annie blog

An Answer for Kathleen
Kathleen asked in the comments section of the last post about some books that I had recommended to her about Jane Austen. I should say here that I went through a big Jane Austen thing last fall and basically read everything that I could get my hands on. But I don’t have many specific recollections of the books because I was reading them all at once and not paying much attention to where I read what and who had written such, etc. That being said, I thought that I’d post a list with links to some of the books that I either browsed or read intently during my Jane phase last year.

Jane Austen’s Letters is a book that Jon got me last year. I’ve enjoyed it. Basically, it’s a collection of her letters. Also, the authors really help you by explaining who she is referring to in the letters — which is helpful seeing as how the same names are shared by many.

Jane Austen: The Real World of Her Novels was a book that I really liked. It explains the settings of all of her novels as well as generally informing the reader as to the politics, fashions, social rank and even sanitation and housekeeping of the day. Reading background material like this makes the novels even more interesting for me.

Jane Austen Cookbook was a good read as well. Reading about what people used to eat is really fascinating to me. Beyond the fascination with what they were actually eating, this book also made me really feel truly sorry for the servants. Can you imagine stirring for an hour to make a poundcake? I mean, if I have to stir something for 10 minutes I feel like my arm is going to fall off. Just seeing how far cooking has come from then to now is truly amazing.

I also read others but have forgotten which ones. I also didn’t read any fan fiction — so I can’t recommend any of that.

So, now I’m in need of a new author to lose myself in. Any suggestions?

*I almost forgot, the book Miniatures in Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen, is an excellent book by Peter Leithart. In it, he offers his insight on each of Austen’s novels and underscores the Christian themes throughout the books. Also, he has a new book, Writer of Fancy: The Playful Piety of Jane Austen, that I’m going to check out as soon as I can. Maybe I can persuade my library to buy it for me?

An Answer for Kathleen
Kathleen asked in the comments section of the last post about some books that I had recommended to her about Jane Austen. I should say here that I went through a big Jane Austen thing last fall and basically read everything that I could get my hands on. But I don’t have many specific recollections of the books because I was reading them all at once and not paying much attention to where I read what and who had written such, etc. That being said, I thought that I’d post a list with links to some of the books that I either browsed or read intently during my Jane phase last year.

Jane Austen’s Letters is a book that Jon got me last year. I’ve enjoyed it. Basically, it’s a collection of her letters. Also, the authors really help you by explaining who she is referring to in the letters — which is helpful seeing as how the same names are shared by many.

Jane Austen: The Real World of Her Novels was a book that I really liked. It explains the settings of all of her novels as well as generally informing the reader as to the politics, fashions, social rank and even sanitation and housekeeping of the day. Reading background material like this makes the novels even more interesting for me.

Jane Austen Cookbook was a good read as well. Reading about what people used to eat is really fascinating to me. Beyond the fascination with what they were actually eating, this book also made me really feel truly sorry for the servants. Can you imagine stirring for an hour to make a poundcake? I mean, if I have to stir something for 10 minutes I feel like my arm is going to fall off. Just seeing how far cooking has come from then to now is truly amazing.

I also read others but have forgotten which ones. I also didn’t read any fan fiction — so I can’t recommend any of that.

So, now I’m in need of a new author to lose myself in. Any suggestions?

*I almost forgot, the book Miniatures in Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen, is an excellent book by Peter Leithart. In it, he offers his insight on each of Austen’s novels and underscores the Christian themes throughout the books. Also, he has a new book, Writer of Fancy: The Playful Piety of Jane Austen, that I’m going to check out as soon as I can. Maybe I can persuade my library to buy it for me?

An Answer for Kathleen
Kathleen asked in the comments section of the last post about some books that I had recommended to her about Jane Austen. I should say here that I went through a big Jane Austen thing last fall and basically read everything that I could get my hands on. But I don’t have many specific recollections of the books because I was reading them all at once and not paying much attention to where I read what and who had written such, etc. That being said, I thought that I’d post a list with links to some of the books that I either browsed or read intently during my Jane phase last year.

Jane Austen’s Letters is a book that Jon got me last year. I’ve enjoyed it. Basically, it’s a collection of her letters. Also, the authors really help you by explaining who she is referring to in the letters — which is helpful seeing as how the same names are shared by many.

Jane Austen: The Real World of Her Novels was a book that I really liked. It explains the settings of all of her novels as well as generally informing the reader as to the politics, fashions, social rank and even sanitation and housekeeping of the day. Reading background material like this makes the novels even more interesting for me.

Jane Austen Cookbook was a good read as well. Reading about what people used to eat is really fascinating to me. Beyond the fascination with what they were actually eating, this book also made me really feel truly sorry for the servants. Can you imagine stirring for an hour to make a poundcake? I mean, if I have to stir something for 10 minutes I feel like my arm is going to fall off. Just seeing how far cooking has come from then to now is truly amazing.

I also read others but have forgotten which ones. I also didn’t read any fan fiction — so I can’t recommend any of that.

So, now I’m in need of a new author to lose myself in. Any suggestions?

*I almost forgot, the book Miniatures in Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen, is an excellent book by Peter Leithart. In it, he offers his insight on each of Austen’s novels and underscores the Christian themes throughout the books. Also, he has a new book, Writer of Fancy: The Playful Piety of Jane Austen, that I’m going to check out as soon as I can. Maybe I can persuade my library to buy it for me?

Don’t Forget Jane
Hey, y’all, just a quick reminder that Miss Austen Regrets that comes on tomorrow night on PBS. Let’s all watch and talk about it on Monday. I’m thinking that it might be a little like Becoming Jane — but maybe I’ll be wrong. I’m looking forward to it since I had my Jane Austen season last Autumn, during which I read many biographies of her, along with some books about the time during which she lived, including her letters.

Don’t Forget Jane
Hey, y’all, just a quick reminder that Miss Austen Regrets that comes on tomorrow night on PBS. Let’s all watch and talk about it on Monday. I’m thinking that it might be a little like Becoming Jane — but maybe I’ll be wrong. I’m looking forward to it since I had my Jane Austen season last Autumn, during which I read many biographies of her, along with some books about the time during which she lived, including her letters.

Don’t Forget Jane
Hey, y’all, just a quick reminder that Miss Austen Regrets that comes on tomorrow night on PBS. Let’s all watch and talk about it on Monday. I’m thinking that it might be a little like Becoming Jane — but maybe I’ll be wrong. I’m looking forward to it since I had my Jane Austen season last Autumn, during which I read many biographies of her, along with some books about the time during which she lived, including her letters.

Tell Me, Do You Like Snow?

Do you like it in your face?
Yes, I like it anyplace!

Tell Me, Do You Like Snow?

Do you like it in your face?
Yes, I like it anyplace!

Tell Me, Do You Like Snow?

Do you like it in your face?
Yes, I like it anyplace!

The Dreaded Science Project
Well, the time has come for me to do a science project. And, no, it’s not really my project though it is feeling more than a little bit like mine right now. J, my oldest, is required to do a science project this year for school. Science is not his best subject (understatement) since it requires him to do some abstract thinking. Do you know how hard it is to teach abstract thinking? So far, this project has been more difficult for me than the Westinghouse one that I did in high school.

But of course, there is a lot of humor there as well. Why? Because, the students are journalling their daily progress on their projects. Which means that we get some really hilarious thoughts from J. When someone gives him an assignment to write something he *will* write something. Will it have any relevance? Probably not. Will it make you laugh? Probably.

(Notes from the teacher are in italics.)

January 24, 2008
These are notes that J has written daily on is science project. He is asked before typing what he has done on his project and told to type it out. These are the results.

Smash, crash, mash. Never mind, it’s music now.

Looks like my project worked!
Let’s just say aloha, oh.
Crack it, Mr. Rusty!
Science project will work soon.
P.S. By the way, who’s Bill Nigh?
One last thing. Good luck!
See you at the science fair.
Capeesh.
Okay, okay, Capeesh.
Let’s try some painting instead.

January 29, 2008

Well, maybe we should incubate.
You’re going down.
Well, I was testing it out.
And Mr. H tried it.
Now I’m going to make my deadline.
Projects aren’t written by losers.
We were trying it out when it was time to go to store.
Cancel that order.
Sarcasm. Strike the cage.

THE TRIALS WERE DONE TODAY. THE ABOVE NOTES WERE WRITTEN BY J.

I don’t know whether to sigh or giggle. Maybe I’ll do both.