Well I needed to send an Easter card at the last minute and found these ecards. So check out someecards.com if you need something likely to offend!
Friday 6th April 2012
More pumpkin pasta
Whilst in Waitrose last week I saw another variety of pumpkin pasta - a butternut squash and herb ravioli. And as usual it's a bit overpriced and as usual with this type of pasta some of the parcels are liable to separate open meaning that the filling escapes into the water leaving you feeling a little cheated! The initial taste was good and the herbs prevalent however I couldn't help feel that I'd made soups that tasted similar and where the taste remained for longer after eating. I guess I won't be buying this brand again.
Saturday 31st March 2012
Growing Pumpkins
Well, it's time to get out in the greenhouse again and the first pumpkin seeds have been planted today (along with lettuce, rocket, tomato, aubergine, cucumber and radish). I'll probably end up growing about half a dozen varieties of squash and pumpkin and will update the blog accordingly. Let's just hope that in the UK this year we don't have as bad a season as we had last year.
Saturday 31st March 2012
M. R. James postage stamp
Last week, the Royal Mail in a series of distinguished Britons, issued a first class stamp commemorating the horror short story specialist M. R. James.
Wednesday 29th February 2012
Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre, London
I was passing along The Strand in London last week and picked up this new flyer for the forthcoming production of Sweeney Todd. Having just watched my DVD of the Angela Lansbury and George Hearn Broadway production and throughly enjoyed it... and being a fan, of course, of the Tim Burton movie, this'll have to be a must! The production is the highly acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production which is transferring to the West end for a limited run. Anyway, here is the flyer with all the information for any interested parties.
Saturday 4th February 2012
Dr Syn at The Grand
I came across an advert today in my local newspaper for an art exhibition by the local artist Terry Anthony who is renowned in these parts for his paintings of the Romney Marsh area. As well as his series of paintings of the beautiful churches and sunrises and sunsets, he has probably become most well known for his depictions of the smuggling antics of the local literary legend called Dr Syn.
For those not in the know, Dr Syn was the creation of Russell Thorndike in a series of seven books. The lead character can be best described as a 'Robin Hood' type of character in that he was the local vicar of the village of Dymchurch by day, and yet a potentially murderous smuggler by night. The character of Dr Syn, also known as the pirate Captain Clegg, has been immortalised in Russell Thorndike's books, 3 films (including ones by both Disney and Hammer Horror in the 1960s), and more recently in BBC radio dramas.
I first came across the artist Terry Anthony probably about 20 years ago selling prints of his artwork at the biannual Dymchurch Day Of Syn festival, and have bought some of his signed prints. So it is pleasing to see his art collected together in one place including many original paintings that are in private ownership. Terry's depictions of Dr Syn have attracted the eyes of the Walt Disney studios and he can be seen on a documentary of their US release of their Dr Syn movie, sparking rumours that by employing him Disney were considering a modern remake of the story. Whether this happens in light of the success of the Pirates Of The Carribean franchise is yet to be seen. But I would strongly recommend people to go and see this exhibition which runs from the 7th January to the 29th January 2012 at The Grand Hotel, Folkestone. Entry is free and some of his works and prints are available for purchase too.
The artist in front of an unfinished work that he will be completing during the exhibition's run.
Inside The Grand Hotel
Terry with one of his avian friends!
Saturday 14th January 2012
The Addams Family
Yesterday was the centenary of the birth of Charles Addams, creator of the Addams family cartoons, and later spin-offs (e.g. TV & films). So I thought it was quite appropriate the the search engine Google celebrate the late artist's work by specially commissioning the following art for their web home page. As if you needed a reason to use Google...
Sunday 8th January 2012
Pumpkin Art
What a way to start the new year with some pumpkin images. I was in London last week leafing through some art books in a bookshop to kill some time whilst waiting for a train home and came upon the following images. I was completely unfamiliar with the works of 20th century artist Jean Helion who painted a couple of pumpkin still life pictures in the late 1940s. So for anyone unfamiliar with them, here's a peek. And for those who want prints of the pictures, they appear to be available from soho-art.com.
Sunday 1st January 2011
Merry Yule
I nipped into Folkestone today and thought I'd see the art exhibition at the top of the Old High Street and then wander down to the new shop called The Cauldron Of Inspiration that has recently opened at No.42. It has the usual 'new-age' sort of stuff in there including oils, candles and gifts of with the usual psuedo-wiccan, egyptian, buddhist and gothic themes. I hope the shop does well as it's a welcome change from all the homogenised high street shops one finds these days. And whereas I am sceptical about these so called followers of the 'old' religion whose rites are relatively modern since the actual Old Religions died out without any real surviving practises, I did find a somewhat charming festive greetings card.
Friday 23rd December 2011
The Krampus in the news...
In today's edition of the London newspaper 'The Metro' there was an article about the Krampus which I've scanned in. The is currently a link on their website taking you to more pictures, but I can't guarantee how long the link will be live for. (www.metro.co.uk/devil)
Tuesday 6th December 2011
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