Why Is A Raven Like A Writing Desk?

Alice in Wonderland is more popular than ever, nowadays, thanks to Tim Burton's upcoming movie. I have mixed feelings about it after seeing the trailers. I love Tim Burton's older movies like Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice. His new movies...not so much. The Alice trailer has me worried that it is too heavy on the computer effects. I'm old fashioned in my special effects tastes. Give me costumes and stop motion animation over CGI anytime.

That was one of the things that led me to Alice by Jan Svankmajer.

Done in 1988 with a combination of live acting and brilliant stop motion animation, the story is rather loosely based on Alice in Wonderland. It is slow and dark and strange.

I can't recommend it enough.

The Netflix version that I watched also had the short piece Darkness/Light/Darkness which was even darker and stranger but also quite funny in a bizarre way.

There are plenty of snippets of his work on YouTube that are definitely worth watching.

For now, here is a clip from Alice.

Introductions

The other day it occurred to me that, although I have been writing this blog for over a year, I have never made proper introductions. I've decided to remedy this over the next week or so by making formal introductions of myself and the key players in my life.

So, without further ado-

this is me

in my favorite sweater.

If you have read this blog at all, you probably know that I am an artist (aka The Little Chickadee). You can find my shop on Etsy.

I am also a mother to two brilliant and beautiful boys (I'll introduce them later).

I am very happily married to my high school sweetheart (I'll introduce him later too). We grew up together. Isn't that romantic?

I am an avid reader and gardener. I love beautiful, unusual movies. I am very narrow in my music tastes and tend to stick to only a handful of things that I listen to.

I love being outdoors.

If you'd like, feel free to introduce yourself in the comments section.

I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.

P.S. Another snow day post is forthcoming.

Feelin' The Sixties

The Ronettes

The Crystals

Somehow or other we found ourselves listening to Be My Little Baby by The Ronettes the other day. Ever since then we've been on a 60's girl group kick. Listening to my five-year-old son singing Da Doo Ron Ron is hilarious. So, I thought I'd share a few links to our favorites to brighten up your winter day.

Be My Little Baby by The Ronettes

Baby, I Love You by The Ronettes

Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals

and my personal favorite

Then Kissed Me by The Crystals

A Snow Forest

Here in Ohio it snowed all weekend.

I took these pictures early on Friday and it kept snowing for the next twenty four hours. My littlest son looked outside and said, "It's a snow forest."
We made the absolute most of it by getting outside to play, sled and make viking snowmen.

My husband had to model the viking hat first.

We don't go in for regular snowmen around here. Over the years we have had snow bunnies, snow cats, snow chickens and, now, a viking snowman.
That horizontal stick is his unibrow.

Now we're trying to brace ourselves for more snow that is expected tomorrow.

I hope that, wherever you are, you are warm and snug.

The Black Keys Can Do No Wrong

I am a tremendous fan of The Black Keys. I have every one of their albums and there isn't one song of theirs that I don't like. Their latest album Blakroc is a compilation with a mulititude of Hip Hop artists. The result is a moody, fascinating mix of songs. My favorite is Ain't Nothing Like You featuring Mos Def and Jim Jones. Listen to it and see if you aren't humming it all day long.

Too Sweet

I love this sweet song and adorable video. So catchy.