Emma

I'm so excited!! BBC created a new 4 part mini-series adapted from the original works of Jane Austen entitled "Emma". Currently it is only available in England, but soon enough it will be out for the rest of us to enjoy!!

From the BBC Website: "Nothing delights Emma more than meddling in the love lives of others. But when she takes protege Harriet Smith under her wing, her plans can only end in disaster..."

If you care to watch the first episode in this mini-series, click here.
(Sorry, I cannot embed the video directly, it was disabled.)

Romola Garai as Emma...


Beautiful village of Chilham used in the series as Highbury...


Gorgeous scenery - this almost reminds me of the whole Willoughby scene from Sense & Sensibility!




Cast of characters:

• Emma Woodhouse — Romola Garai
• Mr Knightley — Jonny Lee Miller
• Mr Woodhouse — Michael Gambon
• Harriet Smith — Louise Dylan
• Miss Taylor / Mrs Weston — Jodhi May
• Mr Weston — Robert Bathurst
• Frank Churchill — Rupert Evans
• Jane Fairfax — Laura Pyper
• Miss Bates — Tamsin Greig
• Mrs Bates — Valerie Lilley
• Mr Elton — Blake Ritson
• Mrs Elton — Christina Cole
• John Knightley — Dan Fredenburgh
• Isabella Knightley — Poppy Miller
• Robert Martin — Jefferson Hall
• Mrs Goddard — Veronica Roberts
• Mrs Cole — Liza Sadovy
• Miss Martin 1 — Eileen O'Higgins
• Miss Martin 2 — Sarah Ovens
• Mrs Churchill — Susie Trayling
• Mr Dixon — Frank Doody
• Miss Campbell / Mrs Dixon — Amy Loughton

Film locations:

• St. Mary's Church in Send Village, Surrey
• Loseley House as Donwell Abbey
• Squerryes Court as Hartfield
• The Village of Chilham stars as Highbury (pictured above)

Promo video from BBC:


Behind the scenes video:


I've only been able to see the first episode so far, and am anxiously waiting to see the rest of them since it was so good!! The series will be airing sometime in January on Masterpiece Classic in the USA! Personally, I'm hoping they put it on DVD so I can add it to my ever growing Jane Austen collection!

Scenic Sunday - #3

(Click on the photo to enlarge for a much better view!)

Ahh, the Sound of Music is back!

A few weeks ago Lionel was playing basketball with a couple friends, and he ended up fracturing one of his fingers. Generally it wouldn't be a big deal, but since he plays the violin, he needs that finger to play, especially since it was the pinky on his left hand!! That left hand is vital to a violinist!!!

This isn't the first time it's happened either. He broke a finger a while back which was much worse (he slammed it shut in the car door - OUCH!), but fortunately he wasn't playing the violin at that point. Let's just hope that he doesn't break any more.

Due to the fracture, he had to take a few weeks off from practicing and lessons which isn't a good, especially since he just started up lessons again after having the summer off. He stated playing again a few days ago and it seems to be perfectly fine now. Phew! I'd hate to think that he wouldn't ever be able to play the violin again. I try not to sound like a paranoid Mom every time he wants to go play sports with his friends, but I do make a point to remind him that he IS a violinist. =)

Last night he was practicing and it was such a joy to hear him play again. Since beginning the instrument at the age of 9, he's come such a long way! I'm very proud of him, and I pray that he will always use this gift that God blessed him with.

Lionel, happy to be able to play again...well, I'm happy he is!


Concentration...


You can tell he's practicing hard when the rosin gets on the violin.


"OK Mom, enough photos, now let me practice!"

'Just Mom and Me Having Tea'

Sweet-Pea and I had wonderful time this afternoon! We had a tea party together with 2 of her favorite baby dolls....'Drowsy' and 'Emma'. She has really gotten into having these little parties lately, and I have to say it's a lot of fun to see her smile, laugh and pretend to be a Mommy.

There's a great devotional book out there for mothers and daughters if you're looking for one. It's entitled "Just Mom and Me Having Tea" by Mary Murray. It's a wonderful book suitable for young girls from 6-9 years of age that you can use while having a similar tea party. I got ours from CBD for only $8.99.

Here's Sweet-Pea with her 2 baby dolls.


Drowsy (who thinks she's Snow White!) and Emma (who need some serious hair transplants!)


The spread of food Sweet-Pea prepared for our tea party!




'Eating' her food and having a wonderful time playing pretend!


I know one day Sweet-Pea will make a wonderful Mommy!! She's got such a tender heart and is so full of love!


I had a blast this afternoon with my beautiful daughter. I will cherish these days, and although I'm always not in the 'mood' to have a tea party, I'm glad I stop and take the time to do so with her. One day all this will be simply a memory of the past.

If only time could stand still...

You wanna do what?!?

We've been cleaning out the basement the past few days in hopes of getting rid of some extra 'stuff' that we moved here. When we packed, several boxes could easily have been marked "pack for now 'cause I'm not sure we're gonna to use this in the new house or not." Those are the boxes we're sorting through. It's easy to get rid of some things...extra dishes, clothes, decorative items etc. but things from our past...things that remind us of growing up or that have been handed down to us...are often difficult to part with. Those are the ones we keep.

We're getting there, slowly but surely. Lionel has been bugging us to complete our job. You see, he's got an ulterior motive. He wants desperately to start building his big huge Lionel train layout. Last I heard it was going to be something like 12' x 20'. He's been working on the layout plans. Oh boy...it's going to cost us our retirement to build this thing!! Maybe I should add a 'Donation' box on my blog...anyone care to donate money for the layout can simply Paypal us the money. Just kidding!

Anyhow, we got to the section in our basement where the Christmas stuff is. We went through it all before we moved which was great, but we decided to rebox it all into nice plastic bins. It's much nicer now! As we're moving the boxes, Edward looks at me and says (very seriously) "We should pull the Christmas stuff out and start decorating since we can get to the boxes now."

My response: "You wanna do what?!?"

Is he out of his mind? ha ha Probably...I hope it's just temporary. =) In his defense, we really lost out on celebrating Christmas like normal last year. Because of my Dad's death, and the fact that our house was on the market, we didn't celebrate a whole lot and we certainly didn't decorate like we usually do. We really missed the holidays. So...I'm thinking he wants to make up for lost time. Personally, I don't like to see Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving is over. If he wants to decorate that evening or the next morning, go for it! I jokingly said that when my family comes over for Thanksgiving dinner, we'll simply put them to work decorating for us. ha ha! (Hey Nancy & Patty...if you're reading this...I'M JUST KIDDING!)

I'm still enjoying fall this year. The autumn leaves are just starting to hit their peak. The colors are gorgeous and I am soaking in every minute of it this year. It's been so long since I have had time to appreciate the things around me. I had been consumed with caring for my Dad, that things I normally love simply slipped by without my notice...pretty sad, huh? One day at a time...one moment at a time...that's how I'm living now. I no longer am thinking about how stressed I am feeling, wondering when this season of my life will pass. I am thankful though for the tough years we had in the past...it only made me stronger. It made me appreciate the people in my life more; made me learn to love better; made me trust in God more and it made me understand that everything we do has a purpose.

So...our tree will NOT be going up any time soon, but when it does, I can assure you it'll be big, it'll be exciting, and it'll be enjoyed more this year...especially by Edward.

Have a blessed day and live it to the fullest!

Scenic Sunday - #2

(Click on the photo to enlarge for a much better view!)

More on "Becoming Jane"

Awesome movie, awesome actors, awesome settings, awesome music and well written! This is an incredible movie and if you're a Jane Austen fan, you truly should see this one. I know I recently posted about this movie, but I wanted to share a few more things about the movie I loved.

THE MUSIC:
Listen to this music while you're reading:

(There are 4 others just like it, so click on over to YouTube to hear the rest.)

THE MOVIE:
From the IMDB site: "The year is 1795 and young Jane Austen is a feisty 20-year-old and emerging writer who already sees a world beyond class and commerce, beyond pride and prejudice, and dreams of doing what was then nearly unthinkable - marrying for love. Naturally, her parents are searching for a wealthy, well-appointed husband to assure their daughter's future social standing. They are eyeing Mr. Wisley, nephew to the very formidable, not to mention very rich, local aristocrat Lady Gresham, as a prospective match. But when Jane meets the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy, sparks soon fly along with the sharp repartee. His intellect and arrogance raise her ire - then knock her head over heels. Now, the couple, whose flirtation flies in the face of the sense and sensibility of the age, is faced with a terrible dilemma. If they attempt to marry, they will risk everything that matters - family, friends and fortune."

THE ACTORS:
Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen


James McAvoy as Tom Lefroy


Julie Walters as Mrs. Austen


James Cromwell as Rev. Austen


Anna Maxwell Martin as Cassandra Austen


Laurence Fox as Mr. Wisley


Maggie Smith


THE QUOTES:
Some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

Tom Lefroy: I am yours. Heart and soul, I am yours. Much good that is.
Jane Austen: I will decide that.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Cassandra Austen: You'll lose everything. Family, place. For what? A lifetime of drudgery on a pittance? A child every year and no means to lighten the load? How will you write, Jane?
Jane Austen: I do not know, but happiness is within my grasp and I cannot help myself.
Cassandra Austen: There is no sense in this.
Jane Austen: If you could have your Robert back, even like this, would you do it?
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Mrs. Radcliffe: Of what do you wish to write?
Jane Austen: Of the heart.
Mrs. Radcliffe: Do you know it?
Jane Austen: Not all of it.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Mrs. Austen: Affection is desirable. Money is absolutely indispensable!
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Tom Lefroy: What value will there ever be in life, if we are not together?
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Jane Austen: [she has just kissed him] Did I do that well?
Tom Lefroy: Very. Very well.
Jane Austen: I wanted, just once, to do it well.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

THE SETTING:

The movie was filmed in Ireland instead of Hampshire, England...the true birthplace of Jane Austen, mainly because the landscape was pretty much unchanged from what it was like in England in Jane Austen's day.

Charleville Castle in Ireland


Higginsbrook House - the setting of Jane Austen's home


Bray, Ireland - where Tom Lefroy died in real life.


Now, go grab yourself a cup of hot tea, a cozy seat in the family room, and pop in the 'Becoming Jane' DVD. If you love it even half as much as I do, you'll enjoy the movie a great deal!

Photo Hunt #147 - Sports

Horseback riding is considered a sport to most of us...but to Sweet-Pea, it's just plain 'ole fun!!

Scenic Sunday - #1

I love photography (as if you couldn't tell) and I found this great Meme entitled 'Scenic Sunday'. How appropriate...to share God's wonderful and amazing creation on the Lord's day! Enjoy...



(Click on the photo to enlarge for a much better view!)

Photo Hunt #146 - Words

I haven't participated in PhotoHunt for a while...life just got crazy and finding the 'perfect' photo was time consuming. Now that I've got a new camera and a bit more time, I'm anxious to get back into posting my favorites. Click on the link above if you'd like to participate.



Taken at a local trucking museum...gotta love it!

A broken heart...

The past few days have been extremely difficult for me. My heart is overflowing with sadness as I remember the death of my parents.

Eight years ago yesterday my Mom died. Cancer destroyed her body, but Christ called her home on September 25, 2001 to deliver her from that pain.

One year ago tomorrow my Dad died. Alzheimer's disease destroyed his body, but Christ called him home on September 27, 2008 to deliver him from his loneliness and pain.

The 7 years that separated their deaths were difficult as we watched Dad get worse and worse. It is a relief knowing that they are once again reunited in Christ, but it's so hard to be the one left behind!! It's so hard knowing that I will never get to speak with them again on this earth. I will never get to pick up the phone and share my every day stuff with them...the things that most people take for granted!

I think I cried yesterday harder than the days that they died. I cried so much it hurt. I just felt such a loss, such loneliness and such abandonment. Besides my husband and children, I have no one. I have family, but I don't see or get to speak with them often. I have friends, but most of them don't understand what it's like to feel such a loss. I know I'm not alone...many people have lost loved ones...but for me this is obviously personal. It hurts!

Music soothes the soul, and I have been listening to a lot lately...maybe not the wisest thing since it does bring tears to my eyes, but I also find it comforting. Here's one of my favorites sung by Kim Hill..."You Alone"


In You alone is where I find my comfort. In You alone, You're my only hope
In You alone my heart has found a resting place. In You alone...In You alone

Amen!

Washington

If you have children in the early elementary grades (K-3), I highly recommend the book "Boys and Girls of Colonial Days".

From the book: "From the young pilgrims in Holland to youngsters at Mt. Vernon this reader will provide today's child with a better understanding of how the events and personalities of colonial America affected the lives of young people who lived during this time of history. Includes great stories about children encountering great Americans such as George Washington. Also includes stories of brave little American rebels who would not stand for British tyranny. Delightful reading for young families."

We have been studying all about early American history this year with the Teaching Character Through Literature series, put out by Beautiful Feet. We are truly enjoying this series as the books have been so enjoyable. Lately we've been learning quite a bit about George Washington and the early days of our country and how it was established...through this simple child's book. I not only love the book, but the illustrations are great as well...they're very sweet.

Today we read about how George Washington was a General, yet a servant. He never used his important role to benefit himself. He always put others first. One of the rules Pres. Washington always tried to live by: "Make sure you are doing what is right with God - then do it with all your strength." The Bible verse we learned during our lesson today says: "He that will be chief among you, let him be your servant." Matthew 20:27

One of my favorite portraits of George Washington was the one painted of him praying beside his horse while at Valley Forge. This may or may not have happened as it's portrayed, but I believe we can surely say that this was a great man of God who did take the time to pray for our country on his knees!

After our lesson, I had Sweet-Pea draw a picture of President Washington. So...without further ado...here he is....the 1st president of the United States of America...



Gotta love it! I think this version would look better on the dollar bill, don't you?

Lost in Austen

Sweet-Pea and I watched TV this morning while eating our breakfast. Lionel is away for the day at a quiz meet with church, so we are having a girl's day while watching Jane Austen. What movie did we watch?? None other than the great movie Becoming Jane....a movie all about Jane Austen! Sweet-Pea is almost as passionate about Austen and her books as I am. (I'm working on it. ha ha!)

I'm trying to find a great curriculum that incorporates the wonderful classic Jane Austen novels with school. If anyone knows of anything, please post a comment. I'd love to read through them all with Sweet-Pea and use them as a learning tool. I've got unit studies for three other great series of books....Little House on the Prairie, The Chronicles of Narnia and Anne of Green Gables. I think a Jane Austen one is in order, don't you!?!

If you're vaguely aware of any of these people and places, you just may be an Austen fan too.....

Pemberley, Mr. Darcy, Barton Cottage, Tom LeFroy, Mr. Bingley, Anne Elliot, Captain Wentworth, Mansfield Park, Elizabeth Bennett, Netherfield, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Lady Bertram, Lady Dalrymple, Bath, Norland Park, Fanny, Sir John Middleton, James Morland, and Col. Brandon.

OK, time to go watch more Austen. If you're not sure what movies to watch, here is the list in order:

• Sense and Sensibility (1811)
• Pride and Prejudice (1813)
• Mansfield Park (1814)
• Emma (1815) 1996
  
• Northanger Abbey (1817)
  
• Persuasion (1817)
  

Once you've completed that list, watch these...

• Becoming Jane
• Miss Austen Regrets

There are many different versions of each movie. My favorites?

• Sense & Sensibility -1995 version is the best, but the new 2008 is also good, but some parts are a little different though. I personally like Emma Thompson as Elinor better.
  
• Persuasion - 2007
  
• Pride & Prejudice both 1995 and 2005 versions are great, but the 2005 is the best one.
  
• Mansfield Park - 1999 is the better version
  
• Northanger Abbey - 2007
  

Have fun getting lost in 'Austen'!