Disney Blog Buttons Contest

Alright, I enjoyed this contest by Miss Dashwood so very much. I decided to do one myself. I'd been thinking about doing some sort of contest for awhile, and many things came together to persuade me to chose this contest. 1) Being snowed in, watching Disney with my niece 2) watching Beauty and the Beast 3D with my friends after church yesterday 3) Miss Dashwood's contest being so fun. &c...
 Anyway, here are my rules

1.  The picture must be Disney, however the caption/quote can be from period or other Disney films, or from books, or (last one, I promise) song lyrics.
2. Things must be clean or they will NOT be excepted. 
3. Post a comment with the web address that will take me to your entries
4. "You will be limited as to number, only three." Mostly kidding, up to five per person please! 

Other things which are not rules but maybe should be said,

1.  This website is a great place to get your pictures
2. I suggest using Picnik, however, if you don't like it I would say check out Miss Dashwood's post, she had a few other suggestions
3. In entering this contest you are giving me permission to post the winning picture on my blog, if you don't want me to do this don't enter the contest.
4. In two weeks I will pick two pictures and you can vote for your favorite. The winner will be, um, posted on my blog. Did I just say that?

Here is my little thing, I hope you are inspired! 

 Erm, I think that's it... Ta for now!

Marianne Dashwood

 I am very fond of Marianne! Though I am afraid she wouldn't approve of me. I do not like sad endings (To die for love, what could be more glorious?, Maybe to live for love?) I do not play an instrument (well, guitar isn't really one of her kind of instrument), and my admiration for those who do is usually limited to silent observation or vague compliments. I do not go into raptures at the site of a picturesque landscape, only once in my memory has a view taken my breath away. I have no talent for drawing or painting, and I am afraid my taste resembles that of Mr. Ferrers, which she did not approve.
  Anyway, I digress.  Moving on to what this post is about.
 I watched Sense & Sensibility  the other day with my niece, who is three by the way, a girl after my own heart. In the very beginning, before Mrs. Jennings catches on, I love to watch Marianne and Col. Brandon interact.(especially when he tells Margaret exactly what she wants to hear about the West Indies when Sir John doesn't)
 He is a gentleman through and through. She is a smiling, lovely young woman. He is in love, and she has found a sensible friend, who, even if she cannot feel is her equal in sensibility, can at least respect his quiet admiration. I am firmly of the opinion that had it not been for Mrs. Jennings interference, (and of course, Willoughby) she would have fallen in love with Brandon. I do not think it would have been a "burning passion" like she had for Willoughby. It would have began as a beautiful friendship and blossomed into love. It would have been deep, lasting, and true (You know, just like it was in the end, only sooner).  Of course, had this been the case, we would not have such a wonderful, beautiful, romantic, witty, and amazing story to read today.

P.S. I wasn't away for as long as I'd thought to be. After my last post I just hunkered down (excuse the phrase, but it describes perfectly what I did) and figured things out. Plus my dad fixed my almost-broken computer! So, I am back!

A Little Note

Hello everyone! I have been really good at posting almost every day since the new year began, however, I think I need to take a break for a couple of days whilst I get organized. Just thought I would warn you.

I think it is weird though. It's cold and snowy out, I have a little but of a cold (not sick enough to be bedridden but sick enough not to go outside and play in it) and I have plenty of time to blog. So what do I do? Take a break!

Ta !
  Stephanie

For Miss Dashwood

 I believe you might think it terribly rude of me to quote Collins with Knightley

  I simply could not be funny with the Colonel

 It just fit

I guess this movie is good for something. (note: I do like all the actors, but the movie was a disappointment)

These pictures are all entries in Miss Dashwoods contest. I hope you enjoy them. Sorry for all reading this who don't watch period films. I fear 'tis an "Austen" thing, you shan't understand.


 Edit: I forgot to mention that all of these pictures came from the links Miss Dashwood provided. The Sense ans Sensibility from the S & S link, &c,...

The Best Ironic Lines in Film

I love irony, it amuses me. Especially the second time I watch a film, because I know that it's ironic. Anyway, I've compiled a list of my favorite ironic lines in movies.

1. "The man who is coming here tonight is completely unlike you. The man who is coming here tonight is kind and funny, he has the most wonderful sense of humor..." Kathleen Kelly You've Got Mail
2. "Oh, now I'm the bad guy" Mother Gothel Tangled
3. "Mr. Darcy, who never looks at any woman but to see a blemish, and who probably never looked ar you in his life!" Mr. Bennet Pride & Prejudice (1995)
4. ♪"Oh, I just can't wait to be king!"♪  Simba The Lion King  

 What are your favorites? Did I miss any that you would have liked to see included?
 

I've Moved the Cheese

That is, I've changed a few things around here, what do you think? I added two stand alone pages to my little corner, Movie and Book reviews. My hope is to add to the lists often. I'm also trying to organize the types of things I post and alternate them decently so I don't have twenty film reviews and one or two book reviews thrown in. I might make a schedule of  "features" like so many of you great blogger veterans out there.
I really don't like the new blog header, however. So I'll be working on a new one for awhile till it is exactly how I want it to look. 

Any suggestions on other changes? Or specific movies and books you'd like me to add to my "to-review" list?

Mad As A Hatter

 Today is National Hat Day! I only own one good hat, though. So instead of posting about my real hat collection *cough, I'll post pictures of my imaginary hat collection. Enjoy! (oh, and you can borrow any of my imaginary hats whenever you wish!)

Modcloth

Etsy Shop

Yes, this (3rd) one is a man's, but with a few minor adjustments it could become feminine.

Etsy Shop

Etsy Shop

I

Etsy Shop

All these hats makes one want to Futterwacken, doesn't it?

Late Night Shopping Channel

We've all seen the fifteen minute infomercial  for the five CD set of 80's music that nobody remembers. (Well everyone knows the five different clips they play over and over again, but why do you think they repeat them? 'Cause no one recognizes the other ninety-five songs on the CD's!)
 Anyway, if there was a Disney collection this would be it, I think.

1. Whistle While You Work
2. High-Ho!
3. Little April Showers
4. The Work Song (Cinderelly, Cinderelly)
5. So This Is Love
6. All in a Golden Afternoon
7. A Very Merry Unbirthday
8. He's a Tramp
9. Once Upon a Dream
10. Cruella DeVille
11. The Bare Necessities
12. I Wanna Be Like You
13. Scales & Arpeggios
14. Oodallaly
15. Part of Your World
16. Be our Guest
17. Something There
18. Never Had a Friend Like Me
19. Prince Ali
20. Zero To Hero
21. Won't Say (I'm In Love)
22. I'll Make a Man Out of You
23. Girl Worth Fighting For
24. Strangers Like Me
25. Perfect World (Begins and Ends With Me!)
26. Dig A Little Deeper
27. When Will My Life Begin
28. I See the Light

Not every movie soundtrack was included on this list, but these are my favorites. You'll notice the list is sadly lacking in the love songs of the movies (Love songs tend to be slow in Disney films. I don't usually like slow songs). But, tell me what your favorites are!


 Ta!

Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella?

It's today! It's today! It's today! (It's always today, George.)

 Do you know what I'm speaking of, dear readers? Beauty and the Beast of course! Out in 3D, today. I'm very excited to go see it, possibly sometime next week, with a group of friends from church. It is my favorite movie by fa- well, not by far since I saw Tangled. But it still is number one. The music, the characters, the selfishness of one and selflessness of the other, the music, the real love in the story. Not just between Belle and the Beast. The love that the enchanted servants have for each other and their master, and of course Belle's love for her father that gets her stuck in the castle with the grumpy hero in the first place. Oh, and the music!
 Now, I am not going to say anything more about the movie or the music. I am planning a future post that centers on what I consider to be the perfect collection of Disney songs(thank you Miss Dashwood for the lovely idea).

So, after struggling to find a book to review I finally settled on A Bride for Donnigan by Janette Oke.

I received this book for my fourteenth or fifteenth birthday. It was a gift from my parents and I remember wandering around the back yard reading it one late spring afternoon. It is part of what could be called a series, the Women of the West series by Oke, though not one of the books in the series actually relates to another. (Rambling, moving on now)

Synopsis: The story centers around Kathleen O' Malley, who "hawks" rolls for a baker in England to support her step-family. Her step mother also constantly trying to improve her and marry her off, but her slight disability (one of her legs is a few inches shorter then the other, causing a pronounced limp and a crooked, and sore, back) makes it difficult. One day she sees an advertisement for "Mail Order Brides", and though at first against the idea, when she learns her step mother is to re-marry and she will basically be a servant, she decides to sign up.

We then are introduced to Donnigan Harrison (while she's on her way), a hard working rancher in America, who decides to send for a bride at the last minute. He does his best to prepare a comfortable house for his new bride, and looks forward to the day when she will make it a home.

 The story isn't just about their relationship, however, but shows the differences between the other bride's and their new families. *SPOILER* Also, the Harrison's search for "what's missing" in their lives, which leads to a very tender scene at the end. *END SPOILER*

I love this story, and I certainly recommend it.

I just have to say though, what is it with evil step-mothers?? I happen to have one(Step-mother that is, nix the "evil") and I know she loves me very much!

Things That Make Me Smile

1. Happy endings
2. Good music
3. A good book (I like to cry a very little bit in the middle)
4. James Stewart
5. Letters
6. The smell of a used book store
7. My family
8. Disney soundtracks (more then just good music)
9. Cleaning 
10. Comments (Hehe)

Also, what should my next post be? A book review(Not sure which yet), movie review(Persuasion,1995), or is there something you particularly want to read about?

Thanks for reading!

(Enter Clever Title)

I told you in a previous post that I'd finished The Princess Bride by William Goldman. I found it delightful, and I recommend it for all great readers out there. I shan't do a review at present, for if you wish to no what the book is like, think exactly of the movie (hardly any different), and if you've yet to see the film I suggest you do so at once. (There is minimal swearing, and that, if I remember correctly, is the worst part of the whole film)

Also, many thanks to you fellow bloggers who've purposed to post positive papers (I know they aren't papers, really) on Little Dorrit (How's that, Mrs. General, for shaping my lips???).
I am nearly finished with the series and I am very happy with it as of yet.
I fear I never gave Dickens a proper chance. I think though that it was a result of his being rather too good at what he did. He portrayed human nature all too well. His evil being were indeed evil, those sad characters make me cry, and I feel such heartbreaking pity for the pitiable characters that I want to throw it away. Why? Because if I pick up a work of fiction, it is to be amused. I wish to escape this wretched, ugly world for a few minutes and pretend that things end well sometimes. Anyway, Dickens ends up being somewhat of a downer because he was so brilliant. However, if one has the patience and is prepared to feel sad many times in the process, he is well worth reading/watching

Thank you for reading the silly ramblings of
   Stephanie

My Book List

So, I have set a goal for myself, to read a new book every month, I decided to share my list. By making it public I hope to be reminded to stick to it. (If anyone wants reviews on books after I read them let me know!)

*NOT NECESSARILY IN THIS ORDER, THIS IS JUST THE ORDER I THOUGHT OF THEM IN*

1. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman (finished yesterday)
2. Bleak House, by Charles Dickens
3. Little Dorrit, by Charles Dickens
4. Wives & Daughters, by Elizabeth Gaskell
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne
6. The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan 
7. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
8. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (in December of course)
9. 
   
10. 
    
11. 
    
12. 
    

If anybody has suggestions please PLEASE PLEASE  comment (this is me shamelessly asking for you to comment)  I love comments, they remind me that you actually read what I write :)
I don't care if the book is fiction or not, I plan to read much more then this but these are the must reads for me. However, I don't like Fiction with sad endings. (I read fiction to make me happy, why would I want something to make me cry?)

Also I plan to read these Dickens that have sat upon my shelf unread for a looong time... (I am ashamed)

1. A Tale of Two Cities 
2. Pickwick Papers
3. David Copperfield

Ta for now, and thanks for reading!

North and South: A Review

 I posted sometime last year, when I found this little gem of a film, that I liked it quite a bit. Perhaps I even said something to the effect that it had the potential to be a new favorite of mine. Well it has become my favorite.
 I have no idea why. It lacks the wit of Austen, though it resembles the P&P storyline. It has it tear-jerking moments, which I usually avoid in movies.  Perhaps it is because Thornton smiles more then Darcy. I really don't know why I like it so much more then anything I've ever watched. I just do.
 I have little fault to find with the script, the costumes, the actors. As a movie, excepting the last scene, it follows the book so closely. (And I almost like the movie ending better, only wishing for the one line Thornton utters to be included. *sigh) Anyway, now unto my real review.

Synopsis:
  The story centers on the Hale family. When Mr. Hale, a clergyman, feels he cannot reaffirm as a matter of conscience, he moves his family from the country in the south to an industrial northern town called Milton. This is where we meet the Thornton's and the story gets good ;)

Costumes:  Very good, I believe them to be accurate (though I am certainly not as familiar with this time period as I am with the Regency era, if any who read this knows more please let me know!) I thought the dresses the woman wore were lovely, whether accurate or not and I would be happy looking at pictures for ever so long.

Characters: The characters in the movie were well written and well acted.  The screenwriter(s) really didn't mess with Gaskell's original story or the characters personalities at all.
*SPOILER* I love that in this story there is no real bad guy, save one who is out of the way fast without much trouble. Unlike P&P  we always see both sides of the story, we immediately like both Margaret Hale and John Thornton. Also we sympathize with both sides when it comes to the mill owners and the strikers *END SPOILER*

Scenery: Good, it's not all pretty but it is accurate to the places the story takes place in.

In general, this is a movie/book I suggest all period drama lovers have under their belt. I do not suggest it for viewing with children however as it gets intense and rather dark at times. *SPOILER*At one point Thornton witnesses what appears to an inappropriate affair involving Miss Hale. However, the audience is always aware of the truth *END SPOILER*

Hope this helps!

The Inner Elinor

 I went shopping after church at one of the local antique-ish malls, called New 2 You. I usually "window shop" there, occasionally finding books or movies to add to my collection. However, today I went in with a mission. To find myself a decent looking bookshelf (my room has almost completely turned into a library/study, I love it!) because I am running out of room on the shelves on my wall. I didn't find myself a bookshelf, however I was sorely tempted to spend all my money on one of the most beautiful dresses I'd seen, ever. It was a blue-grey striped dress with a hand-made lace collar. From the 1870's! I had enough in my purse at the time and almost snatched it up, but a little sensible voice in my head whispered things about how it was far too long, the waist too small, and besides it would just sit in my closet- here the other, more sensational voice spoke, saying that it would be so very romantic to have such a thing, even if I never wore it. To sit and imagine the elegant woman who once wore it. To think of the dancing, courting, and other such happy things that happened to the woman who took such wonderful care of her clothes (it really was in such wonderful condition).
 Fortunately, about the time I came to the conclusion that it would be okay, a gentlemen was seen carrying it out. It was gone! That quickly!
 The sensible voice again whispered to me. I knew it was okay, that I would be glad to have the money still in my purse when I found a good sturdy shelf for my room. However, I believe the part of me that is Marianne, will always feel a pang of regret.

 Soon after this missed opportunity, I came across a hardback print of Sense & Sensibility by Barnes & Noble (the series I collect), in like-new condition. For only $2.50, I believe that it is a purchase even Elinor would approve.

Dinner and a Movie

I just got back from dinner out with my family. Including Mom, Dad, my sister Danielle, and my grandparents on my father's side. No special occasion, just a family night out. It was nice.
 I'm sorry what did you ask? I didn't quite hear you. Oh! were does the movie come in? Did we go to the theater? Heavens no! Nothing that good out just at the moment. No, my dear sister, usually so very decidedly against period drama films has been watching some of my favorites with me. We have lately watched Persuasion (1995), Emma (2009), and are now going to watch North and South, my absolute favorite! It has been so very nice to sit and comment on the movie itself and tell her all about why this one is better, &c, and she has been so kind as to act like she is interested and not be annoyed with my endless prattle. (ENDLESS PRATTLE, MOTHER!)
I was very satisfied with Persuasion. I bought it the other night at the grocery store, (I'd seen it on the shelf for ages, determined to wait till after Christmas to buy it. I went back a few weeks ago and I didn't see it, and then when I didn't expect to see it there it was!) Anyway, it was well worth the money spent, and I will post a review soon.
(A REVIEW, MOTHER!)
Thank you for reading my prattle, and my not-so-funny Austen jokes :)

A Book Review... Lost in Austen: A Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure

I Received Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster in the mail the other day (online shopping with Christmas money) and finished it in almost one sitting. I did finish it in less then four-and-twenty hours, however. Unfortunately I cannot add "Improves her mind by extensive reading" to my list of accomplishments (it's a LiA book joke, you'll get it in a minute). Anyway, the review and then my scores :)

 I really enjoyed this little game/book combination. The story starts off in  P & P,  with you as Elizabeth Bennet. You remain Elizabeth through the entire book, of course, though certain decisions take you into other stories where you meet new people, good or bad, and you basically live the life of another Austen heroine.  All in all I recommend this book at least once to all Austen fans. It brought a smile to my face many times. Note: I was reminded of how I watch Star Trek reruns, ahem, very sarcastically. My dad says it's similar to the Mystery Science Theater, where basically there is a man watching old, cheesy, Sci-Fi films, making sarcastic comments the whole time. Moving on...

The stories I went through are as follows,  Pride & Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. I had the hardest time refusing Capt. Wentworth in Bath, as a result of watching Persuasion  with my sister last night, but I did it because just this first time I wanted to end the story with Mr. Darcy. As it should be.
Here are my scores.

Intelligence:
starting-200
lowest-0
highest-360
ending-0

Confidence:
starting-200
lowest-0
highest-350
ending-50

Fortune:
starting-50
lowest-0
highest-590
ending-510

Connections:
Inferior:
Sir William Lucas
Mr. Collins
Mother
Mary Bennet
Father
Charlotte Lucas
Mr.Wickham
cousin Bennet (Cousin "Elliot" in Persuasion)

Superior:
Charlotte Lucas
Distant Cousin in Grosvenor Street
Mr.Wickham
Father
The Tilneys
The Gardiners
Mr. Darcy
Miss Darcy
Capt. Benwick
cousin Bennet

My-oh-my... here is my list of accomplishments (pitifully short) and Failing (astonishingly long)

Accomplishments:
Love of Walking
Boulanger (dance)
Highly Observant
Reasonable Piano-playing Skills
Once Spent the day at Weston-super-Mare
True Understanding of Pride
First -Aid Skills
Ability to Fall in Love Easily and Often

Failings:
Resentful
Love of walking
No Style, Taste, or Beauty
Insufficient Knowledge of Embroidery
Incredibly Nosy
Blind Partiality
Willful Prejudice
Ill-timed Liveliness
Ill-Timed Sense of Humour
Unhappily Small Portion
No Real Friends
Unreasonably High Expectations
Distastefully Suspicious

(You can stop reading now)

Deplorable Weakness for Gothic Literature
Extremely Bad Houseguest
No Governess
All Five Sister Out at nce
Breathtakingly Poor Judge of Character
Blind
Partial
Prejudiced
Absurd

(No, Really, I wouldn't mind if you stopped)

Lack of Influence
Feebleness of Character
Eavesdropping
Failure to Learn From Past Mistakes
Spiteful and Vindictive (thankfully they were counted together, I was running out of space on my page)
Immodesty (I think very highly of my own good qualities...the few that I have)
Remorseless Heartbreaker (I'm sorry Capt. Wentworth!)
Slacker

That is thankfully the end of my extensive list of failings...
It's no wonder it took me so very long to catch a husband!

Finally! Pictures of my Shelves

This is an ornament my mom gave me after Christmas, I hang it on my shelf because it isn't strictly Christmas-y

I collect certain children's books. Disney's Wonderful World of Reading.

My Barnes & Noble Edition Classics

More childrens book collections.

Janette Oke, in case you can't see the books well enough.

Anne of Green Gables :)

So first, I would like to apologize for the terrible quality photos, I was trying to hurry and get them done. Anyway, about the photos... I love collecting specific series of books (i.e. The good Disney stories, Barnes & Noble's editions, Dr. Seuss.&c.) One of the few series I like, as before mentioned, Anne of Green Gables.  And of course my collection of Janette Oke. I love her Women of the West series. I think my favorite is  Roses for Mama (Which I only have on my Kindle, alas! I love actual page turning.)

One Year!

I can hardly believe it has been a whole year, and then I think, "It has only been a year?". At times I feel like blogging is such a normal part of my life that I must have been doing it for my entire life. And then I feel like such an amateur, pretending I'm some big thing in the blogging sphere. (As you can see I have mixed feelings.)  Whatever my thoughts are, I am very glad that there are at least a few out there who enjoy sitting down and reading the opinions, thoughts, and doings of little old me.
I was going to give you a sample of my writing, but my old computer kicked the bucket recently and I just realized I never backed up the few stories that were on it. Now, for the most part this isn't a bad thing. But I had one little treasure on it that I was a least a little proud of, and as some of you I'm sure are well aware, when you try to re-write or re-draw or  redo any piece of art you were particularly happy with, you can't. However I am trying. I will not give up on my darling first-born (I do believe it was the first thing I'd seen through to the end.) and maybe someday you shall see it.
For now, you must content yourselves with a glimpse into my library. (I collect books you know, teehee)
First I'll tell you my favorites, then show you pictures of my actual collection.

Author: Jane Austen (of course) I find her refreshing, amusing, and realistic. I have yet to find an author(ess) writes such relate-able characters, or one that can write romance without overdoing it.

Book: Believe it or not, it isn't one of Jane's. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I really don't know why I like this so much, it's much the same as reading Pride and Prejudice without the wit. Being that I like the wit so much, not to mention P & P  is nearing the bottom of my favorites list, it makes no sense. However, I find Thornton more likable then Darcy, perhaps because of his love and respect for his family, no matter how tactful they are (or aren't). I also feel that Margaret Hale is less arrogant then Eliza Bennett

Series: I usually do not like books series at all! They drag on so very long, and usually you find yourself mourning the loss of a favorite character because the author(ess) had to keep it interesting somehow. However, I love the Anne of Green Gables series. Sidenote: Disappointed in the movie series, but only as an adaptation, not a stand alone movie series.

Children's Book: Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass,&c. or Dr. Suess. Because I love nonsense.

Alas! after writing the above, I have discovered that there is no usable camera. Next post, I promise!

Not to-day, but rather, to-morrow

So, I apologize, I was wrong when I said that to-day was the anniversary of my blogging days.. The one year celebration is tomorrow, the third. This is actually a good thing, because I have absolutely no idea what to post on the occasion. As a last resort  may post a story I wrote last year, but it will not count towards my resolution of writing and posting one story every month, because it wasn't written this month.
 As I sit here and write this, I think of ideas, so maybe it isn't so hopeless after all. (However  shall leave you all in suspense as to what those ideas are.)

Until to-morrow my lovely readers!

Resolutions of a Teenage Book-a-holic

Happy 2012, everyone! A wonderful way to start the year, in church, fellow-shipping, praising and learning about Jesus.
Anyway, I am not  big on the yearly resolution things, but this year I decided against my inclination to make a few. First I was going to try to be funny and say something like, "I resolve not to make resolutions! Oh no! I already broke it!" or "Since I always fail, I resolve to gain ten pounds." ;). Instead, I decided to be serious and make a few resolutions, so without further a-do, here they are.

1. Write at least one short story every month. (Posted on the blog.)
2. Read one new book every month. Write a review.

And of course a few others that have nothing to do with blogging.

1.  Journal more often.
2. Pick up a few good habits, drop bad ones (ex. small things like using less slang, going to bed earlier &c.)
3. Be more sociable. (It's been said about me that I am somewhat of a hermit, and I've said about myself that I am not a people person. I want to change that.)

And a few more things you might see more of this year include, character sketches (some characters from my own imaginings may show up!), recipe posts (I have a Book Lover's Cookbook by Wenger and Jensen) , and more if I gain readers, or my current readers request anything. Thank you all for reading! Tomorrow is my first blogging anniversary, so I'll try to think of something clever and fun in celebration.