Pride and Prejudice and Chocolate

Reader, it's February.

And it is a truth universally acknowledged that a married mother of three in possession of no fortune whatsoever must still be in want of a getaway.

Some people go to Mexico. Some people go to Bermuda. Some people go to the spa. I go to my front room with a cup of hot tea and a bar of dark--and I mean really dark--chocolate to watch Pride and Prejudice the movie (BTW, I only have eyes for the 1996 A&E version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle; don't even talk to me about other versions. Two words: Colin.Firth.). I've found that a little cinematic trip to Regency England can be just the cure for winter. And I also love the book, which will be cracked open for its annual re-reading after I've finished the full six hours of the movie.

I'm trying to formulate the reasons why I *love* this story so much. I can't say why other than:

1. Who would not love to have a Hill around? (She's the housekeeper, and do you know: she helps them take their jackets off and everything!).
2. I want to wear those beautiful but functional dresses, including the pinafores for around the house.
3. The English have such a wonderful way of telling each other off while sounding extremely polite.
4. I want to be able to say "I am all astonishment!" in real life.
5. The letters, the letters, the letters. So many letters written, sealed, delivered, received, read, re-read, crumpled, straightened, re-read again, and treasured.
6. Mister Darcy. Sigh.
7. All the singing and dancing and reading and playing instruments and rambling around the estates. (In short: no TV. And yes, I do realize the irony in that).
8. Did I mention Mr. Darcy?
9. All the beautiful, colorful, dripping-with-roses-and-other-gorgeous-flowers English gardens. (Which reminds me of another annual ritual I have embraced in order to get through winter: watching the Masters. Oh, the azaleas! when all we have is snow.)
10. Just this one line: "In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." (This is, of course, Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet).
11. Who doesn't love a story about, amongst other things, the transformative power of love?
12. Bonus: it's chock-full of good laughs.

If you, too, are in need of a cure for winter and your situation requires that you get your cure on the cheap, I invite you to join my February ritual: Pride and Prejudice and chocolate (which ought not to be confused with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).

Happy viewing, happy reading, happy, happy February.