I’ve moved

Slightly…I’ve switched to a self-hosted wordpress site, so look for me at http://www.laurelwanrow.com

See you there!

Moving house…er, hostings

After years (since June 2009!) of using WordPress.com’s free service, I’m finally putting my domain name to use. Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m one of those Luddites who didn’t understand that I should have been using WordPress.ORG and a self-hosted site. Now, I will be. I’ll still be at:

www. LaurelWanrow.com

If you follow my blog through email, there is nothing you need to do. You’ll receive the posts as usual. If you follow through WP, you will see new posts in your Reader, but not receive email updates. If you’d like to subscribe, simply go to the sidebar –> and fill in the boxes under ‘Subscribe by Email.’

I’ll be at the new ‘dot ORG’ site and moving my subscribers soon. Meet you there!

 

My post Downton Abbey party report.

Loved the beginning of Downton Abbey season six. A few minor threads started and resolved and even more began!

And the party–splendid!

My husband was told he looked like like Mr. Mason…but who was I? I’m claiming I’m Violet in her younger, Victorian years. LOL. I love Maggie Smith’s Dowager character!

We had a show of hats, including a Lady Astor felt hat.

Dressing for dinner, complete with long gloves.

As for my English dish…I would do things a little differently next time. A few shots of the process…

I cut my sausages because I wanted smaller servings for the party. However, this meant some apple chunks inside escaped during the extended braising, and burnt. In the future I would cut the sausages after cooking.

Despite the unappetizing-looking charred bits, the flavor was good, if a little sweet, due to the mild sausage I used.

So what did other folks bring?

We had sausage pockets,

pork and mushroom pasties (my favorite!)

and Shepard’s Pie.

One of the sides was presented on a turn of the century plate.

And for dessert, a traditional Victorian sponge,

and a beautiful vanilla cake with Elderberry liqueur in the icing.

A splendid time was had by all!

Are you excited for Downton Abbey?

I am so looking forward to the new season, and a bit in mourning for this series ending. Tonight, I’m attending a season premier party. We’re encouraged to dress in British garb and bring an English dish to share.

Of course I have my Victorian/ steampunk outfit I put together this autumn. Not at all the Edwardian period of the series, but it’s easy to grab and suits the spirit of the gathering.

I scanned through my Pinterest board–English Victorian Food–and looked through a few of the dishes and then websites. I particularly liked the site The English Kitchen and have selected a newly posted recipe, Cider and Honey Braised Bangers. Pop over to Marie’s fabulous site to check out the recipe and yummy photos, while I attempt my version for the party.

My sausages are not ‘traditional’, but I like these mild Aidells’ chicken & apple sausages, which I believe will go well with the cider. I need to get braising, so will let you know how they turned out and hopefully post other English fare from the party.

In other news…

Congratulations to Alaina, winner of a paperback copy of The Twisting in my Goodreads Giveaway.

I have a lovely new review for The Twisting up on Amazon and Goodreads!

The Twisting keeps the series going by answering some questions brought up in the first book and bringing up more to be answered in future installments. Heroine Annmar Masterson is coming into her own and learning that sometimes power needs to be limited from within. Hero Daeryn is finding out what he can and can’t influence. For me the highlight of the book is Annmar’s development as she is further transformed from a prim young Victorian young lady into a wielder of magic as she learns about her past. The romance is slow, steady, and sweet. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you, fellow steampunk author Cecilia Dominic! The second in Cecilia’s  Aether Phychics series released mid-December, Light Fantastique, which I have caught up with on her blog, but not my Kindle…yet!