Old-Fashioned Charm: About Me

Welcome to Old-Fashioned Charm!

I am Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm, a young lady in my late twenties who loves period dramas, classic literature and history. I began this blog back in September 2008 so I'd have a place to express my love of everything old-fashioned. Through my journey of blogging I've not only gained over 500 followers but made friends with many other fellow bloggers who continually inspire me.
Common themes in my posts are Jane Austen, period film reviews, old-fashioned art and music, period drama actors, Regency and Victorian history. I hope you enjoy looking around and come back often!

Here are some random facts about me:

Favorite Time Period: Regency, but Victorian comes in close second.
Favorite Author: Jane Austen, and you'll see her works mentioned often on my blog - Northanger Abbey is my favorite novel with Persuasion and Mansfield Park following close behind. My second favorite author is Agatha Christie, especially her Poirot and Miss Marple books! I also love the stories of Elizabeth Gaskell, Charles Dickens, D. E. Stevenson and Georgette Heyer.
Favorite Music: Classical, opera, classical crossover, Musical show tunes, hymns, old time gospel songs, Celtic, Irish and Scottish folk, some contemporary Christian.
Favorite Activities: Crocheting, Knitting, Writing, Cooking, Baking, Genealogy, Name Etymology, Shopping, Drinking Tea, playing with my kitty and going to Jane Austen themed events.
Favorite Non-Period Drama Films & TV Shows: Doctor Who, The Great British Baking Show, Pioneer Woman, Fixer Upper, Sherlock, The Decoy Bride, Leap Year, Studio C, You've Got Mail, Keeping Up Appearances, Beauty and the Beast, National Treasure 1 & 2, Avengers, Courageous, War Room, Fireproof, Night At The Museum 1, 2 & 3.
Collections: I collect quotes of all kinds, books, bags, scarves, teapots, teacups, crochet patterns, recipes, interesting names and Jane Austen novels, films and movie soundtracks.
I'm In Love With: My Savior Jesus Christ. My tortoiseshell kitty Sassafras "Sassy" and my green parakeet Lucy.

My sweet kitty Sassy & me!

Schooling & Work: I was home schooled Kindergarten to12th Grade. Mom was my teacher from pre-school to junior high. My dad was my teacher through my high school years. I am now an Alzheimer's, dementia and elder caregiver. I love working with older folks, hearing their stories of by-gone days, and helping them enjoy their remaining days. My most recent job over the past three years was being a full-time caregiver for my great-grandmother who passed away in January 2016. I also enjoy being a camp counselor for kids at Christian summer youth camp and working as seasonal staff at the Creation Museum.
Testimony: I grew up in a home with loving Christian parents who taught me about the Lord Jesus and took me to church from an early age. When I was 5 years old at a VBS at my church I first realized that I was a sinner guilty of breaking God's laws and deserved the punishment of death for my sin. When I got home that afternoon my mom showed me from the Bible how I could pray and ask Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and be my Savior and Lord. I know for sure that He saved me that day and has never left me since! If you have never before believed and asked the Lord Jesus to be your savior from sin my prayer is that you will do that today! I also pray that through reading my blog you will be encouraged and blessed.

Favorite Bible Verses:

"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." - Psalm 37:3-5
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14

My Other Blogs & Websites:

Old-Fashioned Charm Tumblr - Where I post works of period art, period drama screencaps, quotes and other pieces of old-fashioned eye candy.
OldFashionedCharm YouTube - Check out my period drama music videos and games.
Kellynch.com - A site dedicated to Persuasion, Kellynch Hall and all things Jane Austen. My wonderful daddy helped me with the design, he's a computer programmer!
Austen Efforts - A site dedicated to Jane Austen film adaptations - you'll find photo galleries, cast listings, reviews, trailers and tons of other info!
Name Enthusiast - A blog with posts about the etymology of names and some of my personal favorite names.
Rather Bookish - My blog where I post some of my writings and book reviews.
Period Drama Stars - A work in progress where I blog about the talented actors and actresses who make up period dramas and their long lists of credits.
Jane Austen Names - Another work in progress, a directory of all the names used in Jane Austen's novels and minor works. Included are their meanings and origins.