...Little Letters...

This post began with the intention of being a sewing-project post, complete with lots of pictures. Then our mutual friend T. H.C. (The Horrid Computer) decided to stick his nose into the idea and it all ran amuck. Do forgive it for not being That Sort of Post--it was meant to be, at the start.I suppose you will have to content yourselves with a Little Letters post. I pilfered the idea from Rebecca Jane, and so here I go! :)

...Dear swingy-jeans-skirt: you and I and contra will be a smashing combination.

...Dear It's (Not That) Complicated: As soon as Sarah is done reading you, I get dibs. Okay?

...Dear sewing machines: I love you, you know I do. Please love me back! :)

...Dear Jane Austen: Edmund Bertram is just a little dense about Fanny Price...don't you think?

...Dear "My Current Novel": Please behave. Please behave.

...Dear Hair: Why won't you ever oblige me and look fashionably messy? I can't for the life of me do anything but smooth, glossy looks with you, and those don't particularly suit my face!

...Dear Husband-To-Be: I'm trying my hardest to abide in Christ and learn everything God hands me so I'll be your dream-woman when you find me. :)

...Dear vintage heels: You're perfectly charming, darlings. 

...Dear imagination: Give me a little help thinking up what I can use that white jacquard for--I'm out of ideas.

...Dear vanity: Don't let me quote myself. It's so gauche. 

...Dear feet: Learn contra quickly so I don't embarrass my partners. I'd appreciate it!

...Dear baked-goods: Don't put off such a good smell. I am your creator and you tempt me easily. ;)

...Dear waist: Take a hint. Shrink yourself, please.

...Dear Gracie: You are so utterly kissable. Don't ever grow out of it. :)

...Dear Public at Large: Don't forget the classic books you read as a child. This modern stuff is so...blech.

...Dear Pupils: Please do not giggle at me. My laugh has an automatic response to even smiles. We'll get no work done if you aren't perfectly sober.

...Dear Green tea: Um...you aren't all you're cracked up to be. *runs to hug English Breakfast and P.G. Tips* ;)

Love Ever and Anon,

<3 Rachel

"I am Well-pleased!"

Well, my first day as an English Lit. teacher went rather well, on a whole. The girls were enthralled with the idea, though I fancy it will be hard for them to accustom themselves to having to view me as an Instructress rather than a giggle-factory. ;) We had lessons in how to read aloud well, how this whole course was going to go, and then we read the chapters, went through the Reading Comprehension questions, and then I sent them packing to define their vocabulary list. :)
A fun challenge I am assigning them is to choose one word out of that list and use it in at least one conversation between now and next session. :) My vision for this class if for it to be amazingly fun. Thus, we'll be living vicariously through the book, doing what they do. When Lizzy walks 3 miles to Netherfield you may bet upon it, we'll be taking a 3 miles trek. When there is a dance, we may learn some English Country dances.
Kids thrive on hands-on learning, and young adults even more-so, sometimes. This is going to be a blast! Leah and Anna loved their first lesson, and with plenty of cups of British Tea, our English Lit. class is going to go down in history as the most fun any homeschooler has ever had! ;) Sing Ho for new studies! I am liking this position as teacher very well. :)

P.S. I have also forbidden the watching of Pride and Prejudice until this study is over--then we'll have a marathon, watch the whole thing over tea and cookies, and love it even more than ever! :D (It'll be their carrot-before-the-nose to improve motivation! ;)

In Which I Become a Teacher :)

For some time I have been thinking about starting some classes...as in teaching some classes for my younger siblings. Something I love that they aren't already doing right now. A fabulous idea was percolating for some time in the back of my mind and at last I asked Mama and secured her permission. In addition to my Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker duties, I am taking on the position of an English Literature teacher. I am so excited about this and have grand plans! I'll be teaching two of my younger sisters, Leah and Anna. (Grades 9 and 6, respectively)
In my last two years of high-school, Sarah and I went through a literature-based unit study called Where the Brook and River Meet. We loved it. The author of this guide went through a very thorough study of the Victorian Era based off of Anne of Green Gables. Rabbit-trails were followed and explored, I gained a love for the amazingly beautiful poetry of that era, I learned about customs, fashion, culture, history, and more. I am seeking to do rather this style of teaching for my English Lit. class.
I decided to start with Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. My younger sisters already love this movie and I figured that reading the book would be perfect because it would retain their attention while at the same time accustoming their ears to the voice of finer literature. After we go through P&P, we'll continue onto something a bit more challenging, then even more challenging, and so on. I can't wait to begin classes, for English literature is so dear to my own heart, I can't wait to help my sisters love it too!

Here is a sample lesson-plan. (I intend for our lessons to be amusing and entertaining. :)

Pride and Prejudice

(Chapters 1 & 2)

Reading Comprehension:

Chapter One:

1. How much money per year is Mr.Bingley entitled to? (4 or 5,000 pounds)
2. When did Mr. Bennet say he would visit the young men of the neighborhood? (When there were twenty of them.)
3. What was the business of Mrs. Bennet's life? (To get her daughters married)
4. What was the solace of her life? (Visiting, and news.)

Chapter Two: 

1. What do we know of Lydia Bennet, thus far? (She is "good-humored", "The youngest," and "the tallest" of the girls.)
2. Who was the woman Mrs. Bennet despaired of being generous enough to introduce the Bennet Family to Mr. Bingley? (Mrs. Long)
3. How many nieces had Mrs. Long? (two)
4. What was Mrs. Bennet's excuse for vowing to "dislike" the making of new acquaintances every day? (She and her husband were advancing in age)

 

Vocabulary:

Define these words in the Webster's 1828 dictionary*:

chaise

design (in its more abstract sense. i.e. "He had a design to visit them.")

scrupulous

solace

circumspection

deign

conjecture

*I am choosing this dictionary because the definitions will be closest to those during Jane Austen's time of life.

Culture:

In Chapter Two it is mentioned that Elizabeth Bennet was trimming a hat. Research the kinds of hats popular during the 1790's. (Jane Austen began writing Pride and Prejudice in 1796) What sort of materials might Lizzy have been using to trim her hat? Which of the styles would look best on you? :)

In Chapter Two Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet have a discussion over the importance of being introduced to a stranger by someone who was already acquainted with the person. Why could they not introduce themselves as we do today? Read about introductions on page 55 of What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew.

That will be their first lesson, and I hope to include more and more activities to do...too bad we haven't any Regency-Era estates in our corner of VA... ;) There are so many possibilities with this sort of study...we could expand into music, art, history, sewing, fashion, grammar, etc. It's quite astonishing what one can pull out of a period-novel. :) I will also be letting the girls read the chapter aloud and instructing them on how to read aloud properly. (Some people bull through, oblivious to all punctuation. It results in mayhem. Believe me. :)

How does this new plan sound? I'll keep you updated on how they're liking me as a teacher, and the lessons as a whole. :D

Movie Review: "Much Ado About Nothing" :)

When I watch a movie and then spend all night dreaming about it (not to mention all morning) I know it has captured me heart and soul. Kenneth Branagh's version of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was such a movie for me. At first I panicked, thinking I would never be able to understand the Elizabethan English the characters used, (It is strictly Shakespeare's play. No modernizing, thank you. :) but by the end of the first scene it was clear the stellar actors of the cast would take care of me. They understood what they were saying and were so phenomenal in their performances they made you understand. The key to deciphering Shakespeare? Don't listen too hard.
The plot is a delightful mash of two love stories: one sweet and simple, the other fiery and sarcastic. Meet Hero and Claudio:

Played by the winsome Kate Beckinsale and Robert Sean Leonard.

And Beatrice and Benedick! :)

Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh

The latter couple were my absolute favorite--their witticisms and banter were hilarious and brilliant. 

Benedick overhearing talk of Beatrice's "love" for him

I don't want to spoil the plot for you--I'll only say it contains a good prince, a jealous brother, lots of hilarity, and a couple of nuts who will have you dying of laughter.

Dogberry & company

 The friendships will have you smiling...

the lovers will make you sigh happily....

.

.....the treason will have you wanting to strangle Mr. Good-lookin' Prince-Man...

Don John--the villain!

There is abundant wit and cleverness throughout. I loved the music and dancing and costumes and setting. This movie was amazing. :) It's a sweet, lovely, happy-ending but lots of danger movie. I went to bed smiling like a loon and dreamed all night in Shakespearean English....I was so brilliant and had sharp, sparkling, witty repartees with everyone...too bad I can't remember a stitch of it this morning. :D

There are, however, a couple things I must warn you about.

Cons:

• After the very first picnic-montage, the entire cast and crew take it into their heads to bathe before the Prince arrives....they do so...and there are back-shots of everyone in the process. We were forewarned so we fast-forwarded and were none the worse for it.
• There is a false scandal against Hero that would suggest she was unfaithful to Claudio resulting in a grand kerfuffle...apparently they show a bit more of that "scandal" than is comfortable. We were forewarned about this so we skipped it, and again didn't miss anything of the plot.
• At the masquerade you see a fellow "tickling" a lady but he goes a bit farther. Fast-forward for about five or ten seconds and you'll be just fine. [Random Elizabethan obscenities, anyone? :P]
• Shakespeare's English and ours is much different. He liberally uses words we would not use now (such as Ass, Bastard, etc.) but in the context they are not as offensive. Back then they weren't bad words and in keeping with his original works, they didn't bother me.

Pros:  

• This movie showcases Shakespeare at his best. The acting was Brilliant. That is all I can say. Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh were Beatrice and Benedick. That's all there is to it. 
• Purity is highly, highly prized. Pretty much, this is what the plot swirls around. Purity before marriage.
• The family in the movie have ultra-close relationships. I love it.
• The scenery and music were gorgeous, as well as the simple, yet lovely costumes

This movie, since I've given you fair warning and told you where to fast-foward, is now one of my favorites. I can recommend it heartily with those cautions in mind. :)  I love it to death, and I plan on watching it again very very soon! :)

In closing, here are a few (so hard to choose!) favorite quotes from Much Ado About Nothing:

Claudio, speaking of Hero: "Can the world buy such a jewel?"

Benedick: "Yea, and a case to put it into!"

Dogberry: "Thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this!"

Don Pedro: "Officers, what offense have these men done?"

Dogberry: "Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover they have spoken untruths; secondarily they are slanderers; sixth and lastly; they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves.

Don Pedro: "What is your offense, masters? This learned constable is too cunning to be understood."

Bwahahaha!

"I see our hands have betrayed our hearts!"

                   

                              "Trust God, love me, and mend...." *heart breaks* :)

Sometimes...

Sometime I wish life wasn't so hectic....and then I recall the times I've had nothing to do and have been bored to death.

Sometimes I wish I had a quiet little study to do my writing in...And then I remember that all these little people running around are what make my characters so alive.

Sometimes I wish there weren't quite so many dishes to wash...And then I recall who I was feeding and how much I love them.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have a cat that knocked things over out of sheer peversity...but then I think of how soft and cuddly she is when she wants to be.

Sometimes I wish I lived in Scotland...but then I think of how dearly I love Virginia and my USA.

Sometimes I wish I was a published author...but then I think of the delights of anticipation.

Sometimes I wish my circumstances were different...but then I think of how much God is teaching me through them.

Sometimes I wish I was filthy-rich...but then I realize how precious frugality will be to me one day.

Sometimes I wish I was prettier...but then I am thankful my inward beauty can shine through all the better because there is not so much to distract people.

Sometimes I wish there wasn't such a thing in the world as sickness...but then we'd never be so grateful for health. :)

Sometimes I wish things moved faster...and then they do and I'm all agog. :D

It's a wonderful life!

In Which The Lass of All Trades becomes an Interior Designer...

The new year has not even begun and yet my work is very much cut out for me already! I have adopted a number of rehabilitation projects around the house, and I can't wait to begin! This will be my Course of Interior Design [on a budget) for the year, and I have many ideas. My sisters doubt my ability to pull it together, but I'm determined! Project No. 1 is....

The room over the garage. This past year it has been used in a number of manners, including miscellaneous storage, gift-wrapping area, catch-all, and Produce Refrigerator during the heat of the summer. (It has it's own a/c unit) Needless to say, it's needing major overhaul. The reason I adopted it? I plan to turn it into A Growlery of sorts--a sewing, crafting, girls' room that will be entirely for us! (when not in use as a refrigerator. :P) I have discovered that my favorite style of interior decorating, even more than Victorian, is Shabby Chic--sort of an antique, casualized version of French Provenance. :) Here is some Pinterest inspiration for the project:

Shabby-Chic gloriousness...

Must-haves. I am so going to copy this idea!

I adore those upper shelves! what a cool way to use a sloped roof!

Gotta love this chest of drawers! It'd be perfect for keeping fabric and odds and ends!

I am hoping to do something along the lines of this cute little garland in the room, somehow

My only nemesis(s) in this project is/are the problems of that room most likely needing to be used (at some level) for storage still, as well as the fact that the ceiling slopes at an angle, starting about waist-high, so vertical wall-space is limited. :)

The angle of the ceiling is very much like this, as well as the window at the end. :)

So that's the deal for the first project. Project No. 2? It has something to do with this:

An ancient Singer treadle-machine

Turning into something along these lines:

 Yes, I'm going to be converting the dead treadle-machine into a cute writing desk. (Dad's going to help me with that. :) So, what are your projects for the new year?

Marriage...an idol?

Marriage is a beautiful thing, and one I have dreamed of since I was a tiny girl. Come to think of it, I believe nearly every dream I've had since my girlhood has been wrapped up in a man of my own, a family of my own, a house of my own...living in a large family encouraged such thinking, as my heroes, my examples, my life was made of such stuff.

But let's be candid, girls. Sometimes our dreams do not reflect the Lord's plan. As a "fortune cookie" my brother got the other day said, (Gracious me, we know not to depend on those!) "The only thing we can know for sure about future developments is that they will develop." (Truism, anyone? :P) And as a Christian, we have the assurance that those plans are made for our good. (Rom. 8:28) It is tempting to think we know more about our own hearts than Christ does. It is tempting to think we ought to "help" Christ orchestrate the plans because after all, we could never tread that path--He must be confused.
Girls, girls. We must learn to give our idols up. Even the idols unconsciously made. For me, for a long time, that has been marriage. Not that I have worshiped the idea, or even made overmuch of it. But I have feared and dreaded and balked against the idea of being what people have termed "An old maid."
I am reluctant to admit it to the world, but hitherto my thinking has been more along these lines:

"And if I am called to be single my entire life [God forbid!] then I'll do such-and-such." 

Living my entire life without marrying? Just sitting here for 80 years with no change in my daily habits? Sheesh! Not me, Lord. You must have another plan for me! I don't think I have the gift of Singleness.

 But lately my precious Savior has been showing me otherwise. He has not told me that I will never be married--for all I know I could be a wife within a year or two! But He has shown me that He is enough. I cannot live these days as a single young lady waiting for a husband. I could very well never be married--I don't know God's plan. So what good could it do me to sulk for ten years until I turn 30, resign myself to the idea of never being married, and finally get my act together?
No. If being a single woman all my life is what the Lord calls me to, I want every day from now to 30 and from 30 to 100 to be full and vibrant and joyful. I want to pursue things I am interested in, honing my skills and talents to be used for His glory. I want to be an inspiration to my sisters, I want to help my family and friends.

I want to go places and do things and live a full life.

If that includes marriage and my own family, praise the Lord! If not? I don't wish to be a dusty parlor-decoration...a proverbial bowl of potpourri dry-rotting in a corner while making sweet smiles and sighs over dried up, youthful dreams.
I have gained much encouragement from the biography of Amy Carmichael that Elisabeth Elliot wrote: A Chance to Die. (The best of both worlds, anyone? ;) Amy Carmichael is one of the most beloved women of all time, lived to a ripe old age, had a huge family in India, and yet never ever married. She was an amazing woman of Jesus--charming and vibrant, lively and merry....real.

I look at her example and I think, "Would I have the courage?" and then Jesus puts a gentle hand on my shoulder and whispers, "You don't need courage--all you need is Me."
And really, girls, that's the whole of it. We don't need courage. We need Christ. I am confident that the same Lord that keeps me today, that blesses me, prospers me, and holds me will be the same Lord that will keep me in whatever path He has prepared. That is all I need, and that is all that matters. We have Jesus, and "the fullness of Him who fills all in all," as Ephesians 1 says.

"All the paths of the Lord are loving and faithful" Psalm 25:10 I have pondered this verse lately, and have found that it feeds my spirit. All does not mean "all - except the paths I am walking in now," or "nearly all - except this especially difficult and painful path." All must mean all. So, your path with its unexplained sorrow or turmoil, and mine with its sharp flints and briers - and both our paths, with their unexplained perplexity, their sheer mystery - they are His paths, on which he will show himself loving and faithful. Nothing else; nothing less"

~Amy Carmichael