Today I Am...{2}

Painting by Ernest Ange Duez

{writing}

Not much except for answering e-mails and writing a few posts for here. When I was packing up my room I found a completely empty spiral bound notebook and the sight of it made me rather sad. I wanted to stop packing and fill its blank pages with a fun story, but I knew I had too much to do. Also sorting through my papers that have story ideas on them gave me some untimely inspiration. So I've determined than when I am finally unpacking in my new home I will take some time for some serious writing and put the empty notebook and my story ideas to good use!

{reading}

My reading time is quite limited now but when there is time in the early morning or late evening I enjoy reading my blogging friends' delightful posts and commenting where I have time. This past weekend I packed all of my Jane Austen novels and other classic books and my bookcases were moved so my room looks rather bare now! :-(  I did leave a couple books out to read on our trek down to Kentucky.

{listening}

Music keeps me going! My iPod is often playing whether it's the BBN Radio App or Pandora App or any of my favorite English and Irish folk music in my playlists. 

{watching}

YouTube videos of trailers, clips and behind the scenes stuff from my favorite TV shows from time to time. I did recently watch the 10th anniversary concert of Les Miserables and yes Amy and Alexandra I do know how amazing it is now! Look for a post very soon!

{looking}

Well in true Margaret Dashwood (1995) fashion: "We have been enjoying some very fine weather. (Receives look from Marianne) What? But we have!" 

The weather has been very warm lately but on cloudy days like today I enjoy looking at CatalogLiving.net's hilariously funny posts about the eccentricities in modern home decorating catalogs! This weekend my sister, my dad and I took a break from packing to read some of them and we were all literaly in tears with laughter and giggles! Here's some of my favorite posts: Rope a Dope, Creature Comforts, Writing the Book on Torture, Not My Type, Strung Along, The Great Escape, Packing It In, Foreign Policy and Pillow Talk.

{learning}

Pastor's message in church on Sunday was a great reminder that God is always in control of my past, present and future. It is God who made me, provided Christ's perfect sacrifice so my sins could be forgiven, called me to repentance, redeemed me from my fallen state, gave his Holy Spirit to guide me and has led me this far by grace. It is also God who has called me to serve Him day by day and has given me the talents and abilities I have so it is God who I must use my talents for, Him I must do my best for wherever He plants me and Him I can safely trust with my unknown future. Going to Kentucky is an exciting prospect but it is also a bit scary because it's a new place, new people, new problems, new blessings and some days I certainly feel I'm in over my head. But God has led my family and I this far and as the days go by and we prepare to go we see again and again that His is preparing the way ahead and has plans for each one of us. God is so good!

{feeling}

Hungry. Isn't it time for dinner yet? Oh! I remember now, it's my job to make dinner these days. But I don't mind, I love to cook and am glad to take it on so mama can keep packing. Last night's dinner was Parmesan crusted chicken with tomato and zucchini risotto, so yummy! I'm very thankful for easy and delicious recipes like from Pampered Chef!

{anticipating}

Getting together with my friend Karis this week since she's going to be in town. I haven't seen her since Christmas so it will be good to catch up and tell what the Lord has been doing in each of our lives lately. It will also be a bit sad to say "good-bye" for a longer time.

{wishing}

That I could instantly teleport to different states so I could meet all of my sweet blogging friends! 

{loving}

Cold pineapple on the warm sunny days, so delicious and refreshing!

What are you doing today?

Lark Rise to Candleford Banners

I made these a few months ago just after my sister and I finished watching the entire Lark Rise to Candleford series. Not sure why I didn't post them then but I was thinking about about the series today so thought I'd post them.

Pearl & Ruby Pratt

"The Sisters Pratt" was one of my sister's favorite sayings from the series. Pearl and Ruby are always so funny and I love how their characters grow sweeter as the TV series goes on. 

A favorite saying of mine! 

Minnie

Poor Minnie! She was always getting herself into trouble but is always so cute and funny!

"Minnie Happened" is one of her phrases for explaining her whirlwind. :)

Dorcas Lane

Loved this description of Dorcas Lane, it fits here perfectly! :)

Feel free to use any of these images on your blog but please link back to me if you do. 

Which is your favorite?

Have you watched all four seasons of Lark Rise to Candleford?

Period Musical Lyrics Quiz

Five extra points: Which Musical is this photo from?

Some of the most popular musicals of Broadway and film are often set in a historic era, the 1800's seems to be a particularly popular time frame. This game focuses on lyrics from some of those period set musicals. 

The idea for this game came to me when I was watching for the first time a musical that seems to be a particular favorite of a lot of my blogging friends (you know who you are and it's your fault that now the tunes to "Master of the House" and others are stuck in my head! :P ). 

To Play: Guess the song titles and which musicals the lyrics below come from and leave your answers in a comment. If the title of the song appears in the lyrics I've replaced it with blank spaces. Guess as many times as you like and I'll respond with your score. Answers will be posted next week.

Points: To make it simple there will be one point for each correctly guessed song title and musical. Maximum score is 20 points. 

Period Musical Lyrics

#1. 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of __ _____ ____

#2.

Our star is shining it's brightest light

For goodnight, my love, for goodnight.

Sweet dreams be yours, dear,

If dreams there be

Sweet dreams to carry you close to me.

I wish they may and I wish they might

Now _____, __ ____, goodnight

#3.

I'm as mild and as meek as a mouse

When I hear a command I obey.

But I know of a spot in my house

where no one can stand in my way.

__ __ __ __ __  in my own little chair

I can be whatever I want to be.

On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere

and the world will open its arms to me.

#4.

_____, _____,

Make me a match,

Find me a find,

catch me a catch

_____, _____,

Look through your book,

And make me a perfect match

#5. 

Bed! Bed! I couldn't go to bed!

My head's too light to try to set it down! Sleep! Sleep!

I couldn't sleep tonight.

Not for all the jewels in the crown!

_ ___ __ ___ __ ___!

_ ___ __ ___ __ ___!

And still have begged for more.

I could have spread my wings

And done a thousand things I've never done before.

#6.

God on high

Hear my prayer

In my need

You have always been there

He is young

He's afraid

Let him rest

Heaven blessed.

____ ___ ____

#7.

Though you're no bigger than my thumb

Than my thumb, than my thumb

Sweet _______ don't be glum

Now now now, ah ah ah, come come come

_______,  _______  tiny little thing

_______ dance,  _______  sing

_______ what's the difference if you're very small?

When your heart is full of love you're nine feet tall

#8.

_____ __ ____ ___,

Getting to feel free and easy

When I am with you,

Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed

Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?

Because of all the beautiful and new

Things I'm learning about you

Day by day.

#9.

No more talk of darkness

Forget these wide-eyed fears

I'm here, nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you

Let me be your freedom

Let daylight dry your tears

I'm here, with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you

#10.

When I take you out, tonight, with me,

Honey, here's the way it's goin' to be:

You will set behind a team of snow white horses,

In the slickest gig you ever see!

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry

When I take you out in the surrey,

When I take you out in the ____ ___ __ _____ __ ___!

Hopefully this quiz won't be too hard or (oh horrors!) too easy. Have fun! :)

Jane Austen Mothers Throwdown Results

These are the results of the Jane Austen Mothers Throwdown from last week. There was a total of 56 votes. Thank you everyone who voted, I hope you had fun reading about the different Jane Austen mothers as well!

Here are the poll results:

Which Jane Austen mother is your favorite? - 

Mrs. Weston - 48%

Mrs. Morland - 21%

Mrs. Bennet - 20%

Mrs. Dashwood - 9%

Lady Russell - 2%

Lady Bertram - 0%

So our winner is...

Mrs. Weston!

Poor Miss Taylor..."Mrs Weston Papa!"...excuse me, I should Mrs. Weston now, should not I? So sorry! :-)

Dear Mrs. Weston became part of the Woodhouse family when Emma was but five years old and was really the only mother figure Emma knew. Though in many ways they were like sisters rather than mother/daughter, Mrs. Weston was a wonderful role model for Emma - kindhearted, elegant, gentle, loving, sweet tempered and sensible. I love Mrs. Westons's story, from respected governess and companion, to being rewarded for her faithful service by having a kind husband, large house and bonny baby of her own! Jane Austen was more kind to "Poor Miss Taylor" than most governesses of the time period would have expected to be treated. 

Here's an interesting question: 

Do you think Mr. & Mrs. Weston would have more children after Little Anna? 

If yes then how many more Little Westons would there be and what might they be named?

Today I Am...{1}

Morning Sun - Painted by Harold Knight

Well, I am back from my lovely weekend trip and had a nice Mother's Day with my dear mama. We have hit the ground running with errands and more sorting and packing. I'm finding I have little time for writing serious posts but Abby at Newly Impassioned Soul used this idea for a post (which she got from Jemimah at Beautiful Blank Pages) and I thought it might be a nice way to keep you updated on what I've been doing. Hopefully I'll be able to do a few of these types of posts in the coming weeks and also a few period drama related things as well.

Today I Am...

(and sort of This Weekend I Was...)

{writing}

Content for Jane Austen related guest posts - stay tuned, I'll keep you all posted on when and where to read them! :)

{reading}

E-mails and trying to catch up from this weekend. Also a blogging buddy sent me the first six chapters of her manuscript that I am slowly but surely making my way through.

{listening}

Yesterday at a thrift shop my mom found a CD entitled 'Cinema's Classic Romances' that has a selection of songs from various films. To my extreme delight the CD includes songs from mostly period dramas such as Emma (1996), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Pride and Prejudice (1995), Little Women (1994), Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Wuthering Heights, Tess, Far From The Madding Crowd, two different Hamlet films and a couple other films I've not seen. What a find! :)

{watching}

Christian comedy in the van with my family on our recent trip. Tim Hawkins, Taylor Mason's clever ventriloquism, and other hilarious comedians on Thou Shalt Laugh 2! (I liked the two comedian's names above to my favorite video clips of their performances, enjoy!)

{looking}

This past weekend we drove past gorgeous mountains and even got to climb one for a little ways. Every time I see a picturesque lake or mountain this quote from Elizabeth Bennet come to mind: "What are men to rocks and mountains?" from Chapter 27 of Pride and Prejudice.  

{learning}

Daily to trust the Lord to bring about His answers in His own time. I often get worried and discouraged when the answer doesn't come right when I'm expecting it. I'm learning patience as I wait for His answer which might be an hour or a day later than I'd hoped for but His answers fit His timeline perfectly! :)

{feeling}

A bit tired as I've been getting up much earlier than I'm used to and each moment is filled with busyness. But I'm also feeling incredibly blessed as I watch God working all the details of our move and even just daily things out - most times before we even ask for them!

{anticipating}

Having a moving sale at the end of the month and working toward the goal of having a lot of things to sell and get rid of.

{wishing}

I'll be able to attend the Jane Austen Festival at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY this July because I'll be living only an hour and a half north of there and it's on the days leading up to my birthday! Anyone planning on attending? It would be great fun to have a fellow Janeite to go with! :)

Bubble Green Tea - yummy!

{loving}

Bubble Green Tea from Ninety Nine restaurant! It's iced green tea with a splash of orange juice and the most delicious mango pearls are added. I had my first experience with this scrumptious concoction Sunday evening when we took my mom to eat for Mother's Day. The tea is so cool, light and refreshing and the mango pearls are so much fun to pop in your mouth! If you've never tried one you simply must very soon!

Very Truly Your's,