So in the last episode your father and grandmother planned a garden party for you. You learned to dance properly, and was having a great time with Mr. Sinclaire. You to play nine pins with him, and you dance with him. You also meet the jerky Duke, ugh, and your father promises you a London season.
The London season started as both Houses of Parliament were in session, and as not everyone finds politics interesting, they needed more entertainment.
Women would meet the Queen; along with attending dinner parties, balls, musicals, the opera/theater, etc. Some were going for entertainment, to renew friendships, and most importantly-catch a man.
So back to the game-your grandma gets you ready for the season. You won’t be the only one trying to catch a man, as there are many other ladies-but the one for you to watch out for is Felicity Holloway. Her father is a viscount and she will be your biggest rival in catching an eligible man.
Afterwards, you and Miss Parsons go for a walk. Both of you feel uncertain about being “out” in society. It is unsettling to be a piece of meat up for auction.
Miss Parsons is having an extremely hard time as she was engaged to your brother. She didn’t love him, but respected, admired, and was his friend. What if the next man she is engaged to is cruel? Mean? Have nothing in common with each other?
I don’t want to do this
Your grandmother offers you a new riding suit for 25 diamonds, but I turned it down. I’ll wear what I have as that was what you would typically do. With all the dust, dirt, etc-why wear something new?
It still is a beautiful dress.
You and Miss Parsons are heading off to London together. When you reach the city you will split, as Miss Parsons will stay with her sister and you at your father’s townhouse with Miss Sutton and your stepbrother Mr. Marcastle.
So not fun…
Stuck with the schemers ugh. Well, you know what they say-
Before you leave, you have the choice of purchasing your own horse. In all the other games I never bought an animal companion, but thought it would be interesting to see how it plays out.
So I ride my horse the whole way to London, which makes no sense as I’m not an experienced rider nor does side saddle seem like it will be comfortable over such a distance.
What is this?
We stop for a picnic where we lament a bit more about the marriage market, and a market it is. Everyone competing, each man sizing up a woman’s fortune and physical attributes.
You arrive in London, but there is no one there to meet you.
That is not good,
It is a very dangerous situation for two unescorted ladies, but then to your luck you meet Prince Hamid. He is a friend of your father and escorts you two to your townhouse. When you arrive, he offers to take you around town but I declined. First of all, that would not be appropriate as we have no chaperone, and secondly I didn’t have enough diamonds.
The two of you then go into the townhouse and confront Mr. Marcastles and his mother’s plot to derail you from your London season.
So a couple weeks ago Tea & Medid a post on things to do with your tea bags and loose leaf tea, after you make your cup.
Something that has always bothered me about making tea is throwing the leaves away after you use them. Even though you can’t make endless cups with them (that would be SUPER weak tea), if only there was something you can do with them.
A MYSTERY!!!
She gave out a list of things you can try to do with tea, and one was to do a hair rinse.
Hmm…
My hair and I have a “special” relationship. Basically it does whatever it wants and I hope that I can do something with it.
Even my hairdresser has said she has never seen such contradictory hair. If I want it to be dry-it stays wet. If I want it wet-it dries instantly.
When I get it a way I want it-DONT MESS WITH IT!
Lately my scalp has been driving me crazy. I have been switching from product to product-trying to find something that would help-but to no avail.
Ugh!!
So I was psyched about the tea rinse. I waited so long to do this review, because I wanted to try out at least three different teas.
Make a cup of tea-as you usually do.
When you finish steeping your tea, put them in another cup and steep in hot water for about 15-20 minutes.
Allow the tea to cool completely before using.
Detangle your hair before you step into the shower to avoid knots and breakage.
Wash and clean your hair well with your usual shampoo.
Proceed to condition your hair. …
Rinse the conditioner out of your hair.
Pour your hair rinse through your hair and squeeze out the excess liquid.
Do not rinse hair any further.
So first I tried black tea, Earl Grey, my favorite!
The second time I did the green tea, Kukicha Green Tea.
“Green Tea prevents early grey hairs, [along with] strengthen[ing] and shin[ing] hair.”
The last one I did was this calming Lavender tea that my friend bought me.
“Lavender Tea moisturizes and conditions hair.”
So after the black tea I didn’t feel any different. I’m sure this is something you would have to do over time to see a difference. I’m not sure I will as I do not want to darken my hair.
With the green tea-I don’t have a grey issue, I think the strengthening would take time, and my hair is always shiny looking-so I couldn’t really tell a difference.
Hmm…?
I did see an improvement with the lavender tea as I needed my hair to be moisturized and conditioned.
Above all, I really enjoyed this as I loved using the tea bags and leaves. It was great not just throwing them away-it definitely felt less wasteful and that I was recycling.
For other things to do with your tea bags and leaves, check out Tea & Me’s post, I Made Tea…Now What?
I was cleaning out my old room at my parent’s house and I found a pile of papers with recipes on it.
What is this?
I have no clue where this came from, but it sounded good and easy to make. And perfect for tea! (You know me, I’m always looking for something new for tea time.)
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Rolled Oats
1/3 Cup of Flour
1/2 Tsp of Sugar
1/4 Tsp of Salt
1/4 Tsp of Baking Soda
1/4 Cup of Unsalted Butter, Cut into Pieces
2-3 Tbsps of Water
Honey (Optional)
Marmalade (optional)
Directions:
Preheat Oven to 325 degrees F
In a food processor fitted with metal blades, process oats to a fine meal.
Add the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and butter.
Process briefly to mix well.
With motor running add 2-3 tbsps of water and process 20 seconds to form a crumbly dough.
Add as much water as needed to achieve the desired texture.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface.
Knead a couple of times to incorporate any crumbs, then form into a ball.
Cut in half.
Using a rolling pin, roll out each half into rounds 6 inches wide an 1/4 inch thick.
Crimp edges with your finger and thumb to make a fluted border.
Using a metal spatula, transfer he rounds to a baking sheet and cut into four equal wedges. separate the wedges slightly then prick the top of each one 3 or 4 times with a fork.
Bake until pale and tan and no longer soft (about 25-30 mins)
Transfer the oatcakes to a wire rack to cool.
Serve with honey or marmalade, if desired.
Makes about 8.
So the first one is when I didn’t pay close attention to the recipe, while the second is from following the directions.
These were fantastic! So good, and perfect with your tea!
I would ground the oats in the processor or blender, but when you get to the water just put it in a bowl and use your hands. Otherwise, delicious!
So this is something I started a while back. Sometimes you want more Austen books after you have read all her books. There are variations on her stories, but sometimes you don’t want to read the same story. You want Austen-like works, but what to read or watch?
Hmmm…
That’s why I started this series. I will review books that have the things we love about the Austen novels, but in something fresher than a retelling.
Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey
So we added this book to the library last July and I was very interested in reading it, but had too many books on my to-read list. I decided to read it at a later time, you know what I’m talking about.
I first became interested in the book because of the cover, I know-we aren’t supposed to, but it is so beautiful.
Then I looked at the back and saw:
“…Jane Austen spiced with action, suspense, and humor.”
“Jane Austen fans in need of a good book look no further.”
“It’s Jane Austen meets Jane Foster…”
After that I HAD to read it, if it is recommended for Austen fans-here we go.
Gracebridge Manor in Fotheringham, Kent -1817
Miss Imogene Chively has returned from her London season a success, or so her family believes. Imogene did not enjoy the parties, being on display, etc.
Hopefully, she will not have to go back as she has a suitor- a Mr. Ernest Steeple. He’s very, very interested in her and about to visit and stay a few weeks.
Imogene is a very shy and not looking forward to him coming, but at least she will be home.
I don’t want to do this
She an her friend Miss Emily Beeswanger (what a name!) are relaxing outside the ruins of the nearby castle, when Imogene’s dog puts himself in danger. They try to get him back, but he won’t listen!
Oh no!
But in the end they are assisted by a handsome young man.
After he saves their dog, the man introduces himself as Benjamin “Ben” Steeple, the younger brother of Ernest. He has accompanied him, and the two arrived early. Mr. Chively, Imogene’s father, is monopolizing Ernest, so Ben decided to check out the castle ruins. Ben is studying to be an architect and could not pass up the opportunity.
Sorry, I have it in my media library and had to use it.
Benjamin joins the ladies for a picnic and Emily sets her cap for the charming, flirtatious, dashing man. Emily went with Imogene for the London season, but did not have anyone interested in her. She’s feeling like a failure and this handsome man seems to be the answer to her wish to be married.
Emma Woodhouse from Emma (1996) AKA the Kate Beckinsale version
Imogene’s dog, Jasper, takes off into the old ruins, again, and Ben helps save him for Imogene. They end up bringing part of the castle down and destroying their clothes in the process (not like they are naked bit that those clothes can never be fixed to be in their previous condition ever again).
Ben goes to change before dinner and encourage his brother. Ernest is over the moon about Imogene but feels disheartened as he is trying to spend time with her, but has only been spending time with the dad. He’s worried he won’t have anything to converse with her, so Ben tells him to talk about Joseph Turner.
Uh, excuse me…his name is Joseph Mallard William Turner. Sorry if my art history is showing, but he did make beautiful paintings. They were large “romantic” pieces of art. We studied Slave Ship, Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On, in my class but they wouldn’t have seen that painting as it wasn’t done until 1840.
Anyways…
Anyways…sorry for that derail.
So the brothers are some of the best parts of the book as it is fun to read their interactions as they mess with each other. For instance Ben tells Mr. Chively that Ernest likes economics and Mr. Chively spends the whole night talking his ear off about banking and interest.
I’m so bored….BEN! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!
Ben, however, spends the night talking to Imogene and Emily and enjoys conversing with both women. He’s a major flirt and loves charming the ladies.
Ugh!!
Imogene finds herself feeling uncertain as she is in a place she has never been before. She knows that Ernest likes her…but all this attention-could Ben have feelings for her too? Are two brothers fighting over her?
But then Emily points out all the attention Ben has been giving her and the way he has been treating her. Could this be worse than she thought, could he like both Imogene and Emily?
After the two talk, Imogene becomes convinced that Ben is just flirting and charming both of them (very Frank Churchill). Imogene is a little saddened at that, but Emily will not give up. She wants Ben and practices her best flirtations in order to win his heart.
The next morning, Ernest is taken off by Imogene’s father to go fishing, while Ben gets to spend the morning with her. He is doing his best to extol his brother’s virtues, but finds himself holding her hands longer than necessary and thinking more about her than his brother.
Wow, Ben, really? Your brother’s girl! You know he’s into her. And he’s your BROTHER!!!!!
Forget you!
They spend time together, but then Imogene goes to give Emily’s sister, Harriet, her drawing lessons.
Afterwards, she finds Emily decked out in her most flattering gown, ready for Ben’s return-you know pulling a Sandy.
Besides the Beeswanger family, and the Steeples, the Tabards are also staying with the Chivelys. Mrs. Chively, Mrs. Beeswanger, and Mrs. Tabard were very close friends, and relatives. Mrs. Tabard passed away and since then Mr. Tabard has been a ghost of the man he once was. His son Jake has become an incorrigible prankster-pairing up with Imogene’s older brother Percy.
Ben has a horrible secret and admits it to Imogene. He wants to be an architect more than anything in the world, but he cannot draw! He begs her for lessons and to keep his secret. It makes Imogene feel special as her family doesn’t care about art and she begins lessons with him.
OKaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Red flag number 2!!! Liar, secret keeping, your only role is to make HIM better. Imogene, walk away-walk away!!!
That evening Ernest and Imogene finally have a chance to spend time together. Ernest tries to talk about Turner, but can’t. He admits he knows little of painting and that he is a…reader. Not of poems or essays…but…literature.
A handsome, kind, caring, rich man who loves to read?
I’m with Mrs. Bennet!
He’s PERFECT!!! He’s the mythical unicorn!!!!!
Imogene begins to enjoy Ernest’s company just as much as Ben’s and finds herself in a real quandary. She likes Ernest and Ben, but she can’t have both so which brother will she choose?
But before Imogene’s heart can tell her the path to take-some strange things start happening. Her jewelry is found in Ben’s room, then a burr is under his saddle and almost kills him, the castle starts falling down as well, and more. Someone is after Ben, but who?
A MYSTERY!!! You know what that means…
Mystery, you say? I’m on the case
To further complicate this midsummer nights comedy of errors; Ernest and Ben both like Imogene, Emily likes Ben, Jake seems to be interested in Emily, and Imogene doesn’t know which man she wants.
Uhhhh…
And who is doing all these mysterious things? Could it be Percy or Jake, taking their “jokes” too far? Could it be Emily, who is after Ben-maybe trying to dissuade him from Imogene? Or could it be Ernest who wants to take Ben out of the running for Imogene’s heart?
Thoughts After Reading:
This book was pretty enjoyable for the most part. I thought the beginning and middle were really good. The parts that kind of turned me off was when the story began to drag on with the constant back and forth of Imogene trying to decide on a guy.
Which one, which one…
It really bothered me too how both men laughed off Imogene’s fear. I mean come on guys, there is too much happening for it be an “accident”. Seriously dudes.
Come on guys!
There is also a weird part when Imogene accuses Ernest of doing all these things to Ben and Ben becomes furious. She is in shock about how “unreasonable” he is and hopes to never see that “unreasonable” side again. Ugh, girl please-you just accused his brother of trying to kill him. If someone said that to me about my sister I would have flipped a table at them. How dare you!!!
That’s my sibling!
But really, whether you will love or hate this book will boil down to one thing-which guy you like better. It is a tale as old as Fritz and Ernst (The Swiss Family Robinsons) or modern day-Dean and Sam (Supernatural). You have two guys who are amazing guys-both nice, brave, good people. One is more of an introvert, one more of an extrovert; one slightly more brawny, one slightly more brainy; etc. And you can only choose one!
Who would I pick? I really liked Ernest. I thought he was kind, caring, sweet-loved that he was a reader and found him to be like Mr. Tilney-comfortable, a novel reader, and just fun.
Ben, on the other hand, I could not stand. He made me think of Frank Churchill, a charmer-all fluff, and no substance. I really felt that Ben picked up on how Imogene feels ignored and not valued for her art and really played on that manipulating her into being with him so he can use her artistic ability to further his career. I hate charming flirts-they are such jerks so I didn’t want her with him, I wanted Ernest!!! But hey that’s just me-you might feel differently.
Plus, 100000000000000000000000000000000x points: Ernest has read all the Jane Austen novels.
Sorry all, it’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to post. There are just so many things…I’m swamped.
So quick review: In this game you are the illegitimate daughter if the Earl of Edgewater, something you discover on your mother’s deathbed. You meet your father and he accepts you and wants to make you his legal heir, as your half-brother passed away.
You have an evil stepmother and conniving stepbrother, with a dim fiancé. They are plotting against you.
In the last episode your father and grandmother planned a garden party for you. You learned to dance properly, and was having a great time with Mr. Sinclaire. He asks you to play nine pins with him, but I had run out of enough diamonds to purchase the event. I had to wait until I had earned 30 diamonds.
So was it worth the wait? Let’s see?
So Mr. Sinclaire explains the game to you and we are ready to go:
How well you do depends on how close you paid attention to the rules of playing. I did really well and ended up winning the game!
Yay!!!
Your grandmother interrupts you with the Duke’s entrance. After your grandmother’s big to-do about him I was expecting someone more…favorable. Most of these games give you multiple choices of who you want to be with-but the Duke is a total jerk!!!
He seems to like me a lot-which pleases my grandmother and father-but eeyuck! I don’t want him.
This dude
Miss Parsons and I talk about it after and she asks me to join her for a walk but I decline. One, I have no more diamonds to purchase that option, and two-I do need to do my duty and be a good hostess. I mean how would it look if I walked out on a party given in my honor?
Later Mr. Sinclaire asks me to dance and I blow him away with my prowess, thanks to Miss Parsons and her amazing teaching skills! (And my shoes).
I am definitely liking Mr. Sinclaire the most. I think he is rather fun. 🙂
Afterwards my father surprises me with the fact that he has made me his official legal heir I will be going off to London to have a season, (and hook a man).
Will it be a success? Or a flop? Tune in next time to find out!
janeaustenrunsmylife 