At year's end

2014 was very interesting, special, and stressful and I can only hope that 2015 will be interesting and special, but not stressful!

Looking back across 2014, this time last year I didn't even have a finished living room. Now the house is basically finished, with only cosmetic work left to be done as time and money allow, particularly in the garden. All the rooms are fully furnished and the conservatory is clearly everyone's favorite spot. It is full of flowers, greenery, and olive and citrus trees and we eat nearly every meal there. The garden is clearly organized and the addition of many heirloom roses and perennials will add to our enjoyment of it for years to come.

I survived the change in leadership at the University - my 8th President over the last 20 years - and I look forward to working with the new president for a number of years to come.

I made it to nearly all the SCA events I wanted to attend, only missing out on Double Wars, and making it to some I hadn't planned on. Other changes in my SCA life include becoming a member of the Orden des Lindquistringes, becoming a novice archer, stepping down as Seneschal of the College, and stepping up as a Regional Deputy Seneschal. Serving as Aurochs Herald has also been a steep learning curve, but it has been both fun and interesting and I look forward to continuing my service to Drachenwald. Our  household has become a solid group and we added several new members to Linden Manor over the year. From its beginning as a silly idea on the way home from Yule Ball several years ago, to a group with a registered name and badge with real household meetings, it has brought together our SCA family. I'm sure we'll be up to much mischief and mayhem through thick and thin in 2015!

The biggest change in 2014 was becoming a grandmother. Our newest family member is just a darling and I look forward to spending as much time with her as possible. Her parents have agreed that she can go to SCA events with her auntie and I when she's a bit older. Little do they know what we have planned!

As a part of a discussion with Constanza, Catherine Weaver, and a few other household members, 2015 will be a year of working "selfishly." We realized that we all spend most of our crafting and sewing time on things for others and our own kit and wardrobes suffer accordingly. We've pledged to use this year to up our own game historically. It will be interesting to see if I can actually stick to this plan! As a part of it, I want to improve my persona and create a solid wardrobe for "Tamara", which actually reflects her/my life in the Balkans. I will not be participating in any A&S exchanges this year, because I don't need to add the stress into my life from that. I also want to become more physically fit, now that my knee is fully healed. I'll be walking daily and practicing archery as regularly as the weather allows as a part of that goal.

Happy New Year to my family and friends and to anyone who reads this blog! Честита Нова Година!

Kingdom University/Yule Ball fun!

So, I'm home from KU and it was just excellent. I started out my Saturday morning by helping at the Herald's Consultation Table. We had a few takers, but mostly I worked on some pending clients' names and devices with the other heralds.

Later, I took a very well done class on beginning illumination with Lady Katherine of Great Chesterford and sat in on a C&I round table led by Mistress Genevieve, Mistress Oriane, and Lady Arianhwy Wen. It was a "terrible" thing to do, because I made the "mistake" of asking what should be in  a basic illumination kit. That led to a shopping list and a trip to Cornellison's in London after the event. This led to a large bag of goodies to get home. I'm now in the process of setting up a little scribal corner under my skylight! I also took a class on Homage and Fealty with Lady Lyonet de Covenham. Very interesting stuff and well presented!

Feast was lovely and we had nearly the entire household present. We added the Lady Þora Sumarliđadottir to our number and pre-admitted the baby bump belonging to Elyenora de Alesleye and Richard of Quintone. The poor mite may wind up with the SCA surname Monsterberg! Two other folk are currently under consideration, based on getting to know them better and checking on their other commitments. Raglan is going to be SO FUN this year!

After knee surgery, I don't dance, so I skipped the Ball, but the games area was lively, as was the company. Master Robert made it an evening that will never be forgotten by many!

Photos to follow after unpacking and laundry!

So proud of my kids!

So, the weekend just past was the Coronet Tournament for Insulae Draconis. During the various courts, both my daughter and my son-in-law received awards. Both of them were entered into the Orden des Lindquistringes, the Kingdom level service order. Now we are all order members! Here's its description:

This award was established to honor a former member of the Principality/Protectorate, Fahrquar Finley Fahrquarson (John Lindquist). It is now presented to those people who have distinguished themselves by long and extraordinary service to the Kingdom. The badge of the Order is (Fieldless) a ring formed of a wingless dragon in annulo widdershins Or, maintaining in chief with all four legs and mouth a gem gules.

My daughter was also given entry into the Order of the Fox, a Principality award for combat arts.

This Order’s membership have been recognized for their skills in some or all of the fields of heavy combat, fencing, target or combat archery and thrown weapons. As well as recognizing levels of skill, both existing and emerging; it also represents those willing to teach others, thus broadening the roster of participants in that field and those who show courtesy both on and off the field.

I'm so proud of them both!

New duties

I have gladly served the College of Saint John of Rila as seneschal  from its beginning, through incipiency and on to full branch status. It is now time to step down and pass the job on to Lady Sorcha bean mhic Dhomhnaill. This doesn't mean I won't continue to serve the College as herald, though. I will also be stepping up to serve the Kingdom as deputy seneschal for the Southern region (Bulgaria, Spain, UAE, and South Africa) when my warrant is signed. I think some travelling is in the works! How can I serve outside Bulgaria if I don't visit?!

Waiting for Yule Ball and Kingdom University

These two events are combined this year and I can hardly wait! There's a great set of course offerings, the ball will be lovely, since the dancing is being organized by Mistress Margaret de May, and the setting is a period castle.

Buckden Towers is a 12th century fortified manor house located in Cambridgeshire. I'll be flying in to London, and then travelling up to Buckden by train with a party of household members. We must NOT sit in the quiet coach! Just 11 days and I'll be on a plane!

Episode 1 - Secrets of the Castle

I've enjoyed the various BBC history documentary series featuring Ruth Goodman and Peter Ginn, starting with Tales from the Green Valley. This latest installation, Secrets of the Castle, features Guédelon Castle, a modern recreation of a 13th century French Castle.

And even more special about this show is that one of Drachenwald's own SCAdians is one of the costumers!! Look here to see her blog post about it!

Episode one just aired and is, as usual, fascinating. It makes one want to do even more reenacting!

Episode two features sewing a gambeson and building a crossbow.

Episode three has lime render, wall painting, toilets, and tile making.

Episode four has building a water mill, fish supper with pike, wood working, and bread baking

Episode five has Byzantine arches, stone carving, dyeing, and goldwork embroidery. Ruth is not a stellar embroideress. But she is a good pilgrim!

Well, I missed October entirely.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I haven't been around much here. That's not to say I haven't been working on projects, just that my time has been extraordinarily limited by Real Life.

Here's a sample of what I have been able to do though!

Lord Guy now has a lovely red wool livery coat and will be toasty warm for winter events. I do not claim the grand blackwork shirt he has on. That is the work of his wife, Lady Constanza!

I have also been working on a project for the Kingdom's second Arts & Sciences gift exchange. Here's a peek at part of the gift I made.