Category: Inkwell Inspirations - Anita Mae Draper

Fruitcake Time

11/21/2018

Fruitcake made by Anita Mae Draper, Dec 2013

Yes, it's time for fruitcake! At least, it's time to make fruitcake since it needs time of meld all the mouth-watering flavours together. And that's the topic of my post over at Inkwell Inspirations where I discuss why fruitcake lasts so long and the edible factor of a 106-year-old fruitcake found in Antarctica last year.

If you have trouble commenting over at the Inkwell, you can leave a comment here.

By the way, I made the fruitcake shown in the above image back in Dec 2013. It didn't make it to 2014. Yum.

Cheesy Bird Videos

3/21/2018

Cheesy Bird Videos is my post over at the Inkwell today. Just a few brief videos to show our feathered friends doing the same kinds of things that people do...like popping out and scaring others...or being a bully...nothing highly emotional that will take the edge off your day, just a few minutes to clear your mind as you go.

All of the videos are shown at normal speed, and then slow motion so you can see what really happened. Not award worthy. Simply entertaining.

You can see them at
http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/2018/03/cheesy-bird-videos.html

At the Inkwell: January's Treasure

1/17/2018

Today at the Inkwell I'm posting about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how changes in my life seem to have resolved its affect on me.

If you have a few minutes, come check my post and pics at January's Treasure.

Typical light therapy unit used for Seasonal Affective disorder. Source: wikipedia

Text-Free Photos

9/20/2017

Do you make your own greeting cards or inspirational sayings like the e-card above? Finding free images that don't have a copyright label or watermark can be difficult.

And that's why my current post at Inkwell Inspirations is about using my own photo library to provide you with Free Blank Pics for Memes. So come along for a visit and I'll see if there's anything you can use.

http://www.inkwellinspirations.com/2017/09/free-blank-pics-for-memes.html

Social Media After Death

7/19/2017

It's fun to belong to different social media groups, but what happens to your pages and accounts when you die? Yes, it's a morbid subject, but a recent event made me stop and consider how to handle my virtual life after my physical life on earth is over.

That's my topic at Inkwell Inspirations so come over for some virtual refreshments and we'll share thoughts on the subject, Are You Prepared for Social Media Death.

Who's Watching April

3/15/2017

April the Giraffe, screenshot off the Animal Adventure Park live cam feed

Yes, I'm a giraffe watcher. Anyone else?

It's the 3rd Wednesday of the month which means I'm blogging at Inkwell Inspirations today and if you haven't guessed, I'm talking giraffes. Specifically, I'm talking about the Watching, Waiting, and Wondering that goes on as a mammal reaches that miraculous event of birth.

Don't laugh. I used to sit in a lawn chair in a cold barn and wait for my goats to give birth. At least it's warmer in my office and I can work while I wait.

My post includes screenshots as well as links to April's live cam feed. Come on over and we'll share cups of virtual coffee. :)

Write Canada Result

6/17/2015

Novotel North York Hotel, Toronto, June 2015

Last weekend I attended the Write Canada conference where one of my stories, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was up for a Word Guild award.

To my deepest chagrin, I didn't win.

But I enjoyed seeing the satisfaction, disbelief, and tears of those who did, and am sending out another hearty CONGRATULATIONS! to all the winners.

The above photo shows the Novotel Hotel which hosted the conference, but it's what's on the other side of the picket fence that's the subject of my Inkwell post, Travel Gems and World Knit in Public Day.

Note: People who knit and crochet DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS POST!

The post is also the public unveiling of my new image, taken at the conference by award-winning photographer, Stephen Woo.

Murdoch's Shipwreck in Georgina

3/18/2015

West facing window of St George's Anglican Church, Sibbald Point, Georgina, Ontario, Canada

If you like history, genealogy, cemeteries, old churches, Ontario, and Murdoch Mysteries, then I hope you'll join me over at Inkwell Inspirations where I'm posting about the making of Murdoch's episode, Shipwreck.

My post, Murdoch on Location in Georgina, talks about the historic locations of Sibbald Point and Sutton where the Shipwreck episode was filmed, and also explores the history of the beautiful stained glass window created by the daughters of Upper Canada's Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and his wife, Elizabeth.

I also add in the genealogy aspect showing who in our family tree is buried in the famous cemetery where some of the scenes were shot.

Combining all these elements made the post a joy to write.

I'm sending out a shout-out to the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives facebook page for the Feb 25th heads' up notice about the Shipwreck episode. Thank you!

Video Wassailing at the Inkwell

11/19/2014

So what does the 1949 version of the movie Little Women, the 1963 Christmas with the Chipmunks Vol. 2 album, a vintage video game, waffles, beans, children singing, and Christmas lights all have in common?

I'm featuring them on my post, It's A-Wassailing not A-Waffling today as they all contain a version of the Christmas song, Here We Come A-Wassailing.

I'm a bit worried about the Christmas in the desert one though as I'm sure someone will deem it is in poor taste, and although a small part of me agrees, I've raised four kids, 2 of them boys, and I love hearing them laugh, especially over natural and innocent incidents.

Anyway, if you want to share your thoughts, head on over to Inkwell Inspirations and see for yourself.

Here We Come A-Wassailing is the title of my latest story which is found in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume 4 Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Present, Guideposts Books, Oct 2014. Check out my story page for more info.

Part 3 Antique Cookbooks

8/22/2014

I'm blogging at the Inkwell today about the third part of my Antique Cookbooks series. You can read my story on how I came upon this treasure by checking out my previous posts:
- Antique Cookbooks Part 1 1890 - 1906
- Antique Cookbooks Part 2 1900 - 1916

Today's cookbooks cover the period 1920 - 1928 and include information and recipes suited for students--those learning how to cook in school, as well as carrying lunch to school. Add an apple recipe book and you have the perfect trio for the back-to-school season.

1920 Saskatchewan Dept of Education, Short Course Recipes, Household Science Circular No. 3

The above photo shows the students of a Household Science aka Home Economics class in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

My question for today at the Inkwell concerns a mention I found on cottage cheese as a sandwich filling for school lunches. Do you have something to share?