Amy Ruttan

Have I got your attention?

Good.

I was watching this AMAZING show called SuperSizers Go Restoration. If you get a chance watch them here. SuperSizers do several time periods in British Culinary history. They eat as our ancestors have eaten before them.

You might feel a bit queasy when watching. I know I did when they were doing Regency and mowing down on Stilton Cheese with maggots and Cheddar with cheese mites. Nope. I’m NOT kidding.

One thing which really intrigued me was the omelette in Restoration times. Sue and Giles are eating their dinner and they wolf down this little egg white dish, which was flavored with TANSY. A herb with a sweet almost peppermint effervesance, but under that sweet exterior lies something more sinister.

For Tansy in large quantities is toxic! Sue found out when she had fevers and delusions, she had tansy poisoning! The most tasty dish on the Restoration menu is actually not so good for you.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant of the aster family that is native to temperate Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to other parts of the world and, in some areas, has become invasive. It is also known as Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, Mugwort, or Golden Buttons.

It was an essential historical herb for the garden. In the Middle Ages it was used in large amounts to cause abortions, and then used to prevent miscarriages and induce pregnancy. It was also used as an aphrodisiac, relieve joint pain, insect repellent, relieve flatulence in Lenten cakes (Since during lent alot gassy foods were consumed), also it was used to prevent intestinal worms caused by eating fish and to prevent decay. Hmm make up your mind why don’t you?

Later it was one of the key ingredients in the making of absinthe. That probably has something to do with the hallucinations.

Tansy does contain toxic oil, which can cause toxic by-products to the liver and digestive tract when broken down.

There is no known antidote for tansy poisoning.

So beautiful, tasty, but with a not so nice after effect if you partake too much of it’s deliciousness.

Tansy, who knew.

I need some.

I thought I would share with you a cool fan vid of The Tudors. The music is obviously not Tudor style music, but it was great to watch the vid to get the feel of the dances. I do own all the seasons of The Tudors (what they’ve made so far) and I watch them as well, but it’s hard with 3 kids running around, whining about their cartoons. *Sigh*

This was a good substitute, but I need more distraction. So distract me.

Since I Tweet I don’t think much beyond a 140 characters. Sad but true. *sigh*

 I’ve also been holed away doing research. I love research, I don’t mind curling up in the corner of my couch as snow storms rage outside.

I’ve been working on a couple of novellas. One which takes place in the Tudor time period. Between the Queens Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard. It’s been fun researching more about court life and intrigues.

The second novella which has been really fun to research is a hot one set in Rome and it involves Gladiators. FUN! More importantly it allowed me to research some of the ancient Roman customs. In the higher class Roman weddings they would do a mock Rape of the Sabine. The bride would cling to her mother while the groom stole her away. Every bit of the brides attire was meant to symbolize luck and fertility.

As much as I adore Regencies, especially erotic ones, I am looking for more in the historical genre and having fun working out of the box on them.

What time period would you like to see a Romance set in?

I’m over at Lissa Matthews blog today at 11:30 a.m. EST to celebrate her birthday. You have a chance to win an e-book from my backlist, your choice as long as it’s the e-book! Visit Lissa here, for there’s tons of great prizes!!

Lissa was one time my editor when Linden Bay was still kicking around, so she holds a dear place in my heart and I wish her the best birthday possible!!

Sorry, got sidetracked for a few days.

 Anyways, deets! Yes.

As far as I know Enemy Enchantress (once known as Enchantress The Fey) is being released from Eternal Press on July 7, 2010! I am so stoked it found a home. I sent my contract off last week, and now I’m just introducing myself over on the EP loops and getting to know everyone.

I’m really excited it found a new home. I loved this series, and it didn’t get the chance it deserved. Right now I’m tweaking the booktrailer I made for Enemy Enchantress, just waiting for cover and links etc., before it launches.

Busy, busy, busy.

It was the first book I completed, and in 2009 released from Linden Bay. Unfortunately, Linden Bay shut it’s doors and my series lost a home. Hey, it happens. It’s the nature of business, sucks as it does. It also happened around a time when James made entrance into the world. I had no time to think about what the fate held in store for EE or as it was published Enchantress The Fey.

I am happy to say that Enemy Enchantress has found a home at last. I’ll spill the deets later. It’s been a long time since I had a sale. It feels good. Doubt weasels had seem to set up a permanent camp in my home.

I kicked them to the curb this morning. Yay!

Hopefully this year will be better than 2009. Other than James coming into our lives it was a TOUGH year. My mother and father both suffered … I thought more than once I was going to become an orphan as I became a new mom.

It was a great email to start the day.

Other than working in my cave … not much. Seriously. I’m hard at work.

I have a lot on the go. I came up with a writing plan for my year. I don’t know how it will fly, but I figured it’s time to get a plan done up; and in case of cracking up I entrusted said plan to one of my CPs. Evidence in case I really do crack up.

 I’m on Twitter a lot of the time. If you’re on Twitter find me. I chat … alot. My user name is ruttanamy.

Other than that, what’s up with you?

And when my brain becomes my own again, I promise more exciting topics. I swear.