I normally don't lurk on this side of Home Decorating, but I peeked in and saw this thread. It gives me a chance to vent about this series. I'm a die-hard Upstairs/Downstairs fan and I tried watching Downton Abbey when it first aired but did not enjoy it. Almost every scenario they came up with was done and done much better in Up/Dwnstrs. After saying this I continue to tune in now and then and am amazed at how the writers think that staff would be interacting with the upstairs as much as they do in this series. Maids being asked for and having their advice taken? Staff conversing and engaged with family members so casually? I don't think so. Besides, Richard is such a weak version of Mr. Bellamy. lol I do have one question for avid fans - who did Mary have her indiscretion with that caused all the scandal?

Marie cate I'm an hour and half away. I'm waiting for someone to get back to me to confirm which date she's available to go but I want to go soon. We went to see the Grace Kelly exhibit (in Doylestown) last January and the weather was a nightmare. I want to go sooner versus later so we don't repeat that. The Xmas decor will be up after the 22nd, I think. Kswl, I still longingly recall a plaid coat Mary wore in a hunting scene, the first year I believe. It would be great if that is included in the exhibit, I'd love to see it up close. Something about the tailoring on that just really grabbed me. Of course I'm not built anything like her. I'd look like a fire plug wrapped in a plaid blanket.

I drove 1.5 hours to see it. It was great. They have 40 costumes, both upstairs and downstairs, men and women. There are some video screens with scenes playing. They tie-in how Winterthur was an American DA and display some of their items. It's not a large exhibit but I thought it was very well done. ETA: Being the only person in the world without a GPS, I followed the directions from Mapquest. They directed me to turn left across a busy 2-lane road, not at a light, onto an unmarked country road. I missed the turn. When I backtracked to correct, I stopped at the Post Office to confirm directions. I asked is this small unmarked road behind me route 100? Yes. From there it was another small country lane (something with a T) to connect me to Route 52, the road with the museum. The course correction made me late for my timed admission to see the house decorated for Xmas. I didn't really care about that, I was there for DA. Anyhoo, when I arrived later than my scheduled time I was told I could not tour the house, they were sold out. Really? They had no way to accommodate one visitor? Not a carload, not a bus load but one person, anytime during that day? Okay, I'll just see the DA and other exhibits. So my suggestion is get better directions and don't arrive late of you want to see the Xmas decorations. I would have preferred to take Route 1 directly to Route 52, instead of the perhaps more direct but poorly marked scenic tour. This post was edited by hhireno on Wed, Dec 3, 14 at 10:45

And what happened to those babies? Last week the nanny got fired and then then babies just disappeared? It's starting to feel like an English soap opera for me now as opposed to the story of the family with some plot development. Too many characters flipping in/out each week. But that's just my take. There's lots to love about the show. I just hope they turn it around a bit and slow it back down to it's original flavor. Love the worktable in the kitchen and as someone else noted, the introduction of various electrical appliances. Mrs Patmore is hilarious. I think this season is getting on towards end of the '20's judging by the costumes, speak-easys, and the ominous pull of Germany for Edith's boyfriend to get his divorce. My prediction is that he'll get stuck there when Hitler rises...or something to that effect.