The Stevens of Brookshire Manor: November 2008

Monday, 24 November 2008

Sweatheart Tag. Can I name it Lover Tag instead? ;)

so elvin~esque

I tagged myself to do a sweetheart tag about my spouse.
Here's how it works: each person answers questions about their sweethearts. At the end of the post the person then tags 6 people and posts their names.

*What is your husband's name? Nathan. Or Nath. Or, if you're from the South East of England, "Nafe."

*How long have you guys been married? 2 years, six months, 1 week, 4 days

*How long did you date? hmmm. good question. well, we probably had several hundred first dates via the internet (you know, "so...what do you like to do? how many people are in your family?", etc., etc.) from the time we met till the time we were married we dated 11 months. we've known each other 4.5 years.

*How old is he? 31

*Who is taller? Nathan. 6'3" when he stands up straight.

*Who can sing the best? hmm. we're equal.

*Who is smarter? depends. i have more subject knowledge in specified areas but he is definitely a better critical thinker.

*Who pays the bills? we share.

*Who does the laundry? we share.

*Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? seriously? it's much healthier to sleep in separate beds. seriously. you sleep better - especially two, long, lanky humans like us, cramped on a queen and waking at any sudden movement. there are several scientific studies that prove this is much healthier. :) this doesn't mean one can't still do what married couples do best... ;)

*Who mows the lawn? no lawn.

*Who cooks dinner? we share. nathan prepares lovely salads and knows how to cook meat properly. my specialty is gourmet soup.

*Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? we've never argued or fought. i usually admit i'm wrong first because, well, i'm usually wrong! this is a very true statement. :)

*Who kissed who first? nathan kissed me first. :) dare i reveal under what conditions?? :)

*Who wears the pants? i hate this statement. we both "wear the pants."

I tag: whoever reads this blog entry.

Friday, 21 November 2008

A Proper Autumn

I found the cable and have finally uploaded photos. I know you've not been able to sleep at night because you're all SO desperate to see them. ;)

Fall is only just still thriving in England. The land is quickly becomming barren and cold. Here are some images we captured during the season.

beautiful, nutritious, decomposing leaves ~ part of what captures my soul

leaf art - the conjurer and the spirit (aka nathan and britney)

our place of tranquility at the deer park. we come here often to feed the ducks, the fish, and wander around aimlessly. we feel closest to the Godhead in nature.

just another day ~ the deer would not pose for a picture so i stood in

our halloween evening ~ on the road to canterbury ~ nathan the photographer

the crazy in-laws ~ alison, stephen (nathan's brother) and alison's mum mary

decorations

keeping the Old Ways alive

It was down in the woodland on last Hallowe'en,
Where silence and darkness had built them a lair,
That I felt the dim presence of her, the unseen,
And heard her step on the hush-haunted air.
(Madison J. Cawein)
~ ~ ~
Fear not that sound like wind in the trees:
It is only her call that comes on the breeze;
Fear not the shudder that seems to pass:
It is only the tread of her feet on the grass;
Fear not the drip of the bough as you stoop:
It is only the touch of her hands that grope -
For the year's on the turn and it's All Souls' night,
When the dead can yearn and the dead can smite.
(Edith Wharton ~ adapted)

The haunting in Pluckley. We decided to visit the Pluckley cemetery as it is the most haunted village in Britain. Well, we weren't the only ones! Loads of intoxicated youths decided to spook themselves. Steve and Alison spread the word throughout the cemetery that the Ghost of Lady BATS was around. I'm pleased to report that we indeed frightened quite a few people. :)

the lure of the moon

Saturday, 15 November 2008

Samhain Night

I'm a little slow posting pictures from that blessed night, that rapturous evening that is Samhain (pronounced "Sow'en"). Well, fooled you! I'm not posting anything new at all. Yet. Muah! I'm too lazy (well, really I can't find the correct cable) to upload the photos so please enjoy some pictures from Halloween past.

With Love,

Batty BATS

the burning eve. this was taken on halloween just out the front door of my parent's old home in harrisville

Visiting the grave of Rebecca Nurse in Danvers (Salem Village), Mass. She was accused of witchcraft and then hanged.

My kitty Cleo. Pictures of cats must accompany any blog posting about Halloween.

My other kitty Sophie.

my good friends posing as the stepford wives (michael is top right with the blond wig, jason is the very top with a brown wig, and morgan is front left standing up with a brown wig. bless them.)