the Literary Heroine Blog Party | The Questions

: : The Questions : :

1| Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!  This year, I'm going with the "something completely random" option...When I was a child I called my big toe my "thumb toe".  It actually makes sense when you think about it.  At least, it does to me...;)

2| What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

Okay, I'm determined not to go back to last year's post and copy any of my answers.  I. am. not.

A true heroine strives to honor and glorify God by her every word and action.  She's is dedicated to seeking God's will in her life and serving Him all her days, in whatever situation she may find herself in, whether single or married.  She is strong (not necessarily physically, but mentally and spiritually), able to defend and take care of herself, yet she understands and cherishes her role as man's helper.  She is kind, gentle, feminine, but not afraid to get dirty.  All of that said, she is also human.  She isn't perfect, and because of that we can understand and relate to her.  She is real.  She has flaws and failings to overcome.   A sinner redeemed by Christ's shed blood.  Sometimes she falls, but is always moving forward, becoming more like Him with every step she takes.

3| Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

Jo March | I've always admired Jo for being herself.  And we both have such trouble controlling our tempers and our words.  I can't remember how many times I've read Little Women, but I never get tired of it.  Marmee's words to Jo never fail to encourage me.

Margaret Hale | She's not perfect, but she cares so much for those around her.  Quick to stand up against injustices, quick to speak her mind.  And more than anything else about her, I know what it's like to care for your mother.  Day after day, it's not always easy.

Amy Dorrit | Everything that a heroine should be - loving, gentle, feminine, forgiving, selfless.  Amy encourages me to put my own wants and desires aside in favor of serving others.

Molly Gibson | So kind and gentle, but not afraid to tell you what is what!  But she always does it with such graciousness...well, most of the time. ;)  Little Molly Gibson...if it had been me rather than you, I would have strangled Cynthia, and then told Roger to go take a long walk off a short pier.  I admire her most for her selflessness and her relationship with her father.

4| Five of your favorite historical novels? 

The Scottish Chiefs, The Scarlet Pimpernel (the entire series, but especially El Dorado.  Sooo good.), Little Women, An Old-Fashioned Girl, and The Last Trail.

5| Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?

Last year, I no doubt said Sir Percy Blakeney, but this year I'm going to pick a favorite girl main character...and I have to choose Jo March.  Although I'm definitely not a tomboy or a writer of stories, I've always related to Jo.  Like I already said, we both have a hard time keeping our tempers in check. *sheepish grin*  But we keep trying to improve ourselves, no matter how many times we fall flat on our faces.

6| Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Oh dear...okay, I'm going to go with Sir Andrew Ffoulkes.  An all-around good chap, steady and dependable.

7| If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

Bonnie Scotland, of course!  What would I do there?!  Just...everything.  Okay, okay...visit all of the historical landmarks and museums (I LOVE reading plaques), buy something from Ness, send my extended family and friends postcards, just soak in the beauty and take lots of pictures! *bliss*

8| What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

The early American frontier (1600s and 1700s).  Think James Fenimore Cooper and Zane Grey.

9| You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

Probably singing, maybe with my bro's Bluegrass band.  That would be fun!  Maybe...I'm not really into getting up and performing in front of an audience...you'd probably have to drag me up there, in all honesty. ;)

10| If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Lady Helen Mar from The Scottish Chiefs, or maybe Amy Dorrit.

11| What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

With mint or caramel, please.

12| Favorite author(s)?

G.A. Henty, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, Zane Grey, James Fenimore Cooper, Beverly Lewis, Baroness Orczy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...shall I continue?

13| Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

A camera counts as an essential, right?  So does a good friend, at least in my book.  So...well, as cheesy as it may seem, I've always loved the idea of bringing along a stuffed animal of some sort and posing him/her and taking pictures.  Because those picture would be fun to look at later. :)

14| In which century were most of the books you read written?

19th and 20th

15| In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

Um, duh...Sir Percy Blakeney aka The Scarlet Pimpernel!  Although, in all honesty, Aragorn from LOTR is very high on my list of literary heroes.  Just sayin'...but no one will ever surpass Sir Percy.  The end.

16| Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A simple, modest house, small-ish and cozy, nothing fancy.  A good sized garden, big barn for my animals, plenty of pasture space...and I'm still hoping for a covered walkway from the house to the barn. *please please please* ;)

17| Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

Feminine and vintage-y, but practical.

18| Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

Not that I can think of right now...although all of those French and Russian names in War and Peace get rather confusing at times.

19| In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

I think I said George Wickham last year, and I'm going to stick with that.  Especially if you watch the LBD!  Oh my word!  What a creep!
Edit: Why do I always forget Rigaud from Little Dorrit?!  He's got to be the creepiest, scariest, most detestable villian EVER!  Just sayin'.

20| Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Aside from the Bible (because that really goes without saying...um, which is why I even mentioned it...:), Adam's Synchronological Chart of History (If you've never seen this, you are totally missing out!  It's a HUGE fold-out timeline starting with Creation.  So awesome!  I could look at it for hours...), Back to Basics, and Webster's 1828 Dictionary.

21| Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

With friends.  Playing badminton, or sitting by the lake talking.  Or by myself, taking a walk with my dog or trail riding.

22| Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

Kellie, this question always throws me.  You're mean.  But I love you anyway. ;)  Something vintage, from the 40s, nothing too fancy, just a sweet little thing perched on my head.  Although I would LOVE to find a hat like the one worn by Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca!  LOVE that hat!!  And yes, I would totally wear it.

23| Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Finding our church family, among other things.

24| Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

{emphasis mine}

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Make sure to hop over to Kellie's and check out the other ladies answers!  And the fabulous giveaway!!

Happy Trails!

the Jane Austen Literary Garden Party

Come join the Jane Austen Literary Garden Party at Grace's Garden Walk!

{one} let us start by your telling a little bit about your own self. tell us a bit of your personality. perhaps, tell a bit of your interests and pastime. 

Hello!  I'm Natasha Marie.  I'm 22-year-old older daughter living at home with my family in beautiful North Idaho.

In general, I'm a very quiet, shy person, but I love to laugh and be crazy. :)

  I take pleasure in many things including, but not limited to, horses, raising sheep, crocheting, sewing, reading, watching classic films, living in the country, dancing, singing, playing the piano, drinking hot chocolate and enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

As my mother has had Lyme disease for the past 2 years and is confined to a wheelchair at present, I'm the one who takes care of the house and family by cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping.  My wonderful brother helps with the cooking - he's an excellent cook.  I also take care of my small flock of sheep, the horses and the llamas on a our little "farm".  It's not always easy but the Lord has been teaching me and helping me to grow in so many ways, for which I am thankful.

{two} what literary character {whether it be in a film or book} would you say, most describes your personality and mannerisms? 

I've always found it hard to answer questions like this...

I asked my brother what he thought, and he said Margaret Hale from North and South.

{my bro also watches historical dramas with me - he is a real treasure(:}

Source: google.com via Natasha on Pinterest

I think I can live with that...could I please have her wardrobe, too?  Her outfits are gorgeous. *sigh*

{three} what would you describe as the most lovely place to live in 1700's England? a cottage surrounded by woods or a mansion perhaps, to the same resemblance as Pemberley in Miss Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  

I'm completely in love with the cottage by the sea in the 2008 adaptation of Sense & Sensibility.  The crashing waves, the rolling hills, the loneliness - I could live there.

I would like more trees, though.  Other than that, it's perfect.

{four} list some of your favorite and least favorite literary works you have read. 

The Scottish Chiefs

The Scarlet Pimpernel series

The Last of the Mohicans

Little Women

Anne of Green Gables

Captain Blood

Girl of the Limberlost

The Chronicles of Narnia

Little House of the Prairie

Rob Roy

Ivanhoe

Aunt Jane's Hero

Stepping Heavenward

Sherlock Holmes

Books by Beverly Lewis

etc.

I really can't think of a book that I truly disliked...probably because I don't finish books I don't like.

{five} what would you describe as a most admirable heroine? 

A women who loves the Lord with all of her heart, who's fun, quirky, spunky, brave, feminine, a master of witty banter, kind, impeccable taste in clothing, selfless and loving.

{six} if you could spend afternoon tea in the company of your favorite literary heroine, whom would you spend it with? 

I'm quite sure that Miss Lizzy Bennet and I would get along splendidly.  I would also love to take tea with Marguerite Blakeney, Amy Dorrit or Molly Gibson.  Maybe we could all have tea together! :)

{seven} which is to your liking more :: tea or coffee?

I very much enjoy both, but caffeine does really, really weird things to me so I don't drink coffee anymore. :(

{eight} which of Jane Austen's couples are your more fond of?

Emma and Mr. Knightley are probably my favorite, but I also adore Bingley and Jane.

Source: perioddramacharm.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

{nine} what is one {a few} of your favorite literary quotes?

"Tomorrow never comes." - Archibald Forbes, In Freedom's Cause by G.A. Henty 

"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?" - Mr. Bennet

"There is one thing, Emma, which a man can always do, if he chuses, and that is, his duty..." - Mr. Knightley 

"I don't play accurately - any one can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression."  - Algy, The Importance of Being Earnest  

 {ten} are you fond of dancing or singing or reading a good book? 

All three, please!

{eleven} and lastly, as this event is also hosted in celebration of my garden's second anniversary, would you mind explaining perhaps, how you stumbled upon my little plot of earth?

I discovered Grace's lovely garden through Shelfari a few years ago and have been greatly blessed by her sweet words and beautiful posts ever since.

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I hope to "see" some of you at the garden party! :)

Have a beautiful, blessed Sunday, ladies!

An Immensely Entertaining Literary Tag

I found this super fun literary tag on Of Trims and Frills and Furbelows and I just had to do it.  I do so love tags. :)

Whoever came up with this tag has an amazing sense of humor.

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The rules...write down twelve characters from literature, making sure to not look at the questions until you've listed them. Then answer the questions.

Unless you don't plan on doing this tag.
Then, you can just scroll down and read my incredibly witty answers!
*grin*

1.  Josephine March (Little Women)
2. Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables)
3. Elizabeth Bennet (Pride & Prejudice)
4. Sir Percy Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel)
5. Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit)
6. Mr. Knightley (Emma)
7. Mr. Thornton (North and South)
8. Sir Wilfrid of Ivanhoe (Ivanhoe)
9. Edmund Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)
10. Elnora Comstock (Girl of the Limberlost)
11. Captain Peter Blood (Captain Blood)
12. Nancy Drew (duh)

1. Who would make a better college prof, 6 or 11?
(Mr. Knightley, Peter Blood)  Oh my.  Whom shall I choose?  I rather think that Peter Blood would make a better college prof, as he is a doctor, but I can totally see Mr. Knightley as one, too.

2. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?
(Nancy Drew, Ivanhoe) Sir Wilfrid is sent by Nancy to commander Santa's sleigh for a joy ride.  Does it succeed?  I haven't the faintest idea. 

3. What is or would be 9's favorite book?
(Edmund) I rather fancy that Edmund would enjoy mystery or adventure books.

4. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around?
(Anne Shirley, Mr. Knightley) I believe it would make much more sense for Anne to swear fealty to Mr. Knightley.  I just can't see Mr. Knightley doing that for Anne.  It's far to romantic for him.


5. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he share a studio apartment with 9 or 10?
(Arthur Clennam, Edmund, Elnora) Uh, Arthur would definitely have Edmund as a roommate.


6. 2, 7, and 12 have dinner together. Where do they go, and what do they discuss?
(Anne, Knightley, Nancy Drew) They all go to the Olive Garden where Nancy proceeds to discuss her latest case, while Anne begins to recite poetry.  Mr. Knightley listens politely while eating his spaghetti and meatballs solemnly.

7. 3 challenges 10 to a duel. What happens?
(Elizabeth Bennet, Elnora) Elizabeth mortally wounds Elnora before realizing that they have no reason to be dueling in the first place.  She is then carted off to jail to spend the rest of her life behind bars. The end.

8. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would she/he get it back?
(Jo, Ivanhoe) These two should have had the previous question. ;)  Ivanhoe would politely request that Josephine return his precious possession (his bronzed baby shoes).  Jo attacks him with a poker.  Ivanhoe, loath to fight with a lady, manfully takes the beating while devising means by which he might reclaim his shoes.  He retreats, only to return with Rowena, who grapples with Jo while Ivanhoe makes off with his shoes.  I think he grabbed Rowena on the way out, too, but that part of the story isn't very clear...

9. Suggest a title for a story in which 7 and 12 both attain what they most desire.
(Mr. Thornton, Nancy Drew) The Mystery at the Mill.  How original.

10. What kind of plot device would you use if you wanted 4 and 1 to work together?
(Sir Percy, Jo) Sir Percy takes it upon himself to teach Jo the fine art of fencing and disguise, then they go rescue some aristocrats...or something.

11. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would you get along?
(Mr. Thornton) We would get along simply splendidly, I have no doubt.  Go for long walks and rides through the countryside and discuss books we've read.  In fact, we'd get along so well, that before he left I'd say, "Oh, John!  Forget Margaret.  Forget the mill.  And especially forget your charming mother.  I'm the one you've been waiting for all your life!"  And he'd say, "You're absolutely right, darling!  Let's get married."  We'd elope and go to Scotland for our honeymoon and live happily ever after.  The end.  Well, I can dream, can't I? ;)

12. If you could command 3 to perform any one task or service for you, what would it be?
(Elizabeth Bennet) I should command her to teach me all of the wonderful dances she knows!

13. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, which would it be?
(Anne, Sir Percy, Arthur)  A romantic little thing like Anne would absolutely side with Sir Percy.

14. What might 10 shout while charging into battle?
(Elnora) "I changed my mind! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" (my bro gets the credit for that one;)

15. If you chose a song to represent 8, which song would you choose?
(Ivanhoe) I haven't the foggiest of ideas.

16. 1, 6, and 12 are having dim sum at a Chinese restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets to eat it?

(Jo, Knightley, Nancy Drew) Mr. Knightley would defer to the ladies, Nancy would defer to Jo, and Jo would eat the pancake.

17. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
(Arthur)  Uh, debt? ;)

18. What is 6's secret?
(Knightley) For years and years, Mr. Knightley has secretly desired to be a cowboy.

19. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?
(Peter Blood, Edmund)  Probably Captain Blood.

20. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, would you feel safer in the company of 7 or 8?
(Mr. Thornton, Ivanhoe) Either one would do nicely, I'm sure. =)

21. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,
but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise
advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?
Josephine & Edmund reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by Sir Percy's sinister (what?) secret organization.   Captain Peter Blood volunteers to help them, but is later discovered that he is actually a spy for Sir Percy.  Meanwhile, Sir Percy has kidnapped Nancy Drew (I hope he stamped her frequent kidnapping card...) in an attempt to force their surrender.  Following the wise advice of Arthur Clennam, they seek out Elizabeth Bennet, who gives them what they need to complete their quest (a magic parasol that gives you three wishes).  
Hahahahahaha!!
Title...title... "How We Saved the World: or In Which Jo & Ed Save the World In Spite of the Combined Awesomeness of Sir Percy and Peter Blood - Volume I".  
My bro suggested "Saving the World in Three Easy Steps". ;)

Well, I certainly enjoyed that!

Happy Trails, y'all!