Spring! ...ish

This morning I wanted to write a cute little posting about the coming of spring but I have run out of time! So instead here is a lovely picture and quote to encourage your springish thoughts!
Enjoy!

 

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

Literary Heroine Blog Party

Just a little while ago I found out about this really cool blog party going on at Accordion to Kellie and I fell in love with her blog and the questions she was asking for the party so I thought I'd jump in and give it a go and (hopefully) make some new friends in the process!

If you're new take a look around and if you like what you see I'd love it if you followed me! Just hit the little button on the sidebar! >>>> :)

The Questions!

The Literary Heroine Blog Party Link up:

(*To those of you who participated in earlier years, it is fine with me if you reuse some of your answers over again!*)

 

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!
When updating my Pinterest page recently and finally adding a description I wrote: "Daughter, sister, teacher, baker, blogger, lover of all things reading and writing, part time scrapbooker, full time geek." I think that covers things well! :)

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?
Some combo of strength and dignity I think. A heroine is brave about not just the extraordinary circumstances of life but the very ordinary ones too. She has wit and grace and is someone you want to look up to and be your friend all at the same moment. She knows what is important and embraces it; she knows what is trivial and tries to purge it from her life. She is warm, good natured and can laugh at herself. She speaks her mind firmly- but with love. She is compassionate towards others. She exceeds her own expectations simply because she is allowing herself to be led by God.

  
3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.
Hmm...not sure if these should be classic or modern so I'll include two of each. Anne Sherley from the "Anne of Green Gables" series, and Anne Elliot from "Persuasion", then  Julianna Ortiz from "The Outlaw's Twin Sister", and Libby Sawyer from "The Rose of Winslow Street". 

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?
"Anne of the Island" and "Kelmany of the Orchard" by LM Montgomery, "Cheaper by the Dozen", "Sense and Sensibility", and "Pollyanna". 

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?
Ohh, I don't know- it's hard to say! If I'm really truthful Anne is my ultimate heroine, period. Simply because of her loving life- troubles and all with abandon, and for teaching me the importance of my imagination and letting the little things go. But I also love Elinor Dashwood for being true and strong and brave despite grief and disappointment, and for loving with all her heart and protecting those she loves.   

6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?
Colonel Brandon- he is not the expected hero but he fits the bill well! He is a noble, honorable man that deserved the chance to be loved and to love.

 
7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?
Oooh! this one is good! This one is obvious and delectable for me- Scotland. Land of the brave and home of my ancestors! I would, if I could, see everything from Gretna to the Shetlands- and never stop in between! I want to see the Highlands and Nessie and the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle and the little highways and byways for the country! And of course, I will be delighted to see all my family that lives there!

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?
I love the rough and tumble of the American West, the strength and gentility of the Reconstruction period; and the romance, elegance and homeyness of the Edwardian era.

9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?
Recitation! I think I would do a long poem or stirring address. I might even do "The Highwayman" complete with Anne's dramatic flair!


10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?
Lizzy Bennett is a good possibility.... But I'd like to do something unexpected too but I can't think of anyone that other people would know!

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?
Love. Chocolate is love in edible form. Especially if that edible form is Longhorn's chocolate cake! Mmmm.


12. Favorite author(s)?
Shakespeare, Austen, Dickens, LM Montgomery, Stephen Bly, Tamera Alexander, Tricia Goyer, Nancy Moser, Susan May Warren.

13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?
My digital camera! Could not live without that on a trip! But I would also take something for fun like a hat or big quilt for picnics.

14. In which century were most of the books you read written?
19th the century of expectation and change and possibility!

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…
While Darcy or Gilbert Blythe is a tempting pick here I think I have to go with Mr. Thornton. Thornton is the most honest and true hero; he has through determination and hard work raised himself and his family up out of poverty. He has the power to make or break the men who work for him but he refuses to put them at risk choosing his own risk and ruin instead. He is unwilling to compromise on principle. He wants to learn and better himself as a person. He has a total heart of gold that hides beneath his businessman's demeanor and Northern ways. He is willing to make himself vulnerable in an effort to understand the woman he has fallen in love with. He's perfect. Just perfect! (And it doesn't hurt that RA plays him.)

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place.
See this post!

17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.
I try to be timelessly traditional, with Celtic and western flair that shows my personality. Also, the word Purple.

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?
I would say yes, occasionally, but I can't think of an example! I just dislike when a writer picks something that goes beyond memorable to ridiculous.

19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...
??? Maybe the Phantom from the Phantom of the Opera- even though I really want him to be a tortured misunderstood hero. (Yes, I'm really sad that way.)

20. Three favorite Non-fiction books?
"The New Food Lover's Companion" the ultimate dictionary/guide for foodies and cooks! "What He Must Be" by: Dr. Voddie Baucham, a guide to aspire to. "Joyfully at Home" by: Jasmine Baucham, a guide to live by.

21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?
Reading, in a sunny spot with lots of pillows and cushions, and a Dr. Pepper, and snacks- probably cookies. Mmmm!

22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.
Voluminous, ethereal, lacy and purple- like violet or lilac. Think the Ascot races in My Fair Lady.

23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.
Becoming an Auntie, having a bad flair-up, loosing my business name, drama!, thinking about running away to Scotland, friends.

24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

 

 



  And that's all she wrote...

Practicing Love- Encouragment for New Mom's

Tonight I was doing a bit of trawling around on Pinterest and found this article from the Dayspring woman's blog inCourage titled "100 Ways to Encourage a New Mom". I thought the post was a great one and worth sharing for those who might be looking for practical ways to do something useful for a new mom- or a new mom with several other little ones. I hope that I can put some of these into practice with the very next newborn mom that I encounter! I particularly liked suggestions that involved photos (like #17, 49 & 50) and I'm also thinking about putting together a 'mom's care basket' that include things like #67, 75, 84 & 93.
Many of these things may not seem like a lot- but I think that many of the smallest things can mean the most! Through those small things we can show our love to someone who is pouring all her love and energy into her new child!

The first few thing go like this:

1. Fold her laundry – especially all the socks
2. Leave immediately when the baby falls asleep so she can nap
3. Bring chocolate
4. Don’t tell her to call if she needs anything, just drop by and help with everything
5. Take the big kids out for a play date
6. Tell her she’s a hero
7. Bring her food in disposable dishes so she doesn’t have to deal with washing or returning them
8. Don’t tell her to carpe diem
9. Cry with her
10. Laugh with her

The rest are here. 

Monday Meme: Question One

Well there has been an awful lot of blogging about books around here lately so I thought I would break it up by doing a meme to make things interesting!

So, many of you are likely sitting there scratching your head and wondering "What on earth is she talking about?", "What is a meme?".

I'm glad you asked.

A meme is essentially an idea or behavior that spreads from one person to another; it is something that repeats. In the terms of the internet (or this post) a meme is generally a series of questions that is repeated from blog to blog and answered with the poster's own thoughts. The subject matter of a meme can vary wildly and can include questions on one topic or a multitude of topics and have as many or as few questions as the blogger desires.

This meme will have about 8 or 9 questions and I'll be posting one question a week. If you would like to 'steal' this meme and use it on your own site steal away- just comment back here and let me know because I'd sure like to read your answers too!

Question #1

"What is your favorite line from your favorite movie and why?" 

So, here's the thing, This is the impossible question for me- unfortunately I really am that indecisive that I can't pick my favorite movie! And ya know what?

I'm ok with that.

Here's something you likely don't know about me- I'm really choosy about my movies and I never buy or ask for a movie that isn't my favorite in some way. I don't have to have a favorite movie and I don't have to love one of my 'movie children' better than another.
So...
When I look a my movie cubbie I see and hear all the best of the best lines...
There is:

Persuasion Where Anne Elliot argues the virtue of women and the longevity of a woman's love.

"If I may, so long as the woman you love lives, and lives for you, all the privilege I claim for my own sex, and it is not a very enviable one - you need not covet it, is that of loving longest when all hope is gone."

Love this because how truly it resonates... Jane as always knows what she is talking about!

Amazing Grace Where Barbara and Wilbur are really talking in depth for the first time and she is making him tell her all about his quest to end slavery in England when all he wants to do is forget it she tells him...

Barbara Wilberforce: It seems to me, that if there is a bad taste in your mouth, you spit it out. You don't constantly swallow it back.

This is only one of the many gems in this movie! But I love the spunk and determination with which Barbara has to help Wilbur see his mission in life through to the end. She is a great match for him!

And yes, I'll be a bit cliched here-  Pride and Prejudice:

Lady Catherine: "Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. -- Pray, what is your age?''

Lizzy: "With three younger sisters grown up, your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.''

Lady Catherine: "You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, -- therefore you need not conceal your age.''

Lizzy: "I am not one and twenty.''

This one make me LOL...do you know how often I've been tempted to use it myself?

Aah, so many great movies and quotes- how can I help but love them all?!

Although it is not one that you may be familiar with I have to say that my favorite line of all time has to come from the old Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda classic:
Yours Mine and Ours:
[Helen is about to have a baby]

Colleen:  I know this is a terrible time to talk about it, but Larry says...
Frank: I've got a message for Larry. You tell him this is what it's all about. This is the real happening. If you want to know what love really is, take a look around you.
Helen: What are you two talking about?
Frank: Take a good look at your mother.
Helen: Not now!
Frank: Yes, now.
[to Colleen]
Frank: It's giving life that counts. Until you're ready for it, all the rest is just a big fraud. All the crazy haircuts in the world won't keep it turning. Life isn't a love in, it's the dishes and the orthodontist and the shoe repairman and... ground round instead of roast beef. And I'll tell you something else: it isn't going to a bed with a man that proves you're in love with him; it's getting up in the morning and facing the drab, miserable, wonderful everyday world with him that counts.
[Leaving the house, they say good-bye to the little kids]
Frank: I suppose having 19 kids is carrying it a bit too far, but if we had it to do over who would we skip... you?
Helen: [getting into the car] Thank you, Frank. I never quite knew how to explain it to her.
Frank: If we don't get you to the hospital fast, the rest of it's going to be explained right here!

It's the perfect ultra romantic statement about what real romance is all about!

So there is is...not one but several of my favorite movie quotes from several of my favorite movies! No, I didn't reeeealy follow the meme prompt exactly but I had fun doing what I did and that's what it's all about!!

So are you in the mood to meme with me? Stay tuned for next weeks question!

Starting..... now!

Oooh, ooh, ooh! Lookie here I just found the coolest gadget that tests how fast you read! My score was 301 words per minute- what's yours? Post it back to me in the comments- I'm dying to know!!

Test here...