If any of you are interested in helping create/design/plan the Gaston Phebus Event I've been writing about, you can now join a Yahoo group I've just created. It's called "gastonphebus" and yahoo lists the following:

Group Email Addresses
Post message: gastonphebus@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: gastonphebus-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: gastonphebus-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: gastonphebus-owner@yahoogroups.com

If you want to join but are having trouble, send me your email and I'll send you an invite directly. Hope to see you there soon!

Had I known the rain *and* wind were going to be as bad as they were I don't think we would have gone. And the mud was bad. Remeber, my dear An Tirian friends, we in CA don't have drainage. So land turns to lakes and mud pits with rain. And this rain was steady, significant, and rarely stopped. And did I mention the wind? 50 m/h winds were coming in. By the time we broke camp after finals our stakes were starting to pull out, and we have some big-ass-zombie-kill'n stakes, let me tell you! Thank the deity of your choice we just had up sunshades and didn't try to sleep on site.

Didn't have out dinner. Stuff was all frozen, so I'll make more and we'll just have a bigger dinner at Mists Spring Coronet. I did give the finger to the weather gods by going ahead and baking bread onsite. A big shout-out thank you to joycebre for the use of her oven. :-) It was fun to share something warm with people when the environment was so wet and cold.

Poor Chloe. This was not the introduction to big SCA events that I had hoped she'd have. She was a super good girl and enjoyed meeting people and dogs. But she was so cold; she was shivering and miserable on her little bed. :-( We thawed her out in the Motel 6 and gave her mommydaddybedtime, but still. I'm joking now that when we start packing for the next SCA event Chloe will protest with a sign reading "Stop the Madness!" ;-)

On the plus side, I'm happy that Marc and Patricia won -- Long Live our new Crown Prince and Princess! My boy clothes outfit + long thermal underwear did the trick and I was comfortable all day. I got to spend a little time with people, and that was good. Unfortunately, much of our time was spent huddling out of the rain. We met a new person who took shelter with us for a while: Joan the Harper, who is becomeing Christian de Holacomb's apprentice. :-) And J/S measured back40joules for jousting armor -- yay for business and for back40joules! :-)

And J/S and I got to spend the weekend with Mogan A., who allowed us to take her in for the weekend. The three of us had hoped to do some merchanting at Crown, but that was just not in the cards. Some discussions about going up to An Tir and merchanting as a group project, though.

By the time we'd packed down in the rain and wind (most of the mud on J/S came from the flooring/tarps -- epic mud) we (especially Chloe) were *done*. I'd talked to aastg during the day, so I only felt a little guilty for bugging out on the Laurel meeting. So we were back at the Motel 6 before dark. Dinner with Luthold and Morgan at Applebees and a good time was had by all. The storm blowing through sounded *epic*, though. I'm glad we didn't try to drive home last night.

Now I'm looking forward to a much pleasanter Spring Coronet. :-)

As you may remember, I want to organize a Gaston Pheobus-inspired equestrian picnic/"hunt", to occur no sooner than next year. I have a pretty good idea of what factors (such as site and planned activities) would make this a fun event for equestrians. But since one of the main ideas behind this event would be to combine EQ stuff with other SCA activites -- in this case cooking -- I need to have a good idea as to what factors would make such an event fun for the cooks.

So I'm asking you, my cooking friends, what would tempt you to participate in a Gaston Pheobus-style hunt picnic? To be clear, I don't even know whether or not you'd want to feed the riders. It could be that you'd just want to have a late 14-15th C cooks (French?) playday, and then everyone eats some period picnic food that's brought by someone/riders/whoever wants to bring something. Maybe non-cooks pay for ingrediants if they eat the food cooked? I don't know; that's why I'd like some input. :-)

So, what would tempt you to such an event? What would discourage you? If you'd like to do it, how far would you be willing to travel? Site and weather requirements? Activities other than those of a "cooks playday" that I'm not thinking of? Bottom line: What would make such an event fun for you?

- We had a Very Social Weekend. Friday Robert of W and Yseult of S came to dinner. I made the pork tenderloin with curry rub and raw onion chutney out of Bittman's How to Cook Everything book, and the Zuccini/Ricotta fritters from my Italian Vegitarian cookbook, with gingerbread and whipped cream for dessert. Obviously, I'm still enjoying cooking. :-) Afterwards I draped a prototype rapier "armored" vest (a sort of Jack) on Yseult. We all hope that this can be turned into a sellable product, 'cause the rapier market seems to be growing.

Saturday we went up to Sophie and Guilumes to hang out while she recovers from her hip replacement surgery. Mostly we watched movies -- Cousin Bett for the Girl Costume Flick, then several Isabella Rousillini's Green Porn shorts which I did not know existed. ;-) Then the boys came in and we (well, they -- Sophie and I mostly did handwork) "Gamer", which was mostly (imho) a violence exploitation flick. Finally we watched a Mystery Science Theater version of Laserblaster, a 1970's "movie" that was worse than any Hercules movie you could imagine. :-0 Got home after midnight. Oh, and I'm now Even More Interested in making an 18th C riding habit. Sophie may convert me yet. ;-)

Sunday started with Brandee and Laura and me time at the barn. L's help is a big help and I'm continuing to be grateful. Then J/S got to see one of his Portland Peeps -- Grigsby, who was down in Milpitas on a buisness trip. We may get to drag him to sewing tonight, too. :-) Took him for a rainy walk around downtown Livermore, with lunch at the dog-freindly Main Street Cafe (burgers and beer!). Then home and much conversation. Yay!

- I (heart) Dom Duarte! Almost finished with his 1438 Royal Book of Jousting, Horsemanship, and Knightly Combat. Duarte was the King of Portugal, as well as the a relative of Richard II of England. I really love this guy. This book is not only about horsemanship, it's also a philosophical treatise. If I have the time I want to write more about this book. It's surprizingly modern in it's promoting the use of reason as the path to a Virtuous life. Else is right, all of us equestians should be reading this. But those of us interested in the study of Medieval and Renaissance Thought also should read Duarte.

I think Duarte's talk of spear hunting techniques might be of use in whatever sort of "hunt" we set up for the G.P. picnic event. I'm now looking to see id I can get my hands on the Gaston Pheobus text (instead of just the pictures). And I'm thinking we'll need to have some fundraising for this event. Thinking...

- My erstwhile BiL and project manager is now officially retired. Today is my first work day without him. Obviously I need to get used to that...

- I need to get back into sewing and I'm feeling it more, which is good. I have to do some Major sewing area cleaning before I can do that, though. I need to make Cin's smock, and I need to make Chloe a coat before March Crown. Oh, and there's a bunch of sewing I should be doing for J/S that I've put off for over a year now. :-(

And, of course, I need to get my camicas on Etsy to sell them!

- Related to sewing, my Medieval Gaments Reconstructed book finally came, after being on order since April 2010. Nice book, definately a companion work to Woven Into the Earth.
And I confess I was bad with my credit card. I noticed that the new Viking Costume Book was $20 less than elsewhere at David Brown Books. And I saw on another LJ that Well Respected An Tirians liked it, but acknowledged that the author does not present her documentation well (in other words, patterns good but no evidence presented). So I ordered it. My library goal has always been to provide resources to people even if I never make it. Although in my "simple is good" mood these days, early norse is looking better and better to me. ;-)

- J/S made some armor sales, so he's started taking once-a-week riding lessons with Cowboy Shawn at Chapparal (also in Ed Levin Park). He's liking riding bunches, although he is having some beginner frustrations (like learning the rhythm of the trot). I'm very happy about this. I am feeling optimistic these days, although that might just be me in denial. ;-)

- Riding continues to be good. Brandee's starting to get a worn spot in her cantle area on her back, so I need to get my saddle restuffed. Bummer. Laura is putting Brandee through her paces and really likes her -- yay! I am improving with her help -- Erica said I'd graduated. ;-) You just need a second pair of eyes sometime.

OK, that should do it for now. Bye!

-- Finished reading (hey, it's only 23 pages!) King Rene's Tournament Book. I read this hoping to use it for a future EQ Tournament. Unfortunately, Rene doesn't spend much time talking about the Main Event. Instead, most of the treatise is spent talking about how the sponsoring lords should announce thier intent, the many speaches of the heralds, some armor information, the fact that there are dances, how to pick judges, etc. Most of what is written would be Very Hard to implement, given our modern situation and attention levels (i.e. tolerance for ceremony).

-- Currently I'm at the English Peasants Revolt part of Froissart's Chronicles (Penguin edition; just selections).

-- Borrowed a copy of King Dom Duarte's 1438 teatise The Royal Book of Jousting, Horsemanship, and Knightly Combat from Marguerite and Brian. Looks good -- lots of info on actual riding rather than just fighting. This text has been making the rounds in the WK EQ community so maybe we can have a book discussion.

-- My copy of Medieval Garments Reconstructed, which is a companion volume to Woven Into The Earth, with patterns and pics of reconstructed garments alongside the originals. I ordered this back in April of last year. Interesting, but I'll be reading the aforementioned before I get to reading this. It's mostly pictures anyway...

Per King Rene and any subsequent event, Monday at Marguerite's sewing she and J/S and I did some brainstorming about what we could take from it for a future EQ event. So I don't forget here's what I remember: ( Read more... )

-- I'm very much enjoying The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook, by Jack Bishop, ISBN 1-57630-044-7. I'm not a vegetarian, but I got it because I was looking for ways to incorporate more veggies and grains/legumes into my diet. So far everything I've made from this book has been yummy. J/S was skeptical, but he's like everything I've made from this book as well.

-- [Note: the following is written in Complete Denial about what might happen if I get laid off and don't get another job and the consequences that would have.] :-/
I don't want to jinx it, but things are looking up on the SCA EQ front for me and this area in general. ( Read more... )

-- I'm at stand-still in my idea of sewing for money. The Camicas did not sell at 12th Night (except for Ghislaine offering to buy one -- Thank you!) I need to get those things online (Etsy?) but I need to set a time and make myself do it. Like so much else in my life that needs doing, there aways seems to be something else to do (um, like post on LJ... :-/ ).

-- Other bedtime reading has been the Penguin edition of Froissart's Chronicles of the 100 Year War. Now I understand why the French hate the English. Ya know, the French might not have been the smartest tacticians, but the English were slash and burn a--holes!

OK, beans are done. Time to go.

An equestrian query to my non-equestrian friends:

What (if anything) would inspire you to attend a WK equestrian event or activity? Another way to put this is Is there anything you can think of that would make attendence worth your while? The promise of a good show? To help out a friend? Education? Free food?

I knew once I got there I'd have a good time. Special thanks to Gillian and Leohulf and Juana and Ivar for letting us share a room with them. You guys made our going possible.

We spent most of our time merchanting. I'm happy to report that J/S got some orders was able to give out contact info to interested parties. Thanks to Ghislaine I made a camica sale, too. :-)

I got to see 2 of the 3 things I wanted to see. The Golden Stag play was really awesome and a joy to watch. I also got to see Johanna recieve her Golden Poppy award. Unfortunately I *just* missed seeing Laurentia step up as WK EQ champion -- bitter. :-( And I thought the EQ meeting Sunday morning was successful; looking forward to the coming year.

Overall, I'm feeling much more excited about the SCA than I was going in to 12th Night. I'm feeling inspired on the EQ front and on the cooking dinner party front. Costuming, not so much. The level of effort I can spare I know is still limited, given the impending job search. But I'm looking forward to March Crown. My goals for that will be making a heraldic coat for Chloe and putting together another dinner party using Chiquart. Yup, pretty low key goals for a low key year.

On the home front, Chloe seems to have enjoyed being babysat by her Auntie Maria and Uncle Jeremia. The took her for a several-hour walk yesterday and today and tired her out big time. It was fun to hear stories about Chloe hogging the covers from someone else for a change, as well. ;-)

For your enjoyment: Brandee and Chloe and J/S last Saturday. Chloe got OK with horses really quickly. :-)
( Read more... )

...but then I got a dog. ;-)

Adding Chloe to the J/S+Brandee+(2(Madeline))+work+sewing equation has eaten the time I used to spend online. But now while I'm making a double batch of pancakes to freeze I felt a need to let y'all know that we're still alive. :-)

Not too much to report:

- The Friday before last was my mom's internment. My sister took care of everything and it was quite nice. There is still paperwork and money-fu going on.

- Saw the musical of the Color Purple as part of our San Jose musical theater season tickets. I had no idea how that book could be a musical, but it turned out to be very well done. Not something I'm going to run out and by the soundtrack of, but both J/S and I and the rest of the crew enjoyed it. Thanks again to Lutold for Chloe-sitting so we could go.

- Brandee, per ususal, is well and being a good girl. She's gotten a bit higher with the cold weather. My riding continues to improve and I've got the extremely sore muscles to prove it.

- Chloe is a darling and settling in quite nicely. Has learned to ignore the cats. Madeline north is ignoring Chloe, but Madeline South is still bitter. Most of my non-work time is being spent with Chloe and her training and acclimation. Given that Chloe doesn't like the cold, doesn't like wet ground touching her delicate paws, likes to lay on the softest surface available, and is not a morning dog, it appears that we have a Pit Bull Princess. It figures...

- Thanksgiving was very nice. J/S and I and Chloe went had Thanksgiving with The Usual South Bay Suspects. Marguerite and Brian don't allow dogs in their house, but they have a nice backyard so either J/S or I or both of us hung out there with Chloe. We were able to leave her unattended for about an hour or so, so that's good. She is a rescue after all, and clearly has some abandonment issues. Thanks again to Brian and Gillian for cooking a wonderful meal!

- Sewing was interrupted with a delay in linen supply and Chloe arrival but I'm getting back on it. FYI: Greyline linen is, indeed, superior to Fabrics-store.com linen. But they are in New York and it takes 7-10 days to get delivery. Note also that shipping cost for 12 yards is about $13, but anything over that (e.g. 13 yds or more) is $33! So it's only cost effective to order 12 yds at a time.

Camica development has gone well and I think I've got the technique down. I've made the first trial one, then one for Marguerite and one for Cin and I'm starting one for helblonde. I've decided that 2 sizes seem to fit a wide variety of body types. My plan is to make 3 of each size to sell at 12th Night. I'll be asking $150 for them. I'll also make it clear that I can make custom ones.

Took a class for my Bernina 450 Saturday. Always good to take those classes. I had read the manual and I've worked with it so I was far along. What made it worthwhile was learning that these newer computerized machines don't like fuzzy thread. Even Guttermen's is too fuzzy. Mettler is better, and there's some other brands that are better still.

Note to hunrvogt: I haven't forgotten about your veils. I'll be starting the test tonight or tomorrow. :-)

- Sarted re-reading the George Duby book William Marshall, the Flower of Chivalry. I can't believe no one's done a movie of his life. Maybe since he just kicks ass there's no dramatic tension? ;-)

- Happy belated Birthday to j_i_m_r! She and Ivar came over yesterday to meet Chloe and hang out. Good to see them!

Actually this is worth noting: we are more homebond with Chloe. Or we need to visit where we can take her. Or we need to have a dog sitter. At some point we'll get to a point were we can leave her for reasonably long periods of time, but we are not there yet. Come on over people! :-)

- More on Chloe, or Life with a Pit Bull, the First Few Weeks: Chloe is different from other dogs I've had. Super affectionate, always wants to be with you or on you. She patrols the yard sniffing every morning. She holds onto stuff by spreading her toes out. She makes nests by digging and speading things around. Her hair is so short she needs to wear a coat to go outside (she now has 2). She wants to hug her people and like them on the face. Plus the chew-texture quality of a toy is *very* important.

Most people think she's super cute. A few people are clearly afraid because she's a pit bull. Note to the afraid public: A pit bull on a leash with her people wearing a silly coat or pink hooded sweatshirt that says "Dog Gone Cute" that is wagging its tail is not going to attack you. ;-) Also, you don't need to give us dirty looks; if you don't like her on principle you can just ignore us. :-/

Bottom line, we are well and doing stuff. Money is still tight, but I hope to sell stuff and get some return on my sewing investments soon. J/S is hoping to make some money as 12th night too. If you want any armor he's your man! ;-)