Austenland was so much fun!

Tonight we went out to Seattle to see Austenland. Based on the book by Shannon Hale, directed by Jerusha Hess. I went with a couple of friends, my sister, and two of us had our husbands along. After all the lukewarm reviews I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I will start by saying my husband just sighed and said “Oh, man. I wish we could see that show again.”

Rave reviews from the husband of a Janeite.

I am sure the theater was filled with hardcore Jane Austen fans, and a few husbands sprinkled in, but everyone loved the show. I expected some quirky Jerusha Hess humor but didn’t know quite how it would play out in a show like this. We had so much fun at this show from beginning to end. It was silly and delightful, and better than I thought it would be. The cast really made the show with great comic timing. J J Field was so cute as Mr. Nobley. Keri Russell was very sweet.

And boy were there some funny moments. There were many times we missed a funny line because we were still laughing from a previous line. By twenty minutes into the show I had tears in my eyes from laughing so much. I don’t want to give anything away for my Austenesque friends, but just go see it.

I have loved many Austen adaptations striving for accuracy and period authenticity, but this one was definitely one for the Janeites. And yet something tells me that anyone who has dragged their significant other to a chick flick, or anyone who’s ever been dragged to a chick flick would love this show.

-Lynnae

P.S. We loved the musical number at the end credits!

The Spoiled Janeite

Wait until you see what Santa brought this Janeite!

My Santa of choice is currently deployed with the Army in North Africa, but he has been spoiling me big time. Look what he gave me for Christmas.A production script from Sense and Sensibility 1995 signed by Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Robert Hardy, Alan Rickman, James Fleet and Tom Wilkinson. Can you believe that? It comes with a certificate of authenticity too. I admit I did run my hand across the signatures a few times. Time to watch this show again!

I was blessed with many gifts that I am thankful for, not all of them Austen related, but here is another one that is.

My daughter and her husband gave me this adorable board book Pride and Prejudice by Cozy Classics. I haven’t even seen this one advertised yet. I love dolls, and have been caught out in the neighborhood doing a Barbie photo shoot or two, so I loved seeing the earnest look of emotion on the faces of the soft felt characters. Can Pride and Prejudice be told in 15 words or less? I say, YES!

-Lynnae

Basildon Court

Known as ‘Netherfield’ to fans of the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, Basildon Court is a lovely building inside and out.
The setting is beautiful. I enjoyed our little drives so much my sister at one point called me a Hampshire girl. I felt a certain thrill going out on the highway and seeing names of places that Jane Austen knew and was familiar with. I couldn’t ride past the Basingstoke exit without thinking of a young Jane and Cassandra preparing for a dance at the local assembly room. One thing I learned about this countryside is that, like in the old days, most of the roads are tucked into a thick growth of trees and hedges, making a glimpse of the gently rolling countryside a rare treat. You can imagine me craning my neck to catch a glimpse of an old church or fine country home briefly visible through the trees.
But back to Basildon- here are my pictures of that lovely mansion.

Beautifully restored ceiling in the entrance.

There were lovely patterns on the wall. These are seen in the background in Pride and Prejudice when Mr. Bennet consoles Mary after the ‘piano incident’.

More lovely ceilings.

The dining room.

This is the room where Miss Bingley and Elizabeth Bennet take their infamous turn about the room, but the directors wanted a lighter color for the room. In order to protect the historic red silk walls, artificial walls were created to go in front. Decorative pillars were also added, their real purpose was to hold the walls so nothing would be affixed to the delicate walls of the home.

This was an original ceiling that hadn’t been replaced or restored. It was absolutely lovely. The guide was trying to direct me to take my photo in another area because of the watermark here. I felt like saying “I’m from America and we like old stuff!”

This bathroom had it’s last update after WWII.

One of Basildon Court’s lovely bedrooms.

1940’s style servant’s bells.

A fun surprise in this house- the state of the art (1950’s) kitchen, complete with volunteers making cookies for the visitors to sample.

Another view of the cute kitchen.

The entrance to a walled garden.

There is a room dedicated to the houses role in the 2005

adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Wouldn’t you love to receive notice for this casting call?

One of the lovely statues on the grounds at the rear of the house.

A view of the back face of the house.

My daughter sits at the edge of the garden with a new little friend. Small children were attracted to my daughter throughout our trip, which made for some fun moments, including one little girl who wouldn’t let go of Jordan’s hand on the underground, and screamed when her parents had to pry her away at the exit.

A little picture I hobbled together of me and my daughter living in the world of Jane Austen.
Cheers!
-Lynnae

The Hunger Games Costume

Have you read the series “The Hunger Games”?  My daughter wanted to be the heroine, Katniss Everdeen for Halloween. I loved the series and had a great time helping her put the outfit together.

This Halloween was pretty poignant in that my youngest was 14 and not going trick or treating. She did have a few places to wear her costume though. And, one benefit of having an older child, in lieu of the normal hectic Halloween evening rush, she let me take her out to the woods for a photo shoot in her costume.

I love reading books and have always thought it would be fun to do a photo shoot based on the scenes and imagery of a book, so this was a blast. Jordan made a great Katniss and we had a lot of fun. Then I brought the photos into editing software and tweaked them a little bit.

Thanks Jordan, for indulging mom!

-Lynnae

Jealous of Colin Firth

One day on facebook my friend said she’d had a rough day and just wanted to settle down with some chocolate and Colin Firth. From there we started wishing you could buy a box of chocolate Darcys- something I think would be a big hit.

Then my husband disappeared into the den for a while and after a bit showed my this picture he’d made……. I think somebody is feeling a little jealous!

Don’t worry dear. I love you and all your awesomeness and NOT Colin Firth. Now if there was a real Mr. Darcy, then you might have a problem.

Or if there was a real box of chocolate Darcys.

-Lynnae

Valentines Day

Can You Feel The Love……..

My husband had a treat for me on Valentines day. He handed me a heart shaped box of chocolates. On it was a note containing the riddle that Mr. Elton gives to Emma. 

I smiled and then opened the chocolate, and found……..

He had cut out the box sections so he could fit the DVD in there! Sweet!

(I will add that that gift was soon followed up by a box of chocolates from my favorite local shop).

I made chocolate covered strawberries for us, and he cooked the most tender steaks I’ve had in ages.

Emma – Conclusion

The conclusion of Emma was Sunday night. I loved the adaptation and hope to add it to my collection. The Box Hill scenery was so lovely!

 

I don’t know where Box Hill is or if this could have been filmed on location. There is nothing modern to be seen in the view, but whether they filmed in in England or went up to Scotland or Ireland I don’t know. It is gorgeous though. If you know, leave a comment.

Last year over mid winter break I threw a little Jane Austen Tea Party for my family. You can see pictures here.  I am going to do it again and I’m inviting a few outside the family circle. I know not everyone will have a regency costume, but that’s fine. I’m just trying to think of those who love Austen like I do.

So this is what I’m planning. It’s actually a ‘punch and cocoa’ tea party, since I don’t drink tea or know anything about it.  We will have other little treats as well.  We will have a short theatrical presentation from Jane Austen’s work. Last year we tried a little English country dance, which we may do again, but we are severely limited by the size of my house, so I have to be flexible there.

Book of Love by Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith

Were you as enchanted as I was by the way this version of ‘Emma’ depicted Emma and Harriet’s ‘love’ book, for their collection of love poems, riddles and charades?

Instantly I wanted one like it….But then I had this fun idea today for the Tea Party. I found a small book of craft paper tied with ribbon. We will use it to make a book at the party!

I will start it out with a cover page and inside, Mr. Elton's 'charade' to Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith.
I will then invite every visitor who wants to participate in the 'Love' book to create a little page with a love poem, or riddle, suitable for the ladies, printed or nicely written, worthy of their sweet little book.
Page size...4" wide and 5 1/2 " long, embellished with pretty little cutout things, stamps, pressed flowers, lace or ribbon.
As guests arrive they will paste it into the book. After our theatrical reading we will raffle the book off to someone who contributed.

So today’s latest idea should keep my busy for a while. I’ll let you know how it goes!

-Lynnae

Part two of Emma……

…..was great. I think I’m as excited for the trip to Box Hill as she is, even thought I know it will all turn out badly.

I sorely missed the famous line of Emma’s to Mr. Knightly at the dance… “We are not really so much brother and sister as to make it all improper.”

“Brother and sister! No, indeed!”

-Lynnae

How Much of a Janeite Am I?

I am here to report my official score from the esteemed and reputable facebook application quiz “How Much of a Janeite Are You?'”.

I had 21 correct out of 23. My final score, which seems to factor in the time needed, was 2612.  I don’t know how many have taken the quiz so far, But I ranked in the global top ten at the time of completion. Now to hunt down the other nine……..

-Lynnae

Emma on PBS

The newest adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma began on Sunday night, on PBS  Masterpiece.

The show stars Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller (Edmund from Mirimax’ Mansfield Park).

 I have been very happy with this adaptation. I think the acting is wonderful. A few friends have mentioned that Harriet Smith’s hairstyles were fancier than Emma’s. I noticed that too and I don’t think it’s right. It seems like some modern preferences have come through there, but that is a small issue. I know some people don’t like Garai’s acting as Emma. I thought it was great and pretty true to the book- but I will have to qualify that by showing my true colors….I’m a Jane Fairfax fan.

Poor Jane Fairfax. Having an aunt like Miss Bates is a big strike against her, but it’s not her fault! Jane has all the merit, skill and talent on her side, and Emma has only money and the traditions of society. Jane’s one fault was taking the destiny of her life into her own hands!

 

Well, there’s my two cents worth. The next episode is on Sunday!

How did you like the beginning?

Note: The production photo from the top of the story was found at interactive.wxxi.org . I did not see an original site for this photo. It is gorgeous and worth zooming in on. It makes me want to get out the paints. I feel like I am with the characters on the Box Hill outing.

-Lynnae