Holiday Movie Night w/ my sister Sarah!

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 76 of Life on the Brink!

Well, you know what they say: tis the season for cozy movie nights. Christmas movies are one of the many delights of the season, and this month is just so perfect for impromptu movie nights with friends and family. So you know it’s only proper that we have an official Holiday Movie Night episode, featuring none other than my sister Sarah!
 
We have quite a bit in common, mostly that we agree on a lot of our favorite movies and that we love throwing a party, so we always have a ton of fun when we have these chats.

This episode is all about:
-our all-time favorite Christmas movies
-guilty pleasure holiday films
-unpopular Christmas movie opinions
-themed parties for specific films
-turning a simple movie night into a special event

Plus, Sarah shares a few Little Joys and an album of Christmas music that is inspiring year after year.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Transcript

Unknown: 0:07

Welcome to Life on the brink, a lovely little place filled with inspiration and creativity that is dedicated to enjoying life one day at a time. I'm Ana, and together we're exploring the beautiful things in this world that fascinate us. And often discovering something new. Hello, hello, welcome to episode 76 of life on the brink. Tis the season for cozy movie nights. Am I right? Christmas movies are one of the many delights of the season. I think it's it's something that's so ingrained into our love of this time of year. And December is the perfect time for impromptu gatherings for little parties among friends and family, or for movie nights. So you know what's coming. It's only proper that we have an official holiday movie night episode, featuring, of course, my sister Sarah, in case you are a fairly recent listener of the podcast. This is now the sixth episode featuring my sister. There's a series of episodes on seasonal movie nights. So there's autumn, winter, spring and summer. And then last year, we also had a special spooky movie night episode. Because Sara and I have a lot in common. Most notably, we agree on a lot of our favorite movies, and that we love throwing a party. And we love a theme when we talk about that in our conversation today. So these chats are always really fun. And today we're talking about our favorite Christmas movies, and some unpopular opinions perhaps, and a few guilty pleasure movies and stuff like that. And then we're switching it up from the typical sort of Movie Night episode. And we're going to talk about some fun themed holiday parties. Basically how you could take the simple watching of a film and make it into a whole experience. Because that just makes it a little bit more magical. And it's simple, I promise. So I think that's all I have to say. Please enjoy our conversation. This is me and my sister Sarah, and our conversation about holiday movie nights. Enjoy. All right. Hello, Sarah. Welcome back to life on the brink. Hi. Hi. Today we are back at it again with the movie nights and we're talking about holiday movies. It's been over a year. The last one we did was spooky movie night last year. Oh yeah. Yeah. Feels like longer. Yeah, it does. But this is a fun one. Because we have intentionally avoided holiday movies when we have talked about our other lists. Even though I think we're still gonna have some overlap, so I know. Dumb. Well, what is what is in your Christmas mug? Coffee, coffee, Maple bourbon, pod. Oh, there you go. That's good. And I am drinking in my Charlie Brown Christmas mug. One of the David's teas from the Christmas collection that I keep going on about and it's the sleigh ride. Infusion. So good. Okay, so let's start with our favorite holiday movies. I asked you to prepare your top three. So we'll go back and forth. I'll let you go first. Even though I think we have the same favorite, same number one. Yeah, Billy. And I've spoken about it before when talking about holiday tradition. So let's just get it out of the way. A Christmas Carol 2009 1009. Yes. The animated one. Best Ever love it so much. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. But we ought to speak a little bit about why? Because everyone listening is just gonna be like, Why do you care about it? Well, one of the reasons I like it is because it was an earlier use of motion capture. Yes. So it was mind boggling to us as at the time real people. It looked like Colin Firth walked into right. Yeah, it looked. Yeah, almost like a video game. And we watched all the behind the scenes of bonus features on like, what is this technology and it was really, really neat, but that's why it's so important that Jim Carrey playing Scrooge I don't know it just it does you can tell each actor on screen who it is. And that was by like Jim Carrey also plays all the spirits, which I just really love that as a casting choice, like bleh all the main characters, and the music is absolutely like the most magical Christmas score. Beautiful ever. It's so true to the story to the boat. Yes, it's so Dickensian. And it's very true to the story. Yeah, and I think it stands to point out that even though it was in 2009, and at the time, the technology was really cutting edge. It's still amazing to look at. Yeah, it's been it's aged over 10 years. And it's still it has stood the test of time. Yeah. So perfectly magical. It will just put the Christmas spirit in your heart. And it's, it's perfect. It's a perfect film. You must watch it. And I am a fan of other Christmas carol adaptations. That one's just my favorite. Yeah. Okay, well, I'll let you go first with your next top three. I love Miracle on 34th Street, the 1947 version. That's also in my top three. Okay, well, so we'll talk about this one. All right. I like this movie, because not only can you watch it as early as you know, Thanksgiving time, freely without anybody judging you. Guys, it starts on Thanksgiving Day, right? Um, but I, you know, I don't hate on the 90s adaptation either. It's okay. It's okay. But I think I like this one better. Just because it has, you know, it's in black and white. It has way there's a colorized version. There is but I never remember. I don't Yeah, I don't necessarily seek it out. But I like that even though it's a quote, old timey movie. You know, it's from the 40s. It's still it's a plot that could have been written for a movie today. Yeah, well, yeah. And I think that shows what the remake I personally love in the court case, like the defining moment that wins, like Santa Claus is real. Yeah, they completely change that in the new one. And I don't know why I feel like the argument is stronger. With the postage. Yeah. tactful, just the whole that whole sequence. Yeah, they bring in all those letters. That's amazing. And I guess in the second one, it's like, you can believe in things that you can't see with your physical eyes, but don't know how I you know, putting Santo and God was like, okay, okay, I'm following. And I just, I don't know, I really like child actors from those eras of movies as well. At the fashion, yeah. Always the fashion. Yes. Yeah. That's our that's our winter fashion inspiration. Yeah, love. That looks great. Okay, well, let's see for three for three. What's your third one on your list? You is okay. Well, this is dumb. Because my other that would be top three. was one that was already mentioned in winter Movie Night. That's okay. Okay. Little Women. Okay. 1994. So good. Yeah. Oh, yeah. We so if do anyone listening, we've already ranted on and on about Little Women in winter Movie Night, which I will link but go ahead and talk about how it applies to Christmas. Christmas takes place two times, two times double Christmas in this movie. And you know, we don't get a lot of snow here. But you can imagine. And every year when I watched Little Women a Christmas I have to have an orange. Yeah, because that one scene with Christmas orange and when Joe is just peeling those little segments out of it. Yeah. And you never saw anything look more delicious. So yeah, I'll talk about that later. Have an orange and we we personally believe it to be the superior adaptation. But I do know that some people that like the 20 wasn't 2019 must have been Yeah, adaptation that it's also a nice time to watch it because of all the snow etc. That's true, but if you like the 2019 version, whatever you do you I we did say once that that felt more like a fall. Yeah, vibe, sort of in the amount of beach adaptation. So if you really want army's not as good Yeah. It'd be really just doesn't have to do with Christmas. Oh. You really want Ultra Christmas. Little Women. With bonnets? Yeah. Oh my gosh, the planet It's the elections. Well, that's, that's good. I did not put that on my top three because it's not explicitly Christmas, right. Talked about it, but I like that you brought it up. My third is It's a Wonderful Life. Okay, fair. That's because it's just so so good. I usually cry. I think that it's the message of it is so sweet and special. And I always think it's going to be like a three hour long saga of a film. And it's really not. It's just what the commercials on AMC it always was. Yeah, that's true. But the the family, the sense of belonging to a town, I loved that I love watching the historical events throughout, you know, with the war, and with the stock market crash and all of that. It really puts it into historical perspective. And I also like watching this one in black and white, but I have seen it in color. And I like that too. I just, it's just such a beautiful story. And then it I guess it ends at Christmas. It's not a Christmas movie, but kind of is. And when everyone comes in at the very end, and they're bringing all their money to help save. Oh, I just love those stories where someone's giving and giving and giving. And then they really need something. And they don't think like they think they're toast. But then all those people that they've helped are like, of course will help you as well as big Mr. Holland's Opus sort of moment. Yeah, yeah. So that's my three. Okay. I also wanted to mention that even though it wasn't one that we grew up watching every year, I think that if I moving forward in life, watch it more often. White Christmas would also squeeze into my absolute top. Yeah. See, I thought about what this was because I really I have watched I watched it every year for the past couple of years. And I really like it. But it's, I really love Rosemary Clooney. I'll say that I love some of the musical numbers. But it does seem more of kind of like a cabaret or like a Chris. That's true. That's true. And so I don't watch it for the story anymore. I want for Rosemary Clooney. And being that's, you know, that's fair. But you know what, I watched it last year. And if you pay attention, I've been just listening to the scores of films that I've watched over and over. And there are so many really cool musical clues that are like throughout the score, where you'll hear songs that people have sung, but then it'll be in the background music, when they're thinking about that moment or something. Yeah. For example, in the scene, when was the sister of Rosemary Clooney, I never know their names. Read her note, because she's left because she's heartbroken. The band that's playing in in the film like diegetic Glee, they are playing the song of what are they playing like the sisters song, but it's like a really soft background music version. I love that. Yeah. So those are fun Easter eggs to listen for, but I don't think it will ever make my top three. Okay, interesting. Interesting. But I also need to point out that it's not a film, but we have to discuss the importance of Charlie Brown. Right? Because that in Grinch, I don't really know where you put those. But obviously, Charlie Brown is a must every year. Now we didn't really grow up on the Grinch. No. As an annual tradition. No, you know, I mean, I've started watching it every year since I got married, because for him, it was an annual trash and Josh loves it, too. We really, I appreciate it now. When it is very sweet. It's funny. Yeah. So Charlie Brown would be in my top three if it was a movie. Yeah. Good. Well, now that we've talked about, like good movies, great films, we love them. We're gonna move over to a segment of just guilty pleasure movies. So I am not one to ever watch. Hallmark movies or Lifetime movies. I don't know what the difference is. But I know for some people at Christmas time, those are more acceptable. But I have just asked Sarah to prepare just a couple of movies, something that is like a guilty pleasure where you someone might be like, really? You love that as much as you do? And then we'll share it for everyone listening. Great. Do I have to go first than if you'd like, while you go first? I think it's time that we talk about Santa Claus three the escape clause Okay, um, as an aside, last year, a couple years ago, I was making a Christmas playlist on Spotify and someone hadn't made just a normal, a normal Christmas playlist. It wasn't the soundtrack, but the title of that playlist was the Santa Claus three, the escape clause starring Martin Short. And I think now we've discussed how we think the Santa Claus two is the better film. Right, right. Santa Claus three has more North Pole and doesn't have the peril of the weird doll. Santa that the second one has. You're actually dipping into a future category here that you Oh, Glasswasher movie. No, no, no. Oh, unpopular opinion. Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. Then we'll get to that in a second. We'll talk about unpopular opinions. But I think the third one has all that North Pole. Pretty like, Wonderland where I just wonder what would it be like to be a kid on that set? I feel like that's so magical. One of the zillion kids with glitter on your face. Yeah. And then there's the scenes will. Martin Short, obviously Martin Short is the star of that film. Nevermind Santa Claus. I love his wardrobe too. Yeah, that frosty suit. Yeah. And all of his weird hair. Throughout the film. Yeah. Again, it's about appreciating the things in your life and not being stressed out at Christmas time. Because even Santa has trouble. Um, yeah. And it's just so pretty to look at and there's the descriptions of the hot chocolate when he's tempting them like the devil. That really just makes you want to make suggestion. Yeah. So that's really my main one that I can think of. Unless you say something that triggers another No. Well, I mean, I think we can agree that there are a couple of Barbie Christmas movies that are guilty pleasures for Oh, I forgot. Such as because Barbie in A Christmas Carol. That is That's true. Now we grew up with that one. So that that's and also the OG Barbie in the Nutcracker. Oh, in the Nutcracker. That's true. Yeah, the animations not that one didn't age as well as a Christmas toy. Yeah, but I mean, the music and that one obviously Tchaikovsky. Right, right, right, that that was my first introduction to the Nutcracker. Oh, as to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker now. Yeah, and I can reason why I, one of the reasons why the overture is my favorite piece in the ballet is because I remember it. It's also associated with sitting down knowing that the whole VHS tape was fresh and about to play. You know, we should probably just rewound it, because we neglected to do so the last time. Yeah. And it was the beginning. And we were probably at grandma's Widow's house, sitting on the blue carpet. Yeah, yeah. That's so funny. I love and honestly, I was thinking about, I mean, now we're talking about Tchaikovsky, but the PATA de at the end of the film, that music is next level, like gorgeous, like people don't talk about that piece of music. And I remember feeling that as a kid watching that. And so really, it was just a great introduction to that ballet. Yeah. But I will say that the Christmas the Christmas carol adaptation is a very good one too. I've seen some more dumb adaptation. Yeah, but yeah, we also referenced that throughout the Christmas season. Okay. And since you reference to the Hallmark lifetime type movies, I do have one of those okay, that I don't watch it every year. It ain't all like that. But there's a movie called a Christmas kiss. Okay 2011 That I have seen probably three times over the years. And the only reason why I've gone back and watched it again. It's it's actually a modern Cinderella retelling. And you can't stand to have another one of those oh my goodness, not another I generally very much dislike modern Cinderella retellings. Let's write something else for once my God. But this particular movie, the first time I saw it, it was when Christian my husband and I were referenced Christian and I okay God, he and I were at the time just dating. And every Christmas he would leave town for like two weeks to go visit family out of state. And so it was really just me feeling sorry for myself. Watching it I think with mom, one year several years ago now on the couch and just my Christmas is not feeling sad and oh boy, all of that. And so I don't know it's it's not horrible. It's not great and also the guy Eight whoever that gets the Prince Charming equivalent. He makes us weird face throughout the whole movie. He's got like this weird pursed lip. Nobody could see the face, but I just made the face. I don't know. So why do you like it then? I don't know. It's kind of i Okay. It's now a movie that I kind of will watch to poke fun. One. You are an idiot. Of course, that is the same lady. Oh, as you kissed in the elevator that night to the drawings that, that, you know, there's an incident where some drawings are stolen some designs of interior decorating, and the drawings are bad. Don't look like anything. They weren't worth stealing. You know? It's, it's, it's just kind of funny to poke at. But I you do watch it. Yeah, I just have a memory attached to it as well. So that's funny. I will now we are we have plans the two of us to watch falling for Christmas this year coming out. And that might become a guilty pleasure movie. Even though the trailer gave away the whole plot. Lindsay Lohan has returned. And we will do anything to support her. And the trailer had Jingle Bell Rock, they knew who their audience were, they knew they know that we've been waiting for this. So we're gonna watch it and perhaps I'll come back with our review. I know Will she be the new Vanessa Hudgins Christmas movie The Christmas movies on streaming sites? Because what didn't she do? I don't the Christmas switch is that though and if that was a royalty, no, no, no Christmas Prince was a different one. Any of the Netflix movies that are of like a royalty theme that she's a princess or finds out she's gonna be a princess or something like that. I will normally watch like once or just for the, again, the aesthetic royal, just the soft pillow and a satin robe and a croissant on a plate. So those are our guilty pleasure movies. And now let's move to hating on some movies. Tis the season of giving and compassion and love and all of that. But hey, for the sake of the podcast and for to have a little laugh. Let's I asked Sarah to prepare some unpopular opinions or Least favorite films in the Christmas genre. So what do you have? Well, the one I have written down was you started to touch on it earlier was I like the Santa Claus, two and three were Hey, more than the first one. One we didn't grow up on the original Santa Claus with any. And so we decided last year that we would go back and watch that one because I know I'd seen it maybe once or twice as a kid. It is just as bizarre as two and three. But without the magic and whimsy element. Oh, so I don't care for it as much and agree that that the second one is my favorite one to watch. Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah, that's fair. Okay, well, I don't have a film per se, there are ones that I really don't understand the hype of, oh, I never really cared about the claymation. Either the Rudolph or the Santa Claus is coming to town. Yes, I would agree. But they're charming. And they're sweet. And I think if you grew up watching them, I understand. But like, I didn't understand the hype of Grinch either, but then I watched it in my adulthood. And now I get it right. But I do have some thoughts regarding generally just Christmas films. One is that the sound of music is not a Christmas movie. Correct. And I don't know how that happened. Love it, but not a Christmas movie. But I do kind of understand. I guess maybe watching old films nostalgic films at Christmas time. Maybe. But I don't know how it got there. Other than maybe my favorite things because it's all because they only reference brown paper packages tied up with string Yeah, and snowflakes on my eyelashes. Yeah. So I think that's weird to have in the in the canon, because I feel like it boxes it in. It's an all year round, perfect film, probably one of the best that will ever be made. Um, so that's my thought on that. unpopular perhaps opinion number two is that Kevin McAllister is a menace. And he is not a good hero of the story. Um, I think it's bad in all situations that the child was left at home I'm not saying he deserved that. But the way that he spoke to his parents to his mother to his family unacceptable. Yeah. Obviously he was bullied by his cousins. No one really, you know, he was being ignored. But oh, I was at when I watched the beginning of the film. I'm like, Oh my gosh, I cannot believe he's yelling at his mom like that. We're looking at our mom, across the living room like, Oh, um, and, and the fact. I mean, he's a maniacal genius. I guess the way that he sets the trap. Like, I understand we love him for for defending his home. And he's smart, I think especially the party scene, the vegan party, I love that scene. But at the end, he in real life would have killed those guys, they will be dead several times. And that would not have been a charming movie. So I don't know. I just I don't know how to feel about Kevin. I feel bad for him when he misses his family. And I don't know maybe asked me again in 10 years and I'll feel more compassionate towards him. Well, you know, I can throw on top of this. What I understand is a bit of an unpopular opinion. What was the they made another one on Disney plus last year that was home? What was it called Home Sweet Home Alone? Was that oh, yeah, something like that, where we watched it. And it was all nostalgic for the original movie and the character of buzz is all grown up and he makes an appearance and all of that, but I really felt that the comedic element of that movie missed the mark big time because the fun of the original movie all the gags is that they are villains. The Wet Bandits are the bad guys and so you can laugh at them even though they would be dead in real life. You know? You laugh when when you know stuff happens to them. If you've never seen Home Sweet Home Alone is what it's called. I don't know what it's called or the one that Home Alone again home now. I don't know. Anyway, they are not villains. It is a misunderstanding. And so they are Christian wheeling bad for them. Christian was criticizing the movie because you're it's all the same kinds of gags. You're meant to be laughing. But they're regular people saying Please don't hurt us. Oh my god, we're just trying to talk to you and they're trying to like not lose their home or something like that. And it's all a misunderstanding and so they really don't deserve to be so tortured. It's not supposed to be funny, but it is it is it funny, but they they're not villains. They're not bad guys. So you can't I could not get into it. I thought this is well, if you think about it, you know the bit when I think it's Marvin steps on that nail. Oh, I can't look at that. No, the same thing happens in a quiet place. Okay, that's the level of Pankaj Kevin did to these people. Very different tones. Okay. So that's my thoughts about home alone. I think we all watch it for the house. Right. I think everyone watches Home Alone for the house. And then maybe the scenes of Joe Pesci. Right. So that's my, that's my thoughts on that. Yeah, yeah. And with that, let us shift from movies themselves into party mode. So Sara and I are very big about making an event of Movie Night. That's why we've talked about movie so much. You may recall this past summer, there was a book club meeting and movie night for the mag. I think it was a little joy this past summer that I talked about. And it was a whole shark theme shark themed party. And we just really got into it. And we love a theme. And so a theme. Oh, that's relevant. It is it is so in A Christmas Story, which actually, I think is a really great movie. But I think what ruined me on it a little bit was when TBS would play it for 24 hours, right? And I thought too much. But I do think it's a great movie. The the teacher says I want you to write a theme. And he's disappointed until he can write about the BB gun. We will just mention a theme. And with that, I have asked Sarah and I also have a list of any films that you think would make into a good themed movie night party and what snacks or activities you would put with that. So what do you think? Well, I'm sure it's been done. Probably 100 times already, but I think one that really stands out is elf. Yeah. Yeah, I have Elf on my list too. So let's talk about elf party. Okay. There's a whole menu already. Now I do not endorse No, we do not advise the disgusting. You can have regular spaghetti. That's when I was doing spaghetti dinner. When when I when I watch elf and he does the terrible spaghetti. It always makes me want me and makes me think about Wow, why can't we just enjoy regular spaghetti and then throw meatballs in? Why not? So I think that action just like a spaghetti and meatballs is a great menu for after dinner coffee with something. Yes, yes. And I think that it would be good with like a classic sugar cookie. Whether decorating or what else? A fun craft I thought would be very childlike to make. What are those paper snowflakes and chains? Yes. Yes. Because he does LET IT department. Yeah, I think that the paper crafts are strong for elf. I agree. Yeah, that would be the elf Movie Night. Good. We've talked about that one now. I have one. So when you spoke about Little Women, I was thinking about the same thing talking about the orange. So I think it would be really cute to have a little women themed party and perhaps you watch one of the films or you do some readings or something. Maybe you can dress inspired don't have to go all out. But I thought it a good craft would be to like string garlands. Do you either do the cranberry ones or the popcorn ones to make decorate? Or I like to dry the orange slices and make ornaments. Yeah, that's to do that kind of thing. Or like classic gingerbread men. You know? I think that would be nice. And then of course the oranges. But then if you could throw a little dark chocolate on the side too, if you want right, right, right. Right. Right. And if you Oh, you know what would be nice? You know the the intro like the first Christmas they have that breakfast that they're going to eat with all that butter. Yeah. Have a brunch party. Oh, the breakfast with the sausage and the big beautiful bread. And there's another orange in the middle of that. Yeah, no, it can be like maybe a wrapping gifts and making garland brunch Little Women. Party. That sounds so good. Okay, what else do you have? Well, I was thinking of the classic holiday treats. I thought what better movie to have a Yule Log than beauty in the Beast Enchanted Christmas and Enchanted Christmas, where they talk all about the Yule Log, but the real one that gets in the fireplace? Well, first you have to make a Yule log cake. You have to make a new long cake. I'm not doing that. But But yes, that would be a good So you started with the the treat and then said what movie goes with? Well, no, because I thought I haven't brought up this movie. And for other fans of Disney out there. It's despite what people may remember in the Mandela effect. This did not come out during the post Renaissance. It came out in 1997. Oh boy. So well. The animation is a little crazy. So it is oh, don't pause it. No. But that playthrough Yeah. And towards the end, the number the transitions and the animation gets kind of like anime. But the makeup for it. Yes. Really. Songs are so good. Oh, and there's there's Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry in the voice cast. Right. And it's always an excuse to make a bunch of pots of tea. So Oh, yes. Tea and the bush dinner. Well, you're right, that would be a good Movie Night. Good. Well, I really only have one more party that I've really thought about because I do think as an aside, if you're going to do like a, you know, gingerbread house decorating? I think that the like the claymation is that I was just dissing a couple minutes ago. I think that's a really good like background film. You know, like for your ambiance it is to do that kind of thing. But when I was thinking about holiday movies, I thought about the holiday, which we also talked about in winter movie. I starred this one on my list because you know, we watch it every year but we already talked about it. Right? Yeah, but that I was thinking. It lends itself to charcuterie just because I feel like it's a bit more of a sophisticated, but cozy sort of thing. And then I was thinking about I was thought I thought maybe like a risotto or something. Think nice, but then I remember no, they eat Fettuccine Alfredo. They on Christmas end. This one this year. This sounds so good. And then I don't know if you recall, but the best buy seen when they have the frappuccino. I always want one. That's right. And even if you can't like save a frappuccino I think like a mocha milkshake would also work. That's true. Or you could do the hot chocolate with baby marshmallow marshmallows. Yeah. Agreed. So I think that if you start with charcuterie then as it gets into the movie you I'm just listening to listening to I so see this and then and then either milkshake or the hot chocolate, we have to come up with an activity. No, we're just eating in sequence is what it is. It's coursed. Is this is a course meal, accompaniment to the holiday. Yeah. And that's that I think is a fun time. And we know what I think would be a fun activity to go with that afterwards to find one of those videos that's like, guest this film score in 10 seconds or less, where they'll play the audio and then you guess it is because you basically Did anybody ever do that. But you and me? Oh, I don't I'm sure because there are lots of videos of it. So I think that would be fun. Because you are really in a film score mode after the whole BestBuy scene. That's a good activity. There you go. Good. Night. Yeah. That Do you have any more? No, those are the ones I had. Okay. Oh, good. I think I mean, we've spoken about the films that we like, and that we don't like and have lots of ideas. I don't know if I talked about it before, but we did a whole. We Sarah and I talked a lot about Dan, in real life in the fall movies, which is a not super well known but excellent movie. And we had a viewing party, like a movie night this year, where we ate pancakes and basically had breakfast for dinner, because pancakes is a theme in in the film. And it was just awesome. So I was really good. If you haven't done this yet of like planning a menu and watching a film, and like making it a thing. It's so fun. And I feel like especially at Christmas time, or maybe during that week in between Christmas and New Year where you don't really know what to do. But if you still want to see people, like making something an event just makes it that much more special. And yeah, it's so fun. And most of the time, it's with the same people that we see all the time anyway. But it's still more special. Yeah. Every year and things like that. Yeah. And I think especially if you have kids or something, then to have a little party and have I think that helps to structure it and theme it run. And that would always be fun. So yeah. Thank you for your suggestions. This is very fun. So now I would like to ask you as I ask all of my guests, for your little joy so something that in the past week or so has really brightened up your day can be Christmassy, but it doesn't have to be either a physical thing or a moment. Well, I have two things really one large joy is the fact that you and I are going back and watching all the holiday episodes of The Great British baking show. Yes, yeah, that's on Netflix doesn't really fit into the movie night. But we it's just like an all the time always. When we're done with this. We're putting one right on the TV. So I'm enjoying that big time. Me too. I know it's just gonna make me hungry for nutty fruity breads. But my other little Christmas related joy. Well, our new cat Lottie, this is her first Christmas with us. Oh, and she's like, How old is she? She's a baby. She's less than a year old. Okay, so she's really cats or kittens until they're like two. Oh, dang. So So how's she doing with the Christmas tree? That's the joy Oh, he is not climbing it would be my biggest concern. Yes, she was climbing up your couch the other day. Well, she will bat at a couple of the non breakable ornaments that we placed toward the bottom. Okay. She gets sprayed with the Waterpik when she does but she has not tried to like climb up the base of the tree which is great. And a 12 foot Christmas tree so that's good news. Oh, yes, that is that's a very nice little joy. Good I'm glad little Lottie can have her first Christmas. Yeah, I have to get her think I want to get the cat stockings this year? Just to put treats in there. So yeah, well, that's nice. Okay, well, do you want to share any music? Or? Well, I gave her the option that she could share this week's album or what? Well, I haven't actually gone looking for it yet for this season, but I have tickets to see at Christmas time this year, which I got for my birthday from all of my siblings. Yeah. Which by the way, Christian says that it will not hurt his feelings. If you and I go, as long as the four of us have dinner together first. Oh, that's fine. So Josh will eat. Right. So no problems there. But I will be listening to some of that in advance to get primed for Christmas. Well, that's good as well. You can send me any particular album of like the Christmas album, and I'll share it as long as hark is at the top heart. Okay. All right. Well, then I will leave that in the blog. And yeah, any parting thoughts are happy Christmas, Happy Christmas, okay. All righty, there you go. I hope you enjoyed our conversation, maybe had a couple laughs and hopefully you are full of some ideas or some ways to make your gatherings a little special this season, or even if it's just for you, or you and your partner. Just a little something to spice things up and make it a bit more special. So as I mentioned, I will be leaving a link in the blog for this episode to all of the films and things that we referenced, as well as links to the other movie night episodes. If you're interested, a winter is coming. And I've left a link to the Celtic Woman album simply called Christmas. That's the classic one and it has Hark the herald angels sing, which is the most important. And if you decide to do any of these movie nights, or make the holiday Christmas Eve Fettuccine, please share it with me, I want to know how you interpret this and all the ideas that you come up with, you can find me over on Instagram, or you can always leave a comment on the blog post. So with that, my friend, we have two more remaining episodes in 2022. They are coming together and they're very sweet. And if you haven't yet, given this podcast, a rating on Apple podcasts or a review over there, that would mean so much to me before we reach the end of this year to go forward with a little momentum. So regardless, I hope you have a wonderful week, drink lots of tea, and heavy Movie Night. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Life on the brink. If you're enjoying these episodes, please feel free to leave a star rating or even better leave a review on Apple podcasts to help spread the word. For podcast show notes and extra inspirational posts throughout the week. Head to the blog at life on the brink dot live. And if you'd like a little extra dose of inspiration in your life, sign up for the monthly newsletter, which lights up your inbox the first Friday of each month. Thank you so much for listening. And until next time, friends you have a lovely week. Bye