GIVEAWAYS, CHALLENGES & AWARDS

1. GIVEAWAY AT MY JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB

If you entered the giveaway on my Austen-dedicated blogspot page or you are just curious to know who the winners are CLICK HERE and  ... discover it! Talking Jane Austen part I and part II was an interesting event on My Jane Austen Book Club thanks to Laurie Viera Rigler. Waiting for her third novel!!!

2. MY EVERYTHING AUSTEN CHALLENGE  II

Last year I took part in the Everything Austen Challenge I at Stephanie's Written Word and I posted about the six tasks I chose here on Fly High.  This year, instead, for the second Everything Austen event I decided to post at My JA Book Club, where I usually write reviews and  interviews focused on Austenesque matters. 

I've just completed my first task, watching CLUELESS (1995) , loosely based on EMMA (1815). HERE's my review.

3. AWARDS

I've recently received two new awards from two of my very kind  blog pals. Thank you, ladies! I'm flattered. Honoured!!!

Thank you Kristine  at Light and Shadow for the Sunshine Award  & thank you Prue at Mesmered's Blog for your The Versatile Blogger Award!

I'm glad to pass The Sunshine Award  (TSA)  &/OR The Versatile Blogger Award (TVB) to the following blogs. I hope they will proudly show them on their sidebars!!! And if they do not want to pass them along, never mind. Honest.

BOTH AWARDS (TSA &TVBA) 

1. living abroad  

2. that fond impossibility

3. Austenesque reviews

4. Sarah at From the Quill Tip

5. Avalon

ONLY TSA

6. mesmered's blog

ONLY TVB AWARD:

7. Kristine at Light and Shadow

8..  My ink is made of bits 

9.  Phylly's Faves  

10. Nat at RAFan Blog 

11. Mulubinba 

12. Lua Fowles at Bowl of Oranges

13. Jane GS at Reading, Writing, Working, Playing

14. Traxy at The Squeee

15. Alessia at First Impressions

I thinks I could go on for a while but ... I've finished my ...awards! The Sunshine Award could be passed to 5 and The Versatile Blogger Award to 15. I must stop here!!!

Till very soon for a new blogpost about ... no, no clue,  try to guess, if you want. And stay tuned! MG

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MISCELLANEOUS POSTING

1. IN MY MAIL BOX

It just arrived today from California, USA! I won a copy of EMMA in a giveaway at ttp://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/ some time ago and HERE IT IS! Thanks a lot!

2. AWARDS

I've just received three awards and I'm terribly flattered since they came from three terrific bloggers!Meredith at Austenesque Reviews awarded me with the Oh La La Award for the first time and Jane GS at Reading, Writing, Working...Playing  + Christy at Readin' and Dreamin' with the  Happy 101 Award for the second and third time (WOW! )

Thank you very much indeed to you all ! I'm so happy !

As for the Happy 101 , I've already listed the things which make me happy some time ago and also already received and passed the award to seven other bloggers.

It is instead the first time I got The Oh La La Award so I have a task to fulfil: answering a few simple questions:

Where is your favorite place to read a book?
In bed in the winter, on my balcony full of flowers in the summer.

What are the best books you've read recently?
The Age of Innocence, Wives and Daughters, Cleopatra's Daughter. These are the ones I liked best, at least.

Do you snack while reading?
No, I don't. I usually sip a loooong coffee while reading.

Are you a book borrower or book collector?
Definitely collector and proud owner. Even jealous.

Here are some bloggers and blogs that I adore!

1. Daily Words and Acts

2. November's Autumn

3. The Squee

3. TEACHING VICTORIAN LITERATURE CAN BE A DELIGHT

I have to be more precise: teaching Elizabeth Gaskell's NORTH & SOUTH, what a success! After introducing the historical context, we started reading and discussing some pages from OLIVER TWIST by Dickens,   but I didn't notice the same ... excitement.

Then, I prepared a series of lessons on Gaskell and her wonderful novel using PPT slides, fragments from the BBC adaptation (2004), photocopies of chapter XXII, a worksheet with questions about the text and the TV version . We have just started but it has already been a success! This morning, for example, we compared the riot at Marlborough Mill in the text to the same scene in the TV series. My students (19 year old, mostly girls, only 3 boys) were so interested and enthusiastic in the end that... I have to thank Mrs Gaskell for this miracle but also BBC, Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe!

So many questions! And they didn't want to stop when the bell rang the end of my lesson...we are going on next Friday. They can't wait to listen to what Mr Thornton is going to tell Miss Hale to thank her, since she saved his life ... No spoiler, then!

MY LESSON ON LEARNONLINE

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MISCELLANEOUS POSTING

1. A NEW AUSTEN CHALLENGE!

JA Challenge 2010

Rules:

• Anyone can participate. This challenge is hosted by The Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object

Levels:

• Newbie 2 books by J. Austen & 2 re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)

• Lover 4 books by J. Austen & 4 re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)

• Fanatic 6+ books by J. Austen & 5+ re-writes, prequels, sequels, or spoofs (by other authors)

-Challenge books can overlap with other challenges.

-Any format counts: bound book, e-book (check online for free downloads of J.A’s copyright-free books), audio book, or any other thing you can think of.

-You can change which level you read!

-Challenge runs January 1st 2010—December 31 2010.

From now on, I'm going to post for this Challenge   on MY JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB.

This month I'm re-reading Northanger Abbey for my reading group at the library, or MY JA BOOK CLUB,  in order to be ready for our meeting on 27th February. Since I'm going to post about NA from time to time till the end of the month, I'll consider all the posting work part of this challenge. Then of course, I'll go on with the other major novels and, finally, I have to choose some Austen-based books and ... my list is done. Let's say I'll try to take part for the Lover level . Here's my first post for this challenge : NORTHANGER ABBEY: A FEMINIST NOVEL? TROUBLED PUBLICATION & QUIZZES

 

 

2. I GOT A NEW BOOK SIGNED BY THE WRITER

This could be the first book in the list for this challenge among the re-writes, sequels, Austen - based fiction. Yesterday I found Carrie Bebris "The Intrigue at Highbury" in my mail box, with a dedication of the author, a kind note by the same in Italian (!!!) on a lovely   Pemberley card, some leaflets showing all her works published by TEA in Italy. GREAT!!! I was so happy! I had won this copy of the book at Stephanie's Written Word some time ago.

I also posted about it. Do you remember? (Here)

3. A NEW AWARD

Thank you Ana, at ANECA'S WORLD. You've just made my day ! I love receiving awards! Indeed.

A Prolific Blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to this post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners. (Click here for the Mr. Linky page.)

I am going to pass this award on to the following greatly prolific bloggers:

1.Jane GS

2. M.Gray

3.Meredith

4. MrsThorntonDarcy

5. Katherine

6. Stephanie

7. Lunarossa

SATURDAY & SUNDAY POSTING - WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Sunday morning
In bed, sipping hot cappuccino served by hubby, checking mail. I suddenly remember I was doing something last night. Something I had to interrupt due to exhaustion. My head bent and my eyes didn't want to stay open on  ...what I was scribbling (typing) while watching some  TV. I  automatically turned everything off - laptop, TV and the lights- and off to the dream world! What was I writing? Here you are.

 Among the many things I love and make me happy there's music, many kinds of music: from classical to pop, from opera to dance music. I sang for many years of my life (studied singing privately and was part of a choir touring all over the world) but then I had to stop ( young children+ work) and never went back doing it. Something I really love too is watching people dancing, I envy good dancers and also skaters, especially ice-skaters, who live the music through their body.

Figure skating is one of the few sports I follow and music shows with dancing performances are among the rare things that can draw my attention on Tv. I hardly ever watch it,  really seldom.

I'm watching some tonight, I'm having a look at the Italian version of "Strictly come dancing" ( Ballando con le stelle) : wonderful live music, great costumes and very good dancers.

As for skating, I've just heard that, at Tallinn, Estonia, Italy's Carolina Kostner won her third women's title at the European figure skating championships . Carolina Kostner, the 22-year-old 2007 and 2008 champion, was gold ahead of defending champion Laura Lepistö of Finland with Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia taking bronze after the free skating final. With this she is officially qualified for the Olympic team though she had finished second at the nationals.

Today, skating to Bach's Air and Vivaldi's Violin Concerto, she got back the title she lost last year to Lepisto. I admire this slim, apparently frail, young woman: she knows how to rise up and start over again  after falling. She never surrenders.

These are just two - among many other -  of the little joys I've learnt to appreciate in life: they are ordinary things which can really  make me happy and relaxed (too relaxed last night!)

Now since I'm writing about this, I'll add other eight little joys  in order to fulfil my tasks for the Happy 101 Award I received from Avalon:

family gatherings, a good period movie, reading a a good book, going for long walks in beautiful natural settings, going to London, having spare time to spend as I want, summer at the seaside, watching my favourite actor in one of his performances (see? I haven't forgot!)

May I add some extra-ones?

having breakfast in bed, being on holidays, having dinner out, travelling abroad, meeting my best friends and spend some good time with them, meeting interesting new people, giving good marks to my students, receiving hugs from my sons and my husband as well as comments on my blog... lots of others... but I'll stop here.

These are the seven blogs I'd like to award with the Happy 101 Award I've recently received

1. Torch under the blanket books
2. TakeMeAway
3. Sotto i fiori di lillà
4. Reviewrama
5. Orgullo y prejuicio
6. A reader's random ramblings...
7. Laura's Reviews

The awarded bloggers should choose other seven blogs and pass it on as well as list 10 things which make them happy.


And now the Humane Blog Award which I'd like to pass on to

1. RichardArmitageFanBlog
2. Reading, writing, Working, Playing
3. November's Autumn
4. My cozy book nook
5. Mrs ThorntonDarcy's Blog
6. Stop me if you heard this one before
7. An RA viewer's perspective from 33°0'S of the equator





I really hope they'll be as happy as I am at receiving these little signs of appreciation. If they don't want to pass them along, never mind, it's just a game to link and meet people on line. It's been a pleasure to me to award all of them and it is a great pleasure to read their blogs!

MONDAY NIGHT MISCELLANOUS POSTING - OF AWARDS & EXTRAORDINARY MEN

1. When you get awards and rewards , prizes and appreciation, well, it can make your day. Especially after an awful hard – working day. I’ve just realized I’ve been awarded again , three times, with lovely awards but  I have already received two of them! It makes me extremely happy but puzzled. What am I supposed to do now?

I have both these awards displayed among others in my sidebar. Well, you have to roll it down as far as the end to see them, but they are all there and I’m so proud of them. Now, first of all, I want to thank Meredith at Austenesque Reviews , Steph at Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One Before and Avalon at Robin Hood, Narnja , Native Actors and Period Films,  for their awards to my blog with all my heart. I do appreciate. I love their blogs and they often make me happy commenting on Fly High and contributing to the discussion about my posts. But what is it better to do now ? May I pass these awards on as if it were the first time I get them? Maybe it is better to get them and stop there, being doubly happy and gratified. THANK YOU!!! Here are my posts on receiving these awards for the first time.

The Honest Scrap Award

The Superior Scribbler Award

But it is not over yet : Avalon awarded Fly High with three blog awards at a time and I have never received the other two! THANK YOU SO MUCH , Avalon!!! ( Here's her post)

I'm going to pass these latest two awards on but in another miscellaneous post and very soon. I have to fulfill other tasks too. For example, listing 10 things that make me happy. I'll think about it and be back!

2. And now today’s holiday and the first extraordinary man in this post.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day . It is a United States holiday marking the birthdate of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January 15. It is one of four United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. He was assassinated in 1968. He has left us such beautiful words and above all a great exemplary life spent in defence of his people and in the pursuit of their rights.

Everybody remembers his "I have a dream" speech . Instead I treasure others of his words. I’ve got a short excerpt of one of his speeches in Italian which I particularly like. It was given to my younger son by his teacher on a wishing card when he left primary school and I have kept it in my treasure box (it is full of cards and tickets and other "paper" souvenirs). It tells about being the best of whatever you are. A plumber? The best of plumbers. A teacher? The best of  teachers. A mother the best of mothers. If you can’t be a high pine in a forest than you can be the best bush in the valley. Though small, be the best. This is his message, in my own words.

Definitely out of fashion in our contemporary world in which they stir us to be the first, the best, the richest, the handsomest and the most beautiful, the slimmest, the most energetic, the smartest, the best-loved and most widely popular … with the least effort and the least of sacrifice possible.

3. I’m teaching Byron these days. Also George Gordon Byron ( 1788 - 1824 ) was an extraordinary man . Definitely out of ordinary. Sixth Baron Byron, he descended from two aristocratic families that were undisciplined and violent: his father a dissolute fortune hunter and his mother had an uncontrollably irritable temper. Although extremely handsome, he was born with a lame foot, a deformity with which he struggled all his life. He embodied the typically romantic hero he himself created in literature: the byronic hero. He lived his life fully out of conformity. He and his heroes were restless, moody, mysterious, rebellious, anti-conformist, loved by women and envied by men, often haunted by a hidden secret. In order to prepare my lessons I re-read several materials, prepared power point slides (if you are interested, you can have a look at LEARNONLINE since part of my materials are there for my students) and re-watched some scenes from my DVD  BYRON , the 2003 BBC series,  starring Jonny Lee Miller as a young fascinating Lord Byron.

Incest, homosexuality, adultery, drug addiction, and (little) poetry in this BBC TV production. Not a bad one though. I don’t think I’ll use it in my classes. Too revolutionary an example, even for our extremely free kids of the 21st century. I'd better read his poems and tell  them some anecdotes from his official bio if I want to avoid problems with their parents and my boss!

ONE LOVELY BLOG, ONE LOVELY DAY!

Yesterday I received lots of sympathy for the disappointing day and I must thank you heartedly. But,  in addition, I even got an award! I was gifted the ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD by Christy at Christy's Book Blog. Thank you!

Here are the rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link


2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.


3) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

This is not easy. 15 blogs,  not an easy task at all... Let's see if I can find so many blogs which haven't already received this award and I have newly discovered. In alphabetical order ...
1.  Eva 's A STRIPED ARMCHAIR
2. Shweta's BOOK JOURNAL
3.Ruth's BOOKTALK & MORE
4.CONFESSIONS AND RAMBLINGS OF A MUSE IN THE FOG
5. DAILY WORDS AND ACTS
6. Cristina's EN BARCELONA
7. Alessia's FIRST IMPRESSIONS
8. Alexa Adam's FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A TALE OF LESS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
9. HELEN'S BOOK BLOG
10. Adriana Zardini's JANE AUSTEN SOCIEDADE DO BRASIL
11. Louise's LOUS_PAGES
12. Katherine's NOVEMBER'S AUTUMN
13. Luciana's ORGULLO Y PREJUICIO
14. Avalon's ROBIN HOOD, NARNIA,NATIVE ACTORS, PERIOD FILMS
15.M. Gray's THE ETHOS, THE LOGOS, THE PATHOS
These are some among the lovely blogs I follow, the ones I've most recently discovered. But there are many others which would deserve the award as well, I know!

A SURPRISING SATURDAY POSTING

1. A NEW WELCOME ACQUISITION

Surprise! Surprise! This morning  the postwoman didn't simply left our mail but called me outside to be sure   I received a parcel from the States. What was it ? The first book (thing) I have ever won in my life. I wrote about my winning a giveaway at Ms Lucy's blog, ENCHANTED BY JOSEPHINE, some time ago and, at last, Michelle Moran's CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER is on my bookshelf. I am so proud of it. It has a wonderful cover and came directly from Ms Moran, the author, with a dedication to me (!!!) on the first page. Great!

2. A NEW AWARD

Surprise, surprise, surprise! I was awarded the wonderful Great Look Award by Heather at GOFITA's PAGES. Thank you so such, Heather! It is the second award I receive from you! Thank you so much!  But, enthusiasm apart,  I must say that Heather is facing a problem in these days and has stopped blogging to take care of her baby boy who is in hospital. I wish her and her little son the best and send her a big hug. I'm sure everything will be ok very soon.

Now, to go back to this award,  Heather wrote  that it is meant to pat on the back the ones paying particular attention to their blog presentation.

I'm flattered,  but I'm not that satisfied with the look of my blog...So I'm glad to pass the award  along to bloggers who really have good-looking sites, in my opinion. God knows some of them look awesome! Of course none of them are pretty empty shells, so there’s no shame to mention how nice their blogs are!

HERE WE GO THEN:

1. LIGHTS, CAMERA...HISTORY!

2. THE BOOK GIRL

3. ENCHANTED SERENITY OF PERIOD FILMS

4. ENCHANTED BY JOSEPHINE

5. LA MIA BIBLIOTECA ROMANTICA

Here are the rules:

1. Post the award on your blog, with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 5 other blogs that your particularly like. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

3. RICHARD ARMITAGE' S LATEST INTERVIEW

Surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise! It is on line and it was such fun to read it. I've seen it on several blogs already,  so it is  no news, I know. I just wanted to mention it in my exceptionally- full -of -surprises Saturday posting.  Allison Pearson is a journalist and a writer who is also a great fan of  RA so ... her report is not at all objective or professional... but so amusing! I particularly loved some passages:

(1)"Is Richard Armitage a reluctant Love God? In truth, would this superb actor rather play Richard The Third at Stratford than have besotted women sending him chocolate underpants through the post?

On a warm, late-summer's day I was sent to south-east London, to the set of the new series of Spooks, to find out. Sorry, ladies, it's a tough job, but someone had to go it alone.


So, Mr Love God, how would you describe your own romantic history?


He laughs nervously. 'Er, sparse.'

Sparse? Oh, Richard.

'OK, frugal,' he tries again.


FRUGAL? That's even worse!


"Sparing. Cautious. Careful,' he says carefully. When he looks at me, those pale blue eyes are glinting with merriment.


Hell's bells, man. A sparing, frugal, careful romantic history. It's not very Sexiest Man on Two Legs, is it?

'No, it's just quite old-fashioned, that's all,' he says. 'I don't put it about. Never have. I'm a late developer in everything. I have a fast mind and fast metabolism, and I'm an intense worker, but in terms of life development I'm way behind.'

(2)"For this new series of Spooks, he has put some of the weight back on. He looks burnished and indecently handsome, although in his head he says he's still the geeky Richard that his mates got round to lay their laminate flooring when he was between acting jobs, which he was for so many years.

You know, I wonder if being a late starter isn't the key to Armitage's vast appeal. By the time we first clapped eyes on him as John Thornton, he was already a proper grown man, in sharp contrast to all those snub-nosed pretty boys who pass for movie stars these days. Richard Armitage reminds you of those calm, classic leading men of the 1940s and 1950s - the men with the depths below the still waters".

(3)"It can't be easy for this faintly old-fashioned Northern bloke to find he is male totty. Status based on good looks feels undeserved, and Armitage is big on needing to earn what you get. Some of the vanity of his profession makes him wince. For example, he has a horror of walking down the red carpet.

He says he took the Tube to his first film premiere and was amazed to come round the corner in Leicester Square wearing his tux and discover that you were supposed to arrive by car. "

I must have said it already somewhere here in my blog, Richard being himself is his  best performance to me. Not a hero, but a hard-working, modest, old-fashioned,  extremely charming good man. This interview just  confirms my idea of the man Richard.

You can  see and read a printed version of the interview HERE

or an online version HERE

A WONDERFUL  SATURDAY NIGHT TO YOU ALL!!!

AWARD AND RA PHOTO FRIDAY

My weekend starts with good news. I got a new award.

Honest Scrap award

Thanks to HEATHER at GOFITA'S PAGES

This is the Honest Scrap award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. Here are those deserving of this honour, bloggers who write from the heart, who really love what they write about and touch me because of it:

1. JENNY KERR at THE KERR FAMILY BLOG

2. ANA T. at ANECA'S WORLD

3. SHARRY at ALWAYS DREAMING

4. KATHRYN at LIFE IN ITALY

5. ANTONELLA at LIVING ABROAD

6. MULUBINBA at An RA viewer's perspective from 33°0'S 151°46'E

7. NATALIE at RICHARD ARMITAGE FAN BLOG

I share with all of them one or even more than one interests, passions, fondnesses. I often read and comment their nice blogs. The last two ones in the list have started a PHOTO FRIDAY POSTING. The subject of this Friday event is our favourite actor. Any clue? YES! My one weakness, Mr Armitage. Just to let them know I appreciate their weekly posting, here is my

RA PHOTO FRIDAY

These caps are from ITV 2005 series, THE GOLDEN HOUR. Richard Armitage is Dr Alec Track. "He's a brilliant doctor, a good leader and a motivator who guides his fellow doctors," he said in an interview. "He's 90% married to his work, but that's not a choice. His work just pulls him in".This causes problems in his relationship with team member Jane Cameron. "She wants more from him, but he has this great fear that any distraction might compromise him. That's his conflict." If you are interested in this series or curious to see what Dr Track is like ... have a look at my Utube Channel.

Now to end this weekend posting , the promised 10 HONEST THINGS

1. I love my family

2. Strange enough but I'm fond of my job

3. I like reading very much and hate having too little time for that

4. I've become keen on blogging

5. I watch overdoses of period drama

6. I hate the housework

7. I hate being always in a hurry

8. I hate the earthquake

9. I hate our politicians (especially one)

10. Last but not least, and it is hard to admit it, I have a "little crush" on RA ( see pictures above in this post and all around this blog)

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!

DON'T WORRY! I'M NOT GETTING BIG HEADED!

I don't know you ... but receiving an award a day I really risk to get big - headed! I'll try not to boast too much but I've been nominated ... SUPERIOR SCRIBBLER by Michelle Magill at Torch Under The Blankets.

Thank you so much Michelle for awarding me this Superior Scribbler award – I’m enthusiatic and extremely glad to pass it on!

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Here are my 5 Superior Scribblers!

1. FLORES Y PALABRAS (Elvira)

2.MEET ME IN THE DRAWING ROOM (Kathleen)

3.TABLE TALK (Ann)

4. ENCHANTED BY JOSEPHINE (Ms Lucy)

5. READING , WRITING, WORKING, PLAYING (JaneGS)

Till very soon for a less self -celebrating post. But no need to worry! I'm not getting big headed!

BITTERSWEET LATE SUMMER SEASIDE DAYS

Like every year in September, before starting a new school year, I 'm spending few - but very few! - days at the seaside. It's always the same place, not far from my town, just a couple of hours' drive. These are the legendary shores where Ulysses met the enchantress Circe so it is impossible to remain indifferent. The nature and the sea here are wonderful. I'm reading , relaxing, walking on the beach as usual but, especially, I'm little by little surrendering to the fact that these are and will be INDEED my last few holidays for a long time !

I'm reading Jane Austen's LADY SUSAN and enjoying it much. It is both in my EVERYTHING AUSTEN CHALLENGE list and in the AUSTENPROSE's Soiree. But I'll tell about all this in another proper post as soon as it finishes. At the same time, I've started reading SYLVESTER by Georgette Heyer in the morning and listening to the abridged audiobook version recorded by Richard Armitage in the afternoon. You can't imagine what a delight it can be listening to his amusing reading, to his velvet voice while  looking at the blue sea in front of me...But I'll tell also about  this in another proper post.

So what am I going to post about today? I just want to tell you I can't be blogging as much as I 'd like to in the next few days, then I want to show the nice garden in my temporary home here at the seaside to you (see pictures above), as well as tell you that I'm having a good time, not to worry , and that I'll be back home next Monday.

Then ... emmm... what was it I wanted to tell you, too ? YES! Ive been awarded again. This is funny indeed:

Jane GS at Reading, Writing, Working, Playing nominated my blog for the Zombie Chicken Award. I particularly like the motivation of this amusing recognition :"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken – excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all."

Now I am supposed to be spreading the love by choosing 5 blogs I appreciate and let them receive the Zombie Chicken Award:

1. THE KERR FAMILY BLOG - In order to return Jenny the honour of receiving an award and because we share many little passions and fondnesses. She is one of the nicest and most talented women I've met blogging.

2. STEPHANIE'S WRITTEN WORD - Because Stephanie is a great woman and has given all of us Janeites the opportunity to revive our love for Everything Austen suggesting the Challenge many of us have been taking part in the latest weeks.

3. MISS BLUESTOCKING - June's blog. It's a nice place to reflect on reading and writing fiction as well as period drama.

4. LIVING ABROAD - Antonella is one of my first blogging mates on blogspot and I love her way of posting about her life in York as an Italian mother, wife and translator .

5. LIFE IN ITALY - Reverse destiny for Kathryn, who is an English woman living in Italy. I love her blog and her comments, too!

I'VE BEEN AWARDED!

JENNY KERR, one of my American blogger mates and one of the nicest people I've met on line, has awarded my FLY HIGH! as Best Loved Blog. She has got a nice family blog THE KERR FAMILY and , since we met on line, we've discovered we really share much: we love period drama, reading classics, blogging and RICHARD ARMITAGE. She is a very talented young woman, a great sewer, a hardworking housewife and I particularly love her vlogs!

(Jenny & Hubby)

She's been so kind to award me and I'm proud to show you the Award Image she created. Lovely, isn't it?

Thank you Jenny!