All Is Neither Calm Nor Bright

My Jim Shore Nativity

I'm sitting here doodling on the computer because I really don't feel like doing anything else--although there is much left to do. I got the remainder of my shopping done yesterday, and was that ever a trip! I had to wait in line at Walmart to get a shopping cart. Then it was like rush-hour at Malfunction Junction. The traffic was frightful.

I have wrapping to do and cooking to do and my living room smells like wet dog. It has been raining here for two or three days, making for damp dogs. Now where did I put that Fabreze?

Well then, I'd better get at it.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to that magic.

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On 12/23/2014, Julie in WA said ...

Ah, Merry Christmas dear Susan! You have a special talent at making me chuckle in the morning! I love the Jim Short nativity. Do you know, a few years ago a friend gave me a Christmas mug with Santa on it; I am not a big fan of Santa, but it is lovely cup. Just yesterday I was looking at it again, and I realized why my friend gave me this particular mug....Under Santa's robe (old fashioned St. Nick) is a quilted patchwork gown! It is not Jim Shore's artwork, but it is beautiful none the less!

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On 12/23/2014, Debra said ...

It was raining here in north Texas this morning too. I told my daughter that "I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas" didn't have the same ring to it! Merry Christmas, Susan.

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On 12/23/2014, Sharon Minear said ...

Susan - It's ok to not get crazy busy at Christmastime. I decided it would be a different time of year for me after my husband died 6 days before Christmas in 2008. It will just be my son and me here, and maybe a few grandsons will show up, a simple dinner, no decorations - well two young cats have decided that - very few cards or gifts involved, and it's all good - peaceful, thoughtful Christmastime. Plenty of food here, a few good books to read, a quilt project to work away at, and I'm content. - Sharon

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On 12/23/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, my friend, who wouldn't know? Up on the house-tops click, click, click with wishes galore you'll feel great in a tic!

I'm whipped from being on the go for more than 6 hours and none of it got me closer to being finished with my little bit of shopping so that's for tomorrrow in the rain. I've done no baking yet either. Sigh.

Simple will be the order for this holiday.

Hugs!

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On 12/24/2014, Thelma said ...

Susan, hope you got through your To Do list and are able to relax and enjoy your holidays. Take Care and best wishes for a wonderful new year.
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Making a List

...and checking it over and over. As my dear Vann used to say, I've been as busy as a cat covering up for ten. Shopping, baking, decorating, etc. Haven't got nearly as much accomplished as I should have in the time I've been at it, but my back and fibro have slowed me down considerably.

Today, I'm trying to get thing organized (including my brain), figure out what else I need to do. I have a little more shopping to do, mostly groceries for Soup & Salad Night here with family on Christmas Eve. I'm making a big pot of Santa Fe Soup (some people call it Taco Soup), pasta salad, and some homemade bread. I have three pies in the freezer and will probably make a pan of brownies too.

 We have a quiet Christmas Day planned--just me, Andy, and Jesse and a big baked ham.

And when all is said an done, I'm planning a week in bed. That plan probably won't pan out, but it's comforting thinking about it.

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On 12/22/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Bless you as you carry on lovingly cook, bake, decorate, and enjoy the wonderful time with your family. I hope the fibro and back annoyances settle down so you can really have fun.

We, too, plan a quiet Christmas since this is the first without sweet AMIL. I have a little pillow made by Mary Englebreit that says "Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime." So true.

It's a cold, rainy day here. Just right for soup, hot tea, and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas music. Last night we watched the Albert Finney "Scrooge" and that is joyful, indeed.

The tardy Christmas package is "out for delivery" in Memphis according to it's tracking information. After a heart-stopping 6 day sojourn to Maryland, perhaps it will really arrive today.

Hugs!

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On 12/23/2014, Stephani in N. TX said ...

Merry Christmas Susan. I have enjoyed your blog all year, feels like corresponding with a long-time friend. Your holiday plans sound great. We will be driving a long distance to Dallas for Christmas, but meeting up with family coming in from CA. Should be very special.And when we return, maybe that "week in bed" will happen; sounds good.
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Prepping

Yesterday, Andy came over and helped me put up my tree. This morning, I dug out some more do-dads (Santas, etc.) and did a little more decorating. So now I'm done with that. Not nearly as much decking of the halls as I used to do. But all the time I'm decorating, I keep thinking, Now all this stuff has to be put away again in a few days. That thought sort of limits my desire to decorate.

Also yesterday, I made some Cinnamon Pecans for snacking and gift giving. I've already been into them, and they are good. Here's the recipe, if you'd like to try it. It's very easy.

CINNAMON PECANS

1 pound pecan halves
1 cup sugar
1 heaping Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Scant 1/2 cup water

Put all ingredients into a large skillet. Mix well. Over medium/low heat, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until liquid is thick and syrupy. Pour pecans out onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool. Store cooled nuts in airtight container. 

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On 12/17/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

How nice of Andy to come help you get your Christmas tree up! I know it is a delight to look at so hope you'll post some photos of your more minimal decorating style this year.

That recipe looks scrumptious!

We just got the top half of our tree up yesterday - which makes it a table-top tree needed far fewer ornaments. It's pretty but I miss the large tree and miss the fragrance of a real tree most of all (tho not the mess).

Wishing you lots of energy and pain-free days and nights so you can fully enjoy this wonderous season.

Hugs!

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On 12/18/2014, Beverly said ...

Yum! You've inspired me to go make some right now.♥

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On 12/21/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

I made a 1/2 recipe this afternoon and DH loves them! He had me coat them lightly with powered sugar so they were less sticky. Have you tried that? He said they were 1,000% better after a very light coating of the powdered sugar.

When cooled, are they not sticky when you made them?

Hugs!

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On 01/13/2015, Joy Ruffin said ...

Mmmm..that looks good. Thanks for the recipe, gonna have to try it soon.
Joy
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Sophie's New Sweater

I made Sophie's fleece sweater this morning. I was amazed at how fast and easy it was to put together. 

 

Only one problem: It's a little too tight on her belly, so I'm going to have to adjust the center seam a bit.

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On 12/15/2014, Joy said ...

She looks so sweet!

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On 12/15/2014, Dolores Tanner said ...

Oh, ho.. she does not look happy :)

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On 12/15/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Cute sweater and what a perfect fabric in Sophie's signature color! I've never seen a dog sweater with sleaves and a "turtle neck"!

Well done!

Hugs!

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On 12/18/2014, Rebecca said ...

Oh my, she does not look happy poor baby.
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Gift Jammies #2

I finished the pajama pants for Niece #2 this morning.

 

I've had this darling little angel print for several years. I think it makes great pajama pants.

 

And to go with the pants, I got my niece a couple of t-shirts and some warm fuzzy lounging socks. 

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On 12/13/2014, Sandy said ...

A nice gift anyone would appreciate. You did a great job.

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On 12/13/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the angel fabric and those jammie bottoms are so cute as are the tees to go with them and those cozy socks!

I need to get a similar pattern so I can cut down 3 nearly new pairs of flannel pants that belonged to AMIL. They slide off of me now but I think it shouldn't be too complicated to make them fit me.

Early this afternoon I got to the post office with 10 min. to spare and had to wait for only one person. Not bad at all!

Hugs!

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On 12/13/2014, Pat said ...

I watched the elastic waist video you recommended. Looks very easy - I want to try the pj pants. I think it's too late for Christmas this year though! Love the angel print.

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On 12/13/2014, Dolores Tanner said ...

Love the angel material and contrast on the bottom!! Very, cu

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On 12/13/2014, Dolores Tanner said ...

CUTE, very cute!!
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Doggie Duds

Counting down the days but not getting as much done as I would like. And what's worse, I've added a couple of project to my Christmas sewing list: nice fleece sweaters for Sophie and Skipper. The blues are for Skipper; the red/black combo is for Sophie (red is her signature color).

When the weather started turning cold, I looked everywhere for sweaters or t-shirts for them. They each have sweaters, but I wanted something a little lighter, so that I don't have to remove them when they come in the house each time. I haven't been able to find anything except really heavy sweaters and coats, frufru tutus and costumes, and $20 football tees. Hancock's had its fleece on sale yesterday when I dropped in, so I decided that I'd make each of the doggies a sweater for Christmas. Got all the fabric and the pattern for both dogs for less than $20. I'm sure glad I didn't bow to temptation and buy those Bama Crimson Tide tees for them. I almost did. But then I decided that spending $40 for two dog t-shirt was just a little more decadent than I wanted to be. And anyway, my doggies wouldn't know the Tide from the Bad News Bears. And their little fleecies will keep them plenty warm and look great.

I had the most awesome back spasm this morning that I've ever had. I actually screamed--long and loud. When it finally ceased, I was sweating and all four furbies were staring at me. I assured them I was ok, just letting off a little steam. Skipper jumped in my lap and licked my face. Sophie's expression said, "You think that was pain? Let me tell you about pain." The cats nonchalantly turned and left the area.

I'm going now to spend what will probably turn out to be a short time working on Christmas projects. Pajama pants is on the schedule for today. I have one more pair on the must-make list. 

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On 12/12/2014, sillysally said ...

What a cute pattern - those will look great and keep them so nice and "toasty warm" as my mom would say!

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On 12/12/2014, Lisa A said ...

I found an all-black sweater for Maisy at Wal-Mart, $4.97. Fits her perfectly and it's not noticeable because she's black. Did get her another one for Christmas though. She doesn't mind wearing it, especially on cold days. All that cold air sinks to the floor where she it.

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On 12/13/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the pattern and the fabrics you chose! Sophie and Skipper will be so cozy! The bonus is they cannot read the calendar, so if their wraps aren't finished by Christmas Day, they won't be disappointed.

Sorry about that back spasm and I hope it's not repeated ever, ever again. OUCH!

I completed and wrapped the two Scottie table runners and am destined (doomed?) to spend time at the post office today.

Hugs!
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1 Out of 4 Is Pretty Bad

Piecemakers Quilting Bee Christmas Party

In the past couple of weeks, I've missed several Holiday meetings and celebrations. My back pain has been terrible, and a couple of days I couldn't even stand up straight. It's better now, but only marginally.

First off, I missed book club. I would have made that one, but while dealing with the pain, I completely forgot what day it was until my sister called me from Book Club and reminded me. I was still in my pajamas and, although my sister was quite put out with me, I had to pass.

Next I missed my friend and financial advisor's annual holiday luncheon. I just couldn't see going to that all humped over. I also missed our annual quilt guild Christmas Feast on Monday, as I still could not stand up straight. But yesterday, I was erect (pretty much) and was able to attend my quilting bee's Christmas party. We had a delicious lunch, played some fun games, and had a great visit. Not much show-and-tell though, so I don't have many photos to show. 

Needless to say, I haven't done any sewing in the past several days. I did, however, get the pattern piece that had been cat clawed taped back together. Thanks to you who gave me tips on how to preserve patterns in a more permanent form. I'm going to take you up on it.

One of the highlights of my week has been viewing Lifetime's miniseries
"The Red Tent."

I wonder if any of you tuned in to Lifetime Channel's miniseries entitled "The Red Tent" on Monday and Tuesday nights. I did, and it was wonderful. I had read the book back in 2001 and then a few years later, I read it again. Now I want to read it for a third time. It's the story of Dinah (pronounced Dee-nah), only daughter of Jacob and Leah (from the Genesis story). Since very little is known about Dinah, the author, Anita Diamant, must use a good bit of artistic imagination to fill in the gaps. But she begins with a firm foundation in the Biblical story. If you like historical fiction, especially that based on the Bible, and you missed this, you will have another chance to catch it on Friday night, when both episodes will air on Lifetime Channel. Check your listings for time and channel number.

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On 12/10/2014, Linda Volz said ...

Hi Susan -
Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well and it has put a hamper on your activities. I hope you continue to improve and feel better soon. And yes, I watched The Red Tent too and I loved it. I hope they show it again as I'd have no trouble watching it again.

Wishing you blessings and healing mercies from above.

Linda

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On 12/10/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Oh, Susan,

Bummer of a time of year to feel so bad, especially having your back feel so painful. I hope your improvement yesterday is the beginning of your feeling 100% better soon.

I'm glad you made it to the bee Christmas party with your good friends and in such a pretty setting with that lovely tree and other decor.

Wishing you well!

Gentle hugs!

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On 12/10/2014, Sherri mclaughlin said ...

I caught the Red Tent. I so enjoyed watching a great bible story. I so wish they would make more.
I too am down lately with two bad knees. Need surgery in the new year. You are so in my thoughts and prayers.
Getting ready to make me some of your Santa Fe soup! Yum

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On 12/10/2014, Dolores Tanner said ...

Yes!! saw the Red Tent.. love those movies and stories, will have to re-read the book too. Really liked it. Women thru history have not done very well, always 2nd class citizens and hard, hard life....
Sorry you are feeling poorly and hope things look better soon... Take Care

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On 12/11/2014, Andrea Coffelt said ...

Oh Susan, my heart goes out to you. My beautiful daughter in law has fibro and I see first hand what you all go through. Sending warm and healing thoughts your way. I'm so glad to hear you mention the Red Tent and read the comments, I have it recorded so that will be a good movie to sit with my kitty in my lap sipping tea this weekend. Feel better!

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On 12/11/2014, Patty McDonald said ...

Hi Susan,
So sorry about you not feeling well. Back pain is crippling. So glad you were able to enjoy your quilting bee Christmas party. Hopefully, this is the road to feeling well again.

I've set the DVR to record The Red Tent. We are expecting a huge rain in southern California(yippee) on Friday and I plan to sew all day and watch movies.

Have a very blessed week.

Patty Mc

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On 12/11/2014, Beverly said ...

Thank you for the heads up about The Red Tent. I just got up and set our dvr to record it.

I am glad you felt like going to your quilting bee Christmas party. Sometimes it is hard to do everything our hearts want to do, but we do the best we can. You are always in my prayers, Susan.
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PJ Progress

I finished my first pair of gift pajama pants just now. If you want an idea for some very quick-and-easy handmade gift-giving, consider pajama pants. I'm going to purchase matching t-shirts to go with the ones I make, so no complicated pajama tops to make.

I hate elastic inserted into waistbands; it always rolls. I also didn't want to do drawstrings because, well, I just didn't--I wanted elastic. So I found this Youtube video that gives a very easy way of sewing in elastic that won't ever roll. I sewed it down in just a few minutes. Easy peasy, and looks great.

In closing, I want to show you what could happen if a cat owner leaves her sewing room door open.

I'm thinking maybe I can tape it back together enough to use to make some more pants. But if I find I have to buy a whole new pattern, I'm taking it out of Taco's allowance.

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On 12/06/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the pj pants and applaud you for posting the You-tube video for sewing in the elastic so it cannot roll. Brilliant!!

Hope the pattern is easy to tape back together and I hear you on the dangers of cat claws to interesting fabrics and papers. Rob made a screen door to fit my sewing room doorway so I could latch it to keep cats out but still see and hear what is happening in the house. I recommend that you get someone to make one for you but, of course, you can still close the door you have.

I've mostly machine quilted the red Scottie table runner and going around each dog, then around the tops of all the pickets in the fence (pictured behind the dogs) and the two wreaths. Oh, my screaming shoulders. Today will do the simple straight line and wavy stitching in the two borders. The bad thing is that the green Scottie table runner needs the same quilting so that's no fun to anticipate. I may be certifiable by the time that one is finished.

Christmas cards have been started ...

Hugs!

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On 12/07/2014, Debra said ...

Ha! That Taco is surely a curious kitty. Love the pajama pants.

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On 12/08/2014, Sandy said ...

thanks for the tip on the elastic. Going to give that a try. Susan, when you do get your pattern put back together, I'd like to share a tip with you that I recently learned. Make a cloth pattern out of fabric you don't like or maybe have lots of and use that instead of the tissue paper pattern. It sticks to your fabric and you don't even have to use pins. Plus it lasts forever! Hope you give it a try. Works like a charm.

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On 12/09/2014, Ellen in Oregon said ...

Your P.J. pants turned out so darn cute that you have inspired me to make a few pair for quick gifts. I even had enough flannel to make a matching pillow case that I will use to wrap the pants in. I might actually make a pair or two for moi. I already had the pattern & fabric so it was just a matter of sweat equity to make 5 sets. It goes pretty fast if you do all the cutting first & then just do all the sewing assembly line fashion the next. Thanks for the video on the no roll waistband. The video showed the exact way my Mom taught me to do an elastic waistband more than 45 years ago when I first started learning to sew. Only difference is there was no "sports" elastic and so you only had to sew 2 rows for 3/4" elastic. I actually like a drawstring for myself, but I have learned to line the drawstring channel with some slick polyester so the flannel or fleece string glides smoothly through the waistband & doesn't created any friction with the pant fabric itself. What is it about cats & pattern paper? They can't resist shredding it. Must be the crinkly sound it makes when they rustle it with their paws. When I had several cats, I would often find my pattern in so many tiny pieces, it looked like confetti. I agree with Sandy, that if you really like a pattern or want it to hold up to multiple uses, trace a copy onto muslin or ugly fabric. Even cutting a master pattern out of a paper bag would be an improvement over the ultra-thin fragile paper pattern companies are using now. The would think that for the outragrous price they charge for some patterns, that the paper would be of a better quality, but it isn't. Taco seems to get his nose into everything, but then that is a cat's job to be a snoop isn't it. When we were kids & one of our cats was MIA, we would call & call for it to come home. I think it drove my Mom batty. She used to say there was no sense calling the cat because a cat only comes home when it is good & ready to come home and not a minute before. She proved this philosophy to be right time after time. Taco was lucky he found such a comfy linen closet to sneak into for a nap. If you hadn't remembered to look there for him, he would have made himself known when he got hungry.

I ordered a copy of Revival on Sunday from ebay. I hope it turns out to be as good a story as some reviews have stated. I have been a fan of Mr. King's writing from the beginning, but after his accident years ago, he reappeared a few years later and wrote one bad novel after another. I'm not sure why junk like Gerald's Game & other's of that time period were even published other than contract obligations & everyone wanting to make money from the deal.somewhere in the middle of his career when he, in my opinion, wrote a number of duds not worth the paper they were printed on. They all struck me as being written by someone on a lot of drugs & there seemed to be no editor or agent willing to point out to Mr. King that these stories were not worthy of being published as they were mostly incoherent & made little sense when it came to story lines & plot twists. made for terrible reading. I guess everyone just wanted to make money, so those novels probably got published for the sake of making money for everyone. It could have ruined King's career if fans had not remained loyal & refused to give up on him. I think King's fanbase stuck with him in hopes he would somehow begin writing like the writer they had originally gotten hooked on. It would be years before I would learn about King's near-fatal accident after being hit by a truck as he walked along the shoulder of a road near his home in Maine. After being struck at high speed, King broke just about every bone in his body along with a severe brain injury. Then it made perfect sense to me why those novels were so terribly written & incoherent. They were written by someone who's brain was damaged & was seriously addicted to narcotics when they were written. King became addicted to narcotics as a result of his injuries & repeated orthopedic surgeries & years after the accident he went into treatment for his addiction problem. It wasn't until he was sober for some time that his writing begin to resemble his earlier works. I don't think Mr. King will ever be able to write novels equal to The Shining or Salem's Lot, because he is a different person than he was 30+ years ago, but also because a severely injured brain never returns to an undamaged brain. I know that from 30 years of counseling people with disabilities including many with head injuries. I am quite amazed at how much brain function he recovered & how well he adjusted to all the changes he went through. I just hope he puts out the occasional novel to keep me entertained while I am here on Earth. Purely selfish motives, but I'm just keepin' it real. My copy of Revival should be here by the end of this week, so I am looking forward to a couple of long nights reading. I also look forward to reading your review of the book & hope we both find it to have been a good read. I look forward to reading your review of Rivival.
Thanks of another year of great posting.
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Dog Days of December

These dogs are so fun to make that it's hard to put them aside to make pajama pants for gifts, as planned. But I did get some of the fabric that I plan to use washed. Thanks to Julie in WA for reminding me to prewash my fabrics to prevent my gift recipients from having high-water pj pants once they wash them.

Back to work.

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On 12/04/2014, Debra said ...

I just bought a bunch of flannel to make into pajama pants and some baby things. I had to remind myself that the flannel needs to be prewashed. Always a good reminder. I love the little dogs.

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On 12/04/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

What charming little dogs and how nice of them to mind their manners while waiting for their faces and those bones!!

I seldom wash my fabrics unless they're flannel. To my delight, a heavy flannel I used in three quilts 5 and 8 years ago hardly shrunk at all. They were from a line called "Bee Happy" by Mary Lou Weidman for Benartex and I look forward to using every bit of the leftovers for another quilt!

Happy sewing!

Hugs!

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On 12/05/2014, Linda said ...

Just reminded me - we used to call the short (by mistake, not intention) pants "floods" - good for a laugh. Thanks. Linda in California & British Columbia
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That Darned Cat!

"What?"

Even though I have spent a fair amount of time in my life searching for "lost" cats who weren't lost at all but just didn't care to be found right then, when Taco disappeared this morning, I was a little nervous. The cleaning lady Anna was distraught, and Sophie was in a red-hot panic. Skipper could not have cared less; he was too busy with his China excavation.

I kept telling everyone that Taco was around somewhere. Cats, as far as I know, can't disappear into thin air. Unless a wormhole had opened up somewhere in The Yellow House (hmmm, could that be possible?) Old Crazy Eyes had to be in the house.

But after we had looked under, over, and behind everything, and after I had shaken the treat container all over the house, and even after I had combed the yard and surrounding areas outside, I was getting a little shakey. Jesse was going to kill me if I had lost one of his cats, or let him slip through a wormhole.

I had already looked in all the closets that I had opened today, even behind the shower door (Taco loves to stand in the shower and stare at the drain.) Then I remembered: I had opened the linen closet upstairs to remove clean sheets early this morning so that Anna would have clean linens for all the beds. I hurried up the stairs and opened the closet door, and what do you suppose I saw? Mr. Taco reclining like the King of Cats upon a stack of towels, not concerned in the least about the worry he had put us through. I gave him treats.

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On 12/03/2014, Linda Volz said ...

That is too funny. He just thought he had found himself a new, very private, cozy place to relax. And it probably smelled really nice in there too with all the clean soft linens. I love Taco.

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On 12/03/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

ROLFL! Taco knew where he was so what was the fuss about? He probably thought you'd given him his own, soft, private office!

Since we have two equally difficult cats here, I can SO relate!

Hugs!

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On 12/04/2014, Linda said ...

Ha ha! A cat-person just can't have any peace.

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On 12/18/2014, Linda said ...

Lol oh how I relate! He is so handsome. :)
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Four Guys Under a Street Light and a Girl in a Park

I had a wonderfully entertaining holiday weekend. On Friday, Andy and I watched "Jersey Boys," one of the most delightful movies I've ever seen. Although the fellow who plays Frankie Valli, John Lloyd Young, sounds to me more like Jerry Lewis than the Four Seasons front man, the music is still wonderful. Hearing all those old tunes, put in the context of the lives of the band members was a treat. In fact, I liked this movie so much, I watched it twice.

On Saturday, I watched an old movie on TMC, "Portrait of Jennie." I had seen this film many years ago, but had forgotten most of the plot. It reminded me that Jennifer Jones, who played Jennie, was an excellent actress and didn't get enough acknowledgment as such, in my opinion. Joseph Cotton was good too as starving artist Eben Adams.

I enjoyed the movie so much that I immediately downloaded the book by Robert Nathan to Kindle and read it on Saturday night and Sunday night. F. Scott Fitzgerald once declared Nathan to be his favorite author, and I can see why. The man had not only a way with words, but also a way with story. In my opinion, story is the most important part of the reading experience. I loved this one.

I would recommend all three of these to anyone who also loves a good story, good music, and good acting. Next on my entertainment agenda is Stephen King's new book, Revival, which came in the mail a last week. Y'all all know how much I love the King of Scary. Looking forward to settling down with this one tonight.

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On 12/01/2014, Barbara Anne said ...

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll look for the movies and book at the library but you can, as always, keep Stephen King's book! I haven't yet recovered from reading "The Shining" straight thru and that was sometime before December, 1979! :)

Hugs!

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On 12/01/2014, Linda Volz said ...

Hi Susan -
I loved the movie Portrait of Jennie and Joseph Cotton is one of my favorite actors. I loved him in the movie Gaslight with Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman and also in The Farmer's Daughter where he played opposite Loretta Young. Both great old films. I'm with Barbara, I don't read Stephen King either, I find that his stuff is a bit too stimulating for my already over-active imagination!

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On 12/01/2014, Joanne said ...

Portrait of Jennie is one of the books I've read all to pieces. Also love Joseph C. in all his movies that I've seen, including Portrait of Jennie, Gaslight, and The Third Man.

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On 12/02/2014, Denise in PA said ...

I will be interested in your opinion on Revival! It's on my Christmas list! Thanks for the movie suggestions also!
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