Janeites, Get Out Your Crayons…

… And click on over to The Graphics Fairy for a page of lovely Regency ladies for your little holiday guests (or you) to color. It might be a fun activity to celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday next month. And nothing beats stress like taking a few minutes to relax and color.

While you are there, browse the categories on the right sidebar. I love using graphics from her blog on craft projects. Now I have a full page of Lady Catherines and Lydias to decorate in holiday colors.

Now where are those colored pencils?????

-Lynnae

One Of The Few

It’s not very often I get a post that fits in both the Jane Austen category and my conservative politics blog, but my husband, who’s been gone with the Army Reserve, provided me with one today with this message….

One of the few……

...M16s in the world being dismantled and cleaned accompanied by the Mansfield Park soundtrack.

This task, combined with that vibrantly luscious classical music score must have been a beautiful thing.

-Lynnae

 

 

You can hear a sample of the beauty here.

For Henry Tilney Fangirls

The Jane Austen Society AGM opened with a fun, lively panel discussion by ‘Team Tilney’ and the special guest was Henry Tilney himself, played by Joe Homes. He started with a Henry Tilney style parody of the Old Spice commercial. By the time I frantically grabbed my camera I could only catch the ending, but here is the text written by Heather Lawrence:

Hello ladies. Look at your Mister Darcy. Now back to me. Now look at Captain Wentworth. Now back to me. Sadly, those gentlemen are not me. But if they knew enough about muslin to buy their own cravats and were more nice than wise, they could be like me.

Look down. Back up. Where are you? You’re in the Lower Rooms with the gentleman your gentleman could be like. I’m asking you to dance. Unlike some gentlemen who refuse to dance, I love to dance, and you are handsome enough to tempt me.

What’s in your hand? Back at me. I have it. I’m reading that novel you love. I’m reading it to my sister.

Anything is possible when your gentleman is Henry Tilney.

I have a puppy. (Arf!)

[whistle Old Spice theme]

 

All the details on the creation of this delightful event can be found on this post on Austenblog. Maggie Sullivan conceived of the event, and she and her fellow ‘Team Tilney’ fangirls did an excellent job!

Here are a few more selections……..

I hope you enjoy these. Please read the link on Austenblog where you can learn all about the talented creators of this fun event.

-Lynnae

Living Room Before and After Pictures

I finally finished painting my living room and moving my furniture back in. Above is the BEFORE picture, and below, the AFTER.

What do you think?

Here are a few more pictures…….

Painting this room was a dream come true. It made such a difference.

Signed….I Love Color!

Painting The Town

Or at least my living room……………………..

But first a brief note to Mr. Tilney fans from the Jane Austen Society AGM.

I happened to capture some of ‘Mr. Tilney’s’ dialog on video during the Team Tilney presentation. I am hoping to get the video pieced together and uploaded for your enjoyment some time tomorrow, so please check back.

And now for my living room makeover.

Before

I love my living room. It has been a work in progress and still needs some essential furniture pieces to be complete, but for a while now I have had the dream of painting it turquoise, and finally I am making it happen. During…….

As I write this I am in complete and utter exhaustion from bending, reaching, and climbing ladders dozens of times over the last two days.

The final coat is drying now. Tonight I will peel the tape, and tomorrow I will post the ‘AFTER’ shot.

-Lynnae

Having A Ball

I have many great pictures from the Jane Austen Ball last night. I also took some video, which I will post when I get back home, so stay tuned for that.

Today, before our selected breakout sessions, we heard from Juliet McMaster, who along with her Many other accomplishments, is the founder of Juvenalia press, publishing many of Jane Austen’s minor works along side her own illustrations.

We also slipped away for a trip (pilgrimage) to Powells book store. With floor after floor of new and used books, it was hard not to send the whole day there. This picture is deceptive. It is one corner of a store that includes several (stories pardon my pun) and a whole city block. A shelf of Austen and Austen related books- And another,

And another.

After two more talks it was time to get ready for the ball.

The overall effect was more ‘Lydia’ than ‘Elizabeth Bennett’, but that was OK with me.

I wish I could share all my pictures, but here is a sampling. Remember that in addition to the Jane Austen theme, this was also a Ball Masque, so many participants are in costume.

Even the purse table looked very elegant.

  I had a great time and I am especially glad my mom could share this trip with me.

I Love you Mom!

And Happy Anniversary Jon, You’re the best!

-Lynnae

Gothic Mystery of the Hilton Abbey Tower…or, Day Two of Jane Austen Society in Portland.

Just as Catherine Morland suspected a woman to be languishing trapped in a tower of Northanger Abbey in Jane Austen’s book by the same name, we had a little suspicion about the mysterious 23rd floor of the Hilton……But more on that later………..

Today’s busy schedule included………..

Boehms fudge from Washington and an Anniversary card from my husband, tucked away in my suitcase as a surprise!

And if that’s not romantic enough, a lively morning with Mr. Tilney and his staunch Team Tilney defenders.

Viewing first editions of Jane Austen novels and also novels, conduct books, and satirical cartoons by her contemporaries.

Not far from the library, we made a stop at Button and Ribbon Emporium. Just look at these cards of exquisite beaded lace!

And of course, plenty of buttons.

We went to to the Portland Art Museum to see the Rose Garland Dancers.

I took this on the walk back to the Hilton.

Laurie Viera Rigler signed my ’Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict’ and ‘Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict’ books.

And there were costumes!

Kelly Kirchner from the Jasna Portland Region.

Janet

Ellen

It seemed a very normal first half of the Jane Austen Society gathering………..But things were about to change!

It started when we entered a crowded elevator and pushed the button for the 22nd floor. Another hotel patron exclaimed that he had not thought those upper floors existed, and had not seen them in use.

We assured him we WERE on the 22nd floor, and departed to our room, but soon began to wonder about the mysterious 23rd floor.

Could this be the source of the strange noises at night, and the ghostly figure near the elevator?

   Late at night my mother and I decided to go investigate!

 

The thick stone walls of the tower led us up a narrow passageway, the end of which was blocked by an old iron gate. Terrified we silently made our way up the passage.

Was that a noise? Mom fainted………..

And I ran mad.

Until we decided the safest course of action was to return to our room and resume novel reading.

-Lynnae