Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
If there is one thing I am not an advocate of, it is “change.”
I don’t like it and, although probably the majority of people don’t root for
change – usually there is something about the familiar that we hate to let go
of, because of my personality, I’d prefer that things remain quiet and continue
in the same vein. Unfortunately, my life is changing. Not in the drastic
cannot-believe-I-am-doing-this kind of change mind you, but more the subtle
kind of transition that comes with maturity. I’ve grown up. Growing up, I went
through seasons of change – as hopefully we all do, and in retrospect, most of the time, those differences were not just "good" but changing me into a "better" person. Being where I am now, I have
no desire to revert back to my teenage years but lately I have just been
realizing what is shifting in my life and how that trend isn’t going to go
backwards but rather forward. And with every passing year, that truth is
becoming more a reality than fantasy.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Today, I am posting nothing but... silliness, my thanks and, apparently anything else I could cram into this post in which I prattle on... and on. First up, I have some thanks for certain people, some "link love" that I've seen on some of the blogs I follow - it is quick, easy and fun to read! Hence, the reason I am doing something similar. Secondly, I thought it'd be fun to share a few videos of "cute" commercials. Although I watch little television, there are a rare few commercials that really amuse me. That is probably in part because they just aren't as "good" anymore. Seriously that is the case with a lot of media outlets today. Doing something totally different today, I decided to share a few of my favorite, cutest commercials.
Whether or not, this post of random-ness will "work" I must confess: I haven't clue!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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Everyone I know who likes British costume dramas seemed
either beyond excited for this production or had seen it and thought it was as
beautiful as it was haunting. Because such accolades came from people whose
opinions I may not always agree with but do trust I was really excited to get
my hands on this. I had seen two versions prior to this and although I much
preferred the newer Masterpiece adaptation of the two, neither one gripped me
in the way that so many Dickens productions have. That is primarily the reason
I was so anxious to get my hands on this version.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Early this
year, Hallmark Hall of Fame productions made a drastic change. It moved from
its long-time “permanent” home on CBS to ABC. The move took fans by surprise as
we immediately wondered if this wonderful series was coming to an end after
over two-hundred films. Once surprise wore off, it was more a question of why
CBS ended it since it the films were always well received. Now it has moved to
another network, I’ve watched the last few with some disappointment. This one
was, likewise viewed with trepidation.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Author: Nicholas
Sparks
Publisher: Grand
Central Publishing
Publication
Date: 2008
Genre:
Fiction, General, Romance
The Story: Surviving three tours of duty in Iraq
and other hostile environments, eleven bombs, and countless other “close calls”
is not something marine Logan Thibault likes to think about – they are memories
he’d rather forget, and yet, dare not. His friend and fellow marine assures
Logan that the photograph of the woman he found laying on the ground and he now
carries in his pocket is what has kept him alive – that it is the good luck
charm has saved him from multiple “close calls.”
Without
re-upping for another tour of duty and following a tragedy that led to his
disillusionment, Logan sets out cross-country to find the smiling woman in the
photo known to him as only “E.” With a fairground located in the small town of
Hampton South Carolina as his destination, Logan comes face-to-face with
Elizabeth “Beth” Clayton. Working for her nana at their dog training business, Logan struggles with his purpose in coming to the small
town - and Beth knows he is holding something back: How can he tell her, she is the reason he is there? The bond
he forms with the single mom and her family is undeniable but is it enough to
earn her forgiveness?
When the
threat of losing everything that matters to him comes in the form of Beth’s
tough, ex – a county cop, Logan will have to face losing Beth forever… or
fighting for the woman he now loves.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Released:
2012
Writing
Credits: Britt Nicole, Ben Glover, David Garcia
Label:
Sparrow Records
Genre:
Christian Pop
My Thoughts: At first glance, Britt Nicole’s
music may not seem any different than any other Christian or mainstream artist (Taylor
Swift, Colbie Calliet or Selena Gomez) – something I do not mean as a slight, mind you. Prior to this collection of songs, I loved Britt’s music (her
prior two albums were Say It and The Lost Get Found) and more
importantly, her heart for God shines. On this, Gold Britt’s third and latest studio album, I found myself disappointed
in a couple of the tracks but it isn’t because they lack Christianity’s
message, instead I realized I wasn't wild about the "tones"of certain songs.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Author:
Tracie Peterson
Publisher:
Bethany House
Publication
Date(s): 2010-2011
Number of
Books: Three
Novel
Titles: Embers of Love; Hearts Aglow; Hope Rekindled
Genre:
Christian, Historical Drama
Synopsis: the series tells the stories – both
the triumphs and sorrows of a two-generational logging family living in 1800’s
Texas on the cusp and unrest of a prejudicial “war.”
My thoughts: Up until a couple of weeks ago, it had been far too long since last I
posted my thoughts on whatever book I may have been reading so I figured it was
time to add to my “book archives” – such as they are. (Over the next couple of
weeks, I shall endeavor to have more such posts - as of now, that "goal" seems possible.) Since I began reading
this series far too long ago to make a compelling review on the in-depth bits
and pieces of each novel, I figured it was fine to post about the entire series
since it revolves around the same family as opposed to different characters.
Forgive me if my ramblings and compacting of three books become too confusing.
Monday, April 16, 2012
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100 years later, the fated voyage of one ship is still
remembered. If you’ve been living on another planet, in all likelihood news of
the RMS Titanic’s 100th
anniversary has not reached your ears. More than likely, you have heard all of the commotion
surrounding this milestone, and many of you probably even went to see the 3D
re-release of “the” version
immortalized on film. It has been in the newspapers, spattered across home
school magazines and other outlets. To coincide with the anniversary, the
spectacular British scripter Julian Fellowes re-adapted the tragedy into a
four-hour miniseries in which a new set of fictional character’s lives unfold.
Tragic or not, this is a memorable series.
Friday, April 13, 2012
It is a
tricky business adapting true stories. Or that has been my humble conclusion. Anything
that is “tagged” as any part of true stories means filmmakers are taking a
person either living or who has lived and are attempting to not just tell their
story but mimic their life. I have seen some that have been near perfection,
and others that have failed miserably, unable to strike a balance between
docu-drama and an entertaining film that keeps its viewer interested. This seventies-era
flick may not be known among the ranks of popular real-life dramas, but it is
memorable – even if only for one’s night’s worth of entertainment.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
About the book:
Author: Alex
Flinn
Publisher:
Harper Teen
Publication
Date: 2012
Genre: Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
Genre: Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
The Story: Meet Kendra. This is her story. If we think we have it bad – try living in
her world. In Bewitching, her escapades
are told of what life as a witch is like. Always trying to help people often
backfires on the eccentric Kendra but still she tries to make a better world
for unsuspecting people in need – weather it is a princely snob or a young girl
trying to do battle with her teenage step-sister in the 21st century,
she is always vetting potential “projects.”
After all, a beast of a curse on a popular dude who stomped on
everyone’s feelings was just one of
her curses.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Stories that have
plots in some way derived of “inspired by true events” can go one of two ways. The
first is either more of docu-drama that is far too technical and biographical
to be really entertaining, and the second option is an uplifting drama that
could inspire its viewer to betterment. This movie is the latter.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The rules are simple:
- Thank the person who nominated you - check!
- Share 7 random things about yourself
- Pass it on to 15 bloggers
Friday, April 6, 2012
About the book:
Author: Susan
May Warren
Publisher: Summerside
Press
Publication
Date: 2012
Series:
“Daughters of Fortune” (book 2 of 3)
Genre:
Christian Fiction, Historical
The Story: Coming from a fatherless family, Lilly
Hoyt was ripped from the only home she’d ever known by her mother who lost
Lilly’s father before Lily was even born. Raised as a socialite in New York,
Esme was needed home again when her father – a newspaper baron became gravely
ill, which in turn made her decision to pack up her rebellious teenage daughter
and return home easier. Now “all grown up” at nineteen, Lilly is restless and
unhappy in her surroundings. Cousin Rosie is the exact opposite. She embraces the
care-free Parisian life, risqué fashions and trends, and has dreams of the
stage but she doesn’t know if she is capable of the demands such a life requires.
Her mother Jinx created her own scandal following the death of Rosie’s father
but she will stop at nothing to see that her daughter does not follow in her
footsteps – no matter how much Rosie hates her.
Before her
mother can thwart plans, Rosie helps Lilly escape the loving grasp of her
step-father – a rebellion that inspires Rosie to plot for much the same. Broken
by life, both girls make choices that not only leave them empty but
heartbroken. Years pass leading to an even greater rift between the two young
girls – will life’s lessons teach them they are far from wise to the world… or
will they ignore the pull that is urging them back to a place of belonging?
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Publisher:
Zondervan
Publication
Date(s): 2010-2012
Author:
Karen Kingsbury
Number of
Books: Four
Book Titles:
Leaving; Learning; Longing; Loving
Genre:
Christian Fiction, Young Adult
The Stories: Over the course of four novels, beloved character Bailey Flanigan's story is told. An aspiring dancer
who has always dreamt of being under the bright lights of Broadway, Bailey
thinks her dreams are about to come true when she is cast in a musical, and the only thing stopping
her is the thought of leaving those
who mean the most to her…
Through
trials and hard work, Bailey proves to everyone in the city that she has what
it takes to shine on the stage but is learning how to be a light for her faith more important than being a star
in the eyes of her director and fellow cast-mates? and what of her ex-flame
Cody Coleman, the young Iraq veteran who once broke her heart? Is she still longing to see him again – or finally opening her heart to a genuine relationship with her one-time co-star Brandon Paul?
Bailey’s
journey takes her down more than one path but her heart keeps coming back to
one thing: Embracing true love. In life, nothing else matters but loving those
around you – and her pursuit of a personal relationship with her heavenly
Father.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
I don't know if it is true or not (metaphorically speaking, of course) but I do know a good laugh can lift my mood like nothing else can. The one person who can make me smile in spite of myself is my father. I don't know how he does it, but it is just one of the many reasons I love him. Sometimes even the smallest things can entice a giggle out of me. Sometimes it's the most goofy, silliest thing ever - when that happens, everyone else in the room usually looks at me like I am insane and shaking their heads, wonder what I could possibly find so amusing. Honestly? I don't know why some things tickle my funny bone when everyone else is thinking, "what was so funny?" but whatever, maybe when I get in such moods, I was in serious need of a pick-me-up.
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