Sunday, November 29, 2015

Fa La La Films: Candace Cameron Bure Night! November 28th



Tonight, I only watched one Christmas movie. This one -- 

A Christmas Detour

Two New York City-bound travelers find themselves inextricably linked when a snowstorm reroutes them to an airport hotel in Buffalo. Ever the eternal optimist and hopeless romantic, Paige desperately needs to find a way back home to meet her fiancee’s parents before her forthcoming wedding. And it’s somehow up to fellow passenger Dylan MacKenzie, who is permanently soured on romance following a recent heartbreak. Yet Dylan somehow rises to the occasion to become Paige’s chivalrous helpmate. The pair are joined on this misadventure by an older couple named Frank and Maxine trying to get to Connecticut. As their madcap journey ensues, our foursome will find plenty of surprises in store. 


My ratings are getting rather boring - mostly 5 stars - but I love Christmas movies!


Saturday, November 28, 2015

Fa La La La Films - November 27



Royal Movies tonight!



Crown for Christmas

After getting fired from her job as a maid at a ritzy New York City hotel, Allie reluctantly accepts a temp gig as the governess to a young girl who is part of a powerful family in Europe that lives in an actual castle. After arriving, Allie learns the girl is named Princess Theodora and her father is Maximillian, the King of Winshire. The King informs Allie that the Princess has a tendency to terrorize authority figures, a predilection that has grown worse since her mother’s death. Yet governess and Princess wind up hitting it off while at the same time a spark forms between Allie and Max. However, Countess Celia is expecting to wed the King. Will Max take a stand for his feelings for Allie and make it truly a merry Christmas for all (or at least, most)?



I've seen this one before, but I was happy to watch it again!

A Princess<br /> for Christmas<br />

When Jules Daly's sister and brother-in-law are tragically killed in an accident, July Daly (Katie McGrath) becomes guardian to her young niece, Maddie, and nephew, Milo. On top of balancing the daily hysteria of becoming an overnight parent, Jules was recently laid off at work, her car is on the fritz, and the kids' shenanigans have caused a dozen nannies to flee.

When an ominous knock on the door comes late one evening, Jules wonders, what now? At the door is Paisley Winterbottom (Miles Richardson), a proper English butler, with a curious invitation: a Christmas holiday with grandfather, Edward (Roger Moore), the Duke of Castlebury Hall, who was absent from the kids' lives, but wants to reconnect out of love for his late son. Jules initially wants to decline the trip, but her eventual acceptance makes for a magical Christmas season for everyone.


Friday, November 27, 2015

Fa La La La Movies - November 26th


Thanksgiving Evening
Video from 12 Gifts of Christmas

12 Gifts of Christmas 
When Anna, an unemployed painter, is unable to make ends meet, she is hired to become a personal Christmas shopper for Marc, an uptight corporate exec. As they work together, Marc learns that Christmas giving has less to do with the amount of money spent and more to do with the importance of the gift, while Anna discovers she might find success as an artist in a way she never expected. Stars Katrina Law, Aaron O'Connell and Donna Mills.

Video from Northpole: Open for Christmas
When Mackenzie Reed inherits her beloved aunt’s once-majestic hotel, she decides the sensible thing to do is sell it before Christmas. But fixing up the rundown place while managing the hotel staff (including the handyman and his kids) and dealing with demanding guests is more challenging than she had anticipated. That’s when the magic of Christmas intervenes. Mackenzie gets some unexpected help as Clementine and a group of Elves arrive on a special mission from Santa to repair the hotel and at the same time help her to rediscover some hidden talents along with the true meaning of Christmas.



Thursday, November 26, 2015

Christmas Reading

I've started my Christmas Reading Challenge. This week so far I have read two books: 

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The Merry Little Christmas Project which helps you figure out how to simplify Christmas for your family and make it meaningful. I gave this book 5 stars. It was well-written and I may even try some of its suggestions!

The other book that I just finished today is: 

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When I finished this book, I quickly looked up others in this series. It was a great story of a businessman who faced a life-threatening illness which made him take a new look at his life and a widow with a child who has a serious health issue who had just lost the job that would have been her future. It's predictable, yes. There is a big loving family, a great Christmas celebration, snow and sleigh rides and everything. A perfect Christmas novel. I loved it. 5 stars for this one!

Let's see, what shall I read next? Oh!!! It's Thanksgiving! I can start watching Christmas movies! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

6th Annual Christmas Reading Challenge!

It's here! It's here! The 6th Annual Christmas Reading Challenge is finally beginning! It is sponsored by True Christmas Spirit and runs from November 23, 2015 through January 6, 2016. 



Read Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and children's Christmas books!  Here are the levels: 
 --Candy Cane:  read 1 book
 --Mistletoe:  read 2-4 books
 --Christmas Tree:  read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)
          Additional levels:
 --Fa La La La Films:  watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
 --Visions of Sugar Plums:  read books with your children this season and share what you read
*the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

I will be trying for the Christmas Tree level - yes, I am a fanatic! I will also be watching lots of Christmas movies starting on Thanksgiving. It is hard, but I am determined to wait until Thanksgiving to give in to the Christmas movies. 

If you love Christmas as much as we do, go over to True Christmas Spirit and sign up for the challenge! 


Monday, November 9, 2015

Your Dream Library


I have been asked to do a post about my list of books I would have in my personal Dream Library. I am going to list a couple of my favorites here - this isn't a complete list, these are just ones I am thinking of right now as I am posting this. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo 
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Which books would you put in your Dream Library?