fawesome film festival for fine finish!

I've found another free movie channel that I like: fawesome.tv.

Like Tubi, it doesn't run 'mercials at me every five minutes.

That's fabulous!

It was one of the four featured this week On Demand, so I gave it a whirl.

I'm glad I did, as I haven't heard of any of the trio I gathered there!

 

The first was almost thirty years old, drawing me in with its cover art.

"A Norman Rockwell Christmas Movie", from 1995, had developed a story around the famous painting of an old gent gleefully skating on a frozen pond as a boy watched.

The skater was the owner of a famous chain of toy stores; the boy was the "man of the house" until his father came home from the Korean War.

They strike up a friendship after meeting on the pond, the boy with the absent dad and the man whose son had died in World War II.

It truly is a beautiful little movie!

Did I say "little" movie"?

That's because it isn't even an hour long.

None of the three in this Fawesome Film Festival hit 60 minutes, which was nice.

That second one, "A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong", struck me as something that "The Young Ones" might have tried to do, had the four guys been a hodgepodge theatrical troupe.

I laughed and laughed at the 2017 farce, as one klutz kept trying to steal the role of Scrooge while the poor guy playing Cratchit had to have his lines written all around so he could read them aloud, as his memory was that poor.

Oh! That must have been an inside joke!

Yes?

Funniest, though, was the hapless prop guy in the "Duran Duran" shirt, who kept landing on stage when he shouldn't have been!

Very funny!!!

Then I finished up with a concert film from 1987, "Stevie Nicks: Live At Red Rocks".

It was at a bad time in her life, with her body fairly listless and her voice rasped out and her brain on fire from cocaine.

Still, the setting was gorgeous!

Plus, I like her songs, so it was a good choice for me.

What a nice way to end 2023, as the fireworks pop all around my neighborhood!

Yes, even though midnight is still a bit off!

(smile!)

counting my blessings, instead of sheep

Back in September, I'd counted up the number of plays and musicals that I've seen this year.

That total was twenty out of a whopping thirty-eight events.

20 out of 38.

Wow.

Since then, I've added another 18 events during these few months.

That doesn't mean I've only been to 56 events this year.

My walls don't include the nine days of concerts I ushered at the Savannah Music Festival, nor the movies seen via Cinema Savannah, nor any events at the Jewish Film Festival.

That would easily be another twenty, probably more, to that 56 with programs.

 

My walls?

That's right.

I've been posting the playbills and setlists on my dining room walls.

They surround me in the room where I spend much of my waking hours.

Why there?

They assure me that I'm still a busy, vibrant woman.

(smile!)

They also confirm that I am supporting the culture of this town I love so.

Even when the event is a free one, my attendance is vital to those performers.

Of the seventeen events on this wall, nine were free.

That's slightly more than 50%, which is good for my budget.

(smile!)

On this wall are 13 events, all attended in the last three months.

Eight of those are plays and musicals - and yes, I count "Nutcracker" in that category.

After all, it's a story set to dance, not simply a series of separate pieces.

Only five of the thirteen were free, though.

And there were others I would have liked to attend, but my budget didn't stretch that far.

Even so, that meant I saw roughly one event per week... very nice!

(smile!)

Then there's this wall.

This is where I first started hanging up programs, to light up my winter months and cold nights, to stoke the fires for culture that I crave.

Of the 26 remembrances thereon, the five on the top row are to be included with those attended these past three months, and four of those events in that top row were free.

Indeed, a total of ten performances on that wall were seen for free - well done!

I hadn't been concentrating on free events then, but I had sprinkled some in.

Mostly, though, I was trying to support local theatre as they recover from the pandemic.

Savannah Children's Theatre ramped up their game, as they provided five of the fifteen plays and musicals on that wall.

That's a full third, from a single troupe!

For the year, they provided ten of the plays and musicals I attended - that's almost an event every month!

The Masquers had four plays and musicals, the next highest group I attended.

Savannah Stage Company provided three for me, as did Savannah Repertory Theatre and Savannah Arts Academy.

The Rambam middle school students gave me two more, then I had a few stray performances from six less-familiar troupes.

Plus, I was treated to two operas!!!

What a good bounty!

After three years of mostly online entertainment, it's good to be part of a live audience, and fortunate to still have so many performers still in business.

Yes, I am most definitely still a busy, vibrant woman...

and that's a blessing.

i thank You, God.

singing at last sunday of 2023!

See?

That's even what I wrote when I signed the attendance log in the chat on youTube!

Folks had said to me yesterday at the Open House that they'd see me at church, but I'd replied "Only if the weather is warmer than 50 F!"

I think they thought I might be kidding.

Nope!

Gotta keep my warm heart away from the cold!

By the time I would have been leaving for Asbury Memorial, the temperature was still in the 40's.

So, I was one of the 50+ online attendees, arriving in time to sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

Marvelous!!!

A little while later, we had two more of Rev. Billy's favorite Christmas carols!

Those were "Away In A Manger" and "What Child Is This" - very nice!

Then Billy told us one of his personal "for want of a nail" stories.

I really love those, as I have a few of my own.

They are our own little Rube Goldberg devices, to marvel at as the pieces fall into place...

coincidences. 

Right place, right time.

This one began with his friend, Courtland, inviting him along to a luncheon with an aging actress, Mae Questel.

She was the voice of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl, among others, once upon a time; more recently, she played Aunt Bethany in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".

As the story went, Billy had gratefully accepted the offer of luncheon, as he was a starving young actor and always liked free food.

(smile!)

So, the hostess asked Billy if he had an agent to help him get auditions, and, as he did not, she set him up with her agent.

That's how Billy received the call to audition for "Pirates of Penzance"...

where he met his future wife, Cheri...

with whom he has four children...

necessitating his having a steady job...

which he did, via the ministry...

landing a part-time position at Asbury Memorial UMC that became full-time...

and has helped two churches become beacons that shine a light for all people. 

What a marvelous story to end 2023!

I'm so glad I was there for it!

elvis film festival!

"My goodness, g'friend! More stuff with Elvis Presley?" 

You betcha! I was feeling in need of something that was not holiday-themed, and yet also free, so I scrolled through the offerings on Tubi. That's when I saw it: "Viva Las Vegas"!

"That's the one with Ann-Margret, the one with her as a singing swim instructor."

Correct! And Elvis is a race car driver that has lost his bankroll and is working at the Flamingo resort as a waiter, hoping to make the money to fix up his car.

"And does he?"

Of course! And he even wins the race!!! Get this: Fremont Street is part of the raceway! The cars all go Vroom Vroom past the Golden Nugget casino, which is still there!

"That was back in 1964, right?"

Correct again! The next movie, from three years later, has a similar theme. This time, he's got a boat he needs to get repaired so he can be in a speed boat race in Miami.

"Hey! Is that a redheaded Bill Bixby I see?"

It is! He's a rich playboy, but he races boats, too, and has won the last couple of years.

"What's the name of that one? Isn't Elvis a rich guy, too, but he's trying to be incognito so he has switched identities with a poor buddy?"

Correct-o-mundo! You're on fire!!! LOL! This one was called "Clambake", and Elvis sang eight songs in it. He did thirteen songs in the first movie! Two of those were a duet with Ann-Margret, and then there were two others that she sang solo. 

"I guess that makes them musicals, right?"

Not quite. The first one, possibly, but not the second one. I believe a musical should have numbers done by several of the actors, not just by one. The last one in this film festival's trio, however, is definitely a musical! It's also one I saw just a few months ago, "Frankie And Johnny", with Elvis paired with Donna Douglas, better known as Ellie May Clampett.

"Oh, yeah!, What a fun movie, with him and her as part of a theatre troupe on a gambling riverboat! What, no photos?"

I thought I could find the ones I took before, but I can't. Oh, well! This one had a dozen songs in it, but done by several of the people, so it qualifies as a musical.

"Good for you! Glad you're able to close out the month the way you began it: with a trio of Elvis entertainment!"

Woohoo!!! And this was all free, too!

open house with theatre folk!

Not at my house, but at the one with Barbara and Chris Gooby!

When I saw the invite on fb, I had expected it would be mostly church members.

After all, that's primarily how I know them: we attend Asbury Memorial Church.

I also see them at plays and Savannah Music Festival concerts; rather, I did pre-pandemic.

That curtailed a lot of our bumping into each other.

However, I resolved to try to become more involved with others at Asbury, and how better to do so than at a holiday gathering?

When I arrived, the house was already rather full, with folks coming and going and staying and talking.

I spoke to the Prokops as they were getting into their car and we all wished each other a "happy new year" and pat told me to enjoy myself.

(smile!)

Genie and Danny Lewis and Hai were all clustered in the front foyer, so I scooted past them and wandered toward the living room.

That's when I spotted those Dia De Los Muertos nutcrackers - fabulous!!!

Mike Metheny - who always calls me his karaoke buddy - came up and talked as he refreshed his drink, then he returned to the group he and his wife were chatting with.

I noticed the Gooby refrigerator was slathered with magnets - like mine! - so I popped into the kitchen and perused the cartoons held captive there.

Very nice!

They like a lot of the same ones I do, including "Calvin And Hobbes"!!!

Going around the corner led into the dining room, and Genie was there, without her entourage - so I grabbed the chance to talk to her about the barefoot hobo's rudeness.

Next thing I know, he's talking around me, for the first time in at least seven years!

By that time, Danielle had arrived, so she and I immediately hung together!

Then Monica McDermott, the birthday girl, showed up, so we all chatted!

That's when I realized that a lot of these folk had been in plays together.

Small world!

And before I knew it, I'd been there almost three hours, noshing and gabbing!

I do hope it's warm enough for me to go to church tomorrow...

Danielle may start coming there and I'd like to be part of the welcoming committee.

(smile!)

meals and mileage - i could get used to this!

I think it all began with Jason's Deli.

Thanks to their "12 Days of Deli" promotion, I had six meals from them over a five-day span, starting with a purchase after my girls' day with Christina.

On that day, a kid's meal was free if bought with an adult entree... so, that's what I ordered.

I already knew the kid's portion of Chicken Penne Alfredo was a plentiful serving, and ate it that night.

The Southwest Bowl was lunch Friday, heated in the frying pan and all scrambled together, with lime vinaigrette drizzled on.

Quite tasty it was!

By the time Saturday rolled around, I was back at Jason's Deli.

That deal, as I mentioned before, netted me four meals at home, culminating with the kid-sized pepperoni pizza for breakfast on Christmas Day.

Trust me, I ate the whole thing, though just half is seen here.

Plus, I had coffee in my Moscow Nutcracker mug, with dessert being one of Amy's frosted sugar cookies!

I don't usually get dessert with breakfast, as that isn't a groove thing for me, but it's good to break out of the rut for special days.

Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So, between all of that, plus a dinner and breakfast with Jeff and Amy and friends, and Christmas dinner with my brothers, I'd hardly had to prepare any meals for almost a week.

Magnificent!

 

That brought me from Thursday to Tuesday, with me half-planning to use a gift certificate at Applebee's... but, no.

I'd met Barbara for "Ferrari" and it got out early enough to dine.

She only wanted a salad - or so she said, lol!

We went to Sweet Potatoes for the first time this year, where we each got salads... with our entrees!

I had the Vegetable Plate, with the house salad as my fourth.

The other three selections were the eponymous sweet potato, the lemon collard greens, and their delectable Brussels sprouts - with a biscuit to round out the plate.

You better believe I ate every bite!

Wednesday dawned and I met up with Dawn.

(Aren't puns delightful?)

No need to say where, right?

We practically own rights to The King & I by now!

I wanted to keep our luncheon a bit lighter, knowing that I wanted the gyoza - I mean, steamed dumplings, as the waitress didn't recognize the Japanese name - but what soup?

I took a chance on Kand Jeud, with roasted pork, tofu, and cilantro, and completely loved it!

Sometimes, you just have to try something different!

Now, I'm back to another Tina Thursday.

After two days of dining on spiral-sliced ham -

courtesy of Tony on Christmas Day -

who got it courtesy of Smitty on Christmas Day -

who'd received it on Christmas Eve from daughter Christy -

I was ready for something new in the fridge.

Texas Roadhouse was calling me to use the free appetizer coupon before month's end, so that's exactly what I did!

I even tried something different there, too!

Instead of the rib basket, I had the Tater Skins.

Totally the right decision!

In the photo, I'm holding one of them -

to try it out, make sure it tasted as good as it looked -

and those are going to be perfect for future breakfasts!!!

My entree, as usual, was the Country Vegetable Plate, with this beautiful house salad as the star.

That cup of Chili, in the above photo, is another of the four sides I chose for that entree.

It will most likely go on top of the Steak Fries.

The Sweet Potato was the fourth; that barely made it home before I polished it off.

And guess what I noticed when I got back to my fishface?

A super-deluxe odometer reading!!!

My mileage had reached a magic number as I pulled in there:

232500.

Wow.

Right place, right time.

No coincidence that I was there -

no coincidence that I was seated in less than 5 minutes -

no coincidence that I had country music videos to entertain me -

no coincidence that my waitress, Blair, was a kindred spirit.

i thank You, God.

peacock and amc

While doing my sunroom groove, I'd read the current AARP - for a change! - and heard about two movies I really wanted to see.

Hence, the Peacock Film Festival began!

That was back on the 14th, so I guess I've just been slack about writing.

No, that's not quite right.

The physicist had come over for pizza and a movie and he chose "The Defiant Ones", which turned out to be a miniseries, and turned out to be on Tubi.

I had been misled by Google into believing it was a Peacock original, which really threw a monkey wrench into our evening.

It all worked out fine, though.

We watched two of the four parts on the 19th.

That was enough for me to realize that the topic - rap and hiphop, with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine - was one that I've since recommended to the ex, as he gets that free channel.

Anyway, I was waiting to write after the bfe and I finished that miniseries.

That will be next year... and not on Peacock... so, no need to wait.

(smile!)

So, just what did I watch in the Peacock Film Festival?

The first was a brand-new Christmas movie!!!

I must say, the films I've seen lately with Melissa McCarthy certainly show that she is much more talented than "Bridesmaids" would lead a person to believe.

She's the star in "Genie", released unwittingly by a dad on the fritz with his wife and daughter, who have moved out.

He chose his job over the daughter's birthday.

Oops!

The second movie from Peacock was "Mr. Monk's Last Case: The Movie", also brand-new.

Hey, I'm a big Tony Shalhoub fan, y'all, so I jumped at this chance to see him again!

Natalie was in town, as was Randy, for the wedding of Trudy's daughter... say what???

Yes, that was the setup.

The issue was the groom, who died during a bungee jump gone awry, and the main suspect is a rich Elon Musk-type guy.

And guess what Leland does for a living now?

He runs the rich guy's security detail, who are all big fans of Randy's music.

Lol!

Nice of them to throw that quirky flashback to us fans of the series!

Those were both Peacock Originals, made specifically for that streaming service.

So, what else fell into that classification?

"The Continental: From The World Of John Wick", that's what.

I've seen all four of those movies with Keanu Reeves, so I know how the hotel figures into those storylines.

The show turned out to be a miniseries, but just three parts, like Wick's well-tailored suits.

(smile!)

The 16th was dreary and drizzly, so I stayed in... and binged on all three!

Partly, I liked the story and I liked Mel Gibson's over-the-top role as the guy in charge of who came and who stayed at the hotel for hitmen.

Mostly, though, I was in love with Ray McKinnon.

Seriously.

Such a lyrical, smooth voice...

such empathetic, laughing eyes, that now needed glasses...

such a cool drink of water, with great manners for an aging hitman...

oh, yeah, "Gene Jenkins" was an incredible character!

RAWR!!!

(smile!)

Whew... let me stumble back up to the present... that A*List thing... okay!

I caught Jason Momoa in the latest adventure, "Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom", even managing to see it on the Big-D screen.

I noticed that the redhead got second billing, so I guess she and the director still have something going on, because she certainly isn't that good on screen.

Fortunately, the majority of the screen time goes to the quartet of muscle men and their super cool rides, be they seahorses or sporty waterproof vehicles.

If it hangs around another few weeks, I just may see it again!

"Ferrari", however, was a "one and done" film for me.

It's a pretty good biopic, but there's a race wreck that had the audience gasping -

and, yes, it was that horrific and extremely graphic.

The bulk of the movie was about his wife and his mistress and his life between them.

Yeah, one and done.

And that blank space?

That should have a violet hue, as I saw "The Color Purple" to close out my A*List for 2023.

I hadn't really intended to, but Drew Barrymore had Oprah Winfrey on her morning show and that made the decision for me.

All she had to say was one word: musical.

Musical!!!

And what an uplifting, inspirational musical it was, too!

That was on the Big D, not that it needed to be, but I'm still glad to have seen in on that huge silver screen...

and to have had a peanut gallery there making comments along the way.

LOL!

Some folks just don't get out much, and when they do, they lose track of the fact that they aren't in their living room, on the couch, talking back to the TV.

LOL!

Nice way to end the year with that purple one!

(smile!)

Christmas with brothers and others!

Let's start local, then bop around in the southeastern states, shall we?

(smile!)

We had our gathering at Tony and Laura's this year.

There's Noah, at the left edge of the photo, trying to ease on out of view.

Nope, that didn't work!

Laura was slicing up her spinach-artichoke bomb...

and what a blast of flavor that was!!!

I just may have to try to make that.

(smile!)

I was at the opposite end of the table, with Smitty right beside me.

Mary is on the right side of the table and of Smitty.

But, kindly notice what's on Smitty's plate so as to fully appreciate the feast today!

Twice-baked cheesy potato...

a big bowl of salad with artichoke hearts...

a slice of Laura's bomb bread...

a gorgeous slice of perfectly cooked roast beast...

and a half-dozen plump, pink, boiled shrimp!

That's right!

We had surf and turf for Christmas!!!

So wonderfully delicious!!!

Even the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who would have been totally enchanted by the spread before us!

And later there was fresh-baked peach pie!!!

Yum!!!

I sent a photo of our celebration into the ether...

and received one in return!

That's my blue-sky Penny in that festive shirt, with her hubby of 25 years, Steve, in purple!

Aunt Linda, soon to be 84, is seated and in the center of this family.

Then, those are the young squires, Alex in blue and his older brother Jacob, with Jacob's girlfriend of some few years.

My guess is this was taken before the meal - right?

All the plates are clean and empty!

That photo came from Tallahassee, Florida.

This next one also hails from Florida, but on the east coast.

Jeff and Amy came down from Saint Helen for a holiday away from winter, over in Saint Augustine.

LOL!

From one Saint to another!

Here, they're having a pajama party with some friends, all in matching holiday outfits!

Such a fun idea, Amy!!!

(smile!)

And now for one from over in Alabama!

I don't know if this one was staged or pure serendipity, but I just love it.

The little LEGO Christmas tree was built from a kit I sent to Conner for his gift this year.

Very cute, right?

But what I love is the framed picture behind it.

It truly gladdened my heart to see it.

That's Conner and Merritt, respectively, standing to either side of Gnate the Gnat.

That photograph has to be at least 8 years old...

and Merritt looks to be about 9 or 10.

Conner would have to be about 7 or 8.

How can I say that for sure?

Well, my beloved Sand Gnats have been gone since September of 2015.

What a flashback in time!

And here's another one!

Want to take a guess what my age was when "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" first aired?

I was 8 years old.

Nice coincidence, n'est-ce pas?

That just shows me I'm in the right place, right time.

I've just gotten home from down the street and this had just started on one of the channels I get.

And afterward is the Jim Carrey version, with him as the Grinch.

Very nice!

my little fishface is a movie star!!!

After Smitty and Mary left, Laura and I were looking at possible movies to watch on TV.

I happened to mention that the movie I worked on was airing on Netflix...

and she and Tony have that premium channel...

so she pulled up "Pain Hustlers" and we watched it!!!

Remember me talking about that movie?

That was about two years ago - no, wait, I was on that shoot August 23rd and 24th of 2022, so more like 18 months ago.

Remember me saying that WJCL had its camera on me for almost two minutes?

I said, "they must think I'm famous!", and it sure felt that way.

(smile!) 

I've wanted to see the finished product ever since I found out it was available.

Sadly, I didn't know anyone who had Netflix, or so I thought.

I'm so glad Laura was open to watching it!!!

Tony even came in and joined us for most of it.

(smile!) 

I think that's because I kept pointing out my car!!!

In the opening scene, I was sure that was her, in that parking lot, even though I didn't recall ever driving her to that site.

However, when it came time for all the scenes in the motor court, that was game on!!!

I knew exactly where my fishface was for every scene there, from the ones near the film's beginning to those near the end.

Oh, yeah!!!

Like in the above shot, there's my Saturn, stage right, in the middle of two other cars but standing out because of the silver tape across her trunk.

This was supposed to be in a cooler part of the year, so that's why the lead actress - Emily Blunt!!! - was clad in a pullover with long sleeves.

It was all so exciting, even on those 13-hour days of filming!

(smile!)  

 

Every time I spotted my car, I'd shout, "there she is!", and Laura would pause and rewind so I could snap my camera!

This was the definitely the longest, continuous, scene that my little blue fishface had.

I like that she had a full body shot.

No other cars blocking the camera from her!

Isn't she just gorgeous, highlighted there on the right?

And isn't it interesting that Emily Blunt's character is standing there, just watching the tow truck as it hauls off her car?

Let me tell you, that's not how that scene went originally.

They made the change after shooting me.

Here's how it all happened.

During the major scenes with Emily or Chris Pine or some of the other well-known actors, they would shoot little clips for background with some of us there.

See where my car is?

I was to walk from one of the rooms there, straight across the motor court apron, as if I were going to the soda machine by the office.

As I was walking, the tow truck was to head toward the street, as it's doing in the above scenes, and I was to notice it and pause my walking, rather than cross in front of it.

That's what I did, too, as they shot the scene three or four times...

but I added a little bit extra for my character.

I kept my eyes on the tow truck as it neared me, as it passed me, and as it went into the street, then I continued toward the soda machine.

After all, I knew if I was living in that motor court, I'd be interested in anything different...

and having a tow truck hauling off a car would certainly not be an every day occurrence...

so, I'd be keeping my eyes on it the whole time, until it was gone...

then I'd return to my humdrum life.

Right?

If that scene had been kept, the photo here shows the profile of me that everyone would have been able to watch, with me in that faded plum top and my dark green skort.

It wasn't there, though.

However, my action in the scene was adopted, just not with my character.

I remember hearing the director, or someone, say "She's watching the truck."

They hadn't told me to do that... nor had they told me to stop doing it.

They must have realized that it would be a natural reaction.

In any case, they have Emily doing as I did: watching that tow truck until it was gone.

Very nice!!!

(smile!)

There was a scene that I thought I might be in, as we were watching the movie and I was scanning the entrances to the rooms there in the motor court.

Montana Maniscalco, the wrangler for the background actors, had me change into one of their tee-shirts, to dress me down.

Then, she staged me to stand in one of the doorways and talk as the woman outside the door watered the many plants on the stand. 

So, when I noticed that woman in the background on the movie, I had Laura back up and zoom in, to see if I was there, too.

I was not, but it was pretty cool to have that memory.

(smile!)  

What a Christmas gift this has been!!!

(smile!)

lifetime movie club film festival

I could have made a small film festival just from the four I viewed today!

Yes, that's correct: a quadruple header in less than 24 hours!!!

I was off on a tangent, having found several with the same leading man, and several others with the same leading woman, and I wanted to make the most of that opportunity before the free week of viewing on Comcast came to an end.

So, that's what I did.

 

My morning had begun with Jana Kramer, a country singer as well as actress, as the lead in "Christmas In Mississippi" (2017), set in Gulfport, a town I've actually visited.

She's a photographer, back home to visit her mom (Faith Ford, Corky on "Murphy Brown"!) and ends up helping her former high school boyfriend with the holiday light festival.

Her leading man is played by Wes Brown, but her mom's is Richard Karn (Al on "The Home Improvement Show"!), and Santa is Barry Bostwick!!!

Yep, that was a very good movie, star-studded as it was!

That's when I decided to try another of her holiday films.

"A Welcome Home Christmas" came out in 2020, with her as a transition counselor for recently released Army personnel, to help them find their way back to civilian life.

Brandon Quinn is the late-thirties retiree who has been self-isolating until she gets him involved with Operation Santa Claus, the local toy drive.

She and he do a very nice duet of "Silent Night", so that was a highlight!

They also did a lot of chatting about the chemistry of love, which was a nice touch.

As for old stars still shining their light, her mom was Charlene Tilton (Lucy on "Dallas") and the general was Tim Reid (Venus Flytrap of "WKRP In Cincinnati") - very nice!

As a veteran, I definitely approved!

 

So, two up, and both were home runs!

The third one wasn't quite up to par, but it was because the chemistry was off.

In 2021's "The Holiday Fix Up", Jana was paired with Ryan McPartlin, with them playing high school sweethearts who'd split after she got picked up for a home improvement show on TV, but he was left behind.

Now, she's called back to Bell Harbor by the innkeeper to repair a hole made by bad weather, and, of course, the only handyman available to help is her old boyfriend.

The story was good, the other characters were good, but their kisses were cold.

Was it something to do with him???

 

No, that couldn't be the case, I thought. 

I recognized that he was the lead in "The Flight Before Christmas" of 2015, in which he was paired with Mayim Bialik (Amy on "The Big Bang Theory"!), seen on Wednesday.

They were both traveling strangers thrown together by bad weather as they tried to get to Boston by plane, train, and automobile - lol!

Very funny movie, lots of good mojo working there!

So maybe I should try another one with him, right?

I'm so glad I chose "Twinkle All The Way"!!!

That 2019 charmer had Ryan as a widower in the construction trades, with a first-grader.

The female lead was Sarah Drew, a divorced wedding planner who was the mother of another first-grader.

The two get paired together to decorate the stage for the school Christmas play.

Quite adorable that was, too, with little elves running all over the place!

Lesley Ann Warren (actress in several TV shows of the 1970's that I watched as a kid) played Ryan's mom, who ran the family holiday-decorating business.

This was an absolutely fabulous movie!!!

It was the last one I watched, of the dozen viewed, and I'd gladly watch it again!

I can say the same about "The 12 Days of Christmas Eve", made last year, and definitely not the same one that starred Steven Weber.

In this version, Kelsey Grammer is the businessman who needs to get his priorities straight, and he's given twelve chances to get it right between him and his daughter (played by his real daughter, Spencer Grammer).

I did like the change-ups to the manner in which he died, and I very much liked that it was Santa himself that was helping him find his way... but I liked Steven Weber better.

By the way, this was the first of the LMC movies I saw, watched on Tuesday.

The following six movies all had actors I didn't know.

They were all quite enjoyable and well done, so I wouldn't say "no" to a future viewing.

"Mistletoe & Menorahs" (2019) had Kelley Jackle as a Christmas-fanatic toy designer who lands a chance with a big company owned by a Jew, with him under the impression that she is an expert on Chanukah.

Fortunately, she gets set up with Jake Epstein, so she learns Jewish rituals while he learns all about Christmas, so his girlfriend's dad will like him.

"A Christmas Dance Reunion" (2021) finds Monique Coleman and her mom invited to the final Christmas season at the resort they once frequented before her dad died.

Corbin Bleu, her dance partner at those long-ago shows there, is elated to see her and tries to get her, now a lawyer, to slip back into some dance shoes.

The best part: ten full minutes of dancing at the movie's end!!!

"Christmas Ever After" (2020) reminded me of "The Lost City", except this time the writer (Ali Stroker) has never met the cover model (Daniel di Tomasso) on the jackets of her romances.

She always returns to Antler Lodge to finish her novels, but this time the name has been gentrified to Antler Chalet and the owner's son is running things... and he's the dreamboat that's been in her dreams ever since her first novel was printed!

Nice little extra: the lead actress, Ali Stroker, is paralyzed from the chest down and uses a wheelchair, making for some new angles in this holiday romance.

"Ghosts Of Christmas Past" (2021) Annie Clark is told by the gypsy at the office Christmas party that she needs to set things right with all the guys she's ghosted or she will never, ever, find true love... and it has to be done by Christmas.

Meanwhile, she has to finalize a video game and has been paired up with newcomer Dan Jeannotte, who she also enlists to help her find those ghosted fellows.

Be on the lookout for "Blinky 4 Ever"!

LOL!

It really was a good movie!

"Christmas Lost And Found" (2018) has Tiya Sircar home with her Grandma, who has gifted her the cardboard box of heirloom ornaments.

Her distracted self ends up putting them by the curb for trash pickup!

Fortunately, her childhood friend, Edward Ruttle, is there to help her track them down.

"Rebuilding A Dream Christmas", also called "Christmas Comes Home" (2020), had another overly busy woman, Meggan Kaiser, called to the small town she grew up in.

There's been a storm and a tree broke a window in her Grandma's old house, which is on the town's register of historic sites.

That means she has to get a permit for the repair, and Zane Stephens, her old boyfriend, is the only carpenter in town who can fix it.

LOL!

Similar story line to another, right?

Still, quite enjoyable, especially while wrapping Christmas gifts.

Thanks, Comcast!

(smile!)

5 go-o-old rings!

"I know that song!"

Of course you do! Everyone knows that song! That includes the People's Youth Choir of New York City.

"Where did you see them?"

That was on "CBS Sunday Morning" today. After all, it is Sunday!

"Sho' 'nough!"

The choir had cute pantomimes that they performed for each "gift" in "The Twelve Days Of Christmas". I tried to catch each one! 

"You did catch a couple, I see."

Yes, and those seem to be the ones I snapped over and over. LOL! The top is for "5 gold rings", and this one is "a partridge in a pear tree". The gesture for "4 calling birds" had them facing left, with the hands like megaphones to each side of their mouths.

"That sounds mega-cute!"

LOL! It truly was! And they ran through that song like they were on fire!

"Oh, I'm sure they did. I doubt they were given much air time for their bit."

That's probably true. Okay, breakfast is done! Time for me to move along!

"Hold up a minute! What's on the plate?"

That's half the chicken & avocado panini I got from Jason's Deli yesterday. The other half will be dinner, along with the chips & salsa. Last night, the kid's chicken penne alfredo was dinner. Tomorrow morning, I'll eat the best part: the kid's pepperoni pizza!

"I take it they had a special going on?"

Yep! The 12 Days of Deli! Yesterday was the last day and the offer was an instant $5 "banked" if I spent at least $20. All that food I was talking about? The cost was $20.29, before tax. Squeak, squeak, but I got the reward!

"And you're getting four meals off that deal. Nice!"

Most def. Now, I wish you Happy Christmas Eve!

will the real father christmas please stand up?

One of the ways I know it's Saturday?

"Keeping Up Appearances" lights up my evening with laughter!

This episode was "Father Christmas", which I've seen twice today.

That Santa suit made the rounds!

Richard was the first to wear it, but not by choice; he'd been "volunteered" by his wife to serve in that role at the church that afternoon.

He'd dutifully donned it, not that he had any other choice, then went over to visit neighbour Emmett.

Emmett proceeded to make him merry with snogs of sherry.

By the time the wife was ready to go, Richard and Emmett were both pretty well gone!

So, Elizabeth slipped into the suit and slipped into the car in Richard's stead.

After all, Hyacinth was the navigator - all she had to do was follow directions for the ruse to work!

Hahahaha!!!

So, they make it to the church, where Hyacinth is promptly distracted by dealing with her Daddy, who has slipped his leash, and his mind, and his clothes.

She gets him into a cat costume in the church's prop room, then she takes her turn in the Father Christmas suit, so as to leave with no one recognizing her.

Daisy is to take control of Daddy, as well as help her make her escape, but that's not quite how it all went down!

Hahahaha!

Truly, one never knows just how things will proceed with the Bucket clan!

The same can be said of the weather.

Fortunately, Christmas Day, though a bit soggy, will be blessedly warm... hallelujah!

i thank You, God!

3 musketeers, 2 turtle guys...

Sounds like some new variation on the song, doesn't it?

I wish that it were!

It would just take me too long to figure out the other ten days at this point in time, so that will have to wait until perhaps another Christmas.

One of the phrases was uttered this morning.

 

We'd had breakfast at Sunnyside Up, just down the street, at 8 AM.

Yes, early for me, but that qualified as a late morning for Scott and the two Michiganders!

I asked all to hold up outside so I could get a commemorative photograph -

not that I used those specific words, but let's not quibble over details -

and Amy pulled out her phone.

"Let's get a photo of the Three Musketeers," she said.

And that's what we did!

Then Jeff and Amy hopped into their vehicle and headed south!

 

The other phrase was one I'd texted to my first niece when I sent her the above photo.

Jeff and Amy had graciously agreed to pick me up last night for the dinner in Pooler, so I wouldn't have to drive back in the dark.

Andy and Sheryl met us at The Crown And Anchor Pie Society, at our table in a private area near the lovely aquarium.

All very nice, and rather British, as a high end pub should be.

I'd snapped several photos during dinner, of us, of my Peking Duck Fries, of their food, and, of course, of the tiny clownfish getting its back rubbed by the live coral.

Did I mention that it was a saltwater tank?

Anyway, after I got home, I sent the photo to Christina.

To remind her who Andy was, I told her he and Jeff both worked at Turtle Records, once upon a time, and had known each other about 35 years, close as I could recall.

I was actually surprised that she knew that music store!

35 years.

That's a long time to know someone.

That makes them "chosen family" more so than "just friends".

Jeff and I have known each other since 1991, so that's 32 years.

Yes, he is definitely family, and has been for quite some time.

Now, if you'll pardon me, I'm going to take Amy's advice and go back to sleep.

The sugar rush from those pancakes has run its course!

(smile)

judging baked goods with science

Hey, Hallie started it!

 

She holds an annual cookie contest for kids in her life, posting the photos on fb for for folks there to serve as the judges.

 

This year, she had ten entrants!!!

 

Each of them had to decorate three cookies: a tree, a star, and a gingerbread man.

 

Here's her post.

"Voting closes at 7:00 PM Monday…
Here we go again. Our annual Christmas cookie decorating contest. Please vote for your favorite by number. Don’t even ask about the back story on #3… lol. Keep in mind that 4 of these artists are in college and took off work to compete."

 

I saw the post today, so the judging must close on Christmas Day.

 

After viewing all the cookies, I determined that I needed to look at each type of cookie and determine their merits before advancing to the other two types of cookies.

 

That simplified one aspect of the judging, but made it difficult to declare one winner.

 

So, here's what I wrote to her.

"Okay, being an analytical chemist, I've put some care into my decision. 

If I could only select one as the winner, it would be # 7 or # 1, as both made two of my Top 3 lists. Here are those, for your consideration. 

 

Snowflakes: 1 (bright!), 5 (gum drops!), 7 (crisp lines). 

 

Tree: 4, 7, 10, all chosen for the yellow star at the tree's top. 

 

Gingerbread: 1 (shiny and simple), 2 (shiny), 6 (traditional). 

That was fun!!! 

Merry Christmas to all!" 

I wonder what rubrick was used by the other judges?

I wonder who will win?

I wonder how the cookies taste?

(smile!)