Commercial Time

That's me, in the grey shirt.  I'm sitting in Little Town Market, the small grocery and convenience store in our town.  Why am I sitting there, reading a book?  I'm an extra in a commercial.

With my brother as director, a group from our church filmed a commercial for Chalk Shirts last week.  

And what are Chalk Shirts?  They are t-shirts with a chalkboard painted on them.  A chalkboard which you can write or draw on with chalk.  And they are seriously awesome.

website | twitter | facebook

The creator of these fantastic shirts attends our church and as a practice project, the film crew made a commercial for him.

My brother and our friend Hank were the two man "characters" in the commercial - Chalk Shirt Guy #1 and Chalk Shirt Guy #2.  Because we're creative like that.

My job was super easy.  All I had to do was be my charming self, sit at the table, and read my book, The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter.  That, I can do.  And it's an excellent book, by the way.

Actually, that's pretty much all Hank had to do, too.  Sit and read.  Except he got to read Alex's book The Adventures of Rathdrum Willie.  Seeing as it's a much, much shorter book, he probably had that book memorized by the time we were done shooting.

And who can blame my bro for a little shameless book advertising?  Hehe.

The older gentleman seated at the table with me was another extra.  He just happened to be in the store when we were just getting started and was quite interested in what we were doing, so Alex asked him if he'd like to be an extra.  He was a natural - next stop, Hollywood.  Okay, maybe not. ;)

And here it is, the finished commercial itself...

The delightful and original soundtrack/theme was written and recorded by my talented bro.
Make sure to click through to the YouTube channel so you can like and favorite the video!

Happy Trails, y'all!

p.s.
Bow ties are cool...

Yep, just had to get that Doctor Who reference in there.

Saturday Matinee | no. 1

After some long talks with myself, I have made an official decision.

This blog, needs something new.

Okay, so that really didn't take all that long to figure out.  My first brilliant idea for new blog content is this...

: : Saturday Matinee : :

I'll be sharing the {excellent} movies I watched during the week, with a short review for each one.

So, here goes week #1...

PG-13

Just Like Heaven | Our story begins with Elizabeth (Reese Witherspoon), a workaholic doctor.  On her way home from work she's involved in a car accident.  We're left here to wonder how serious of an accident it really was. 

Enter, David (Mark Ruffalo).  David is looking for an apartment to rent.   He finally finds the perfect apartment (perfect because it has a nice couch), but it's only available for lease on a monthly basis.  Deciding to take it, he moves into the furnished apartment.  We soon realize that David is grieving over someone as we see him letting himself go downhill.  One night, he's suddenly confronted inside the apartment by a blonde woman who insists that the apartment is hers.  And then...she disappears into thin air.  We recognize her as Elizabeth.  Just what is going on here?  Is Elizabeth dead?  Why is David the only one who can see and talk to her?  

It was basically love at first sight with this adorable romantic comedy.  Some language and one scene in particular which I skipped, but it's totally skip-able and not even necessary...which always makes me wonder why did they even put it in there?!  Anyway...I laughed, I cried, I loved this movie.  

.....

G

Ramona and Beezus | Ramona Quimby, age 8, oftentimes known as the pest and the scourge of Klickitat Street.  But at heart, she's a little girl who just wants to have fun, help her family, and stay out of trouble.  Based on the books by Beverly Cleary, this is a cute and family friendly film.
This film totally does justice to the books.  It includes the romance of Aunt Bea and Hobart, plus so many of my favorite Ramona escapades.  My mom and I watched this one together and totally loved it.

.....

PG

Yours, Mine, & Ours | He has eight kids...she has ten.  When former high-school sweethearts Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Helen (Rene Russo) meet again and decide to combine forces, get ready for fireworks and fun!   With eighteen kids trying to sabotage their parent's mistake marriage, a host of pets, and Mrs. Munion, there is never a dull moment.
A hilarious and delightful story which my brother and I enjoyed very much.

.....

PG

The Trouble with Harry | Poor Harry.  Harry is dead.  How very tiresome of him.  But who killed him?  Everyone seems to think they're to blame.  Not your typical Hitchcock thriller, this gem of a film is full of "dark" British humor and dry comedy, set in the picturesque New England countryside.  With a stellar cast including Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe, and Shirley MacLaine in her first screen role.
I, for one, very much enjoy dark humor and this film was an absolute treat to watch!
Fun Fact: you'll see a very young Jerry Mathers (Leave it to Beaver) in this film!
.....

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

Question: have you seen any "new" films this week that you just loved?  I want to know!

Grey Days to Glimmering {Blog Party & Giveaway}

Because I'm definitely feeling uninspired post-wise these days...

1| What's your favorite thing to do when you've been feeling uninspired?  Take a walk and bring the camera along.  Or browse through my Pinterest boards.

2| Tell us about a really great movie/show that you've just discovered.  Ramona and Beezus {rated G} - super, super cute family film based on the books by Beverly Cleary.  I grew up reading those books and I love this film!  Also, for my adult readers, Just Like Heaven {rated PG-13} - laugh out loud hilarious, but also a real tear-jerker.  Totally loved this romantic comedy.  Be advised, some content is definitely inappropriate for my younger readers.

3| What do you like to do to change your mood?  Go for a walk, read my Bible, or talk to my bestie on the phone. :)

4| Your favorite drink is currently...  Chocolate Caramel Enchantment tea with honey in it. Yummy!

5| When you hear the word exuberant, what's the first word that comes to mind?  Fun.

6| What made you smile last?  A voicemail message on my cellphone. :)

7| What five songs would make a playlist to describe your week?  Oh, goodness...questions like this always throw me.  I guess pretty much anything from Point of Grace's early albums - Life, Love, & Other Mysteries, Free to Fly, Steady On, etc.  Just happy, uplifting, Christ honoring, contemporary music.

8| What's at the top of your creative 'To-Do' list?  Patch the sweater my dog chewed on so it is once more wearable.  That was about 5 years ago when she was still a puppy. :)

9| The last thing you crossed off the above list was... More laptop sleeves for my shop.

10| Quickly - the first movie quote from the top of your head, please!  "Badges? We don't got no badges. We don't need no stinkin' badges!" - Treasure of the Sierra Madre...and no, I have not watched that recently.  It just popped into my head.

11| The best thing about January is... Cross country skiing with friends!

12| The worst thing about January is... Cabin Fever, also known as The Winter Blahs, at least in our house.

13| What's your #1 resolution for 2013?  I didn't really make any resolutions this year.  But I would very much like to finally finish reading through the Old Testament.  I keep getting stuck. *sheepish smile*

14| And lastly, share a quote or verse that you've found especially inspiring lately.   Because I'm the queen of always sharing more than is asked for, I have two inspiring quotes. ;)

Thanks for organizing a bit of fun during this drab month, Kellie!
Hop over to Kellie's blog to check out the giveaway!

Happy Trails, everyone!

by the spoonful

Hey.  I'm just sitting here, watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, snarfing apple slices with peanut butter and nutella.  I seriously don't understand how anyone - ANYONE - could not like peanut butter.  This stuff is delicious.  I mean, if you don't like it you're certainly entitled to your own opinion and taste...but you're missing out.  I eat it by the spoonful.  Just saying.  Also, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries are insanely awesome!  

{note: some content is inappropriate for my younger readers, which is why i'm not linking to the videos.  please be aware and watch with caution.}  

Anyway...

Lately, I have been in a blogging rut.  A HUGE blogging rut.  The kind of ruts you see in dirt roads during spring in North Idaho.  Deep.  Muddy.  All of my posts lately have been a bunch of randomness thrown together with a title slapped on.  I simply cannot think of anything to say.  The fact that January always has been and always will be a boring month, does not help.  No offence if your birthday is in January, btw.   But, it is a boring month.  Christmas and New Years have come and gone and what's left after that?  The flu season.  I'm not sick, by the way, nor do I intend to be, Lord willing.

Back to me having nothing to say...

I actually have a lot to say.  My mind is full of wonderful thoughts and plans...but I can't share them here.  They're not the "sharing on the internet for the entire world to read (not to mention real life friends)" kind of thoughts.  And since they are the kind of thoughts that take up all of your time and energy, there hasn't been any room to think of brilliant blog posts.  So, there you have it!  My {somewhat} silent blog is explained.

:smile:

Today was a good day.  The weather was gorgeous, although very, very cold.  Which meant I didn't really want to be outside.  I narrowly escaped a cabin fever collapse of epic proportions by discovering and watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (LBD from now on).   Which is not all I did today.  Goodness, no.  

I got up and ventured into the arctic world to feed the animals at around 8:30 this morning.   

After that, I read my Bible, made coffee cake, consumed 1/4 of said coffee cake, deep conditioned my hair (using a honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar concoction which has to stay on for an hour), did laundry, watched some LBD episodes, did more laundry, washed my hair, sang in the shower (Think of meeeeeee!  Think of me fooooondlyyyy!  When we've said goooood-bye!), checked on the laundry, watched a few more LBD episodes, cleaned the outside of the kitchen cabinets with Pledge (that has been on my list for a looooong time.  finally did it!), ate the rest of the coffee cake (what was left after my bro found it, that is), ate lunch, wrote a letter to my new pen pal (hey, Kelsey!:), started a letter to one of my church friends (Amanda), watched more LBD, worked on packaging an Etsy order, did laundry, played my mandolin, ate dinner (it was my bro's dinner night:), called my Aunt Liz (no answer so I left a message), finished a book I've been reading, ventured back into the cold to feed the animals again, came back inside, checked to see if my toes were still there, blew my nose...twice, changed in to my flannel pajama pants (with sheepies on them, of course;), watched more LBD, and ate apples slices with peanut butter and nutella.

Life ain't bad at all.

Happy Trails everyone!

p.s.

okay really quickly, I had to select a new contest winner for the DW necklace giveaway.

I know, I know - what?  This again?  Yep, this again.  

It was Christmas time.  That's my excuse and I'm stickin' with it.

So, the new winner is...

Katherine Sophia

Congrats!  Please contact me at this email (edithmacalpine{at}gmail{dot}com) with your mailing info within the next 7 days to claim your prize! 

p.s.s.

one more thing...

I still have two Purple Charm Quilt chain letters and blocks that I haven't found homes for.

Anyone interested?  Anyone?  Just send me an email if you're interested!

edithmacalpine{at}gmail{dot}com

Christmas Miscellany & 2013

Happy New Year,everyone!

Um, wow.  I feel like I haven't been on here in ages.  Internet connection problems are to blame for my absence.   But now that my daddy has chopped down a few trees which had grown taller and were in the path of the signal, and the "internet guy" came out and fiddled with the dish, I think we've got this problem licked.

Anyway, moving on...

I had a marvelous Christmas. It was just me and my family this year, and we spent the day lounging around in our PJs and watching Ever After, The Princess Bride and It's a Wonderful Life.  Pretty much the perfect day...especially since I didn't have to get ready for company. Hehe. 

And, my completely awesome bro gave me a Captain America t-shirt! I wore it all day. And I'll definitely be doing some outfit posts in the future. :)

Umm, yes...this is me on Christmas Eve.  I was feeling a bit punchy by this point.  Christmas excitement and all that.   And no, I'm not sorry. ;)

 The most fun was the day after Christmas, though.  I finally, finally saw The Hobbit!!!  And that marvelous film and most excellent day deserve their own post.  But I will say this - I really, really enjoyed it!

It wouldn't be right to let the New Year come without taking a look at all that happened this past year...

: : January : :
lots of shop updates and movie reviews...
I haven't done nearly enough of the later in recent months.

: : February : :
the Literary Heroine Blog Party, the Jane Austen Literary Blog Party, quite a literary month!

: : March : :
the Going Through the Eras Blog Event, the Silver Screen Blog Party - lots of film and vintage love!
also my birth month, lambing season, and the month I discovered and reviewed BBC's Robin Hood, which continues to be my most popular post.

: : April : :
spring, lots of walks, more sheep pictures, and fun with friends
most importantly, the month I discovered Doctor Who!  my first ever DW post, which is my second most popular post.  if I'd known how attached I'd get to that show, the many tears I'd shed, the many laughs I'd have...I can't imagine life without DW now.  there is no going back.

: : May : :
farm projects, hikes, trail rides, sheep shearing, wool washing, desktop wallpapers
and our first every Spring Tea Party at Rebekah's house!

: : June : :
gardening, The Avengers, epic photoshoots, fun with friends, oodles of DW desktop wallpapers. I asked you why you read my blog, shared my Sherlock obsession, and we started attending Grace Bible Church.

: : July : :
Independence Day, cherry picking, more DW wallpapers, Sherlock wallpapers, life on the farm.

: : August : :
huckleberry picking, an epic Doctor Who sleepover in the orchard, Pickin' on the Prairie.

: : September : :
canoeing & badminton with some of my bloggy friends, Lauren's wedding, the North Idaho Fair.

: : October : :
 my first vlog, the Doctor Who Blog Party.

: : November : :
Thanksgiving, my 1st big shop sale, Merlin.

: : December : :
shop updates, game nights, Christmas.

Looking back like this, I can't believe it all went by so quickly.  What an absolutely brilliant year it was!  I know the best part of the year was finding a church to go to.  Grace Bible Church was and is exactly what we needed and I thank the Lord for leading us there.   2012 was quite possibly the happiest and best year of my life and I'm sorry to see it go.

Good-bye 2012.  You were fantastic.

Hello 2013!  I am certainly looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me and those I love in this new year.  I know it's going to be an awesome one. :)

I hope and pray that all of you, my dear readers, will have a wonderful year full of the Lord's blessings.
For myself, I pray that I would glorify God in all that I do and say, including every word I type on this blog.

Happy Trails, everyone!

p.s.
Check out Kellie's wonderful Twenty Twelve| in review film that she put together!