A mother, and a gamer!

I've been noticing still, a lot of stigma attached to being a gamer lately. People assume we're all nerds, we don't have sex, we live in our moms basement. Basically like the South Park episode with WoW in it.

Well I'm here today to tell you otherwise! I am a stay at home mother. I clean my house every day (with the exception of Mondays, being my chore day off.) I bake homemade goodies most every day. I bake bread, cookies, I make dinners, or ask Kyle to help me make them. I walk my children to school to teach them the importance of exercise. Yes we even walk in the cold weather. I crochet. I watch silly soaps on TV. I also play World of Warcraft, with a dollop of LOTRO thrown in for good measure.

I spend extra money on those games, to buy the pets from the store, to buy point bundles from LOTRO. To race change. But you know what? All my bills are paid, I have my RRSPs in order, and even my RESPs (Savings for my kids). Heck, I'm even getting a new car next summer. In the process of saving up for that. So, I have extra money. You know what? We donate when we can, I try and teach my kids the importance of sharing, and caring. I help my sister when she needs money, heck, my father has been living with us rent free for the past three months, because he's sick, and can't work.

I am NOT a bad mother because I game. I spend time with my children, we do our homework together, we bake together, we have our time together, and I have my time to myself.

So, I'm financially responsible. I have sex often. (OMG NO WAI). And I chose to play games, instead of going out to a movie, or drinking, or other things. There's nothing wrong with what I chose to do, and no one in my family suffers for it.

Please remember, that just because I chose to play a video game, doesn't mean I'm lacking as a person. I have made some great friends that I have met, and continue to talk with and do stuff with for years from gaming.

You spent RL money on what?

Spent some of the morning reading the World of Warcraft forums. Everyone's a buzz about the new pet from the Blizzard Store.

It's amusing to read, as most people are against it, and some actually make valid points. However, most people say things like "Anyone who buys pets from the store, or CE's, or mounts must not have a life, nor ever have sex, and live in their mom's basement." Are they jealous? I don't know. I mean, if you're against stuff like the pet store, that's great, but argue your views with more then a "U haz no life."

I've also seen people get harrassed over buying the Collectors Edition of SWTOR. Why would you spend RL money on it? Why would you buy it? It constantly feels like one has to apologize for being able to buy things like this.

Yes, I've bought the CE of TOR, that's all I buy now. Yes, I've bought a few pets from the WoW store. Yes, I buy loads of points in the LOTRO store. Am I sorry? No, not really. I guess where I'm going with this is I wish people would just mind their own business, or have actual readable post regarding their views.

I guess it wouldn't be the internet then.

Happy Turkey to all.

Just finished setting the table, and this has got to be one of the best turkeys I've made so far. Happy Turkey to all!

I made a hat!

So I've been working on crocheting lately, and this is the best one I've made so far, made for and modelled by Kyle, (@paleblade77).

Working on a scarf now for my eldest daughter, and a hat for my dad. My mother gave me a ton of patterns, so after I'm going to attempt some stuffed bunnies. Kyle wants a terminator bunny, wonder if I can do that.

Thanksgiving.

Happy Turkey day! What are you thankful for on Thanksgiving? I'm thankful for my people, good food, and good friends.

Here's a few pics of the feast as I make them through the day.

The main course, injector with butter, and homemade stuffing before finished cooking -

Will be making cranberry sauce, taters, yams, corn, and the fixings as the day progresses.

Happy Turkey Day to all, and to all a good TURKEY!

Pumpkin Pies for family!

Pumpkin Pies with my awesome pie crust. All from scratch!

Before cooking -

The finished product.

The girls made this with the left over crust and filling

And the finished product of our mini pies!

My favourite Pie Crust recipe.

Making a bunch of pumpkin pies this weekend, so thought I would share my pie crust recipe with you. Will post pictures of the pies later when they are baked.

I do make a homemade pie filling, which you can find on any can of pumpkin!

Pie Crust -

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups shortening
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup ice water
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar 

In a large bowl, mix flour, shortening, sugar and salt. Cut with knife, or pastry cutter, till shortening is well mixed into flour.
Add ice water, vinegar and egg. Mix together till you have a working dough. Flour the table (really well this dough is sticky) and roll out. Should make enough dough for two pies, or a pie, and top. You also don't have to roll out the pie crust, you can just push it into the pie plate, but I find this is too thick, and too overwhelming.

Depending on the pie your cooking, I usually start the temperature at about 400°F for the first 15 mins, then turn it down to 350°F for 30-35 mins or longer until knife comes out clean.

A Background on Solidaster Thornblossom - hobbit hunter on Laurelin

Solidaster was a happy hobbit. Following her in her elder sister's footsteps, she decided to become a Hunter. Hunting, playing, and tracking the days away with Rosette (being her sister), Solidaster had a happy time in the Shire.

As the days went by, Rosette decided to leave the Shire. She went to train with hunters in Bree. All thought Solidaster would follow. Solidaster, however, was too in love with the Shire. Giving up all but her basic Hunter training, she decided to become a cook and farmer. Purchasing a small piece of tilled earth, with her parents blessing, Solidaster is on her way to becoming a well known farmer, and hopes one day, to supply the Inns with her barley, and food.

She also has plenty of Pipeweed on hand, with dreams of becoming well known through the Shire. You can find her North of Hobbiton, farming the land. Or often in Michel Delving, cooking up a stew fit for any hobbit.

If you were to see her outside of the Shire, she is often in a hooded cloak, so as to not be noticed by the tall people.

A recipe for white bread.

So I regularly bake white bread (meaning every other day), and played around with recipes till I found one I rather like.

To start off with, I find if you can get Bakers Yeast, it helps the bread rise better. I use the quick rise bakers yeast. My bread rises very well this way.

You will need yeast, sugar, salt, warm water, and flour.

Preheat oven to 350°F
6 cups of flour
2 1/4 cups of warm water (Ideally water should be between 115°F-120°F to get the yeast to rise)
1 pkg of yeast - works out to .25 oz, or 1/2 tbsp
3 tsp of Sugar
2 tsp of Salt

Combine yeast with 1/4 cup warm water, and 1 tsp of sugar. Let rise for 10 mins. Yeast should appear 'fluffy'.

Combine 2 tsp salt with left over 2 tsp of sugar in 2 cups of warm water. Add to yeast mixture. My kids often enjoy coloured bread, so if you want to add food colour, do so now, to the warm water mixture.

Add three cups of flour, and mix together, forming a sticky dough. From here I add a cup of flour, mix it up, and another cup of flour, mix it up, and usually end up only using 1/3 to 1/2 the last cup of flour. I find if the dough is a tiny bit sticky, it makes the bread better.

After you have a working dough, place on floured table, and knead. I knead the dough for approx 6 mins. You should have a nice dough now, with an elastic feel to it.

Place dough in greased bowl, and turn over, so all dough is covered. I usually use Pam Cooking Spray, OliveOil. Cover dough, place on oven. (DO not put dough on burner that has oven vent, I have done this, and it cooks your dough!) Let rise for one hour.

Remove dough from bowl, punch down, and shape into two loaves. Place into two greased bread pans. (Again I just use the Pam spray) and place on oven again, covered, to rise for another hour.

By now, your oven should be preheated to 350°F. Place bread in oven, around middle, for approx 35 mins. This is how long I bake mine for. After baking, I place on a wire rack, and cover entire outside of loaf with butter. This helps keep the bread soft. Let cool and place in bread bags, and enjoy!

Changing my Blog

I was doing some LOTRO rp'ing writing in here, but have decided that I will pretty much just make this a blog about whatever I feel the need to write about. I have been doing a bunch of baking, and a bit of crocheting now.

Decided I'm moving to Laurelin.

As much as I'm loathe to leave Liandreth behind on Crickhollow, the RP there just isn't enough for me. I will be playing on Laurelin from here on out. Unfortunetly, the name Liandreth was taken, so I'm going with the name Laelreth Starflower.

Hope to see you in game, and in character.

Looking for an RP kin on Crickhollow.

Hoping to find an RP kin on Crickhollow, as my mini is getting lonely here, and there is no time frame for transferring to the European servers.

Valenthe

Living south of Edoras, in a small encampment of people, Valenthe lived peacefully with her husband, Kylantyr. Ever peaceful, Vale (as she is known to her friends) tended to her daily life with much joy.

Shortly after she was married, Kylantyr was called away to assist in eradicating orcs that were stealing Rohan's precious horses. In one of his battles, Kylantyr fell to an orc blow, and succumb to his wounds.

Faced with the grievous news of her husbands death, Valenthe took up his armour, and left her small village.

Wandering often, she is a quiet, shy woman. She will make friends, and enjoys a good show.

Standing 5'5, she has tanned, rough skin, and Blue eyes. Preferring to wear her hair loose. She has a spattering of freckles.

UPDATE

I have moved to the LOTRO European RP english server Laurelin, will be playing more LOTRO as I go. Thanks =)

Solidaster Thornblossom, distant cousin of Christmas Rose

I'm fond of the Shire, don't get me wrong, no place better on middle earth. However, my father was a map maker, and he travelled to and fro, and spoke of lands abroad. Curious I was, that I left as soon as I came of age.

I became a warden as it seemed the safest way to travel about Middle Earth. I can defend myself and others well, track swiftly and strike down enemies.

Enjoying a fine brew, and weed, as the next hobbit, I have embarked on a journey to find the next best brew, the next best bit of pipeweed.

Recently discovered the fine elvish tailors, I must own as many dresses as I possibly can.

Attending my first kin feast.

After some relaxing few days at home, tending to my garden, I was invited to the weekly feast my kin holds at the Bree Mess Hall. Excited and nervous, I traveled swiftly from the Shire, to Bree-town.

Debating what to wear, as I have never been to a feast before, took me some time. Deciding on a dress my mother had fashioned for me, I walked slowly towards the Mess Hall, feeling nervous.

Entering the hall I was greeted by Sir Falric. A man that continues to intrigue me (as all of the kin intrigue me). He and Diryna seem to adventure a lot together. I must say, I'm envious, but not of them, of the bond they seem to share. It makes my heart ache for Dorsi. For friendship. I'm so tired of being lonely. Anyways, I digress.

We were joined shortly by Lord Arthain, and a Sir Jackin. We made small talk, as we waited for Diryna to enter. She entered shortly after, and we took to the chairs. Chatting a bit, the question was posed to me, why would I, an elf, join with a kin of men? Sighing, I recounted some of the tale of my dear Dorsi. Questioned by Diryna, as to why one promise would rule my destiny, I simply stated that I was searching for the light and warmth that I once possessed with my friend, and being elvish meant I had to stand on the side lines. Using the promise I made, I can search for my needs. I stated "As you live your life so quickly, you shine the brightest, and give off the most warmth, how can I not wish to be near all of you?"


It was a small feast with a few of the kin, as many were out exploring, and fighting. I hope to attend more, and get to know my new friends. I wish to partake in their light. I wish to help save that light, that warmth.

Dorsi - I hope you are resting well, and know that I am always thinking of you.

I'm off to find a room at the Pony, and will return to the Shire tomorrow.

A brief intro to my Hobbit Cooking Alt, Christmasrose Thornblossom.

Christmasrose was a happy hobbit. Following her in her elder sister's footsteps, she decided to become a hunter. Trapping, arching, and tracking the days away with Rosette (being her sister), Christmasrose had a happy time in the Shire.

As the days went by, Rosette decided to leave the Shire. She went to train with hunters in Bree. All thought Christmasrose would follow. Christmasrose, however, was too in love with the Shire. Giving up all but her basic hunter trainer, she decided to become a cook and farmer. Purchasing a small piece of tilled earth, with her parents blessing, Christmasrose is on her way to becoming a well known farmer, and hopes one day, to supply the Inns with her barley, and food.

She also has plenty of Pipeweed on hand, with dreams of becoming well known through the Shire. You can find her North of Hobbiton, farming the land. Or often in Michel Delving, cooking up a stew fit for any hobbit.

An Indepth Introduction to Laelreth Starflower.

Laelreth Starflower was born to two loving parents, Abhenolor and Brennilwyn. Growing up in Edhelion peacefully, Laelreth spent most of her days with her imaginative and daring friend, Dorsi. Dorsi was an orphaned elf, who's parents were killed one day by a group of traveling Orcs. Abhenolor and Brennilwyn took her in. Dorsi, (who's real name is unknown, she is to young to remember, so was given the nickname Dorsi), was a lively child. Laelreth was always content to enjoy her garden, but Dorsi always went on about adventuring, and the perils of Middle Earth. Laelreth, like her parents, cared little for the plight of man, dwarves, or hobbits, finding herself hiding when the dwarves of the Blue Mountains would visit.

Dorsi would drag Laelreth on great pretend adventures, fighting orcs, thieving men, and rescuing ladies in distress (Not to mention the boys of the town, Dorsi would have them play the victim that needed saving). Dorsi made Laelreth promise that when they came of age, they would go adventuring. Laelreth promised Dorsi, but her parents found out, and forbid Laelreth from leaving. They decided it was best if the two girls spent time apart. Sending Dorsi to another home for awhile, Laelreth became a solitary elf, often in her gardens, writing, or just day dreaming. Dorsi was taught that home was what was important, and not to worry about the going ons outside of everything, working with the elves at the Library, learning about relics and treasures.

The day Laelreth's life changed, was the day the Dourhand lord, Skorgrím, attacked. Taken away to safety by her parents, it wasn't until after Skorgrím and his Dourhand laid waste, that Lalereth knew what happened to Dorsi. Talagan Silvertongue, charged with guarding the relics, sacrificed himself, bringing the building down around him. What was later learned, Dorsi was inside the building, and perished on that same day.

Lalereth was devastated when she learned the news. She had never known death. She spent many weeks in her garden, alone. While sitting in the flowers one day, she came to the realization that Dorsi was right. Laelreth was going to keep her promise to her friend. The plights of all Middle Earth were important, and she had power enough to do something about it. Frightened, but sure of herself, she went to speak with her parents. Her parents forbade her again from leaving, still not caring for the issues of every day life outside of themselves.

Leaving in the middle of the night, Laelreth made her way to Duillond, and from there, into the Shire. Hiding from anything that moved, she spent her first two weeks safely hidden in the Rushock Bog. Afraid for her life, she almost gave in. Getting herself together, she packed up and went on her way home. Seeing a hobbit flailing in the mud, she went over to help. Pulling the hobbit out, and saving her proved to be a turning point for Laelreth. The hobbit gave Laelreth food, and some coin for her services.Laelreth found small jobs to do around the Shire, and saved up enough money to invest in a house.

Always looking for some way to help, and always remembering her promise to Dorsi, Laelreth wanders the lands around the Shire and Bree, to help when she can. People are often shocked to see an elf, so she has kept to herself. Always shy, and modest, Laelreth helps, and leaves as quickly as she can.

Searching again for the light and warmth that was Dorsi, Laelreth continues her solitary way through Middle Earth, hoping one day to find friendship, and love that was lost to her.

A Home to Call My Own.

I spent yesterday partaking in the underhanded deeds of the Ale Association. I did enough sabotage to the Inn League to make the other happy. I normally do not do such things, but was reassured that this was a time honoured tradition between the two, and honestly, it was great fun. I spent the day watering down the beer, and even got to let off a stink bomb at the party tree. (Which in turn, I fainted from the horrific stench.)  I also gained enough favour with the dwarves to receive a Garden Dwarf as well as a Hobbit Hedge sculpture for my house, even a giant keg for indoors. I believe the Dwarf would have amused Dorsi mightily. Having had so much fun with the ale, I hope to throw a party at my house soon, and share. Now, I just need to try this pipe weed I've heard so much about.

Standing at the counter in the Inn in Thorin's Hall, recounting a long day of shenanigans, I was approached by a woman, clad in simple armour. She smiled shyly and introduced herself as Diryna, belonging to the kin Remnants of Annúminas. I had heard rumours of their kin, that once, they had relied on men only, but had recently opened their doors to all who seek to see the North restored to it's former glory.

Shortly after, a man by the name of Falric came, introducing himself. Followed by a Megdor, who proceeded to listen, drink a beer, and promptly pass out. I was nervous at being around so many, but laughed to myself, concerned with Megdor. He seemed to be alright, and apologized. I can understand, the ale the dwarves brew is mighty.

Falric and Diryna recounted their tale of battling a troupe of orcs, and asked if I traveled alone. Remembering Dorsi, and feeling a bit heart heavy, I said yes, I traveled by myself, spoke briefly of having a friend that I lost. Asking for forgiviness for intruding on personal thoughts, the conversation turned to lighter things as I was introduced to Diryna's father, Lord Aridor.

After much conversation, I felt a growing respect for this group. I believe Dorsi would approve of them. So, gathering my courage, I offered my aide to them, as a fledgling healer. I have seen my share of battles, and known loss. I've grown so lonely, and wish to have the warmth back again. I hope to find it with my new kin.

Dorsi - I hope to have found us warmth, and light, and a place to do all we dreamed of doing.

Great Barrows.

While drinking ale and doing deeds for the Ale Association in Bree, I noticed a band of adventurers looking for help. Still trying to get over my solitary nature, I conversed with the leader, Kyma. He told me that they were looking for more to join their fellowship, and were especially interested in the skills I possessed. As a singer, and instrument player, I'm able to gladden allies hearts, and help ease the fear of battle.

We entered the Great Barrows Maze, and cleansed the wights from inside. Receiving money and items for barter, we left with only two of our fellows passing out from the gas expelled from crawlers. Fighting the two wights at the end, our leader Kyma kept them busy, as we took them down.

As we entered the next part of Great Barrows (Being the lair of Thadúr), I noticed that our group was completely dwarves. "I feel oddly tall," I commented, to much laughter. We sat to have some food, and toasted to our good health. After a brief rest, we continued and defeated Thadúr.

I have started to overcome my shyness, and have started on the path to being the hero that Dorsi and I dreamed of being.


To Dorsi - may I continue to adventure well, and make you proud of me.

Until my next adventure.

The Spring Festival

Spent the morning attending the festivities of the Spring Festival. I found myself traveling across Middle Earth. Aiding the Ale Association with their trickery on the Inn League was amusing.

I participated in new dances, and learned to be light on my feet, as the hobbits are. I also received a nifty hat.

It's time to enjoy some more ale drinking, and perhaps I'll attempt the hedge maze again. I would love some new decorations for my house.

Until next time!

An Introduction.

My experiences in LOTRO will be posted. I will either write in character or out of character. I hope you enjoy as much as I enjoy writing.