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Reading Room:  Mitford Series ...Jan Karon  |
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hapyhrt
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
USA
129 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 12:12:04 AM
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Hi, Just wondering if anyone is familiar with Jan Karons series of books about the little town of Mitford? I stumbled across these books a few years ago and have been hooked ever since! 
They are great small town reading where the characters come alive with quirkiness and bonds of friendship. I believe the author is labeled a "christian writer" since that's the category I found her listed in our local book store.
Any other Jan Karon fans here? Just curious! 
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
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Nicol
True Blue Farmgirl
200 Posts
Nicol
200 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 07:38:42 AM
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| I have read all of her Mitford books and I just love them! I also got her cookbook as a Christmas gift but I have not tried the recipes yet. |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 1:18:49 PM
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My mom is reading these now. She said they are great. I am reading the series Abram's Daughters by Beverly Lewis. It's about Amish lives. Fiction. She is also labeled a Christian writer. I have read the 1st 2 in the series in a week.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 1:24:10 PM
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I LOVE these books! My girlfriend actually made the infamous Orange Cake..which is funny as she is a diabetic too just like Father Tim..said it was fabulous but so sweet.
I think they are Christian but kind of a very basic Christian that everyone can realte to, that's why they are so popular! |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 1:33:56 PM
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I've read all of them to date and passed them on to my mother in law who is always looking for "wholesome" reading. I enjoyed them and the quirky characters that appear , they are light and often funny and and a good quick read with a message that you may find yourself thinking about later on. And if you get the chance, make Esther's Marmalade Cake; it's killer! No wonder Father Tim is always on the verge of a diabetic coma!
with a happy heart |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 5:29:52 PM
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They are some of my favorites. My husband is a pastor in a small town. Needless to say, I live Mitford. It is always fun for me when I reread the books how many of the Mitford people, I know. The books are good therapy! I have made Esther's cake for potlucks with great success.
Julia
"The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take joy!" Fr.Giovanni |
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hapyhrt
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2005 : 04:09:40 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by Kim
I am reading the series Abram's Daughters by Beverly Lewis. It's about Amish lives. Fiction. She is also labeled a Christian writer. I have read the 1st 2 in the series in a week.
farmgirl@heart
I'm so happy to know other Mitford fans! Yay! Thanks Kim for the info about "Abram's Daughters" by Beverly Lewis, I'm going to look for those books at our local library! Like others, I love wholesome stories, real or fiction.
Another of my favorites is a book called "Potato Hill And Other Recollections" by Fritz S. Updike. It truly is a collection of fond memories of Mr Updikes childhood years. Growing up on Potato Hill where he lived with his Grandmother and Beloved Grandfather on their farm. It also has his 50 years of local history as a reporter, manager,editor and vice-president of the The Sentinel Company which is still the only daily newspaper in that area.
The stories of his grandmother's simple attire- never without her apron, the tin peddler, grandma's chickens, broom outside the door, fence fixing time, old time farming, war rationing, etc. are just delightful glimpses into a past that is rich in simplicity. Fritz lived to a ripe old age and sadly has passed on but his stories remain and his original Christmas column is still printed each Christmas Eve in the paper in memory of Mr Updike.
A nice read for anyone interested in non-fiction country and small city life.
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
Edited by - hapyhrt on Aug 11 2005 4:38:12 PM |
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Melissa
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Melissa
Selden
NY
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2005 : 06:07:24 AM
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I love the Mitford series!!! I started this series a few years ago when I was going through a very hard time of my life...my beautiful athletic daughter, then 14, suddenly developed juvenile epilepsy. Every day I would wake up and not know what the day would bring (fortunately, 3 years later, the doctors have gotten her medications balanced and she is doing great!). My sister told me to get these books and I feel they got me through each day. I never even knew how to pray until I learned from the Mitford series. The writing is soothing and the characters seem like they could live next door, but more than that, the themes are so humane and strong. P.S.: I bought the cookbook and the Sweet Southern Iced Tea is so yummy, I make a half-gallon several times a week now. No one in the family will drink supermarket iced tea anymore!
"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." Roethke |
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quiltedess
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Nancy
Priest River
ID
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2005 : 09:59:57 AM
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I love the series as well. My favorite thing was ". . .the prayer that never fails" Which is, Thy will be done. I've tried to remember that in difficult times.
Nancy |
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ByHzGrace
True Blue Farmgirl
348 Posts
348 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 08:55:09 AM
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Add me to the Fan club. Which is your favorite book?
I heard through her mitford grapevine she just finished her last, The Light from Heaven, and it will be out soon. Jan is going to do a series on Father Tim!!
My favorite is Common Life.
If you were a character in Mitford which one would you be?
I'm alot like Puny.
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 09:40:22 AM
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I would have to say I am most like Cynthia.
"The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take joy!" Fr.Giovanni |
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Melissa
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Melissa
Selden
NY
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 10:36:39 AM
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I have to say I WISH I was like Cynthia. My father is an artist by profession and I wish I could earn a living doing what I love to do like he and Cynthia have done. I've often wondered if Cynthia is really Jan Karon's self-portrait.
"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." Roethke |
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connio
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
connie
springtown
texas
USA
535 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 1:55:52 PM
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Hey Farm Girls!
I am a huge fan of the Mitford series. I think that I would like to be Cynthia or the vet's wife (Marjorie???).
I am sitting in a library right now but have to confess that I am feeling to lazy to get up and look up the name of the vet's wife, but I am certain that you know who I mean. Actually, as I think about it, I would really really really like to be the female version of the vet!! The vet or Cynthia---close tie for me.
Please excuse this "stream of consciousness" type of message.
Connie
cozycottage |
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hapyhrt
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2005 : 04:19:21 AM
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Hmmm..hard to pick a single favorite as I've enjoyed each of the books written. Guess if I really had to choose I think it would be the very first book which introduces most of the main characters! Remember what Dooley first words were to Father Tim when he appeared at his door?!!! LOL Ü
Like others here, I love this series and eagerly await the next book though I hope it won't be the last as posted at the grapevine. Remember that was said to be true of "Shepherds Abiding" too, before it was printed?
As for whom I'd most like to be as a character from Mitford I think it would be "Puny"! She's full of spunk and determination. I sure admire that in a person and she loves to cook, something of which I struggle with everyday! Ü
Thanks for sharing!
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
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ByHzGrace
True Blue Farmgirl
348 Posts
348 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2005 : 09:13:36 AM
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Do you cynthia gals all keep diaires? Correct me I maybe remembering wrong, my books are all packed since last years hurrican and our rebuilding, I was fixinta say the vet's wife name is Marge? Is that short for Marjorie? Being as I'm Puny and country Looks like it mightn be to me.
Talking about making Esther's cake for Potlucks do you have a steady dish you always take?
I been the sweetcorn on the cob bringer forever, one time I branched out to a salad and all the children were like "where's the corn lady"? |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2005 : 9:09:54 PM
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I don't keep my diary/journal as I should. I need to do better, Thanks,Ellen for the gentle reminder. My mom has the Mitford cookbook, when next I am up in WA I need to get a few recipes. I have made Esther cake, MMMMMMM!
"The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take joy!" Fr.Giovanni |
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FloralSaucer
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Australia
156 Posts |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 11:13:06 AM
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OMG I read all of the mitford series and loved each one! I read them all with in like a month cause I had time at work to read this past summer. Love the quotes and the prayer that never fails and cynthias books and the town (def is VERY similar to mine) We have the Fairfield Grille and its soooo to the T of the Grille. I'm so glad you guys all love it too! I want the Mitford bedside companion...Christmas present I think;)
The Amish series by bev are nice too but never made it through 1 I read a diff amish series that had I think 3/4 books in it. loved them! :)
Hoorah for Mitford!
"... to thine ownself be true." |
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 11:28:27 AM
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I ADORE the Mitford series too! I reread or put on books on tape if I am feeling "smothered" by this cold world! (ok that was a little dramatic, but you get the point!)
Yesterday I bought a Nativity from an antique shoppe a`la Shepherd's Abiding. It's not as large as I picture Father Tim's but it's about as mismatched and some of it is painted silly. The angel isn't broken, but she is just about hot pink!!! I will get a picture up on my blog as soon as I get new batteries for my camera! Glad to meet more Mitford fans!
...she is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Prov 31:10
www.beequilting.blogspot.com |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 11:36:19 AM
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I have all the Mitford books and the cookbook. They really were a good read. Still think about them now and again. I think I want to move to Mitford.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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Reading Room: Mitford Series ...Jan Karon |
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Mitford Series ...Jan Karon
