It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Hello everyone! The weather here is still frigid but we are no longer in the negatives, so I feel like that is a win. And we got snow, finally!! We’ve been focused on homeschool and therapy, and stuck inside, so when Billy took a half day Friday, we declared a snow day! We had so much, and it was good for the soul to get back outside. Of course, we followed it up with hot chocolate as well, which was also important, and good for the soul.
Reading:
I am afraid there is not much new on the book front! I am still making my way through the books I posted the other week. I am enjoying them both immensely, it’s just slow going for me right now.
Billy and I finished up Lark Rise to Candleford and I am so sad that it is over! I really loved that show. We moved on to The Larkins, which is so summery looking and full of color and life and cheer. We are enjoying it very much.
We are also watching our Jane Austen movies for Jane Austen January! Last week we watched Pride and Prejudice, tonight we watch the Kate Beckinsale version of Emma. I have never seen this one and either has Lisa, so we will see how it goes!
And that is it from my little corner of the Mitten! I hope you are all doing well.
Happy Jane Austen January! Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are hosting a month long blog event that centers around Jane Austen. Together, we are focusing on four movies, and we will be posting non-movie related content independently as the month goes on. We would love it if you participated as well! Book reviews, movie reviews, or as Joy has already posted, a post about the places that you can visit from Pride and Prejudice! You can find Lisa’s thoughts on Pride and Prejudice here.
So for this week, our movie was Pride and Prejudice, the 2005 version. When Lisa and I were discussing our movie choices back in December, we had a hard time deciding which version to choose. Our hearts wanted the mini series and Colin Firth, but when we looked at the other factors, mainly the length, we decided to go with the 2005 Keira Knightley and Matthew McFayden version instead.
I have to admit, at first I was a little bummed. I had watched the 2005 version before, but only the one time, and I couldn’t recall it too well. And I thought I remembered not being super excited about Matthew McFayden as Darcy. (Sorry Matthew) But as we lie there watching it (because I always watch these movies all snuggled up in bed, plus it was arctic cold out) I came to the realization, that I did in fact, like it very much. Just because it wasn’t my “favorite” version, doesn’t mean that it was terrible. Such growth.
For one thing, this movie is fantastically beautiful in my opinion. The shots and cinematography to me are just gorgeous. There are two scenes that stand out in my mind. The first Joy actually mentions in her post too, and thanks to her post, I have a name for where this shot was filmed! Stanage Edge, Peak District. It’s the shot where Lizzie is standing on the cliffs, and her dress is just billowing around her, and it is just so vast and unbelievable, that it is a real place. I mean my goodness. It’s so dramatic and otherworldy.
The next scene is the one where Lizzie and Darcy are dancing at the Netherfield Ball. It’s a long scene, and the particular shot I am going to refer to is about halfway in at 5 minutes, but the two pause to banter, and you see all the other dancers continue dancing around them. Time has stopped for them, in that moment it seems – and then the whole room falls away. They pick up the dance and … the shot is just them, there are no other dancers because to them, they are all that matter, even though in this scene they do not seem to like each other very much at all. They dance, the dance concludes, and everyone is back, the moment is passed. I just loved it.
I think I like Sense and Sensibility better because Lizzie and Darcy are sort of bratty. Both of them, in their own way. I mean, Pride and Prejudice, right? I did really like Charlotte; she has a good little head on her shoulders and looks at life realistically. I loved her scene where Lizzie scoffed and was mean to her about marrying Collins, but Charlotte kind of straight talked her in a scolding fashion, and it was perfect. Lizzie really needed to hear it. I think the scene sort of shows just how immature in many ways Lizzie is, as she swings about and Charlotte schools her on reality.
I also love this actress, Claudie Blackley. She plays a main character, with just as much conviction and common sense, in the show Lark Rise to Candleford.
Things happen, I won’t go into them all because, spoilers, but I think we all know how these movies end. This is the perfect Enemies to Lovers trope by the way, if you are into that. I did really love the Sixteen Candles style ending – and that iconic line, about being completely, perfectly, incandescently happy.
I am so glad that we chose to watch this one after all. I loved it far much more than I remember, and Matthew McFayden isn’t a terrible Darcy at all – and his voice, so swoony! Oh and the scene where he walks out of the mist over the meadow… that was also so swoony…
This was a great movie to watch and I felt super cozy and happy afterward. Maybe not completely, perfectly, incandescently happy, but you know, like a normal level of happy.
Next up – Emma (1996) starring Kate Beckinsale
We would love to have you link up with us with any Jane Austen-ish post you would like! You can always find my linky at the top, but here it is again.
Hi everyone!! There hasn’t been too much going on around here lately; it is just too cold! We have been at home, keeping warm. I have been able to catch up on a lot of the “management” side of Wyatt’s diagnosis’, all the phone calls and emails to doctors to schedule his appointments, lining up therapy once this Lokomat therapy is over, paperwork, etc. All that stuff that needs to be done but begins to just pile up on my desk. Well, I started going through that pile, and while it is not fun, it needs to be done!
We have also been having a bit of fun too, in our homeschool. I restructured this month a bit and probably will next month too, to work around the new therapy. We are having a blast. Instead of a new science focus every week, we are doing a month long study. Same with art, which I am SUPER excited to share about but I am doing a whole post about that on Friday. For Social Studies, we went back to our state studies that we started last year – we had some states left over and we are coming for them this semester. Lol.
We are also adding a new family member – of the reptile variety! Applejack, my crested gecko, has a huge tank that we had divided in half with the intention of one day moving in a neighbor. Well, that time has arrived! I actually ordered our new friend last week and was supposed to pick him/her up at a reptile show last Saturday but the weather was so horrible that Josh’s Frogs, which is an hour and a half away, wasn’t able to make it. So, it looks like this Friday Billy, Wyatt, and I are taking a family field trip to pick up our new little crested gecko, who we have named Oliver! If it ends up being a girl (it is not old enough to be able to tell yet) then we will call her Olive. I am super excited! This is an actual picture of him from the website. Fingers crossed that the weather forecast for Friday holds! It won’t be a warm day but it won’t be in the negatives at least!
We just finished up Lark Rise to Candleford last night and I am in mourning that my show is over! It was such a fantastic show. The last episode was so well done and I teared up at a few scenes. I am going to miss it! It is just such a sweet show, with interesting, quirky, well thought out characters. If you like period shows, I highly recommend this one.
And now just some random photos!
And that is it from my wintery world! Trying to stay warm and cozy here – I hope wherever you are, that you are comfortable and happy!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Hello everyone! It is a feels like temp of -18 here this morning, but it is so pretty outside. I keep calling it penguin weather to Wyatt, since we are spending the month learning about penguins. Perfect reading weather though!
What I am reading:
I loved the first Emily Wilde book and I am super excited about this one! And Billy and Wyatt bought me Winter for Christmas (along with a few other books) and it is perfect for before bed. It is made up of small short essays from various writers, which is just the length I need since I tend to just fall asleep pretty quickly at night, usually while reading. I am loving it!
Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets, and this slim volume is absolutely beautiful, about her faith and creation and gratitude and nature. I am slowly going through it, as not to fly through them all too quickly.
We have been watching the heck out of Lark Rise to Candleford. I am addicted, and so is Billy actually. It is just so well done. Every character and actor is so interesting and well acted – but our favorite two characters are Queenie and Twister.
We also are watching our Jane Austen movies for Jane Austen January! Tonight we will be watching the Kiera Knightley Pride and Prejudice.
And that is it from me today! How are you all doing?
Happy Jane Austen January! Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are hosting a month long blog event that centers around Jane Austen. Together, we are focusing on four movies, and we will be posting non-movie related content independently as the month goes on. We would love it if you participated as well! Book reviews, movie reviews, or as Joy has already posted, a post about the places that you can visit from Sense and Sensibility! You can find Lisa’s thoughts on Sense and Sensibility here.
My “minor” in college was literature, and I read so many books – Jane Austen, the Brontes, Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, etc. You get the idea. I loved Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, it was probably one of my favorites that I read my whole college career. However, it was a long time ago now that I was in college (sob) and while I don’t recall much of the books, I also don’t really want to reread them necessarily. So I unfortunately can’t compare the movie to the book, and I apologize. I know that some of you will know more of these details and I hope that you will share them, either in the comments or in a blog post you write.
One thing I do remember however, is how Jane Austen’s writing was a social commentary, exposing the ideas of her time about marriage, prejudice, social class. Sense and Sensibility in particular in my mind, illustrates this division, although in this movie we see how men are also pawns in the game as well, at times.
The story centers on the Dashwoods, on the sisters Elinor and Marianne, their widowed mother, and youngest sister Margaret. When their father dies, his estate falls to their eldest half-brother John, and while their shared father has told John to take care of his sisters, John lets his pushy wife Fanny, who is utterly deplorable, to dissuade him, and convinces him to give them far less to live on then he had originally intended. They are not completely destitute at 500 pounds a year, but it sure won’t go far, especially for a family that is used to the finer things. Luckily, Mrs. Dashwood’s cousin has an adorable cottage, Barton Cottage, that they can live in, as they have to move from their estate which now belongs to John and his wife.
Before the Dashwoods leave however, Elinor meets and falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is brother to Fanny, her not very nice sister-in-law. Edward however is apparently to marry well, or he will lose his fortune, as Fanny not so subtly warns Mrs. Dashwood.
Gemma Jones, Elizabeth Spriggs, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, James Fleet, Greg Wise
The Dashwoods head to their new home in Devonshire, where they meet Colonel Brandon, and John Willoughby. And from here, all the Jane Austen style hijinks begin. The marriages, secrets, social class as a great divide – all of it.
Elinor and Marianne are so very different, in fact they are Sense – Elinor, and Sensibility – Marianne. Elinor is all common sense (or so it appears), and Marianne is carefree and emotional. Elinor is reserved, Marianne is open and allows her emotions to be seen by all. When I was younger, Marianne was my very favorite Jane Austen heroine. Probably because when this movie came out, I was just about the same age as Marianne (and Kate Winslet). Her wild impetuosity and desire to be true to herself and love and just go for it appealed to me. Why would she love a Brandon, when there was a Willoughby? Now though, I look at it and feel the opposite. Willoughby now compared to Colonel Brandon? No contest. We all know who the best man is. Back when I first watched this, it partly was an age thing for me, but at the time the book was written that was definitely not uncommon, a large age difference, and now I see past this age difference and can consider the character of the character, if you will.
Now though, watching this as an adult, Elinor appeals to me much more. (although 11 year old Margaret is an awesome character with her love of pirates and a good map and tree houses). Elinor’s quietness and reserve can be a bit maddening, and I can understand Marianne’s impatience with her sometimes, especially the whole situation with Lucy Steele. You want to say, “Come on Elinor! Speak up for yourself!” although, on another level, you know why she doesn’t. It does seem as if she is more willing to speak honestly of certain things with Edward, such as in this exchange.
Elinor: You talk of feeling idle and useless. Imagine how that is compounded when one has no hope and no choice of any occupation whatsoever
Edward: Our circumstances are therefore precisely the same.
Elinor: Except that you will inherit your fortune. We cannot even earn ours.
Edward: Perhaps Margaret is right.
Elinor: Right?
Edward:Piracy is our only option.
I still love this story, the trials and tribulations that the sisters go through, how they react, and especially of course the ending. I actually also really enjoyed seeing this story through my own different lens of age, from how I felt about the characters now compared to when I was a young teenager/early adult.
And…. I need to stop because I don’t want to spoil anything! I highly encourage you to watch this movie if you haven’t seen it.
Next up – Pride and Prejudice! And remember, the linky link is always at the top of my blog in the header!
The opportunities are endless, aren’t they, when you stop and think about it. But now, what do I want to accomplish, learn, master, create, etc.?
Make time for hand sewing again.
I love the quietness of this activity, just sitting quietly, stitching away. I am not a very good hand stitcher, and I have had to ask Billy more than once to fix something I have hopelessly tangled, but for me it is about the act and not the finished product. I have a few WIP sitting around here that I need to get back to, including my giant rabbit and also my learn to embroider kit. Lol.
Take more walks, even if I am alone.
I started taking solo walks during Christmas break, whenever I could squeeze one in when Billy was home. They were so good for my soul and probably my health too. I don’t mind the cold if I dress right so I will walk in any weather – except cold rain. No thanks to that. And sometimes you spot something crazy on a walk – like the pig I saw in a backyard in my suburban neighborhood on Christmas Eve. Billy refused to believe me so we had to keep driving by until we spotted it again. And we did!
Reset, Reorganize, and Just Plain Get Rid of Stuff
We have too much stuff sitting around in boxes in our basement, and I want to clear out the things we no longer want or need. I started over this past weekend, listing sets of books by author and a lamp on our city’s Buy Nothing Group on Facebook. It makes me feel so much better to get rid of things by giving them away this way, to people who need it. The lamp shown below went to a woman who wants to make a Minecraft torch light for her son. I am super excited to see the finished product!
Also, a few rooms really took a hit during Christmas, and I need to get in there and just put everything back in order. We also plan to redo Wyatt’s room very soon – we have almost everything but the mattress! I am trying to find a good one in our budget and I put my dad on the job, consulting Consumer Reports for us. Lol.
Get my Unit Study Business Going
I started this before the holidays but then things got crazy with Wyatt and with the holidays that it got put on the backburner. I need to make sure I work on them at least once a week. My unit studies will focused on art and literature and experiential learning. I have two done, but so many more to go. Lol. My current project is the Monet in Winter unit that I am building while Wyatt and I actually work on it together this month, testing it all out.
And I am not going to make it to 10! I can make it to five though.
Lisa and I would love to start some sort of podcast/live, something, where we could sit and drink tea and chat together about books and movies and whatever else we come up with. We want to keep it positive, and you guessed it, comfy cozy. This is not its name or logo, but something I made as a placeholder, and a visual reminder that this is something I really want us to get off the ground this year.
And for now, that is enough, I think. Looking forward to reading what everyone else is up to!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Hello everyone!! I hope that if you celebrate this time of year, that you had a wonderful holiday! And even if you don’t celebrate this time of year, I hope the last few weeks have been good for you as well!
Read:
I actually listened to this on audio and I absolutely adored it. It was the perfect little book to listen to at the holidays.
Reading:
Billy and Wyatt got me these two books for Christmas and I plan on starting the new year with one of them. Probably Winter by Melissa Harrison. They are both so lovely!
Billy and I are all wrapped up in Lark Rise to Candleford. It’s all we have been watching at night honestly. I have also been catching up on my favorite YouTubers – Forgotten Way Farms, Darling Desi, Gold Shaw Farm in particular for the moment. I’ve watched this one numerous times just because it is so cozy, and because I am often interrupted lol and need to rewatch in order to see everything.
And that is it from around here! I hope you are doing well!
Good morning everyone! Or afternoon or evening or whatever time you are reading this.
It’s been so rainy and foggy here in Michigan the last few days. So strange for Christmas weather here in the mitten state. This morning I am enjoying my coffee in one of my two new mugs (the other is from the same potter, but with a rabbit instead of a fox), with Miso next to me, purring away. We have been in and out so often the last few days she must be happy that I am finally sitting still.
I hope you all had a good holiday, if you celebrate a winter holiday this month! We had a pretty good Christmas!
We kicked things off Saturday night at Billy’s mom’s house, as our Christmas Eve plans were changed, since my little nieces were sick and we couldn’t go to Billy’s brother’s house as we had planned. So we went to his mom’s the night before, on Christmas Eve Eve. Wyatt enjoyed spending time with his grandparents and opening his gifts. I enjoyed spending time with them too, and with snuggling with this muppet faced dog Murphy.
On Christmas, Wyatt definitely enjoyed himself, and he cracked me up with all his dancing in front of the Christmas tree both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. He is joy. He loved his readers are cool shirt that we got him at the street fair this summer. We think the shirt is supposed to be a pun with “readers” meaning the glasses type readers, but we thought it was cute anyway and it was good we did since he put it on immediately.
He of course enjoyed all of his other gifts as well.
Wyatt got lots of books and games, and a train, which was a last minute curve ball he threw at us. I should have figured, he is really into trains and has been since we learned about John Henry last year. He also loved his Bob Ross ornament I picked up at Bronner’s in Frankenmuth, when I went on my girl’s trip out.
We sat around most of the day, took a walk together because the day before, I saw a PIG in someone’s yard. We live in a suburb, and it was a very unusual sight. I was on that walk by myself and now I am obsessed with getting Billy and Wyatt to see it too, partly because Billy is a little skeptical. Lol. We went to my brother’s that night around dinner and had a very casual and laid back holiday evening which was a great time.
The next day (yesterday) we drove out to my dad’s house for our Christmas brunch with him. It was another laid back very good time, full of stories and food and laughter. The kids were so happy, and I think tiny bebe had a fantastic first Christmas! Can you believe that tiny little girl is standing and just about walking? Her older sister Mermaid Girl was walking at that age too!
I caught everyone eating (food or their hands, didn’t matter I guess – looking at you kid).
And now, just some random pictures from the past few days… and unfortunately, I did not get one of the pig.
I am feeling very thankful and blessed. I hope you all are doing well too!
Good morning everyone! I have my coffee, a well worn quilt thrown over me, and my little boy next to me watching cartoons.
Wyatt’s MRI results were good! Thank you to everyone who was praying and sending good vibes to him – the neurosurgeon reported that his scans looked great. I am one relieved mama!! Exhausted but relieved. The MRI itself was not as smooth, but we worked through it and got the images they needed. His neurosurgeon did not want him sedated at all as she said that would not give her as good of an image as she needed, so we had to power through. It took two tries, a call to Child Life Services for assistance, and Billy laying on top of him, but Wyatt made it through the MRI tearful but not as terrified as he was when we started.
The night before the MRI (which was scheduled for 6:15 am!) we stayed at a hotel that is just fifteen minutes from the hospital to make things easier. Weber’s in Ann Arbor is amazing – they offer a University of Michigan hospital rate Sunday through Thursday and it is so helpful. We have stayed there twice in the past two months for early morning appointments and although we found out about the service only the second time, they have always been very accommodating of Wyatt and his needs.
It was a very cold and wintery night Monday night! Wyatt and I headed to Ann Arbor early for check in, while Billy was meeting us after work. We were trying to wait for Billy to order pizza but he got held up at work and then the weather was bad making his drive longer (and scary for me, on the other end waiting for him!) so we ordered up room service! I felt so fancy. And Billy’s food was still warm when he got there, so it worked out pretty well.
Wyatt and I passed the time in the giant bed, watching tv and reading. We are pretty easy.
In the time between his ER visit and MRI follow up, we stayed pretty close to home. We played games and wrote a letter to Santa that we popped in a mailbox, ate cookies, read books, made Christmas ornaments, and waited for MRI day to come. It has been a long, long, two weeks for me!
We also made a gingerbread house!
It turned out pretty cute and kudos to Wyatt and I for not eating all the candy before using it!
And that is it from my side of the screen. Hope all is well with you all.
So the day after Thanksgiving, Wyatt and I made a paper chain to countdown until Christmas, but with a twist. We wrote either a title of a Christmas book that we own or the words library book on each link, and every night Wyatt pulls one off and we read the book. If it says library book, he gets to pick one of the many holiday books that we check out from the library. It has been a lot of fun and it has been a nice way to end the night with him before bed.
So, what have we read? Settle in and take a look!
I have been saving the links and dating them too, because I am that sort of mom.
And..
And….
We are a night or two behind, for different reasons. But the books coming up are:
Plus a few library book surprises that haven’t been chosen at the time of this post yet!
I am not going to talk about all of these books. But there were a few favorites, of course.
I absolutely love A Simple Christmas on the Farm! I love all of the holiday books by Phyllis Alsdurf and buy them for Wyatt whenever she releases a new one.
We both loved The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore.
Then The Christmasaurus and Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit were huge hits with Wyatt! The main character boy in Christmasaurus is in a wheelchair, which made it a million times better. Wyatt loved the idea of flying through the sky, being pulled by a Christmasaurus!
I also have to give a shout out to My Christmas Treasury, which was a well read favorite of mine as a little girl, and also The Animal’s Christmas Eve. Both are classically timeless in my opinion.
This has been such a wonderful cozy time with my boy, and we all look forward to it every night.
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 