Once Upon a Time...

there were four little Rabbits, and their names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter...

Today is Beatrix Potter's 143rd birthday. I have grown to love her work more and more as I get older. I wrote the following post about a year ago and wanted to share it again in honor of her birthday.

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Many children have grown up with the adventures of Peter and friends. He has become a household name since his popularity with the first published book in 1901. Gracie, my "adopted niece," really enjoyed Peter for a while, and still does. I think she was always a little afraid of "Mr. Gregor." :) I have collected a few various items relating to Peter and Beatrix Potter.

The dress and the book at the far left were mine as a little girl.

I love this set of books. They are just the right size! They are also very similar in size and setup to those that were originally published by F. Warne & Co. in the early 1900's.


I found these two Peter's at a garage sale and couldn't resist them! :)


I love the movie Miss Potter. I don't own it (yet) but I did find this book at a discount book store. It has a lot of interesting facts about Beatrix's life as well as about the movie. Update: I did get Miss Potter as a gift... Thanks, Angie! :) It is definitely one of my favorites.


Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter
(Image Source)
Speaking of the movie, I highly recommend it! I have enjoyed it multiple times. It is very beautifully filmed and is mostly accurate. I think it is very true to the person of Beatrix Potter and how her personality might have been.
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I have recently made new additions to my Beatrix Potter collection. My sister-in-law found a hardbound book of complete works. (I think she's wishing she would have bought it herself.) :)

I have enjoyed reading the stories.

One of my favorites is Miss Tiggy Winkle.

I also found these plaques.

Happy birthday to Miss Potter... and happy 31st anniversary to my parents! :)

PS~ There will not be Finished Object Friday this week, although this is the week for it. :) I am going to postpone it to next week. Happy Crafting, everyone!!

Quick Reviews

I just wanted to share glimpses of a couple of films that we have enjoyed recently. When I find quality entertainment, I like to pass it on. I hope that more and more companies will start producing clean, family friendly, quality films!

First is Fireproof. It was released on dvd last week. It is the third of the movies produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. Each has improved in quality. The other two are Flywheel and Facing the Giants. Here is a trailer for Fireproof:

I know Fireproof has received a lot of news coverage in the Christian sector, but it deserves it! It is very clean, although the theme may not be appropriate for younger children. I love the fact that in the scene where the character played by Kirk Cameron is kissing his wife, Kirk is actually kissing HIS wife who is standing in for the actress that plays in the film. This film company is doing their best to bring honor to God in their films, and it shows! We need to show them our support.


The second film was very enjoyable and a sweet story. It is put out by Hallmark, a company that has put out several family friendly films, though I can't say I highly recommend all their productions. I greatly enjoyed this one, The Magic of Ordinary Days. This film was recommended by Michele at Whatsoever Things are Lovely. Here is a montage of clips put to music: (I couldn't find a trailer.)

I am looking forward to adding this dvd to my collection. Until then however, it can be viewed in 15 parts starting here. It is very clean and refreshing. I liked the more relaxed pace and beauty of the film. It begins in 1944 and includes some interesting histoy. Livy's dresses are beautiful (I wish I could find some like them!) :)

Has anyone else seen either of these? I would love to know what you thought about them! Maybe someone has some other suggestions for enjoyable clean films!

Blessings!
Charity

Once Upon a Time...

there were four little Rabbits, and their names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter...

Many children have grown up with the adventures of Peter and friends. He has become a household name since his popularity with the first published book in 1901. Gracie, my "adopted niece," really enjoyed Peter for a while, and still does. I think she was always a little afraid of "Mr. Gregor." :) I have collected a few various items relating to Peter and Beatrix Potter.

The dress and the book at the far left were mine as a little girl.

I love this set of books. They are just the right size! They are also very similar in size and setup to those that were originally published by F. Warne & Co. in the early 1900's.


I found these two Peter's at a garage sale and couldn't resist them! :)


I love the movie Miss Potter. I don't own it (yet) but I did find this book at a discount book store. It has a lot of interesting facts about Beatrix's life as well as about the movie.


Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter
(Image Source)
Speaking of the movie, I highly recommend it! I have enjoyed it multiple times. It is very beautifully filmed and is mostly accurate. I think it is very true to the person of Beatrix Potter and how her personality might have been.

For more Show and Tell visit Kelli's Blog.
Thanks for dropping by! Feel free to look around while you are here.

Blessings!

A Past Epistle

My Dear Friends,

I venture to communicate this evening in a manner that I am not accustomed to writing and, I dare say, that you are not accustomed to reading. However, I feel that when you have discerned the nature of this communiqué that my motivation for the manner of speaking will become clear to you.

I am sure that many of you are familiar with the writings of a certain author, namely Jane Austin. I have, within the past few years become acquainted with a few of her writings especially those novels Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Pride and Prejudice the later two of which I have read and now have as a part of my extensive literary collection.

I have also become familiar with an author of a similar nature and time, Elizabeth Gaskell. Although I have not been so fortunate as to add any of her works to my collection, rest assured, I will when such might become available to me and as expenses allow. I first became familiar with her works through the writings of a certain commentator who writes by the pen name Lady Lydia. I have seen moving picture stories of the titles of Wives and Daughters and Cranford. I also, when convenient, have ventured to listen to an audio adaptation of the former.

The merits and virtues of these authors and the subsequent adaptations may be familiar to you, but please allow me the privilege of recounting them here.

The manner of conversation is most refreshing. The mode of speaking is gentle and shows no lacking in education. This speaks of an age in which people spent time enriching their minds, instead of inundating themselves with senseless media and constant entertainment. There is a lack of the coarse language that is so prevalent in today's society.

Not only are the chosen words of merit, but the manner in which they are spoken as well as the manner of conduct is most admirable. Kindness and gentility emanates from the characterization of both heroes and heroines of these works of fiction – although as familiar
as these characters are, they hardly seem to be works of fiction at all, rather accounts of historical events. But I have been diverted. Their methods of conduct are most gentile to even the most deplorable of humans as well as to those in their immediate familial circles. The
heroes are gentlemen in most every respect, but especially so in their dealings with the fairer gender. How we are lacking in these aspects in today's society. We are often unkind even to those we love, perhaps not so much intentionally as through lack of thought – the latter, I fear to have been guilty of myself from time to time. Not only is there a lack of kindness, but I also observe that chivalry is today gasping for breath amongst those that should be reviving it. I feel this is in part brought on by the anti-female group often referred to as "feminists." This "liberation of women" has done much to lower the character and respectability of many an unsuspecting female.

My purpose in this missive is not to have bored you. I sincerely hope that has not been the result – although if you have read thus far you must have been moderately amused which as I am sure you have realized, was entirely my intention in using this manner of speech. Although the content, I hope, has been edifying. I hope you will take time, if you haven't already, to delve deeper into the works of the authors that I have listed here. I hope, at a later time, to address myself in more detail to these works. Although it isn't likely that I should use this manner of speech – one can only take certain things so far.

Until then, I remain ever truly yours,



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Pictures compliments of:
www.jasa.net
www.anotherthink.com
Wmagazine.com
wikipedia.org

Honorable Mentions

Well, I am just now getting around to posting this list. I hope someone finds some media ideas that are new to them. Of course, the final decision is up to you as to whether you want something in your home - even if I recommend it. :)

First of all: BOOKS! (Have I mentioned that I love children's books?) :)
Picture books: 2-? years old

• Peter Rabbit (and others) by Beatrix Potter

• The Three Little Pigs is one of my little friend's favorites right now. One of the neat things about fairy tales is some of the cute variations of the story. There are a couple of fun ones for the 3 Pigs.

• The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas and Helen Oxenbbury (She LOVED this one!)

• Also for a little older child: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf as told to Jon Scieszka.

Picture books are easy to find and usually pretty clean, but watch your age genre. Some picture books are really meant for older readers even up to teens. We're seeing more of this as demand increases.

Elementary:
Boys and Girls are still enjoying much of the same books at the younger elementary stage, don't forget the classics. Sometimes you have to introduce a book/series for them to figure out that they like it. Reading to them is a good way to do this and spend some quality time.

• Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
• The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (one of my favorites from childhood, one of my teachers read it to us.)
• Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

More for girls elementary and a little older:

• The Mandi Series by Lois Gladys Leppard (Kids love series! and they enforce a certain step in reading skills. Remember reading similar formula mysteries like Bobbsey Twins and Hardy Boys?)
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (I loved many of her books as a girl. Do be aware of the different influences on her writings - a little mystical/spirit of nature stuff. It would be something to discuss, what is the "magic?")
• Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

For Boys, I have found a few, not having boys, it isn't one of my areas of expertise, but I do try to read a variety.

• The Mars Diaries Series by Sigmund Brouwer (a little Sci-fi I read for my Adolescent Lit class and really enjoyed it!)
• Cooper Kids Adventures by Frank Peretti (He is a very diverse author!)
  

And for teen girls:

• The Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn (Don't tell the girls, but I really like the principals that she teaches!)
• I will add more; for a list of non fiction check out Time to Bloom.

As for Audio:There are many Old Time Radio shows that are great! They are also public domain and you can find them free to download. Here are a couple of my favorites: (click the links to find the downloads.)

• Father Knows Best (great family comedy and lessons learned)
• Cavalcade of America (History, anyone? Well done for their era, especially the ones done in the 40's and later.)
  

• Of course Adventures in Odyssey! :)
  

I haven't spoken a lot about DVDs on my blog, but there are some that I think are worth promoting.

• Miss Potter (even "little friend" enjoyed this one)
• Ocee Nash
• Drive through History with Dave Stotts (Educational and VERY interesting!)
• Boz and Hermie for the young and young at heart (I even enjoy these. and I really like the emphasis both series place on prayer.)
• Don't forget the classics! Shop around The Corner (with Jimmie Stewart)
• Life with Father
• I Remember Mama
• Cheaper by the Dozen (The OLD not the new! Great father figure.)

I'll edit this post later and add more links! For now... I've got bunches of stuff to do, but I wanted to get this up. What are some of your favorites that I missed? ;)

Random Thoughts

Well, I've been busy today... thinking, well, more like brainstorming. I am doing the children's services for our church camp. I felt like I was hitting a wall - no inspiration. This was one of my main prayers for myself during revival last week. Anyway, the Lord really helped me and led me to just the right places online. I now feel inspired!! :) And I feel like I can maybe get it pulled together: Philippians 4:13 (and a little help from Mom)!! To see what I came up with, come to camp!! (or just wait until afterwards for me to post about it!) :)

In other random thoughts:
Mark and I watched the Jeff Allen Banana's dvd tonight. Something he said really stood out to me. Basically, he said if people could chose to be happy, than everyone would always be happy, but happiness has to come from a Source outside of ourselves and manifest itself in service to others. Why is that so hard for so many people to understand? I mean, who would actually chose to be miserable, if they could help it? I guess that's why we, as Christians, have such an important job: to show others what true happiness really is and Who it comes from!