I believe I’ve quite recovered from artist’s angst and have two sweet links to share with you.

“The Music Lesson” by Frederic Lord Leighton

Many of you are familiar with the artist Edmund Blair Leighton, but may not know it. He painted many of the most famous historically-themed pieces from the Victorian era, including “The Accolade.” You may also be unaware that he had a tremendous sense of humor, as can be read in his short story, “A Dark Deed.”

I love listening to Christmas music. Don’t you? This season we’ve had the privilege to listen to our friend Prentiss Kendall’s harp CDs, the covers of which Emily designed. Prentiss’s Why This Jubilee? has beautifully filled our house with heavenly Christmas cheer. I highly recommend it to everyone!

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Thank you for voting for my blog at the Home School Blog Awards. I didn’t imagine I’d be a nominee, so a big thanks to those who contributed! :) Yesterday morning surprised me with the news that I had won the “Best Teen Girl Blog” category. And I have only you and our Heavenly Father to thank for the blessing of your support!

And . . . Noble Rose Press is having a Christmas sale until tomorrow night (Dec. 5) at 12:00 PM. Click here to visit our online store.

And the lovely Girlhood Home Companion magazine was delivered to our home this morning! What a gorgeous issue! It’s full of articles I can’t wait to read, and the photography and graphics are as charming as ever! Emily and I created two more paper dolls for this issue - Victorian Sisters: Beatrice and Amelia.

Click here to order your subscription today!

I must admit, Twilight took me by surprise: I didn’t even know about the books, when suddenly evidences of the craze could be seen almost everywhere. Thankfully, I have recently been able to learn more about Twilight via these helpful links:

Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin have written an excellent article on the emotional side of the Twilight Saga: How Twilight is Re-Vamping Romance. “Once upon a dark and stormy year . . .“

Jasmine Baucham has also written a good post on Abstaining from the Madness. “It’s an age-old story, really. . . . Except for, oh, that’s right - Edward Cullen is a vampire.”

And for Movie Guide’s review on the spiritual aspects of the Twilight Saga and vampirism, click here. (Not for young readers.) “Is it simply harmless entertainment, or does something sinister lurk behind the scenes waiting to bite you?”

I hope these links are helpful as you interact with friends or family who need wisdom in the area of dangerous fantasy literature and film.

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