Weird TV ads from the 60's and 70's

DeFranco Family: Heartbeat, Its A Lovebeat

Betty's Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

The Monkees -- Kelloggs Commercials

The Two Ronnies - Limerick Writers

Tim Hawkins-70s in 6 minutes

NaNoWriMo Day #5 and "Bryony" Moment of the Day

Well, it's not even a week into National Novel Writing Month, and I've already slipped away from my best resolve.

Never mind the excuses (and they were good ones, too). I really could have given one hour to the deed had I structured the remaining hours of the day differently. Instead, the proof copy of Bryony beckoned me, which did needed to be scanned for errors since I'm meeting with my book designer on Friday, and, even though I knew I was lying to myself, I decided to quickly read through JUST ONE chapter of the book, then bang out my promised chapter of the prequel.

You can guess what happened.

Even more embarrassing, once I came back to the prequel today (with the equally good intention of writing TWO chapters, along with four writing assignments and the day's assorted fires that needed extinguishing), I spent more time typing in the research that needs to be done if I'm to chronicle the events in that chapter correctly.

In short, I really could've and should've written it yesterday, because it was hardly a brain-taxing task.

So now I'm behind and the only way to catch up tomorrow will be to write those two chapters...and the four writing assignments, sigh!. I did, however, finish the proof copy of Bryony, and that's leaving me feeling pretty darn satisfied.

On another note, did you know I belong to a fan club? It's one dedicated to the 1970's British comedy trio, The Goodies, and, although I haven't visted the site lately, there's an ongoing forum topic called, "Goodie Moment of the Day." That's where fans post random occurances with a Goodie "feel."

Recently, I've had several "Bryony Moments of the Day." Today, I'm posting a link to a story I wrote a few weeks back. It's about a family with a christening gown dating from the 1890's that has been passed down the generations. It's made, of all things, from Irish linen. When I met with two of the family members, they had brought the actual gown for me to see and touch. Wow!

Here's the link. Enjoy!

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/7674670-423/family-christening-gown-in-use-since-1894.html

VampFest Revisted

Today, my son Christopher and I presented the proceeds of VampFest to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. I haven't yet received VampFest photos from Stephen Tuplin, director of Bryony media, as he left town soon after the event to tour with a local Christian music group, but he promised he would edit the video and send photos soon.

Highlights of the evening included the serving up of "bites and nibbles" from the upcoming Bryony cookbook:

   ·         Fried “O’Brien-style” potatoes

·         Mini corn dogs

·         Black Avocado Dip with Homemade Tortilla Chips

·         Corn Dip With Homemade Tortilla Chips

·         Cucumber and Tomato Salad

·         Marinated Onions, Mushrooms, and Peppers

·         Chicken Salad

·         Shepherd’s Pie

·         Stuffed Mini Peppers

·         Pork Tenderloins with Cabbage and Kraut

·         Vegetarian Chili

·         Pear Mascarpone French Toast

·         Toffee-Apple French Toast

·         Sweet Potato Pudding

Many characters from the book--in period dress--served and interacted with the guests.

Teen classic rock band, Street Worthy, represented the 1970s.

Romantic pianist/composer James Onohan symbolized the Victorian era by playing, for the first time, original songs from the brand-new Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons.

Alas, red tape meant we had no books to sell, but we raffled off one of two proof copies we received for $100, which we also donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. We hope to have copies of both the novel and the cookbook available SOON!

For those who missed the festivities (or are loath to see them end), Bryony will be at the HS Healing and Wellness Center's first Pumpkin Fest from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 22. The day features tarot readings, face painting, live music by James Onohan, pumpkin decorating, and storytelling. The center is located at 3117 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet. For more information call 815-741-4386.

The following week, I will be at the same Healing and Wellness Center from 4 to 5 p.m. reading Halloween stories.

Mostly, I'd like to thank everyone who contributed into the success of VampFest:

The Bryony Team: Dulcinea Hawksworth, director of marketing and event host/ coordinator; Tommy Connolly, media researcher and developer and emcee; Sarah Stegall, web administrator and silent auction co-coordinator; James Onohan, Bryony's pianist and composer; Virginia Schonbachler, silent auction and raffle co-coordinator; Stephen James Tuplin of Echo White Fox and Josh Siegers of JKS Productions for photography and videography; Heather Frelichowski of Crafty Moms Inc for costume design, Harwood Post and especially Mary Hischier, for supplying food, venue, and general guidance.

Vendors: Matt Coundiff of A Thin Line Tattoo, Vanna Fleetwood of Dimensions Barber and Salon, Sandy Costa of Foo Tribe Jewelry,  HS Healing and Wellness Center, Bryony cookbook contest winner  Kathryn Russ Dunlap and Rufio products, Andrea Rodriguez of Sugar Mama, Inc., and Valerie’s Heavenly Scents.

Volunteers: Christopher Baran, Daniel Baran, Rebekah Baran, Timothy Baran, Karen Bonarek, Rachel Bonarek, Rose Bonerk, Amber Cable,, Becky Colwell, Noah Curl, Donna Krofta, Justin Ongenae, Carolyn Sallade, Bryony cookbook contest winner Nola Sawyer, Rachel Schall

An especial thank you to Ed Calkins, Cal Graphics, Inc., Dawn Aulet, Fast Printing of Joliet, J and M Printing, John Heinz, and Street Worthy; the members of the Heavenly Sinners Writer’s Guild for their enthusiastic support and to Tommy Connolly and Virginia Schonbachler for supplying, out of pocket, all the last minute and much needed items; and also to Kosack’s Formalwear, Joliet Junior College theatre department, the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life for supplying costumes, all of our silent auction donors, and those the generous supporters of the event.

If you'd like to be added to Bryony's virtual mailing list for updates, please contact me at BryonySeries@gmail.com

  

We Launch October 14!

"Vamp Fest: Travel Through Time With 'Bryony,'" a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties, will be from 6 to 11 p.m. at Harwood Post, 705 S. Larkin Avenue, Joliet.

The 1970's/Victorian theme evening will include appetizers based on recipes from our official cookbook, "Memories in the Kitchen: Nibbles and Bites from 'Bryony,'" Bryony-related product (more on this as we get closer to the date), live music from both eras, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, Bryony-themed vendors, and appearances by "Bryony" characters.

Over the next few weeks, we will share more details, as well as introduce the newest members of the "Bryony" team. We hope to see you there!

The Supersizers Go Seventies Part 6

The Supersizers Go Seventies Part 5

The Supersizers Go Seventies Part 4

The Supersizers Go Seventies Part 3

Supersizers 1970s 2

The Supersizers Go Seventies Part 1

Details for the "Name the Bryony Cookbook" Contest.

In honor of Bryony's one-year annivesary on Facebook, we have initiated a contest to name the upcoming cookbook.

This cookbook will be an eclectic compilations of (mostly) Victorian-era and '70s stylish recipes, complete with story teasers (appetizers) and Kathleen Rose Van Pelts (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/) signature pen and ink drawings (treats) Recipes will be arranged according to events in Bryony and will not be grouped by subject.

However, there is a catch. The contest is only open to Bryony Facebook fans. To "like" the page and submit your suggestion, visit www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. All (any) profits from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (http://www.bbbswillgrundy.org/).

Contest rules: You must comment to enter a name or title; you may comment as often as you like; no foul language (posts will be deleted at administrator discretion); and all entries will be reviewed by the author.

The winner receives a free copy of the cookbook with the signatures of as many members of the Bryony team as possible at time of publication.

Name the Bryony Cookbook contest will run until May 31, 2011 until 12:00 am (midnight) EST time (North Carolina time). This gives all fans the opportunity to vote.

We've already received a number of clever/intersting/amusing title possibilities. Tomorrow, we will post them.

Happy Naming!

Sarah Stegall's Thoughts on Bryony, Part 2

6) Why did you become involved in the Bryony cookbook project?

"I wanted to be involved in something good. I love to cook and I'm always recipe hunting, so I figured I would be a positive force behind the project."


7) Why is the cookbook a good idea?

"The Bryony Series mentions food quite a bit and some of the dishes are rather entertaining. I felt readers like myself would want to try and recreate these dishes themselves."


8) Is the Bryony cookbook just another collection of recipes?

"In some ways yes, but overall not really. How many cookbooks floating around your kitchen feature eclectic recipes from the Victorian Era and the 70's?"


9) What made you take the initiative in designing the Bryony Facebook page?

"It started as a gift; I created it on Mother's Day, 2010, but ultimately I was already thinking big. I wanted to have my hands dirty in all things Bryony."


10) What elements did you add as you developed the page?

"I themed it out so readers could expect their favorite posts, pictures, songs, and so forth. I try to keep posts different and funny so readers don't lose interest."

Will the Real Julie Drake Please Stand Up?

Last year, while writing An Extraordinary Life story about a local woman, my source, the woman's daughter, asked me to call her sister for additional information.

I agreed and asked for the sister’s name and number. I almost dropped the telephone when the voice on the other end said, “Julie Drake,” and proceeded to give me the number.

Of course, I had to tell Julie Drake about Bryony, because one of Melissa’s Munsonville friends is also named Julie Drake. Even more coincidental, the “real” Julie Drake has a husband named David. In later books, Julie’s boyfriend (and, eventually, her husband) is also named David.

“I can’t wait to read this book,” Julie said. “When I thought it was going to come out last December, I had told my two nieces about it because they love to read. When I first met Denise and spoke to her about, I knew we were supposed to meet. It was so comfortable talking with her.”

Recently, Julie agreed to let me interview her for the BryonySeries blog and see how she compares to the fictional Julie Drake, especially since both Julies grew up in the 1970s.

The three-part interview will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The first part is posted here. Parts three and four will be posted Tuesday and Wednesday.

If I Were Melissa, I Would Have Starved

A picture is definitely worth a thousand groans. Watching the Supersizers Go Victorian series is really bringing Melissa's culinary experiences to life for me. It's one thing to imagine a calves head sitting on your table, but seeing it makes me want to flee back to the twentieth century, at least until after mealtime. Another surprise was the tinned meat. Some appeared on Bryony's breakfast tray, but I had envisioned it looking more like Spam (yuck), not the jellied mass in the video. However, had it been true Spam, Melissa, being a child of the '70s, probably would have recognized it and not been so revolted. I used to be open-minded about trying new recipes (barring allergies), but now, I'm not sure. How adventurous are you with unusual foodstuffs?

Submissions Closed, Except for Fish

THANK YOU very much to everyone that submitted one or more recipes for the Bryony cookbook. I received a nice variety of dishes and had a lot of fun swapping out certain foods in the novel and substituting them with the ones I received.

I will still accept a few fish recipes, however, because of page limitations with the publishing package I am planning to use, all other submissions are now closed.

Quick recap about the project: The Bryony cookbook contains recipes to the foods mentioned in the story, the ones Melissa eats in 1975 at family meals etc. and the unfamiliar ones she encounters in the Victorian era.

The recipes are arranged topically, by events as they occur in the story, rather than by food type, as most cookbooks do. A few summary lines are included at the beginning of each section to orient readers, whether or not they have read Bryony, into the story. To further set the mood, each section will feature an original pen and ink drawing by Bryony's illustrator, Kathleen Rose Van Pelt.

No one involved in this project is getting paid or will make any money. All profits from the cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (http://www.bbbs.org/).

That's because, in Bryony, Melissa and her younger brother Brian are, for a short time, raised only by their mother, but also have the advantage of a friendly mentor. The cookbook, in short, honors the fictional Steve Barnes and all the other men and women who have stepped up to make a difference in a young person's life.