15): Tears, Conferences & Period Movies

By bobbi
February 28, 2015
4 Comments

I’ve got half an hour free so I’m linking up with Kelly for this week’s 7 Quick Takes.

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Song of the Week – Heartbeat by Mat Kearney

We are big Mat Kearney fans in this house and were looking forward to his new album that came out this week. (When I say “we” I mean the kids and myself. Brian is more of a Clash guy.) I don’t think I like Mat’s new album (it had more rap) as much as Young Love but I have only heard it a couple times so far. The song Heartbeat is a favorite play in the kitchen. The kids will dance around and laugh and giggle with me. That is until they accidentally hit the salad bowl and send the contents crashing to the flour. At that point, I kick them out. 😉

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Tears for Opa

I was need of the upbeat song to perk me up. Earlier this week had been rough. I posted this on Instagram and people were asking me what was wrong.

Day 7 of #onlyonething & #holylens – It has been a rough day today and I’m PRAYING to the FATHER that I can still see beauty despite the heartache.

It was concerning my FIL. As you may remember, after his stroke he was making good progress physically and mentally. We thought it was a miracle that there seemed to be very little damage after they got the blood clot out. Well, that optimism has diminished. Over the past two weeks he has been declining mentally and by Saturday I told Brian that something was not right. He was more than a little confused, he was getting worse. The following day the doctor talked to Brian and my MIL and told them that he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia and he is displaying many of the negative symptoms that go with it. My MIL was crushed. We had such high hopes because he was doing so well.

On Tuesday, I went for my morning walk and I was thinking about how changed my FIL was. He was older but was active and mentally sharp. He’d try to explain about finances and investments to me and it would be over my head. He would pick up the kids from school and often take them to his house where they would hike in the woods and have fun. And now… there will be no more of that playful Opa outside with the kids.

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling as I mourned the dad I used to know and it took me by surprise. He’s not my biological “daddy” but he has taken a special place in my heart. I know he also has a special place in his heart for me. My MIL would often call me up and say, “Can you please talk to your father and tell he he should (fill-in-the-blank). He won’t listen to me but he’ll do whatever his ‘sweetie’ asks of him.”:-)

Thankfully, I had my sun glasses on so I could just let the tears flow and my fellow walkers didn’t know the difference. I am feeling better now and learning to make the most of what we can do with Opa.

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Catholic Conference 4Moms

Have you heard about the online Catholic Conference 4Moms that is taking place next week? There are numerous presenters (including two of my faves Auntie Leila and Rachel Balducci) and various topics. This is how it works:

Every day during the conference, Friday, March 6- Monday,March 9, you will have access to 5-6 talks, just as if you were at a live conference. This link will come via email. What’s different is that you can choose which talks you want to watch or listen to and when you you want to do it. Early morning? Wonderful. Nap time? Great. Before bed? Super. Car line? Fine, as long as you don’t try to watch while driving!

After the conference is over, it will all be available for purchase for one low price of $39.99 This will include online access to all the videos, as well as a download of every video presentation. And besides all of this, there will also be bonus downloads, PDFs, discussion questions, ebooks, and other goodies.

The hope is that with this package you not only can enjoy the conference again at your own convenience, but you can also share the conference with other moms, perhaps in a support group setting or just over tea. Each presentation in the conference package will include discussion questions.

I like the fact that you can attend at your convenience and don’t need to be plugged in at a specific time. I’ll be signing up. You can get more info and register here.

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Downton Finale!

Are you ready for the Downton Abbey finale tomorrow night?? I bought the DVD for Season 5 so I’ll be cheating and watching the finale for our at-home date night tonight. My final Downton Recap for the season will be posted on Monday!

~ 5 ~

Grand Hotel

Speaking of addictive period dramas, have you heard about Grand Hotel? When I have a lot of cooking to do, I like to set up my laptop in the kitchen and watch something while I am chopping veggies and making soups etc. I just finished watching North and South again. (I may or may not have watched the last episode twice just to see Mr. Thorton plead once more…

“Look back at me.”

Anyway…. on the list of Netflix‘s suggested shows they had Grand Hotel so I started watching. It’s weird at first because it has the feel of Downton Abbey and you expect to hear British accents but it takes place in Spain and is in Spanish. However, it does have English subtitles. The synopsis on imdb.com says:

1905. Julio, a young man, arrives at the Grand Hotel, an idyllic place in the middle of the countryside, to investigate the disappearance of his sister. He gets a job as a waiter and comes across the sexy wealthy daughter of the owner. He falls in love with her and starts a dangerous affair while she becomes the only person who will help him to discover the truth about his sister’s disappearance. Find out all the secrets and mysteries hidden in the wonderful Grand Hotel.

I got hooked on one episode but wondered if it was worth going through the next three seasons. But then I saw that Micaela and Jen were both raving about it so it’s a go. I’ll let you know how it progresses as I watch more episodes. 😉

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Introductions

On Monday, Blessed Is She had Monday Introductions on Instagram. For any new reader here, I’m reposting my entry so you can get to know me too. 🙂

My name is Bobbi and I’m a Blessed Is She writer/Instagram contributor. I live in CA along the coast in Monterey Bay. I’ve been married to my husband Brian for 15 years and we have 4 kids – Bella 13, Andrew 7, John-Paul 5, Matthew 3 (pictured) & 2 babies in heaven. Our house is overrun by Legos and light sabers but I secretly love it. I also love being out in God’s creation, going to the movies, Disneyland, the sound of laughter, Jane Austen, planners and stationary, road trips, mi familia, period movies, BBC mysteries, tacos, dark chocolate and witnessing kindness. (Is that random enough? ) I blog at Revolution of Love Blog.com about motherhood, living a life of faith and the other topics I mentioned here. To answer the question of the week – my favorite prayers are The Divine Praises, The Lord’s Prayer, and the Memorare.

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Your Turn

Okay, now it’s your turn! Tell me a little about yourself! AND/OR what’s your favorite prayer(s)?

Have a great weekend!

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, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉

A Look at My 2015 (Erin Condren) Planner

By bobbi
February 26, 2015
11 Comments

Note: For the update version of this post, click A Look at My 2015-2016 (Erin Condren) Planner & Favorite Planning Tools

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I planned to do a post about my new planner in January but life happened. So, I better get it posted before February is over. 😉

Anyone that follows this blog knows that I love making lists and using planners. Not because I am organized but because I am scattered and have the attention span of a two year old sometimes. If I don’t write it down, I won’t remember it five minutes later. Literally. If I am not within reach of my planner then I’ll write a note on my phone (which is usually in my pocket) and at the end of the day the notes get written down before they are also forgotten.

Last year I was using a Martha Steward Discbound planner and I loved everything about it except that it was too big to carry around with me everywhere. Because I spend a lot of time out of the house, I needed something that was more portable. I heard a lot of people rave about the Erin Condren planner but I was doubtful and they were pricey. However, I had a coupon and decided to give it a try.

The delivery of it became an “event” because it came in such a pretty box with special treats.

I looked through their selection and chose an Erin Condren Life Planner with the Favorite Things cover. (I bought my planner in later 2014 so the new 2015 versions may look a little different.)

I love that you could choose the words that filled your cover. I also like that the covers are interchangeable so if I am tired of the cover or want to change it according to seasons, I can lift the cover off and pop in a new one. (I have another version of this cover in darker fall colors but I am back in spring mode now.)

I do not like planners with plain black and white pages. I like bright colors that make me want to actually use the planner. However, I do not like my planner to be so filled with decor that I don’t have room to write.

I use washi tape to make small squares on my monthly calendar. Blue are doctor appointments and speech therapy. Green is school related. Red is an event I need to attend or drive the kids to. Orange is a family birthday. Pink polka dots is a night out for me. I write the definite items in ink and possible dates and notes in pencil.

The weekly page is where people can really go to town to decorate and fill the boxes with all sorts of decor. Me? I seriously just need a space for my To Do lists.

The calendar is divided into three sections – Morning, Day and Night. I covered the Morning label with washi tape and use it as my schedule for places I need to be that day. In the Day section I write down the things I need to try and get done that day. The Night section I use to add To Do things that I eventually want to do but it’s not urgent. I make little boxes next to each item and fill them in as I complete them. In the last bottom section I keep track of my dinner menu and posts that I will publish on the blog that day. The right side column is for goals and notes.

There are some days when I want a whole page to keep track of what I am working on. When I had my discbound planner I made daily goal sheet printable pages. They were too big for this planner so I shrunk it down and cut it to size. On the goal sheet I keep track of my prayer/inspiration of the day and my act of love to put it into practice, my “must do’s”, household goals, who I need to contact and if I am really ambitious, I’ll also track my food and exercise. I don’t use this on the days I am hardly home but I love it for the days when I have longer stretches at home. You can buy Erin Condren coil tabs to add sheets like this to your planner but I just used a bit of washi tape and stuck it to the plastic book mark.

If you’d like to print out a copy for yourself, you can find the full size Daily Goal Sheet in this post here. The roughly 6.5 x 8.5 sized Daily Goal Sheet (as pictured) can be printed from here. (I added the blue lines to know where to cut the paper.)

Other featured of the planner – Along with pretty inspirational quote pages, there are lined pages for notes and blank pages for drawing or scribbles.

A Look Ahead calendar.

Stickers – both pre-labeled and blank. (To be honest with you, I forgot about these until I was doing this post. I’ll have to put them to use next month.)

There is a pocket for papers and zipped pouch. I keep the free labels they sent with my order in there. (Not pictured is a pull out perpetual calendar to keep the dates of birthdays and dates to remember.)

As an extra, I purchased a pen loop and a separate tablet that sticks to the back of the planner. I use these for notes at room mom meetings and such.

For Christmas the kids got me a EC planner pouch. I love it since I am always throwing the planner in my purse or a tote bag or a diaper bag. Technically, we are out of diapers but I still need a big bag for changes of undies, snacks and random Legos and Star Wars figures. The pouch keeps the pages from getting smashed or smeared with jelly hands.

Along with my planner I am still using my traveling office. 🙂

I’ve been using the Erin Condren planner since August and so far it has worked really well for me. You can take a look at the planners that are offered and see if one suits you. The most important thing is to find a planner that you like and that you will use. Whether it is an EC planner or a 99 cent notebook from Target. Find something that inspires you, matches your current needs and is in your budget. Then have fun planning (and doing!) 😉

What about you? Do you use a planner? What kind? Do tell!

Revolution of Love Blog - erin_condren_ad2

NOTE: These items were purchase by me and I received no compensation. However, if you order anything from this link – bit.ly/ec_referral_rol, I will get a small compensation and you will get $10 off your first order! Yay! 🙂

PPS – This post contains affiliate links.

TV Talk: Downton Abbey, Season 5: Episode 8 Recap

By bobbi
February 23, 2015
6 Comments

Photo Credit: ITV

Last night Downton was bustling with activity as everyone prepared for Rose’s upcoming nuptials. There was plenty of drama but also so much visual beauty from the amazing wedding cake and floral decor to the chic dresses and matching hats to the sprawling grounds. Despite all the drama, there was also a message of love and hope. As Carson put it, “We must always travel in hope.” I was disappointed that the wedding was at the Registry Office but Rose looked lovely, none the less.

Photo Credit: ITV

In the Mind of A Wicked Mother…

Downton has seen it’s share of annoying dinner guests this season. First Miss Bunting, then Isobel’s future son-in-law Larry and now Rose’s mother from hell, Susan. It is one thing to be rude, annoying and selfish but she reached new heights when she tried to sabotage Rose’s upcoming marriage. During Atticus’ bachelor party, Atticus decided he had enough to drink and went to his room. Before leaving he made eye contact with, as Mary put it, a “tart of some kind” and she followed him to his room. He sent her away but she returned and knocked. Atticus, in his robe, answered the door and she entered the room, slipped her dress sleeves below her shoulders then walked out of the room. As she exited, she paused and looked in one direction and smiled and she adjusted her dress. I commented to Brian that someone is obtaining some incriminating evidence. He said, maybe she was just looking in the mirror to adjust her dress. Aw, my sweet hubby who always thinks the best of people, that was a TMZ moment if I ever saw one. Sure enough. The next day rose received an anonymous package with photos of Atticus and the woman making him look guilty of cheating on her.

It was suspected that Lord Sinderby was the culprit but in reality it was dear Mama Susan who had no qualms at destroying her daughter’s happiness. Her plan did not work as Shrimpie put her in her place. However, Susan made one last ditch effort when she tried to stop the wedding by telling Lord Sinderby that she and Shrimpie are getting a divorce and that Atticus and his family would be stained by such a scandal. She got the desired effect from Sinderby but his lovely wife saved the day by gracefully thanking Susan for the information since it allowed them to be forewarned and forearmed. Her kindness was only matched with her ferocity to see Atticus happy when she threatened her husband that she would leave him if he did anything to stop the marriage from taking place. In the end, the trials are overcome and Rose and Atticus are happily married.

In Other Scandalous Affairs…

Prince K has not given up his pursuit of Granny, who looked lovely in her various shades of lavender clothing. There are not many who can make Violet not only speechless but blush, but that is just what he did when Prince K suggested that they spend their remaining years together “as a friend and as a lover,” even though he is still married to the missing Princess. I can’t imagine Violet every accepting such an offer but she did not refuse either. But I must say, what is this guy up to? His insistence seems a little excessive. Or is he really completely smitten?

In A Moment of Redemption…

Robert’s past annoying behavior was long forgotten after tonight’s episode. He paid a great kindness to Mrs. Patmore as he secretly arranged a small memorial for her nephew. He also decided to improve the cottages by selling the Della Francesca painting that he was once proud of. Cora asked him if she spoiled the painting for him with the memory of Mr. Bricker. Robert kindly explains saying, “Every time I look at it I am reminded that I didn’t trust you and I feel so angry with myself, I want to be rid of it.” He and Cora then share one of their loving looks that we have not seen in a long time. Lastly, Robert finally put two and two together in regards to Edith and Marigold. He realized the truth and shares it with Cora. She confirmed it and he took it surprisingly well. Times and attitudes really are changing!

These changes were hitting Lady Mary keenly. (We find that she is most kind and tolerable when she is hurting.) Mary’s introspection allowed for a tender scene between her and her surrogate father Carson. He delivered just the words she needed to hear at the moment.

In A Parallel Universe…

Meanwhile, in the Downstairs, Denker was giving everyone a taste of her sharp tongue and pushy ways. I’ll admit, that I was liking Denker, especially when she was giving Spratt a run for his money. However, a darker side came out when she took the new footman Andy under her wing only to use him as a “punter” at a gambling joint. While Andy lost money at cards, she was given free drinks at the bar. Who would have thought that out hero of the night would be Thomas, using his powers for good instead of evil. He played along with Denker only to turn the tables on her and get her in trouble with the owner of the bar. I wondered if it would cause her trouble back at Downton but in a scene following she was back at Granny’s side at the dedication. I would love to see more of the improved Thomas and let someone else (new) take the bad guy role for a change.

Sharing this universe, we saw Edith happy and fulfilled as she stepped into the role of Mommy with joy. I hope to see her smile more often in future episodes!

In A Plot Twist…

Photo Credit: ITV

The never ending black cloud hovering over Anna and Bates was kicked up a several notches this episode. I must say that the believability of this story bombshell was ridiculous. First we had a surprise witness say that someone was on the platform with Greene before he died. Then they investigated Bates thinking that he was the murderer. Suddenly tonight they realize the suspect was taller? Do you mean to tell me that your witness, when first reporting the crime, made no mention of the fact that the person was not in fact a sturdy sized man, like Bates, but was actually a petite woman like Anna? How in the world did you go from Bates to Anna? Did I miss something? Ugh. They had better wrap up this storyline in next week’s finale or I will sign off this show forever. (Yeah, that’s as believable as this storyline. Snort.)

Favorite Quotes

Violet: “Love may not conquer all, but it can conquer quite a lot.”

Robert: “Don’t call me Donk.”

Violet: “Don’t proclaim your intransigence as if it were a virtue.” (My new word of the day.) 😉

Understatement of the Year from Carson: (When speaking of Mr Greeen’s actions) “How very unpleasant.”

Denker: (To Spratt) “How else would you like to be summoned? By Joshua’s trumpet?”

Violet: I hope you can manage a few days without Denker, Spratt.
Spratt: “A hope that will be fulfilled, and gladly, m’lady.”

Mary: “I’ll tell you what, why don’t the four of us go to Lunch on Wednesday? Even you, Edith.”

Mrs. Patmore: “Is this a kitchen or a holiday resort?”

Tom: “I must live my life.”
Mary: “What, and leave me alone with Edith? When you read in the paper that I’m on trial for murder, it’ll be your fault.”

Violet: “Love is a far more dangerous motive than dislike.”

Andy: “Mrs. Denker was taken ill.”
Carson: “Never mind being taken ill. I wish she was taken away… by the men in white coats.”

Susan: “I don’t believe it. Am I just expected to be a good loser?”
Violet: “It’s too late for that, my dear. Far too late.”

Lord Sinderby: “Well, well, the thing is done. Let us go forward in hope.”

Carson (to Mrs. Hughes): “We must always travel in hope.”

Cora: “And you’ll love her? Your new granddaughter?”
Robert: “A a matter of fact, and perhaps to my surprise, I rather think I will.”

Random Thoughts:

Photo Credit – ITV

Pratt made so many angry sighs this episode, I couldn’t help but picture him as an Edwardian Napoleon Dynamite. I kept expecting him to yell at Denker, “You’re such a freaking idiot! Gosh!”

Okay, now tell me your thoughts about the show! Favorite scene? Favorite quote? Predictions for the finale? Do tell. 🙂

Find other Downton Abbey Episode recaps here.

Create in Me A Clean Heart: My Lenten Goals 2015

By bobbi
February 18, 2015
10 Comments

Happy Ash Wednesday! I already posted about things we will be doing as a family for Lent but I haven’t shared what I’ll be doing. To be honest with you, I usually don’t buckle down until a couple weeks into Lent but I want to break that cycle!

I went to the morning Mass at the kids’ school and the theme of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving has been on my mind. How can I apply that to my busy mommy life?

Prayer

Prayer is what I need the most now, especially with the stress our family has been under lately. I am still having trouble being less like Martha and more like Mary. But Lent is the perfect time to get serious about making improvements.

My prayer plan is pretty much already in place. I have my Blessed Is She prayer journal and I joined Elizabeth Foss’ online workshop Restore. I’ve got the tools now all I have to do is make sure that I USE them in more than just a pretty photo! I arranged my schedule so I could have 15-20 minutes in the morning to pray. Then in the evening after the kids go to bed, I’ll spend 20 – 30 minutes on the workshop. I did it last year and it was sometimes hard to carve out time and I was always behind the scheduled days, but it made a huge difference in helping me get through a difficult season of life with Brian’s cancer.

Fasting

In order to accomplish the prayer time for Lent, I need to cut back on screen time – the computer/ phone in the morning and TV at night. I’m not going dark like some friends, but there will be some black out stretches during the day. I’m hoping the increased prayer will also help me to fast from impatience. In the morning of this holy Ash Wednesday I was yelling at one of my kids to stop fooling around and get their school shoes on. That is a logical request but yelling it like a lunatic is not the same as saying it like a sane parent. I could hear God whispering to me, “Yeah, you see that there? That’s what you need to give up for Lent.” Oh, man. I think it would be easier to give up the chocolate.

Almsgiving

This one was a no brainer because since Christmas I have been walking around the house, stepping over toys and moving piles of junk from one corner to the next saying, “Ugh! We have too much stuff!” So it’s time for the annual 40 bags in 40 days. We’ll be sharing our possessions with friends or St. Vincent de Paul. I would really like it if I could also get back to my 31 Day to Clean: Having A Martha House the Mary Way cleaning challenge. I started it a month ago but when Brian’s dad had the stroke, my normal routine went out the window and I put it aside.

I share these things with you, not to brag or “blow a trumpet.” Quite the opposite, I know my weakness. I am prone to start strong then give it up. I want to hold myself accountable. By sharing this with you, I know you will be there to offer encouragement when I am feeling discouraged and there to give a swift kick in the rear when I am being a stubborn brat. I know there are some moms that spend Lent like John the Baptist with a locust snack. I look at them and think, “Damn, girl! How do you do that?!” I’m still working on things like… not saying, “damn.”

We are all on different paths and at different levels. Some of you can accomplish a lot. Some of you forgot today was Ash Wednesday. Some of you don’t need to give up anything because you are living Lent in your current family situation. However, all of us are seeking to cross the same finish line. We want to grow closer to God and love Jesus more at the end of this Lent. So to you, my fellow sisters, let’s take this journey together and encourage one another.

Is there something you want to work on this Lent? Do you have a special intention you’d like me to pray for during Lent? Do share. (And say a prayer for me too.) 🙂

TV Talk: Downton Abbey, Season 5: Episode 7 Recap

By bobbi
February 17, 2015
3 Comments

Photo Credit: Nick Briggs/Carnival Films 2014 for MASTERPIECE

I had mixed feelings about this episode. It had some sweet moments and there were parts that left me dissatisfied. Sometimes the pace of the show bothers me. On the one hand they drag on story lines until they are dead in the water. At other times, they rush through one scene to the next before we can digest it or they skip over an entire scene (Edith being told about Gregson or Cora being told about Marigold) and instead just show the aftermath. It’s weird. Anyway, here we go.

The Fizzling Love Story

Mary’s storyline was definitely in the dissatisfied column. Gillingham was still holding onto Mary even though Mary, Mabel and Blake all wished he’d get over it. At this point in time, I’m over this whole storyline. Mary has been unbearable with her witchy attitude (if my mom wasn’t reading this I’d have typed a different word.) Frankly, I want neither Blake nor Gilligham to go with her. I’ve become disenchanted with Gillingham after he talked Mary into his little hook-up holiday and Blake has lost some of the charm he had last season. Finally after all this back and forth between suitors, the way everything was resolved was by Blake purposely kissing Mary in front of Gillingham. The whole scene seemed rushed and anti-climatic. Yawn. I was not impressed. The only awesome scene with Mary was when Granny told her, “A lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears.” Best line of the season.

If Downton Where a Zombie Apocalypse

There were a number of tender moments between Anna and Bates discussing their future and sharing loving looks, which is almost a guarantee that something bad is about to happen to them. (If you are also a Walking Dead fan, you know it’s similar to the character that gets a lot of sympathetic screen time. He or she is usually the next one on the zombie menu.) Anyway, I do hope Anna and Bates find the truth about why Dexter had to talk to the police. I don’t want them to feel like she was purposely trying to cause problems for them.

Mama’s Taking Charge

I am a little disappointed that we did not get to see the scene when Cora found out about Marigold, instead we just saw the aftermath. However, I am so pleased how Cora took charge of the situation. Once she found out that Granny and Rosamond kept the truth from her she was determined to find Edith and Marigold. Since Rose confided in Attcus about Edith, he suggested that they contact Gregson’s office in London. (Did no one else seriously think of that?) They went to the office and found Edith working there. They persuaded her to partake in a rather fantastic scheme to adopt Marigold from the Drewes.

They headed back to Downton and planned for Mr. Drewe to meet them at the train station. Unfortunately Mary and Anna are also at the station. They got off the train and Drewe went to the next station alone with Marigold. (For one brief moment I feared Marigold leaving alone with Drewe.) But it all worked out except for the fact that Anna saw Mr. Drewe with Marigold. She later tells Mrs. Hughes about it, which is a little of character for Anna who knows how to keep a secret. I am supposing it is because they found the photo of the baby under Edith’s pillow on the night of the fire. Maybe she is putting two and two together.

Edith does confront the family with the prospect of her raising Marigold at Downton. No one could understand why and I am sure Robert would have refused had he not been so upset over Isis’ illness. However, he let Cora decide, which settled it. On a side note, I am not a pet person so maybe I don’t have enough animal compassion but it bugged me that Robert showed more love and tenderness to Isis than his own children.

And You Thought Bunting Was Bad

Isobel and Lord Merton seemed genuinely happy with their decision to marry, that is until Isobel meet Lord Merton’s sons. The eldest, Larry, made Miss Bunting look like Miss Manners. In an earlier season, when Sybil was still alive, he insulted Tom and caused a scene. He picked up where he left off tonight by calling Marigold an uncomfortable piece of baggage, calling deceased Matthew a fairly odd cousin, and saying that Isobel was a lower class woman of neither birth nor fortune that she would be an inevitable failure. After a few more jabs about chauffeurs and Jews, Lord Merton threw him out. My heart broke her Isobel who was left speechless by his cruelty. Whether or not Isobel will goes through with the marriage, is unknown.

On a happier note, Rose and Atticus become engaged.

Random Thoughts

I love the sweet exchanges that Tom and Robert have been sharing. They differ in their thinking but they have mutual respect for one another.
It was touching to see Granny open up about Isobel. Her reluctance to her marrying Lord Merton was not due to her change in rank but because she would miss her as a companion.
Sybbie is such a cutie. Will Tom actually leave for America? I love you, Tom, but just make a decision already! Every time you come on screen I hear the Clash song in my head, “Should I stay or should I go now?” Just stay.
Spratt is priceless.
Didn’t the Daisy, Mosley, Baxter, Dixon storyline seem a little odd? I’m being such a Debbie Downer with this episode. I need some sleep.

Favorite Quotes

Violet: “He’s a man. Men have no rights.”

Bates to Anna: “Whenever I see a problem, you see only possibilities.” (That’s something I could say to Brian.) 😉

Violet to Mary: “A lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears.”

Spratt: “I’d say she [Denker] takes after the dachshund, m’lady.
Mary: “In what way.”
Spratt: “She’s quite untrainable.”

Violet: “Typical Spratt. He’s as touchy as a beauty losing her looks.”

Baxter: “I like when good things come from bad.”

Okay, now tell me your thoughts about the show! Favorite scene? Favorite quote? Predictions? Do tell. 🙂

Find other Downton Abbey Episode recaps here.