Burns' Night, January 25th

I've stumbled upon an interesting piece of Scottish history, and just in time too.

In fact, January 25th is a special day throughout Scotland. An annual celebration called Burns' Night takes place, commemorating the life and contributions of the bard (poet) Robert Burns, who was born on January 25th, 1759. This celebration takes place in evening-time during a special supper, including haggis as the main dish. Throughout the meal, poems and works of Robert Burns are read aloud, as part of the celebration of Scotland's favourite son, as he is sometimes referred to. I only just discovered this celebration and wondered if any of you knew of it?

EDIT: I happened across this article today: Think you know about Robert Burns? which contains a few other interesting facts.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,
A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe -
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go!

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valour, the country of worth!
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below,
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods!

--Robert Burns

Favorite Finds #30

Hello, my readers!

With today being Friday, I have some of Favorite Finds to share with you. The articles & posts below are all something I enjoyed reading this past week.
Any of you have some favorite things you've read recently?


The Author's Giveaway

{Before By Penn Has Gleaned}

Patricia MacLachlan to Write
Boxcar Children Prequel

{The Joy of Children's Literature}

Valentines Book Page Flower Tutorial

{Yellow Blackbird}

The first 100 days of 2012

{A Bowl of Moss and Pebbles}

Getting to know the Alcotts
through neighbors and friends

{Louisa May Alcott is My Passion}

Journey Of A Writer: Starting off

{Literary Pursuits}

New slate, anyone?

{Simply Vintagegirl}

52 Weeks | 52 Verses



Dog refuses to leave owner’s grave.

{Ramani's blog}

So You Think You Want to Write Fiction

{Crosswalk}

Sharing Our Bookshelves {January 2012}

It's time for another monthly round of Sharing Our Bookshelves. This time though, we're starting out a new year!

What kind of book goals have you set for yourself to accomplish in 2012?
I hope that if you're posting about books anytime this month, you'll link up below so that some new blog readers can find your posts.


If you saw my last post 'Looking at my reads from 2011' then you'll know I've been thinking about all the books I enjoyed during the twelve months of 2011, including a list of my very favorites.

2011 was a year of firsts for me in some respects in the literary world. The beginning of three new bookish friendships began. That is, with R.M. Ballantyne, G.A. Henty, and with the lovely Lamplighter books. If you have some specific titles of these books that you've enjoyed, I would appreciate your suggestions on which ones I should choose next to read.

There are some notable reads I should mention in addition to my favorite books of the year. For example, in November, I just finished the last of the wonderful books penned by Laura Ingalls Wilder (I have started the series over and over a few times before, but this time I can now say I've read them all---finally.) I also read a drama play for the first time, Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw---Who knew it could be so interesting just to read the lines of all the characters? Also to go on my list of "firsts" for 2011: I was able to read Book #1 of the Nancy Drew series, Secret of the Old Clock. For a reader who loves mysteries, I'm surprised at myself for not reading the good ol' Nancy books until now---I had read a few of the newer stories before this, but not the originals. I'm looking forward to reading more in the new year.

One thing I have enjoyed for several years now is a notebook to keep track of all the books I've read. It helps me remember titles of books, the authors, and the dates when I read those books. In fact, I have more than eight years' worth of a notebook like this! It is an invaluable piece of memory to keep around. If you haven't started your own notebook like this, maybe 2012 is the time to start recording all the books you'll be reading this year.

So then, I look forward to see the wonderful posts you'll be linking up below. Whether it is end-of-the-year lists, or goals for the new year... whatever bookish thoughts you're blogging about, please share so that we can all enjoy.