Let's talk about Downton

Well it's happened again, my day job has negatively impacted my blog. There is simply too much to read and not enough time to read it all let alone write about it. And there's so much I want to talk about. First of all, Downton Abbey ... SPOILER ALERT!!!! ... if you haven't watched the season finalle yet I advise you to do so and come back so that we can all gab about it.

So we finally got to see the Christmas special - even though it's mid-February, I'm not complaining.


Were you surprised when Matthew proposed to Mary? I'm sure there are speed bumps ahead but I think they sort of deserve each other - if that's really possible. And will Edith end up with the old guy? He is rather handsome and rather charming in his own way - What about Patrick or the farmer? Will either of them make an appearance next season. I think Patrick will make a comeback, I've never cared so much about entails and estates in my life, thank you Downton for making that dreadful property law class feel slightly relevant.

And poor Mr. Bates, I'm glad that they were able to successfully appeal the capital sentence. I've got a feeling that they're going to find a way to prove his innocence next season, it'd just be too sad to end the show with him rotting away in jail and Anna left pinning.

So, we've covered property and estates, criminal law and procedure, contracts and family law thus far. Maybe next season they'll round it out with a some torts. Oh, the nerdery. Well, I guess I've got something to look forward to next January to chase away the winter blues.

all you need is love

I've never really understood Valentine's Day, but I think these sort of sum it up nicely.

This reminds me of the one time I did have a boyfriend and failed to do anything for him on Valentine's Day. I think it was the beginning of the end for us.

This is absolutely tragic, and a little funny - I'm a terrible person. I had to finish watching the second half of this weeks Downton Abbey last night because it was another 2-hour episode that I had not anticipated while watching the Grammy's Sunday night. (Maybe I'll talk about the Grammy's tomorrow if work isn't too crazy, because I've got lots to say.) But wholly shocker! I've said it before and I'll say it again, DA is the best thing to ever happen on television.

And while love may elude me, I'll always have NPR. A few weeks ago, I decided to be a grown up and start contributing to my NPR station. And I'm mighty proud of myself, I mean it's about time and if I waited for Ira Glass to call me up personally and ask for a donation, it may never happen. (Ira, if your reading this, feel free to call me anyway, I may be persuaded upgrade my sponsorship.)

what? wait. NOOO!

Um, hi.

I thought this was really amazing. Wonder what a camera could catch me saying while watchin' Downton?

And a big Thank You to the folks at Pop Culture Happy Hour for bring it to my attention.

what's the story, morning glory?

How'd it get to be Monday already, I just don't know. But this weekend went by so fast, that before I knew it it was 11:30 Sunday night and I still hadn't watched the new episode of Downton Abbey. So I did the only sensible thing to be done and stayed up much too late to watch it. And my oh my was is ever worth it. Gosh, it's getting good! Anyway, who could sleep knowing that an episode of DA was just sitting there in the DVR, waiting, seriously?

Oh and I made morning glory muffins for a brunch on Saturday morning and decided to double the recipe because it said it only made 12 and I thought that's not really worth the effort. Well, I ended up with 45 and had to use my salad bowl to mix them - why is it so hard to find a decently large mixing bowl? And despite all the goodies that I put in them, I still feel like they're missing something - crushed pineapple, candied ginger, or crasins, maybe. Although, I think they do get better after a few days - good thing as I've still got oodles.

flights of fancy

This wallpaper makes me a little week in the knees. Seriously, knitted wall paper? It's too much! Too bad the website is all in Norweigan, not that I'd be able to afford it or have anywhere to put it, alas. Thanks poppytalk for giving a girl something to dream about.

 

Oh, and Downton Abbey was really good but I stayed up way to late watching it. This season, the episodes are truly 2 hours long (w/o commercials). And not that I'm complaining, but that's kind of a lot - a lot of indulgent fabulousness, but still, I'm going to have to be a little more careful about getting an earlier start.

countdown to downton

Season 2 of Downton Abbey starts this Sunday and it's all I can think about. I watched the last episode of season 1 a couple of nights ago and was reminded of what I already knew, it's possibly the best thing I've ever seen on television. You can find the official countdown here. And you'll see that I'm quite serious.

Season 1 ended with the receipt of a telegram by the Earl of Grantham (patriarch of the Crawley family) in the middle of a garden party that England was at war with Germany, a war which would come to be known as World War I.

If you haven't watched season 1 yet, you've still got time. It's only 4 episodes long and can be watched online here and may be aired in its entirety before the the airing of the season 2 premier on Sunday night. I promise that you won't be disapointed.

And if you're wondering, where they came up with some of these plot lines that boarder on the outrageous? Sometimes life is stranger than fiction, check this out.

Finally, because I've watched it a dozen times and may watch it a dozen more before Sunday, the preview for season 2.

hibernation mode

Even though January here in Virginia is almost laughably mild, it's still rather drear.   And the past week I have found myself not wanting to do anything but snuggle up with a blanket.  I have at times come dangerously close to going into full snuggie mode.  My roommates have a couple of snuggies in the tv room and while I have used them as a blanket, I REFUSE to put my arms in the sleeves.  

But I've so much to look forward to, that I'm embracing hibernation mode. 

A month from now, I'm taking a trip home to snuggle with my new niece who is expected shortly.  My sister Ashley is expecting a baby at the end of this month and the whole family is so excited to meet this little one.

And another month from then, my parents are coming to visit me here in DC.  I'm so excited for visitors, I've already started planning all the awesome stuff we'll do and all the fabulous places we'll eat.

So, if you find yourself in hibernation mode, might a suggest a FABULOUS new miniseries on Masterpiece:  Downton Abbey.  You can watch it online here.  And if you're lucky you can catch it on your local PBS station

I'm hooked.  And if you love period dramas, like I love period dramas, I think you'll really like it too.