Pemberley Ball - word search

The Pemberley Ball

commences live tomorrow
6-8pm PST

To pass the time why not noodle over my word search.

In case your spectacles are not handy, click on pic for a larger and printable version.

And some reading to amuse you in the interim...

Bibliofreak spotted a Twitter version of Pride and Prejudice posted at Under the Mad Hat.

Give it a read. It's Twitter. Should be quick?

Pride and Twitterverse

Excerpt:

TheRealJaneAusten:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife.

MrsB:
A Mr Bingley--worth 50,000 followers a year--has joined Twitter! He's brought a friend, Mr Darcy--worth 100,000 followers a year! Pls RT

MrsB:
@JaneB @LizzyB @MaryBsaphorisms @KittyB @LydiaB I will have one of you girls married into internet fame yet. Just you wait.

LizzyB:
@MrsB But mother, I think we can pull ourselves up by our dooce-straps just fine.

MrsB:
Blogcasting: How to find husbands for your daughters: http://tinyurl/momblog Now with free giveaway from our Etsy embroidery shop. Pls RT

LizzieB:
@JaneB If I could love a man who would love me enough to take me for a mere 50 followers, I should be well pleased...

continue reading...

*source of word search creation

Darcy Darcy Darcy

Mr Darcy doll on etsy

Darcy series

created for her

Everything Austen Challenge
by Pepper of A Season With Austen

Darcy Through the years - 2008
Darcy Through the years - 2003
Darcy Through the years - 1998
Darcy Through the years - 2005
Darcy Through the years - 2001
Darcy Through the years - 1995
Darcy Through the years - 1980
Darcy Through the years - 1940

One to watch out for:

Pride/Prejudice:

A Novel of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and Their Other Loves

by Ann Herendeen

Release date: January 2010

Description from the amazon:

Jane Austen's most popular novel has enthralled generations of readers, as proud Mr. Darcy meets his match in witty and prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet. But only now can the hidden story be told, of the two parallel loves that complicate this ideal romance: Darcy's controlling affection for the gentleman-like Charles Bingley; and the sympathetic intimacy between Elizabeth and her more practical friend, Charlotte Lucas.

Written in a comparable 'bright and sparkling' style, "Pride/Prejudice" 'fills the gaps' in Austen's story, daring to imagine the full truth suggested by the original. What is Darcy's real motivation for preventing Bingley's marriage to Elizabeth's beautiful and virtuous sister Jane? How can Darcy reconcile his desire for Elizabeth with his determination to save his friend from a similar entanglement? And what is the disturbing history behind Darcy's tortured relationship with his foster brother, George Wickham?

"Pride/Prejudice" brings to light all the buried secrets, weaving a tale of intertwined passions that must be resolved through honesty and forgiveness, the humbling of pride and freedom from prejudice.

*source image for portrait Darcy

Darcy in the Garden

You made your way back to the ballroom and completed a satisfying quadrille. You turn to your partner and bow. Then you proceed to the refreshments table.

Still feeling warm from all the dancing, you decide to step outside for a bit of fresh air.

Your curiousity takes you along a garden path. The the well manicured grass, topiary bushes and marble statues delight you during your walk.

In the moonlight you spy Darcy seated on a bench in front of a magnificent water fountain sculpture. He is looking up at a lady who is speaking quietly to him.

Darcy looks mesmerized as he listens to the lady's pleasant tones.

As you approach the lady bends down as if to impart a kiss.

Darcy's head tilts up and the lady bypasses his lips and aims towards his jugular.

The lady snaps up and her eyes lock onto you upon the sound of snapping twigs underfoot.

Cassandra, dear, what is the matter?

(Turns out you are Jane Austen's beloved sister. Who knew?)

How do you respond?

- Jane, we must depart. I have a dreadful headache.

- Please excuse me, I was looking for our Henry.

- You faint.

- (fill in the blank)

*if you haven't already, enter my Jane Bites Back book giveaway

*after you comment below, you will revert back to your Regency guest persona

*source from

Mr. Darcy's Diary: A Novel

by Amanda Grange

Published: 2007

Description from the amazon:

Pride and Prejudice is the most popular romance of all time, and in this enjoyable retelling, Amanda Grange allows us to see the events of Jane Austen's famous novel from Mr Darcy's point of view. Scenes only hinted at in the original are here recorded in detail and brought to life as Darcy writes of his horror at discovering his sister's plans to elope with George Wickham, his efforts to separate Charles Bingley from Miss Jane Bennet and his disgust at having to arrange a marriage between George Wickham and Miss Lydia Bennet. But, most satisfying of all, he discloses his feelings for Elizabeth. Darcy's Diary records the full story of their courtship, from initial hostility to their eventual love, before revealing a tantalising glimpse of their early married life.

~~!~~!~~!~~

Bit o'sip sip gossip...

Everything Austen Give Away & Mini Challenge

win a Jane Austen action figure

from Bibliofreak

-offer November 28, 2009

~~!~~!~~!~~

Pemberley Library

After viewing the portraits, you continue down the hall and come upon an open door.

You peek inside and find a great number of books lining the walls and standing shelves. Books also sit on side tables and on Darcy's desk. A booklover's heaven.

The rumors of the grandness of the Pemberley Library are true. Darcy's family has collected books for generations.

The fireplace was lit in front of two Wingback chairs. One chair has a mislaid book upon it. What a cozy scene.

A servant comes in to tend the fire. She tells you that Mr Darcy has left some books upon the console table for interested persons to peruse and take home. Take a look and see if any interest you.

Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne

with introduction by Director Jane Campion

giveaway from Lady Vee

-offer ends November 29, 2009

Fallen by Lauren Kate

giveaway from Lady Eleanor

-offer ends December 4, 2009

Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

giveaway from Misté la Marquessa

-offer ends December 1, 2009

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben Winters

giveaway from SciFiChick

-offer ends December 4, 2009

Seven by Jacqueline Leo

giveaway from Marianne Dashwood

-offer ends November 20, 2009

*source image from

Mr Darcy's Diary

by Maya Slater

Published: 2007

Description from the amazon:

At last, the secret thoughts of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, romantic hero to millions of would-be Elizabeth Bennets, are revealed in this utterly convincing and captivating novel of love and pride, passion and prejudice.

Meet Darcy

Darcy is having a quiet moment in the corner of the room.

You walk tentatively towards him. You try to quiet your fan as it is fanning furiously from your nervousness.

The time is now for a round of amusing repartee or at least a greeting.

He turns towards you when you touch his arm and says...

My dear, would you like to join me for a walk to view our prized roses in the conservatory?

His eyes look into yours with such longing. You feel a little dizzy but excited.

Irresistible, is he.

How does one man embody so much romance?

However, you noticed a flash of unnaturally sharp incisors when he spoke to you.

How do you answer his proposal?

*source of Darcy

Pemberley Artwork

Walking down the elegantly carpeted hallway from the powder room back to the Ballroom you notice the paintings along the hallway.

You hear some ladies remarking about them. Lady Vee pipes up and quotes Mr Darcy...

A great number of the paintings in the gallery and most of the sculptures in the hall and elsewhere came from Venice. -Darcy (chapter 9, page 161)

Hmmm, what do you think of the last painting in this collection.

There's something not quite right. ???

Lady Charlotte's Refreshments

"If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy,''
cried a young Lucas who came with his sisters,
"I should not care how proud I was.
I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine every day.''

"Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought,'' said Mrs. Bennet;
"and if I were to see you at it, I should take away your bottle directly.''

The boy protested that she should not;
she continued to declare that she would,
and the argument ended only with the visit.
Pride and Prejudice (Chapter 5)

~*~

Ginger Beer
from Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management

2–1/2 lbs. of loaf sugar
1–1/2 oz. of bruised ginger
1 oz. of cream of tartar
the rind and juice of 2 lemons
3 gallons of boiling water
2 large tablespoonfuls of thick and fresh brewer’s yeast

Peel the lemons, squeeze the juice, strain it, and put the peel and juice into a large earthen pan, with the bruised ginger, cream of tartar, and loaf sugar.

Pour over these ingredients 3 gallons of boiling water; let it stand until just warm, when add the yeast, which should be thick and perfectly fresh.

Stir the contents of the pan well, and let them remain near the fire all night, covering the pan over with a cloth.

The next day skim off the yeast, and pour the liquor carefully into another vessel, leaving the sediment; then bottle immediately, and tie the corks down, and in 3 days the ginger beer will be fit for use.

For some tastes, the above proportion of sugar may be found rather too large, when it may be diminished; but the beer will not keep so long good.

~*~

Ratafia
from Robert’s Guide for Butlers & other Household Staff
Into one quart of brandy pour half a pint of cherry juice, as much currant juice, as much of raspberry juice, add a few cloves, and some white pepper in grains, two grains of green coriander, and a stick or two of cinnamon, then pound the stones of cherries, and put them in wood and all.

Add about twenty five or thirty kernels of apricots.

Stop your demijohn close and let it infuse for one month in the shade, shaking it five or six times in that time at the end of which strain it through a flannel bag, then through a filtering paper, and then bottle it and cork close for use; you can make any quantity you chose, only by adding or increasing more brandy or other ingredients.


~*~

Negus
from Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management
To every pint of port wine allow 1 quart of boiling water, 1/4 lb. of sugar, 1 lemon, grated nutmeg to taste.


~*~
For more regency recipes:

The Jane Austen Centre

Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management

Food and Drink in Regency England

Here is a great blog where you can find intriguing informations about the Regency Period:

Jane Austen’s World

And here are two cookbooks related to the regency period and Jane Austen:

Jane Austen and Food by Maggie Lane

The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black


*guest post and sketch created by Charlotte of The Book on the Hill
Thanks Charlotte!

Pemberley Ball - Bennet sisters

The Bennet sisters are here!

As you mingle amongst guests and friends, you spy a cluster of ladies who have just entered the ballroom. They have just finished supper and proceed towards the dance floor. A flurry of redcoats swarm to meet these beautiful young ladies in their matching gowns.

Here's your chance to speak with one or more of them.

Who do you choose to converse with and what about?

Jane
Elizabeth (Lizzie)
Lydia
Catherine (Kitty)
Mary

*source for Bennet sisters

Pemberley Ball - Welcome Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of the Pemberley Ball!

A reminder of party protocol...

Interactive posts and giveaways will appear throughout the evening (every 15 minutes).

Feel free to partake in any or all of the festivities.

Comments can be

- reactions to the individual posts

- can be a place to chit chat with other attendees

- can include general descriptions of your state of being at this virtual party

FYI: for those who RSVP'd and entered the Pride and Prejudice graphic novel giveaway, you will earn +1 points for comments made in non-giveaway posts.

*source image from

Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride:

A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

by Helen Halstead

Published: 2007

Description from the amazon:

When Elizabeth Bennett marries the brooding, passionate Mr. Darcy, she is thrown into the exciting world of London society. She makes a powerful friend in the Marchioness of Englebury but the jealousy among her ladyship's circle threatens to destroy Elizabeth's happiness. Elizabeth is drawn into a powerful clique for whom intrigue is the stuff of life and rivalry the motive, and her success, it seems, can only come at the expense of good relations with her husband. This novel also continues the stories of other favorite Pride and Prejudice characters including Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennett, each of whom have amusing adventures of their own. Told in the language of the era and bringing Regency society vividly to life, Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride recalls Austen's theme of the necessity of individual growth in the maintenance of lasting bonds.