Kat's Nutty Ramblings

A place where I ramble on about Things I'm crazy about.

[yankeecountess]

Can you make a list of all your favorite fics of the Bransons?? (a little on the happier, lighter side if possible :))

Hey Anon! OK! Here’s a list, although this is just a sampling, because there are SO MANY GREAT STORIES! And these are primarily on the “light and fluffy side” :o)

Show Era

Erin go Bragh! by @cassiemortmain​

From Dusk Until Dawn by @foojules

Partners by @lifeauthoredbymusic (aka “musicwritesmylife”)

Among Cousins and Bunnies by @mermaidodair​

Four Paintings and a Book by @mimijag

The Last of the Bacon by mosteyn

According to the Bransons by @patanoo

A Stitch in Time by @piperholmes

The Quirky Couple by @pointlessthingsispendmytimeon

Branson and Crawley by @scarletcourt

Precious Moments, Special People by @scathach124

The Dreaded Cricket Match by @shana-rosee

Making a House a Home by syblime

Modern AU’s

Something Blue by @broadwaybaggins

Little Moments by @gothamgirl28

The Proposal by JessieBess

Deep Breaths and Peppermint Tea by @katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall (aka Shannen1)

Two Years and Two Weeks by @magfreak

Anyone Who Ever Loved Will Know That I Love You by @sun-koroleva​ (aka “crystabelshalott”)

Pillow Talk by @zip-goes-a-million

AND THAT’S JUST SKIMMING THE SURFACE! So many good authors, so many good stories–I recommend checking out both my “favorite stories” tab and “favorite authors” tab on my FF profile, you’ll find even more wonderful fics (longer, multi-chapter, more dramatic themes, K-M rated, etc.)

HAPPY READING!!!

[repmet]

“Somehow none of it seems to matter when we’re in Dublin. Class and all that just fades away. I’m Mrs Branson and we get on with our lives like millions of others.”

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Because it is sunday and because you can NEVER get enough off these two.

[ffaupdates-deactivated20250703]

Site Update: Jessica Brown-Findlay - Harlots [11 HQ Tagless Stills]

Please consider a reblog to help spread awareness of our galleries.

[yankeecountess]

Downton Abbey modern AU FEB. 13: “Galentine’s Day”

**images not mine

[yankeecountess]

Tom Branson came to Downton Abbey at the age of 11 to serve as a hall boy, and quickly befriended young Lady Sybil. Years later, he returns, this time as a journalist sent to write a story. He doubts anyone will remember him…but someone does; in fact, she’s never forgotten him…

CHAPTER THREE

His gaze was quickly drawn away from the women and his voice died in his throat as he looked up and noticed another, standing in a nearby doorway, her uniform from earlier gone and in its place, a sleeveless gown of gold and black that beautifully flowed down her body, enunciating her curves and reminding him again, that she was no longer a girl of fifteen.

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Branson, but…my parents were wondering if you would do us the honor of joining us for dinner this evening?”

Start from the beginning here

**images not mine

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Hello again.

I know I’ve been gone forever but so many things have changed and I’ve been rushed of my feet in a way I never could imagine. But I’m back with a lot less time that I used to have but I am here.

[wollstoncrafts]

Rose just shrugged. “It’s just that you seem so much more relaxed here.”

Sybil smiled. “This is home; Tom and I have been waiting for this for long, living at Downton was never our plan. I know papa and mama hoped that after being there for so long that we would stay, but it’s not what we want.”

“I know it’s not what Tom wants, but what about you?”

Sybil shook her head. “That lifestyle stopped being mine a long time ago. When I became a nurse, I realised there’s so much more to life than balls, dinners, and entertaining. I know what it is like to be tired after a long day of work; I know what it is like to make an actual difference in people’s lives, instead of serving on committees and hosting benefits.” Sybil reached out and took Rose’s hand. “I’m living my life the way I want to, and you should do the same. If a life at Downton or somewhere else is what makes you happy, then you should do it and it won’t change our friendship. Now Mary told me that your coming out was filled with drama, what was all that about?”

Rose laughed and began to tell Sybil about what had happened in London.

- From A Dublin Christmas Story

Happy Valentine’s Day @katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall

I hope you had a lovely time <3

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

This is perfect, thank you so much 💜💚

[oglaighnaheireann]

The first victim of the Easter Rising was a nurse rushing to attend the wounded. Margaret Keogh, from Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow. She was ‘airbrushed out of history’.

Margaret was working as a nurse in the South Dublin Union. Six republican riflemen, who had been firing from a top floor on the British soldiers, vacated their position and there was a lull in the firing. Nurse Keogh decided to look into the safety of any patients or wounded on the lower floor. At the foot of the… stairs, the corridor was occupied by two British soldiers kneeling out of sight, covering the open doorway with their rifles. As she entered the corridor, they both fired, killing her instantly.

A distraught colleague rushed to her aid but it was too late. Her body was placed on a table in the corridor. Shortly afterwards, Irish Volunteer Dan McCarthy, who had been badly wounded, was laid beside her on the table. McCarthy survived, becoming president of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) from 1921 to 1924.

Eamonn Ceannt, the commander of the garrison, addressed the men afterward, and declared that the nurse was the ‘first martyr’ of the rebellion, and asked those present to remember her sacrifice. Ceannt stated: 'She died for Ireland just as surely as if she’d worn the Volunteer’s uniform.’

Ms Keogh was the grand niece of famous Captain Myles Keogh who was killed during the American Indian Wars, at the Battle of Little Bighorn, in Montana, known as Custer’s Last Stand. Despite recognition at the time, Ms Keogh never made it into the history books. She was airbrushed out of history because the British were in charge of the propaganda, and they didn’t want the world to know that British soldiers had shot a nurse in uniform.

[yankeecountess]

YES! Believe it or not, it IS that time of year again!

Sybil x Tom Valentine Exchange 2016!

Like the Secret Santa exchange only a *little* different…

For example, you might get a short story from your secret valentine…OR, you might get a piece of fanart…OR, you may get a photoset blog post…you never know!  THAT’S THE SURPRISE! So please read under the cut for details, and be sure to fill out EVERY PART of the form!  

I HOPE ALL S/T SHIPPERS WILL CONSIDER PARTICIPATING!  And share the love of the Bransons with each other this Valentine’s Day season!

**pic/gif by @magfreak

Keep reading

[cassiemortmain]

Somehow, now that Downton Abbey is finally all over, I couldn’t help writing a fix-it fic for my OTP.  So here’s a drabble, set in a season 6 AU, to present my version of how the show really ended for the Bransons, assuming everything else on DA that didn’t involve them followed canon.

Note - this contains spoilers for season 6, and non-STEAMM pairings, apart from the Bransons.

***

“Michael – if you don’t stop running around and come and sit at the table nicely, I’ll…”

“You’ll what, Mam?”

“Cheeky article.  You just come over here to me, young man.”

The boy gave his mother a crooked grin before coming back over to the breakfast table and picking up his half-eaten slice of toast and jam.

Sybil sighed as she ran her hand over his hair, smoothing back the fringe that was forever falling in his eyes.

Just like his father…

She turned around to look at Tom, who was gulping down the last of his mug of tea.

“Your son is going to break my heart, one of these days.”

“My son, hmmm?  I seem to recall it took the both of us to bring this young demon into the world.”

The same smile as the boy’s crinkled his mouth, the smile that always made her want to kiss him.

And he knew it.

They shared a long look before Sybil turned back to her plate, picking up a letter that lay beside it.  Running the butter knife along the edge to open it, she pulled out a couple of creamy, expensive sheets of paper with her mother’s monogram.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” she exclaimed, with a thick Dublin accent, as she perused the pages.

“What is it, mo ghile?”

Keep reading

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Perfect!!!!!

[yankeecountess]

HERE IT IS AT LAST!

The ULTIMATE master list for the Sybil/Tom Secret Santa 2015 Exchanges, with links to ALL the fanfics, fanart, and blog posts.  

BIG SPECIAL THANKS to @gothamgirl28 and @bleulily for their help in organizing and overseeing the blogger and fanart exchanges.  And of course, a big special thanks to everyone who participated!  

Now go and show some fandom love to everyone! :oP

**Branson family Christmas manip by @piperholmes

Keep reading

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Brilliant and thank you so much for putting it together.

[yankeecountess]

“Rock the AU” 2016 Themes

The results are in!  And while it was a tough race for some of these, here are the winning categories, chosen BY YOU, the fandom!

January–“BOSTON” (Bransons living in America)

February–“SECRET ADMIRER”

March–“IRISH TRADITIONS”

April–“THE EASTER RISING”

May–“UNIVERSITY/GRADUATION”

June–“WEDDINGS”

July–“FAKE RELATIONSHIP”

August–“ROAD TRIP”

September–“CHILDHOOD SWEETHEARTS”

October–“AUTUMN”

November–“HOBBIES”

December–“COURTSHIP”

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who voted and/or suggested themes!  I hope you like what has been chosen, and that they inspire you for the new year! 

Happy New Year, Sybil/Tom fandom!

[yankeecountess]

*siiiiiiiiiiigh* Seriously, FF, GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER! 

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Argh come on fix it already

[yankeecountess]

Chapter 30, "The Open Championship, Part I," June 1926. Tom reluctantly accompanies Matthew to an historic sporting event at St. Annes-On-The-Sea, but there may be a surprise in store…

UPDATE of “Home” by wslowry

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Yeaaaah, can't sleep so I know what I'm doing now 😉

[yankeecountess]

Is it a new policy of fanfic that we can't read reviews? I always enjoy reading reviews - sometimes I even do it before I read the story!

Hey Anon!

This problem over on FF has been going on for several days, unfortunately.  It started on Dec. 31, I think (or at least that was when I started hearing about it).  Now I can tell you this; if you are a writer, you should still *get* the reviews via email, but you’re right, for some reason, reviews can’t be viewed on FF right now :o(

I am *HOPING* this is a “temporary” problem, and hoping it will get solved *soon*; I have sent a message via FF support (along with hundreds of other people’s, no doubt) but hey, if that’s what it takes to get them to realize this is a big problem, then by all means, let them know you’re displeased!

But we’re in the same “boat of frustration” together, Anon! 

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

This is so frustrating I hope they fix it soon.

[yankeecountess]

“Dearest Mary, Edith, Mama, and Papa, –we have arrived in Boston at last!”

Rock the BOSTON AU (Bransons living in America)

Happy New Year, S/T fandom! We’re kicking off 2016 with a new theme, perfectly timed as Downton Abbey makes it’s final appearance in the US. 

What if the Bransons moved to America?  Explore the possibilities of Tom, Sybil, and their children, making a life for themselves in Boston.  What would the “culture shock” be like, and how would they handle it?  Would Tom still work as a journalist?  Or would he go into that motor business with his cousin?  Does Sybil continue her work as a nurse?  Or will she apply herself to medical school to become a doctor?  How does their daughter adjust to her new home and school?  How many children do they have?  Is one born in Boston, becoming the first generation “American Branson”?  How many Branson relatives does Tom have?  And how often do they visit with Sybil’s American grandmother?  (And do the Crawleys ever make the journey across the pond?)

Lots of story possibilities, and just ones restricted to show era!  Modern AU and other historical periods are welcome too, as well as other American cities and places! Whatever you desire, let your muse and imagine fly and continue to ROCK THE AU in the new year!

**images not mine; manips by @magfreak, @crystabelshalott, and bet-on-us

[katsthoughtsonthingsbigandsmall]

Yeaaah, let the writing begin!! I will focus on that and read some stories to calm my nerves before my job interview tomorrow. 😉