BBC's Emma

Hey Austen fans, guess what! ~ BBC has put out new version of Emma!!

The four part, mini-series was aired this month in the UK... but sadly, it's not to be brought to PBS here in the states, until February...

BBC Worldwide Sales and Distribution and WGBH today announced co-productions of two star-studded dramas: the beloved classic, Emma, and the sequel to BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated drama Cranford, Cranford 2. Both programs will make their U.S. premiere in early 2010 on WGBH’s MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on PBS.

Commented Susanna Pollack, SVP, Sales & Distribution and Children’s, BBC Worldwide, Americas, “Following Cranford’s success in the U.S. and UK, we are excited to be working with WGBH again to bring its sequel, Cranford 2, as well as the Jane Austen’s classical tale, Emma, to audiences next year.”

“Our viewers have been clamoring for more Jane Austen and more Judi Dench,” said MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton “These new productions add up to a very strong MASTERPIECE CLASSIC season in 2010.”

Emma (4 x 60)

Romola Garai (Atonement, Daniel Deronda), Sir Michael Gambon (Cranford, Gosford Park), and Jonny Lee Miller (Byron, Eli Stone, Trainspotting) star in this BBC and WGBH co-production which follows the dire consequences of Emma’s failed matchmaking schemes. Michael Gambon plays Emma’s affectionate, neurotic father who allows her to be mistress of their household. Jonny Lee Miller—(who stars in MASTERPIECE’s Endgame, premiering in October) plays Mr. Knightley, Emma’s shrewd and attractive neighbor, who provides a welcome counterpart to headstrong Emma. Fresh and funny, this perceptive adaptation by Sandy Welch (Our Mutual Friend, Jane Eyre, North and South) brings Jane Austen’s comic masterpiece to life.
...

source: PBS site

So, are you reading my mind, and thinking it sounds so good... and can't imagine waiting all winter before catching this acclaimed masterpiece? Well, I have good news... you don't have to! You can catch the episodes early, by watching them online!!

You can either go to the BBC's website: Emma

(I believe this is only available for a limited time)....

Or, on YouTube:

YouTube/user:cat4fab/BBC's Emma: 2009

Just a note, because of YouTube file restrictions, each episode has been divided into 6 parts. ~
So be sure you scroll down [in the right column] and begin with Episode one, part one.

Enjoy!! :-)

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Note: After discovering this, late last night, I watched the entire first episode (yes all six parts)!! So far is seems to be a really great adaption! ~ Can't wait to watch the rest... :)

Wordless Wednseday: Family ❤

Nut-butter balls....

I know I have posted this recipe before... but it's too good to just let it slide into archives!! ~ Plus I made a few additions when I made them yesterday... that I just had to share!!

If you are looking for a "healthy" option in fighting a chocolate craving.... these make for an awesome alternative to junky cookies (or Reese's cups)!!! The combination of nut butter & cocoa powder tastes amazing... and, believe it or not - despite being relatively healthy for you - they are so very sinful!! :)

Nut-Butter Ball Cookies...

(I actually halved the recipe, when I made it today, and as you can see by the picture - at the size I made them (think golf ball sized) - it still made *plenty*.

Ingredients:
* 2 1/2 cup Oats

* 1 cup nut butter (I used all-natural, organic [no sugar] peanut butter)

* 1/2 cup flax seeds, ground

- (I also added some chopped up almonds)

* 1/2 cup agave nectar or honey (used honey)

* 1/2 cup dried coconut (probably did a 1/3 of that, due to household taste preferences)

* 2 T carob powder (I'll admit, I used cocoa powder - lol!)

* Optional: dates or raisins, chopped. (used about 1Tbs raisins -unchopped)

* Optional: Cacao nibs or carob chips. (or semi-sweet chocolate chips... ;)

- (I also added a little salt, to taste - to accent the sweetness, and give it that sweet/salty flavor I was craving... :)

Directions:

Mix together until combined well... then dig in - rolling the batter into balls with your hands. (You may need to wash your hands after a few, as sticky hands make it very hard to roll them.) Refrigerate, and they are good to go.

Makes an awesome, quick on-the-go snack - or a tasty alternative to sugary treats, served at celebratory events.

Additional though/note: Nursing mama's... are ya looking to increase your milk supply? Try adding some sesame seeds to the recipe!!! Sesame not only contains twice as much calcium as one cup (240 ml.) of milk... and has awesome essential fatty acids.... but they also work to increase one's milk supply/production!! :)

Natural Prevention/treatment of the "swine" flu

Important information on how to prevent/treat the "swine" flu (or H1N1) naturally... and why Elderberry Syrup (though good for other strains of the flu) is NOT the answer in this case!

Beeyoutiful.com ~ Swine Flu: prevention & treatment

and it would be advisable, not to let your child do this.... ;-)

All Natural Play Clay

Marmee taught preschool for many, many years, and used to make homemade playdough for us, all the time! - I forgot how easy and fun it is! Plus with homemade... you no exactly what's in it No worries about funky ingredients or toxic colorings! So, if some ends up in your curious toddler’s mouth.... it's perfectly fine! (though the taste probably won’t be much to her liking)

The October 2009 issue* of Family Fun Magazine recently contained an excellent recipe for All Natural Play Clay. I especially like this one, because you don't have to have cream of tartar on hand. ... nor do you have to cook anything. And since there is no stove involved... children can be part of making it too!

The other part of the article, that really caught my attention, was the tips on coloring the dough, using common [natural] kitchen ingredients, such as cocoa powder, beet juice, paprika or turmeric! Hmm...I wonder what other colors we could figure out...? Perhaps, blueberry juice for purple... ??

*if you happen to own a copy of this magazine, the article can be found on page 18 of the issue.)

Ingredients
1 C flour
3/8 C salt
1 T vegetable oil
Natural Dye (see below for colors)
Directions
In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in oil & natural dye and stir well. Knead dough for a few minutes. If clay is too soft, add a bit more flour. Store the clay in air tight containers in the refrigerator.
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Natural Dye:
Brown: 3/8 C plus 1 T hot water, 4 T cocoa powder
Fuchsia: 3/8 C hot beet juice
Orange: 3/8 C hot water & 1 T paprika
Yellow: 3/8 C hot water & 1 tsp. turmeric

• Here’s a link to the online recipe. It’s almost the same as the magazine recipe, but the magazine recipe included a tablespoon of vegetable oil too... as well as those natural dyes I mentioned! :-)
  
• In light of the season, this is one I definitely want to try... a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Play Dough... Mmm!!
  
• Arm & Hammer even has a cool pdf where you can get ideas on how to use your play clay. Their version is slightly different but if you want a little longer lasting it would work too. Click HERE for that PDF

Free book from Vision Forum!!

I am SO excited about this offer! I have been wanting to read Passionate Housewives Desperate for God for some time! :)

A Breastfeeding Story: My sweet girl!

We had a a minor break through in our breastfeeding journey, last night, that I have to share!! After a marathon session of constantly switching back & forth between breasts - complete with a careless latch, and holding on with her teeth (ouchies!)... I was SO totally touched out, that I finally I told her they hurt, and needed to rest. Now, I am not really looking to night-wean her... but in a few rare cases - of which this was one - I just couldn't take it any more!!

Naturally, I was expecting her to have a really hard time with this sudden change of habits... What, no boob at my every fleeting whim?! But instead she was so gentle & compassionate, asking me, "mama, hurt? I see?" only to follow it with a inspection & kiss for each breast. :-) As I anticipated, she did ask for it numerous times before she finally fell asleep... but with each request I would assure her, "I know you want to nurse, but they need to rest." to which she would repeat "Mama, boob, hurt."

The real shocker though, was in the middle of the night, when she awoke because she needed to pee. Upon my reaction to her attempts to latch... she recognized/remembered they still hurt, zealously backed away, kissed them ever so tenderly.... and then quietly laid her head on them, and fell asleep. It was so sweet! - Needless to say, I was *amazed*!! ~ She hardly *ever* goes to sleep without nursing... let alone when she's half asleep, and needs to fall back to sleep. And then to do it so willingly and empathetically.... it was precious!!

Now, I won't lie. By not giving in, and letting her nurse at her every whim (esp to fall asleep), did make for a loooong night! Since she wasn't accustomed to needing to self-soothe and fall asleep on her own.... it took my already super-late-night-owl, quite a bit longer to finally drift into dreamland, than it normally would! ~ But it was definitely much less painful than I ever imagined it would be!

Just wanted to share.... :-)

Waiting, hoping, praying...

With the sudden recent outburst of pregnancy announcements... it is getting exceedingly harder to be patient. But alas, we are still waiting & praying for our turn. KB is now 26 mos old - passing the 20-month mark it took to get preggo with her... as well as uprooting all ideals of the "perfect age gap". I know it will come about in the right timing... but sometimes it's SOOOO difficult not to doubt and wonder.  All in all, though, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and His timing is perfect!  Meanwhile I am just trying to focus on  cherishing every moment I have with the precious & beautiful gift - which we have been so very blessed to have as part of our family!
 

DIY Babylegs!!

A wonderful tutorial for DIY Babylegs!!! ~ PLUS Target has some really cute ladies' knee socks in stock, right now - a three pack for only $6-7!!! (they even have some in the right colors for little guys too!! :)

DIY BabyLegs- a set on Flickr

Now if only I had a sewing machine and weather cool enough that she could actually wear them... :)

Friday Funnies...

Good stuff! I am crying I am laughing so hard. ~ absolutely Hilarious!

The many faces of me...

Since I just changed my profile pic, I decided to post the past ones, just for fun... Enjoy!!

Wordless Wednesday: I love you

Fall is in the air! - Well, kinda...

We have had all our windows open since yesterday morning!!! There is an awesome breeze blowing through... and though it's starting to feel a little warm right now, due to being the hottest part of the day... it still isn't bad. :-) It's so interesting/amazing how even 82° can feel so great, after such a hot hot summer!!! However I am still trying to fathom the 30-40-50-60° weather that some states' are experiencing right now... crazy!