From Beneath the Bushel

Welcome to the Solstice (Litha) edition of the Tarot Blog Hop. I haven’t participated in the last couple, but it’s nice to be back. You can find links to the previous and next posts in the Hop at the bottom of this page, along with a link to the Master list in case of any broken links.

I must admit that I struggled somewhat with the broadness of the topic (though mostly with all the references to “faeries”), the main theme of which was to share a gift or talent with the circle. I’m afraid that I suffer from a rather British reticence about blowing my own trumpet in any sort of blatant way. Our overseas cousins have never seemed to be afflicted by this malaise and are quite happy to blithely puff away, but over here, we tend to find that kind of thing faintly unseemly and embarrassing, albeit increasingly less so these days based on the wannabe culture of  X-factor and the myriad of other such shows. On this occasion, however, I have girded my loins, pulled up my big girl knickers, armed myself with cliches and set aside my reserve. I have emerged from beneath my bushel, blinking mole-like into the Solstice dawn. I have buffed up the brassware, taken a deep breath or three and am all set to blow like Gabriel. Ready?

As it happens, I have quite a few talents *puffs up cheeks and raises bugle*

*Squeawk*  Oh dear, clearly playing brass instruments (even virtual ones) is not one of them, however, some of those who follow my scribblings on here and have read the things wot I writ are of the opinion that I don’t rite too bad. I’ve managed to participate in two NaNoWriMos, though only completed one. I regard both novels as works in progress, albeit veeery sloooow progress, but like Aesop’s tortoise, I’ll get there in the end and may even beat the eager bunnies. *Kicks dust bunnies back under the sofa* If you’d like to read my efforts for yourself, where better to begin than here – my blog archives are available for your perusal and, I trust, delectation. If you enjoy what you read, feel free to massage my ego by commenting here.* If you don’t, well…we can’t all be blessed with good taste now, can we 😉

*Comment on this post, please, as comments are disabled on individual posts after 30 days to minimise spam.

*Paaaarp* While my talents as a Domestic Goddess leave *a lot* to be desired in the housework department *kicks dust bunnies again*, I am a pretty good cook. Since we are supposed to be sharing our talents in this edition of the Blog Hop, you can find some yummy recipes and general foodie stuff  in the “Food and Drink” category on this very blog. See, told you it was worth a read. Don’t expect Heston-like bizarre ingredient combos or prettily arranged plates with a poncy jus and sprig of bleedin’ garnish. Food is to eat, not to photograph...errr, unless you’re blogging about it, in which case, I’ll let me off. I’m more of a hearty, tasty and somewhat retro kind of cook… in fact, you’ll find I’m positively Medieval at times 🙂

As an additional treat to the culinary delights on this blog, I can highly recommend this cherry scone recipe, perfect for a picnic or for afternoon tea with a nice cup of Keemun or Darjeeling. Serve with clotted cream and strawberry conserve for a real treat. (Tip: instead of buttermilk, put a couple of drops of lemon juice in fresh milk and leave to stand for 15-20mins)

*Squeeeal* Bad trumpet playing? Or, how I hope you’ll react when you see these and these? You decide and if you like what you see, it would be rude of me not to mention that you can buy such beauteous things in my shop and if you don’t find quite what you are looking for, I undertake commissions for all sorts of things. You can contact me to discuss your dream insert desiderata here.

There are more pics and I try (albeit sporadically) to post new projects on my FB page, so please follow me if you like what I do (and tell your friends) 🙂

Of course, I do lots of other crafty things, including knitting so you can find me on Ravelry as well.

*Barrrrrruump* Tarot! How could I omit to mention Tarot? I’m not half bad at that I’m told and *edges out on the limb* in the face of the evidence from many clients, I can’t disagree. Once again, on this very blog you can find more Tarot related posts, so if you’ve a mind to, you can read my words of wisdom for yourself** It seems fitting to choose a card to represent the talents I have shared here and I can’t think of a more fitting card than the 7 of Cups. In the spirit of such immodesty, I must say that I have quite a few more (talents that is, I have loads more cards), but I would hate your indulgent smile to turn into a rictus grimace as you mentally glaze over and lose interest in my fluffy cloud of self-adulation, frantically scrolling down for the link to the next post.

**My, it’s hard to write with one’s tongue so firmly jammed in one’s cheek! Do have a look, I aim for recreation rather than pontification 😀

You’ll notice that I’ve chosen the 7 of Cups from the Gilded Tarot to represent my talents. This is because it is pretty and, unlike the RWS, it does not depict a dragon or a snake. I’d rather that my talent for biting, hissing and breathing fire remained under the aforementioned bushel…until I have need of it 😀 It also seem apt, since I have such an abundance of possibilities that it’s sometimes hard to know where to focus and I have to be careful not to spread myself too thin trying to do all the things that I would like to. For me, the 7 of Cups always indicates a certain difficulty in making the right choices due to the overabundance of options that can leave you spinning in the wind.

If you’re impressed, and you jolly well should be, feel free to endorse any of these skill on my LinkedIn Profile. I hope you’ve found something useful, enjoyable or even informative here.

Phew! That was some fast and furious trumpeting. I feel rather like this guy (though obviously not as talented with the trombone)

I think that’s enough trumpeting for this post, so without further ado, procrastination or fanfare …oh well, maybe just one more parting blow before I stow the brass …I give you *paaaarrrrpppp-ta-daaaaaaaah* (hey, I’m getting better at this!) links to the next and previous hops and the master list in case you get lost. Enjoy! 🙂