The Most Awesome Awesomeness the World Has To Offer

Hiya, Blogosphere! What's shakin'? Remember when I got all ambitious and started blogging recaps about my fave PBS shows (inquiring minds NEED to to know moi's thoughts on Downton, m'kay) and then totally stopped? Yeah. Sorry about that. I realize not reading my deep insights into Sherlock's latest derring do may have left a few of you bereft. (I kid.) Season 3 was just crazy by the way... um, no more psychological intrigue. Just case solving, please. And really no more face licking criminal masterminds. ew. But thanks for bringing back Moriarty. He's crazy smart/scary.

Okay, so, the awesome awesomeness.  I've got a backlog of AllTheDeepThoughtsandFeelings posts that require way too much thoughtful analysis to process coherently in written form at present, so I'm gonna jump back in with some newly rediscovered passions.  Brace yourself.  I'm a dynamo.

1.  BOOKS

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon by Sophie Hudson

"You may have picked up on the fact that I tend to operate at extremes. I'm either fighting my way through vehement opposition or trying to convince everybody I know that I have singlehandedly discovered the most awesome awesomeness the world has to offer," Sophie Hudson declares in her pitch-perfect memoir.  A mama/teacher blogger, Sophie caught my attention a few years ago, though she's been around awhile... like she's tight with Pioneer Woman and Beth Moore.  So basically, a member of the Christian Woman's earthly trinity.  What I loved about this book is the way she has a ear for family conversations.  Though hers is steeped in the South, all families have their peccadilloes.  This recalled conversation could have taken place, verbatim, in my Mamaw's den with the his and hers Lazy Boy recliners with protective towels covering the headrests:
 "Mama and Chox took care of most of the talking during our thirty-minute car ride, focusing primarily on a little conversational segment I like to refer to as People We Know Who Have Died.  The best part of  any People We Know Who Have Died conversation  (PWKWHD for short) is the inevitable constructive criticism/evaluation of the funeral service centering on.... people's funeral fashion choices....If you show up in jeans, I guess the good news is that they actually won't talk about you at all. Because as far as they're concerned, your ancestors are to blame for that one."

This writer is my lane of funny.  She deftly balances humor in her slice-of-life observations with honest poignancy.   When she includes Scripture to highlight a recollection, it doesn't feel forced.  She's the just-a-shade-of-a-season-ahead-of -you friend who shoots straight.  Highly recommend.


When Calls the Heart series by Janette Oke and Where Courage Leads
by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

 I picked up this series after getting wrapped up in the TV series of the same name.  These stories are in the vein of Christy and Dr. Quinn.  I'm a premature Granny, I suppose, but I love 'em.  In fact, my new friend in Bible Study, who is probably in her late sixties to early seventies, is a fan. She's quite a spitfire, so maybe being a bit of a Granny's not the worst thing ever.  A little clean living, a dose of chaste romance, and a whole lot of sound theology is a good mix.  Sweet and fun.





This book, written 30 years later by the author and her grown daughter, is even better and the basis of the new Hallmark series.  The plot and dialogue are much more sophisticated and satisfying.  Another Lis must-read.











Austenland by Shannon Hale

I've already plugged the movie once in a short post, but I'll say if you like Austen, read this.  It's just fun.









The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting 
by Bunmi Laditan

HT (Honest Toddler) and his mama are straight up legit.  If I could build my own peer group of role models (Beth Moore), mentors (Sophie Hudson, PDub) and mama friends, Bumni Laditan would be in my playdate group. I love her "voice".

HT on "tantrums" or "loud responses" in HT approved language:

"Homework: Go to the grocery store with your child at five thirty P.M. When the loud response starts, scream, "EVERYONE SHUT UP, I NEED TO HELP MY CHILD." Then open four large bags of chips and a juice box. Let your child feast."

Since I just got each of my kids their own jumbo Panera chocolate chip cookie so I could enjoy my own bagel in peace and not share, and since my middle child will have a LOUD RESPONSE if I split a cookie, clearly I'm winning at this whole thing.

I read aloud a post of HT's to my husband at least once a week.  Check it out.


2. THE LIBRARY
Did you know you can check books out for free?  Place holds online?  You can. There's this place called the library.  My county has terrific branches.  We've started stopping in about every week lately.  The librarians/media specialists are always in fancy hats leftover from storytime; they plan activities for all ages of the population; it's a thriving place.  I love a culture of learning.


3.  THE HALLMARK CHANNEL & MY CURRENT TV FAVES

When Calls the Heart series

I mentioned the book series above, so all I can say is: Mounties=swoon.  Dudes, I know you can't really ride in to literally save the day anymore.  But like Brad Paisley encourages, women want someone whose "still a guy."  I'm just sayin', there was a gentleman in my age range that I saw recently wearing THE SAME EXACT SHOES as me.  Granted, they were TOMS, and yes, obviously TOMS makes Men's and Women's shoes, but it was a wee bit of odd.  TOMS wearing men, not trying to question your manhood; just be sure to wear 'em with flannel.  No belt. Shirttail untucked.  Let's go for rugged or sophisticated, but please pick a lane.  I believe the wise Cher from Clueless said it best: "They thrown their greasy hair in a backwards hat and we're expected to swoon? As if."


4. THE BIG STORY

What's in the Bible DVD series

Oh, I loved it.  You will not waste a cent on this.  If you take any of my suggestions, please take this one.  It is on the money and then some.  A three-year-old and a seminary student alike could learn something from this.  It's deep theology, bible history, and entertainment.  The entire series walks through the major points of the Bible in 13 DVDS.  I will be collecting them.  I think this is a great tool to come alongside parents trying to seize opportunities to show that the Bible is living and active and God is very much living and active in our world. Love, love, love this!  Perfect for the upcoming Easter season.





5. HAPPY LITTLE MOMENTS

Back to the opening quote about going back and forth from "vehement opposition to... the most awesome awesomeness...."  That seems to sum up parenthood for me.   The vehement opposition would be all the energy-crushing repetitiveness and responsiblity that caring for little humans necessarily entails.  But the little moments of love: the most awesome awesomeness.  Today, we were finishing up one appointment with some time to kill before another.  In our little town, we could cross the grass to the drugstore to pick up some much needed kiddie toothpaste.  The dogwoods are in bloom; I'm holding my toddler's hand as the bigger two (okay, slightly bigger) walk in the store, and I think something like "I'm happy."  Of course, we enter sans buggy cart, one's beelined for the candy checkout, the other's jonesin' for a princess toothbrush and the toddler's thoughtfully rearranged the mouthwash section.  But.  I was happy.  The contentment of ordinary days.

Thanks for reading and holler if you take me up on any of these suggestions!

If It's Not One Thing, It's a Fever

We (the kids and I) hit the road this week to Nana and Pop's and made a day trip in to Hilton Head.

During the hour and a half drive, the toddler did what toddlers do and began screaming. With authority. When the offering of Chick Fil A fries and drink did not appease The Toddler, I made the command decision to turn around and let the others go on without us. 5 minutes later, The Toddler passed out so we intrepidly continued our journey.

Dumb.

That's when things got LIVELY. About 20 minutes til our end destination, The Toddler resumed screaming, kicking, and thrashing in her carsest (or heckhole without the heck as we sometimes refer to it on such situations).

That's we our journey got really special. A fever was detected, 2 GPS-es were deployed and directives were vigorously pronounced.

Let's just say Mama (that's me) requested a stop and 'bout walked the rest of the way (which was only a half mile tops). 

Mercifully, a outdoor restaurant was spotted, fever relief secured, and everyone got lemonade.

The result of this adventure, which may have shaved 3 months off my life expectancy, was a pretty delightful afternoon we spent watching this merry band enjoy the freezing water and muddy sand.

Filing another memory away in #RealLife.

Sarah's 4th Birthday

Ready to party...

Pinterest this.

Low tech.

Got fancy and made scratch cupcakes.  Almost forgot sugar.  Dur.  Next year: Publix.

Super sweet preschool friends making mini-pizzas.

Cake time!

Crazed toddler in the aftermath.

So much fun!  I always get crazed when we have people over, but I tried my best this time to work on making people feel welcome and cared for instead of my "stellar" (wink, wink) homemaking skills.  I had a very nice time getting to know Sarah's buddies and their moms better.  Between Christmas, a January birthday, and Valentine's Day, Sarah keeps wondering "What's next?"  Well, I guess we'll have to pump up St. Patty's Day!

I'm gonna make this a pin to be meta-ironic.  Maybe it'll help a sister out.  

How to Throw a Dora Party in 5 Easy Steps:

1. Go to the Dollar Store and buy purple, green and yellow plastic and tableware.  Scope out a few treats for the revelers.  Remember, goodie bags are not the 11th commandment.  

2. Go to Nickjr.com and print free Dora invitations to hand out to your child's friends.  Target also sells Dora invites for $5/8 pack, as well as Dora tableware if you want to be fancy.  Which I did.

3.  Order the cake.  Just trust me.  If you're feeling crafty, you can order Dora themed cupcake rings on Amazon for about $8.

4.  Plan the menu. I went to Aldi and bought mini-pizza fixings and fruit.  We all had fun and it served as a party activity.

5.  Freak out and send hubby back to the Dollar store for "4" candles, balloons, and party favors because you changed your mind a tad about simplicity.   Enjoy!

Downton Abbey: Episode "Everybody Needs a Hug"

Also, "Hooray for Decent Men"

Credit: pbs.org/masterpiece

Hugs to Jack Ross, Tom, and Molesley.  Jack is a black jazz singer who is in love with Lady Rose.  Mary visits him to presumably talk him into breaking off their secret engagement, but he beats her to the punch.  He loves Rose too much to see her shunned by society.  Tom takes up for his new family when a new friend and possible love interest feigns contempt for his mother-in-law.  Go get 'em, Tom. Favorite line of the night: "I don't believe in types. I believe in people."  Oh, Tom.  You're growing, like a flower to the sunshine.  Hugs.  And Molesley, Mr. Eeyore.  He has a friend, Ms. Baxter, someone who doesn't think he's pathetic, and so, at last, he isn't.  He wings a hammer at the bazaar and hits the bell.  Now, I'm thinking Baxter rigged it, but he has someone who believes in him.  I think we all need to join hands and sing Climb Ev'ry Mountain.  Go on, I'll wait.  (A dream that will need all the love you can giiiiiiiiive...)

I'm so glad we could share that together.  Also, Daisy and Alfred.  Oh my word, give him a hug.  Her sweet father-in-law encourages her to end things well with Alfred because you don't have many loves in your life.  She brings back a treat basket for him, admits she did love him, but now they must move on.  He admits that he couldn't see her clearly and probably made a big mistake.  Oh, go for it, you crazy kids.  But it's probably good they both stretch their wings and grow, much like our flower bud, Tom.  I really hope Alfred is not written out of the show.  I'd love to see a romance blossom downstairs.  Also, Mrs. Patmore saying Daisy was like a daughter and she'd never been prouder.  I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect har-mo-ny.  Hugs.

Which brings me to our unlucky-in-love lovers, Anna and Bates.   So basically Bates killed Anna's attacker Green, though we never see Green die or what Bates did in York. Nor do we EVER see any bad news related (hello, Granny Dowager, I'm pregnant, right?) or the actual event in which everyone is most interested.

So Edith and Aunt Rosamund and the Dowager Countess, who is the only person it seems with any intuition about anything.  The old girl's a like dog on the hunt.  But you have to admire how she does so only to protect those she truly loves.  Where is Michael Gregson?  Will Edith give up her baby only for this man to mysteriously return?  Do we really believe no one finds it odd she'll be gone for 4 months to Switzerland to learn French besides Granny?

Really.  It's a lot to keep straight.

Better end with Mary and her trio of suitors.  My money's on Mr. Blake (fire and ice, not to mention last week's mud scene), but Gillingham is so sweet and dreamy.  Though their romance will probably be nipped in the bud due to the fact that Bates killed his valet and Mary asked Gillingham to fire the valet the previous day.  And ol' Evelyn Napier.  He's just kinda... there, while his hottie friends keep popping in to woo Mary, the most alluring widow, ever, apparently.

It's part inane, part moving, always clever, and not a little ridiculous.  Three Cheers for Downton Abbey.

#LOLOLOLOLing

This...





Also, this.





I've been waiting for this one for awhile as $17.99 hotel surcharge was a bit too steep of a luxury item that last time I was sprung from the mom joint.  Disclaimer: I've read all the Austen novels several times save Northanger Abbey and read Austenland, the basis of the film.  It wasn't a hard sell. But this was actually funny,even laugh-out-loud in an anachronistically inspired scene (think club music).  My Valentine agreed to watch it, too.  A bit silly and completely enjoyable cinematic confection.  2 thumbs up right here.

One more to round out the hilarity...




Any Internet jewels you'd care to share?