Seldom Seen Corner in My Living Room

My friend who is moving gave me a Blu-ray DVD player and I'm over the moon. Now I can watch discs from the library in my living room. I checked out House of Cards, UK edition but did not like it at all. It seemed too dated for me. I got the "real" Netflix version and am loving it. So far, I have watched Seasons 1 and 2.  Season 3 is on reserve and I should get it this week. I know I could subscribe to Netflix but as long as I can keep getting DVDs from the library, I'm ok with that. I am catching up on some movies I haven't seen too. I watched CHEF last week and loved it. 

I have a real estate closing Friday (hopefully) on my difficult transaction. Fingers crossed. See you later. xo

Vegan Mashed Potato Patties Stuffed with Mushrooms

Vegan Potato Cakes Stuffed with Mushrooms

These are definitely on my "must prepare" list. Can you find dill this time of year? Thyme would be good too. My mouth is watering just looking at the photo. Recipe in the link above. YUM.

I recently watched Michael Pollan's interesting documentary IN DEFENSE OF FOOD. He suggests eating real food made from scratch if possible. 

His message in a nutshell:
Eat food
Not too much.
Mostly plants.
Watch the full movie on PBS here.
This recipe is perfect.

Happy Sunday

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My favorite morning.

We had heavy rain all night.

It's supposed to get up to 60 degrees later.

I'm going to an early afternoon movie with a friend.

The Big Short. I've heard it's very good.

It's the true story of the financial crisis of 2008.

Have you seen it?

Farmhouse with a Forked Path

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Isn't this delightful? I hope they have a Christmas wreath hanging from both peaks. Happy Christmas Eve. I'm off to watch "The Bishop's Wife" on Turner Classic Movies! xo

The Morristown Club

Wreath on the door of The Morristown Club, the site of a Christmas luncheon today with my office colleagues. We were in the library and it was the perfect place for our get together. Delicious too.

UPDATE:  Did you know there's an app for TCM (Turner Classic Movies). I just watched "Come to the Stable" again on it. Go to the app store on your iPhone or iPad and in the search box type WATCH TCM. The app is free and it will work on you device if you have Turner Classic Movies in your cable lineup. Of course, you will have to know your user name and your password for FiOS, Comcast, or whatever your cable you have.  I am so happy I discovered it. You can watch whatever is playing live too. You have two choices on the iPad. East Coast and West Coast. It's awesome. Download it and be happy, You're welcome!!! The list of classic movies you can watch is unbelievable.

More Trees with Fog and TCM

I seem to be stuck on two things lately. Fog and Turner Classic Movies. I watched Come to the Stable today and it was wonderful I missed the first 20 minutes but I clicked by just in time to immediately understand what was going on. Now mind you, I really wasn't planning on watching a movie!!! But sometimes you just can't help yourself when you get sucked in. My cable company added this channel very recently to my plan and I'm thrilled. Classic movies and no commercials. 

Now back to fog. I know it's Christmas but I have fog on the brain. Literally. It is getting closer and closer and I sit watching movies. That's my story for today. I went to a great Christmas party last night that was very festive. Others are ready and I am not. But I will get more motivated tomorrow. Hopefully. xo

The Water Horse Movie: Ardkinglas House, Scottish Manor House

Ardkinglas House on the shore of Loch Fyne, Argyll

Situated on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll, against a spectacular background of mountain and forest, Ardkinglas House is an architectural gem.

This manor house is the real star of the 2007 movie, The Water Horse. I watched it several days ago and loved it. The manor house if full of antiques and the decorating is wonderful, better than Downton Abbey.

Read Roger Ebert's two thumbs up review here.

Like most British family films, "Water Horse" doesn't dumb down its young characters or insult the intelligence of the audience. It has a lot of sly humor about what we know, or have heard, about the Loch Ness monster and various frauds associated with it, and fills the edges of the screen with first-rate supporting performance. Imagine a family film with actors the caliber of Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin and Brian Cox as an old-timer who spins stories in the local pub."

I ran across this film quite by accident and decided to watch it because it stars Emily Watson, one of my favorite British stars. Watch it, you'll like it.
photos via Google images

UPDATE: I found the complete movie of The Water Horse for you on YouTube. WATCH IT HERE. Yay!

I feel like the Minion on the right.

I can't take it any more. Yesterday my gutters were melting and I shoveled slush for hours and everything was looking good. Now it's snowing again and we might get 8" or more before it stops, if it ever does. My phone app shows it will still be coming down at 9pm and I can't check beyond that. via Be safe and stay warm, This is a big winter storm and I know I'm not alone. xo

Biography of Alan Turing -- 1996 BBC Film: Watch Online

A biography of the English mathematician Alan Turing, who was one of the inventors of the digital computer and one of the key figures in the breaking of the Enigma code, used by the Germans to send secret orders to their U-boats in World War II. 

If you cannot see the YouTube Video below, click here.

I found this film that I shall watch today after reading this article from The LA Times. I'm so glad I read it because the 2004 film HAWKING that I have already shared here is being repeated on Thursday on the Discovery channel in celebration of Stephen Hawking's 73rd birthday. I might watch it again on the big screen. 

Two Films about Stephen Hawking for You to Watch Online

Click here if you can't see the video below.

I watched it several days ago and loved it. At first I thought it would be too painful to watch and I clicked it off the first time. Then I decided to try again and I'm so glad I did. 

This is his own personal story told in his own words. The thing I liked best was the personal photos and movies from the time he was born. It covered his life at Cambridge and his marriage and family life with Jane Wilde and their children.

Watch it full screen on your computer or mobile device. This movie is 1 hour 28 minutes long. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS when he was 20 years old and he's been living with the threat of an imminent death for the past 52 years. His will to live is unbelievable as you will soon see if you decide to watch. This is real life. No actors. This is his story and this movie is very current, filmed in 2013 when he was 71 years old. He still goes to work every day as a Professor at Cambridge in a position once held by Isaac Newton.

The movie that is either out now or about to be released The Theory of Everything starring Eddie Redmayne is based on a book that was written by Stephen Hawking's first wife. It was published in 2008 and is out of print. This is a hardcover book to look for at garage sales, book sales, and estate sales. Hardcover first editions are selling for around $1,000.00 -- see listing on Amazon. It's also available as an e-book.

The BBC made a movie about Stephen in 2004 starring Benedict Cumberbatch. I watched it too AFTER watching the one above. I suggest you watch them in that order too. The BBC film fills in all the gaps about his education at Cambridge preceding his marriage to Jane. It's fabulous as you can well imagine. Benedict Cumberbatch never disappoints!

This film is offered on YouTube in 6 parts. As each episode ends, you will be prompted to start the next one. It was very seamless. I know you can do it.

Let me know if you watch either or both movies. You know I wouldn't recommend anything I didn't enjoy myself.

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R !
xo

Happy New Year's Eve

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This is my favorite animated gif ever and I shall post it every year. The link above is to my last year's post. I went to the movies today to see The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and it was wonderful. I'm so glad I watched both seasons of The Bletchley Circle on PBS and was already familiar with Bletchley Park. Put it on your list of "must see" movies for 2015. See you next year. xo

MR. TURNER preview - Video posted by the Tate.

Join director Mike Leigh and actor Timothy Spall for a behind-the-scenes look at how they brought Turner to life for the big screen. In this short video, they focus on how they recreated the great British painter’s Queen Street Gallery.

I spent all of last evening watching numerous videos about this period film. I want to have all the background possible before I see the movie. Timothy Spall, the actor who portrays J. M. W. Turner, took painting lessons for two years in preparation for the role. 

If you can't see the video above, click here. Watch full screen for the best viewing experience.

View another article posted by The Royal Academy - when the link opens, scroll down for a fabulous 14 minute video and discover how the makers of 'Mr. Turner' recreated scenes at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in this fascinating behind-the-scenes featurette.

I hope you too will now be as excited as I am about this upcoming movie that is getting rave reviews. Your art lesson for the day is over now. xo

Cozy Foxes

I'll be tucking in early tonight too. Isn't this a fabulous photo of two sleeping foxes? They look so peaceful. I watched the most wonderful movie last night -- The Book Thief. If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. It will blow you away. Stay warm. xo

Lauren Bacall 1924-2014 RIP

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD--the first paragraph of the Vanity Fair Article March 2011

To Have and Have Not

She’s one of the last of Hollywood’s golden-age stars, the girl who stole Humphrey Bogart’s heart at age 19 and has been grappling with their dual legend ever since. Now 86, Lauren Bacall looks back on a lucky, if often difficult, life as she gives it straight to Matt Tyrnauer, talking about the effect of Bogie’s fame on her and their kids; her very brief engagement to Frank Sinatra; her stormy second union, to Jason Robards; and why she hates the Oscar she received, in 2009.

Lauren Bacall with Sophie, her papillon, in her apartment at the Dakota, in New York City. She was 86 in this photo and doesn't she look great? She died yesterday, about a month shy of her 90th birthday. Vanity Fair Magazine did a feature about her in March 2011 - read it here. The article is six pages long and it's delicious -- enjoy.

A Close Call.

This old house nearby lost its front porch during Hurricane Sandy but I think it was lucky.

It could have been much worse. The poor houe is deteriorating fast and I fear it will probably be torn down. 

We are having a very gray morning here at my cottage as we await the coming snow. The snow map the weather people are showing puts us right on the line for light snow and heavy snow. I hope it's the former. I'll be watching the Oscars tonight, will you? I haven't seen one single movie on the list but I enjoy the awards, and the Red Carpet beforehand.

The Bishop's Wife: Christmas Sermon 1947

Click here if you can't see video below.

I fell asleep watching this wonderful movie last night and finished it this morning. It's my new favorite old Christmas classic film. I haven't watched it in years. Sniff, sniff.
The Bishop's Wife is being repeated on Hallmark Movie Channel on Christmas Day at 1:30pm in case you want to set your DVR. They are broadcasting old classic Christmas movies all day on 12/25 from 9am thru 9pm. Watch till you drop. I love having vintage Christmas movies playing in the background on Christmas Day.
Here is a link with more video clips from the movie. It's also a place to watch the movie free online if you are good at figuring out how. I would NOT like the color version of this movie that came out in 1948. Black and white is the only way to go, right?

Myrna Loy Chooses Paint Colors for Dream House

One of my thoughtful blog readers sent me this clip from Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. It has always been my favorite scene from that delightful movie and I can really appreciate it after my recent "adventures in paint and stain". Enjoy.

Click here if you can't see video above.
Have a great long Labor Day weekend.

Kate and William Dueling w/ Magic Wands

Last april, the royal couple toured one of the main locations for Harry Potter films and got a short lesson in wand wizzard fighting and of course they mastered it right away, perfectly and effortlessly. She was wearing a white maternity dress with black polka dots and a black jacket and looked absolutely wonderful. via

Will you watch The Oscars tonight?

Life of Pi

I will definitely be glued to my television screen even though I haven't seen one single movie that is up for an award. Here is a guide for everything you need to know for tonight's academy awards presentations at oscar.go.com Are you having a party?

The gold statue has been redesigned by a group of film students but I can't find a photo to show you so we will have to wait.
Google has a great site to navigate The Oscars too. Quickly see a trailer of all the films nominated here.

ADELE - Skyfall (James Bond Theme) 007

Written by ADELE and Paul Epworth.

Skyfall is the name of new James Bond film.

Her voice is so beautiful.