The King’s Speech Continues its Winning Ways

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

“The King’s Speech” wins Best Picture at both the BAFTAs and the GOYAs.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110214/ennew_afp/entertainmentbritainfilmawardsbafta

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Jane Austen Today’s Article on “Any Human Heart”

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

 

 

 

 

 
The Jane Austen World website has a wonderful article featuring these Austen-related actors: Matthew Macfadyen, Jim Broadbent, Haley Atwell, Tom Hollander, Charity Wakefield. For the complete article, visit http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/2011/02/any-human-heart-features-number-of-jane.html, and remember that “Any Human Heart” begins its three-week run on Sunday, February 13, on Masterpiece Theatre.

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“The King’s Speech” Takes Top Prize for The Director’s Guild Awards

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

“The King’s Speech” and Tom Hooper take the top prize in the DGAs.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031147/

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Colin Firth’s Oscar Nomination and a Resurgence in All Things Jane Austen

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Colin Firth’s award-winning performance in “The King’s Speech” has fueled a resurgence in all things related to Jane Austen. Firth is known to Austen fans as “Mr. Darcy,” and more than one Janeite has seen the film and has touted his performance in the Oscar-nominated movie.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8290172/How-Colin-Firths-triumph-has-fuelled-Jane-Austen-fever.html

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Romance Writers Speak on Finding Romance in Real Life

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/sex-relationships/story/2011/02/Cook-eat-together-to-feed-your-relationship/43476674/1

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The Rame Peninsula

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

 

 

 

Rame Head is a coastal headland, southwest of the village of Rame in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom.

The site was used for a hill fort in the Iron Age. The headland has a prominent chapel, dedicated to St Michael, accessible by a steep footpath. The chapel was first licensed for Mass in 1397 and is probably on the site of a much earlier, Celtic, hermitage. It remains as an intact shell. Earl Ordulf, who was the owner of vast estates in the West Country and was the uncle of King Ethelred, gave Rame to Tavistock Abbey (which Ordulf had founded) in 981.

The headland is prominent to sailors and fishermen leaving Plymouth through Plymouth Sound. It is often the last piece of land they see leaving England, and the first they see when returning home; Rame Head thus appears in the sea shanty “Spanish Ladies.”
Due to its exceptionally high and panoramic vantage point, there is a volunteer National Coastwatch Institution lookout on the top of the headland. (Text from Wikipedia)

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Any Human Heart – Masterpiece Theatre with Matthew MacFadyen

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

While many of you will be indulging in chocolates and roses, I shall be partaking of my favorite actor in a three-part series on Masterpiece Theatre. The first episode of “Any Human Heart” airs February 13. Here is what PBS says of the series:
Based on the bestselling novel by William Boyd, Any Human Heart is a rollercoaster ride through one man’s life. A trio of great actors portray the different life stages of hero Logan Mountstuart, a writer, lover, art dealer, and spy living by his wits in the tumultuous 20th century. Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent stars as Mountstuart in his dotage, with Matthew Macfadyen (Little Dorrit) as the hero in his prime, and Sam Claflin as the eager seducer in his impetuous youth. Hayley Atwell, Kim Cattrall and Gillian Anderson also star in this moving tale of adventure, romance and heartbreak.
I have read the book, and it is a unique twist on the fictionalized biography format. The main character even meets such real-life characters such as Ian Fleming.
Go to http://www.pbs.org.wgbh/masterpiece/anyhumanheart/index.html for a video preview.

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Jane Austen Tea Series

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

Ms. Jane Austen, well-known authoress during the Regency period of timeless favorites such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, holds a place in many people’s hearts.

The Bingleys Tea Company name is drawn from one of her characters. Charles Bingley was quick to approve of everyone he met and was always approachable in his manner.

Austen’s inspiration has spilled over into the Jane Austen Tea Series. Characters from this beloved author’s novels have been specifically paired with very particular premium teas and tea blends. Each was carefully chosen to reflect that character’s personality and well known traits – a natural combination of Jane Austen novels and Tea! Would you be interested in what Mr. Darcy might drink? How about Elizabeth Bennet? George Wickham? Colonel Brandon? Captain Wentworth? Emma? See the website link below to explore all the offerings.
* A portion of each sale is given to the Central Asia Institute. Creating schools and providing education to young girls and women who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn. Please visit their site to see how you may be a part of the education movement. http://www.ikat.org/ Your love of tea and Jane Austen makes a difference globally. Thank you!
* “The Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace names are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, expressed or implied, of any product, service, company or individual.”
For more information about Central Asia Institute or Pennies for Peace, please call 406-585-7841 or visit http://www.ikat.org.

To see the full selection, visit http://www.bingleysteas.com/products/austen/index.html.

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Jane Austen Valentine Bear

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

 
Would you like a Jane Austen Valentine bear for your very own? How about a Jane Austen t-shirt or one with a Shakespeare quote? Go to
http://www.booklovertshirts.com/details.php?design=Ornate-Jane-Austen-Darcy.25694&product_type=Premium-Valentine-Teddy-Bear.231&aid=-1 to order.

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Starling Murmurations

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Regina Jeffers

 

 
Starling Murmurations are one of nature’s most magnificent sights. Thousands of starlings form sweeping balls before descending to the trees to roost.
The best places to see this natural phenomenon is the Somerset (UK) Wildlife Trust’s Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve, Natural England’s Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, and RSPB Ham Wall Reserve, all on the Somerset Levels.
The starlings appear from early fall into February. To find out exactly where the starlings might be found, contact the Avalon Marshes Starling Hotline on 07866 554 142 or email Avalon Marshes at starlings@rspb.org.uk.
For a great site to catch additional pictures of the visual spheres, go to http://visitsomerset.co.uk/site/explore-somerset/countryside/starling-murmurations.

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