Another Favorite Author

Lois T. Henderson brought several Bible characters alive for me. I could feel the heat of the day, feel the gut emotions as I lived through danger, deception, fulfillment and glory. Henderson wrote fictional novels based on historical facts.They helped me understand what an incredible Holy God we serve - He used the most unlikely of characters throughout history to proclaim His love and be a part of the drama of the Salvation Story. Reading her novels as a very young woman, just beginning my own Christian walk, helped me realize that all of us have our own story to tell. We, ourselves, are very valuable in the scheme of things ... most importantly, IF we let Him be the author of our own life-story.





Buy, read and enjoy! These are books you will be proud to share with others, guaranteed you and they will come away a better person for having entered this holy ground.

Easter Basket Books for Kiddos

Every year for our kids' baskets we made sure they got a book or two along with their sweet goodies. You know, something we could write the year and the date in and commemorate another year's passing... rejoicing in their growth and development as a child of God. Right now CBD  has some tremendous Springtime deals happening among those being at least 100 books under $5 for children! Here are just a few...

365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories By Daniel Partner Children love Bible stories, especially when they are written in age-appropriate, easy-to-understand language. 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories, written specifically for ages 3 to 8, has a year's supply of the best-loved Bible stories that will delight your children. All the excitement, adventure, history, and spiritual truths of the Bible are skillfully presented. At the end of each story you'll even find questions to help stimulate discussion, and to help precious young minds understand God's Word. Now your can make the most of bedtime with 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories!

The Berenstain Bears Neighbor in Need By Jan & Mike Berenstain The Good Deed Scouts are looking for their good deed of the day when they see Mrs. Grizzle mowing her lawn and decide to help her. Will Mrs. Grizzle let the Good Deed Scouts help her with her yard work? This book is perfect for those just beginning to read with its short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts.

The Week That Led to Easter - Arch Books For more than 35 years, the best-selling Arch ® Books Bible story series has captivated children. Each book presents a complete Bible story in a fun-to-read way children can understand and remember. This book retells the events of Palm Sunday through Easter day (Matthew 21:1-28:10; Mark 11:1-16; Luke 19:29-24:12; John 12:12-20:10). Softcover from Concordia. Recommended for ages 5-9.

Bible Story Hidden Pictures Find the hidden pictures in this Bible story coloring and activity book! Not only can kids color in the reproducible pages, but they also will read the Bible story, then find specific items within the picture. Perfect for both home or classroom use. Recommended for ages 7 to 12.

The Story of the Empty Tomb: John 20 for Children Easter Arch Books By Bryan Davis & Len Ebert For more than 35 years, the best-selling Arch ® Books Bible Story series has captivated children. This book tells of Jesus' resurrection as told in John 20. Fun-to-read rhymes and bright illustrations make this an enjoyable book to read to your children, or have them read on their own. This well-loved series captures the attention of children, telling scripturally sound stories that are pleasurable and easy to remember. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

God I Need to Talk to You about Feeling Sad By Susan K. Leigh A helpful book on helping your children overcome troubles that they encounter in their daily lives. This book takes on sadness, and encourages children to look to God and scripture for help on overcoming their sadness. Written with simple words, through the eyes of a young child.

DVDs are great too!

Quigley, DVD Gary Busey (Lethal Weapon), Curtis Armstrong (Risky Business), Oz Perkins (Legally Blonde), and Christopher Adkins (Blue Lagoon) head up the cast in the fun-filled family adventure about second chances. Archie (Gary Busey) is a billionaire who has everything one could imagine, except for what is most importanta good heart and conscience. Archie experiences a tragic accident and God begins to change his life. Seeing life through the eyes of an adorable white Pomeranian, Archie is sent on a heavenly mission to help his long lost brother and his family, and in the process he saves his own life as well. Rated "G" for General Audiences. Region code 1. Fullscreen. Approx. 90 minutes. DVD Features: Interviews with cast The Making of Quigley The Team Outtakes Trailer

Timeless Lands and Their Stories

We introduced our church family to these series over ten years ago and enjoyed them immensely! Have you ever wished you had the chance to visit the Holy Lands? Ever longed to see, up close and personal, the places where the amazing stories of the Bible took place?
This is just three of the Faith Lessons  DVD packs by Ray Vander Laan. They are fascinating Bible studies done by this tour guide and historian. Filmed in Israel and Turkey where Bible events actually happened, Ray weaves together historical, cultural, and geographical contexts to reveal keen insights into how people in biblical times understood God and Jesus' teaching. Mesmerizing in the way they capture your imagination, before long you'll find yourself 'living' the stories of the Bible in a fuller way than you ever believed. Laughter, tears, and longing are a few of the emotions you'll be experiencing as you journey through the Holy Lands. Discovery Guides lead you & your group further into interpretation and application - great times of discussion for your own family, small group or in congregational settings.

Promised Land Faith Lessons Pack: Discovery Guide and DVD Faith Lesson Packs include the DVD with Leader's Guide plus one Discovery Guide. Order additional discovery guides for each member in your group. Travel to Israel and radically change your understanding of the Scriptures. Wet your feet in the Jordan River and impact the culture with life-giving water. Show your trust in the Lord's provision by offering up first fruits at Jericho. And cleanse the land by confronting evil and using the tools of society to redeem your world for God. In this first volume of the "That the World May Know" series, historian and teacher Ray Vander Laan will show you how God guided his people to a specific place - the Promised Land - to impact the world both in ancient times and today.

Walking with God in the Desert Faith Lessons Pack: Discovery Guide and DVD Faith Lesson Packs include the DVD with Leader's Guide plus one Discovery Guide. Order additional discovery guides for each member in your group. Are you going through a difficult period of life? The loss of a loved one? Unemployment? A crisis of faith? During these desert times, it's easy to think God has disappeared. In this six-session DVD, the 12th volume of the Faith Lessons series, discover that it's only when we are totally dependent on him that we find God is closer than ever.

In the Dust of the Rabbi, Volume 6 (5 sessions) DVD, Revised Follow a rabbi, drink in his words, and be covered in the dust of his feet. So says an ancient Jewish proverb, encouraging disciples to follow right on the heels of their teacher. In this powerful DVD study, journey with Ray on-location to Israel and Turkey. Discover the first-century practice of a Jewish rabbi and his disciples ("talmidim"), and gain new insight into the message of Christ. Curriculum includes a DVD and a Leader's Guide. "Nothing has opened and illuminated the Scriptures for me quite like the Faith Lessons series." - Dr. James Dobson That the World May Know is a registered trademark of Focus on the Family and Faith Lessons is a trademark of Focus on the Family. All rights reserved.

Your Own Family Library

Do you have a home library? 

I don't mean a separate room necessarily, 

but bookshelves scattered here and there.

Shelves, end-tables - places - which hold multiple books for your family? 

I am a firm believer in every family owning their fair share of books. 

Your home should have books for the youngsters as well as the 'oldsters'! 

Start a child’s collection when they are young and

when they grow up and leave your nest

they can start their own home with a personal library.

Let them earn money to buy their own. Pray they ask for them as gifts. 

Babies love books. 

They will start watching you turn the pages of a book in their infancy. 

They love the bright colors. 

They love to pat and learn to turn pages themselves. 

I remember each of my babies turning pages and now 

as independent young adults, they still love to read. 

I know they've turned literally tens of thousands of pages on their own.

Books are silent friends. Good books can help mold the soul in wise ways. 

Books can bring us solace, provide excitement, and 

take us to the far off worlds of enchantment, danger and bravery.  

They can help us realize our dreams and grasp our full potential.

Books help us know we are not alone and can help provide courage to proceed in life. 

Books, used correctly, have great potential.

Choose wisely.

Digging in the Dirt

I love getting my hands dirty. I try to wear gardening gloves but rarely do they stay on for long. Spring and summer finds my nails cut short and inevitably I've got the remnant of dirt around my nails. Flowers, vegetables, herbs ... I love it all. It's not been every year that I've had the opportunity to garden and I don't claim to be good at it. We're in the States now (as opposed to living as missionaries overseas) and I long for a wonderful little vegetable garden of my own! I have a great, albeit small collection of gardening books and a pretty good sized wish list. Here's a few of these little wonders!

A Gardner's Little Devotional Book By Freeman-Smith

Growing Vegetable Soup By Lois Ehlert How do vegetables get from seeds and dirt to delicious soup? Curious readers will thoroughly enjoy this fresh presentation of the gardening cycle. And there's even an easy and tasty soup recipe included! 40 pages, illustrated in color by the author, for preschoolers through grade 3. Hardcover from Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Food for the Soul

Sometimes each of us just needs a dose of motivation to inspire us to be our best self. We need to discover our purpose in life, uncover our talents and live life to the fullest! Do you have your own Magnificent Why? Are you consumed with a passion that will leave a legacy? All I have to say here is:  if you DO know your 'why' then, Hooray!!  If you don't, then search it out and claim it.  Let's do some research. Let's explore ... Use Pathways to help you find your 'why' and start Living your passion today and tomorrow and that will make all you do truly wonderful.

We all are called to make a difference ... find yourself ... and do it with abandon!

Do Something: Make Your Life Count - Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Miles McPherson

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Be brave! Have faith! Follow Jesus with abandon and you just may be surprised where you'll end up and the amazing things you can be a part of!

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat By John Ortberg Far too many of us have put our faith in a casual Christianity that never compels us to leave our comfort zones. But, deep within our hearts we know that Christ has not called us to comfort, but to an exciting, sacrificial and overwhelmingly fulfilling faith. In If You're Going to Walk on Water John Ortberg teaches us how to step out of the "boat" of casual Christianity so that we can faithfully follow the Lord who is calling us out onto the risky, exciting waters of the high seas. Let Pastor Ortberg teach you how to leave your comfort zone for a remarkable life of faith.

F LaGard Smith is one of the moving writers of our time. His writings are always moving and inspiring. I love this little book - peace in a world of turmoil.

Meeting God in Quiet Places: The Cotswold Parables

I've read the book below at least three times - each time I gain a new insight. I've put the prayer models to work as well and have have faith renewed time and time again.

The Life You've Always Wanted, Expanded Edition By John Ortberg The heart of Christianity is transformation---a relationship with God that impacts not just our "spiritual lives," but every aspect of living. John Ortberg calls you back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity---God's power to bring change and growth---and reveals both the how and why of transformation.

The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective By Andy Andrews From the best-selling author of The Traveler's Gift comes an absorbing story of boundless hope! Struggling against poverty, personal failures, and lost dreams, the residents of Orange Beach, Alabama, believe their lives are meaningless. But when an old drifter mysteriously makes his way through town, he brings new perspective---and spots the miracle they're missing! Based on a true story. 167 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

This is one of the very best little books of all times - really! If you're a fan of the old classic movie, It's a Wonderful Life then this book takes that message down into your soul. Tap into those special gifts that make you special and unique and use them to God's glory! You may be surprised what a difference you make in this ol' world!

The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success By Andy Andrews A unique blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration, this book has motivated tens of thousands since its release in late 2002. Now this wildly successful parable is available in an affordable trade paper edition. This thought-provoking book encourages readers of all ages to reach their full potential using these simple keys to success.

The Young Traveler's Gift By Andy Andrews In his senior year of high school, Michael Holder hits rock bottom. Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, he's suspended from the track team and loses his college scholarship. His coach is angry, his parents are disappointed, and he wonders if life is worth living. Will a once-in-a-lifetime journey of discovery stop Michael's downward spiral? 160 pages, softcover from Tommy Nelson.

I'm a huge fan of Norman Vincent Peale's writings. My Dad introduced me to him when I was a kid and I've been inspired by this little book many times. Believe in yourself! Have faith! It's a powerful thing - this little book is a golden nugget!

The Power of Positive Thinking, 50th Anniversary Edition By Norman Vincent Peale The Power of Positive Thinking has helped millions of men and women to achieve fulfillment in their lives. In this phenomenal bestseller, Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life - and give yourself the incentive needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes. You'll learn how to believe in yourself and in everything you do, develop the power to reach your goals, break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life. Paperback.

 And so, now, my prayer for you is that you will be ... Blissfully, and Magnificently Obsessed.

Living With and Surving Grief

Our church family started a new ministry this year offering a wonderful program to people who were dealing with grief as the result of death of a loved one. It has been a very good and fulfilling experience to be involved with this ministry. I've learned so much and I realize sometimes folks don't realize there are many books out there that provide understanding, comfort and empathy when someone really needs it.
Personally, within the past 10 years I lost several of my own family in death and excellent writings helped me understand what I was going through. A part of those grieving times was the experience of two miscarriages. My heart was so heavy and sad. Here are a few of my favorite books and others that may help you or a someone you know in their own time of grieving.

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Everyday Comfort: Meditations for Seasons of Grief, updated edition By Randy Becton People who are mourning the loss of a dear friend or beloved family member often feel alone. And those who want to comfort them can feel inadequate and at a loss for words. In Everyday Comfort, grievers will find thirty daily devotions to help them through their heartache. Respecting the griever's anguish and emotional turmoil, these devotions avoid platitudes and offer genuine empathy and wisdom. Subjects like recovery, facing death, normal grief and abnormal grief, and using the psalms daily will help those who grieve examine the path through despair and take the next steps toward living life again.

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Experiencing Grief By H. Norman Wright Sooner or later, we all face a dark journey - the passage through grief. Written to encourage anybody who's recently endured a loss, this brief, powerful book leads readers through five essential stages: shock, rage, despair, release, and finally peace. A thoughtful gift in lieu of a sympathy card. Paperback.  The following is a book about losing your Mom - no matter how old or young you may be, losing a Mother is one of life's saddest times. I miss my Mom every single day.

With Her and Without Her By Kimber Dailey

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It's Okay to Cry: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children Through the Losses of Life By H. Norman Wright When a child experiences loss, whether it be small (a broken toy) or traumatic (death of a friend or family member), he or she needs to know: it's okay to cry. Here is practical advice and assurance borne of years of experience that will equip you to assist those you love to grieve and to heal.

Our family suffered when I had two miscarriages - they were experiences of heavy grief and sadness. I made a memory book for our babies and because I actually delivered Jonathan with the family around me, we got to hold him, get his little feet prints and do all the precious things as we said our good-byes. The loss of our Jordan was first and definitely more traumatic. I had good friends I could talk with who had gone through the same thing. That helped. It also helped to read several good books.

I'll Hold You in Heaven Remembrance Book

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Grieving the Child I Never Knew: A Devotional Companion for Comfort in the Loss of Your Unborn or Newly Born By Kathe Wunnenberg Grieving the Child I Never Knew offers comfort and the reassurance of God's presence as you grieve the loss of a child you never got to know. If you've lost a child through miscarriage, tubal pregancy, stillbirth, or early infant death, this devotional will encourage you along your healing journey. Each chapter includes a journaling exercise. Hardcover.

It's All About the Money

Well, not really ... life is so much more than money, however, it is wise to use a lot of sense with your dollars and cents. Did you know, the book of Proverbs is filled with God's admonitions on money? Yep, God gives absolute guidelines - read and learn! Also, there are some Christian financial wizards out there who have shared some great, do-able information.  Here we go with a few of my favorites. 
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The ABC's of Financial Freedom By Barry L. Cameron Is your money disappearing into the black hole of debt? Here's just what you need to plug the leak! Offering sound advice for debt-free living, Cameron challenges you to take a hard look at your Attitude toward spending, avoid the Bondage of debt, and make a Choice to follow God's plan for financial freedom. Paperback.

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The ABC's of Financial Success Workbook with CD

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Conquering Debt God's Way

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Contagious Generosity: The Key to Continuous Blessing! By Barry L. Cameron "God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7)." Not only of our monies, but time, talents and abilities. In "Contagious Generosity" Barry L. Cameron shows how a lifestyle of generosity is a normal and blessing-filled way to live the Christian life. By giving generously you can become an agent of God's blessing to others.

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We were a part of a No Debt No Sweat seminar several years back. Steve Diggs has some great information to share and a terrific workbook to help implement his strategies. 

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The Total Money Makeover, Revised and Updated By Dave Ramsey A must-have guidebook for any family wanting to stay financially fit. The success stories speak for themselves and you'll be one of them with an approach that works every time.

Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity By Adam Hamilton Enough is an invitation to rediscover the Bible's wisdom when it comes to prudent financial practices. In these pages are found the keys to experiencing contentment, overcoming fear, and discovering joy through simplicity and generosity. This book could change your life, by changing your relationship with money.

Making money from home is an absolute goal of mine. I've read Donna's books and kept up with her success for several years now - she makes good sense!

Making Money from Home: How to Run a Successful Home-Based Business By Donna Partow  Starting your own business takes courage, maintaining it takes hard work, good council and advice. With Donna's help, you can run a successful home-based business. It's not only possible, it's profitable too!

I've taken a number of video classes and have 'followed' Carrie for almost ten years. Her story and advice is wonderful.

The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom By Carrie Wilkerson Carrie helps you create new streams of income. Discover how to find a target market, develop a brand, establish credibility, maximize technology, avoid common pitfalls, and more.

We'll will be retiring in a few short years ... OR maybe not! We're having to make some lifestyle decisions and good books are a great source of wisdom and knowledge.

The Shortest Book Ever on Saving for Retirement: How to Make Every Dollar Count in Any Financial Climate By James O'Donnell If you're looking to invest for your retirement but you just don't know where to begin or what goals to set for yourself, The Shortest Book Ever on Saving for Retirement is for just you. This refreshed and updated version includes information to better reflect the brave, new economic world we find ourselves in today.

Spiritual Wisdom for Successful Retirement: Living Forward By C.W. Brister, PhD. Spiritual Wisdom for Successful Retirement anticipates the changing events and transitions of retirement, focusing on the need to adapt to this "work in progress."  This powerful book presents real-life stories of people striving to remain engaged in life, open to possibilities, and experiencing intimations of eternity-here and now.

Money Matters for Kids, New Edition By Larry Burkett with K. Christie Bowler In Money Matters for Kids, financial author and teacher Larry Burkett provides fun and creative tools to help children understand and apply the biblical concept of stewardship. Includes jokes, puzzles, and other fun activities and exercises that make it easy for parents to teach children godly money management principles.

The Home-school co-op our son was a  part of used the following to teach finances to the students. Great Class!

Foundations in Personal Finance Home School Kit By Dave Ramsey / The Lampo Group, Inc. A biblical approach to personal finance that teaches high school students about saving, investing, credit, debt, money management, and much more. The Student Workbook is sold separately for those needing additional copies.

Smart Money, Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money By Dave Ramsey & Rachel Cruze / Nelson Books Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze teach parents how to raise money-smart kids in a debt-filled world in their brand new book, Smart Money Smart Kids.

Learning to Live Financially Free By Marybeth Whalen & Curt Whalen Is it time for you to take a personal look at what it takes to live debt free? In this timely new book based on their own financial challenges, Marybeth Whalen and Curt Whalen offer hard-earned wisdom and hope to families who struggle with debt and the consequences of financial mistakes.

So, like I said, these are several suggestions of great books - a few that my family has made a part of our home library. Take a look, read the reviews and see which may right for you. If you're like us, we like a little of this and a little of that and implement what serves us best.
Blessings to you and yours as you seek to find your own financial wholeness.

A 'Must-Have' for Every Family

I love my heritage! I come from a family whose backbone is Christianity and I am so proud of those who stood tall and proud to be called children in this heavenly kingdom. The home I grew up in was filled with books - books you could get lost in for hours. Many of those books were 'Bible themed books'. One of the last gifts from my parents to our family was one of those kind of books - I rediscovered it on our living book shelf the other day. I am enthralled, entranced, captivated by this book. Every home needs a copy.

Books from the Summer

I am a reader. We don't have cable or direct TV and very seldom rent a video. We read to relax. Well, I read to enjoy, pass the time and I just love it! Some folks don't like to read - it's just not in their genes I guess. Reading a good book is so desirable to me that I usually read  as a reward to myself once I've gotten some necessary things checked off my 'to-do' list. Sometimes I set the timer, like I did today just to not have a guilty feeling about reading. The book I'm into right now is the 3rd one down but each of these held me under their spell. Each of these are 'Christian' fiction so I can read without worrying about getting my senses too upset. Like, I hate profanity in novels; and sensual sex scenes; and blood and guts horror. I love a good romance, a tense mystery who-done-it, or a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense and you can have all that without compromising your moral code. I don't just read Christian fiction but anyone, anywhere could truly enjoy these three page turners!

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To Know Her by Name, Rocky Mountain Memories Series #3 By Lori Wick Who is this woman? McKay Harrington wondered. After chasing and killing an outlaw in the Boulder foothills, Harrington finds himself critically wounded and dependent upon a mysterious woman named Callie. When Harrington returns to his job at the Treasury Department, an unexpected encounter reveals a dangerous masquerade... Can McKay Harrington penetrate the wall of secrecy surrounding Callie? What about the love growing in his heart for this woman of mystery? 0-0-0-0-0

The Brushstroke Legacy By Lauraine Snelling Everything else in her life may be crumbling, but Ragni's determined to restore her great-grandmother's cabin in the Badlands. Working with her rebellious teenage niece, Erika, she begins to uncover the art---and life---of Nilda, the family matriarch. How can Ragni and Erika have so much in common with someone who lived in the 1900s?

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The Still of Night, Repackaged Edition By Kristen Heitzmann High school sweethearts long ago, Jill and Morgan loved and lost both each other and the baby Jill gave up at birth. Now successful, Morgan is still haunted by the memory of their child. Then Jill shows up with disturbing news. Can two wounded souls find healing---and one another---after so many years?

We're Always Reading!

We're always reading something in this house. We live in Honduras right now and unfortunately, most of my books are in our storage back in NC ... However, I've been borrowing our son's books and they are pretty good.

I finished up The Bartimaeus Series - it was actually our son's books but when you are on a search for something to read you go for what you can find. I actually enjoyed it a lot. In fact, I was finished with them and wanted more - I think that is a sign of a good read. 

Do your kids read? Do you read their books or just let them 'go it alone'? 

Just like on the internet, I believe it's a wise thing to know what your children are involved in. Books can do great things for a child - from toddler age all the way up through their teen years. I know I am affected by books. It is the same with a child's heart. Some books can be downright disheartening. Some books are inspirational. The bottom line for me is this: are virtues being learned? are goodness and mercy being fought for and most important of all - lived out by the 'heroes' in the story?

Our Newest Quest ...

Renovation of the Heart
It seems our family always has a book on our "Gotta Get This" list
- and this is the newest one.

Some Favorite Movies ... Way Old but, GOOD!

Okay, so I am going to share with you some of my very favorite movies ... some are way old but hey, even though they may not be 'classics' they are great to me!

The Air Up There is a fun Kevin Bacon film sports film that's really more a culture-clash comedy and since we lived in Africa it was really cool to see the street and village scenes.  He plays an assistant coach at the college-basketball level who's looking for that big, big recruiting score and finds it in a distant African village.







Tom Selleck ... whoohoo, need I say more? Seriously, Quigley Down Under has been a family favorite for years. Selleck plays Matthew Quigley, the cowboy hero in this basically Western film, but, with a twist it's set in gorgeous Australia. The story has interesting twists and turns with some scenes that are truly heartbreaking, exciting, and just overall memorable. You'll be laughing, crying and rooting for the good guy! I love it, from beginning to end! If you've never seen it or not added it to your own library, get it today 'cause, it's a keeper.






Oh me, oh my I LOVE these two films!

The first time I saw The Man From Snowy River, was on a luxury bus in Argentina with about 30 or so others as we were heading up to a missionary retreat. Our three big kids were just little guys then and we were on our way to beautiful Cordoba. Oh, yeah, the movie ... well, it wasn't the best of circumstances for watching a pretty intense, exciting, wonderful movie but I enjoyed it enough to realize I would be watching it again. When I did, I loved it! (and every time I watch it I remember the ones around me the first time ... ah, good times)

The story is captivating, the landscapes are gorgeous and some of the scenes are absolutely spectacular. If you ever loved horses or are a sucker for a good love story, then you will for sure love these films. You know how some sequels are just not as good as the first? Well, with these, Return to Snowy River, is not a disappointment.
These are definitely a great add to any home collection!











Okay this next one is a fav of so many people - and if you love this movie, you probably have some lines memorized ... it's a classic love story full of swash-buckling adventure, sword-play, intense drama and the inevitable happily ever after ...

Mike Stone's review put it well ...."So now that I am 27 instead of 13, and know back-to-front the filmmographies of all the actors involved, and have seen the film more than a dozen times, and can quote lines from it at the drop of a hat, do I find it any less appealing than on that first viewing? Of course not. Goldman and Reiner's film rewards multiple viewings, with its wit, its playfulness, and most importantly, its subversiveness. Will there ever be a time when I tire of watching it? A time like that is right now, as Vizzini might say, "inconceivable" ... "
 Our family has seen The Princess Bride numerous times and will without a doubt do so again. Surely, you have this movie already but just in case you don't, then hurry, don't delay, get it today!

Okay, here is one you may not have heard of - it's a Hallmark film - we used to be a part of their club - and we got some great selections in our library during that time. My sister, Jonell, was Downs Syndrome and so, I have always had a soft spot for films that deal with special needs people and their caregivers.

 The Boys Next Door,  is truly a lovely story ... it takes you into the home of 4 very dear men  and their social worker (Tony Goldwyn - it's so cool to see him in this role after his evil role in Ghost) and lets you see a little of the life they live. The acting is superb ... I mean, just incredible. The actors that play the roles of these mentally challenged people ... well, this had to be a role of a life-time for each of them.

I LOVE this movie and you will too. 




I just mentioned another of the best films of all times ....



Ghost is a movie I will always love. Romance, high drama, mystery, intrigue, a little bit of horror, and of course, Whoopi Goldberg is fabulous, and provides the wonderful comic relief in the story, as a con artist who finds herself with a 'gift' to give.

The film is rated PG-13 because of scenes of violence and yep, there's the very sensuous clay sculpting scene to the tune of "Unchained Melody"(who can ever forget that?!)

If you have already seen this movie, and know it's one that you will watch over and over then, this great DVD is a bargain. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth a try and will keep everybody involved for the entire length of the film.

Go for it and enjoy!

On the lighter side ... every so often I love a good old-fashioned comedy ... and this is what this next one is. 

The Gods Must Be Crazy is pretty much a one-of-a-kind film. I really don't think it was expected to become the international hit that it was ... but that's what happened. If you're one of the few who have not seen this 1980 (released in 1984 in the U.S.) riveting tale set in Africa then you have really, truly missed out! There is really 3 stories going on at once ... story one involves a bushman whose discovery of a Coke bottle causes all kinds of mishaps among his tribe, story two concerns an awkward romance between a clumsy field scientist and a sweet, pretty schoolteacher, and the third plot involves a group of terrorists on the run. Slapstick, satire, romance, violence--it's all here in a somewhat silly but entertaining movie. 

There was a sequel, The Gods Must Be Crazy II that followed four years later. Jamie Uys, who produced and directed the film, has a small cameo in the beginning as the reverend who asks Steyn to go pick up Ms. Thompson.

These two movies put one in mind of the old slap-stick comedies of days and days gone by.

Definitely, both make for a great family evening of fun times!






Now this next one is so much fun and I love, love, love it ... the first time I saw it I was so pleased with our evening out. It was such a good date for Lowell and me and if anyone is going to make the effort to go out then you definitely don't want to be disappointed with your choice of movie. I remember leaving the theater smiling. So, buying this for your home library is a good selection!



 Crocodile Dundee makes for a evening of delight. It's a feel-good, old-fashioned love story that is filled with the unexpected, moves at a fast pace and is highly entertaining.


If you love the character, Paul Hogan, you need this boxset. Our kids grew up watching this movie so it holds a special place in our hearts. Great comedy along with fun, family feel-good. It's a winner.



The sequels were just OK in my opinion – they're basically all about the absurdity of Dundee's antics and Hogan is great throughout – just no real depth.




Well, that's all for today - just a few oldies but definite goodies. Hope you enjoy!