Merry Christmas!!

I want to wish all of you a merry Christmas! If you are traveling, have a safe trip to and back over the next few days. Hope all your Christmas dreams came true!!

Love, Ellen

Christman Memories

I remember when I was little about 6 or 7 my brother and I were trying to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. We must have slept in the same bedroom - all at once we heard sleigh bells outside - we both though it must be santa coming, we have to go to sleep quick. Later on when we were older my mother told us it was our father and some of his friends. They had a few drinks and decided to go around all the houses with children and ring the sleigh bells. I truly thought it was santa coming.

Girls Like Us - Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon - and the Journey of a Generation

I am reading this book. It is about Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon - it is great. It is about their lives and how they started out in the music world. Did you know that Carole King wrote or co-wrote 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and had her first #1 hit as a songwriter in 1961, at age 18 (Will you love me tomorrow). I had only listened to a few Carole King songs, have never listened to Joni Mitchell and love Carly Simon - have a few of her CDs. I am really enjoying this book. Very interesting lives so far. I will let you know what I think when I finish it - it is not a small book - about 600 pages.

Dad

I have been thinking about my dad recently. I don't know why maybe the holidays. He has been gone for over 17 years. My dad and I were so alike. We both had blue eyes, right-handed, tempers and we both were people persons. My love of reading and history came from my father. He was a history teacher for 37 years and loved to teach. He was always reading. He actually had a couple of books going at the same time.

I miss you Dad - Love Ellen

Trip back in time to the 80's

I received an early Christmas gift this week - the dvd Pretty in Pink - with Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy. I love this movie - Andie (Molly's character) lives on the wrong side of the tracks. She goes to the school where most of the rich kids go to. She just tries to get through the day there. I absolutely loved all her clothes. Duckie played by Jon Cryer is a great character - especially the dance scene in the record store - he hasn't changed much at all.

Another movie I got this weekend was Sixteen Candles - also with Molly Ringwald. I had never seen it all the way through - It was good - Her whole family forgets her birthday. it was great seeing the clothes, cars, etc from the 80s.

You should definitely rent them if you haven't seen them. Also they were done by John Hughes who did most of the successful films in the 80s.

Icicles

We have some major icicles hanging off the house - check this out!

Christmas is almost here

Christmas is only a week away - do you have all your shopping done, cards written, presents wrapped, baking done? I just finished wrapping my presents - about 20 years ago I made my own Christmas bags. After Christmas I went to the fabric store and bought Christmas fabric half off - different kind of ribbons and bells. I sewed up a lot of different size bags in different materials - made little cuts in them at the top about 1-2 inches from the top and threaded ribbon through. Tied the little bells on the ends - then I take my leftover Christmas cards and make little tags and tie them on. They have lasted over 20 years and still look brand new - you should try it - saves on wrapping and bows.

Star Sighting

One of my favorite people waited on Billy Baldwin this past weekend. Can you believe it? I was actually there but later in the day. So close !!

Eclipse

Did you get your copy of Eclipse yet - I put it on my christmas wish list and I think some of my favorite people are going to get it for me!! I can't wait - my goddaughter is coming to town so we will probably watch it!! Don't forget I have seen it already 4 times - but you can never have too much Twilight!!!

Christmas Cheer

I got together with my girlfriends from high school tonight. As usual we always have fun, laughing and talking and usually closing the place down - even the waiters and waitresses were going home. I can't believe that I have been friends with them for 35 years - boy does time fly!! What a nice time!!

House Rules - Jodi Picoult

I just finished reading this book - it was great. It is about a boy with Asperger's syndrome who is hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others. As with many children with As, he has a special focus on one thing - forensic analysis. He loves to listen to his police scanner and show up at crime scenes - he actually helps the police solve crimes. A terrible murder happens and Jacob's world is turned upside down. Did he commit the murder or not - I couldn't put it down. You should definitely read it.

The Last Airbender

We watched the Last Airbender tonight. I mostly wanted to see if for Jackson Rathbone of Twilight fame. He had one of the major roles in it. He did a good job. It was all right - kinda slow, reminded us of the chinese movies. I am glad I didn't pay full price to see it.

Holiday Finds for Under $100 - from Instyle

LOFT Sweater
Wool-acrylic, $70; visit anntaylorloft.com for stores.

LOFT Chain Necklace

Metal and crystal, $74.50; at anntaylorloft.com.

Zara Leopard Print Bag

Leather, $79.90; at zara.com.

Ami Clubwear Cuffs

Silver-textured metal, $15; at amiclubwear.com.
Express Sequin Front Tank
Cotton and synthetic, $39.90; at express.com.

Topshop Earrings
Metal and rhinestone, $30; at topshop.com.

The Help by Katherine Stockett

I just read this book - I actually couldn't put it down it was so good - I read it all weekend. This book is about a young white woman in the 1960's who lives in Mississippi just having graduated college and trying to decide what she is going to do next. She likes to write so she contacts a publisher who tells her to write about what disturbs her. She decides to write about the black ladies' maids who take care of all the white families. Set in the south and during the civil rights era it shows how life was for these maids. It really opened my eyes to what happened back then. I would recommend it to anyone. The author actually grew up in Mississippi.

Harry Potter Films

We have been watching the Harry Potter films - we started with the first and are on #5. They really are great films- the sets, actors, everything about them - especially the story. JK Rowling is a master.

The Karate Kid

We saw the Karate Kid with Jaden Smith over the weekend - I liked it - I thought Jackie Chan did a very good job. Nothing will ever take the place of the original though - and nobody can fill Ralph Macchio's shoes. They did film in China so there were some breathtaking locations. You should definitely watch it!!

Oscars 2011 - Anne Hathaway & James Franco

What do you think of these two being the hosts of the Oscars? I was a little shocked. I did like Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin also Jon Stewart, Hugh Jackman and Ellen DeGeneres. Maybe they are going for the young crowd this year - who knows - will you still watch? I will.