Articles written by Josanna Simpson

Birding began as a Victorian era hobby. The Audubon Society, field guides for birds, and current ornithology owe their wings to 19th century naturalists.

Jun 25, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

A pickpocket often preys on tourists during travel abroad. Outwit thieves along the Dutch canals on the way to the Van Gogh, Anne Frank, or Rijksmuseum.

Jun 25, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

A pickpocket often preys on tourists during travel abroad. Outwit thieves with safety precautions and enjoy the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or Champs-Elysees.

Jun 22, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

A pickpocket often preys on tourists during travel abroad. Outwit thieves with travel safety tips in the Florentine Renaissance art capital of the world.

Jun 19, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

A pickpocket often preys on tourists during travel abroad. Outwit thieves with travel safety precautions when visiting the Eternal City of Rome.

Jun 14, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

A pickpocket often preys on tourists during travel abroad. Outwit thieves with travel safety precautions when visiting the Golden City of Bohemia.

Jun 11, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

In an age of Victorian conventions, Lilias Trotter chose to be different. Discover why this Englishwoman exchanged London luxury for the Saharan desert.

May 27, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Princess Jadwiga of Hungary, at age 11, became King of Poland, allied herself with Lithuania, and served her nation at a pivotal moment in Polish history.

Apr 29, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

One of the most popular hobbies in the Victorian age was nature study. From caterpillars to butterfly sketches, entomology became an absorbing pastime.

Apr 8, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Fill Easter baskets according to the Polish custom, which features hand-painted Easter eggs, home-made bread, and other household staples.

Apr 3, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Discover the rich and colorful traditions of a Polish Easter. Religious and folk customs blend to create the most important holiday of the year in Catholic Poland.

Apr 1, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Most Americans know the Marquis de Lafayette as a Frenchman who fought in the American Revolution. Glance at the final years of General Lafayette in Napoleonic France.

Mar 16, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Ironically, the Frenchman called a hero in the American Revolution was branded a traitor to democracy not fifteen years later in his own French Republic.

Mar 10, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette is best known for his military aid of General Washington in the American Revolution. Trace his footsteps from France to the United States.

Mar 10, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

If a frilly Valentine arrived in 1865, the anonymous missive might contain a proposal of marriage or an insult. The clue often lay hidden in the imagery and word choice.

Jan 13, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Wilberforce dedicated his political career to the abolition of Britain's slave trade. His deep religious convictions led this Don Quixote to champion human rights.

Jan 13, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Dickens typically ends his romances on a sentimental note. Yet by the end of his life the great novelist's depiction of love had taken a darker turn.

Jan 10, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Examine the origin, role and legacy of Georges Danton and his radical Cordeliers Club during the Reign of Terror.

Jan 6, 2010 - Josanna Simpson

Toast new opportunities and old friends with a New Year's Snowflake Tea.

Dec 28, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Wondering what to bring to a Christmas party? Mint Chocolate Fudge is a simple, elegant confection that combines the best holiday flavors: peppermint and dark chocolate.

Nov 30, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Delight family and friends this Christmas with a batch of creamy chocolate fudge. This easy confection is sure to become a holiday favorite!

Nov 29, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

This easy butterscotch fudge recipe requires little time to make and will leave Christmas guests begging for more.

Nov 29, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Screenwriter Sandy Welch (Jane Eyre, North & South) presents a fresh rendition of Jane Austen's beloved classic.

Nov 17, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

The Jacobin Club holds an infamous place in French history. Examine the origin and politics of the club that influenced the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror.

Oct 14, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Varieties of flu and bacteria attack millions of people each year. Fight off the next invasion with seven natural dietary supplements.

Oct 9, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Visit the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany. For those wishing to follow Luther's footsteps, there are sites and legends galore.

Oct 2, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Discover why knitters all over the world love certain needles just as much as the wools, silks, and cottons that drape those knitting needles.

Sep 30, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

What does Edgar Allan Poe have to do with afternoon tea? Or with pumpkins? This fall invite friends to experience the poetry of the season over a tea table.

Sep 29, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Looking for ways to make a Halloween party unique? Consider hosting a mystery tea party featuring elements from the best detective tales of all time.

Sep 28, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Ever feel bored with a board game? Here is a variation on the standard "whodunit" game Clue which will sharpen every player's wits.

Sep 28, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

This autumn toast the beauty, mystery, and poetry of the season with a series of three afternoon teas.

Sep 24, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Savor the arrival of autumn with a family excursion to a local apple orchard. After comparing a variety of apples, select a favorite and concoct fresh autumn desserts.

Sep 22, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Bavaria = Germany for many visitors. Yet treasures await tourists who trek north. Plan a visit to Eisenach, the heart of Thuringia, for a memorable German experience.

Jul 8, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Enjoy friendship with a themed tea party this summer. This article features the Lemons & Love Tea, a celebration of the comfort friends bring into bitter circumstances.

Jul 7, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Gruff or jovial, best pal or workaholic, fathers receive small thanks for the role they play in life. So this Father's Day thank your dad with a handwritten letter.

Jun 15, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Ever wondered which iced tea to serve your guests on a summer's day? Or what tea would compliment spicy gingerbread? Here are a few tips to make your cup of tea perfect!

Jun 5, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Austen considered morality vital to a happy life. She meticulously demonstrates this perspective in each of her six novels, particularly in Emma.

May 31, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Many children never encounter the intrinsic pleasure of immersion in a book. However parents are uniquely qualified to nurture their love of literature.

May 28, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Native American culture gives depth to our understanding of the world. The Cherokee, in particular, offer a visionary perspective on the link between names and identity.

May 20, 2009 - Josanna Simpson

Screenwriter Andrew Davies makes a timely connection in the BBC drama Little Dorrit as Charles Dickens' rags to riches novel premiered on Masterpiece Classic in 2009.

May 4, 2009 - Josanna Simpson