Sunday SmoRgAsbord: Fedoralady Feelin’ Flirtatious!

Valentine’s Day with Mr. A & His ChaRActers

I am working on another post that’s taking me a while–it has nothing to do with romance or with RA, but I think you might find it of interest.  It’s both somewhat art and copy-heavy with some quotes and a tad of research thrown in, and my own personal experiences. As I said, it’s taking a while.  It’s a subject that’s been bouncing around in my brain for a considerable amount of time . . .

But it’s closing in on Thursday here, February 14, and that means Valentine’s Day, and thoughts of lovely Richard Armitage and his characters–the stalwart romantic hero, the beautiful bad boy who longs to be loved, the funny, shy accountant with the naughty side, the gentle giant who wins our hearts, the fierce alpha males with their softer, more tender sides–are not far away.  So let’s celebrate with some fanart and fanvids with a bit o’ of romance sweet and steamy.

The lads are looking forward to it . . .

As we start a new blog year here at TAE, some of the lads said they wanted to weigh in on what they hope to bring to readers– in between eating enormous pieces of chocolate cake, that is.  I have to say they are a brood of chocoholics.  Not that I mind!

Final Serving of Sunday SmoRgAsbord: Smiles!

I watched Downton Abbey tonight along with Faboamanto and RAblogger at Twitter. Let’s just say none of us can say we actually enjoyed this episode.  When the Dowager Duchess, played by the superb Maggie Smith,  loses her customary aplomb, it is time to break out the handkerchiefs, boys and girls.

So I thought I would close out the servings of RA SmoRgAsbord with something a bit more upbeat. Smiles, everyone–smiles!

You knew Harry would be in the mix! Nothing can lift one’s spirits quicker than a Kennedy grin.

Long eyelashes and stubble. And that smile. Lucas, I am your slave.

What a sight for sore eyes! John Porter, the tough soldier with the gentle touch and sweet, sweet smile.

Mr. Thornton, you may brood beautifully, but those rare smiles are simply heaven-sent.

Ah, Claude, you gave us many sweet smiles, sunny grins and that laughter!

Two beautiful smiles between friends–Meg and Guy.

Eupeptic Armitage: TAE Word for the Day

Eupeptic: (adjective) of good digestion; producting or relating to good digestion. Cheerfu, happyl; having a cheerful manner or disposition. Origin: from the Greek eupeptos

I unfortunately have acid reflux disease and have to take medication for it daily. Makes my tummy much happier, more eupeptic, you might say.

I try to be a eupeptic individual in the sense of how I conduct myself each day, to look at life seeing “the glass half full” and the positive side of things.

I think it’s safe to say that Harry Kennedy, that sunny-natured accountant with the sweetest smile that Richard brings to life in The Vicar of Dibley, is a man with a eupeptic nature.

And just think: Mr. A has said that the character most like him happens to be the delightfully eupeptic Harry Jasper Kennedy.  *sigh*

I need a little Harry right now.

The good news is, my knees are better.  Hooray! The bad news, well . . .

After some research and probing, what I thought was a pulled muscle in my side now seems more likely to be a hairline fracture on the left upper rib cage. Since I have no health insurance (and I can tell you from past experience fractures and breaks of this type don’t always show up on X-rays anyway), I can’t say with absolute certainty. Then again, I could shell out money to the doc only to be told what I was told several years ago:

“Yeah, appears to be broken/fractured. Take some pain relievers, rest it and try using heat and a pillow.  Taping? No, taping/wrapping are not recommended anymore, good luck! Oh, and here’s my bill.”

(OK, he didn’t actually hand me the bill then and there, but I did feel worse after I saw a list of the charges.)

Hey, I know it could be worse. And it’s not going to kill me, it’s just gonna continue to hurt a lot at times. The weather is about to turn cooler and wet for a few days, too.  This will not help.

Obviously, I need something–or someone–to take my mind off it all.

So I thought of the wonderful sunny-smiled, sweet-natured, funny, cheeky, hopeful romantic Harry Kennedy, one of the first RA ChaRActers I discovered after meeting him as Sir Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood.

Harry, an asylum for the spirit, a balm for the blues; Harry, the frown-flipping antidote to a bad day.

And so I wrote this ditty, to be sung to the tune of “We Need a Little Christmas” from the musical “Mame.”

We Need a Little Harry Right Now

Haul-out-the screencaps!

the pain is diggin’ in – I quic-kly need a fix!

Pop-in-that DVD–

it’s the anti–dote to what is ailin’ me–

Now . . . .

‘Cause

I need some sunny Harry right this very minute

A smile that simply dazzles, so much sweetness in it

Yes, I need a little Harry, right this very minute

I need some Mr. Kenn–e-dy!

I–need–the Jumpered One

all co–zy, striped and ve–ry cud-dl-y

tall, lean and lan-ky

with a gorgeous smile that is just–for–me NOW

Yes, I need some gorgeous Harry, right this very minute

A heart that is so lovely, so much goodness in it

Oh, I need a little Harry, right this very minute

I need some Mr. Kennedy!

Sunday SmoRAgasbord: Simmering, Scorching, Sweet

He’s banquet-worthy, binge-worthy, the divine path to repleteness.

After all this scorching, smouldering and simmering, we need a little sweetness. Enter Harry.

More New Year’s Resolutions with an RA Twist

 

 

 

As a new year approaches . . .

New Year‘s Eve is almost here in LA, and it’s already arrived for some of you. And I am hoping you all have a wonderful beginning to the new year, and a wonderful year to come.

Party animals that we aren’t, we plan a quiet one here, probably cuddled together, watching the countdown on TV. When we were growing up, Sister S and I used to pilfer a little of our dad’s Christmas libations to celebrate the New Year (Mogen David kosher wine, concord grape, was the drink of choice for this Southern Baptist, who largely limited his imbibing to a little Christmas cheer and a cold beer or two during haybaling season each summer).

We’d pour it in a couple of our parents’ crystal champagne glasses and feel terribly elegant and slightly wicked. When the clock struck twelve, S and I would toast one another and clink our glasses together ever so carefully, just to hear that lovely ring.

Many people here in the South believe you have to start the new year off with the right foods. Traditionally, black-eyed peas and howl jowls (aka pork cheek) are believed to bring you good luck in the year to come. Add in some type of greens–collard greens the most typical choice–for prosperity. It IS the color of money here in the U.S. And you’ll likely want to add some cornbread. Not for good luck or riches. Just because peas practically demand it.

Left: A sign sighted in North Carolina. Right: A plate promising prosperity and luck in the new year, with black-eyed peas, cornbread, and greens.

I have a confession to make. I don’t really like black-eyed peas all that much. No, I don’t have to turn in my official GRITS (Girl Raised in the South) card. I love peas–I just prefer a different variety. Mama and Daddy raised pink-eyed purple-hulled peas every year in our garden, and these, firmer and slightly sweeter than the black-eyed variety, were, and are, my field peas of choice. Are these peas and ham or bacon any more or less lucky than their black-eyed, hog-jowled counterparts? I don’t know. I just prefer the way they taste.

Above, the afore-mentioned purple-hulled peas, the photo courtesy of Alabama’s own Auburn University. NOT the school I support.

Anyway, this year will soon be gone into the annals of history. Christmas is over and Santa is back at home, resting up after his oh-so-busy night. And he, like many of us, has a few companions who enjoy cuddling with him. I don’t think it’s too late to share this charming image with you:

Related articles

• Black-eyed Peas: Food for a Happy New Year (hispanicbusiness.com)
• New Year’s Day Southerners Traditional Foods: Collards, Pork and Black-eyed Peas (sunnysidelane.org)

“Christmas Magic” is in the air: New Holiday Fanvid!

I put this together last night and took advantage of my sister’s wi-fi here in the big city to upload it. I hope you’ll enjoy the festive images, winter landscape and the talents of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. A Very Merry Christmas to one and all!

Sunday Smorgasbord: Santa’s on Board!

I don’t know that I will get much posted in the morning before leaving for Prattville, so let’s get into some holiday feasting tonight. I’ll share our experiences watching The Hobbit with you later tomorrow. Have a wonderful Sunday/Monday, everyone!

RA Sunday Smorgasbord: It’s Alarming Just How Charming . . .

Hey, but I am more than willing to be a little alarmed along the way, if you all know what I mean.

Alexipharmic Armitage: TAE Word for the Day

alexipharmic: (adjective)(1) warding off poison or infection; antidotal; prophylactic. (2) an alexipharmic agent, especially an internal antidote.

Alexipharmic arose to prominence in the early Baroque period, from the Greek alexien, ‘to avert,’ and pharmakon, meaning ‘drug.’ Alexipharmic was the dominant adjective form until ‘antidotal’ overtook it in the 1640s.  (courtesy of Dictionary.com)

Are you about to become infected by Real Life? Worries at work–worries you don’t have work–disagreements between friends–broken computers–broken hearts–holiday overload–neighbors from hell–nasty cold . . . Whatever the difficulty, the dilemma, the doubt, the darkness, somehow, this man and his ChaRActers seem to be alexipharmic.

Just looking at him, those smiles, those eyes, that profile, makes me feel some of life’s poison leach away.

Sunny, funny, sweet, sexy Harry Kennedy. Who can resist?

Oh, Dr. Track. Your bedside manner is unparalleled.

Lucas: cerebral, sensitive, dedicated to queen, country and his team. Beautiful. The world feels safer with you and Ros on watch.

He’s got the alexipharmic power to make life more bearable, better, more beautiful. I recommend several generous doses daily.

He’s downright balsamaceous, that boy: TAE Word for the Day

(And I’d like to hear him say that word, too.)

Balsamaceous: (adjective): Possessing healing or restorative properties.

The word derives from the Latin balsamum, “resin of the balm tree.” The substance is historically celebrated for its aroma and healing properties.

Dr. Track is a healer by profession, and with his steadfast dedication and delightful bedside manner, he certainly makes us feel better.

And whilst John Porter is a tough soldier by trade with kickass skills, his gentleness and compassion helped Katie through the trauma of her captivity even as he worked to free her. This balsamaceous hero is tops in our books.

Our Victorian hero, Mr. Thornton, restores our belief in foolish passion and sweet romance. Surely he’s been a balm to many a troubled spirit.

Dear Harry Kennedy. His sweet, sunny, nurturing nature–perhaps a reflection of his CReAtor’s own lovely character?–cannot fail to bring a smile to our faces and a warm tug on our hearts.

Just a few examples of Mr. A’s balsamaceous characters. But of course, the most balsamaceous of them all is the man himself.

Lovely, funny, brilliant, modest, insightful, endearing, charismatic . . . how you touch our hearts, minds and souls, Richard Armitage.

A Bountiful Harvest of RA

‘Tis the season to enjoy such a bounty and count our blessings.  Hope your day, be it holiday or work day, is going well.  And if not–maybe these will make it a little better.