Nutcracker Advent Day 31

Today's nutcracker is a stocking holder. He has a broken base, however, so he doesn't work for his intended job. (Which is why my two stockings are on the wall using push pins, rather than suspended from him.)

Included in this picture is a selection of my nutcracker video collection. Missing is a Nutcracker on Ice (skated with an Olympic Gold Medalist as Clara ... can't think of her name of the top of my head at the moment, however), possibly another NoI, and Barbie's Nutcracker. There are possibly more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

The one at the bottom of the stack under my nutcracker is, quite possibly, the most book-accurate ballet out there, and it's high in my favorites. I have certainly seen it more often than any other version.

And today is the last day of the year. I was considering showing you the last five nutcrackers of my collection (I have two that I forgot to take pictures of when I did the picture shoot, and then three that I got for Christmas this year), but I might not. We'll see another day.

A popular thing to do on the last day of the year is to look back at that year and see how you did.

Personally, I don't think I did half bad.

In January, I started babysitting my four cousins for my aunt. I also started writing the second draft of The Ankulen out by hand, and worked on typing up Do You Take This Quest? 

In February, I turned eighteen, realized that I now needed to discover my identity, lost the use of my library card, had a wonderful blog party and got kidnapped by a king. I don't think I've been rescued yet. They were trying to solve Kendra's Clues ...

In March ... I frankly don't remember March. It marched right past me. Was that the month that I sewed buttons on dresses for orphans in Africa? I'm going to pretend it is. (I can't keep up with a sewing machine, so I wasn't fast enough to sew the dresses, but I was quite good at adding those little finishing touches.

In April, I released the Kindle version of Do You Take This Quest? It was interesting. My sister fainted and could no longer volunteer at the horse place until she gets an okay from a doctor. (She still hasn't gotten it, by the way ... for complicated reasons akin the the reason that I still don't have a working library card.)

In May I purchased a new computer (my old one had died in December of '12) and I promptly vlogged for the first time.

In June, I released the paperback version of Take, had a party, and did a few critique swaps ... although I didn't do very good at holding up my end ... I gave a valiant effort however!

In July, my sister turned sixteen and got a job so she could earn some money to get herself back to the horse place, and she started to have something called a reliable income .... which is something I didn't have much of .... I participated in Actually Finishing Something in July, though I didn't really finish anything. I did paint a bracelet, though.

In August, I talked about world building as marketing buildup for The Ankulen.

In September, I released The Ankulen and started pestering my sister to bring me home an application so I could start getting a reliable income too.

In October, I read a bunch of Science Fiction as research for NaNo.

In November, I won NaNo, and was hired by the place my sister works.

In December, I talked about Nutcrackers. A lot. And I made a lot of progress on My Kingdom for a Quest. My sister has also quit her job, though I'm still there, since they were giving her more hours than she wanted, and she was not getting enough sleep, falling behind on her school work, and was on the verge of an asthma attack. I'm still doing fine, however, though my fingers are a bit sore from the touchscreen and my feet are killing me. Oh, and I've finally, finally have learned Punch embroidery, which has been my New Year's resolution since I was ten or so.

I'll talk about my plans for 2014 tomorrow, though as heads up, I would like to publish at least my next short story collection and Kingdom. Oh, and I get to see Hobbit 2 tomorrow! (At least, I think that's the plan). I'm so excited!

Nutcracker Advent Day 30

Today's nutcracker is on a towel. Holding a tray of desserts. Yummy.

It was a Christmas present from my adopted uncle and aunt.

Don't panic.

I can't think of anything more to say about it.

So I'm going to talk about a new blogging scheme of mine that I'm going to begin next month. Over the last few years, I've slowly become aware of "fans" that aren't used for artificial cooling, but instead are people who really like things. In particular, a lot of people are fans of movies or books. This doesn't mean that they cool the movies or books down, just that the really like them. Enough that they draw fan art, write fan fiction, devote blogs to the books and other such strange things.

And you know something? As an author, I think it'd be really cool if I could have a few of these fans for my own books. Wouldn't it be cool to see fan art of Robin and Robert and other such interesting things?

And this lead me to the thought that maybe some other authors might enjoy having a fan or two themselves.

So starting January, I'm going to choose an author, series, or book and become its fan. It will be a book or series that I have already read and loved, and possibly reviewed over at O.Scarlett. It will not be a popular book, and will probably be indie-published, like my books, and it will definitely not have a huge existing fan base.

Because, after all, feels aren't just for popular books.

As the fan of this book, I will:
Read or reread the book/series/everything the author wrote.
Draw some fan art. (Won't promise it'll be good, but I'll make a valiant attempt)
Do at least one Character Analysis.
Do some Quote thingies ... (Uh ... what are they called? Pictures that have quotes from the books on them, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.)
Post reviews over at O.Scarlett (Unless the reviews are already written. In that case I'll just point you to them)
Buy the books. Probably kindle versions, though since I now have a job, I may feel generous and buy paperbacks. If I already own the book/series/everything the author wrote, I will purchase the Kindle version as a giveaway for one of my readers.
Possibly write Fan fiction. This'll depend on how bold I am.
Contact the author and ask for an interview. And hope that they won't mind a short notice ...
Anything else I can think of or someone else might suggest.

As you can tell, this is a brilliant idea, and I'm quite willing to let any of you join me and become fans with me. You can do the same book/series/author I'm doing, or you can chose your own - as long as there isn't an existing fan base. The point of this is to make unknown authors feel famous. Because its something every author deserves, isn't it? Perhaps later I'll have the brainpower to put together a button that you guys can steal ...

January's series will be the Makilien Trilogy by Molly Evangeline, since I just got around to reviewing its last book and it's fresh on my mind. Since I have all three in kindle version, this means that I'll probably be hosting a giveaway.

Looking forward to 2014! (Though it's scary how quickly it approacheth ... and I'm still far from finished with any of my books that I want to publish next month ... I'd better get busy.)

Nutcracker Advent Day 29

Today's nutcracker is a snowman. I got him from Christmas last year from my mom and dad. I saw him at Target, noticed that he was cheap, and talked my parents into getting him for me.

I didn't have a snowman nutcracker yet, you see. He'd be a perfect addition to my collection. And since at that time, I wasn't aware of any other nutcrackers that would become mine that Christmas (though I later got the sworded one), I really wanted him.

And yes, I have a larger font size and picture for this post. I want it to look longer without having it really be longer. I'm tired.

Nutcracker Advent Day 28

Today's nutcracker is a mug. I have several mugs that I'm the only one that's allowed to use them. Most of them are giraffe-themed, one has a K on it, and one is a nutcracker.

I don't remember who got me this mug. I don't use it as often as my giraffe or K mugs, but not because I don't love it. The others are larger and therefore last longer, that's all.

On another note ... we swung by my public library to drop off books yesterday on the way to our grandparents for Christmas round two (still have two or three rounds to go, but we're getting there!) and THEY FINALLY HAVE MY BOOKS!!!!!! At the moment it's only Sew and Ankulen, but I suspect that at least Take is purchased but isn't yet through the system. Yeah, I know that in my first CE with Robin last October I implied that they already had it, but they didn't yet. I was indulging in fantasy. But now they actually have it! They're both in the YA department, and while I would have preferred the Bookanias in JF, I don't mind.

So, for all of my local readers - you can now get my books at the library!

I almost didn't recognize Sew, though, since it's the new cover, and believe it or not, I've only seen the new cover in physical form only once before and that was only for a few minutes a few weeks ago when I signed some personal copies for one of the librarians. (And no, these aren't the same books on the shelf, since they aren't signed.)

Yes, this is very exciting for me. Also, I've ordered a huge box of my books for personal reasons (and this includes your book, Tom!), so I'm really excited there, too. Ah, the freedom that having a real job affords one.

Nutcracker Advent Day 27

I have two stockings that stay up all year round in a corner of my room that's not easy to see. One of them is the one my mother made me with Blue the Puppy sledding down a hill, the other ....

Yeah, you guessed it, has nutcrackers on it. You're really smart. (No brain, there's no need to start singing the "We just figured out blues clues" song. Even if you are half-asleep.)

I think my Grammy gave me this stocking.

I can't think of anything else to say, except for the fact that I'm about to drive myself crazy with this punch embroidery business. I've been wanting to learn since I was eight or nine, and now I'm finally getting around to it ... and it's not as easy as I always thought it'd be.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Oh, and the fact that a song appeared in my head on Sunday (completely original song, mind you, not something I've heard before) and I now have a brand new plot idea. I've even given it a board on Pinterest. It's a very interesting plot idea, and I'm having fun watching it grow and form. I have a villain and hero picked out, and my villain is wonderfully three dimisional already. The hero still has some growing to do, and I can't, for the life of me, remember what I've named him ... it started with an "I" however ... Ishboseth? No, that wasn't it ...

Anyways, I'll be back tomorrow with a new nutcracker and possibly a sensible brain.

Nutcracker Advent Day 26

Okay, so Christmas is technically over ... but I haven't opened presents with all of my family, and I have, by no means, exhausted my store of nutcrackers. So guess what? More Nutcracker Advent!

Today's nutcracker is a paint-it-yourself that you can sometimes find in craft stores. He was a present from my adopted aunt and uncle (she adopted my Grammy shortly after her second daughter was born), and I've never bothered to paint him.

I don't think I shall. I like the natural, all-wood look. Makes him unique.

Oh, and a thank you to everyone who downloaded my books yesterday. Sew and Derao are still free, so if you missed yesterday, you can still get those to.

Nutcracker Advent Day 25

Thank you for coming. Have a Merry Christmas!

Oh, wait, I'm off work today. I don't have to thank you for coming and ordering food from me ... Not that I'm not grateful that you're here (instead of, say, enjoying Christmas with your family), but you're not ordering food from me.

On that note, Thank you for coming.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Today's nutcracker is only a year old, since I got him for Christmas from my Gma and Gpa last year. I had asked for a sword, but they couldn't find one, so they got me a nutcracker with a sword instead. It worked.

He's currently tied for favorite with the nutcracker I featured yesterday. Yesterday's rates slightly higher, but not by much.

Oh, and since I'm unable to send all of you, my lovely readers, physical copies of your books this Christmas (I may have a job now, but I don't make THAT much), I have set every single one of my long books for free today, and the Derao, because the Derao is my favorite of the short stories and I wrote it at Christmas time.



And once more, before I go, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and to all a good night.

Nutcracker Advent Day 24

Today's Nutcracker is currently tied for favorite. Until last Christmas, he was, hands down, my favorite, but I got a Nutcracker last year that was equally awesome, so I'm now officially torn between the two.

There really isn't much to say about this one, other than the fact that he's the only Nutcracker in my possession with brown eyes and brown hair. And I like brown-eyed men for some odd reason. And he's covered in jewels, that mean's he's rich - right?

So he's my first pick when it comes to them coming to life and marrying me. I'm sure he's got a great personality - that comes with being a nutcracker, right?

No, I don't remember where I got him from, though if my mom would like to refresh my memory, she's welcome to do so.

And on another note, two of my books are free today - "The Derao" and Sew, It's a Quest. If you haven't read them, head over to Amazon and get your kindle copies now. And as a heads up, both Take and The Ankulen will be free tomorrow ONLY. Merry Christmas!

Nutcracker Advent Day 23

After showing you my tiniest nutcracker yesterday, I'm now going to show you the biggest one. That isn't a plastic wall hanger.

Actually, she isn't a nutcracker, she's Marie (which is her name in the book, and I like to differentiate her from the others), and while that cloth part on her chest does open and close, it doesn't have the same effect as the manly ones.

That aside, she's a lovely lady, and she does carry a real nutcracker, and she will probably make her a part of The Nutcracker's Son, if I ever get around to writing that interesting story.

I got Marie for my thirteenth birthday, which is something I remember quite clearly. I had a surprise party, you see ... and I had no idea about it until about five seconds after they yelled surprise. Best birthday ever. (And do not get me started, because I can talk about this party all day long)

She was a gift from my Gma and Gpa, and I distinctly remember wondering what that huge tube on the table might be. It looked too short to be golf clubs again ...

Nutcracker Advent Day 22

The Ken Nutcracker is not the only Nutcracker that I received from Micky D's. Several years before, they had a 101 Dalmatians theme, and one of them was a spinning top which had a nutcracker in his mouth. Or, at least, I like to believe that it's a Nutcracker. I may be wrong and it's just a toy soldier ...

I don't know that I personally received him from McDonalds, it may have come from a friend or a garage sale. It's hard to tell with these things.

On the note of 101 Dalmations, I've seen the animated movie, read the book and read the book sequel. Personally, the book is best and the sequel is even better. My humble opinion, you know.

And on the note of books, as a heads up, I will have one short story and all three of my long works free at various times this week as a Christmas present to all of you. Hope you enjoy them!

Nutcracker Advent Day 21

I was asked early this month if I had any big nutcrackers. Frankly, I believe that huge is a relative term. Is big anything over a foot tall, or does it have to be as tall as I am?

That philosophical debate aside, I'd like to introduce you to my biggest nutcracker. Although, technically if I scrunch him down into a ball, he's not that big ... but that's beside the point. He's my biggest nutcracker

I acquired him at the annual garage sale hosted by our local Pro-Life organization. At one time I had him on a door in my bedroom, but when I moved to my current room, I no longer had as many doors.

So currently, he's a scrunched up ball on my floor, unscrunched only long enough to take this picture.

Nutcracker Advent Day 20

While I was never able to acquire the official Nutcracker/Prince Eric Ken, I did manage to get the McDonald's version in my Happy Meal. I also managed to collect the Clara ... but I couldn't find her for the purpose of this picture, so we'll have to do without. You saw the real deal yesterday, and she's much prettier.

And for people's information, Prince Eric of Winthrop's name did not come from the Barbie-ized version of Nutcracker. Nor did it come from the Little Mermaid (though I must admit that they look similar enough to be cousins ...) It actually came from my mom's attempt to give him a manly name ... and she came up with Arraclee (You know, think Hercules). Later when I brought up his name in a conversation, she declared it dumb and morphed it into Eric Lee. My mom does that sort of thing a lot.

And there's only five days until Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did the year go? Honestly, I haven't made a single Christmas present (other than the fact that I'm going to have several free books, just a heads-up), nor have I been able to put up a tree other than the tiny one in these pictures. I went on a tree hunt yesterday, and couldn't find the nice big one that we used to have. I wasn't very happy. I need my tree fix.

Nutcracker Advent Day 19

When Barbie Nutcracker came out, I was very excited. I wasn't big into barbies, but they weren't bad. And anything Nutcracker had to be good, right?

Unfortunately, they made far too many liberties with the plot, and didn't make a single reference to the book, so I was disappointed. Besides, being their first movie, the animation was clunky.

Honestly, the Sugar Plum Princess??????? She's a FAIRY!!!!!!!!! AND SHE'S NOT CLARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, that didn't keep me from putting a Clara and Nutcracker Barbie and Ken on the top of my wishlist. And I got the Clara (complete with book version of the movie, which I actually don't mind reading), after sighting her on sale at a Mall toy store. Unfortunately, once prices were reasonable, I couldn't find a single Nutcracker (Unless he was dark-skinned, and while I have nothing against dark-skinned people, I wanted the pair to match). So Clara's had to live only and lonely (well, except for Tabitha, her best friend and my other barbie, but we're not going to get into that right now).

I have a lot of fun stories concerning her, for despite not liking the movie as an adaptation of my beloved ballet, I can appreciate it on its level ... and have even plotted out a sequel ... with Tabitha the Ice Princess. And, Tabitha and Jess, my American Girl Doll inspired my story idea Jessica's Summer. Clara is Spring, by the way. She just strikes me as a Springy person.

Nutcracker Advent Day 18

 Today's nutcracker held the position of my favorite for a very long time. Any time I needed a random nutcracker for pictures or cake or anything. He was the one I grabbed. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the picture of me dressed up as Clara dancing around with him, but I did find the cake.

Yes, I said cake. You see, when I turned nine, I wanted a nutcracker birthday party. And my Grammy was amazing with cakes. So she asked for a representative from my collection. I provided this one. And she make a cake.

Amazing, isn't it? And that's not even the best picture taken - just the only one my mom could find.

And no, I do not know who gave him to me, though I'm pretty sure I didn't buy him for myself. Yes, he's a bit plain as far as my nutcrackers go, but he's got a lot of memories (edible and otherwise) that I'd never be able to let him go. Besides, he's got a nice sword. Perfect for killing annoying mice.

Nutcracker Advent Day 17

Remember the nutcracker with the cracked face? Well, it was only a few years after I received him that another broken nutcracker appeared on my Grammy's shelf. This one was missing his feet.

So I naturally started hinting that I'd like him. I didn't have a nutcracker that didn't have feet at that time you see. And I wanted him.

As with the one with the cracked face, Grammy tried to talk me out of it, even hinted that it had been bought for someone else (much to my horror) but when Christmas came around and I opened my package from her, there he was, and he's been mine ever since. I can't admit that he's my favorite nutcracker. Save for his feet, there's nothing particularly unique about him. But he's survived through a few purges, and he I do pity his handicap.

Nutcracker Day 16

I have no idea where I got today's nutcracker, and neither does anyone I've talked to. Mother thought I got him with the German and clown nutcrackers, but I know for a fact that he came later. Not only did I only have money for only two nutcrackers, I didn't have him during the Great War. (And thus he doesn't have a weapon. Sorry.)

However part of me wants to say that I got Patrick here from my Gpa. Just a random guess.

And yes, he has a name. What else would I name an Irish nutcracker covered with shamrocks? He be a lucky fellow, ye know?

Nutcracker Advent Day 15

Today's nutcracker was also a gift from my Grammy, though if I remember right, there was far less persuasion involved in the acquisition as yesterday's required.

He is a "Wise Man," and my only dark-skinned nutcracker. He's also one of the few with a name. Balthazar, based on the name given to the dark-skinned wise man according to legend.

On whim, I decided to add a book to this picture. And since there was a wise man, I decided to have a book that had a wise man ...

And the natural answer was Ben-Hur. I've read most of the book, but I'm not quite finished with it yet. Same with the movie which I also own. (There's an interesting story there. Ask me to tell it to you some time!) I really need to finish both ... despite some theological errors, it's a very good book. (And a really great movie, though liberties were taken). And I have it on book on tape on my MP3 player, so I really don't have any accuse.

Nutcracker Advent Day 14

 Several years ago, as it was nearing Christmas time, I walked into my Grammy and Papa's bedroom and saw, on a shelf, the handsomest nutcracker I had ever seen. Sure, there was a huge crack across his face, but that only added to his charm (and upped his chances of coming to life).

Immediately I began suggesting that I would like to add it to my collection. Perhaps these suggestions bordered into the realm of begging, but I'd like to think that I was, at all times, completely civil about the whole affair.

But no matter how hard I persuaded, Grammy seemed adamant that I would never come to own that beautiful, beautiful nutcracker.

Imagine my joy and delight when, come Christmas, I opened one of Grammy's presents to find him inside! My persuasion had worked!

Though in hindsight, I suspect that it had been bought for me to begin with. Grammy was just trying to lead me astray.

I think he came after the great battle, though if he didn't, his huge candy cane was probably his weapon.

And he's one of my few nutcrackers who has a lady-love that's neither me nor an official Clara. Hanging on his arm at all times is my china doll, Ulrica. (Who is, by the way, the Queen of Germany, but that's a story for another day.)

Nutcracker Advent Day 13

Today's nutcracker has no nose, no feet, and an interesting story.

You see, several Christmases ago, my aunt and uncle (the ones I now babysit for - though this was before they even had kids) gave everyone a Christmas ornament. My sister and I each got a nutcracker.

Now my sister, unlike me, doesn't love nutcrackers. However, she greatly admired the snowman that our dad had received, so she traded with him.

And then, somehow, the other nutcracker fell into my possession. I guess dad just didn't care for him.

And today's nutcracker is one of those two (which one, I don't remember). However, you won't be seeing the other one, since I couldn't locate him for the purpose of these pictures. He is, however, fairly unique in the fact that he is the only one in my possession with black hair and a spear.

Oh, and his head is broken. As in, it's no longer attached to his body. Not a pretty sight. (And no, he is not Steve the Green Night.)

Nutcracker Advent Day 12

 Today's nutcracker is a Christmas Tree ornament that I got for Christmas several years back, quite likely from my mom and dad because the picture I found showed me opening it at home.

Unfortunately, it no longer functions as an ornament, since I dropped it and the background part no longer stays attached, and that's the part that hangs from the tree.

However, the music part still works, but I'm discouraged from using it. It plays the official Nutcracker march. Loud.

Of course, with the back part broken, that means I can take it off and set it under my tiny Christmas tree and it'll look like the real deal.

Oh, and another fun thing about this nutcracker/Clara/Mouse King set - Nutcracker comes off and I can have him fight Mouse King. It's lots of fun.

Of course, I have to remember to put him away correctly. When I pulled this out to take the picture, I discovered that Nutcracker was in backwards, his back to the Mouse King, pointing his sword in Clara's face. It wasn't a pretty sight.