Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas // The Year of Our Lord 2016


"Man’s maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused of false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die." Augustine of Hippo

The paradox of Christmas. Leading to and bound together with the cross, the bull's eye center of history and of this whole entire glorious creation that we run round every day.

The twists and turns and darkness and then the blinding surprise of joy round the roughest, darkest corner of all. And now our deep and yet yearning satisfaction. Our God delights in doing the unexpected, and His incredible goodness spills out over His creation.

And then there's Matthew 1:23 that knocks me breathless every time I try to really grab hold of it, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, “God with us.”

God with us.

God in the flesh. A crying, hungry baby. Growing up and going to the cross for the salvation of the world. God the Son now reigning at His Father's right hand over the nations and hearing the prayers of His people. Knowing His people. Intimately. Knowing, as only the Shepherd can, all the deepest darkest corners around which He is leading us. Knowing, too, the blinding joy waiting on the other side. Joy to explode our hearts and minds if we had not been prepared and tested through the valleys. For He is creating us anew in His own image, always.

Our Great King has come in the flesh and it is earthshaking -- cause for the very greatest and highest joy indeed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!


Thursday, December 8, 2016

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

First wedding pictures!





(Photos by my talented friend Kezia of Step Up Photography.
Also, some of these are indeed running over into the sidebar again on purpose as I thought you'd all like to see them a wee bit better.)


The last month has been most entirely splendid (married life is simply lovely) and there's so much to tell -- so many adventures and plans and exciting happenings and projects (not to mention words) bubbling over to be shared. :) Such wonderfulness!

I can't wait to hear from you all!


Friday, September 16, 2016

Of Rings and Other Matters of Great Import

Good morning dear people! Things are just slightly busy round here ;), but I wanted to pop on and share a couple splendid items with you.

#1


(Long story), but John and I decided to do a switch around and have an engagement ring actually designed. My new one arrived a few weeks ago and it's such an absolute fairy tale dream come true. Seriously, it's breathtaking and I definitely wanted to share the excitement...

(In town at the farm store yesterday.) 

(And having fun in the car. It makes
for an exciting way to pass the time. ;))


#2


Hamlette is hosting her annual Tolkien blog party next week! (VERY exciting.) Do hop over to her blog HERE to read the details and choose one of her beautiful buttons to share!


So. What think you of all that? I hope you've been having a wonderful week and I'd love to hear what you've been up to!



Friday, August 5, 2016

Movie Review // Westward Ho The Wagons! (1956) with Fess Parker, Kathleen Crowley, and Jeff York


So here at long last is my review for Emma and Olivia's Legends of Western Cinema Week!

The official summary: “Inspired by the trials and triumphs of the American pioneers, Westward Ho, The Wagons! is the story of a wagon train full of families heading west on the treacherous Oregon Trail. Fess Parker (TV’s Davy Crockett) stars as Doc Grayson, in charge of guiding the wagons through hostile Indian territory. After a band of Pawnees attack and steal their spare horses, Doc leads the wagons to the safety of Fort Laramie. But the Sioux who reside nearby are suspicious of the new settlers and soon a feud erupts, further endangering everyone in the fort.  Full of true grit and determination, Westward Ho, The Wagons! is an action-packed adventure that’s fun for the whole family.”


Wow. Oh dear. I hadn’t realized how very often the back of movie cases are just slightly off. I mean, they got the gist there, but if you’ve seen it… yes, not quite. Still, they’re more on than off in this instance, so I’ll let it stand. ;P


I watched this again recently while driving across Kansas, heading toward the Colorado Rockies. I had planned to do it anyway and then realized partway through how funnily applicable it was! It definitely made it all the more vivid and fun.


A classic Disney production, it was based on the book Children of the Covered Wagon by Mary Jane Carr and the script was actually written by Tom Blackburn who was also a scriptwriter for the Davy Crockett series.


Now… to give the full picture and all that right off, I’ll make my statement here and now that some of my family members are less than enamored with it and others love it (particularly my littlest sister). I’m kind of in the middle and would say I enjoy it. Yes... it’s not the most amazing acting/cinematography/costumes ever, but it’s touching and somehow still gets right to the heart of the great western venture and the pioneer spirit. 


I particularly like the man-to-man/friend interactions between Doc Grayson and the wagon train scout Hank Breckenridge (Jeff York). They’re excellent.


And David Stollery does an especially good job as young Dan Thompson. 


All in all it has an episodic feel to it. The songs/ballads are super simple, almost like children's rhymes; but -- just like those -- they stick in your head. For days. :) 


Also (in case you were interested and/or worried), it does have a cute, well balanced romance.


As far as the Indians, etc. Allowing for it’s being a family friendly film and all, I think they’re done quite fairly well. There's an attack scene with quite a bit of dust and shooting and Indians falling off horses and settlers being shot in the shoulder -- things of that nature -- but there’s no blood. It’s also taken for granted that all the members of the wagon train are Christians; what’s more, it’s even quietly and openly portrayed as a good thing, which is refreshing.


It’s a little slow in places, but for all that the tension builds. For me, I think part of that tension comes anytime children are that closely involved with physical danger. Not that these children are helpless -- they’re built of far hardier stuff than that -- but they still need to be protected. On the flip side, while it’s not a grit-and-dirt sort of film, I think they still did a good job of showing how the children (while still children) were yet thoroughly mature and experienced for their years.


As I said, the tension does build rather incredibly near the end, but it’s not scary scary. (Again, my little sister likes it and she’s most particular on that score.)


Altogether I’d say it’s a good, comfortable young family film, especially if you’re looking for one to introduce the Oregon Trail and the stories of the brave souls who set out on it – or even just to add to your collection of reliable standbys for a rainy afternoon. (Or, of course, if you ever need something appropriate to watch when driving across country. It works great for that, too.)


Tell me! Have you ever seen or heard of this one?


And... if you haven't already, do make sure to visit Olivia and Emma's blogs. They're two of the loveliest friends ever and they both have an a-m-a-z-i-n-g way with the words. :)

(Olivia and Emma, thank you so much for all the work you've done and for hosting this again! *Hugs* It's been a marvelous week!! :D)


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

August! & The Epic West

Wow. So here we are in August. AUGUST. And oh, it’s lovely! Crazy busy, but lovely and beautiful and marvelous. There are so many things spinning through my head right now it’s dizzifying.

But ohh I miss you all and can’t wait to be posting more regularly come October-November-ish! (At which time I’m hoping to have a grand comment-replying-extravaganza as well. Trust me. I’m getting each and every one of your wonderful comments, and whenever one pops up in my email it brings a huge smile and such a warm happy feeling. ;))

I snapped this picture recently. Russian Sage. It's a common landscape plant
out in Colorado and Wyoming and other such glorious places and seems to grow 
EVERYWHEREI'm really looking forward to seeing if it'll grow on a sunny 
hillside back of  my new homestead after I settle in!

Seriously. Wedding planning is one of the wildest experiences ever. Continuing to build one particular new relationship and at the same time communicating with almost every. single. person. you know in all the different circles of your life -- immediate family, extended family, church family, friends all across the country (including you lovelies), local neighborhood acquaintances… While analyzing and reanalyzing sandals, and music, and pictures, and registries, and hotel rooms for guests, and… and… and… All while figuring out this whole moving across the country thing at the same time. Add in a few quick and splendiferous installments of summer travels and you have the makings of some bursting-full days. ;)

I just realized this button is actually hilariously perfect.
I'm afraid it's very much my expression when a new thing lands
on the to do list at the moment. ;D

BUT. In the meanwhile! Emma and Olivia are also hosting their Western Week again!! Yay!!! And ohh I’m soooo excited!! *coughs* This is a big sewing week so I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to do for it, but I *do* have some notes written up for a quick movie review, so if I can properly string some sentences together with a few pictures I’ll have that to contribute. (It's really one more thing respectfully soliciting yet more of your lovely comments. ;D)

Hamlette’s also hosting a big western giveaway here and do hop over to Emma’s or Olivia’s to join in the epicness!

How is your summer going? Did you have any adventures this summer or any you’re looking forward to?



Saturday, July 2, 2016

Movie Review // The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh


Howard Pyle’s Men of Iron has always ranked high on my favorites list and I was stunned a few years ago to find out there had been a film adapted from it in the 50’s -- starring none other than Janet Leigh (one of my favorite actresses) as the hero’s love interest!



And as I was writing this, I realized this film actually lends itself to a fun scene-by-scene encapsulation as well so maybe that’ll come along someday, too. ;) Meanwhile, enjoy!


(Also note: I used a varied collection of screenshots for this, so some are better than others. :P As I recall, the quality of the film itself -- at least the digital version -- is quite excellent.)


The following official summary isn’t faultless, but since it’s a little known film I thought it’d be helpful:

“In The Black Shield of Falworth, Tony Curtis woos his real-life bride Janet Leigh, while defending the British throne in a swashbucking tale filled with jousts, jests and medieval heroics. The time is England in the reign of King Henry IV. Myles (Curtis) is a headstrong, handsome peasant determined to learn the name of his slain father and discover his true heritage. His fiery ambition and swift sword lead him to the majestic Mackworth Castle. There he must vie for both knighthood as well as the hand of the fair Lady Anne (Leigh), but her love is claimed by the evil, conniving Sir Walter Blount. All the while the English throne is being challenged to the death - from sinister forces within. With its remarkable supporting cast and stunning set design, this is truly an epic tale of which legends are made!”


I admit I had to get used to Tony Curtis a little in the role of Myles, but by the end I think it’s pretty near impossible not to be desperately rooting for him as he finally locks grips with his deadly enemy.


The supporting cast is all VERY well played.


They take a few plot liberties, but I was honestly amazed at how close they stuck to the original story line. We bought the digital copy at one point and, sadly (due to unrelated computer issues), we haven’t been able to watch it for a while, but indeed, from what I remember, the tweaks in the plot aren’t arbitrary and seemed quite reasonable, condensing and tying things a little tighter for screen purposes.


It’s full-fledged classic medieval drama with sparks of humor here and there. And, seeming at first lighthearted, it’s yet totally weighty with the gravity of serious conflict. 


A resentful hothead, flailing for his place in the world -- uncertain of friends and enemies, puzzled and only seeing the knotted underside of the threads of life and not the full tapestry -- Myles comes one day to find himself at the very center of a huge web of political intrigue.

(Myles and Gascoyne's friendship is so utterly fun and delightful.)


For Black Shield is really a coming of age story. The story of how the headstrong boy of the beginning is taken in hand and given a purpose, a weighty calling.



Because at the last, all that political intrigue tightens to a literal noose. When all the pieces are in place and the conflict is laid out, the stakes are huge and the pressure comes crashing down on our hero… our hero who has been carefully pruned and tempered to be able to bear the crushing weight of expectations and responsibility.




There are some hard questions asked. 


And in the end, it’s about loyalty. And gratitude. 


(Also, we have to have one quick specific note on the ladies… They’re both GREAT. *spoilers* Loyal and daring, in the end, while remaining perfect and utter ladies, they yet manage to pull off an ingenious rescue operation, ultimately saving the day. ;))



So yes, I know I condensed a lot about the plot, etc., but as you can probably guess, it ends with a duel to the death between our hero and his arch-nemesis, a duel which ultimately explodes into a raging full on battle scene.



And…. since I’m trying not to give any more spoilers at the moment, I’ll just set your mind at rest by saying that, yes, it does indeed have a most happy and triumphant ending! ;D


Tell me! Have you read Men of Iron or seen Black Shield?
What do you think?











My fifth and final review for Miss Laurie's Period Drama Challenge 2016!
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