Just signed up for Everything Austen II over at Stephanie's Written World. For the next six months we will be reading / watching / listening to something from or inspired by Miss Austen. Emma will certainly not be on my list for these reasons and these. That said, I do need to come up with a list of six Austen things to read/watch, etc. That's the hard part. I read the books every year to eighteen months so some of the original Austen will work themselves into Everything Austen II without a doubt. I have not read much Austen-inspired fiction though, so I guess I will take this opportunity to give that a spin. I did greatly enjoy the one I've read so far - Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe Ah, but which ones - that's hard for me. I rather think I'm not the type for the super romance-novel type of sequel or certainly no mash up with zombies or giant squid (that's just silly, by the way), would prefer something a bit fun with all of Miss Austen's wit and style. Guess I'm asking for the impossible, but we'll see.
So here is my beginning list:
1: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
2: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
Both of these have always sounded intriging. I have Confessions already purchased on my "to be read" list, so I guess it's time I did.
3: The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
It seems to be an interesting concept - Caroline Bingley being something other than a slug.
4: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo.
Having spent some time in higher education doing research, it's a nasty place. Plus I love the cover art.
Of Miss Austen's novels, I'm going for:
5: Mansfield Park - much maligned at times, but I still enjoy it.
6: Northanger Abbey - Henry Tilney - need I say more?
These are two of Miss Austen's works I usually don't go for first. My most often first choice is Persuasion, followed closely by Pride and Predjudice. Emma - I have to make myself read and when I do I complain as noted above.
Let the fun begin. Thanks Stephanie for the great idea!!
I see them everyday and they both smell not so good, but they are the best dogs in the world (I know everyone says that about their animals, but in my case it's true). They are spoiled - amazingly so. Pnut butter, sure... little cheddar cheese - of course - perhaps even a little burger just for them - wouldn't surprise me. They also like pineapple - fresh of course.
They shed - oh, boy do they shed. Both double coated dogs and one that should technically living in the Arctic north, not on the Gulf coast. So occasionally, but no where near often enough, either I or the MotH furminate them. Yes, furminate is a word and also the name of this amazing comb-like thing we purchased at least three and a half years ago. But this year, to this ritual, we added the big fan.
Not only does it looks like it has snowed (some white snow, and some like London street snow color) in our backyard, it gently wafts throughout the neighborhood - everyone can share. Now big dog loves this - thinks it is just the cat's meow, but little dog - um... the one who needs it most - not so much. Either way, it has to be done to keep our sanity indoors (but there is plenty of fur in there too - what can you do - thank goodness for tile floors and hardwood).
Either way, we're happy (most of the time - stop waking up so early on the weekends!) with the boys. Our handsome German Shepherd Dog and beautiful (blue-eyed) Siberian Husky.
MotH and I went to BAM Fest last weekend. Beer Art Music
$15.00 for a nice engraved flight glass for tastings of beer, tickets to purchase extra beer or wine in the bar, and a lovely blue bracelet to wear - I thought it was a good deal. Art was by Joe Hobbs - from whom I took a weekend glass blowing class (thanks to MotH for my birthday present a few years ago. Glass blowing is super hard work - don't let anyone kid you and make you think it's easy. It's sweaty, arm aching hard work.) Music was provided by Tanya Gallagher and Baylen.
BAM Fest was held at The Bridge Bar in Gulf Breeze just off the three mile bridge - you know - where the undercover (ha) Gulf Breeze Police sit catch speeders coming off the bridge. It's a small bar right on the water - very nice - a good selection of beers, but only 4 drafts (not sure how often/if they rotate) and a few wine selections as well.
The interior was wood paneled (in a good way) and small - just a few interior tables, but nice windows that view westward over Pensacola Bay. There was a small deck as well with seating just over the water - again, not a large are, but fully taking advantage of its site on the water. The view, even on the less than perfect day, was lovely.
On to the beer - it was set up under a tent just out back of the bar. I'll start with my biggest surprise of the afternoon. Ace Hard Cider - I have never been of fan of cider, though I admit I have tried a fair share when living in England, but this was light, refreshing, not too sweet (okay dry, I know), more like sparkling wine, but not - had much more of an apple taste -- just lovely.
Gordon Biersch is a name I've heard before as the group that owns one of the restaurants we frequent in Jacksonville, Seven Bridges. We've enjoyed the beers at Seven Bridges, so I was not surprised when I enjoyed the Gordon Biersch Marzen. We'll be on the look out of this - esp. if we can find it on tap (probably if any where - at hop jacks).
Sessions Lager is the kind of beer I like: Simple, clean, unpretentious, and tastes great cold. Another lager I'll be on the look out for.
From the Choc line (since 1919), I really enjoyed the Black Lager (also know as a German Schwarzbier) called Miner Mishap. At 28 bitterness units and 5.3% alcohol, it was smooth and imminently drinkable. The very helpful representative of Pinnacle Imports gave some great hints on where to find the Choc beers.
But my favorite beer of the afternoon was Victory Prima Pils. Served ice cold, it's refreshing, clean, and smooth. It's dry in the best possible way. Wow!
Sometimes, you take a day off and enjoy yourself before the oil comes and, um, basically ruins everything (Yes, I'm talking to you BP).
So here's my idea of a nice lunch on a day when you don't have to do anything or care about anything either. MotH and I had a nice corner table on the most western part of the deck over Bayou Chico. It was breezy, but not annoyingly so and we were in the shade - pretty perfect seats in my opinion. The beer arrived and we ordered our late lunch.
So there were some (few) interesting boat names. Aqua holic, Jane says..., holy Spear-it.
There were also several curious boat out in the water that suspect have something to do with the impending destruction of our fishing, diving, and beach going fun. Now here's the thing. I don't fish - allergic to all seafood; I don't dive; and I don't much care to go to the beach - though we do have a beautiful beach. But BP still has me pissed off and the government isn't far behind on my list of groups to blame and label as stupid. Again, I digress.
One of the best things about the Oar House -- and this has been going on as long as we've been going there. Even before the fire. There are three birds that hang out together and we always see each time we go - lunch or dinner - they just always there. I call them the triumvirate (although the little white duck is female).
Happy relaxing way to spend part of your day - if fact, I could probably spend a whole day that way as long as it was with the MotH.
Haven't written here recently - been occupied with my other more unfortunate new journal in a vain (and possibly silly) attempt to feel better (BTW - it's not helping). But will have to Keep Calm and Carry On. Made dinner for the first time since the 15th of May. That's a long damn time to be out the kitchen and it showed. M-i-L came over - that was a plan on my part to make sure I didn't back out at the last minute. Made a new pasta sauce recipe from America's Test Kitchen ** that I doubled (I like lots of sauce) and added mushrooms as well. Just a caesar salad with bread and spaghetti. MotH said it would be a good base sauce for homemade pizza (guess that's a hint).
I still felt out of place and pressured and just jangled. Thank goodness for the MotH - I don't know what I would do w/out him.
** It's worth joining their website... really.
May 31, 2010
We went to the Barnard farm during their open weekend. What great fun and it raised dead presidents ($) for the local Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, which conincidentally, we had a need of just last week. A baby dove fell from the nest in the small oak in our backyard - not a very far fall, but enough so MotH took the baby, under the glaring(!) eyes of the Mama and Daddy dove off to be helped. Good News: baby will be fine and raised w/some other doves and eventually set free (to likely be eaten by a hawk because doves are stupid). Bad News: Mama and Daddy Dove still glaring at MotH - it's made him a bit paranoid, I think.
Back to the farm which is just off Blue Angel Parkway, but a nice 20 acre tract of land (I would not say it was a huge tract of land).You would never know it was there. The family purchase in 1998 and the place, by that time had been abandoned 10 years - would like to know who (wife or husband) convinced who that this would be a good idea. This place would be ideal for me if I didn't have to do the 8 - 5 thing. Purely charming... all of it, and whimsical without being twee. The only thing it really needs is a donkey (or two).
This is the second year that the tour has happened and it is well organized and all aspects are well thought through. (Somehow we missed last year). The drive onto the property is lovely - lined with trees with slight curves in the dirt road.
We parked and wandered over to the bee hives - first how damn cool is that you're own honey. The hives were cordoned off, but I'd like to get closer to see more. Avoiding fire ant hills (Ubiquitous, I realize), we walked the short distance to the veg garden - it was simple, neat, large enough, and there were climbing roses on two of the corners of the fence. The roses were covered in flowers and also buzzing with bees.
Just beyond the veg garden, was the chicken coop. Now I no next to nothing about chickens, but I do love the ones with little feathers on their feet. I should have asked about laying capacity, but since I can have chickens in the city limits (bit me, City of Pensacola) it doesn't matter. The hen house was cute, but also seemed very functional and provided plenty of room for the chickens to roam.
And then there were the goats - or goat I should say since only one was interested in being um ...zoo animals. All the ten-year olds thought the goat was preggers, but our golf cart tour guide later informed us, both the goats are girls. To give the kids credit - the goat was on the fatty side.
We walked in the cool and shady flower garden near the entrance and the large oak trees. Just lovely. We met a man who knows the Barnards and learned that he (Mr. Barnard) would bring back interesting things from his demo jobs such as the church steeple over the pet cemetery. Sad but sweet.
The garden was nice and shady and had some neat art. This seems to be under the direction of Mrs. Barnard. Nine years in the works; there are many areas within the garden that provide different views.
We took the golf cart tour directed by a niece of the Barnards. It was nice to get a picture of the entire place and get some details about the farm. We went by the pond and saw the mallards, and also the peacock and peafowl. The wooded area was so cool and comfy. It amazing how many oaks that are still standing on the property considering the numbers of hurricanes we've had in the past few years.
What a great visit! I'm looking forward to next year (the Saturday before Mother's Day) and then have the nerve to introduce myself and ask questions and encourage the additions of a donkey.
but I can't. It's for the MotH - I'll never make it to his birthday, but perhaps I can hold out till our anniversary. Maybe. *
Tom Petty's right - the waiting is the hardest part.
* Likely not. bugger.
First Daylillys of the year - at least for me. This seems really late to me, but I'll check the books and see what I have*. They opened early this morning so they are not quite at their best at 6:00pm, but finally the first one. I have hundreds of daylilies and know not a single name - I'm not that type of gardener -- there are some plants I bother learning the botanical name, but not many - maybe that's a new project for me... Like I need another one.
I have daylilies that sprout baby plants off their stems when they bloom - proliferations. It's a super easy way to increase your population easily. I also have decent luck planting the little black seeds and I've never needed to refrigerate them - that seems silly for a plant grown on the gulf coast. Other things in the garden (top to bottom, duh): Stokesia, low roses (Katy Road I think), Oregano in the Herb Garden
*4/15/2008; 4/8/2009
