It's time for a Renaissance Faire!

I'm in the mood for a Renaissance Faire, especially with the heat of summer quickly cooling off and autumn heading our way.

Haven't been to a Ren Faire yet? You are missing out on some real fun. Visitors often dress in costumes (ranging from fairy creature to knights to pirates and more). Try tasty fair food, including roasted turkey legs and polish dog on a stick. Most have jousting tournaments. There are usually entertaining shows and musical groups. Check the website before going so you know the venues and the ticket prices.

Check out this listing of over 200 Renaissance and Pirate Faires around the United States, so find one in your area:
http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/

Review - Book - Medieval Children by Nicholas Orme

"Medieval Children" by Nicholas Orme
Interesting book on aspects of raising children during the Medieval period.

A few interesting things I learned:
- "By 1493, the royal family was enforcing strict checks upon nurses' and babies' food. Whatever the nurse ate and drank herself was to be 'assayed' or tasted beforehand, for quality, by the household staff."
- They used bibs or "slavering clouts"
- Babies are given underclothes, petticoats, hose, coats, etc.
- Babies wore nappies (diapers)
- A cricket was a nursing stool or later a child's stool

Review - Website - Celtic Nations

Well-organized and simple site contains lots of interesting information and links to the Seven Celtic Nations - Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, and Wales.

Each nation link contains data and sublinks for Geography, History, Music, etc.

celticheritagefestival.org

Review - Website - Society of Creative Anachronism

The Society for Creative Anachronism is an excellent resource for medieval studies. They focus on the European Middle Ages, but sometimes they have articles on their sites that pertain to other areas before/after this period as well.

This particular site we are checking out contains some great articles about heraldry and naming. http://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names.html

The articles are broken down by countries, such as England, France, Scotland, Ireland, and even a few on Arabia/Middle East.

On the bottom, there is a link to the Educational Articles which include lots of good stuff on Heralds and Heraldry.

For Writers - Grammar - Benefitted or Benefited?

Greetings,

During my writing adventures, I have come across words that have (to me, anyway) odd-looking spellings. I plan to post these here, in case you find yourself questioning your own spellings. Also, some spellings depend on whether you are following American English or Standard British English. Keep in mind, Microsoft Word sometimes accepts either spelling - which will confuse you. Confused yet??

Now, is it Benefitted or Benefited?

The rule we learned as kids was to double the last consonant before adding -ed or -ing. However, the actual rule is to only double when the last consonant is stressed, such as permit (permitted, permitting). The stress is on the "mit" part.

In the case of benefit, the stress is not on the last part. So we do not double the last consonant. The correct spelling is BENEFITED.

Review - Website - Scottish Knights Templar

Sometimes Googling on a topic pops up the most interesting websites, and this is one of those. Based on my search for Scottish Knights, this website came up and has a wonderful (albeit brief) timeline of Scottish History.

The other thing I love about it is the "Events This Week in Scottish History". Check it out!

Scottish Knights Templar

For Writers - Barbara Taylor Bradford Interview

There is a wonderful short video interview from one of my favorite novelist, bestselling Barbara Taylor Bradford available on the "Writers and authors" blog which includes clips from her Hallmark movies (based on her books). She gives practical advice from her own experience.

Click here for the
Interview

Review - Website - Essential Architecture

Sometimes I run across sites that, at first glance, seem uninspiring and not well organized. This is one of those, HOWEVER, once you start clicking around, you will find some wonderful full-color photographs of buildings that will make up for the lack in design. Lots of great information and research as the writer expounds on different archectural features and examples.

Click the link at the top and you can search for different types of buildings. My main two favorites are:

Castles/Fortresses

And

Palaces

Other designs worth peeking at - bridges, temples, churches, and even tombs.

Review - Website - Listing of Scottish Games

It's about that time of year when the Scottish games begin!
What are "Scottish Games"?
Most of these festivals consist of fun-loving people donning kilts and tartans, sometimes playing bagpipes, dance competitions, children's activities, genealogy, playing Scottish sports, and more.

Check out this wonderful link to find an event near you!
Kilts n Quilts Festival Listings

Research - Edmund Leighton - Painter

Nothing inspires a writer more than a beautiful painting on a favorite subject - knights. This delightful scene entitled "The Accolade" was painted by English artist Edmund Leighton (1853-1922), who specialized in Medeival period pieces. He trained at the Royal Academy Schools where his paintings were also exhibited.

Check out some of Edmund's other famous paintings:
the-athenaeum.org

Review - Website - Grammar Rules

Having trouble remembering rules of grammar?
Need a handy guide to parts of speech?
Can't recall when to use a comma or not?
Check out these WONDERFUL printable cheat sheets to keep on your desk as you write:

Free Printable Sheets

Review - Website - Capitalization Rules

I found this great site which summarizes the rules of Capitalization. Very handy.
Library Online