Okay, so my Downtown Abbey post is a little late. The Day After Downton post was supposed to be up and ready the day after. But last Sunday, my wife and I attended the Winter Jam concert and missed Downton Abbey all together. So instead of watching it Sunday night, we did not get an opportunity to watch it until Monday night. And then my scheduled filled up the rest of the week. And finally today, I am getting a chance to sit down and write my thoughts about Episode Three.
www.pbs.org
Thoughts / Observations for Episode Three
Anna refuses to tell Bates, or anyone else except Mrs. Hughes, what has happened to her. Bates is earnestly trying to find out; and Anna is avoiding him at every opportunity. She has even requested to move back in the Abbey and way from Bates. Anna does not want Bates to know what has happened to her because she fears that he will seek revenge on Green.
Lady Mary is moving forward in her role as executor of the Downton Abbey. She travels to London to meet with tax advisors to find out what can be done about the death tax. While in London, she meets up with Gillingham at the request of her mother and Lady Rosiland. Their relationship takes the fast track and by the end of the episode, Gillingham asks Lady Mary to marry him, despite being engaged to another woman.
Edna is trying to manipulate Branson into a relationship with her. After spending the night in his room, Edna asks Branson if she would marry her if she was pregnant. Not knowing what to do, Branson turns to Mrs. Hughes for advice. Mrs. Hughes calls Edna’s bluff and dismisses her from Downton. Branson is relieved and Edna leaves in disgust.
Alfred, upset that he cannot get move forward with a relationship with Ivy, has set his sights on attending cooking school and learning to be a chef.
While in London, Sir John Bullock invites Lady Mary, Lady Rosiland, Lady Rose, Branson, and Gillingham go out for the evening to the Lotus Club, a jazz club. While at the club, Sir John is dancing with Lady Rose. Sir John leaves Lady Rose alone on the dance floor while he runs away, in a drunken stupor. Jack Ross, the African American band member, leaves the stage and comes to Lady Rose and finishes the dance with her. The family is observing Jack dancing with Lady Rose and gives disapproving looks to her. Branson comes over to Lady Rose, telling it was time to go.
Lady Edith and Gregson move forward with their relationship as Gregson get ready to leave for Germany. They spend the night together in London to the disapproval of Lady Rosiland.
Questions for Episode Four
With Anna moved back in the Abbey, how will this effect her relationship with Bates. Will Bates find out what has happened? Will Mrs. Hughes be forced to tell him or the family what has happened? Will Green be at Downton more often since Gillingham wants to marry Lady Mary.
Will Lady Mary give an answer to Gillingham? Will she wait until she has fully grieved for Matthew? How long will it that? Will there be other men who arrive at Downton who will try to get involved with Lady Mary, knowing that she is again a single lady.
Having escaped the lusts of Edna, will Branson get himself together and accept his role in the family? Will he work with Lord Grantham and Lady Mary to run the estate or will he run away all together and start a new life, maybe back in Ireland or maybe in America?
Will Alfred get the chance to go to London to train as a chef? Will he finally end his quest to get Ivy? Is this the last we see of Alfred?
Being a person of color, how will the family react to Jack if he tries to anything with Lady Rose? Will such a relationship further break down the barriers that have been created by the aristocratic family?
How will being in Germany affect Gregson? Will he get caught up in the German politics in any way? Will he just be there long enough to officially divorce his wife? Will he return to London? Things seem to be going to good for Lady Edith right now, considering her history will men and relationships.
Ten musical acts, one pastor.
Five hours of ministry, one mission.
The Winter Jam 2014 tour stormed into the Gateway City last night and left the 18,000 concert-goers with a message of hope for the future and God’s enduring love.
Billed as one of the largest concert tours of the year, now in it’s 19th year, Winter Jam features many of today’s biggest and newest acts in the Christian music scene. I had not been to many Christian concerts. However, when our friends Eugene and Roxanne invited us, we immediately jumped at the opportunity when we saw that the performer list included Newsboys, Lecrae, Plumb and Newsong. By going to the concert, we were introduced to Derek Minor, Everfound, Love & the Outcome, Colton Dixon, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Tenth Avenue North. It was mixture of hip-hop, rap, pop, rock and heavy metal. Not your typical mixture of musical acts, but than again, this not your typical concert.
It was awesome to see, in total, ten musical acts take to the stage during the five-hour event. Each act took to the stage and performed between fifteen and thirty minutes. Keep in mind that this was much more than a concert with chart-topping singles and Grammy-winning performers. The artists and their music will pull you in. However, when the artists share with you their message about how important God is in their lives and how He has changed their life, you know that this is much more than a concert. It is an opportunity for you to see and to experience that same joy and peace of knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ. The performers offered their testimonies on what brought them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Nick Hill also gave a brief lesson on The Prodigal Son, coming to Christ and ministered salvation. People stood up all over the hall, accepting Christ in their lives.
What an awesome and beautiful sight to see!
Lecrae
Another blessing, concert goers had an opportunity to learn more about Holt International, an organization that helps families adopt needy in foreign countries for over 60 years. They also provide sponsorship a child in a bridge program that prepares the child for adoption. The bridge program allows you to sponsor a child for $30 a month, which will help if the child with necessary surgeries or shots before the adoption is finalized. Holt’s motto is, “every child deserves a home”. It was special to see a local family who was brought on stage to share about how they adopted six children. Holt International had volunteers at the Winter Jam concert. If you would like be a Holt International volunteer please check out its site. To learn more about adopting a child or helping a child by sponsoring a child through the bridge program please click on HoltInternational.
Plumb takes to the stage.
Concert organizers want to make the event available to as many people as possible. So, instead of charging a high price tag, tickets were only ten dollars, payable at the door and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. VIP tickets can also be purchased prior to the show. There are two levels of VIP tickets, one for the individual rate ($50) and one for the group rate ($40). With a VIP ticket, you get a concert ticket, a T-shirt, access to the hall an hour before it is open to the genera public with first-choice of seating, and a question-and-answer session with some of the performers. A third option is available for ($30), if you do not want a T-shirt.
I would recommend that you consider the VIP (Jam Nation) ticket if you are planning to attend a future Winter Jam concert, for a couple of reasons. 1) You have your own red-carpet entrance into the hall and you can avoid standing in the general admission lines. We arrived an hour and a half before the start time and there were already at least a thousand or more people waiting. 2) You can get into the hall early and not have to wait outside, especially now if you are in a winter weather climate. 3) If you are planning to purchase a T-shirt at the show, the price already includes one for you. 4) You get early access to the merchandise tables if you would like to purchase additional T-shirts and CDs.
One insider tip if you have a VIP ticket for a future show: you will want to find out where the VIP entrance is. When we arrived at the concert and parked in the garage and walked towards the hall, lines were forming all around the building. However, we saw no signs that indicated where we needed to go. We stood in a line thinking it was for all of the VIP ticket-holders. However, as the line started to move and as we got closer towards the entrance, some people were being moved into another line and the VIP entrance came into view; and we got in with no problem. As we entered in and were checked in, security checked our bags to made sure that we did not bring any food or cameras into the building. We picked up our T-shirts and lanyards because we purchase a last minute pass online. We found a great seat and settled in. It was only a little after four o’clock. And the general admission ticket people would be coming in for another 45 minutes.
Paying a little extra was well worth it.
JT enjoying the concert!
Jay helping with the offering near the end of the concert.
The Winter Jam 2014 is just getting underway and will be on the road until at least the end of March. Check here for tour dates and time of the shows in your area. If the tour is coming to a city near you, you don’t want to miss it.
Hope you are having a wonderful start to the New Year! Blessings to you for a fabulous 2014.
I have such an exciting review that I am going to talk about.
Recently, Pauline Durban, President and Founder of Covered Perfectly reached out to Bubbling with Elegance and Grace to review one of her tops. Pauline, originally from the United Kingdom, moved to the United States in 1992. I looked at her website and learned that her company started out of a need of finding more tops that made her look and feel more empowered. Once she realized after talking to friends that they had the same challenge, she created Covered Perfectly.
I can so relate to hearing friends and family tell you that you look great, however deep inside you do not feel that you look your best. I must admit that when I had looked at similar tops like this in the past, I did not think that would look that attractive on me. Even though my top and pants size is in the single digits, I carry my weight in my hips and I have been really self-conscious about it. Even though I work out that’s a spot that gets to me. So, reviewing one of Pauline’s top intrigued me.
The Covered Perfectly website is fabulous. All of the tops are very beautiful. It was hard for me to choose which one to select for the review. After much thought, I finally narrowed my decision down to the Layer bottom Ladies Top in Turquoise. It looked so refreshing and vibrant to me. I choose this top because the flounce on the bottom reminded me of a ruffled skirt. The top comes in four colors: orange, green, turquoise and blue. The fabric feels like a second skin and can be worn all four seasons. This top will work for every woman, no matter where you are located in the world.
I highlighted the top in the picture with some of my favorite jewelry pieces. The top gently glides along my figure, no bunching and accentuates my hips very well.
My NYDJ Jeans gave me that lean look and the Bellini boots gave me the height I like and it all came together perfectly. When I wear a tunic top or longer length top I always pair it with slim lined pants or jeans to balance out the outfit.
You have to experience the softness of the top personally. I feel like I am in my softest pajamas; but I look put together and stylish. The top is so figure flattering for any body type.
In the second image below I am showing how much stretch is in the top. The size I am wearing is a small and I have so much room. However, there is still a feminine silhouette and the top does not look boxy or overpowering. I often here that saying a garment is comfortable is a bad word. Being stylish and having comfort at the same time are two pluses in my fashion diary. I styled this top with a ribbed close fit turtleneck, velour pants and BCBG suede sneakers as a fun going to the mall, out to the movies with the hubby or chilling at home by the fireplace. Perfecto!
Covered Perfectly Bottom Layered Ladies Top
The third way I styled the Bottom Layered Ladies Top was pairing it with a jacket and almost to the knee high boots. I wanted to see how this top shapes up with layering it under a jacket. It looks great. I layered the top with a suede Louis del Olio leather appliquéd jacket and Steve Madden Leather cognac boots.
For a closer look see how the top is the focal point under the jacket. The scoop neckline really elongates my neck and décolletage.
.
I could wear this outfit to church, out to dinner, to a play or a concert.
This top will work for a woman in her 20s and up. There is no age limit. Also, no worries about the fabric snagging or grabbing in the wrong places.
I created a video where I discussed further the features of the top.
This top offers so many different looks with a few key pieces out of my wardrobe.
“This cute style with the layered bottom is great for any body shape. Made from super soft MicroModal, you will love the way it feels.
94 % Micromodal / 6 % Spandex
Made in the USA
Machine washable MicroModal® is something truly special. The fiber is made of European beechwood, is completely natural and produced in Austria.
It’s described as the softest fabric in the world and is so gentle it feels like a second skin. It’s super soft and luxurious, you will love it.
Customers can be sure that if it says MicroModal®, quality and heavenly softness are guaranteed.” MicroModal® – perfect fineness and softness Free shipping both ways in the US.
Thank you Pauline, Creator and Founder of Covered Perfectly for the opportunity to review one of your tops. You have changed my mind on longer length tops and how the top looks on me.
Totally fabulous!
My wife and I are big Downton Abbey fans. Season Four premiered last Sunday on PBS. We blogged about that episode, with our thoughts and questions. We have decided that we would recap the each episode with our observations and a provide questions for the rest of the season. Yes, we know that there are websites out there can give us the full synopsis of Season Four, but we refuse to find out what’s going to happen. We like the element of surprise and do not like knowing what’s going to happen before it does.
www.pbs.org
Episode Two looked to be a low-key episode, with few new developments. The Crawley Family tries to move forward after the Matthew’s death with a house party at Downton Abbey. The party introduces us to new characters and develops existing ones who will play an integral part in Season Four. But before the party has finished, the lives of some of the downstairs staff will be forever changed.
Observations / Thoughts:
*Lord Gillingham, a childhood friend of Lady Mary, arrives for the party and a spark has been ignited between the two. They talk about the business of Downton, the death of Matthew and moving forward.
*Mr. Gregson is having a hard time getting Lord Grantham to even acknowledge his existence. But Gregson wins back the money that Lord Grantham lost to Sampson while playing poker, things begin look promising.
*The new valet, Green, has taken a liking to Anna; but Bates does not like him or the mischief that he is causing with the downstairs staff. Green throws Anna’s life into peril as the dinner party concludes.
*Branson feels out of place at the house party and is heavily drinking to drown his sorrows. Edna is up to her old tricks and comes to his aid; but at what costs?
Questions for Episode Three:
*How will the relationship between Lord Gillingham and Lady Mary develop? Will it be more business or social? Will there be other men who come into Lady Mary’s life that will allow her to love again?
*How far will Gregson and Lady Edith go to find true? Will a life in Germany be in their future? Is this really Lady Edith’s chance at love? Or will she be heart broken once again?
*Will Anna be able to come to grips with her tragedy? Will she be able to share with Bates what has happened? How will this affect their marriage and their life together?
What will become of Green? How will he act towards the downstairs staff? Will his dirty secret be revealed?
*Will Branson leave Downton and return home to Ireland? Will he rekindle a relationship with Edna? Or will she just use him for her own gain? Did she put something in his drink while they were in the library?
No matter what technological advances come out to make our lives more efficient and effective, we seem to have less and less free time in our daily lives. With the daily responsibilities of being a parent, it seems nearly impossible to consistently make time for the gym. But don’t worry; there are exercises you can fit into your existing day that can be surprisingly effective. If you want to lose weight and have more defined muscles, fit the below routine into your daily schedule for 4 weeks.
The Wake and Tuck
After your alarm clock goes off, tuck your knees to your chest and wrap your arms around your knees. Now, just rock slightly from side to side. This will wake up your spine and stretch your legs a bit. After doing this stretch for about 30 seconds, straighten your legs and move them from side to side (keeping your back on the mattress). This will further loosen your back and also engage your core. Depending on how you feel, you can choose to do 10 or 15 crunches in bed.
The Doorknob Squat
This might seem silly, but it works well. For your morning routine (the time you spend in the house before you leave for work), every time you touch a doorknob do 10 squats. Personally, I touch about 6-8 doorknobs on average during my morning routine. So before I even leave for work I have already done about 60 squats, which are a powerful bodyweight exercises and a great calorie burner.
The Ab Flex
During your drive to work do at least 5 sets of 15 ab flex’s. Squeeze your abdominal muscles as though you’re trying to touch your ribs to your stomach, hold for a couple seconds, then release. Of course, it goes without saying if this exercise takes away from your attention on the road, then stop doing them.
At this point, you are arriving at work and you have already stretched your legs and back and exercised your legs and abs. The first time you do this morning routine, you might find you feel more awake than you have in a long time and more focused and attentive at work. The human body is very adaptive and responds to change well. Your body will reward you with even these subtle changes to your daily routine.
The Three Card Monte
I realize once you get to work you’re busy, but no one is too busy to take a 30 second break here and there. Grab a deck of Strength Stack 52 bodyweight fitness cards and deal three cards (called the Three Card Monte). Each card will give you an exercise that requires only your bodyweight. Three cards are just enough to get your blood flowing, keep your metabolic rate high and thus keeping your energy level up. An average workday lasts 8 hours (not including an hour for lunch). If you can focus on playing Three Card Monte once an hour you will have completed 24 exercises just during your workday. Do you realize that most people who go to the gym for an hour every day don’t do 24 exercises? You completed 24 exercises taking only a 30 second break every hour, wow!
The 10 Minute Lunchtime Battle
You know how to play War with a deck of cards right? Simply grab a friend and a deck of cards, or use your Strength Stack 52, and play a game of War. With Strength Stack 52, playing War is easy, whoever deals the lowest card number has to do both exercises on the card. If you are using a regular deck of cards, you will need to determine what exercises should be given to the person who loses the hand. After playing War for just 10 minutes you will definitely notice a heart pumping workout.
The Evening Drop
This is a fun exercise to do with your family. Assign a “keyword of the day” and don’t tell anyone. Let’s assume the keyword is dog. Now, whenever anyone in your household says the word dog, you have to drop and do 10 push-ups. The next time that word is used, do 9 push-ups, then 8 and so on. The first time you do this your kids will laugh wondering what keyword made you drop. And if your kids are normal, if they find out what that keyword is, they will use it to their full advantage.
So now you are at the end of your day, you have worked your entire body, never needed to go the gym, never needed to carry any equipment with you and didn’t need to schedule any time for a workout, yet you burned a bazillion calories and firmed every muscle in your body. Great work!
This article was written by Sergeant Michael Volkin, inventor of Strength Stack 52 fitness cards, a unique way to transform bodyweight exercises into a fun and competitive workout.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Follow!