{quotable thursdays-world book day}

I write from a very very snowy England--spring seems to have disappeared.
But today is World Book Day and in honour of that, a wonderful quote from a wonderful author who wrote some of my favourite books:

{reading}

stay warm! & curl up by the fire with a book!
xo
L

{sisters reunion}

Today I went for a lovely country walk in the perfect English summer sunshine--the birds were singing and as I walked through some farmland and across a bridge over a stream, I came across children who were busy catching crayfish. It brought back memories of my childhood, reading of heroines walking through the English countryside in my favourite novels by Jane Austen, the Brontës, George Elliot...the list goes on. Growing up the youngest of five girls, it's no surprise we liked to think we were the Bennett sisters and would often get dressed up in bonnets & long dresses and pretend we were walking to Meryton.
So it was with great excitement that we decided to have our sisters reunion at my house here in England in April. We didn't receive a proposal from Mr Darcy, but we did enjoy country walks, stately homes, lots of tea, and a masked ball.
I realise these pics are very late--it has been a particularly hectic time with work, finishing up two books on top of lots else, but looking at these pictures brings a big smile to my face & I feel so very fortunate to call these amazing women my sisters!

{Woburn Abbey}

{having tea in the gardens at Woburn Abbey}

{& of course! matching pjs to drink our tea in!}

{& a Sunday roast dinner dressed in our finest!}

{masked ball}

{we are 5!}

So you can see we really had fun! Now I just can't wait for the next reunion!
xo
L

{quotable thursdays}

{lovely autumn scene from Red}

Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn--that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness--that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.
― Jane Austen, Persuasion

Today's quote reflects the changing of season outside, and Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. It is a busy day here at Chota House so this will be quick (!)
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all!
xo
L

{quotable thursdays}

{grounds of Highclere Castle/Downton}

I do love to go for walks, and sometimes it's ok to indulge in a bit of solitude! Might I say, even self indulgence??!!

{solitary walks}

Here are a few picks of my favourite walks!

{peak district}

{Rape fields}

{this walk is on my doorstep}

{grounds of Highclere Castle (Downtown Abbey)}

{Stowe}

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

{home & comfort}

What better person to give us a quote on home & comfort, than Jane Austen? Her books, wherever I'm reading them, bring me comfort and conjure memories of tucking into one of her great reads, cozy & curled up on a comfortable sofa or chair.

but 'home' has been on the forefront of my mind because (drum roll)...I've started looking at buying a house! It will be my first owned property, and it's all very exciting. I'm just starting the process, so it'll likely be a while until I move. But as an art historian, it's *pretty* amazing to think that I could buy a lovely historic property--Victorian terrace, or *even* even a 17th-century cottage! Now my budget is pretty low, so London is out of the question for the kind of property I'd like, but even still, it's wonderful to think of me & Simla the Siamese cat settled into a lovely property filled with character charm!

Some places I've been looking at are all renovated already, others would need some work, or as my parents say, they need to be 'clarkified'... But as a daughter of 2 renovators extraordinaire, I can see the potential through 80s wallpaper, bad carpet & hideous decor.
here are some images that are inspiring me at the moment:

{gorgeous inglenook & exposed beams--replace dog & shag rug with Siamese cat & Persian rug!}

{old rustic world charm}

{Victorian charm!}

{very rustic!}

can't wait to blog about the final purchase (when it comes) and the renos/decorating that will ensue!
This weekend I'm going to the Savoy for a black tie charity event--will try to take pics if I can!
I still have some catch up blogging to do, including my cousin's wedding in Germany. so more soon, I hope!
xo
L

{quotable thursdays}

phew, almost forgot to post! I'm editing/writing 3 different projects at the moment with looming deadlines and my fridge just went on the fritz...& I've got a bunch of exams to mark with an accompanying exam board so things are a bit crazy around here.
Good news is that we're having the warmest September in 50 years here in merry ol' England!
I came across this Austen quote the other night, which I love but also seems to fit my present state:


'I begin already to weigh my words & sentences more than I did, & am looking about for a sentiment, an illustration, or a metaphor in every corner of the room. Could my Ideas flow as fast as the rain in the Storecloset it would be charming.'

                                                           -Jane Austen, personal correspondence

Having all this writing to do, I feel the same way. If only I were as eloquent as the great writer herself!

{inspiration needed!}

{classic}

bisous,
L

{Mr Darcy country--Derbyshire and the Peak District Part II}

In my previous blog, I discussed travelling to Lyme Park and exploring Mr Darcy country...
But I didn't finish!
We also went for a lovely walk in the Dovedale Hills--with striking views of the Peak District and also visited Chatsworth.
I wish we had had more time, because the Peak District is simply stunning...
You'll probably recall this iconic scene from the 2005 version of P&P with Keira:

{what are men to rocks & mountains?}

{Dovedale}

{this is England!}

{mehhh}

Chatsworth was also stunning--the house that Austen based 'Pemberley' on and also the house where the 2005 version was filmed. To be honest, it was a bit too over the top for me--a bit too Baroque. I think I prefer a little more restrain when it comes to decorating, but then I wouldn't say no to Mr Darcy! Chatsworth is still the residence of the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire, but I didn't have any sightings of these modern day Darcys!

{beautiful Chatsworth!}

{Melissa peruses the artwork!}

{in the main hall}

{the great hall}

{fantastic interiors}

{playing Mrs Darcy!}

My favourite bit was the sculpture court, I think: 

 

{sculpture court}

{romance!}

cheerio,
L