School’s out for summer and I couldn’t be happier! We’re celebrating tonight with a pizza party, homemade vanilla ice cream sundaes and we’re watching “Dazed and Confused”, which is our last day of school tradition.
Hello, Summer! We are more than ready for YOU!
{Deena Martin as ‘Shavonne’, Christine Harnos as ‘Kaye’, and Michelle Burke as ‘Jodi’ in a publicity still from Dazed & Confused, 1993 found HERE}
I am fully aware that we are no longer in the season of Christmas; in fact we are just about to flip the calendar over to April. This is a post I had been working on in the weeks leading up to December, but as with many things these past few months, some pots have to move to the back burner and this was a pot that got moved and turned to low. However, we are currently in the season of Lent and as “fish” is still playing a prominent role and my love for Christmas doesn’t begin and end in December, I’ve rationally reasoned that I can just slip this in under the wire and so I’m running with that.
More than a year ago now, back in late October of 2019, I was scanning through YouTube in search of a clip for a piece I was writing. A movie trailer popped up in the suggested list and I was amused by the title, so I clicked on it. Before the trailer even finished, I knew this was a film that I had to see. I showed it to Mr. Michie that evening and he was in complete agreement. So, one Friday night, curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn between us we watched it. We laughed, we cried, we recognised these characters in front of us and then we watched it again and after that we watched it again and after that… well you get the drift.
We discerned after our first screening, but that thought became more solidified with each successive viewing, that we would be making our family watch this over the Christmas holidays when we were all together (*This was Pre-Covid when we could move freely). One side of my family is loud, crazy and Italian. All of our events revolve around food, but doesn’t everyone’s? This movie resonated with me, it spoke to my soul. I know these people, I know this town, I understood Tony’s reservations about letting someone else peer into the idiosyncrasies of his family. Every family has their own dynamic and letting someone else have entry into that world is a very personal thing, it’s a baring of your soul.
One evening, after Christmas day, by the twinkle of the lights on the tree, we sat everyone down and pressed PLAY. The rest, as they say, is history. Like us, they were hooked. It has truly become one of my parent’s favourite movies of the past year. So much so, that they have bought it, watched it repeatedly and told everyone else about it. This movie isn’t a secret that you keep to yourself. Personally, I’ve watched this movie in parts here or there, or fast forwarded to a favourite scene at some point almost every day of 2020, that’s still happening in 2021. It has been one of the many things that has gotten us through this current period with humour.
Feast of the Seven Fishes, is a charming, comically and tenderly crafted story with a lot of heart and soul. I feel that I know each of the characters. The clothes, the cars and the sets are perfect, down to the tiniest detail. The grandparent’s house is inviting and cozy, you believe this family truly lives there, it’s like being at your actual Nonni’s house. The Christmas tablecloth draped over the small dinette set in the kitchen, the angel card stuck on the avocado hued fridge and the ceramic tree with it’s jewelled toned lights glowing on the counter are all the little touches that seamlessly work to enhance and flesh out each scene alongside an outstanding ensemble of actors. Like a real family, their expressions say more at times than their words do.
Robert Tinnell has written a story about life, home, family, relationships, love, good food and the people you meet along your journey. I don’t care if you come from a crazy Catholic Italian family or not, this movie will speak to you. At its heart, it is simply about family and everyone can relate to that.
Do yourself a favour and go watch this movie!
Boun Natale!
The following are two conversations I found interesting, you might too:
Conversations with the cast and director of Feast of the Seven Fishes
The FEAST Podcast: A conversation with director Robert Tinnell
“True love is the greatest thing, in the world — except for a nice MLT — mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe.”
Billy Crystal as Miracle Max,The Princess Bride, 1987
I hope wherever you are today that you are surrounded by LOVE in all its many shapes and forms. 💖
As Rod Stewart croons, “Tonight’s the night!”. We’re going on a date to see Solo: A Star Wars Story. And I can’t wait! Popcorn, holding hands with Mr. Michie, a tub of these heavenly chocolate covered honeycomb bites our movie theatre sells to share, all equals happiness to me!
Here’s to the weekend, long may it last!
{I snapped this image of the movie poster on my morning run. I love its old school look!}
We went on a movie date Saturday night. I had booked the tickets weeks ago in advance to surprise Mr. Michie. It was a packed house. The atmosphere was buzzing! We ate popcorn, held hands and just breathed it all in.
We’re still digesting it. A lot happened. I was very happy in the way some things were portrayed. But that’s all I’ll say. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else.
{Image FOUND}
Above are the remnants of our Halloween table last night. I like table decor that you can also eat!
We feasted on fall favourites, munched on candy, listened to a great Halloween playlist on Spotify and then made our way down to the movie theatre. The night was cold, the sky was cloudy, the moon was playing peek-a-boo; it was perfect!
We went to see The Lost Boys. That’s about as scary as I get for Halloween. We feasted on popcorn and candy and after the movie slowly made our way home before the bewitching hour had begun.
This morning, we awoke to the news of another terrorist attack. This one was at our back door, in our beloved London.
Lately, I feel that we need superheroes more than ever. Never doubt their existence. For it was superheroes walking among us, who last night in the onslaught of the attack, ran to people’s aid.
On Friday, we had an afternoon movie date to see the new Wonder Woman film. It was WONDERful! I have long been a Diana Prince fan. I grew up watching the gorgeous Lynda Carter, spin into Wonder Woman over my morning bowl of cereal as a kid.
Personally, I feel that Wonder Woman’s message is one of extreme paramount importance. Her message is that you can be strong and powerful, but kindness and more crucially love are equally valuable qualities to possess.
Therefore, each time we wake up to another atrocity, we must continue to stand strong and walk forward with kindness and love. We will not cower. We will not back down. We will continue forward, for it is the only way to go.
{Image: Found}
One of my favourite ladies is 95 years young today! I think tonight calls for a little celebration. We’re gonna curl up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and watch a classic. I’m thinking With Six You Get Eggroll, or The Thrill of it All, or maybe Move Over, Darling?
I’m late out for my walk this morning. I normally go when it’s still dark, but I got caught up in doing things around the house. I’ve mopped the bathroom and kitchen floors and replied to a few e-mails and chit-chatted with my postmen after he knocked on our door with a bundle of parcels in his hands for us. It is one of those days where I can’t seem to get ahead. I’m doing things, but that creates another pile of items to be sorted. I’ll get there in the end.
It’s damp outside and raining, it feels like a Friday. The air has that feeling. I’ve been singing along to Christmas tunes while I clean. It makes my heart happy. The weekend is up for grabs. We have a few errands to run on Saturday and I’m working on a grocery list for the week ahead. I have a new recipe that I want to try from a cookbook that Mr. Michie surprised me with.
Mr. Michie had a late school night last night and so when he got home, we ate breakfast for dinner. I made brown sugar and maple syrup roasted apples and sausages with clementine zest, cheese grits and a pan of buttermilk biscuits. He was very happy. After dinner we cozied up on the couch and watched Love Actually. That movie always puts me in a good mood.
Here’s to the weekend! Long may it last!
