Erica Lea Photography

Classic Movie Review: For Me and My Gal

8/19/09

Movie Quality: 2/5

Moral Rating: 4/5

Trailer: Link

Release Date: 1942

Summary: On the brink of Word War I, Harry Palmer and Jo Hayden, two talented young vaudeville performers, dream of performing at the Palace Theatre, New York. Just as their dream is set to come true, Harry is drafted.

To delay his enrollment in the army, he smashes his hand in a trunk. When Jo, who has just learned of her soldier brother’s death, realizes what Harry has done, she breaks off their engagement and expresses a desire never to see him again.

Stricken with guilt, Harry attempts to enroll in the army, but is denied because his hand is permanently maimed. Depressed and rejected by his friends, he finally decides to help out the best he can – by providing entertainment for the troops.

To learn whether or not he gets his girl, you’ll just have watch the movie (or read a more revealing summary). ;)

Objectionable Content:

Sensuality: Couples kiss several times. Harry and Jo embrace while sitting on the floor.

The ladies’ costumes are not always modest. One costume was deemed too low, so all close-up shots were blurred around the bodice. Jo dances in a skimpy costume.

Language: A few mild exclamations such as “golly” and “darn”.

Violence: The scene where Harry Smashes his hand could be quite frightening to young children. There are a few scenes of war (shooting and wounded men).

Drugs/Alcohol: There are several instances where characters drink.

My Review: My sisters and I really enjoyed this movie. Several of the costumes are lovely and the love story is very cute.

That said, I would not consider this one of my favorite movies, nor would I need to see it multiple times. I would definitely label it as a chic flick, especially since it is a musical. Dad hates musicals. The preachy propaganda for World War II breaks through a little too much for my tastes. And the only number that I really enjoyed was the title song: “For Me and My Gal.”

But, if you would like to see a charming little love story, I think you would enjoy “For Me and My Gal.” Here is my favorite song from the film:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOsCYEGHnME

A Shirt Dress For Elinor

8/10/09

Look at the adorable dress that my sister Katelyn sewed for our niece, Elinor.

Katelyn found the pattern online and has already made two of these cute dresses.

In case you would like to make one for yourself, here’s the pattern.

3 Responses to A Shirt Dress for Elinor

Jen @ MaplenCornbread
August 10th, 2009 at 8:51 pm Moderate
Your sister is so talented!! The dress is beautiful, I love it!!
Coco
August 25th, 2009 at 11:07 pm Moderate
This is so cute! I love the colors!

Nature in Northern Minnesota

8/4/09

A young duck that Dad found trapped in the fence. This was a “Hey, Photographer!” moment. ;)

The apples from our trees.

A nest of baby birds, found in one of our lilac bushes. Another “Hey, Photographer!” moment.

Black Raspberries. Delicious.

5 Responses to Nature in Northern Minnesota…

Jen @ MaplenCornbread
August 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am Moderate
Now those are capturing true beauty at their finest(ok poor ducky, but he was saved!!) moments! :) beautiful!
rachel
August 7th, 2009 at 12:02 am Moderate
My youngest brother sat on my lap and giggled over the little baby birds =) I love how your photos look as if I were right there!!
Janna
August 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm Moderate
That turtle has a ferocious grin! Love that shot.
Anna
August 14th, 2009 at 12:48 pm Moderate
I’ve had a delighted break from meal preparations while absorbing your blog. Lovely.
You photography skills leave me inspired, and I think I may just have to try your knitted dishcloth!
Miz Booshay
August 27th, 2009 at 10:16 am Moderate
Such beautiful nature photography!!!

Sparkler Fun

7/4/09

4 Responses to Sparkler Fun

Rachel
July 4th, 2009 at 10:55 pm Moderate
How fun!!
Your sparkler pictures turned out wonderfully… I unfortunately was not as successful =(
Happy 4th!
zarpandit
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 am Moderate
woooow:) sparkler pictures fun :)
your little sister is sooooooo pretty :)))))
Coco
August 25th, 2009 at 11:58 pm Moderate
those baby birds are priceless! love your site
My Year in Photos | Simple Days
March 30th, 2010 at 3:44 pm Moderate
[...] Sparkler Fun [...]

Little Elinor

6/16/09

5 Responses to Little Elinor

Hannahlee
June 16th, 2009 at 5:46 pm Moderate
Adooooorable shots! Well done. :) Thanks for commenting on my blog – I appreciate it and thought I’d return the favor. :) Love the photo at the top of your layout too. Blessings!
Ruth Knapp
June 16th, 2009 at 10:28 pm Moderate
Soooooo Adorable! :)
Hannah
June 17th, 2009 at 7:11 pm Moderate
I absolutely love your photography!
Erica Lea
June 18th, 2009 at 8:25 am Moderate
Thank you all for your very kind words. They are so encouraging.
A Shirt Dress for Elinor |
August 10th, 2009 at 7:20 pm Moderate
[...] Look at the adorable dress that my sister Katelyn sewed for our niece, Elinor. [...]

Simple Three Strand Braid

6/9/09

I first learned how to braid by making bread. It was so easy to cross the ropes of dough over each other to make French bread. But braiding my own hair was another matter. I would invariably end up frustrated and discouraged. But my sister encouraged me to keep trying, and eventually I succeeded at braiding a (very messy) simple braid.

Here is a tutorial to help you succeed with your first braid.

Simple Three Strand Braid Tutorial

1) Begin with neatly combed hair. There are few things more aggravating than snarly hair.

2) Separate your hair into 3 equal strands and hold them apart with your fingers.

3) Cross the far right strand over the middle strand. This is the new center strand, and the center strand is the new far right strand.

4) Cross the far left strand over the center strand. This is the new center strand, and the center strand is the new far left strand.

5) Continue in this manner (alternately crossing the far right and far left strands over the center strands) until you reach the desired length.

6) Tie off the braid with a ponytail holder, small rubber hair bands, ribbons, or whatever you wish.

This skill is the basis for many different hair styles. Experiment by making two equal-sized braids, making two small braids on either side of your head and gathering them together at the center of your head, coiling the braid into a bun, etc. Be creative!

2 Responses to Simple Three Strand Braid

Simply Vintagegirl
June 12th, 2009 at 12:52 pm Moderate
What a lovely tutorial! The photographs are charming and the hair looks so soft and silky! I have inherited a bit of wildness to my hair (it is curly, but without gel it will be twice the size of my head by the end of the day). :) Once my hair is longer, I will be able to try (again) to do my own braid (when my hair was longer I tried, but it was never satisfactory). This morning I had my dear mother French braid my hair (it is finally long enough! yay!).
I’m not quite sure what kind of strawberries we grow. They are small, but delicious. There is the occasional plant that produces misshapen berries, but still taste good.
Joyfully in Christ,
Emily Rose
Erica Lea
June 13th, 2009 at 12:30 am Moderate
Thank you, Emily!