Happy May to you, friends! I hope you are enjoying some lovely weather and reading time this month!
Curious about what Mr. Bingley and I have been up to? We’ve been pretty low-key since he was recovering from surgery and wasn’t allowed to be too active. 😉
Since we loved The Hobbit trilogy so much we thought we’d try The Lord of the Rings (I know, completely late to the party!) LOL! We have been enjoying lots of snuggles on the couch while watching our new boxset of extended editions with 20+ hours of documentary! (such nerds!) We are so hooked on LOTR, we talk about it daily! 😉
I’ve also enjoyed a lovely morning of strawberry picking with my momma! We’ve been enjoying having a daily dose of sweet and fresh strawberries in our diet!
And the big event of the month was our studio’s Annual Recital Series which was just two Saturdays ago. 3 recitals, 8 teachers, 70+ students, 100+ pieces! It all went off without a hitch thanks to a great team of teachers and our hardworking students! 🙂
Here are some post-recital photos with some sweet students of mine! They all made me exceptionally proud!
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Want to know what Austenesque fun I’m getting into this month?
…here is what’s on this month’s
Austenesque Agenda:
~ TO READ AND REVIEW ~
~ YOU CHOOSE! ~
So as you may have seen, the 4th book of The Austen Project was released just last month, and to date I have read 0 of them! I’m determined to change that this month! I have two in my possession Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope and Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid. Which would you like to see me read and review? (to vote, leave a comment below!)
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Renée Beyea – May 6th
Sophie Turner – May 18th
Brenda Webb – May 25th
I’m excited for May, how about you??
What do you have planned for this month?
I confess I have never seen LOTR either (well, only bits and pieces) I wanted to but was always to busy to give it my undivided attention. I think a boxed set would be just the ticket. 😉 Those strawberries made me want to make jam and freeze the rest, so I need to find a ‘pick your own’ place. I can’t pick them but my dear hubby doesn’t mind! And what a great looking group of students. Congrats on job well done which resulted in a excellent recital! I well remember my days doing piano recitals.
Hi Brenda! I’m glad I’m not the only one! They do take a lot of time and require undivided attention as you say, but will very pleasant diversions for us on these rainy weekends we’ve been having. 🙂 My mom made some jam with her strawberries, I’ve been enjoying eating them fresh with my breakfast. 😉 Pick your own places are so much fun! I wish we had more! Thanks for your lovely comments Looking forward to having you as my guest in a few weeks!
Glad your husband is getting better. I’ve been listening to LOTR today too!
Awesome! We plan to read the stories together soon, the movies were a lot of fun and we are very interested in all the characters and their histories!
Hi Meredith!
It´s been a joyful month, I see. I enjoyed LOTR, in fact, I watched them in the cinema and the three films are such an epic story!. I think this trilogy will be remained in people´s mind for a long time because it has created a kind of mithology: good, evil, the king, the warriors, the wizards, the princesses. So I´m happy both Mr Bingley and you enjoyed the films and… I too watched some documentaries, very interesting in which the actors spoke about their frienship with each other out of the films, there was a true fellowship!. And, what do you think about the soundtrack by Howard Shore? I love the music, it´s so mysterious and magic!.
And, well, the children of the recital look so happy!. They seem to be good students, congratulations for the success!. The photos of strawberries make me be hungry! LOL, I love strawberries as fruits and as milkshakes, what a delicious refreshment! 😉
I´ve seen Sophie Turner´s book in your May Agenda, I´m looking forward to reading about it. And for the election, I choose “Northanger Abbey”. Bye!
Hi Teresa! I can only imagine how awesome it must have been to see it in the theatre! I agree with you about it being memorable to many people. The mythology it created feels so real! I love the documentaries, makes me wish I was lucky enough to work on such a set and be around such a camaraderie! Love the music too! Already got one soundtrack, but I plan to get the other two as well – I especially love the Rohan theme with the Norwegian fiddle!
Thank you, my students are so very good! It is a pleasure to teach them! Strawberry milkshakes are Mr. Bingley’s favorite! I’m looking forward to learning more about Sophie Turner’s newest release! I really enjoyed her first!
Thank you for voting! SS – 0/ NA – 1 🙂
Hi Meredith, i have never seen LOTR!!!! Am i the only one? Glad Mr Bingley is on the mend and your recital went well. V excited for the Brenda Webb interview and your review of On Oakham Mount. I vote for Nothanger Abbey. Thanks Meredith x
LOL! I thought we were the only ones! I’m glad you are looking forward to all the fun that is planned for this month! 🙂
Thank you for voting! SS – 0/ NA – 2 🙂
I’ve only seen the first LOTR Meredith. It wasn’t really for me. I too am looking forward to your review of On Oakham Mount as I’ve heard great things about it. I’m going to pick Northanger Abbey for your own read. I read Sense and Sensibility and was not impressed. In fact it put me off reading the others but I think I might give Northanger Abbey a go. I’ll wait and see what you think because you’re always spot on.
You know, I had the same reaction when I tried watching the first movie it two years ago. I thought it was too much war and fighting. I much preferred The Hobbit trilogy with its lovable and funny characters. But something clicked better with me this time and I was interested in watching the whole trilogy. 🙂 Thank you so much for your faith in my reviews! Hope you have a great month, my friend!
Thank you for voting! SS – 0/ NA – 3 🙂
We saw each of the LotR films in the cinema when they first came out but much prefer the extended versions that were eventually released on DVD. That’s probably cos we’re long standing fans of the source material and prefer their slightly slower pace. I’m a big watcher of Special Features (hubby isn’t, but I need something to take my mind off the ironing!) and got the impression that cast and crew had a total blast making the three films. I first read the books in the mid 70s and I have to say that Viggo Mortensen portrayed Aragorn exactly as I’d imagined him to be. Of course, it helps that he’s not bad to look at either.
I’m so glad that Mr. Bingley is on the mend. I’m having another MRI scan for my similar problem next week to try to track down what’s causing the pain. I’m having major problems sitting down, just as he did. Not fun!
The strawberries look fantastic (drooling on iPad). We’ve got weeks to go in the UK before the domestic crop is available. I can only imagine how proud you are of your students. Sounds like an amazing recital.
Now on to the books. On Oakham Mount is on my TBR List but the other two are only Wish List at present. I’ve heard such mixed reports regarding the Austen Project. The only one I’ve read is Northanger Abbey, so I’m voting for that as I’d love to see your opinion.
That’s awesome, Anji! We have only watched the extended editions, so we don’t know what the shorter story feels like. But I’m sure we’d feel the same as you – we liked the slower pace and found none of the scenes to be superfluous. I loved seeing the fun on set and hearing the stories about how things came to be or what went wrong! It really makes you appreciate the final product all the more. The funny thing that kept happening is that after each movie we would watch the 4+ hours of documentary, which would make us want to RE-watch the same movie again instead of going to the next one! We resisted the urge to do the rewatching right away and most likely will do a rewatch in a month or so! 😉
I do hope the MRI gives your doctors a clear idea of what is best to relieve your pain, Anji! I’m so sorry you are having more trouble. When Mr. Bingley met with the surgeon for the first time, he said his disc had a huge rupture and that for him surgery would be the only way to fix the problem. We wished the other doctors told us that from the get-go…will be thinking of you!
I’ve seen the mixed reviews on the Austen Project too, I’m wondering what I will feel.
Thank you for voting! SS – 0/ NA – 4 🙂
Thanks for such a lovely long reply. I don’t know how recent your version of the LotR films is, but the ones we have (issued not too long after the cinema release) also have no less than FOUR commentary tracks on each. And yes, I HAVE watched all three enough times (and then some) to have listened to each and every one!
We really weren’t that enamoured with The Hobbit films. Possibly hubby is too much of a purist when it comes to Tolkien’s work. I’m not that far behind either, but could see the attractions of Messrs Armitage and Turner. I never expected to find Thorin Oakenshield sexy!
LOL! We didn’t touch the commentary yet, but each movie has 5 discs (2 for the film itself, and 3 of special features) It’s an incredible collection, we appreciate all the information so much!!
I can understand how you might feel about The Hobbit. I know a lot was changed and added that wasn’t there. But I fell in love with Martin Freeman as Bilbo, I thought he as adorable! And I do love the company of dwarfs. But yes, I agree with you about Keli and Thorin. But in my opinion, I don’t think they can’t compete with Legolas or Aragorn. 😉
I have read and viewed the movies and bought the extended Collector’s editions of TLOTR books and that of The Hobbit also. If you like those you should read Terry Brooks’ Sword of Shannara books and watch the first season of Shannara on TV. My children are also fans so we share that interest.
Speaking of strawberries..oddly we have had several days when there were NO strawberries to be had in our local food market. First time I have seen that happen and wonder what is up?
I vote for S&S. I have read Brenda’s book and you will love it. I have read it twice.
You and your recital students present a lovely group. I am sure it was very rewarding and that they love their caring and creative teacher.
Good luck as Mr. Bingley continues to heal. And continue to enjoy your intimate times together – I am sure you do.
Good to know, Sheila! I think Mr. Bingley and I might try to read The Hobbit and LOTR together this summer. 🙂 We never read anything together so I’m excited!! That’s great that you share the interest with your children!
So sorry about the lack of strawberries near you! I wish I could send you some! 🙂 Maybe it has something to do with the weather?
Thank you for voting! SS – 1/ NA – 4 🙂
I am with the others and definitely recommend the Val McDermid NA over the Joanna Trollope S&S, no question. Have read all the Austen Project books and only liked NA and Eligible so far. As for my Austenesque agenda for this month, am looking forward to (1) a discussion of Charlie Lovett’s First Impressions in my Jane Austen reading group and (2) what else, seeing Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship (Lady Susan) movie! I’d like to read Longbourn’s Songbird this month too, if I can.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Austen Project, Abigail! I love your plans for the month! Sounds like such fun! 🙂
I’m excited about Love and Friendship too! And Longbourn’s Songbird is just beautiful! I’m sure you will love it!
Thank you for voting! SS – 1/ NA – 5 🙂
So glad Mr. Bingley is getting better. I started Eligible a couple of days ago and am loving it so far! The author is from St. Louis (I live in the metro area), so it’s kind of a big deal around here.
Thank you, Susan! We are learning that while he felt immediate relief, the recovery process is a little longer. That is so cool that the author for Eligible lives near you and that it is being celebrated there!!
LotR! My family loves all the movies and books. I have yet to watch one without falling asleep. But since they are all on tv so often, I think I have seen them all–though spliced
Your reading selection this month looks good. I am working my way through 30 or so Georgette Heyer e-books I bought on sale last fall. But I started to re-read TinaM&Gail McEwen’s TWIXT TWO EQUAL ARMIES last night…love love love that book! Fills my heart.
I think your family and mine would get along famously, Christina! We have lots in common! 😉 When I first tried watching LOTR 2 years ago I fell asleep to and decided not to continue!
That’s awesome that you are on a Georgette Heyer binge! Any favorites? How wonderful if feels to return to an old favorite and find that it still affects you in the same way!
So glad to hear Mr. Bingley is on the mend and you are enjoying cuddle time on the couch. We are huge LOTR fans and have seen all the movies, including The Hobbit at the movie theatre. I would have to say, we prefer LOTR but enjoyed The Hobbit. It was one of my favourite books growing up. Read them all! We have the extended version of LOTR but waiting to get the box set of The Hobbit. Then we would like to do a movie marathon! The music is amazing and we have the cds as well.
Love your selections for this month, especially Change of Legacies. I absolutely love the series! Cannot wait for your interview with Sophie! I am hearing wonderful things about A Fine Stout Love and have put that on my wishlist. On Oakham Mount was another I really enjoyed. I have Brendaès (done something with my keys again and do not know how to stop it!) new book on my wishlist and again wonderful reviews and cannot wait to read that. I have loved all her books! Just checked out Mary Green on Amazon as I was not familiar with that one. Sounds rather intriguing. Look forward to your review.
I have several books to choose from to start reading and cannot decide which one. We are slowly starting the demo part of our living room. Just waiting to hear from the electrician to know when he will be here before actually taking off the drywall and insulation and the ceiling etc. It is still a bit chilly at night so do not want to leave it wide open for to long. I really hate starting a book when I cannot read for a couple of hours at least!
Our strawberries will probably not be out until sometime in June. Will have to get some from the grocery store that are from California! The photos of you and your students are wonderful! Thank you for sharing them. Congratulations on a job well done!
Well
Thanks, Carole! It has been a lot of fun! Since I saw The Hobbit trilogy first I was really partial to it (I love Martin Freeman) and the company of dwarfs are so entertaining and endearing. But this time when we tried LOTR I was appreciated it a lot more – it is definitely a weightier story with much higher stakes! Movie marathons are one of our favorite things to do at our house, we make a nice snack spread for them!!!
Glad you enjoyed On Oakham Mount and A Change of Legacies! And happy you are interested in the other books I have on my agenda! 🙂 Mary Green is a traditional Regency romance by the author of Follies Past (a Pride and Prejudice prequel). I really enjoyed reading that story 2 years ago so I was eager to try another novel from the same author.
That’s exciting that you are remodeling! I hope it goes well! I’m sure it will be so great to set it all up and enjoy it when it is finished!
Thanks for the lovely message, Carole! I hope you have a wonderful month!
Oh I choose Northanger Abbey!
Thank you for voting! SS – 1/ NA – 6 🙂
Both books sound good, but I will choose Sense and Sensibility. Not really into Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit (and not interested in the books), but I did see part of the Smaug movie when there was an H.B.O. free preview a while back. I thought it might be interesting, what with the dragon and all. Other than that, I’ve only watched a few minutes of the movies on TV. Movie series I like are Harry Potter, Twilight, Indiana Jones, and Spider-Man. Did your husband have back surgery? I see you said something about a disc. Hope he’s feeling better.
I read a little of the Emma book by Alexander McCall Smith that I got from the library. I didn’t really get into it and think I would prefer his other books. The ones about the German professor are short and funny.
Smaug was definitely interesting and played by Benedict Cumberbatch too! 😉
Yes, he had minor surgery on a herniated disc on Mar 30. It was a small and short procedure, but it was a first time surgery for either of us. 🙂
I haven’t read anything by any of the authors of the Austen Project, I don’t read too much in the contemporary fiction genre. But I am excited to try one of these novels, I hope I like it!
Thank you for voting! SS – 2/ NA – 6 🙂
Love LOTR! Can’t wait til my sons are old enough to watch and enjoy the movies, but they’ll have to read the books first, LOL 😉 And strawberries dipped in Nutella are my fave! Beautiful pics–thanks so much for sharing these lovely pieces of your life with us.
Yes! I’m sure it is better to do it in that order! 🙂 Too funny! That is exactly one of my favorite things to do with strawberries too! Either that or eat them fresh! 😉
lots of wonderful reads… yummy strawberries… hope Mr. Bingley is still recovering well
denise
Thank you, Denise! I think strawberries and LOTR are definitely the keys to a good recovery!
I love strawberries! We’ve been eating them, too, lately. I can’t wait to eat cherries as well, I just have to wait some weeks. 🙂 Glad you and Mr. Bingley enjoyed The Lord of the Rings! I haven’t seen it nor have I read the books but it sounds like a great trilogy! Loved the pictures with your students! Congrats!
As for the book to choose, since I haven’t read them, I’ll vote for the one with the best cover which is for me Northanger Abbey. 😛
Yum, cherries! We don’t have a upick farm for those here, but what is next is blueberries and I’m very excited about that!
Thanks for popping in and saying hello, Maria!
Thank you for voting! SS – 2/ NA – 7 🙂
Is that farm you went to in North Carolina? We don’t have those farms in the area where I live.
What a delightful selection of books you have for this month, Meredith! Loving Brenda’s and Sophia Meredith’s, can’t wait to read the others!
Thank you! I’m very excited for all the wonderful things taking place this month!!! 😉 I’m glad to here you are enjoying Sophia’s and Brenda’s new releases! I’m so excited to read them myself!
So yummy! I want to dive right into that bowl of fresh picked strawberries! I helped my friend plant a huge number of dahlia bulbs yesterday at her flower farm; she sells organically grown flowers–even sells them to Whole Foods locally! Dahlias are such wonderful flowers! I can’t wait to enjoy their sunny faces in a few months.
They are the best tasting strawberries, Sophia! I wish I could send them out to you! I love bulb flowers, how fun that your friend has a flower farm! I bet it looks amazing when they are all in bloom!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has never seen/read LOTR! I hope Mr Bingley is feeling much better. Strawberry milkshakes have great healing powers, you know.
I forgot to vote! Even though S&S is my 2nd favorite after P&P, I choose Northanger Abbey because NA stories are few and far between.
Thanks, Monica! Maybe try The Hobbit if you haven’t already, that’s what I saw first. It has Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, and Benedict Cumberbatch! 🙂
Thank you for voting! SS – 2/ NA – 8 🙂