Robert and Terry and Bear, OH MY!

OK so I took a lunch break and am watching last night's Outlander panel (see below.) And it's awesome. Bear McCreary is there, giving OUTSTANDING information about his musical work on Outlander. And being not only an Outlander fan, but also a fan of The Walking Dead and Black Sails, I am enamored of this man's talents.

I am also ecstatic because Terry Dresbach is making a rare panel appearance with the Outlander gang, giving us an up-close and personal view of the intricacies of Outlander costuming. Lets face it; who among us doesn't worship this gorgeous woman's amazing talents?!?

OK so why I'm feverishly typing: Ron and Bear just mentioned subbing a lyric from Robert Louis Stevenson into Bear's version of The Skye Boat Song (the opening song in Outlander) and I jumped out of my chair and grabbed my computer. (I haven't done that in quite some time...probably since the last time I had a Gabaldon novel in my hot little hands.)

OK so why did I flip out? Robert Louis Stevenson is a popular historical figure in my little fishing village of Brielle, New Jersey:

• Brielle is home to the first charter fishing business of Frank Mundus, aka the REAL "Quint" from the movie, Jaws.  

• Brielle was home to the Union Salt Works that was burned to the ground by British Loyalists (Fraser's Highlanders, no less!) during the Revolutionary War 238 years ago today on April 6th, 1778!

• And what else is April 6th known for?  Tracey's birthday!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Tracey!!

OK so let me get to my point:

On any given weekend in the summer, my family and I can be found boating around the Manasquan River, and spending time on what Robert Louis Stevenson affectionately nicknamed "Treasure Island" after his novel of the same name.

"Most notably, Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, visited in the late 1880s and completed portions of his novel The Master of Ballantrae. He would name Brielle’s Osborn Island after the titular island in his most famous work after a short cruise on the Manasquan River. 
(excerpt from Clayton and Clayton Realtor webpage, "Shore Spotlight: Brielle, NJ)

Interestingly enough, The Master of Ballantrae novel focuses "upon the conflict between two brothers, Scottish noblemen whose family is torn apart by the Jacobite rising of 1745."

So yeah. That's the way my mind works. Ron and Bear start taking Robert Louis Stevenson...and Carol must go blog.  And after doing so, I find out Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a portion of his book about the Jacobite Uprising in my teeny Jersey Shore town. Just another way Outlander weaves itself into the fabric of my life on a daily basis.

DROUGHTLANDER IS OVER!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“DROUGHT-LANDER” ENDS EARLY!

STARZ TO PREVIEW FIRST EPISODE OF

NEW SEASON OF “OUTLANDER” ON DIGITAL

AND ON-DEMAND PLATFORMS

EXCLUSIVELY TO STARZ SUBSCRIBERS

Beverly Hills, Calif. – April 5, 2016 – Starz announced today that the premiere episode of the second installment to STARZ’s hit series “Outlander” will be available starting Thursday, April 7^th exclusively to STARZ subscribers on the new streaming STARZ app and Starz.com as well as on multiple television on-demand and online platforms.

“Outlander” fans may enjoy the first full episode of the Golden Globe^®-nominated series two days in advance of its official premiere on Saturday, April 9^th at 9:00 pm ET/PT.

The eagerly-awaited second installment of “Outlander” is based upon the second of eight books in Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling Outlander series, entitled Dragonfly in Amber. The series is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”).

The standalone STARZ streaming service launched today, offering the first-ever download capabilities from a premium pay TV streaming service. STARZ subscribers from cable, satellite and telco partners can also authenticate and view STARZ in the new, easy-to-use app.

The 13-episode second installment of “Outlander” begins as Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) arrive in France, hell-bent on infiltrating the Jacobite rebellion led by Prince Charles Stuart, and stopping the battle of Culloden. With the help of his cousin Jared, a local wine merchant, Jamie and Claire are thrown into the lavish world of French society, where intrigue and parties are abundant, but political gain proves far less fruitful. Altering the course of history presents challenges that begin to weigh on the very fabric of their relationship. However, armed with the knowledge of what lies ahead, Claire and Jamie must race to prevent a doomed Highland uprising and the extinction of Scottish life as they know it.

Ronald D. Moore, Jim Kohlberg, Andy Harries, Maril Davis, Ira Steven Behr, Toni Graphia and Anne Kenney serve as executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

For more information, go to the official Outlander Facebook Page and STARZ Facebook page. Follow @Outlander_Starz  on Twitter and Instagram and @STARZ_Channel on Twitter and @STARZ on Instagram. Join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ.  For additional high-resolution images and other press materials please visit the Starz Media Room at http://starz.mediaroom.com.

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television networks (Starz Networks) and global content distribution (Starz Distribution), www.starz.com. The Starz Networks operating unit is home to the flagship STARZ^® brand with 23.6 million subscribers in the United States as of December 31, 2015, with the STARZ ENCORE^SM network at 32.2 million subscribers. Through STARZ, the company provides high quality, entertaining premium subscription video programming with 17 premium pay TV channels and associated on-demand and online services.  STARZ is sold through U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms.  Starz offers subscribers more than 5,000 distinct premium television episodes and feature films every year and up to 1,500 every month, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular movie and television programming.  The Starz Distribution operating unit is home to the Anchor Bay Entertainment, Starz Digital, and Starz Worldwide Distribution divisions.  In addition to STARZ Original series, Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires movies, television and other entertainment content for worldwide home video, digital, and television licensing and sales. 

MOP in NYC!!!

Tracey and I are in NYC for the Outlander Season 2 premiere! My friend Nancy took this on the NJ turnpike on our way here! How fitting!! 

Starz Offers Outlander Season 1 for FREE

If you want to catch up on Outlander Season 1 before Saturday, April 9th when Season 2 starts, you can watch all of Season 1 for FREE!!  Check out Starz.com for details!

Where in the World is Taran MacQuarrie?

Wonder what Douglas Henshall has been up to since we watched him meet his proud demise in Season 1 of Outlander?  Look no further!  He is starring in a new film called "Iona" that looks absolutely beautiful...and I am really looking forward to seeing it when it's available here in the US.

You can check out the trailer here:

 

HAPPY TOBIAS TUESDAY!

Driving Miss Edith

Hey!  Do you guys know Claire and Frank?

I know this is 1920s England and not 1940s Scotland...but I still couldn't help but compare.  ;)

Scottish Style

OK y'all...spring is almost upon us (crossing fingers, especially if you're in a colder winter climate like me!)  It is time to update our wardrobe with all things SCOTTISH!

How do we do that, you ask?  Well let me give you some suggestions of things I love!


STITCHFIX.  It's easy as pie.  You fill out a style profile, and they send you clothes and accessories. You keep/pay for what you want...and return what you don't...in their postage-paid envelope.

So how is this OUTLANDER related??  When you fill out your profile, you tell them you like PLAID.  And PAISLEY.  And anything SCOTTISH.  It's SO simple!!



PLAID VANS!  How cute are these???  I was just searching for Vans for my son and came across these and thought, "Weeeeel now sorry lad, but mama wants a new pair of shoes!!"



 PAISLEY SCARF y'all! How gorgeous is this??

They have a TON of colors, too.  AND it's a "free returns" if you have Amazon Prime!




CLAN FRASER PJ's!!!  OMG SO stinkin' CUTE!!  You can wear JAMIE TO BED!!!  I must have these.  And since my birthday was two months ago, I am going to have to do some fancy footwork and get hubby or my kids to buy them for me!!



CLAN FRASER APRON! We can all wear these when we're making amazing recipes from Theresa Carle-Sanders' Outlander Kitchen book when it comes out in June!  Hurry and go preorder...lest you end up sitting around on your lawn chair with your Pinot Grigio and checking your mailbox like I did while waiting for my copy of The Exile ...because I was silly and didn't preorder!!!


OK y'all - there are some ideas to get us started.  Stay tuned for more!*


*Forgive me if some items are not available outside the US!  I'm working on that for future posts. :) 

Win A Trip For Two To SCOTLAND With Walkers OUTLANDER Shortbread!

VERRA cool contest, sassenachs...

Walkers Shortbread has teamed up with Outlander Starz to create a special OUTLANDER-themed box for their delicious shortbread...AND are giving away a trip for two to Scotland!*

What are you waiting for?? GO ENTER!

*US residents only

The Scotsman: Sam Heughan to Lead New York Tartan Day Parade

Loved seeing this article in The Scotsman about Sam Heughan being this year's Grand Marshall of NYC's Tartan Day parade.

Happy Presidents Day: No MOP Chat Tonight

MOP Chat will be canceled tonight in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday in the United States.  We hope you have a wonderful night and we'll see you next week!

Welcome Sophie Skelton aka BRIANNA!

Droughtlander Book Suggestions

Just came across the article Addicted to Outlander? 11 Books to Read During the Long Wait for Season Two by Caitlin Kleinschmidt.  I am already a Bronze Horseman nut...but am thrilled to find a few more suggestions to tide us over for the next couple months!

Bree Watch 2016

MOP'S TOBIAS TUESDAY!

Cait, Tobias and Sam Talk to Access Hollywood about Season 2

Happy Birthday Diana Gabaldon!!!

Could this woman BE more stunning???  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DG!!! :)

If You Love Outlander, You MUST Watch AMC's TURN

I am very seriously toying with the idea of creating My Turn Purgatory, y'all.  THAT...is how good this show is.  (As if I didn't wax on about it in our latest video??)  Please take 4 minutes and 54 seconds out of your life and watch this. Not only does it show scenes from the series, but it also EXPLAINS who many of the main characters are (just for you, Tracey) and shows the actors giving quick rundowns on their characters and their plot lines.

Bottom line...if you are an Outlander fan, you really must be watching Turn, Washington's Spies.

ENJOY...and let me know what you think!!

PS - NO, I don't work for AMC!!  I just really, REALLY love and support this show!  :)

MOP Video: A Very MOP-py Holiday!

Wallapop Jamieisms!

SPOILER ALERT:  Do not read unless you have read Dragonfly in Amber!

Saw this post on Wallapop this morning and giggled my - ahem - HONEY POT off!!  First I thought, "JAMIE!"  Then I looked closer and thought, "Winne the Pooh?"  LOL!!  I think I may have to have this.  Can you imagine??  I show up at someone's door and say, "You're selling this gem??  Haven't you read Dragonfly in Amber??"  ;)

MOP Chat Canceled Tonight

Hey y'all!  We hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend!!

Feel free to talk amongst yourselves, but we will not be able to join you in MOP CHAT this evening. Tracey FINALLY got Star Wars tickets...and I am away on vacation with the fam.

SIDE NOTE:  We have a very special surprise coming VERRA SOON.  Hint:  It involves Carol, Tracey, and a whole lotta holiday cheer.  :::insert laughing so hard, I'm almost crying emoji here:::

Outlander 2016 Golden Globe Nominations: MOP Breaks it DOWN!

THREE GOLDEN GLOBES nominations for OUTLANDER on Starz!

Best Television Series – Drama

Outlander

Best Performance By an Actress in a Television Series – Drama

Caitrona Balfe, Outlander

Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Tobias Menzies, Outlander

OUTLANDER Starz Season 2 Teaser Trailer

CANNOT STOP WATCHING THIS!!!!

CYBER MONDAY: 15% off Select Items in the Official Outlander Store!

 CYBER MONDAY ALERT!!!

Visit the Official OUTLANDER Store  and get 15% off select official OUTLANDER merchandise!!  TODAY only!!

Biggest Kindle Daily Day of the Year at Amazon!!!

CYBER MONDAY ALERT!

Save up to 85% off over 800 books today with Amazon's

Biggest Kindle Daily Day of the Year!

A Princess for Christmas on the Hallmark Channel

It's that time of year again!!  Click "View all showtimes" on the Hallmark Channel webpage for A Princess for Christmas to find out when you can watch Sam Heughan in a totally adorable role as the hunky Prince Ashton.

Pop.Lander's Outlander Pop! Photography on Instagram

Just finished tonight's Monday's Outlander  Chat and heard about something fun and new in Outlanderville in tonight's discussion!

HOW TOTALLY CUTE is Outlander Pop! Photography (@pop.lander) on Instagram???

You MUST GO NOW and check this out!!  So adorable!!

Prayers for France

Last Call: Droughtlander Photo Contest at Outlandish Observations!

Last call for the Outlandish Observations Droughtlander Photo Contest!!!  Whatcha waitin' for???  Get those photos and send 'em to Karen, STAT!!!  :)

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY to MOP!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY My Outlander Purgatory!!

I started waxing on about Outlander six years ago today...and here I am still doing it!!   Where does the time go?!?

I was going to post a video of a piper playing Happy Birthday...but I decided Stuart Mackenzie was much more apropos of the antics and hijinks Tracey and I have enjoyed over the years. :)

Cameron's and HP and Proclaimers, oh MY!

OK so this just happened in my car...

I had just gotten some sausage rolls, meat pies and bridies from my favorite Scottish market...and 500 Miles came on the radio.  A big bag of Scottish goodness...HP in the cup holder...Proclaimers on the radio...

It was like the Scottish Perfect Storm!  :) 

Last Minute Scottish Halloween Costumes

The following costumes are STILL available on Amazon Prime, for one or two-day delivery...if you or your significant other are considering dressing as some cool Scots for Halloween this weekend:

Drinkin', Partyin' Scottish Dude...

Hot, Bare-chested Scottish Dude who's probably going to end up at Drinkin', Partyin' Scottish Dude's killer party after he finishes Highland dancing at the Bachelorette party...








"WTF Scottish Dude" who's miserable because his wife made him dress up fancy and go to his in-laws'.  He secretly wishes he could be at Drinkin', Partyin' Scottish Dude's house, innocently flirting with Hot, Bare-chested Scottish Dude's leftovers...

 






"WTF Scottish Dude's Wife" who is constantly checking to make sure he is still talking sports with her father and hasn't snuck out to go to Drinkin', Partyin' Scottish Dude's house to flirt with Hot, Bare-chested Scottish Dude's leftovers...







Laoghaire's Ho-bag Scottish Friend who is trying to get with Hot, Bare-chested Scottish Dude.









Hot, Bare-chested Scottish Dude's Fiance who has no idea he is dancing at night, in addition to working at the mill, to pay for the overpriced engagement ring her mother insisted she's entitled to.




There ya have it!!  Go check 'em out!!!  :)

The Bastard Executioner: Droughtlander Methadone

I have become extremely hooked on a new show by the awe-inspiring Kurt Sutter called The Bastard Executioner.  It takes place in 14th century Wales, and those of you who love English rule period pieces (and don't mind some blood and gore) will love it.

And let's just say there may be a certain massive redhead named Lee Jones who may help to fill the Jamie Fraser void over the next few months.  He happens to be the lead character who is fighting to save his country from English atrocities (sound familiar?)...and to say he reminds me of "Exile Jamie" at times is an understatement.  Just look at those cat eyes!!

The yummy Stephen Moyer (True Blood "Sookayyy!") and the hella-cool Katey Sagal (Mother of all mothers on Sons of Anarchy) are also leads on the show and are both very different from their characters on True Blood and Sons. SO different that you will forget all about Vampire Bill and Gemma Teller Morrow and completely lose yourself in the story.

Another lead is the plainly beautiful Flora Spencer-Longhurst...a virtual unknown (in the US) who is beyond realistic as the Baroness Lowry and is referred to by most characters as "Lady Love." The show's make up and costumes department - as well as casting directors - should all be given Emmys...because this woman is so authentic, she looks like she stepped right out of a medieval painting.  And they might as well give her one as well...because she's so believable, you can't take your eyes off her during every moment she's on the screen.

Note: the show takes a few episodes to really get under your skin, so make sure you watch a few before making up your mind.  It's on FX on Tuesday nights at 10PM Eastern.

And let me know what you think!

Scotland Fever: The Bay City Rollers are BACK

I just sat in my car in the driveway, much longer than necessary, listening to the Bay City Rollers' "I Only Want To Be With You." I found myself straining to hear the slightest whisper of a Scots accent and delighting in the little up swoop whenever they sang "what you doooo."

(I never thought to do this as an 8 year old, bopping around my house and singing their songs at the top of my lungs with my sisters, mind. Tracey and I will gladly give you a repeat in our next video.)

The fact that the Bay City Rollers are touring again brought a wee bit of warmth to my wame, that is for sure.  Tracey, Third sister, Jill and I will no doubt buy tickets if they show up in NJ/PA.

(Eric Faulkner was my absolute fave.  What about you?