Books We've Read - Mistletoe in Paradise

I read this book as a light little diversion to keep my reading going.  I love Jill Shalvis, and this was a perfect book for a Saturday.  It opens with 2 brothers - James and Jason - and a childhood friend, Hannah.  Their families always spend Christmas together on a yacht sailing around the Carribean.  This year, Hannah, James, and Hannah's step-father are on the yacht for a most awkward trip.  

There is some reunited love, some father/daughter moments, warm temperatures when it is definitely cold where I am, some sexy times.  It's perfectly adorable - light in parts, funny in parts, and really touching and moving in parts.  This is loosely part of the Wildstone series, but you definitely do not need to read any of the series for this one.  It's very stand alone.

Books We've Read - What You See

What You See is the latest book in the Sons of the Survivalist series by Cherise Sinclair.  You don't have to read the previous books though it does help of course.  Cherise Sinclair's books get a little graphic - there's some violence - hand-to-hand combat, gun, abuse, there is some sexy times that are described with a fair amount of detail.

This series takes place in Rescue, Alaska, and is about 4 boys who grew up together, foster brothers who form a strong brotherhood between them.  They end up being raised by a survivalist after being taken from an abusive foster home.  

In this one, Bull meets Frankie.  Bull is owner of the local bar/restaurant though he has other business ventures in Alaska.  Frankie takes time off from her job at her family's modeling agency to rescue her friend being held in Alaska by the local religious cult.  We've seen the cult gain more and more attention throughout the book, how local law enforcement wants to shut it down, but they have no evidence.  So, this comes to a head a bit in this book.  

I liked this one.  I liked the action.  I completely understand that this book/series is not for everybody.  It gets very gritty and rough around the edges.  That said, it is typical for Cherise Sinclair's books and, truthfully, it is a little tamer than her other series in terms of subject matter and content.  So, if this is your jam, check out the series.

Movies We've Watched - The Prom

I watched The Prom on Netflix last weekend.  I liked it.  It was fine.  I totally understand the criticism, but as one who has not judged Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman's singing kindly in the past, I thought they were entertaining.  I don't have a huge issue with James Corden.  Could there be better performances?  I'm sure.  Could they have chosen some/all of the original cast from Broadway?  Definitely.  However, I get that I should either not watch it or I take it for what it is.  

With that out of the way, I'll say nice things. I love Keegan Michael Key.  I thought he did a good job, and now I want to see Jingle Jangle.  I thought the leads were adorable.  I don't think this movie version falls as flat as some other (most) movie adaptations, and it does make me want to see the play.  

Movies We've Watched - The Society of Second-Born Royals

 

To continue my young adult viewing, I watched The Secret Society of Second-Born Royals on Disney+.  The first time I tried to watch, it seemed a little silly which I attributed to the fact that I was old and not the target demographic.  However, I waited a little bit and then gave it another go.  It was really cute.  I didn't see the ending coming and really liked the unique take on the superhero origin story.  This could definitely be a series if they wanted.  I've also loved the recent string of movies, mostly for young people, with Asian stars.  Younger April would have definitely been into it.  

Sam is the second-born daughter in the royal family of Illyia.  Her mother is temporarily ruling after her father dies.  Her sister is about to take the throne upon her birthday.  Sam bucks the monarchy (despite being part of it).  Sam also finds herself with heightened senses.  After a crazy night, Sam winds up in summer school which turns into her introduction to the Secret Society of Second-Born Royals.  She, and 4 others, learn to control their powers and learn that their job is now to protect the heads of their families.  

At the end of it all, I found it super cute.  The kids did a good job of making you care about their characters after seemingly like caricatures at the start (similar to The Breakfast Club where they are stuck together and seem like the Jock and the Princess but turn into more).  I'd love a sequel where you meet other second borns and other powers, but this one was fun.

Movies We've Watched - The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special

 

We settled into Disney+ all weekend long.  I watched the latest episode of The Mandalorian on Friday night and went straight into Godmothered.  On Sunday, for Sunday Family Movie, we got into the holiday spirit with The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special and the Disney Family Holiday Singalong (which previously aired on ABC earlier in the week).

I was wondering how the holiday special would fit into canon.  It turns out it fits in well with the timeline(s).  It also brings in almost all the timelines and main characters.  Little Miss and Husband loved all the little quick nods to famous scenes, and Captain liked the sight gags and the Child from The Mandalorian.  It was a really enjoyable little special and the beginning of our holiday viewing for December.  

Movies We've Watched - Godmothered

 

I've been taking more advantage of Disney+.  This past weekend, I caught Godmothered.  It's the story about Eleanor and Mackenzie.  Eleanor wants to be a fairy godmother very badly, but she's finding out no one believes anymore, and she and all of her classmates are being trained to be tooth fairies which is unacceptable to her.  She finds the last letter sent and goes to earth to help in one last ditch effort.  She finds Mackenzie's letter, but she soon realizes that the letter has been filed for awhile and now Mackenzie is all grown up.  Still, she tries to make her fall in love and live happily ever after.

Of course, hijinks ensue.  The movie doesn't go exactly where you'd think though which makes it even more adorable and puts at least a glass slipper in reality which I liked.  It was a fun little holiday movie though Christmas is more the backdrop and less a story plot point.

Books We've Read - Final Gravity

 

Last weekend, I dipped my toe into reading again with a little short story.  Final Gravity by Layla Reyne is a little short story that brings all of her teams together for a surprise wedding where the grooms are surprised.  It's got all of the action and steamy sexy times as a regular books except no shoot out, and it is very condensed.  I definitely wanted more, but it's always great revisiting all of the characters.  This book stands on its own, but it's not appreciated at all if the other books aren't read first.

Movies We've Watched - Goosebumps 2

 

Last Sunday, Captain picked the family movie and chose Goosebumps 2.  He loves scary things (though I don't know if he has picked up on the correlation between the nights he spends in our bed and his viewing of scary movies).  We've definitely seen worse movies.  The special effects are rough, but it's creepy without being scary.  Both kids enjoyed it enough for an early morning rental.  

Trigger warning - there is a ventriloquist dummy which is kind of terrifying.  To balance it out, there are some killer gummy bears that are not scary at all.  Some monsters which weren't that scary but probably would have scared me as a kid (or even young adult).  The dummy in Toy Story 4 is scarier for scale.

Movies We've Watched - Knives Out

 

OK, first of all, I should say that these are called "Movies We've Watched", but it's almost always movies I'VE watched.  Sometimes, they include movies for Sunday Family Movies or movies I've taken the kids to.  However, this movie is one Husband and I watched together.  Weird!  This movie is on Amazon Prime (and included in Prime viewing if you have that option).

Knives Out was a really fun mystery.  It opens a little choppy - different points of view and jumping backwards to the night of the murder.  I think seeing how the different characters viewed the same event but differently gets you settled in to the mystery of it all and deciding what to trust.  I am a very impatient mystery viewer/reader.  I hate not knowing.  I generally love a good spoiler for example.  For this one, I did know some spoilers, but it did not spoil anything because I kind of forgot and I liked seeing how it all played out enough.  So, that's a sign of a good mystery.  I will say that the only thing that bugged me was Daniel Craig's accent, but it did keep it a bit lighter and silly in a sea of unlikable characters - unlikable isn't necessarily bad though.

We both really liked it though which is the big news.  We rarely watch movies together and also have very different tastes so it's nice when we both enjoy entertainment.

Movies We've Watched - The Mandalorian

 

I don't want to say I'm NOT a Star Wars fan.  I've seen most of the movies (except maybe the last one).  I grew up with the series.  I'm just not OBSESSED with it or remember a lot of the details.  So, I didn't gravitate towards The Mandalorian.  I know Little Miss watched it, and I kept hearing good things about it this season so I gave it a go last Sunday night.  And then, by Monday night, I finished all of it.

I believe The Mandalorian takes place between The Return of the Jedi and the The Force Awakens.  I still have some questions about the details, but at the heart of it, the Mandalorian was tasked a job of bringing a 50-year-old in to a client.  It turns out the 50 is the equivalent of a toddler in whatever species it is.  He turns the child in to his client, but he can't leave it because of a hinky feeling.  So, he flees with the cutest being ever.  

You've got some folks who want the Empire to make a comeback.  You've got all of the Mandalorian group.  There is a bunch of secondary characters from all the different Star Wars iterations.  This is great if you paid attention to any of the anything OR you can be me and Wikipedia everything.  I think it's fairly easy to follow as a superficial fan though.  It does have a modern, yet classic, feel to it.  I've decided to watch the Behind-The-Scenes show next (also on Disney+).

Movies We've Watched - Happiest Season

 

Last weekend, I watched Happiest Season on Hulu.  I thought it was super cute.  It was heartbreaking at times but also hilarious and heartwarming.  

This movie is about Abby and Harper.  We see their relationship blossom quickly in an illustrated montage in the opening credits and then a sweet moment with the two of them.  Then, Harper invites Abby home for Christmas with her family.  Abby accepts and plans to propose on the visit.  Right before they arrive at Harper's family's home, Harper tells Abby that she has not come out to her parents.  This results in both girls entering the house going along with the parents' assumption that they are straight.  Through it all, Harper's parents are trying to set her up with her ex-boyfriend and an ex-girlfriend shows up.  

I found it difficult to agree with all of Harper's actions at first, but I understood her more and more throughout.  Overall, it was a good romcom to get me into the season.  I so rarely get to movies around this time because it's so busy so I am glad it premiered on Hulu so I got to watch it.  I know it's not ideal for movies, but these are crazy times.

Books We're Reading - Eerie Elementary

 

Eerie Elementary is a new series Captain and I have been reading.  When we read The Witches, he LOVED it in a way that he's never loved a book before.  He wanted all of the scary books.  However, there aren't a lot of scary books for first graders.  I did a search and this series came up.  So, we learned about the pandemic safety measures at the library and put the first book on hold.  It was a hit!  So, we put the next 4 books on hold.  

This is a super cute series.  It's for kids 6-8 or a 2nd grade reading level.  Captain is a little below benchmark for his reading, but he loves listening to books, and he can now read select words on each page.  Sam is chosen to be hall monitor and starts to be in tune with the creepy school.  Mr. Nekobi is the grounds keeper and keeps all the kids safe from the school.  It turns out the school is angry and wants to absorb the children.  Sam and his friends, Antonio and Lucy, save the school in the first book.  

In the second book, Antonio and Lucy get promoted to Assistant Hall Monitors and continue to figure out how the school is haunted/possessed?  We're only 3/4 of the way through the second book so I don't know much more than that.  Anyway, if you have a young reader who likes a bit of the creepy, these are fun.

Books We've Read - Country Boy

I won the first three books of this series, Hot Off the Ice.  Country Boy is the first in the series by A.E. Wasp.  During a night of insomnia, I sped through the first book.  I have some nitpicks, but overall, I liked the story.  It was everything I needed at 3 in the morning.

It's about a professional hockey player nearing the end of his career.  He is recovering from injury and decides to spend the holiday (it takes place right before Thanksgiving) recuperating at his new house he inherited.  He has a meet cute with the current tenant of the house (and, of course, he has no idea that's who he is).  

A couple of things to know: main character has a best friend on his hockey team as well as is still good friends with his ex-wife.  Pretty much everyone suspects he's gay (you know this from page 1).  When the dude meets his meet cute, it all kind of clicks.  

There are some clunky parts with the legalities of the inheritance and the ex-boyfriend, but the main couple was cute as was all of their relationships with friends and family.  I would have been happy just to read the Thanksgiving portions - full of family, friends, sexy times.  I think the family and friendships were written really well.

I'm also reading The Nickel Boys so it's all either very light or very heavy for me.

Movies We've Watched - Dash & Lily

I binge-watched Dash & Lily on Netflix last weekend.  It was adorable.  Yes, you need to suspend a bit of disbelief as Dash & Lily are teenagers in NYC at the holidays and somehow are allowed free reign of the city as well as have the cooperation of the entire city in their scheme.

Dash is a cynic stuck at home alone at Christmas with each of his parents thinking he is with the other parent.  He's a book snob, hates Christmas, and somehow still has friends.  Lily is a wide-eyed awkward girl who loves Christmas.  Her family is very close, but her parents decide to go to Fiji for Christmas which leaves her a bit bothered.  

Lily's brother starts a little dare book in order to hook Lily up with a like-minded boy.  So, enter Dash who plays the little scavenger hunt and tries the first dare.  With each task/dare, the two learn more about each other.  Meanwhile, they are distracted by real people in their lives - an old rival (possibly a new boyfriend) and an ex-girlfriend.  

There is a fairly large supporting cast and a lot of color and music.  It was just really cute.  It's a fast, little series.  I have owned the book for a bit so I look forward to reading that as well.

Movies We're Watching - Ted Lasso

I broke down and got the free preview of Apple+ (though I haven't decided if I'm keeping it or not).  Anyway, I binged Ted Lasso to watch within the free week.  I ended up watching it in a couple of days.  I know almost nothing about football (soccer).  I don't think you need to know anything about football, but I think it helps a lot if you do.  I did need to look up relegation for example.  

It was a funny show with a lot of laughs between the sports, culture shock, and just general physical comedy, but it had a lot of heart, too.  I did feel for the characters.

Ted Lasso is an American college football coach that gained fame from a viral video of him dancing.  He's hired by the new owner of a British football club who gains the club in her recent divorce.  The ex-husband only cared about the football club (and cheating).  So, her plan was to tank the club.  However, Ted is very earnest and determined to do his best.  

I think it would have been easy to make any number of the characters two dimensional from the duck-out-of-water coach to the egotistical athlete to the model girlfriend to the scheming owner, but it never did other than to use those stereotypes to turn your expectations around.

Movies We're Watching - Staged

 

I tumbled upon Staged during a time where I was bored and wanted something to watch that didn't require any brain power.  I'm at that time at work and pandemic lockdown where I can barely function during business hours, let alone in my personal time.  

Staged is a short, little series we borrowed from the BBC.  David Tennant and Michael Sheen and a small cast of characters play, for the most part, exaggerated/fictional versions of themselves.  Simon Evans decides to direct a play during lockdown starring David and Michael and there are some shenanigans.  I found it utterly lovely.  It was funny, relatable in parts, and surprisingly touching.  Thumbs up to the surprise cameos, too.  It's playing on Hulu if this seems like something that appeals to you.  

Movies We've Watched - The Witches

 

Captain has been loving most of Roald Dahl's books.  He loved Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The Witches.  He did not take to The BFG so far.  The Witches has been his favorite by far.  He really loves the darkness in the books.  I found this one disturbing on a few levels, but those parts just captivated him.  

There is the original movie.  I've never seen it because it seemed too scary.  Then, HBO Max came out with a version in October.  Captain counted down the days.  I tried to warn him that it may not follow the book exactly.  It didn't, but it followed the general tone and arcs of the book.  It was American-ized and softened a little.  For example, you didn't see the Grand High Witch peel off his face or the boy (turned mouse) have his tail cut off, and the end was slightly tweaked.  It was still fun and flashy.  I think it was a tricky one to adapt.  

Maybe we'll try to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory together next.  Currently, we're going through the Eerie Elementary series.  Captain loves dark and creepy books which are near impossible for the 6 year old reading level!

Movies We've Watched - James and the Giant Peach

 

Captain rewards himself with the movie versions of all the books we've read together.  James and the Giant Peach is not my favorite book or movie, but he loved it.  That said, if you are a fan, I highly recommend Taika Waititi's YouTube reading of this book.  It's delightful.  We sped through the book very quickly.  

Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Receipe

I gifted myself Harry & David pears and could not eat them all.  So, I did a search for recipes and came up with this one.  I needed the oven for something else, but I normally would have roasted everything a bit longer.  Also, I'm not in love with my honey.  It made this too sweet.  I think I would have gone with a balsamic reduction drizzle.  Either way, it was good enough for one lunch, and then I gave the rest to my parents who said they liked it.  

Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Recipe (link to recipe)

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts
• 2 pears cored and cut into 8 wedges each
• ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion or red onion
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 or 4 lemon wedges
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts, pears, and onion and toss to coat with the olive oil. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper.
• Place the mixture on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake until the Brussels sprouts are golden brown and have started to crisp and the pears have caramelized, about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.
• Squeeze 3 of the lemon wedges over the pan and drizzle with the honey. Add the dried cranberries and toss to combine well. Taste and season with more lemon and salt and pepper, if needed. Serve immediately.

Fall

 How is it Fall already?  I haven't been doing much in any measurement.  

We've hit a groove with school.  The marking period ended.  Little Miss has straight A's after taking a bit to acclimate to virtual learning.  Captain doesn't really get grades, but he's improved so much and has taken to virtual learning (with a lot of help and guidance from us).  

I've been mostly "catching up" on The Big Bang Theory.  I watched the first two seasons, but then I drifted away so I picked up at Season Three and am steadily making my way through the seasons.  I still enjoy it, but I think I'm hitting some fatigue.  

I haven't read one book in months, but I may have to make myself sit and do it to get back in the groove.  On the plus side, my book buying has slowed (though not stopped).

We celebrated Little Miss's 13th birthday.  We tried to make it as special as we could without going out or seeing people.  She briefly saw some friends outside to receive gifts.  We gifted the friends with cupcakes.

These cupcakes were very involved, similar to the other cupcakes and cake I made earlier in the year.  I don't think my meringue was perfect.  It wasn't thick enough, but it was starting to separate, and I didn't want to redo it so I just stopped where it was.  It was still smooth and tasty, just not the right texture.  I don't think we also heated it high enough, but the cake part is delicious.  I don't always find plain cake recipes that extraordinary versus doctored box mixes, but this one was so good (it may have helped that I paid a lot for the gourmet cocoa).

Here is the recipe if you are interested.

Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes

Ingredients

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

• 6 Large Egg whites
• 1 1/4 Cup Sugar (250 g / 8.5 oz)
• 1/4 tsp Cream of tartar
• 2 Cups Unsalted butter, soft (454 g / 16 oz)
• 20 Oreo Cookies

Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 Cup AP Flour (180 g / 6 oz)
• 1/2 Cup + 2TBS Cocoa powder (65 g / 2.5 oz)
• 1 1/8 tsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 Large Egg yolk
• 3/4 Cup Milk (180 ml / 6 oz)
• 1/3 Cup Canola Oil (90 ml / 3 oz)
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/3 Cup Sugar (275 g / 10 oz)
• 2/3 Cup Boiling Water (150 ml / 5 oz)

Instructions

To Make the Buttercream

1. In a bowl of a standing mixer, pour the sugar then add the egg whites and cream of tartar. Use a hand whisk to blend it all.

2. Place the bowl on top of a pot with simmering water on the stove. Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.

3. Use a hand whisk to stir the mix and cook until it reaches 130F or when the sugar has dissolved.

4. Remove bowl from stove and back to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.

5. Mix until a stiff meringue has formed and the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch of your hand.

6. Reduce speed to low-medium and add the butter a piece at a time, gradually increase speed to medium-high and mix until a smooth creamy buttercream has formed.

7. Measure 1 cup of buttercream and place in a medium bowl

8. Separate the Oreos cookies remove and place the filling in the bowl with the small amount of buttercream.

9. Use a fork or a hand whisk to blend the filling and buttercream then in a piping bag fitted with a round tip.

10. Place the separated cookies in a food processor and process it into a very fine meal. Remove and lumps or large pieces you notice.

11. Sprinkle the ground Oreos on top of the buttercream and mix until a cohesive buttercream has formed.

12. Fill a large piping bag fitted with a large tip (your choice of shape).

Baking The Cupcakes

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix to blend.

2. In a bowl of a standing mixer, place the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla pour the sugar on top then add the dry ingredients.

3. Use the paddle attachment to mix on low until completely smooth then pour the boiling water and mixing carefully until smooth. Let sit for 15 minutes. (do not over mix)

4. Fill cupcakes liners 3/4 full and bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick comes out dry from the center of the cupcakes.

5. Preheat oven to 350F, line 1-12 cup muffin tines with cupcakes liners.

6. Remove from stove and allow to completely cool before filling and decorating.

Filling and piping the cupcakes

1. Using a sharp knife, cut an inch sized circle at the center of each cupcake. Make sure you insert the knife 1" deep and as you cut around, create a cone-shaped piece you can easily remove.

2. Use the white buttercream to fill the center of the cupcakes then the dark buttercream to pipe the cupcake.

Movies We've Watched - Julie and the Phantoms

 

Lately, I've been watching a lot of content aimed to pre-teens and teenagers.  I find it enjoyable except when it gets a little angsty.  My other issue is that I end up pretending I'm the same age as the characters and crush along with the main character.  And then I remember I'm old enough to be all of their parent.  So, that's depressing.  All honesty, I think I'm older than their parents which is even worse.  Anyway, it's more important to concentrate on the music and the feels.  Plus, the band died from tained hot dogs so it's kind of funny.  I definitely recommend if you're into the High School Musical or Descendants movies (same guy directed and The Descendants and Julie and the Phantoms share a few cast members).

Movies We've Watched - Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime!

 

Last weekend, for Sunday Family Movie, we watched Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! on HBO Max.  It was so much fun.  It was a must-watch for fans of Mo Willems - Pigeon, Gerald and Piggy, and other books.  HBO Max also has some other Mo content which we haven't watched yet, but we can't wait.

Captain and I went to The Kennedy Center to see the play Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus last January, and he's been begging to go back ever since.  We did go again at the Lunar New Year, but then the pandemic hit so we haven't been back since.  When it's safe to go, we'll go again.  I promised.

Movies We've Watched - Night at the Museum Secrets of the Tomb and Battle at the Smithsonian

 

Last Saturday, the kids and I went to a drive-in movie down the street to watch Night at the Museum.  They actually liked it.  We had snacks and relaxed in the car.  The next morning was Sunday Family Movie which we haven't done in awhile, but we watched the sequel.  It's so hard to tell if the kids enjoy something sometimes.  However, this time, Little Miss told her friends all about it.  Captain spent 15 minutes talking about the movies to his grandparents during our weekly Zoom call.  I'm glad it was a hit.

The drive-in movies have been fun.  I'm not sure if I included them all.  Little Miss and I saw Mrs. Doubtfire and The Sandlot.  This is the first Fall-ish movie and it started an hour earlier as the sun sets earlier now.  It was easier to bring Captain because we were home by 10-ish instead of after 11PM.  The sugar definitely helped him stay awake, too.  I definitely want to keep my eye out if they continue doing them.  It is a lot of fun.  We obviously enjoyed doing the indoor movie series, but the drive in is a nice substitute.  They are also doing Thursday night outdoor movies, but the school night and the chillier weather makes that series challenging (also, those ae $40 and the drive-in movies are no cost).  

Books We're Reading - Shadows in Death

 

I read a non-book club book!  I cracked into Shadows in Death on release date a couple of weeks ago.  The on-page death count was low.  I prefer a good race against time, serial killer, but this one did most of his killing before the book starts.  The book, as all do, starts with a murder.  Then, murder cop, Eve Dallas, gets to work to find the killer.  In this case, it was fairly easy because Roarke, husband and civiliant consultant, sees a familiar face.  So, in this case, it was more of gathering enough evidence and catching the killer to put him away.  In the meantime, Cobbe, big bad, was after torturing and killing everything dear to Roarke.  

To catch the big bad, all of Eve and Roarke's chosen family comes together - Mr. and Mrs. Mira, the entire precinct, Nadine, Summerset.  In the subplot, there was also mention of Nadine's boyfriend and Mavis and Leonardo and Trina.  

All in all, it was a great book.  I don't always like the personal books.  I tend to just like the straight-forward serial killer books, but it's nice to see Eve and Roake grow as characters and grow closer together and to see a couple work to maintain a relationship because usually with romance books, it all ends with the happily ever after.  Eve and Roarke are obviously happily ever after, but it's not as easy as a fade to black which I appreciate - also, even though it's like 50+ books with us, it's only been a couple of years for them.  

Movies We've Watched - Stranger Things

 

I started Stranger Things season 3 last year when it premiered and then stalled about halfway through.  Then, Little Miss's friends were getting into it.  I saw there was a trailer for season 4.  So, I was motivated to finish Season 3.  I definitely think that this was the weakest season for me, but Little Miss liked it a lot.  She very much likes to binge watch shows whereas I take my time.  It'll be interesting how we watch together when Season 4 premieres.  

I, of course, liked the nods to the 80's in clothes, entertainment, and guest stars.  They do quite a bit without showing us the monster until the end.  For me, it's really the relationships between everybody.  I admit to straying a bit from the show, but I'll hang around for another season if only to give me something to discuss with Little Miss.

Movies We've Watched - Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead

 

Last week, I watched Hot Fuzz on Starz, and I really liked it.  I don't remember why I decided to watch it.  I think I got caught in an IMDB spiral and realized I never saw it.  So, I decided to remedy that.  I thought it was really funny which helped because it was also very violent, and I'm a baby.  I posted on Facebook that I was finally watching for the first time, and the boy's cousin suggested Shaun of the Dead.  So, the next night, I watched that!

Shaun of the Dead is a zombie movie which isn't my favorite genre.  Again, I'm a baby.  I loved the little nods to zombies before you see the first one in the movie.  That made me laugh.  I believe I watched this on Cinemax which was a challenge because it doesn't have an app so I had to figure out how to watch online.  I did so it all worked out.  I liked Hot Fuzz a little more, but I think it's because it's got a slightly firmer foot in reality.  This isn't always necessary in my entertainment (obviously), but it sometimes helps when I'm comparing two different movies.  

I haven't seen the third in the unofficial trilogy, but I haven't found it online either.  Maybe some day.  

Movies We've Watched - Magic Camp

 

As already established, my entertainment taste skews young.  I recently found out that Little Miss's friends and I share favorite tv shows.  So, that's great.  Anyway, continuing on that trend, I watched Magic Camp on Disney+.  I think the adult storyline is the weakest which is fine because it mostly focuses on a young adult.  Theo loses his dad with whom he shared a love of magic.  It was their thing.  So, his mom shows that he was accepted into Magic Camp.  He assumes it was the last act his dad did for him.  

The kids are funny but not too adorable or precocious.  It was a typical feel-good movie.  It was funny and feel good, the perfect quarantine movie if you don't want to think too hard. 

Movies We've Watched - Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe

 

Phineas and Ferb is one of the reasons why I didn't hesitate to get Disney+.  Maybe I don't watch it as often as I could be, but Little Miss watches the Marvel and Star Wars movies almost every week.  Plus, the cost for Disney+ for three years cost the same as one ticket to Hamilton so we've definitely covered the costs using my Hamilton refund.

If you are a Phineas and Ferb fan, this is really great.  There are many callbacks and signature humor, fantastic guest stars, and heart at the center of it all.  I've been slowly rewatching the show, and it's just so clever and fun.  (Also, the TikTok videos on Phineas and Ferb by fans and by the creators are worth following.)

Movies We've Watched - Skin Wars (season 3)

 

I've never watched Skin Wars before, but I stumbled upon it on Netflix and breezed through the season.  First, I'm not usually a reality competition show fan except maybe The Great British Bake Off.  However, if they are good-natured enough, I don't mind them.  I was hoping this was more like Glow Up, but it's a little more overly-dramatic and over-edited.  Still, I watched it so I could root against the contestants that bothered me.  

I don't doubt all of these people are talented, and it's amazing what people can do on a human canvas.  Maybe this type of show isn't always for me, but I do appreciate the talent most of these people have.  I care a little less about the competition part actually.  So, it was a fine show, but I wasn't engaged enough to watch previous seasons.  The fact that it was originally on GSN and shown on Netflix explains the odd breaks for commercials.  I watch so many streaming shows, I'm not used to that.  

Books I've Read AND Movies We've Watched - The Hate U Give

 

This month, for my work book club, we read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and then watched the movie.  It's about Starr.  Starr lives in a black community and goes to a private school that is predominantly white.  She feels the push/pull of the two different communities and has two different personalities she shows.  In the beginning of the book, she witnesses her childhood friend murdered during a traffic stop.  This changes her to her core, and she finds it more and more difficult to continue to show two different sides of herself.

First, I read the book before watching the movie.  I found it so stressful.  I didn't know much about the book other than I bought it forever ago and never got around to reading it.  It is so infuriating to read the struggle and fear of an entire community combined with watching the news every day.   Knowing this book was written years ago and seeing absolutely no progress today is also difficult to take.  I really liked the nuances of the book, the little moments between Starr and her friends, between Starr and her boyfriend, between Starr and her uncle and dad.  

Second, the movie starts off completely different.  It hit the broad strokes of the book, but I missed the little things.  I felt like the movie's ending was definitely different, and I don't know if I liked that when I compare the two.  Viewing it on its own, I liked it.  I just think I liked the book more.  Of course.  

Movies We've Watched - Selena + Chef

 

Selena + Chef is a new show on HBO Max where Selena Gomez is taught to cook by a professional chef to varying degrees of success.  The food looked amazing.  I'm in love with Selena's kitchen and pink accessories.  I know many love the knives, but I just love the pink.  And that stove/oven!  

I'm jumping the gun because the latest 3 episodes just dropped yesterday on HBO, and I haven't seen them yet, but I really like seeing people with similar cooking ability to myself cook.  It gives me hope.  I don't do a lot of cooking, but I am more willing to try new things than the rest of the house which is a weird scenario for our household.  

Anyway, if you have HBO, this is a fun, little show full of food porn.  

Movies We've Watched - Glow Up

 

This is season 2 of Glow Up on Netflix.  I didn't like it as much as season 1.  I think the winner was fair.  The winner was talented.  I would have been fine with either one.  I was just really happy when the winner of season 1 was announced, and I didn't have that same joy.  

To be fair, I don't watch a lot of reality competition shows.  I hate it when the contestants are portrayed as over-confident or cocky.  I don't mind pride, but I hate it when they get snarky or mean-spirited.  I'm struggling with the body painting show now because of this, but it may even out once those people are cut.  

Anyway, I still find them all wildly talented.  I find it so fascinating to watch people do full make up.  I do very little.  I value my time too much - and don't have the steady hand.  They really are artists.  

Movies We've Watched - JoJo Rabbit

 

I'm a bit of a baby with war-time movies, but Mel Brooks recommended this one.  It finally made it to HBO Max.  The kid who plays JoJo is fantastic.  I think the light and cinematography on this film help balance the evil and darkness.  I ended up liking it a lot.  I love JoJo's mind and seeing him evolve through the film.

JoJo is a child during WWII in Germany.  The movie opens with him pretty much a good little Nazi-in-Training.  His father is away though it's never confirmed if he is actually away or if the movie is telling a tale to avoid telling him that his father abandoned him or died.  She protects him from a lot so it's up to interpretation (or it was spelled out, and I wasn't paying attention).  JoJo is left alone a lot, but he loves his mother.  I'm not a huge fan of Scarlett Johanssen so I don't know if it's her or the character's quirkiness, but she bugged me.  

Overall, I'm glad I watched the movie though.  JoJo was so sweet.  He really made themovie a success for me.

Books I've Read - the Want You series

 

I read both I Want You Back and Want You to Want Me by Lorelei James.  I thought I was safe reading Books 1 and 2, but I didn't realize there was a Need You series.  They're all about the same family.  I think you're fine reading these by themselves, but it'll be interesting to read the first series next.  

These are not my favorite type of book in that they are in first person point of view that jumps between the two main characters.  I don't prefer first person.  That said, I didn't feel like it was manipulative or used as a way to keep a secret.  If anything, I think it helps that we saw both points of view because all of the characters had some internal struggle based a little on perception.  It would be a shame to to miss that, but I think it could have been done as third person, too.  Still, I still enjoyed the books which is saying a lot because when I say I don't like first person, I really do not.

Anyway, the first book is a reunion story.  The couple share a daughter.  The hero is a former professional hockey player putting the next steps in his life in order.  He is a former player off the field as well who was unfaithful to his girlfriend and is an alcoholic.  She has a few walls - not all the hero's fault.  

The second book is the hero's brother from the first book, and the heroine is a hockey player who is a coach and referee.  I loved Gabi.  I loved how generous and tough she is.  I feel she was unique and something you don't read a lot.  Nolan was typical in some ways but unique in some others.  He had family pressures, but he has a supportive family which isn't always true when you read about the rich, entitled playboy type of hero.  Usually, they have some daddy issues or a wall or deep into the family business.  This was a little more.  

They were good books to keep me reading before steeling myself for another book club book with heavy themes.