Spring Time - Movies to get you in the mood

 

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"... 

 "It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”

 ___Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

 

We have looked at Spring books and we have also taken a peek at some Spring time TV shows, to get you in the mood for the season.  Now, we turn our attention to movies, which put a huge smile on my face, because together with books I think, we have the best selection to really make you look forward to Spring time. 

 

Some of these are just plain classics that you for sure will already have watched, and didn't even realize just how Springy, they truly were. 

 

So without further ado, let's grab our cups of tea, a pencil and notebook, and make a list of the movies that will not only make us smile big, but make us want to run outside barefoot through tall green grass. 

 

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Not just because it's Jane Austen, or because the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, but also because this movie, thisssss movie, just embodies Spring to me.  

The landscapes, the gorgeous costumes and the cinematography, sprawling fields and flowers, beautiful lakes and of course the most wonderful romance between Elizabeth and Darcy.  

You can watch on Peacock, or rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Apple TV.  

Tuck Everlasting

We're going back in time.  It's been so long, since I first watched Tuck Everlasting, but it needs to be added to this list.  The movie is about Winnie who lives a very controlled life, where she feels stifled by her mother and her controlling ways.  She dreams of freedom and being able to do what she wants, and that is exactly what happens, when one day she goes running through the woods behind her house.

She meets Tuck, who takes her back to meet his family who live a life very different to what Winnie is used to.  It's just such a sweet movie, and is filled with gorgeous scenery and beautiful moments of the two running through fields of flowers, and sitting by a river.  Just watch it, if you haven't.

Watch on Disney+ or rent from Amazon Prime.

 

 

 

This Beautiful Fantastic 

Here's a movie you may not have even heard about, and probably haven't seen.  It stars one of my favorite actresses who actually played Sybil in Downton Abbey, Jessica Brown Findley.

This movie follows Bella who again lives a life with some pretty rigid routines and schedules, she is lonely, reclusive and her only dreams are to write children's books.  She lives alone in an apartment in London and doesn't get out much.  The story kicks off when Bella meets a widower, who lives next door.  He is cranky and annoying but he is amazing with plants and flowers and gardens.  

Bella is facing eviction because her garden is completely neglected, so she hires him to help her.  I'm sure you know where this is headed.  But yes, just watch, you will love this fairy tale with a beautiful garden and stunning flowers.

Watch on Starz for free, or rent from Amazon.

Miss Potter

Ahhhhh what to even say about Miss Potter?  Who doesn't know about Beatrix Potter?  If there was to be a picture on the word Spring in the dictionary, it would have to be Beatrix Potter and her sweet critters.

 

This movie takes us on the journey of Beatrix and how she became the well known author we've all grown to love.  I actually just watched this one a few days ago.  Her parents want her to get married and they even have someone in mind already, but she is not having it.  All Beatrix wants to do is continue to draw the animals that she loves.  In the movie we follow her journey, as she tries to get someone to publish her work but she is met with resistance, over and over again.  Until she finally has an offer from a small publishing firm.

 

And the rest as they say is history, because she became one of the biggest names around.  I mean, Peter Rabbit anyone?

 

You can watch for free on Amazon Prime.

 

 

 

The Secret World of Arrietty

I am not sure if many of you are familiar with the Studio Ghibli movies, who is a Japanese animation studio most famous for Spirited Away.  I will say I don't usually watch anime of any kind, it's just not my cup of tea, but I loved Spirited Away and this one I'm about to tell you about, is absolutely beautiful and just perfect for Spring.

If you love cottages and sweet country homes, with gardens and flowers and cute little people living in the walls of houses.  Do you remember The Borrowers, or The Littles?  It's like that.

Arrietty lives with her parents inside the walls of a human family, and she has no contact with them at all because of course, she's been taught that they are dangerous.  But a chance encounter with the the human boy in the house, changes everything.

I can not tell you just how much I love this movie, I actually bought it on Amazon so I can watch it anytime I want.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

 

 

 

Peter Rabbit  

Just look at this picture and tell me this doesn't scream Spring?  How adorable is that?

Now Peter Rabbit and his family are living in the house that Mister McGregor used to own before passing away.  Unfortunately his nephew arrives to take the house, and claim the inheritance, something that Peter and his family are not happy about.  

What ensues is a funny and cute adventure as they do all sorts of things, a full out war with the nephew to see who wins the house.  Unfortunately things get out of hand, and they have to end up making peace and working together.

You can watch for free on Amazon prime.

Take Joy:  The Magical World of Tasha Tudor

Not a movie but a documentary that I think everyone who loves gardens, and loves Tasha Tudor in general, needs to watch.

Tasha Tudor is a name that is synonymous with homemaking and loving for and taking care of your home and gardens.  For the first time, Tasha allowed a crew to enter her home and follow her on a normal day.  It is a magnificent glimpse into her life, and the incredible woman that she was.  You have to watch it, it will definitely get you in the mood for the season.

You can watch it for free on Tubi.

There are so many others that I could sit here for days, just talking and sharing, but I think this list is enough to kick start you, or at the very least give you ideas of the kind of movies you could be watching at the moment.

 

A few others that I can think of right now:

 

The Secret Garden

Nanny McPhee

All of the Jane Austen Adaptations

Far from the Madding Crowd

Jane Eyre

Basically, anything with cottage vibes, picnics, beautiful country homes and luscious gardens.  

Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite movie that has all of those requirements.

Spring time - TV Shows to get you in the mood

Welcome back sweet friends, sit down and stay a bit.  Grab a piece of paper and maybe take some notes, because I have a list of the best Spring time TV shows, to get you in the mood for the season.

Some of these I watch every year, and some are new suggestions that I still need to catch up on myself.  I gave you the books yesterday, today we are focusing on TV and tomorrow I'll bring you some movies.

Are you ready?

 

The Great British Bake Off

 

I have to start with one of my absolute favorites and MUST watch, every year.  If you've never sat down and indulged in The Great British Bake Off, you really are missing out.  Aside from the amazing baking and the competition itself, I love the scenery, I love the tent and the springy feels that it brings to mine.  Everything is pretty and floral and pastel.  

It is available to watch on Netflix, there are quite a few seasons, and I do advise you to watch every single one.  You won't regret.

Now the original name IS Bake Off but here in the States they changed it to Baking Show.  I don't know why, I don't understand, but it's the same thing.  You can watch it on Netflix through this link.

All Creatures Great and Small

This is a classic and if you have PBS and enjoy Period Dramas like I do, I'm sure you've already watched at least one season.  It is set in the Yorkshire Dales and follows the life of a young veterinarian named James Herriot.  It is actually based on real life and his experiences from 1940 to 1992.  

I absolutely love watching this show, not just for the period drama aspect but the gorgeous Yorkshire scenery, the green hills, the little farm houses and all the sweet animals.  

You can watch every season on PBS Masterpiece.

Lark Rise to Candleford

Ohh my word.  This is such a gem and yet not very well known to many.  Aside from being one of the best period dramas you could watch, it just screams Spring to me, I don't know why.

In this adaptation of Flora Thompson's memoir of her childhood, Laura Timmins leaves the Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise for a job in the market town of Candleford, where her mother's cousin, effervescent Dorcas Lane, is postmistress. Farm workers, craftsmen and gentry make up the community of families, rivals, friends and neighbours. Throughout the series, residents of both places interact at the best and the worst of times, including a measles epidemic that threatens the harvest and the arrival of new Post Office Inspector Mr. Rushton.

I fell in love with this show back when we were stationed in Arizona, and since then I've always wanted to re watch it, but it's been hard to find a place to watch for free. Until now, because guess what?  It is available for free on the Roku Channel.  I am thrilled.

If you've never watched Lark Rise to Candleford, you're in for a treat.

Frog and Toad

I know, it's a children's animated series, but it is a definite must watch for spring time.   It is based on the very well known children's book written by Arnold Lobel, and no one says that just because we are adults, we can't enjoy these treasures, right?

Follows two amphibian friends striving to balance the great outdoors and home pleasure, as they are thrown from one optimistic adventure to another.

 

 You can watch the series on Apple TV.

Bridgerton

Of course, could not have a spring time list without mentioning Bridgerton.  It is set in the Regency era in England, and you can count on seeing lavish beautiful homes, gorgeous gardens, flowers and bees and Balls.  It is very much a period drama that many will enjoy.  There are currently 2 Seasons available to watch on Netflix, and the 3rd season is scheduled to be released in May.  

 

The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends

Yes another animated series, but there is such a peace and calming effect that these children's series, invoke in us.  Maybe it's a way to transport us back to our childhood, maybe it's a way to feel safe, to feel connected to a simpler and sweeter, more innocent time.  Whatever that feeling may be, I think that The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends is a must watch, especially during Spring.

Lucky for us, you can watch the entire series on YouTube.  I have the link for you below. 

 

And that is it my friends. There aren't too many tv shows but I'll be back tomorrow with some amazing, movie recommendations you surely will not want to miss. 

 

If you have any suggestions yourself, be sure to share them down below, so the rest of us can add them to our list.  

 

Have a blessed day friends, I hope you found something on this post that you can enjoy.

Spring Time - Books to get you in the mood

 

A lot of us are probably still dealing with cold weather, or random days of coldness.  I am, and although it disappoints me each time the thermometer drops back to the 30s, I don't let it get me down.  I am determined to enjoy the arrival of Spring, to prepare for the arrival of this beautiful season and to not let anything else get in the way of that joy.

 

With that said, I often do a few things to get me in the mood, so to speak.

 

If you've been on YouTube for a while, you may have seen some videos floating around about this very thing.  A lot of wonderful, visually stunning videos giving us recommendations of books to read, shows to watch or movies to enjoy during Spring, and the days leading up to it.

 

I thought, why not share what I will be reading or watching in the upcoming weeks.

 

Are you ready?

 

Spring for me, has always been a season of growing, of reemerging and renewing.  

 

After the long, cold, dark days of Winter, we see the first flash of green in the garden.  We hear the birds, we see the plants coming alive.  It's almost like getting a new chance at life, of redoing things and maybe fixing or making better something already in place.

 

 

First things first......Books!  

Nothing can quite get you in the mood for Spring, like a good book, the type that talks about Spring or cottages, little forest animals and beautiful gardens.  

One of the best authors that I have to start with, and just wouldn't do it justice if I didn't, is Louisa May Alcott.  Aside from Jane Austen, I will say she is one of my absolute favorites, along with L.M. Montgomery who penned Anne of Green Gables (yes, that's on the list too, just sit tight).

When you hear the name Louisa May Alcott, you no doubt immediately think of one of her most famous books, Little Women, which I have along with Little Men and Jo's Boys, both of which are on my bookshelf as well.  One that is not as well known, maybe because it's a children's story, is Under the Lilacs.

I received this beautiful copy, just last week, when I found it on Paperbackswap.  It is in perfect condition and just so absolutely beautiful.  The cover itself is gorgeous and then of course, you open the pages and are met not only with a delightful story but gorgeous illustrations.

I don't know about you all, but I still very much love illustrated children's books.

 

Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott

 

A delightful children’s story that revolves round the antics and exploits of Bab and Betty Moss, their neighbour Miss Celia, a circus runaway called Ben Brown, and his dog, Sancho. This heart-warming and timeless story is perfect for bedtime reading, and would make for a worthy addition to any family collection.

 

 

Anne of Green Gables.  We can't have a Spring reading list without including this classic.  I am going to assume that you've read the book and watched the series, but if you haven't, you are in for a treat.  I fell in love with Anne of Green Gables when we were stationed at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho.  My kids were little, like 7 and 3 years old.

 

From that moment, I became obsessed with anything to do with Anne, Prince Edward Island, and so on.  I read the books, I watched series, though I have to say, I did not enjoy the Anne with an E series on Netflix, it just wasn't for me.

 

Anyway, if you don't know about Anne here is a brief summary.  Oh and if you enjoy audio books, you can actually listen to the whole book on YouTube, just follow this link.

 

 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

 

Anne Shirley, an eleven-year-old orphan, has arrived in this verdant corner of Prince Edward Island only to discover that the Cuthberts—elderly Matthew and his stern sister, Marilla—want to adopt a boy, not a feisty redheaded girl. But before they can send her back, Anne—who simply must have more scope for her imagination and a real home—wins them over completely.  

 

Next on the list is another favorite and this one I think you all have heard about.  The Wind in the Willows.  Ahhhhh another gorgeous book with a sweet tale to tell.  Picnics, rivers, little sweet homes in the forest, flowers, it's just a compilation of everything that will get you in the mood for the season.

 

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Friendly Rat, mild-mannered Mole, wise Badger, and kind—but conceited—Toad all live on the banks of the Thames. While Mole and Rat are content to go out in a row boat or travel the roads in a caravan, Toad prefers the excitement of motor cars. He’s already wrecked seven! While his friends try to keep him out of trouble, his passion for cars eventually results in his being caught and kept prisoner in the remotest dungeon of the best-guarded castle in all the land. Somehow, he has to escape and get home but what will he find when he gets there?

 

The Secret Garden.....what to even say about this classic other than you have to read it.  Not just for Spring, anytime of the year, but especially during Spring time.  Luscious gardens, Yorkshire landscapes and of course a beautiful colonial house.

 

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

On the grounds of Misselthwaite, her Uncle Archibalds estate near the Yorkshire moors, nine-year-old Mary Lennox finds a walled-in garden that has been locked securely for years. With the help of Dickon Sowerby, a young local boy who can charm animals, Mary cultivates the garden, an experiences that both improves her health and raises her spirits. Ultimately, the secret garden proves beneficial not only to to Mary, but to her sickly cousin Colin, whom her estranged uncle has locked away in solitude following the death of his beloved wife, Colins mother. Nurtured with love and tenderness, the secret garden proves it has the power to heal the heart.

 

We also can't think of Spring without immediately thinking of Beatrix Potter and her cute, quirky stories.  The Tale of Hill Top Farm is the first in the Susan Wittig Albert Series The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter.

If you love talking animals, woods, cute little critters scurrying about and even some mystery, then you need this series in your life.  I have started collecting, and only have 4 of the series, but I am always on the lookout for the remaining books.

 

The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert

In this first Cottage Tale, Albert introduces Beatrix, an animal lover and Good Samaritan with a knack for solving mysteries. With help from her entourage of talking animal friends, Beatrix sets out to win over the human hearts of Sawrey, where she’s just bought an old farm–and plans to stay.

 

Now I wouldn't be me, if I didn't add in a Jane Austen book or two.  Not really actually written by Jane Austen this time, but about her per say.  The Man who loved Jane Austen, is not exactly spring related but I'm including it anyway.  

If you're a huge Jane Austen fan like I am, I think it's best not to go into this one thinking that it will do her writing justice, after all it is a fiction book written by someone else.  But if you enjoy a quick, funny, witty romance then this will be it.  

 

The Man who loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O'Rourke

Aftering discovering a letter to Jane Austen from Fitzwilliam Darcy--a supposedly fictional character--in the back of her antique vanity's mirror, New York artist Eliza Knight, deciding to research this mystery from the past, searches for the only man who knows the truth.

 

 

And finally, Willoughby's Return, again not specifically Spring related, but it's one I've been waiting to read for a long time, and I think it deserves to be on my list for the next month.

 

Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe

In Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, when Marianne Dashwood marries Colonel Brandon, she puts her heartbreak over dashing scoundrel John Willoughby in the past.

 

Three years later, Willoughby's return throws Marianne into a tizzy of painful memories and exquisite feelings of uncertainty. Willoughby is as charming, as roguish, and as much in love with her as ever. And the timing couldn't be worse—with Colonel Brandon away and Willoughby determined to win her back, will Marianne find the strength to save her marriage, or will the temptation of a previous love be too powerful to resist?

I hope this list gave you some ideas, or maybe inspires you to gather your favorite Spring books and start reading.