While the skill Herb-Lore is excellent for rooting enemies to the earth and leaving them to gnash their teeth while working themselves up in a rage as you pick them off at your leisure is awesome, I’m talking about the little green culinary kind of herb-lore today!

What’s been growing in Sweetpeas’ Garden this season?

The herb crop in the hobbit garden plot includes rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano, basil, chives, mint, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro and sage.

Minted Fresh Fruit Salad is excellent and I adore making it in the summer using fresh mint. Next time I make it I will include the recipe for all of you. It’s very simple and refreshing. I want some right now!

Something I learned from my Gammer during herb-lore lessons that I’ve always found interesting about herbs: the ones in the family Lamiaceae (that’s “High Hobbitish” for mints) have square stems rather than round cylindrical stems!

There are about 3500 species in the mint family including basil, rosemary, savory, thyme and sage.

My Gammer takes care of my garden while I’m out slaying orcs and spiders for the Bounders.  When I’m home for a visit I go out and water my little green culinary buddies after I’ve had Elevenses. I take a few clippings of the herbs I want to use for the day and store them on the counter top in a small glass phial with water. So pretty! It’s fun to gaze at the little herb sprigs and anticipate using them in your cooking throughout the day. My herbs add a level of bright and fresh yummy to my food that I don’t get with dried herbs.  I’m sure it helps immensely to my skill as an Expert Cook!

The Battle of Tears Unnumbered, or The Fifth Battle, is also known in the Sindarin language as Nirnaeth Arnoediad.  This battle occurred between the ’swarm of Morgoth’ and an allied military force of Men, Elves, and Dwarves called the Union of Maedhros.

The Silmarillion, second edition, page 192:

“Then in the plain of Anfauglith, on the fourth day of the war, there began Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Unnumbered Tears, for no song or tale can contain all its grief.”

What could cause unnumbered tears?

Morgoth’s army was led by a balrog named Gothmaug and the first of the Urulóki dragons, Glaurung.  The western army of the Union was lead by a Champion of the Elves, High King Fingon.  Many hardened warriors of the free people of Middle Earth gathered together that day.  In their ranks stood a proud, humble elf by the name Gwindor.

Of Gwindor:

Fingon’s army was standing toe-to-toe with an army of orcs in a defensive line when one of his elven warriors, Gwindor, broke the line in an enraged charge.

Why?

Gwindor’s brother was a prisoner of the orcs.  These very orcs brought their prisoner out for all to see, grabbing him by the hair and brandishing him like a trophy at the frontlines.  His strong, beautiful demeanor was gone.  In it’s place slumped an elven spirit beaten and bruised, almost unrecognizable.  Yet when the elf lifted his head and espied the armies of Fingon before him a glimmer of hope shimmered in his gaze.

In an instant, his captors plucked out his eyes.

They cut off his hands.

In one fell swoop they cut off his feet.

They taunted the elves as the light left his body.

Gwindor was infuriated past all endurance.  He called out a battle cry and charged, screaming his despair for all to hear.  Anguish.  Vengeance.

His passionate charge ignited a fire of rage in Fingon’s men and many of them jumped up and followed him despite orders to maintain a defensive line.  They forced the enemies of the western front back to their gates in a mere three days!

Back in March, Battlemaiden wrote a blog post in regard to Blank Bios and I was in total agreement with her philosophy on jotting down a little something to entertain the “inspect-aholics”.  Recently, Aerhinn started sharing her character backgrounds with us!  These two fine friends of mine have inspired me to share my hobbit warden’s Bio with you all!

If you are lucky enough to catch the little barefoot blueberry-tart-making upstart in the game, here is what you would learn about her past (in a walnut shell):

A little History (no pun intended):

Sweetpeas grew up helping her Gammer prepare wonderful meals for her family (and surrounding neighbors who would sneak in at Dinner time).

Even as a youngster she showed little fear of exploring spooky places (where no sensible hobbit would venture) if it were for the reward of special ingredients for her family’s table.  She took a trek to Bree at a young age and rumor has it she began to poke around even further (shocking)!

When returning to her home in The Shire she often brings back trinkets and a little news but she never speaks of any adventures (unless asked and then only briefly).  She always comes home excited to share her newest recipes and prepares a lovely feast of sweet and savory delights for all!

Her close friends notice a difference in the way she carries herself these days and they see a little more of a glint in her eyes (but other than that she seems untouched by her travels - thank goodness).

Breakfast.

There is truly something comforting and fantastic about the smell of warm toast and butter in the air on a spring morning.  Add to that a freshly brewed pot of coffee and the smell of sauted onions and my Gaffer will suddenly appear from out of no where as if magicked from thin air.

From Sweetpeas’ Kitchen With Lovin’

Recipes for Real Life “Skinny Elf Biatches” and “Fat Hobbit Bastids“

When I was little one of my favorite memories is waking up to my dear Gaffer sitting on the side of the bed chanting a sing-song which goes like this:

Sausage and Eggs,

Sausage and Eggs,

I like,

I like,

Sausage and Eggs!

I would then start singing along and spring from the bed to enjoy a breakfast with him (we were the early birds in the hobbit hole).  Little did I know I would hold the memory of those clandestine morning meals with my Gaffer so close to my heart now that I’m a grown hobbit ranging far from the safety of the Shire.

My Gaffer loved sausage patties.  I, however, prefer ham!  Oftentimes our song would be revised to fit whatever we had in the kitchen (bacon, sausage, ham).

Here’s our rendition of a meal somewhat reminiscent to a Complete Hobbit Breakfast!

Sweetpeas’ Sunny Side Up Breakfast

• 4 large, fresh eggs
• 4 portions pre-cooked ham slices or breakfast sausage
• 1/2 C yellow onion, chopped
• 1 T unsalted butter
• 1 sprig fresh parsley, julienned
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices fresh bread, toasted
• 1 medium Orange, divided into fourths

Heat skillet over medium high heat.  Melt butter in skillet and sauté onion until tender.  Add ham or sausage to the onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.  Remove onion, ham or sausage from skillet, cover and set aside.

Break open eggs into the same skillet and immediately reduce heat to low.  Cook slowly until whites are completely set and egg yolks begin to slightly thicken.  Just before removing eggs from skillet, sprinkle with julliened parsley, salt and pepper.

Serve each egg with a slice of toast, 1/4 of Orange, and a portion of ham or sausage and onions.

Enjoy!

Serves 4 Real Life humans (or 2 hungry hobbits)

I leave you with a postcard of my very own handmade Breakfast Table (mine are often on sale for affordable prices at the Auction House):

Sweetpeas, Spring Flinger

What with all the festivities I’ve been involved with this Spring I really got caught up in the dancing lessons.  That said, I also wanted to try my hand at entertaining my fellow hobbits so I had to buy myself a Horn!  I only know one song, thanks to a very knowledgeable Crissaegrim.  I’m told the Mariner’s are particularly fond of it but all I know is the boisterous song seems to give hobbits happy dance feet!

After a fun day of dancing and entertaining it was time for some libations.  I wasn’t allowed to join the Inn League last season (my Gammer is very strict about abstaining from such things because “a drunk hobbit is a sloppy cook!” as she always says).  Nevertheless, I feel if I can run to Bree-land and beyond by myself, I can certainly become a respectable Inn League Member!  Therefore, I went straight away to the Party Tree!  Little did I know that I do not particularly have a good head for ales.  Try as I might (twice to be exact), I could not complete my Initiation into the League until I forced myself to march the entire way!  Apparently the Inn League doesn’t take just anyone, you have to prove your worth.

Spring Flunkard!?

Please don’t tell my Gammer but by the time I finished my Initiation I had completely and unquestionably muddled my wits.  Surprisingly, I found that I can achieve a higher level of consciousness when lying down on the smooth wood floor of the Bird and Baby with Ioco Underhill.

After recovering from the grueling challenge of the Initiation into the Inn League I immediately went to try out the Bullroarer’s Fence Run, as well as a trip to the Hedge Maze to drink from the Keg I saw in the center of the labyrinth!

What a mistake!

I’m light on my feet so the fence run only tripped me up a few times, however, the keg run was a disaster!  Something very sinister is afoot in the center of those hedges, that’s for sure!

To Drink or Not to Drink?

I couldn’t resist the temptation to have a big mug from the Sinister Keg!  It was time to party, mind you, it is the Spring Festival after all.  The first mug was not quite what I expected.  I must admit I was once again at a higher level of consciousness; this time the one that told me it was time to partee!! I will not say exactly what happened because I don’t want it to get back to my Gammer but I had a very good time.

To Drink, Is The Answer!

I love the Spring Festival!

I am completely caught up in all the wonderful festival events. My first indulgence was to help with a love-connection for a nice man named Avery Crabapple in Bree who sent me to pick flowers! This being a favorite past-time of mine, I jumped at the chance. After bringing the two love birds together (she made him candy, a definite way to a man’s heart as any young Master hobbit will tell you), the man sent me after more flowers so I went on an absolute full out flower-picking bonanza. I came back to him with hundreds of primroses, marigolds and violets.

It was just fabulous.

I was rewarded for my efforts with countless Blueberry Tart Recipes so I have plenty to hand out as gifts when I go back to the Shire for a visit. I also received delicious recipes for Blackberry and Strawberry Tarts, as well as some amazing clothing patterns to share with my Tailor friends. When I got the Blackberry Tart recipe I ran around the Boar Fountain waving it about in glee because, as you know, I’m very fond of cooking up new dishes for my dear friends.

I have a new secret admirer too! They must have seen me out picking flowers in the Shire because every now and then they send me a lovely gift box by postmaster praising me for all my help with the festival. I also received a Note of Affection shaped like a pretty heart.

Last but definitely not least, I was sent to investigate the goings-on at a most glorious Hedge Maze near the Bree Festival Grounds. The grounds were bustling with people doing the Big People Dance and having a Pie-Eating Contest.  I happily found my way through the throng of merry-makers surrounding the entrance to the Hedge Maze and stood looking up in wonder at the meticulously trimmed hedges. It was an exciting time and I headed into the maze at once.  After getting quiet lost and laughing at myself, I stopped to save a few chickens from being over-run by a group of drunken, carefree dwarves dashing off to the “exit” (they swore up and down that the exit was North).

After I mastered the Maze I was caught up in the mischievous endeavor of planting confusing signs to keep a group of very lovely elves from finding their way out! I later rescued them all and pointed them in the right direction, although none of them would admit to being lost in the maze.

The fresh, green maze is truly a welcome respite from fighting off the darkness that seems to be encroaching; winding it’s way to our very doorsteps. For now, we celebrate the new green of Spring! When we are in the dark places being threatened by fear and despair it is my hope that we recall our memories of bright laughter, abundant tables with warm food, frothy Spring Ales, music and dancing!

From Sweetpeas’ Kitchen With Lovin’

Recipes for Real Life “Skinny Elf Biatches” and “Fat Hobbit Bastids“

With the talk of spring and, of course, the wonderful Spring Festival in full swing it’s time for cake! Let them eat cake! Lots of cake.

This cake is called Hummingbird Cake because when you take your first bite you say, “Mmmmm.” And then when you take your second bite you say, “Mmmm!” And eventually after doing so for several more bites you sound like a hummingbird! Or, maybe it got it’s name because it’s sweet and delicious. If a hummingbird could eat cake, this is the one she would choose.

The recipe is from my mother and is in our Family Favorites cookbook. My mom omits the shredded coconut garnish so I listed that particular ingredient optional. Hope you enjoy!

Hummingbird Cake

Cake Batter Ingredients & Recipe:

• 3 Cups flour
• 2 Cups sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs, beaten
• ¾ Cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapples with juice
• 1 Cup chopped pecans
• 3 medium bananas, mashed

Mix together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Fold in eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, pineapples with juice, pecans, and bananas. Blend well and divide into 3 nine-inch cake pans. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes. Cool cakes completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients & Recipe:

• ½ Cup butter, softened
• 8 ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 16 ounces powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 teaspoons chopped pecans
• 1 Cup shredded coconut (optional)

Fold together butter and cream cheese. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Add vanilla and lemon juice and stir well. Apply to the top of all 3 cake layers. Stack layers. Apply remaining frosting to the sides of the cake.  Garnish with pecans and coconut.

Serves 20 Real Life humans (or 10 hungry hobbits)

Mmmm. Mmmm. Hum..mmm. Num..mmm.

Note:  For a lower fat version, you might prefer the following recipe from MyRecipes.com: Lightened Hummingbird Cake

When I was little my parents took me and my brothers camping in the woods by the lake where we could fish. I don’t recall very much of the trip but one memory stands out very vividly. My mom and I went for a stroll and came across a big huge bunch of raspberry bushes along the side of the road. As a little girl, it seemed to me it was never-ending rows of wonderful bushes with ripe, red raspberries stretching on along the road forever. The berries on their green bushes sat there begging to be picked and we were happy to oblige! We took our bounty of berries back to the cabin to share them with the family and enjoyed the unexpected treat with a little sugar sprinkled on top. Little did we know the tiny scratchy secret that those beauteous bushes held. That night my mom and I got to itching and scratching like crazy.

Chiggers! Being a little squirt, I’d never heard of chiggers and I was horrified to learn that they are itty bitty bugs that bite you and leave little red itchy dots all over your body. I took the brunt of the attack, guess I’m just too sweet and they couldn’t resist! I looked like I had chicken pox and my mom said I was miserable for a day or two. Still, those infinite sweet red raspberries really were worth it.

When I saw the new look of the raspberries in my inventory while checking out the changes in Volume 2 Book 7 my raspberry memory came flooding back to me. They no longer look like smeared pinkish goo! I’m one of those people who love the little things in life so it was with delight that I gazed upon the new icon for raspberries:

Along with that little change there have been others (silver ore looking more like a chunk of ore, for example). Plus the changes to the look of some of the minstrel icons on the quick slots. I’ve heard a few moans and groans from the masses about those changes. That’s to be expected considering there are very few people who like change - especially those who are more visual and miss their old icons because they relied on the image to keep them alive in a pinch. Those brain cells have to re-organize themselves to recognize the new icons and they are grouchy about having to get up out of their comfy spot and move. I can just hear them (the brain cells), “Ahh! The world as we know it is going to end! The cerebrum [read: sky] is falling!” Guess you could call that an attack of the chiggers!

My friend, TheGneech, got the chiggers too. He posted a blog the very next day after Vol 2, Book 7 went live. You can check out his blog here where he talks about the changes made in the Lowbie areas - in particular, if you make a new elf. He found sweet raspberries too, not just itty bitty itchy bugs. While you’re there, read his Life of a Bounder posts to enjoy the adventures of the hobbitey warden, Maedhroc.

With all the changes (I still haven’t read through the entire release notes) coming at us with V2B7 I really think that I can deal with a few irritants because there are a lot more sweet spots than there are things to complain about:  Like gaining three experience levels and hitting the Undying title (ahem, not that I care about titles, so silly).

One of my favorite things about LOTRO is the great Music System. I’ve never played a game with anything quite like it and it’s just so much fun! Personally, I don’t mind if someone uses an ABC Notation or actually plays the songs themselves but it’s extra special if someone is literally playing the music!

If you haven’t heard Barrett’s Privateers and you want a good Irish folk song (which I imagine would sound excellent played by the instruments in the game), you really need to check it out! It’s all acapella so I’m not sure how that would work when applying it to the game - might not be possible?

I had no idea when I first heard the song who was singing it so I had to do some searching on the web. The song has stuck around, especially with the Canadian fans. I found out it was something written and performed in the 1970’s by Stan Rogers but the version I heard was a little different. In any case, the harmony of all of them together is what hooked me.

I found the actual version of the song I heard on YouTube (here) along with many others, but then I came across this version by The Bard of Cornwall and it made my Irish eyes smile:

YouTube: Barrett’s Privateers performed by The Bard of Cornwall

Maybe someday we will hear a rendition of this or something similar in the game!

From Sweetpeas’ Kitchen With Lovin’

Recipes for Real Life “Skinny Elf Biatches” and “Fat Hobbit Bastids“

These guys are called Fries but in reality they are tasty Baked goodness.

I heard a rumor about Baked Sweet Potato Fries and how yummy and amazing (not to mention healthy) they were but I was a bit skeptical about the whole mess.

Plain baked sweet potato fries might be great but not exciting enough for me so I needed something more! How about adding a bit of finely grated Parmesan cheese, fresh rosemary and a dash of garlic powder?

After pulling a batch out of the oven my first bite was taken with a moment of doubt followed by a quick “taste bud check” to evaluate the finished product. My taste buds said:

“More please!”

The recipe is simple and healthy. It’s a sweet-savory treat!

Rosemary Parmesean Sweet Potato Fries

• 4 sweet potatoes
• 1/4 Cup olive oil
• Fine sea salt, to taste (hint: a little goes a long way)
• 2 T chopped, fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 Cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400°F

2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil

3. Peel the sweet potatoes

4. Cut sweet potatoes into strips about 1/4 inch wide (or thinner if you prefer them more crispy)

5. Place cut strips into a large bowl and add oil, salt, rosemary, and garlic powder - toss to thoroughly coat

6. Set aside 2-3 T of grated Parmesan cheese in a small container

7. Add the remaining Parmesan to the bowl of sweet potatoes; toss thoroughly to coat

8. Spread out the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer

9. Bake 10-15 minutes, then turn them over and bake an additional 10-15 minutes

10. Fries are done when browned around the edges (or until desired crispiness)

11. Sprinkle reserved Parmesan cheese on hot baked fries

12. Serve immediately

Serves 5-6 Real Life humans (or 3-4 hungry hobbits)

Sweetpeas’ Notes: I prefer thin, crispy fries with a soft center so the next time I make these I’ll be cutting the sweet potatoes into a more “chopstick” size as opposed to the 1/4 inch width recommended in the recipe. Good news for me, the thinner fries will most likely require less baking time so they will be in my tummy much faster. Yippee!

I’m telling you ~ these are Yum!