7 quick takes: good films & television shows for teen girls

We have two lovely teen daughters in the house (15 and 14, both with July birthdays, gulp). I wrote a blog post on movies for 12 year olds that was either well-received or I was blasted for how liberal I am or others thought I am way too conservative...I thought I would share some media that I am permitting the girls to see now or in the near future. 

1. They haven't seen some good classics like Ben Hur. What do you think of The Agony and the Ecstasy? Also, I think they would enjoy The Scarlet & the Black after traveling in Germany and learning about World War II more concretely last summer. And I cannot forget one of my all-time favorites: Rope.

2. Pride & Prejudice- they are reading their way through Austen, so I thought they would like to watch one of the movie versions. I like all of the ones I have seen.

3. I am really debating about this one: a rare movie version of the Shakespeare play Cymbeline. My girls just completed performing this with their Shakespeare class. The cast looks good, I especially enjoy seeing Ed Harris. Ethan Hawke as Iachimo is getting top billing, but the character is not that big. A month ago it was called 'Anarchy' and was rated PG-13, now it is back to its original name and rated R. We'll probably wait for the video so I can watch it before they do. 

4. Thoroughly Modern Millie- They got the dvd for Christmas from family! It has to be good! Filmed in 1967 with Julie Andrews and Carol Channing and rated G, I'm not sure it would get a 'G' now.

5. For Lent, Jesus of Nazareth- my teens have not seen The Passion of the Christ yet. Every family is different. I am 'liberal' in some ways, 'conservative' in other ways. I do know some conservative Catholic families who permit their pre-teens and younger children to watch Tolkien book films and The Passion because of the themes of good overcoming evil and the fact that there are strong Catholic connections. I try to tell my children that they are living in the golden age of media. Even when mama says they cannot watch something, there will be a future time when they can see it digitally. Not like the old pre-cable days. Do you remember watching Wizard of Oz once a year? In any case, we will stick with this classic for now, even though I am 99.9% certain that Jesus does not have blue eyes...

6. The Drop Box- This will show in our town for three days in early March. It is a documentary about a South Korean pastor who is saving abandon babies with a drop box at his church. I imagine it to be a bit like a library book return. 

7. Poirot and Murder, She Wrote- These are the sort of shows that I have to yell at the girls for clicking on the next episode. David Suchet as Poirot is impeccable; I will not be surprised if a daughter brings home a small-mustached future boyfriend (years and years from now, of course). And lovely Murder, She Wrote. Did you know that there are 264 episodes? But the theme music brings back such good high school memories. Cabot Cove was certainly a dangerous spot to live, but I would still live there, hoping to bump into Mrs. Fletcher at the grocery store.

a good book a day- 7 favorite spiritual books

1. Introduction to a Devout Life- by St Francis de Sales

  

2. On Marriage and Family Life- by St John Chrysostom

 

3. 101 Questions & Answers on Eastern Catholic Churches by Edward Faulk

4. When the Church was Young: Voices of the Church Fathers by Marcellino d'Ambrosio

5. The Joy in Living- Mother Theresa of Calcutta

6. The Sunday Sermons of the Church Fathers

7. The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Hunt

check out the post below for my little ones announcing the winner of the 'Angel in the Waters' book giveaway!

more quick takes at conversion diary

a good book a day and giveaway via Sophia Institute Press- Angel in the Waters

Angel in the Waters written by Regina Doman with illustrations by Ben Hatke is one of those read-aloud books. You, mama, will be innocently reading it as a bedtime story to your little ones and then get that lump in your throat. You cough a bit, hoping they don't notice. You continue reading. Then a little something in your eye makes you wipe it. You read on in a slightly wobbly voice.

And then the oldest little one, usually about seven, pipes up: "What's wrong, mama? Are you crying?"

Why yes, beloved son, I am.

 

"In its mother’s womb, a tiny baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there. These gentle illustrations and wise words tell the story of that baby and the angel in the waters — a story that will delight all young children because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too." (from SIPress)

buy it now from the above affiliate link, through Sophia Institute Press and/or enter the giveaway!

To enter giveaway- answer me this in the comment box below (anonymous comments are possible, but you will need a name to identify yourself and an email to contact you by):

Which book makes you laugh or cry aloud....really?

a good book a day for 31 days- Take Joy

Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book is, alas, out of print, but it is well-worth the search to purchase it. There are many Tasha Tudor books available in print, but this one is the ultimate- beautiful illustrations, poems, stories, recipes, and songs with the sheet music.

I have great memories of my Granny Hatty reading from it. It is a collection of stories of a much simpler time, and Tasha Tudor (1915-2008) strove to live like the 1800s even though she is a modern author. Her world of gingerbread and marionettes might not exist anymore, but at Christmastime, many people love to return to tradition. This book is an essential part of our Christmas. 

 This book should be read: when you want to remember the holidays of old and make new traditions from old ones

This book is special because: it is the perfect Christmas book - both a reference book and one to cuddle up and read on a winter's night

Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book

Austrian quick takes

Here is the chapel in Gaming, Austria with its 'new' ceiling; the photo below shows the original Gothic ceiling. One just has to climb 144 stairs to see it! They are standing on the Baroque ceiling. I was based here in gaming for four years, yet I had never seen this well-known secret. Sometimes it is nice to be tourists in a familiar place.

 the beautiful Byzantine Catholic chapel under construction at the International Theological Institute

 pretty awesome pool complex for a town of under 4,000 people- don't you agree?

 at the children's museum at Schonbrunn Palace

  

sorry Mozart! I know the US dollar is weak, but we didn't change enough money into Euros! 

Party of 5 at the oldest public zoo in the world- We enjoyed sharing some schnitzel and dobos cake in this beautiful folly at the old center of the zoo.

Giveway Winner!

& the winner is...

Susan Kolosionek!

Thanks for all the entries...maybe next time I can have more than one winner. Please take a look at my brother-in-law's website, Veronikon. He is a father to many little ones and a very talented artist that prays while he creates! In hippy language, the art you buy will have 'good vibes!' With the cost of silver and other precious materials increasing, you might prefer to purchase one of his reliefs made out of plaster. I just love ours. It has a place of honor at our icon corner.

Susan, send an actual address to remnantofremnant@gmail.com!