Friday, October 21, 2011

Projects Done

So I am working out my new cleaning and organizing system. Feeling very proud of myself that I don't have to scold Walter for touching the shower curtain when he takes a bath. I am feeling so motivated that I actually worked on a several projects and I am feeling mighty proud of my accomplishments this week.

This week is bedroom week so while the little monkey played in his room I dusted which brought me to the yard of fabric I just threw over the dresser while unpacking. I decided this is only 4 simple straight lines, I will pull out the sewing machine, put up the gate and sew right outside of his room. Worked like a charm and took no time at all. Project: Done.

While the machine was out I figured I would go ahead and hem a king size blanket I cut down to fit our bed. It was like a red fuzzy albatross around my neck now ... Project: Done! No picture. A picture doesn't do justice to the satisfaction of having that finally done.



Later on that day, I started working on a little pumpkin project which I found here. So many times I see really cute projects that I know I could do but I just don't take the time so much easier to surf the internet...but because I am feeling highly motivated... I have 4 patchwork pumpkins to keep or give away. Although in this picture it looks like I may end up with 3! This project took me a couple days to finish completely.



A couple weeks ago, I bought a HUGE box of organic apples from an Amish farmer. I am not sure it is any cheaper than buying organic in the store but at least I won't have to remember to buy it for a couple months. 7 pints of applesauce to be added to the other 12 I did in 2 other batches over the last 2 weeks.

I thought I would try some apple butter too while I was at it, and now I have 7 half pints (oh that reminds me of Laura Ingles - but I digress). Unfortunately, the apple butter really didn't make the oatmeal I had for breakfast any more palatable. Maybe it will be better in Cream of Wheat as my husband calls it. I prefer to call it by its rightful name, Farina.

Well before you start turning green with envy ;-) please note my sink is full of dirty dishes and my bed hasn't been made in 2 days.

Next weeks project won't be nearly as fun it involves bank statements and Quickbooks...

Monday, October 17, 2011

The Prequel Review

I can't help myself. I have to critique more fully Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning
with more than just a post of disappointment on facebook.

First, I must set the stage. In part 3 of the Anne of Green Gables series, The Continuing Story of Anne the movie could stand alone as a good enough movie. For the Anne fans, who have read the books and love the story of Anne the way the author Lucy Maude Montgomery writes it, the movie really was a travesty. Still I watch it from time to time because I love seeing Anne and Gilbert even if the storyline is completely NOTHING like the book. In the books, Anne & Gilbert's kids were involved in World War 1 not them -apart from being concerned parents. If Kevin Sullivan the producer wanted to do a movie on World War 1 and Anne sticking to the book Rilla of Ingleside would have thrilled us Anne fans beyond measure. Alas, he just makes up stories and calls the characters Anne and Gilbert. It is a disgrace really.

Then, there comes the Prequel. The actress who played Anne was adorable and she did nice job. However, the storyline was ridiculous and insulting. I would swear that Lucy -the creator of the Anne character- is spinning in her grave.

The movie is supposed to be what happened to Anne before she came to Green Gables. The movie upends everything we know about Anne. Most importantly, Anne was not orphaned at 3 months when her parents died of the fever. Her father accidentally drove her mother into a ditch and she died and he was blamed. Anne was a 7-9 years old at the time. Then. all this junk went on and she was bounced around ended up living with this rich lady Mrs. Thomas until she died. It was all so ridiculous and not worth writing about.

The thing I find insulting though is that secret letter's belonging to Marilla were found hidden under a floorboard in Green Gables. Among the letters was a letter from Walter Shirley, Anne's father where he writes that he has fallen on better times and would like to know about Anne and maybe see her. Marilla never told Anne about the letter. Really?! Marilla would do that!? Deny Anne access to her father! Not even a deathbed confession. Marilla would never do that to Anne. She would never be that dishonest. She would not be dishonest. Marilla was a pillar of honesty and truth and strove to do the right thing. It is what she taught Anne. So for "them" to write this drivel into the movie and smear the character of Marilla just so Kevin Sullivan can put out another Anne movie that is not really about Anne at all but really "unAnnes" the whole storyline it just infuriates me.

The movie wasn't even a good enough stand alone movie. The acting was weak, the storyline weak, things were brought up and then not developed. Anne repeated lines from the original movie that just seemed so weird to be used again in a different setting. If you are going to write a whole new story about Anne's life come up with original dialogue too. It was such a disappointing movie on so many levels. Compounding the disappointment that as good as the books are "they" still won't just make the books into movies (shows). It is what real Anne fan's want to see -the books come to life on the screen.  

So if you want to torture yourself watch the movie, but I can almost guarantee you -the Anne fan- will be disappointed.