Meanwhile, in Rivendell . . .

Spring is officially here in the Northern hemisphere, even by the exacting and unreasonable standards of those who subscribe to the astronomical rather than the meteorological method. 😜  Accordingly, it's time for some vernal film recs!  Spring is my favorite season — plus one of my favorite things, in general — and it means a lot to my sentimental little soul, so these films hold a special place in my heart since they evoke the season so beautifully. ♡ Let's go in chronological order of release date to spare me the headache of trying to rank all of these! ⸻ ❀  My Fair Lady (1964)  ❀ The actual love of my life. *blissful sigh*  It's essentially perfect and you can't change my mind.  And it's very springlike:  lots of flowers and frilly dresses and English teas, contrasted with misty nighttime exteriors and rich, warm libraries. ❀  Return to Me (2000)  ❀ So sweet and refreshing and uplifting and funny.  The springtime vibes are gentle an...

"Aww."  "Aww." What-ho, all!  I'm currently participating in not one, but two delightful, romantical online events:  Cordy's Lovely Blog Party and Heidi's Valentine's Day Period Drama Party .  As such, it is my plain duty to fill out the tags that both ladies have so graciously provided.  Let's begin! ⸻ ❀  Cordy's Questions   ❀ Would you ever go for a walk in the pouring rain to avoid the company of a gentleman caller? Oh, I absolutely would.  The lengths to which I will go to avoid encountering someone I do not wish to see are truly remarkable.   (And that's not even a tiny bit sarcastic.  I have been known to resort to tactics which could even be termed deceitful.) these are precisely the awkward sorts of situations we wish to avoid , people. Would you ever, truly, try your hand at matchmaking? I guess it depends on your definition of matchmaking.  Would I manipulate logistics and what-not to encourage favorable tete-a-tetes...

[If you don't know, Cynthia is a character in Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters .  I have read the book, but only once, so this discussion will be exclusively informed by my multiple viewings of the 1999 mini-series adaptation (which happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time ).  Cynthia is a somewhat complex and somewhat controversial figure: both flirtatious and reserved, both selfish and thoughtful, both reactive and contemplative.] Before we get started, let's recap the plot of the story real quick: Molly Gibson's father decides to remarry after several years of widowhood.  His new wife, also a widow, brings her own daughter (Cynthia) into the union.  All four come together under the same roof after the wedding and must adjust to the initially jarring integration of their lives. The stepsisters bond quickly, but Cynthia is apparently harboring a distressing secret (O_o).  This mystery threatens the reputations and futures of all ...

This list was actually even harder to compile than my favorite fictional heroes .  And I feel even more compelled to say: This list is as accurate as I can make it to this specific moment in time; it may easily change tomorrow. ;)  The ranking was harder this time, too.  It changed a lot and I'm still not sure.  Some of them are real close. Also, yes: There are two different Cinderellas on this list.  There was only going to be one, but then I remembered Danielle and poor Leslie Knope got bumped off the roster. *shrugs*  What are you gonna do. (I still love you, Leslie.) #10. Jane Eyre { Jane Eyre } "Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be.  If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?  They have a worth ⎼ so I have always believed . ...

My splendoriferous friend Katie tagged me for this (thanks a bunch, Katie! ♥), and I was really excited to answer her questions. :D  Let's get right into it! What’s one genre you used to avoid, but now love?  Memoir, actually!  I never used to read any non-fiction at all other than devotional/religious books or assigned reading for school, but lately I've discovered that I can really enjoy real people relating their real stories.  I don't tend to like biography or autobiography as much, but something about the intimacy ⎼ the visceral intimacy, in some cases ⎼ of memoirs does appeal to me. Have you ever liked a movie adaptation better than the book? Which book? Why?   *snorts* Have I ever . . . ALL THE TIME.  I've actually watched adaptations before reading the original material more often than I've done the reverse.  Often I end up liking the book and the movie about equally, but for different reasons.  Currently, however...

This is fairly self-explanatory. ;) {However, I will point out that, as usual, The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia don't make this list because they're kind of on this whole "other plane," in my mind, when it comes to fictional stories.  This list is for those movies that I watch regularly and am almost always in the mood for.  (And they're in no order. ;))} ✾ The Swan Princess ✾ How come? childhood nostalgia gorgeous animation SONGSSSSS <3 This Is My Idea :   "What if Odette doesn't go for the merger?"   "Urge her!!!" Far Longer than Forever No Fear , etc. CHARACTERSSSSSS <3 <3 Jean-Bob, Mr. Lorenzo Trudge-along ("Friends call me Speed"), Puffin, Odette, Derek (bless his heart), Uberta, Rothbart, Rogers . . .  also, for the record, those names ^^ witty lines "I'm gonna die; I knew it!  I'm on a mission with a lame turtle! " "You should write a boo...