2011 Harry Potter Farwell

I remember where I was the first time I read Pivot Drive #4.I was working for SkyWest Airlines and my friend who was into tech beamed me to my palm pilot the first book. I had a long business trip I was headed on and he said I would really enjoy it. He was right. I loved the books what a world she created and it was a great visit every time I step inside her world. I will miss that excitement for the new book and I have loved the movies also. Sure they left our some of my favorite story lines and added in some dumb things but I still have the books and the movies are a scrumptious frosting. I loved hearing that Jens little boy was depressed as he turned 11 and no letter came in the mail by owl. SO we went out in style. Steve talked me into a double feature so we could see part one and two back to back on opening night in Bountiful. Steve is great and I love his passion for life and he reminds me of someone I know... okay a few people I know. Plus he can't smell. I think he is mine. No I had bought tickets to see it the next day so none of us were going to be up late but the double feature sounded so cool. My cousins Andrew and his friend who came in costume AWESOME I wish I had done that Teri Kelly and I had so much fun. But wait there is more. Then I won tickets for the night it opened at 7pm from our new home builders!!! SO I invited Hilary and Matt since we use to watch them early on her teaching gig. We love them and they have Harry Potter Clue- very fun. They did not bring that cute baby but it was loud for tiny ears. Then we went with Anthony and Salina, Andy Kelly Teri and Steve for the third time. Some would say that is obsessive. But really it was just a series of fortunate events. My mom was here which was the down side as she does not like them at all and we kept leaving her saying we were not obsessed. I did finally accept that harry and Hermione are not going to end up together as anything more than in laws. Loved my long talks with Kelly and Steve about HP, Death Life and simpletons.  

Silent Night

We were thrilled to squeeze in a few holiday traditions this year I thought we wouldn't get to do. The first is the Temple Square lights. If you ever are in Salt Lake and have never seen the holiday display it is something special. I grew up going to see the lights and they are never a disappointment. We went with our friends the Deloneys and their 3 exchange students. For that few years they have also done some neat luminaries and nativities from around the world. I love ending the night with a visit to the 11-foot statue of Thorcaldsen's Christus, a magnificent statue of the Savior. There you can reflect on the majesty and wonder of God's creations as you stand beneath the star-studded dome in the rotunda of the North Visitors' Center and ponder the invitation of the outstretched arms. It was neat to hear the kids talk about the love they have for Jesus. Alex said "Scott, I believe in Jesus and Santa." We also warmed up with hot chocolate and caught up on the years events. We also went to visit Santa with the Dixon's, my cousins family. It was really funny to hear Santa react to all of us. We always have a great time with Teri, Kelly and the kids. We went to a holiday movie with them as well, Enchanted (which I loved except for the cleavage). I think that one of the huge changes in me is how much I love a happy ending and sweet stories. I use to like troubled dark stories-- gone are those days. It was funny and I love a good fairy tale. We attended a few parties and look forward the rest of the months festivities. This will be a slow journal month as each moment is filled I hope I can catch up in Jan.

Happy 20 year anniversary to The Princess Bride. Karin pointed out to me they have a fun time line of then and now photos from the cast. What a memorable film, one of my all time favorites. I can't believe it is 20 years old. I remember the book being 100 times better than the movie which I adored so I may revisit it, if I can ever find some time-- make some time. I guess I am getting old too. I ran into a childhood friend I have not seen in 20 years and I almost cried because he looked like an adult and we are the same age. I even said if you look so grown up what do I look like? He agreed that yes we are adults. I don't mind getting old, especially with Scott. Check out the site at ABC... http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/popup?id=3370726&contentIndex=1&page=2

Pirates and Potter

We have seen the third Pirates and did not like it too much. Saw Harry Potter 5 and did. Can't really explain it since so many have not seen them yet. If you have seen both and want to chat then give us a ring. I would not call us die hard fans of either film but we have enjoyed both over the years. Oh and by the way I think everyone is very busy because almost none of my favorite blog spots have updated for weeks now. I hope everyone is doing wonderful things and living life and creating lots of great journal entries... but I hope someone remembers to bring along a camera-- photos are really worth a millions words.

Valentine’s Day

In honor of Valentine's Day I thought I'd share a few of my favorite romantic movies.

Pride and Prejudice. In 2006 Scott reluctantly took me to see a remake of a classic… It was a snowy night and we had the theater all to ourselves which upped the romance factor immensely. It was a two hour version, which lead to more of an impressionistic feel then the in-depth BBC miniseries adaptation. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy… who can resist? I won’t compare the two it would be most unfair. They both now have a special place in my heart. We had a fabulous evening and Scott rather enjoyed himself. It is so fun to feel real romance in my own life and not just from the pages of a novel. Now when I enjoy a good love story I know how it feels in the end.

Honorable mentions go to Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Much Ado about Nothing, Emma, the Scarlet Pimpernel, Father of the Bride, A walk to Remember, Wedding Singer, Life is Beautiful, White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Singing in the Rain and Sleeping Beauty.

High Society The dialog in this classic is sharp and funny as Tracy's (Grace Kelly) self assured facade is thrown off by the arrival of her ex-husband (Bing Crosby) and a tabloid reporter (Frank Sinatra) in the days leading up to her wedding. It is a musical remake of the Philadelphia Story. The music is charming; it is fun to love this movie as it was one of my Mom favorites. We have good taste.

Anne of Green Gables some would argue that I place this most favorite PBS miniseries under romance. I dare say that it would be a man incapable of seeing the charm of Gilbert. It is a love story that stretches generations if you read the entire series. How can you not treasure Matthew? It is one of my favorite love stories.

A Room with a View is the captivating story of a young girl (Helen Bonham Carter) and her travels to Italy and love. It was the Merchant Ivory Film that really put them on the map. It is an adaptation of EM Foresters novel. It is funny, beautifully filmed and acted. Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Day Lewis… oh you must see it. It is from this movie that I choose my wedding music.

The Importance of Being Earnst witty, engaging and splendidly adapted from the genius Oscar Wilde. With Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reece Witherspoon, and Judi Dench. Here is the hilarious adventure of two dashing young bachelors and the outrageous deceptions they find themselves in over love! I starred in my high schools production and it is one of my favorite plays and memories. Don’t miss this one.

The Princess Bride is one of those movies that you fall in love with as a kid and love forever. A fairytale with a princess, evil plots, comedy, one liners, good sword fights, a giant, and true love: all the makings of a good love story.

Dinner and a movie

Last night we went to the Kinikini's for family night to watch Nacho Libre. We also exchanged Christmas gifts sort of. We have tried to get together for about 2 months. So we finally made it up there and I forgot our gifts. They did give us some cute ones. As for the movie... Scott is still laughing. I'm still trying to figure out if Jared Hess is disturbed or perhaps had serious brain trauma. We love being with the Kinikini's and Anthony and Salina came too. Salina is always so sweet. I made a new dessert--Marlene made yummy soup-- and the men ate the meat. We wish they lived closer.