Author Archives: Maria Grace

Christmas Pantomimes

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Each year, Regency era British theaters prepared Christmas pantomimes (pantos) that would begin on Boxing Day and run as long as the audiences demanded them. These were not silent productions, but rather very verbal performances that included the audience as an extra character in plays bearing many similarities to modern burlesque. The Pantomime Tradition The tradition of pantomimes and the pantomime characters in England traces back to medieval theater. Broadbent (1901) notes: A sketch of … Continue reading →

Regency Christmas Traditions: Black Butter

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 Black butter was another traditional Christmastide treat. Jane Austen mentioned black butter in a letter to her sister. One might infer that she liked it on the whole, but was rather unimpressed with this particular batch of it. December 27, 1808:The widgeon (a kind of duck) and the preserved ginger were as delicious as one could wish. But as to our black butter, do not decoy anybody to Southampton by such a lure, for it … Continue reading →

Reason #78 Why writing takes so long

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#78 Plague of Rats   Authors face unexpected hazards while trying to get their books written. Historical authors sometimes face unique challenges as historical problems rear up their ugly heads and try to–well sometimes–eat one’s muse.  But never fear, that’s why authors have cats, right? Most recently, imagine my surprise, nay shock and horror that my home was under invasion by a plague of (stuffed) rats. Look at the size of those things! Almost the … Continue reading →

Yorkshire Christmas Pie

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I have often said the more things change the more they stay the same. Perusing period cookbooks brings this to mind all the time. Between just finishing up to Christmas novella, where the Christmas feast features prominently and getting ready for Thanksgiving ourselves, I’ve had my nose in a number of cookbooks, both historical and modern, and came across this gem recently. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of the modern Tur-duck-en, a turkey … Continue reading →

Rising Waters: Hide from the wind, run from the water

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There’s a saying in the gulf coast: Hide from the wind, run from the water. Hurricane Harvey took that to a totally new place. In case you missed earlier segments:  Rising Waters, part 1 Risings Waters Part 2 Rising Waters Part 3 Rising Waters Part 4    Just before bed, I checked the water levels—touching the edge of our driveway now. The fifth house on the street—now empty—is poised with water at the front step. … Continue reading →