Friday, April 10, 2009

Good Friday

TGIF everyone! Today for many Catholics is the celebration of Good Friday which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Golgotha. Good Friday is not a government holiday in the United States but oddly enough the stock market is closed on today. Many Catholics celebrate today in silence. I bet you are wondering why I said celebrate since it was the day that Jesus died, but Catholics, meaning me do. Today we celebrate Jesus and we acknowledge the greatest sacrifice that was made by God to give us everlasting life.

Here are some interesting facts from Wikipedia on celebrations from around the world for today, Good Friday.

There is no horse racing on Good Friday in the UK. The BBC has for many years introduced its 7 am News broadcast on Radio 4 on Good Friday with a verse from Isaac Watts' hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross".

In Bermuda, kites are flown. They are often handmade with wooden sticks, colorful tissue paper, glue, and string. The shape of the kite and the use of wood is meant to symbolize the cross that Jesus died on. Also, the kite flying in the sky symbolizes his ascension to heaven.

How will you celebrate today?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Tale of Desperaux

Yesterday I ran to my red mailbox hoping a special envelope marked Netflix would be awaiting me. As I reached into the depths of the mailbox, I closed my eyes and wiggled my fingers around until my fingers clasped the bundle of mail. Quickly I pulled the paper out and in the middle of the bunch poking through the bills and resident mail, was that wondrous red envelope. I fumbled with the keys to open the door, stepped on poor Sox, threw my bag to the floor, dumped the mail on the dining room table and pulled out the red envelope!

The Tale of Desperaux had finally arrived!!!!!

Dear Reader, I wasn't able to watch it at that precise moment. Hubby had gone to get a haircut and I was left with the irresistible envelope that was calling my name. I did my best to keep busy until he arrived. I did the dishes (I hate to do the dishes), brought down the laundry, sorted the laundry, changed my clothes, put on the oven for the pizza (it would take less time then having to make those frozen dinners or hey let's be honest I was in a bigger hurry) until finally Hubby was home. Now before you think I was able to watch the movie right away think again. Hubby took a quick shower, so that was another ten minutes to keep busy but I cheated.

I loaded the DVD in the player so I could hear the music, you know the theme music that plays while the DVD menu is on display.

Finally, Hubby was ready and we both rushed down to our movie room and began the Tale of Desperaux.

It was lovely! The colors were rich and you could positively feel the fur of the mice and rats. As many of you know once a book is made into a movie items are changed to suit the time constraint of the movie or elements are added not found in the book by the director or screenplay adapter.

I won't lie, it was a slightly different story but the core of the story did not change....to dream bigger than you are, bigger than the expectations of who you are, to hope, to love and to forgive.
While I much preferred the book, the film was a beautiful experience. I especially liked the introduction of Baldo, I don't recall him in the book, in fact I recall the chef as a woman who later provides Desperaux with soup to nourish him, little does she know on his quest to save the princess. You should definitely watch the Bonus Features that show how the animators got their ideas especially the kitchen food fight.

Mathew Broderick was perfect for the voice of Desperaux. I couldn't help but smile when he introduced himself to Princess Pea as a "gentleman." Another notable mentions is Sigourney Weaver, as the voice of the narrator. She was a delight, pay special attention to her voice at the end of the movie, when she describes how the hearts of those in the tale where broken and caused them to act out and hurt those around then, how this misunderstandings caused others to be angry and how in the end the power of forgiveness is the greatest power in the world. It was lovely and well worth the wait.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Desperaux

Wonderful news!!!!! The Tale of Desperaux DVD is on its way to me through the wonders of NetFlix. I'm so excited!!!!!!! Hubby sent me an email that is was going to be delivered on or about today, how vague, so I'm hoping and praying and wishing that its in my red mailbox today!

Isn't he adorable! Wouldn't you just love to see this cutie in a movie.

Wish me luck. I'm making a frozen dinner bag quickly then making Hubby watch it with me.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Gift Request = Cool Aunt!

Hubby and I have kitty. No kids.

We know a lot about children. When to pick them up. When to play with them, and especially when to give them back. So when one of our in-laws calls to tell us their child would especially need a "SomethingorOther"and we can afford it; we get it.

Happy Child = Happy Parents = Super Cool "Aunt & Uncle"

I like it when kids think I'm cool.

My sister-in-law "M" called me recently and asked if we hadn't gotten a gift already, (some times I get gifts ahead of time and stash them in my house), but if I hadn't gotten a gift already (and I hadn't) that "K" could really use a toy box for her room.

Toy boxes are not what they once were, you know like the Holly Hobbie toy boxes from long ago. I can still remember putting all of my treasures in mine. Ah the good ol'days. Anyway we couldn't find anything that would make K say "My Aunt is Cool!" Oh and her Uncle too, until we found a blank canvas. Ikea is selling great plain white toy boxes that could become anything if you have a bit of imagination. I can just see my favorite heroine, Anne of Green Gables smiling in my head over that line. Anyway, Hubby and I went to Jo-Anns and we found these cool sticker things. Sorry I can't remember what they were called but they worked perfectly.

From a Blank Toy Chest, I know present you K's Fairy Toy Box, or as BB calls it "Girl!"


Here is a view of the lid, aren't her wings just lovely.

We decided not to add the hinges to the box. Her little brother could poke his hand in there and get it stuck. Now he'll need to be strong to lift it. Hopefully our theory protects his little hands.


Side View - We, I'll explain later, added little hearts all around!


All Wrapped and Ready to go!

I couldn't find any wrapping paper that matched Little Miss Fairy so I decided to add ribbon and a bow and head off to the party.

K loved her toy box and her mom loved it so much she suggested we do one for her oldest son. A toy box for a boy....I'm guessing snakes and spiders should do it.

Oh and the "We" before I forget. I enlisted my dear sister JennyC to help me arrange and actually do most of the work. I did some of the hearts though. Oh and the stickers can be moved. Now I just need to remember what in the heck they were called!!!!