The Literary Heroine Blog Party Questions

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random! My name is Maddie Rose from The Madd Rose blog. I love books, old movies and shows, baking, playing piano, old fashioned things in general and BOOKS! I dislike homework, most modern furniture, snakes, spiders, creepy-crawly things in general, and crude or nasty behavior. God is only just recently playing a daily part in my life right now as I (finally) strive to do His works. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I'd love for it to have something to do with, what else, books. I dream of living on P.E.I, Canada, in a little cottage by the sea. I am a Road to Avonlea addict, and like nothing better than to lounge around with a good book or show, and a nice cup of tea. (Earl Grey especially)
2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?  I love a heroine who is kind, considerate, and helpful, without being too annoying and perfect. She should have a good imagination and a sense of humor. She doesn't need to be beautiful (I rather prefer that she isn't, actually) but I like them to be... pretty, even in a little way. Sweetness always helps, but you need a dash of salt, or else you might get a toothache. It helps if she has one or two run ins with love, and gets into scrapes occasionally. This is what I imagine a true heroine to be.
3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.  I admire Anne Shirley greatly. She was my first old-fashioned love. I am absolutely obsessed with the series. (Ask anyone) Gilbert helped a lot too. ;)  Another heroine I relate to is Betsy Warrington Ray. She is a little known heroine, but one of my favorites. She is kind, smart, funny, and imperfectly beautiful. I want her and her Crowd to be my friends! I even went to the Betsy-Tacy Convention in Mankato, Minn. this summer. I admire Emily Starr, although she and I aren't that much alike. I like her spirit, her beauty, and her goal in life. Finally, I like Polly from An Old-Fashioned Girl. She is sweet, kind, and resourceful. She has a strong faith and shines light on the lives of others. I wish she and I were more alike. 
4. Five of your favorite historical novels?  Oh, this is hard. Are classics historical novels? I suppose they are. In no particular order, I like love: the Anne of Green Gables series, the Betsy-Tacy series, An Old-Fashioned Girl, Love Comes Softly, and Emma.
5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? This is REALLY HARD! Why don't you just ask me which kid is my favorite? (If I had kids....) Anyway..... I guess Anne. What can I say? I'm a big Anne of Green Gables fan! She is my favorite because she is smart, kind , stubborn, imaginative, and she gets the best guy EVER! ;)
6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? Marilla Cuthbert. At first I wasn't sure I'd like her at all, but under that cold exterior beats a kind, motherly heart.
7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? This is so hard... should I do P.E.I., England, or Italy? I suppose I'll choose England, although I dearly love my little P.E.I.! England would be such fun! I love the accents, the little shops and cottages, the sheep, the beaches  the culture, and of course JANE AUSTEN! 
8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? I would have to say mid to late 1800's and early 1900's. The culture can be Canadian, American, or British.
9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? I am best at singing, but I don't know if I'd have the nerve to do that. If not singing, then recitation- like Anne at the White Sands Hotel! :)
10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? I suppose I'd pick Emma Woodhouse. With my longish caramel blond hair, it'd be best to be her. (I've always imagined her with blond hair as I saw the movie before I read the book. plus, she has beautiful outfits and hairstyles, and I could spend the whole party making matches;)
11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? MMMMMMM! Is the exact phrase that comes to mind. If I could live on chocolate, I would.
12. Favorite author(s)? In no particular order: L.M. Montgomery, Maud Hart Lovelace, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Heather Vogel Frederick, Janette Oke,  Elizabeth Gaskell, Jeanne Birdsall (author of The Penderwicks), A.A. Milne of the dear Winnie-the-Pooh stories, and Michael Bond, who is the author of a childhood favorite of mine, Paddington Bear. 
13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? Books, old movies, my smart phone,  my puppy Ollie, and my ipod
14. In which century were most of the books you read written? There are two: 19 C. and 20 C.
15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… GILBERT BLYTHE
16. Describe your ideal dwelling place. A cozy cottage, with a little garden, and a hammock swung between two trees. It will have a little library with old beloved books and a nice, roomy window seat, simply strewn all over with pillows. I'd like a creamy yellow kitchen with a farmhouse sink. There should be a little piano somewhere, maybe in the library. It will have nice, crooked stairs, with a little platform and window. I'll have lace curtains billowing in the breeze. There will be bedrooms, of reasonable size, and at least one small walk in closet. It must have nice, shadowy little corners and some flowery wallpaper.  I'd like a little porch out front, with a rocking chair, where I could sit and hear the ocean; for my dream house must be reasonably close to the ocean, you know. I will see the lighthouse peeping through my living room window as I sit on an overstuffed chair by the fire on wintry evenings. Oh, and I'd like it to be on an island. Not a private island or anything, just an island. I think people who live on islands are nicer and happier.
17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. Just one sentence? Alright, my personal style is feminine and classy, but not old granny-ish or anything.
18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? Yes, I don't like that Mr. Darcy's first name is Fitzwilliam. :(
19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... for some reason I'm drawing a blank. I suppose, maybe Chauvelin from the Scarlet Pimpernel. I just don't like that guy!
20. Three favorite Non-fiction books? Um... I don't read a lot of non-fiction... I like the Little House on the Prairie (although I think that might be fiction, but it's based off Laura's life.) I can't think of any more, although I know I've read non-fiction!
21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? Outside rowing on the pond, swimming at the pool, gardening, or on our hammock reading with some lemonade.
22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. Oh dear, well this is an interesting one. I'd have to choose a hat that might come from Road to Avonlea. A simple hat with a nice blue bow and some small flowers. Nothing too fancy, but overall very simple and flattering.
23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.  I found some blogs, started blogging myself, and started high school.
24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently. Goodness, uh... Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 32:8, Revelation 21:4, 1 John 4:7-8, and Deuteronomy 31:6