Good Afternoon

It has been awhile hasn't it? Sorry about the long absence I have like a good girl been focusing on classes! But now that class is finally coming to end I would like to start keeping up my blog and other various sites. I guess you could say that keeping up this blog will be a little bit of a new years resolution! Anyway I hope everyone is having a blessed Advent. More tales to come of what its like at my current residence, at the Catholic Women's House on campus!
Rose Tea

My very own Sakura Bento!

I recently splurged and bought my very own sakura bento! I just can't wait for it to come. Oh and in case you are not crazy in Japanese things, I shall explain exactly what a bento is and why you must have one! A bento is for all practical purposes a lunch box (extremely cool!) which also seems to have become an art (seriously search bento and you will find this crazy but amazing bento meals!) Not only that but it so very pretty and did I mention historical? Dating back at least to the Meiji era (roughly 1850's our time). Sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom. Just another anecdote in the life of an insane Japaneses addict!

Movie Scarves (Tentative title)

I have come up with the idea of knitting scarves from various movies and selling them on our etsy shop. Right know I only have a couple of patterns and ideas for perspective scarves. One being the scarf shown two your right (Amy's scarf from the newer Doctor Who) being one of the few, if you wish to see more of my ideas visit my pinterested board Movie Scarf!

Darling 1940's Felt Hat

A stylish 100% wool 1940's hat. This hat will not only be a classic addition to your wardrobe but also a practical one! Size sm with a wire in the rim so you can style it any way you want! Made by Lee Bury of Dallas company for there Miss Eileen collection.

I just love the photos from this shooting session. Models by my dear sister, I think the poses really make her look like a 40's movie star! Only the pale blue shirt (hey look it's Emma Peal!) jars the image. We should have probably dressed her up in a grey flannel dress suit to match.... but I'm sure she would have draw the line at that .... there is only so much one can get their siblings to do for money. 

If your a 1940's fashion wanabe or just someone with refined tastes this is a great buy for you! Check out our Etsy listing: Lovely Felt Grey Wool 40's styled Hat

Oriental Fusion Fashion

For my senior prom the theme was oriental, I had initially planed on wearing one of the Chinese dresses that my dad got for me when he went there for business. But after some consideration I realized that it would be nearly impossible to dance in. I was certian that I would have to make something or not dress acording to theme (but that's no fun!) After doing some research on oriental clothing I came up with an idea how to renovate a modern formal dress into a hanbok/kimono cross. I had obtained an old bridesmaid dress from a friend of the family with the intention of remodeling it into a Victorian ball gown (which was later determined impractical because of the low back). I used this for the skirt. I modified a pattern I found at a fabric store for the kimono jacket (or if you prefer to be correct in your terms it would be a gi, but kimono jacket sound so much more elegant) and picked out some pretty oriental fabric for the obi (a.k.a. the sash) all tied up with the gold cord.

Oriental Fusion Formal Dress

River Rambling

 I Spent a lovely Sunday evening rambling down the river with my two sisters looking for shells, it is at times like those that make you glad to be alive! That is to say until I slipped on a rock and nearly bashed my head in! Then it was I can't wait to get home because I'm freezing!

A Doctor Who scarf to make even the Doctor jealous!

Deepest apologies for not keeping up with my posting, I shan't let it happen again. And so since college is starting up again I will try to keep it sweet and short!

! Caution !

Amazing, mind-boggling, fantastically long Doctor Who scarf in process of being made. Hand crafted with acrylic yarn in the lovely shades worn by the beloved curly headed doctor! Now taking orders! 

Get an authentically long thick Doctor Who scarf from the season of your choosing - a scarf to make even the Doctor jealous!

Obtain you very own custom made (not so long or thick) 4th Doctor scarf - for those fans who want the fashion statement, but not the danger of being hanged by their own scarf!

A Scarf to make the Doctor Envious! - Esty Listing

Introducing ...

I would like to introduce to you my older sister, Grace! She and I have combined our blogs to create Sisters Tea, a daily tea party for friends and family with witty remarks, old fashioned charm, and the occasional brilliant idea! Take it away Grace!
           I do not actually know what to say. This is not due to modesty either. I am supposed to start writing these posts in a manner which is commonly called cute.  I am working on that. But as my sister has just pointed out to me, I have never really cultivated the art of being cute. I may be brilliant, clever, artistic, sardonic, and bad at speling but not cute.
 I hope you will be able to join us for the further adventures of the Sisters Tea! 

Wow its been awhile!

I just realized that I haven't written since February! Things do pile up though, lets see whats been new with me..... Well I recently graduated from high school, started a new obsession on the Japanese Culture, am now learning French, and also got a job as a Firearms inspector. Between all those things I have been rather busy, I suppose I should be able to occasionally post something random now and again. And seeing as this isn't all that interesting of a post by it's self, I shall now include a  random piece of music that I find a rather interesting, for some reason it reminds me of Doctor Who

Today's Doodle

While others today are doing important things, some striving to achieve greatness, saving and destroying worlds, making history, cracking the worlds mysteries, while some are sitting in class doodling. Well as you might have guessed I am one of those people who instead of busing themselves with many of our worlds great problems or mysteries, I busy myself with the not so important task of doodling. Well presented here for your inspection is my days efforts (something along that line...)

Wondering about the writing? I suppose I should elaborate, basically some different Latin phrases that I had been helping my little brother translate, not to mention it looks really neat to write in a dead langue! Anyway as translated the one on the scroll reads "Ora et Labora" which literally means pray and work. The slightly smaller latin phrase reads, Quo Vadis , which means where are you going. 

Literary Heroine Blog Party - 2012

I decided that it might be a fun way to relax (since I don't have any school today,yipee!) to take part in this blog party hosted by Miss Kellie

Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

A little about me ~ I am a senior/freshman in high school/college homeschooler! (wow that kinda  got away from me) to further explain I am a highschooler who is now taking a my first year of college a year early. I am majoring in animal science and hope to eventually go on to Vet school. Besides my fondness of all living creatures, I am also a complete any-thing Jane Austen Nut, (not to mention, Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Anime Nut(oops! how did that get in there?)). Besides my somewhat bizarre likes, I am the happy middle child of a large Catholic Family ( ten kids, composed of seven boys and three girls) and enjoy spending much of my time with them! I am a stolid believer in the right to life, and the dignity of every person! Now that's over I can move on to the other questions.

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 

I can't exactly say, would I think be different for everyone. I suppose in essence it would be anyone who longs and fights for the truth. Not someone who is perfect but despite their faults peruses perfection. Someone who overcomes their fears and becomes better, and is willing to be saved

Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 

Amy Dorrit

Jane Eyre

Ester Summerson

Five of your favorite historical novels?  

Jane Eyre

North and South

Bleak House

Little Dorrit

Wives and Daughters

Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? 

Jane Eyre - My favorite character would be Jane. I love how she sees the world, though she has experience very little love or kindness, she still is a good person who does not resent the people who where unkind to her. 

North and South - My favorite character is Margret. I admire her strength, how she takes care of everyone around her, how she stands firm even in tragedy.

Bleak House - My favorite character is Esther. She is probably the kindest creature alive! Can't be matched in her humility or gratitude.

Little Dorrit - My favorite Character is Amy. She has such fortitude, and patience, she is always affectionate and caring. In her quite way she watches for out for all those who are dear to her.

Wives and Daughters -  I love little Molly, she such a lovely character, so believable. 

Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 

Jane Eyre - Mr. Rochester, he adds an interesting element to the story, being almost the exact opposite of Jane. There conversations together are quite intriguing!

Bleak House - I just love the character Mr.Woodcort, though he is not much in the book, the point in which you do read about him, make him unforgettable!

North and South - Mr. Thorton is quite the interesting character, adding much to the story in way of intellect and an objective view of what it is like on the other side of the industrial revolution

Little Dorrit - Mr. Clements is quite the hero, I love his quite gentleness to everyone, especially to little dorrit.

Wive and Daughters - Roger the steady gentle Roger. Such a interesting character!

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

My dream is to eventually travel to either the UK (including a round tour of England, Ireland and Scotland) or to go to Japan. For the UK trip I would visit all the places that my favorite Authors lived, and go to see the country side. In Japan I would probably mostly visit historical sites and learn more about their culture (which I find fascinating!)

What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

Depending on the culture, for England I prefer the from Regency to early industrial revolution. For Japan I prefer the Baskumes to the Meiji era, but more Meiji.

I like the English culture mainly because of the books written in it history and though the culture is very interesting I suppose I have been getting a little tired of it. My newest fanaticism is the Japanese culture, which is quite different from the other oriental culture once you start learning more about it!

You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? 

I would probably would recite a very dark or dramatic poem or selection, that or play a song on my violin.

If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 

Probably Jane Eyre because I look very much like how that character was described. Plus I just love the costume of that time!

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 

Fine for an occasional treat, but not exactly my favorite.

Favorite author(s)? 

Elizabeth Gaskell, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, Watsuki Nobuhiro, and some others that I can't think of right now.

Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? 

My sister, a dictionary in that langue, painting supplies, a pack horse or two, swords, two wool cloaks, and walking staff.

In which century were most of the books you read written? 

Victorian mostly...

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 

Besides Kenshin (which might not be included as literature) not anyone I can think of off the top of my head.

Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

A place in deep in the mountains of some distant land, a delightfully ancient house filled with books, old papers, maps, and paintings. A stable is a must. 

Sum up your fashion style in five words. 

historical, old-fashioned, colorful, creative, and quaint. 

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 

Yes, in Mansfield park I wish the main character had any name except Fanny, such a horrid name!

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 

the villain in Bleak House, Mr. Tulkinghorn!

Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

How to grow Bonsai

Medrick Veterinarian Manuel

Diary of Anne Frank

Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 

Horse back riding, painting or reading.

Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 

elegant sophisticated and NO HAT! If I must wear something over my head probably a long flowing veil.

Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 

Probably starting college a year early, it has been interesting to say the lest, but not exactly as challenging as I thought it would be.

Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

My favorite is and probably not a original choice but it is one of my favorites:

For the plan He has for you are for your good, not evil, life not death, to give you a future and a hope.

~ Jeremiah 29:11

Jane Austen Giveaway

Love Jane Austen? What about knitting? If you do check out this giveaway at Grace's Garden Walk!
The lovely things for giveaway are as follows:

Jane Austen Knitting Magazine - Essential!

Jane Austen Stitch Markers - too cute!

Changes

We all experience change in our life times, sometime all of the time. I think that change offers flavor to life, and I would have to say that I hate change when I have to deal with it and then when I have gotten use to those changes I long for something new. So continues the cycle of endless dissatisfaction. So in one of those more boring points in my life, I decided to give my blog a makeover, and here is the final result. What do you think? It ended up looking a lot nicer then I thought it would. Well also I suppose that you might have noticed that I haven't exactly been posted every week. So it's been several months, I've been very busy okay! Wait didn't I just say that I was board?  Well busy doesn't mean that I have been very active lately. Pretty much I have been spending my days:

• driving to class (listening to Phil Keaggy, driving into the ditch oops!)
• working on homework in the library (reading Captain Blood, Rurouni Kenshin..etc), 
• driving home again (hey.. there's the spot I drove into the ditch!) 
• doing more homework (playing with my blog design)
• cleaning the kitchen with Luker (Put the knife down right now Luke!)
• Sleeping (Reading, studying, and watching tv, anything but sleeping!)

So that is what I do everyday (except what I'm really doing is in the parentheses! Except for driving the car into the ditch, that I haven't managed to do, yet.)
Anyway I should be working on home work, tat tat for now!

The Realization

That no one is doing the twelve days of Christmas films (not even me!). Well it's always hard to admit these things to one's self. And since I have realized that I am not keeping up with my own silly contest, and also that no one really wants to do it. Oh well, I can't really remember why I started this in the first place? So I'm sorry I inconvenienced anyone, I was worth a shot right? Maybe I'll give it a try some year in the hopefully not too distant future.

The Seventh Day of Christmas Films ~Beatrix Potter Christmas

Here is a link to today's film Beatrix Potter Christmas

Tailor of Gloucester

Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

One of the best children films that I have every seen, beautiful animation, inspiring music, and the adorable British accents! Who could resist such a classic tale?

Favorite quote:

I don't have a quote but I do have a sample of the lovely music!

The Sixth Day of Christmas Films ~ Muppet's Christmas Carol

Muppet's Christmas Carol

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A personal family favorite of the classic tale by Dickens (portraied by Gonzo) accompined by his not so faithful rat. Well, maybe not so faithful a retelling but defeinatly a funny one! I mean who could resist? Kermit the Frog as Bob Kratchet, Fozzey as Mr. Fezzywig, and not to forget Michael Cane as Scrooge (who probably acted the most faithful to his character as Dickens wrote it!)
Favorite quotes:
Gonzo: My name is Charles Dickens. Rizzo the Rat: And my name is Rizzo the Rat... wait a second! You're not Charles Dickens! Gonzo: I am too! Rizzo the Rat: No! A blue furry Charles Dickens who hangs out with a rat? Gonzo: Absolutely! Rizzo the Rat: Charles Dickens was a 19th Century novelist! A genius! Gonzo: Oh, you are too kind! Rizzo the Rat: Why should I believe you? Gonzo: Well, because I know the story of A Christmas Carol like the back of my hand! Rizzo the Rat: Prove it! Gonzo: All right! Um, there's a little mole on my thumb, and um, a scar on my wrist from when I fell off my bike... Rizzo the Rat: No, no, no, don't tell us your *hand*, tell us the *story*!

The Fifth Day of Christmas Films ~ Doctor Who Christmas Special

Happy Feast of the Holy Mother of God! and I hope the new year has being going well! This is probably one of the most obsure of all the movies we chose, but we couldn't leave it out. My family is what you might call rather ecentric, and one of the things that would classify us as such is our obession with Doctor Who, a British TV series.

The Next Doctor

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

This wasn't the best of all Doctor Whos, but enjoyable none the less. Doctor Who and Victorian England, not to mention the cybermen! Not exactly a family movie, so no one under the age of thirteen, mostly because of the scaryness (I'm not exactly sure thats even a word..)

Favorite Quote:

Jackson: There she is. My transport through time and space. The TARDIS!
The Doctor:  You've got a balloon.
Jackson:  TARDIS. T - A - R - D - I - S. It stands for Tethered Aerial Release Developed in Style! Do you see?
The Doctor: Well, I do now. I like it. Good TARDIS.