Literary Heroine Blog Party...

I thought I would take a few moments to participate in Kellie's sweet blog party - the Literary Heroine Blog Party...

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    Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

  

I love to be called by my full name, Kelly-Anne...  I am eighteen years old, a sister to five sweet girls, and a daughter to two wonderful Bible believing parents.

 

While somewhat of a country girl and and homebody at heart, I enjoy shopping excursions to town on the odd occasion in search of lovely fabrics or scrapbooking papers or simply to have tea at a favourite tea shop with my mom or a friend...

I have a passion for all things pretty, crafty, shabby, vintage and pink, and I spend many delightful hours in my cosy sewing room creating lovely things for Heartmade, the business I run with my  mother and sister, or making a few lovely cards for some sweet friends...

I recently began sewing some of my own clothing and I find immense pleasure in making something to suit me and my unique style... 

My idea of happiness is...  Beautiful ribbons, delicate vintage tea cups, sending and receiving letters by post, the art of beautiful handwriting, period dramas, heavenly music, gorgeous fabric, bouquets of fresh flowers, a feminine outfit and tea with a sweet friend...  

Oh, and I have to add blogging and meeting such sweet kindred spirits to that list as well!

Jesus is the Lord of my life and my greatest desire is to live so that I may please Him in all I do...  I may not know what it is He has planned for me yet, but I rest in knowing His plans are perfect and His ways are good...  

    What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 

 She is courageous, yet soft and gentle...  She is strong in her faith in God and encourages others through her own example...  

She is kind, compassionate and loving, and extends her arms to the poor and the forgotten.  

She is neither selfish nor vain, yet her dress represents the picture of modest loveliness and her face simply glows with the love and joy in her heart - this is what gives her true beauty!

While she may not lead a very successful or highly recognized life in the eyes of the world, she is a true heroine because she does what the Lord has given her to do with a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

    Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 

Dear Meg from Little Women...  I can relate to this adorable character because she too is the oldest sister, loves pretty things and enjoys and dreams about the sweet delights of being a young woman, such as dressing up and attending balls...

However, she is not perfect, and how many hours she spends learning what it means to be content and happy!

...I admire Molly Gibson from Wives and Daughters for her bravery and quiet nature...  She doesn't push anyone into anything, but rather  waits patiently and hopes...   She is also very loyal, a wonderful daughter and a special friend to many people, both young and old.

    Five of your favorite historical novels? 

 

Christy by Catharine Marshall

 The Curate of Glaston by George MacDonald

Emma by Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

    Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why? 

Christy Huddleston from Christy!  This young woman is extremely brave and intent on keeping God at the very centre of her life in the midst of her rather new and challenging surroundings... She gave up everything that a young woman of her age ought to strive for and went in search of what she felt God calling her to...

    Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 

I love so many characters, it is indeed not a very easy choice!  However, I truly love Laurie from Little Women - he is so boyish, full of fun and such a dear brotherly friend to the March girls...

    If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

Well, I think I would most probably start in Europe and I would take my mom and sister along...

Let's see...I would first go to France and visit all the historical places I've read about such as the...Eiffel Tower, and then have a delicious breakfast of croissants and coffee at one of those charming little street cafes...  

Then I would like to go to Italy, beginning in the the picturesque countryside of Tuscany... I would then go to Venice and sit on the water's edge and enjoy some lovely artisan bread and cheese and watch the world go by...  

From there I would go to England and visit some dear friends of mine, stop at the amazing craft shops I've always dreamed of visiting - and perhaps meet Jamie Oliver:).

    What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

Life in Europe during the the late 1800's...  I love to imagine myself is a young lady of that era...   The dresses and the balls just delight me!  

However, I am pretty content just where I am right now...after all, I wouldn't have the blessing and opportunity of meeting you, dear blog friends!

    You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation, tap dancing… what is your act comprised of? 

I would probably either play my wooden treble recorder and have my sister accompany me on piano, or I would play cello and have my sister play on violin.  We would play a few simple duets...:)

    If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 

 Oh, I think I would be darling Meg from Little Women!  She is so cute!

    Favorite author(s)? 

Louisa May Alcott ~ she writes with much motherly wisdom and her characters are real and truly relateable and lovable...

Elizabeth Gaskell ~ she explores many interesting subjects and her stories are beautifully woven together...

L.M. Montgomery ~ Her writing is so delightful!  And her charcters are such interesting people who lead uinteresting lives.

George MacDonald ~ His stories are rich and deep and focused on the wonder and awesomeness of God and His forgiveness...

    In which century were most of the books you read written? 

  

I read many different books set in different centuries...

 

    In your opinion, the ultimate hero in all literature is… 

In my humble opinion it would most certainly be dear Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables - he is fun, smart....and handsome!

Second would be Arthur Clennam from Little Dorrit - he is a true gentleman with a wonderfully generous and compassionate heart!

    In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 

 It would be Willoughby from Sense and Sensibility and the scary frenchman, Rigaud, from Little Dorrit!

    Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

An old country cottage in the heart of English countryside...  Green pastures with a beautiful flower garden where I could pick bunches of beautiful flowers for my home on a daily basis...  

A bountiful vegetable garden and cows in the distant field; a sleek chestnut mare awaiting a gallop in the countryside...  

...Quaint tea shops just down the lane as well as a post office like the one in Larkrise to Candleford where I could pop handwritten notes in the mail to my dear loved ones and invite them all to tea... 

    Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. 

 Feminine ~ skirts and peasant tops (don't forget the puffed sleeves!) in all shades of pinks, dangly earrings and wedge sandals...

    Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

I can't say I read too much non-fiction...  I don't suppose sewing books count, do they? Um...recipe books then?

    Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 

...Either creating something lovely in my sewing room or making cards with pretty papers...  

Or I'd spend the afternoon browsing through a craft, material, home or second hand store...  

I love vintage finds and all things beautiful for the home!  I'm also a passionate crafter, so selecting a few new craft supplies would be so delightful!

...Then I would meet a dear friend for tea and cake at a gorgeous shop and chat about all our favourite things...

    Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 

...A cream coloured, wide-brimmed straw hat decorated with fresh pink roses from my garden and lace and ribbons...  I love the simplicity of this hat and would most likely wear it all day...

    Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 

Starting my own business in July 2014 was a big step for me...  Thus far I've experienced many wonderful challenges, successes and failures!

    Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my right hand."  ~ Isaiah 41:10

And......there you are!  I had such a lovely time answering all Kellie's delightful and interesting questions!  

I do hope my dear readers enjoyed this too - be sure to visit Kellie's blog, Accordion to Kellie for some more blog party loveliness! 

And do you know, I've just been inspired to read a lot more...my sister has a wonderful list of historical books that I think I would enjoy as well - I will have to keep you updated on my progress!

~ May your day be perfectly splendid, dearest readers! ~