The History of Mistletoe

This came to me in an email from a florist shop in Phoenix. I thought you might enjoy knowing the history if you didn't already.

Since Victorian times, mistletoe has been a cherished Christmas decoration if only to provide the excuse for a kiss when hung in a prominent doorway.
The tradition of misletoe finds it's origin in pagan rituals. After the Winter Solstice, Druid priests cut mistletoe down from the Oak trees in a special ceremony.The priests separated the branches and distributed sprigs of mistletoe among the people to protect them from evil. The ancient Celts believed the plant held miraculous healing powers. In fact, the word "mistletoe" in Celtic means "All-Heal".

Scandinavian mythology holds that Baldur, god of peace was slain by Loki, god of destruction with an arrow made from mistletoe. Outraged by the injustice of Baldur s death the other gods and goddesses demanded his life be restored. As a token of thanks, Baldur s mother, Frigga, hung mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed beneath it, thus establishing the symbolism of love, peace and forgiveness that is now associated with mistletoe.

The use of mistletoe as a romantic lure stems from England as early as the 1500s. In 1520, William Irving wrote that a young man should pluck a berry each time he kisses a young girl beneath the mistletoe. When all the berries are plucked off the mistletoe it no longer has romantic powers.

Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that lives throughout the southern United States, from the Atlantic Coast to California, and on every continent except Antarctica. Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant, found high in the trees. It doesn't take root in the ground, but in the branches of tree itself. Although it gets all its nutrients by taking them from the tree, its presence keeps the tree green throughout the winter.

Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries, United States and Canada.

Happy Holidays,
Vicki

Nymph's - Which One Are You?

Over on eHarlequin, author Stephanie Draven, did a post on What kind of Nymph are you. Now this post was a few month's back (July 20th), but the quiz looked fun and her cover is great.

So with all the hussle and bussle (that's a nice way of saying holiday stress), I'm posting my nymph self below with the link to find out who your nymph self is.

Gotta say, it would be nice to look like that. :)

So, check it out and let us know who your nymph self is.

What Is Your Nymph Type? Land Nymph Land nymphs come in many varieties such as Auloniads (pastures), Leimakids (meadows), and Napaeae (mountain valleys, glens).

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Happy holidays,
Vicki

It's Cold and The Day Job is...Busy

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi. (I know, it's been way too long, but I'm going to work changing that).

Our Sunny Florida may still be sunny, but the weather is cold. Coat's and gloves cold. At least for those of us who live here. Those of you who live up north probably think this is nothing. :)

Work has been a bear to say the least. Normally this is the month were everything slows down, but this month...it's picked up to a crazy frenzy.

Science Guy and I have decorated the outside and inside of the house and it's so nice to go home and see the lights shinning from the street, then walk inside to see the tree and village. We're doing 'light' Christmas shopping this year, which surprisingly enough is okay. I'm finding that spending time with family and friends is the most important thing.

Oh and my son just got engaged to the most wonderful person. Welcoming her into the family has been great. I'm so excited for them both.

Writing. Hmmm...to be honest it's been tough for the past few months. The weekends have been busy and after 10 hour days turning on the computer when I get home has not been top of the list. Still, I've been hand writing. You know, with the whole paper and pen thing. Jotting down scenes that need to come next and that sort of stuff. Editing what's already written and then adding some new words as well. Not enough, but at least there is something.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Hugs,
Vicki

I am So Thankful...

I don't know about you, but I have a lot to be thankful for.

My Family - who is always there for me no matter what. I don't think I would make it a day without them and I am thankful that they are my family - and yes, my animals are part of this. :-)
My friends - which I don't think I tell near enough that I'm very thankful they are in my life.
My Job - no matter how much I bitch about it sometimes, I need it and am thankful to have it.
My Health - that's just a given.

The Sun, The Stars, The Moon and everything else that I get to wake up to every day. Sometimes I think we lose track of the little things in life and forget to be thankful for them. There is always someone out there worse off then I am (and better off), and no matter how bad my life might look (or, even how good) from one minute to the next, I understand that in a blink of an eye it could all be gone.

And, thank you for being you!

So I am thankful - for everything! What are you thankful for?

Hugs & Happy Thanksgiving (to my American folks)
LKap - Ann Laurie

Ramble...

I honestly don’t know what to write. I’ve been sitting here for the past 40 minutes looking at a piece of paper. Writing things then erasing them.

It’s almost the same process with my WIP these days, so I guess it’s not just the book it’s me.

I’ve had a lot on my personal plate lately that has taken up what I believe is every creative bone in my body. I can’t tell if I’m coming or going.

And now the holidays are just around the corner. I mean really when did that happen? How did November sneak up on me and I missed it all?

I don’t know about you, but my holiday is going to be small, probably smaller than last year even. Of course, it’s about money, but more important is that I don’t need anything. Sure there are things that we all want, but to sacrifice paying the bills, or getting behind, or stealing from savings for one day out of the year has become ridiculous to me.

Could be that I’m getting older, Princess is older, and I’ve realized that it’s my friends and family that mean more to me than possessions.

Or maybe it’s as one of my friends tells me every year, “This is my Scrooge time of year.”

Either way, I want to make memories, because time seems to fly by me too fast. I can tell you more about my characters than I can about the people around me. SO NOT GOOD!!!

So my quote to live by: We only live once – live it!

I’d love to hear what’s on your mind as we go into the holiday season.
Hugs

LKap
Ann Laurie

NEW BLOG, NEW RELEASE = CONTEST

To kick off my new blog and the 4th book in my good friend Shayla Black’s Doomsday Brethren Series…

I’m having a contest

Go here to find out all the deets: Ann Laurie

Don't worry I'll still be around here too, but what a better way to celebrate!

October....

October is one of those months you love or hate. I'm in the dislike category.

I suppose I should clarify. I love the weather of October, the change in season that we finally get here in Florida. Those things I love. It's actually the whole scary side of October that I'm not crazy about.

I've watched horror films, but I can't stand them. Odd I know coming from someone who loves paranormal romances and urban fantasy. It's the blood and gore that creeps me out. I can't watch or read horror without having nightmares for weeks.

Oh, the power of the imagination.

And in October there isn't anything but this on T.V. October has become horror month, and it drives me crazy because even the advertising is hard for me to watch. I know I'm a complete and total wimp, but there it is.

Are you a lover or hater of horror?

Hugs,
LKap
Laurie