Family dynamics

Watched About Time the other day.  Went into it expecting a fun romance.  And it had that.

But the real heart of it is the family dynamics.  Father, son, sister, mother.  It's really touching.  (And this despite a male lead actor who reminds me a great deal of someone who gives me skeevy vibes.

I quibble a bit when I thought the film broke its own rules.  Also Rachel McAdams is just never my favorite romantic lead either.

Sweetness and hurt

Been a long time since a book made me read looooong past bedtime, but I really wanted to stay with Georgie from Landline.  I went into this book cold - I knew that Rainbow Rowell could write a good tale but I didn't know what the story would be here.  You should too!

Some parts of this story sucker punched me.  It considers the beginnings of a relationship and contrasts it with a couple who has been together forever.  She knows.  And that can be hard to read for someone still looking hard at a failed relationship.  All that fucking time and effort and failure and pain that came out of so much excitement and love and plans and hardwork.  Sigh.

I really really liked this book despite the gut punches it landed.

Old school glamour

In a wee little town south of me, in a tiny museum I'd never heard of, and Edith Head exhibit was put on.  I did not even hear of it until a week before it closed (and this was after a one week extension!)

The clothes!  The detail!  The videos of golden age stars like Veronica Lake wearing the garment you're seeing in detail!  It was a pretty stunning exhibition.  The garment above was by far my favorite.

The show is gone now, but I'm keeping a closer eye on that tiny museum.

So fucking marvelous

I saw Lyle Lovett and his Large Band in concert a few weeks ago with 4 new-ish friends.  We drank beer, we danced, we sang.  It was a fucking spectacular night.

He sang this song.  Which I love.  But which also kills me.  But I love.

Drinkin'

Holy fuck, do I love this song.

Sometimes you need to wait a few years

I am a sucker for a memoir about someone going for their dreams - especially if it involves food, farming, or travel.  This book involved all three - and I really didn't like it.  <fizzle>

Barnheart is about a woman who moved to Vermont and starts a farm of her own.  I wanted to root for her, but I just ended up frustrated.  It could have used WAY more perspective and editing.

The primary aggravation was her judginess of her neighbors.  She gets so bent out of shape about folks who don't live there all the time or farm their lands.  But when neighbors start questioning some of her choices, it's so breathlessly indignant.

I could really relate to the longing she talked about - to already be living the life she wanted, to find a partner, to be doing things she so wanted to do.  But she lost me too many times with the smugness.

Seriously, I think she should have waited a few years before putting this one out there.  It might have given her a better point of view.

What's beautiful is broken

Horns

My walls need this print.

Paletas

This book is goooooorgeous!  And it guided me in making some delicious sour cream & cherry tequila paletas.  So many more I plan on trying.

Char your cabbages!

This recipe was delicious - grilled skirt steak with cabbage & scallions.

Extra arms

I read A Guide to Being Born several weeks ago, but it's effect is lingering. The author takes you down odd roads.

One of my favorite stories tells of a version of reality where you grow an extra arm when you fall in love and considers the difficulties of having such an obvious sign of your emotions. It's fantastic.

Another story "Poppyseed" about parents making decisions for their severely developmentally delayed daughter gutted me.

This is gonna float in my head for a good long while.

Apt message

I think I need this shirt from Book Riot.

Seating

My living room is home to a sad putty-colored microfiber sectional. Useful in a home with pets and a toddler? Certainly. Stylish and covetable? Notsomuch. Spotted these two pieces of furniture and lurve them. Maybe one day I can buy furniture based on style and not so much cleaning ease and cost.

Land of Nod

Mary Lynn O'Shea