Old Movie Night with Jim Thorpe the All American and Italian Cauliflower Cutlets, Ya Can't Beat That!

As you know our family loves, loves, loves old black and white movies especially from the late- 30s, 40s - early 50s era. Allow me to say, if you haven't delved into the wonderful refreshing world of old movies you are missing out. When we see most modern movies, even the ones that are supposed to be clean with the exception of some great Christian movies we just cringe. Why cringe? Because the culture is warped and I don't want to be part of it. I do not want to be conditioned to the culture. We don't want our girls conditioned to the culture either. Diplomacy isn't my thing when the prophet side peeps out is it? ; ) But I really don't know why folks would want to watch things that God hates. Yes, God does hate things, look it up. : ) I mean that with a loving heart like a mama...an Italian mama who loves the Lord. Most churches won't say it so I will. Isn't that pitiful? An Italian mama has to say what churches won't say?

Here is this neat old movie, Jim Thorpe - All American. (1951) Make sure and take the time to see the trailer on the above link, you'll see the sweetness of the times glowing through.

Wow. That Burt Lancaster is handsome dandsome, and Phyllis Thaxter is a doll.

Our family really enjoyed it, and it definitely shows what can happen to a person disillusioned with life. A bit sad in the end, it just goes to show what bad choices do to a person's life. In the beginning of the movie when it shows Jim Thorpe going to college and how he has his eye on his sweet gal, my husband remarked: "Now THAT'S how a NORMAL young man is SUPPOSED to behave when he sees what he likes!" So true hubby, so true. We don't get young men now days. ; ) If you watch the trailer you'll see Americana at some of it's best years ever. Enjoy!


Now for that recipe that we loved. It's easy-breezy too!

Easy-Breezy Italian Cauliflower Cutlets


Here goes, it's easy-breezy! If you like this recipe and use it for your blog I consider that a compliment but please link to my blog here. It's nice to be nice! Please be a thoughtful blogger. : )

You take a head of cauliflower and cut it in fourths and make each slice right under an inch thick. You can also use the florettes on the pan too. Don't worry about stragglers. They will be yummy extras.

Take a cookie sheet and put a nice amount of olive oil on it, place your cauliflower slices and pieces on the pan and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake at around 400 degrees around ten minutes and turn. Each side should be a bit brown, it will become very tender.

Done. Great little veggie dinner. You could serve this with a seasoned rice, pasta and gravy (yes we old time Italians call it gravy) : ), a green salad, a veggie burger patty with a gravy etc. It's good. And YES. This would make my Italian Grandma and Grandpa both... SMILE. This recipe will be brought to Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday. : )

If you want to see what my family is up to in the country these days? Country-Italian at it's finest? ; ) You may enjoy my My Forest Cathedral.blogspot. If you would like to join me in some of the best books ever, and encouraging and challenging spiritual messages? You may want to take a peek at my Vision For a Godly Home.blogspot.

Blessings to All! Love, ~Amelia

'Old Acquaintance' (1943) Worth Seeing, Funny, Sad, the Works

'Old Acquaintance' (1943) The trailer....This was a very enjoyable movie. My daughters are older, ages 18 to 29 and oh boy did we understand the jealousy and envy that can occur between women..not pretty but represented very well and humorously in this movie. A bit sad and a bit funny...worth seeing. I think men too would (should) understand plenty if they are perceptive of life's wiles.


This is hilarious. At around... 3:57 Bette Davis really does something many only talk about. ; ) Bette Davis plays a great part in this movie, the character Bette Davis plays is so right on here. Our entire family including hubby laughed out loud in unbelief. "Sorry". Ha!

Yep, the part played by Miriam Hopkins is something I've seen way too much of in my lifetime as I'm sure some of you have too. My girls give me reports of this as well many a day. Ought not be in certain circles. Insecure, sneaky and envious women, girls of all ages. Is it any wonder the Bible says, Envy - Who can stand against it?

'The War Against Mrs. Hadley' (1942) A Plum Wonderful Movie!

Hi Everyone,

Our family just saw this movie the other night. This is one of those movies we had in our album but hadn't seen it yet...Oh I'm so glad we took a chance! We've watched it several more times since!

A snobbish Washington matron tries to ignore the effects of World War II. We see those who are truly rich in character in this movie...poignant, humorous at times, just a plum wonderful movie. I especially love the down-to-earth Irish mother in law...Oh what a sweetheart. Oh does she have some choice words for Mrs. Hadley at times...Made me *smile*. And made me say....*oh wow* *so true* You'll see....

Enjoy. : ) Love to All, ~Amelia

The Cost of Sickness

I thought this was neat. It's a British WWII poster describing the cost of the common cold:



Wow, they weren't just a-kidding on reminding people to use a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing to prevent a cold!

I've been fighting a cold for more than three weeks, I have no idea what it going on with my immune system. It's been one thing after another, infection after infection and who knows if the flu is part of it? I was up in the middle of the night looking up articles on antibiotics and such along with local doctor reviews....I know there is a time and a place for antibiotics when truly needed. I've never seen a sickness hang on in such a way as this! I admit I'm becoming a bit depressed. I've tried over the counter, natural and am now taking cloves of garlic 3 crushed cloves each dose at least 3 or 4x a day. If this doesn't work I may be making a visit to the doctor. Pray for me please whoever reads this and will pray.

The last time I was on antibiotics was 18 years ago when I delivered my Baby-Becca, I had tested positive for beta-strep, my RN midwife ran the antibiotics through IV as I was in labor. Interesting experience indeed! Dr. Ron Paul would have delivered my baby if I would have been transported the the hospital. I'm not so sure about his foreign policy but I must admit Dr. Paul was hilarious in the last debate, such a humorous personality I think he displayed. Our family was rolling when he answered "I would ask why he called!" : ) I thought it was cute the way he talked about his wife's cookbooks. I have both of them, the old and the new one. Really sweet and down to earth.

Praying for Rick Santorum and his family as they have admitted their daughter, Bella into the hospital. It must be very difficult for them. I thought Santorum was bravissimo in the debate. I like the guy as a whole...he's the same generation Italian like me to boot. Both our grandparents were immigrants from Italy. I agree with Mark Levin on him, in my opinion Santorum is a likable guy, he says what he says and means what he says.

I love this:

Rick Santorum with Bella.

“This child…can do nothing but love me.” Santorum observed, “That’s me with the (Heavenly) Father—I am so profoundly disabled in His eyes.” ~Rick Santorum

Sure is a lot to think about on the candidates don't you agree? There are questions on all. Our family is not big government and we don't want the government in our private affairs. We want things the way they used to be, especially in the medicine department. I sure don't believe in any "System" and I hate hearing about the system as if it's the norm and is an entitlement as if insurance is a given. No thank you. In our families years ago, they were friends with their doctors, my dad's running buddy was the doc's son and the families traded for services, my dad still visits over the phone with the boy now also an elderly retired doctor. My grandpa gave the then boy advice on who he married at the parents request! People had time to care about people and wanted to help each other, it wasn't about paper work and insurance payments. If a candidate wants to turn this mom off, just start talking about the system as if it's the norm. What a tangled web they have turned medicine into!

Praying for a real prolife President who will keep us and Israel safe.

Please lift me up in prayers as well, my aging parents are about to have a cow on how long I've been sick and I can't blame them. Please pray God would give me and my family wisdom in this area, we need it desperately. My dad called this morning and wanted to hear me talk, he wanted to hear my voice.

Praying for our country, praying for the spiritual sickness and the anemic pulpits, praying for me to get well. Simple. I can't do it on my own.

Love to Friends, a hug. ~Amelia

The Human Comedy (1943) ...A Funny Name for Such a Poignant Movie

Bravissimo!


My husband, youngest daughter and I viewed this most heartwarming movie last night.

This is one of those movies I've had on in the background but last night was different. Having a cold on the mend turned ear infection I put all other distractions down, and soaked in this beautiful movie. So glad I did...

There are many wonderful. wonderful, stars in the movie, a beautiful Donna Reed, darling Mickey Rooney, sweetheart of an older man, Frank Morgan and a very young Robert Mitchum and many other wonderful classic actors.

The movie is one of those movies that will stay with me forever...My husband had the use of a handy kleenex box at the end of the movie. This movie clearly hits the heartstrings for so many of us in so many ways indeed.


Here are some fellow reviewers from Turner Classics site that were also touched by this great movie:

... It is so evocative of the period during WWII, when The USA was gearing up to fight the War, and the servicemen were just starting to be put in action. The scenes of Van Johnson, who plays the part of Marcus McCauley, newly inducted into the army, are especially heartwarming. Van is the older brother of Homer (Mickey Rooney) and he is exceptionally appealing in the scenes he appears in. This was one of Van's first really good rolls at MGM, in an "A" picture, and he proves himself a extremely capable actor, making every line of dialogue, and emotion count. You don't know that he is acting, he seems so real. We can't recommend this film highly enough, and, certainly must give the whole cast an "A" plus for coming through at a time when the country needed a tremendous amount of moral support. Cheers go to Louis B. Mayer and MGM for a job well done! Henry Shaffner


... is a true slice of idealized wartime Americana at its best. I had read the novel long before having seen the movie. This movie remains in my mind as perhaps one of my all-time favorites, both for its production values and its content. Mike

This movie is tremendous. One of the best I have ever watched. Would be a great reminder to people now of what our young men and women fought so hard to preserve. Great for all ages and members of our families... Betty Miller

An Oscar Winner and rightly so. They just don't make them like this anymore folks. I prefer to give my family the best in movies, why give them cheap and synthetic when we can give them the real deal. Who says we have to bow to the culture. I say keep it sweet Sweetie. : )

The Human Comedy (1943)

Please don't forget about the article on my other blog, Vision For a Godly Home.blogspot:

Roe Vs. Wade, What Has Become of Us?


Please pray for our nation, as my dear mother of 82 sighs and whispers...Oh things are so different now.....Just so different...

Yes Mother I know, they are. Pray Mother, it's all a sign of the times I'm afraid.

God is bigger.

Love to All, ~Amelia

A Very Good Deal! Over 5 Pounds of Laundry Detergent UNDER $3 You do NOT Have to Make!

A Very Good Deal!



A 5 pounds and 6 ounce box of laundry soap! ...For $2.79! It works and it lasts forever! Glorioski I say!

Michelle and I stopped by Dollar General for a few things, and purchased this huge box of laundry detergent for $3.50. This huge box contains 5lbs. 6oz. of glorious laundry soap. But wait there's more! When Michelle and I arrived at H.E.B. our little grocery store, they had the same size box for only$2.79! Now that is a wowee in my book! I also enjoy using the Foca brand too. It sure beats making my own. I tried making my own once and almost lost my religion if you know what I mean. ; ) On most of these powdered soaps we can experiment and use a smaller amount then what is recommended.

I tried making my own once and almost lost my religion if you know what I mean! ; )

~Mrs. Amelia, Yours truly.



This week marks the anniversary of Roe Vs. Wade. Please see my article I wrote two years ago entitled:
Roe Vs. Wade, What Has Become of Us?


True Black and White Memories and strong truths ...The laughter you will hear in the music reminds me of my oldest daughter Lea's little laugh when she was a little baby girl toddling around.

That was then this is now. : )

Me and the three oldest of our four daughters, some of my best friends on earth... Michelle, Lea and Marianna taken last year, our youngest, our "baby", Rebecca our resident photographer (who misses out being in the photos bless her heart!:

Have a sweet week in Jesus, God makes all things new if we release our lives to Him. He is the loving Redeemer of our souls. I am proof! Amen.

Please vote prolife, Love to All, ~Amelia

Need a Wee Pick-Me-Up? Check this Out!

I love the simple things in life...

I saw this at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago, and I thought to myself...

Ya know? I'd sure like to try some of that!

I like the old fashioned look of the Queen Helene brand and I know it's been around for years...

For around $2.79 I thought I'd give it a whirl and treat myself, so in my happy little cart it went!

I've never been one to use masks and expensive cosmetics...I figure moisture is moisture and most cosmetics are pretty much the same unless they are on the extremely organic side with no parabens.

To make a long story short, this stuff really works! I have what some may call- worry lines and it actually smoothed them right out, with a tightening effect. This was so very refreshing for me and to make things humorous it's GREEN. The mask is green! You leave it on for at least 15 minutes and as it has it's mintie-cooling effect, you can walk around the house scaring everyone out of their whits! My husband jumped! : D

This stuff is great....in more ways than one it is great. I'm thinking this will be a new staple in my bag of tricks. If I have any special places to go, banquets to attend etc. this will be part of my regime for the day. It will also be a weekly pamper mission for myself.

I think this would also make a great addition to a gift bag or a simple thoughtful treat for a fellow girlfriend. (And ya know *whispered voice* I think it would work for men too!).

Love the stuff.

Take care now, love to All ...Have a blessed New Years. I'm enjoying it here in the country. ~Amelia at the Forest Cathedral. : )


Speaking of beauty see one of my other blogs, Vision for a Godly home.

Be Pretty not Hot

Godly Womanhood by Peter Marshall