Mailbox Monday - Dec 11

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Happy Monday! I've been a busy little bee since we were last here. Christmas decorations are finally making their way through the house and the exterior is done. I'm excited to say that I wrote a new children's picture book last Monday at writing group. It's an idea I've had for a couple of years, but couldn't figure out how to bring it to fruition until now. I also had a slew of appointments last week.  More are coming this week, but after that it should hopefully slow down for a week or so. I'm looking forward to a bit of down time. I've busted my tail this year.

As far as my mailbox is concerned, there are more cards and packages in there than books these days. I did, however, grab this book I've wanted for a while but waited until Cyber Monday deals to pick up.

Brilliantly evoking the long-vanished world of masters and servants, Margaret Powell's classic memoir of her time in service is the remarkable true story of an indomitable woman who, though she served in the great houses of England, never stopped aiming high.

Brilliantly evoking the long-vanished world of masters and servants portrayed in Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs, Margaret Powell's classic memoir of her time in service, Below Stairs, is the remarkable true story of an indomitable woman who, though she served in the great houses of England, never stopped aiming high. Powell first arrived at the servants' entrance of one of those great houses in the 1920s. As a kitchen maid - the lowest of the low - she entered an entirely new world; one of stoves to be blacked, vegetables to be scrubbed, mistresses to be appeased, and bootlaces to be ironed. Work started at 5:30am and went on until after dark. It was a far cry from her childhood on the beaches of Hove, where money and food were scarce, but warmth and laughter never were. Yet from the gentleman with a penchant for stroking the housemaids' curlers, to raucous tea-dances with errand boys, to the heartbreaking story of Agnes the pregnant under-parlormaid, fired for being seduced by her mistress's nephew, Margaret's tales of her time in service are told with wit, warmth, and a sharp eye for the prejudices of her situation. Margaret Powell's true story of a life spent in service is a fascinating "downstairs" portrait of the glittering, long-gone worlds behind the closed doors of Downton Abbey and 165 Eaton Place.

I truly miss Downton Abbey and the history lover in me will enjoy digging into this one.

What was in your mailbox? Hope you have a blessed week.

As a Busy Mom Thinks - Guilty Pleasures

Every busy mom has her guilty pleasures. Mine is watching Downton Abbey. It's a no-brainer that someone who loves history as much as I do would fall for a period show like Downton Abbey, and as a character-driven reader and writer, I am fascinated by the many characters I've discovered over the last five seasons.

I have to admit I didn't want to start watching DA, because it never fails that I fall in love with a show and then it gets canceled. That said, I came into it toward the end of Season 2, went back and watched the previous episodes, and have stayed with it ever since. I think it also helps that creator Julian Fellowes is working on a series for NBC, so one can imagine Downton Abbey ending in the near future. At least a viewer can prepare herself.

Season 5 brought us new romances, uncovered secrets, a wedding, the departure of a beloved character, and a long-awaited proposal. Not sure what the next season will bring, but I can't wait until the rumors start flying.

Do you watch Downton Abbey? What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Coming January 26th and 27th!: PBS KIDS PREMIERES SPECIAL DOWNTON ABBEY-INSPIRED EPISODE OF ARTHUR

- Join Arthur and his friends for a drama-filled adventure airing January 26 on PBS KIDS and available on DVD January 27 -

Boston, MA and Arlington, VA, January 8, 2015 – Ever wonder what secrets and stories your family history holds?  This is the question posed to everyone’s favorite aardvark and his friends in “Fountain Abbey,” an all-new, Downton Abbey-inspired episode of ARTHUR, premiering January 26 on PBS KIDS (check local listings). “Fountain Abbey” will also be available on DVD January 27 through PBS Distribution.

In the drama-filled “Fountain Abbey,” Muffy finds herself absolutely devastated when she learns her great-great grandmother, Mary Alice, wasn’t royalty at all.  She was a common maid – oh, the indignity!  However, through reading Mary Alice's diary, Muffy is transported back in time to the famous English estate where her ancestor worked. There she discovers the surprising story behind her humble roots.

"An abbey in jeopardy, a lady's maid causing trouble, and the Dowager Countess unimpressed by all. Sound familiar? We hope ‘Fountain Abbey’ will be a show the whole family can enjoy together!" says Carol Greenwald, senior executive producer of ARTHUR.

“PBS is committed to engaging families with content that is educational and entertaining and this new episode of ARTHUR is no exception. ’Fountain Abbey’ promises to delight not only children, but an entire generation of ARTHUR fans that grew up with the series and can appreciate the humor and fun of the DOWNTON ABBEY-inspired references,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Media, PBS.

The “Fountain Abbey” story is paired with “Arthur Calls It,” a story in which Arthur must deal with peer pressure from his classmates, causing him to doubt his decision to call his best buddy Buster “out” during a baseball game. Is that a foul play, or should Arthur stick to what he believes is right?

The week of ARTHUR continues with funny storylines about everyday life and tongue-in-cheek homages to The Wizard of Oz and The Tell-Tale Heart. In each episode, the characters learn valuable lessons about honesty, empathy, and determination.

Produced by WGBH, the Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series ARTHUR explores childhood challenges with heart and humor, while teaching problem-solving and pro-social skills. On the ARTHUR website, kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers can access a variety of fun and educational games, lesson plans, and activities. Families can also keep up with Arthur and his friends on the new ARTHUR Family Health Website — a resource that helps caregivers and children build and maintain healthy living habits.

For images, episode descriptions, and more information on ARTHUR, visit PBS PressRoom.

DVD Information

Title: “Arthur: Fountain Abbey”

Run Time: Approx. 56 minutes

SRP: $6.99

“Arthur: Fountain Abbey” DVD, available January 27, includes the following four stories:

“Fountain Abbey” – Muffy’s devastated when she learns her great, great grandmother Mary Alice wasn’t royalty, but a common maid. The indignity! However, Mary Alice’s old diary reveals a more interesting story.

“Arthur Calls It” – Pressure from his classmates has Arthur doubting his decision to call Buster out during a baseball game. Will he succumb to peer pressure, or stick with what he believes is right?

“Whip. Mix. Blend.” – When Rattles’s mom starts dating Archie Vanderloo, Rattles finds himself spending lots of time with Archie’s kids. The problem is, Rattles doesn’t have anything in common with these twins! Can this blended family learn to get along?

“Staycation” – Arthur offers to babysit so that his parents can enjoy some peace and quiet in the backyard. What could go wrong? With D.W. on the loose…just about everything!

DVD Special Features: Printable coloring pages and activities.

About ARTHUR

ARTHUR, based on the best-selling books by Marc Brown, is television's longest-running children’s animated series. Over the past 18 seasons, ARTHUR has remained one of the highest-rated weekday children’s series on PBS among children 4-8. ARTHUR has won numerous awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA, and seven Daytime Emmys®-four for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program. ARTHUR is produced by WGBH Boston and 9 Story Entertainment. Executive producers are Carol Greenwald (WGBH), Vince Commisso (9 Story), and Marc Brown (Marc Brown Studios). Directed by Greg Bailey. Funding for Arthur is provided by public television viewers. Corporate funding is provided by Chuck E. Cheese’s®. For more information, visit pbskids.org/arthur and follow ARTHUR on Facebook and Twitter.

About WGBH
WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the web. Television channels include WGBH 2, WGBX 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH Boston Public Radio; 99.5 WCRB; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. Find more information at wgbh.org.

About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile, and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math, and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About PBS DISTRIBUTION

PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, extending the reach of these programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.

PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’ films, documentaries from award-winning series such as NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as films from independent producers and popular children’s programming. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution offers consumers high-quality content in multiple formats including DVD, Blu-ray, digital download, and digital streaming. PBS Distribution is also a leading source for factual content for international broadcast, cable and satellite services.

Contacts

Mandy Miller, WGBH, 617-300-5334, mandy_miller@wgbh.org
Maria Vera, PBS KIDS, 703-739-3225, mvera@pbs.org

Mailbox Monday - Dec 29

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

It's been a while since I participated in Mailbox Monday, but I certainly couldn't let the year end without adding my two cents one last time. I pray everyone had a lovely holiday. We don't have much planned to ring in the New Year, but our Christmas was lovely and busy.

Here are the books that arrived over the last couple of weeks:

Playing and dancing, you’re a star! Listen to Danza: Beautiful is what you are! Danza and her friends are silly and sweet. Playing before the mirror, they are reminded of just how special they are. Parents and children alike can relate to this valuable book about self-esteem and self-acceptance. Written in rhythmic and memorable rhyme, this is a fun book to either read aloud or give to early readers. Winner of Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval and Academics’ Choice Smart Book Award.

Ella’s toys are beyond compare, but playtime’s more fun when she learns to share! Flaunting her toys but keeping them to herself is not much fun after the other kids lose interest. Left alone, Ella decides to make it up to her friends. Children will learn an important lesson in this endearing book about generosity, friendship, and the benefits of giving. Written in rhythmic and memorable rhyme, this is a fun book to either read aloud or perfect for early readers. Ella’s Toys was designed to encourage early literacy, enhance social and emotional development, and promote character growth. Winner of Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval and Academics’ Choice Smart Book Award.

Six-year-old Byron Woodward is a werewolf who can’t howl. Determined not to embarrass himself after being chosen to lead a full-moon ceremony, he embarks on a mission to learn how to howl. He learns a lot about howling during his journey, but more importantly, he learns a valuable lesson about believing in himself.

Writer, artist and speaker, Tamara Branch serves up 40 bite-sized chapters on how to build unshakable self-confidence, honor your life, and shine bright in the world, in ITGIRL4LIFE: How to bring out your special something and so much more. Packed with sage advice, life-changing insights and affirmations to help you soar, ITGIRL4LIFE offers ideas, tools and principles that you can reference and build upon, supporting you in becoming your best. Get ready to fall in love with your own wisdom, beauty and strength.

A gorgeous husband, two beautiful children, a job she loves—Claire’s got it all. And then some. But lately, her mother hovers more than a helicopter, her husband Greg seems like a stranger, and her kids are like characters in a movie. Three-year-old Esther’s growing up in the blink of an eye, and twenty-year-old Caitlin, with her jet-black hair and clothes to match, looks like she’s about to join a punk band—and seems to be hiding something. Most concerning, however, is the fact that Claire is losing her memory, including that of the day she met Greg.

When Claire meets a handsome stranger on a rainy day, she starts to wonder if Greg still belongs in her life. She knows she should love him, but she can’t always remember why. When Greg gives her a blank book, Claire fills its pages with private memories and keepsakes, jotting down beginnings and endings and everything in between. The book becomes the story of Claire—her passions, her sorrows, her joys, her adventures in a life that refuses to surrender to a fate worse than dying: disappearing.

These are some Kindle freebies I picked up this week:

When Eve finds out two weeks before Christmas that the love of her life has been cheating, she's left with two tickets to paradise. Defying common sense and hoping for a Christmas miracle, she gives the companion ticket to a man she just met. Nick is handsome, single, and loves Christmas too! It seems like a perfect fit.

Nick meets the lovely, sad Eve at a coffee shop, and he’s instantly smitten. Eve is beautiful, if not a little crazy. She offers him a vacation, all expenses paid. He takes her up on the offer because hey, who passes up a free vacation?

Sleigh bells ring in paradise, and they find each time they come together, it’s magic. Sparks fly between them and soon, they’re well on their way toward falling in love. Maybe it’s the sun, surf, and sand, or the loosened inhibitions…

But will the secret Nick keeps tear them apart forever?

Eve has to decide if she can forgive Nick and take a chance on happily ever after.

The fate of Christmas is in her hands, and time’s running out.

Jeremiah Jacobs moved to the Ozarks for a fresh start. He knows no one and has no plans to get romantically involved with anyone. Ever. He’s already had his heart ripped out once and once is enough. Besides he has contractual obligations that prevent him from talking about work - and what woman would want to be involved with a man who has to keep his job a secret? When he attends his first local writers’ group meeting, he finds the leader so intriguing, his instant attraction to her threatens to complicate his currently uncomplicated life.

Dorrie Miller has never been good enough. Not for her father or any of the guys she’s dated in the past. She’s pushed beyond her father’s disapproval to have a good career while pursuing her dream of becoming a published novelist. The Christian Authors Network – Dedicated to Inspirational Distinction, or CANDID, is hosting their annual conference in Indianapolis and who’s rumored to be in attendance? The super reclusive, super-star author, Mya Elizabeth Linscott.

The hunky new member of her local CANDID group, Jeremiah, wants to carpool to Indy. Dorrie can handle not making a fool of herself for eight hours each way. Right? But she never imagined doing a favor for someone during the conference would leave her accidentally married to the gorgeous guy she barely knows. How will she get out of this mess, married to a near stranger? Does she want to? Will her insecurities and Jeremiah’s secrets tear them apart? Or can she trust that, all along, God’s been helping her with Finding Mr. Write?

A timeless love story of broken promises and second chances...

Even as high school sweethearts, Mona Beth Adams believed her Texas cowboy-rancher was the only man for her. But life intervened, stealing away the only man she'd ever love. Then a second chance reunites the couple until a dusty stack of unopened love letters and potentially terminal illness forces them to sift through the painful past. Only as they retrace history will they learn the truth about the broken promise that threatens to come between them. But can their relationship endure the deception and sabotage they unearth, or will the experience compel them to trust more fully in the promises that never fail?

2013 Grace Award Nominee (Reader-Nominated)

The last two were presents I received from my family from my Amazon Wish List.

The Great War has ended, but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful...

"Americans can't get enough of 'Downton Abbey,'" said The Boston Globe. As Season 3 of the award-winning TV series opens, it is 1920 and Downton Abbey is waking up to a world changed forever by World War I. New characters arrive and new intrigues thrive as the old social order is challenged by new expectations.

In this new era, different family members abound (including Cora's American mother, played by Shirley MacLaine) and changed dynamics need to be resolved: Which branch of the family tree will Lord Grantham’s first grandchild belong to? What will become of the servants, both old and new?

The Chronicles of Downton Abbey, carefully pieced together at the heart and hearth of the ancestral home of the Crawleys, takes us deeper into the story of every important member of the Downton estate.This lavish, entirely new book from Jessica Fellowes focuses on each character individually, examining their motivations, their actions, and the inspirations behind them. An evocative combination of story, history, and behind-the-scenes drama, it will bring fans even closer to the secret, beating heart of the house.

With all the warmth of a cozy quilt, three authors stitch together Amish tales of hearts joined, friendships patched, and the bright joys of Christmas tradition . . .

A Willow Ridge Christmas Pageant
Charlotte Hubbard
Seth Brenneman didn't expect his holiday would include rescuing pregnant young Mary Kauffman and her two children. . .or having unexpected feelings for the still-grieving widow. But when they must play the leads in an impromptu live Nativity pageant to help his Amish community, will their roles reveal their hearts--and work a miracle for a lifetime?

A Christmas On Ice Mountain
Kelly Long
Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp's secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fathers definitely won't accept. And trying to settle their dats' long-standing quarrel is making their holiday anything but merry. Can rediscovering the joys and friendships of Christmas past finally turn their families' futures bright?

A Perfect Amish Christmas
Jennifer Beckstrand
Anna and Felty Helmuth's grandson, Gideon, plans to spend Christmas on a beach in sunny Mexico. But Anna is quite sure he'd rather be with them, snowshoeing, ice fishing--falling in love. And she knows the perfect girl. Not only is Dottie Schrock an excellent quilter and baker, she's having a party. There's just one complication--Gideon is not invited. Dottie has her reasons, but Anna trusts that the spirit of Christmas--and true love--will change her mind, and her future . . .


What did you receive in your mailbox?

Mailbox Monday - April 21

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter. All my kids were here for a change, so that made it special. Greek Easter was the same day this year, so I cooked lamb and roasted potatoes. I think we actually had more desserts than we had people. I stuffed myself a bit too much.

I didn't receive any books in the mail this week, but I did pick up a few Kindle freebies and a bargain one.

I keep thinking that one day I'll get around to self-publishing; even if it's just once to try it out. I like checking out the available resources.  

If you're selling ebooks on Amazon, you're about to find out the very best ways of how to promote your book, and actually selling ebooks on Amazon, The author has found these, more than anything else, to deliver the best results.

PLEASE NOTE: This is for non-fiction Kindle ebooks, not fiction.

I'm also looking more often into natural ways to live and heal. I also prefer to grow as much of our produce as I can. I really don't know much about essential oils, but I hear about them from time to time, so I thought I would check out this book.

This is an in depth introduction to the use of Essential Oils. Essential Oils provide us with an alternative solution to regaining control of our healthcare needs. As survivalists and preppers one of the things we must include in our strategies is the ability to tend to our sick and injured without the advantage of having modern medicine available to us. The use of Essential Oils is something that we can begin using now, which will increase the quality of your life before a disaster strikes. These notes will serve as a quick flip guide of the most important things to remember about using Essential Oils. This may come in handy should SHTF and serve as a backup for the audio files you may not be able to listen to.

Oils Covered Are:
Frankincense, Oregano, Lemon, Melaleuca, Lavender, Peppermint, Basil, Birch, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Coriander, Cypress, Geranium, Helichrysum, MelissaMood, Wintergreen, Ylang Ylang, Eucalyptus, Wild Orange, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, BugShield, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cilantro , Cassia, Clary Sage, Fennel, Ginger, Myrrh, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Thyme, Vetiver, White Fir, Dill, Tangerine, Spearmint, Whisper, ZendBlend, Solace, Rose, Jasmine, DDR-Blend, TuneUP, Respiratory Blend, Digestion, Cold & Flu Blend, Muscle Pain Blend, Purity, Elevate, Serene, Balanced, Marjoram, Aroma Blend, Citrus Blend, Slimming Blend, Lime, Headache Blend, Coconut Oil

These are the notes from a special Essential Oils 5 day class. Bonus links to the downloadable MP3s from the class are available inside.

Though I didn't talk about it much at the blog this year, I'm a Downton Abbey fan. I thought Season 4 was a nice bounce back from the tragic end from Season 3. There were some disappointments, but some stellar parts too. I pick up books that have a Downton Abbey tie-in from time to time.

*** #1 Best Seller in Brunch and Tea as well as Coffee and Tea ***

Come rain or shine in Edwardian England, everything stopped for tea. Downton Abbey was no different.

But what would our beloved Crawley household have eaten at their sacred 4 o’clock institution?

In "Tea at Downton - Afternoon Tea Recipes From The Unofficial Guide to Downton Abbey" we share some recipes from the golden age of England. At the height of the power of the British Empire, Mrs Patmore would have every possible kind of delicious ingredients to draw from.

In this concise book you’ll learn:

• Step by step through how to throw the perfect tea party – Downton Style. From the etiquette behind how to hold one’s tea cup correctly to the recipe for the favourite sandwich of Queen Alexandra of the time.
• Wow all of your friends with these simple to follow authentic recipes, and be sure even the Dowager Duchess would be impressed by your social graces.
• From the bottom tier sandwiches to the elegant cakes of the top tier, we cover it all. Not forgetting of course the perfect scone recipe and its accompanying jams.
• Follow the ways Mrs Patmore would have planned her menus to keep spending to minimum and you too can enjoy a most delightful repast for just a few shilling!

So, what are you waiting for? Carson has opened the door to let you in. Let’s see what’s for tea....

Scroll up and get your copy of "Tea at Downton - Afternoon Tea Recipes From The Unofficial Guide to Downton Abbey". You’ll be glad you did!

I'm also a fan of Chuck Norris. My girls actually watch Walker, Texas Ranger on DVD with their dad at night. When I saw his autobiography was on sale for only 99 cents, I picked it up.

A New York Times best seller. Millions of people worldwide know Chuck Norris as the star of more than twenty motion pictures, a martial arts expert, and the only man in the Western Hemisphere to hold an eighth degree Black Belt Grand Master in Tae Kwon Do. Countless others see him daily in syndicated reruns as the hero of the longest running CBS series to date, “Walker, Texas Ranger.” What many don’t know is that Chuck Norris is a sincere Christian–a man whose faith plays a role in everything he does. Against All Odds is the inspirational story of how Norris overcame abject poverty from childhood, the effects of his father’s alcoholism and desertion of the family, and his own shyness and lack of strength and ability early in his life. Norris writes candidly about the past and gives God full credit for where he is today.

What did you find in your mailbox?

Downton Abbey Series 4 Premiers in the UK This Sunday!

I haven't spoke much lately about my deep love of Downton Abbey. This year's trailer is out, which indicates an amazing season of new faces, new trials, and changes for many characters. The series premiers in the UK this coming Sunday, but fans in the States must wait until January 5, 2014 before the series runs on PBS.





With the death of her beloved Matthew six months before, Lady Mary is in a time of transition; trying to find her way as a single mother and to keep Downton thriving for her son and heir, George. As you can tell from this trailer, the detached Mary we met in Season 1 has returned. At least we can blame a bit of that on the pain of her loss.

Lady Edith, however, is poised to take this ever-changing world by storm as she embraces her independence. What will happen between her and her very married editor, Gregson?

Lord Grantham, who right before Matthew's untimely death, embraced his and Tom's plans for the future of Downton may need to switch gears. And what role will Lady Mary play in the estate's management now that Matthew is gone? Is love in Tom's future?

Downstairs looks like it will be just as exciting if you can judge by the clips in that video trailer. Daisy's future was up in the air last season as Mr. Mason asked her to consider moving to the farm with the plan she will eventually inherit it. Will the softer side of Thomas be a permanent fixture around the house or is that a thing of the past? How about Jimmy, Alfred, and Ivy--the young servants at Downton--will they remain satisfied in service? What do Anna, Bates, Mrs.Hughes, Mrs. Patmore, and Mr. Carson have to look forward to or dread?

Downton Abbey Addicts shared this synopsis from the first episode:

Following Matthew’s untimely death, new mother Mary is struggling to come to terms with her loss. Robert and Violet disagree on how to bring her through it. Downstairs, hearts are set to be broken as Jimmy finally takes an interest in Ivy. Carson has an unwelcome reminder of his past while Mrs Hughes sees an opportunity to help grief stricken Isobel. Thomas is up to his old tricks and has the children’s Nanny in his sights.

Are you eagerly awaiting the start of Downton Abbey? I'm going to find it hard not to look for spoilers after it airs in the UK.

You've Got Mail Monday

Happy, happy, joy, joy. Happy, happy, joy. (Brownie points for anyone who knows where that comes from.)  It has arrived! It's so rare I treat myself, I can't help but get excited when a total unnecessary, but thrilling product arrives.

I've missed talking about Downton Abbey while it's in between seasons. I can't wait until January, so I have an excuse to bombard this blog with DA posts. Enjoying this show so much was a surprise to me because it's not an era or a setting I read a lot of. American drama set in the 1800s is my thing. But these characters' lives have totally captivated me. I've even joined a DA forum.

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes is filled with tons of historical information and loaded with historical pictures and photographs from the show. I've only skimmed it because most of my reading time takes place in the bathtub at night and there is no way I am taking this book with me. I hope to read through it while we're in North Carolina.

Included in this shipment was the latest Dork Diaries book, Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker, by Rachel Renee Russell. The girls love this series and we never miss a book. Thank God for Jeff Kinney and his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series that spurred an entire trend of diary books for boys and girls.

My latest Land's End and Gardener's Supply Company catalogs arrived last week, too. That's it for now. Hope you have a great week.

You've Got Mail Monday

The postman was working overtime to deliver mail to my house this week. Between catalogs and books, the poor guy must have broken his back.

Gardner's Supply Company, Burpee, and Ballard Designs all sent me their latest catalogs. I'm seriously thinking about what I can do for edging in between my raised beds this year. The grass grew all around them last year, making it a chore for the hubby to take care of. Maybe some Coco Fiber Edging will work. I still haven't ordered my seeds yet, either, so I better get started.

A plethora of books arrived last week. I'm doing my Snoopy dance over it, even if I won't get to read them right away. Tiger tales sent me many of their spring books to review at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. I ordered two used books from Amazon: Black Women in White America edited by Gerda Lerner and Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America by Sara M. Evans. A prolific writer, Lerner was a pioneer of women's history. She passed away at the age of 92 this January.

I'll be reviewing This is How To Get Your Next Job by Andrea Kay over at The Book Connection. The publisher accidentally sent me two copies of the book, so I'll be offering one as a giveaway here soon. Finally, Philip Rock's Greville Family Saga was re-released due to the popularity of Downton Abbey. I won this trilogy and can't wait to start reading it. I know it will be awhile, but I might try to squeeze the books in between my other books for review.

I think that's it for this peek into my mailbox. I hope you have a great week.

What Downton Abbey Writers Did Well in Season 3 (Part 2)

Now we'll move from upstairs to downstairs. There is much moving and shaking down here as well. Please be aware there are spoilers ahead.

Since the servants have no idea that Lord Grantham has lost Cora's fortune, they can't understand why they aren't working with a full staff. Again, we see Fellowes taking that main problem revealed in the first episode and showing how it impacts the entire household. The staff is trying to prepare for Matthew and Mary's wedding day, but having a tough time of it. When Mr. Carson asks his lordship for more help, he is flatly refused.

O'Brien, however, does manage to get her nephew, Alfred, installed as the new footman by pleading with her ladyship, who persuades Lord Grantham. And here is where the next major plot--in my opinion--comes from. When Bates was imprisoned for the murder of his ex-wife Vera, Thomas Barrow took over as Lord Grantham's valet. Everyone is certain, however, that Bates will be exonerated and return to Downton Abbey, meaning Thomas will be demoted. By bringing Alfred to Downton, O'Brien, Barrow's only friend and conspirator, creates a rival for Thomas, and he's destined not to lose. O'Brien isn't about the be bested either, and works her evil magic throughout the servants' quarters for the rest of the season with disastrous results.

Downstairs this season should be called the Season of Unrequited Love. Daisy is attracted to Alfred. Alfred is attracted to Ivy (a new hire once the money issues are solved), and Ivy likes James (Jimmy), another new footman. Thomas also likes Jimmy, and thanks to O'Brien's meddling, he believes Jimmy feels the same way.  Being gay during this time period, however, was very dangerous. It was a crime. Believing O'Brien's lies leads Thomas to approach Jimmy while he's sleeping. When he awakens to find Thomas kissing him, Jimmy freaks out and threatens to go to the police if Thomas isn't let go without a reference (you can thank O'Brien for that idea, too).

Thomas plays an increased role in Season 3. We see a softer side to this villain when he cries over Lady Sybil's death. Though he rarely shares much about his life with the others, he admits to Anna (Mary's lady's maid and Bates's wife) that Lady Sybil was one of the few people who was ever kind to him.

A year passes between the episode where Thomas is caught kissing Jimmy and the final episode. Viewers are left to wonder what has transpired between Jimmy, Thomas, and Alfred--who witnessed Thomas's advances--during that time. We see in the final episode that Jimmy is still uncomfortable around Thomas, who ended up with a promotion to under butler after the dust settled. And in this final episode, Fellowes does something brilliant: he makes Thomas a hero of sorts.

Jimmy has always been too cocky for his own good. When the fair comes to town, Mr. Carson lets the servants take time off while the family is away on holiday in Scotland, to attend. Jimmy bets on the tug of war race, and when the Downton team wins, he ends up making a tidy sum, which he stupidly flaunts all over the place. Getting quite drunk, Jimmy wanders off where he is accosted by two men intent on robbing him. Thomas had been following Jimmy. He ends up taking the beating meant for Jimmy, who runs off. In a moving discussion, Jimmy visits Thomas in his room some time after the beating and asks him why he did it. "You know why," says Thomas. He admits to following him because he was afraid he might get into trouble. Jimmy is impressed with Thomas's bravery and agrees they might try to be friends.

The coming changes are perhaps seen best through the eyes of Daisy and her father-in-law, Mr. Mason. Though her husband William died in the war, Daisy has remained close to Mr. Mason. She visits the farm upon occasion. During one visit, Mr. Mason suggests she leave Downton Abbey and come live with him, learning how to run the farm, which he intends to pass on to her. He tells her that the days of the big houses are ending and she won't be working in service forever.

We see  growth and changes in Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Anna, and Mrs. Patmore during Season 3, too. We see how Lady Sybil's death affects Mr. Carson, who had known Sybil her entire life. Mrs. Hughes has a health scare, invests in a new invention called the toaster, and grows closer to Mr. Carson. Mrs. Patmore is courted for the first time in many years. Anna, who is separated from her husband, Bates, for most of the season, works hard to see him freed from prison.

Fellowes wrote many moving and brilliant scenes in Season 3. And though there were some disappointments along the way, overall, he has proven himself capable of carrying on such a grand endeavor as Downton Abbey.

They are already filming Season 4. I follow this blog for spoilers and photos. I hope that despite the actors who left after their three-year contracts were up, the new characters and those that continue to be part of this stellar period drama will keep viewers watching.

What Downton Abbey Writers Did Well in Season 3 (Part 1)

In the absence of anything of value to report for You've Got Mail Monday, I wanted to follow up my Downton Abbey Season 3 Finale post with a discussion of the great things about Season 3. Be forewarned, if you haven't watched the third season yet, there are spoilers ahead.

Let's start upstairs. In the opening scenes of the first episode, Lord Grantham learns one of his investments has gone bad, very bad. He loses the lion's share of Cora's fortune, which sets the scene for everything that will transpire for the rest of the season. I love how creator and writer Julian Fellowes starts immediately with the main issue and how he builds an entire season around it, just like he did in Season 1 with the entail and Season 2 with World War I. Yes, there are other issues that branch off of the larger problem, but everything ties in nicely.

Matthew and Lady Mary end on a happy note in Season 2, but that isn't destined to last. After the family learns of Robert's misstep, Mary and the Dowager Countess conspire to influence Cora's mother, Martha Levinson to help save the estate. When they realize why it won't work, Mary hopes that Matthew will agree to take the Squire fortune to save Downton. Of course, that would be too easy. The honest and honorable Matthew does not want to take the money because he feels he did wrong by Lavinia. While recovering from the Spanish Flu she learned Matthew was in love with Mary despite being engaged to her. Matthew believes this news was responsible for her relapse and ultimately her death. Even once the whole money issue is settled, Mary and Matthew find themselves warring over Matthew's plans to modernize the estate against Lord Grantham's wishes. Their troubles carry over until the last couple of episodes, where we finally see them looking forward to a life of wedded bliss and influencing the future of Downton.

Poor Lady Edith. If she didn't have bad luck she would have none at all. Not as beautiful as her stunning older sister and not as much of a rebel as her younger sister, she's been ignored most of her life. Just when things seem to be looking up for the middle Crawley daughter, she gets jilted at the altar by a conscience-stricken Sir Anthony Strallan, who realizes marrying a crippled man old enough to be her father is not what's best for her. Unlike her married sisters, she's expected to break the fast at the table instead of in bed. It's at this table she receives the news that an article she wrote has attracted the attention of Michael Gregson, an editor who offers her a job writing for his publication. Of course, Lord Grantham is against it, claiming Gregson is only after her name. She is an amateur, after all. Does anyone other than me wish Lord Grantham would get off his high horse?

Lady Sybil is destined to be just as big in death as she was in life. Her spirit will be felt through the halls of Downton Abbey for years to come. After marrying the chauffeur, Tom Branson, they move to Ireland and live the life of regular people without servants where she is known as Mrs. Branson. Their return to the estate for Matthew and Mary's wedding is filled with controversy. Lord Grantham didn't want Tom there and it was his mother who gave them the money to come. Tom is just as much of a rebel as ever, and Mr. Carson isn't having an easy time adjusting to Tom's move from servant to member of the family--like many of them. After the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Branson return to Ireland until a tragic event brings them back to the estate.

Now, unable to return to the land of his birth, Tom feels like a man without a home. Life doesn't get any easier. According to Dr. Clarkson, Lady Sybil shows all the signs of eclampsia, but the obstetrician Lord Grantham brings in to handle the delivery disagrees. Emotions run high after the birth of Tom's daughter, as the entire family watches Lady Sybil succumb to seizures that cut off her ability to breathe. "This can't be," says Lord Grantham. "She's only twenty-four years old."

While Lady Sybil's death is one of the saddest moments of Season 3, it is also one that was well-written by Fellowes, well-performed by the actors, and necessary for Tom's character to grow. If Sybil had lived, Tom never would have stepped out of her shadow. By the end of Season 3, we find Tom enlisted as the estate's agent, helping Matthew, and eventually their father-in-law, to modernize the estate and make it profitable.

Sybil's death brings about changes for other characters, too. Lady Mary and Lady Edith temporarily bury the hatchet and even share a hug to love each other as sisters should. Robert and Cora were at odds over how to deal with Dr. Clarkson's news of Sybil's condition, and Cora ends up blaming Robert for her death. It's not often we see this couple at odds, but Fellowes and the actors handle it superbly, making their reconciliation that much more powerful. And who can forget the Dowager Countess, overcome with grief over the loss of her youngest granddaughter, clutching a pillar for support as she walks across the entryway of the estate the next morning or grasping the mantle after she has finagled Dr. Clarkson to tell Robert and Cora that even if they had brought Lady Sybil to the hospital and performed a cesarean, she most likely would have died, allowing the healing to begin.

In my next post, we'll take a look at Season 3 downstairs.

Downton Abbey Season 3 Finale Doesn't Sit Well With Viewers

Photo: Giles Keyte, Carnival Film & Television Ltd. for Masterpiece

Season 3 of Downton Abbey has had its ups and downs. And while I think overall this season, which recently ended with an explosive finale that left many declaring they had no plans to tune in for Season 4, was a good one, it ended very badly.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

Unless you've been living under a rock or purposefully avoided it, you've heard the major news about the untimely death of Matthew Crawley in the final moments of the episode. 

Photo credit: PBS

Unhappy with the storylines his character Matthew has been strapped with over the past three seasons, especially his Season 2 miraculous recovery from a war injury that left him paralyzed, Dan Stevens opted not to renew his contract. This left creator and writer Julian Fellowes with a big issue. The entire premise of Downton Abbey has centered around the entail and how the sinking of the Titanic and the presumed death of the heir to Downton brought Matthew from his solicitor's job to the estate as the next in line to inherit. Lord Grantham, the father of three lovely daughters, but no sons, isn't thrilled with the idea of a country bumpkin like Matthew Crawley inheriting, but if he's going to inherit the estate, then a pairing between Crawley and the oldest daughter, Lady Mary is best. And though they faced many obstacles--the war, Matthew's engagement to Lavinia Swire, the Spanish Flu, fertility issues, and more--Matthew and Mary finally tied the knot at the beginning of Season 3.

Since happiness is so hard to dramatize, according to Fellowes, Matthew and Mary's marriage would be plagued by fights over his ideas to modernize the running of the estate, sticking Mary in the middle of the two men she loves (her husband and her father), Matthew's desire to have children and Mary's desire to wait, and the tragic loss of Lady Sybil after giving birth, which found Mary and Matthew supporting their brother-in-law Tom's desire to see his daughter christened as a Catholic, while Lord Grantham was determined to fight it. 

When the dust finally settles during a cricket match, Lord Gratham concedes to Matthew's ideas on how to make Downton self-sustaining and profitable, Tom is in as the estate's new agent, and it looks like Matthew and Mary will finally enjoy wedded bliss and concentrate on doing their duty to produce an heir. 

The season finale picks up a year after the cricket match, with the family visiting cousins in Scotland. It was nice to see them in a different environment, but knowing Matthew's death was coming--since Season 3 wrapped up in Britain on Christmas and angry fans started screaming about it more than a month before the season begin in the States--made it less enjoyable. 

One of the reasons people--myself included--are so up in arms about Matthew's death, is because it was handled so poorly. Lady Sybil's death, while tragic, was not only realistic, it served a higher purpose. Tom could never grow into the man he will become or prove himself to the family if Sybil was there to push her family into liking him. The rift that occurred between Robert and Cora over Sybil's condition, would not have happened. I partially agree that happy couples are boring--just look at Anna and Bates now--so we need a bit of tension in Robert and Cora's relationship to make their healing and reconciliation a part of their growing together as a couple. 

The reused plot of killing off a parent on the day/night of his/her child's birth has also already been done in the case of Lady Sybil a few episodes earlier. Fellowes took the easy way out. Matthew was so blissfully happy at the birth of his son, he's busy thinking of how wonderful life is, his eyes looking into the sky instead of on the one-lane road in front of him where a truck is coming the other way. Really? That's how he meets his end? He survives a war and gets killed because he's too happy? Even an agents' blog I follow is talking about this poorly written ending. 

I feel the fans' reactions to Matthew's death will put a lot of pressure on Fellowes to come back with a stellar Season 4. News in recent days has found that all the main characters will be returning. The new season will start six months after Matthew's death, so we won't be subjected to another funeral. Fellowes is calling this season the "rebuilding of Mary," and there is a casting call out for a new love interest (also not sitting well with some fans). I plan to tune in, but if Season 4 doesn't come out strong I don't know if I'll be sticking with it. It will definitely be interesting to see how many viewers tune in as opposed to how many did for the first episode of Season 3.

Thanks Goodness Some Smiles for Residents of Downton Abbey

photo credit: pbs.org

Well thank goodness, some sun on the horizon for the residents of Downton Abbey, at least some of them anyway. If you haven't seen last Sunday's episode, you might want to stop reading now.

SPOILERS AHEAD

After the tragedy of Lady Sybil's death, the fights between Robert and Matthew over the future of the estate, and the tension over Baby Sybil being christened Catholic, everyone needed some cheering up.

Bates makes a quiet return to the estate, which is great news to everyone except Thomas Barrow, who will now be forced to step down as Head Valet. As we soon see, however, Bates's return is the least of Thomas's worries. After weeks of being fed lines from O'Brien that Jimmy appreciates Thomas's overtures, Mr. Barrow decides to act. He slips into Jimmy's room and attempts to kiss him while he's sleeping. Not only does Jimmy awaken, he's horrified. To make it worse, Alfred witnesses the whole thing.

As Thomas tries to explain to Mr. Carson, men like him have to try and read the signs, and he felt Jimmy was giving him those signs. While disgusted by the whole thing, Mr. Carson agrees to let Thomas go quietly with a good recommendation. Jimmy will have none of that. If Mr. Carson doesn't get rid of Thomas and provide him no reference, he'll go to the police.

Surprisingly, it's Thomas's nemesis Bates who comes to his rescue and gets O'Brien to call off the dogs; though ultimately it will take Lord Grantham's influence to squash the potential scandal.

I have to admit to not liking Bates much in this episode. Lord Grantham offers he and Anna a cottage, but when they get a peek at it, Bates does not show any gratitude. He only complains about its condition. Though it seems like Bates is almost letting bygones be bygones when he helps out Thomas, he's actually trying to get him a reference so he'll move on. His goodness is a bit clouded by these actions, and I can't help but wonder if prison has changed him more than we realize.

The arrival of cousin Rose brings with it a breath of fresh air. But this flapper is destined to bring shame on the family. This storyline bugged me, too. Having a flapper can add an interesting element to DA, but I don't know why they paired Rose with a married man. Though, this did give Matthew Crawley one of the best lines of the episode, "‘Married men who wish to seduce young women always have horrid wives."

I was glad to see Rose sent away, but I've heard rumors she'll be back next season. Part of me can't help but feel she is partially a replacement for Lady Sybil. The main difference is that Lady Sybil never stopped being a lady, despite her forward-thinking ways.

This also brings me to the disappointing storyline for Lady Edith. Someone finally recognizes her talents and he happens to be a married men who flirts with her, justifying it by telling her about his wife who is in an asylum and no longer knows him. I know World War I wiped out a lot of the men Edith's age, but can't they find one who isn't attached for her to fall in love with?

And though there is much more that takes place in this two-hour episode, I will only comment on two other things:  Mary and Matthew, and Matthew, Robert, and Tom.

Mary and Matthew have done their share of sparring lately. Matthew sees his plan as the future for Downton Abbey and Lord Grantham wants nothing to do with it. Mary's loyalties are torn between the man she loves and the father she adores. To complicate matters, Matthew and Mary have been trying to have a child without any results. Matthew is worried his war injury caused the problem. Mary isn't sure what it is, but she goes to the doctor without telling Matthew and discovers the problem is her. She secretly has surgery performed, but that means no physical relations with her hubby until she sees the doctor again. When they accidentally run into each other at the doctor in London, Mary spills the beans over lunch. Her aristocratic upbringing doesn't allow her to share the details with Matthew, but he's just relieved that she's still interested in him. And when she tells him she's in his corner with the plans for Downton, things couldn't be any better for the two lovebirds.

Throughout the episode, Robert is fighting Matthew's ideas for the future of Downton, but he has Tom in his corner. They all meet with the estate's manager, Jarvis, who ends up resigning in a huff. I liked how Cora stuck up for Robert when Matthew said the last time he took an interest he ruined the family. At breakfast one morning, Tom has a pointed conversation with Robert, telling him for Downton to survive they must pool their resources and work as a team. Impressed with how Tom expresses himself and Matthew's ideas, Robert agrees to give it a go. At the end of the cricket match against the villagers, Robert, Matthew, and Tom share a manly group hug, painting a happy picture for Lord Grantham and his sons-in-law.

Tomorrow night is the Christmas special. I already know some of what is going to happen, so this happiness seems like it will be short-lived. I can't imagine going almost another year before Season 4 airs. I might have to break down and buy Seasons 1 - 3 on DVD, so I can get my Downton fix. I also have some Downton Abbey fanfiction ideas brewing. This is a wonderful period drama. And I highly recommend it.

WSJ Wednesday: Downton Abbey and Class Warfare

The Wall Street Journal has become the only paper I read. Why? Because like the geek that I am, I enjoy politics, business news, book reviews, and the chance to look at some mansions every once in a while--which they feature in their own special section.

In the Saturday/Sunday, February 2 - 3, 2013 edition of the Journal, I found an article that capitalized on my love of politics and my favorite current television show, Downton Abbey. Raymond Zhong, an editorial page writer for The Wall Street Journal Europe, sat down with Julian Fellowes, the creator and writer of Downton Abbey, to discuss its appeal, but also some of the criticism it garners. Fellowes says he doesn't understand the accusation of snobbery, because he feels it's the opposite of that partially because all of the characters are taken seriously:  upstairs and downstairs. In addition, his mother came from an upper-middle-class family, but his paternal aunts always looked down on her because of she was descended from traders and farmers. One can assume this would impact his work.

Now that I've gone the scenic route in finding a focus for my article, I found a few things that Fellowes said about Americans thought-provoking. "...I think politicians try to encourage us to think in a hostile sense [of] people who have a different circumstance to our own. Which I find very unproductive and uncreative."

The man doesn't even live here, but he knows us so well. Actually, I think he was more referring to life across the pond, but it definitely applies to America, too. All political parties use class as a source of division. Instead of helping Americans to find their common ground, they seek to divide us to further their own agendas.

But then Fellowes says something that makes me shake my head. "...the impression I get is that there is not the kind of obligation to dislike those who are better off or be frightened of those who are worse off...The Americans, I think, are better at seeing themselves as a kind of community--that the important thing is to be an American."

Well, we might be better at it than the people of Great Britain, but if anything, the Tea Party movement, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and union versus non-union scuffles are just some ways in which we are made to feel some type of obligation to dislike those who are different than you. I'm fairly certain most people have heard about the 1% versus the 99%. If that isn't divisive, I don't know what is.

But I think my favorite comment by Fellowes is about history and our pasts. "..you'd go into the attics of some of these houses and there would be lines of bedrooms, and in some cases, there'd be nameplates, and it would say 'Mary' on it, and inside was an old iron bedstead. And you had a real sense, then, of a life that you just missed..."

As a lover of history and a believer in preservation, I am fascinated by this concept of "a life that you just missed." We all come into this world with hopes and dreams. We aspire to leave our mark on the world in even the tiniest of ways. And those that come after us, preserve whatever legacy we leave behind. I think that's all been lost in a world that focuses more on what divides us--the haves and the have-nots as it is often said--because we aren't taught to cherish what we have anymore. We're taught to always want more. That's a concern for a mother of two young children:  how to steer our daughters' focus from never being satisfied to feeling blessed. It's a regular battle, because I grew up with next to nothing. Even with the challenges our family deals with living primarily on one income, I'm grateful because I already have been blessed with more than I had as a kid, and because I don't take things for granted. I'm not unhappy because Bill Gates and Donald Trump or even Cam Neely have more than I do.

What a better world this might be if could find a way to focus on common goals rather than be torn apart by our differences. How would that change the political arena? Could you imagine a world where Democrats aren't labeled as bleeding-hearts and Republicans aren't accused of only caring about the wealthy? Could they then be more productive in improving our economy and in building a better world for future generations?   I fear what I hope for is an impossible to reach utopia.

Trouble Brewing Upstairs and Downstairs at Downton Abbey

SPOILERS AHEAD. STOP HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN SEASON 3, EPISODE 5.

As the last of the mourners leave Downton Abbey, a somber Lord Grantham and Carson seemed dwarfed by a house filled with tragedy. As I said in my last post about DA, dark days are ahead. Perhaps the only tiny glimmer of light is that it looks like Bates will soon be returning home. Thank God, because I don't think I can stand any more of those dreadful prison scenes.

In preparation for tomorrow night's episode, a brief review of last week's episode is in order. Lord Grantham is destined to continue his desperate attempt to hold onto the past while the world is quickly changing around him. With Tom's announcement that he will name his newborn daughter Sybil and that he will christen her a Catholic, Lord Grantham has just about had his fill. And just when you think he might explode if he has to take any more, his wife, daughters, and mother attended a luncheon at Isobel's house which was prepared by her new kitchen maid, Ethel, who was previously making a living as a prostitute. He storms over there demanding his family leave at once, only to have to tuck his tail between his legs and run home alone. And let's not forget that Matthew keeps pushing for him to review new ideas on how to make Downton Abbey profitable. Even Mary is not agreeing with her father these days. It is she who announces at the dinner table in front of everyone that Lady Sybil confessed she wanted the baby to be christened Catholic. It is she who tells her father that it is nice Tom wants to name the baby Sybil and who isn't afraid to tell her father that the reason he's angry is because things aren't going his way. Prior to Lady Sybil's death this conversation might have been between Lady and Lord Grantham, but Cora is still avoiding him like the plague, blaming him for not heeding Dr. Clarkson's advice to bring Sybil to the hospital.

That brings me to my one bone with this episode. Poor Dr. Clarkson. Even when he's right, he's wrong. The Dowager Countess, concerned for her son and daughter-in-law asks Dr. Clarkson to tell Lord and Lady Grantham that even if Lady Sybil had been brought to the hospital she probably would have died anyway, in the hopes this will help Cora forgive Robert and allow them to grieve for their loss together. At least he sticks it to Sir Philip Tapsell when he informs them of this news destined to start the healing of their marriage.

Downstairs, Mrs. Patmore sums it up nicely, “You know the trouble with you lot is that you’re all in love with the wrong people.” While Daisy pines for Alfred, Alfred hopes to catch the eye of Ivy, and Ivy thinks Jimmy is a dream. Problem is so does Thomas, who is being set up to take a huge fall thanks to O'Brien. This can't end nicely for those involved.

Daisy does get some grand news, however. When she visits Mr. Mason, he tells Daisy he wants her to come and live at the farm and learn the trade because he plans to leave it all to her some day. Hmmm...from servant to land owner. How do you like them apples?

The picture above is from perhaps the most touching scene of the entire episode. Mary and Matthew come up to check on Tom and Baby Sybil. Here, we get a glimpse of how these three adults and perhaps Tom's daughter might hold the key to the future of Downton. It is obvious at this moment how much Matthew wants children; and for the first time, I feel viewers get a glimpse that Mary might really be changing her mind about waiting.

The previews of Sunday night's episode include Rose, so we'll have to get used to another new character making her way to Downton Abbey. I can't help but feel her addition is in some way a replacement for the loss of Lady Sybil, but only time will tell.

Dark Days Ahead at Downton Abbey

I've watched Sunday night's episode of Downton Abbey three times and I still can't make it through without crying. Tragedy has befallen the Crawleys, and I daresay, it will be a long healing process for the entire household--upstairs and downstairs.

Without giving too much away, I must admit the direction they are taking Lord Grantham's character isn't appealing to me. His pig-headed ways have endangered the future of Downton and played a role in the most recent tragedy. He is trying to hold onto a world that is slowing slipping away, but he won't admit it. He is the master of the house and he expects the women to obey him and support his decisions.

Now, that's not a problem for Lady Mary. Playing a typical oldest daughter to perfection, her father has no faults in her eyes. She is entirely against her husband Matthew's interference in running the estate, despite the fact that she encouraged him to become familiar with the business and his money is what saved their home. When she overhears him talking to the lawyer about the mismanagement he has discovered, she takes him to task. Lady Mary, like her father, wishes to maintain the traditions and hierarchy that are becoming a thing of the past. I fear, like her father, she is going to have a hard time adjusting to a post-World War I world.

Edith gets some good news, but her father still thinks he knows better than she does. And unknowingly, Lord Grantham pokes a stake in Matthew's tender heart when he tells him he'll understand when he's a father, not realizing Matthew desperately wants to have children and is afraid the injuries he sustained in the war might have affected his fertility.

Finally, we see a total clashing of the social classes as Dr. Clarkson and Sir Philip Tapsell, the obstetrician hired by Lord Grantham, argue over what is best for Lady Sybil during childbirth. One can understand why Lord Grantham is unsure of Dr. Clarkson based upon past experiences, but how he could ignore the common sense pleadings of his wife Cora when she says that Dr. Clarkson has known Sybil all her life? And that Sir Philip, in the end, isn't even willing to admit he made a mistake is unconscionable.

Rougher days are ahead for the people of Downton Abbey. Tom wants his daughter christened as a Catholic, which will cause more turbulence in the house. The only bright spot is that Bates and Anna might have finally found a way to free him.

Lady Edith Comes Back Swinging

It seems you can't keep a Crawley down long. After her most recent setback, Lady Edith, the middle and often forgotten daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham has listened to her grandmother Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, and stopped whining and done something.

That something (stop reading here if you haven't seen the third episode from this season) is write a letter to the editor of the paper to tout her support of woman's suffrage. Who knew she could be such a force to be reckoned with? Well, her older sister Lady Mary knew, but Lady Mary can give as good as she gets, so Lady Edith has painfully discovered more than once.

Lady Edith

Actually, as I think about the series, creator and writer Julian Fellowes, has managed to create three sisters who act according to their birth order so well. Lady Mary is the traditionalist, her father's pet. She will do anything to save Downton Abbey. Lady Sybil, the youngest, is the wild one. She ran off and eloped with the chauffeur who is a revolutionary seeking a free Ireland. Then there is Lady Edith, the middle child. Jealous of her oldest sister and all the attention paid to her as the first child of the family. Barely tolerating her younger sister, Lady Sybil, and all her antics. In fact, if she had to say a kind word about either of her sisters, I think her face would disintegrate. Lady Edith does spend much of her time whining about how forgotten she is. How nothing in the house is ever about her. Well, until the second episode of this season, and we know that didn't turn out as planned.

The sisters' relationships is one of the most fascinating aspects of the show for me; though I could add many items to that list.