Tuesday Teaser: The Paper Bag Christmas

The Paper Bag Christmas

by

Kevin Alan Milne

"As with many Christmas stories, mine began on Santa's lap. But this was no ordinary Santa, and he had anything but an ordinary lap."

location 55 on my kindle

teaser Tuesday hosted by
Miz B at Should be Reading

Monday Movie's: I want to go there . . .

Monday Movies hosted by Molly at the Bumbles

Today's Topic is . . . . all about movies that make you want to travel

The first movie that popped into my mind was Letters to Juliet starring Amanda Seyfried, Gael Garcia Bernal and Vanessa Redgrave.  I'll tell you right now that the movie was pretty cheesy and a total chick flick.  But the premise was lovely.  An American girl on vacation in Italy finds an unanswered "letter to Juliet" -- one of thousands of missives left at the fictional lover's Verona courtyard, which are typically answered by the "secretaries of Juliet" -- and she goes on a quest with the writer of the letter (Vanessa Redgrave) and her grandson to find her lost love. As the trio travel to various places in Italy it makes me wish I was with them seeing all those wonderful places. 

Last week I caught The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson on TV.  I'd love to have an unlimited supply of cash, throw caution to the wind and travel to the ends of the earth experiencing everything I possibly could before I die.

Out of Africa is a movie set in 20th century colonial Kenya. A Danish baroness/plantation owner (Meryl Streep) has a passionate but ultimately doomed love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter (Robert Redford). Ever since I saw this movie I've wanted to go to Africa, hunt game with a roguish, irresistible Robert Redford and camp in a tent on the plains of Africa. *sigh* (another thing to add to my bucket list)

Gorilla's in the Mist starring Sigourney Weaver, was a movie that touched me deeply.  It is the story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas.  I want to do that--see the mountain gorilla's in Africa's jungles.

I long to visit Ireland, I don't know exactly why--probably because of all the books I've read that have an Irish setting.  My grandfather's family also comes from Ireland.  Waking Ned Devine certainly added to that desire after viewing the many wonderful scenes of Irish countryside and Irish village life.

And like Molly, after viewing The Lord of the Rings I've always wanted to see New Zealand where the movie was filmed.  But I'd really, really like to be physically transported into J.R.R. Tolkien's world as he imagined it.

I don't imagine I'll ever get to any of those places so I'll be content with the few travels I have had.  Enjoy this post card from New Orleans and my trip out to the bayou.  Yes I am holding a baby alligator!!!

Happy Monday!

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by

J. K. Rowling

Hardcover, 759 pages


Published July 21st 2007 by Scholastic (first published 2007)


ISBN0545010225 (ISBN13: 9780545010221)

literary awards: Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adolescent Literature (2008), Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction, Books I Loved Best Yearly (BILBY) Awards for Older Readers (2008), ALA Teens' Top Ten (2008), Teen Read Award Nominee for Best All-Time-Fave (2010)

About the Book: (Goodreads)

The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed. The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself.

About the Author: (Goodreads)

J.K. Rowling (Joanne "Jo" Rowling) is the writer behind the best selling "Harry Potter" series. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies and been the basis for a popular series of films.

*warning, spoilers*

My thoughts:

I first read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when it was originally released (Jul 2007).  With the debut of the new Harry Potter Movie I decided I needed to reread it as I had forgotten most of the details.  I was not in a good frame of mind the last time I read this book.  I took Dumbledore's death very hard (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince).  I've never forgiven J. K. Rowling for killing off the best of men.  I do understand it had to be done in order for Harry to be able to fulfill the prophecy, but I think I grieved for more than a year  (In retrospect as I write this review, I realize I read Half Blood Prince just months after my father passed away, which may explain why I was so affected by Harry's Father figure dying.)

 Anyway I was so angry, and hoping that somehow Dumbledore would return that I more or less skimmed my way through the book reading it in three days.  I missed a lot of the detail.  I especially found the time Harry, Ron and Hermione spent traveling from one camping spot to the next particularly annoying.  It was like wading through mud trying to get to the important things.  I did not have a good experience.

So I'm glad I picked it up again (three years later).  This time I read more slowly, looking for clues to the Horcrux's and the Hallows and for explanations that would tie this story up and bring it to its conclusion.  I was not disappointed.  Ms. Rowling carefully explained everything and tied up all loose ends.  And gratefully also supplied an ending that was positive and left me with a hopeful feeling for the wizarding world.  I miss the characters that died along the way and I still have not forgiven her for Dumbledore.  But that says a lot for her writing.  My heart was affected.

Let me conclude by saying that I have enjoyed this journey with Harry Potter in the wizarding world.  My thanks to J. K. Rowling for imagining it and bringing it to life.

Other books in this series that I have read twice as well

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (my favorite of the series)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Book # 12

There and back Again, A Year's Pictorial Journey: Week 48

I'm participating in a gratitude challenge--posting one thing a day I'm grateful for, I thought I'd combine it with my project 365.








Nov 21-- Today we had a lesson in Sunday School about gratitude.  Lack of gratitude indicates a lack of the spirit in ones life.  Today I'm grateful that I'm able to feel gratitude.



Nov. 22-- I'm grateful for a warm house on a bitter cold night, brrrr . . . just ran to the store and picked up the cold, frozen turkey.



Nov. 23-- I'm grateful for silence



Nov. 24-- I'm grateful that not everyday is the day before Thanksgiving



Nov. 25-- I'm grateful for family and a grand Turkey Dinner



Nov 26-- I'm grateful for pilgrim ancestors--my 10th generation grandfather is William Bradford



Nov 27--  I'm grateful for fun days with family (we saw Harry Potter with the whole family).  But I'm really grateful to be home after a long day. (I didn't take a picture so here is one from last Saturday, the girls helped me put up my Christmas trees)

 

Wednesday Wanderings: Baking Day

have a piece of pie

Happy Thanksgiving!

photo and pies by

Tuesday Teaser: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by

J.K. Rowling

"We thought you knew what you were doing . . . . We thought Dumbledore had told you what to do . . . . We thought you had a real plan!  He could not hide it from himself: Ron had been right."  pg. 313



teaser tuesday hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading



Monday Movies: Amnesia?

Monday Movies hosted by Molly at the Bumbles

This weeks topic is . . . Amnesia



Molly mentioned the first movie series that popped into my mind that had a plot line with the main character suffering from memory loss--The Bourne Series starring Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum).  Jason Bourne is on the run from deadly assassins at the same time trying to figure out who he is and why they are after him.  A great action-packed series.  And if you haven't read the books by Robert Ludlum you should--they are way better than the movies.

Molly also mentioned Overboard starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell--the story is just hilarious and re-runs quite often on television.  I watched it just last week, the story never gets old.

I'll add Manchurian Candidate starring Denzel Washington, a tense drama about a soldier who is experiencing difficulties with his memory.  I could watch Denzel all day long--he's good in everything.

Paycheck starring Ben Affleck is the story of man who has finished a top secret job and his memory has been wiped--this is a fast paced film with lots of twists and turns.  I really liked it.

The Notebook starring Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Ryan Gosling and Rachel MacAdams--is a story about a woman who suffers from Alzheimer's and the man that loves her.  So tender . . .

The animated film Anastasia is about a recovered princes who suffers from amnesia.  I didn't know Meg Ryan was the voice of Anastasia until today.

Finding Nemo features the delightfully funny Dory, who suffers from short term memory loss.

Fifty First Dates starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, is the story of a young woman who suffers amnesia after she is in a car crash.  This is a delightful movie and an incredibly lovely story.  It's another movie I can watch over and over and I don't even have amnesia.

My very favorite movie of all about a person suffering from memory loss is Regarding Henry starring Harrison Ford.  The story is about a high powered lawyer who barely has time for his family.  He survives a shooting and loses his memory.  The film is his heartwarming journey back into life.  I love watching this film.

And since Christmas is right around the corner  I'll mention a film that has memory loss as a main thread in the story--only it's not the main character that loses his memory--he is wiped from the memories of all who ever knew him.  I'm sure you know the title of this great Christmas classic--It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart.

happy movie monday

There and back Again, A Year's Pictorial Journey: Week 47

I'm participating in a gratitude challenge--posting one thing a day I'm grateful for, I thought I'd combine it with my project 365.

I'm grateful for Sunday's, I'm grateful I can worship God in the manner of my choosing.

(Nov. 14)

I'm grateful for shutterfly. 

I've been working on last year's Christmas memory book. 

Christmas "down under" was hosted by my grandaughter

(Nov. 15--taken last Christmas, edited on picnik today)

I'm grateful for my mother who is 78 years old today.

(Nov. 16)

I'm grateful for my kids . . . I am in awe, they grew up to be such awesome people!
They are a great example for me and tons of fun to be with.
Love their spouses too, they all picked the perfect partner for them.

(Nov. 17)

I'm grateful for chocolate milk mix and so is he

(Nov. 18)

I'm thankful for  our neighbors. 

They are good friends as well as neighbors. 

I'm also glad they share their pets.  Love this little dog.

 (Nov. 19)

I'm grateful for talents, and for my mom--who taught me to sew.

(Nov. 20)

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God

Psalms 147:7

KJV

LDS Web Edition

photo's by

Photo Story Friday: Placemat Purse

Today is the Friday Sew-in hosted by Handmade by Heidi.  I'll be busy this evening so I'm up early getting my project done. 
My project today are "placemat purses".  These adorable bags are easy to make.  

Step #1  go to store and select any placemat of your choice and trims to match.

Step #2  measure for trim placement

Step #3  Sew trim in place

Step #4 measure for handle placement--2 and 1/2 " from edge of placemat

Step #5  cut 2 14" strips of ribbon or webbing, sew in place

Step #6  Stitch side seams

Step #7  To form a box bottom, pinch bottom corner of side seam until a triangle forms.  Stitch a straight line approximately 1" from tip of triangle.

 inside of box pleat

outside of box pleat

Step #8  turn right side out.  Apply a large flower, button and bling for embellishment (I used hot glue)

Voile~chic bag!!!

I have no idea how you would ever clean this little bag--but you could apply a fabric rosette stitch it on and then the bag would be washable.

I made 3 little purses for my granddaughters

Honey loves pink

Yummy loves blue

Sweetings loves Zebra's

Happy Sewing

hosted by Handmade by Heidi

Hosted by Cecily

hosted by Java at Never Growing Old