Is There a Doctor in the House?

Doc Martin (Series 1 - 4)

Just finished watching series 4 in this quirky series. 

Surly, tactless and uptight, Dr. Martin Ellingham is at the top of his field as a vascular surgeon, until he develops hemophobia - the fear of blood.  Now he has taken a position as the GP in a village in Cornwall.  As a diagnostician, you could not ask for better, but his bed side manner leave much to be desired.  Fortunately for him, he is the only doctor in town, so his waiting room is always full of the wonderfully quirky village residents.  This show is filmed in a beautiful location with deep blue sea, narrow winding streets lined with stone cottages and a backdrop of a rocky and amazingly green countryside.

Each series has been just as good as the last and just when you think Doc Martin might begin to show a little compassionate bedside manner, he lets loose with another blunt, thoughtless and rude remark. Think of  Becker meets House meets Northern Exposure with a touch of Monk. 

Wonderful stitching DVD since you can concentrate on your stitching during brief graphic medical scenes if you have a touch of hemophobia yourself.

WARNING:  May not be for family viewing due to occasional nudity and language.  Apparently, British television standards differ from U.S. (although we seem to be not far behind in some areas and leading the way in others - sigh).

Guess what my hubby brought home . . .

the Christmas ornament preview issue of Just Cross Stitch . . . he has been listening.  I could not find it anywhere so he went to a book store an hour away and it was their last copy!  Love you!!!

I love the coordinating gingerbread designs from LHN and CCN and the fleur-de-lis in 'Tis Green by La-D-Da.

Guess I better get my subscription in so I can receive the ornament issue.  I want to order a few of the old Christmas ornament issues, too.  I have 2004 and 2009 ornament issues, but not the previews.

Our temps are in the upper 90s with a heat index of 108, hoping it is cooler where you are.  Keep cool and keep stitching!

The Big Four: A Hercule Poirot Novel by Agatha Christie

Just finished this one today. I think it is one of my favorite Poirot stories. Lots of twists and cliff hangers, a quick and enjoyable read.

Hercule Poirot matches wits against the very powerful "Big Four". These four criminal masterminds have joined forces and have big plans (read: world domination). This is international intrique is not the typical Christie murder mystery. Poirot may have finally met his match and becomes desperate enough to call on his equally clever, but lazy, twin brother Achille. This is a fight to the death.

I would love to see this made into an episode for Masterpiece Mystery.
Find this book on Amazon.com

DVD: Mother Teresa

I watched this movie with my DS last night and thought he would fall asleep during the movie since it was past his bedtime, but he not only stayed wide awake, but fully engaged in the movie. After the movie, he was full of questions. We will be reading The Simple Path and Come Be My Light, both written by Mother Teresa between now and the start of school (just 31 days away).  The movie begins with Mother Teresa already in India as a teacher in a convent school, after 20 years in India she receives a calling to a new vocation to help the poor and petitions Rome for  the creation of a new congregation, The Missionaries of Charity. She was fully aware that the work she did was only "a drop in the bucket", but she dedicated herself to her vocation completely.  Her unfaltering faith in the provision of God is awe inspiring. She left the comfort of the convent to live with the "poorest of the poor": the sick and dying, the lost and the lepers.  She lived for today and had faith that God would provide for tomorrow.  Her strength and simplicity is inspirational to all, whatever your belief system.

"At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by

‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat.

I was naked and you clothed me.

I was homeless and you took me in.'

Hungry not only for bread-but hungry for love.

Naked not only for clothing-but naked of human dignity and respect.

Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks-but homeless because of rejection.

This is Christ in distressing disguise."

HIGHLY recommended!

Thinking I May Be Enhancing My Stash Soon

My local needle shop has these charts in it's new arrivals list . . .

FROM LIZZIE KATE

FROM LITTLE HOUSE NEEDLEWORKS

DVD: Sense and Sensibility (1981 / 1985)

Enjoyed this version of the Jane Austen classic.  It is very slow moving and detailed; without the modern slant of the 1995 screenplay staring Emma Thompson.  Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister, is non-existent in this version, but it allows more focus on Elenor and Marianne and their relationships.

This movie is a wonderful stitching companion, though I do wish it included more scenes with the characters doing needlework.