Christmas Traditions: Reel time!!!

Going to the movies seems like a pretty big Christmas tradition here. Everyone has a list of Christmas movies to watch whether new or old. I was driving to work a few days before Christmas and the radio DJ was talking about a top 10 all-time must-watch Christmas movies, half of which I've never heard, and almost all I've never seen!

So, while spending a lazy turkey-coma-Sunday at the in-laws, I decided i must at least watch ONE of them. Starting with A Christmas Story. Not that I would have missed it, it was playing ALL DAY on Sunday.

The movie came out in 1983 but set in the 1940s, a little boy named Ralphie tries to convince his parents to get him a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. It was such a feel-good, funny and heartwarming tale that made me go all gooey inside. But there were also hilarious moments like when Ralphie's friend's tongue got stuck to the frozen lamp post ("I triple DOG-DARE YOU!") or when Ralphie turns to the camera to give the audience a cheeky wink. I think the best part about the movie was the off-screen narration!




Then i watched Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel! Two actors i really like! Now THAT makes for a really good movie! Doesn't she look so different with blonde hair?

So two movies off my checklist. Next up -- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. And I'm saving that for a movie night with the J-man, while eating our leftover popcorn balls from the weekend.

Hope you had a great Christmas! What are your Christmas traditions and do you have a Christmas movie to recommend?

Spoonerisms

The j-man is horribly dyslexic when it comes to writing and reading aloud. This is evident when he reads telephone numbers in the wrong order and consistently says things like 'a-mi-nal'.

BUT


everyone is guilty of a little bit of spoonerisms now and then.

The MIL said, in the car today.

"Oh my gosh, did you see that crane trash on the news the other day?"

HUH?



Here's a great book by Shel Silverstein (Author of The Giving Tree) that plays on spoonerisms! Check it out!


What are some spoonerisms you've overheard? Share them! I'm in need of a good chuckle.

And don't forget about the giveaway! Ends this Friday!

Happy Memorial Weekend! x

Thrifting: Goodwill Hunting

I persuaded the J-man to take me to Goodwill one Monday. I had wanted to go to the one nearest our home, but J surprised me by taking me to a bigger store in Mooresville. Well actually, he had also wanted to go to this Indian restaurant, Mint for lunch, which was why he so graciously suggested the Goodwill around the corner. And I'm not complaining!

For $25,

HER:


2 comfy pairs of jeans


1 lovely floral skirt to twirl around in

HIM:





2 hilarious tees (love the forrest gump quote)

US:


3 hardback classics


SCORE!


Goodwill
214 Williamson Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
(704) 696-0033

And apparently the Goodwill in Cornelius is EVEN better! *hyperventilates*

Etsy Pick of the Week :: King Paper ::

So this week, I have been intrigued by vintage posters and print. Here are some of my favorites from King Paper!



Ruth St Denis, was one of the pioneers in early modern dance, whose students include the famous Martha Graham, and was also known for her "oriental" productions. I've always wished I had the opportunity to watch one of her performances. I really am born in the wrong era!



The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti and illustrated by Arthur Rackham. I first came across Rackham's work when I was doing some research on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I love his paintings, and according to Wikipedia, Rackham had invented his own technique of photographic reproduction, first using pencil to sketch an outline, before filling in with pen and india ink. When working with colour, he would apply multiple washes of colour until transparent tints were created. I love the ethereal quality of his paintings! There are many more Rackham prints in King Paper's Etsy store.



This one just reminds me of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Bernice Bobs Her Hair. He is one of my favourite writers. Short stories are not really my thing, but I enjoyed Fitzgerald's collection. Time for a re-read!


They're offering a Buy 2 get 1 free promotion so go check it out! *excited*

10 things i did on my day off

1. Got my driver's license (FIRST thing in the morning)
2. Prepared ingredients for chicken casserole supper
3. Vaccumed and dusted the house
4. Started reading 20000 Leagues Under the Sea!
5. Bird watched for a bit (saw a hummingbird!)
6. Watered and weeded the garden
7. Did the laundry
8. Updated my blog!
9. Finished a 500 piece puzzle in 2 hours (with MIL's help!)
10. Called my parents (because I didn't do it over the weekend)


Phew! That was one busy day! I felt so accomplished! I think I rather like waking up so early in the morning, I get so many things done!

Thrifting: Half-Price Books

I recently went on a trip to Houston to visit my friends, Rose and Jo. Jo has been living there for a year now, so she knows the place pretty well. She promised I would like this area called Rice Village, which has an eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants and stores.

Books will always appeal to me. I am a shameless hoarder. I will never walk past a bookstore without going inside. And I have a soft spot for classics. And I judge books by their covers, the quainter the better. So here are the spoils.



Books at $1.00 apiece.

Half Price Books
2537 University Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005

And again, they have many many locations. So check out their online website. Link above.

Thrifting: Book Buyers

Bought the books for 2USD a piece.

So glad I found this gem in the heart of Charlotte, NC. I have always been a terrible book hoarder, buying from Borders, warehouse sales and wherever I chance upon them. Now that I have to watch my spending more closely, buying books is a luxury that I should be doing without. I have been very good, making frequent visits to the library ever since. However, when I found this place, I was ecstatic! This spacious store is well stocked with shelves and shelves of secondhand books, all in very good condition. It is possibly one of the largest used books store I've ever come across.


Book Buyers
1308-F The Plaza
Charlotte NC 28205
Phone: (704) 344-8611
Operating hours:
M-S 10am-8pm
Sun 12-6pm

Only daydreaming...

about this




and maybe the whole collection of these