It comes in threes...
Jan. 14th, 2016 10:58 amFirst David Bowie and now Professor Snape?!?. I am not happy.
My Dad sent this to me
Dec. 15th, 2015 05:26 am
The idea is to put something orange - probably the collar- on your cat in case s/he escapes. By putting orange on the cat, and putting out the word that orange means indoor/convict kitty, it might help more cats get found should they decide that today is a nice day to go outside with the dog and end up just hiding beneath the back porch again because it's not like Jasper has much of an imagination or anything...
Yeah, Jazz escapes a lot when it's warm and dry. Luckily, it's wet today so he probably won't try for it.
Anyway, orange collars. I'm going to buy one for Jazz for Christmas.
Happy Story!
Dec. 5th, 2015 12:18 pmI saw this in the news and thought others might like a happy news story for once. Original article here.
Hospital rooms are nothing new to 12-year-old Lexi Brown, who’s been fighting cancer since July of 2014.
But when she wound up in a hospital room overlooking the Sigma Alpha Epsilon House at the University of California, Los Angeles, she never imagined the friendship that would soon unfold.
According to NBC News, in an attempt to forget Lexi’s diagnosis, she and her mom, Lisa, put up a sign in the hospital window asking for pizza.
Little did Lexi know, the gentlemen of SAE saw the sign and decided to do something about the little girl’s pizza predicament.
“Five guys come in, and they had a guitar and dozen roses and a box of pizza,” Lisa says. “They introduced themselves and said, ‘We saw your sign; we’re here.’ They stayed for a half an hour, they sang this song and I started bawling my head off. I’m like, ‘I can’t believe these people are here for my child.’”
SAE member, Chase Gasper, who also happens to be on the Men’s Soccer Team at UCLA, learned about Lexi’s love of soccer and had a heartwarming idea.
“I texted my teammates and they all stepped up to the plate to visit her,” Gasper tells IJ.com. “Everyone who got to know her was really moved. It was an incredible experience and we really want her to get through this.”
Their kindness didn’t stop there — the team even donated jerseys, t-shirts, hats and scarves to Lexi before surprising her with tickets to one of their games.
“When we played our game, we kind of played with an extra edge,” Gasper says. “We really wanted to win for her, and we did.”
Word spread quickly about Lexi’s story. Players from the men’s and women’s rowing, swimming, and tennis teams, as well as the Christian Campus Ministry and two sororities paid her a visit as well.
But the men who truly won over Lexis’ heart were the gentlemen of SAE.
According to her GoFundMe page, Lexi was first diagnosed a year-and-a-half ago, when doctors removed a tumor from the muscle in her thigh.
After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, scans proved her cancer was no more.
Lexi was later granted a wish, attending the Women’s World Cup in Canada this past summer with her family. She even got to meet the team. After Make a Wish sent the 12-year-old to Hawaii with her friend, Faith, who also had cancer, she found that her cancer had returned.
But the brothers of SAE are committed to making sure Lexi’s heart is full of love and wanted her to see how much they cared for her, just by looking out her window.
“So, they had me turn around and look at the lights, and I saw my name on the roof,” Lexi tells CBS Los Angeles. “I thought it was really cool. I didn’t think that that would ever happen.”
Lexi recently learned her cancer spread to her lungs and says the lights help “keep her mind off things.”
Gasper says meeting Lexi has put his life into perspective.
“I have had a very blessed life, nothing comes close to what she’s gone through,” he explains. “She’s such a strong girl.”
Lexi’s name will be lit up in lights throughout the holiday season.
The unlikely bond between the brothers of SAE and Lexi Brown goes to show how friendship can be born out of even the most difficult circumstances.
Hospital rooms are nothing new to 12-year-old Lexi Brown, who’s been fighting cancer since July of 2014.
But when she wound up in a hospital room overlooking the Sigma Alpha Epsilon House at the University of California, Los Angeles, she never imagined the friendship that would soon unfold.
According to NBC News, in an attempt to forget Lexi’s diagnosis, she and her mom, Lisa, put up a sign in the hospital window asking for pizza.
Little did Lexi know, the gentlemen of SAE saw the sign and decided to do something about the little girl’s pizza predicament.
“Five guys come in, and they had a guitar and dozen roses and a box of pizza,” Lisa says. “They introduced themselves and said, ‘We saw your sign; we’re here.’ They stayed for a half an hour, they sang this song and I started bawling my head off. I’m like, ‘I can’t believe these people are here for my child.’”
SAE member, Chase Gasper, who also happens to be on the Men’s Soccer Team at UCLA, learned about Lexi’s love of soccer and had a heartwarming idea.
“I texted my teammates and they all stepped up to the plate to visit her,” Gasper tells IJ.com. “Everyone who got to know her was really moved. It was an incredible experience and we really want her to get through this.”
Their kindness didn’t stop there — the team even donated jerseys, t-shirts, hats and scarves to Lexi before surprising her with tickets to one of their games.
“When we played our game, we kind of played with an extra edge,” Gasper says. “We really wanted to win for her, and we did.”
Word spread quickly about Lexi’s story. Players from the men’s and women’s rowing, swimming, and tennis teams, as well as the Christian Campus Ministry and two sororities paid her a visit as well.
But the men who truly won over Lexis’ heart were the gentlemen of SAE.
According to her GoFundMe page, Lexi was first diagnosed a year-and-a-half ago, when doctors removed a tumor from the muscle in her thigh.
After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, scans proved her cancer was no more.
Lexi was later granted a wish, attending the Women’s World Cup in Canada this past summer with her family. She even got to meet the team. After Make a Wish sent the 12-year-old to Hawaii with her friend, Faith, who also had cancer, she found that her cancer had returned.
But the brothers of SAE are committed to making sure Lexi’s heart is full of love and wanted her to see how much they cared for her, just by looking out her window.
“So, they had me turn around and look at the lights, and I saw my name on the roof,” Lexi tells CBS Los Angeles. “I thought it was really cool. I didn’t think that that would ever happen.”
Lexi recently learned her cancer spread to her lungs and says the lights help “keep her mind off things.”
Gasper says meeting Lexi has put his life into perspective.
“I have had a very blessed life, nothing comes close to what she’s gone through,” he explains. “She’s such a strong girl.”
Lexi’s name will be lit up in lights throughout the holiday season.
The unlikely bond between the brothers of SAE and Lexi Brown goes to show how friendship can be born out of even the most difficult circumstances.
I finally finished the blue underdress for the historical sew monthly

The link above the photo will take you to my blogspot page with the full write up. I'm just beyond pleased with it - it came out much better than I expected for an era I typically don't play much with. I also am happy to finally be DONE with it!
Happy Halloween!
Oct. 31st, 2015 09:24 pm
Full write up here. My oldest nephews wanted to be Mario and Luigi so I dressed up the entire family to match. :-)
My tea drinking selfie
Oct. 11th, 2015 06:51 pm
Here is the exchange with a lot more photos. I'm loving all the tea I got. My poor kettle will get a work out this weekend! Doesn't help that it was in the 40s when I went to Church this morning.
Past and Present
Aug. 28th, 2015 12:58 am
I admit, I had probably a bit too much fun with this challenge. The write up for the Historical Sew Monthly is here with links to various aspects of the project. Also, a ton more photos - in color! Because modern technology!
I wrote up about why I'm creating Aunt Maggie's outfit and also progress on the shirtwaist itself. Sneak peak below. :-)

Halloween Fright Tea? x-posted
Aug. 20th, 2015 09:15 amI just saw this and wanted to see if anyone else is interested. It's a tea where they actually want us to come in costume!
http://www.teaonthetiber.com/events.htm
"ANNUAL FRIGHT TEA"
Saturday, October 31, 2015
$35.00
Seating at 7:00 pm
Call today to schedule your Tearriffying party!
Join us in Historic Ellicott City for this special day.
"Halloween Fright Tea"
Celebrate Halloween with "Fright Tea" at Tea on the Tiber. "Fright Tea" will be served at 7:00 pm and is the perfect way to celebrate this spooky day.
Come in your favorite Costume
Menu will include:
Warm Scones w/jam, clotted cream, lemon curd
Wicked Tea Sandwiches
Fruit and Cheese
A medley of Spooky deserts
A full brew of one of our 30+ tea selections
$35 per person includes tax and gratuity
Limited Seating Available;
Please call for your Reservations today;
410-480-8000.
http://www.teaonthetiber.com/events.htm
"ANNUAL FRIGHT TEA"
Saturday, October 31, 2015
$35.00
Seating at 7:00 pm
Call today to schedule your Tearriffying party!
Join us in Historic Ellicott City for this special day.
"Halloween Fright Tea"
Celebrate Halloween with "Fright Tea" at Tea on the Tiber. "Fright Tea" will be served at 7:00 pm and is the perfect way to celebrate this spooky day.
Come in your favorite Costume
Menu will include:
Warm Scones w/jam, clotted cream, lemon curd
Wicked Tea Sandwiches
Fruit and Cheese
A medley of Spooky deserts
A full brew of one of our 30+ tea selections
$35 per person includes tax and gratuity
Limited Seating Available;
Please call for your Reservations today;
410-480-8000.
Pennsic!!!!
Aug. 4th, 2015 08:28 am
So far I've had a lot of fun despite not having my house with me. I swear, about half of everyone I've spoken with had some car issue this year. From flat tires to vehicles just giving up the ghost, no camp seems unaffected. Still, it's been lovely weather wise
Last night there was an awesome Thunderstorm all around Pennsic but it was clear over us. It was really fun to watch as it looked like a mushroom cloud appeared over Butler.
I saw it as I came out of the snark filled auction. The ladies and gentlemen behind me as well as myself could not understand why people where paying $$$ for used items when you could get it new for either a few bucks more or even cheaper in a few cases. Like the two fans that I know are only $5 a piece in Pillaged Village right here at Pennsic but went for $25. Or the modern tent that hadn't been opened or checked in anyway that went for $63. What if it has holes or is missing pieces? It just didn't make any sense.
I stayed until the end because there was just one item I wanted and, of course, they auctioned it off next to last as a lot. It's a fabulous looking turquoise and pearl gold plated pendant. I got that, a turquoise ring that had been flattened into a pendant, and some prayer beads for $5. There was one individual there in her muggle clothing with just a panne velvet Halloween costume cloak who kept bidding everyone up. It was annoying on many levels. Sorry, but that piece of polyester is not an attempt. Particularly when you refuse to keep it on and we end up seeing your Jean shorts and spaghetti string tank top. The rule is, once on site, you need to wear garb. If you are in your campsite, that's fine, but not out and about. Not that playing bad garb bingo has been like shooting fish in a barrel or anything this year. I have seen some great garb but I've also seen a lot of garb that really looks like what I wear to Church on Sundays if you add a tank top to it. Really way too many people are wearing just a broomstick skirt with a tie in front top. No where in the history of the Earth did this exist until the 1990's. It's not medieval and probably should be banned from all SCA events.
Besides the auction and the snark fest, I've taken a few classes, taught a class, and really just hanging out with a lot of friends. It's been fun seeing so many people and meeting new ones. I've also been shopping. I'm trying to wait until Wednesday to get my last two items I want to get; woven wool trim and a grab bag of perfumes. I've already gotten some curry, spice rubs, my favorite perfume, and saffron. There are some good fabric deals but Mom and Dad are going to India in a few months. Mom has already promised to pack an extra suitcase just to get me a ton of used saris and dupattas. I need to make a dent in the fabric I already have before the trip!
More at the other blog on the Norse hood. I'm very pleased with it and would like to make one for myself at some point.