ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

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Reading: “Emily of the New Moon”

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When I wrote a post proclaiming my love for ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, Sarah from That Damn Green Dress told me about a series of books I had never heard of. Thank you Sarah! They are by the same author as “Anne of Green Gables,” L.M. Montgomery. The series is about a young girl, Emily. It begins with the first book, EMILY OF NEW MOON.

I found my edition at the used book store for $2. I loved it immediately. I also purchased the DVD version for $7 from Amazon. I cannot wait to watch it!

I must sit down and read LITTLE WOMEN once a year. It takes me back to a time when people seemed so genuine and proud. There were no such things as the travesties of “booty shorts” or “fast food.” This book reminded me of Louise Alcott’s writing mixed with the magic of Rahl Dahl.

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The book is beautiful. The language is flowery and transportive. Where else will you read the word peccadillo? I vow to use the word as soon as I make a mistake. Which, hopefully will not be soon.

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Here are some quotes I enjoyed:

“Sometimes I’ve been afraid that she would get so far ahead of me in the ways of eternity that I’d never catch up.”…Isn’t that so eloquent? I think that this is a thought all spouses have in worrying or dealing with their partner passing.

“Really-truly fairies?” she questioned.

“Why, you know, if a fairy was really-truly it wouldn’t be a fairy,” said Uncle Jimmy seriously. “Could it, now?”

“Emily allowed them all to enter the outer court of her temple of friendship but only Rhoda was admitted to the inner shire.”

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I was so fascinated with this book, that I googled the author. I felt such a kinship to her, even though she passed away decades before I was born. How sad her real life was. I wish I could have known her and befriended her. I feel as though we both have witnessed the world through the same misty tilted glasses prescribed by a doctor who everyone insists does not exist.

I told my husband this book has sealed the deal on us taking a trip to Prince Edward Island when the children are out of the house. It sounds so beautiful and magical. I long to go there.

I cannot wait to read the other two books. I purchased them used from Amazon. I am pacing myself, because it is rare to find such treasures. I do not want them to be over. Each page has a sentence or paragraph with a unique view of the world that I have never thought of. I have to look up from the book and soak in some of the amazing sentences. This book represents to me real magic. The magic of one woman’s mind. I cannot recommend it enough.

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Country Girl

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I am wearing Anthropologie’s Nanette dress, that I purchased for my birthday last year, with a denim jacket I bought from the Nordstrom Rack. I love this dress, but I have to layer something over the sleeves. The sleeves on this dress are very unflattering to my arms and so I automatically categorize this dress into the fall/winter spots in my wardrobe (as if I am really that neat to be so organized, but it is cataloged in my head).

The picture of me on the couch has me pairing it with black tights, brown boots, Anthropologie crossed beads belt, and feather earrings from World Market.

My dog, Murphy, is a spazz. He is an attention addict. You cannot sit anywhere without him forcing his way onto you, which quickly goes from adorable to annoying for many people. If I am sitting for a picture, you will notice I will always have a Murphy appendage on my body.

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I am trying to figure out how I can incorporate the high-low hem of some of my clothing with layers. I attempted to pair it with my Free People raw tulle maxi slip. I do not think it works very well. My hair looking like I just rushed from a mad tea party, doesn’t really help with the escaped from the loony bin look.

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I love this outfit! I am wearing Free People Annie Oakley lace skirt, Anthropologie pepin shirt, Target tank, Moroccan belt from a local boutique, vintage boots and Anthropologie Doily Drop earrings.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES was one of my favorite movies of all time and this look is a slightly edgy nod to the series.

We grew up pretty simply in the country. I had been given ANNE OF GREEN GABLES on a cassette tape lovingly recorded by a friend of the family’s as a Christmas present the year before. I would obsessively watch them over and over. I still watch both movies on DVD once a year.

I remember the one and only time our family went to Knotts Berry Farm. It was back when it was not really much of anything, but it was a big deal to our family. It was a long draining day. I do not remember much about it, except my snooty thirteen year old self was not impressed by the park.

On the way out the gate, our family stopped at the gift shop. We browsed a little, but I did not ask for a souvenir. I picked up a pack of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES books and lovingly stroked the covers. I did not know my dad had seen me. I put the books back and we left the store.

My father stopped halfway to the car and said he would be right back and he took off running. We just thought he was making an emergency trip to the restroom. He came back to the car shortly after holding a bag in his hand. He handed it to me and when I opened it, inside were the books I had been eyeing. It was such a sweet and generous gift. It made a huge impact on me. I knew what those books cost and I knew my daddy thought I was worth it.

Looking back on that moment, breaks my heart, because I never got around to reading those books. Being a thirteen year old girl, I moved on to R.L. Stine and V.C. Andrews. The quaint slow paced world of Anne’s did not wiggle its way back into my heart for many more years. By that time, the books were long since misplaced or given away. But that precious gift in the parking lot will be with me always.

Have you read or watched ANNE OF GREEN GABLES? Which outfit is your favorite? Would you let the lady in the second picture in your house?