Pride and Prejudice

Two weeks ago I hadn't even read the book. Now I consider myself a laymans know it all on all things Pride and Prejudice. Okay, not ALL things, but I am getting the anotated book from the library in a few weeks and THEN it will be all things...

I read the book two weeks ago. I was a bit intimidated at first but once I got the hang of the language and the verbage it was a really quick read. I enjoyed the characters and I was blown away by the wit, creativity, insight, and descriptive language that Jane Austen had. Some of her characters really had me cracking up. The batty mom, especially. At some parts she REALLY reminded me of someone I know.

After I finised the book, Shannon M was kind enough to lend me the Kiera Knightley version of the movie. While I found the movie very entertaining and visually beautiful I was really irked by how much of what *I* found to be important in the book was left out. And I didn't agree with some of the characterization. While I think they got Wickam just right, I found Bingley to be a real let down. In the book he is not a putz at all, but the movie makes him out to be a real halfwit. And I really wasn't satisfied with Mr. Darcy. Too little personality. I don't know. It left me wanting more. And not really in a good way.

So Jeanette loaned me her 1980 BBC Jane Austen boxed set. Pride and Prejudice is five hours long. Of course in five hours (instead of two) they were able to stick much more closely to the book, but it was rather boring. Mr. Darcy was a REAL snooze. Never smiled, never showed an ounce of real humanity. There is no way I believed spunky Elizabeth would ever willingly want to spend the rest of her life with him. Bingley was better cast, but Wickam was WAY off. He is supposed to be dashing and handsome and have women falling all over him. This guy reminded me of Willy Wonka. And being that it was made in the 80s as a miniseries, it had a sort of Little House on the Prairie feel to the cinemetography. The background music was pretty cheesy and the lighting and sets were pretty sparse. At times it felt like you were watching a community theater play. I *did* like this version, but it left me with a real appreciation for the Kiera Knightley version - at least in way of entertainment value.

So I ordered the 1995 A&E mini series. Another six hours. Colin Firth was the Mr. Darcy and I didn't recognize anyone else. This one is by far my favorite. They hit on everything in the book, the costumes and setting and backdrops are gorgeous, and they got most of the casting right, though I felt that Jane wasn't as beautiful as the book set her up to be. But more importantly, they really took time to develop the changing characters of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. You can see a real change in him after the proposal and more importantly, he shows some humanity even in the first half when he is being proud and difficult. You get a feeling that there is something to him, even if we don't know exactly what it is.

I am looking forward to reading the anotated book and really learning about the customs and culture of the time. I love historical fiction. If there was a major in social history I think I would have chosen it. Forget dates and wars and politics -- I want to learn about what they wore, what they ate, how their homes looked, and how people courted and fell in love. Yes I *know* that is all affected by dates and wars, and politics, but that part just isn't as much fun.

So there you have it. If you have six free hours and your husband won't be home, I recommend settling down with a good (but very long) movie. :)

Projects

I am going to be sewing up a storm these next few weeks. I have projects I need to get done before my family reunion in a few weeks, I have the skirt tag I posted below, and I have several friends (and a few sister in laws) ready to have babies this summer. One friend has a shower tomorrow, so I whipped up a little set using my current favorite fabric. It is from Sandi Hendersons Ginger Blossom line. I love the colors, love the design. LOVE IT. I had ordered it to make myself a purse, which I have just finished. It is the Amy Butler "swing bag." Totally reversible and way easy to make (except for the cotton duck lining that shed everywhere). Here's the finished product:

And here is the baby set. They don't know what they are naming her yet, which is why I thought I would use this fabric -- the "tile" looks perfect as an embellishment. And there were no curves to have to applique around. Woo hoo! The back of the bib is just plain pink with a strip of white ric rac to hold the bib pieces together when they get washed.

A New Kind of Tag

I have been tagged. This is a crafty kind of tag. Em tagged me with this one -- I have to make a skirt. There is actually an online group that has a sew along challenge/project and when you are done you post your pictures in a Flickr group. This tag is to join that group. This is actually a GREAT challenge because I have been wanting to try to convert one of my favorite apron patterns into a skirt and this will motivate me to do it. I don't know when it will get DONE, but I have that fire under my hiney now.

Here are the rules of the tag:

1. Link to the person who tagged you (up above -- click on "Em")
2. Agree to try to make a skirt
3. List five random things about yourself
4. Tag three other people

Here are my random things (though I doubt I have any secrets anymore)

1. I had two bowls of cereal this morning: one bowl of Reeses Puffs and one of Lucky Charms. I have no question as to why my weight is going up.
2. I have watched two versions of Pride and Prejudice in the past week. I read the book last week, then watched the Kiera Knightly movie. I liked it, but it was NOT true to the book, and having just read it that bugged me. Then I watched the old 1980s BBC miniseries. That was very true to the book, but it was like watching Little House on the Prairie. And Darcy was such a boring jerk that I can't imagine that Lizzy would ever fall for him. So I just got the 1995 BBC with Collin Firth and we'll see if I like that one better. I'm sure nothing will match up to what I saw in my head as I was reading. I think I need to find one that was directed by a woman. I am tired of seeing Darcy never ever smile or show an ounce of humanity or personality. He is SUPPOSED to be a great catch, people!! Get an actor who will attempt to show that and not just clench a jaw and stare off into space.
3. Last week when I was trying to teach the primary kids about figuring out 10% to pay tithing I was showing them to move the decimal point to the right (not the left). I could not figure out why it was so much more confusing on paper than it was in my head, until one of the teachers in SENIOR primary (after junior primary just let me muddle through it) pointed it out that I was doing it wrong. Of course that set off the kids who now think I am the dumbest person on the planet (many of whom started asking me kindergarten math questions). I must have been beet red. In my defense, I can figure out the percentage in my head without moving any decimal points. I just do it. And since I know what the answer is supposed to be, when I was doing it on the board I was just thinking that it was more confusing than I remember it being. But it didn't occur to me that I was doing it WRONG. *sigh* I really do suck at math. And that goes down as one of my WORST sharing times EVER.
4. I have been a pretty crappy mom lately. It is time for me to reprioritize AGAIN and put my kids first. This summer we are going to have an organized home (the downstairs, if nothing else) and I am going to get off this computer. I have already pared down my Google Reader list and my favorites. I am going to start shutting it down after my morning perusal of blogs and the news so I can be productive and a good mom.
5. I love the smell of my clean laundry. I use Arm and Hammer Clean Burst laundry detergent and Snuggle Blue Sparkle fabric softener. I started using that combo six years ago when I was watching a little girl in our ward and her clothes smelled diVINE. I asked her mom what she used and I have bought that stuff ever since.

Choosing people to tag will be tough because it has to be people who sew. I tag Candy W (the one with 11 kids), Candy W (the one in Nevada), and Emily (my sister in law). Have fun!!

A Super Challenge

A few weeks ago my friend Megan asked if she could "commission" an apron for her husband for her birthday. She wanted something totally unique. She said she would like something with either a Mad Scientist, Mathematics, or Superman theme. I love a challenge, so I took it on. I decided on a Superman theme, and since the apron is for a MAN, I could really have fun making it "cool." I finished it today.



There is aLOT of Heat 'N Bond in this project, but it wasn't HARD, just a bit time consuming. Megan -- I will tell you what I tell all my apron recipients: Don't look too close. It ain't perfect. But I think it is darn cool. I especially like the added touch of the six pack I put on there. Rock on!!!

I found the "S" emblem online and resized it. Then I traced it onto the freezer paper to make my templates. The small S on the belt had to be cut out with a straight razor because it was too small for scissors. I also just used the Ultra Bond on it because I was afraid of ruining it if I tried to stitch it down. I am still learning, you know.

I thought it would have been really cool to add a detachable cape, but Megan went with the Incredibles philosophy of NO CAPES!!! Megan, I will get it out in the mail tomorrow. I hope Spencer loves it!!

Today I...

CLEANED MY WINDOWS!!! Woo hoo!! Go me. This product helped quite a bit:

It even makes it a little fun. Now I am off to catch up on the mountain of laundry. Why don't grownups get a summer vacation?

Smells

My kitchen is starting to smell REALLY GOOD. I asked Brian if he had a special meal he wanted for Father's Day. He chose meatloaf with cheesy potatoes. And I made my grandma's special Butterfinger Icecream Pie for dessert. It's an old family recipe that has kept my childbearing hips in top form. ;)

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there. Too bad none of your dad's are as good as mine. He's the best, you know. Hardworking, forgiving, and generous (almost to a fault). A man of testimony, honesty, and humor. He coached my softball teams, got up at o-dark thirty to drive me to seminary and to deliver newspapers to help ends meet when we lived in a place where an Air Force officers salary wouldn't support a family of seven. He is handy and not afraid to jump into projects that needed to be done. Like cleaning out a fridge in a rental home that probably hadn't been cleaned in YEARS (sadly, I am not kidding here).

He is strong. Strong enough to pack up camp and help us all in the van at 2:00 am in Rock Springs, WY when a huge duststorm blew through the KOA. He is smart. Smart enough to be in the concrete restroom when the tornado blew over the KOA in Lyman, CO. (We renamed KOA the Kurses of America Kampground after that trip). He is patient. He is a fun Grandpa whose grandkids adore him. He still gives horseyrides even when he should probably quit -- because the kids are having so much fun. He is a great cook and makes a mean bar-b-que.

He is a servant of God. My memories of him growing up are tied in with his many callings as branch president, bishop, and now in the Stake Presidency. He isn't afraid to tell it like it is. But he tells it with love. He is always studying and striving to learn more about the gospel. He always found ways to teach the gospel to us, even if it sometimes fell on deaf ears. He is a great example to me of how a disciple and representative of Jesus Christ should be. Happy Father's Day, Dad!! I love you!

Summer is HERE!!

No more blasting my kids out of bed in the morning. Actually, I never had to blast Jillise out -- her internal clock wakes her up between 6:30 and 7:00 every day. Joelle is another story entirely. Even on the days she didn't have preschool I had to get her up because I drove morning carpool. No more schedules. It will be nice. And the weather even cooperated today. It is sunny, clear, and 70. Perfect.


We just got back from picking up Jillise from school. She had a big smile on her face. She got lots of phone numbers and informed me that we will be having LOTS of playdates this summer. And she told me that she did NOT cry. Good girl. :) She got all plusses on her report card and is working above grade level in both math and reading. I'm very proud of her. She has set a high standard for herself that I hope will continue through the rest of her years of school and which will rub off on her siblings.


Here are comparison pictures of the first and last day of school. Jillise was playing "Find 10 Differences" with them. One thing hasn't changed -- the messy yard. Ugh.

Ton of Bricks

Jillise just came home from school saying that her bag was SO HEAVY. I started to empty it out and it hit me that tomorrow is the last day of school and then I will have a second grader and a kindergartner. I loved sitting and going through her portfolio of work that her great teacher put together for her. She has grown and learned so much this year and I can't believe it is OVER. I remember those last days of school. The feelings of excitement mixed with nervousness with what lies ahead. The feelings of sadness that the year is over and that you won't see many of those friends over the summer or the next year.

Many have asked what decision we came to for school next year. For now we are going to continue with public school. She really likes it and has good friends. We got word from her teacher that she is in class with another girl that she is friends with who is on the same reading and math level as Jillise. She is a good girl whose mom has many of the same views on parenting that I have. I am assuming that since the principal honored that request of me that she will also be paired with a teacher that will be compassionate and loving towards her when she is having moments of anxiety but who also won't let her get away with crying all day long. It's a delicate balance.

Of course there is still the issue of sending my naive child out into a world where other seven year olds have watched and experienced things I am trying so hard to protect her from, but for now we will just hope that our prayers, FHEs, and her common sense will keep her safe. And as for my piano lessons sucking up our together time, I am going to try to come up with a schedule that should allow for me being more present in their lives after school. I hope.

Randomness

I got a cavity filled today. Boy has that come a long way. I sat down in the chair at 10:00, and I was on my way out the door at 10:12. No needles, no numbing, no pain. It was awesome. Since I had a sitter with the kids I was even able to run some errands!

My peonies finally bloomed. With our crazy weather it took them a lot longer than usual. And since I forgot to stake them before it was too late I have a perfect excuse to cut them and bring them inside. Aren't they pretty?
I just finished a package of some of my favorite things to send off to a friend as part of a swap. Since I know she reads this blog I won't list the ENTIRE contents of the package, but I don't think it's a big surprise that I put an apron in there. I am getting a little more daring with my applique -- and better at it, too. There is still much room for growth, but it will come.

And on Friday night I am having a Pampered Chef Party. If you didn't get a formal invitation it's because I did Evites and I don't have every one's email addresses. Several were returned to me as undeliverable. So if you want to come, consider yourselves invited!! If you come you get a chance to win this:
If you order something, you get another chance to win it. If you bring a friend, you get ANOTHER chance. So come have some yummy food with us! 7:00, my house.

Brian and I watched Sense and Sensibility this weekend. The DVD was a Mother's Day gift from him. He even agreed to watch it with me, despite it "sucking the life out of him." Direct quote. He is a good sport. It even inspired me to go out and buy Pride and Prejudice, which I have never read. Nor have I watched the movie. Either version. I know, I know. Public flogging is probably in order. But I'm ready to read it and see what the hype is all about. If you don't see or hear from me for a few days, you'll know why. I should probably wait to read it until the Pampered Chef party is done... But here is my question to all women: while watching the movie I just shake my head and marvel at all the RULES and the RIGIDITY of life back then. With my independent streak and my lack of patience I think I would have gone crazy. And I think that most people would agree. And yet in the same breath we talk of how wonderful it must have been.

Is it because women (at least women of money) were treated with such respect by the men? Was it the bosomy dresses? The big estates with the gardens? Was it because of all the sexual tension created when you can't as much as touch hands with someone of the opposite sex unless they are helping you out of a carriage? Just curious.

I think that's it. OH, except for a recipe I need to get around to posting. I made BLT Mac and Cheese (from scratch) yesterday. SO GOOD. But this post is long enough. I'll do it later.

Halleluia!!!

Do you hear those angels singing???? It's because I finally finished my Emmeline apron. I have had this pattern and fabric for MONTHS. Since February. And I have been either too sidetracked with other projects or too intimidated to start this one. But I told myself that I can't buy any more fabric or patterns until I finish what I have, so I had to tackle this eventually. I really like the way it looks, but holy moly was it a high maintenance project. Homemade bias strips, darts, gathers, and HAND STITCHING. I cheated and left out the hand stitching part. This is an apron, for Pete's sake. It will be okay if the seams show a bit!!

So here it is!

A blurry self portrait so you can see the fit.

Side A

Side B (yes, that's right, people -- it's REVERSABLE!!)

Both Sides

Swaps and Other Goodness

Yesterday I got my first of two aprons in the mail. This one was from the Sassy Apron Swap and my partner was Rachel, from Michigan. She sent me this darling apron:



I love the huge number fabric. Jaren liked it, too. He likes to point to letters and numbers and say O, E, O, E... She also included scraps from the fabrics she used (SUCH a good idea -- I will have to remember this in future swaps) and a recipe for Orange Julius.' I love the apron. I wore it around all afternoon and evening. The first words out of Brian's mouth when he got home were, "ANOTHER apron????" I am still expecting one more from the Summer Swap on A Feathered Nest. Yay for mail!

And for OTHER goodies, I can't seem to stop nibbling on these every time I walk through the kitchen:



Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs
2 T milk
2 t vanilla

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt (optional)

2 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats (uncooked)
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.

Add eggs, milk, and vanilla; beat well.

Add combined flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well.

Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet (I used my trusty Pampered Chef medium scoop). Bake for about 10 minutes.

Eat way too many and start to feel slightly sick. Hee hee.

Toothless Wonder

Jillise lost a tooth yesterday. Her third.




Then she came home minus ANOTHER one today.




The toothfairy needs to go make change...