It's the calm before the storm around here at the moment. Hubby and I are treading water, not quite twiddling our thumbs, finishing up tasks on our list that need to be done before we leave for Italy, and generally trying NOT to get too excited too soon.
I shopped last week. I found a great new travel purse, and a black Madewell tee that will round out my warm weather travel choices. I may have purchased a gorgeous pair of burgundy Paul Green loafers for fall. But you'll have to wait until we return from Italy to hear about those. I'm thinking they will lessen the post trip let down, when I know I'll be thinking, "Manotick is lovely, but it ain't Rome." Nothing like planning a new outfit to lift one's spirits, eh?
This week, I'll be finalizing my packing lists, and then, well, packing. And trying to maintain my equanimity. I've been listening to books on my Audible ap on my phone. If outfit planning can lift one's spirits, there's nothing like a little gentle reading, or listening, to calm them.
I'd never listened to Jane Austen books on Audible before. Rosamund Pike narrating Pride and Prejudice is sublime. Eleven hours and thirty-five minutes of heaven. That's her on the left below, playing Jane Bennet in the 2005 movie version of the novel. Not my favourite film version, I will say.
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The Bennet sisters in the 2005 movie version. |
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The Bennet sisters from the 1995 mini-series. |
Me and Mr. Bennet in Bath, October, 2017 |
I told him all about the incident at my Mum's one evening years ago, when Hubby was upstairs reading, and Mum and I were in the living room drinking tea and watching Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time. And as we watched the scene where Alison Steadman shrieks, "Oh, Mr. Bennet my poor nerves," Hubby descended the stairs. Mum paused the tape, jumped up from her chair, and in a perfect imitation of Mrs. Bennet, shrieked, "Oh, Stuart, shall we have some tea?" She then looked quizzically at me, as if she were thinking, "What the hell did I just say?" And then she and I fell over laughing. Hubby rolled his eyes and headed for the safety of the kitchen and some normal conversation with my stepfather. Ha.
We love that story. Even more now I can add that in front of the Jane Austen Centre that day last fall, Mr. Bennet drawled in what I soon learned was a wonderful Somerset accent, "And di-id yourrrr husband, say 'Silly women?'"
"He did indeed," I replied. And we chuckled. Then I headed inside for tea. Besides my chat with Mr. Bennet, I loved the apricot cake, the fact that I was not the only solitary reader taking tea, and that glimpse of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy photo-bombing my shot. It's often the small moments on a trip leave the most indelible memories, I think.
Taking tea in the Regency Tea Room in the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. |
We simply cannot keep ahead of the apples. |
Now, what are you up to these days folks? Speaking of calm and storms, I know that many of you are probably hunkered down what with all the big weather events this week. Hope you stay dry and safe.
Linking up this week with Thursday Favourite Things and Saturday Share Link-up.
Oh Susan, do have a lovely trip (in character please).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny. Okay.. in character... guess I better start reading some Donna Leon and assume the guise of one of her Venetian characters:)
DeleteBeen reading a German blog. There too an annoyingly good year for apples.
ReplyDeleteShe made a 'baked apple' pie. (First bake your filled apples ... then pie)
I have never heard of a baked apple pie. Must look that up for next year.
DeleteThis is a very good year for apples indeed-we have a lot of them in Croatia,despite all the bad weather during early spring
ReplyDeleteOne could hear or read (or watch)Pride and Prejudice every week again and no one can be better Mr. Darcy than Colin Firth
Have a wonerful trip
I'm home from Vienna. The teperatures were between 20 and 25 °C,with a rain on the second day(I went home when it started)-I was wearing white or light washed jeans (with the exception of the concert night-silk shirt dress),with silk or cotton tees with short sleeves,silver nike sneakers for the rain and sandals for the rest. I did take sweater with me on walks or dinners,but had it actually never on. I hope that this could be helpful
Dottoressa
wonderful, of course :-)
DeleteD.
Thanks, Dottoressa. I have been thinking of more warm weather outfits as our departure draws nearer. But I'll still go prepared for cooler weather in the mountains etc. I may have to take up some of Hubby's suitcase room:)
DeleteI just adored the TV series of the novel. I'm listening to The Husbands Secret on audible at the moment. I've also just bought a black Madewell T. We're clearly sisters:)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.muttonstyle.com
Ha. I guess we are:)
DeleteOhh! That's me! How kind. Those days before you leave for a trip, everything is decided and you seem to be running on the spot...that's why I try now to schedule long train journeys for the morning so I am up, off and out. Enjoy the happy hours of listening as you zoom along.
ReplyDeleteHa. Not much zooming on trains around here. Although I love to take the train to shop in Montreal or Toronto. We don't have the extensive rail system that you do in the UK.
DeleteThere has been no Mr. Darcy to compare to Colin Firth...aloof, elegant, sincere and ever so pleasing to look at especially dripping wet! My favourite book of all time is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (along with Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte) so that gives a clue to my somewhat romantic nature. Currently reading 'The Miniaturist' by Jessie Burton since it ties in so beautifully with our very recent trip to Amsterdam and a viewing of Petronella Oortman's amazing real-life dollhouse at the Rijkmuseum.
ReplyDeleteI love the time before travelling when household chores are being completed and the suitcase is almost ready to be packed...the anticipation is building and its difficult to maintain equanimity as the excitement builds. A new black tee shirt is a wonderful building piece to add to your wardrobe and will be so useful when travelling. Imagine that...I just bought burgundy with black trim leather flats to add to my fall wardrobe. Black is such a staple and is just the perfect base for a versatile travel wardrobe. Please share details about the new travel purse. Enjoy the time before you leave despite the busyness of household maintenance and packing...it is all too fleeting. Cheers, Alayne
I'm enjoying the lull this week. Savouring the last few jobs, and then the packing...with no rushing. I hate rushing.
DeleteAnother P & P fan here. I read it as a young teenager not having been a reader before and I finally understood reading for pleasure. I love all of Austen’s books and heartily wish she’d lived longer and written more. I re-read them all every couple of years and while I admire Sense and Sensibility and Emma, Pride and Prejudice will always be my favourite. And no-one comes close to the impeccable Mr Firth as Darcy - sublime, just sublime. Enjoy the lead up to your trip and I look forward to travelling with you vicariously.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I often wish that so many of my favourite authors could write just one more book.
DeleteI love the idea of listening to Austen on the lead up to Italy. Or of course one could listen to A Room With A View too;).
ReplyDeleteNow there's an idea for the plane. Thanks, Lisa:)
DeleteWe're departing on a much shorter (in all dimensions) trip tomorrow AM, and I notice I am going through many of your preparations. Hope you have a lovely holiday.
ReplyDeletececi
Thanks, Ceci... you too.
DeleteI am excited to watch the P & P version with Colin Firth! I loved the 2005 movie, but haven't seen the one with Colin Firth, and I can just imagine it's great. I really enjoyed this post -- Thanks so much for sharing it at Thursday Favorite Things!
ReplyDeleteThe Colin Firth version is our favourite!! I think I've watched it about 5 times now. I love the opening music. I actually used it as part of my wedding ceremony when my small bridal party walked down the aisle
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