St. Andrews Day

Today is St. Andrew's Day. 

It is a national day of Scotland. 

Here is the story of St. Andrew: 

Let's Talk About: Walkers Shortbread Chocolate Scottie dogs

On a recent trip to London Market, I picked up these Scottie Dogs to have as a treat when we were learning about Scotland. 

They were so adorable. And really good too. 

Both of our daughters loved them. 

Definitely something I would buy again. 

 

Let's talk about: Remember, Remember (The Fifth of November) by Judy Parkinson

This book was a really interesting read.

 It is split up into sections: Roman Britain, The Dark Ages, The Late Middle Ages, Tudor Britain, Stuart Britain, Georgian Britian, Victorian Britain, Edwardian Britain, The First World War Years, The Interwar Years, and The Second World War. 

If you are looking for a book that is the only thing you will ever need to read to know all about Britain's history- this isn't it. 

But if you want a quick overview of the most important parts of each time period then you should grab it. 

Each section is filled with the most important events and people that made history during that time. But there is only a blurb of about half a page to a page for each. 

I found it to be written in a concise and interesting way and I did come away from it with a better understanding of how each ruler related to the last. 

The best thing about it, for me, is that it let me know which events and people interest me the most so that I can then go on and research them more fully. 

I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, interesting book.

Let's talk about: Kelly Macdonald

Kelly Macdonald was born February 23, 1976 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Her parents divorced when she was young and she was raised by her mother. 

As a hobby, she acted in an amateur theatrical club. 

She was working as a barmaid in Glasgow when she saw a leaflet for an open casting call for the film Trainspotting. She decided to audition and got the role.

For her breakout role in the film she was nominated for a BAFTA Scotland Award. 

 "I was uncomfortable with the nudity. I was in denial, head in the sand about that day's work. I just nodded my head and agreed and got along with it. But nudity's out now. You won't even get me in a bikini on set, frankly."

This launched her career which led to many movie and television roles. 

For her performance in The Girl in the Cafe, she was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2006, and won the Primetime Emmy Award. 

For her role in the television show Boardwalk Empire, she was named one of the "8 actors who turn Television into Art" in the cover story of 'The New York Times' Magazine.

In 2003 she married Dougie Payne, the bassist in the band Travis. 

They have two children. 

"We don't have a nanny and Dougie is completely hands-on; I'm actually a tiny bit jealous of their relationship. Freddie is such a daddy's boy.

Dougie is the most supportive husband. He's amazing. The best thing I ever did was bump into him. "

"I love that thing on Amazon that you can go on and order a book, and you click on it and it says, 'You might also like,' or 'Other people who bought this have bought that.'"

(I like this quote because I love that too!)

Kelly is my husband's favorite actress (and celebrity crush) and I really enjoy her flawless, natural acting as well. 

My favorite Kelly roles have been:

#1. Finding Neverland

Her role in the movie is extremely small. 

She plays Peter Pan in the stage play during the film. 

But since I love the film, I have to mention it!

#2. Nanny McPhee

She is great as Evangeline. Loved her character in this movie. 

#3. The Decoy Bride

(of course! I mentioned this one before!)

 This show is really what made me a fan of her. 

She was so good in it. Her performance seemed so natural. 

#4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 2

She plays the Grey Lady, the ghost of Helena Ravenclaw. 

And for #5 I have to mention Brave

She voices Princess Merida. 

Kelly was the perfect choice for this because, in my opinion, she has the perfect Scottish accent!

 

I have a few more films to watch with her in them. Some I have seen before but it has been so long I don't remember them very well. I think she is a very talented actress that seems very down to earth. And I am excited to see more from her.

 

"I'm no celebrity."

 

Let's talk about: Braveheart

Last Sunday was the 20th anniversary of the release of the movie Braveheart. 

When Doug told me that I was so surprised. 1995 doesn't feel that long ago to me. 

We decided to watch it over the weekend to celebrate its anniversary. 

Braveheart was nominated for a lot of Oscars that year. 

It won quite a few of them. 

That year it won Best picture, Best director, Best Cinematography, Best Effects, and Best Makeup. 

I remember the first time I watched this film that I was blown away. 

As you watch the movie, it is obvious why it won those awards. 

The story, while maybe not 100% historically accurate, is great. The music and visual landscapes are outstanding.

This movie is meant to make you feel something. And it does that. It does it well.

Gibson plays William Wallace, a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against English King Edward "Longshanks". 

As a young boy, William Wallace, lost family to the cause of trying to free Scotland. 

When he loses someone very important as an adult, he begins the revolt. 

 He is eventually assisted by Robert the Bruce (an ancestor of my husband!). It is interesting to note that 'Braveheart' was actually the nickname of Robert the Bruce, not William Wallace.

The Screenwriter for the film, Randall Wallace (no relation), came up with the idea for the film while visiting Edinburgh in 1983 when he came across a statue of William Wallace outside Edinburgh Castle. He had never heard of "Scotland's greatest hero" and was intrigued by the stories he was told about him. 

There was very little historical evidence to work with concerning William Wallace's life and Randall Wallace even noted that "even Churchill's definitive work 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples' observed in only a single line that virtually no factual material survives about the Scottish leader."

Because of the lack of information, Randall Wallace relied mostly on a 15th-century poem by the Scottish writer Henry the Minstrel while writing his story. He explained claims of the movie’s historical inaccuracy by saying that the script is only his dramatic interpretation.

Mel Gibson was directing and did not want to play William Wallace. William was supposed to be in his twenties and Mel was nearing 40. But he was told that the movie would not be backed financially if he did not play him. 

I read that Mel Gibson actually brought in members of the Wallace clan as extras and they are standing around him in opening scenes of the battles. I think that is really cool. 

I think that if you go into the movie knowing a little bit about the real history you will see the things that have been changed but you can still have a really enjoyable movie experience. 

I think that they took what they knew and made it what it needed to be at the time to really let us experience the urgency the Scottish were feeling for their independence. 

It is a movie that will make you feel. It is a movie that will inspire you, whether William Wallace really gave that great speech or not. 

(Here is a video of my favorite part of the movie. Do not watch if you have never seen it and do not want to have any spoilers. If you haven't seen the movie and don't plan to, this clip at least is worth your time.)

Be forewarned if you watch the movie that it is rated R for brutal medieval warfare. 

It is quite violent and intense. 

Here is the original trailer: 

*Have you seen Braveheart?

*Did you realize it was twenty years old? 

Let's talk about: James McAvoy

James McAvoy was born on April 21, 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

His was raised in Drumchapel, Glasgow by his grandparents after his father abandoned his mother when he was 7. 

 "My grandparents were always very strict with me, my mother, too. I know it may sound as if things were quite difficult, unstable or whatever, but in fact they weren't at all. I was very happy as a child, even though I was never let out of the door on my own until I was 16. In a way I think that stopped me from getting into mischief, but I don't think I was ever that mischievous anyway."

James considered becoming a Catholic priest as a child until a visit to his school by the actor David Hayman sparked an interest in acting when he was 16. 

 David offered James a part in his film The Near Room. 

 

 

James enjoyed the experience and continued to act as a member of PACE Youth Theater. 

But he still wasn't considering acting as a career. 

He applied to the Royal Navy and was accepted. But at the same time he was offered a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

He chose to take the place at the Academy of Music and Drama. 

He worked as a confectioner in order to fund drama school.

 

After graduating he moved to London in 2000. 

He had a few roles on TV by this time and continued to work in TV as well as a few movies. 

He caught the attention of many in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in 2005 and has starred in many movies since then and recieved quite a few awards.

James married his Shameless co-star Anne-Marie Duff in 2006 in a very quiet ceremony at Drumtochty Castle in Aberdeenshire. 
They didn't invite any co-stars because "he didn't want the day to be about being famous".

 

"We keep our noses clean and keep our stuff private. We don't have affairs, we don't turn up to parties, we don't fall out of places drunk. We're not that interesting. I don't wear a dress where you can see my knickers when I'm getting out of a taxi. Do you know what I mean? I find all that weird."

 They had a son, Brendan, in 2010. 

About fatherhood he has said: 

 "I take fewer risks. I would love to do a skydive, because I like anything to do with heights. But that will have to wait for now. But I do still use my motorbike. After the birth of Brendan I was all set to sell it, but my wife insisted it was a part of my personality. However, I do drive on secure tracks - it's much safer than in normal traffic."

I have liked James in everything I have seen him in. 

He seems very earnest and charming. 

My favorite roles James has played are: 

#1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I just love his portrayal of Mr. Tumnus. 

I think Mr. Tumnus' inner conflict of what he feels he has to do and what he feels he should do really comes across. 

 

He has said that while filming this movie, Georgie Henley (Lucy) did not see him in his costume before they filmed their scenes together. Her scared reaction upon seeing Mr. Tumnus for the first time is genuine surprise. 

#2. Penelope

 James is so charming in this movie. 

Penelope is one of my favorites. 

I love this movie. 

It has a lot of heart and James delivers so much of it. 

I definitely fell for him right alongside Penelope. 

My favorite scene: when he is playing all of the musical instruments. 

 

#3. Becoming Jane

He is a bit of a bad boy as Tom Lefroy, the man that romanced Jane Austen.

But still so charming. 

Was I the only one that really wanted to change history so that they could be together forever? 

 

#4. X-Men

I am not saying which one in particular because I have loved him in his role in every X-men movie he has been in. 

He has been in the news this week as he shaved his head in preparation for the next one. 

I can't wait to see it!

I think he plays a young Charles Xavier so well. 

The movies are so much fun. 

And just for some more fun let's see Xavier, Magneto, and Wolverine dancing....

 

And responding to the card James threw hitting a woman with a splint in the arm. 

 

Makes me laugh every time. 

James also has a lot of movies that I haven't seen yet and really want to. 

He has proved himself to be a very good actor and a good man. 

*Do you have a favorite James McAvoy movie? 

Let's talk about: Outlander, the tv series

Quite a few years ago I began reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I didn't finish it because I am not really a fan of sex in books. 

But after a few years of having it recommended over and over I picked it up again. 

This time I ended up really liking it. 

When I heard that they were making it into a TV series I became very curious. 

We don't have cable so I couldn't watch it on starz but I put volume one on hold at the library as soon as they had it. I have been waiting for months!

Finally this past weekend it came in and I knew I needed to watch them fast because I wouldn't be able to renew it. 

So for the past five nights or so I have been watching about two episodes a night. 

I really like it. 

The funny thing is that Doug does too. 

I didn't expect him to sit down and watch them with me but as soon as he heard the bagpipes and Scottish accents he was hooked. 

(Doug is learning the bagpipes and has a Scottish heritage.)

Outlander follows Claire Randall, a woman who has been a combat nurse and has just been able to reunite and go on a second honeymoon with her husband after quite a few years apart during the war. 

It is 1945 and while on their trip she is taken back in time to 1743. 

She is thrown into the mix with a bunch of Scottish men and forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a young and kind man. 

She is then torn between her love for two men, two marriages, two times. 

First, the cast. 

I don't know what others think, but I think it is perfect. 

Claire is played by Caitriona Balfe. 

She is stunning. 

It has been a while since I have read the book and I don't remember exactly what my impression of Claire was as far as what she would look like, but I do remember what I thought she would act like and Caitriona has embodied that really well. 

Jamie is played by Sam Heughan. 

He is exactly what I pictured for Jamie when I read the book. 

That doesn't happen very often for me but while watching I kept saying it. 

"He is exactly how I pictured Jamie."

Tobias Menzies is fantastic at taking on two very different men with two very different personalities. 

The rest of the cast is fantastic as well. 

There wasn't a single person that I felt didn't live up to my expectations of the character they were playing. 

As for the show... I was completely entertained. 

And when we got to the end of the  final episode of volume one (Both Sides Now) Doug and I both groaned and wanted to keep watching. 

The storyline is engaging, the acting is great, the scenery is breathtaking, and as far as I can remember it seems to be following the book pretty well. 

It definitely made me want to re-read as soon as possible and finish the entire series. 

I like how the show makes me much more aware of what Frank is going through after the disappearance of his wife ...

but I have to say that I am still rooting for Jamie. 

If you have read Outlander and liked it I think you will enjoy this show.

If you like Scottish history, landscape, and men I think you will enjoy this show. 

If you like Game of Thrones you will probably like this. 

But I also need to add a little warning. 

It's not for all audiences. 

Just like the book, there is sex and violence. 

I would liken it to Game of Thrones again here. If you don't want to see a bit of both of those things, you shouldn't watch it. If it were a movie it would probably be rated R.

*Have you watched Outlander? 

*Have you read Outlander?

*What are your thoughts?

Let's talk about: The Decoy Bride

I have to tell you that I love this movie so much that I have now watched it at least five times. 

I first watched it a few years ago when I was just becoming obsessed with Doctor Who. 

I saw that David Tennant was in it and decided to give it a go. 

I loved it from the start. 

David Tennant plays James Arber, an author.

 James is about to marry a famous actress, Lara Tyler (played by Alice Eve), and the paparazzi keep showing up to their wedding attempts. 

Lara is very frustrated by this and wants to get married somewhere they won't be found.

She is obsessed with James' book that is set on the small Island of Hegg in Scotland and decides that is where they should tie the knot. 

It turns out James has never even been there and his book is quite inaccurate about Hegg. 

Katie (played to perfection by Kelly MacDonald), a native to Hegg Island and the only unmarried woman on it, has not been lucky with love and is settling down to write an official guide to the island. 

The media find out about the wedding and flood onto Hegg Island.

Lara's managers hire Katie to act as a decoy bride to put the paparazzi off the scent of Lara. 

In a mix up, she and James end up really married to each other while Lara has gone missing on the island. 

The story follows them as they figure out how to get an island divorce and the others try to find Lara. 

It is very funny and entertaining. 

David is so great at this role.

And Kelly is, for lack of a better term, freaking awesome. 

I love her character so much. She is really relatable, awkward, and funny. 

My favorite lines of the movie are mostly from her. 

I mean, how many of us haven't thought this from time to time: 

I highly recommend this one!

Here is the trailer:

*Have you seen The Decoy Bride?