Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
“I thought up an ending for my book: ‘And he lived happily ever after, unto the end of his days.'”
Farewell to Sir Ian Holm, our dear and beloved Bilbo Baggins. May you thrive in the far green country and be at peace. Thank you for sharing your marvelous gifts with us and for bringing to life a character so dear to thousands, if not millions, of hearts. At 88 years old, you were a long-lived hobbit indeed.
Born on September 12, 1931, Holm was an accomplished actor for both stage and screen. Among his accolades are a Tony Award in 1967 for Homecoming and he was nominated for an Academy Award for Chariots of Fire. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1953. He was considered a star of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
As a voice actor, he played Frodo in the BBC’s 1981 adaptation of the Lord of the Rings and returned to Middle-earth to play Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Together with the rest of the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, he shared a SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Holm reprised his role of “old” Bilbo in Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Our hearts go out to his family and friends for their loss while we also celebrate the life of and work of a very gifted actor.
May the below score by Howard Shore warm your heart as we remember our dear Mr. Baggins.
Happy Hobbit is celebrating their reaction video to the Desolation of Smaug trailer going viral on this day seven years ago (6/11/13) by releasing a new video including recently rediscovered footage from the magical day.
Happy Hobbit’s new video
Kellie and Alex, known to fans of their long-running webseries as Kili and Fili, uploaded their reaction video as their means of participating in TheOneRing.net’s staff reactions to the trailer. It was then shared by Peter Jackson’s Facebook page, along with a video of the Elven cast including Evangeline Lily, Orlando Bloom, and Lee Pace (Tauriel, Legolas and Thranduil) reacting to the fan enthusiasm called “Happy Elves.” Happy Hobbit then filmed their overwhelmed reaction to the cast’s reaction. This series of reaction videos was aptly dubbed “Hobbitception” in reference to the dream within a dream sequence of the film Inception. The playlist below includes all of the videos in order.
This whirlwind adventure truly was a dream come true!
Pukeko Pictures, founded by Weta Workshop’s Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger with their friend and children’s author Martin Baynton, has released a free children’s ebook. The book is based on characters from the New Zealand kids’ show Kiddets and demonstrates to children the importance of remaining clean, clear, and kind.
The book is available in several languages with more to come. The website also includes resources for teaching at home and fun downloadable activities for kids.
1+ teaspoon cinnamon plus a mix of nutmeg, ginger and cloves
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 cups shredded carrots
¾ cup cooking oil
½ cup finely chopped, toasted pecans
CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
2 sticks unsalted butter
3 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 teaspoons cream cheese flavoring
INSTRUCTIONS
Grease and lightly flour two 9×1-1/2-inch round baking pans or grease one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. If you have them, place parchment rounds on the bottom.
In a large mixing bowl, sift and combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
Chop up about 5 large carrots and pulverize them in a food processor.
Combine the carrots, oil, and eggs. Pour batter into the prepared pan(s).
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes for round pans or 35 to 40 minutes for 13×9-inch pan or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool layer cakes on wire racks for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges then remove from pans and peel off parchment. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Or, place 13×9-inch cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cover and store in refrigerator.
FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS
Allow butter to soften then blend with vanilla and cream cheese flavoring, a dash of milk, and 3 sifted cups of confectioners sugar (powdered sugar).
Frost the sides and top of the cake.
While frosting is still moist, sprinkle on the toasted pecans and any other decorations your heart desires!
The Incredible Art Gallery in San Jose is hosting a free, three-day Fantasy art show featuring Tolkien-inspired art, among others.
Free Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Disney, Star Wars. Marvel & Game of Thrones Art Event featuring Nationally Recognized Fine Artists Christopher Clark Art & Kat Tatz at Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown 282 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113.
FREE Admission & Attendees will receive a FREE 9″ x 11″ Lord of the Rings print (Limit 1 per 2 attendees). Artists will sign & add paint highlights/embellishments to purchased artwork making each piece unique & one of a kind.
There will be a huge exhibit of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Game of Thrones & Alice in Wonderland art on display & available to purchase along with Show Specials. Original oil on canvas paintings will also be available for purchase.
Event is Kid Friendly. Cosplayers are welcome! Cosplay With Pride will be present for free photo opportunities.
Sounds like a fantastic opportunity for residents of the Bay Area! Link to the Facebook event page here.
