Way Back Wednesday - Raising Arizona

Raising Arizona is a 1987 comedy directed by the Coen Brothers. Now, before I start, I must say I'm not a fan of the Coem Brothers - mainly because of all the "potty humor" - but I do enjoy this movie and it always makes me laugh.

The movie stars Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, William Forsythe, John Goodman, Frances McDormand and Randall "Tex" Cobb. Although Raising Arizona was not a blockbuster at the time of its release, it has gone on to a cult following. The movie is ranked number 31 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years... 100 Laughs.

Cage plays criminal Herbert I. "Hi" McDunnough who meets a policewoman Edwina "Ed" (Hunter) - the eventually get married, making a hilarious "odd couple." They soon learn Ed is infertile and find they are unable to adopt because of Hi's criminal record.

While watching the news one night, they learn about the "Arizona Quints," sons of locally famous furniture tycoon, Nathan Arizona (Trey Wilson). Between Hi's criminal techniques and Ed's knowledge of the law, they kidnap one of the five babies - Nathan Junior.

From here on, the story is one funny ride. When ex-convict friends of Hi's decide to steal the baby from Hi and Ed and hold him for ransom from Arizona, the couple decides to return the baby to his family, where they hope he will be safe.

Favorite quotes:

[During Hi's mug shot]
Hi: What kind of name is Ed for a pretty thing like you?
Ed: Short for Edwina. Turn to the right.
Hi: You're a flower, you are. Just a little desert flower.

Hi: Biology and the prejudices of others conspired to keep us childless.

Hi: Need a beer, Glen?
Glen: Does the Pope wear a funny hat?

[Evelle is buying diapers]
Evelle: You know how to put these things on?
Grocer: Well, around the butt and up over the groin area.
Evelle: I know WHERE they go, old timer. I just want to know if I need pins or fasteners.
Grocer: Well, no, they got them tape-ettes already on there. It's self-contained and fairly explanatory.

Reporter: Mr. Arizona, do you have any messages for the kidnappers?
Nathan Arizona Sr.: Yeah: Watch your butts.

Ed: We finally go out with decent people and you break his nose. That ain't too funny, Hi.
Hi: His kids seemed to think it was funny.
Ed: Well they're just kids.

December garden maintenance: http://ping.fm/hTbpE

Looking Forward

Christmas has come and gone and 2010 is right around the corner. I can't get over how fast time flies - seems like the older I get, the faster it goes.

I don't typically do New Year's Resolutions because I can never seem to keep them, but I do have several things I'm looking forward to in the coming year.

1. First and foremost, I'll be a first-time Grandparent and I am so excited. I've been dreaming about grandchildren for several years now and that dream is finally coming true. Currently, we don't know the sex of the Tadpole, and I really don't care as long as he/she is healthy.
2. My youngest daughter will graduate from high school in May, and although I'm not looking forward to this, I am so excited for her. Christine's life is wide open and the possibilities are endless. I just know she will be a success no matter what she does with her life.
3. My writing group, The Community of Mercer County Writers - or Nomadic Ink - has several great events planned for this coming year. We hope to grow our group and add more talented writers and we want to make our presence known in the community. One event I'm really excited about will be in June - Prose for Pets. We will be partnering with the Mercer County Humane Society to promote and sponsor pet adoptions. It should be a great event. We are planning to publish and sell a chapbook of pet related stories and poems - all proceeds will go to the Humane Society.
4. I will be having several things published in upcoming books. In "The Women of Mercer County" - to be published in January - I will have 3 personal essays in memorial of Granny Devine, Granny Sallee and my baby sister, Amy Carter Sallee. In "Speaking Out II" I will have a personal essay about my grandmothers and their gardens, as well as several poems. In "New Southerner" magazine, I will have a personal essay about my grandparents farm - this was a finalist in their non-fiction contest.
5. I am going to knuckle down and finish the editing process for my collection of essays, tentatively entitled, "I Dream of My Past." This will be a collection of my Mercer's Magazine essays. I have had many people asking for a book, so I want to make this a reality for the upcoming year. I would love to be featured at the Kentucky Book Fair in November.
6. I am also finishing up my first full-length collection of poetry. This book will contain the poems previously published in my chapbook, "Out of My Comfort Zone," plus many new ones. Some of my poems are a tad bit on the dark side, and I have contemplated organizing them into a book of their own, but I haven't decided.
7. I will also be working on a book for Arcadia Publishing about my historic hometown of Harrodsburg. This one is going to be lots of work and I hope to have help from others in the community.
8. I also have an idea for a play I would like to write for the Ragged Edge Community Theatre. Since becoming the Theatre Administrator, I have become excited about new projects for the theatre.

There are many more things I'm looking forward to, but these are the highlights. I know it looks like I have a full plate, but I plan to stay busy to help minimize the empty nest syndrome I know I'll be suffering from.

Christmas 2009

Our silver Christmas tree

Christine playing Santa

Marie holding Desiree

Ashley and Amber

Moma opening Elvis

Daddy holding Desiree

A Christmas Carol

Hubby and I had date night last evening and we went to see the Nebraska Theatre Caravan production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Norton Center of Centre College. Excellent show!!!

I loved how the actors worked together to change the scenes and move props around - the scene changes were almost flawless. I also loved the snow falling during several of the scenes. If you ever get a chance to see this theatre group, it is well worth it.

I didn't have time to upload our photos last night, but I'll post a few of them over the weekend.



(All photos copyright Nebraska Theatre Caravan)

Way Back Wednesday - A Christmas Carol

My favorite version of A Christmas Carol is the MGM 1938 production starring Reginald Owen as Ebenezer Scrooge. The husband and wife team of Gene and Kathleen Lockhart played the Cratchits and their young daughter, June, played one of the Cratchit daughters. Terry Kilburn was cast in the role of the beloved Tiny Tim.

Although this version of the film has been converted into color, I still prefer the original black and white production the best. Although not as faithful to Dickens' original novella of the same name, in my opinion, this version captures the era of the mid 1800s in which the story takes place.

My next favorite verison of A Christmas Carol is Scrooge (1951), one of the best-known film adaptations. This one stars Alastair Sim as Ebenezer and he was an evilly, crabby Scrooge.

The one thing that bothers me about this adaptation is The Ghost of Christmas Past sequence shows that Ebenezer's mother died while giving birth to him which meant that, unlike the book, Ebenezer is younger than his sister Fran. The death of his mother caused his father to resent Ebenezer which he is reminded of by The Ghost of Christmas Past when Scrooge bitterly mentions that Fran died from complications after delivering his nephew, Fred.

This film has also been re-released in color, but I have no preference between the color or black and white.

Last, but not least, I also love Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol - a musical adaptation. This is also my hubby's favorite.

Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol was the first animated holiday special ever produced specifically for television (1962), and the only one until Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was first shown in December 1964.

Mr. Magoo was cast as Scrooge and he was voiced by Jim Backus. This version varies significantly from the novella because it was filmed to fit a one-hour time slot. The Ghost of Christmas Present appears before The Ghost of Christmas Past, and no reference is made to Scrooge's nephew Fred or his sister Fan.

I enjoy the theme song, "Ringle, Ringle", about "coins when they mingle", sung by Backus. I also like when Joan Gardner as Tiny Tim sings about "razzleberry dressing" and "woofle jelly cake."

Dexter Finale Explodes

OMG! I was so totally shocked with the season finale of DEXTER last night!

***NO SPOILERS HERE***

I am so pumped now for next season because I don't know which direction the show will be taking. For those of you who have read the books, I wonder if the TV character of Harrison - Dexter's son - will take the place of Cody - Dexter's step-son?? Makes me curious to find out.

I was a little bummed that the last scenes with Trinity were so tame, almost anti-climatic, but the show made up for it in the last minute of the show.

I also enjoyed watching the after interview with Michael C. Hall and John Lithgow - wonderful insight these great actors had on their characters.

The Tadpole

I'm am proud to present the first photo of my new grandbaby - currently nicknamed The Tadpole - at 12 weeks of age. I know, not much to look at yet, but I am so excited! The Tadpole is due in June 2010, and we are hoping by December 22nd - next week - we will know if it is a girl or a boy. I really don't care what sex Tadpole is, I just want him or her to be healthy.

This is a picture of Marie, The Tadpole's mommy. Soon I'll have pix of mommy and daddy both up for you to see.

Food Friday - Homemade sage dressing for the holidays: http://ping.fm/Kju97

Free Flowing Friday

This is going to be short and sweet - there is just too much to do!

1.) I'm on cloud nine today - my first article and my first book review are in Kentucky Monthly magazine for this month!! Just a little bummed because they misspelled my name in the byline for the book review - added that pesky "e" to the end of "Bobbi." If you subscribe to Kentucky Monthly, check me out - if you don't, then head out and buy a copy. There is a Holiday Survival Guide and I did the article on "Last Minute Gift Ideas" - my book review is Silas House's "Eli the Good."

2.) I got an official email from "New Southerner" magazine about being a finalist in "The New Southerner 2009 Literary Prize Contest." I can't remember if I've mentioned it on this blog or not, but my non-fiction piece "I Dream of My Past" was the 1st finalist in the non-fiction category and will appear in a future issue of the magazine, as well as the 209-2101 anthology. I'm so excited! I'll keep you updated when the piece gets closer to publication.

3.) I'm just finishing up my first month with the new job. The Ragged Edge Community Theatre is a great place to work - very challenging, but fun. This is the last weekend for "It's A Wonderful Life," so if you haven't seen the show, call us today for tickets. Starting in January, the children's theatre will be present "The Wizard of Oz" - based on the book, not the movie. It's going to be great!

4.) When did Christmas sneak up so fast?!! Seems like just yesterday I was carving pumpkins, now today I'm scrambling to finish up gift projects and there is only 2 weeks left until the big day. I think I'm getting too old for this!!

5.) On a funny note, my oldest daughter, Amber, got sucked into the TWILIGHT Universe this week - and it has been hilarious to watch. Amber has never been much of a reader and she never got into my vampire obsession. She has been making fun of family, friends and co-workers for months because of the TWILIGHT addiction - she thought it was too silly. Finally, last weekend, her step-mother begged Amber to go see "New Moon" with her - and that's all it took. Since last weekend, Amber has seen both movies 2 times, read the first 3 books, and cracked the spine on book #4 last night. She's got TWILIGHT fever bad!!!

6.) I can't believe the season finale of DEXTER is this weekend - it has been an awesome season. John Lithgrow as the Trinity Killer has been downright scary! Here I go again, rooting for a serial killer, but I hope everything works out okay for Dexter. This show is so addicting - I'm already anxious for season 5 when season 4 isn't even finished yet!

Way Back Wednesday - A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first prime-time TV special based upon the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. The special aired on CBS from its debut in 1965 through 2000, and has aired on ABC since 2001. Although this wonderful special is available year-round, thanks to DVD, it is still fun to watch when it airs on TV.

I'm not going into the plot of this animated special because I'm sure everyone has seen it at least once, but I thought I've give you some interesting facts about the show.

Kathy Steinberg, who voiced Sally, was too young to read and needed to be cued line by line during the soundtrack recording.

The executives did not want to have Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke, but Charles Schulz was adamant about keeping this scene in, remarking that "If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?"

In the "fence" scene, where several of the Peanuts gang are attempting to knock cans off a fence with snowballs and Linus is seen knocking down a can with his blanket. In the original airing, this was a Coke can, but it was later replaced with a nondescript can. (The special was originally sponsored by Coke). Although I may be old, I'm not old enough to remember this - I was only 3 in 1965.



The final end credit originally had a voice-over saying, "Brought to you from the people in your town who bottle Coca-Cola." This is why the "Hark!" chorus sung at the end trails off oddly before the song would normally end.

A Charlie Brown Christmas has been accused of spearheading the popular stigmatization of artificial Christmas trees.



My Favorite Quotes:

Lucy: You're the innkeeper's wife.
Frieda: Do innkeeper's wives have naturally curly hair?

Lucy: [Snoopy licks her face] Ugh! I've been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs! Get hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some Iodine!
Snoopy: [Snoopy sticks out his tongue] Bleah!

Charlie Brown: Pig-Pen, you're the only person I know who can raise a cloud of dust in a snowstorm.

Lucy: You think you're so smart with that blanket. What are you going to do with it when you grow up?
Linus: Maybe I'll make it into a sport coat.

Lucy: Here he comes! Attention, everyone, here's our director.
[Charlie Brown enters, while everyone applauds]
Snoopy: Whoooooooooooooooooooooo.
Charlie Brown: [sarcastically] Man's best friend.

Of course, my favorite quotes from this special are Linus' recitation of the Christmas story from the Bible.

How to grow holly in the Bluegrass: http://ping.fm/gExHB

It's not too late to plant spring bulbs in the Bluegrass:
http://ping.fm/NTFnk

Crafting Monday - Homemade Sugar Scrub

Homemade Sugar Body Scrub is one of my favorite body products to make - it also make a wonderful gift for the women on your Christmas list.

Because I will be working with a local Girl Scout troop on making Sugar Scrub for family members, I thought it would be nice to share my recipe here. This scrub is perfect to make in bulk and it only takes a few minutes to assemble dozens of gifts.

Sugar Body Scrub

• 2 cups sugar – I like a basic white sugar, but you can also use a coarse natural brown sugar, just make sure it is not the soft brown baking sugar you find in the baking aisles. You can also do a mixture of white and brown sugars.
• Oil: I like canola or a light olive best. Any natural oil from a nut or fruit will work. Baby oil is also an option, as long as it is non-scented. Do not use cooking oils like corn or vegetable because this will make the scrub smell funny and give it a slick feel.
• Organic lavender essential oil or your favorite essential oil. I like lavender because it is relaxing
• Any old container with a lid.
  

Instructions:

• Cover sugar until saturated (but not over saturated) with oil.
• Add a few drops of lavender oil.
  

Use this scrub on your body either before you start the shower or during. Rinse well. Do not use on face or hair. This last a long time and it will not mold or go bad before you use it up. You can keep it in your bathroom. This scrub will make your body feel smooth and smell delicious.

When giving this scrub as a gift, I like to use squat, wide glass containers (i.e., salsa jars are great), or, if you are worried about breakage in the shower, resealable plastic containers will work just as well.

Other essential oil fragrances I enjoy:

• Grapefruit and peppermint
• Orange, clove, and lemon
• Basil and lemon
• Almond and orange
  

Food Friday - Black Walnut Bars:
http://ping.fm/grZvH

Free Flowing Friday

1.) I'm trying not to feel like a Grinchy-poo, but I'm just feeling a little off this year. We do have our Christmas tree up with lights, but still no ornaments - I guess we'll do it this weekend. I think the economy is what is bumming me out. Hubby and I both work full time, but there still never seems to be enough money to go around. I don't want to by extravagant gifts, but I do want the girls to have a few things to open on Christmas Eve. Maybe when I get started with my Christmas baking I'll get in a better mood.

2.) Tonight is our community Christmas Parade - Christine will be marching with the Mercer County Public Library again. At least the weather feels like Christmas - I don't think the temp is supposed to get out of the 30's today.

3.) Tonight is also opening night for "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Ragged Edge Community Theatre. Show opens at 8pm and tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $8 for children. If you happen to be in or around Harrodsburg, stop in and see the wonderful production - the cast, crew and director have really worked hard. The show is December 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12th at 8pm with 2 Sunday matinees at 3pm on December 6 and 13th.

4.) The Harrodsburg Holiday Home Tours is tomorrow from 1-8pm. Tickets are available at the Historical Society - they are $15 and there are 8 homes on the tour this year. I will be selling Box Office tickets and Home Tour tickets tomorrow at the Ragged Edge from 1-4pm. This is always a huge event for the Historical Society every year.

5.) Due to my laptop being in the shop last week, I didn't post a FFF, so I haven't told you about my great news. I was contacted by Arcadia Publishing out of South Carolina about doing a book about Harrodsburg. They have a successful series of books called Images of America and they have wanted a book on Harrodsburg for years. I'm in the process of talking with the Historical Society and several citizens in Harrodsburg about getting old photos for the book. I'm so excited!!

6.) My article about last minute, easy to make Christmas gifts is in the new addition of Kentucky Monthly magazine. The magazine is on newsstands now!

7.) Christine has been rethinking her college decisions. Since going to GSA this past summer, she has been interested in Arts Administration, but after researching employment opportunities, she realizes she may not be able to find a job. Her 2nd interest is Culinary Arts, so she is now researching opportunities and schools. She is really liking the program at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State. Her daddy and I are both supporting this decision because she will be able to find a job almost anywhere - people do have to eat!!

8.) On an uneasy note, my middle daughter, Marie - the one who is pregnant - was in a car wreck on Thanksgiving night. They were T-boned coming home from a Thanksgiving meal in Somerset, on Marie's side of the car. Thankfully, Marie and the baby are both okay - just scared, scraped and bruised. Mike also had some cuts and bruises. God was definitely watching over all 3 of them that night!

How to choose and maintain the perfect poinsettia:
http://ping.fm/dCsnf

Why not choose a living Christmas tree this year?
http://ping.fm/5vt3D

Way Back Wednesday - Rudolph the Red–Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red–Nosed Reindeer has been my favorite Christmas program since I was a little girl. It is a long-running Christmas television special produced in stop motion clay animation by Rankin/Bass and it first aired December 6, 1964 - which makes it 45 years old this year!!

Rudolph is based on the song by Johnny Marks - and his song was based on the 1939 poem of the same title written by his brother-in-law, Robert L. May. It has been telecast every year since 1964, making it the longest running Christmas TV special.


I'm not going into the plot because I'm sure everyone has seen and loved this special. So, I thought I would list my favorite songs from the special:

• Jingle Jingle Jingle
• The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year
• A Holly Jolly Christmas
• There's Always Tomorrow
• and of course, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose. And if you
ever saw him, you would even say it glows. All of the other
reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor
Rudolph join in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas
Eve Santa came to say: "Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't
you guide my sleigh tonight?" Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!

And he wanted to be our President ...

... Almost 10 years ago, Mike Huckabee commuted the 95 year prison sentence of Maurice Clemmons, a child rapist and aggravated armed robber - clearly a man with an extensive criminal past. This man is now accused of executing four police officers inside a coffee shop in Washington state.

Huckabee released a statement on his website - read the entire statement at Mike Huckabee

Should he be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State.

And yes, I realize I only posted one sentence of the 2 paragraph statement, but I think this one sentence sums of Huckabee to a T - he blames the criminal justice system, not himself. Wonder if his decision would have been different if his family had to live near this convicted felon or any of the other violent felons he released from prison?

And this is not the only time Huckabee has released a violent convicted felon. In 1999 he granted clemency to a convicted rapist - Wayne Dumond. This man when on to rape again.

According to a study by the Arkansas Leader:

between 1996 and 2004, Huckabee helped to free more Arkansas prisoners than were freed from all of Arkansas' six neighboring states--combined.

In 2004, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette concluded that:

"9 percent of the prisoners who benefited from Huckabee's clemencies ended up in prison again."

Maurice Clemmons was killed this morning, and I hope he rots in Hell. As for Huckabee, I hope he can live with the consequences of his actions and bad decisions.