Questions, Questions!

Nearly two weeks ago, I was tagged by Caroline from Standing in the Sunlight in a game of, uhh… let me count ‘em… Seventeen Questions! I’m breaking the official tagging-game “Rules” by not tagging any new friends (seeing as most of my friends have been tagged already), but the questions were just too much fun to resist. If you’d like to play along on your own blog, consider yourself officially tagged by me!

The Questions

What are your nicknames?
The ones I’m not too embarrassed to tell about? Jane, Janelle, and “Jaaaaaaaannaaaaaa!” (for when I’m upstairs reading, instead of making supper).

What TV game show or reality show would you like to be on?
Wheel of Fortune, maybe? But, undoubtedly, the stress of appearing before millions of TV viewers would render me incapable of rational thought.

What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?
I purchased the animated Beauty and the Beast back when it was first released on DVD.

What is your favorite scent?
Steaming-hot, fresh pizza, when it’s riding home in the car with you, and you’re starving.

If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?
I’m assuming I’m only allowed to spend it on myself… But does it matter how quickly I spend it? What about investing? I refuse to answer this question, due to its ambiguity.

What is one place you’ve visited, can’t forget and want to go back to?
The Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I can’t forget the snow-covered pine boughs and towering peaks. Gorgeous.

Do you trust easily?
A little too easily, I daresay. A sad story, a tear in the eye, and I’m a goner!

Do you generally think before your act, or act before you think?
Oh, I think, all right. But that doesn’t always help.

Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
Little things happen every day to make me unhappy. But in the long run… What do I have to be unhappy about? The King of the universe knows my name, and nothing too bad can ever happen to me.

What is your favorite fruit?
Strawberry is my favorite. Juicy and sweet, still warm from the sun.

What websites do you visit daily?
Google Reader (keeps track of the blogs I follow), Facebook, the S&S Forum, and my own blog (to check for new comments! *Hint, hint*).

What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
Coffee! A very recently acquired taste. And just reading the word “addicted” makes me want a chocolate truffle. :D

What’s the last song that got stuck in you head?
The Lord’s Prayer, by Albert Malotte. My sisters and I sang it in a wedding last month.

What is your favorite thing to wear?
A long, flowy skirt, and a blouse that matches just perfectly.

Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?
Ah, now we’re getting rather deep. Hm, well, my Grandma Berge makes Rice Krispie Bars with melted chocolate chips spread on top. Those are yummy. But plain Rice Krispies are–plain.

What items couldn’t you be without during the day?
Water to drink. Food to eat. A chair to sit down in, and rest my weary bones.

What should you be doing right now?
Getting ready to go to town with Mom and Amanda. And I’d better do it, too!

The Bible Stands

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted,
‘Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands, though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet in its firm foundation –
For the Bible stands!

– from the hymn, The Bible Stands

Where Have I Been?

Nearly two weeks have slipped by without my making a single entry in my weblog. This calls for some sort of explanation, doesn’t it? My face takes on a martyr-like expression, my voice employs a wheedling tone, and I begin…

… “Well, I have been very busy lately!” …


…Getting in my exercise, ice-skating on Midge Lake…


…Attending an Autumn-themed tea party, hosted by friends…


…Making nearly 100 pounds of potato sausage–a Christmas tradition!…

…Singing in our cousin’s wedding, held in the Twin Cities…


…(Visiting the Capitol building, too!)…


…Spending Thanksgiving with my dear family, enjoying Mom’s delicious turkey dinner…

…And my favorite-est — holding my little Elinor!

P.s. Erica took all these photos except the potato sausage one.

Bewilderment

Laurie: “What do those girls do all day long?”

Mr. Brooke: “Over the mysteries of female life there is drawn a veil best left undisturbed.”

from the film, Little Women

My Five Favorite Heroines

I love them for their kindness and generosity…

Molly Gibson

…for their courage and honesty…

Princess Leia

…for their ability to admit their own faults…

Bella Wilfer

…for their intelligence and sense of humor…

Elizabeth Bennet

…for their quiet strength and wisdom.

Anne Elliot

Norwegian Rommegrot

Usually considered a special-occasion dessert, Rommegrot, a rich, creamy wheat porridge, makes a delicious, satisfying breakfast, perfect for a chilly November morning. If you’re getting a little tired of oatmeal, give this a try! Oh, but before you look at the recipe, please read the following warning…

WARNING:
Do not be alarmed by the three sticks of butter, quart of milk, and heavy whipping cream this recipe contains. These natural saturated fats are good for you, and should be enjoyed without guilt.
:D

Norwegian Rommegrot

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (preferably whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 cup maple syrup
Cinnamon-sugar for sprinkling on top

Directions:

1. Heat milk and cream over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Be careful not to let it scorch or boil over. In a small saucepan, melt one stick of butter to use as a topping for the Rommegrot.
2. While milk is heating, melt the remaining two sticks of the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour, and cook over medium heat for five minutes, whisking constantly. The flour/butter mixture should be smooth and bubbly.
3. Slowly whisk hot milk and cream into the flour mixture. Cook, stirring frequently until mixture bubbles and thickens. Turn off heat, and stir in the maple syrup. Serve warm, with the melted butter and cinnamon-sugar as toppings.

Serves 6-8

The Lady of Shalott

Ruby Gillis: “She really looks dead! I’m frightened. Mrs. Lynde says that acting is a sin!”

Anne: “Ruby, keep quiet. You’re spoiling the effect. Besides, this is hundreds of years before Mrs. Lynde was born. Diana, you arrange all of this. It’s ridiculous for Elaine to be talking when she’s supposed to be dead!”

- From the film, Anne of Green Gables

…Ev’rywhere you go…

… Frosty red crabapples …

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… morning sun glinting on the iced-over pond …

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… pungent evergreen boughs …

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… Summer’s keepsakes: leftover Black-Eyed Susans …

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…and frost-sugared pansies.

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Morning Prayer

Thankful for the morning light, shining over earth and sea;
Thankful for the gift of sight, O Father, Lord, to Thee.

To Thee with all the heart I pray, now at the dawning of the day;
I know Thou hast me in Thy care, and Thou wilt hear my prayer.

- from the hymn, Morning Prayer

And the Winner Is…

Today’s the day! A whole week has flown by since I announced I was giving away a pencil sketch of Jane Austen’s memorable matchmaker, Miss Emma Woodhouse. Now it’s time to discover the name of the winner! Here’s how…

First of all, I write out all the entrants’ names on bits of paper and dump them in my sister’s Regency-style bonnet.

Mix ‘em up, mix ‘em up… Then pick one!

And the winner is…

Congratulations to Elizabeth! Hooray! :D

P.s. Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing. I had so much fun hosting it! The excitement of checking each day for new comments, and seeing the number of entries rise higher and higher–! Hmm… I want to do it all over again! Perhaps sometime this winter?

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