Jane Austen goodness
On Saturday, I went to my first local Jane Austen Society meeting (JANSA-Wisconsin chapter).
It happened to be their annual "Jane Austen's birthday" celebration (Dec. 16th, actually), so it was a formal luncheon at a very nice clubhouse in Menomonee Falls. The food was delish. (I had chicken w/saffron rice.)
It had started snowing that morning, so roads were a bit slushy but not horrible. What was beyond description, however, was the effect the gentle snowfall had on our lunchtime atmosphere.
The room in which we ate had two adjacent walls of windows, facing a wooded area. The snow falling had covered all the ground and branches, and when the lights were turned down for the presentation, the glow from outside accentuated the garlands and wreaths decorating the windows.
It was breathtakingly lovely.
I had a delightful time chatting with the folks at my table - which included one of the three gentlemen, who, by his own admisison, was there "for the food." But clearly he at least had a passing interest and familiarity with Jane Austen (and Monty Python!) because he was able to converse somewhat (at least about the movies, etc.) and we had fun making side jokes about shrubberies.
The presenter is writing a book about gardens in Jane Austen's time period (late 1700-early 1800), and she had a great PowerPoint presentation of pictures she took when last in England.
There was also a book sale table, but I didn't really see anything I wanted to buy. I might check for a few things at the library, tho.
I wasn't figuring on meeting anyone I know there, so it was a surprise to bump into a co-worker from my recent temp job! She was there with her husband (one of the three males among 80+ attendees). She might loan me a few JA-related books, which would be nifty!
The next official event is May 3rd in Madison, and then the Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") in October just happens to be in Chicago this coming year - hooray!!
So, looks like I might make a foray into Regency gowns - there's a ball at the AGM, for which I would naturally want to be "suitably attired."