Living in OZ

I took Big Girl to see "Oz: The Great & Powerful" yesterday. She really wanted to see it. I was indifferent walking in the theater, and in love waking out. It was fabulous.

I didn't think I would like it. But the movie was such tribute to "Wizard of Oz," with witty, smart parts, and I just adored it. It was very well done.

The deeper themes of the flick really hit home for me. How good does overcome evil. How believing in oneself can lead to great things -- as can others boosting one's self-esteem by believing in one as well. How one, with work, can change.

I loved "Oz," and so did Big Girl. If you have a chance to escape to the Emerald City soon, dodge some flying monkeys and head on over there.

Celeb Wife Swap: What did you think?

I didn't get to watch it live on Tuesday, but on Wednesday night, Big Girl and I sat down with some popcorn to check out Kate Gosselin on "Celebrity Wife Swap." It was just "OK," I thought. Nothing earth-shattering or crazy. Kendra Wilkinson was kind of boring, in my opinion.

But the show did make me hunger for some more Gosselin tales. Not Gosselin trips around the world, but things like day-in-the-life stuff. How they make it happen with all those kids. I think it's the same way I feel about the Duggars. I don't really care if they go to Asia; I'm more interested in how they manage laundry and grocery shopping and homework.

Luckily, I remembered that they post the "Household Manuals" from "Wife Swap" online. So I looked up the Gosselin manual. And I got what I really wanted -- a glimpse into her schedule with the kids.

I want to know more about her bread-making now. And although she says there is not full-time housekeeper or nanny or whomever, how does she clean that house?

TWINS TUESDAY: Gosselins are back tonight

We get treated to a glimpse of the Gosselin multiples tonight when the Kate-Plus-8 crew returns to television at 8 p.m. tonight. Kate Gosselin will star on tonight's episode of "Celebrity Wife Swap" on the ABC network, swapping with former "Girls Next Door" star Kendra Wilkinson.

Should be interesting, right? Kate has 8 kids and no husband; Kendra has one tot and a husband.

"Wife Swap" can be rather unflattering, so I will be interested to see how this all plays out.

Big Girl & her "Buddy"

Yesterday I saw a little blurb in our local paper about the "Cake Boss," Buddy Valastro. Big Girl is a fan of his cake making, and we already knew he was coming on "tour" to a local venue to talk about baking and family and what not. The tickets were pricey, so I opted out, but yesterday's blurb mentioned that on his way to this show, he was stopping at a little bookstore to sign some cookbooks.

It was about a half hour or less from my house, in a pretty remote area, so I figured it might be a chance for Big Girl to meet him in person. We hopped in the car and arrived 30 minutes early for the signing, securing the 25th spot in line. We picked out one of his books -- the baking one, of course -- and waited. The time passed pretty quickly, Mr. Valastro arrived in a Lincoln Navigator, and we inched forward to the table.

Finally it was Big Girl's turn. She was very shy, but he was so nice, so sweet, greeting her with a "Hello, Beautiful!" and making conversation. I told him he was very inspiring to her, and he said he loved that. He got up for a hug and pic:

He wished us a "Happy Christmas" before we left the table. Such a lovely man! Very, very sweet.

So -- mission completed! -- we checked this off Big Girl's Bucket List. Next up? A visit to Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey. She has already requested that for her birthday day trip next summer.

P.S. The cookbook rocks! We found several recipes that we will be making for Christmas!

Ramona

In the past few days, the 2010 movie Ramona and Beezus has been in our DVD player several times. We all love this move! We hadn't watched it in a while, a long while, so I pulled it out and popped it in the DVD player on Saturday. Much to my amusement, the twins were intrigued and laughed often at Ramona and her "imagination" and antics. (I have learned that anything with kids seems to draw them in!)

"Ramona and Beezus" was based on the Beverly Cleary books about Ramona, including this one:

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Big Girl has read her way through most, if not all, of them. They are very cute, and funny, and I think the movie did a great job of translating the stories to the big screen in an entertaining way. I originally saw it in the theaters with Big Girl, and it quickly became a favorite flick.

There are so many reasons why I love this movie. Let's start with this one:

Family! It is truly a family movie, about a loving family who encounters struggles. Actor John Corbett is great as the father, so great that I think this would be a great movie to watch for Father's Day since it really is a father/daughter film in so many ways.

I love that the family is portrayed as normal -- meaning they live in a small house, nothing fancy. This is so different than so many movies today, when families live in McMansions on perfect little streets. I loved Ramona's little house; just look at the pic above in the tiny living room with a window seat and cozy seating and sweet stairs. It's portrayed as cramped, but that's what makes it normal! The sisters even share a room, which is so unusual in today's real world and movie world, isn't it?

The normal tone continues with the family facing some financially tough times. I always think this is a good lesson for kids to see, especially in our uncertain economy. (This is also one of the reasons I adore the American Girl movie "Kit Kitteridge." I smell a post on this flick in the future!)

The music in the film is so divinely perfect too, from "Walking on Sunshine" to "Hey You/I Love You." My kids were dancing every time we watched it. The wedding/reception scenes are total eye candy too.

Of course, one of our favorite scenes is when Ramona and her dad make the "world's longest drawing." It's Big Girl's absolute favorite part. I love it too, and I love watching her unroll it and seeing how bright and happy the mural is. I searched and searched for a photo of it but could not find one!

And, oh yeah, I also love the movie for this:

Ginnifer Goodwin. Possibly one of my favorite celebrities/actresses EVER. Especially since I am so "Once" obsessed right now.

If you are in need of a flick for family movie night, try "Ramona & Beezus."

"Once" Obsessed

There's a new Sunday night ritual in our house. It involves Big Girl, me, a bowl of popcorn, and a little TV show called Once Upon A Time.

We are obsessed. Offically obsessed with a capital "O."

What used to be "Mad Men" night for me and hubby is now "Once" night for me and Big Girl. And I really like it! It's fun to have something to look forward to at the end of the weekend, sort of like how it was years ago when "The Wonderful World of Disney" was on.

(Funny thing: "Once" is basically Disney show! How cool is that?)

Do you watch it? It's hard to describe, other than it's about fairy tale characters who are cursed and sent to live in Maine and don't remember their fairy tale lives. It's so much more than that, however; telling stories in present and the past, with quirky characters that remind me of past favorite shows like "Northern Exposure" and "Twin Peaks." Apparently, some of the writers were writers on "Lost," and that is fitting for how the show plays out.

The show is currently in its second season, but the first season was recently released on DVD -- in fact, it's on sale at Target this week! ($29.99 for 22 hour-long episodes, plus extras!) The DVD was a special treat for us this week and we are slowly making our way through past missed episodes. Even though we know what will happen, the old episodes are still enjoyable to watch because the fairytale back stories are so rich and beautiful to watch.

My daughter has declared this her favorite new show, and I'm so pleased to have something to share with her. There's not much on TV lately that we can both enjoy -- the days of "Full House" and "The Cosby Show" and "Facts of Life" and "Happy Days" and "The Brady Bunch" are long gone. We sometimes watch Disney Channel shows, but they can wear on my nerves sometimes.

"Once" is also one of those eye candy shows for me -- entertainment that inspires with cool clothes and decorating. I'm really obsessed with the character of Mary Margaret, a.k.a. Snow White (I knew she was always my favorite Disney princess!), who is played by actress Ginnifer Goodwin. (Goodwin was a favorite of mine in the series "Big Love" on HBO, which is now long gone. That was such an interesting drama.)

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Mary Margaret has the coolest Shabby Chic apartment, and dresses in adorable preppy clothing that I want to magically appear in my closet. Where is a good spell when you need one?

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I have now added this necklace to my wishlist, although I just might have to get it for Big Girl. Or maybe one for both of us? :)

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If you want to join our obsession, you can watch Season 2 episodes at this link. Start with "Magic is Coming" to catch up on back stories of the characters (then go out on buy Season 1 to see them all in their full glory!). But the current three episodes online can get you caught up enough to watch Sunday, at 8 p.m., on the ABC network. Don't forget the popcorn!

"Practical Magic" Style

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Every fall, I have the urge to watch "Practical Magic." The movie is just perfect for the Halloween season, with its witch-centered plot.

I am not a horror movie fan at all. I don't like to be scared, or the idea of horrible things happening. "Practical Magic" is a little bit different -- it's got its slightly scary parts. And it's not the best movie on the face of the earth, but it is entertaining. And it's beautifu -- so beautiful: Beautiful scenes, house, etc. Lots of movie eye candy. It's right up there with movies like "You've Got Mail," "The Holiday," "It's Complicated," etc. -- movies where you watch as much to see gorgeous cute home decor as much as to take in the familiar plot.

With "Practical Magic," it's good to know that the book -- by awesome author Alice Hoffman -- is way better than the movie. But every single one of Alice Hoffman's books are just so deeply mesmerizing. She is one of my absolute favorite writers ever, and if her name is on it, I will read it. "Practical Magic" is a great read and the movie can't compare to the greatness of the book. In my mind, it's actually almost a totally different thing.

But that doesn't mean I'm not drawn to watch the movie over and over. So let's return to that film eye candy. Check out this kitchen:

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I could post so many beautiful pics of the film's garden, conservatory, and the little seaside town, but I'll let you see it in the movie.

I must say although the movie is old now, I love the fashion too. Sandra Bullock's lily-of-the-valley cardigan has always been a favorite:

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There is actually an entire blog, "Amas Veritas," about "Practical Magic." The blog has been around for a while, but if you are looking for more information on the movie, it's worth clicking over and checking it out.

Another blog has a great post on the Practical Magic house and sets, with a lot of great photos.

If you haven't seen the movie, the DVD is quite affordable now. You can find it places like Walmart and Target in the $5 selections. But make a promise to yourself to read the book too!