Sunday, February 19, 2012

A Remote Country Mansion Night

It's been a busy week and I'm grateful for the weekend. So much for empty nest syndrome - I spent a lot of time with both of my kids this week, my son twice. They might as well be home. Both my son and daughter needed groceries and other things  - sometimes only a mom's help will suffice. The trip to visit the one living in Chicago was relatively easy. There's a Trader Joe's store near where he lives and I do love driving into the city to see him. Piece of cake. Sure, okay, I threw in a nice lunch too, what the heck. I'm so glad he's going to school and living nearby for a change.

Helping the other one took a little longer, LOL. On a whim, I drove up to Wisconsin early Saturday to vist my daughter at college. It was almost like old times -  we had lunch, shopped the mall for new shoes and a dress she needed for a special occasion and laughed a lot. I almost wasn't going to go because it's a several hour drive and with only a few weeks until Spring break I knew I'd see her soon anyway. But there was a little wistfulness in her voice when we talked earlier in the week and I knew the trip would do us both some good. I drew the line at bringing the dog along this time, however.

It was a lot of driving for me in one day and when I came home last night I flopped onto the sofa, flipped some channels and then noticed that Pride & Prejudice was on, the movie from 2005, with Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfayden as Mr Darcy.


It's not my favorite version - I much prefer the 1995 BBC mini-series with Colin Firth.



But the  movie with Keira Knightly is the one my daughter adores and we've watched it together many times. It reminded me of her and, after leaving her yesterday, I ended up feeling a little wistful myself.

I've decided that we both love watching movies that feature remote country mansions. We would like to live in one as a matter of fact, LOL. Watching Masterpiece on Sunday nights on PBS was one of our special times. You can hardly watch that show without seeing some remote country mansion every week. Tonight I'm looking forward to seeing the last episode of Season 2 of Downton Abbey. I hear a Season 3 is in the works. Yippee!



If you haven't seen any of the episodes, HURRY! They're still available on PBS online until March. Might be good idea to try to find and watch Season One first, though. It is that good. More wistfulness -  my daughter and I watched Season One together last year and loved every scintillating minute. I sure do miss her! This time I'll be watching  alone. In the imaginary drawing room of our imaginary remote country mansion.





Will Matthew and Mary finally get together?? Did Mr Bates kill his wife?  I'm tuning in right now to find out . . . . .




17 comments:

Pat from Florida said...

If only I could get my DH to like remote mansion settings, and love story plots. Hmmm............

Anonymous said...

Maybe we could find a remote mansion to have your next retreat in. We can dream at least!!! Right!! KAren/IL

luciethehappyquilter said...

I'm pleased that you enjoy British classics. I live in the land of remote country mansions. There was a Downton Abby Christmas special which reveals if Mary marries Matthew. I won't spoil it for you just in case you haven't seen it.

Samantha said...

I prefer the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as well but the one from 2005 is my second favorite but it has my favorite scene from any of the versions I've seen. Right at the end where Darcy is walking across the field then where he is telling her he loves her... Ahhhhh.. I think Matthew Macfadyen is such a good actor!

I just started Downton Abbey on Netflix and I am enjoying it immensely but now I'll have to hurry and finish it so I can get season 2 on PBS before they go away. LOL!

Quilt it and Dotty www.quilt-it.nl said...

I absoluteley LOVE all these things! These movies and series are my constant inspiration for my quilts. I even have a dog who is called Mr. Bingley!

Elly D said...

Great productions! Love the Downton Abbey series. Have you seen the Christmas Special that follows the second series yet? It is excellent. I won't tell you anything so as not to spoil it for you....
Looking forward to series 3 :) Elly

Unknown said...

I keep hearing such wonderful things about Downtown Abbey that I must watch it.

Cheryl said...

I am a big Downton Abbey fan! So much fun.

Julierose said...

Omygosh--Sunday night is Downton Abbey night in our house, too. I love it. I am also a Jane Austen fan, have you read "Austenland"? I am just starting it....Will Mr. Bates have to live out his life in prison? Will Lady Mary and Edward REALLY finally (at last, sigh) marry? And isn't "MaMA" just the best? Julierose

krisgray said...

Oh yes - the 1995 BBC production is the best! I can't believe that Downtown's season 2 is over already. I'll watch the last episode tomorrow morning when DS goes to preschool.

Susie said...

I agree. The P&P with Colin Firth is the best one. I have the dvd and pop it in often. Have watched
Downton Abbey from the start and keep trying to make others converts. But now we have to wait forever for the continuation.....
ARGH! Did you read where they are going to copy it here with a series called Gilded Lilys about NYC hotel owners and the staff? Hhmmmm....hope it is done as well as Downton.

cityquilter grace said...

we KNOW mr bates didn't kill his wife...btw, near boston a cat was found with its leg caught in a trap. the spca took the cat but had to amputate its leg and they named him....mr bates...LOL

Kathleen Tracy said...

You're right, of course Mr Bates most certainly did not kill his wife.

Kathleen Tracy said...

Those of you living in the land of remote country mansions are very lucky indeed! I think last night's show was the special Christmas episode. Now to wait for Season 3!

Beth said...

OMG! I love Pride and Prejudice any version. ( I love Colin Firth, but I also love Kiera and Matthew).
I found Downton Abby on Netflix and watched all of the first season. I have been watching on PBS this season, but I missed last night.
I have been watching every British period movie on netflix and all the BBC mystery series. Just love them.
Sadly, I think if I lived in one of those lovely mansions it would probably be downstairs in 'service'. LOL
(PS I missed Downton Abby because I was watching Harry Potter week end.)

lynneUSA said...

Don't tell me, I have recorded it. We are from UK so the scenery and accents always make me think of home

Jenny M said...

Our daughter lives a days travel from us, on an island, so we can't drive (it takes 2 flights to get there)It's funny how a movie or tv show brings back so many memories...our daughter use to love watching Anne of Green Gables, over & over. And just the other day I was home alone and whilst flicking thru the tv shows and came across the sequel of when Anne is older, I just had to sit there and watch it, as it brought back lots of memories of watching the series with our daughter.

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