Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, or as I like to call it, Resurrection Sunday! My prayer for today is that you would all be blessed as we are reminded of the weight of the accomplishment of the cross. Because He lives, so also may we live, forever, amen!

Holiday Inn on the Fourth of July!

One of my favorite musicals of all-time is Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn! It was released in 1942 and is still a joy to watch Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire compete for the adorable Marjorie Reynolds. One of my favorite aspects of the film is that although it is shown most during the Christmas season, it contains special scenes from so many Holidays that it is worth viewing at almost anytime of the year. Especially with songs like 'Let's Start The New Year Right', 'Be Careful, It's My Heart', 'Easter Parade' and 'I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For'. There are even two songs for Independence Day! They are so full of fun and energy, I just had to share these scenes with you the day before the Fourth of July!

Bing croons out 'Song of Freedom' in his classic baritone.



Fred masterfully taps his way through 'Say It With Firecrackers'.


If you've never had the chance to see Holiday Inn, be sure to pick up a copy! Below are links to purchase it as a single disc or 3 disc special edition. I definitely recommend the 3 disc set if you don't mind splurging a little for a new copy, but they are about the same price used. Either way, you won't go wrong - the movie is a pure delight and one I have watched many times over the years!


Check out more patriotic movies on our Pinterest board!

Garfield & Friends - Heatwave Holiday

Happy 1st of July everyone!!! It's the middle of Summer, half way to the end of the year, 4 days away from Independence Day (for us Americans) and the beginning of Christmas in July. Well, I don't know about everyone else, but it's been HOT HOT HOT in this part of the country! We've had several days around 100 degrees and like Garfield, when it's hot, ya gotta think cool. Enjoy this animated short, Heatwave Holiday, which originally aired on the Garfield & Friends Saturday morning TV show.

Happy Columbus Day!

Happy Columbus Day to my fellow Americans! Of course this is an important day in our country's history, as it was a defining moment which led to America as we know it today. Would just like to share a couple things for both adults and children to enjoy.

To begin with, here is a link to the History Channel's website, where you can find lots of video clips and info on Christopher Columbus:


http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day

And here is a really cute and informative animated short to teach kids about Christopher Columbus and the events leading up to his famous voyage across the sea to America. Of course it's a simplified version, but I think it's very well done and quite entertaining!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day...we honor and thank all of those who have served or are currently serving in the US Military for their great sacrifice.

Halloween Light Show!

We all know, there is no end to the fun stuff you can find on YouTube! Here are a couple songs from a clever Halloween light show I stumbled upon. Can't imagine how long it takes to program something like this, but it sure is fun to watch. There are plenty more light shows like this that can be found on YouTube to watch. Or if you are feeling really inspired you might consider doing your own light show! If so, Light-O-Rama is the perfect website to get you started. Enjoy the show!

Music For All Seasons

Just wanted share a project that both my co-author Kristin and I worked on together! A while back I completed a mini concept album called "Seasons". It contains 6 tracks that explore the 4 seasons and how they reflect different stages of life.

I recently put together videos for all 6 tracks, featuring gorgeous seasonal photos taken by Kristin in a New England setting. The only exception is the set of photos for "Summer", which were taken by me at the Great Lakes, Pacific Ocean & Atlantic Ocean. To highlight this glorious time of year I have chosen to post the entire set of videos from Seasons via YouTube. My greatest hope is that the lyrics will speak to you and bring to mind the elements of each season.

For more info visit these websites:
Jakki Jelene Official Website
Kristin Small Photography

Monster Madness At Cinemassacre!

Every year Cinemassacre founder, James Rolfe (aka the Video Game Nerd), does a video series called Monster Madness for the entire month of October. Starting today, he will post a new video exploring a popular horror movie every day of the month. This year is SEQUEL-A-THON, which features an in depth look at one horror movie franchise each week, spanning the 30s to the 80s. Here is the trailer for 2011:



Kicking off the first week is Frankenstein, so if you are a fan of classic or modern horror, Monster Madness is not to be missed! Be sure to stop by each day if you don't want to miss out on this must-see Halloween tradition. For those who can't get enough Monster Madness, you can also revisit videos from year's past!



http://cinemassacre.com/category/moviereviews/monstermadness/

Warning: Contains graphic material, due to the nature of the subject.

Drive-In Movie Ads

Summer isn't over yet, but I'm sure you've managed to check off a few things from your must-do list for the season. One thing is an absolutely MUST - did you remember to hit your local drive-in? If not, I strongly encourage you to make time to pile the family in the car, or make it a romantic venture for two, as the drive-in is where you will certainly make memories to last a life time!

As I mentioned in a previous post [LINK], this is one of my very favorite summer activities, and living in San Diego allows me the luxury to enjoy it all year. Although it's nice to go to a theater, there is nothing quite like rolling down the windows, cranking the car stereo and munching away on snacks to a double feature.

One of the things I especially enjoy about drive-ins is the feeling of stepping back in time. Most have changed very little over the years, including those great ads they play before the film and during intermission. Just for fun, I thought it would be great to look back on some of these classic ads, and hopefully it will inspire some to support their local drive-in while they are still around!







Can't get enough of drive-in nostalgia? Check out this great documentary called "Drive-In Movie Memories", as aired on PBS and starring Leonard Maltin or this DVD with 136 hours of "Classic Drive-In Intermission Ads"!



[RELATED POST: Support Your Local Drive-In]

Patriotic Performances

America's Independence Day is just days away. No one will disagree that this country has had its shares of ups and downs, but as a people we understand the concept "That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". No matter how far we may stray, the citizens of this great country have gone back to this simple truth. We're going through some troubled times, with plenty of uncertainty of the direction we're heading in. What better time than now to focus our attention to the essential truths that make this country great? I hope these incredible patriotic performances by the impeccable Mormon Tabernacle Choir will help inspire you to remember what this great nation is all about and hopefully encourage a longing for more of it.

THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC


AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL


SALUTE TO THE ARMED FORCES


MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE


GOD BLESS AMERICA


THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND


THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER


For more patriotic music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choice:

An American Classic

Celebrating Our Nation's Birthday

In honor of our most patriotic holiday -- the birthday of our nation -- I want to share a video. This former marine graced a Tea Party group with the rarely-heard 4th verse of our national anthem. Quite an education and reminder for us all. We are indeed a nation built on Christian principles that, from the beginning, sought the grace and will of our Lord.

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Elf Yourself!

ElfYourself, courtesy of JibJab and Office Max! This has become a hilarious family tradition . . . try it -- it's free!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Disney Parks Are Getting In A Holiday Mood!

Disneyland is gearing up for the 2009 Holiday season! Here are a couple videos to get you in the Holiday mood as well!