Blue Moon Magnolia

SPOILER ALERT: DINNA read unless you have read A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Writing this blog is a ton of fun. And because we are Outlander-obsessed, we get a lot of email from die hard Outlander fans, just like us. And sometimes, because life is hectic, I drop the ball.

HO. LY. CRAP did I drop the ball with MOP bud, Blue Moon Magnolia.  BMM emailed me before The Exile came out and told me about a painting that Diana Gabaldon based the from-behind, er, em, well, BEHIND shot of Jamie in The Exile.  It's called An Académie. BMM confirmed this with DG - and I completely forgot to blog about it. My apologies to BMM! GO CHECK OUT HER BLOG. It ROCKS.

OK - so here's ANOTHER thing BMM just told us and I must post this, too. So she's going to the same beach in North Carolina for 28 years (38th Street Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey much, Tracey???)and just recently realizes it's the same beach Josiah Martin fled from to get to the HMS Cruizer in A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Um HELLO??? How cool is THAT??? That is one of my favorite storylines from all of the books. Claire and her transcriptions... Jamie coming quietly in the mist to rescue her... it's just so poignant.

OK - SO - make sure you visit Blue Moon Magnolia's blog, which can now be found in the My Outlander Purgatory links.

Sleep Tight...YEAH RIGHT!

Can someone please tell me why there is a BEDBUG epidemic in NYC NOW??? I've been waiting all year to go to this damned ComicCon and meet Diana Gabaldon...and now I've got to worry about BEDBUGS?!

What am I, CLAIRE????????

My Response to Comments from our Exile Video

These are my comments to your comments about the Exile Video blog entry. I got a Blogger hand slap for trying to post such a massive comment -  so I'm going to post them here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Delta - that rocks. I love this kind of stuff in the books. There is so much room for Diana to play, it's not even funny. LUVS IT!

Jeanie - they are real! They are, they ARE! ;)  LOL You cracked me up. You're so right. Sometimes it makes me sad that they're not real. But as long as DG keeps writing - they kindof are, right?

Rochelle: "Little old troll man" made my damn day. Right - a "mash up" is perfect. That's what they were. And while I don't love the idea... I can understand why they had to do it that way.

Brandy - No clue how far off I am but I say "Geel-is" or "Geel-ee" and "La-hair". Unless I'm calling her, LegHair, LegWhore, Wee Ho, or any number of lovely things we've come up with in the past year of reading. ;)

Terry - GREAT point re: Jamie's height. And that truly is something that we have every right to nitpick.

Bretam - absolutely. I mean- it was uncanny. I wonder if Sean Bean knows. Hmmm... maybe My Outlander Purgatory should email him... double hmm....

Lisa - it's funny - I haven't picked it up in a few days... so I wonder if I could have left it and not bought it. Nah. LOL But my hub has been reading it today. He's digging it. I wonder why? (ahem boobage, ahem.)

DedaMc97 - Yup. I'm with ya.

Jessica - THANKS. Now that's a compliment!!

Sally - My mouth is a agape. Wow. Great concepts. A free Scotland in 1999. I've always thought how much I'd love to turn on the Olympics and see "Scotland" representing itself... and not as the United Kingdom. (No offense to any of you from the UK, mind... I just get sad when Scotland doesn't get to stand up and... be). LOVE LOVE LOVE that you just put "we think" about Geillie's death. I've always taken it for granted because she seemed to bite it in the cave - but more importantly because of the bones in Joe Abernathy's office. But wowwy macwowwy. What if she didn't? WHAT a thing to ponder!!!  Looking forward to discussing at length in NYC! :)

Adventures North - LOL! Tracey will say I'm Regis. I don't know that either of us will win in this sitch. As much as I find both Regis and Kelly amusing, one of us has to be the clueless old guy and one of us has to be the stereotypical dumb blonde. Personally I think I have a lot of practice at the latter. ;)

You just nailed what I love most: What did Frank know? What did Frank do? I'm on Dragonfly and Claire just mentioned a trip Frank took to France. I have made it up in my brain that Frank took a summer away and actually traveled through the stones and is going to show up in Book 8. That would be the best present EVAH.

Stephlav - YOU AND ME BOTH, BABY!!! I AM SO with ya on that one. I hated the French girl! Then again - I had an incredibly hard time dealing with the Indian squaws, too... and yet - the LegHair marriage barely bothered me. Go figure!!!

Josie - Yesssssss!!! RIGHT! He was about to jump in the sack with Little Miss France! What was THAT all about?!? My god I canna even THINK about the possibility. My blood boils! And yup - Claire's boobs bothered me. And I'm tired of people saying "That's how it is in GN's" (including my HUSBAND who doesn't seem to mind) I GET IT. BOOBS ARE MASSIVE IN THE COMICS. I expected them to be big. I just didn't expect them to take on a life of their own and seem to jump up in my face and sing the national anthem every time I turned the page.

MichelleKCanada - LOL Lagobitch. That's awesome.

Sirena - No I don't think you're a loser. We all have our little DG quirks. Mine is avoiding everything that has anything to do with upcoming storylines...to the extent that I have still not decided what I'm going to do if my favorite author of all time decides to read some of her upcoming work at ComicCon. Seriously. If I can do it inconspicuously, I may actually get up and walk out. NOW who's the loser??

Amber - it's at the end when Jamie is on the ship back to the US with Jenny. Let us know when you find it!!

Megs - wow - brills theory on Jamie projecting his feelings for the French girl onto Claire! I don't know if I'm down with it -but it's still a neat thing to ponder! I think Jamie was drawn to Claire from day 1 (second 1) because she was from the future and had spunk and confidence and wasn't afraid to use her brains.. and Jamie was so smart and educated and really felt like he'd met his match. AND she was attractive with big boobage... and most likely way more attractive and groomed than what he had seen up until meeting her. (Wow I don't think I've ever voiced that. Hmmm. Might have to be a blog post.) As far as the way Jamie's face looks: Couldn't agree more. His face-changes are almost as distracting as Claire's bigguns.

Anonymous - verra interesting thought! But DG has already said the big chap (ew Frank speak, ew cooties) was Jamie's ghost. I canna WAIT until that is revealed! (Actually I can because that will mean the series is over and I don't know how I'll withstand that pain. I've already lived it with Twilight; I canna do it again.)

Beth - I just laughed heartily right out loud. "Super-Duper-Mega all-powerful traveler" is DA BOMB. Luvs it. I MUST use that on the blog soon. I'll give you credit. :)

ComicCon NYC 2010 - ROLLCALL

ComicCon is quickly approaching, y'all.

If you're going to be in NYC on October 8th and/or 9th - comment here and let us know!

At this point, the My Outlander Purgatory girls are planning on hitting up Jock Tamson's Bairns on Saturday - it's the only truly Scottish owned-and-operated bar in the city. We hope to be there at around 4PM if anyone is staying the weekend! Keep in mind that JTB's is a small place that doesn't serve food. But the whisky. My GOD, the whisky. And did I mention the real life Highlander behind the bar - Aiden MACKENZIE -  who actually used the term "sassenach" in casual conversation? Oh yeah. I thought I did.

Hope to see you all in NYC!!

PS - Sorry we'll miss those of you who aren't going but I haven't given up on my Purgatory Tour of Scotland just yet. We'll get there! No worries!! ;)

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Chat tonight! 9:00PM Eastern. LOTS to discuss, y'all!   Page 5, much?!? :) 

YOU'RE WELCOME

Discussing Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile"

"No Spoilers" Reminder

From time to time, Diana releases spoilers from "Book 8" on her website - and I avoid them like the plague.  Feel free to mention that Diana has a "Book 8 Excerpt" in the comments section - and even provide a URL or link to her website - but please don't describe the excerpt or talk about which storyline it is about.

Yes, I am that bad... and I TOTALLY APPRECIATE your help. :)

Sincerely,
The Spoiler Spaz

Photos of Fraser's Ridge

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Drums of Autumn. 

Did I ever post the link to JenniferTN's photos from her visit to North Carolina? These are truly awesome.

The other day Shannon said to me "I miss the Ridge" in a very somber tone. I tend to concur. I never thought I'd say that... but it's true.

THANK YOU!!!

My comment from my last entry; I had to post it just in case it's missed over there: 

You guys are all so awesome. I can't believe we've got friends in Canada and Australia waiting for their books too! (Well I CAN believe it but I love that you guys hang here in Purgatory with us and it's TOMORROW for Josie!) : )

Having said that - I got the book - I finished the book - I made a video with Tracey. My apologies because it's going to be longgggg. But not a stone was left unturned!

My absolute THANKS to all of you who "held my hand" while I was waiting for my book....

My absolute GOOD SHIPPING VIBES to those of you who haven't received the book yet - and I promised you, it is definitely worth the wait!

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

Gotta go read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - I am still commiserating with those of you who haven't gotten it yet. LET ME KNOW!!!

Outlander CHAT

Hey all - dinna forget about the PURGATORY CHAT ROOM! I know those of you who have The Exile are dying to discuss - so get in there and TALK ABOUT IT!!!  I'm sure Tracey will pop in on and off if she's free at work.

ALSO - Is anyone interested in setting up a daytime chat anywhere between  9:00AM and 2:00PM Eastern?  I got a request for a daytime chat - and that works for y'all over in Scotland, England and Ireland as well!  Post a comment if you're interested!!

My Mailbox

Just two, lone Netflix movies...waiting to be picked up. I am still laughing at the anonymous poster who said she's going to take a lawn chair and some Pinot down to her mailbox and sit there. ROFLMAO!!! That makes me feel like people are here with me, holding my hand through my Exile vigil. 

The Day After

So my copy of The Exile didn't come yesterday. And I lived. And once again - I wait. Here's my agenda for the day:

8:00: Drop kids at school
8:30: Yoga
9:44: Check the mail
9:45: Shower
10:14: Check the mail
10:15: Make a cup of coffee
10:16: Read The Exile if it came
10:16a: Wait if The Exile did not come

I'll keep y'all posted. My sincere condolences to those of you - like me - who didn't get your copies.

My absolute joy for those of you who did. I canna WAIT to discuss with all of you.

Post Scriptum: Please keep your fingers crossed for me as I will most assuredly end up in a rubber room if that damned book does not show up at my dwelling today.

Post Scriptum Scriptum: Yes, I know I can go to Barnes and Noble but it's the principle of it. I ordered the book and I'm waiting for the book. I'm also just as stubborn about those shopping carts where you have to return the damn thing to get your quarter back. I buck the system. I say "eff you" to "the man" and I give my cart to someone and I don't ask for my quarter back. Not only do I feel like I'M in control.... but getting that quarter really makes some people's day. :)

No Exile Depressed Food Consumption Update #1

I just ate a spoonful of blue cheese dressing - straight.

Are You There God? It's Me, Carol.

WHY GOD? WHY?!?

Oh this is bad. This is really, really bad. I have now broken out the potato chips. While I'm MAKING DINNER.

WHY? WHY? (yelled like Nancy Kerrigan)

(Nancy, if you're a fan of Outlander, I apologize for that and totally wanted you to win.)

The Exile gods are NOT smiling down on me today...

2:25 PM and I still don't have it. It's coming via USPS... and my mail has already arrived today. Now - usually a book will arrive separately because it's too large for the mailbox. But the separate deliveries usually come in the AM.

I'm heading over to the Post Office now...to see if they can help me or give me any info.

I'll keep you posted. (NO PUN INTENDED!!!!!!)

PS - Nope. Not going to Barnes and Noble. I ordered it. I'm waiting for it. I'll know better next time.

THE EXILE ROLLCALL

Consider this a Gathering.

Who's gotten theirs?!?

Let's hear it!!!! (But no spoilers yet as I havena gotten mine!!!!)

Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile": Today's the Day!!!!

Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?!?

I have checked my front stoop no less than 3 times already; maybe four.

My copy of The Exile is coming via US Postal Service - and usually when I get something larger than an envelope, my postman makes a special trip to my house in the mail truck. If it comes via regular mail, it'll be here around noon, 1:00.

(If it doesna show today you will all here me crying all the way from your respective states.)

I am sending you all good Exile vibes (new Jamie... NEW JAMIE!!!!!!!!)

The Purgatory Tour of Scotland

OK so Tracey and I are in hysterics on the phone, pseudo-planning the Purgatory Tour through Scotland with y'all that we just joked about on Monday night Chat. Tracey and I decided we should give our own, personalized tour of the Outlander sights... complete with Chardy and Pinot for all! (Plain ol' Coca Cola's welcome!)

I am wiping away the tears because I just told Tracey the following:

If I were sober at Culloden, I'd be a weepy mess. But if I were drunk at Culloden, I'd probably throw myself on the moor and cling to the Fraser marker. Then I said "Tracey, can't you see the photo now? You and I on either side of the Fraser marker with wine glasses in our hands?!" (I hope y'all know I'd never actually do this).

Then Tracey decided that she and I are the Patsy and Eddie of Outlander.

I canna type any more...I am laughing too hard!!!!!

Is this Adso?!

Got this Paw Nation article about the "Scottish Fold" from our dear friend Christie!!!

Isn't Adso cute?!

I get that this cat is Scottish and Adso was American... but let's just pretend, shall we? Mmmmkay....

Outlander Chat Tonight

9PM Eastern - Chat tonight - Gee.... wonder what we'll talk about... hmmmmmm....

****UPDATE****  IF you have already read The Exile - absolutely NO SPOILERS will be allowed at chat!! Not even the slightest of hints or innuendo! PLEASE!! 

Thanks for your cooperation, lassies. Y'all know I'm a spoiler freak.

Need Your Diana Scientific Fix? Just Read Twitter!

Holy crap. So I've been missing Diana's natural remedies and scientific tidbits lately... and I go to Twitter to answer a question from Tracey... and what do I see?

And honest to god, I felt comforted.  Like Mrs. Bug had just made me a big, ol' bowl of parritch with bacon and bannocks....and the actual coffee was flowing, instead of the acorn coffee that I assume made poor Claire want to throw up in her mouth a little.

Am I the only one who wishes Diana would write a book of natural remedies and helpful information for women (sorry Richard and Charles, etc!) that would be easy to understand in that language we've all come to know and love???

The Most Beautiful Email in the World

From: "Amazon.com"
Date: September 19, 2010 4:31:06 PM EDT
Subject: Your Amazon.com order has shipped

Greetings from Amazon.com.

We thought you'd like to know that we shipped your items, and that this
completes your order.  Your order is being shipped and cannot be changed
by you or by our customer service department.

The following items have been shipped to you by Amazon.com:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty                           Item    Price         Shipped Subtotal

  1  The Exile: An Outlander Gr...   $13.50               1   $13.50
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipped via USPS

Dear Jamie

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have a) seen "Dear John" and b) have read Dragonfly in Amber.

I was just watching "Dear John" with my hub... again. I love that film. Hub likes it but they lose him toward the end when Savannah gives John this speech and tells him how life was just as hard for her as it was for him while he was off fighting. And my husband's like "oh PLEASE! POOR YOU!" at the TV. "He's off risking his life and she's home and she thinks she has it as hard as HE does?!"

And of course this reminded me of Jamie and Claire. I'm uber-sensitive right now because I'm teetering on the brink of insanity, reading Dragonfly whilst waiting for The Exile to come out on Tuesday. And it hit me all of a sudden today.... the reason DinA was so difficult for me to get through in the beginning is because we know - beyond the shadow of a doubt - that Jamie Fraser never got to raise or even see his baby girl. We know that Bree knew nothing but Frank Randall as a father... and we know that Claire went back through the stones pregnant. So even during the first read, when we're walking around in a daze because we don't know why Claire went back... we know what didn't happen. And that's upsetting as hell.

And that's why some of us have such a hard time seeing Claire's life without Jamie as being as difficult as Jamie's life without Claire...no matter how many of Frank's boring stories Claire had to suffer through. (And lorddddddd she suffered through them. Of that, I'm sure.)

Now here is a random Channing Tatum shot because I just like looking at him. So what if his eyes are kindof cat like and he's got high cheekbones and a reddish tinge to his hair and a long straight nose and monstrous shoulders? So what?! He's not even Scottish. He's not even British for that matter. Can you imagine his Scottish accent? It's probably horrible! (Keep telling yourself that, Carol... just keeeeep telling yourself that...)

House of RFyre: OUTLANDER Style!

The houseofrfyre.com "Clan Series" might be THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!

More Jamie and Claire Lovin'...

These were sent in by a My Outlander Purgatory pal... who shall remain nameless by her own request. She says it's "Claire with Pocket Allan playing Pocket Jamie".  I say it's pretty darned amusing. Note the blanket properly covering them in photo #1... and look at the tiny sword in photo #2! Outstanding!

NovelsAlive Interview: Diana Gabaldon talks "The Exile"

THE EXILE IS COMING!!!!!

The Great Dragonfly ReRead

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read the first few chapters of Dragonfly in Amber. 

Wow. Just... wow. What a difference a new read makes. The first time I read DinA - I was lost without Jamie in the beginning. I couldn't get past my shock and general confusion at the 20 years that had passed to really enjoy what was happening. But now? Oh. My. God. I keep crying!  I was on the treadmill this AM and every time I hit a new paragraph I was in tears! I just kept marveling over Bree. She's JAMIE'S DAUGHTER!!!!  I kept thinking "Oh my god, how lucky for Claire that SHE HAD BREE". Every day - she had a MAJOR piece of Jamie- right there - to look at, talk to, hug and kiss... And Jamie had nothing. Not one thing that reminded him of Claire,  save his imagination and memories. Then again - some would argue that it wasn't luck that Claire had Bree - that it might have been just the opposite. Every day she had to see Jamie in Bree's face - and know he was gone.

Oh god I think need to go lie down. Seriously. During my first read I didn't really dwell on ANY of this because I was so upset and freaked out that 20 years had passed... and I couldn't do anything but try to crack the code of how we were going to get back to Jamie.

But this time?? I cried when Roger went to Lallybroch. I cried when Bree's foot was sticking out of the bed. I cried when Claire knocked over the whisky glasses and I cried when Roger found "James Fraser" in the records.

Oh it's WONDERFUL!!!!  Positively DELICIOUS!!!

PS - Is it a little odd that I am almost jealous of all the boxes of books and paperwork that Roger gets to go through? He's totally dreading it because of his emotional attachment to the reverend. But not me!  I love history and geneaology and would be salivating at the prospect of going through all those Culloden records and information.

Frank and "Black Jack" Randall: Another Lightbulb Moment

I'm watching Sherlock Holmes....and I feel like the Frank/Black Jack Randall answer has been right here, under my nose the whole time!  Attractive.. Distinguished..  And able to look downright sinister.

Yup.

Jude. 
Law.

What say you?

Another Great Outlander Chat

Thanks all for another great Outlander chat! I'm so glad I got to make it for a bit!

As I mentioned, I am in the beginning of my Dragonfly in Amber reread... and it's a little slow going. Let's be honest - when you're stuck in the manse with Roger (not that I don't love me some Roger) and you see no end to the 20th centrury in site... well, you get a little frustrated. But as I mentioned at chat tonight, my crazy couple of weeks have let up...so I have more time to read, and will be blogging about Dragonfly verra soon, lads and lassies. Verra soon indeed...

Outlander Chat Tonight

Chat tonight at 9PM Eastern - it's going to be a good one, too. Karen had lunch with Diana last week and will hopefully have lots of details!  AND - there's a certain photo everyone's talking about that I'm sure will come up tonight.

Having said that... I am SO SORRY... but I canna be at chat because I am meeting with a friend from California tonight. I have created a few blogs for him (that are really special to me and I WILL be linking to MOP soon) and I can actually sit and talk with him about them in person; not just via email. So - please know that I would NOT miss chat unless it were truly important.

Tracey will be there tonight and I want ALL THE DEETS!!!!

Keep. Effing. VOTING!!!!

Seriously. This is huge. KEEP VOTING!  Every day!

Quick! Go Vote for Diana!!!!

Quick! Go and Vote for Diana Gabaldon as your favorite author at the Library of Congress' National Book Festival!

The Wedding Night you WON'T See in Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile"

Alright y'all. I have gotten lots of email, asking if I've seen it. And yes; I've seen it.

LORDDDDDDDDDDDDDD HAVE I SEEN IT!

Thoughts? LET'S HEAR 'EM.

And I'll share a little of my own:  I'm not 100% OK with this picture. I'm glad it's been changed. How's about THAT!!!

Wait A Week Mystery

I've got a cool new blog for you to check out... a blog by none other than our own My Outlander Purgatory friend Christie! Christie is a HUGE FAN of the Outlander series... and has written a novel or two of her own. She is making one public on her blog "Wait A Week Mystery" and you can check it out here.  She's posting a chapter a week... how much fun is that?? So go check it out - and make sure you comment! Cuz all bloggers loveeeeeee comments! :)

Labor Day: No Official Outlander Chat Tonight

We will not have an official chat tonight because of the Labor Day holiday. However - feel free to stop in and use the room if you're free and feel like talkin' some Outlander!

If you live in the US, I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

A Lightbulb Moment

I canna believe I never saw this before. Hayley Atwell blew me away in The Pillars of the Earth. Is it possible? Could she be... Claire?  Wow. Just... wow. I loved her from the second she appeared on screen in the first episode. Now I'm wondering if my heart thought so all along.. but my brain just had to catch up.

And PS - gee how odd that I, of all people, should sneak in a little Eddie Redmayne being his usual gorgeous self?

Post Scriptum Scriptum: Spoiler Alert! If you are still reading The Pillars of the Earth - you may want to skip this video!

New Purgatory Video: We Discuss "The Making of The Exile"!

Outlandish Observations: THE EXILE in the UK

Hey if you live in the UK and want to buy "The Exile", check out Karen's recent blog post over at Outlandish Observations!

The Making of the Exile by Diana Gabaldon

Holy mother of god on high. Water. PLEASE!! I NEED WATER! Something! SMELLING SALTS?! HOW am I going to STAND IT when this graphic novel comes out?!? I'm dying already!!! 

Scroll down. LORDDDDDDDDD SCROLL DOWN!!!

 

"The" Outlander Bracelet!

Hey All - I have some news from MaryFaithPeace over at Etsy about her BEAUTIFUL Outlander charm bracelet!

The price for the bracelet is going up - for various reasons.

Faith sometimes uses different charms but since she's gotten so many orders, she is going to make one bracelet - en mass - so that they're always available. The one being sold on Etsy will be a standard "ready-made-dinna-wanna-wait" version. THAT one will have the standard charms (ones Faith has chosen) on it and is currently at the shop for $75. Creating it takes money and time. (Lordddddd lots of time!) You can, however,  still request to customize your charms and/or re-size your bracelet - just let her know when you get in touch with her.

Also - Faith has to deal with rising costs at Etsy, Paypal and USPS.

And BECAUSE SHE'S SO AWESOME - she will make the charm bracelet available at the $60 price point until September 30th for My Outlander Purgatory customers only!!  You can contact her via email (maryfaithpeace@gmail.com) - or through Etsy - and make sure to say you are a friend to My Outlander Purgatory! But hurry - after September 30th, the price goes up to $75!

 Trust me: You. Will. Love. This. Bracelet!!!!

PS - Have you already bought an Outlander charm bracelet from MaryFaithPeace at Etsy? If so - we would LOVE IT if you could send us a photo of you wearing your bracelet for the blog!!

Book 8 Wishlist: Question #1

OK. Fine. I'll admit it. I want some kind of situation with Bree and Roger. Bree loses her job? Nah. A problem with their kids? ZZZ. Nono - what I want to see is quite simple:

One of them has an admirer.

What say YOU?

POST Scriptum: Let me clarify. I don't just want an admirer... I want someone to "test their love" as Jenn M has so eloquently put it in the past.

Post Scriptum Scriptum: I dinna mean "What do you think will happen". I mean "What would you like to see happen?" It. Could. Be. Anything!  Be creative lads and lassies! :)