We had a peaceful, fun Christmas here with 3 adults, including my sister-in-law, 3 kids, and 5 dogs. Our three dogs -- all rescued mutts -- were rather unnerved by having their domain invaded by Cheryl's two rescued border collies. But they survived. :-)
I received several gifts, all from my wish list.
A good mystery, some awesome DVDs, and chocolate. I really don't see how it could get much better than that. Unless I could have the gift Margaret offered me --an unlimited number of books to appear whenever I want to read them plus triple the amount of hours in a day so I'd have time to read them all. If only such magic were possible! Incidentally, Margaret and I have the same favorite Christmas movie.
With the new year coming, we're contemplating making changes in how we blog. I'd appreciate it if anyone who reads this blog, even occasionally, would take the time to fill out this questionnaire. And many thanks to Trish, who took pity on my technologically addled brain and explained how to do this. :-)
So glad you enjoyed my gift! :) My God, Idris is in your new header! So beautiful! <3
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, indeed! Or did you mean the header? *Laughing* I assumed you meant Idris. I have to give you credit for turning me on to that show and to his hotness. ;-)
DeleteGlad to see Shaun on your header ;)
ReplyDeleteI am planning to add my favorite shows on my header too...but maybe later
I do love Shaun of the Dead. :-) I like your blog as it is, Novia, but I'll enjoy seeing the new header.
DeleteNice new look! I hope you have a great 2013!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana.
DeleteLike the new header, really displays your personality. Here goes guessing the banner images...Top: Pariah, ?, Burn After Reading, Hunger, Shaun of the dead, ?, Breaking the waves, Spirit away, Fargo, In Bruges.
ReplyDeleteBelow: Far from Heaven, ?, Amelie, Luther, ?, ?, Newlyweds, ?, All or Nothing, ?. The question marks I didn't know. Did I get any wrong?
That's another powerhouse performance by Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men, hope you like the movie!
I actually saw No Country for Old Men a few days before Christmas and told my son I'd like to have a copy. I'm lucky he's astute at picking up on broad hints. ;-) It's a terrific movie. Almost as good as Fargo, which -- coming from me -- is a huge compliment.
DeleteYou definitely knocked it out of the ballpark on the pictures. :-)
-- The second photo, from the left, on top, is from the new Doctor Who program.
-- The one after Shaun of the Dead is an obscure movie called Treacle Jr. starring Aidan Gillan. My daughter and I really liked it.
-- The one between Far from Heaven and Amelie is another obscure flick -- a big favorite of my daughter's -- titled The Living and the Dead. The actors in the picture are Leo Bill and Kate Fahy (who played the mom in Archipelago).
-- Between Luther and Archipelago are My Neighbor Totoro (Studio Ghibli) and Helen Mirren in Some Mother's Son, which explores the Troubles in Ireland. Some Mother's Son is a very good film, in my opinion. It is written by the same guy who wrote In the Name of the Father (with Daniel Day-Lewis) and it covers some of the same events explored in Hunger by Steve McQueen. I hope to review it soon.
-- The one between Newlyweds and All or Nothing is a short-lived T.V. show by Joss Whedon called Firefly. Terrific show, especially if you like Sci.Fi. I am a geek living in a houseful of geeks; we love that stuff. ;-)
A quick note on Far from Heaven. It's a big favorite but not necessarily on its own merits. My nephew played the little boy in that movie -- you can see him standing next to Dennis Quaid. He's grown up now and a film school graduate. :-)
That's a cool story about your nephew, it's a small world :-)
DeleteI'll look out for your upcoming review of Some Mother's Son, and will also check the trailers for The Living and the Dead, and Treacle Jr.
Myself, I just saw a new indie film with a tiny budget that vaulted into my top 5 of 2012 called "The Color Wheel", probably the most well-written dialogue I've heard in a movie all year.
I'll look up The Color Wheel and will probably add it to my watchlist. I am a sucker for well written dialogue. And Sarah will be thrilled if you watch The Living and the Dead and Treacle Jr. Especially TLATD. She is always trying to recruit people to watch that film. :-)
DeleteLovely new look! Off to fill out your survey questions :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer!
DeleteGreat new header! Fargo was a fabulous film. Happy New Year! Now I'm craving chocolate.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Naida! Chocolate is always a good thing. :-)
DeleteYOu reminded me that I really want to see some Ingmar Bergman movies.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had a good Christmas!!
Also wanted to say, I love that you included "Fight Club" and "Amelie" in your header--two of my faves!
ReplyDeleteWe watched "Inglorious Basterds" last night--violent, for sure, but I did love that the "Jew" got the revenge!
Thanks, Theresa. The Brad Pitt photo is actually from Burn After Reading rather than Fight Club. We like the movie Fight Club too -- we even used it in our homeschool "curriculum." :-) I think I remember your commenting on that last year and saying that shows that I'm a cool homeschool mom. *LOL.*
DeleteI really liked Inglorious Basterds too. I shied away from it when it was first released because I can be kind of a wuss about violence. But I ended up really liking it. Which reminds me that I want to watch it again soon.
I love the new header, even though at first glance I can only identify Firefly, Amelie and the Ghibli movies. Also, you got Case Histories! I really enjoyed that one.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad you liked Case Histories -- that bodes well, since I usually agree with your taste in books. ;-)
DeleteSounds like you had a fun Christmas and I love the new header! Filled in questionaire but don't know how much help I've been hahaha. We've been catching up on movies over the holiday break, latest being Inception and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, loved them both :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I liked The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, too.
DeleteI love your new header!! And a great little survey … very impressive formatting. : )
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't wait to see what you think of Case Histories!
Thanks! :-) I am really looking forward to Case Histories.
DeleteLove the new header! Surprised Breaking the Waves made it on there. ;) Great to see In Bruges, Amelie, and Spirited Away on there, as well as All for Nothing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Bergman set. I still need to get The Virgin Spring.
DeleteI haven't watched The Virgin Spring yet either, though it now sits proudly on my shelf. :-)
My daughter/co-blogger is a big fan of Breaking the Waves, as well as Dancer in the Dark. As I've said before, I didn't love Breaking the Waves, but I was blown away by Emily Watson's performance.
I'm glad you like All or Nothing. I'm a big fan of Mike Leigh and All or Nothing, along with Secrets and Lies, is probably my favorite.
Oh, I've seen The Virgin Spring (probably a top ten Bergman film). I just want to own a copy. ;)
DeleteNaked and Secrets and Lies are my favorites, but All for Nothing is up there too!
My daughter and I have been wanting to see Naked but we're a little intimidated after reading there are graphic rape scenes. :-) We're a little wimpy about graphic violence. Me more so than her. Glad we both love Secrets and Lies!
DeleteI love the new header! It sounds like you had a nice Christmas. Case Histories is such a good book! Have a great New Year!
ReplyDelete