Literary Heroine Blog Party

Hey ya'll, 

If you've been following my blogging, then you would have read/seen this post.  Here are (as promised) my answers to these Questions . :-)  Have fun reading through them; there are a lot! 

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

Hi!  My name is Sarah - though, "could you please call me Cordelia?"  
I enjoy baking, crocheting, knitting, running (though I'm not really that fast), dancing ("even when one's partner is barely tolerable."), teaching Sunday school (this truly is a JOY), spending time with my family, and READING! Something random? I've always wanted a cool, clever nick-name. But with my name, one never really stuck.   
My life vision?  The highest calling of honor there is - to be wife and mother.  

If you know me at all, then you know that I quote Anne of Green Gables and Pride & Prejudice quite often, hence the quotes. ;-) 

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

She is a gentle and graceful creature.  She is someone who, when she opens her mouth, sings songs of Praise to her Maker, even during the hardest times of her life.  When the storm is raging, her spirit and faith are calm.  Her words are softer than a newborns skin and yet she has the strength to move mountains.  Proverbs 31:10-31 is my ultimate heroine.  

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

 I believe I relate to Anne Surely,and Elizabeth Bennet the most... 

     

And I admire most ardently, Margret Hale.

4. Five of your favorite historical novels? 

1. North and South 
2. Pride & Prejudice 
3. The Count of Monte Cristo, 
4. Little Women 
5. Keturah and Lord Death

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? 

Marmee from Little Women.  This quote is just one reason why I adore Marmee.
"I gave my best to the country I love, kept my tears till he was gone.  Why should I complain, when we both have merely done our duty and will surely be the happier for it in the end?  If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me.  My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one.  The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom.  His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, buy may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength.  Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidently as you come to your mother." 

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

Lord Death from Keturah and Lord Death.  Some will say that he wasn't the best part of the book, but he was in my mind.  He's mysterious, handsome (even though the book really doesn't describe his features that much), and just so...*sighs* you just need to read the book. 

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

I've been blessed with two amazingly wonderful, God-given parents who gave all their children (and I count this one of my dream vacations) a trip to Italy!  It was one of the most - if no the most exciting trips of my life.  But if I had to plan another one...where to go, where to go?  Ah!  I have always thought that traveling the Oregon Trail would be not only fun, but really educational.  That, or travel to Europe and explore old castle's with just a a few candle's and my Knight.  Maybe swing by Pemberley (the real name is Lyme Park) while I'm in England as well. *winks*

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

 Time period would have to be the 17th and 18th century. My favorite culture to read about would have to be Biblical and American History.  Does that count?

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

Singing and dancing - mostly dancing for me because I think I could break a mirror with my voice, and that's NOT a complement!  Then I would choose a seance from one of my all-time favorite musicals, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".  Then the seance I would pick to preform would be "Goin' Courtin'''.  It's clean, funny and 100% entertaining!

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

Surely it would have to be miss Margret Hale from North and South.  This was my most recent read and it is now my most treasured!  I love her wit and bravery.  Plus, she waited over 3 years for her someone...talk about a slow burn.

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 

It must be dark (like 70%), and with peanut butter. Now, do you have any on you right now that you are willing to share with me? *winks*

12. Favorite author(s)?

C.S. Lewis, Elisabeth Elliot, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell (my new favorite author); just to name a few.  

13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

I don't think that I am adventurous enough to just go off to a foreign land.  But if I was adventurous, the things I would take would be: my husband (if I am married by then; if not, then maybe a willing sister would volunteer), my Bible, a good camera, lots of note books and journals, colored pens, bottled water, and sweet potato chips. :-) 

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

The 19th and 20th century.

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 

To be fair, I've not read all of literature.  So I would have to pick a hero from a book I've already read and so, I choose Abbe` Faria, from the Count of Monte Christo.  He helps Edmond Dantes in all areas of his life and points him in the Right direction.  He helps Edmond overcome his hate for the man who betrayed him.

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

A comfortable home with a library, fireplace, kitchen, and bathroom!  Outside I would LOVE to have my own garden so that I could plant and grow my own food. :-)  Pretty simple.

17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

Modest, affordable, elegant (I like to think that I dress elegantly), and comfortable!

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 

In a book or a movie?  I guess it doesn't matter.  Ummm, no I don't think I'd want to change a character's name.  I say that because once you've read about that certain person, their name has become who they are - whether it be a nice name like John Thornton or a silly name like Fanny Price (I'm not a fan of the name Fanny, but I would never dream of changing it!).  That is who they are and I don't think I could live with myself knowing that I changed the name of Elizabeth Bennet.  You see?

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

The one who comes to mind is the Count de Morcerf, a.k.a Fernand Mondego, from The Count of Monte Cristo.  He had such an evil hate and jealously for his only friend that it ruled his life, and in the end, killed him.  

20. Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

1. The Holy Bible
2. Let Me Be A Women
3. Passion & Purity

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

By reading a good book, soaking up the sun (with some form of sun-protection, of course!), talking a walk by a river (that may sound a little far-fetched, but hey!), or by simply doing nothing.  Those moments are rare indeed. 

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

This is hard for me.  Let's see...
I like wide-brimmed hats, so something that I could wear to the Kentucky Derby.  It would be classic and bright; with touches of soft pink and purple.  Something kinda like this:  

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

God brought me to it; then He brought me through it.  There has been SO much that has happened in the past year - so very, very much.  There IS good news about that though:   God is good.  He always has been and will always will be good.  I can rest in knowing that.

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

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

"O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.  For his merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the LORD." Psalm 117

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit" John 15:16

I hope that ya'll enjoyed this, for I certainly writing them down - well, typing them down. :p

Come join the fun!  Click here. 

Blessings in His Holy Name,
Sarah