To quote Kermit the Frog from The Muppet Christmas Carol (love that film, mainly because of Rizzo the Rat) only one more sleep ‘til Christmas. The older I get the less magical it seems to be. I have not really even been in the mood to watch my favorite Christmas films this year. What it comes down to you really need to have little ones around all excited about Santa Claus and the season to get you all excited about it as well.
I have decided that next year I really need to do more service to bring the true spirit. One of my favorite Christmas’ was when I was a senior in high school and I was a volunteer Salvation Army Bell Ringer. Every Friday night and Saturday day I rang the bell (actually I sat next to the bucket while a little musical bell played Christmas songs) at the local mall through the Christmas season. It was so fun to see the little kids come up and put pennies in. Ever since I was a little kid I loved doing the same thing and I can not pass a Salvation Army bucket and still not put money in today. Even though my family participated in a Sub for Santa project this year I really need to focus more on the Savior. So if anyone can think of a great service project let me know.
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and to quote Bing Crosby from White Christmas that at this time of year may we “count our blessings instead of sheep.”
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
White Christmas
No, this post has nothing to do with the weather. Every year as part of our Christmas gift my parents treat my oldest sister and I to a Christmas performance. This year we went and saw White Christmas at the University of Utah’s Pioneer Theater.
The film, White Christmas (1954) starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is one of my favorite holiday films that I watch every year. So I pretty much know the film by heart and love it. But I still enjoyed the play. The sets were top notch, the choreography fun (I do love tap dancing), and the actors did a descent job (a nod to Tally and Kaitlyn). The script was a little different and so were the characters but I kept an open mind. I’m so glad that they kept the “Sisters” routine that the guys perform it’s one of my favorite scenes.
Just a few observations: John Shuman who played Ezekiel did a great interpretation of Pa Kettle. Mary Driggs who played Martha was more Ethel Merman than Mary Wickes but the character worked. I also thought it was interesting that they threw in “I love the Piano” which is from another Irving Berlin film Easter Parade.
I’m glad we have this new family tradition now that we are older it always helps me get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, we stopped off at Baskin Robbins for a nutty coconut shake afterwards. I do love those shakes.
The film, White Christmas (1954) starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is one of my favorite holiday films that I watch every year. So I pretty much know the film by heart and love it. But I still enjoyed the play. The sets were top notch, the choreography fun (I do love tap dancing), and the actors did a descent job (a nod to Tally and Kaitlyn). The script was a little different and so were the characters but I kept an open mind. I’m so glad that they kept the “Sisters” routine that the guys perform it’s one of my favorite scenes.
Just a few observations: John Shuman who played Ezekiel did a great interpretation of Pa Kettle. Mary Driggs who played Martha was more Ethel Merman than Mary Wickes but the character worked. I also thought it was interesting that they threw in “I love the Piano” which is from another Irving Berlin film Easter Parade.
I’m glad we have this new family tradition now that we are older it always helps me get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, we stopped off at Baskin Robbins for a nutty coconut shake afterwards. I do love those shakes.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Tourist
The film felt like an Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant with Jean Louis doing costumes. To those who may not understand that compliment, let me explain. A light hearted suspense dealing with a mistaken identity of an average American man, running from the law and the men out to kill him but does it all for the love a well dress woman. So, very much like North by Northwest with a twist.
I never understood why guys find Angelina Jolie attractive but when she is dressed with class and style as in this film, I finally get it. Just a note on her wardrobe, when the film starts out she is wearing white, then slips into grey, ending the film wearing black. (Costume designer Colleen Atwood deserves a nod for that). As for Johnny, I could have done without the goatee. But even though he may not have looked good (sorry the last time I found him attractive was when I was a kid watching 21 Jump Street), he did a good job playing the awkward reserved man in love spurting out the funny lines while in danger.
I enjoyed Paul Bettany’s character and can I just say it’s amazing what a well tailored suit can do for a man. And kudos for casting Timothy Dalton as head of Scotland Yard, he fit the role perfectly. Rufus Sewell role, though minor, was also well done. The film was enjoyable. It was funny, had action, a little romance, beautiful scenery and a great cast. I highly recommend it. Plus they threw in a Muse song in the closing credits for good measure.
I never understood why guys find Angelina Jolie attractive but when she is dressed with class and style as in this film, I finally get it. Just a note on her wardrobe, when the film starts out she is wearing white, then slips into grey, ending the film wearing black. (Costume designer Colleen Atwood deserves a nod for that). As for Johnny, I could have done without the goatee. But even though he may not have looked good (sorry the last time I found him attractive was when I was a kid watching 21 Jump Street), he did a good job playing the awkward reserved man in love spurting out the funny lines while in danger.
I enjoyed Paul Bettany’s character and can I just say it’s amazing what a well tailored suit can do for a man. And kudos for casting Timothy Dalton as head of Scotland Yard, he fit the role perfectly. Rufus Sewell role, though minor, was also well done. The film was enjoyable. It was funny, had action, a little romance, beautiful scenery and a great cast. I highly recommend it. Plus they threw in a Muse song in the closing credits for good measure.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Christmas Open House
For the last nineteen years my parents have opened their home the first Monday of December to the neighborhood and ward to come celebrate Christmas with them. I think it is a magical event, even though at times it can seem a little chaotic with over 150 people, majority of them kids, in our downsized home. We may go a little overboard with the decorations but the kids love it and it sets the mood for the evening.
The first stop is the candy shop- the dinning room hutch with several glass jars of candy to fill your treat bag. Then comes the reindeer food (Santa’s reindeer are well feed in our neighborhood). The best moment is when the children come around the corner and they see the toy shop (the kitchen table filled with dollar store toys) and their eyes light up and they literally run to the table. Of course it takes time to pick the perfect toy and you might have to trade once or maybe five times till you get the right one. But after the big decisions are made, you can celebrate the victory with lots and lots of food. The last stop of the evening is you pick up a family Christ center gift that we have put together because that real reason to gather friends together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
So after weeks of planning, cleaning, and decorating the evening comes to an end. We discussed that maybe next year will be our last open house, but then we realized that we would really miss it and it would not be Christmas without it. So here’s to next year and the years to come.
The first stop is the candy shop- the dinning room hutch with several glass jars of candy to fill your treat bag. Then comes the reindeer food (Santa’s reindeer are well feed in our neighborhood). The best moment is when the children come around the corner and they see the toy shop (the kitchen table filled with dollar store toys) and their eyes light up and they literally run to the table. Of course it takes time to pick the perfect toy and you might have to trade once or maybe five times till you get the right one. But after the big decisions are made, you can celebrate the victory with lots and lots of food. The last stop of the evening is you pick up a family Christ center gift that we have put together because that real reason to gather friends together to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
So after weeks of planning, cleaning, and decorating the evening comes to an end. We discussed that maybe next year will be our last open house, but then we realized that we would really miss it and it would not be Christmas without it. So here’s to next year and the years to come.
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