Ah Maria, “But That All Lay in the Future.”
It has been said that the War of the Austrian Succession was, in fact, the first world war. By the time it ended with the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in October of 1748, not only had all of Europe been pulled into it to one extent or another, but fighting had taken place all over the globe.
Because of Spanish involvement there was fighting in South America. Fighting between France and England in North America and Asia. Most of this fighting had nothing whatsoever to do with Austria. The end result of all this fighting, for Austria, was nothing. At least, nothing that anyone in Austria at that time considered a gain.
Silesia was now almost in Prussian hands. What bits of it that were not were threatened. The Austrian Netherlands had fallen to France. On the face of it, things were grim for Austria. However, Austria herself was still intact. In fact, Maria Theresa had wrought something of a miracle.
Box of Books Give Away
Leave a comment on this thread between now and Thursday night for a chance to win the entire box of books.
Once Upon a Valentine’s by Holly Jacobs
Planning the Eirie Elementary Valentine’s dance is as close as Carly Lewis intends to come to romance. In fact, the once-burned single mom has vowed to stay far away from the flame. Until her shed literally goes up in smoke. And once she meets irresistible Lieutenant Charles Jefferson, that isn’t all that’s catching fire.
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross
The state most feared, when there is suspicion that a subject’s new identity has been penetrated or blown. When he or she is unaccounted for, is out of contact with the case agent, or has fled the safety of the program. When there is no official knowledge of whether that person is dead or alive.
Rescue Me by Christy Reece
A covert operative of Last Chance Rescue Enterprises (LCR) Eden St. Claire has made secrets her life’s work. Seven years ago, an evening of emotional vulnerability and pure pleasure almost destroyed her. Now Eden wears her beauty like a mask, concealing any hint of vulnerability or the demons of the past.
Bedded by the Greek Billionaire by Kate Walker
As a native teenager, Jessica Marshall fell in love with gorgeous Greek Angelos Rousakis. but her clumsy attempt to attract him cost Angelos everything. Seven years later, Angelos is back and intends to claim what’s his – including Jessica!
Suddenly One Summer by Barbara Freethy
In the California coastal town of Angel’s Bay, an old legend says that sometime, when they’re needed, angels from an old shipwreck appear and good triumphs over evil.
Yep, it’s a totally random selection from my book shelf. Sorry, but this one will only be shipped to addresses in USA. The winner will be announced here on Friday.
The winner will be announced here on this post on Friday.
Edited 2/26/10
Well it’s Friday! Random.org picked #2. Jstar, you are the winner!
Jstar, you have until March 30 to respond. Please check your email.
218/365 Around Butte
This was taken a little West of Butte, home of Olympic skiers. I used a piece of it for my banner a little while back.
Little Green Men
10 Tbs butter (a stick plus a 2 T)
1 c sugar
1 egg
2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
several drops green food coloring
Beat butter, shortening, sugar and egg together one at a time. If you want a solid color, add the food coloring here. Combine flour and baking powder then add them to beaten mixture. Add milk and vanilla. If you want a mottled color, add food coloring here instead of before. Working with half the dough at a time, roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with small gingerbread man cookie cutter. Squish the cut out shapes a little to give a more alien shape. Bake on cookie sheet at 375F for 8 min.
Sweet Talker
Jack: It’s all right, Darling. I know you didn’t mean to break the scale. Don’t worry about it. Besides, a little extra weight just makes you cuddly.
Jack: Ooof!!!
Jack: Darling! Now wait a minute! Where are you going?
Jack: If either of you tell her who really broke the scales there’ll be no more secret snacks for either of you.
Today’s theme is cuddly
Previously in Jack and Jill: Broken Scale
The rules for Photohunt can be found here.
Be sure to visit the home page.
Suzie’s House 152: Have a Little Faith in my Love
“Humph!” Suzie twisted out from under Drew’s hands.
She looked as adorable is an angry kitten, sitting there in the bed of the Door County’s Best Bed and Breakfast, her bare shoulders rising above the line of the frilly covers.
(The remainder of this episode is on the newsletter.)
Good Bye Wise Friend
He walks slowly into a shroud, lingering, lingering,
Talking to those walking behind,
Giving his brave monologue of experience
In simple words made vast by insight.
I would call to him, plead,
Please stay. Don’t leave us.
But I know the futility.
He does not realize his feet aren’t moving.
What closes the distance is the shroud.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Click on the badge to go to the hub.
13 of This and That.
Just stuff on my mind this week.
1. To those who have been reading Suzie’s House this week, thank you! I get a major kick out of seeing new readers. Old readers, too. Heck, any readers at all thrill me.
2. Dr. John died. At least that’s what Nessa says, and I trust her to know. I have been following his Pigeon Falls stories since I first became aware of them. He was a frequent and welcome visitor here. I’m going to miss him.
3. I only got five hours of sleep last night. Maybe I should make more of an effort to get to bed in a timely manner.
4. I’ve been working hard on the web site lately, can you tell?
5. Is it still loading slow? For a while there, the page loads were so slow in the morning they drove me nuts.
6. While we’re on the subject, did you notice the Blog Tour schedule on the Home page?
7. Did you notice the new Mr. Al page?
8. I’m planning on putting in three more Mr. Al pages. I just need a little time to get my links all in order first.
9. Are you all tired of looking at pictures of mountains yet? I have a whole bunch more, but I’m holding off because I’ve already posted so many of them.
10. I think I may have confused people on Tuesday with respect to the free books. I meant I would start the contest on Monday and do a drawing from the people who commented on Monday, not close on Monday and draw from those who commented on my Tuesday post. Hope that doesn’t tick anyone off. Not sure anyone noticed anyway.
11. My mother just sent me the book Bonk by Mary Roach. I showed it to Mr. Al, and he got all excited because ms Roach also wrote some history/archeology type book. He says she’s very good. You’ll probably be hearing more about it. I’ll try to keep it clean.
12. A lot of people have shown me a lot of support lately. I am so grateful. This book launching business has actually been fun, thanks to so many different people.
13. The banner is temporary, but not as temporary as the pictures were. I hope to end up with something a bit like this, only not as messy. It’s what I get for trying to do the drawings and watch the Olympics at the same time.
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The hub is here
As always, I welcome the link to your Thursday Thirteen in my comments as well as in Mr. Linky.
Calico Contemplations
Mary Quast
Adelle Laudan
Emily/Randomability
Paige Tyler
Nicholas
Free Stuff
Ah Maria, Hungarians and the Underdog
Queen Maria Theresa of Austria faced her first year as queen with an invasion. Sweet young thing as she was, everyone assumed she would roll over and hand her kingdom off. Silly men should have known better.
Maria, in the face of the intense opposition of nearly all her advisors, traveled to Pressburg, the then capital of Hungary. The Hungarians were, to put it mildly, an unruly lot. Their leaders were fervently nationalistic, fond of fighting among themselves and your average Hungarian sullen and prone to rioting when gathered in large groups.
Maria had been abandoned by just about everyone but the Hungarians. She would loose them as well if she didn’t do something. Hungarian fealty to the Hapsburg crown was predicated entirely on how the crown treated the the Hungarian people. Up till that point, the crowns attitude toward it’s Hungarian subjects had been the cause of much discontent in Hungary. The fact that the latest Hapsburg was a girl really soured their beer. They had no use for queens.
It wasn’t that Maria was turning to them in desperation, although she was desperate. She had a plan. Part of that plan called for arming the Hungarians. That went over big with her German advisors. Why not burn Vienna to the ground and spare the Hungarians the trouble? They wondered. She was very sorry for their reaction, but arming the Hungarians was an integral part of her plan.
