My Tag Answers for My 2024 Tolkien Blog Party

My twelfth Tolkien Blog Party is winding down.  But it's not over -- you can still enter the giveaway through midnight (EDT) tonight, and still play the games!  And still take a few minutes to fill out the tag, like I'm doing.

1. The Shire: What place in Middle-earth do you think you would feel the most like home for you? 

Probably the Shire, actually.  I spent my childhood in the rural Midwest, in farming country, and then spent my teen years in western North Carolina (which, yes, is experiencing a lot of distress right now -- pray for the flooding to ease up!).  I think the Shire is the closest place in Middle-earth to both of those.

2. Bree: If you could create a Middle-earth-themed restaurant, what would you serve there? 

Oooooooh, lots of yummy things!  Rabbit stew and roasted vegetables and hearty meat-and-potato dishes.  Fruit pies and tea cakes and delicate little pastries that look like they were created by elves.  And lembas, but only on the to-go menu.  I actually have several Middle-earth-inspired cookbooks, and made several things from them last weekend!

(Mine from my Instagram)

3. Rivendell: Where in Middle-earth would you like to hang out with your friends for a week or so? 

Rivendell.  I'd love to visit there, peruse the library, listen to the songs and stories, enjoy the food... but I think once I was well-rested, I would get bored and want to go elsewhere again.

4. Moria: Have you ever delved into the history of Middle-earth (or the history of Tolkien's creative process)? If so, did you learn anything cool you'd like to share? 

I have, somewhat!  I have learned that Tolkien was absolutely a pantser -- he did not plan out his plots.  When he was writing the first draft of The Lord of the Rings, he had no idea who Strider really was when he showed up in a dark corner of the Prancing Pony.  I find that funny, relatable, and awesome.

5. Lothlorien: Would you like to sleep in a tree? 

Yes, if the elves were there to ensure I wouldn't roll over and fall out while asleep.  I do enjoy climbing trees.

6. Edoras: Do you like horses? 

I love them :-)

7. Minas Tirith: Have you ever dressed as a Tolkien character, whether for a convention or Halloween or anything else? (Bonus fake internet points if you share a photo!) 

I dressed as Goldberry for Halloween last year, and my husband dressed as Tom Bombadil!

8. Erebor: Do you have any Middle-earth merchandise you particularly treasure? 

I have a copy of The Lord of the Rings all in one volume that I bought in a bookstore a week or so after the first movie came out in 2021.  I'm reading that copy for the tenth time right now, and my husband has also read it multiple times, as well as one of my kids.  It has a host of memories for me, and I have used a different color of pen to make notes in it each time I read it, so it's really fun to see what I was particularly noticing during different reads!

(Also mine from my Instagram)

I also love my Boromir mug that Carrie at A Fine Quotation designed especially with me in mind a few years ago.

(Also mine from my Instagram)

9. Mordor: Have you ever read anything by Tolkien that wasn't about Middle-earth? 

Yes!  I've read Mr. Bliss, Roverandom, and Letters from Father Christmas.  All are charming, but that last one is my favorite.

10. The Grey Havens: How long has it been since you last ventured into Middle-earth via book or film?

About seven hours?  I'm reading The Return of the King right now, and was deeply involved in it while my daughter was at her physical therapy session this morning.  In fact, I was crying because Sam woke up and saw Gandalf was alive, and I was wishing I had brought in some tissues, and also hoping everyone there assumed it was just the day's high pollen count making me sniffle...