Photo of pink jasmine flowers with rain drops.

Fragrant Rain 09/52

Fragrant Rain We’ve been getting some much needed rain here in SoCal for the past several days. The intermittent downpours haven’t dampened the scent of these pretty little pink flowers that bloom right outside my kitchen window making it seem like we’ve had a quite fragrant rain come through. Usually a steady rain here makes…

Catching Up: Weekly Photos 06-08/52

Catching Up: Weekly Photos 06-08/52

I’ve been rather quiet and off the net more than usual the past three weeks because my mom passed away suddenly on February 2nd and it’s been quite a shock and as you can imagine, posting my weekly photos was the last thing on my mind. This necessitated a trip back to Maryland where I…

Photo of bird of paradise flower.

Peekaboo Bird of Paradise 04/52

Peekaboo Bird of Paradise A bit more color from here in Sunny SoCal for those of you still gripping with cold temperatures and the occasional snowstorm. Spring is coming! Don’t lose faith! I’ve always like these bird of paradise plants. They can always be counted on to bring a spot of color to the winter…

Photo of mackerel clouds and a single palm tree in Sunny Southern California.

Sunny So Cal 3/52

Sunny So Cal While the rest of the country has been dealing with temperatures well below normal, we’ve been having a heat wave here in Southern California. My car’s thermometer hit 90˚F on two separate days this week. Now, granted this was because the car had been sitting in the sun with the windows up,…

Hyde Park section of "Improved map of London for 1833, from Actual Survey. Engraved by W. Schmollinger, 27 Goswell Terrace"

A Regency Primer on London Parks

When talking about the Royal London Parks in the Regency, the first thing to remember the word “park” held different meanings from how we (especially Americans) typically think of them today. So get those visions of benches, swing sets, picnic tables and those box-shaped grills on metal posts out of your head, because our Regency…

Photo of a Madagascar Lace fern acquarium plant.

Madagascar Lace 2/52

Madagascar Lace After dealing with a couple of nasty algae blooms in our fish tanks, my husband has decided that plants are the way to beat it back and keep it from coming back again. As a result, both our tanks are looking very lush and pretty, but they’re also sporting complicated tables with fertilizer…

Close up macro photo of a pink rose in full bloom in January.

January Rose 1/52

January Rose This particular rose is one of a dozen or so that stretch in a line along our hill behind the pool. Enjoying the California sunshine and very temperate winters (It was 85˚F two weeks ago!) they tend to bloom multiple times a year. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the names of any…

Conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot: November 5, 1605

Guy Fawkes Day: Remember, Remember

In Britain, today is Guy Fawkes Day. You might recognize him better as the face of Anonymous or that fellow in V for Vendetta. There’s a reason for that. This post was originally published here on 11/5/2010, but I think it bears repeating in the current political and economic climates. People are unhappy and they’re…

Last Chance! Research Ninja Class Starts Monday!

In case you missed signing up last week, you still have time to register for my SECRETS OF A RESEARCH NINJA workshop! Starts Monday! Due to unforeseen circumstances, the class was being delayed one week and will begin on Oct. 7th and run through Oct. 18th. SECRETS OF A RESEARCH NINJA Dates: OCT 7, 2013…

Photo of Georgie Lee, Harlequin Historicals Author..

Interview with Georgie Lee, Historical Romance Author

Please welcome Georgie Lee to the blog today to celebrate her recent release of her Regency novella, HERO’S REDEMPTION. I met Georgie through my local RWA San Diego chapter because we both had an interest in Regency Romance and she’s also a member of The Beau Monde chapter. If you can’t guess from her bio…