Hola, Corazones! I haven’t used that greeting in so long, I thought it was high time! 😀 That’s “Hello, Hearties!” in Spanish…or the closest I could get to it anyway. 😉

So today we’re rabbit-holing into the deep, dark black hole of Hope Valley; hopefully you don’t get too lost because we’re talking about two of the original kids who either aged out, or got lost in the shuffle: Rachel and Gabe.

These two are adorable! They’re two of the school children I wouldn’t have minded watching grow up, (even beyond aging out of school,) fall beyond puppy love, court, become a couple, then eventually marry, and settle right there in Hope Valley, or just on the outskirts. Do you remember their essays in the saloon school in Season 1? “Coal Valley is my home because…” Rachel told the heartwarming story of her father giving her the tiny piece of coal, and Gabe made sure the whole class knew his first kiss was from a girl in the classroom. Did you guess the two of them were crushing on each other? Because I totally did! I remember sitting on the couch, being hugely pregnant with my son, putting my hand on my heart, and saying out loud, “I bet it was that Rachel girl!” The looks between the two of them were unmistakable.

Then how appropriate was it that Jack asked both of them to be a part of his “efforts” for his and Elizabeth’s first dinner together, (the first suitable one, that is,) and they were in the group executing the most romantic moment Jack and Elizabeth had had up to that point. It’s the perfect time! Then Gabe completely told Jack what’s what when he declared, “I already know who [my wife] is. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on her,” and “Sometimes you see a girl, and your whole future is as clear as a bell.”

Photo credit: pinterest.com

They were such a large part of Season 1, I was desperate to see more of them, and to see their story blossom. Once again, I spoke out loud when watching an episode; yes, I do that frequently. So, when I watched the Season 2 premiere, (very soon after I finished Season 1 because I was binging,) I said to the four walls, “Wow! I’m impressed! They kept a LOT of the same kids from season to season. I wasn’t expecting that.” Rachel got taller, and so beautiful, and Gabe’s voice was getting deeper. Sadly, that was the last we saw Gabe, and Rachel’s final episode wasn’t far behind. I was sad to see them go.

There’s been some talk among Hearties that Gabe should come back to Hope Valley, as a Mountie no less, and maybe Rachel would show up with him as the wife. Gabe could be one of the Mounties that got “issued” a wife. Or, he could come back, and Rachel could suddenly appear as if she’d been there all along, and their love story could spark back up. I wouldn’t mind in the least seeing that happen. But after so much time has passed, I don’t see them revisiting them. But if they were going to bring them back, what a treat! I don’t know a single Heartie that wouldn’t be squealing. 😊 I hope you’ve had as much fun walking down memory lane as I did revisiting the episodes to write this. And we’ll be taking many more strolls down that lane before too long. Wink, wink! This is Hooked Heartie, signing off. May your heart let your hope blossom.

Hello there, Hearties! Long time, no see! And that is completely my fault. My schedule just EXPLODED last week, so a few things fell through the cracks; I’m sorry. At least I was still visible with the Signed Sealed Delivered podcast, “Deliver Me a Podcast”, but it feels like forever since I’ve been able to write anything When Calls the Heart related.

So, since it’s #WonderWednesday, let’s talk about something we’re all wondering about. This morning, our wonderful Papa Heartie, Mr. Brian Bird, posted this very pot-stirring picture with this caption, “Uh… Hearties…my heart is in my throat…and I can’t get it to go back where it belongs. Wow.”

That doesn’t stir our WCTH appetite at all, does it? Only times 1,000! My friend, podcasting partner, and fellow Heartie Kaycee Simpson started having some fun with it. So, I thought I’d share it with you, plus a few switch-ups and embellishments. But the core idea was all her!

The title of this script is “Honestly, Elizabeth”. How many contexts can that one phrase have? Only about a million! But Kaycee and I have been exploring how this particular phrase can accompany different meanings with different characters. Let’s ponder this, shall we?

How would Rosemary use “Honestly, Elizabeth”? How about something like this: “Honestly, Elizabeth, this dance has gone on long enough! Just make a choice.”

This one with Lee can actually turn into a short conversation.
Lee: Honestly, Elizabeth, when ARE you going to build that house Jack planned on your land?
Elizabeth: When are YOU going to build Rosemary the biggest house in Hope Valley? Or her theater?
Lee: Touché.

Bill: Honestly, Elizabeth, I need more quality time with the little man, here. So why don’t you go out on a date with Nathan so I can?

Nathan: Honestly, Elizabeth, stop walking away, and let me kiss you!

Allie: Honestly, Elizabeth, I mean, Mrs. Thornton, can’t you see Uncle Nathan is the best choice?

Lucas: Honestly, Elizabeth, I’ve taken you on two non-dates, and gave you the library. Can’t you understand I’ll do whatever it takes to win your heart.

Fiona: Honestly, Elizabeth, what job do you think I should take next? I want your opinion.

Ned Yost: Honestly, Elizabeth, you’re not pregnant anymore. These grocery choices need help.

Florence: Honestly, Elizabeth, I can’t believe you’re even considering that Mr. Bouchard. His choices are…quite provocative.

Molly: Honestly, Elizabeth, this whole situation is bordering on scandalous.

Henry: Honestly, Elizabeth, is Abigail still back East?

Little Jack: Honestwy, Ewizabef, Mama, I want cookie!

Mike: Honestly, Elizabeth, can you really not see that I’ve been crazy about you all this time?

Carson: Honestly, Elizabeth, there’s no diagnosis for this situation. You’re on your own.

Faith: Honestly, Elizabeth, I’ll be home in 3 weeks; we’ll talk then.

Clara: Honestly, Elizabeth, the cooking is perfectly under control for the café. So, tell Bill no goulash! Have some pie.

Jesse: Honestly, Elizabeth, if it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere in Lee’s office. Thank you!

Opal: Honestly, Mrs. Thornton, Mountie Jack would want you to be happy.

Jack: Honestly, Elizabeth, I love you with all my heart, but you have so much to give. Please, find love again.

Well, now we just need to wait a few months, (okay several!) before we see how accurate any of these are. What are YOUR thoughts on what people would say? Comments on the blog are still glitchy, so please comment your thoughts on the post itself.

And one more thing: keep your eyes open. There’s a very special WCTH podcast coming your way in September. But that’s all you’re getting out of me for the time. Just keep Wednesdays open. And with that, I bid you good night! This is Hooked Heartie, signing off. May your heart let your hope blossom!

Merry Christmas in July! Welcome to your Wonder Wednesday, Hearties! There’s been a lot to wonder about lately, hasn’t there? And when those questions have been answered, they’ve given us more questions to wonder about. In our everyday lives, we’ve wondered about schools opening, and how we’re going to keep our kids safe; we’ve wondered about going on vacation, and whether or not it’s worth it to book a getaway trip; we’ve wondered about getting together with friends, and how much longer we can take this insanity of being cooped up inside our houses and our own heads…It’s all a wonder!

On a slightly happier note, (but still stressful,) we’ve wondered if WCTH was going to start filming on time, we’ve wondered about the plot lines of Season 8, we’ve wondered about Lee and Rosemary’s family situation, we’ve wondered about who Elizabeth will choose, and we’ve ESPECIALLY wondered WHEN she’s going to make that choice!

But have you ever wondered about the holiday specials? I personally have always thought of them as part of the season, not as a collection of holiday movies. So here I present to you a special treat: all the WCTH holiday films in one place. My fellow Heartie partners on the Hallmarkies Podcast, Kaycee and Caroline, the three us were tasked with an almost job: ranking all the holiday specials in order of preference. So crank up the AC, wrap yourself in your Hearties blanket, and have a listen to our Hallmarkies Podcast Christmas in July WCTH ranking! (If the link doesn’t work, just copy and paste in your browser.

https://youtu.be/dGcMfq6YKzU

This is Hooked Heartie, signing off. May your hope let your heart blossom!

Hey, Hearties…and POstables. I know you’ve been dying since last week when you listened to Part 1 of From Paris with Love. I know it’s late at night, but it IS still Wednesday, right? 😉 Sadly, this is going to be a short post as I’m prepping (and have been all day,) for our family beach trip tomorrow. But I made a promise, and I intend to keep it! So I present to you Part 2 of Signed Sealed Delivered: From Paris with Love!

This is Hooked Heartie, signing off! May your heart let your hope blossom!

Good morning, Hearties! I’m getting this out to you early for a change. Go figure!

How is your week going so far? Do you have any plans for the 4th of July? I know the timing is interesting with all the national turmoil going on, and I hope we can still appreciate and celebrate our country…and have a little fun. We could all use some lightheartedness and levity to relieve the tension surrounding us. So I hope you find something entertaining that you can do…it’s on a Saturday, after all! 

So, for today, it occurred to me that I haven’t shared a podcast with you in quite some time. And this seemed a very appropriate one to have you listen to/watch. All of you #TeamNathan fans (and even you #TeamLucas fans too,) will appreciate this because it stars the one and only Kevin McGarry! But #TeamLucas, you’ll be able to enjoy it because it’s okay to like Kevin’s character, Joey. You don’t have to feel any inner conflict or turmoil. You’re supposed to root for him. Also, this movie was his first role with Hallmark, a very big milestone worth commemorating. And all of you who double fans, Hearties and POstables, will be very pleased for obvious reasons. 😉

I also found this very fitting to present to you given the dream I had a few nights ago. If you missed it, or if you want more details than Twitter will allow, I’ll explain it as best I can:

I dreamed that Kevin McGarry was appearing on a morning talk show. I’m not sure which one, and I can’t be sure if I was watching it on TV, or if I was there in person; I’m going with in person. The hosts introduce him, a curtain opens, and there he is, surrounded by a very elaborate and beautiful cardboard cut-out set. The set is shaped and painted to look like a Thomas Kinkade painting at Christmas time. I remember thinking it could be the town of Vienna, Austria, especially because there were mountains. And straddling the largest mountain piece (probably with the help of a step ladder or something,) is the man himself. He’s dressed in an old fashioned uniform. It reminded me of a Mountie uniform, only it was dark grey, and with more brass buttons. He’s in what looks like black breeches and high black boots to complete the ensemble. His fists are on his hips, Peter Pan style, and he breaks out in song, singing “Sleigh Ride”. And he sounds REALLY good too! My guess is, this is a result of several components: I’ve been watching too many Hallmark movies, talking about Kevin on podcasts quite a bit, hearing SO many Hearties begging WCTH executives to have Kevin and Erin sing together in Season 8, and doing a lot of planning for Christmas in July. Whatever it was, the perfect formula mixed together to create that amazing little picture in my head. 

Since there were four of us on the podcast, (the three regulars and a guest co-host who you will love!), and all of us really dug our heels into this film, we couldn’t cover it all in one hour-long podcast. So this is Part 1. And I give you my word, on my honor, that I will give you Part 2 next Wednesday. So if you’re left hanging by a thread on the edge of your seat when this ends, it will all come full circle next week. I’ll see you Friday then! This is Hooked Heartie, signing off. May your heart let your hope blossom!