From the kitchen: Apple Charlotte

From the Kitchen : Apple Charlotte
(Taken from my 2014 Downton Abbey Desktop Calendar)

"Apple Charlotte is an easy recipe for a busy cook. To make this traditional English cake, line a buttered pie in with pieces of bread and cover with a layer of peeled apple slices, or pureed apple, and sugar. Continue to layer bread and apples until the dish is full. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour at 350 degrees fahrenheit. Turn the cake out onto a plate. Sprinkle with sugar and serve."

Personally I love any type of baked apples/apple pie/apple crisp/etc served with vanilla ice cream ~ Hopefully you try this and you/your guests enjoy it!!

What is a 'weekend'?

Courtesy of my Christmas Gift, The Downton Abbey Desktop Calendar for 2014:

Downton Abbey Calendar Weekend 52 of 52
(Current Events: April 1912 the Titanic has sunk)

Downton Abbey Calendar Weekend 52 of 52
(Current Events: April 1912 the Titanic has sunk)

Downton Abbey Calendar Weekend 51 of 52
(Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, is honestly bewildered and
perplexed when the new heir mentions the unknown word "week - END"
as she pronounces it... Hence the second weekend image for the desktop
calendar has her asking "What is a 'weekend'?")

Downton Abbey Calendar Weekend 51 of 52
(Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, is honestly bewildered and
perplexed when the new heir mentions the unknown word "week - END"
as she pronounces it... Hence the second weekend image for the desktop
calendar has her asking "What is a 'weekend'?")

"The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook"

"The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook"

Yes, am absolutely still on my "Downton Abbey" kick : )  It only runs in the UK Nov/Dec then premieres/shows here in the U.S.A. in Jan/Feb -- so I shall not be posting about this forever!  Simply enjoying the fourth set of episodes, and an aunt lent me the "Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook" -- I LOVE how the various time period appropriate recipes are divided into courses and into what would be appropriate to serve upstairs verses downstairs. Enjoy!

Cover of the book

 Now three pages for Part One (upstairs dining order and recipe options)

Lastly, two pages for Part II (downstairs/servants recipe options)

Downton Abbey Season Four Premiere

No spoilers, simply wanting to share that I enjoyed the season four premiere of Downton Abbey!! Looking forward to each new Sunday night installment (and, as usual, secretly hoping each season will be longer than the last!) 

Still of Lady Mary (left) and her lady's maid Anna (right)

Thanks to the writers, actors, tech, everyone who helped (helps!) make PBS (Public Broadcasting Systems) possible

P.S. Also loving my new desktop calendar for 2014!

Candlelight Christmas (book)

Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs

Christmas 2013 has come and gone - and I have forgotten to share a new holiday book I found!  "Candlelight Christmas" (by Susan Wiggs) is a book I found perhaps around Thanksgiving (of this past year). It is a "fluff" book, but I found it/find it a light, cozy, Christmas read. Basic plot is focused on a divorced dad who usually gets to see his only son every summer and (focus of this book) at Christmas.  The dad's family and his work have a place in this novel, as does just a touch of summer camp, a dash of Thanksgiving -- and the focus, CHRISTMAS!

I tagged "Tie Blanket" in the various labels for this post because I do not think I have ever shared this particular blanket here (before now).  I was taught a while back how to make tie blankets, and at first I was not really thrilled with this particular pattern of circles -- over a year later it has become one of my absolute favorite blankets!  I find myself throwing it over my shoulders instead of a sweater, or throwing it on my lap while watching tv, or curling up under it while reading into the wee small hours of the morning : )  I have actually used this pattern twice now, once paired with a solid darker green background (which is the one I still own) and the other with a darker grey (which became a gift a while back).

Considering making baby tie blankets and selling them (instead of giving baby-sized or tv-sized blankets) as gifts.  Most family and friends (and more!) have tie blankets made by either myself or another family member, and while everyone loves them (seriously, no complaints in nearly a decade -- and I see them used often in others houses, they are not closed away) -- it is an idea.  Not really sure if (or even how!) I would be able to make a large enough selection, where to find people to buy them, etc etc... yet perhaps it is something I shall try this new year. Love to all!

P.S. Downton Abbey Season Four premiers in the US TONIGHT from 9pm to 11pm!! Thank you PBS and everyone who supports public broadcasting stations -- therefore making lovely period shows like Downton Abbey possible

Downton Abbey daze/craze

Hello!  Was intending to post about the Rose Parade (or perhaps finally post about my cousin R's wedding - lots of photos!), however, I am in the midst of a Downton Abbey marathon.  Marathon of dvds as well as reading (re-reading) also being sure to AVOID THE INTERNET because Season Four starts on Sunday night and I really want to have ZERO spoilers -- looks like an achievable goal for the premier but I don't know if it will last all season...

As mentioned one of my favorite Christmas gifts was a 2014 daily desktop calendar about Downton Abbey (sometimes photos of the show, or quotes, or behind-the-scenes information/period information)... Received a NYE gift of a book based on the historical figure of Cora Cash -- who in real life became a duchess yet in Downton Abbey is the mother/wife/female head of household/Lady Cora/Countess Cora...

Anyway, am halfway finished with the book at 3am on January 2nd and it is a novel/historical fiction -- enjoying it so much so that I have paused in between episodes of Downton Abbey (all of season one complete; over six episodes of season two complete as of this moment) to begin/continue reading the book.

The American Heiress (in real life, Cora Cash -- taken from real life,
placed into Downton Abbey as the Countess Lady Cora)

Unknown to me, the bookstore (chain store, barns. and.noble) which was only a short drive away was set to close for good on NYE. Luckily I found heard in time and instead of fighting holiday traffic decided to hop online and use my Christmas giftcard on the website instead -- Season Three has been shipped and will hopefully appear SOON -- but if it does not appear by Saturday evening I think I shall record the season four premiere instead of watching it live as currently planned

Tracking currently shows that Downton Abbey s.3 should arrive in time to be re-watched however, so I will have well over twenty hours re-watched between all three seasons!  For those who are not avid watchers, you should know that season one came out in the US in 2011, so it is not unreasonable at all for me to want/have a marathon prior to the fourth season arriving : )

Oh!  I also have a great book that I found just before my 30th birthday called "While. We. Were. Watching. Downton Abbey " -- the three female characters all have their own storylines/are in different modern-day "classes" of society but all recently moved into a new building where once a week the concierge decides to have a Downton Abbey showing (the book follows season one on dvd, then "live" season two weekly episodes)... Wonder if I have a photo of the book --

"While We Were Watching Downton Abbey" I absolutely recommend to anyone -- particularly any females who are interested in reading a book about contemporary women with various life problems who will easily relate to the three female characters whose current life stories happen to make them an unlikely trio of great friends -- due to watching a television series together! Life with heartbreak and love, family and loss, and of course, Downton Abbey thrown in.  One of my favorite new books in the past five years (as a bookworm that is saying alot!!)

New Year's Eve 2013

(NewtonPendulum) 2013/2014

The last day of the year of our Lord 2013 has arrived!  Many good things have happened over the past year... the last few months (and days!) of the year have brought trials and tribulations... Am very hopeful that 2014 shall help return everyone to a good place, better health, more time with family and friends, everything positive that is wanted/needed!

Ocean waves washing away 2013 and leaving a new 2014 (NYE)

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was a desktop calendar for 2014 of Downton Abbey!  Season Four of Downton starts on PBS here in CA in just a few short days - and I have yet to finish re-watching all of the first three seasons to catch up and get back into the wonderful world of Downton!  Shall have to get right on that...

Downton Abbey 2014 Desktop Calendar

Have a good (and safe) New Year's Eve and may tomorrow be the start of a wonderful New Year for all!

Christmas Decorations Done!

The month of December has been so filled -- difficult to believe but the last time I shared photos of what the Christmas Decorations looked like this year was on the 3rd -- exactly twenty days ago! Now that I shared the link to that post (in case you wanted to see what was going on then). Today, Christmas Adam, I am sharing the last of the decorations -- mostly garlands!

Garland (from kitchen looking into dining room)

Garland (from dining room looking into kitchen)

Holiday mugs and two reindeer on top of the bar in the dining room
(Can you read the black and gold sign on the inside top shelf?
Reads ~ "IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE")

Garland (from dining room looking into living room)

Standing in living room looking at decorated garlands
 (living room to dining room to kitchen)

Last but certainly not least -- the completely decorated Christmas Tree!

Christmas Tree 2013 (in the corner of the family room)

Just wanted to add that the garlands do have lights on [at night] ~ Pretty!

I think that is it for Christmas 2013! (Unless gifts are ornaments that is!)

P.S. Guess what?? Apparently my aunt, my mom, and myself are going to have a Christmas Eve Marathon of Downton Abbey!! At least season one, hopefully season two as well (not likely, but we shall try) -- the Marathon will continue through the end of season three because SEASON FOUR OF DOWNTON ABBEY STARTS IN JANUARY 2014!! Huzzah!! ...Yep, got carried away.  GREAT show for anyone who has not seen it... What was I rambling on about?  Oh yes, that at the least the three of us shall continue cramming in the first three seasons before New Year's Day : )

Downton s.#3 over

Downton Abbey Season Three Ended...

Why can season four not start next week?

Great show!!

Downton Abbey tomorrow!

Have I mentioned that I LOVE PBS's "Downton Abbey" enough times in the past few weeks? Also yes, I know I posted this exact photo about a week ago, but the shows go so quickly!  Am very glad I decided to wait and buy seasons one and two on DVD (although I really wanted to watch them before!) since this month season three is brand new AND -- for those who have not yet found this wonderful and historically correct fictional show -- they have gotten the green light to film season four!  Unfortunately the show cannot go on forever, it initially really was just to be right at the 1910-1920 mark and too many seasons will bring the show into modern times (which is not what they intend to do)... I shall still enjoy every minute produced and hope that many of you are/will be doing the same thing!

So the image above contains the two grandmothers (not a surprise to realize that in the 1920's the grandmother on the left is from America, seeing as her outfit reflects a much more "loose" society than the very strict class structure we have been watching in previous seasons!) On the left is the lady of the houses' mother, played by Shirley MacLaine.  On the right is the lord of the houses' mother, played by Dame Maggie Smith.  Both are two of a large cast of wonderful actors and actresses!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (January 14th)

Finally, an image of another book!  Just teasing... Although it does feel as though it has been a while since I posted book covers/images here as part of my "It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" posts.  I have been reading bits and pieces of books, but this is the first "important" new book that I have read in the past couple of weeks.  I have been very obsessed with the PBS Television show Downton Abbey (bought and flew through seasons one and two; last night watched the second episode of season three)!!  This book, The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott was actually one that I picked up partially because of Downton Abbey, so even books are not immune *amused*  The Dressmaker is an interesting story whose main character is a servant girl who up and leaves her position for the chance to work on the Titanic.  (This connects to the tv series because the show starts in 1912, when the Titanic sank/sinks). The young woman finds a position, survives, and the story continues with her first few weeks/months in the United States -- including hearings held about the sinking of the ship, which I fully admit I had not realized occurred.  Possibly more novels/historical fiction from that time period to come!


Also I cannot go without posting at least one image from season three of Downton Abbey! This is the two grandmothers (not a surprise to realize that in the 1920's the grandmother on the left is from America, seeing as her outfit reflects a much more "loose" society than the very strict class structure we have been watching in previous seasons!)

On the left is the lady of the houses' mother, played by Shirley MacLaine.  On the right is the lord of the houses' mother, played by Dame Maggie Smith.  Both are two of a large cast of wonderful actors and actresses!! Love this show!

Downton Abbey Premire (Season 3)

Yesterday should have been my usual "It's Monday! What Are You Reading!" post -- I finally finished seasons one and two of Downton Abbey and watched three specials about castles, one particularly about the one Downton is filmed at. Sunday January 6th was the Season Three premier in CA! As you can see in the photo, Mary and Matthew finally got married! Much more happened of course and I loved the episode -- hard to believe there are only six more and then there will be an entire YEAR to wait for season 4!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (December 24th) Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey Seasons One and Two have been taking up tons of my time! Lovely story so far (not quite finished with season two)... This is technically not a book post (although there is a book shown above "The World Of Downton Abbey" -- I have not looked for it yet)

Nearly every night I have been watching one or two episodes -- I had been waiting for a while to start watching both seasons... Also Season Three is to begin next month, however it will be live.  A great series, lots of fun being thrown back in time (also thankful that we have modern technology and all that!)...

So very excited that it is Christmas Eve!  Hopefully I can borrow a camera tomorrow and post some decorations!