Great Movie Musicals!

My favorite movie musical of all time is Anchors Aweigh with Gene Kelly.
My second favorite is also a Gene Kelly movie, Singin' In the Rain.

Other good movie musicals:
Meet Me in St. Louis

Credit to lagirl8 of youtube.

On the Town
The Sound of Music
Funny Girl
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
For Me and My Gal
Million Dollar Mermaid
Pippin
Easter Parade
Annie Get Your Gun
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Hello Dolly!
Carousel
Summer Stock
South Pacific
Gus and Dolls
White Christmas
Oklahoma
Fiddler on the Roof
The King and I
My Fair Lady
Oliver!
West Side Story

This is a cute song for all you moms out there!

Our Family's "Theme" Songs!

When I think of my mom, I think of "Dearest Children, God is Near You" because she sometimes sang it to us at bedtime. I now sing it to my children as I tickle them. When I sing Dearest Children, I sing their name instead of "children". I should also add that my mom would probably not consider this "her" song. Songs that would mean more to her would have something to do with rainbows!



The song I associate with my dad, and that has become one of my very favorite hymns, is "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy". The words to this hymn are so meaningful. I can remember when my dad came home from a priesthood meeting and realized he could sing. I think of him singing his heart out to this hymn.







Our Whole family- Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille


Kevin and Amy- I'll Still Be Loving You by Restless Heart



Casey- Baby, Baby by Amy Grant












(I love this song and besides being Casey's specific song it is also all of my children's collectively. I love how it captures that excitement and joy over being a mother!)



Courtney- Callin' Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks






(Not a typical song for love of a child but I think it captures her exuberance for life. I also love this photo of her!)



Ashley- Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce








(Mellow and meaningful just like Ashley. This was playing on the radio on the way to the hospital to have her!)




Abby- Can't Smile Without You by Barry Manilow




(Kevin hates Barry Manilow so I tried to find another song but this one is perfect for Abby! What would we do without her?!)

Great Musicals

The first musical I ever saw that had a big impact on me was "Man of LaMancha". I went to a local production of it on a date. Robert Peterson (now deceased) was Don Quixote and I have never seen anyone do it better. I loved the message of the show and was in tears at the end. (Not hard for me!) I must add that it would be rated PG! Must also add that I have some of the dialogue from this memorized.

My absolute favorite musical is "Les Miserables". The main theme in most of the literature, etc. that I love is "One person can make a difference." Same with my second favorite musical, which is "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". I saw Donny Osmond in this a few years back and he was phenomenal! Love the music from these too! I am realizing that all 3 of these do not fit the "squeaky clean" image I want for this blog. Nevertheless, I do recommend them highly!

Other good musicals:
The Music Man
Camelot

Gene Kelly!

This is the first thing I ever saw Gene Kelly in. I was watching "Ziegfield Follies" on television when I was a teenager and I knew Fred Astaire but I couldn't figure out who he was dancing with. I don't think I had heard of Gene Kelly before that. His performance stood out to me and I think he is the best dancer ever.






Singin' In The Rain

Credit to FloraSiami of youtube.

Moses Supposes!


Credit to makeXemxLAUGH25.



Scene from my favorite Gene Kelly movie of all time-- Anchors Aweigh.

Credit to engagedesigncom of youtube.



An American in Paris

Credit to engagedesigncom of youtube.

My favorite Hymns

Hymns are such an important part of my life. Here is a list of my very favorite ones:
(Taken from Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
*= My VERY favorite
*1- The Spirit of God #2

2- Now Let Us Rejoice #3
3- *High on the Mountain Top #5

*4- Redeemer of Israel 36
5- We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet #19
6- All Creatures of our God and King #62
7- A Mighty Fortress is our God #68
8- Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah #83
9- How Firm a Foundation #85
10- How Great Thou Art #86
11- Now Thank We All Our God #95
12- Dearest Children, God is Near You #96
*13- Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee #141
14- Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide #165
15- Abide with Me #166
16- I Stand All Amazed #193
17- There is Sunshine in my Soul Today #227
18- Count Your Blessings #241
19- Let Us All Press On #243
*20- Carry On #255
21- As Zion's Youth in Latter Days #256
22- Hope of Israel #259
23- God's Daily Care #306
*24- Ye Elders of Israel #319
*25- Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy #335

I have read these Books

Cheaper by the dozen
The Chosen
Cold Sassy Tree
Cry, The Beloved Country
Ender's Game
Farenheit 451
Finding Fish: A Memoir
Tuesdays with Morrie (also the guy Mitch somebody wrote an autobiography that was good.)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
A Girl Named Zippy
The Hiding Place
Homeless Bird
Jane Eyre
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
A Long Way from Chicago
The Midwife's Apprentice
Rebecca
The Red Tent
Searching for Hassan
The Secret Life of Bees
Seabiscuit:An American Legend
Their Eyes Were Watching God
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
Twilight by Stephenie Meyers
New Moon by Stephenie Meyers
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyers
Lone Star Cafe by Lisa Wingate
Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner by Lisa Wingate
Texas Cooking by Lisa Wingate
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Having our Say
Mr. Darcy's Diary
Austenland by Shannon Hale
The Weaver Takes a Wife by Sheri Cobb South
The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O'Rourke

Edgewood Ward Book Group

This is the book group I attend. Here is a list of the books we have read since it has been reinstated in 2007.

March 2007- Searching for Hassan

April 2007- In the Heart of the Sea (Didn't read this one.)

May 2007- The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (This was my pick! I love this book!)

June 2007- Peace Like a River

July 2007- Homeless Bird

August 2007- Christina's book choice. It was a science fiction fantasy. I had never read one like this before.

September 2007- Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (This was my pick, too! Another good one!)

October 2007- Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

November 2007- A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck

December 2007- no book

January 2008- Wild Swans

Good Biographies, another favorite genre

I have always said that ordinary people's lives are all so interesting. I love reading about other people, especially when they tackle their problems in a positive way.


The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (very inspirational!)

Halfway Home by Ronan Tynan (One of the Irish Tenors, the one whose legs are amputated from the knees.)

Meant to Be by Walter Andersen

In an Instant by Bob and Lee Woodruff

Finding Fish by Antwone Fisher (Language Alert!)

Three Against Hitler

Leap of Faith by Queen Noor

John Glenn autobiography

Let's Roll by Lisa Beamer (her husband was killed in the airplane on 9-11.)

Expecting Adam by Martha Nibley Beck (controversial, but good for discussions.)

Farewell to Manzanar by Houston

Unchained Eagle (A Viet Nam Prisoner of War Story) by Alvarez

John McCain autobiography (He was also a Viet Nam prisoner of war)

Other Great Movies

The Magic of Ordinary Days (I just watched this again and loved it so much. The book by the same is also VERY good. It is one of my favorite books. There are so many good lessons to be learned from this story.)
Credit to TMoODfan.


Anne of Green Gablesand
Anne of Green Gables:The Sequel

Credit to AmyofGreenGables of youtube.

The Gods Must Be Crazy (very different from most of the movies I love but I thought this was really cute!)

Love Comes Softly (There are a couple of these. They are a bit cheesy but good. This is a series. Some other titles are: Love's Enduring Promise, Love's Long Journey)

Railway Children

Dear Frankie (a couple swear words, but still one of my favorite movies.)


Evelyn (some cursing, but good.)

Jane of Lantern Hill

It's a Wonderful Life

To Sir With Love

My favorite genre, PERIOD DRAMAS

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to watch these kind of movies. Here are some suggestions for some great movies to watch.

***** 5 Star Period Dramas*****
These are the very best ones out there!

North and South
(not the Civil War one! It's from a book by Elizabeth Gaskell.)
Here is the last scene for those who have already seen it! Don't watch it if you haven't seen it yet. It will spoil it for you!


Wives and Daughters
credit to skipmaus from youtube.

Cranford
Here is a trailer for Cranford. Sorry about the spanish subtitles.


Pride and Prejudice 1995

credit to zafra01 from youtube.
Pride and Prejudice 2005 (I am in the group that likes the 1995 version better because it sticks more closely to the book.)
Here is a scene from Pride and Prejudice 2005.

credit to stephanie15 from youtube.

Sense and Sensibility (the Emma Thompson version)
credit to hillkatback from youtube.

Emma (the Gwyneth Paltrow version)


credit to sara230 from youtube.


Mansfield Park (the itv version- will be seen on Masterpiece Theatre later this year! Do not confuse it with the one that came out in the US a few years back. That was YUCKY!)

Persuasion (any version)

Northanger Abbey (the one coming out on Masterpiece Theatre later on this year is adorable. One or two little questionable spots but still great!)

Here is an adorable music video about Northanger Abbey, particularly JJ Feild, that plays Henry Tilney, from ehrynL85 from youtube.



credit to scampostrini from youtube.


Nicholas Nickleby 2002 (2001 version is okay too.)

Jane Eyre 1983 (It's a bit cheesy but it is still the best one out there. I had never seen Timothy Dalton in anything before but he is very good in this.Avoid the 1996 version at all costs!)

Credit to MrPogle of youtube.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

credit to radiotikk of youtube.

Horatio Hornblower
Credit to JWEggers of youtube.

Amazing Grace
This is Wilberforce singing Amazing Grace.
Credit to spikesbint of youtube.

Here is a trailer for Amazing Grace.
Credit to infuzerobin of youtube.

Little Women



**** 4 Star Period Dramas ****
These ones are good but not to the same extent of the Five Star!

The Inheritance

The Englishman Who Went up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain

Our Mutual Friend

Under the Greenwood Tree
Credit to squeezynz of youtube.

Lorna Doone
Daniel Deronda


:( Avoid these! They are not of good report or praiseworthy!

The Buccaneers
The Way We Live Now
Washington Square

Books for Book Groups

Here are some books that have been used in some of the book groups I have been in. As I think of them, I will add to this list.

#1 Ladies Detective Agency (I loved this one.*****)
Secret Life of Bees (Others loved it, but I thought it was just okay.)
Cry, the Beloved Country (One of my favorite books. Wonderful, very poignant! *****)
Poisonwood Bible (I hated this, despite the fact that others liked it.)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (One of my favorites. *****)

My Top Ten Favorite Movies of all time!

1. It's a Wonderful Life

2. Chariots of Fire

3. To Sir With Love

4. The Sound of Music

5. North and South

6. Amazing Grace

7. Singing in the Rain

8. Anchors Aweigh

Okay, so it's only 8 right now. I will think about it and then you can be sure this will be changed. I do know that It's a Wonderful Life is my absolute favorite movie of all time. I love the message and one of my favorite reasons to watch movies is to be inspired!

Masterpiece Theatre Schedule for 2008

Jane Eyre- Sundays, December 30, 2007 January 6, 2008 8:00-10:00 p.m. (not my favorite version, but not bad)

Persuasion- Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:00-9:30 p.m. (new one!)

Northanger Abbey - Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:00-9:30 p.m. (new one- I loved this one even more than the book!)

Mansfield Park - Sunday, January 27, 2008 8:00-9:30 p.m. (new one)

Miss Austen Regrets- Sunday, February 3, 2008 8:00-9:30 p.m. (never heard of this one)

Pride and Prejudice - (Colin Firth version) Sundays, February 10-24, 2008 8-10:00p.m.

Emma- (Kate Beckinsale version) Sunday, March 23, 2008 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Sense and Sensibility - Sundays, March 30-April 6, 2008 8:00-9:30 p.m. (new one- I haven’t even seen this one!)

Room with a View- Sunday, April 13, 2008 8:00-9:30 p.m.

My Boy Jack- Sunday, April 20, 2008 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Cranford- Sundays, May 4-11, 2008 8:00-10:00 p.m. (You can watch this on youtube in 10 min. increments if you don’t want to wait until May. It is wonderful! This is another adaptation of an Elizabeth Gaskell novel. It is DELIGHTFUL!!)<

We Seek After These Things

This year, I am going to try and record on this blog all my favorite music, movies, and books. I am hoping that this will be a resource for someone who is looking for something good.



I subscribe to the 13th article of faith of my church: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. Indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul. We believe all things, we hope all things. We have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

In fact, that is where the name of my blog comes from. It is my belief that there is so much good stuff out there so why waste time with the junk. I hope you can find something good here. Please bear with me while I experiment with the best ways to organize the content.