The Downton Abbey estate stands a splendid example of confidence and mettle, its family enduring for generations and its staff a well-oiled machine of propriety. But change is afoot at Downton — change far surpassing the new electric lights and telephone.

A crisis of inheritance threatens to displace the resident Crawley family, in spite of the best efforts of the noble and compassionate Earl, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville, Miss Austen Regrets); his American heiress wife, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern); his comically implacable, opinionated mother, Violet (Maggie Smith, David Copperfield); and his beautiful, eldest daughter, Mary, intent on charting her own course.

Reluctantly, the family is forced to welcome its heir apparent, the self-made and proudly modern Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), himself none too happy about the new arrangements. As Matthew's bristly relationship with Mary begins to crackle with electricity, hope for the future of Downton's dynasty takes shape.

But when petty jealousies and ambitions grow among the family and the staff, scheming and secrets — both delicious and dangerous — threaten to derail the scramble to preserve Downton Abbey.

Created and written by Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), Downton Abbey offers a spot-on portrait of a vanishing way of life.  

i can't remember the last time i enjoyed television quite this much.  it aired here in the states on masterpiece classics last month, and i waited each week with breathless anticipation.  i just noticed that it's now available on netflix instant watch, so get over there and watch it, then come report to me on whether you loved it or you LOVED IT.  

(if you like british period pieces with a great script, this is definitely for you.  LJ summers, you have zero excuse not to watch this now.)

now, get in this CF and tell everyone how great this show is, how wonderful matthew crawley was as mr. edward ferrars in the BBC production of sense & sensibility from a few years ago, how excited you are for the next season, or just your favorite films/tv shows in this genre so i know what to add to my netflix queue

click here for downton abbey on netflix

or PM me if you do not have the means to watch it (i can get it to you, darling)

downton OTP for your time:

I want to read a good Poorward, Middleclassward or even Homelessward fic. I am growing weary of Mr. Richie McMegabucks Cullen.

I have read/am reading River Dam, Green, The Art Teacher, Grand Jete, Young Pilgrims, We Come to Life Beneath the Stars, and Fuggiasco.

Have I exhausted my resources?

Help me get all heart-achey over a man of little means.

Rec me some fic.

FYT:

Some questionable Rob gifs

And one we should never question:

I am sick. I am cranky. I am mottled in the head and cannot focus on reading a fic. Or picking a fic. Help. Waaaaaaaa. I love you all, and will remember the joy you've given me after i've left this world.

WHY should I read any of these (on my to read lists for a long time, cannot figure out why I won't start them)

1. Parachute (actually read a few chapters, lost focus)

2. Beyond Time

3. Do Over

4. Love on Wheels

5. Drift

6. Elemental

7. Dead on my Feet

EDIT: Thank you all so much for your detailed opinions, it really helps, and thanks for the well wishes! You guys are the best.

I am currently pregnant with my 2nd little monkey (yay!) and hubby and I have been playing the name game.

I found an article about the influence of Twilight on the popularity of baby names

http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20100508/039twilight039-influence-isabella-jacob-popular-baby-names-2009-id-10111907.html

I was wondering: what are your feelings on the subject?

A friend of mine, due any day now, has a son named Jacob and had this baby been a boy, his name would have been Edward (something she didn't think about until AFTER they found out the baby was a girl).

I know the name Renesmee makes my skin crawl, but I also know that some people have actually named their daughters this (why, I have no idea).  I also know that it drives me crazy when people go outside of canon to name the offspring they create for the characters.

SM has said she named Bella after the name she was saving for the daughter it looked like she would never have.  Lots of the characters are also named after her family.

So tell me peeps: what opinions do you have on SM's naming choices, people naming their kids after Twilight, or just stupid naming choices in general?

I can't really talk--I was named after Priscilla Presley's character off Dallas.

Hey Campers!  It's time for our monthly Review Drive fire!

Here's how to participate -

1. Go to your FF.net account and scroll over the Traffic Tab.

2. Click on User Stats.

3. You'll see a sentence that says "You have completed a total of _____ signed reviews"

4. Come back and share that number here.

Feel free to discuss your number too - defend it, brag about it, whatever! In a week, I'll post another fire and we can compare our numbers. Next month, we'll do the same.

This is a fun way to challenge ourselves, encourage us to take the time to review and show all of the awesome author's out there some love!

To see January's review drive - click here.  And thanks to jazzy-cullen, we've got the January results fire here...click me. =)

Unfortuanetly, it appears that the forest ate our last review drive results fire. Dang grizzly bears. I'll keep hunting for it!

Not sure if this has been done or not:

If you had to choose a scene from your fave FF to be acted out (regardless of actors/roles), what would YOU want to see?

I have a few, but I narrowed it down in the comments

J

I cruised around the forest before asking. I only found two posts about it and they both referenced iFic, but it hasn't been updated since last Spring. Are there any new developments? I need to drive a lot today and tomorrow and I thought about an audiobook but can't find anything worth it under 10 dollars and the fics on iFic are either ones I've read or aren't interested in and there are only five or so of each one.

Any ideas? I'm desperate for some entertainment! HALP!
TIA:

Tell us what you  write and why we should read it. Tell us it is the perfect fic to try out tonight. Tell us what a friend writes and why it knocks your knickers off. Tell us about pretty much anything you've always wanted to tell us about but thought it would sound too self serving. 

Don't be afraid, little chickens, that is what this campfire is for!

This campfire is for YOU.

xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

In honour (yes I am Canadian and I will spell that with a U) of Valentine's Day, may I present to you tragic love stories - also known as couples who weren't meant to be.

Jin and Sun (LOST)

I don't know about you, but I was a sobbing mess watching this scene.

Romeo and Juliet

Classic tragic love story.

Come on in and tell me - who do you think was a tragic love story?

Purple Ranger approved.

i was wondering if any one has a copy of a fic called commited to memory by krismom , it was recently pulled which i don't know why and i didn't get to read the last two chapter so if any one has a copy plz help me and by the way it wasn't completed but i still want to read those chapter bec this story was amazing . thanks

let's hang out here instead and answer my inane questions

the best holiday is __________ because _____________________

if you came over, we'd ___________________________

the dumbest thing i've ever done was _______________________

my favorite fic to re-read is _________________

i'm really looking forward to ________________

before i die, i'm gonna ______________, ______________, and ____________________

one day, i WILL meet ________________

this is what happens when i hit ctrl + v: 

and of course, a valentine's gift for wtvoc:

lol ctrl +alt + delete.  pardon my error, i've got issues today

my favorite sad bastard song for your time:

God, that's a terrible title. but it made me laugh and i can't change it now. 

i need some help with smut, can i have your $0.02?

Anyone?

i'll explain inside...

In honor of this special day 

I want to recognize our fandom first's...

the first person to make you feel welcome,

the first person who introduced you to g-chat,

the first person who you may never meet in real life, but will always consider to be a true friend. 

Celebrate the first person, or people, who made you feel like you finally found a place in the world, even if it is inside a computer. 

Tell them you love them, 

If they are no longer around tell them you miss them,

Tell them how much their friendship has meant to you.  

If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you.
-- Winnie the Pooh
 

This is for theraingirl.

Much love to all the ladies of ADF!

Do you write fan fiction?

Give us a little peek!

Post excerpts from your upcoming chapters here!

~ Don't forget to include a link to your story! ~

Hey Campers!

Today we're announcing the next fic in this read along series.....

With great pleasure, I bring you our second story.....

Abbracciare il Cantante by Bratty-Vamp!!!

So, dear campers, go forth and read chapters 1-10. Then come back and discuss them with us on Thursday! Can't wait!!

Use this fire to discuss this fic, or share any read along related ideas you have

(no spoilers please!!!)

D'Oh!  The banner is now a link to the story here in the forest! =)

I would like to start this fire by wishing everyone who has had a birthday recently, or has one coming up a "Happy Birthday"!

I would like to know what fic's you are reading, that are on hiatus or not updating, that you REALLY wish would update!

Mine are inside

(I'm hoping that this CF is A-OK, as my last one was deleted..... *sniffle*)

Today is a very special birthday. Someone MANY of us have seen around the forest and probably interacted with, and maybe even read her story, To the Highest Bidder, RainyGirl1978!

OMG, go read her story and show her some birthday love! What you may not know, is that she is a genuinely caring person, who puts others above herself almost ALWAYS. She is always willing to help her friends out, even those she may not know with words of encouragement and support. Shes kindhearted, strong-minded, down to earth, funny, witty, a KICK BUTT writer, and amazing. And ANYONE would be blessed to call her a friend. AND it's super easy, just say hi. She's THAT friendly! So please come in here and leave some birthday love, and make and AMAZING new friend while you're at it!

That one makes me smile. And look Melinda, birthday presents (AND I didn't curse ONCE even though I wanted to say how much I bleeping LOVE you! ;)

I just finished Sanctuary by Jennyfly (which I loved) and I was wondering if there were any other Priestward and Bella stories that anyone could recommend.  Thanks!