Downton Abbey Exhibition in NYC!

This photo is obviously photoshopped, but oh how we wish it was the real thing! Experiencing "Downton Abbey" this past weekend in New York was the closest thing to experiencing the fashion, the history and the house! I have been a fan of Downton since the show aired on my birthday in 2010! My daughters have been re-watching the show when they have downtime from school, and they love it! We have laughed, cried, squirmed and winced while watching certain episodes. They are huge anglophiles, and love everything British! 

Catching Up With Downton.

Being without a car has it perks, and because we strive to refrain from media on Sundays I wasn't able to watch Downton Abbey as faithfully as I would in the past. Last year I watched it six months early because of a website I found that was airing episodes of various shows ahead of their premiere date. Downton Abbey happened to be listed on shows to watch before it aired in the beginning of that year, and I was pleased as punch! I watched all of season four during the week as opposed to Sundays. Well...when season five began I only watched the first two episodes on Sunday, and that was it. Sundays for my family are pretty busy, so we hardly ever watch tv. We try to refrain from any technology, but every now and then I will turn on the tube in the evening for a little relaxation (and of course Skype with my daughter out west). That's when I watched the first two episodes, but when you have firesides to attend, baptisms held in the evening, dinner appointments with the missionaries, church meetings, or in my case traveling to different wards for unit conference time flies, and you're pretty exhausted when all that is over. All you want to do when you get home is spend time with your family, and then go to bed. 

Since I haven't had a car for the past few weeks I decided to catch up on watching all of season five of Downton Abbey this past week, and even watched past seasons. Downton is definitely my drama especially in the winter time, and I have loved it since the day it first made its debut! I also managed to accomplish a little bit of family history, called my mom more, wrote lots of letters, and caught up on some scrapbooking! It's pretty amazing what you can accomplish when you're stuck at home not being able to go anywhere because of not having a car. It's been quite nice actually, and it has also made me focus more on the things that are important. It's been a nice break, but I know once we get a car all that will change. I'll be back to carpooling the children around, driving myself to the store on my own instead of someone else taking me, driving to the places I need to go instead of using my two feet. It has been really nice walking around, because it really gives you time to ponder about things as you're out and about. I know for Lexie she has really enjoyed walking home from school. She's a runner to begin with, and so she doesn't mind walking. Even in the cold! Crazy girl. 

So...instead of stressing over car rides, and who's going to take us here, and there it has been quite nice being able to be "stuck" at home not being bothered, and catching up on some worldly television shows and spiritual things! It really makes you appreciate things (including the telly) a whole lot!  

Until next season Downton. 

Downton Abbey is my drama.

Being facebook friends with Downton Abbey has its pros and cons. Pros because you get to read what is new for Downton such as new actors, who's leaving the show, when it should be airing in the US, etc., and cons such as residents from the United Kingdom talking about episodes that haven't even aired yet in the U.S., hence spoiling it for those who haven't seen them. 

Well...you don't have to worry about that with me because I don't give out spoiler alerts!

So yesterday around noon I found a link to watch season four of Downton and I was excited!! I immediately logged onto the website, and tada...there were the first four episodes of Downton Abbey online begging to be clicked by my little finger! I was happy to have found it at the right time while the kids were at school (Lexie can watch them later.) All was quiet in the house except for Noah who could have easily watched them with me, but it's kind of hard to keep a toddler still on a chair while watching a show on a mac.

My solution...

Since Noah has been wanting Christmas for a week now I asked him what movie he wanted to watch and he said "Polar Express." I didn't care and so I put that sucker in. So while he watched his movie I tuned into my Downton Abbey episodes without any interruptions.

I love Downton. I will always remember the first time I saw the first episode in 2011, and how I had to brag about it on my little blog. There is something about these Edwardian shows that make you want to go back in time and live in it. It would be nice to live on a posh country estate in Europe having my own footmen, maids, and cooks to wait on me. I wouldn't need a nanny because I can nurture my kids on my own! 

If you're a Dickens, or Jane Austen fan, and haven't watched this series you need to get out and catch up. It is handsomely produced, and enjoyable to watch. It is riveting, and if you like hokey melodrama this is your show. It kind of reminds me of the series Upstairs Downstairs which aired in the 70's which i need to finish watching!!

All I will say is this. Lady Mary is slowly adjusting to Matthew's death, and is improving. The episodes so far are pretty good...except for the third one. Terribly sad. Anyway I look forward to watching the rest of season four before 2014! 

And then I will watch it again on PBS on January 5th, and eventually purchase Season four on DVD. 

I love me some Downton Abbey, and that is the drama in my life! 

Indeed a classic...Downton Abbey

"No one tells you about raising daughters. You think it'll be like Little Women, and instead they're at each others' throats."

~Cora, Countless of Grantham

Today I have to say that I am grateful for the internet, and for the ability that I have to be able to watch Downton Abbey on our mac. Due to a baptism and giving our full attention to both of our girls birthdays this past Sunday we missed the second episode. I love masterpiece theatre, and there are so many great shows on there. I have to say that this show has got to be my favorite of all time, and will be classified as a 'favorite classic' inside our movie drawer at home. I have a penchant for history, and I love watching anything that was filmed back in the 1800-1900's. If you like movies like "Titanic", "Pride and Prejudice", or anything that deals with war drama...this is your show to watch. 

This show is about a family of five who are waited on hand and foot by all of these servants.

The servants at Downton Abbey

 Although they live in luxury, they are also a humble family...all except this one daughter, Mary, in which she comes off as a bit of a snob. She is slowly beginning to show a little bit of humility. I still love her though! 

Lady Mary

They are all very cordial to all their servants, and I have to say that Anna, and  Mr. Bates are my favorites.  I sure hope that they will end up committing to each other no matter what resistance they face. 

The wonderful Mr. Bates, and lovely Anna

Like every other MP theatre classic...there always lies a mystery. The fact that this family has three daughters (just like me) gets me more enthralled in watching it. They all have totally different personalities, and each have a different view in life, and how to go about on living it. They also have the most fabulous clothes. Sometimes I wish I could live back in that era where life seemed so simple, and everyone showed modesty in the way that they dressed, as well as their mannerisms.

Sisters-Sybil, Mary, & Edith

Having an actress like Elizabeth McGovern play their mother (Cora) is wonderful! I haven't quite followed her acting career since I saw her in She's Having a Baby, and seeing her in Downton Abbey sure brings back fond memories of her in that movie.

The grandmother played by one of my most favorite actresses of all time, Maggie Smith has a spunky, and bold character. I love her dry sense of humor, and that imperious stare that she gives, much like her character in Harry Potter.

I love this show, and wish they had more than seven episodes. I even heard they might convert it into a movie. If you have ever watched MP theatre on PBS...this is the show to watch. I promise you'll get hooked. 

You still have time to watch Season one and the last two episodes of season two HERE.