Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Happy Monday friends! Today I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up and watch during the fall season. It is true that Hallmark often focuses on Christmas and the Holiday movies but there are several fall themed ones that are often overlooked and are so cute and adorable. If you are looking for sweet, feel-good, and fun autumn movies to watch this season here are a few of my favorites...
Hallmark Description: A widowed surgeon visits her family’s pear orchard in hopes of taking a break from her overbooked life and reconnecting with her distant son. She starts to fall for the farm manager, Will, who is growing a new hybrid pear and teaches her the importance of her heritage. Stars Jen Lilley and Ryan Paevey.
Y'all I came across this movie on Amazon and I immediately thought it was one of the sweetest movies. I have high respect for both actors and the work that they do outside of acting and to see them in this sweet and adorable movie together made this for an easy pick for one of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn. Also... can I just say that a man who loves the outdoors obviously would make my heart smile. *smiles*
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
Hallmark Description: After being stood up, Abbey gets inspired to open her heart in a letter, put it in a bottle and toss it out to sea. Months later, a man fishing discovers it and opts to reach out. Starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker.
I think that this movie originally premiered in the Spring, but it feels like a fall movie to me and I had to include it because it is so cute. Again, I have high respect for both actors and the work that they do outside of acting and to see them in this sweet and adorable movie together made this for an easy pick for one of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn. Also... anyone who knows me well remembers all of the notes in bottles that were put into the lake back in my teenage days and well understands why I would love this movie. *smiles*
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
Snowed Inn Christmas (Starring Bethany Joy and Andrew together)
Hallmark Description: A young caterer’s life suddenly changes course when she inherits a country home and learns she must share it with a career-obsessed Wall Street trader. At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves having to work side-by-side to restore their newly acquired home.
Hallmark Description: Brian and Jenny are engaged and preparing for the grand opening of their bed and breakfast. But when a big storm hits Bucks County, all their plans end up sopping wet! With funds running low and time running out, Brian agrees to go back to Wall Street to make quick cash, while Jenny scrambles to keep the opening on track. Stars Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott.
Hallmark Description: Jenny and Brian are planning their incredibly romantic wedding. Emily’s Country Inn is filled to capacity with happy guests. Then a distant relative of Emily’s arrives and she stakes a claim to the house. The pressure is on as Jenny and Brian try to raise enough money to hang onto their home. They go for broke expanding her company, Jenny’s Home Baked. Brian even considers a return to Wall Street. All of the wonderful friends they made in Bucks County are worried about their favorite couple, trying to figure out how to help. Jenny and Brian’s enduring love will once again be tested as the wedding day approaches and they struggle to keep the house that brought them together. Starring Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott.
These three movies were so adorable... and y'all the goats. So cute. Again, I have high respect for both actors and the work that they do outside of acting and to see them in these sweet and adorable movies together made this for an easy pick for a few of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn.
Find them on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
Crossword Mystery Series (Starring Lacey and Brennan together)
The Color of Rain (True Story)
Hallmark Description: When her family goes bankrupt, privileged city girl Jen Stone travels to the country to try and help a struggling pumpkin farm that her father bought as an investment to get her money back. Not everyone is on board with her changes, least of all Brett, the farm’s handsome manager. By working with what she knows best, she just might be able to turn the farm around, while also falling in love.
Y'all this one is simply so cute. It makes you laugh and it really is just a precious story. It was a Hallmark movie that I felt the trailer for it really didn't do justice for it and am so glad that we took a chance and tried it. It really is just so so cute.
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Hallmark Description: Following her tour of duty, army nurse Grace Conner (Macallan) returns to her grandmother’s (McGillis) farm in Ohio’s Amish country, and answers a neighbor’s call for medical assistance following a mysterious intrusion and shooting at his family’s nearby farm. Soon, Grace, who is not Amish, and Levi Troyer (Faris) develop a deep connection that is more than simply neighborly, and must sort out their forbidden relationship while Grace follows clues that ultimately lead her to the killer. Stars Jes Macallan, Sean Faris and Kelly McGillis.
This movie had a bit of a mystery with it and is a fun Hallmark movie to curl up with this autumn. It is honestly one of my favorites and I loved the plot and the character development. This family friendly mystery is a perfect one to watch on a cool fall evening.
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
So there are just a few of some of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn! What about y'all? What are some of your favorite fall Hallmark Movies?
Happy Friday friends! Today I am so excited to share my book, movie, and TV review of the month with y'all! Before I start though- if you have any suggestions for me for April please let me know! I am constantly looking for suggestions so if you have any favorites - please pass them on! (Also- if you missed February's Review and are looking for some ideas yourself you can find it HERE!)
So there a few books (and one I sadly can't recommend), movies, and a thought about TV... here we go: *smiles*
Books
{one}Moving Mountains
*sad sigh* I wanted to love this book. I really did and went into it all excited. I don't think I have really shared this here or with a lot of people who even know me well but Wild at Heart written by John Eldredge is one of my favorite books. I honestly wish that I could get it into the hands of every man that I know because I think that there is a very dangerous mis-conception that guys who believe in God and are Christians should just be "nice guys". This is simply not the case. Was Jesus "nice"? Yes. But He was way more than that and I truly believe that God designed men to heroes, warriors, to live lives of adventures and risks and to be "dangerous" in the best sense of the word. When John wrote this more than a decade ago I wanted to shout "YES" as loud as I could because that is what Jesus was all about. We as Christians have done the greatest disservice to men by trying to say the opposite. John states, "It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death.". Amen. Amen. Amen.
In addition to this I have mentioned more than once Captivating (co-authored with his wife) (the "girl version" of Wild at Heart (maybe?)) is simply brilliant. Honestly if you are a woman read it. (If you are curious and want to know more about the book Captivating I wrote about it HERE.)
So... when I saw that John had written a new book in 2017 that I hadn't read, Moving Mountains, I was excited to read it. Besides the books above I have enjoyed some of his other books (including Waking the Dead) but... I just couldn't really get into this one and on many philosophical notes I disagreed with him completely. So I can't recommend this book but would love to know your thoughts. Anyone else read this?
{two} Crime and Punishment
So a year ago I mentioned that I had gotten about 1/2 way through Crime and Punishment. I shared this last year, but my goal was to branch out and try reading some classic authors and books that I haven't read before. If I am honest I find with classic books that I tend to read and re-read the same books and authors again and again (hello all of my favorite Alexander Dumas books *smiles*) I realized that I had never finished this and made it my goal for it to happen this month...
I will be honest... it's rough. It's a bit depressing, a bit dark... but I would recommend it because the story makes you really think about a lot of things. At the same time it I feel challenged by it and definitely recommend it. If you are looking to branch out and read something new in the classic section this one is one to read. You can find it HERE.
{three & four }Eat Right for Your Blood Type / Blood Type A Book
Years ago I read these books when I first started to feel my health decline. I was teaching at the time and the wife of a co-worker of mine recommended this book. (I have Type A but there are books for each of the blood types.) So I decided that I would read them again and did. Honestly, I didn't find them particularly helpful simply because I realized that I was already eating basically this way. I don't find that I necessarily followed this eating pattern from years ago, but those of you who know me know that I am extremely strict about what I eat due to my health and so I didn't find this as helpful as it may be to others. If you haven't read it or you are looking into making healthy changes in your lifestyle than I would recommend it as something to add to your library. You can find Eat Right for Your Blood Type by clicking HERE and Blood Type A Book by clicking HERE.
Movies
I watched this movie at the beginning of the month and honestly I still don't know what to write about it. I think that I went into with some different expectations maybe? I mean there are definitely funny parts, some parts that will just bring you to tears, and then there are some parts that seemed... a bit random maybe?
As a bit of background I should say that I have always wanted to foster/adopt and before I got sick was starting the process to become a foster parent. I think the route to foster care is different for every family - so I think that realistically that was portrayed really well - especially in the group meetings. I laughed a lot because I think that I met "each of these people" in my beginning classes. It is hilarious in general but if you have been through the process you will find it even more funny. I also really loved that they showed the "not so fun side" of things when talking about fostering and the challenges that are unique in doing this...
I think that I would have loved to have seen some more character development as far as the connection between these kids and the foster parents... it seemed a little "off" which was more centered around the couple itself in that they maybe weren't sure why they had gone in to fostering and then at one point were thinking about "returning the kids"... and then all of a sudden they didn't want to lose them... I don't know some of it just seemed "off". Also- I was turned off by the amount of language that really wasn't necessary - it just seemed to be added in for "drama" sake... I hate to say it because I wanted to love it but I can't say I recommend it. Anyone else disappointed by this one?
*happy happy childhood sigh*
Earlier this month we re-watched the original Mary Poppins and then when this released this past week we watched Mary Poppins Returns. Y'all, if you haven't seen it... go see it. It is sweet, will remind you to have an imagination, make you smile, and bring all the nostalgic feelings back. If you have read the books I would say that some ideas were taken from some of the later books and implemented but it is it's own story all on it's own. A few of my favorite things...
(1) Dick Van Dyke. Need I say more? And seeing him still dance? Inspirational and wonderful all at the same time. I just love him.
(2)The soundtrack... the way that some of the old music is woven throughout the movie in a seamless way paying tribute to the original Mary Poppins while introducing new music was nothing short of brilliant. Y'all know my love of music and I was blown away by the creative imagination and the time that this must have taken. Absolutely brilliant.
(3) Lin-Manuel Miranda...So incredibly talented and he does a fantastic job.
(4) Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins... she is just lovely. So something that a lot of people don't know about me is that one of my favorite movies is The Young Victoria but for some reason I never mention it. hahaha! I have no idea why I don't talk about it more because I just think it is one of the sweetest movies of all time. The love story y'all... so so precious. Emily Blunt plays Victoria and seriously you forget that this is the same person as Mary Poppins - that is just how talented she is.
It is hard to believe that this amazing woman has been gone for four years. When Kara died four years ago I wept because although we had never met, her words and her encouragement to find goodness in the midst of suffering and hard were a beacon of light in the darkness for me on my health journey.
Over the last four years I have continued to re-read her posts at Mundane Faithfulness, re-read her books (The Hardest Peace, And it Was Beautiful, Just Show Up (which was co-authored with Jill whom y'all have met here on the blog), and Big Love) on numerous occasions and even had the humbling opportunity to share my heart on Mundane Faithfulness over the years.
I have kept up with updates about this documentary and knew it was coming and so when it was released this month I knew I wanted to watch it. I admit though that emotionally I knew it would be difficult and hard to see and so I purposefully set aside some time where I could watch it knowing this. I walked away from it the same way that I have walked away from every interaction with Kara years ago... inspired...encouraged...in awe...and stunned silent at her realness in the midst of tragedy and suffering and the way that she pulled back the curtain into what real life was like in those last months.
I didn't feel that there was anything "new" necessarily as far as being different then the books, the blog, and her speaking (if you had kept up with all of that), but there was a tenderness and grace that can only come with "seeing" that it put all of those things into a greater depth for me. She, her family, and her friends graciously drew back the curtain on life during that time... giving each of us a great gift.
I think I could go on and on and on about this documentary but I want to say two things... (1) If you are in the midst of suffering there is a beautiful hope that is found in this documentary and could be of great encouragement... and (2) to her family, her friends, her loved ones... thank you for giving us one more chance to be inspired by "your Kara"....in doing so you have beautifully continued her legacy but more than that you have sacrificed private moments for all of us to tell her story.
TV
Life has been so busy that I haven't really been watching TV so I am going to save those reviews for next month y'all! There have been some things that I have been watching and am finishing up from the last few months that I can't wait to discuss more next month!
If you are curious about other book reading lists I have done in the past you can find those posts below:
What about you- what have you been watching and reading that you would recommend?
Happy Friday friends! Thank you so much for reading today! I hope that you have a wonderful day and weekend!
Happy Thursday friends! Today I am so excited to share my book, movie, and TV review with y'all! Before I start though- if you have any suggestions for me for March please let me know! I am constantly looking for biographies and true stories so if you have any favorites - please pass on your suggestions!
So because I traveled a couple of times this month I have quite a few things to share about so here we go: *smiles*
Books
I am wincing and biting my bottom lip a bit as I mention this book because it is... incredible. I really think that everyone should read it- it is the true story of Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolovamazing and the love story that finds him during his time in Auschwitz. I don't even know where to start in describing this book, but it has had the most profound impact on my personal life... and I can't recommend it enough. Go buy it NOW. You can find the book HERE.
Disclaimer... parts of this book are incredibly difficult in showing the horrific capacity that we as human can do to each other. But in that horror... courage finds a way to come out. Truly amazing.
Similar book recommendations that I have read and would recommend to this book:
You can find my review of it HERE and you can Beneath a Scarlet Sky by clicking HERE.
{two} Suzanne's Children
*sad sigh* I wanted to love this book. In fact it has been on my list to read for well over a year and so I took it (along with The Tattooist of Auschwitz) to California because I just knew that I would love them both. I honestly didn't care for this book at all. Which is really sad because the story of what Suzanne did is incredible. Honestly the part that she played in using her money, her influence, her status as a woman of "upper class" and all of her connections was simply unbelievable. The tragic part of her personal life (she decides to bring her best friend whom her husband is in love with into their home to keep him happy and the disconnect that she had with her children) I believe played a huge part in her desire to change the world around her. Unfortunately though the book was incredibly slow and had so many different facts and historical aspects I felt like the writer was trying to just include so many things to try to prove that Suzanne was a hero. There are so many different characters introduced, so much history explaining a lot of facts that really wasn't necessary that it really deviated from what I feel the purpose of the book was. I hate giving a bad review but I just really can't recommend it if you are looking to read about a "daring rescue" in Paris revolving around children who were saved. I would more classify the title and the expectation of an historical understanding Paris (and at times France itself) during World War II and the workings of the Paris underground resistance... Suzanne is killed at the end and in many ways I felt like the book (even with all of its trying to prove otherwise) didn't do justice to her story. If you want to check it out you can find the book HERE.
If you are looking for an amazing story with a similar concept to what I had hoped Suzanne's Children would be that I have read and would recommend to this book:
You can find my review of it HERE and you can Irena's Children by clicking HERE. You can also watch an amazing movie about Irena Sendler entitled: The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler by clicking HERE.
{three} Business Boutique
Business Boutique, (something I have mentioned before on the blog) is one that I saw on a friend's instagram feed that I decided to check out. There is SO much helpful and practical advice that I have finished reading it but am constantly working my way back through it to put into practice all of the information that she is sharing. If you are looking at becoming any type of entrepreneur than this book is chocked full of helpful tips and wisdom that you will want to explore. You can find it HERE!
Movies
{One} First Man
So I watched the movie "First Man" with friends technically in January, but am just sharing about it now. Have y'all seen it? I was skeptical because there were so many negative reviews, but y'all I enjoyed it ... it really makes you think about who we are as people in the face of ordinary and extraordinary moments in life... and also realizing on a deep and complex level how flawed we all are...and the hope that can be found despite this... I realized in new ways how circumstances in our lives can affect people and understanding someone's story is so incredibly important. If you saw it what were your thoughts?
If you haven't seen it- I would definitely recommend watching it and going into it with an open mind... I think that most of the reviews were expecting something else. I went into realizing that this is not a review of the space program (of which there are other good movies that do so!) but telling of a story of a man who made history, and that is why I think I enjoyed it. Another thing was that so many of the negative reviews said that it "depicted Armstrong completely wrong", but I found it interesting to read that his family believed that the movie "nailed it" and they were contributors to the film. In all honesty, this made me appreciate the movie more...we know he planted the flag... but this raw and real human component that was portrayed of this brilliant man was (I thought) incredibly well done. Let me know what you think! You can watch it HERE!
{Two} Hunter Killer
So my dad (who is a lovely man and let's us watch all of the girly movies we want to *smiles*) really wanted to see this movie after reading the book. Y'all I enjoyed it. It is definitely a adventure guys movie and it was really well done I thought. It was definitely action packed and I thought it was really well acted. Sometimes you just want a fun "guy" movie full of action and adventure- especially when you have guys watching with you *smiles* and so it was a fun movie to watch. Disclaimer: It is rated "R" ... honestly y'all know I have a VERY sensitive heart and am pretty picky about what I watch. I didn't realize it was rated "R" till after we watched it... I think that there is some definite language and it is a bit violent, but overall it was one honestly one of the "cleaner" movies I have seen and it seemed to me that there are some TV shows with more violence. (Not endorsing that just trying to give an accurate picture.) Let me know what you guys think! You can watch it HERE!
{Three} Mary Poppins
I think the last time that I saw Mary Poppins I was a child. I found the VHS version in a thrift store for 10 cents and this past week my mom and I watched it again. Y'all... I loved it as an adult and if you haven't seen it in a while - watch it. It is so precious and brought back so many childhood memories! You can watch it HERE!
{Four} Flammen & Citronen
I watched this back in February after it was recommended and it was honestly one of those film recommendations that sticks with you for your life I think. Here is what I wrote about it to the person who recommended it which I think is an accurate portrayal of my thoughts:
"I am a girl who is very passionate about keeping this era of history "alive", so I was very intrigued by this recommendation & the portrayal of a not so talked about part of the Danish resistance...I definitely agree with you... I think this is definitely THE most captivating foreign film I have seen so far & honestly probably one of the more "gritty" (as far as accurately portraying the realistic nature that war doesn't always come succinctly as simple "good/evil" as many films on the subject matter seem to depict) ... & yet I admit that like some other films on this era I walked away at first a bit "disturbed" for lack of a better word...as I read through more of the director's thoughts & reasoning behind some of the historical inaccuracies/liberties taken(i.e. the suicide, etc)...I came away feeling that the film drew me into a deeper discussion of (as you point out)...the concept of heroism in gray areas & the role that this plays in our actions & choices...similar to the movie Defiance from 2009, but in a(dare I say?) darker way (despite the fact that the cinematography was stunning)...perhaps that is what keeps replaying in mind as I continue to think about it even days later...one line that I found particularly haunting that seemed to sum up all of my thoughts was: "there is no just or unjust any longer"...a haunting thought... thank you for the amazing recommendation... going to be pondering this one for a while!"
Even two months later haunting is the word I would definitely keep coming back to... You can watch it HERE!
TV
Life has been so busy that I haven't really been watching to much TV so I am going to save those reviews for next month y'all!
If you are curious about other book reading lists I have done in the past you can find those posts below:
Happy Thursday friends! Thank you so much for reading today! What about you- what have you been watching and reading that you would recommend?
This one just makes me smile... I love Mary Poppins and the songs from the original movie bring back such fun childhood memories! This was definitely my favorite movie as a little girl and so hearing the music all over again just makes me smile! Are you excited about the new movie? I love Emily Blunt so I think it is going to be fantastic!
I hope this video brings a smile to your face this chilly Tuesday morning! *smiles* You can find the video HERE (or watch right below) and the new channel by clicking HERE! Thanks for checking it out, liking it, commenting, and following along y'all! *smiles*
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Saturday friends! Today I am so excited to share with you the first of the four FINAL junk journals and items that will be going into the shop for this year! This adorable Mary Poppins A Jolly Holiday Junk Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!)
Y'all know how much I love creating different and unique journals and altered books. These beautiful and unique journals are the perfect way to grab onto ordinary moments or days and remember special times in life. With the new Mary Poppins coming out (who else is as excited as I am?!?) I was inspired to create a couple of junk journals based on this!
This beautiful vintage (1964) Mary Poppins: A Jolly Holiday Junk Journal is a Mary Poppins lovers dream. With approximately 150 pages/tags of quality and beautiful scrapbook paper, adorable vintage and modern embellishments and ephemera, and pretty surprises, this Junk Journal will create a treasured keepsake for a lifetime and can be used throughout the holiday season and year.
This junk journal (although vintage) was in excellent condition and contains ALL of the original book pages and even includes some poetry pages from a Julie Andrews Poetry book as a nod to the original movie.
With the upcoming release of the new Mary Poppins movie, this is a treasure that will remind generations of the past while creating precious new memories.
I fell in love with the precious pictures, the detailed illustrations, and the vibrant colors of this classic book that has delighted girls and dreamers for generations. Using this Vintage (1964) Mary Poppins Junk Journal you can easily add in pictures and quick notes so that you can remember the special days forever.
I was showing this junk journal to a friend and she said it would be the perfect present for a newly engaged bride-to-be and I loved that idea! What a fun idea to record the proposal and engagement season in this junk journal!
What I love about Cinderella (and Disney in general) is that the stories are timeless for dreamers to dream and wish in all different ways. No matter how you would use this junk journal it would be precious. *smiles*
Or if you are interested in looking at other tag and junk journals that are available in the shop you can find them in the tag and junk journal section HERE. Stay tuned as a video of this junk journal will soon be on my new youtube channel! Or find one of me talking about the junk journal on the shops instagram page by clicking HERE!
Happy Saturday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day with friends and family!!
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