New Poll: Which Austen hero has the best first-name?

When it comes to names I have somewhat of an obsession, I love looking at their meanings and origin, and I often spend hours looking through baby name books or websites. Lately I have been thinking a lot about the names of some of my favourite heroes, and in particular those wonderful men within Jane Austen's novels. Although it was extremely easy to pick my favourite, I thought it might be fun if I did put up a poll to see which name you thought was the best.
So, we have 8 heroes and 8 names, in additon to listing the names I have also given the orgin and some of the meanings, because sometimes I find the meaning can help you to decide. I hope you enjoy this post and don't forget to vote for your favourite name.

*in alphabetical order (not preference)
 

CHARLES

Origin: German, English, French

Meaning: "man", "free man", "army, warrior"

CHRISTOPHER

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "Christ- bearer", "bearer of the Christ"

EDMUND

Origin: Old English

Meaning: "prosperous protector"

EDWARD

Origin: Old English

Meaning: "prosperous guardian", "wealthy protector"

FITZWILLIAM

Origin: English, Celtic

Meaning: "son of William"

FREDERICK

Origin: German

Meaning: "peaceful ruler"

GEORGE

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "farmer", "earth worker"

HENRY

Origin: German

Meaning: "ruler of the household"






Also if you happen to love (or you're just simply interested) in names Miss Laurie has a wonderful blog I would encourage you to visit called Name Enthusiast.

Much love from your friend,

Mel xx

2 Samuel 23:4

I came a cross this passage a few days ago and I thought it was just so beautiful and poetic that I had to share it will you. This is what the Spirit of the Lord spoke to David, describing one who rules over men in righteousness and in the the fear of God.

Image credit: www.amazinggracemovie.com

And he shall be like the light of the

morning when the sun rises,

A morning without clouds,

Like the tender grass springing out of the

earth,

By clear shining after rain.

(2 Samuel 23:4 NKJV)

Isn't it beautiful!
Love,

Mel xx

Fan art- Love Comes Softly (Willie LaHaye)

I haven't had time today to write up a review post as I had hoped :(  because I am absolutely snowed under with my university study but I wanted to post just to say "I hope you all have an amazing week" and leave you with a little piece of Love Come's Softly fan art I created. I love Janette Oke's character Willie LaHaye and although the movies were quite different from the books, I thought Logan Bartholomew's portrayal of Willie was wonderful and everything I had imagined *sighs*!

God Bless and Much Love,

Mel xx

Distracted by Jane

So how many marks do you think the person marking my chemistry exam would give me if instead of answering the questions asked, I wrote an essay titled "How much I love Henry Tilney" or "My favourite Jane Austen novel: Northanger Abbey"?

You see I have an exam coming up in the next week and today I tried to study...well that is to say, I usually don't mind studying at all but for some reason I found myself daydreaming about the world of Jane Austen and in particular that of Catherine Morland. And in the time it takes to pick up a book and say "Goodbye study, Hello Tilney" I had assumed the role of Catherine and was walking the halls of Northanger Abbey without any hope of returning to reality in the near future.

Surely I cannot be the only one who gets distracted by the world and characters of Jane Austen at the most inopportune times?

Love as always :)

Mel (Tristans_Isolde) xx

A few changes again,

After a long hard day sitting in front of a computer screen I have finally been able to complete more of the changes that I had hoped to do a few weeks ago, So as you have most likely already noticed I have a new layout and fonts, and all those type of wonderful things. I think it looks better than before and hopefully it looks neater and is easier too. I also had the time to create the new banner/blog title picture thing (using my favourite couple Henry & Catherine from Northanger Abbey) something I have been wanting to do for a while now. I still have some work to do on the gadget side of things I am quite happy with the result right now.

Thank you to all the readers of this blog for being so patient with me while I get used to the whole blogging world and how it works!

Much Love,

Tristans_Isolde xx

Period Drama Hero Tournament

I just wanted to let you all know of a great tournament happening over at Elegance of Fashion (which is a beautiful blog, I encourage you to check it out) it is the Period Drama Hero Tournament starting the 1st of May. You may or may not remember a similar one, for heroines, was done a few weeks or so back and it was amazing! I encourage all my readers to go and check it out now (click on the picture below) and see what it is all about and how it works. But remember to go back on on May 1, I will be putting up a gadget on the sidebar shortly so you all can easily link to it!






On another note, sorry I've been a little slack with posts lately but I will have my review for The Count of Monte Cristo for you very shortly- and I am very excited for this review!

I hope you all had a lovely Easter break,

Much Love,

Tristans_Isolde xx

As You Wish...

Unfortunately I have been a little under the weather lately, and have spent a lot of time in bed  thankfully I have had my favourite books and movies to keep me company. One film in particular that I watched during that time was "The Princess Bride" I absolutley adore this movie (and always have). I have notice however that it it my 'sick-day movie', because everytime I feel unwell I end up watching it, which I thought a little strange. This then led me to think about the other movies I watch, and whether or not I tend to watch them more if I am feeling a particular mood or feeling. On further investigation this is what I found:

What I watch when I'm feeling;

Anxious- Becoming Jane or Little Women

Blah -Wives & Daughters or The Notebook

Bored-  Pride & Prejudice (1995)

Depressed - North & South

Emotional - The Titanic or North & South

Happy -Abduction Club or The Sound of Music

Hopeless -Amazing Grace

Irritated- Flyboys or Robin Hood (BBC)

Restless - Lost in Austen or Giant

Sad - Tristan & Isolde

Sick- The Princess Bride

Stressed- Gone with the Wind or Persuasion

What about you? Do you watch certain movies when your feeling a particular way?

Much Love,
Tristans_Isolde xx

Video clip; 'It's Not Over'

Here is another of the video clips I have made, this one is to the song 'It's Not Over' by Daughtry. I love this song because it inspires me to never give up, I hope you like it.

I really enjoy making these but sometimes I run dry on ideas so if you have an ideas, a song, a theme for the clips of even if you would like to see a particular movie/scene in a clip- I would appreciate your input :)

Have a great day,

Love
Tristans_Isolde xx

UPDATE: 12/04/2011
Just in case you were curious as to what movies the clips are from I have listed them in the order the appear, If you have any questions though please feel free to ask , I am more than happy to help :)

-August Rush (2007)

-Lorna Doone (TV 2000)

-Becoming Jane (2007)

-North & South (TV mini-series 2004)

-A Walk to Remember (2002)

- Robin Hood (BBC TV series)

-Pride and Prejudice (2005)

-Bright Star (2009)

-Lost in Austen (TV mini-series 2008)

-Emma (TV mini-series 2009)

-The Notebook (2004)

-Gone with the Wind (1939)

-August Rush (2007)

Book Review; The Measure of a Heart

Title: The Measure of a Heart

Author: Janette Oke

Series: Women of the West (book 6)

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

“Anna Trent felt fortunate to finish the eighth grade with first-class honors. Already past her sixteenth birthday, most of the girls her age had been forced long ago to drop out to help at home. She loved school loved to learn, loved the excitement of new discoveries, loved the quickening of her pulse as she shared some great adventure in the pages of a book. And now that is over.

The oldest child in a farming family with six young brothers, Anna is shy, sensitive and a bit self-conscious. But when Austin Barker comes to their church to fill the pastorate for the summer months, the young seminarian is captured by Anna's admirable qualities, especially her intense desire to learn. Through his books and correspondence, Anna's education continues to expand, and the sweet country girl grows into a lovely woman.

When they meet again, will she be able to believe that Austin's words are sincere? Despite the compassion and grace she so effectively lives, and despite her selfless commitment to God and His Word, what can she do when time does not erase the inadequacy she feels or her struggles with the standard that measures her heart? Will she ever be able to see herself as others do?

If only the feelings of guilt and inadequacy would go away-”

I really loved this book and it was so easy to identify with the insecurities and self conscious nature of Anna, especially when it came to topics of faith. Anna to me portrayed everything that a true Christian is and should be without being distant and self righteous. As the story progress and Anna’s faith grew and was tested so was mine.  I am always really challenged by Janette’s books but this one in particular really helped me to see myself as God sees me, not as the inadequate, ugly, second-rate person I feel that I am.

Before I read this book I was feeling very inadequate to serve the Lord, in the sense of ministering in their lives. And Anna’s journey through the book really helped me with this.

 I just wanted to share one of the pastor Austin Barker’s lines from the book that I thought was really nice:

“It all depends on the Lord. It has all along. My inadequacies, my lack of talent, of wisdom, that is no matter to the Lord. Scripture says the He can use the weak, the small, the inadequate. Me”

Have you read this book? What did you think about it?

God Bless,

xx  

My Jane Austen book collection

As you may already know from my "100 Janes Austen copies by 2011" gadget, I collect Jane Austen books, I particularly love finding copies which have different front cover designs. I mostly hunt for them in the local Opportunity Shops, because I love secondhand books! I love to read the notes and comments which people write in the books. Unfortunatley, for the past 3 years I have been collecting I havent been able to get very many copies, at the start of the year (2010) my total was at 24 so I think I am doing well so far :)

My total stands at 38 copies -

14 copies -Pride and Prejudice 

6 copies -Sense and Sensibility

5 copies -Emma

4 copies - Mansfield Park

2 copies -Northanger Abbey

2 copies -Persuasion

2 copies - 'The Complete Novels of Jane Austen'

1 copy -Lady Susan   

1 copy - Sanditon

1 copy- 4-in-1 book (Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sanditon)

I can now increase that total to 39 after buying this beautiful copy of 'Northanger Abbey' on sale. Isn't the cover lovely :)

Fan Video; 'Sway' Michael Buble`

When I have the time I love putting some of my favourite movie clips together with a song that I love. It means if I’m in a rush or I’ve got a huge exam or just something stressful that day right before it I can watch one of them, it always helps. I thought I would share one of my favourites with you, hopefully it will brighten your day too. 

A little something from...

  "If you are ever going to see a rainbow, you have got to stand a little rain."

I love quotation books and today I was blessed enough to come across another to add to my collection, within the first few pages I can across the above quote was thought it was so beautiful and inspiring that I had to share it with you too.

God Bless your day wherever you are, and what ever you are doing.

Much love,

Tristans_Isolde