“Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”
—The Polar Express
Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
For Those Who Still Believe
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16 Last-Minute Candy Barks You Can Make for Christmas
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for friends and family? Forget the cookies and go for the candy bark!
Easy and quick to make, these candy bark recipes make a great gift for anyone on your list. Use the recipes below or mix and match your favorite holiday flavors to create your own unique creations!
16 Last-Minute Candy Barks You Can Make for Christmas
- Rocky Road Chocolate Bark
- Candied Orange Peel Bark
- Chocolate Cherry Bark
- Candied Bacon Bark
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Bark
- Swirled Peppermint Bark
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Snowman Bark
- Oreo Cookie Bark
- Pomegranate Bark
- Gingerbread Bark
- Pretzel Bark Bites
- Quick and Easy Holiday Bark
- Cherry Cashew Bark
- Super Nutty Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Bark
Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips.
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13 Books to Read on a Snowy Day
There’s nothing like curling up with a good book on a snowy day…even better is a book that totally immerses you in a winter world from the comfort of your own home!
These 13 books do just that. From snowy countrysides to magical far-off places, these 13 books are perfect for reading on a snowy, blistery winter night.
13 Books to Read on a Snowy Day
The Snowman, Jo Nesbø
When dozens of women show up murdered on the day of a first snow fall, investigator Harry Hole is put on the case. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised—and constantly revised—by the killer. This one is long, but worth it in the end.
The Road, Cormac McCarthy
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape, save the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other. A heartbreaking story of love and survival.
The Girl with Glass Feet, Ali Shaw
Strange things are happening on the remote and snowbound archipelago of St. Hauda’s Land. Magical winged creatures flit around the icy bogland, albino animals hide themselves in the snow-glazed woods, and Ida Maclaird is slowly turning into glass. Ida is an outsider in these parts who has only visited the islands once before. A visitor to this land before, she has returned in search of a cure.
Chocolat and The Girl With No Shadow, Joanne Harris
The delicious story about Vianne Rocher and her chocolate shop begins with Chocolat and continues with The Girl With No Shadow. Two whimsical, romantic books that will warm your heart and soul (and make you hungry for some delicious hot cocoa!).
Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl’s virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
A family of ladies, including talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, unite in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.
The Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling
No real description needed here! This entire series is always a fun one to re-read in the winter (or anytime, really!).
The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey
Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart – he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season’s first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone – but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees. What they eventually learn about this girl they call Faina will transform all of them.
The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. Beautiful winter scenes pepper this book with a magical landscape, and the rich, seductive prose, makes this spell-casting novel a feast for all the senses.
Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson
San Piedro Island, north of Puget Sound, is a place so isolated that no one who lives there can afford to make enemies. But in 1954 a local fisherman is found suspiciously drowned, and a Japanese American named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with his murder. In the course of the ensuing trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than a man’s guilt. Gripping, tragic, and densely atmospheric, Snow Falling on Cedars is a masterpiece of suspense that will leave you shaken and changed.
The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman
Can one small girl make a difference in such great and terrible endeavors? This is Lyra: a savage, a schemer, a liar, and as fierce and true a champion as Roger or Asriel could want–but what Lyra doesn’t know is that to help one of them will be to betray the other. The first in a magical series of books that will stay with you long after you’re done.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
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27 Fun Facts about The Holiday
Get ready for Mr. Napkin Head!
The Holiday is one of those Christmas movies I could watch anytime of year and still love. Starring Jack Black, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, this movie is the epitome of holiday rom-com.
If you haven’t seen this holiday treasure, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s got heart, humor and a dash of real-life, everything you need to get you in the holiday spirit. If you’re still on the fence, check out these 27 fun facts about the making of The Holiday!
27 Fun Facts about The Holiday
The “boob graze” line came about because Jack Black accidentally boob grazed director Nancy Meyers and then apologized. She found it so funny that she wrote their interaction into the script the next day.
Meyers wrote Black’s part for him, after she fell in love with his performance in School Of Rock.
By the time she’d finished writing the script, Meyers knew she wanted to cast Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Winslet too.
At first Black was skeptical about doing a rom com, but then Meyer told him he’d get to be in a movie with Winslet and he said yes.
After filming, Winslet said “Trust me, it was not difficult to fall in love with Jack Black. At all.”
The website that Amanda and Iris use to swap houses is real.
But Iris’s house Rose Hill Cottage is not (booo). It was built as part of the film set.
Amanda’s mansion is a real place in San Marino, California.
The English village scenes were filmed in Godalming and Shere in Surrey.
And the pub featured is real: It’s The White Horse in Shere.
In the week of making the film it snowed three times in Surrey, even though the crew had hired a snow machine because they thought it wasn’t going to.
Meyers knows Lindsay Lohan because she directed The Parent Trap. She convinced Lohan to film a fake movie trailer for The Holiday by telling her she owed her. Lohan was immediately up for it.
Eli Wallach turned 90 during filming.
Diaz kept her character’s clothes after filming.
In the film Jude Law plays Iris’s brother. In real life, he has a daughter called Iris.
Law’s favorite part of the film was working with the girls who played his daughters, Sophie and Olivia.
When Iris first arrives at Amanda’s LA house she picks out a film to watch. The movie she selects is Punch-Drunk Love, a film about an American man who dates a British woman.
Rufus Sewell plays the guy who Kate Winslet’s character is in love with. In real life, they dated for three months in the mid-’90s.
At one point in the film, Winslet and Wallach’s characters talk about how Cary Grant was from Surrey. He was actually from Bristol.
Winslet’s video shop scene with Black was largely improvised.
The crew removed all of Winslet and Black’s films from the video shop so it wouldn’t be distracting.
Dustin Hoffman was never supposed to have a cameo in the popular movie shop scene. He was having lunch near the film shop’s set, stopped because there were lots of cameras, and ended up appearing in the movie because he knows Meyers.
An unspoiled cottage like the one Iris owns easily be worth a million pounds, not far off two million dollars. She’s far from slumming it, no matter how basic the kitchen.
The house used for Arthur Abbot’s (Eli Wallach’s) house belonged to Phyllis Diller at the time of shooting, and is located in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, California.
Cameron Diaz has claimed that this movie is her most physical due to all of the running she had to do.
The example Arthur uses to explain a “Meet Cute” was used in Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife (1938). Strangers Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper meet while shopping. She buys the bottoms and he buys the tops of the same suit of pajamas.
A young John Krasinski has a part in this film, too as part of Amanda’s film crew.
Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!
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10 Winter Decorations You Can Have Up All Season
The best thing about winter decorations is the fact that you can keep them up through February. Simple snowflakes, white winter wonderland scenes, they all make for beautiful decor you can showcase all season.
To help you get started, here are 10 winter decorations you can have on display for at least three more months!
10 Winter Decorations You Can Have Up All Season
Turn mason jars and other glass containers into seasonal snow globes.
Turn scraps of yarn into a fun winter wreath you can have up throughout January.
Paint pine cones white and arrange them in a candle display for a beautiful winter decoration that will instantly warm your home.
Fill pots and jars with evergreen branches for a stunning entryway decoration.
Paper snowflakes can easily decorate a paneled door.
Need a helpful reminder that spring really is coming? This sign should do the trick!
Curl up with this snowy snowflake button pillow.
Plants need to be cozy, too! These adorable planters will help keep your greenery nice and warm throughout the cold months (and you don’t even need to know how to knit to make them!).
These golden antlers add an expensive look at dollar store prices.
Bring the beauty of winter inside with these cute winter branches.
Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.
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They’re Burning All the Witches
“If a man talks shit then I owe him nothing.”
–Taylor Swift, “I Did Something Bad”
Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
Filed under quotes
10 Foods From Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Now that we’re about mid-December, you should have seen White Christmas at least 2 times by now, right?
If you’re gearing up to binge your favorite holiday film, check out this list of delicious recipes inspired by the films that make this the best time of the year. From meatloaf inspired by A Christmas Story to the Morton Family strata recipe straight from The Family Stone, here are 10 recipes inspired by your favorite Christmas movies.
10 Foods From Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Roast Goose, A Christmas Carol
Egg Nog, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Cheese Pizza, Home Alone
Meatloaf, A Christmas Story
Hot Chocolate, The Polar Express
Chocolate Ice Cream with Coconut, It’s a Wonderful Life
Buddy’s Pasta, Elf
Who Fudge, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ham and Cheese on Rye, White Christmas
Morton Family Strata, The Family Stone
Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips.
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15 Multicultural Christmas Books for Kids
Sure we’ve all read The Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas a hundred times…but there are a ton of other amazing Christmas books out there for kids, many of which teach children about celebrations around the world.
From a feminist take on the three wise men to stories about those who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, here are 15 multicultural Christmas books to add to your family reading list!
15 Multicultural Christmas Books for Kids
Light the Lights!: A Story about Celebrating Hanukkah & Christmas
A delightful picture book captures the warmth of family tradition as Emma and her family celebrate two holidays–Hanukkah, a time to light the menorah and play dreidl games, and Christmas, a time to sing carols and open presents.
The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story
A particularly irate latke is the star of The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, but many other holiday icons appear and even speak: flashing colored lights, cane-shaped candy, a pine tree. Santa Claus is briefly discussed as well. The ending is happy, at least for some!
Grace at Christmas
Grace loves Christmas – acting out the nativity story, opening presents, celebrating with Ma, Nana and Paw-Paw. But this Christmas Nana announces they will have visitors from Trinidad. Grace is horrified! She does NOT want to share the day with another little girl she doesn’t even know. But after some wise words from Nana, Grace’s generous spirit shines through.
Yoon and the Christmas Mitten
When Yoon’s teacher lends her a book about Santa Claus, Yoon can’t wait to show it to her parents. To Yoon’s disappointment, though, her mother responds, “We are not a Christmas family.” As Christmas Eve approaches, Yoon learns more and more about this exciting holiday. But no matter how hard she tries to convince her parents to sing Christmas songs or put up Christmas stockings, they always say no. A determined Yoon soon realizes that she must use her own “Shining Wisdom” to persuade her parents that they can indeed be a Christmas family.
Too Many Tamales
This is the story of a treasure thought to be lost in a batch of tamales; of a desperate and funny attempt by Maria and her cousins to eat their way out of trouble; and the warm way a family pulls together to make it a perfect Christmas after all.
Tree of Cranes
As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy’s very first Christmas.
La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story
Nina is visiting her grandmother in Miami for Christmas. Usually she spends it in snowy New England with her mother and her family, but this year is different. She isn’t certain what to make of a hot and humid holiday, until she learns the traditions of her father’s side of the family from her Cuban grandmother.
The Trees of the Dancing Goats
Trisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. In the middle of her family’s preparation for the festival of lights, Trisha visits her closest neighbors, expecting to find them decorating their house for Christmas. Instead they are all bedridden with scarlet fever. Based on a long cherished childhood memory, this story celebrates the miracle of true friendship.
The Snowy Day
No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snow Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.
Three Wise Women
Three wise women follow a bright star to find a very special newborn baby in a stable, where each of them is able in her own way to give the child a gift, in a feminist adaptation of the Nativity story.
N is for Navidad
From the angel hung above the door to the zapatos (shoes) filled with grass for the wise men’s camels, each letter in this festive alphabet introduces children to a Spanish word, and each colorful page takes them through another joyous aspect of the 22 days of the traditional holiday.
The Legend of Old Befana
This is a delightful reading of the favorite Italian Christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her never-ending search for the Baby King.
The Spider’s Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story
Although Katrusya’s family cannot afford to celebrate Christmas, they cut a small pine tree in the forest, decorate it with buttons, and when baby spiders hatch in its branches, they especially enjoy the silvery webs that appear.
Coyote Christmas: A Lakota Story
On Christmas Eve, Coyote wants to find some people to trick out of a hot meal. Sneaky Coyote is known in the Native American tradition as the Trickster. He knows that there’s one character people can’t refuse on Christmas Eve: Santa Claus! Using straw for a jolly belly and wool for his Santa’s beard, the Trickster fools a family into welcoming him to their Christmas meal. But just when he thinks he’s gotten away with his ruse, he’s foiled by a strange occurrence. Could it be a Christmas miracle?
Jingle Bells
Join children on a Christmas sleigh ride around the world as they discover traditions from Mexico, Sweden, the Philippines, Poland, Italy, Kenya, and the United States. Festive illustrations show the customs and foods that each country has to offer. Music and lyrics are also included.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
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19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Bleeding hearts of the world unite!
Whether you’re a fan of the original TV special or the newer 2000 movie starring Jim Carrey, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without The Grinch.
A story with a sweet message and a curmudgeon you can’t help but love, both versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas have become beloved classics in homes all over the world. And with the recent release of the 2018 version starring Benedict Cumberbatch, The Grinch as seen a resurgence in popularity…
If you are a fan of the original, the remake or both, you’re going to love this collection of 19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
19 Fun Facts about How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The original Grinch from the Dr. Seuss book was black and white with pink eyes. The decision to make him green came from animator and director Chuck Jones when he created the original animated film.
Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel and Jones actually worked together previously on Army training videos. They created an instructional cartoon called Private Snafu, featuring a bumbling protagonist who helped illustrate the dos and don’ts of Army safety protocols.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas almost didn’t get made because it didn’t have a sponsor. However, it finally found support from The Foundation for Commercial Banks…despite the popular line: “Perhaps Christmas doesn’t come from a store”.
The budget for HTGSC was massive, about $300,000 ($2.2 million in today’s dollars). That was almost unheard of for a TV cartoon, especially compared to the popular special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which had a budget of $96,000 (or $722,000 today).
Though they don’t appear in the book, Geisel also wrote the lyrics to “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.
Narrator Boris Karloff is often credited with singing the title song; however, it was actually the voice behind Tony the Tiger, Thurl Ravenscroft. Geisel did not give Ravenscroft credit in the film (which supposedly was an oversight) and wrote a letter to him to apologize.
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Geisel thought the illustration of Grinch had a striking resemblance to Jones himself.
The voice of Cindy Lou was provided by June Foray, a legendary voice actress who also voiced Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Lucifer the Cat in Disney’s Cinderella, and Grandmother Fa in Disney’s Mulan.
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Karloff also won a Grammy for his narration of the HTGSC story on the vinyl record.
Towards the end of the special, the Grinch’s eyes change from red to blue to match his change of personality from evil to good.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Eddie Murphy and Jack Nicholson were both considered for the role of the Grinch before Jim Carrey was cast in role.
It took Carrey almost three hours to get all the Grinch makeup on, and about an hour to take it off. He spent a total of 92 days in full makeup.
It was worth it, though. The film took home the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The film was almost directed by Tim Burton, however it conflicted with Burton’s then project, Sleepy Hollow.
Cindy Lou Who is played by Taylor Momsen, who would go on to be Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Girl.
The actors who played Whos also had to go to Who School to learn movement and facial expressions.
The movie also included a fair number of Cirque de Soleil performers for the acrobatic stunts.
The man who played the young Grinch was Josh Ryan Evans, who was 18 at the time. He had a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia.
Carrey’s Grinch suit was made with yak hair, dyed green, and sewn onto a spandex suit.
Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!
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Grinchy Christmas Ornament
Looking for a cute stocking stuffer for your little Grinch lover Whoville citizen? This Grinchy Christmas Ornament is just the thing! Filled with paper, feathers, or any other green, Grinchy filling, this ornament takes minutes to make and even features a quote tag from the book.
PIC
Grinchy Christmas Ornament
Materials:
- Clear plastic ornament
- Green filling (such as feathers, paper, or even paint or glitter)
- Red felt heart
- Hot glue gun
- Grinch Printable Tag (see below)
- Red ribbon or twine
Instructions:
Fill your ornament with your green filling. Be sure to keep weight in mind (avoid using heavy things like beads unless you have REALLY supportive branches!).
Using a hot glue gun, attach your felt heart to the outside of the ornament.
String on the printable with red ribbon and you’re good to go!
Want to make your own? Here’s the tag:
Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.
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The Hob-bee Hive 