| Last Holiday day! |
[Jan. 6th, 2009|05:07 pm] |
Happy Befana to all of you!!!
The “Befana” is a character of Italian folklore who the 6th of January ends the winter holiday season.
She look as an ugly crone but with a very good heart. The character derives from Celtic pagan tradition representing the end of the year and the regeneration in a new life cycle, she was then absorbed into Christian tradition and legends. More about her can be found here.
In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the 6th of January to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food for the Befana.
I had a wonderful resting holiday, now I’m ready to start work and the usual life.
( holiday and books... )
Here are some pics from my trip to Boston. I love so much this city because it’s a double city ‘par excellence’. Boston has two souls: American but also a bit European, a modern and an old look, it’s a middle city but it’s also close to its sea and land.
( why I love Boston… ) |
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| The Great Mathom Exchange |
[Sep. 23rd, 2008|09:09 am] |
Thank you to ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) frodosweetstuff for The Great Mathom Exchange celebrating the Bilbo and Frodo birthday at bagginsbirthday. There is a lot of good stuff, go and see!
This is the lovely sunny ficlet lisabellex wrote for me:
Title: The Greatest Gift
Author: Lisabellex
Special Request: Frodo and Bilbo, gen, humour
Word Count: 200 words – a double drabble
Author’s Note: Little Frodo is a much younger version of Frodo as portrayed by Elijah – hence the blue eyes.
This is the irriverent ficlet I wrote for angharad001:
Title: Before the fire
Author: Estelanui
Characters: Bilbo, Frodo
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: *almost* a pairing
Summary: After 1398 Bagginses’ Birthday Party. |
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| Recipe: “Pesto alla Genovese” (Basil sauce for pasta) |
[Aug. 30th, 2008|05:54 pm] |
One time a year I make “Pesto alla Genovese”, a tasty sauce for pasta. This time I prepared this home-made recipe together with the Four Hobbits
( pesto alla genovese… ) |
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| Holiday pic-spam # 1: Ancient Stones |
[Aug. 29th, 2008|07:23 pm] |
I’m starting to post few pic spams from my recent trip in the south-west of UK. To be on a trail again after so many years was so lovely and intriguing!
The subject of these posts will be: Ancient Stones, Cathedrals, Earth Water and Wind, and Old Ruins.
( Following Arthur's footsteps… ) |
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| From my LJ 08/23/2008 |
[Aug. 29th, 2008|07:21 pm] |
I'm back from my vacation in the south-west of UK.
It was my first holiday trip in ten years after the long caring for my old parents. I really enjoyed this tour through Cornwall; it won me back the love for travel and new places.
I would like to thank ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif) caras_galadhon for covering Monday middlearthnews issue during my trip. *hugs you*
I will post soon some pics from the lovely places I visited with ancient stones, mighty waters, wind and precious ruins.
( On King Arthur trail… ) |
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| For abby_normal! |
[Apr. 14th, 2008|11:53 am] |
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Dear abby_normal, happy *very belated* birthday!!!
After a small move, a very busy week at work and an internet black-out due to the synchronous crash of my PC and laptop in the same day (AGGHHH….I can’t believe it yet!!! @_@), here for you
an original hobbit menu* for your birthday party. Enjoy your meal, Carole!
( Buon appetito… )
*With the help of “A tavola con gli hobbit” by C. Gregorutti and L. Vassallo, Ed. Ancora.
Cooking Converter from Metric (European) Kitchen Units in U.S. and British Kitchen Units:
- 100 gram = 0.2205 once = 0.4227 cup = 6.763 table spoon =
- 100 millilitre = 0.1 litre = 0.2205 once = 0.4227 cup = 6.763 table spoon |
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| The Hobbit |
[Apr. 5th, 2008|10:56 am] |
From Entertainment Weekly: Guillermo Del Toro on 'The Hobbit': 'We are all in sync and eager to move forward':Q: Is one of the elements of the negotiation your involvement with the script?
A: Oh, no no no. That is pretty much sorted out. I will be involved, and so will the original team in some capacity. There's no discussion about that. It's more the planning of it, the calendar, but nothing as major as that.
Q: And by the original team, you mean Lord of the Rings screenwriters Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens — you would be working with them?
A: I cannot comment on specifics, but yes.
I'm really scared about Del Toro's involvement as screenwriter for "The Hobbit". I saw his "Pan's Labyrinth" few weeks ago and I found his script, story and plot completely rotten. His direction of the movie and the visual part were quite good, but the story was appalling as fairy tale
I'm the only one in this land replying in a so negative way to "Pan's Labyrinth"? Are you happy if Del Toro bring his attitude to fantasy in "The Hobbit"? |
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| Easter Pizza |
[Mar. 23rd, 2008|05:45 pm] |
HAPPY EASTER!
Here for you a typical Italian Hobbit recipe for this spring time: Crescia Brusca (Easter Pizza)
( read more... ) |
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| CMEM-2008 |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|11:46 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ 803-01-2008)
Indeed this highlights the essence of LOTR! :D
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| My 2007 as a reader: Vorkosigan saga et al. |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|11:40 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (02-02-2008)
Last year RL was demanding in many ways and as usually when I’m ‘under pressure’, I tried to relax reading.
So, I enjoyed many interesting books and I met new authors, one of them, Lois McMaster Bujold, was a really happy meeting.
Here is the list of the 2007 books with my comments. Warning: the post is long, there are some ramble and my English is hobbling as usual … :)
( Read more... ) |
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| Pic spam: a walk in Schiranna park |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|11:37 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (11-04-2007)
Friday was All Souls' Day, a memorial day strongly felt in Italy. In this day all the graveyards became like gardens full of flowers and full of people.
I took Friday off and after the visit to my dead relatives and friends I went for a walk in Schiranna park on the shore of Varese lake. It's a small park one kilometer far from home, and usually is full of children and grandparents, pets and joggers.
It was sunny, the temperature was warm for the season, the sky clear with only a hint of mist, and the park was unusually desert and silent.
The Fall colours were incredible and the lake more beautiful than usual and full of peace and light.
( Read more... ) |
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| Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo! |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|10:55 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (09-22-2007)
Title: Elvellon (Elf-friend)
Author: Estelanui
Word count: 250
Rating: PG
Pairing: Peredhel/Elvellon, Peredhel/Iorhael, maybe more
Summary: Towards the Grey Havens
A/N: Thanks very much to beloved elanorgardner for the time spent on my draft and her patient work.
( Elvellon ) |
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| Hobbit Month 2007 |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|10:51 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (08/20/2007)
Ciao Everyone!
It is Day 20 of Hobbit Month. Hello to Flist and to anyone who is stopping by to read! *waves*
For this Hobbit Month I have prepared a Frodo & Sam Video, and a Quiz to challenge your knowledge about Hobbits.
( A Frodo & Sam video )
( Hobbit Quiz ) |
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| CMEM-2007 |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|10:44 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (03-08-2007)
Dear Flist and all LotR lovers,
This is my birthday mathon: sharing with you some hobbit secrets, hopefully a few smiles, and the adventure of my fist FotR screening in 2002 .
You make my happy with your posts, with all you stories, fics, pics, jokes, considerations and comments. You have a special place in my life, thanks to all of you!
( Read more... ) |
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| The Lady and the Unicorn |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|10:36 pm] |
Fom my Estelanui LJ (26-12-2006)
The Lady and the Unicorn. (The National Museum of the Middle Ages – Paris, France)
The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are among the most beautiful antique French tapestry art treasures of the world. They were woven c.1500, probably in Flanders, in the medieval style of mille fleurs, a "thousand flowers."
For me these tapestries are one of the art masterpiece that will remain forever in my heart. I’m never sated to look at them and lost myself in their beauty and in the mystery or their symbols.
I saw for the first time ‘The Lady and the Unicorn’ series in Paris, the same year of my first reading of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and these two different classics remain for me bonded together. When I read of the Elves, of Lothlorien or Rivendell, I always think to the magic atmosphere held in these tapestries.
( Read more... ) |
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| Official Hobbit Month Post 2006 |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|10:00 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (08-28-2006)
Official Hobbit Month Post
Ciao Everyone!
It is Day 28 of Hobbit Month. Hello to anyone not on my flist who is stopping by to read! *waves*
Just yesterday I received a letter by Shire Post with my address written in gold ink and a beautiful stamp.
If you don’t know Shire Post go and visit this interesting site full of stamps, coins and a wonderful map of the Shire.
In the letter there were a short note written in Frodo’s firm flowing script, and a picture. The note says:
My dear hobbit lovers,
we are following Hobbit Month, day by day, reading your posts and fictions, looking at your beautiful pictures, drawings, dolls, manips, icons and video. We feel deeply loved.
Thank you to frodosweetstuff for organizing this fun and to all the hobbit lovers taking part. We would like to return all your warm feelings with that picture.
We love you all.
Frodo Sam Merry Pippin
( for you Hobbit Lovers )
Now this is my post of the day: a silly, pic/text fic.
Title: OTP or not OTP: that is the question.
Author: Estelanui
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Hobbits
Pairing: yes!
Warnings: Silliness, improbable plots and fandom heresy. Neither book-verse nor movie-verse, but very fandom-verse.
Summary: OTP, a farce in five acts.
Disclaimer: Someone called Tolkien wrote about hobbits and owns them; New Line and P. Jackson showed us how hobbits look like (they will be always blessed), and the fandom enjoy.
A/N: Please, forgive me! If not for the battle I fought against evil HTML
Thank very much serai1 for beta reading: I highly value your friendly willingness to help, patience and defiance of danger. You are in my heart.
( Read more ) |
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| The Individuated Hobbit – A book review |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|09:50 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (07-17-2006)
“The individuated Hobbit: Jung, Tolkien and the Archetypes of Middle-Earth”, Timothy R. O’Neill,
Ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1979 (or Ed. Tames and Hudson, 1980)
Middle-Earth as seen through the eyes a Professor of Behavioral Science and Leadership at the United State Military Academy and expert in Camouflage.
The author’s love for Middle-earth is evident from the preface, along with his self-irony that appears
here and there
This intriguing, intelligent and friendly book, written in the late 70s, increased my love for Middle-earth, for hobbits, and made me curious to know more.
Reading The Individuated Hobbit was like an exciting ride on Shadofax through the land of Middle-earth. I loved Frodo hugely before, but now I can’t articulate my feelings for him. He is my hero!
It was a great pleasure to read, and I have tried to review the book.
Thank so very, very much to delightful mechtild for beta’ing and for giving me helpful suggestions. Only the brave can fight against my barbaric language. I love you!
( Read more... ) |
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| A LOTR/Lost crossover. |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|09:39 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (04-07-2006)
Title: Lost in the Old Forest
Author: Birch_Tree & Estelanui
Rating: G
Characters: Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Sam, OFC, OMCs
Pairing: add to taste.
Warnings: Improbable crossover. Silliness. No book-verse, no movie-verse, no verse at all.
Summary: a forgotten moment set right at the beginning of the Quest. This meeting and the ensuing events were so strange that the records decided to ignore them altogether...
Disclaimer: Someone called Tolkien wrote and owns several volumes; he will be always blessed for his wonderful hobbits. All Lost characters belonging to JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Touchstone, and ABC still belong to them. At the end of this, they go back to where they came from.
A/N: See what happened to two LOTR-fans when Lost arrived in Italy: we became addicts then Lost deprived! A damned pay TV aired season 1 in spring ’05, one year later they are… re-running it. Will season 2 arrive on the Italian lands? We tried on bended knee to beg our networks, we threatened them, we built an orbital dish to steal the new episodes, but nothing worked. The Lost-addiction increases with time: now we suffer recurrent withdrawals and nightmares as the following…
* * *
( Read more... ) |
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| LOTR double drabble |
[Mar. 20th, 2008|09:36 pm] |
From my Estelanui LJ (31-10-2005)
Title: Out of Season
Author: Estelanui
Rating: stretchable PG
Pairing: not yet
Warnings: warnings are always useful.
Summary: Young Frodo, first time.
Disclaimer:Tolkien wrote and owns several volumes. Bless him!
Note: In abby_normal LJ there was a funny post where belegcuthalion and celandine_g gave their interpretations of the subject. I was thinking at my interpretation and this double drabble attempt (or attack :-P) is the result. Thanks to janira10 for the helpful beta.
( Read more... ) |
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