Olaf of Trollhiemsfjord has started an Indiegogo campaign to raise money so he can get to the upcoming Metalsmith's symposium at the end of the month. He would appreciate any contribution you might be able to make.

You can contribute here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-viking-age-metalsmith#share

Bourne, Val, "Perry pears for the nation," The Plantsman, (New Series), Vol. 12, Part 2, June 2013, pp. 118-121.

Many ancient cultivars of perry pears have been saved from neglected orchards in the west of England. The author meets some of the horticulturists who are conserving them.

In spite of all the rain (and snow!) we had a blast at Panteria. We had a beautiful little retreat tucked away from the main part of the site and that was just fine with me. I cooked all weekend and we had the delightful company of Jessica Voloudakis. Frenya Thorsteinndottir joined us for conversation on Sunday evening and ekkehardt and hakerh stopped by on ( Read more... )

We're both fine, jdulac whose office is one street over from the explosions, worked from home today because of the race. I was at the Arboretum, well out of harm's way but could hear all the emergency vehicles responding all afternoon. 

Little Ruth Kitty left us yesterday, she was 22 years old. She had been in declining health over the past several weeks from kidney failure but had been bravely fighting on. She will be greatly missed by me, and jdulacShe was our dowager, our grande dame, a lady of culture and refinement, to whom we gave a voice something like Bertie Wooster’s Aunt ( Read more... )

Is there a place in the Boston area where I can buy BellaLusso crewel embroidery wool? I've looked at it online but I'd really like to see it in person. Any thoughts?

I posted this on FB but thought some friends on LJ might enjoy the story as well http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21412604

The reporter who broke the story of the Pope's resignation could understand Latin and didn't have to wait for the translations to come out!

Remember, remember the Fifth of November...

For those of my friends in the Boston area who might be interested, the Market Basket grocery store in Ashland carries Halal chicken. I don't know if any others in the chain do or not.

Please keep him in your thoughts at 1:20pm today. The vet will be helping him along on his journey then.