Gearing up for October, November and December

Lately I've been on a non-fiction kick. I read 10 non-fiction books in a row.  Only one of them was a re-read.  They are all of a Metaphysical nature.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle
The Moses Code by James Twyman
The Essential Spontaneous Fulfillment by Deepak Chopra
Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Isaiah Effect by Gregg Braden
The Dark Side of Light Chasers by Debbie Ford
Learned Optomism by Martin P. Seligman
Divine Matrix by Gregg Braden

I'm pretty much done with this topic, I have one or two more waiting to read, but I'm otherwise done for now.

October is reserved for some Horror reads
November and December are reserved for Holiday reads.  I searched for some Thanksgiving novels, because I don't usually see those. I found a few.

A Winter's Tale is Richard Paul Evan's new Christmas book for 2012. So of course that one is on the list.

And of course I'll be watching the Horror movies in October and the Holiday movies in November and December.  More on that later.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well it is finally here. Christmas will be here next.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, don't eat too much.

My mother and son are here. My mom cooks most of the food, but I cook the macaroni and cheese and Clarissa and I made the pie. It is apple. She wanted to do the lattice top, it kind of looks sad, but I tasted the filling, ohhh is it good.

We are watching the Parade, and later we are going to watch 'Hanna' later.

I will enjoy today, I have to work tomorrow. But it will be empty there, so I plan to do my work and go home. No Black Friday shopping for me. I don't do that anyway.

Holiday Movies / Books

Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks. Time sure does fly. I have not even started my Christmas shopping yet, although I’m not buying many things.  My daughter is getting a laptop (her last one died), my son just clothes and money and I don’t know what I’m getting mom this year.  I buying my friend a book and her kids get gift cards. That’s it, I’m done. I have little money.

I am currently reading “11/22/63” by Stephen King. I downloaded it to my NOOK yesterday for $16.99. I cannot believe the hardcover is $35.  WOW! It is too big to carry around so I didn’t mind spending the $16.99.  I usually don’t buy books over $9.99, however, I knew this one was coming out months ago, so I made sure I allotted money for this.

I’ve been watching my holiday movies.

Mistletoe over Manhattan on the Hallmark Channel.

This was a nice, modern day movie.  Of course it wouldn’t be complete without Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf.  Nice family friendly film.  Mrs. Claus intervenes to bring two people on the brink of divorce back together. Can she help them recapture the Christmas Spirit?

Love’s Christmas Journey on the Hallmark Channel.

Jeanette Oke’s Christmas story.  I am not sure if this is part of her “Love’s Series” or  not. I don’t recognize the characters, however, it is still a great family film.  2 parts, 4 hours, so make sure, if you do watch it, you see both parts. 

Recently widowed Ellie visits her brother Aaron and his two children during the Christmas holidays.

Of course there is way more to it than this, but you’ll have to watch.

By The Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)

Starring Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, based on stories by Booth Tarkington.

Let me just preface by saying this is a musical and it is not a Thanksgiving or Christmas movie per se.

Marjorie’s boyfriend William returns from the Army after WWI.  They have an on-again, off-again romance. There are other family crisis going on, but it is mostly caused by Marjorie’s younger brother’s wild imagination.

Very light hearted and fun ‘Winter’ movie.  There is a Thanksgiving scene, which is funny. This movie takes place during the Winter months. 

One thing that did confuse me about this movie is the synopsis reads he is returning from WWI, however, when you watch it, the clothes seem to suggest a later period (1930s or early 1940s).

However, there is a horse drawn carriage, so I guess it is post WW I.  It is a very  charming ‘Currier and Ives’ scene that leads to another ‘Currier and Ives’ scene on an ice skating pond.

So if you are in to Classic movies (in Technicolor) and not in the mood for a full blown Christmas movie, this one would be a good choice. But you have to like music, because they break out in song.

I finished my 1^st Holiday Book.

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

A modern retelling of the Prodigal Son.  Luke Crisp is heir to a multi-million dollar Copy Center franchise.  His father wants his son to take over the company when he retires. Luke has other plans.  His father reluctantly gives Luke his Trust Fund, and what does Luke do with it?  Well if you know the story of the Prodigal Son, then you will know. 

Luke soon learns who his friends are and that good people come in all shape, sizes and colors.

Good people are usually taken advantage of, but good people are the ones who help out the most. Luke is ‘Good People’.

Richard Paul Evans writes a Christmas Story every year.  It doesn’t revolve around Christmas.  It usually starts around one Christmas and ends around another Christmas. It could be the following year or 10 years later, one never knows.

This is a fantastic addition to his Christmas Collection.  It is a quick read, like most Christmas stories, but packs a huge message.

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Of course, I usually give his books that.

I will probably not read my next Christmas book until December. I am reading Stephen King’s book as I mentioned and oddly enough I have another time travel book in the library.

A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler.

This is a children’s book, but I loved the synopsis, so I wanted to read it.

Jenni Green’s family vacation has finally arrived! Even though she has to deal with her annoying little brother, her slightly overbearing dad, and her very pregnant mom, she gets to spend a week with her bestest friend in the world, Autumn. But twelve-year-old Jenni’s world turns upside down when she takes an old elevator to visit Autumn and discovers that everything has changed: not only is her friend in a different condo, but tragedy has struck Autumn’s family, Jenni’s mother has had her baby, and everyone is a year older. When Jenni realizes that the elevator caused her to skip a whole year, she tries to go back, but soon finds that fixing things won’t be as easy as pressing a button. How can she alter the past and keep her family and Autumn’s from falling apart?


And if anyone is questioning why I’m reading a book for children 9 – 12, I will just say…Because I can!

Random Christmas

The Gathering (1977)

A crusty businessman, facing his last Christmas, makes an eleventh hour attempt to pull together the family which he shattered by allowing them to become second to his work and which he left years earlier. The Emmy-winner as Outstanding Special of 1977-78.
*Not out on DVD yet.







In The Good Old Summertime
102 min.

Musical remake of "Shop Around the Corner" involving two feuding store employees who are unknowingly engaged in a romantic relationship as anonymous pen pals.
(Movies like this: Shop Around the Corner, You've Go Mail, It Happened on 5th Avenue)




All Mine to Give
103 min.

This DVD's cover art, which is original to the movie's release over fifty years ago, has a tagline that reads: "Six kids on a true and wonderful adventure!" This is one of the most misleading teasers in cinematic public relations history. It has the reader imagining a sextuplet of young ones perhaps sledding on particularly icy mountains or facing down some Scrooge-like, anti-Christmas archnemesis. In fact, it's about children losing both parents to highly contagious diseases and having their family rent permanently asunder.

This tale is based on a true-life story set in Wisconsin. Robert and Mamie Eunson (Cameron Mitchell and Glynis Johns) are Scots who have just landed in America (the year is 1856), having been invited there by Mamie's uncle. They arrive in the tiny logging village of Eureka, only to be informed that both uncle and his cabin have been incinerated in a house fire. The Eunsons are assisted by the friendly locals in reconstructing the house and Robert takes to tipping timber. It should be noted Mamie is heavily pregnant upon their reaching Eureka; she delivers baby Robbie soon after the cabin is completed. Robert eventually starts a successful boat building business and Mamie gives birth to five more children: Jimmy, Kirk, Annabelle, Elizabeth, and Jane. The Eunsons are prospering and happy--until little Kirk is diagnosed with diptheria. Mamie and Kirk are quarantined while Robert takes the other children away. The boy recovers, but the goodbye kiss he gave Dadda before his departure proves fatal, and Mr. Eunson succumbs.

Mamie takes to working as a seamstress and Robbie becomes the man of the house. Things stabilize, but only briefly: tired and work-worn, Mamie contracts typhoid. Knowing she won't survive, she charges her eldest with finding good homes for his siblings. After her death, Robbie does exactly that, dispatching his brothers and sisters to kindly townsfolk. Stoic and resigned during the process, he does break down when he's alone and sees the tree outside the homestead where his father had carved the names of the children into the bark. Baby Jane is the last to be handed over--Robbie stands at the door of a house and asks the woman who answers, "Will you take my sister, ma'am?" Pathos, lachrymose, mourning, and gloom! (It reminds me that in Great Britain, this movie was released under the title The Day They Gave Babies Away...*gulp*!)

He then turns and trudges, solitary and struggling, up a hill in a snowstorm. You may ask, "What does this horribly sad tale have to do with Christmas?" Robbie is breaking up the clan on Christmas Eve, wisely thinking people are more likely to accept taking in an orphan while filled with the holiday spirit.
Thank you M. Thomas from Amazon for this very indepth synopsis.


A Holiday for Love
95 min.

Warm holiday drama in which an executive forced to cut the jobs of many people working at a small-town tractor factory gets a big surprise when he's mistaken as the savior of the local economy.






Holiday Affair (remake of 1949 movie)
93 min.

Story of a young single mom and her son. She's having a hard time getting over the death of her husband and has been dating a young attorney. She meets another young man who sells her a toy train for use in her job but her son thinks it's for him for Christmas.
Thank you Family Man from Amazon for the synopsis.
Said not to be on par with the original starring Robert Mitchum.

Christmas for Adults (but kids can watch)

Christmas Angel
90 min.

Ashley has been on her own all her life. She feels even more alone this Christmas as she searches fruitlessly for a job. The seasonal cheer around her only rubs salt in her wounds as she scrapes by to support herself and her dog, Dash. But her neighbor, Nick, knows exactly what to do. He offers her a job, to be his assistant in the best work-helping others. There's one catch that Ashley must honor though-she can't tell anyone that her new boss is a sort of Secret Santa, helping others anonymously. Through her new job, Ashley meets Will, a writer for a business magazine who uncovers what Ashley is doing, and more importantly, Nick's involvement. As Ashley and Nick help people in need, Ashley tries to protect Nick's secret, and her own heart, while Will must weigh the consequences of what he does.

Moonlight & Mistletoe
88 min.

Heartwarming and hilarious story of a father and daughter who single-handedly attempt to save Christmas ... in Santaville. Arnold plays Nick, the owner of a year round Christmas theme park. After three years, his estranged daughter Holly returns home to find the spirit of Christmas in Santaville has dwindled, taking the family business with it. What starts out as an attempt to bail out her dad, ends up rekindling Holly s belief in Christmas all over again. The snowflakes will fly in this holiday film the whole family will enjoy!


A Christmas Proposal
90 min.

Two lawyers dueling over a proposal to turn a quaint mountain town into a ski resort discover they are former childhood sweethearts. Lisa is fighting to protect the hamlet, big city attorney Rick represents the developer who wants to plow it under. But when a car accident forces Rick to stick around, the small town, and his former beloved, begin to work their magic on him.



The National Tree
88 min.

When his Sitka Spruce tree is chosen to be planted outside the White House as the new national Christmas Tree, the teenager is charged with the task of getting it across the country for delivery. During his journey, the young traveler must decide whether the fame the tree has brought him is worth losing the gift that has meant so much to him and his father.

The Christmas Choir
85 min.

Based on a true story, The Christmas Choir is the inspiring account of how one man can make a remarkable difference simply by giving of himself. Workaholic accountant Peter Andrews has overlooked Christmas, friends and even his fiancé for far too long. As a result, his life begins to fall apart. But a chance encounter with a homeless man named Bob changes everything and inspires Peter to start a choir that eventually goes on to enormous success. With the help of the unconventional Sister Agatha and his newfound friends at the shelter, Peter learns that Christmas is not a season but a state of mind and that everyone deserves a second chance at life and love.
*THIS WAS A VERY GOOD MOVIE*

Back to Family - Christmas

Booky and the Secret Santa
90 min.

It's Christmas time and Booky is trying to bring her family the best Christmas possible. But it looks like she is going to need a miracle when her family falls on hard times when her dad loses his job. Watch as Booky teams up with friends, family and a very secret Santa to save Christmas.

Christmas in Canaan
96 min.

DJ and Rodney don't like each other from the start. Rodney thinks DJ is an ignorant white farm boy, and DJ thinks Rodney acts too smart for his own good. After a school bus scuffle between the two, DJ's father and Rodney's grandmother come up with a clever solution that brings the boys closer than either of them would like. Living in Canaan, Texas in the 1960's does not make it easy for a black boy and a white boy to forge a friendship. It is only amid the magic of an unforgettable Christmas that DJ and Rodney discover a land of milk and honey where hope and love make all the difference.


A Golden Christmas
95 min.

After a magical summer together, a nine-year-old boy whispers his heart into the ear of a best friend. With a loyal, golden dog by their side, the boy and girl bury a time capsule of keepsakes then they go their separate ways.

Years later, looking for a fresh start, a man and woman each return to the place they felt most at home as a child. But a comedic case of unknown identity has them competing for the same childhood memories, and Christmas escapades ensue. For the sake of their happiness, they must discover their common past before they turn each other s lives completely upside-down.

Can a golden dog lead them home?


The Christmas Story Lady
94 min.

An elderly lady has a gift for storytelling that brings a troubled family together and envelops them in a world of imagination.

More Cute Family Christmas Stuff!

CHILLTOWN CHRISTMAS (2010)

A moving Christmas tale about a young orphan named Boo who is taken in by his aunt. When a homeless man shows up at their door it appears he has some strange powers that he wishes to bestow on Boo and the family, leading to a magical tale full of seasonal cheer.




A Small Miracle: A Christmas Story
25 min.

On Christmas Eve, a poor old woman plays her accordion in the street. Apart from two children, the passers-by ignore her and by the end of the day she has to sell her accordion to buy some food. Worse is to come. On her way home a thief steals her money. She discovers that he has also vandalized the church-the little Nativity figures lie scattered on the floor and the collection box is empty. The old woman restores order and sets off exhausted towards her caravan. But before long she collapses in the snow. And now the magic begins. The little Nativity figures come to life and carry her safely home. They make sure that her good deeds are rewarded so that in the morning she wakes to the most wonderful Christmas she could ever imagine. The traditional nativity characters feature in the story but the setting is contemporary and the plot touching and original.

Mrs. Miracle
90 min.

Overwhelmed widower Seth Webster is searching for a housekeeper to help him with his unruly six year old twin sons. "Mrs. Miracle" mysteriously appears and quickly becomes an irreplaceable nanny, chef, friend... and matchmaker.





Recipe for a Perfect Christmas
86 min.

First-time food critic JJ Jenner is a cute but bookish 24-year-old whose transformation from low-level magazine writer to coveted food columnist faces just one roadblock--her free-spirited, scene-stealing mother, who shows up unannounced for the holidays. Low on energy and patience, and desperate to get some work done, JJ sets her mom up with Alex, a sweet and ambitious young chef, in exchange for reviewing his struggling restaurant. When writer's block suddenly hits, JJ begins to recognize that her true feelings for Alex may be the problem. As Christmas nears, JJ learns that her mother is just as vulnerable and insecure as she is, and that love and family are worth risking everything for.


A Christmas Snow
111 min.

The plot is centered around Kathleen, a hard business woman who has been greatly hurt by the past. Right before Christmas her boyfriend Andrew asks her to look after his daughter Lucy while he is away on a business trip. The fireworks between the daughter and possible future mother make a story in itself. Then the enigmatic Sam comes on the scene, as delightfully played by Muse Watson. This mysterious figure appears to be a homeless man on a quest. He is taken in by Kathleen, and a major snowstorm and the failure of electricity force the three to live together through Christmas.

Thank you Dr. Fred of Amazon for your synopsis.

Christmas Hope
86 min.

Starring Madeleine Stowe. No synopsis found anywhere. Don't know what it is about (sorry). Ratings are middle of the road 5 out of 10.







Christmas in Wonderland
98 min.

Wayne Saunders (Patrick Swayze) is forced to leave L.A. to move to Edmonton CA. The kids get lost in the mall the youngest wants to see Santa. After visiting Santa a wish comes true they find a bag full of money. The only problem is, its counterfeit cash and the problems start, after they go on a spending spree.

Thank you movie buff "love my mac" of Amazon for your synopsis.

Learn about Christmas

Rick Steves' European Christmas

Rick Steves' European Christmas DVD provides a vivid and authentic portrait of how Europeans celebrate the holiday from England to Norway, Burgundy to Bavaria, and Rome to the top of the Swiss Alps. Included are 14 complete live concert performances of music. The 2004 Midnight Mass at St. Peters Basilica (Pope John Paul II) is featured with highlights of Christmas traditions up in the loft with the finest choirs, and into the kitchen with grandma and her best-kept holiday secrets.




A Victorian Christmas
92 min.

When you think of an Old English Christmas most of the seasonal images that immediately spring to mind belong to the Victorian era. Snowy landscapes, beautifully decorated fir trees, chirruping Robins and mountains of festive food nostalgically take us back to a time when Christmas really was celebrated in style. Queen Victoria was personally responsible for a number of our traditional seasonal customs and the great author Charles Dickens created an image of Christmas in his world-famous novels that colours every aspect of our modern day celebrations. "A Victorian Christmas" has been designed to take you on a fascinating journey of discovery, exploring the traditions and customs of this most significant mid--winter festival. From feasting to game playing, carol singing to gift giving, the Victorians stamped their hallmark on Christmas for all time. So, sit back, relax, take a cup of good cheer and enjoy a very merry, Victorian Christmas.



Biography - Santa Claus
50 min.

Celebrate the enchantment embodied within the legend of one of history's most beloved figures. Though rooted in various religions, Santa also symbolizes the secular spirit of generosity. Adored by children worldwide, but often with a different name and emanating from disparate myths, he continues to create instantaneous mirth and joy. Join us on a jolly journey through time to reveal his roots--from the Roman Befana to the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht, from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus.



The History of Christmas
200 min.

Showcasing a full, in-depth look at Christmas traditions, this set features four insightful programs, all compiled to make one Christmas extravaganza.







Advent & Christmas in old Germany
70 min.

The festival, celebration, and tradition of Christmas in Germany is massively important to the German people and is an integral part of German culture, with the country sporting some of the most glamorous and spellbinding celebrations and markets in the world. During the festive period, thousands visit the magical Christkindlesmarktes and join the Christmas festivities to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.In this DVD, Elmar Gunsch and Greg Marston take us on a magical journey through glittering Christmas markets, fairy tale winter landscapes and alpine bars with popular Christmas music, as well as investigating a selection of the most beautiful cribs in Germany.We experience the opening of the world-famous Nurnberger Christkindlesmarktes that accommodates over two million visitors during the Christmas period and admire the living crib of monastery Andechs. We also meet the genuine Father Christmas and are told a Christmas story by the Nurnberger "Baby Jesus".The DVD also explains the old Rothenburger dedicating night, the traditional mountain Christmas and the world-famous Dresden Striezelmarkt, one of Germany's oldest-dated Christmas markets which dates back to the 1400s. Finally, the Dresden Cross Choir is featured and perform Christmas carols. A white wintry Germany during the Christmas season form the conclusion of this sensational journey about the customs and culture of German Christmas history and will serve as the perfect tool to get you in the mood for the festive period.

Lifetime, ABC Family Christmas

Borrowed Hearts
91 min.

Sam Field, a single, powerful businessman is about to close the biggest deal of his career with industrialist Javier Del Campo, a self-proclaimed family man. Problem is, Sam prefers freedom to fatherhood. To impress Javier during his holiday visit, Sam convinces single mom Kathleen and her daughter, Zoey, to pose as his family for cash Kathleen desperately needs. With a little Christmas magic, Sam learns to open his heart to the best gifts of all: love and family.

Holiday Switch
86 min.

Its a week before Christmas, and Paula is struggling with bills, life with her blue-collar husband Gary and her two daughters. So when Nick, her high school boyfriend, returns to town a wealthy art gallery owner, Paula begins to wonder where she would be if she had stayed with him and not Gary. When Paula makes a holiday wish to see what life would have been like had she made another choice, she is magically transported through her washer/dryer to a parallel life where she is Nicks wife. At first, this other life seems the answer to her dreams, as she shops and dines out with her newfound wealth. But she soon realizes that the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. Her relationship with Nick is in shambles, and she misses her real husband Gary and her two girls. When she sees Gary and her kids living a happy life with another woman, she wishes for just one more Christmas gift--to have back the life she didnt appreciate.



Home By Christmas
86 min.

Julia Bedford is a dedicated homemaker living in a modestly affluent neighborhood with her successful husband and sixteen-year-old daughter. When Julia discovers that her husband is cheating on her, her world is rocked. In their pending divorce, with most of her husbands assets carefully hidden, Julia is left with nothing except her car and her barely realistic child support checks. After moving into a small apartment, Julia tries to make do while working a minimum wage job. Her daughter hates their new scaled-down life and convinces her father and his new girlfriend to let her live with him. When Julia finally hits rock bottom and finds herself living in their car, she decides to begin her comeback--and ultimately discovers whats really valuable in life. Starring Linda Hamilton.


Christmas in Boston
84 min.

Pen-pals since the age of 15, Gina and Seth have created a life-long friendship based solely on letters and snapshots they have sent to one another although the pictures are of their better looking best friends. Now as adults, they finally get the chance to meet in person when Shawn goes on a business trip to Boston where Gina lives. Afraid to face the truth each sends their best friend to pose as them for the first meeting. Much to their horror the best friends fall in love but soon the truth is revealed and all learn important life lessons about honesty and self-esteem.

Road To Christmas
86 min.

Claire can't wait to tie the knot with her handsome multimillionaire fiancé. But her plans for a storybook Christmas Eve wedding in Aspen are derailed when a huge storm paralyzes the entire Rocky Mountain region. Forced to hitchhike to reach the aisle, Claire meets widower Wes and his 12-year-old daughter. Though it s hate at first sight for the adults, over the course of their arduous three-day journey, Claire and Wes come to realize that their initial preconceptions about each other are all wrong, and an undeniable attraction develops between them. On the eve of her wedding, Claire is forced to ask herself a surprising question: is Wes, a man who is seemingly wrong for her in every possible way, really Mr. Right? Starring Jennifer Grey and Clark Gregg.

Christmas Dreams (Movies)

I haven't seen either of these, nor are they easy to find. But I try to include a variety so here they are.


Dreaming on Christmas (2005)

(Synopsis from Netflix) It's Christmas in Cleveland, and as families gather round a feast of holiday treats and good cheer, Rana (Liz DuChez) and Mitch (Spencer Jay Kim) each find themselves alone. But what could be the worst day of their lives transforms into a magical adventure when they meet. That moment of serendipity will change them forever. Nick Mancuso and Danny Trejo co-star in this warm romantic comedy.




A Dream for Christmas (1973)

(Synopsis from IMDB) A Southern minister is assigned to a poor church in California where the congregation is drifting away and the church itself is scheduled for demolition

Holiday Movie: Heidi

Shirley Temple's 'Heidi' is of course, the most popular and beloved version of the story, but there are other very good versions out there. The story of Heidi is one of my favorite movies to watch during the holiday season.


Heidi (2005)
104 minutes

(Synopsis from Netflix) Emma Bolger shines in the title role of this British retelling of the classic children's tale about a high-spirited orphan sent to live with her crusty grandpa (Max von Sydow) in the idyllic Swiss Alps. But no sooner has Heidi settled in and begun to melt her grandfather's icy heart than she's whisked away to be a companion to a crippled girl (Jessica Claridge). The supporting cast includes Geraldine Chaplin as the aptly named Miss Rottenmeier.

This is a delightful adaptation. I highly recommend this one if you want to watch others beside the Shirley Temple one.
Although there is no Christmas scene in this one. Therefore making it not really a 'Christmas' movie.


Heidi (1993)
191 minutes
(2 Episodes)
(Synopsis from Netflix) Michael Ray Rhodes directs this lavish version of Johanna Spyri's tale about an orphan girl and her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The irrepressible, orphaned Heidi (Noley Thornton) wins over her crotchety grandfather (Jason Robards) and then is whisked away from him to the city, where she becomes the companion of an invalid girl named Klara (Lexi Randall). Soon, the girls become fast friends. Co-stars Patricia Neal and Jane Seymour.


Heidi (1968)
96 minutes

(Synopsis from Netflix) This 1968 film retells the classic children's story about a young girl named Heidi (Jennifer Edwards), who's taken from her beloved grandfather (Michael Redgrave) and forced to live with her cold-hearted aunt. Soon, Heidi becomes friends with Klara (Zuleika Robson), a young girl confined to a wheelchair, and must deal with the girl's merciless nanny (Jean Simmons). But all Heidi really wants to do is find her way back home to her grandfather.

Holiday Movies Year 2

Those of you who have been hanging around for a year will probably remember my Holiday/Christmas Movie posts from last year.

I did fit a lot of movies into those posts, I wondered if there would be any left to share with you this year. Of course, I can always find a few that are new or I have never seen or heard of. It won't be as extensive as last years of course, but I'll give it a go.

So keep an eye out!

UPDATE: Today is October 21st, only a few weeks before this comes out, and I am busy working on the Christmas Movies. I didn't think I'd have many to share, turns out, there are some I've missed. They are not broken up into neat little categories like last year, but I tried to group them as best as I could. So stay tuned and look out for the post.

2010 Holiday Reading Challenge

Hey gang, I found a Holiday Reading Challenge, if anyone is interested.



click here to visit the Holiday Reading Challenge 2010

It's that time of year again! And this year, I've decided to start a little earlier than last. Starting November 15, 2010 (it's a Monday!) the Holiday Reading Challenge will commence. That's right! I'm starting earlier this year in order for you guys to have more chances at winning at the end of every week. I'm still considering what the winners will get. I'm thinking it doesn't all have to be about books (well, it does!), but I'm also thinking Christmas book marks, tote bags, mugs with hot chocolate, tea, etc. What do you think? Of course, I'll have to throw in books as well.


Challenge Requirements:


1- Challenge will start Monday, November 15 and will end Friday, December 31.

Please visit the site for the rest of the rules and learn more.

I will join other Holiday Reading Challenges because I think they are loads of fun!!

The tentative book list:

1. The Christmas Clock - Kat Martin
2. Christmas Jars - Jason Wright
3. The Christmas Chronicles - Tim Slover
4. An Amish Christmas - Cynthia Keller
5. The Hand Carved Creche - James Kilgo
6. The Christmas Box Miracle - Richard Paul Evans (Non-Fiction)

Happenings

Hi everyone, I wanted to give an update.

I am currently working at a temp job in a cool Adverstising firm in Midtown. It is Long Term, but not sure how Long Term it is. The people are really nice, the work is easy but interesting, and my boss is a lovely woman. So right now, I'm happy!

* * *

Our choir entered a contest at NBC Today. Me and my friend Liz ran around trying to get this on a disc and sent off to the show before the deadline. My daughter took the video. Here is our little group (most everyone is there) and we are singing "Ave Verum Corpus" Elgar's version. I never really heard us before, we sound pretty damn good!


If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm the tall one in the center. I'm not really that tall, it is just that everyone else is below average in height. LOL!

* * *

October is almost over, and I have not read "Dracula" yet. Screw it! I will just read it whenever. I didn't read "The Exocist" yet either, and I purposly bought the book to read this month. But I will read this soon too. OK, maybe not until next January, because November is Nanowrimo, and at the moment I'm reading writing books, and "The Neville Reader". Once I'm finished with those, it is on to Christmas Reading. I have on my to read list "An Amish Christmas" as per Wendy.

October also means the end of the Horror movie fest. I've watched quite a bit of interesting stuff this month. Lots of Vincent Price, some Asian Horror and some recent stuff. I usually end up watching the Horror stuff until the 2nd week of November, because there is just so much. My daughter doesn't watch much of it with me, just the Vincent Price type stuff. Movies like "Halloween" and the like, she hides in the room. I did finally watch "Les Yeux Sans Visage" (Eyes Without a Face). It has been on my DVR for 2 years! My reaction....eh. It was OK. I mean it was from 1959, and it had a good creepy atmosphere, but I don't know if it is the cinematic masterpiece everyone says it is. 3 out of 5 stars for me.

Once I'm done with the Horror, it is right into Holiday movies, which there seem to be no shortage of. One would thing I would have a hard time finding new stuff to watch, but nope. I will have a list this year as well. Not as much as last year, but a few things that might interest.

Speaking of Holiday's, I got my tickets for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. You would think the fact that I live in New York City, I should be at this show every year, but this will be my first time in the 43 years I've been on this earth that I am going. My daughter has been after me for years, but it turns out, when the season comes, I'm strapped. Not so much this year, considering I don't have a steady job. But it will be just me and her, so the tickets were not that expensive. In the past, I would have had to pay for 4 tickets, but Mark is not interested (he will be around, it is Thanksgiving weekend that we are going), but I think he'd bop me on the head if I said "Let's go!". My mom is unemployed so she isn't coming, and she wouldn't let me buy her a ticket either. I hope I can get some good shots. We are on the 2nd Mezz off to the left, my camera lens is up to 200mm, we'll see.

Holiday Movies - Starting early

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941)

In this television adaptation of the hit Broadway play, Monty Wooley, who plays Sheridan (Sherry) Whiteside overstays his welcome at the home of an Ohio Family. He slips and falls on the ice on his way to their house for dinner. He is told that his hip is fractured and he requires bed rest.

His stay puts a cramp in a lot of people's style including his secretary played by Bette Davis.

I've always liked Monty Wooley, and I loved him in this. This is also one of Bette Davis' better roles.

It takes place during Christmas so it is an appropriate movie to watch during this time of year.

4 out of 5 stars.



An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008)

This movie based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott was aired on the Hallmark Channel. It was pure Hallmarkian. A struggling widow is trying to support her 3 children, and they will not be able to afford a Thanksgiving turkey. The widow's estranged mother (who is rich) shows up unexpected. There are a lot of wounds and a lot of dysfunction, but it all comes together in the end. After all, it is Hallmark.

I give this 3 out of 5 stars. I don't know if it was the story or the production. It was just OK for me. It is a nice film though, very family friendly.