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'!

New England

New England is simply gorgeous in the fall. The leaves haven't quite turned colors yet, but they're just beginning to show a glimmer of what's to come. I LOVE fall...it's my favorite time of the year. Crackling fires, beautiful foliage, hot cocoa, pumpkin pie, walks in the woods, crisp cool air and an overall feeling of coziness!

Yesterday I went shopping and walked around town with a friend from college. We had a blast. The weather was perfect and it was the first time in a long time I could relax and not worry about the kids, school, the dog or anything else for that matter. I feel refreshed once again and am ready for fall to 'officially' arrive!

The drive to town...gotta love New England's tree lined roads!


A nearby farm...


Just a pretty house we passed on the way...


I can just picture the lamplighter coming by on a brisk evening in the 1700's to light this lamp, can't you?


Such pretty historical homes lined the streets in this town.


In the center of town was this beautiful church.




This was an old warehouse from the mid 1600's!! It was right on the water, but since then, the water hasn't been as high.


Here's the cove that the warehouse is on...


Pretty ducks were walking all over...


I think a trip back there is in order once the leaves turn to their brilliant red, orange and yellow colors. Usually early to mid October is the best time. God's creation is simply amazing...He is truly a master artist!!

Feelin' Fishy

What an incredible aquarium!!! If only we could experience and enjoy God's beautiful creation like this all the time!

(For optimum viewing: let it load fully and expand it to full size screen.)

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world -

"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth." Genesis 1:20-22

Free Homeschool E-Book

Here's your opportunity to get a free homeschool e-book download from The Old Schoolhouse. For more information, click here. To download simply click on the book below.

A day we choose NOT to forget...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Corinthians 12:9

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Motivation....

Can dogs smile??

I don't know if they really can, but this looks like a smile if you ask me! Cody has been such a happy 'doodle' these days. He's still pretty cheeky when it comes to sniffing around the dinner table (something we're working on), but he is such a people person and he LOVES to get attention!!



I just took this photo of him tonight. He was sitting on the floor of our school room and as I walked in the room to take a photo, he looked up and made this face as if to say 'cheese'....or rather 'treat'??

Gotta love dogs...they know how to make a person feel loved!