BBC's Emma

We just finished watching BBC's new Emma, I had seen it before on YouTube but it was great to get to see it on a larger screen and not in ten minute segments.=)

I have to say, it is very difficult for me to compare the different Emma's. This is now the fourth one that we own. There are aspects on each that I like, although I'm really not big on the old BBC one. I grew pup watching the Kate Beckinsale one so that is the most familiar to me. The Gwyneth Paltrow version was a little too silly for my liking but I do enjoy it. This one I really enjoyed, although they did take out a few of my favorite lines. I think Romola Garai did an excellent job, and that she makes a very good Emma, though a little bit bouncier than I am used to her being. I loved the music, and although I do not think the dancing was entirely accurate for that period it was very fun and made me want to get up and join them.

I think when watching all these different versions you just have to take each one for what it is, and enjoy the different takes that people put on it. I wouldn't say that any one is better than another, just different.

Some Houses I Wouldn't Mind Calling Home

The Delights of My More Girly Side

As many of you know, I have a tendency to be a little less girly in some areas, but here's of few of my favorite things about being a girl!

Wearing lovely long, white skirts!

Bolts and more bolts of fabric. Just think of all the wonderful things you can do with it!

I do have a weakness for heels, they have to be just right, but I will indulge in a pair of wholly impractical ones on occasion. ;-)

I love longer earrings, preferably more simple elegant ones.

Gotta love long hair! This is one I feel somewhat sorry for guys with, you have no idea how fun it is to play with hair!

Pickin wildflowers!

And I do like my make-up, try to keep it simple though.

This is one of my absolute favorite scents, though I have few others I like too.

Anyway, there's a few things about my more girly side!

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I were just one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting."
L.M. Montgomery

A Tag from Johanna

1. High heels or boots? BOOTS!

2. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15ish

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? A Christmas Carol 3D

4. What is your name? Laurel

5. What is your favorite TV show? Stargate: Atlantis

6. What do you usually have for breakfast? I don't typically eat breakfast...sometimes a glass of milk or a cup of tea.

7. What is your middle name? Bethany

8. What food do you dislike? Not too big on pickles...or artichoke hearts.

9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Awaken the Dawn by Keith and Kristyn Getty

10. What characteristic do you despise? Stupidity, irresponsibility and pride.

11. Favorite clothing? Skirts and boots!!

12. Anywhere in the world on vacation? A tour of Europe!

13. Are you an organized person? Well, I like my life to be organized, but compared to others in my house I'm not so great at it.

14. Where would you retire to? I'd travel.

15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My most recent one.

16. What are you going to do when you finish this? Hmm, if my internet is still working probably do some online research.

17. What is your Birthstone? Sapphire.

18. Person you expect to publish this first? No idea.

19. When is your birthday? September!!

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night, I do not function well in the morning, wish I did...

21. What is your shoe size? Typically a 4 or 5.

22. Do you own any animals? Not personally, but my family has some.

23. Any news you'd like to share? My big sister is being courted, I just rearranged my room... nothing too much going on right now.

24. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? A firefighter!

25. What is your favorite flower? I love wildflowers, but don't have a particular favorite.

26. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Tomorrow! We get to celebrate Hannah's birthday!

27. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? A really dark, deep red.

28. How is the weather right now? Gorgeously clear and sunny!

29. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mr. Underhill

30. Favorite drink? Water!

31. Favorite restaurant? Probably ShowThyme!

32. Hair color? Medium brown, with some lighter highlights.

33. What was your favorite toy as a child? Legos!

34. Summer or winter? Not big on snow but I prefer cold weather to hot. So, not really sure. How 'bout Autumn?!

35. Chocolate or vanilla? What kind of question that? Chocolate all the way!

36. Coffee or tea? Mmm, I love coffee, but am very fond of tea as well. My favorite is a Mocha Black Rasberry tea I got a bit ago, nummy!

37. Wish you were still young? Ha, I wouldn't really call myself old yet!

38. Do you want your friends to publish this? Sure.

39. When was the last time you cried? A couple weeks ago.

40. What is under your bed? Movies, clothes bin and Cd's.

41 . What did you do last night? Had a group of peoples over, took a two hour walk, and slept!

42. What are you afraid of? My own weaknesses, and ( in a right sense) God.

43. Salty or sweet? Sweet, but not too sweet.

44. Best quality you have? Do I have to answer that? I guess commitment to what I believe and not being afraid of being different from the world.

45. How many years at your current job? 1 and a 1/2.

46. Favorite day of the week? Sunday!

47. What four people will you tag?Any four that are willing! ;-)

A Few of My Favorite Things...

" Seriously, there is something very refreshing about sheets and pillow slips just fresh from the line, after being washed and dried in the sun and air. Just try them that way and see if your sleep is not sweeter. " Laura Ingalls Wilder


"When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen." A.A. Milne


"You can never have too many hats, gloves, and shoes." Patsy Stone



"Books - the original laptop"
— found in an old dusty bookstore




"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." Charles Dickens


"Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness" Anne Frank


"Saunter slowly in the sun, eating chocolate, and carry a blanket so you can take a nap."


"Without music, life would be a mistake." Friedrich Neitzsche


"Give me a good sharp knife and a good sharp cheese and I’m a happy man." George R.R. Martin



"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." Henry James



"For obvious reasons, I never told you about my notebook, with a cover as green as mansions long ago, which I use as a commonplace book, a phrase which here means 'place where I have collected passages from some of the most important books I have read.'" Lemony Snicket


"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." Jane Austen

"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them." Lemony Snicket


"Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly."
Cornelia Funke

"I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C.S. Lewis