Downton Abbey - Season 5, Episode 1: A Shaking Of the Ground

Hooray!  Downton Abbey is back.  It's been a long wait between seasons in the U.S.   I'm going to try something different this season.  Instead of full recaps, I'm just going to chat about the show here.  I really enjoy chatting Downton, and hope you will also post your thoughts in the comments section. 

What Happened (The Very Short Version)  

Life at Downton Abbey is changing.  Carson says:  "I feel a shaking of the ground I stand on. That everything I believe in will be tested and held up for ridicule over the next few years."

Edith's baby, Marigold, is staying with farmer Drew and his family.  Isobel is being courted by Lord Merton, although the Dowager Countess is trying to thwart the process.  Carson has been asked to coordinate a war memorial in the village (instead of Lord Grantham).  School teacher Sarah Bunting is continuing her friendship with Tom, and raising the ire of Lord Grantham with her outspoken political views at a party.  Miss Baxter confessed her secret past (as a jewel thief!) to Cora, rather than having Barrow tell on her.  Tony Gillingham asked Mary to go away with him on a trip so they can get to know each other before they move forward to get engaged.  (The scandal!)   Edith inadvertently set a fire in her room.  During the evacuation, Jimmy's former employer visited and they got caught sleeping together.  And Molesley colored his hair (very unattractively). 

Character Of the Week 

Edith is my choice as character of the week.  She longed to be with her baby, Marigold, and the pain she felt leaving her with the Drews was palpable.  Later in her room, she also missed Michael Gregson ... which resulted in her tossing a book toward the fireplace and setting fire at the Abbey.    

Most Striking Visual

Molesley's newly blue/black dyed hair.  Lord Grantham remarked:  “Molesley – you look very Latin all of a sudden. Do you have Italian blood?” 

"Oh My" Moment 

The fire!  This was the most dramatic moment of the night.  I'm glad everyone got out of the house safely - and (always the dog lover) I will admit I felt a real relief when I saw Isis safely out.  

What I Hope Will Happen Next (All Speculation - No Spoilers!)

I hope that:
... Edith finds a way to be with her baby.
... Mary resolves her feelings toward Tony (to marry or not).
... Miss Baxter is allowed to stay at the Abbey.
... Sarah Bunting either learns some manners, or Tom finds a more appealing love interest.

How about you?  What did you think of the Season 5 premiere?  What would you like to see happen next?

15 Fun Facts About Me for 2015

1.  My favorite color is lime green.

2.  My favorite album is The Beatles Hey Jude. 

3.  My all time favorite song is "Birdhouse in Your Soul" by They Might Be Giants.  It inspired my store name!

4.  I love any vegetarian food that involves curry, salsa, or tomato sauce.

5.  I studied cake decorating.  I can still make sugar roses.

6.  My favorite books for children are the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. 

7.  My favorite grown-up book is The Great Gatsby.

8.  I stop watches when I wear them.  My grandfather and uncle did this as well.

9.  I was a singing telegram messenger in college.  My character was Bessie Mae Mucho.

10.  I sometimes listen to old time radio shows when I cannot sleep.

11.  I lived on an island as a little girl.

12.  I am a tea lover, although I also like coffee.

13.  I played a nurse in a theater production of South Pacific.

14.  Paul McCartney is my all-time celebrity crush.

15.  I love otters.

I could go on, but I won't!  I would love to hear YOUR 15 fun facts, too. 

The Mid-Century Ranch House Exhibit at the DeKalb History Center Museum, Atlanta

Shhh!  I'll tell you a secret.  I played hooky from work for a while this morning.  I'm self employed, but I try to keep regular work hours.  This morning, though, I found out about an exhibit at the local historical society that I couldn't resist.   The DeKalb History Center Museum is located in Decatur, Georgia - metro Atlanta.  They have a new exhibit called The Mid-Century Ranch House:  Hip and Historic!   It focuses on the design of ranch houses and why they were so popular in metro Atlanta in the 1950's and 1960's.  The museum is open Monday - Friday;  you can read more at the website:  DeKalb History Center - just click here.

This is the entrance to the gallery.  The design of this exhibit is a lot of fun:

This display features Starburst dinnerware by Franciscan.  I've sold some of this on eBay in the past.

This dinnerware is by Russell Wright.   Nice retro ads just above the case, too.

A selection of kitchenware including a Sunbeam Mixmaster.  My Mom still has one of these!

Fun retro 1957 Frigidaire refrigerator ad.  I love the pastel colors!

This Mid-Century Modern den is just about perfect.  Look at that wall of glass!

A pink bathroom!  I love these.  There is a great website called Save the Pink Bathroom, dedicated to preserving these in homes.

A nice photo with labels showing specific features of Mid-Century ranches.

Ranch design books and magazines.  The W.D. Farmer books, Homes for Pleasant Living, were used for a lot of houses in suburban Atlanta.  (I've sold these on eBay in the past, too.)

This house looks just like the ones in my childhood neighborhood:

A 1960's map of DeKalb County, showing how the suburbs were expanding - with lots of ranch homes.

This was my favorite part of the exhibit.  A perfect panelled living room waits - complete with 1950's - 1960's music from the hi-fi:

And another view:

Here are a couple of popular floorplans:

Moving on through the museum, there are also a couple of other Mid-Century vintage exhibits.   One exhibit is all about Mathis Dairy.  This dairy delivered milk in the Atlanta area during my childhood years.  We also went to field trips to the dairy.

A little history of Mathis Dairy.  Interesting stuff!   The Mathis kids went to my high school.

I Milked Rosebud!   Rosebud was a sweet, patient cow at the dairy -- very popular on field trips.   You got a little tin button to wear after you milked her.

Milk bottles and caps:

A box like you would find outside Mid-Century homes, waiting for the morning milk delivery:

The other fascinating exhibit at the museum was a display of photography by Guy Hayes (1913 - 1998).  He worked for The Atlanta Journal - Constitution and photographed everyday life in the metro area.

Interesting juxtaposition of two women with homemade food:

A dog and pony show:

Carnival chalkware at a fair or amusement park.  These chalkware figures were prizes on the midway.  One of my friends collects them.

High school cheerleaders, 1950's vintage:

Dad and son cooking out in a suburban backyard:

Mom and children in the kitchen, 1950's:

Two young women playing music in a paneled den:

The exhibit is fun and free, and a visit takes an hour or less.  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Mid-Century Modern Ranches or retro Atlanta history.   I'm already planning a return visit!

Happy New Year!

"You have everything needed for the extravagant journey that is your life" (Carlos Castaneda).  It's a new year - 365 days of possibilities.  I will be here blogging regularly, and I look forward to sharing with you. 

I found this link today, totally by chance, and thought you might enjoy it too:  52 Fun Things for 2015.  Most of these little adventures are free.  I love the emphasis on creativity, nature, and kindness. 

Wishing you much happiness in 2015!

Goodbye 2014 - Welcome 2015 Sale at Birdhouse Books

Hi vintage friends!  Just a short note to let you know that I am running a huge sale at my eBay store through midnight on Sunday, January 4.  This is a real "clear the shelves" sale with everything marked 25% - 50% off.  You'll find vintage children's books, vintage Christmas cards and ornaments, vintage Valentines, Roadside Americana postcards, cookbooks, and more.  I hope you'll stop by and shop!   Just click here to visit:  Birdhouse Books.