Monday, February 17, 2014

The Literary Heroine Blog Party!

Kellie from the lovely blog, Accordion to Kellie, is hosting her annual Literary Heroine Blog Party, and I am thrilled to join along once again! 
If you would like to join in on the fun, enter some pretty fabulous giveaway, and meet new people, click on the picture below. =) 






Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!
My name is Shannon. =) I am a 21 year old, head in the clouds gal living in North Carolina with my wonderful family. I am a freshman Elementary Education major at Liberty University Online, a lover of all things sunshiny and happy, a recently budding Sherlock fan (and there are many in my life who will be thrilled to find that out - haha ;-), a tea and coffee enthusiast, and a creator of Jane Austen era dresses for Gabby Marie Boutique



What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 
Selflessness and courage. 


Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 
  • Anne Shirley
  • Jane Eyre 
  • Christy Huddleston


Five of your favorite historical novels? 
Oh boy, this will be a hard one! :-D Narrowing it down drastically:
  1. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare
  2. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
  3. Anne of Green Gables, by L.M.Montgomery
  4. Emma, by Jane Austen
  5. Christy, by Catherine Marshall


Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why? 
While it was a hard decision, I would definitely have to say Anne Shirley is my favorite major character. Her optimism, whimsy and kindness are contagious, and I never tire of reading those books. =)



Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 
Fairlight Spencer, from Christy...a picture of true friendship. 


If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 
Ireland bound! I would love to travel across the country, drinking in the gorgeous scenery, visiting the places my family was from, and trying as many different foods as I can. =)

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What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?
 Revolutionary War (Georgian) Era. 


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



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


What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 
Pure love. ;-)

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Favorite author(s)? 
L.M. Montgomery
Madeline L'Engle
Elizabeth George Speare.
Janette Oke
Chautona Havig
Charlotte Bronte


Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?
A camera (wait, that's an essential ;-) ), my Kindle, laptop, and a travel journal. 

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In which century were most of the books you read written? 
That's pretty hard to pinpoint, as I love historical fiction in general - not just books based in one particular century. =)


In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 
Mr. Knightley. 



Describe your ideal dwelling place. 
Out in the country, fields stretching as far as the eye can see.... a cottage, with roses trailing up the sides, and flowers lining up the walk to the gate of a picket fence. Behind the house is a culinary and medicinal herb garden, and then a yard positively perfect for playing in. Past the tree with the swing is a large vegetable garden... 
Inside, sunshine and colors prevail, and each room is sprinkled with the sweet touches of family and life - pictures of loved ones past and present... book shelves filled with adventures to be explored...coloring pages on the fridge...cookies cooling on the kitchen counter...laughter filling the air. 

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Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence
Practical meets vintage meets girly meets indi. ;-) 


Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 
Yes, I'm not a giant fan of Elinor Dashwood's name..<:-)

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


Three favorite Non-fiction books? 
  • The Bible
  • The Handmade Marketplace, by Kari Chapin
  • Pie, by Angela Boggiano


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

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Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 
A floppy brimmed straw hat...in a shade of creamy yellow, very retro and feminine. 


Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year
I started college! 


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

"Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling."
~Psalms 116:5-8


Saturday, February 15, 2014

An anglophile baker's book review...

One word:


Pie. 


This past Christmas, my parents gave me one of the coolest cookbooks ever!



A *British* pie cookbook!!

(If you know anything about me at all... 

- even just what I post on Pinterest - 


E x h i b i t   A





E x h i b i t    B






...you know that I am pretty accurately described as an anglophile. ;-) )


Filled with English wonderfulness (like Cornish Pasties and Noble Pies), great pictures, easy instructions, and History lessons sprinkled throughout, this book will definitely be keeping this 

butter and sugar enthusiast busy baking

 this history junkie satisfied

and this anglophile extremely happy. 


After all, there is no such thing as too much pie. ;-)


I've tried three recipes so far, and all have been fabulous! My recent pie endeavor was a Sausage, Apple, and Sage Plate Pie. 

Please excuse the less-than-pretty crust - explanation below. =) 

The basic recipe was sooo yummy, but also super versatile. As per suggestion of my Mom, I will definitely be making this again, but giving it an Indian twist...a little curry, plenty of potato, pure yumminess. 


Also, let me just say a quick thing about the basic crust recipe from this book.

 It is amazing

I have made it twice so far, and it never fails. Seriously, even after messing up this last time and putting it in the oven thinking it was FOR SURE going to be tough and awful, it came out flaky and tender...buttery...yummy... This recipe is foolproof, which only makes me love the cookbook even more. 


Long story short: this book is 
awesome, 
completely original,
 fun, 
and I would *completely* recommend it!

Friday, February 14, 2014

♡ℋɑ℘℘ƴ Ѵɑℓℯɳʈɩɳℯ's Ɗɑƴ ♡

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

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I hope today is filled with spending time with those you love, and lots of chocolate. :-)

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More than that though, I hope this day is a sweet reminder of 
God's unfailing
unchanging
unfathomable 
love for you. 
He loves you more than words could ever say




"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
~Romans 5:8


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Thursday, February 13, 2014

⊱ Daybook ~ FℰℬℛUAℛY 13tℎ ⊰

I rediscovered the fun "Daybook" blog posts just now on Thing Loveliness, and decided to join in! :-) Before I fill in my daybook for today though, I wanted to let you all know how much I love Think Loveliness's posts on Pinterest. :-) She is a must-follow for all things pretty! 

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Outside my window... an igloo on our patio. :-D





I am thinking... of different cupcake options for tomorrow...I ♡ Valentine's Day!


I am thankful for... my family! 


In the kitchen... baked chicken, coleslaw, bacon corn, rice, and bread and butter....yummmm......


I am wearing... yellow socks. :-)




I am creating... an outline for a college assignment.


I am going... to be super busy next week, sewing like crazy on two custom dress orders both due to be sent off on the 22nd.....trying not to be a tad bit stressed about the fact that my shipment of fabric is delayed due to the massive amount of snow North Carolina has gotten this week...<:-)


I am reading... the Bible, a textbook, and I'm thinking of re-reading Christy. :-)  


I am hoping... for SPRING!


..

I am learning... priorities. 


A favorite verse for today...  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." ~Psalms 119:105


One of my favorite things... 



A few plans for the rest of the week: Homework, baking cupcakes tomorrow, and ladies Bible study on Saturday. :-) 


A peek into my day...




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