Spotlight-Janette Stephens

Heartie Spotlight

Janette Stephens

@janettemsu

Hearties, I learned some fun new phrases while interviewing Janette for this spotlight.  Janette hails from Michigan, so the first new phrase I learned was MittenHearties.  So it made me wonder, do other states' Hearties have their own name? Tweet or FB me to let me know! Janette has also coined a few Heartie phrases, the most commonly used would be #LipStaring. But more on that later.  Let's grab some hot cocoa, put our mittens on, sit back and get to know our beloved Janette a little better!

Pants "How did you become a Heartie?"

Janette " I grew up reading Janette Oke's books. Started with her kids series and then moved on to the WCTH and Love Comes Softly books. When I saw the show advertised, it was a no-brainer that I'd be watching! Joined the FB page early on during Season One and the rest is history."

I'm glad your love of books led you in the right direction! WCTH is a unique show that speaks to all different kinds of people, so I always find it interesting how they came to be Hearties.  

I need to preface the next question with, I knew the answer but being the unbiased spotlighter that I am, still asked. 

Pants "Who are your favorite WCTH characters? Favorite couple?

Janette "Really Pants? Anyone who knows me, knows the answer to that one. All together now: "Jack!" You'll always find me on #TeamJack! This would also mean that my fave couple is obviously Jack & Elizabeth. From day one, it was them! Always them.

As far as other characters, can't leave out the TeamFloMo ladies - Florence and Molly! Loretta Walsh and Johannah Newmarch are as sweet as they come! (I also have a soft spot for Marcus Rosner - not his character, Charles - but Marcus. Just to be clear. LOL!)"

Poor Charles...always getting a bum wrap for loving a girl we all love too! I mean, the poor chap had to at least try right!? He had no idea Jack was on his way to the church-that Jack built, in the blue suit, that made him look fantastic, with the ring in his pocket.  Poor chap.  Maybe he will come back one day on business and fall in love with sweet Molly! Yes? No? Or do Hearties never want to see Charles again? 

Pants "What are some hobbies you enjoy?"

Janette " In the past couple of years, I've taken up photography. I shoot with my iPhone only and you'd be surprised what kind of pics you can take with just your phone! Some of my Hearties friends went together and got me a macro lens for my birthday this year and I'm obsessed with it! (You can see some on Insta @janettemsu)

I am also a massive Michigan State Spartan fan! Saturday's in the fall you'll find me at football games in Spartan Stadium! Besides that I love hanging out with family and friends, and I'm getting a new puppy soon so he'll be keeping me busy too!"

Awww, puppies are adorable! Will he look like Rip, are you going to name him Rip, then Jack will get confused and follow him to your house!...I see your plan..very crafty Janette! I like it!

Pants "What are your top 3 tv shows, besides WCTH?"

Janette " One of my faves of all time was "Alias." Current shows I'm obsessed with besides WCTH are "Elementary," "The Night Shift," and "New Girl."

Ok, let's see if I can mash these into a new show... Sherlock works the night shift at the police station where a new girl detective starts working there and ends up being better than him!

Pants "What was your favorite season 3 story-line?"

Janette "I loved everything about the story-line with Cody over the course of the season - the way Abigail gave him unconditional love, the way the community looked out for him, the way Jack connected with him over losing his father. So many poignant moments with Cody! I also love, love, loved the camping episode!! Don't get me started on that kiss! Jack & Elizabeth reached a new comfort level with each other and it showed! I'll just leave it at that. ;)"

Cody really did capture the hearts of the Hearties this past season. And the camping episode was great, only because I wasn't in it. Mud, and sleeping outdoors...no thank you! oh and getting smoke smell out takes days!

Pants "What would you like to see happen in season 4?"

Janette " I think along with all of the collective Heartie-dom, I too, think a proposal would be a perfectly acceptable storyline in Season 4! Lol! Beyond that, the skies the limit! I try to keep an open mind about storylines for the most part. It bums me out when people say that once Jack & Elizabeth get married that there won't be any story left to tell or the series will end. Janette Oke's books are just full of adventure, challenges, and joys that come after marriage! I think it would be wonderful to see Jack & Elizabeth married and watch them go through the challenges of married life and show how they work through them! I don't know if married life is in the plan for S4, but if not, hopefully there are many more seasons to come!"

I agree. I think the story-lines get more intense after marriage. There is more on the line, as the relationship is deeper. There will always be adventure and danger in Jack's line of work, and seeing how Elizabeth deals with that as a wife, and eventually mother, I think will be very interesting to watch. So, hopefully the writers will get a move on with it this season already!

Pants " If you were a NEW character on the show, who would you be and what would you want your storyline to be? Who would you want to interact with? Gowen's sidekick? steal Jack from Elizabeth ? You decide!"

Janette "I would want to be the town barber/hair stylist/salon owner - the one that everyone would come to and spill about life while getting their hair done. I'd get all of the good Hope Valley gossip that way!"

That is a very smart idea, and Hope Valley needs one! In a shop anyways, the stylist on set are spectacular. I can just see Gowen sitting in the corner, reading the paper, listening in.

Now Hearties, I would like to share some of Janette's Heartieart with you. First, with what started all the #lipstaring talk. She tweeted this to Erin, and Erin admitted she was busted. And the rest is history. Now #lipstaring is discovered in every episode with Jackabeth, on both sides! Jack is guilty of it too!

Here is some more beautiful art, made by the talented Janette!

Looking so serious in the Red Serge. 

If only you knew how laid back the Red Serge is when he is off duty! The stories I could tell....

Now, that's a kiss worthy of some 

"True Love" magic! 

I believe she will. She has overcome a lot since leaving her comfortable home and moving to  Hope Valley.  She has shown so much strength and spunk! Love our Elizabeth!

Saved the best for last...I mean...look at those colors in that plaid...look down ladies...past the eyes and the smile...there ya go!

I want to thank Janette so much for answering my questions and telling me some stories that I didn't know. And for sharing her wonderful art!  Hearties never cease to amaze me with their talents and graciousness!  

Lee Coulter's Pants

Heartie Spotlight- Alesha Chamberlain

Heartie Spotlight

Alesha Chamberlain

@AleshaBC

Hearties I"m back with my wonderful spotlights! My mission to share individual Heartie stories with the world of Hearties so that you can all get to know each other a little better and we can make our world a little more intimate. Especially with how we are growing! My first spotlight of the fall is, Alesha aka : The GIF queen! She hails from Florida, just outside of Ft. Lauderdale.  So, sit back, enjoy the sun and here we go!

Pants "How did you become a Heartie?"

Alesha " I was introduced to When Calls the Heart by my mother who was a huge fan of the show. So I started watching it in a way for some type of therapy for me. My father was a police officer in Louisiana and was killed in the line of duty 3 years ago and in some way I was able to relate with Jack in the story line and that's when I truly fell in love with When Calls the Heart. I didn't really become a true hardcore heartie until I started following the Facebook page two years ago!"

I'm sorry to hear about your father. But I'm glad you were able to find the Hearties, and find a way to relate, and work through your pain.

Pants"What are your favorite WCTH characters? Favorite couple?"

Alesha " My favorite character is Abigail because her love and compassion for people is unprecedented. She also can stand up for herself without losing her true self.

My favorite couple: Lee and Rose...the writers had me at their first time meeting when Lee came into town on that motorcycle and Rose and Lee exchange witty conversation.

I think Lee had one of the best introductions on the show! Some may disagree, but riding in on a motorcycle is better, I mean different, than riding in on a horse. Both are good! No one shoot me! Just saying that it definitely turned Rosemary's head and we are all thankful for that! I think they had some of the most touching scenes in season 3!

Pants "What are some hobbies you enjoy?"

Alesha " I love traveling and taking photos and editing pictures"

Pants "Where is your favorite place that you have traveled? Where would you like to go that you haven't had the chance to yet?

Alesha "My favorite place to travel is Alaska and I've been 3 times and love it every time. I got to go everywhere in Alaska, even Barrow Alaska, the farthest north in USA. I've never been overseas. My two bucket list places to go are Easter Island and Isle of Man."


Wonderful goals, can't wait to see the pictures when you go... you wouldn't need a pair of pants to take with you, say plaid?

Pants "What are your top 3 tv shows, besides WCTH?
Alesha " Chuck, Boy Meets World, and New Girl"

I admit, I haven't seen any of those. But I'm guessing a Boy named Chuck goes out to meet the world with a new girl? Am I close?

Pants "What was your favorite season 3 storyline?"
Alesha " (how can I just pick one ) I have to say the relationship between Jack and Cody, Cody lost his father and so did Jack. Jack is able to relate with Cody in a way that no one else can.That bond was touching to me! I cried like a baby when I saw that scene between Jack and Cody behind the house!"

That scene was one of the highlights of the season for sure! Carter is a wonderful actor. You could feel every ounce of Cody's pain leaping off the screen right into your heart! Only Gowen wouldn't be touched by that scene! Well, maybe he would...but he wouldn't show it!

Pants "What would you like to see happen in season 4? Besides a Jackabeth proposal, because we ALL want that to happen!"
Alesha "I would like to see if Rosemary can really talk Lee into getting a circus into town like she promised the kids she would. Or maybe Lee and Rosemary find out their pregnant "

Well, the Circus and babies are both loud and sticky. So maybe have Lee pick one?

Pants "If you were a NEW character on the show, who would you be and what would you want your story line to be? Who would you interact with?"
Alesha " I've actually thought about this before. I would like to be the widow of a formal Canadian Mountie that Jack used to work with that was killed in the line of duty. I would be able to come to the aid of Elizabeth...to reassure her of the dangers of being a Mountie's wife. At the end knowing that after everything I went through I would never change a thing because God is in control of it all!"

I love the message of this and the idea of a friend for Elizabeth that has lived the Mountie lifestyle that isn't Jack's mom!


Alesha, thank you so much for answering my questions and giving myself, and all Hearties, a chance to get to know you better! Your tweets always make me laugh. Safe travels and I will see you on Twitter sharing GIFs!





Lee Coulter's Pants