Monday, February 18, 2013

Denton Abbey Inn and Downton Abbey Out



We spent the past week with our daughter and son-in-law in Texas. It was good to see them and also to spend a little time in a land with no snow. On the flight from Mpls, Kevin looked out the window and said the snow line was at Faribault, MN. Hardly seems fair. So close, and yet we've got so much snow and temps well below zero degrees F.

BUT, as the Dowager Countess says, 'Stop whining and find something to do,' I'll proceed with the explanation of the above mosaic:

Top Row, L-R:
Our son-in-law's feet. It's what happens when you work at Reaper too long.
Our daughter and our son-in-law, the 'public consumption' photo (he doesn't let just anyone see his feet) at her office at UNT
At the Atomic Candy Store on the Denton square.
Lots of old time candy, everything from Necco wafers (my favorite!) to Slo Poke suckers (used to remove dental fillings).

Middle Row, L-R:
Paul
Berries on a tree in their yard - I've no idea what they are, but they're not grapes.
Denton County Court House
Kevin & Judy (proof that Scandinavians don't die; they just fade away) at Abbey Inn (not quite Brit's Pub in Minneapolis, but nice. And they're new, so we'll have to give them a little time to catch up.)

Bottom Row, L-R:
Angela's SmartCar, which Kevin and I got to borrow one day - parked at Recycled Books.
Holly & Berries hedge
Hector & Boots
Reading enjoyment (Dorothy L. Sayers and Rick Steves)

Downton Abbey Recap:

Okay, this is it. When I watched that episode, relieved to see Mary and Matthew happy at last and everything going right with the birth of their son, I was so disgusted at the extremely unhappy ending. Julian Fellowes, how could you! I washed my hands of the whole thing. I swore I'd never watch another episode!  

(at least until another episode is available).

Then again, when someone wants to leave the show, I suppose there's no choice but to write them out of the script somehow.

I did love the Highlands scenes, but I wonder where Fellowes thinks he's going with this new rabbit trail involving Rose. Any thoughts on that?

What about Edith? Does this new relationship remind anyone else of Jane Eyre or Rebecca?

So please, share all your thoughts on this Season Three wrap-up. We'd love to hear them!

I think there's a Season Four in the works. Think there will be a Season Five? What are you expecting to happen?

While I'm waiting for Season Four to arrive, I think I'll watch Bleak House. It's time for a nice, dark Dickens' story with that great character, Mr. Tulkinghorn. And how did he pop into my mind?? Remember Rebecca? There is a connection, I promise.

And my favorite, Mr. Smallweed.

bbc.co.uk

'Shake me up, Judy!'

***


'Oh, Matthew!'
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29 comments:

Samantha said...

I'm looking forwards to season 4 too, it's due to begin filming this month I think. :)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i must say i am angry & did not sleep well after that ending - but don't think i could walk away completely. i will have to see what will happen next? i can not just let it go like that.

enjoy the week. ( :

Terri D said...

I knew, as soon as I saw Matthew speeding along, that he would be gone. Sure enough. I suppose they have to shake it up somehow. Matthew's death and Rose showing up will certainly shake things up!! Of course we will watch season four!! I'm anxiously awaiting season two of Call The Midwife, which starts again at the end of March. It's another great BBC show!

Glad you had a good, snow-free, trip. Love the photo mosaic! I've missed you, though, so happy to see your post this morning!! Welcome home!

Unknown said...

Why is he killing off the good ones??? I knew that Matthew was going to be written out though, because he asked to be let out of his contract to pursue other acting opportunities.
But couldn't he have gotten amnesia or something and gotten lost for a couple of years lol?
I think Edith's going to become a bigger than life Publisher down the road - wealthier than all of them put together........and I'm hoping Mrs. Hughes and Carson end up admitting they should stop all this silliness and just get married or is that just too much love for the show - there was certainly a lot of flirting going on with the cast in the final episode!!!
Another year, really???
My biggest gripe!
Spaced out far too long......
XXX

MadSnapper said...

love the silly feet and the pic of you and hubby and that smart car..

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

Welcome back! I loved seeing your pics and know you had a great time!

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I'd seen a spoiler about Matthew, but it still was a shock and so sad. I hate that they will most likely turn Mary mean again. I like her softer side we got to see with Matthew :-)

Yenta Mary said...

Welcome back! What fun to see the family photos, to put names and faces together and to "meet" everyone and revisit folks we don't get to see very often (as, unfortunately, you don't get to either) ....

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

We are sad here in our house this morning, too. It was totally unexpected to me! I was worried about the baby being born and got to have a few happy moments before the tragic ending! Now we wait!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

I'm only on season 1 after hearing all you ladies rave I had to go check it out. Hopefully I will be all caught up by season 4! I always love all your photos!!

Ruth Kelly said...

True to everyone else's feelings, I did not like the ending. I just thought that everyone of their girls will have unhappy endings (one is dead, the other a widow and bad choices ahead for Edith).

Olive said...

I adore Bleak House. The lady who cuts my hair is named Judy and I say "Shake me up Judy" all the time to her. She thinks me odd. I was awfully upset with Julian Fellowes last night. I will continue to watch but goodness gracious! Doom and tragedy doth fall...

Paulette said...

I know that I am in the minority, but I have grown weary of Downton Abbey, in fact, during last night's season finale I fell asleep. This season just didn't hold my attention as did the first two.

Empty Nester said...

The only things I can comment on is your trip and pictures since I don't watch Downton Abbey or Bleak House. Though Bleak House does interest me. I'm so glad y'all had a nice trip and got there and back safe and sound. Your daughter is just as cute as she can be and they look like a couple who knows how to have fun!

Deanna said...

I knew Matthew would be leaving the show so as soon as I saw him in the car I knew what would happen. :( Of course we'll be watching season 4, though. In the meantime I've added the old Upstairs, Downstairs series to my Netflix queue. Must get my Sunday night Anglophile fix, you know.

Jill said...

Sweet pictures! I am so sad at how Downton Abbey ended! Too much unhappiness on that show! Have a lovely week!

Jill

Kim said...

As soon as I saw Matthew smiling and zooming down the road in that convertible I knew he was a goner. Crappy ending! Maybe Mary and Tom the former chauffeur will grieve together......

Judy S. said...

Hi Judy, We've been gone also. Came home through MPLS airport where it was snowing..... I had to rip out most of what I knit during last night's DA. I agree, crummy ending. I wonder if they'll pick up where they left off next season or jump ahead?

Amy Burzese said...

Edith is slowly becoming my favorite character. All my other favorites are being killed off! Looks like a great trip. Glad you are back with us, though.

RURAL said...

I accidentally found a pin a few weeks ago with Mathew, um pinned under the car...sigh. What a spoiler that was, I was in shock.

So I called my sister and asked her why she didn't tell me M was out of it after the recent shock of losing Sybil...she just smirked. Can one smirk over the phone? She's seen the episodes way before me, dirty trick that it is.

I've heard that Season 4 is starting filming soon. Why is it that really well made popular shows are always too short.

Jen

tlcukjourney said...

You were in Texas and didn't come to see me?? :)

Denise said...

Welcome back sweet friend.

Life Happens said...

So glad you had fun with your family in TX.

I still can't believe the ending of Downton Abbey! It's like, who's next??!! I still can't wait for next season though.

laurie said...

Looks like you had a great time! No snow sounds good to me!

Chenille Cottage said...

What a fun post! I enjoyed reading about each one of your mosaic photos. Your daughter and SIL are adorable. And, just who that handsome couple?? Being a huge cat lover...I just delighted in your kitty captures. What a cute little car and in my favorite color, too.

Downton Abbey...What a great series. My husband and I are hooked. We unplugged about four years ago and so we are anxiously waiting for it to come out on Netflix.

Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I love it when you stop by. I only wish I could offer you a cup of tea.
Smiles,
Carolynn xoxo

Chatty Crone said...

I've missed you I am glad you're back.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
Excited to hear more about your trip. We all want to know more about what you thought of driving your daughters car.
How cute and fun. :) The boys would love to try one out.

And aren't you just thrilled to be back and we get hit with a NEGATIVE BIG TIME WIND CHILL!!

:)
Stay Warm, Carla

J_on_tour said...

Wonderful & varied collage of your trip, hope you enjoyed catching up with the family.

Marianne (Mare) Baker Ball said...

I was shocked when Matthew died as well, but I did read that he wanted off the show. It just seemed a bit much after killing off Sybil, who was my fav character. What a show!
from The Dugout

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