Birthday Joy! (the aliens have returned me to Earth)

She's alive! She's alive! No, I have not been abducted by aliens or joined a weird goat-worshipping cult. Although I do adore goats! Hmm, perhaps I should start a weird goat-worshipping cult. Anybody want to join? Anyway, I've been feeling quite uninspired lately and I just haven't had the energy to do much at all. I really wanted to have a birthday post, so I've been working on this post for a few days typing a little bit here and there. 

Mr. Wing-It bought me too many presents, so I will only show you my favorite one or else this post will be too Tolstoyan in length. I wanted a watch with a timer and an alarm, and Mr. Wing-it bought me the most-awesome-watch-ever! It's pink, it's black, and it rocks! How have I survived this long without a timer to keep me from burning food, over-rising yeast doughs, missing the Ellen DeGeneres show...

Timex Marathon. Isn't it the coolest watch ever? 

My next present was a gift from me. I bought myself the Lost in Austen DVDs. Ever heard of it? It's a four-episode TV show about a modern-day woman that swaps places with Elizabeth Bennett.

Lost in Austen DVDs and all of my Jane Austen books.
Studious Bear photobomb.

If you are a Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice fan you will LOVE this show! Unless you're an Austen purist, then who knows. You might hate it. The show is about a woman living in today's London, who is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and very disillusioned with real life and its lack of romance. Amanda Price finds Elizabeth Bennett in her bathroom, who shows her a door that will lead her into the Bennett's house, and into the story of Pride and Prejudice where she will be stuck. Amanda arrives just at the beginning of the story and she tries to make sure that everything that is supposed to happen, happens according to the book. Of course her mere presence changes everything and nothing seems to be like it should. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is stuck in modern London (we don't see much of her), so what is Amanda to do to get her and Darcy to fall in love?

The characters are exquisite! Amanda is very Bridget Jones-ish and charming as could be. The actress (Jemima Rooper) was well cast and she is extremely lovable. If Darcy appeared rude and rigid in the book, then prepare yourself for something very dreadful. This Mr. Cranky Pants is even more insufferable! Yes, there is "the water scene."

Jane is lovely, and her story is greatly affected by Amanda's presence. Lydia is not the annoying little brat that she is in the book. She is actually very sweet. Kitty and Mary are not a big part of the story, but the girls are adorable.

Mr. Bennett (Hugh Bonneville) is Amanda's ally, but Mrs. Bennett (Alex Kingston!!!) is not her biggest fan.

Bingley is quite the bimbo, and the interactions between him and Amanda are hilarious. During one of their conversations there is a subtle reference to Jane Austen's "Emma", which you will definitely notice it if you have read that book. Miss Bingley is delightfully arrogant, and let's just say that she will reveal something quite surprising about herself.

If you thought Mr. Collins was odious, then you will find him even more repulsive here. This version of the character is downright disgusting! If you watch this, you can finish this sentence: at least Charlotte Lucas...

Lady Catherine de Bourgh is not so evil. She won't win the Miss Congeniality award any time soon, but she is definitely less rigid and more interesting.

Mr. Wickham steals the show! He is far less evil and much more mischievous than his book-self. Georgiana Darcy's story will surprise you.

There are people who didn't enjoy this show but I certainly wasn't one of them. Apparently they are now making a Lost in Austen movie directed by Sam Mendez. If I had the energy, I would do a celebratory cartwheel right now. Well, I don't know how to do cartwheels but I would at least try!

The next present is also something I bought myself: it's Veganomicon! No, I did not have it. The first recipe I made? Chocolate cookies, of course!

Chocolate-chocolate chip walnut cookies with cashews.

Baked potato and greens soup with potato-wedge croutons.
All soups should have a potato-wedge crouton stuck in them. Or two, like mine here.

Not from Veganomicon but one of our meals from last week that I really want to mention - Jessy's butter bean burgers. We had them breaded and topped with goodies and they were fantastic. Jessy is the Butter Bean Queen!

So, there you have it. This was a really good birthday and I'm even OK with not being in my 20s anymore. I can live with the couple of gray hairs (this means four) that have grown right in the middle of the top of my head.

Happy March to everyone!