Mrs Finnegan is on the Cusp of Change
The Regency Town House Housekeeper has a spring in her step and a GLINT in her eye. I am NOT a woman easily flustered. Indeed my husband has often remarked … Continue reading
A Generous Irish Short Story Competition for Anyone, Anywhere
The Moth Short Story Prize is an international prize, open to anyone from anywhere in the world, as long as their story is original and previously unpublished. The winning story … Continue reading
Mrs Finnegan Encounters a Rocky Place and Requires URGENT Assistance
You will want to know how The Book is progressing. Many tell me it is their first thought upon awakening in the morning and their last gauze-like reflection as they … Continue reading
I Can So I Will
Mrs Finnegan Faces Tomorrow with a New Pot of Ink Dear friends, readers, fellow housekeepers, staff members, wayfarers and casual acquaintances My book burnt to a crisp on the VERY … Continue reading
Mrs Finnegan: Why I have been Silent for So Long
The Regency Housekeeper reveals the tragic reason why she has been unable to write since the New Year. But first a recipe for lard face cream…
Writing History in a Regency Kitchen
Join me in a three week course for fiction writers, historians and absolute beginners Designed for beginners, emerging writers and authors wanting to explore a new field, you will be … Continue reading
Mrs Finnegan Looks Back with Regret and Prepares for the Future with a Flicker of Hope
Well, how was your Christmas? If it was something of a disappointment let me put a SMILE on your face by drawing attention to the year I was invited to … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 25th
Happy Christmas Dinner “Never did Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of countenances.“ I count 32 sitting down for dinner. But I am worried about the the … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 24th
The Mystery behind ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 23rd
It’s All About the Books Thanks to Kate Watson-Smyth’s Mad About the House Newsletter I have discovered Jolabokaflod.It is Icelandic for Christmas Book Flood and I can’t think of a … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 22nd
Christmas was once much longer… Christmas once looked very different and lasted longer. Advent was a period of fasting from December 1st to the 24th followed by Christmas celebrations that … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 21st
Beware the Yule Cat! Jólakötturinn, a giant cat with a vicious temper and voracious appetite, stalks Iceland at Christmas. He is searching for those who failed to receive new clothes … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 20th
Feeding the Birds In Norway, Sweden and Denmark sheaves of oats – julenek – are often on sale alongside Christmas trees. In the past farmers believed that if they fed … Continue reading
Advent Calendar December 19th
Introducing a Dickensian Christmas On this day in 1843 Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. He wrote it in just six weeks. The print run of 6000 sold out by Christmas … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 