Pickles...how much is not normal?

How many jars of homemade pickles does a normal person have in their fridge? I mean is it normal to have so many that it takes an entire shelf? I don't water process my pickles because I have had bad luck with less than crisp pickles and to me that's a crime. So here are the stats:
Bread and Butter Pickles - 3
Dill Pickles - 7
Pickled Okra - 1
Hot Pickled Carrots - 1
Pickled Pear Tomatoes - 1
Pickled Banana Peppers  - 1
Pickled Ginger (in Sherry, no less)  - 1
Plus:
Squash Relish (yum)
Hot Pepper Jelly
Blueberry Jelly


A friend just gave me some banana peppers so I think I'm w/in my rights to make more of those, but I'll be steering clear of the pickling cukes for a while. There is no sense in looking like a mad woman. 

Aren't Miss Austen's novels enough?

Is it a bad thing that I really don't care about Miss Austen's letters or read her biographies, of which there must be many? I love her novels, but I don't care to make a pilgrimage Chawton or Bath just because of Miss Austen.  I'm just not sure I need more than her books to get a sense of who she is (was). And does it matter all that much? Do I need to know her to understand her work? I just don't think so. I know next to nothing about Charlotte Bronte, excepting she had a couple of writing sisters (one of whom wrote Wuthering Heights - hated it), but reading Jane Eyre gives me an idea of who Miss Bronte was, not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, since I would love the book even if had been written by a space alien from a Dr. Who episode (even the Ood).
Okay, I know Miss Austen was the daughter of a minister and her best friend was her sister Cassandra; it's quite possible she'd been tossed in love (who hasn't been?), but can that place too much impact on her stories that we start to read things into her works that aren't really there? She's so creative and her characters resonate as real people. Do we need to think that whomever broke her heart is translated into Willoughby or Wickham? I'd prefer not to.
Miss Austen said that Emma was a character no one would like but herself and I find I can't stand Emma for the vast majority of the book. Am I reading into the work Miss Austen's comment? Or ... is Emma just annoying on her own without commentary from Miss Austen. Hell, I never watched Becoming Jane because I thought it unnecessary. Maybe that's it. The novels stand alone, the rest, lovely trivia though it is, is quite unnecessary.

Everything Austen II - Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict - Laurie Viera Rigler

Summary: Jane Mansfield, after an apparent spill from a horse, wakes up in 21st century Los Angeles. She doesn't understand anything modern, nor does she recognize herself – and the clothes! What lady would wear such things – deplorable! One recognizable thing is the works of one of her favorite authors, Jane Austen.

There is also freedom, making her own decisions (w/out the all controlling mother), but also memories of her own family who would be, if the calendar could be believed to be 2009, dearly departed from this world.  Even the man she thought she loved, Edgeworth, would be long dead. She has friends here whom she does not recognize and a former fiancé (jerk) as well. And then there is enigmatic Wes. What does Jane think of him and what does Courtney know of him? And how is that certain memories come through that aren't really her's but Courtney's. Who and what can she trust to maneuver around this new world? Is Jane better off in the 21^st century or would it be better to return to what she knows – if she can?

Thoughts: 

Jane Mansfield (love the name) has it way worse than Courtney Stone (Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict), if you ask me, excepting the discovery of one of our times greatest inventions - hot water showers (any of you been through a hurricane?).

After having read Ms.. Rigler's earlier book Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, I knew I was in for a great story. So many things for Jane to learn and manage and, alone to a large degree, really. Immediately Jane has to put past her ideas of decorum and try to decide who to trust. Wes, Anna, and Paula are all apparently Courtney's friends, but not exactly friendly with each other  - that much is apparent.

Again, the story of Courtney's (Jane's) very complicated life is revealed to the reader and Jane at the same time. I enjoy that because it gives you time to understand a character better. So too do I enjoy Jane's delight in realizing that there are 6 novels by Miss Austen – what a delicious treat for someone who knew of only 2 novels.

I shall not go into all the wonderful discovers and surprises Jane goes through as Courtney, but they are numerous, scary sometimes. and a great freedom for Jane. Vodka seems much appreciated. How lovely.

Deepa, a relatively new acquaintance, is a lovely character that I would like to see more of – genuine, caring and always ready with some pretty steady advice – much like the shape- and time-shifting fortune teller who is a help in Jane's (and Courtney's) confusion.

Frank, Courtney's ex-finance is a jerk and deserves little mention because we all know guys like him don't we??

Now, Wes, our Wes. I'll leave it to you, but let's just say that sometimes nice, decent, loveable guys do finish first.

Bravo Laurie! Loved it!

Georgette Heyer: The Alastair Trilogy - Devil's Cub

Summary: Dominic Alastair, Marquis of Vidal, is the rakish, hot tempered son of the Duke of Avon. Vidal is a chip off the old block, following in his father's wild exploits of youth. Forced to depart for the continent after wounding a man in a duel, he fancies taking some company along with him. This young, beautiful little miss, Sophia Challoner, he correctly surmises will willingly accompany him.
Mary Challoner, the practical older sister, sees the great impropriety in this situation that her sister is so willing to agree to involve herself. She is determined to remedy this problem and separate Vidal from Sophia forever. She accompanies Vidal through a disguise in her  sister's place expecting to be released once the hoax is up. But has Mary risked her own future and reputation in an attempt to save her sister.


Let's continue to party on at AustenProse

Thought {Spoilers}: To date, this is my favorite book by Ms. Heyer. I've always said that I like her heros most when they are bad and Vidal does not disappoint in the least.
Had it not been for the common sense (perhaps not best applied) of Mary Challoner, her vapid sister Sophia would have brought them family into ruin. After the switch is exposed Vidal shows every bit of his reputation as a "young fire-eater." Furious with the deception, he deems Mary a easy woman and plans to take advantage of her virtue. Until he realizes at the end of a gun, that she is earnest in protecting her virtue and finding some way out of this most awkward situation.

Mary Challoner is smart, level-headed and unwavering, but she is also kind, caring and endearing. Slowly (slowly) Vidal comes to see these qualities that make her an extraordinary woman -  Perhaps one too good for him.  When he realizes that by honor he should marry her to save her reputation … she says no, much to his surprise and aggravation.

Mary would like to attempt to stay in France where she is unknown to make her own way, no matter how modest that may be. Finding that a school friend of hers, Juliana Marling, is Vidal's cousin and currently in Paris, she persuades Vidal to take her there hoping Miss Marling can help her find some work so she may free herself from Vidal. All the while Vidal is attempting to find an English priest to marry them. Miss Marling has a suitor that has followed her from England, but she has spurned him in a fit of spoiled girl bad temper. Her suitor, Mr. Comyn is a true gentleman and realizing the trouble Mary is in, and with a bit of spite at the rebuff from Juliana, offers to take Mary to Dijon where Vidal expects the English priest to be so they can marry. Mary accepts.

And the chase, as you can imagine, is on. I'd love to spoil the ending, but shall not. There are two scenes I have read over and over again since I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago. One involves a duel ; the other a long conversation over supper with and unknown (at least to Mary )gentleman of her own country.

I realize I have only read 14 books by Miss Heyer so far, but this is far and away my favorite.

Read. This. Book!

Beer Garden: Presidente

It's taco night here at Casa JJ. Not upscale tacos with pickled red onions and radishes on the side (sorry Rick Bayless, but I've been at work all day). But tacos like we had when I was a kid: grated sharp cheddar, sour cream, guac, homemade salsa, shredded lettuce and seasoned ground beef (if all those people that call me a food snob could see me now). We have both flour and corn tortillas. I heat them in the microwave instead of frying them in oil . Why the big deal about tacos? This was my birthday meal when I was a kid (no it's not my birthday today) and I remember the oil and taco seasoning running down my arms - great fun! Tacos and pecan pie - what a mix... it was what I wanted every year, now that sounds kinda ick. 

Now when I make tacos, I want a light beer that's refreshing so I go for something from a hot country and this time, it's Presidente from the Dominican Republic.
Thoughts: This is a nice pils with a clean finish and little aftertaste with 5% alcohol, it's pretty tame stuff, perfect when it's hot out (currently 90.5 degrees and 60% humidity and rising - and it's 7:00pm in the evening - ugh). Good beer decision. 
Six Pack Score: 4.5 bottles

SoS - Save our Shores - Abita rocks!

Okay, beer drinking public, do the right thing and support Abita - because they are supporting the gulf coast during the current oil slick nightmare. If you're not a beer drinker (what's up w/that?) you can still do the right thing and purchase a t-shirt  or magnet for the cause. It's not pretty down here and it's going to take years to get this right. But we love the gulf coast and will work our asses off to get things straight. I have started with local tourism and beer drinking - two things I'm actually quite good at... amazingly.

Georgette Heyer - A Guilty Pleasure? Really?

I read the NPR article on Georgette Heyer as a guilty pleasure read and was disappointed. Just because the novels have some degree of romance, usually quite small and in the last few chapters, shouldn't relegate the books to some trashy novel  (smut book as my friend Amy used to call them). The amount of historical detail is amazing and the descriptions so vivid and the characters so specific and well played that I find the books hard to put down. In fact, I just finished yet another one this weekend (it was a rainy lazy Sunday after all). Review forthcoming.
As I have said before my only fault with Jane Austen is the limited material, but finding Georgette Heyer has given me so much more to think about. While Miss Austen is a little spare in here details (what did Elizabeth Bennett look like - we have some idea, but not lots), Miss Heyer is effusive in her descriptions of everyone and everything - from the cravat a certain gentleman wears (and what that means) to the acres of satin used to create a certain lady's ball gown and the look of the pair of matched grays that pull the curricle. Sure there is romance, but often also war and dueling - all described so accurately, you think you might be there - or that Heyer could travel back in time.

That said, let's party the month of August away with Laurel Ann and friends over at Austenprose. Bring on more Ms. Heyer!

Anne Elliot, A New Beginning - Mary Lydon Simonsen

Synopsis: When Anne reaches her 25th birthday, her family declares her to be a spinster and barely worthy of notice. But Anne decides to take her life in a different direction, and she begins the first day of the rest of her unmarried life by becoming a long-distance runner. This alteration changes everything about her, and a new, supremely confident, Anne emerges. This evolved Anne has an impact on her sisters, father, and most importantly, on Captain Wentworth who has returned after eight years to find that he is as much in love with Miss Anne Elliot as he ever was. 

However, there is a complication. The heir to Kellynch, the Elliot estate, William Elliot, has also come back into the picture after being estranged from Anne’s father, Sir Walter Elliot, Baronet, and he has set his sights on Anne. Now living in Bath, Anne senses that something is not right, and with the help of a street urchin named Swoosh, she sets out to discover William Elliot’s true nature.

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. Persuasion is my favorite book by Miss Austen, but this takes the tale further, while retaining the character the original and includes many subtle bits of humor. From the beginning Anne takes advantage of the fact that no one really ever notices her at home and decides that she's responsible for her own life. Does she stop loving Wentworth? Of course not, I would have put the book down in a heartbeat, but she becomes her own person without regard to what her friends or family think and she does one important thing - she says what she's (and what I'm, at least) thinking. 

To her sister Mary, who thinks herself always miserable or misused after agreeing to watch little Charles so Mary can go to dinner at the Musgroves, Anne states, "Yes, I want you to go, but in return, you must stop pretending  to be ill when you are not. You have become a hypochondriac. You act as if you are unwell so Charles will pay attention to you. But it has the reverse effect, and he ends up spending even more time away from you, and you really must try to be more positive." Good advice and Mary needed the kick in the ass - glad Anne finally said it because I'm sure I think it every time I get to that part of the story. 

She's not as shy of Wentworth when they first met again and he sooner realizes what he's been missing. Perhaps I like that so much because it means less pain for Anne and makes Wentworth look less resentful and petty. She becomes a puzzle to him, intriguing, down right confusing to him and yet that was what enticed him - at the same time he realized that the things about her he liked originally were still there. 

Anne defies convention - as a runner, by going places proper ladies shouldn't go (Tough Town), associating with street urchins (who I loved), and investigating what is really going on with Mr. "Just as Creepy as Ever" Elliot. 

It is at heart, a love story that ends the way you want it to end, with some nice turns  and a few surprises along the way. Let's put it this way, I read it in two days - which is unheard of for me - I had a hard time putting it down - damn good job Ms. Simonsen.

Everything Austen II - addition #2

I'm getting the idea that I shall keep adding to this list ad infinitum - but what the hell. I knew six  nor seven would never be enough so I'm adding to it today and can't wait to start. 

8: Lost in Austen. I've wanted to watch this for ages, but finally, it's on the way. 

9: First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice. By a talented author with a real take on Austen. I'll enjoy sharing this because I think it's just (to use that quaint work I picked up living in England), lovely. Comments forthcoming. Great job Alexa!

Georgette Heyer: The Alastair Trilogy - These Old Shades and thanking authors I enjoy.

I made a point of reading the Alastair trilogy in order and I'm glad I did. It's not that you couldn't read it out of order, but it's just easier to follow along if you start at the beginning, as they say.

Summary: Justin Alastair, Duke of Avon, is called "Satanas" by all who know him and he certainly deserves it. He is known in both London and Paris as a rake of the first order and can be a dangerous man to know be you male or female. He can hold a grudge long, but he has a  quizzical eye and is mischievous as well.  When an ill-treated boy tumbles into Justin in the streets of Paris he takes it upon himself to purchase the child from a unkind brother to serve as his page. His new page, Leon, becomes useful and dedicated despite a wicked little temper, and there is something in his look that reminds Justin of his long hated enemy Comte de Saint-Vire. 


Comments: This is most decidedly a character driven novel and Justin Alastair is a most intriguing character that I have read so far from Heyer. He's equal parts devilish and sporting. You're never sure what he really means and it's almost impossible to read him, which makes him draw you into the book. Personally, I don't think he's evil, just selfish -- someone who concerns himself with only what will please him, but I do so like him ... the sort of slow way he speaks and the inferences he suggests. As much as I adore his grace, I do have a slight crush on Hugh Davenant, a friend of Avon's,  who is just a decent fellow and perhaps guides his grace more than Justin realizes. Heyer, in all her power here, is so descriptive of clothing, of language... again, I'm wondering if she actually lived the life and was reincarnated... she's masterful. Of course we know, about mid ways, how the story will go, but you just have to go along with it. {spoiler} Leon is, um, a girl, and a very beautiful one at that - Leonie has captured the old rake's heart, but ... ah, it's a Heyer novel and all, through its twists and turns, ends well. What a lovely book. I do think I prefer the books where the hero is a little bit of a bad boy and chooses to do the right thing, but perhaps that's just me. 
 I only wish I had known Ms. Heyer (and Miss Austen) when she was alive and could have told her how much I enjoyed her writing. So now I would like to say to the writers I'm reading now how much I enjoy reading their works. 


Thank you: 
Alexa Adams (some of the best short stories on the web and I love Janeicillin (for which I must thank you - it keeps me sane some days) and I'm starting First Impressions today!)
Mary Lydon Simonsen (WWII and Austen could it be better? And Anne Elliot w/a spine -- and saying all the things I want to say - hot damn. My comments will be forthcoming,)
Laurie Viera Rigler (Love time travel or something like it - but I'm a BIG fan of Dr. Who - wonder if he ever met Miss Austen because we know he met Agatha Christie, right? And you must watch the videos -- too amazing funny - when will there be a movie? There has to be a movie! Again comments forthcoming - Everything Austen II)
Beth Pattillo (Jane Austen ruined all of our lives in some way or another, at least I'm guessing. Everything Austen II)
Margaret Sullivan (Mags - There Must be Murder (how can you not love McGuffin??) is so good that I think it's part of Northanger Abbey - you're wonderful! BTW - let's get out the cluebat of Janeite Righteousness. Bring it.)
Tracy Kiely (all I need is a good murder (ah, this girl does love a murder) ... and a little bit of a love story)
Jane Odiwe (oh Willoughby, but you know... it's Brandon that makes it real)
Monica Fairview (I mean, did  you just make up your name? It is just too perfect. Loved the Darcy Cousins, but I read your books out of order which I do not like to do. That said, The Other Mr. Darcy is on its way as part of Everything Austen II. Can't wait!)


You guys (ladies) are great!