Monday, February 28, 2011

Literary Heroine Blog Party

I'm participating in Kellie's lovely Literary Heroine Blog Party!



~ The Questions ~


Compiled by Miss Kellie & Miss Natasha


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

Trusting in God, patience even in difficult and frustrating situations, strength and clearness during times of crisis, true loveliness of character, constancy, and modesty. (oh - and a beautiful dress always helps!)


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

Fanny Price of Mansfield Park by J. Austen
Polly Milton of An Old Fashioned Girl by L.M. Alcott
Elnora Comstock of A Girl of the Limberlost by G.S. Porter
Anne Elliot of Persuasion by J. Austen


•Five of your favorite historical novels?

Quentin Durward by Sir Walter Scott
Anne of Gierstien by the same.
Kidnapped by R.L. Stevenson
Mansfield Park by J. Austen


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

I think it would be a tie between Quentin Durward, Alan Breck Stewart, and Fanny Price.

Why? Quentin Durward is the definition of a hero, Alan Breck makes me laugh, and Fanny is such a real and unique heroine.



If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?
This is a very hard question for some reason...let see. I would like to attend the Gettysburg reenactment and see the battlefield one day - and it would be lovely to see Scotland sometime.



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

I have several favorites:
1860s America
1940s America/Europe
100 Years War - Europe
Jacobite Rebellions, Scotland, 1715-1750
Israel in ancient times especially in the time f Jesus

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

Probably would be me playing the guitar accompanying my brothers who would be on the fiddle.


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

Jane Eyre - I've been wanting to make a grey/blue wool 1830s-40s dress for quite a while now....and I think I could easily look the part of a quiet, plain governess.

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?
Sundrops (organic M&Ms by Sunspire) and Alambama chocolate  pie are the two most amazing types of chocolate, but I love pretty much all forms of chocolate. (except semi-sweet, ugh.)



•Favorite author(s)?
Sir Walter Scott
Jane Austen
Rober Louis Stevenson
Charlotte Bronte



•As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good? Why?

Honestly this question has always puzzled me to no end. Can't I just say all the above??

•In which century were most of the books you read written?
19th Century



•In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…
Quentin Durward



Describe your ideal dwelling place.
A two-story rock ranch house - far far out in the country, near a creek, with a lovely yard and garden surrounded by big shady cottonwood trees.

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

hmm.....no. Not that I can remember....

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

Richard Varney (actually Leicester as well...) from Kenilworth by Scott


Three favorite Non-fiction books?

The Bible
Sarah Morgan - the Civil War Diary of a Southern Woman
Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans

•Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?
Sewing up a new dress from an old vintage pattern with some scrumptious new white and blue printed voile. Or, being completely absorbed in the latest Scott book (I love reading a new book and not knowing what will happen next!!) or.....driving down to the creek with friends for hiking and a picnic...

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

A mid 19th-century straw bonnet trimmed with peachy pink plaid silk ribbon, white daisys, and yellow paper roses. OR - a completely ridiculous edwardian confection, absolutely dripping with flowers, ribbon, lace and feathers, but still very tasteful, of course. :^P 
Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.
Attending the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, going to our first HSA event, meeting new friends, managing a growing sewing business, and hosting a Retro-Themed Homeschool Dance.


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

Isaiah 40:10-12 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his fock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry htem in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, an dmeted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the  dust of the earth ina measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

I 've been working on reading through Isaiah lately, and even though I don't always understand the prophecies described, I loved this verse because it's so comforting to be reminded that God is so awesome and bigger than the whole earth, that he can hold the oceans in the palm of his hand, and knows the exact dimentions of space - yet he is caring enough to be completely involved and holding our hand in all our little sorrows and worries....

And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons? 1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style? 2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror?

I think one of those absolutely darling pins would look very nice on my floral book-tote bag.

I'd love to see a mirror with a character/quote from one of my favorite pieces of literature! But I do love the ones you already have - my favorite so far is the 'Cook' one!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Retro Themed Homeschool Dance Part 2

The dance was held in an old school gym with very worn wood floors. It was really perfect for the dance - just the right size!

We did a conglomeration of 1860s ballroom, English Country, and Swing dances.

List of dances...

Virginia Reel

Racing across the floor....

I love swing dancing! We've just learned some recently - but it's soo much fun!

Rebecca, myself, and Ginger

The Carolina Promenade



Broom dance craziness!

Just the girls!

The whole group - about 96 in all!

Such a wondeful time! I hope we can do it again soon!


Monday, February 21, 2011

Retro Themed Homeschool Dance Part 1

Last weekend we had a simply wonderful 40s-50s themed dance!  Part one will be about our retro costumes, and part two will be the actual pictures from the dance.


The dance didn't start until 5:30, but we girls started getting ready at 1pm! We barely got done in time - in fact, I was so rushed that I forgot my earrings. lol. But - our hairstyles turned out nicely thanks to the flax seed lotion and lots of hairspray and bobby pins! :^)

The less-than-glamourous trio with their pin curls up before bedtime. (but it will be worth it!)


Aspen's lovely pin curls

My pin curls...I cut my hair last week so they really  made my hair seem short. yikes!



Aspen wore a vintage 50s dress that I picked up at an estate sale for $5. I thought the color and fit were perfect for her age. It's almost sailor-themed, and it has these cute little rhinestones all about the neckline. I love the swingy, pleated skirt!

Her hair was parted on the side a combed back into a slight poof. All the curls where then gathered up and pinned on top, and decorated with paper roses.

Carolina wore a blouse made from a vintage 40s pattern, and her pink circle skirt I made last year with a black velvet belt, white tights, and black leather slippers.

Her curls were simply gathered back into two clips.

The guys trying to figure out how to tie a tye....

Laredo did a German military outfit and Cim did American AF. Here they are with two other brothers who also did the same. Don't they look handsome?

You can read more about my outfit and hairstyle here.

Mom and Dad. Mom wore a green vintage 50s dress, accented with a rhinestone pin, and yellow leather heels. Dad did a 50s cowboy look.


the whole family!

Stockton did a semi-casual military look with a tea-dyed shirt, khaki pants and a black tye and military insignia.


...up next - the dance!

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