Cover of The Ultimate Gift

Rated:  G

Director:  Michael O. Sajbel

Run Time:  114 minutes

Age Recommendations:  All ages

Main Characters:  Jason, Emily, Mom, Mr. Hamilton

Plot:  A rich man dies and all his family care about is how much they get from his estate.  All are left to carry on the way they are with the Board of Trustees handling the inheritance, except for one grandson, Jason.  He was left with the Ultimate Gift.

Theme:  Because of his grandfather’s ultimate gift, Jason goes from being a selfish rich boy who only cares about money, to a caring unselfish loving human being.

Good Points:

• Keeps your interest.
• It will make you cry a feel good cry.
• Rather than telling all the things at the beginning, your understanding becomes greater as the movie unfolds.
• The music and scenery moves the movie along and brings your heart into the movie.
• The actors are well chosen.

Downfalls:

• No downfalls.  It was one of those movies that just made you feel good and glad that you saw it.

Buy/Rent/Skip:  Buy:  after watching this movie the “Ultimate Gift” would be different for each person but for me it seemed to be the gift of life.  A good life spent doing good things.  Buy it and discover what your “Ultimate Gift” would be.

The Ultimate Gift

The Ultimate Gift is a tale of one man’s tumultuous journey toward personal growth and fulfillment. Surrounded in life, and death, by avaricious family members fueled by a sense of entitlement, billionaire Red Stevens (James Garner) wants to bequeath at least one member of his extended family “the ultimate gift”: something he perceives as immensely more valuable than material wealth. Red’s arrogant grandson Jason (Drew Fuller) holds a deep-seated hatred for his newly-deceased grandfather, so he’

List Price: $ 14.98

Price: $ 5.85

Cover of Shrek (Full Screen Single Disc Edition)

Director:  Andrew Adamson

Vicky Jenson

Rated:  PG

Run Time:  90 Minutes

Age Recommendations:  8 and up

Main Characters:  Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and Lord Farquaad

Plot:  When Shrek discovers that his swamp has been taken over by fairy-tale creatures, he travels to Dulac to reclaim his home.  Lord Farquaad promises if he rescues Princess Fiona from the dragon’s keep, he can have his swamp back.  Along with Donkey, he rescues the Princess and begins his journey home.  Along the way Shrek falls in love with Princess Fiona, but she is hiding a terrible secret of her own and she thinks that Shrek will not love her if it is discovered.

Theme:  Beauty is what is beyond the skin, and everyone deserves true love.

Good Points:

• The characters are extremely expressive and the dialogue pokes fun at some of our most beloved fairy tales.
• The donkey steals the show.  Eddie Murphy did an excellent jobs.
• The animated scenery was amazing.
• Karaoke at the end of the movie is hilarious.

Downfalls:

• A lot of the jokes (toilet humor) are inappropriate for young children.

Buy/Rent/Skip:  If you ever thought that you were an ugly duckling, this movie is for you.  It is a typical Mike Meyers film (toilet humor), so if you are not a fan of Mr. Meyers, skip the movie entirely.

Shrek (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Bienvenue dans le monde du conte de fée irrévérencieux. Shrek est un pied de nez à toutes les merveilleuses histoires de notre enfance. En contant les aventures d’un ogre vert, d’un âne et d’une princesse aussi mal dégrossie que Blanche-Neige était délicate, le studio de production de Steven Spielberg a misé sur la pure fantaisie et l’humour décalé. Ce qui donne une petite merveille du genre. Tout au long de son parcours, Shrek rencontre des personnages magiques pris à contre-courant

List Price: $ 29.98

Price: $ 9.54

Knit Glove Finger Puppets

Materials:

Finger puppets (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A pair of gloves for each person, preferably a lighter color

Colored Markers

Tiny google eyes

Colored felt

Velcro

Yarn

Craft Glue

Scissors

Instructions:

Cut the gloves at the base of each finger.

Glue the yarn to the top of the puppet creating the hair.

Attach two eyes

Cut out the felt for the clothing, dresses, pants, shirts, swimsuits, etc.

Cut off a tiny piece of Velcro and glue to each piece of clothing, making each article of clothing interchangeable for each finger puppet.

Decorate the face using the colored markers

Pick an outfit for each puppet.

Have fun!

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts is packed with ideas for sprucing up your living space; concocting fabulous, all-natural body products; designing your own unique stationery; and creating countless other crafts that will convince your friends and loved ones that you’re the secret love child of Martha Stewart (only much, much cooler). Forget crocheted doilies and itchy knit sweaters — TLC’s While You Were Out top designer Mark Montano has created stylish and imaginative projects that range from a War

List Price: $ 19.95

Price: $ 10.25

 

Mongolian Beef with rice and noodles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MONDAY

Zesty Chicken Rice Dinner

1 lb. Boneless chicken, cut into strips

2 tbsp. oil

1 can of chicken broth

1 can of tomato sauce

1 can of corn, drained

1 ½ c. minute rice

½ c. cheese, grated

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 bell pepper, cut into strips

Tortilla chips

Cook and stir chicken in hot oil in large skillet until lightly browned.  Add broth, tomato sauce and seasoning mix.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer 5 minutes.  Add corn and bell peppers.  Bring to a full boil.  Stir in rice.  Cover and remove from heat.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork.  Serve with cheese and chips.

TUESDAY

Pot Roast and Gravy

2 tbsp. oil

4 lb. beef chuck roast

½ tsp. pepper

4 medium onions, quartered

4 stalks celery, cut into pieces

1 bay leaf

2 beef-flavor bouillon cubes

1 ½ c. hot water

6 medium potatoes, halved

6 medium carrots, cut into pieces

3 tbsp. flour

¼ cold water

Salt to taste

Heat oven to 325.  In roasting pan, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown meat about 5 minutes on each side.  Drain excess fat.  Sprinkle pepper on all sides of meat.  Add 1 onion, 1 stalk of celery and bay leaf to meat.  Dissolve bouillon in hot water; pout half bouillon around meat. Bring to a boil cover.  Bake at 325 for 60 minutes.  Add remaining vegetables; cover and bake an additional 60-75 minutes.

To prepare gravy, place meat and vegetables on warm platter; cover loosely to keep warm.  Measure drippings from the pan.  Skim off the fat, if desired.  Add reserved bouillon to drippings.  Add flour mixed with cold water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixtures thickens and boils.

WEDNESDAY

Sweet and Sour Pork

1 tbsp. shortening

1 lb. boneless pork, cut into 1 ½ inch strips

1 tsp. paprika

3 tbsp. brown sugar

2 tbsp cornstarch

½ tsp. salt

15 ¼ oz. can pineapple chunks, drained, reserving 2/3 cup of liquid

1/3 c. vinegar

1/3 c. water

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 green pepper, cut into ¼ inch strips

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 c. hot cooked rice or egg noodles

In large skillet over medium heat, melt shortening.  Add pork; sprinkle with paprika.  Brown well.  Cover; simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In medium bowl combine brown sugar, cornstarch and salt.  Gradually add reserved 2/3 cup of pineapple juice, vinegar, water, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well.  Gradually stir in meat.  Cook over low heat until thickened; stirring constantly.  Stir in green pepper, onion and pineapple.  Cover; simmer over low heat 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender.  Serve over hot cooked rice or noodles.

THURSDAY

Mushroom-Lemon Fillets

2 tbsp margarine

1 ½ c sliced fresh mushrooms

2 green onions, chopped

2 tbsp. flour

2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley

½ tsp. salt

Dash pepper

½ c. milk

½ tsp. grated lemon peel

1 lb. fish fillets

Heat oven to 350.  Lightly grease baking dish.  In large skillet, melt margarine; sauté mushrooms and onions until tender.  Reduce heat to low.  Stir in flour, parsley, salt and pepper.  Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.  Gradually stir in milk.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.  Stir in lemon peel.  Place fish fillets in baking dish.  Spoon sauce over fish.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

FRIDAY

Chicken and Artichokes

14 ½ oz. can chicken broth

3 whole boneless chicken breasts

¼ c. margarine

¼ c. chopped onion

1 garlic clove

¼ c. flour

¼ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

¾ c. half and half

½ c. grated parmesan cheese

½ tsp. rosemary, crushed

14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained

2 tbsp. butter

2 c. fresh mushrooms, sliced

In large skillet, bring chicken broth to a boil; add chicken breasts.  Cover; simmer 20 minutes.  Cool chicken.  In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ c. margarine.  Add onion and garlic, sauté until tender.  Reduce heat to love.  Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.  Cook 1 minute until mixture is smooth and bubbly, stirring constantly.  Gradually stir in reserved chicken broth and half and half.  Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Add Parmesan cheese, and rosemary; stir until cheese is melted.  Heat over to 325.  Place chicken breasts in baking dish.  Cut artichokes in half; arrange around chicken.  Pour sauce evenly over chicken and artichokes.  Bake for 35 minutes.  In medium skillet melt 2 tbsp. margarine; lightly sauté mushrooms.  Spoon over chicken. Serve

SHOPPING LIST

ð       2 lbs. bones chicken breasts

ð       Vegetable Oil

ð       2 cans of chicken broth

ð       1 can of tomato sauce

ð       1 can of corn

ð       1 large box of minute rice

ð       1 pkg. cheese

ð       1 pkg. taco seasoning

ð       2 green peppers

ð       Bag of tortilla chips

ð       4 lb. beef chuck roast

ð       7 onions

ð       1 pkg. celery

ð       1 pkg. bay leaves

ð       2 beef bouillon cubes

ð       6 potatoes

ð       6 carrots

ð       Shortening

ð       1 lb. boneless pork

ð       Paprika

ð       Brown Sugar

ð       Cornstarch

ð       15 ¼ oz. can pineapple chunks

ð       Vinegar

ð       Soy Sauce

ð       Worcestershire sauce

ð       Margarine

ð       2 pkgs. Fresh mushrooms

ð       Parsley

ð       1 Lemon

ð       1 lb. fish fillets

ð       Garlic cloves

ð       Half and Half

ð       Small package of parmesan cheese

ð       Rosemary

ð       14 oz. can artichoke hearts

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Italian Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Fresh vegetarian pasta (2528005054) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

INGREDIENTS
Lemon Butter Sauce:
1/4 cup white wine
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup butter, chilled
salt and pepper to taste

Chicken and Pasta:
1/2 pound dry bow tie pasta
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces bacon
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced
6 ounces artichoke hearts, drained and halved
2 teaspoons capers, drained
chopped fresh parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS
To make the sauce, pour the wine and lemon juice into a saucepan over medium heat. Cook at a low boil until the liquid is reduced by 1/3. Stir in cream, and simmer until it thickens. Gradually add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time to the sauce, stirring until completely incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and keep warm.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.

To make the chicken, heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. In a bowl, stir together flour, salt, and pepper. Lightly coat chicken with flour mixture. Without crowding, carefully place chicken in hot oil. (If necessary, cook in batches.) Fry until cooked through and golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken to paper towels. Stir the bacon, mushrooms, artichokes, and capers into the oil; cook until the mushrooms are soft.

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-size strips, and return them to the skillet. Stir half of the lemon butter sauce into the chicken mixture.

To serve, place pasta in a large bowl. Stir the chicken mixture into the pasta. Taste, and adjust seasonings. Stir in additional lemon butter sauce as desired. Toss well, and garnish with parsley.

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Quick & Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes

Quick & Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes including chicken pasta salads, chicken pasta soups, chicken lasagna.Make delicious and mouth watering chicken pasta meals most of which you can prepare in about 20-40 minutes. If you have this much time to spare you can prepare scrumptious pasta that everyone loves to eat.Quick & Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes including chicken pasta salads, chicken pasta soups, chicken lasagna.Make delicious and mouth watering chicken pasta meals most of which you can prepare in

Price:

Miranda Cosgrove (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)

Name:  Miranda Cosgrove

Birthday:  May 14, 1993

Favorite Actress:  Rachel McAdams

Favorite Actor:  Orlando Bloom

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:  Mint Chocolate Chip

Favorite Color:  Pink and Green

Miranda Cosgrove was born in Los Angeles, California on May 14, 1993. When she was about 4 years old she started singing and dancing in “Taste of LA”, a restaurant. A talent agent was impressed with her singing and dancing skills so he signed her up for his talent agency, leading to a career in advertising soon after, as well as other roles and shows.

Miranda did several commercials like ones for Burger King, McDonalds, and more. But she also auditioned for many roles and finally got one that would be just the beginning of a wonderful career. She made it, out of 1,000s of kids her age, the role of the band’s manager in the movie, “School of Rock”. While filming “School of Rock” in New York she was informed that her pilot” Drake and Josh” had been picked up. She got the role of Drake and Josh’s little sister on the new hit Nick show.  Currently she stars in the TV show iCarly on Nickelodeon.

“]

Cover of Ratatouille [Blu-ray

Ratatouille (2007)

Director:  Brad Bird

Rated: G

Run Time:  111 minutes

Age Recommendations:  Good movie for adults with children and kids (4-13)

Main Characters:  Remy (the rat), Linguini

Plot:  A rat who is trying to find out who he is, meets a young man who is trying to find out who he is.  They team up to become the greatest chef in Paris and chaos ensues.

Theme:  Your family will always love you so be who you are and follow your dreams.

Good Points:

• The filmmaker made a bold move by making the filthiest of creatures the most talented in a profession that demands cleanliness.
• Various camera angles make the story more believable.  You feel like you are in the chef hat with Remy, and on the kitchen floor running for your life.
• The filmmaker does an excellent job using color to help move the story forward.  After Ego flashes back to his childhood, his whole demeanor lightens.  Also the colors of France are rich and full where the colors of the kitchen are stark and sterile.

Downfalls:

• Some characters were unbelievable.  On old lady would have a hard time using a shotgun, let alone, shooting holes in her entire house.  The hallucination of Gusteau also doesn’t add anything to the storyline.
• Although it was endearing when Remy’s family comes to help, listening to the scurrying of hundreds of rats made my skin crawl.
• Unlike other Pixar movies, Ratatouille doesn’t have a terrific soundtrack.

Buy/Rent/Skip:  If you have younger children who enjoyed “The Incredibles” I would recommend buying it or at least renting this movie.  Teenagers and older adults without children wouldn’t miss much if they skipped this all together.

Ratatouille

• Includes a removable apron, menu and a mini Diango, Remy’s father and patriarch of the rat clan.
• Skinner 5” H, accessories up to 1 1/2” H
• Sculpted resin
• For age 3 and up

One key point: if you can get over the natural gag reflex of seeing hundreds of rodents swarming over a restaurant kitchen, you will be free to enjoy the glory of Ratatouille, a delectable Pixar hit. Our hero is Remy, a French rat (voiced by Patton Oswalt) with a cultivated palate, who rises from his humble beginnings to become head chef at a Paris restaurant. How this happens is the stuff of Pixar magic, that ineffable blend of headlong comedy, seamless technology, and wonder (in the latter dep

List Price: $ 29.99

Price: $ 14.77

She also wore a tough braid.  Here is the braid she wore in the movie.  Enjoy this and other videos that we highlight here at Itsagoodday.org

Katniss Evergreen Braid  Image 1

Katniss Evergreen Braid  Image 2

Be sure to visit Girl Hairstyles.

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The Hunger Games – Collector’s Edition

The definitive collector’s edition of the New York Times bestselling The Hunger Games will include a special slipcase featuring exclusive new mockingjay artwork.

The astonishing bestseller, now in a deluxe, slipcased collector’s edition featuring exclusive new Mockingjay artwork.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by fo

List Price: $ 30.00

Price: $ 14.20

 

Courageous (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Courageous DVD Review

Itsagoodday.org highlights good films for families and this is a good one.  Be sure to check this film out on DVD.  You can either rent it or buy it below.

Synopsis

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they are confident and focused, standing up to the worst the streets can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge they’re ill prepared to tackle: fatherhood. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Sherwood Pictures, creators of Fireproof, returns with this heartfelt, action-packed story. Protecting the streets is second nature to these law enforcement officers. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That takes courage. Starring: Alex Kendrick, Kevin Downes, Ken Bevel, Robert Amaya, Ben Davies Director: Alex Kendrick Producer: Stephen Kendrick

Courageous

In this faith-based drama, four Georgia policemen struggle to contain the gang violence erupting in their community. After one cop suffers a terrible tragedy, he turns to devout religious faith to give him strength and peace, inviting his colleagues to join him in his beliefs and use them to better their lives, their families, and their crusade for justice on the streets. Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, and Angelita Nelson star. 129 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, F

List Price: $ 30.99

Price: $ 9.35

Courageous (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

In this faith-based drama, four Georgia policemen struggle to contain the gang violence erupting in their community. After one cop suffers a terrible tragedy, he turns to devout religious faith to give him strength and peace, inviting his colleagues to join him in his beliefs and use them to better their lives, their families, and their crusade for justice on the streets. Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, and Angelita Nelson star. 129 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, French

List Price: $ 35.99

Price: $ 16.50

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food-colouring (Photo credit: AlisonQuine)

HOME MADE FACE PAINT

INGREDIENTS:

1 tsp corn starch

1/2 tsp water

1/2 tsp cold cream

2 drops food coloring

PREPARATION:

Mix ingredients well.

Paint away.