More aspects of being queen

Now that July is coming to an end, I hope that everyone was able to see the final two episodes of the wonderful series, Queen and Country. 

On Sunday, July 15, The Queen's Possessions took a look at some of the more unusual things that the queen owns.  Items belonging to the queen include the Royal Swans, the Tower of London and the Royal Collection of portraits. 

This episode begins by following a session of "swan upping," the annual census of the swans along the River Thames. The swans are rounded up, counted and marked with a ring around one leg.  The Swan Marker and his crew wear traditional red coats and the Swan Marker himself sports a jaunty swan feather in his cap.  The ceremony takes 5 days to complete and draws crowds who line the banks to watch the activity.

While we all learned recently that the Queen is a good sport, she has participated in intricate media events before.  We get to see the process which created the 3D hologram of the queen which is currently on display in the Tudor Great Hall at Mont Orguiel Castle on the island of Jersey.  The creation of the work involved taking over 10,000 images of the queen over two sessions.  The finished product is an amazingly intricate portrait of the queen.

The final episode of the series, Traveler, debuted on Sunday, July 22 and covers the many trips that the queen has embarked upon since beginning her reign 60 years ago.  The most poignant was in 1952, when then Princess Elizabeth embarked on a 36,000 mile visit to the Commonwealth.  Her parents came to see her off, and she said goodbye, not knowing it would be the last time she would see her father.  King George VI died only one week after the start of the trip, and Elizabeth was called home from
Kenya.
 

From 1954 until 1997, the Royal Yacht Britannia served as the Queen's home at sea.  It covered over 1 million miles and hosted a variety of events and guests.  Eventually, it was deemed too expensive to maintain and was sent to Edinburgh to become a tourist attraction.  Queen Elizabeth is currently the head of 16 realms and 54 countries of the Commonwealth.  I was surprised to learn that there are still countries being added to the Commonwealth, the latest being Cameroon (which joined in 1995).

During her reign, the queen has made 325 visits to 150 countries.  Her longest trip was a 5 month tour which included a stop in Australia, where she was greeted by enormous crowds. During her travels, she has visited all the Commonwealth countries (except for that new member, Cameroon!).  She has also been an occasional visitor to the United States, and addressed the United Nations on several occasions.

I was sad to see the series come to an end, but it was so fascinating to get a closer look into so many aspects of the Queen's life.  Certainly, any future rulers will have a difficult time matching her longevity on the throne and her varied and colorful experiences.  I hope she will continue to be a vibrant and beloved presence for many years to come!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Queen and Country for the purpose of this review.

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Tasty tea!

Living in the south, I simply cannot face summer without a nice big glass of iced tea.  I'm always on the lookout for new tea blends, so I was excited to discover the Paisley Tea Company.  The Paisley Tea Company offers a wide range of delicious tea blends which also are USDA certified organic and fair trade. 


I received two generous boxes of their tea to try, and I the first thing that struck me was the beautiful paisley pattern on both the outer boxes and the inner bag.  So pretty!  The tea bags are "English style."  Paisley Tea explains English style this way:  "because of the increased surface area of the tea in a traditional paper teabag (as opposed to tea in its whole leaf form), each cup brews up quickly with bold, strong flavor. We think of it as "everyday tea," or as our founder and CEO says, 'You don't think, you just drink it. Brew it up, add some milk and there you have it.'"  However you explain it, it makes for a delicious cup of tea!

The English Breakfast tea was the one I was most anxious to try, since I am a early-to-mid-day tea drinker.  Since the tea comes packaged in the paisley bag, it retains a lovely smell when opened.  The tea bags are attached two by two, but are easily separated!  I steeped mine for a few minutes, and the tea was a lovely dark shade of brown.  The tea is very mild and there was no unpleasant aftertaste like you get with some inferior types of tea.  This English Breakfast tea is a blend of Indian and African teas and is delicious with or without milk (I'm a sweet tea, no milk girl myself!). 

The Decaf English Breakfast tea was also a lovely rich brown color and I could taste no difference between it and its more hyper relative!

The motto of the Paisley Tea Co. is "More Than One Might Expect" and the tea certainly lives up to that:  each tea bag features 10% more blended tea, so there is more robust flavor available from each bag.  The English-style tea is grown in a way that ensures respect to the environment.  Richard Rosenfeld, the founder of the Two leaves and bud tea company, visits the farmers who grow the tea used in the Paisley Tea Co.'s products, ensuring that both the farmers and the environment are being well-treated.

Although we're in the middle of a summer heatwave, there's nothing better to help you cool down than a nice cup of tea -- I prefer mine cold, but the hot version is also effective, I'm sure! 

Disclaimer:  I received two packages of tea to try for the purpose of this review from Paisley Tea Co.

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Queen and Country celebrates 60 years on the throne

As everyone has surely noticed by now, 2012 marks the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth's reign on the British throne.  Not only is that the second longest reign in history, but at 86, the Queen shows no signs of slowing down her demanding schedule of official engagements. 

Sundays in July, PBS will be showing  Queen and Country, a four part series showcasing the queen's 60 years on the throne.  Thanks to WNET, I was able to view the first two episodes of the series, and they are wonderful!  The program really brings a lot of perspective to the relationship between the Queen (and the monarchy in general) and the British people and why she is more popular than ever.

Episode One (airing July 1), is titled London: Royal City and documents the Queen's relationship to the city.  Although she spent most of her youth at Windsor, the Queen has spent the majority of her years on the throne at Buckingham Palace.  In this episode, it is mentioned that Prince Charles has spoken of moving his court to Windsor when he takes over as king, but commentators feel that because of the close connection between the royal family and London that this is unlikely.  The episode goes on to show the military regiments that have the official duty of guarding the Queen and Buckingham Place.  The soldiers are all active duty, so they could be getting ready to serve in combat zones, or recently returned from one.  They are all unanimous in their dedication to the job and their appreciation of the honor that such a position holds.  The narrator of the series, Sir Trevor McDonald, points out that the Queen is greatly revered for "never having put a foot wrong" during her public life.  Most of this is due to the fact that the Queen has never been interviewed, and only gives official speeches.  While the Queen is often photographed greeting and talking with people who come out to see her, there is even an unofficial rule that you never disclose what the Queen said to you!  This air of dignity and mystery has helped to ensure that the Queen's popularity has never wavered.

Episode Two (airing July 8) is Royal Visit and highlights the many official duties that the Queen has undertaken, starting from about 3 weeks after ascending to the throne in 1952 and continuing on to the present day.  This episode shows archival footage of the Queen visiting a Scottish mine early in her reign, opening a museum in Liverpool late in 2011 and naming the Cunard ship the Queen Elizabeth in 2010.  During her 60 years as Queen, she has hosted 102 state visits in London, met 12 US presidents, and kept up a non-stop calendar of official visits in Britain.  In 2011 alone, she had 325 engagements in Britain and 45 overseas.  That would be exhausting for anyone, but the Queen continues to take her duties seriously -- at an age when most people have long since retired!  People still turn out in masses at every event, in hopes of getting a chance to chat with (or even catch a glimpse of) her.  This episode also shows the Queen's great love of Scotland, which she has visited more than 70 times. Every year she spends part of her time at Balmoral and attends the Braemar Gathering (formerly known as the Highland Games) and presents trophies to the winners of the events.Pretty impressive for a lady who has said that if she wasn't the Queen, she'd like to be living out in the country with a lot of horses and dogs! 

The remaining episodes include The Queen's Possessions (July 15) and Traveller (July 22).  I am looking forward to watching them to learn more about this remarkable lady!  Do check your local PBS station for the time that this fascinating program will air in your area.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the first two episodes of Queen and Country for the purpose of this review.

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A bloody good tour guide to London

I'm always on the prowl for a good guide book to London, and if it goes into the more violent or disturbing aspects of the city's dark past, so much the better.  That's why I was thrilled to find the book Bloody London by Declan McHugh.  The cover alone, with the Thames running red with blood, was enough to convince me that this was one book worth checking out.

I wasn't disappointed!  The book divides London into 7 geographic areas and discusses some ghoulish sights in each area that are not to be missed.  I really liked the way the author gives such detailed directions on how to find each location.  For someone who is geographically challenged (as I most assuredly am), this is a great help.  Here is one example of how to start your journey to find the location of the infamous Goulston Street graffiti associated with Jack the Ripper:

Travel to Aldgate East underground station.  If you are coming from the east, turn right on the platform after you leave the train.  If you are coming from the west, turn left on the platform when you leave the train.  Follow the sign saying "Toynbee Hall -- Way out."  You want Exit 2.  Exit on to Whitechapel High Street, and turn right.

And so on.  I really like the explicit "turn right" type of directions.  I think even I could manage to find all the places mentioned in this book!  The author also helpfully lists pubs and cafes that are close to each location, so that you can fortify yourself before (or after) completing your ghastly visit.  Sight-seeing (even the bloody kind) can be thirsty work!

The events mentioned in the book range from the location of the Temple Church, the Knights Templar base in England, through to locations of plague pits from the 1600s, down to bars and other haunts of modern serial killers.  If the location charges a fee to enter, that is helpfully mentioned, as well as contact information (so you really have no excuse not to add at least a few locations from this book to your next London itinerary!). 

The author, Declan McHugh, offers several popular walking tours of London which you can find out more about from his website, Shocking London.  I'm looking forward to visiting some of these creepy sites on my next trip across the pond!

Final Verdict for Bloody London:   Five Gherkins, for being a lively discussion of some of London's more deadly attractions

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Earth Day Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the BBC Earth Day prize pack:

Daniel M.

The winner has been contacted.  Thanks to all who entered.  Please check back for future opportunities to win great stuff!

Thanks to BBC for providing the prizes for this giveaway!

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Celebrate Earth Day with BBC

This Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day and what better way to celebrate it than by enjoying some amazing BBC specials which feature the stunning diversity of life found on our planet.  The BBC is known for producing high-quality nature videos with up-close views of animals in their natural habitats.  For instance, enjoy this adorable video of polar bear cubs venturing out of their den for the first time:

Thanks to BBC Home Entertainment, I have some amazing prizes to give away a lucky winner!

Limited Edition Planet Earth Globe: this astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you'll ever experience from the comforts of home.

Frozen Planet  The Arctic and Antarctic remain the greatest wildernesses on Earth. The scale and beauty of the scenery and the sheer power of the elements are unmatched anywhere else on our planet. And against all odds, these vast, frigid environments are teeming with life.Using the latest camera technology, Frozen Planet captures unimaginable imagery above and below the ice, and follows the extraordinary fluctuations that accompany the changes of seasons in this most extreme of environments, often for the first time. Visit the Frozen Planet Facebook page : facebook.com/frozenplanet

The winner will also receive a Frozen Planet poster!

BBC Natural History Collection: Seventeen-disc set includes "Planet Earth" and:
The Blue Planet: Seas of Life. The winner of two Emmy(R) Awards, The Blue Planet: Seas of Life is the definitive exploration of the marine world, chronicling the mysteries the deep in ways never before imagined.  as well as:

The Life of Mammals: Sir David Attenborough's extensive series spans the globe in its effort to examine the mating, social and food gathering rituals of 4,000 species of mammals.

The Life of Birds: The Life of Birds traverses the globe, covering 42 countries and examining over 300 different species. Ultra slow motion film unravels the complexities of bird flight and ultraviolet cameras reveal the world from a bird's point of view.  

To enter, just leave a comment stating what natural wonder you'd most like to visit.  Be sure and leave your email so that I can contact you if you win.  Enter by May 1.  Open to US residents only (sorry!).  The winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by email, and given 48 hours to respond with a mailing address or I'll have to choose another winner.  Good luck!

Disclaimer:  BBC Home Entertainment provided the prizes for this giveaway

****Also, be sure and enter the BBC Ultimate Polar Bear Sweepstakes for a chance to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures!  Enter before July 31.****

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Poirot Box Set Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway to win a box set of Poirot.  The winner, as chosen by random.org was:

ldf6586 (Laurie)

The winner has been contacted.  Thanks again to Acorn Media for providing this amazing prize!

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Women Plowing Through History

Throughout history, women have tended to keep close to home, and therefore have been able to gain a wide variety of knowledge about plants and their medicinal and aesthetic values.  In the lovely book Women and their Gardens: A History from the Elizabethan Era to Today by Catherine Horwood, we learn about female gardeners and how they gained their expertise.  In addition, the book gives wonderful information about how flowers and plants have been used by women for various purposes throughout the years, including decoration of home and self, medicinal purposes, and artistic objects.

The book is divided into sections covering various aspects of gardening, and the individual chapters tend to run from earliest times to more modern examples of females excelling in the garden. It is fascinating (and sometimes maddening) to read of how many women became involved in gardening, whether it was through being banished to the country by harsh spouses, needing to earn an income, or, occasionally, because they had the time and means to indulge their passions.  It was interesting to read how some of these early enthusiasts, eager to expand their inventories, gathered plants and seed from various far-flung countries.  Given all the current concern with inadvertently introducing pests and diseases with agricultural products, I had to wonder if any non-native species might have hitched a ride on some of these early specimens!

The tenacity of the women who chose gardening as a profession is amazing.  Although there were some professional training schools for women beginning in 1891, female graduates were still frequently not considered for the more skilled positions.  Even if they were able to get good gardening jobs, if they married, they were required to stop working immediately.  It was disheartening to read about highly skilled women who studied their craft for many years, earned credentials, and were only able to work professionally for a few years before being forced out.  It was also amusing to read about the strict guidelines on clothing (both summer and winter) that the female students were required to wear at some of these institutions of higher learning.  The author points out that there were "regulation knickers" but that rubber boots and gardening gloves were optional.  At least the schools had their priorities in order!

One of my favorite quotes in the book concerned the new fashion of women adorning themselves with flowers.  Hannah More wrote in 1770 that at a party she had observed "women with on their head, an acre and a half of shrubbery, besides slopes, grass plots, tulip beds, clumps of peonies, kitchen gardens and greenhouses."  Shows how times don't really change all that much, when you consider our own dear Duchess of Cornwall wearing what appears to be a sheaf of wheat on her head (apparently on purpose).

Another amusing story concerned Miss Chrystabel Procter who took a job as a gardener at Griton College at Cambridge.  The staff of the college regarded the flowers as free room decorations and took what they wanted when they wanted.  Ms. Procter tried to put a stop to this practice by instituting rules as to when and where flowers could be taken, but alas, her gardens were always "under attack from lurking flower arrangers."  I can just picture them skulking around, hiding in shadows, patiently waiting for an opportunity to pounce on a particularly showy bloom!

The book is beautifully illustrated with black and white and color photos. There are also plenty of notes in the back for further reading, as well as lists of horticultural medal winners and notable gardens by women.  All in all, this book is a fascinating look at how women helped to shape the beautiful gardens that are so identified with the green and pleasant land that is England.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of Women and Their Gardens from Independent Publishers Group.

Final Verdict for Women and Their Gardens:  Four Gherkins, for being a beautiful look at some extraordinary women gardening enthusiasts throughout history

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Poirot Box Set Giveaway!

Let us employ the little grey cells for a moment in appreciation of one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time: Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. Between the 1920s and the 1970s, the Belgian detective appeared in 42 novels and short story collections. He has been portrayed on screen many times, most recently by the British actor David Suchet. Thanks to Acorn Media, I'm offering one lucky person the opportunity to win a special prize pack of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 1-4, (valued at $160.00)!
Here is a little more information about each series:

Series 1: (approx. 501 minutes)
These 10 full-length mysteries star fan-favorite and BAFTA nominee David Suchet as the brilliant Belgian detective. Based on the novels by Agatha Christie, these lavish adaptations capture every splendid detail of the Art Deco era. ITV Studios’ Poirot has aired on ITV1 in the U.K. since 1989 and on PBS and A&E in the U.S. The 3-vol. DVD set includes all 10 mysteries from the first series, now with SDH subtitles.

THE MYSTERIES
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook;
Murder in the Mews;
The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly;
Four and Twenty Blackbirds;
The Third Floor Flat;
Triangle at Rhodes;
Problem at Sea;
The Incredible Theft;
The King of Clubs;
The Dream

Series 2: The diminutive detective returns in these nine full-length mysteries, starring beloved actor and BAFTA nominee David Suchet as a “near-perfect Poirot” (USA Today) in these sumptuous adaptations of Christie’s bestsellers.

(approx. 507 minutes)

THE MYSTERIES
Peril at End House;
The Veiled Lady;
The Lost Mine;
The Cornish Mystery;
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim;
Double Sin;
The Adventure of the Cheap Flat;
The Kidnapped Prime Minister;
The Adventure of the Western Star

Series 3: The impeccable Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is back on the case in these 11 mysteries from the hit series.
(approx. 606 minutes)

THE MYSTERIES
The Mysterious Affair at Styles—Poirot and Hastings tackle their first case together.
How Does Your Garden Grow?—Poirot cultivates leads in a murder case.
The Million Dollar Bond Robbery—The detective investigates an international banking caper.
The Plymouth Express—Poirot is called in when a case of romantic intrigue turns fatal.
Wasps’ Nest—Hastings’s new photography hobby helps Poirot crack a case.
The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor—A writer calls Poirot for help untangling his own plot.
The Double Clue—The detective seems taken with an exiled countess while investigating a jewel heist.
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest—Poirot is a guest at a dinner party that turns deadly.
The Theft of the Royal Ruby—An Egyptian prince learns a difficult lesson about who to trust.
The Affair at the Victory Ball—A costume party becomes a crime scene when two revelers are murdered.
The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge—A wealthy landowner becomes the quarry during a hunting party.

Series 3 also stars Hugh Fraser (Sharpe) as the affable Captain Hastings, Philip Jackson (Little Voice) as Chief Inspector Japp, and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon.

Series 4: The endearingly eccentric detective Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is back on the case in these three feature-length mysteries from the hit series. 
(approx. 306 minutes)

THE MYSTERIES

The ABC Murders— Poirot investigates the baffling mystery of a murderer who announces his next victims through a series of chilling letters, each addressed to the detective himself.

Death in the Clouds— There’s murder in the skies as a ruthless blackmailer is killed on board a plane full of likely suspects. Unfortunately for the culprit, a certain Belgian detective is a fellow passenger

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe— When a popular dentist is gunned down, a murderous chain of events ensues. A broken shoe buckle becomes the key to untangling a deadly web of deception.

Series 4 also stars Donald Sumpter (Game of Thrones), Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), Hugh Fraser (Sharpe) as the affable Captain Hastings, and Philip Jackson (Little Voice) as Chief Inspector Japp.

That's a lot of Poirot!  To enter to win this amazing series, just leave a comment stating your favorite mystery author.  Be sure to leave you email address in the comment (or on your Blogger profile, if you have one) so that I can contact you if you are the lucky winner.  Open to US residents only.  Enter by April 15.  The winner will be selected by Random.org and contacted by email.

Thanks so much to Acorn Media for providing this wonderful prize, and good luck!

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Bumper Book Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest to win a free copy of the wonderful Bumper Book of London.  The winner was:

slb3334

I'm sure you'll love the book as much as I did!  The winner has been contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered, and watch this space for an upcoming giveaway that's very exciting!!

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Not just for children! And a Giveaway!

Always on the lookout for a great book about London, I was thrilled to get a review copy of The Bumper Book of London: Everything You Need to Know about London and More by Becky Jones and Clare Lewis.  This colorful and fascinating book is marketed as a children's book, but it's bursting with bright colors and fun information that makes it a great read for all ages!

The book begins with some general facts about London, then it is divided into chapters covering the chronological periods in London's history, beginning with Roman London and going through the present (Modern London).  Every section is filled with historical facts, words used during that time, rulers, and things to see from that time period that still exist in London.  For example, from the Saxon/Viking period, you can still see the Coronation Stone of the Saxon Kings at Kingston Town Hall, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the British Library, and Sutton Hoo treasures at the British Museum.

After the historical portions of the book, there are sections devoted to various aspects of life in London including sport, food, transport, the River Thames, animals, streets, and so on. 

Every page uses colorful lettering and fonts, and there are also numerous illustrations done by children which help to enliven the facts.

Illustration of what was lost during
the Great Fire of London

I learned many interesting and unusual things from reading this book.  For instance, there is a Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, currently filled by Larry the Cat.  Larry has his own Twitter account to keep everyone up to date on his activities (although distressingly, not much mouse abatement work is mentioned!).  There are also yummy recipes (including one for "London Cheesecake" that includes no cheese!), Fast Facts and a recommended list of "London's Best" which includes such lists as "Best Books Set in Victorian London" and (more importantly) the locations of the "Best Cake Shops" to be found there today.

More information is also at the book's website http://bit.ly/y3I5Xk and at Becky and Clare's website http://www.adventurewalksforfamilies.co.uk/

I have one copy of the wonderful Bumper Book of London to give away to a lucky reader!  To enter, just leave a comment stating your favorite tourist attraction in London (one you've visited or hope to visit one day).  Be sure and leave an email address in your comment or Blogger profile so I can contact you if you're the winner!  Open only to those residing in the US.  Please leave your comment by March 15.  The winner will be chosen by random.org and I will email the winner.  The winner will have 72 hours to respond, or I'll have to choose another winner.  Good luck!

Disclaimer:  I received a review and a giveaway copy of The Bumper Book of London from 45th Parallel Communications

Final verdict on The Bumper Book of London:  Five Gherkins, for being a totally engrossing book about London filled with facts and fun!

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Shield the Heart

If you like YA books with lots of twists and turns you may enjoy T.K. Richardson's new book Shield the Heart. When you mix one girl with a special gift, one ancient Russian prophecy, danger, and a dash of romance you end up with Shield the Heart!

I hope you'll check it out. The book is available in paperback and as an ebook.

One Gift, One Prophecy, One Choice

Shield the Heart

(Note: This book is part of a series. Book #1 Return the Heart. Book #2 Shield the Heart.)

What if the battle was in your heart?

Lilly's gift of reading the heart seemed like a curse, but when she discovered her gift was linked to an old, Russian prophecy it changed everything. What she never questioned, though, was her own heart.

When the prophecy pulls Lilly back to Russia and demands to be fulfilled she is torn between love and loyalty. She must make the most difficult decision of her life and choose between the two. But Lilly's decision is farther reaching than even she is willing to acknowledge. It stretches from East to West - from the past to the future.

Lilly discovers there's more to the old prophecy than she realized and enemy forces are bent on stopping it from unfolding.

One thing is certain - there will be casualties. And sparing those closest to her may be impossible. While Seth attempts to shield Lilly from the truth, Nikolai reveals secrets that could change everything.

As Lilly falls into the arms of Russia she must decide: will love or loyalty reign? And can she live with the consequences? Two sides compete for Lilly's heart and she must find the answers she needs before her enemies find her.

Shield the Heart, by T.K. Richardson, is the riveting second book in the series and takes Lilly deeper into Russia's mysterious past... and her future.

(**This post was part of a contest to win a Kindle Fire. If you'd like to enter for a chance to win visit the site to find out how!)

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