Thursday, January 12, 2017

Outgoing Austen Mail!

I've Been Busy....


Here is some of my recent Outgoing Austen Mail.  I am very behind on my letter writing, but I am slowly getting caught up.  Once I get started, I can hardly stop, it is so much fun!  I love every aspect of it, from the reading of YOUR letter , from  selecting/or making my stationery, penning a response, to making a lovely envelope...I love it all.



I even decided, during our snow storm, to burn the midnight oil.  It was so cozy sitting at my desk while snow was falling softly outside.  I love this desk, it is one of 5 that we have in our home.  But this is my favorite one.  Writing by candlelight is one of the most relaxing activities one can do.  Give it a try.




Here is a long overdue letter to Lady Anna.  She has been so patient and is such  a lovely correspondent.
It is going across  the pond to the great UK!


Tied with twine, sealed with wax.    I put these letters into clear cello bags.



This letter has a page from Pride and Prejudice...Nina, see if you can figure WHY I chose this particular scene out of P&P for you!  (Think of it as a bit of a riddle, but it is based on something you revealed to me in your last letter...about a Mr. Darcy!)


Lady Anna, Lady Alaina, Lady Nina, and Lady Virginia....these are on their way to your mail boxes.



If you have written me, I will be working on a response to you as well.

Write Letter ,
Write Often.

Lady Pamela



Winter Pen Friend Sign Ups NOW


Deadline For Winter Pen Friend Exchange:

Monday Janurary 16th,  2017




Just a reminder that the Winter Pen Friend Exchange will be winding up as far as sign ups go on this coming Monday, 1/16/17.  After that there will be a waiting list.  Here is a link to the application that must be filled out  and information for joining the Society.

So what would Jane do?  Why she would join the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society, of course!!!!

Don't Delay!

Lady Pamela

Friday, January 6, 2017

The Art Of Keeping Warm







The Art of Keeping Warm, Literary--ily Speaking!









The east coast, and possibly much of the country is under a storm warning...we may get up to 8 inches of snow.  I know, I know...you folks in the north and midwest are crying out at a mere 8 inches.   However, Richmond IS the gateway to the SOUTH!  It shouldn't be that cold here!  So it is time to break out the socks!  And not ANY socks will do... especially when these gorgeous Jane Austen quotation socks are available!









I had to grab my "Emma" from my 16 year old son's room.  Yes you heard that correctly, my 16 year old son is taking British literature and was assigned to read Emma last semester.  He was nearly finished with the book when we decided to watch the  1996 Gwyneth Paltrow movie together.  He absolutely loved it, and it cleared up some of the nuances  of language that he wasn't quite getting by reading.  Actually, I didn't know he laid hold of  my favorite edition....the edges are curled a bit, but that is a SMALL price to pay to have a 16 year old boy read Austen!  


The Jane Austen Quote on the sock reads:  "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like 
reading." Jane Austen  

I couldn't agree more!


Teavana White Chocolate Peppermint Tea (to die for, delicious!)

After taking this picture....I had to grab a mug and fill it to the brim to warm my hands.  That is the down side to living in a 100 year old Virginian farm house.  So grab your socks, hot beverage, a favorite Jane Austen Book and hunker down...that's the art of staying warm!


Stay warm!

Write Letters 
Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Winter Pen Friend Sign Ups Happening NOW!


Customized  Literary Pen Friends...

It IS possible!!!






It is time for the WINTER  Pen Friend Exchange!  This is where I personally select a pen friend for you based on your completed application.  The application (see the menu bar at the top of this page to access the form) allows me to match you according to your preferences.  This is not a perfect system, but I do try my best.

If you have participated in the Pen Friend Exchange before, please be so kind as to send me your application again, it just makes it easier for me.  
  
Directions:  1. Fill out  the "application form" (at the top of the page, menu bar) --don't forget to take the "Which Jane Austen Heroine  Are You?" quiz which is located in the side bar of this blog. This will help you fill out the application form, question #9.  2.Then  copy the completed application and paste it into an email. Send the completed application form to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com.  The deadline for applications is:  January 16th, 2016.
I will be monitoring my email box :  JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing the applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but I hope to start working on them this week.    You will be notified of your pen friend after the January deadline.  It usually takes me close to a week to get it all worked out.  :-).  I do this the old fashioned way...someday I'll have to do a blog post on this process, as I really amaze myself that it all works out so well.  Try to be as specific about yourself as possible in the application...this allows me to better match you, but also remember that we all must be flexible too.  Many of you want international pen friends, but sometimes I run short of those applicants.  If I run into a real problem, I will usually notify you per email.
  
IMPORTANT!!!!
  
There are a couple of new questions on the Pen Friend Application Form.  I would like to highlight question # 12 :  Do you enjoy writing letters, and would you be willing to commit to writing a Pen Friend over the next 4 months?  ______________________________

As in any letter writing society, there is an element of commitment involved.  I do understand that life events happen.  I do understand that we sometimes over commit and  then need to pull out of commitments.  So, all that being said, I would like for you to understand your commitment before sending in your application.  I do not want this to become burdensome  to anyone, however, if someone you agree to write, sends you a letter, please be courteous enough to reply.  I would  also like to be so bold as to say, over the course of 4 months, let's try to send at least 1 letter a month over this Pen Friend exchange.  I really do not think that this is too much, do you ?   So, if you don't think your schedule will allow you to send  at least 1 letter a month, please refrain from joining the society  at this point.  Your schedule may free up in the future, and we would be more than happy to have you join then.  Of course, you may send as MANY letters as you like , I am just trying to establish a minimum, so as not to disappoint our members.  After you are matched with your customized Pen Friend, you will receive their email address, at this point it would be good to establish your expectations with your pen friend.  If for any reason you run into a life emergency and must withdraw from the Society, please notify your Pen Friend, AND myself as soon as possible.  I do keep a waiting list running to help in these situations.  
  
One final note, I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I promote the elegant aspect of letter writing (I love vintage items connected to letter writing) , it is to by no means eliminate people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, and love to discuss literary classics (particularly Jane Austen!), you are more than welcome!  If you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills,  still consider  joining the society, to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

Visit my Etsy Store for  my Jane Austen themed letter Writing kits, and other Jane Austen themed snail mail supplies!

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Lady Pamela