Hogwarts Honey

Had a good day today. Mom and I drove up to Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area to see the sandhill cranes. At the height of fall migration (which is October) there are something like 30,000 sandhills there. Today there couldn't have been that many, but I'm guessing there were a few thousand. It was incredible how many of them there were, and how wonderfully noisy and gorgeous and awkward yet beautiful they were.

On the way home we stopped quickly at JC Penney, where I bought a pair of brown dress boots (I had JUST BARELY given up on the brown dress boots I've been wearing for at least 5 years), a black wool men's peacoat (because the women's didn't have inside pockets WTF?!), and a pair of Levi's (men's, because those also fit me better) for like $170 total. I'm incredibly happy that Black Friday sales now extend to Saturday. LOL I also got a couple of new nail polish colors because Sally Beauty is right next to Michael's, where Mom and I also stopped.

Of course, I have only gotten about 400 words written so far. You guys, I might not make NaNo this year. *sigh*

Stories added to Moonshadow, the Snape/Lupin archive, during the past two months:

Title: Alpha Male (29 K)
Author: sweetmelodykiss


Title: Back (4 K)
Author: astopperindeath


The archive is located at http://www.ssf-moonshadow.com

Also, the Crack Broom masterlist-by-author is now current.

Here's a piece of advice for anyone who is participating in any kind of LJ/IJ/DW based fest at any time of the year: when you email the mods, include your journal user ID, especially if your user ID isn't the same as your email address.

If your email address is the same as your journal ID, it makes things a little easier, but it would still be nice to include your ID nonetheless.

Here's the thing. Unless you communicate via email with the mods outside of the fest enough that it's reasonable to assume they know to associate that email address with you, chances are the mods will have no clue who's emailing them and will have to take the extra step of consulting a spreadsheet in order to figure it out.

When a fest mod is juggling 30+, 40+, 50+, or more fest participants, they are not going to remember who everyone is. They might not know you, they might not interact with you outside of the fest, or they might not remember. There are people who have participated in Snupin Santa just about every year, and I still wouldn't know them from an email address alone, much less know all the new people who rotate in and out each year.

So if a fest mod asks you to include your user ID and/or the name of your recipient in your emails, please try to remember to do it. It's not just a busy-work request; it can save the mod a little extra time (and let's be honest: a little extra irritation) if they know who they're dealing with straight-away instead of having to look it up. Trust me, trawling through a spreadsheet and looking for one person's email address out of 50-60 (or more) names is a pain in the ass.

This entry was originally posted at http://scribbulus-ink.dreamwidth.org/518068.html. It's cross-posted to LJ and IJ, and comments are enabled at all three journals.

Title: The Way of the World

Author: McKay (scribbulus_ink)

Commentary: McKay's "Way of the World" contains some wonderful domestic scenes between Snape and Lupin in the kitchen, where, for example, Lupin teaches Snape how to cook (and survive) in the muggle world.

McKay already posted a great recipe from the story, so I hope no one minds that I'm posting one for brownies inspired by this delightful scene:


Excerpt:

"Laugh at me, will you?" Severus snarled. "You'll pay for that!"

And suddenly, Severus reached into the bowl, scooped up a huge handful of batter, and advanced on Remus.

"No -- Severus, you wouldn't!" Remus stared at him, wide-eyed, as he began backing away.

"Oh, wouldn't I." Severus' voice was a silky purr now, but his smile was pure evil.
( Remus couldn't help but think that batter-covered Severus would have been even better. )

( Easy Brownies recipe )

Title: Smooch
Author/Artist: jin_fenghuang 
Rating: PG
Pairing(s)/character(s):Snape/Lupin
Summary: Just a sweet little kiss
Warnings: none
Notes: This drawble is for r_grayjoy  , who writes the most awesome limericks ever XD

It's the Pilgrim's Bounty holiday in Azeroth, with food-related daily quests and themed garments offered as a reward for fulfilling the quests.

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do bring my penchant for cross-dressing to Warcraft.

( My Blood Elf Death Knight in a dress: )

I did get a turkey caller as a quest reward, which I assume lets you summon a turkey to kill in order to help you make the required turkey meals for one of the quests. However, when you summon the turkey, it arrives with a great big heart over its head, which promptly shatters when it realizes you aren't a prospect turkey paramour, and it's labeled "lonely turkey". I couldn't kill a lonely turkey! I just let it wander free and haven't used the turkey caller again because I felt so guilty.

This entry was originally posted at http://scribbulus-ink.dreamwidth.org/517717.html. It's cross-posted to LJ and IJ, and comments are enabled at all three journals.

Title: About Last Friday
Pairings: Hotch/Reid, Rossi/Prentiss
Rating: PG
WC: 1759
Summary: After Foyet.
Notes: Thanks to resolucidity for a quick beta. SPOILERS for "100".

Series: This is part of a series of Season Five episode tags I've been writing.
1. Not So Alone
2. Weeping Endures for a Night
3. The Blink of an Eye
4. Trust and Regret
5. Something Pretty Wonderful
6. Hope and Bourbon
7. Shaking Things Up
8. Cementing
9. Life Goes On
10. Reeling


( 11. About Last Friday )

Title: About Last Friday
Pairings: Hotch/Reid, Rossi/Prentiss
Rating: PG
WC: 1759
Summary: After Foyet.
Notes: Thanks to resolucidity for a quick beta. SPOILERS for "100".

Series: This is part of a series of Season Five episode tags I've been writing.
1. Not So Alone
2. Weeping Endures for a Night
3. The Blink of an Eye
4. Trust and Regret
5. Something Pretty Wonderful
6. Hope and Bourbon
7. Shaking Things Up
8. Cementing
9. Life Goes On
10. Reeling


( 11. About Last Friday )

Title: the invisible line
Rating: R
Pairing: Snape/Lupin
Warnings: unbetaed, post-DH.
Word Count: ± 2,050 words.
Disclaimer: Not mine, I'm just borrowing them for my twisted means.
Summary: maybe one day we won't need to stay in the dark.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate it! Happy almost-the-weekend to those who don't!

Real post later, if time and family allow. Count one fly-by, lore. ;)

This entry was originally posted at http://scribbulus-ink.dreamwidth.org/517550.html. It's cross-posted to LJ and IJ, and comments are enabled at all three journals.

Helluva day to post a rec, at least for folks this side of the pond, but here it is nonetheless.

Title: The Guardian
Author: madambackslash
Fandom: Torchwood
Rating: PG
Characters: Jack Harkness, John Hart, Gray, Ianto Jones, Rhiannon Davies, Mica Davies, OCs
Spoilers: Through CoE
Summary: The Jones family has lived in Cardiff for a very long time...
Why you should read it: This tale starts in 27 CE with a very young witness to a horrific event, a witness who proceeds to give that event a meaning that grows through time and then persists well beyond. To say more would spoil it, but it's beautiful and sad and touching and I expect it's a story I'll revisit more than once. Have Kleenex handy when you read.

Arionrhod and I are looking for a story that's Remus/Severus/Regulus, but it starts off with Remus and Regulus together, not Severus/Regulus, and Severus was brought in later. Remus hated the way Sirius was treating his brother, and he and Reg got involved. Marauders Era, not very long (we think).

Any help would be appreciated!

Oh my dearest Snupineers, I don't do this often... but it is driving me (and Zephre... who I've bugged) CRAZY.

I'm looking for a fic where Remus is confined to a wheelchair, and Severus is forced to care for him. Dark!Harry, who is clearly trying to both keep Remus secluded and get Severus thrown into Azkaban.

Help??? Pwease?

I feel pervy for finding Adam Lambert, who is young enough to be my son, sexy and hot, but when he releases music videos like this one... Well, I'm only human!

This entry was originally posted at http://scribbulus-ink.dreamwidth.org/517343.html. It's cross-posted to LJ and IJ, and comments are enabled at all three journals.

FACT: When you are used to writing antagonistic pairings, writing friendship pairings is hard. And features way too many OOC fights before the sex. :/

FACT: I heard some old Heart song on... IDK, a bathroom cleaner commercial or something the other day, and now I can't get it out of my head. Also, it has now become the soundtrack for my smutty_claus story. I... don't know if this is a good thing or not.

... but man, those chicks could rock, riiiight? *air guitar*

FACT: The S.O. and I just heroically got out, by exploiting a technicality, of a horrible Thanksgiving dinner we were supposed to go to tomorrow, hosted by the distant relations of a pseudo-acquaintance. Yes! *fist pump* Pyjamas and bacon sandwiches on the couch by ourselves, here we come. Thank God. Americans, I love you and appreciate that you love Thanksgiving so much, but honestly, I usually have better things to do on my birthday or close to than hang out with other people's families who invite the foreigners out of pity. I appreciate the gesture, but, no. Just, no. :)

FACT: Fabulous art recs are fabulous! Before I head back into writing lockdown, here, have some art!

Till Death Do Us Part by Anon at hp_darkfest (Harry/Ginny, Harry/Draco, R: blood, character death [Ginny])
Mind the warnings, please: this is a very dark piece, thematically. It stunned the breath right out of me with its implications. It made me super uncomfortable and want to weep for humanity, in a way, but it's also an astonishing piece, both artistically and conceptually. Very highly recommended, but not easy to take in.

Pensive by stellamoon (Draco, G)
Utterly stunning. a;lskdjf. I cannot even put into words how gorgeous and erotic this portrait is.

As You Witch by Anon at radish_love (Harry/Luna, PG)
Yeah, ANON. *coughcough* Just about as anon as the first piece up there. :D There is no reason in the universe for this piece not having about 8 times as many comments as it currently does. It's fabulous.

Teddy and Victoire by ericahpfa (both PG)
Erica is drawing next-gen portraits!!! *runs around flailing*

"Looking for these, Potter?" by tbranch (Harry/Pansy, R)
Because I never, ever get tired of tbranch's Pansy, or Harry/Pansy. *purr*

Lily/Lorcan/Lysander by _aurora_sky_ (NWS LIKE WHOA OKAY. Also, incest)
Because this post did not have nearly enough porn in it. :D Well, this isn't just porn. It's actually really gorgeous, with the positioning and the lighting and things like that. *nod* It's also hot like burning, okay, and I don't even care what you think of the next-gen characters or who Lorcan and Lysander are or whatever. HOT LIKE BURNING.

See something you like? Leave a bit of feedback for a talented artist today!

*runs back to writing*

I am a guest at this weekend's LOSCON 36, a science fiction and fantasy convention, Nov. 27-29. You can find out more about the convention here: http://www.loscon.org/36/html/mainmenu.html

The's a list of panels I am speaking on HERE.

Let me know if you'll be there!

Title: Takes the Cake

Author/Artist: Arionrhod and McKay

Excerpt: [Remus admired] the large photographs of cakes which decorated the corridor. They were all winning confections from past shows, and he couldn't help a small feeling of pride at the sight of his own two winning creations. He always did his best to create cakes which tasted as good as they looked, and he rather thought that his own specialty, which was fondant, made his compare quite favorably to the other winners...

...When Severus entered the conference room in the wake of his network liaison, Pansy, he swept his gaze around the room, curious to see whom he'd be competing against since the network had kept the participants list hush-hush. He'd only competed against one of them - Potter, whom he considered an arrogant little snot - but he knew the other two by reputation. It took considerable will power not to roll his eyes at the sight of Trelawney, whose works were praised as being "avante-garde", but which he called "artsy-fartsy". He'd take great satisfaction in seeing her eliminated, especially since he could scarcely believe she'd scraped a win to qualify her to be here in the first place.

He was better pleased by the sight of the third competitor; he'd never competed against Lupin, but he'd seen the man's work in other competitions, and he could - albeit grudgingly - admit that Lupin had deserved his wins. Severus himself had two photographs of winning cakes hanging on the wall of fame he and Draco had passed on the way in, which put him ahead of Trelawney and even with Lupin, if he remembered correctly.

Commentary: Well, it's cake! Granted, it's not as cool or as fancy as those created by the competing chefs in the story, but still... cake!

Source: Hershey's Classic Recipes cookbook

( Hershey's  )

Title: Snark and Bark RPG

Author/Artist: Arionrhod and McKay

Excerpt: When Severus stepped out of the Floo, Remus turned to him with a smile, taking his arm and heading toward "their" table. It had been some time since they had been to the pub, and even longer since Remus had been there with his memories intact. "I have to admit, I'm dying for a cognac," Remus murmured as he slid into a chair, loosening the sling so that he could rest the baby's weight in his lap. "I'm looking forward to us having a drink and relaxing. But no pea soup. Gah! I can't believe I actually ate that stuff!"

"Not only did you eat it," Severus said with a smirk, "but you craved it." He might let Remus forget that in another thirty years or so, but not before.

Commentary: Arionrhod and I began writing Remus (her) and Severus (me) in the RPG in 2004, and pea soup became part of our characters' story. It began when Remus craved pea soup during his pregnancy despite not actually liking pea soup; Severus discovered he did like it, and it became one of his favorite dishes. The love it/hate it dichotomy is now a long-standing foundation for teasing between them that continues to this day.

Source: Fix-It and Forget It Lightly, by Phyllis Pellman Good

( Split Pea Soup )

snupin_santa is coming and he's bringing presents to all us good little girls and boys. And for one especially enthusiastic Snape/Lupin fan, a hard-copy of Chocolate & Asphodel, v. 2!


The rules are simple (sort of, hee!). Promotion posts for the exchange on other communities, comments left on Snupin_Santa entries, and recommendations will all be awarded points. Whoever gathers the most points from right now to January 6 at Midnight EST will be the Ultimate Stocking Stuffer!

( More Detailed Rules and Point Scoring Under The Cut! )

That all sounds great, but what do I win again?
The person who amasses the most points will win a bound copy of Chocolate & Asphodel, v. 2 UNLESS....

If the winner reaches more than 75 points, he or she may have their choice of the following: C&A2 bound (will need to be mailed), paid journal time (6 months, any journal or blog, even LJ), fan art from a well known Snupin artist, an icon set (negotiable), or volunteer uploading of up to 15 works to Moonshadow.

We will award second- and third-place as well with smaller, but still cool! prizes.

So, what do you think? Questions, clarifications? We made this a point-based contest so that everyone would be starting from a level playing field. It's open right now - you can make a promotional post right away - and will close January 6. I am looking for a second volunteer to count comments on the gift posts at the web site, IJ and LJ. The lovely zephre has already volunteered to be one of our counters, but we want a second one for verification. If you're interested in volunteering, please write me at the mod mail (lupinsnape @ gmail.com, no spaces).

I can't wait to see everyone stuffing the Snupin Santas' stockings! ^_^

love, lore

I thought it might be helpful for my fellow Snape/Lupin shippers who are in the mood for some new holiday RL/SS icons if I did a comprehensive round-up of where to find them.

Fan Art Based:
Happy holidays - bluecage

art by aleoninc, colored by innerslytherin

art by aleoninc, colored by almost-clara

art by aleoninc, colored by isildurs-babe

Animated art by karasu-hime, icon by whitestar


Photo Manips:
Animated with Rickman and Thewlis, by beaded-thistle

Animated with Rickman and Thewlis, by isildurs-babe. Some of these are racy.

Animated, by captain-tulip


And I asked about the icon that matches the following icon on lupin-snape, but no one responded, so I'll try my flist:

- made by kaleidoskope in 2006. There's a matching icon with Paul McGann as Remus in a Santa hat. Does anyone have it? If I snagged it at the time, I've lost it, and I'd love to have it.

This entry was originally posted at http://scribbulus-ink.dreamwidth.org/516668.html. It's cross-posted to LJ and IJ, and comments are enabled at all three journals.