Shivers of Delight

UK artist Polly Morgan 's work is quiet, contemplative, sad and beautiful all at once and not without a hint of humor here and there. What's not to love? Morgan began working in taxidermy in 2004 at the age of 24 and she is now exhibiting and lecturing in places like the Victoria and Albert Museum. Fortunately for us in the States, we'll be able to see her work this summer at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. Morgan has been selected to represent Britain in the exhibit Organic Matters: Women to Watch . The exhibit runs from June 5th to September 13th. I think I'll try to plan a trip to DC this summer to check it out. In the meantime, here is a peek at Morgan's work. To Every Seed His Own Body Receiver Rest a Little on the Lap of Life Sick of Smiling Systemic Inflammation Harbour

As of this right NOW there are only 37 hours left to fund a great Kickstarter campaign from the creators of Flight of the Conchords. What We Do In The Shadows: The American Release is a campaign to bring the mocumentary of the daily life of a vampire to the States. I'm pretty sure this isn't going to be about the confident, suave vampires we all know and love. Picture a couple of awkward roommate vampires. The film has already been made and released in New Zealand, but Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi need help bringing it here. They need $400,000 for distribution costs and hope to get the film into theaters in at least 70 cities. They're almost to their goal but the campaign ends soon! Afraid it won't get to a theater near you? I pledged $30 and as a reward will get a link to a one-time online screening of the film. I'd rather watch it on my own couch anyway. Check out the video promo on the website, and make a PLEDGE.

It's time to tipple and not just because it's Tuesday. I need to forget about all this snow. In time for Valentines Day, from the blog julep. at Minted.com, I present the Black Heart . The Black Heart 1/2 oz. Black Vodka 1/2 oz. Fig Vodka 1 1/2 oz Creme de Cassis Dash of dry Vermouth Combine with ice, shake and serve in a martini glass with a slice of fig and maybe a side of Poe. It's always wise to accessorize when you drink. Black Heart Necklace by RobinHoodCouture Tiny Black Heart Ring by Lunahoo Black Heart No. 2 Cufflinks by RubySpiritDesigns

I hope you're reading this post somewhere sunny and warm. I wish I were writing it there with you. Snow, snow, snow. It's all I get. So, today my mind turns toward the garden. A girl can dream and in my dream is a spider web gate. I begin with the master, Stephen King's home in Maine. (Source) (Source) (Source) (Source) (Source) (Source) (Source) I especially like the security window grill. That would scare away some burglars.  

I'm discovering books I want to read faster than I can read them. I'm currently reading two books. The Morbid Anatomy Anthology and Wicked Plants are my bedtime reading. My husband is getting a little nervous. They're perfect for bedtime because each chapter/essay is independent of the others and you can pick up and put down as necessary. I'm enjoying both of these books. I'm reading Wicked Plants as an e-book from my library. I wish it had illustrations or photos of the actual plants but I'm not sure that is just because it's an e-book. Next up, I'm hoping to get to these books. I'm really interested in the history of arsenic. (Remain calm, husband) First, because of the whole Arsenic and Old Lace story (the actual murder the movie/play is based on took place in Connecticut) and when I worked at a historic house museum there was a tiny bottle of arsenic in one of the women's bedrooms. The guides were told that women in the 19...

You won't often see posts about food here because I really don't enjoy cooking unless I have oodles of time. Since we do have pizza night at our house once a week I couldn't resist these skull pizzas I've seen. I think we'll get creative next week. GrowingUpBilingual.com CatchMyParty.com Recipe Shoebox Blog Your.Morrisons.com HungryHappenings.com I couldn't resist adding this octopus too. TheVeryBestTop10,com

I'm amused by the variety of vampire hunter kits available for sale. They look really awesome. Of course, I know you are not fooled by any claims of them being antiques. Perhaps there are a few vintage reproductions, but the majority of "antique" vampire hunter kits are actually just antique items grouped together to create a vampire kit. I didn't need to tell you that though. If you need to explain it to your friends, send them to the essay by the Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armouries . Still, the vampire hunter kits are pretty cool. I think it would be nice to display one on a pedestal table near your front door in case of emergencies. Perhaps you could display one in your office to let people know you mean business. Check with HR first though.... There are many places to purchase your very own vampire hunter kit, but here are a few that I liked. You'll need to click the links to see all the great detail. $2750 Premier Vampire Hunting Kit on Ebay ...