Downton Abbey News: Robert & Cora Prequel?

By bobbi
October 1, 2012
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Here is a little tidbit of Downton Abbey news from BBC.

Julian Fellowes to Write Downton Abbey Prequel

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19755983

Julian Fellowes, the writer behind the hit series Downton Abbey, is writing a prequel which follows how the Earl and Countess of Grantham first met.
“I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London.
“They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money,” said Fellowes, speaking at the Bafta Screenwriters’ Lecture series.
“I sort of feel there’s something quite nice in there because he’s a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this which has affected their marriage beyond that.” Fellowes spoke of the prequel in book form, but – given the success of Downton Abbey – a TV adaptation seems almost certain.
The period drama, now in its third series, has proved a huge hit for ITV, and the broadcaster is keen to extend Downton’s longevity – though it is rumoured that leading characters such as Dan Stevens are likely to leave the show at the end of the current series.
The spin-off drama would cast a pair of younger actors in the roles, currently played by Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, as his American wife. Julian Fellowes Fellowes has enjoyed huge success in the UK and the US since Gosford Park Fellowes said any spin-off would be broadcast after the end of Downton Abbey.
“For me, any other books or plays or films should follow after the end of the television show.”
“I don’t think you can continue a narrative in more than one area at once,” he explained.
“I never really liked those Coronation Street Christmas specials where they all go to Haiti, and you don’t have to watch it. Somehow it doesn’t feel very organic.”
The prequel may also provide an opportunity to take the drama to America, where Downton Abbey has proved equally popular – picking up an Emmy for Britain’s Dame Maggie Smith earlier this week.
“I do feel very strongly that America rescued me,” said Fellowes, referring to his 2001 Oscar-winning screenplay for Robert Altman’s Gosford Park.
“All the stuff in England, the stuff we have about each other, they don’t care about all that. They care about whether your last picture did anything or what you’re doing next.”

Speaking of Downton Abbey, someone was asking me the other day why I didn’t simply download Season 3 online rather than waiting until it is shown in the US in January. I do love DA but it is more than just finding out what happens ASAP. Half the fun is experiencing the excitement and anticipation week to week with your friends. I like to follow the DA twitter feed as it premieres and blog about it the next morning and guess what is going to happen next. Last year when Season 2 came out on Blu-ray before it finished airing on PBS I was able to watch the shows beforehand but it wasn’t the same. I missed all the added fun. So….for this reason, I wait. 😉

Later this week (or next week) I’ll post info and trailers for other period dramas I am looking forward to. Have a great Monday!

Sunday Afternoon {pretty, happy, funny, real} vol. 46 / 7 Quick Takes (9/30/12) Mash-Up: Welcome Autumn!

By bobbi
September 30, 2012
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~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

AND

September is always a busy month for us with family, school and parish activities scheduled. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights with a Sunday afternoon {pretty, happy, funny, real} / 7 Quick Takes Mash-up.
Note: The {pretty, happy, funny, real} can apply to many photos so I’ll do them in order rather than category.

– 1 –

Happy birthday, baby! – Yesterday was my sweet Bella’s 11th birthday. Has a decade and a year really gone by so quickly?? I remember when I was holding her in my arms like this…

Now my sweet girl stands next to me like this. Happy birthday, baby!

– 2 –

I Heart Autumn – We are so ready for Fall! I decorated our front porch to welcome the season and our visitors.

It is also the perfect time for Pumpkin Picking. Thanks to Brian rearranging his schedule, he was able to babysit the younger boys so I could attend Andrew’s school field trip to The Farm where they have a few farm animals, a pumpkin patch, crops and an organic produce/ products store. We had a lot of fun, although the sweetest part was the ride on the bus when he held my hand and rested his head on me with a contented sigh. It was the kind of moment that mamas live for.

Checking out the animals.

He found his perfect pumpkin.

– 3 –

Fiesta Fun – September is also the time for our parish’s annual Fiesta. There is delicious food, mariachi music, numerous booths and a kids’ carnival. What more can you ask for?

Andrew is practicing his swing.

John-Paul on the other hand thought it was “Whack A Mole” as he swung the bat over his head like a club.

JP had better luck pitching his curve ball.

Meanwhile Matthew was waiting his turn to be let loose at the playground.

– 4 –

Random Funny Shots -September must have been a busy month in the delivery rooms years ago because we have received countless invitations to birthday parties this month. One party was particularly fun because the whole family was able to attend. I find this shot of Brian funny because he is having as much fun as the kids with his race car game.

I know when John-Paul has been playing with my phone because I will find photos like this. He literally took 77 photos (I counted them) of Angry Birds in various poses.

– 5 –

Is It the Kid’s Bedtime Yet? – Tonight when we come home from dinner at my in-laws I plan to get cozy on the couch with Brian and watch the new (for the USA) PBS show Call the Midwives. I’ve heard good things about it. Here is the trailer.

– 6 –

Go Pack Go! – As I am typing this I can hear Brian cheering for the Packers as the game is on right now. They have been in a comfortable lead but I fear that is changing because I hear a lot of “Oh Come On!!” coming from the family room. There goes the Packer lead. Funny how the Packers are the only ones that can get my mild mannered hubby all fired up. He turns a bit more like me for those few hours. hee hee

– 7 –

Last one – I was going to do a quick take on a bit of Downton Abbey news but I’ve run out of time so I’ll save it for tomorrow. I leave you with a pretty shot of a flower that caught my eye this week.

Have a great night!

Embrace the Camera: Vol 2

By bobbi
September 27, 2012
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It’s been a busy day as Andrew and I have been having fun on a class field trip to “The Farm.” It is part farm, pumpkin patch, organic fields and store.

I don’t have time to post a lot of photos so I’ll do a quick Embrace the Camera, where Emily challenges us to step in front of the camera instead of always taking photos of others.
It was a touching day for me to be able to spend the day alone with Andrew (thanks to Brian rearranging his work schedule.) And as much fun as the day was, I think my favorite part was on the bus when he hugged me and held my hand as he rested his head on me, quiet and content. It warmed my heart. Happy sigh.

Here is a shot of us on the bus together.

I’ll try to post the rest of this week’s photos tomorrow for a {pretty, happy, funny, real} / 7 Quick Takes Mash-up.

In the meantime, grab your camera and snap a shot!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Periscope or Katch (past Periscopes), GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, 😉

Making It Count Tuesday (Vol 4): Instagram – Postal Pix Note Cards

By bobbi
September 25, 2012
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On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, Sarah at Amongst Lovely Things and Pam at Everyday Snapshots used to co-host the Making it Count Tuesday link-up. However, these busy homeschooling mamas are especially busy this time of year so they have kindly allowed me to take over hosting Making It Count for now.

If you are new to Making it Count, you simply start with any one of those fabulous ideas you’ve found online. Then, do it. Make it. Cook it. Create it. Take it from the screen, give it life and let it bless your world. When you’re done, snap a photo, write about it and share it with us.
Make your time online count.

*****

My project this week is Instagram – Postal Pix note cards. As you know, I love Instagram and have been looking for an easy way to have the photos printed out in their 4×4 format. My answer? Postal Pix! I downloaded the Postal Pix app to my iPhone and from there I am able to order photos in 4×4, 5×5 and 8×8 sizes. (They also make regular sized prints.) I have been working on updating my home wall photos but I still have a ways to go.

However, I did finish another little project using my Instagram/ Postal Pix prints. I was inspired by all the cool ideas that Postal Pix had on their Pinterest Board. I decided to use some of my favorite shots to create blank note cards.
After receiving my ordered prints, I purchased the following:

AC Cardstock (by American Crafts) 5-1/4-Inch by 5-1/4 Inch 12-Pack Cards, such as these, in both black and white.

American Crafts 5-Inch by 5-Inch 12-Pack Square Envelopes, such as these, in both black and white.

Glue Dots

Then I simply added the photos to the cards using the glue dots.

For the black envelopes I added a Martha Stewart mailing address label.

Here are the cards I made so far.

*****

Now it’s your turn.
1. Choose a tutorial, recipe, or idea that has inspired you. Do it and blog a little about it. It doesn’t have to be elaborate — we just want to see what you’ve been up to!
2. In your post, link back the original idea whenever possible. We want to be sure that cool idea credit is given to the proper person. Please do not link to Pinterest. Linking to the original blogger insures that proper credit is given where it’s due.
3. Make sure you link back here somewhere in your post so others can find us and play along.
4. Link up below. Make sure you’re sending us to your actual post, and not to your general blog address. Don’t forget to use your own original photo (not someone else’s!) as your thumbnail image.
You can add your link all the way through Sunday, so if you can’t get things going by Tuesday, no worries, put it up when you can. We’ll be here.

PS – If the link-up isn’t working or you can’t comment (the combox gets skittish with wordpress), you can email me at blog(at)revolutionoflove(dot)com.

Downton Abbey Season 3, Episode 1 Spoilers for U.S. Fans

By bobbi
September 19, 2012
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Now that season 3 has started in the UK it is hard to keep from trying to stream it online or to watch spoiler recap videos. I am NOT one to look at the end of a book to see how it ends before reading the story. However, I know there are those who want to look at the last chapter (my mom and sis!) So for you, here is a recap of Season 3, Episode 1. I won’t watch it but you can.
The second video, I did watch because it is a recap of Mary and Matthew’s wedding. I already know they get married so I was happy to enjoy that one! (And, yes, I admit I shed a few tears.)
SPOILER ALERT – RECAP OF SEASON 3, EPISODE 1.