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Past and Present Easter Customs
During the Regency era, the Easter season was a time for celebration, much like it is nowadays. Here are three customs that were observed back then and are still popular today.
New Clothing – Roman tradition launched this custom to greet springtime and Easter with something new to wear. During the Regency period, white or pale gowns and bright bonnets were a change from the somber tone of Lent.
Colored Eggs – Eggs are a symbol of fertility and many cultures give eggs as gifts during springtime. Dying eggs was a common custom during the Regency period. In addition, decorated eggs, such as those created by Faberge, also became popular.
Celebratory Feasts – After observing Lent, the Easter meal was a time to savor a wealth of savory foods. Lamb and ham were customary, as were hot cross buns.
What is your favorite Easter tradition?
Source: Jane Austen’s Easter
Superpower Dogs ~ The Movie
Many of my romantic suspense novels feature dogs, including military canines. When you’re an animal lover like I am, you can’t say or do or get enough of these amazing four-legged friends. Clearly I’m not the only person who feels this way because there’s a new movie out this month spotlighting the amazing talents and abilities of dogs. Appropriately enough, it’s called SUPERPOWER DOGS.
Here are a few fun facts about the production of the movie and an introduction to the stars.
- More than 500 people in five countries worked on this film for 2.5 years.
- The American Humane Association monitored filming to ensure the animals’ wellness.
- Special doggie-vision cameras were used to provide the audience with a dog’s eye view.
Read more production notes here.
Halo – His superpower is Search & Rescue
Henry – His superpower is Avalanche Rescue
Reef – His superpower is Water Rescue
Ricochet – Her superpower is Emotional Support (Read this blog I wrote in 2017 about Ricochet! She’s amazing!)
Tony & Tipper – Their superpower is Endangered Species Protection
SUPERPOWER DOGS is now showing in IMAX and Giant Screen Theaters. For more information, visit superpowerdogs.com.
Is it springtime yet?
This has been a rough winter for Seattle residents. Lots of gray. Lots of snow. Lots of cold. Just when I think winter is waning, we get another blast of dreary, frigid weather.
The good news is it’s almost over! March 20th marks the first day of spring and I’m so ready.
How do you celebrate the arrival of spring? For me, it’s getting active outdoors. Riding my bike to the local market for fresh produce and sunny flowers.
Springtime also means watching for the flowers in my garden to bloom and blossom.
Warm weather also means time for a pedicure! I can’t wait to trade in my thick socks and boots for flip-flops and bare feet!
What is your favorite way to welcome spring?
Skip the Super Bowl and have a Book Binge Party instead
On Sunday, February 3, Americans will come together for football, food and fun in Super Bowl celebrations, large and small. From sofas and barstools across the country, fans will cheer on either the New England Patriots or the L.A. Rams.
Are you a football fan? If yes, have a great time on Sunday. If no, don’t worry. This sporting event is a fantastic opportunity to binge on books. Here are a few tips for throwing a Super Bowl Book Binge Party.
Like any special event, you need to plan ahead. Create a To Do list that covers the basics like where the party will be held, decorations, who is invited, food and drink, attire, and any special items needed for the event.
Location – I recommend selecting an area that is super comfortable and cozy. The sofa, your bed or a favorite chair are good options.
Decorations – Deck out the location with snuggly blankets, throw pillows and good lighting. A fireplace or wood-burning stove make for an extra-cozy setting. Bonus features include a four-legged friend to curl up with.
Guest List – Feel free to invite a friend…or not. It’s perfectly acceptable to plan a party for one.
Menu – For a good book binge party, skip the buffalo wings (unless you don’t mind hot sauce smudges on the pages of your book or across your ereader screen). A sub or wrap is less messy (cut into smaller pieces so you can eat with one hand). Snack mixes, pretzels, nuts, veggie sticks, kale chips, fruit slices and nuts are also good options. Don’t forget the good stuff – M&Ms, Gummy Bears (NOT the sugar-free ones!!!) or Twizzlers.
Attire – The dress code for the day is no-fuss, no-muss comfort. Pajamas, sweats, yoga pants, an over-sized sweatshirt. And don’t forget the fuzzy socks!
Special Considerations – The Super Bowl fanatics are all about big-screen TVs. For book bingers, the most important items to have on hand are books. Lots and lots of books. Make sure the titles you want to read are downloaded to a full-charged ereader or that you’ve obtained copies from your favorite local bookstore or library. Nothing ruins a book binge party like kicking things off…only to find your book bestie still has a copy of the book you most want to read.
Whether you come for the books or the balls (footballs, that is) on Sunday, have a great time!
#reader (or Hashtags for readers)
Some social media conventions come and go, but hashtags (aka #, also aka “pound sign”) have been around for more than 10 years. With the increase of activity and interaction on social media, they are more relevant than ever.
If you aren’t familiar with hashtags (#), they serve as a means of organizing and finding information on social media platforms. For example, if you enjoy reading romantic suspense, you might search #romanticsuspense to find authors, readers, books and events related to this genre on Facebook or Twitter.
Using hashtags as a search tool can help you find new content and information beyond those sources you’re already familiar with.
According the site amreading.com, these are ten of the most popular hashtags used by readers.
#AmReading
#BookLovers
#Bibliophile
#FreeBooks
#BookAddict
#Ebooks
#Books
#BookPhotography (a good choice if you’re on Instagram or Pinterest)
#KindleBargain
#WhatToRead
If I were to add my own favorite hashtags to the list, I would include:
#RegencyRomance
#Regencies
#AmWriting
#RomanticSuspense
#NewReleases
#AlphaHero
I dare you to have a little fun with hashtags. Enter #(Pick a word or phrase) and enter it into the search bar on your favorite social media platform. Did you find something new and interesting? Comment and let me know!
