Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Beautiful People: Geraint


I am doing Beautiful People for the first time in almost a year. And ironically, the last one I did was a combo-edition with Geraint and Kay.
Today we're featuring just Geraint. I'm really very fond of Geraint. Despite his hard, even harsh exterior, he can be very gentle and compassionate. Suffering bothers him more than it bothers, say, Kay.




1. Do they want to get married and/or have children? Why or why not?
Yes, Geraint wants to get married. Or it might be more accurate to say wanted. He was once in love and he's relatively fond of children, so getting married was obviously on his to-do list, so to speak. But the girl married another. He would not marry without being in love, and he doesn't think he could fall in love again after her. (But we'll see about that.)

2. What is their weapon of choice?
Bow and arrows. Geraint is a fletcher.

3. What's the nicest thing they've done for someone else, and why did they do it?
I don't know about the very nicest. As said above, he has a very harsh exterior but he's really a softie. He's kind to children and thoughtful to other people when they're hurting.

4. Have they ever been physically violent with someone, and what instigated it?
In training to be a knight, which he did, learning how to be physically violent is part of it. Outside of his training, not much; he isn't a violent man. He and Kay have fought before, though.

6. Are they a rule-follower or a rebel?
Geraint used to be a rule-follower. He's not a rebellious person, but he has grown cynical about those who make the rules in his area of the world and therefore he does not follow their rules.

7. Are they organized or messy?
Organized.

8. What do they eat for breakfast?
Ordinarily, just bread; on occasion, bread with fish. He has the latter more often than some, because he lives by a river.

9. Have they ever lost someone close to them? What happened?
Geraint's mother died in childbirth; his father did not remarry so he is an only child. His father died of old age a few years ago. When Lady Enid decided to marry Sir Erec instead of himself, he felt that he had lost her. He hasn't seen her for years and he and his cousin Erec have a very uncomfortable relationship as fellow Knights of the Round Table.

10. What's their treat of choice? (or how else do they reward themselves)
Geraint likes poached pears with honey and ginger, when he can get it.


 photo awdursignature_zps319c67b7.png

Daily Quote Challenge, Day Two

Today's daily quote is really rather a random one. In studying the various states a year or so ago, I learned the state mottoes of South Carolina and North Carolina and liked them both. So today you get two quotes for the price of one!

North Carolina:
Esse Quam Videri

South Carolina:
Dum Spiro Spero

(I could just quit there and either a) pretend I knew Latin and force you to look that up, or b) make you assume that there is something in the sounds that is inherently eloquent. But I won't.)

Esse Quam Videri means, "To be rather than to seem."

Dum Spiro Spero means, "While I breathe, I hope."

Both very simple, but I like them.

Okay, I'm going to take a beef with the next part of the challenge. Nominate three people every day? I don't know "people". So with my humblest apologies and sincere regrets, I shall break the second rule of the challenge.
 photo awdursignature_zps319c67b7.png

Monday, July 11, 2016

Daily Quote Challenge

My dear Author has nominated me for a Daily Quote Challenge. This challenge has three rules:

Thank the person who nominated you.
Thank you for the nomination, Author!
Nominate three new bloggers every day.
This will be the hardest part...
Sky Hoffert from Ink Castles.
Melody from Regency Delight.
Post a new quote every day for three consecutive days.
Today's quote:



I like this quote a lot because it reminds me I don't need to feel guilty that I have all the blessings that I have, such as a vacuum cleaner, air conditioning, and education. What I should feel convicted for is simply thanking God for what I have and not doing anything for the people who have not.


 photo awdursignature_zps319c67b7.png

Monday, June 27, 2016

Chocolate Cherry Muffins (Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Sugar-Free)

I've nothing witty to say about this recipe. It's good. Make it. Eat it. Enjoy.



Chocolate Cherry Muffins


Prep time: 10  minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients
1 Tbl flax meal
3 Tbl water
2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsps baking soda
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp xanthan gum (if your mix does not have xanthan gum, increase to 1 tsp)
2/3 cup milk of choice (I used rice milk)
1/2 cup agave nectar
2/3 cup canola oil
1/2 tsp liquid stevia
1 Tbl vanilla extract
1 cup tart cherries, fresh or frozen

Directions
Combine the flax meal and water in a small bowl. Let sit for five minutes.
Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together wet ingredients (including flax mixture) in a medium bowl. Form a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet. Stir well, then fold in cherries. Scoop 1/3 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the muffins sit in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.


Notes:
I find it helpful to use the same cup in measuring the oil and agave, so the oil comes out quicker (assuming you have a one-cup measuring cup with 2/3 and 1/2 markings).
If you've had problems with your cocoa powder clumping, push it through a strainer. It comes out beautifully fine.
This recipe is loosely adapted from this one: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/blueberry-muffins-recipe2.print.html

Bon appetit!
 photo awdursignature_zps319c67b7.png