When the nights come earlier and the temperatures begin to fall, there's nothing as cozy as settling in for the night to watch a marathon of some of my favorite shows. Part of cultivating a lifegiving home culture is having rest, relaxation, and fun be a part of your daily rhythms. We'll talk about fun more in-depth in a future post, but today I want to focus on cultivating pleasure, enjoyment and relaxation. One of my favorite ways to do this is to watch a wonderful show. Today I'd like to share with you my beloved five as well as a sweet movie series that you probably already know.
Each of these particular shows means something different to me, but each one is equally special. There are some that speak to me on a deeper level, though they may very well be a comedy. And then there are others that I simply enjoy for other reasons. I'll share all of that below...
The first show I'd like to introduce you to The Middle. I'll admit that when I first saw this show advertised on TV when it first came out, I thought it looked stupid and just weird. Well, several years after it was on air, my mom, sister and I all became HUGE fans. Now, though the last season ended in the spring, we still love watching all the reruns and have collected all the DVDs.
I'd love for you to meet Sue and Brick, the two youngest kids in the Heck family. These two are the characters that I see myself in. Sue is your typical girl-next-door, with a big heart for her family and friends, always wanting to do what is right and try not to let her very unathletic, clumsy side get the best of her. I can really relate to that last part! But, the thing that I love most about Sue is that she is perfectly content and comfortable in being herself. She dresses in clothes that she likes, not caring what's trendy or popular. She's not afraid to walk to the beat of her own drum. She delights in being Sue Heck, not at all caring about what others think of her. She's the kind of girl I'd love to have as a friend, and how I desire to have more Sue Heck in the way I live my life. This world needs more Sue Hecks! And, I'll not spill any beans, but the guy that Sue ends up with is the best. Talk about happily ever after! Julia and I swoon over this pair all the time...and now as we watch the series through again, we love seeing their story be woven together and grow.
Her younger brother, Brick, is an odd-ball, and I say that with kindness and love, because I, too, am an odd-ball. He's always reading and much rather prefers his books and characters to most people. (Hands raised if you can relate!) He, too, walks to the beat of his own drum. Most people don't get him. He's wiser than most his age; in fact, he's wiser than most people three times his age. Brick and Sue are two characters that have a lot to share with the world. And though The Middle is a comedy and it certainly has loads of laugh-out-loud moments, it also touches the heart in unexpected ways. There are many times that you can just relate to the Heck family because what's happening in the show is so crazy that it's crazy enough to have happened in your own life and family. In my family, we have what we call "Heck moments" more then we even realize and we often say "don't Heck it up"...if you watch the show, you'll know what I'm talking about. This is a perfect family-friendly show and I'm so glad that the Hecks are a part of my life!
7th Heaven is a show that I've been watching since I was about six years old. It's where I learned about the beauty of hospitality and having an open door and about making enough food for dinner because you never know who might show up. It's because of this show that I haven't given up on my dream of getting married. It's this show that has reinforced the family values, the importance of home and traditions and joy in living faithfully that my mom taught me. Yes, this is a secular show, but it has an amazingly high standard of morals and family values that are portrayed in the show. It's about a minister and his wife (who's a stay-at-home mom) and their seven children as they live in the little community of Glenoak. (I kind of wish I lived there!) This is also a wonderful family-friendly show, and the Camden family is one that you won't be sorry you invited into your life.
It was over seven years ago when we were introduced to the Bartlett/Fleming family on Heartland. This show follows Amy, a horse whispering girl, and her family on their gorgeous ranch in Canada. The stories are sweet and touching with hilarious moments woven throughout, especially when Mallory is involved. There is a strong emphasis on family and home and togetherness which I love. Many episodes include the family eating dinner together at the table, and that usually involves some dramatic or hysterical moments. I do have to say that I do not care for the later seasons of this show. Sadly, the very things that I loved most about this show- the emphasis on family, togetherness and the importance of home and legacy- are almost completely removed from the show. The first eight seasons or so are like a completely different show than the most recent ones. Several of the main characters take on a totally selfish persona, and the main character, Amy, changes almost completely from her earlier down-to-earth, simple girl days. There's not anything vulgar or promiscuous in the later seasons, and I do still watch them because I'm interested to see where these characters that I love are in life these days, but there's definitely something lacking greatly. The first eight seasons, however, (especially seasons 1-5) are very much worth watching. I want to see Western Canada just because of this show...the scenery is a dream.
Downton Abbey is a favorite of mine for many reasons. I love the time period and of course, anything in England is almost always a winner. I must also say that this is one of the few shows that concluded the season with a remarkable series ending. I usually hate the final episode of a series, almost always finding them poorly written with loose ends swiftly tied up because they had to be. Not with Downton. The writers of this show are the best. And the actors aren't too bad, either. {{winks}}
You don't have to know me for long at all to know that I am obsessed with Gilmore Girls. This show is just so fun and charming. If there was any fictional town that I'd love to live in, it would most definitely be Stars Hollow. (It takes first place to Glenoak in 7th Heaven!) The characters are all quirky and I love quirky. I really want to be able to cook like Sookie and boy, how I'd love to have Lorelai's mouth. To be that witty and quick is a goal of mine. Ha! This show brings me more delight and cheer than most out there, and it's one that I never tire of.
And, finally, a favorite of so many out there...Anne of Green Gables. Personally, I love the first movie the best. The second is good, but I don't care for the third all that much. I was only introduced to Anne almost four years ago, so this is a newfound love for me. She is vastly different than me in lots of ways, and then in others, I see myself in her completely. Nonetheless, I admire her imagination, awakening to the world around her and the wonder she holds for it all. I strive to bring more bits of Anne into my life. Her best friend, Diana, is a gem too. My sister tells me I'm more of a Diana than I am an Anne, and she's right. Either way, the adventures of this red-head will bring laughter and delight to anyone who watches it. And it is because of Anne that I so want to go to Prince Edward Island...someday soon.
I'd love to hear if you watch any of the shows I shared about today. And if so, what do you love about them? Do you have any fictional characters that you relate to or look up to? Do share your thoughts below...