Monday, September 12, 2011

Happy Birthday to Us, or A Country House (Birthday) Party

Welcome to Nineteenteen’s fourth birthday party! Can you believe we’ve been at this for four years?

In order to celebrate and kick off our fifth year of blogging in style, we thought we’d throw a party…a virtual country house party, to be exact…and yes, you’re invited!

So what happens at a virtual country house party? Well, what would you like to do if you were really at one? Would you be playing the pianoforte in the music room and flirting with a handsome fellow guest? Strolling through the gardens and enjoying the fine September weather? Exploring the library to find forgotten treasures?

One thing we do hope you’ll do is chat with us. It’s our custom on our birthday to solicit input and ideas for future topics you’d like to learn about (or re-visit), so please, tell us what you think or what you like to read here. All commenters, whether offering input or telling us what you’re planning on doing at the party, will be entered in a drawing for a daily prize…so comment early and often!

And so…

First of all, welcome to our house! Isn’t it the perfect setting for a house party? Lawns for endless games of croquet followed by sumptuous teas, and lots of windows for curling up in with a good book if the weather should prove inclement.So your post-chaise has drawn up to the entrance, where Regina and I await you in the front hall. It’s a little dark and medieval so we won’t linger…Would you care to see your room? We’ll take you right up so that you can freshen up before tea, and then your maid can unpack your things. Will this room do? Or would you prefer something a little lighter and airier?Here’s the dining room. The dressing bell rings a half hour before dinner, so you have time to change into evening clothes:And here we are at last, in the drawing room for tea:We hope you’ll enjoy your stay…and now, let the party begin! What are you going to do first?

(And don’t forget to leave us your input on how we can continue to make Nineteenteen fresh and fun in the next year!)

7 comments:

QNPoohBear said...

I would like some tea please and then show me to the library! Happy Birthday NineteenTeen!

Regina Scott said...

Thank you, my dear! How delightful that you could join us. Allow me to pour. Do you take sugar?

And after you've had a sip, I'll join you in the library. There are some wonderful old manuscripts I'd love to share with you, and I won't make you wear gloves while you read them. :-)

Marissa Doyle said...

I had a hard time choosing a picture of a library...there's actually a website of images of beautiful libraries of the world...I'll see if I can track it down again. Talk about eye candy!

And thank you for celebrating with us, QNPoohBear!

Rachel said...

Definitely some tea and biscuits to start. Then a nice walk through the gardens and visit to the library. Though I must warn you that I might not want to leave the library. It's a gorgeous one :)

Happy Birthday you guys!

Is there anything I would suggest for your blog? I miss reading for the Young Bluestocking group, but I do understand that people are busy.

Please do keep up with the posts on fashion plates and 'slang'!

Marissa Doyle said...

Welcome to the party, Rachel, and thanks for the input! Although it's not the Young Bluestockings, we do have some interviews with authors of recent historical YA releases coming up in the very near future.

Gio said...

happy Blog Birthday! I'd definitely start with a trip to the library and then have a nice cup of tea.

QNPoohBear said...

old manuscripts *sigh* I would be more than happy to see them. That's actually my job in real life!