10 Things You Can Do To Show Your Husband You Love Him

My husband, Rick Kraft

Valentine’s Day is in two weeks, so we could all use ideas to show our spouse love. Here are 10 things you can do to show your husband you love him.

1. Write love notes and tuck them in his lunch, briefcase, or on the visor of his car.

2. Text him on the cell phone and say “I miss you”.

3. Tell someone else how much you respect him or how proud you are of him in front of him.

4. When he shares his dreams, don’t tell him why they won’t work.

5. Say I love you everyday and mean it.

6. Initiate sex, and tell him you can’t get enough of him.

7. Wear nothing to bed.

8. Let him decide which movie to watch.

9. Ask him how his day went.

10. Make him his favorite meal and serve it on your best dishes.

So what’s on your top 10 list?

Top 10 Easter Movies About Christ

Sunday is Palm Sunday and starts Holy Week. It’s a good time to pull out your Easter movies.

10. Demetrius and the Gladiators

1954 Director: Delmer Daves Starring Victor Mature and Susan Hayward Cheesy sequel to “The Robe” but fun to watch.

9. King of Kings

1961 Director: Nicholas Ray Starring Jeffrey Hunter If you can get past Jeffrey Hunter’s blue eyes and blond hair, it’s a good movie.

8. The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John

2003 Director Phillip Saville Starring Christopher Plummer and Henry Ian Cusick It follows the words in the Bible. Good, but not as good as Matthew.

7. The Greatest Story Ever Told

1965 Director: George Stevens Starring Max Von Sydow Great movie about Christ’s life.

6. Jesus of Nazareth

1977 Director: Franco Zeffirelli Starring Robert Powell Miniseries on the life of Jesus.

5. The Robe

1953 Director: Henry Koster Starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons This movie takes some liberties with the story, but it’s a great movie to watch and doesn’t change the essence. It’s also a touching love story. The line I remember most was when Richard Burton with his wide eyes glaring said. “Were you there?” It gave me the creeps.

4. Ben Hur

1959 Director: William Wyler Starring Charlton Heston Also one of my favorites. Who can forget Charlton Heston in the chariot race?

3. The Visual Bible: The Gospel of Matthew

1993 Director: Regardt Von Den Bergh Starring Richard Kiley, Bruce Marchiano, and Gerrit Schoonhoven This is my all time favorite portrayal of Jesus.

2. Son of God

2014 Director: Christopher Spencer Starring Dioga Morgada, Amber Rose Ravah, Sebastian Knapp Read my review of this movie at this link.

1. The Passion of the Christ

2004 Director: Mel Gibson Starring James Caviezel When I watch this movie, I feel like I’m watching the real event. It chokes me up every time.

Top 10 Classic Christmas Movies of All Time

These are 10 classic must watch every year Christmas movies. Since everyone has their favorite version of A Christmas Carol, I didn’t include those movies. To see my favorite 10 renditions of A Christmas Carol, check next Wednesday’s blog.

10. Remember the Night

Released 1940

Directed by Mitchell Leisen

Starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwick

A prosecuting attorney asks for a pretty thief to be let out on bail for Christmas. When the thief is placed in his custody, interesting things occur.

9. The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

Released 1971

Directed by Fielder Cook

Starring Patricia Neil and Richard Thomas

This movie became the pilot of the TV series, The Waltons, and tells of a family during the depression.

8. Santa Claus, The Movie

Released 1985

Director: Jeannot Szwork

Starring David Huddleston and Dudley Moore

The best film that tells the story of Santa Claus.

7. 3 Godfathers

Released 1948

Director: John Ford

Starring John Wayne

A Christmas western where three outlaws must get a baby safely to the cow town of Bethlehem while running from a posse. This is my personal favorite John Wayne movie.

6. Home Alone

Released 1990

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring Macauley Culkin

First of many movies about a boy accidentally left home alone at Christmas time.

5. White Christmas

Released 1954

Director: Micheal Curtiz

Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye

Best Christmas musical ever made with great singing and dancing features the song, “White Christmas”.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Released 1965

Created by Charles M. Shultz

Animated

This animated classic helps Charlie Brown learn the true meaning of Christmas. The best part is where Linus tells the Christmas story word for word from the Bible and ends with “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

3. Miracle on 34th Street

Released 1947

Directed by George Seaton

Starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gween, and a very young Natalie Wood

This is the best movie made about believing in Santa Clause. It also featured the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2. A Holiday Affair

Released 1949

Directed by Don Hartman

Starring Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum

This is the best Christmas love story ever filmed. It’s sad more people don’t know about it.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

Released 1946

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring James Stewart and Donna Reed

This touching story of an ordinary man who sacrifices his own ambitions for others is my all time favorite Christmas movie.

Top 10 Cary Grant Movies

Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors of all times. Here’s my top 10 Cary Grant Movies.

10. Penny Serenade

Director: George Stevens

Year: 1941

Grant plays Roger Adams

Also starring Irene Dunne

This is an early Cary Grant movie that many don’t know about. It’s a touching story. But be warned. You’ll need plenty of tissues. It’s a real tear jerker.

9. North By Northwest

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1959

Bogart plays Roger O’Thornhill

Also starring Eva Marie Saint

Not my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie, but still well worth seeing.

8. To Catch a Thief

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1955

Grant plays John Robie

Also starring Grace Kelly

You can’t go wrong when you put Alfred Hitchcock, Grace Kelly, and Cary Grant together.

7. That Touch of Mink

Director: Delbert Mann

Year: 1962

Grant plays Phillip Shayne

Also starring Doris Day

This classic Doris Day movie is even better because Cary Grant is in it.

6. Indiscreet

Director: Stanley Donen

Year: 1958

Grant plays Phillip Adams

Also starring Ingrid Bergman

Sparks fly when a man pretends to be married so his girlfriend won’t expect him to marry her.

5. I Was a Male War Bride

Director: Howard Hawks

Year: 1949

Grant plays Henri Rochard

Also starring Ann Sheridan

The funniest Cary Grant movie ever made.

4. People Will Talk

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Year: 1951

Grant plays Dr. Noah Praetorius

Also starring Jeanne Crain

Grant plays a professor who often does the unexpected especially when he marries a college student who is pregnant by her boyfriend who died in combat. This movie is funny and touching but also shows the hypocrisy in some societal conventions.

3. Notorious

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1946

Grant plays T.R. Devlin

Also starring Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains

Another Alfred Hitchcock thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

2. Suspicion

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1941

Grant plays Johnnie

Also starring Joan Fontaine and Nigel Bruce

This is Cary Grant’s first Alfred Hitchcock movie, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie.

1. An Affair To Remember

Director: Leo McCarey

Year: 1957

Grant plays Nicky Ferrante

Also starring Deborah Kerr

This is the best movie Cary Grant ever made. The way Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr played off each other was brilliant. There were two other versions of this story made with other actors, but they aren’t even in the ballpark with this one. It’s one of my top three romance movies as well.

There are many more Cary Grant movies I love that didn’t make the list. What is your favorite Cary Grant movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Things Every Father Should Tell His Daughter

Daughter Veronica with my husband Rick and me at her college graduation

My husband, Rick, has a special relationship with our daughter, Veronica. When she was young, he would take her on dates to show her how a man should treat her. Every girl and woman needs to hear these 10 things coming from the lips of her father by the time she becomes an adult.

Husband Rick and Daughter Veronica at her wedding

1. You are beautiful.

2. You deserve a man who will treat you like a princess.

3. If any man hurts you, they’ll have to deal with me.

4. I love you enough to find out where you’re going, who you’ll be with, and when you’ll get home.

5. May I have this Dance?

6. You can be anything you want to be.

7. I’m proud of you.

Rick giving Veronica away at her wedding

8. I’m amazed at how smart and talented you are.

9. Would you like to go on a date with me?

10. I’ll always love you no matter what you do.

Top 10 Patriotic Movies

1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Released 1939

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Jimmy Stewart is the underdog fighting corruption in Washington D.C.

2. Independence Day

Released 1996

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell

What’s not to love about this film? Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum have the funniest lines, and Bill Pullman is the president who fights for not just the US but for the world. In this movies, the United States saves the day.

3. Air Force One

Released 1997

Directed by Wolfgang Peterson

Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close

The president of the United States will not negotiate with terrorists, and in this movie, he takes them down.

4. 1776 The Musical

Released 1972

Directed by Peter H. Hunt

Starring: William Daniels, Howard da Silva, Ken Howard

Great musical comedy about the founding fathers of America. William Daniels plays John Adams who is so passionate about independence, he ends up being a jerk.

5. State of the Union

Released 1948

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Van Johnson

Another movie taking on corruption in Washington D.C. What’s not to love about Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn?

6. Apollo 13

Released 1995

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon

This is the true story of the Apollo 13 space mission where 3 astronauts almost didn’t make it home. This shows the true heroism and enterprise of Americans.

7. National Treasure

Released 2004

Directed by John Turtelbaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight

A wonderful movie laced with historical trivia that makes the point that sometimes you have to do what others consider wrong to do what’s right.

8. National Treasure: The Book of Secret

Released 2007

Directed by John Turtelbaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight

This sequel is as good as the original.

9. The Patriot

Released 2000

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger

This movie gives us a taste of what people endured to fight for the independence of the United States of America.

10. Sergeant York

Released 1941

Directed by Howard Hawks

Starring: Gary Cooper

This is a true story about the reluctant hero of World War 1 and the part his faith played in his heroism. 

10 Best Classic Western TV Shows

10. The Lone Ranger

(1949 – 1957)

Starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels

9. Death Valley Days

(1952-1975)

Hosted by Stanley Andrews, Ronald Reagan, Dale Robertson, and Merle Haggard

8. Wild Wild West

(1965-1969)

Starring Robert Conrad and Ross Marten

7. The Rifleman

(1958-1963)

Starring Chuck Conners and Johnny Crawford

6. Big Valley

(1965-1969)

Starring Barbara Stanwich, Robert Long, Lee Majors, Linda Evans, and Peter Breck

5. The Virginian

(1972-1971)

Starring James Drury, Doug McClure, Lee J. Cobb, John MacIntire, Charles Bickford, Stewart Granger, and Roberta Shore

4. Gunsmoke

(1952-1975)

Staring: James Arness, Milburne Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, and Ken Curtis

3. Maverick

(1957-1962)

Starring: James Garner, Jack Kelly, Rodger Moore, and Robert Colbert

2. Bonanza

(1959-1973)

Staring: Lorne Greene, Micheal Landon, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts, David Canary, and Mitch Vogel

1. Alias Smith and Jones

(1971-1973)

Starring: Pete Duel, Ben Murphy, and Roger Davis

Top 10 Classic President Movies

Today is President’s Day, and what better way to celebrate then to watch a movie about a real or fictitious president. Here’s my 10 favorite. 

10. King’s Row

1942

Starring Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings, and Ronald Reagan

No president’s list would be complete without a movie Ronald Reagan starred in. This was considered his best.

9. Dave

1993

Starring Kevin Kline

When the president has a stroke a goes into a coma, a regular guy is hired to impersonate him without anyone’s knowledge. The guy, Dave, becomes a better president than the real president because he puts the country ahead of himself.

8. A Man Called Peter

1955

Starring Richard Todd and Jean Peters

True Story of Peter Marshall who became pastor of  “the church of presidents” and Chaplin of the US Senate. Let’s just say he wasn’t politically correct.

7. Abe Lincoln In Illinois

1940

Starring Raymond Massey

A lot of movies have been made about Lincoln’s life. This is the best one.

6. The Crossing

2000

Starring Jeff Daniels

George Washington crosses the Delaware. This made for TV movie is the best George Washington movie around.

5. 1776

1772

Starring William Daniels

A musical about the founding of our nation. The main characters are John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Two of these men later become President which makes this a presidential movie. Most of it is funny, but be prepared to have a lump in your throat at the end.

4. Fail Safe

1964

Starring Henry Fonda and Walter Matthau

Chilling movie about the difficult choices a president would make if there were a nuclear attack.

3. The President’s Analyst

1967

Starring James Coburn

This is the funniest president movie ever made.

2. Independence Day

1996

Starring Will Smith, Will Pullman, Jeff Goldblum

A great classic even if it’s not that old. Who will ever forget the speech President Whitfield made before the battle?

1. Air Force One

1997

Starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, & Glen Close

All right. This movie isn’t that old. But it’s still a classic in my book and the best president movie ever made.

The Top Ten Classic Christmas Stories

10. The Little Match Stick Girl by Hans Christian Anderson: A sad tear jerker about a poor little girl who gets to have the Christmas of her dreams. Don’t read it unless you have tissues handy.

9. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: This newer classic tells a story about a boy learning the importance of belief.

8. Christmas Day In the Morning by Pearl S. Buck: A classic tale about showing love at Christmas. 

7. The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke: The wise man who didn’t make it to birth of Christ in time finds out why Jesus really came to Earth.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess: “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” Who could ever forget this line from this classic story?

5. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: The best Christmas romance ever written. It shows how we sacrifice for the ones we love.

4. Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore: The original story about Santa Claus 

3. The Three Trees by Author Unknown: This story tells about three trees who served a great purpose.

2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: This story of repentance set at Christmas is the best Christmas story other than the real story in the Bible.

1. The Nativity Story (Luke 2:1-20): This is the story of Christmas. Without Christ being born in Bethlehem, this would be a very dark world.

Top 10 Reasons Why I’m Not Writing

Since some of us are doing the 50,000 Word Challenge, I thought this might be fun.

10. I broke a fingernail.

9. The phone rang, and I just had to answer it.

8. Playing Typing Mania on Facebook helps my typing skills.

7. I don’t have a comfortable chair, and my back hurts.

6. I have a comfortable chair, and I fell asleep.

5. I’m waiting for my inspiration to hit me.

4. I’m musing about my muse.

3. The dirty dishes in the sink are calling to me.

2. If I finish my novel and submit it to publishers, I might be rejected.

1. If I finish my novel, get it published, become a bestselling author, and have my picture on the cover of Time Magazine, I won’t have any privacy.

None of these reason (or excuses) hold water, so get busy and write.