My Take

...on the Lorax.

Saw the movie with my kids the other day.

Going in, I knew it was going to be very strong in the environmental themes.  I was actually excited about that.  I wanted to take my boys to something that was blatantly advertising the environmental side of things.



Let me give you a list of the pros and cons of this movie.  Just for kicks (and because I can't think of many) let us start with the CONS of the movie:

• It is very blatant.  You WILL see the environmental themes, and the people who litter will feel blasted!
• If you see it in the theater you are paying alot of $$$.
• If you see it in 3D, that's great, but 2D is just as good.

That's it.  Sorry.  Here are some PROS of the movie:

• There is great music.
• It's Dr. Suess!
• There is no Mike Meyers (sorry if you are a fan...and it seems disgraceful because he is Canadian, but he really bothers me and the whole Cat in the Hat was ruined for me)
• Danny Devito was awesome as the Lorax
• Not only does the whole movie push being more responsible toward the earth, so does the music.  (as you see in the song above...incidentally the only one I actually bought off  iTunes)
• It stays pretty close to the basic story line, but adds in some great side stories.  I loved how it showed the world as it became (after abusing it), and the Once-Ler's story really made me love it even more. 
• I loved that there were no sneaky "adult humor" parts in it.  You know the ones where the kids miss it, but as adults you totally "get it".  I hate those movies.

I would heartily recommend it.  I think that these movies that come out that are totally family friendly we need to support.  I will be buying this.  I was sad that our theater waited so long to offer it in 2D...otherwise we would have seen it sooner.

How about you?  Did you see it?  Thoughts?

Cheers

Soul Surfer

We went to see a movie the other night.  Soul Surfer.

I cried like a baby.

The movie is amazing. 

Basic story:

A young girl loves to surf.  She practically lives in the water.  One day as she is surfing she is attacked by a shark and looses her arm.  All she wants to do is surf.  She gets out of the hospital and has to re-learn how to live her life.

This movie is incredibly inspiring.

There are many instances where faith in the Lord and Jesus Christ carries her through.

I was touched and moved so many times.

If you get the chance, go and see it.  Or rent it.  Or buy it. 

It is an amazing story. 

Cheers

"Food" For Thought

I watched and interesting and disturbing video the other night.  Have you seen food inc.? 

In it there is discussion that is very applicable to this day.  How our food has become "big business" and less farm fresh.  I know I live in Canada and this documentary was made in the US, but the issues, while a bit different, still apply here.

After watching this movie, I have pondered a few things. 

While reading the Ensign in March I came across this article by Allie Schulte.  I want to quote a bit here.

As President of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) encouraged members “to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden … neat and attractive as well as productive.”

I have always FIRMLY believed in growing a garden.  When I was growing up, my Mom let us help and later grow our own things in the garden.  Later, when I went away to college I took Landscape Horticultural Management.  When we were first married we lived in a small apartment with just a balcony and small strip of dirt that we still grew tomatoes and peppers and whatever we could.  We have had big gardens and little ones, and now I am back to only being able to use containers (renting sucks sometimes) but always have a garden. 

Many Church members throughout the world live in apartments or small homes with no yard space for a garden plot. Others live in dry regions where the soil is barren. Some feel that they do not have the time or financial means to grow their own food. Yet with study, faith, diligence, patience, and a little creativity, anyone can succeed in gardening.

...the possibilities for planting a successful garden are endless—even with minimal space, money, or experience. As members strive to be obedient to this principle, they will realize that by planting small seeds in the pursuit of self-reliance, they will reap great blessings for their efforts.

Elder Perry encouraged, “Our labors will continue to bring forth a more abundant harvest each year as we follow the Lord’s law of the harvest. He has bound himself to provide us with abundance so long as we will live his law in righteousness and labor for that blessing.

“Have your own experience in planting a garden. Then make application in your own life of this great principle of the law of the harvest.”

What an amazing blessing.

I know that growing our own food is not always cheaper, but I also know it is SO much better.  Better tasting, better for you, better to can or preserve.  My dh will not even eat tomato sauce from the grocery anymore because he loves the stuff we make so much better!  Picky, I think not.  He has just learned the quality and freshness is so much better tasting and better for him.  (although he is picky...:D)

As I watched the movie I was disturbed, but I was also prodded. 

I know that I have always been gardening, but this show really reinforced the principle to me.  The Lord truly inspires our prophets.  He sees our day and leads our leaders and us.  He inspires and reveals so many important things that we may sometimes see as just little things.  How little is a garden?  If we grow even just a little bit of food, there are so many benefits.  HE sees those things.

What a blessing to have a loving Father in Heaven who guides and directs us in our paths.  (even the gardening path)

How about you?  Have you ever grown a garden?  Do you have a strong testimony of growing one?  Share below in the comments, I would love to hear from you.

Cheers

Behind The Times?

We have been watching Avatar The Last AirBender on NetFlix. 

As I have said before, we don't have TV and as a result sometimes are behind on different shows kids watch.  (well, worth while ones anyway)  We saw the movie "The Last Airbender" and quite enjoyed it, but so many reviews had it pegged as a bad movie.  We were really interested in seeing what the big hoopla was, so we started watching them.

All 3 books in just a few weeks. 

My boys loved the shows.  I thought, "Hey, I will watch a couple just to make sure they are age appropriate." and ended up sitting for more than one.  :)  They are pretty entertaining and quite well done.  The episodes contain new adventures but all tie together as the Avatar tries to master all 4 elements and become the Avatar that is needed to save the world. 

I think that most kids would enjoy watching the shows if you are like us and way behind the times.  :)  If you want to watch them, there are lots of hosting sites and streaming video.  I will not get into file sharing and the like, but lets just say, that paying to watch something....legally makes me feel better.  So, as a result I am not going to list places to watch this series, but the series is available lots of places...watch it where you feel comfortable.

Enjoy.  (or pretend your kids are watching and sit down for a bit yourself)

Cheers

Ed Sauce

Ok, I know I am random, but this has relevance so bear with me.  :)  And, I know that the last post was a movie review (of sorts) but this is the last one for a bit...promise. 

When we lived in Lethbridge, we had a family in our ward who loved this movie called Good Burger.  I was unsure what it was, but went on a search for it.  Needless to say, it was SUPER hard to find.  I finally found it on Amazon and just bought it sight unseen.  (plus it was only like $6, although the page I linked here shows it went up a bunch)

When it got to us, we watched it right away.

We laughed so hard.  There are a few jokes that the kids didn't really get, but the movie is stinkin funny. 

Ed really steals the show.  He is totally oblivious to the "real world" and is literally clueless as to how things are done.

This is totally filled with what I call "stupid humor".  I don't know how else to describe it.  In one of the very first scenes you see Ed taking a shower...with ALL of his clothes on.  He never takes his uniform off.  In another you see him "fixing" a milkshake machine by climbing in and turning it on.  He talks to burgers, dogs and everyone that crosses his path.

Ed has a car he uses from Good Burger.  It looks like a burger. 

One day though, Ed finds out that Dexter is quite angry with him as he had caused an accident that made him earn money to pay it off.  (because his mom doesn't know)  While trying to make Dexter like him again, Ed shares his special sauce that ends up saving the whole day. 

This is the whole point of the long ramble about the movie.  (plus I wanted to share it with you)

Every time we have fries, M wants "Ed Sauce".  He will not eat fries without it.  When I lived in Idaho it seemed that everyone ate fries with mayo and ketchup mixed together...so I call it Ed sauce.  He loves it.

I have become strangely addicted to it as well.

Thank you Ed.

We visit a place called 5 Guys Burgers and Fries for dh's burger fix and we tell each other it is a really "good burger"  (even though mine is meatless!)  a phrase often used in the movie. 

We have quite a few family jokes around this movie.  It is funny and our family really enjoys it.

If you ever find this movie, or know someone who has it...or want to borrow mine...Oh boy, be prepared to laugh.  (even my Mom who is not a movie watcher liked it)  It is well worth the effort it takes to find it.  I think I personally have watched it 5 or 6 times!  :)  The boys have practically worn our disk out. 

(it should be noted that in the movie and old man says, "I think I broke my ass".  And a few places it does say that the music "sucks".  It is rated "G" though, and so if you do watch it, there is your warning)

Cheers

A Sequel Worth Watching

If you actually haven't watched this movie, then I will tell you a bit about it. 

I enjoyed the previous 2, they were a great little romp. 

This one really is wonderful.

All our old favorites come back (although I missed the army men...they were just a little part, and the etch a sketch...) to play.  Andy is growing up and is now old enough to go to college.  He has to clean his room and put things in 3 spots; in the attic, in the garbage, or donate.  (with a small box to take with him)  By mistake the toys end up in the donate box. 

At the end of this movie I admit I cried.  Andy is giving a little girl the joy of his amazing toys.  (sorry, spoiler) Andy asks her if she can take care of his toys and play with them because they have been good to him.  They were important to him.  I admit it, I am a big crying baby lately, but this movie just struck a chord in me.

I think that if you are buying gifts for young children, this would be a wonderful movie to buy.  (How to Train Your Dragon would be another!)  I loved the whole movie, from Mr. Potato Head - Tortilla Head, to the Evil Teddy Bear, to the little romance between Ken and Barbie...every minute is a wonderful treat.  It is a sequel worth watching.

Cheers

Cake #1, and a Review...

First, today we celebrated M's birthday.  (M and K have birthdays on the same day so we separate and celebrate on two days...)

So, we went to see Karate Kid for them.  (and me!)

Ok.  If you haven't seen the first ones, then this one is most awesome!  If you have, it is still a good movie, but it is pretty much the same story. 

I have to say though, I enjoyed this version a bit more.  (but I have to say how surprised I was that I enjoyed last nights movie more...this is me being super baffled!)

There is language, (but not much) there is fighting, and I cried.  Pretty much sums the movie right up!  :)  It is worth a watch though.  That little Jaden Smith is an amazing actor.

Continuing on our day we also had cake...

M wanted a Crocodile so that is what he got.  We all ate it tonight and it is missing most vital parts!  :)

I have a post for detailing flooding in our area.  Lets just say that for the past two (ish) days, my camera has been busy recording this amazing amount of water.

Until then, keep dry.

Cheers

The Prince of Persia

...a mini movie review.

OK.  I have to say that when I saw that Jake Gyllenhaal was cast as the lead I was a bit skeptical.  I really didn't see him as an "action hero" type of actor.  Don't get me wrong, The Day After Tomorrow is one of my favorite movies, and I love him in it...but really, being a warrior and fight scenes...couldn't really see it.

P and I actually went on a date (gasp)!  :)  Been a while.  We were trying to see Karate Kid (still desperately want to see that one!) but it was TOTALLY sold out and we were a bit bummed.  I really was not in the mood for A-Team so Prince of Persia it was.

I have to say.  This movie totally blew my expectations.  Jake Gyllenhaal was amazing. 

I loved this movie so much that I will probably buy it - maybe even full price.  (that is saying alot for me!)

This is even a movie I will let my boys see.

First off, there is fighting.  There is much war.  But, here is the biggie, almost no blood.  I have a thing about fighting, I am rather adverse to it, but if it must be in a movie (and a movie about a war kinda has to have it) I would like it to be relatively bloodless.  This one is. 

Second, with all the fighting most times there is language that I find offensive.  Not so with this movie.  And let me tell you, I was surprised. 

Third, there is actually a story.  Gasp.  There is.  And, the characters learn something from their mistakes.  You care about them.  They have more to them then their fighting techniques (although the climbing and jumping along walls...THAT I would love to do!).

I enjoyed this movie.  I didn't think I would, but I did.

If you are in the market for a movie for older children or just as a date (if you want one both of you will enjoy) this was a great movie for that.  (We even spent the full price to get in!!!)

Cheers

Two reviews, a trip to the moon, and lots of wax

Love my title...gotta do more like this!  :)  The whole post is really just an eclectic mix of the mish-mash in my brain.

So this weekend P was home for 3 whole days!  (gotta love a long weekend!)  So we took the boys to "How to Train Your Dragon".

What a fun movie!  It was well worth it.  The story was excellent, the "objectional content" almost non-existant (there is some mild violence when the dragons attack the village in the opening sequence, and later at the end when a large dragon is fought) and it is fun for all ages.  (I think that P and I laughed just as many times as our kids, and that includes M who is almost 5)  We didn't see it in 3D but that was a personal preference.  I would TOTALLY recommend seeing this movie it was one of the best kids movies I have seen.

Another review:

We bought the card version of Sorry.  I love the board game, have since I was a kid, so I put off buying this for a while.

So, it took a bit to convince me to buy it.  Well, I am sad it took so long for me to do so.  :)  It is an excellent game and it can be played by anyone who can add.  (which is not me, sad to say...he he he)  You have to add to 21 and that gets you your pawns home.  There are fun little cards in there that take away another persons 21 and some that save it.  We have played this MANY times in the past few days...so I would totally say it is worth the $7 (or if you go to WalMart right now there are 2 packs of these board games turned card games right now for $9).

We took a trip to the moon....

Well, not really. 

But it was fun. 

We went to Red Rock Coulee with my parents after Easter Dinner on Friday.  It was a place we had never been before and it was worth the trip.  There are huge rocks that are full of lichen so they look red.  (or orange)  They are just all over the place and so you can run around, see the pretty flowers, climb some wicked hills, or get stuck in the mud...O wait, that was just me!  :)  It was a great place to go and see though, and we will totally go again.

So, on Kijiji a while ago I picked up this:

LOTS of wax!  Well, it is only 6 blocks of 4 Kg each, but still, lots of wax!  We are going to make a bunch more of the Sawdust Candles that I posted here about, and probably a bunch more of the little eggies (I told you we were geeks. Ours are fastly dwindling because we love to have fires!  Safely of course in our fire pit!).  I think I will keep a few for canning emergencies...or watever.  But if you ever need wax, don't go to Michaels...it costs $40 for one of these blocks, or through the seller on Kijiji, $10 each!  Whoo Hooo!  Bargans I do love!  :)

Did anyone LOVE conference this weekend as much as me?!  I loved so many of the wonderful talks...next Wordful Wednesday is about Mothers, and the General RS Pres gave an amazing talk all about that very topic.  So, watch for that.  :)

And lastly...my experiment with my "weighty issue" that I blogged about here...I am losing!  YAY!  Even right after Easter Dinner (which was amazingly delicious, Thanks again Mom) I have still lost 5lbs and am not hungry or crabby.  :)  Horray!

Hope your Easter Weekend was awesome!

Cheers

Movie Review

I promised a review and here it is...(sorry, life got a bit crazy here)

I think that this is about PG in your theater...at least that is what it is here so I am hoping that it is there as well.

I think this may be the best movie I have EVER seen. We took the boys to it in 3D and it was amazing! The reviews kind of scared me as they were saying it was very similar to Delgo (a movie we watched, it was OK but would not buy) and that the whole movie was just not worth the $300 million price tag. Well, let me tell you, it was worth the price tag and more!

I will not really tell you about it much in case you want to go to it, so I will just give you the premise. Earth is dying and they need to find a new resource that is on the planet Pandora. The only problem, it is already occupied by the Pandorians. There are fantastic scenes of the new creatures and the amazing plant life in this movie. (you know me and my plants!) :) The only problem I had with it was that there was not very much clothing on the "people" of Pandora. There were quite a few glimpses of nipple on the women. (Not any worse than "X-Men" but still, it was there...maybe this was a 3D thing, but I am pretty sure it wasn't) There were few words of objection, there was a bit of blood and alot of action, but I found that the whole movie was very family friendly. We took all 3 boys to it, and even M (who is 4) loved the whole thing! (he never sits through a whole movie, and he sat totally still through the whole thing!) I walked out and realized that it was almost 3 hours long and I didn't even notice!

3D was amazing. I usually get sick or a migraine from the 3D effects and was kind of worried about it...well, this new format that he developed was amazing. There were absolutely no ill effects from it. (unless you count the crick in my neck from sitting on the side, there was an absolutely packed theater when we went...literally no seats at all when the movie started) So I was super impressed. I totally recommend seeing it in 3D even though it costs more...it is worth the price of admission.

I know that I will buy it when it comes out (maybe not full price because that would still hurt me...but I WILL buy it!) :) and I will love it just as much as the first time.

I would totally recommend this movie, and have, to anyone wanting to see an amazing movie. It is amazing for the graphics, the story (made me cry), and for the acting. I was impressed.

Night At The Museum

So...

I know, I know, It is another "movie review"...but it is pretty on my mind.

We got some tickets to see the Night at the Musuem 2. We thought it would be nice to take the boys too...TWO movies in a month at the Cineplex...WOW! Usually it is like 2 a YEAR! ha ha

So, it was so great! The first movie was pretty good so I was skeptable that the part 2 would be good...you know how it is with sequals, not always even close to as good as the first one.

It is great that there are MANY characters introduced, but all of the origional ones are still in the movie (yes there is still a dumb dumb looking for gum gum) but some of the new ones are so stinking FUNNY! The new "king" is so funny with his lisp and the thinker guy is so dumb it is one of the funniest parts (I'm thinking, I'm thinking). The boys (Perry included) laughed all the way through, and I had to laugh a few times too. :)

If you get the chance, or win tickets, or buy it later...it is well worth a watch or purchase when it comes out!

(sorry, you may get a few more "reviews" this next few months as I really want to see a few more movies like TRANSFORMERS and ICE AGE...coming soon!)

Movie Review

So  and I went to STAR TREK on Monday. My Mom and Dad had the boys for a sleepover Sunday night so P and I took advantage of the free babysitting and splurged on a movie. (there are no cheap theaters here...it is $9/person and that gets pricy when you need a sitter)

So, I just thought that I would tell you that I LOVED it! I went not knowing that I would. I like star trek, somewhat, from the older movies, TV shows, etc...but it is not my favorite.

Well, Chris Pine was the perfect person for Cptn Kirk. He is one of my fav's for romatic movies...but I never pictured him in this role, it was great! O My, though...I watch HEROES from TV and if you have watched it, Sylar is very disturbing so I wondered if I could get over the role in seeing him (Zachary Quintano sp?)as Spock. Well, I was so impressed! I don't get over the roles well, and I totally forgot Sylar as I watched Spock!

The other part that I loved was that it was different then any other Star Trek I have watched. There were many other parts in it that were classic ("Dammit Jim, I am a DR not a Scientist") but the overall story line took it down a different path then every other one. I was also excited that they left it WIDE open for a sequel. I am thinking I like them lately...they look like they are trying really hard to make them better and better now. (Tranformers for one, Night at the Museum for another, two that I am TOTALLY looking forward to seeing!)

Well, this is rambling and long for a review...but I tried not to give anything away, and it was such a good movie I had to try.