My OUTLANDER Purgatory

Dear Claire, SHUT IT! Love, Tom

2013-05-15T21:40:00.004-04:00

Just a man...and his Kindle (and his
Dairy Queen) on a Sunday afternoon.

OK so my hubster, Tom is halfway through Voyager...and just found out about Jamie marrying Leghair. Claire left and is on the horse after their huge fight that Jenny put a stop to.

Although he's enjoying the book BIG time, this little situation (snicker) has done nothing to soften Tom's feelings about Claire! Listen to what he said:

"Claire has the inability to see anybody else's opinion or understand their side of the argument because she knows, in her head, and in her heart, that she's right about everything. She's so self-centered and arrogant. She just can't imagine her being wrong. She just can't imagine somebody else having an opinion that would explain the situation, because in her head, she's right...all the time. Claire is never at fault. She has started problems...she's gotten men killed...she got that ship burned down...and never, ever once did she ever sit down and assess blame to herself. It's always someone else's fault."

YOWSA!

It's just so awesome to discuss different aspects of the series with new readers. I fear Tom may never soften toward Claire...but there will be plenty of entertaining discussion along the way!

Outlander Chat Tonight

2013-05-13T18:46:00.002-04:00

Outlander Chat, yo. 9PM Eastern. BE THERE. (please) :)

SoozShop is OPEN on Etsy

2013-05-12T20:20:00.002-04:00

Direct from Sooz, MOP friend and maker of GORGEOUS shirts and jewelry:

By popular demand, new Outlander inspired machine embroidery designs are now available for order on Etsy. These are stitched directly onto 100% cotton casual shirts, of a size and color of your choosing. Two of the designs include a leading letter in a Jacobean thistle motif followed by a font verra similar to that used on the Outlander books. The fifth incorporates a Celtic knot design in tone on tone colors along with the popular "Keep Calm and..." slogan.

Here are the designs:

In addition to the embroidery design options, there are some jewelry pieces now offered. Each is a unique creation and depict the names of each of the books in the Series along with a few surprise references. Other designs are in the creation process. An example of one of the 12 offered looks like this:

All of these can be found on Etsy (www.etsy.com) in a shop titled "SoozShop" for those interested. My idea for designing these is to be able wear the love of the series so you can share it with those that stop to ask.......Please stop by the Shop if you're intrigued.

Blessings, Sooz

Silliest 'Happy Birthday Jamie Fraser' Video Ever

2013-05-08T10:56:00.004-04:00

We've been discussing our favorite Happy Birthday Jamie Fraser video lately...so I had to post a chunk of it today. I just watched this and laughed harder than I did when we made it. Enjoy!

(Spoiler Alert: We are discussing An Echo in the Bone in the video!)

Happy Birthday Jamie Fraser Videos: 2013 Edition

2013-05-01T23:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Jamie!

2013-05-01T07:49:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to the hottest fictional character (who we like to pretend is real) on the planet,

Mr. James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser!

Update about Outlander on Starz: Ron Moore Has Fellow Writers!

2013-04-30T17:43:00.002-04:00

Sit DOWN Y'all...cause there's OUTLANDER/STARZ info on the horizon!!!!

Check out the info from deadline.com:

Outlander, Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling fantasy/romance/adventure series of books, is slowly inching to the screen. No greenlight from Starz yet, but I’ve learned that the project has opened a writers room, with Battlestar Galactica developer Ron Moore, who is spearheading the drama series adaptation, hiring four scribes to work with him. The move indicates that Starz is contemplating a potential straight-to-series order forOutlander, a route the pay cable network has taken with most of its original series. Joining Moore on Outlanderare two writers who have worked with him before —Battlestar alumna Toni Graphia and Caprica‘s Matt Roberts — along with veteran showruner Ira Behr (Alphas, The 4400) and Anne Kenney (LA Law, Switched At Birth).

I cannot tell you how happy I am to have some kind of update! I sat on my hands in Fairview, undersatanding it was an event that was sponsored by a library...and discussions of TV series were probably not going to happen. And although I'm not always sure how I'll fell once the series shows up on Starz...I can't help but get a little giddy when I see updates like this!!!!

Sooz Does It Again!

2013-04-18T09:09:00.000-04:00

"Keep Calm and Read Gabaldon"

OK so I told you we went to Fairfax to see Diana Gabaldon this past weekend. But did I mention the shirts?!?

"Herself"

Holy cow. For those of you who don't know MOP-bud, Sooz, she hand-made adorable dachshunds last year for Diana - as well as Tracey and myself. Well...I'm glad to say that Sooz has done it again!

Look at these gorgeous shirts Sooz made for Diana! They are spectacular!!

"Outlander"

They are beautiful! She does all the embroidering on a Janome 350e Memory Craft Embroidery Machine and produces the designs with software called Embroidery 5D with added alpha characters from embroidery.com (Jacobean letters). I cannot tell you how amazing the colors are up close!

Telling DG about Sooz's shirts...

Sooz sent the shirts to my house and I carried them on to Fairfax for her. I let Diana know that Sooz made them for her and did the embroidering herself...and when I said "Sooz is the one who made you the..." she said "dachshunds!" and remembered right away, which I thought was verra cool, sassenachs.

Tired, post Fairfax...yet
PROUD in my
custom-made shirt from Sooz!

Sorry for the wrinkles but they were packaged up with a pretty little bow for most of the trip.

My most sincere THANKS go out to Sooz for not only making them for Diana, but for making one for Tracey and myself as well. :)

You can see the close ups of the embroidery below:

April 16, 1746: Remembering Culloden

2013-04-16T14:08:00.001-04:00

Can you hear them? Can you see them marching proudly across the Moor?

Hear the wind blow through the drifting snow. Tell me, can you see them?

The ghosts of Culloden...

Weekend at Fairfax

2013-04-15T20:45:00.001-04:00

What is UP??? I am finally getting to sit down and post about Tracey and my faBU weekend in Fairfax, Virginia with some verra awesome MOP chicks. I finally was able to meet the wonderful Karen Henry of Outlandish Observations (just sitting with her at a Diana Gabaldon event was a treat!)...and was able to spend some seriously quality time with Lara, Tonya, Cari, Julie and Donna. I was also thrilled to see Carla again...and to finally meet Miss Marcia!

My apologies that I was not able to do all the blogging I had hoped to do. We were go, go, going, nonstop from the minute we arrived...and blogging ended up on the back burner.

OK so we arrived on Friday afternoon and headed over to the Northern Virginia Community College to find the girls first in line, as they had been waiting all afternoon (bless their hearts!) We were thankfully able to sit up front and were thrilled when DG showed up and began to speak. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to listen to her tell her story of how she got started writing, as I've been sitting on a story or two, myself...and am in dire need of direction.

Not much new to report, however; the speaking portion of the event was pretty short and didn't include any info about the upcoming Starz show (probably because it was a library event, and that means books.)

We then proceeded to hang out for hours and wait for the signing line to shrink - which is most certainly did not, for hours and hours. At 2AM (yes, you read that right), we finally got our books signed and were able to take a photo with Diana. We were the last in the line and felt horrible for her; she must have been exhausted. I was also THRILLED with a capital T to be able to give her the BEAUTIFUL shirts that Sooz made for her (another verra cool MOP bud); that post will follow.

The rest of the weekend was a blast because I got to hang out with women I've been talking to for a few years now - some on a daily basis. We didn't do anything scheduled (again - sorry to those who may have been hoping for a better gathering; we'll do that again, I promise!) but we had a blast and I'm sorry it had to end. :)

Outlander Chat Tonight

2013-04-15T20:40:00.003-04:00

Outlander Chat tonight. 9PM Eastern. (Tracey is on vacation in Mexico...but I will be there. Not sure how long I'll be there (yawnnnn - still catching up from the weekend in Fairfax!) but I'll be there. ;)

Verra Cool eBay Find of the Day

2013-04-10T22:17:00.001-04:00

Check out this 1746 bronze Battle of Culloden medal, featuring William, Duke of Cumbria. Wish it were featuring Bonnie KING Charlie...but, alas...it was not to be.

The Execution of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat

2013-04-09T16:40:00.002-04:00

On April 9th, 1747, Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat and chief of Clan Fraser (and fictitious father of Jamie Fraser's bastard father, Brian Fraser), was executed at the Tower of London for his "crime" of being a Jacobite and aiding in the Jacobite rebellion to get Bonnie Prince Charlie back on the throne and reestablish Scottish rule.

Lord Lovat has the distinction of being the last person to be beheaded at the Tower of London.

Just prior to the execution, about 20 people were also killed when the scaffolding they were sitting on to watch Simon Fraser's demise, collapsed. Apparently, Simon found this so amusing, he laughed uncontrollably until the axe fell, thus creating the term, "laughing your head off".

Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, as etched by William Hogarth at St. Albans.
Lovat is seen working on his memoirs as he awaits trial.

Da Vinci's Demons - A New Starz Original Series

2013-04-08T22:04:00.001-04:00

Wondering what the Outlander series might "feel" like on Starz? Check out the new "De Vinci's Demons" - starting this Friday, April 12th.

Outlander Chat TONIGHT

2013-04-08T18:00:00.002-04:00

Outlander Chat tonight. 9PM Eastern.

UPDATED Fairfax Info!

2013-04-08T18:00:00.000-04:00

This just in from Ted Kavich of the Fairfax County Library:

Hello and thanks for registering for the Diana Gabaldon event scheduled for this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Gymnasium, Ernst Community Cultural Center on Northern VA Community College’s Annandale campus (8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale 22003). Details, including parking info and a link to driving directions/campus map, are here:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events/meettheauthor/

Please note: the lots that are reserved for free event parking – B-8 through B-15 and B-17 – are available after 6:00 p.m. If you want to arrive before 6:00, you’ll need to pay to use the parking garage (adjacent to the surface lots right next to the Ernst Center). In case you require handicapped parking, it is available right across from the Ernst Center (spaces are marked) or in lot C-1.

This event is SOLD OUT and there is a waiting list. If your plans have changed, please cancel your registration so someone else can attend. The link to cancel is in the reminder message you received, or you can email (or call 703-324-8428) and we’ll take care of it for you.

When you arrive, please enter through the atrium of the Ernst Center. Doors to the gym will open at 6:45 p.m. so please try to arrive by that time (or earlier) so everyone can get seated and ready for the program to begin. Seating is first come, first served with chairs on the floor of the gym and additional space on bleachers. Note: as long as you secured a spot online, you don’t have to bring a printed copy of your registration email to the event. Also note: if you require handicapped seating, please let one of the ushers know and they will assist you.

The Library Foundation is expected to start selling books in the atrium before the event and we are hoping to have some pre-signed copies available. There will be an assortment of Diana’s books for sale, and you may also bring your own copies. The queue for book signing will form in the atrium immediately after Diana’s talk and Q&A. In the interest of time, there will be a limit of 2 books per person, and we ask that you help us keep the line moving by minimizing your time at the signing table. If you want to get additional items signed, you are welcome to get back on the end of the line and wait for a second turn.

Thanks and we’ll see you on Friday!

Ted

April 1778 Fraser Salt Works SHOCKER!

2013-04-07T11:59:00.000-04:00

The Shark River salt works was destroyed immediately following the attack
on the Union salt works on the Manasquan river in Brielle, New Jersey.

I've been doing some historical digging this weekend as it's the anniversary of the burning down of the "Union salt works" and dozens of houses and buildings in my town - Brielle, NJ - by British loyalists during the Revolutionary war. Salt was extremely important in those days for preserving meats and other foods...as well as making gun powder, which was obviously needed in the war.

What does this have to do with OUTLANDER? Well...I came across something while googling the salt works yesterday, and nearly fell off my chair:

Manasquan River Inlet, New Jersey...

Captain Boyd Porterfield, 71st Regiment Fraser’s Highlanders, April 7, 1778, Raid to destroy the salt works on both sides of the Manasquan River. The saltworks on the north side (now Brielle) was known as the Union Salt Works. ... Where: Manasquan River Inlet. Both sides north now Brielle, Monmouth County and south is Point Pleasant, Ocean County, New Jersey. ... Source: Henry Clinton Papers at the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan. Item is document number 33:15 (Box 33 folder 15). ... British Headquarters Military Report. ... Maps: Close UTM 18 580246E 4440304N (NAD27) [40.11119 -74.0580 (WGS84)]

You don't even know the chills I had (or the fit I threw at my husband!) when I read this. I've been waxing on about the Union salt works being burned down in my own back yard for years...but now I find out that FRASER'S HIGHLANDER'S were responsible? I'm completely torn and on the fence about it. On the one hand, I'M AN AMERICAN and they ATTACKED MY TOWN. On the other...they were highlanders...and went through horrific atrocities while fighting the English. I keep telling myself these men were left with nothing and had to feed their families back in Scotland, and therefore had no choice but to fight for the crown...but wow. Just...wow. (My Scottish-American husband and I just got into a heated debate over this...ME defending the SCOTS! It's really unsettling, that is for sure.)

Make sure you read the Fraser's Highlander's wiki link; it's chock full of Fraser mentions, Stirling Castle being one of them.

AND - if you have a minute, you MUST check out the photos of this fantastic house on Union Lane in Brielle, NJ. It is believed that this house was the only house on Union Lane that was not burned down in the attack on the salt works in Brielle. You won't believe how they've restored it. It's absolutely stunning...and every effort was obviously made to infuse the 18th century feel with the modern conveniences of the home. Truly outstanding.

FAIRFAX: One Week From Today!

2013-04-05T19:06:00.002-04:00

Get ready for some serious MOP shenanigans, y'all!

Entertainment Weekly Interview with Diana Gabaldon

2013-04-05T10:51:00.001-04:00

HOLY COW! Check out the amazing Entertainment Weekly interview with HERSELF, Diana Gabaldon. And LOOK! It's the official MOBY COVER!!! LOVE!!! The gorgeous seal looks 3D! I cannot WAIT to own this book!!!

Fairfax Library Event: Questions for Diana Gabaldon

2013-04-05T10:26:00.000-04:00

From Ted Kavich of the Fairfax County Library:

Hello and thanks for registering for the Diana Gabaldon event on April 12. The date is drawing near and final preparations are underway – we are all very excited to be hosting Diana and welcoming such a great crowd of fans.

Stay tuned for news about when the doors will open, book signing, etc. But first – we are seeking questions for our moderator, Wendi Kaufman, to ask Diana during the Q&A portion of the event. We’d love for the fans to submit questions, then we’ll pick our favorites to use at the event. Here’s how to pose your question:

1. Visit the Fairfax County Public Library’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountylibrary. The message asking for questions should be easy to find – it was just posted today.

2. Leave your question as a “Comment” below the posting. If you see that someone else has already asked your question, try to think of a different one that’s even better. J

3. Deadline for submissions is Monday, April 8.

Thanks so much! See you on 4/12.

Ted

Benchmark Teacher of the Week: Christie Haffner

2013-03-26T10:39:00.001-04:00

Check out this week's Benchmark Teacher of the Week! Our very own Miss Christie! I was so hoping she'd look into the camera and whisper "Fergus Lamaze"...but it was not to be. ;)

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTIE!

ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Outlander Chat Tonight!

2013-03-25T20:53:00.000-04:00

Outlander Chat tonight. 9PM Eastern. **Tracey and I may be a little late...but we'll be there!

It's The Little Things

2013-03-23T19:59:00.000-04:00

So my 8 year old son (Wee Ian) is in the Cub Scouts, and served at the pack's annual spaghetti dinner tonight. And as I was sitting next to him after the dinner, I looked at his shirt and realized it was cause for a blog post.

"Why", you ask? Three reasons:

1) MOBY.
2) This awesome post on DG's blog.
3) The patch on Wee Ian's left shirtsleeve:

There are times...like now...when I'm so full of wanting for MOBY that I scarcely know what to do with myself, sassenachs. I miss the heck outta being immersed in Gabaldonville...I really do.

JE SUIS PREST!!!!!!!

Top 10 Unionist Myths About Scotland's Independence

2013-03-21T08:53:00.002-04:00

This is a fantastic video that dispels the "Top 10 Unionist Myths" about what could happen if Scotland gets its independence in 2014.

I try reallyyyyyyy hard NOT to wax on about this topic, because I'm an American, born and bred, and have no business waxing on about a country I do not live in, whose customs I don't deal with on a daily basis. I also would never want to come off as anti-English while trying to convey my pro-Scottish beliefs.

That said...HELL YEAH I want Scotland to have their independence! JE SUIS PREST!!!!!!!

Whiskey in a Teacup

2013-03-19T13:58:00.001-04:00

Sooz mentioned this in MOP Chat last night...and I had to post and share. :)