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| A Shire Sketchbook by Baggins Babe | 11 Review(s) |
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| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 10/27/2008 |
| What a lovely tale. I re-read your "Shire Sketchbook" chapters anytime I need a lift, or want to be whisked away into a happy, hobbity place. Thank you again for all your wonderful stories. Author Reply: How lovely to find an extra review! Glad you like to visit this hobbity place Shirebound, and I hope you enjoyed visiting a sunny Shire. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 7/5/2007 |
| "You alright?" Sam asked Frodo as they headed down to Bag End. "I feel wonderful! Just nicely tired, with the satisfaction of a good day's work done, a few blisters on my hands, which are to expected, and my back will probably twinge a bit, but I've had such a lovely day." "Good - that is what I always wanted to hear. I'm sorry if I fuss - I know I do - but I can't help it." "Oh Sam, you wouldn't be my dear Sam if you didn't fuss a bit, but don't worry so. I've caused you son much trouble and worry over the years and I know you fuss because you care for me." "Just tell me if I'm being daft old Sam." "I wouldn't swap 'daft old Sam' for all the treasures of Arda, dearest, you know that. I've never been better cared for and you have given me back everything I thought I'd lost. I have a home, a family and I'm surrounded by so much love I can't express what it means to me." He linked his arm through Sam's and they walked into the kitchen together. Yea! Frodo's happy! And they are still together and all that and of course Sam would not be Sam if he wasn't overflowing with love and care. And that Aragorn can see it too - wonderful! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Oh yes, I do enjoy writing happy, healed Frodo. I quite agree that it wouldn't be Sam if he didn't show such loving concern, bless him. And our favourite Ranger King gets to see it all! Thank you for the lovely review. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/7/2006 |
| "I wouldn't swap 'daft old Sam' for all the treasures of Arda, dearest, you know that. I've never been better cared for and you have given me back everything I thought I'd lost. I have a home, a family and I'm surrounded by so much love I can't express what it means to me." He linked his arm through Sam's and they walked into the kitchen together. This is my favourite of your short stories. I've read it twice before (my computer kicked me offline the first time before I could review), and I still love it. I must tell you, my two younger brothers recently acquired pet turtles, a painted turtle and a yellow-bellied slider I believe (they caught them in my grandmother's pond--leave it to them and got everything needed to care for them). The elder of the two boys and I were discussing names for his yesterday, and I suggested Plodly. "Plodly?" he repeated, like he thought I'd come from another plannet or something! What's the matter with him? :) I think that name is absolutely perfect for a turtle, especially one of that one's temprament, very quiet but not unfriendly. As it is I wonder if the poor thing will ever have a name. Oh well, I tried. :) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: This was one of the stories I most enjoyed writing - the picture of the countryside in high summer, haymaking and fun. Plodly just came into the story, but I should point out that he is a tortoise, not a turtle. Not sure if you have them in the U.S. but they are found in Southern Europe and were imported into this country, which is why they hibernate in winter. Importation is no longer allowed - so many of the poor things died in transit - and they are now very expensive in this country. When I worked as a veterinary nurse we had one which was brought into the country by the current owner's great-grandfather in 1883. They can often live for over a hundred years. I think turtles are more inclined to bite, and of course turtles live in ponds while tortoises are land dwellers. Our local RSCPA inspector (who should have known better!) made that mistake - collected a tortoise which was found in the street, put it into a bucket of water and drowned the poor thing! I hope your brothers find names for the turtles soon, but at least you tried. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/29/2005 |
| Oh, this is priceless! What a silly prank for Merry and Pip to play, and just like them! And how Sam does fuss! But I guess I would too. I adore your work, BB! As I was reading this, I thought of a plot bunny for this AU. It seemed so interesting a moment ago, and now it's avoiding me! I can't get enough, so I'm off to read more! God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I suspect that that sort of jokey exchange would have been second nature to Merry and Pip. They do it without thinking, but of course they love to make Frodo laugh. Sam is a fusspot and he knows it, but he's been worrying over Frodo for so long that he can't get out of the habit. I' glad you enjoyed it. | |
| lovethosehobbits | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/8/2005 |
| It was a delight to read this. I get so tired of fics that show Frodo unhappy and leaving. I always wanted him to be able to stay in the Shire and it was so cool to see him happy and healthy. I also really enjoyed Aragorn being able to take part in some small way. Such fun! Thank you for this upbeat chapter. Tree | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2005 |
| Ah, a lovely day indeed, and wonderful to see the Elven grace of Frodo working with the rest. And I see you have Melian and Gilraen--I had Melian and Idril. They know when Ada has been "visiting." Author Reply: I'm delighted that you enjoyed the peek into the Shire, particularly when the weather in RL is cold and miserable. Melian and Gilraen appear in my first long story 'Reunion in Minas Tirith' and I like to tie my stories together. I was thrilled when I saw that you also had Melian as the name of one of the Royal children - he bloodline does continue in both Aragorn and Arwen so I thought it was appropriate. Yes, I am sure Aragorn would enjoy his visits and the children would be eager to know what he had seen. | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2005 |
| Oh Sheesh....I really must learn to proofread before sending these things. I, of course, meant that a family who lost their hay in a barn fire would need to pay for the feed that just went up in flames. Not the livestock. I get Mom's flu and my senses just go *poof*!! | |
| Tigger | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2005 |
| Awww...I love this AU of yours, but you know that. :oD Aragorn peeking into the Shire by using the Palantir of the White Tower....Awwww!!! I believe "visits" to The Shire would help him during those hard days. What a lovely, lovely little story. As someone who was partly raised in the country, you got the details of haymaking down perfectly. Even though my cousins use the modern methods, this was all perfect!! Especially having to make sure the hay was dry, dry, dry. I've seen what can happen when hay isn't dry and it is not only heartbreaking to see all that hard work gone in an instant, but also hard on the family it happens to because of the punch to the bank account. Both to rebuild the barn *and* to buy the feed needed for their livestock that just burst into flame. :o( Just a lovely, fluffy cuddly story. Perfect for the messy night that is gearing up outside. Now...When are we getting an update of Birthday Surprise m'dear. The thought of those Elven Lords peeling veggies...Hee!!! :oD Author Reply: Yes, I think a 'virtual visit' to the Shire would be very relaxing at the end of a long hard day. I think it must have been a terrible strain for people in times past - if the weather was bad at the time of harvest the hay could all be ruined and their winter feed destroyed. It must have been an anxious time, not just the harvest but the fact that it had to lie in the field for a couple of weeks to dry. No wonder they prayed for good weather. Yes, flu does make all one's senses go 'poof'! Hope the brain is back now. Don't worry - I always find typos after the event! :-)) I updated 'Birthday Surprises a couple of weeks ago - I think you must have missed it - so the Elves (and a King) with veggies appeared in Chapter 7. I did wonder where you had disappeared to as I didn't see a review from you. | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2005 |
| Loved it BB. Just what I needed at the end of a very grey and cold English day. Reading about your healed Frodo also makes a refreshing change. Perhaps you should put some of these into a sub-folder and title it 'peerings through the palantir'! Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed the visit to a warm and sunny Shire. Nice to just step in there at will, I must say. Glad you like 'healed Frodo' - the poor dear hobbit goes through so much in the book and in other people's stories (much as I love hobbit angst) that I like to give him a little fun. 'Peering through the Palantir'? I'm sure there's a plot bunny somewhere...... | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 11/27/2005 |
| There just aren't words to express how much I love your happy stories, BB! And this is always such a delight: "Ahem." The two looked up to find Rose watching them, hands on hips, a tea towel hanging from her apron pocket. When she had their attention she took the tea towel and swung it meaningfully. The pair slunk into their seats and gave their full attention to the food. Plodly is a wonderful new addition to the household! And what a wonderful ending. *happy* Author Reply: Plodly just appeared, as these characters do. I figured he would be unique in the Shire - trust those mad Bagginses to keep an animal like that! Merry and Pip have enormous respect for that tea towel! I'm so pleased it has made you happy. | |