Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

Happy Birthday Dearest Jane!

Yes, it's Jane Austen's birthday again! This is her 238th birthday! 

Last year I joined with my blogging friends for a grand and glorious Jane Austen Birthday Assembly. But this year I just don't have much time for anything, especially blogging. I have one week left and then I'm going back home to KY to see my family for Christmas! 

So how am I celebrating Jane Austen's birthday today?

Well, I'm definitely having a cup of tea with my Gram. And I will serve it from a teapot. And there will probably be cookies! ;)

And I'll try and watch a Jane Austen adaptation tonight. Something short-ish or maybe I'll watch some clips of my favorites. 

And I might take a little bit to continue my ongoing re-read of Pride and Prejudice.

And I might even:

Yeah, do the Mr. Collins wave at Gram, or maybe just the cat. Heehee! 

And I am working on a post with photos and a video for the new BBC production of Death Comes To Pemberley! Lots of photos! :)

Oh, and I'm going to post this lovely quote photo that I vaguely remember making last year.

And that's about it for this year. I should be wearing my new Jane Austen shirt and my Janeite button, and doing other lovely JA themed things but since I've spent my day cleaning house, doing laundry, crocheting Christmas gifts and then will be making soup later, I guess a quiet Jane Austen celebration is best.  

So how are you celebrating Jane Austen's birthday today?

Winner of the JABA Short Story Contest

The Jane Austen Short Story Contest has come to a close and a winner has been chosen! There were three delightful entries and as a judge it was so lovely reading the three continuations of unmarried Austen characters!  And the winner is:

Maria Elisabeth from Miss Georgiana Darcy with her delightful short story 'In Which Another of Mrs. Bennet’s Deserving Daughters is Married' about Kitty Bennet of Pride and Prejudice.  You can read her winning entry here.
Congratulations Maria Elisabeth! 
And many thanks to my JABA co-host and friend Melody for hosting the Short Story Contest at her blog Regency Delight! :)

JABA Answers, Winners & Wrap-Up

Here it is, the Jane Austen Birthday Assembly has drawn to a close and it's now time to announce the winners of the contests and the answers to the trivia quiz!

But first I'd like to thank Melody of Regency Delight and Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Elegance of Fashion for all of their help in putting together this event. It was so much fun working with you ladies, you are indeed a blessing my sweet friends!

I'd also like to thank Little Lady of Sunshine and Shadows and Rebekah of The World of Rhoswen Faerie Wrose for writing such lovely guest post last minute! And to all of the bloggers who participated in putting up Character Buttons for the Jane Austen Characters Scavenger Hunt, thanks so much for your help!

Much thanks to everyone who commented and participated in this celebration!

~*~
Jane Austen Character Scavenger Hunt

Thanks to everyone who played the Character Scavenger Hunt and for all of the participating bloggers who put up buttons! 

Answers :

Charity U at Austenitis - Mr. Darcy Stamp (main page sidebar)

Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Elegance of Fashion - Elinor Dashwood Stamp (Review Index page), Colonel Brandon Stamp (Sense & Sensibility 2008 review)

Little Lady at In Sunshine and Shadows - Mr. Knightley Stamp (About Me page)

Jemimah C at Ink and Iridescence - Anne Elliot Stamp (Persuasion 2007 review)

Kiri Liz at Lianne Tamienlore - Emma Woodhouse Stamp (My Swell Friends page)

Maria Elisabeth at Miss Georgiana Darcy - Edmund Bertram Stamp (bottom of main page)

Miss Laurie at Old-Fashioned Charm - Captain Wentworth Stamp (Banners page), Fanny Price Stamp (Anne Elliot 225th Birthday post)

The Miss Dashwoods at The P&P95Forever Club - Jane Bennet Stamp (Our Favorite JA Film page), Charles Bingley Stamp (bottom of main page)

Melody at Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, &c.~  - Marianne Dashwood Stamp (Classics Club page), Elizabeth Bennet (Guest Post at Yet Another Period Drama Blog post)

Hayden at The Story Girl - Henry Tilney Stamp (main page sidebar)

Rebekah at The World of Rhoswen Faerie Wrose - Catherine Morland Stamp (Bottom of Main page)

Miss Dashwood at Yet Another Period Drama Blog - Edward Ferrars Stamp (My Movie List page)

Scavenger Hunt Winner:

Sarah of Isla Creations was the first to find all 16 Character Stamps! Good work Sarah!

Winner's Button for Sarah:

<center> <a href="http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2012/12/jane-austen-birthday-assembly-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Old-Fashioned Charm" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-AkhaKh0wkFltoV75GpfEXrQ97YZ36CJ0cwH2VCCNrinqS_tgrAzERXT6bqcNC-NclQyUwHsoZz7sRGKYwAOdnDikDfXzJyL2L-Lc9RTw58O-kCf0pOaQX_mSX1PM6lPHnDPSGeJd9DZ/s350/scavengerwinner.jpg" /></a></center>

Runners Up:

Kiri Liz - 16 of 16 stamps

BatZion - 15 of 16 stamps

Scullery Maid - 15 of 16 stamps

Jemimah C - 13 of 16 stamps

Emily Ruth - 12 of 16 stamps

~*~

JA Fanfiction Short Story Contest

Winner ______ announced. Read her short story ______ ______ at Regency Delight!

Winner will be announced soon!

~*~

Jane Austen Birthday Tag Questions

Those who answered the Tag Questions  
(if you're not on this list leave me a comment with the link to your answers!)

Charity at Austenitis
Rebekah at Rhoswen Faerie Wrose
Kiri Liz at Lianne Tamienlore

Melody at Regency Delight
Miss Laurie at Old-Fashioned Charm
Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Elegance of Fashion
Miss Melody Muffin at The Splendour Falls On Castle Walls

~*~

Jane Austen Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answers:

1. Where was Jane Austen born?

a. Steventon

2. Name at least four of Jane Austen's seven siblings.

In order of birth: George, James, Edward, Henry, Cassandra, Francis "Frank", [Jane], Charles

3. What nickname did Jane Austen's father use for her as a baby?

d. Jenny

4. What was Jane Austen's mother's maiden name?

c. Leigh

5. Which of Jane Austen's siblings' names did she not use in a major novel?

Cassandra (it's used in a Juvenilia story but not in a major novel)

6. Which Juvenilia work takes place partly in Scotland?

a. Lesley Castle

7. Which Jane Austen story was the first to be sent to a publisher?   

Pride and Prejudice (then called First Impressions). It was the first sent to a publisher but it was refused and sent back.

8. How old was Jane Austen when her first novel was published?
d. 36 

9. Which suitor was Jane Austen engaged to for less than a day?

c. Harris Bigg-Wither

10. Who did Jane Austen dedicate the second edition of Emma to?

The Prince Regent (later George IV), it was his idea not Jane Austen's!

11. "Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste it's fragrance on the desert air..." - Which two of Austen's novels contain this quote from Thomas Gray's poem 'Elegy In A Country Churchyard'?

Emma and Northanger Abbey.

12. Which Austen novel celebrated it's bicentenary in 2011?

c. Sense and Sensibility (Pride and Prejudice's bicentenary is in 2013!)

13. What was the name of the book Catherine Morland read in Northanger Abbey and who was the author?

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Mrs. Ann Radcliffe

14. In which Jane Austen novel do the events all take place in one town? What is the name of that town?

Emma. The town is Highbury. (a couple people mentioned Hartfield but that was the name of Mr. Woodhouse's home)

15. Which of these actors portrayed Mr. Darcy in the BBC 1980's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice?

e. David Rintoul

16. Which Jane Austen novel contains the expression "Nonsensical Girl!" and who says it?

Emma. Mr. Knightley says it to Emma Woodhouse.

17. Which two Austen novels were published after her death?

Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, both published by her brother Henry.

18. Which Jane Austen heroine receives marriage proposals on four separate occasions throughout her life story?

d. Anne Elliot - Captain Wentworth's first proposal, Charles Musgrove's proposal "a few years before he married Mary", Mr. William Elliot and Captain Wentworth's second proposal. Elizabeth Bennet had three proposals.

19. Can you name the three Austen heroes who are clergymen?

Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey, Edmund Bertram from Mansfield Park and Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensiblity

20. Which Jane Austen novel has two different endings?

Persuasion. There's the first ending Jane Austen wrote and the second polished one that features Captain Wentworth's letter and is most popularly printed. Most film adaptations blend the two endings.

21. Which of Jane Austen's heroines "is in general reckoned to draw extremely well"?

b. Elinor Dashwood - her brother John Dashwood makes this comment about her work. Emma Woodhouse admits that she doesn't draw very well.

22. How many of Jane Austen's major novels were named after country houses?

Two, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey

23. Which Jane Austen novel contains the quote "Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery"?

Mansfield Park

24. What is the name of the heroine in The Watsons?

c. Emma. Frederica is from Lady Susan and Charlotte is from Sanditon.

25. Which two major novels prominently feature Navy officers?

Persuasion and Mansfield Park.

26. Which major Austen novel has the least film adaptations?

c. Northanger Abbey - only two film adaptations

27. Name an actress who has portrayed Jane Austen in a film.

Anne Hathaway or Olivia Williams

28. Which classic author asked their friend: "Why do you like Jane Austen so very much? I am puzzled on that point."?

a. Charlotte Bronte

29. How old was Jane Austen when she died?

Age 41. She died in July 1816 and wouldn't have turned 42 until December.

30. Which classic poet said: "Miss Austen understood the smallness of life to perfection. She was a great artist, equal in her small sphere to Shakespeare..."?

b. Alfred Lord Tennyson

Trivia Quiz Winners - Tied:

Meredith - 280 points
Melody - 280 points

Winners' Button:

<center> <a href="http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2012/12/jane-austen-birthday-assembly-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Old-Fashioned Charm" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yt2RwzIOCKIpihHPdHt5TT9bKCtjti4PHUfOHQmoUjyV_XQxgF9tcA8ZrR5zIoCZUhjQXKZhLEMBCryg4Rscs65C-enh9DnDR6xuQI3PIR5cFuXNPxz681SJh88Jtnanv-Ah9xQqur0J/s248/Meredith+Quiz+Button.jpg" /></a></center>

<center> <a href="http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2012/12/jane-austen-birthday-assembly-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Old-Fashioned Charm" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOY2_F7BXwTnBY6rYIKjeGRWdfc8Wshml4ziiLJJ4D920pShIVD6h3Ftv4U764H-mPPWuf8JgYLTk_a15uCw5HsHiEKuoLxY7Sjyb5yo6nn-tizQJ72n2kUOWXH5zQkI3RIa-UQX3Y1iH/s236/Melody+Quiz+Button.jpg" /></a></center>

Runners Up:

Miss Dashwood - 217 points
Hayden - 210 points
birdienl - 198 points
Livia Rachelle - 190 points
Miss Melody Muffin - 185 points
Emily Ruth - 113 points

~*~

Don't forget to check out these JABA posts:

--10 Fun Facts About Jane Austen
--Happy 237th Birthday Jane Austen!
--Miss Elizabeth: How I Met Jane Austen
--Melody: How I Met Jane Austen
--Miss Laurie: How I Met Jane Austen
--Guest Post: Jane Austen and Me by Rhoswen Faerie Wrose
--Guest Post by Little Lady - Emma Woodhouse: The Imperfect & Lovable
--Book Review: Christmas At Pemberley
--Anne Hathaway vs. Olivia Williams by Miss Elizabeth Bennet
--Winter Regency Fashion Show by Miss Elizabeth Bennet

What was your favorite part of JABA? 

Would you be interested in participating in a similar event next year for Jane Austen 238th?

Reminders & My Tag Question Answers

Our Jane Austen Birthday Assembly is drawing to a close. Don't forget there's still time left to play the Jane Austen Trivia Quiz and the Jane Austen Characters Scavenger Hunt. Also don't forget the JABA Tag Questions and if you answer them leave me a comment with the link! Here are my own answers to the JABA Tag Questions. Thanks to Melody and Miss Elizabeth Bennet for suggesting some of these fantastic questions!

1. How did you meet Jane Austen? 
I was introduced to her through Sense & Sensibility (1995) and other film adaptations. You can read the whole story in my post How I Met Jane Austen.

2. In which order did you first become acquainted with and read Jane Austen's novels? 
I became acquainted with the story of Sense and Sensibility, then Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park and lastly Persuasion.
I read Northanger Abbey first followed by Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Emma and then Mansfield Park.

3. Rate Jane Austen's major novels from your most favorite to your least favorite and tell why.
My favorite novel is Northanger Abbey because of it's wit, sweet story and wonderful characters! Also I'm quite partial to the novels that don't get as much publicity or fans. My next favorite is Persuasion, then Mansfield Park has recently made it to my third favorite, Sense and Sensibility would be fourth, Emma would be my fifth favorite. My least favorite is Pride and Prejudice mostly because it's just so popular and I don't identify with the hero and heroine as much as with the ones in the other novels.

4. Which Jane Austen hero/heroine couple is your favorite and why?
Because my favorite novel is Northanger Abbey I should say Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney and they are incredibly sweet! But I'm going to say Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot because Anne is actually my favorite Austen heroine and to me they are the best matched couple, and their love is tried and true.

5. Which hero/heroine couple is your least favorite and why?
Are you really ready for this? You're going to be shocked! My least favorite couple is Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. *ducks the rotten tomatoes*  Although I love all of Jane Austen's novels and characters, and would always choose them over other books, Darcy and Elizabeth's personalities are aggravating - more aggravating than the other couples. They are definitely well matched...yeah, they deserve each other! Also they are so popular and part of me always wants to rebel against liking things that are SO popular. :-/

6. Have you read any of Jane Austen's Juvenilia works? Which ones?
I've read all of Jane Austen's Juvenilia works and own them all in one paperback volume. I do need to read them again soon because I really enjoy them.

7. If you could change the name of one of Jane Austen's characters who would it be and why?
Well, besides giving Colonel Brandon a first name, I'd change Henry Crawford's first name. Being a fan of the Henry - the incomparable Mr. Tilney - I don't think Mr. Crawford deserves the name and I'd change his first name probably to Richard (an NA joke "though his name was Richard, and he'd never been handsome.")

8. Have you ever introduced someone to Jane Austen?
I've tried with a few of my friends but they showed little interest. My sister has grown up listen to me talk about Jane Austen and our family watching film adaptations and in the last couple years I've gotten her to read Northanger Abbey (which she enjoyed greatly), Emma, Sense and Sensibility and some of Pride and Prejudice. She also loves quite a few of the movies now, especially Emma (2009).

Anna Chancellor

9. If a new film about her life was made, which actress would you want to play Jane Austen?
Well, because she's related to the Austen family I've always thought it would have been neat if actress Anna Chancellor had portrayed Jane Austen. The best part is that she most definitely has the Austen nose, is taller like Jane and when she was young was quite pretty. I know we think of her as Caroline Bingley but I would have loved to see her in Miss Austen Regrets. She's 47 right now so if a film were made about Jane Austen just before her death she might be able to pull it off. :)

 

10. Pretend you're having a weekend party at your very own country house, which Austen characters (up to five) would you invite and why?
Mr. Tilney, Eleanor Tilney, Admiral and Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Jennings. Of course Mr. Tilney, I love Eleanor Tilney, the Crofts would be so much fun and Mrs. Jennings to winkle things out of us all! "She's horribly good at winkling!" :)

11. In your real life have you ever attended a Jane Austen themed event, party or ball? Or have you hosted one yourself?
YES! This summer I attended the Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky which is now two hours from where I live. This was my very first Jane Austen excursion and I enjoyed it so so much! I can't wait to go next year and would love to take some friends with me, so if you're in the area come July I'd love to attend with you! 2013 marks Pride and Prejudice's 200th anniversary! :)

12. Suppose you were given the opportunity to ask Jane Austen two questions: one in connection with her real life and one about her stories. What would they be?
About her life I would ask her what the name of her mysterious seaside gentleman was and whether she loved him.
About her stories I'd ask her whether Captain Frederick Tilney purposely flirted with Isabella Thorpe to draw her attention away and save James Morland or if he was really just a cad after all.