Halloween 2011

I usually don’t do as much Halloween decorating as some people in my neighborhood, but since it’s sort of the kick off to the holidays I had to do some. Pictured above is my feather wreath. I love it, it’s dark and spooky but still sort of pretty. I’ve had it for a couple years and it holds up pretty well despite the fact that the wind keeps tossing it across the porch. I added a wood trim piece onto a cheap wreath hanger and painted the whole thing black.

This is one of a pair of grape vine wreaths I made last year. I patterned them after the decorations on The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

I also made this Happy Halloween sign last year. The banner, which is the only new thing I added this year, is a printable from Moselle that I found on Pinterest, I printed it and cut it out, and then to make it stiff cut cardboard from used cereal boxes in slightly bigger triangles, painted black and glued the letters on. The whole thing says ‘Happy Haunting’. I think it is so cute. Here’s a close-up of the printout.

-Lynnae

Jane Austen Made Me Do It

What better way to welcome in the chilly days and windswept leaves of fall than with a cozy new bit of reading material?

Today is the release date for

Jane Austen

Made Me Do It

Original Stories Inspired By Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart

This is an anthology of short stories edited by Laurel Ann Nattress, editor of the #1 ranked Jane Austen blog, Austenprose.

I was the lucky recipient of a preview copy and therefore have had the book in my hands for over a week now. It’s been a delightful  getaway whenever I have a few spare moments. This book is a collection of twenty two short stories and a good sampling of the authors who write Austen sequels and other novels based on Jane Austen and her characters.

The stories are the perfect length for a bubble bath (as I’ve tested out) or a few moments curled up in front of the fireplace while the rain is beating against the window outside. I highly recommend it.

I am all praise for Laurel Ann Nattress who has collected a fine group of writers, and a fine volume of stories showcasing everything from ‘historical to contemporary to young-adult fiction to paranormal’. I am hoping to have a chance to meet her at a book signing in the Seattle later this month. For those readers in the Seattle area, she will be at a book signing on October 22. Here are the details:

Saturday Oct. 22nd, 2-4 pm.

Barnes and Noble Booksellers

19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway

Lynnwood, Washington

And there will be an additional treat thanks to the Puget Sound area members of the Jane Austen Society:

“Put on your dancing slippers and best party frock for a Regency-themed Seattle book launch of Jane Austen Made Me Do It, a new Jane Austen-inspired short story anthology edited by Laurel Ann Nattress, Jane Austen Society of North America – Puget Sound chapter member & Austenprose.com blogger.

After the discussion and signing, enjoy tea and scones, live music and country dancing with English Country dance troupe, Nonesuch, in celebration of all things Austen.

Book Fair: Fundraiser for the Jane Austen Society of North America - Puget Sound Chapter
Use the cope code # 10577344 at checkout, and the Jane Austen Society of North America - Puget Sound Chapter will receive a percentage of the sales.

If you can't attend the event on Oct 22, you can still support JASNA by shopping at Barnes & Noble online:
Visit bn.com/bookfairs to support us online from 10/22/10 to 10/26/10 by entering Bookfair ID# 10577344 at checkout or bring the bookfair code with you to a Barnes & Noble location from 10/22/11 to 10/28/11
Invite your friends & family!”

Well, friends, if there’s dress up and dancing you know how excited I am!

-Lynnae

Living Room Corner

For a while now I’ve been working on this little corner of my living room. I had this crazy idea to paint an ugly 70’s lamp, so of course I did. My husband HATED it. Oh well. I was sad but more determined to put it front and center. I returned two shades to the store as ‘not quite right’ before my sister and I stumbled upon this one at a local Goodwill. It looks like it was made for my room. Once the lampshade came home everything else started to fall into place.

  I did try two or three ‘objects’ to set on the books, moving them from other locations in the house and nothing looked quite right. Then, while eating Thai food and thinking about the neon sign of our local Thai restaurant, with it’s mommy and baby elephant, I got the idea that what I really needed (OK, maybe not NEEDED) was a little ellie of my own. The next thing you know I come across this ceramic elephant on the clearance shelf at Michaels. Happy me.

Our Kana Poster is from our stay in Japan, and the Heywood mirrored bedside cabinet in from Pier One (there’s a similar on the other side of the piano).

How do you like it?

Sharp Dressed Men!

I have to pass this on to all my fellow Janites and other fans of period dramas.

Quite a few Jane Austen clips in here, and a few other favorites as well. (Movie clips that is)!!!!!

-Lynnae

Snowballs

I know everything has been about the wedding or New Orleans lately, but I almost forgot to mention Snowballs.

I grew up in Utah where there was a lot of sno-cones or shave-ice available, but a snowball is something special. Our hosts took us to Williams Plum Street snowball, because it’s the best. They make your snowball in a Chinese take-out pail, wrap it in a plastic bag, and put tons of syrup on it.

And the syrup is different. It’s so good. It doesn’t make your throat scratchy the way normal sno-cone syrup does. And the flavors……..YUM! I had praline flavor and it was so good. You can also get praline and cream, which has sweetened condensed milk over the the top.

Next time I get to New Orleans I’m starting with beignets and then heading for a snowball, and throwing in a po-boy for dinner.

-Lynnae

July in New Orleans

While we were in New Orleans for a second wedding reception for Nicholas and my daughter Hillary we went out and about to show my husband some of the town like I had seen in June, except there was one big difference….The Rain!

It wasn’t pouring on the night of their reception, which was the most important thing. But the rain on the other days did make it tough to see the town. Our host’s Nick’s family brought a big umbrella, though no one bothered to use it except me. I still ended up pretty soaked because water was everywhere, but it did enable me to take some pictures without ruining my camera.

After a very rainy so-far summer in Seattle we were looking forward to sweltering in a Louisiana steam bath for a while. But it rained, we toured, and made the most of it. And I still loved it! I want to go back.

We went to the wax museum, where my husband was determined to get a picture that looked like he was patting a bathing Napoleon Bonaparte  on the head as he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase (not pictured).

We had a fun time being shown around by Nicholas’ family while the newlyweds were having time to themselves.

My husband and I and our two younger daughters at Jackson Square in the rain.

Then we decided to dodge the rain and drop into house of blues for lunch. The restaurant was SO cold, and we were soaked, so we decided to eat out on the covered patio. I loved the funky decorating, and the patio was the cutest part. Bring on my Po-Boy!

 

 

 

After the day on the town it was time to head back to our host’s house for family, swimming, and, yes, more food!

Thanks for reading my post.

And, OK, OK, I know you really wanted to see this………

-Lynnae

Statues In An Old New Orleans Cemetery

While in New Orleans we went to a cemetery so my daughter and I could take some pictures of the gravesites and the beautiful statuary. In New Orleans the water table is so high that they bury people above ground.

 

 

Most of these graves are owned by a family and contain the remains of several family members.

This one had some very unique ironwork.

Many graves were built to look almost like a front porch.

Most of all I loved the angels and other statues.

 

 

I can’t help but think about when these statues were made and chosen, and the love and sorrow they express.

-Lynnae