Keris Stainton's Blog, page 96

Movie Monday: The Lady Eve

Last week I really couldn't face The Philadelphia Story. This week I didn't even finish watching The Lady Eve. I probably will, but I watched half and it just didn't grab me.

But it was another film with a wonderful, strong, smart, sexy heroine. She was played by Barbara Stanwyck, who I really loved in it (and how fabulous is this photo?!). I've never seen any of her old movies – I know her as Constance Colby in The Colbys (who was also fabulous, btw!) – but I really liked her in this.

But...

Gallery: Holidays

This week's prompt from Tara at Sticky Fingers was holidays. And I've been thinking about holidays a lot lately, not least because I booked our summer holiday last week (we're going to Northumberland – can't wait).

Also because I read this article this morning. Okay, when I say "read", I mean that I saw the headline and then went off, ranting. I always remember my mum complaining that holidays weren't holidays for her. And that was true. My dad did nothing. He relaxed, drank, made friends...

Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads…

Back to the Future came out in 1985. I was 14 and I absolutely loved it. I saw it at the cinema twelve times and, as far as I can remember, had to queue (down the street!) every single time.

I fell completely in love with Marty McFly and, subsequently, Michael J Fox. I loved everything about the film and we still quote it quite a lot. ("Better get used to these bars, kid.") I knew the exact moment it went to intermission (intermission! I'm so old) – when Doc Brown put the invitation on the...

Two wheels good

I don't really know why, but I rather love the Tour de France. Yes they're probably all on drugs (and David read something about one cyclist having some sort of teeny engine added to his bike, FFS), but it really does signal the start of summer for me.

Me and David were lucky enough to be in Paris for the final stage a couple of years ago and although it was, like, the crappiest TdF for years, we loved it and had a brilliant time.

This year David will no doubt be supporting Bradley Wiggins...

Happy 4th Birthday, Chicklish!

Luisa, me, Sarra, Simmone

The Chicklish event last Monday went so brilliantly. Luisa met me at Euston and we gabbed our way down to East Dulwich – via the Cath Kidston shop in Marylebone and a drink in a pavement cafe (so I could pretend I was on my hols) – and met up with Sarra Manning and Simmone Howell in the pub, before the event.

I'd never done a reading before and the only reason I wasn't dreading it was because I was in denial. I don't remember much about it, but I did it. And only...

Happy Canada Day!

I was born in Canada (to British parents) and we lived in the house in the photo above. Isn't it gorgeous? It was in Winnipeg (I'd like to say it *is* in Winnipeg, but I think it's been demolished, sadly) and this was at the bottom of the garden:

And this is me and my dad taken in July 1971. Awww.

When they emigrated, they went as some part of immigration initiative that meant they got a one way flight for a fiver. When they came back they had to pay their own way and a flight was waaay too...

The Gallery: Emotions

This week's gallery prompt by Tara at Sticky Fingers was emotions and I've chosen the photo in the usual way, i.e. pretty much the first one that popped into my mind.

This was taken in hospital when Harry came in to meet Joe for the first time. We'd been so worried about what a second child would do to Harry. We knew that it would have positive aspects (company, etc.), but we also worried that Harry would feel pushed out, would resent the baby, would be upset at no longer being the full focus...

Movie Monday: His Girl Friday

First of all, if you'd like to join me in watching classic romantic comedies, you'll find everything you need to know here. It's not too late.

Second of all, what's going on with the poster? Rosalind Russell does not appear in an evening gown at any point during the movie (also? that looks nothing like her). And the tagline: She learned about men from him! Well, yeah, maybe she did, but that's got nothing to do with the movie either. Even the title has nothing to do with the movie.

That...

See you later?

The Gallery: Creature

This week's Gallery prompt is Creatures.

We attempted to have an annual tradition of going to the zoo on Harry's birthday, but it's gone a bit out of the window for the past couple of years. Last year we went to Disneyland Paris for his birthday instead and this year he's going with the school instead (which is good on the one hand because zoos are so flamin' expensive, but on the other hand it means me and D – and Joe – miss out).

This photo was taken at South Lakes Wild Animal Park on...