Finally, FINALLY I had the chance to watch the 2008 BBC Production of Sense and Sensibility! Recently, we have been blessed with access to a PBS channel and I happened across the first of the two episodes last Sunday night. I was thrilled - and the rest of my family were not - LOL! They groan when I want to watch something like this, but in the spirit of true family unity, my husband kept the kids busy playing games while I watched.

Can I just how how wonderful it was? Sense and Sensibility has always been my favorite of the Jane Austen books and this rendering was the very best onscreen telling of it I think. It is impossible not to compare it to the Emma Thompson/Kate Winslet version and though I still love that version, this one was superior in getting the story across to the audience.

The very strongest part of this movie was that the producers and writers took the time to tell the audience *why* Marianne falls in love with Colonel Brandon. That was a serious miss in the feature film version.

As much as I still love the feature length movie version, this one has eclipsed it. The casting was better for almost all of the roles - most notably, the character of Edward. Now, I like Hugh Grant, but the man oozes bad boy from every pore. He can't help it. The actor portraying Edward in this version, Dan Stevens, was much more suited to the role in my opinion.

So, needless to say, I highly recommend this version of Sense and Sensibility if you are an Austen fan or a period drama fan. It is well worth the almost four hours of your time!

*All image icons courtesty of crazed_dreamer

I have the flu. A really, horrible nasty flu.

So, I have been laying on the couch watching daytime television - which I have not done in I can't remember when. I have discovered that I have not really been missing all that much, have I?

Currently, I am watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I have never watched this show all the way but now see what I have been missing. What a great show! Right now, the makeover team is in Stagecoach, Nevada where a preacher and his family are getting a new home and new recreation center for the kids of the community.

Owen is at home to today and taking care of Mom. He came by earlier when I was laying on the couch to tuck me in and kiss me on the cheek. Sweet little thing!

So, I am off to the couch to watch television with Owen. Hope all of you are better than I am today!

This week's Friday Fave is Television show.

I really enjoy Beauty and the Geek, Robin Hood and No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain.

Beauty and the Geek is funny - but with a message. People can date across those not so invisible social lines and find good friends or even a romance.

Robin Hood is a clean action adventure show that has an element of romance and is very family friendly. I could go on and on about why I like this show, but will not...today!

No Reservations is a travel and food show. Anthony Bourdain goes to a lot of exotic and less than exotic places to meet the locals and sample the food. And, he's funny!

Check out more favorites at the home of Friday Faves by clicking here!

Robin Hood Fans - check this out!

There is a brand new blog to discuss BBC America's hit show Robin Hood! If you are a fan, check it out!

Sherwood Reveries

Hope you all have a great week and I will fill you in on the rest of my adventures in North Carolina very soon!

The Tudors

In stark contrast to Robin Hood was the episode of The Tudors that I watched the other night. Let me just say that I am not interested in seeing that many breasts ever again. Not a show that I will be watching again I think. That makes me sad because I really like historical drama. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of drama and way too much sexual content for my taste. Notice that even in the promo picture here they manage to get a nipple in!

Robin Hood

This is my absolute most favorite new show. I just cannot wait until Saturday night so that I can watch to see what happens next! BBC America is one of my favorite channels, but I confess to not watching it much because the language and programming content are a bit too much for me at times. I was a bit dubious of this 'new and improved' Robin Hood series, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, it has knocked my socks off! It is romantic and sexy without being overtly sexual. It is action packed and adventurous without too much gore and violence. The good guys are *good* and the bad guys and *bad* - just the way it ought to be in my opinion. One of the television advertisements for the show describes it as Star Wars meets Robin Hood. I would agree with that!

While some might not class Robin Hood as a family show, I would depending upon the age of your kids. I can totally see 12 year old girls and 10 year old boys being very taken with the show for totally different reasons that I do not need to explain here. If you get a chance, check it out. If you do not get BBC America, Robin Hood will be available on DVD in May of 2007 (I already have my pre-ordered from Amazon!)

As if that was not enough for us Robin Hood fans, a new big screen movie starring Russell Crowe is about to begin production. Apparently, Mr. Crowe will play the Sheriff of Nottingham. Cannot wait to see that!