Mills River Brewing Company 2nd Annual Renaissance Festival

 Hail and Well Met my Friends,

Fangirl Resting at the Front Entrance 

So today travelers were going on a bit of a journey. September 12th, 2026 I had the pleasure to attend the Mills River Brewing Company's 2nd Annual Renaissance Festival. This was Fangirl and I's first time going to this festival so it was exciting to go to a new event. We decided to go to this one this year instead of the Ren Faire we normally attend because Fangirl is still trying to bounce back from being sick last year and gas prices are out of sight so we chose the more local festival. 

The day started cloudy with patches of blue, blue like my mood was starting out that day. As we turned onto the road where the brewery there was a Virgin Mary looking out a resident's window to greet us. I liked we had amble parking, but downside was limited handicapped parking, which made it hard on Fangirl who has limited mobility. 

 

 

Things were already in swing when we finally got there with performers on the stage:

We saw that there were two levels of  booths. Fangirl was worn out and unable to make the trek up the hill for the second level. So while she chilled out near the stage I made the climb to check out the booths up there. I passed the Tomato Torment booth where the guy was heckling people. 

I came across the Abracadabra Botanical booth. They had some samples out so I tested their Roots and Branches Calming Balm, cause I needed something calming. At the next booth from Larkspur Flower Farm I learned about Mullen Torches that you can use for cleansing. 

I saw other interesting things like this Judy with her big booty ghost. That's what that woman at the booth called her. I started laughing and she said that had been the whole point. 

 

Then at the Trash Puppy Forge I watched the blacksmith working on a piece discussing his biggest piece a wedding swordThere were a lot of lovely blades including Railroad Spike Knifes which looked so cool. If I had 70 extra dollars I totally would've bought one. Also they made me think of Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

There were a lot more booths up top than I thought so I was gone for longer than I planned. As I was coming back down I ran into a woman with a colorful dress and a tail. She was carrying a Ouija board parasol. I commented on it and she said it was from New Orleans. I'd discover later it was from the French Quarter and that her partner had been stationed near there.  

After making a stop with the royals I met up with Amber again, where she told me about having a trinket trading experience with a guy. The only trinket trading to be had at this festival. While we sat a little longer this woman passed by us with her crocheted mushroom costume which lead to crochet discussions between her and Fangirl.

After this we went to the field area where more vendors were set up and the forecasted chance of rain came down. Which sucked for Fangirl cause she'd just had her legs wrapped at wound care a few days before. The vendors were nice enough to let us stand under their tents like a bee themed vendor whose name I didn't get. They were selling honey and these beeswax bowels:

 

She told me how delicate the work was and one wrong move in the process could ruin it. We also discussed the trials of beekeeping. These bowls looked so cozy in the rainy day light, so perfect for a hobbit themed home or room.

 

After the rain let up we kept going. I met a charming cat man vendor who due to the curse of the gods had some tattoos that got rained on so he gave me one. I was gonna buy a potion from him but the person who actually makes them wouldn't be there for a couple hours.

Fangirl and I parted briefly again as I checked out the vendors up a little hilly area. I came across Fae Forged who had a few cute items like the Pie Trivets I believe her mother made:

I'd serve pie to Dean Winchester on those.

 

The weapons demonstrators sadly were off the field when we came through: 

 

This year I wore the hat Fangirl crocheted for me because my other hat is in need of repair and is lost in the boxes of my room rearranging. I commissioned her to make this a few years ago.

We met the Tide and Tempest mermaids. One was swimming around and probably the least affected by the rains that day.

 

Fangirl and I started to head back toward the entrance Fangirl decided to head back to the car while I looked at the last few booths I'd missed at the beginning. The sky decided at this time to let loose again.

I came across Rose Relics who sells bones  at their booth including I think petrified bison teeth. I was tempted to purchase some bones that day.

By the time I was done I was a bit soaked. As I walked the muddy parking lot Amber arrived to get me out of the weather. 

We ended the day by having Sonic, the one we often go to after WNC Comic Cons. On the way home I dried one of my sleeves in the wind. Luckily the weather started clearing up to warm our wet selves. 

Beginning of the day and weather aside this was a good little renaissance fair. I had fun, the vendors were great, and everyone was just amazing to be around.

 

The Haul:

My haul wasn't much. Other than my schedule I got a bag of resin crystals, I gave one to Amber since I don't think she got anything, well except what she got it trinket trade.

I then got this heart shaped gemstone but sadly I can't recall what kind.  

Well this about does in for this post I hope you had fun. I have a couple of conventions coming up this month so hopefully I'll have more stories for you. Have a great rest of your weekend.

*Thrifty Geek* 

Thrifty Geek's Library- Cozy Books Corner Summer Reading Challenge

 Hello My Bookish Friends,

It's been a summer where the mental health horrors have persisted, but I also have done a lot of reading for the Cozy Books Corner Summer Reading Challenge. A challenge where you try to read 9 books over the summer. It was a challenge to force myself to read over the summer. As I said the mental health been roaring this summer and when I don't feel good all my brain wants is fanfiction. So it was a struggle but thanks to work and sheer stubbornness I did it. So I'm going to talk about a few of the books I've read over the last few months. I hope you enjoy.

 

 Murder Go Round by Carol Perry

We return to the Witch City Mystery series a series I haven't read in a while. Scryer Lee Barret and her Aunt win a storage unit in an auction. Simple enough right? But then things get hairy when some of the contents puts them in danger. Soon they find themselves tied to a treasure hunting writer's death and a mystery tied to a Russian Czar. 

It was fun to return to Salem, Massachusetts and these characters. It was a great mystery that spanned generations. I loved learning about Czar Nicolas the second and Russian food. It was an intriguing mystery. It gave us some great twists that you didn't see coming. It was another fine read from this series.

Susette's Awesome Adventure by Mallory Tarcher 

This is an old Adventures Inc. book where four girls win a summer of adventures. This book takes them to the Grand Canyon for Hiking, Rock Climbing, and Rafting. Susette or main character is forced to face her life long fear of the water.

I loved this book growing up. It was a great summer read even as an adult. I'm an all ages reader I read any age group book. This fueled my imagination back in the day. I imagined rock climbing and rafting neither of which I could do in real life because I'm severely terrified of heights and can't swim. This book has some beautiful descriptions and great action. It was a nostalgia ride.

Inks, Spells, and Cinnamon Rolls by Ada Rayne

This is a Delicious Paranormal Cozy Mystery. Ella has been left in charge of her mother's bakery while she's on her honeymoon. Ella is also prepping for college graduation, and if that wasn't bad enough her friend Sebastian is murdered. Problem is the police seem to believe it's a suicide. Ella's empathic abilities lead her on a different course of thinking. She joins forces with Sebastian's best friend to uncover who could have want to hurt their friend.

I loved this ocean side town setting. We get legends of shapeshifters, magical tattoos, and delicious food. There are quirky characters, pets that are more than they seem and some fun twists. It's a very cute mystery.

Put Out The Light by Sara Woods 

 

This is an Anthony Maitland Mystery. Anthony has two friends who are going to be involved with a play written based on an outline playwright Sir John Cartwright wrote for a play. As soon as things for the play get underway things go wrong from the start. Mysterious things keep happening to halt the play leaving the superstitious actors to believe it's Cartwright's disgruntled spirit. As things escalate Anthony fears things are going to get much worse if he doesn't solve the mystery.

This book has all the hallmarks of a great British Mystery. It was a another great mystery that I read this summer that gave some good surprises. Anthony's curmudgeon of an uncle Sir Nicholas,*hey another Nicholas* took a bit to warm up to. This book was a slow paced novel, which isn't bad, but when you have three books to read and anxiety induced attention span issues it was a lot to take on.

The Ghost at Dawn's House by Ann M. Martin

 

Dawn believes her farm house  holds a secret passage. In her search Dawn finds out about secrets to her home, that may include a ghost...

 

I may have discussed this book before, if so well dealwe're gonna discuss it again. This is my favorite Baby-Sitter's Club book and a great late summer read which is when I read this. It's so nostalgic and the reason why I eat a s'more during the roasting of the Staypuff Marshmallow Man when I watch Ghostbusters on Ghostbuster's Day. I was always a sucker for a ghost story. This book has mystery, * which seems to be the theme this summer* atmospheric storms, and spooky things. Two of my favorite kids the girls babysit for are in this book: Nicky Pike and Karen Brewer. Karen is just a ball of chaos, and I'm go glad she got her own book series.

The Silence Beneath Black Hollow by C.D. Strickland 

 

In this Novella Joe Hawke and Maya Keery heard of the strange stories of Black Hollow Lake, so they decide to investigate. Instantly their recording equipment starts picking up strange sounds, as time goes on the place starts having an effect on the pair. Just what is beneath these waters?

Oh man this book is so spooky. In addition to being a summer reading challenge this was my July read for the Year in Aledia read which required me to read this only at night, which because it was summer was late at night... Not long before I went to bed. This had me on the edge of my seat. It's so creepy, the build up was the best part. Great read and I'm not just saying that because of who wrote it, my cousin. He currently as three books so head to Amazon and show him some love. *makes hearts with hands* Not sponsered or been asked by family to do this.

Well that's a look at some of my summer reads. I did complete the challenge so yays. I'm still getting my butt kicked by the mental health hydra. So keep me in your thoughts, prayers, or good energies. 

*Thrifty Geek* 

The Guild, Supernatural, Hitchhiker's Guide, and Ghostbusters: AKA My Birth Week

 Hey Friends,

Last week was my birthday and there was fun things to do through out the week. I finally decided to adopt a birth week celebration, because I don't get a lot of opportunities to celebrate me. I shook off the misconceptions I had that only self absorbed people did birth weeks. So let me take you through some of the last week plus a few days.

A Little Guildie Fun 

Did some rewatching of The Guild, due to the fact I had been working on my book and a character had been rewatching it, so it got me wanting to do the same. It's also a good time for a refresher since they announced their going to start fundraising for a movie. 

If your not familiar with The Guild, it's a web series actress Felicia Day came out with in 2007 that ran till 2013. It follows a game guild who meet in real life and shenanigans ensue. This is a required viewing in the late 2000's to early 2010's section of your geek history education.

My 42 Birthday and a Misadventure in Cooking 

So like I said in a previous post this was a low key b-day. The PMDD was kindish to me that day. I started with making my pitcher of mockarita so it'd have time to chill. I used The Speckled Palate's Virgin Margarita recipe as a guide. I deviated in that I couldn't get fresh lime juice.

After this I watched a little more of The Guild and Trent The Traveler videos.  My Grannie stopped by to give me her gifts one of which is a purse that is awesome cause it's a cross body bag that holds all my stuff. 

Later in the day I began to prepared the main dish for my birthday supper from Supernatural: The Official Cookbook, Winchester Surprise:

This was my most ambitious recipe I think I've ever tried that wasn't baking. My Mom gave me some pointers before heading to church with Grannie, leaving me to my own devices with just the cookbook as my guide. 

          

Now I deviated from the recipe a bit it calls for ground pork and ground beef, well I decided to use what we had in the freezer which was ground pork sausage and ground deer meat and instead of chopping up pickles Mom suggested I use dill relish that it was basically chopped pickles. I feel the Winchesters are use what you got kind of people.

 

 

The other ways I deviated from the recipe in shredded cheese and instead of corn chips I put pepperoni on top to make an image of a planet to represent Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for it is the birthday I become the answer to life, the universe, everything.

 

 

I decided on a side of peas. Now my Mom had instructed me that these particular can of peas needed a long boil... I over did it a bit...

 

Winchester Surprise was a hit. Mom and Grannie loved it! The drink was good, but very sweet, so sweet you couldn't drink much in one go. I don't know if the actual margarita drink is that sweet or not. Can someone let me know?

 I also had a late night s'more. It's become the birthday tradition for me.

My Birthday Haul

 

So here is my birthday haul:

Back right the purse my Grannie gave me.

Back left is my Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Magazine, which may have a slight error in it, but I still love it.

Front right is the complete collection of the 42nd Anniversary editions of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. I'd said I'd like the first book, wasn't expecting the whole thing. Y'all the books smell so good. 

Front center is a Lego Botanicals Dandelion. I've already put it together and it's hanging out in a vase.

Front right is a bottle of  Body Fantasies Cotton Candy Body Spray that was suppose to be a Christmas present but got forgotten.

I also got this homemade bag:

 

   

 

It was a collaborative effort between my Mom and Grannie. The strap had to get adjusted it was a little long.

 

 

June 6th

 

So the Saturday after my birthday was a full day and of course I get a lousy night of sleep. First was my family reunion. A time to reunite with family and partake of food. This year I had a cousin grill up burgers and hot dogs. Fangirl came at my invite, cause we were going out after words in honor of my birthday since she hadn't been able to come up on the day. I figured we lunch at the reunion and hit local stores to save money so we can go out on her birthday. 

I got some belated birthday wishes, and one not so good sentiment. Had a cousin's wife asked me my age I told her 42, she's like that's a good age your getting everything together in your head, then your body falls apart. It's like that's a kind of fraked up to tell some one. I've been feeling good about myself in my 30's and 40's when it comes to my aging. I've felt good physically despite my preexisting  physical issues I've had since I was in high school. I've approached all my birthdays with joy and hope once I discovered the scary tales people go on about being in your 30's, 40's, and so on is bull crap. I feared the big 3-0 back in my 20's, but as I got closer I saw it wasn't the scary beast people made it out to be, and I threw the most fun birthday with rainbow cake and ring pops. It's how I also approached my 40th. So I tend to ignore such talk and follow how my aging is going for me not someone else's aging or preconceived notions of aging.

I was a bit tired and irritable due to little sleep and the fact later that day the inevitable end of PMDD would happen. After the reunion Fangirl and I headed out. We hit up three thrift stores, a used book store, and a stop at Geek Mountain. After the shopping I went home and killed over into slumber.

 

June 6th Haul

 

 So first up is my gifts from Fangirl:

 

 

In the back is the final three books I needed in Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series. Then there's the blue dice bag Fangirl handmade for me, it's now holding all the loose dice Fangirl has gifted me over the years.The black box holds these beautiful fluid filled dice that have glittery things within.

They're all sitting in a dice chest Fangirl painted. It's currently housing all the dice sets my friends gifted me.

 

Now we come to the shopping haul. This is all the things we purchased that day:

 

  

 

Top right is a Superman/Wonder Woman comic I got at Geek Mountain.

Top left is a blue bunny Fangirl found cast off in a random section of Goodwill, she gifted him to me for the Blue Bunny Army, I'm naming him Ford after the character in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Middle left is my Goodwill find: Greenwitch by Susan Cooper, the next book I needed in the Dark Is Rising series. 

Bottom is Comic book bags from Geek Mountain, cause I have naked comics in my collection.

 

Ghostbusters Day

 

Lastly is Ghostbusters Day, now the 8th was outside my birth week this year, but it's close enough so I'll count it. Ghostbusters is a special franchise to me, because I was born the week it premiered in theaters. The day started by ducking out for my Mom's doctor appointment and after that was dragged out way longer than we thought we returned home. I got a late start watching the Ghostbusters movie. Like the 40th anniversary viewing I decided to eat a s'more during the Stay Puff Marshmallow destruction scene, it adds a another level to the viewing:

I got the idea for this from The Baby-Sitter's Club #9 The Ghost at Dawn's House. In one scene of the book the girls make s'mores to eat for that end part of the movie. It was a good idea, Mom mom even joined in the fun.

 

Okay that was a long post at least it felt like it writing it, then add in just bad attention span and power going out while trying to write it, it took much longer. So I hope your weekend is good and have some fun out there. See ya!

 

*Thrifty Geek*