if you've never attended Rachel's annual Tolkien Blog Party, then you've never had fun. good news though, anyone and everyone is invited and you can join at any time this week and participate in her tags, giveaways and link ups! here's your invitation.
this year is particularly special, because I have not participated since 2017. needless to say, I am ready to party.
so, grab a glass of cider, turn up the shire jams, and settle in for the first post of the party- a Middle Earth location-themed tag!
1. The Shire: What place in Middle-earth do you think you would feel the most like home for you?
I'm torn between The Shire and Rivendell. the green grass, forests, and countryside homes of the shire truly remind me of my childhood home. we lived in the country on 10 acres of grass and woods. tall evergreen trees acted as a fence between our yard and the neighbor's, and across the street was a long stretch of cornfield that rustled in the fall. but, Rivendell calls to me as well. as an adult, that is where I am most drawn and would most like to call home. the babbling brooks, careful architecture, and rich colors all nestled in a secluded place make it feel like the most peaceful place in Middle Earth.
I'm torn between The Shire and Rivendell. the green grass, forests, and countryside homes of the shire truly remind me of my childhood home. we lived in the country on 10 acres of grass and woods. tall evergreen trees acted as a fence between our yard and the neighbor's, and across the street was a long stretch of cornfield that rustled in the fall. but, Rivendell calls to me as well. as an adult, that is where I am most drawn and would most like to call home. the babbling brooks, careful architecture, and rich colors all nestled in a secluded place make it feel like the most peaceful place in Middle Earth.
I will choose Rivendell, as I hope to get better at looking to the future instead of longing for the past.
2. Bree: If you could create a Middle-earth-themed restaurant, what would you serve there?
hobbit food. hobbit. food. I know the elves eat healthier and greener, but I want some of that salted pork. I hear it's particularly good. they eat local cheeses, herbed butters, glazed meats, fried fish, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, cheesy rolls, and cold cider. that's the kind of food I will quite literally day dream about. I would serve homemade hearty meals like that. I love eating healthy, but no other food makes you feel comforted like hobbit approved meals.
hobbit food. hobbit. food. I know the elves eat healthier and greener, but I want some of that salted pork. I hear it's particularly good. they eat local cheeses, herbed butters, glazed meats, fried fish, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, cheesy rolls, and cold cider. that's the kind of food I will quite literally day dream about. I would serve homemade hearty meals like that. I love eating healthy, but no other food makes you feel comforted like hobbit approved meals.
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| my face when I realize how much cholesterol I'm about to consume |
3. Rivendell: Where in Middle-earth would you like to hang out with your friends for a week or so?
Hobbiton! I imagine they have a lovely little inn, or spare rooms you can rent at the tavern. we'd explore the countryside, hunt for mushrooms in the woods, read by the fire of some new friend, and laugh over warm meals.
4. Moria: Have you ever delved into the history of Middle-earth (or the history of Tolkien's creative process)? If so, did you learn anything cool you'd like to share?
oh, yes. yes, yes. my sister and I spent many an hour searching for answers to the most obscure lifestyle or culture questions we had about the elves. I am posting later this week on the diet of the elves, actually. so, I don't want to spoil anything on that topic but I will share that in our research we learned that lembas bread was likely made from white corn and would therefore taste similar to our cornbread. knowing that, I really can't blame Pippin and Merry for eating so many because cornbread is scrumptious.
5. Lothlorien: Would you like to sleep in a tree?
that would be a dream come true. as a kid, I used to doodle elaborate tree houses I was determined to one day build myself. they would include twisting staircases, lattice-work and secret basket-and-pulley systems that would allow me to haul my books and knick-knacks up into the house. now, I still dream of spending the afternoon or the night in a tree, but in a different way. I want to feel the breeze on my skin, and sway in sync with the branches. I want to find a hearty tree with big branches, string a hammock from branch to branch (in the top of the tree), and lay there staring at the stars until I feel utterly free.
6. Edoras: Do you like horses?
yes, very much. they are my favorite animal. they are so powerful, mighty, but not harmful. they are peaceful and loving but always free. I took horse riding lessons as a child and it was an amazing experience. there's nothing that feels quite the same as that flip in your stomach when your horse leaps over a log or a post and your'e suspended for a moment, trusting them to take you back to the ground. horses are beautiful.
7. Minas Tirith: Have you ever dressed as a Tolkien character, whether for a convention or Halloween or anything else? (Bonus fake internet points if you share a photo!)
I have not done so in a costume or dress up sort of way. but, I have taken inspiration from elven hair and clothing and tried to dress as I thought they would in the modern day. silk skirts, rich knit sweaters, deep colors, wide necklines, long soft hair, light makeup, silver jewelry. I wanted to achieve something ethereal and feminine and timeless. it was quite fun.
8. Erebor: Do you have any Middle-earth merchandise you particularly treasure?
no, but oh how I spent hours pouring over the noble collection's lotr page. I have wanted to purchase Andúril, or Sting for some time. my brother used to get one every Christmas. he would hang them in their wooden frames all around his room. fencing swords, katanas, medieval swords, curved daggers. I thought it was the coolest thing. but besides weapons, I have always wanted Arwen's pendant, but have never purchased it because it looks so large that I don't think I'd ever wear it. I'm not a big jewelry person and only wear very simple dainty jewelry.
9. Mordor: Have you ever read anything by Tolkien that wasn't about Middle-earth?
The Fall of Arthur, Tolkien's interpretation of King Arthur's classic tale. I did not read it cover-to-cover though. I used snippets as inspiration for a medieval story I was working on at the time.
10. The Grey Havens: How long has it been since you last ventured into Middle-earth via book or film?
last year, on my birthday I watched the entire film series. it has been over a year now, and I'm waiting for the right time to watch them again.
- from Nie