I saw this on  Naomi's blog  and promptly stole it.  Because look at it!!!!!!! Because I've been rewatching My Fair Lady recently, and have I mentioned lately that I absolutely love Henry Higgins?  'Cause I ...

Spring bursts forth in glowing verdure, The embodiment of a soul both playful and calm. Grass and flower and tree uninjured Weave with the wind a youthful tale of yore. Summer pioneers its wild and steadfast freedom; The sun is king and holds full sway. The joy of many, the burden of some-- These are months  wherein totality  comes. Fall arrives, in stately anticipation.  Color erupts, a fire of gold and red. The air hurries you gladly to a joyful occasion, To celebrate this cozy, friendly season. Winter comes next, the oldest of seasons. And though many bemoan its venerable snows, There is eloquence in a hushed word unspoken, And there is grace in a soul by pain unbroken. Seasons pass, billowed and furled-- Joys come, sorrows go-- And though wars rage, and mountains into seas be hurled, Still "God's in His Heaven; all's right with the world."

Emma  and  Lois  have both nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!  (Whew, that's a mouthful.)  Thank you so much, darlin's:D Rules 1.  Thank the blogger[s] who nominated you, linking back to [their] blogs. 2.  Put the Award logo on your blog. 3.  Answer the ten questions sent to you. 4.  Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer. 5.  Nominate ten blogs. (I don't think I'll be able to come up with ten blogs that haven't already been nominated, but we'll get to that later.) Emma's questions 1.   Do you like county fairs? Sure!  Why not?:) 2.   Were you ever in some sort of club as a kid? I don't think so…I was in co-ops, but that's not really the same thing. 3.   What's one of the first movies you remember seeing? Ah, I love those movies that take me back to the dear old days gone by forever  when my brothers and I had a few that would jus...

Thank you, lovelies, for playing last week's game!  Here are the answers: #1:  "That makes me cry inside, in my special angry place."   Answer:    Leverage #2:  "Oh, come on, Mister.  Everything has a price."  "Not everything.   Answer:   Broken Trail #3:  "What is it girls eat?"  "Special girls' food."   Answer:  BBC Robin Hood #4:  "The only thing worse than a boy you hate is a boy you like, right?"   Answer:   The Book Thief #5:  "This happens to everybody, don't be embarrassed about it."   Answer:   Facing the Giants #6:  "Farewell, my fallen idol and false friend!  We had such hopes, and now those hopes are shattered!"   Answer:   The Phantom of the Opera #7:  "Like me on Facebook!"  "I don't like you in Harlem, why would I like you on Facebook?"   Answer:   Annie (2014) #8:  "You know what music is?  It's God's little...

What-ho!  I've been tagged again, this time by the lovely Morg over at  Fandom Fox  (which, by the way, is an epic blog.  I think they may have something for literally every fandom).  She's created a great period drama tag, and I loves it, so I can't wait!  Let's get started:) What is your favorite Austen book? About that…I've only ever finished Pride and Prejudice , but I did really like that, so we'll go with good ol' P&P.  I've also read a good bit of Northanger Abbey , which I like. One Austen movie you dislike the most? Hmm…I don't think there's an Austen movie that I really dislike…I'll admit that I wasn't overly fond of the 1983 Mansfield Park , but it wasn't awful. Favorite dresses? I think this is going to be everyone's favorite question to answer:D  I was thinking of too many and the noggin was getting a little fried, so I narrowed it down to two (and I'm going to make them bigger than I usually do, beca...

[I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.] Ahem.                                                                                                                                                       You know how I've mentioned that Christian fiction romance isn't really my genre? Yeah.  That. After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse.  But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caro...