Life Lately

 

Life has been good and busy and honestly, too busy to even remember to take photos to share here.  But, I am ready to get back to normal after the hurricane clean up and celebrate the holidays.  I feel like all of the Florida Gulf Coast feels the same way.  Hurricane season is finally over and our normal sunshiney days await for the next 9 months.

Since we returned to Florida from our trip to Michigan, there has been a lot of catching up, but also fun. Snowbird friends are arriving back for the season, so we have been out and about.  Golf and yoga are always part of my days too.  I hosted a dinner party and today, I am going to test a new crust recipe for my Thanksgiving pies.  

The most fun occurred last weekend when my daughters visited for a long delayed girls weekend to celebrate Melissa’s 30th birthday.  We had planned to go to the new Margaritaville resort in Ft. Myers, but the pool was filled with sand from the hurricanes and we ultimately decided to spend the weekend here at my pool.  I made them fun drinks, they got plenty of lounge chair sun time and we had a great night in downtown Sarasota with rooftop pre dinner drinks, a wonderful dinner at a new to us restaurant and post dinner martinis at a speakeasy type bar.    I miss them already, but luckily Christmas is very soon.

I am a big theatre geek and have seen Wicked three times on stage, so I did something I have never done before and went to see the movie by myself yesterday.  I knew I would have emotions and wanted to experience it on my own.  There are really no words for how good it is and how it paid wonderful homage to the play and to The Wizard of Oz.  During the iconic songs, I had both chills and tears.  Seeing it again, will be happening soon.

Happy Saturday!

Top Gun Maverick Review

First, how great to be back in a movie theater for the first time in a long time.  And, this was the perfect movie to see on a big screen.  There has been a great renovation since our last visit to our local movie theater and it is very nice now with big, leather reclining seats, trays with cup holders and even a cocktail bar.

As for the movie, it was so good.  A perfect sequel to the original with a lot of references in both imagery and dialogue.  The focal point of the plot was Maverick’s past relationships with Goose and Ice, featuring a cameo by Val Kilmer and the strained relationship with Goose’s son.  

The action and fighter jet sequences left you on the edge of your seat, the romance with Jennifer Connelly had Jerry McGuire vibes and there were even a few tears shed by me in two touching scenes.  

And, Tom Cruise (despite his weirdness in real life) is a movie star with a capital M and still plays the part of Maverick to perfection with his trademark smile, cockiness and wit. Goose’s son, Rooster is perfectly cast and his introduction when he walks into the bar on base will have you saying wow.

It’s a feel good movie and who doesn’t need that right now.

What I am Watching

 

Sometimes, I am more inclined to watch something on Netflix than read and that is where I am lately.  I have found some really good series; some new and some that have been around for awhile.  I love a crime series and found two that really hooked me.  Both are smart, brooding and immerse you in the location (Sweden and Wales) where they were shot, which I love.  The Queen’s Gambit is simply stunning and I especially loved the costumes.  Who knew that a chess tournament could be so exciting?  The Dig is the quiet kind of English countryside story that I enjoy, with the intrigue of an archeological dig and the start of WWII as a backdrop. Think Downton Abbey.

The Dig on Netflix

Hinterland on Netflix

The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix

Young Wallander on Netflix

While The Dig was an original Netflix movie, Young Wallander will return for another season. Hinterland will not from all I can tell.   I’m hoping that The Queen’s Gambit will have another season as well.  There are a lot of shows on Netflix, but finding quality is sometimes difficult.  These are all ones that I was sad to see the final credits roll by and definitely worth watching.

Oscar Night

 

 

I have been to Oscar watching parties in the past, and while fun, this year I was equally happy to be at home in front of my own tv and very comfortable in my pajamas. A glass of wine seemed the appropriate choice for Oscar night, but I soon turned to my usual peppermint tea. Coziness rather glamour was my Oscar style for 2016.

All in all, and especially since I didn't see or don't really have interest in the big winner, Mad Max, the show was a little dull, until a few surprises at the end. Chris Rock had some good jokes, but was very one note. I miss the Billy Crystal type musical numbers, all about movies. One highlight for me was Lady Gaga's emotional song.

There were some really pretty and feminine dresses. As always I am drawn to color, sparkle and how the hair and jewelry work with the look. I also was a big fan of Julianne Moore in black with her pale skin and beautiful red hair. Cate Blanchett was flawless, perfect for the occasion and my winner of the night. Here are my favorite Oscar looks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

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Oscars - Favorite Moments

 

 

 

There were many favorite moments from the Oscar telecast last night, even though it seemed like it took an incredibly long time to finally get to the major awards. Perhaps my favorite moment, was that I was able to stay home and watch in my pajamas and cozy robe with my daughters, who both happened to be home for the night. I made a yummy Tirimisu martini ( 1 1/2 ounces creme de cacao, 1 1/2 ounces Kaluha and 1 1/2 ounces half and half ), we filled out our Oscar ballots in advance and had a wonderful time discussing all the dresses as the stars walked the red carpet.

 

 

My favorite dress of the evening, was the beautiful one worn by Cate Blanchett. I thought it was the perfect Oscar dress, because I always love a ball gown for this awards show. The colors of the evening seemed to be either this nude, blush color or shimmering metallics. She looked elegant and just right for the occasion.

 

 

Another favorite moment was when Idina Menzel sang Let It Go. She looked stunningly beautiful and gave a wonderful performance. I thought she seemed a little nervous, but is probably not used to performing for the Hollywood crowd and is more comfortable on the New York stages. She is a favorite of mine, and I could listen to her sing for hours.

 

 

And, the funniest moment of the night was when Ellen was able to get the stuffy Hollywood A-Listers to leave their seats and pose for this candid photo. The fact that it had enough retweets to break twitter for a moment shows the power of social media. Ellen was funny, irreverent and perfect for injecting a little life into the broadcast. She has the ability to chide the stars for taking themselves too seriously, without being mean.

Happy Monday!

 

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Wicked and Frozen

 

 

Ever since I first heard Idina Menzel sing Defying Gravity, I have been slightly obsessed with her voice. I could listen to her sing anything, anytime. Her voice is so unique and powerful and she was meant to play that role in Wicked and sing that song. I have seen Wicked stage three times and will most likely see it again when it plays at a theatre close to me.

Which leads me to the Disney movie Frozen. I didn't pay too much attention to it when it came out, because while it looked cute, my girls are grown and my days of princess movies are over for now. Or so I thought :-)

When I discovered that Idina Menzel was the voice of Elsa in Frozen, I was curious. But, curious enough to see a animated princess movie? My daughter Melissa was home for the long weekend and we decided to go and see if it was as good as the reviews were saying.

As I said, I haven't watched a Disney princess movie in years, though I definitely had my fill of Ariel, Belle, Pocahontas and all the others over the years. I thought it would be entertaining and a fun way to spend time with Melissa.

It was a really good movie and the voice performances were great. I loved the spunky characters and the story of sisterly love. And, the song Let It Go, is sung beautifully by Idina Menzel and very deserving of its Oscar nomination. I was very struck with its similar theme to Defying Gravity and the emotional impact of a girl finally being able to accept who she is.

Melissa may have been the oldest daughter with her mother in the movie theater, but we were perfectly happy reliving our Disney princess days - and enjoying the voice I love so much.

 

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The Weekend with A Dinner and A Movie

 

 

When you have plans on a Friday night, the weekend seems to stretch out before you with infinite possibility. We were invited to a friend's house for dinner and all day, I was looking forward to the company, as well as a glass of wine. It was the perfect post holiday dinner, where we could catch up after the craziness of the holidays. The food was wonderful, from the main course to dessert and it was one of those evenings where we sat around the table talking and laughing, late into the night. Where you suddenly look at your watch at realize how late it is :-)

After a lazy day on Saturday, mostly spent reading, my daughter and I went to see a movie on Sunday. I wanted to see Saving Mr. Banks over the holidays, but never found the time. I am so glad we saw it and it was actually even better than I had imagined. First of all, I love Emma Thompson and she was wonderful in this role - the perfect straight laced British matron who doesn't know what to make of California and Walt Disney. The scenes where the script and the songs for Mary Poppins are bring hashed out and written are filled with facinating detail. The retro 60's look of Los Angeles is perfect too. All together a unique and interesting look at how the Mary Poppins movie was made and a glimpse behind the Disney curtain.

Happy Monday!

 

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Thoughts for Thursday...walking, movies, etc.

 

 

• This path, right behind my house is my favorite part of my daily walk. My puppy knows we are almost home and I am usually ready to stop too. There is something special in this part of the path, with its leaning tree that we walk under. I like to capture it in all seasons; winter with snow on the path and trees, spring and summer with its shades of green, but especially fall, with the brilliant color and light.

• When I got up early to go to the lab, for blood work, last week, this was my reward :-) Panera is just down the street and it was oh so easy to stop for a skim latte and a cinnamon scone, on my way home. I don't miss much about working, but stopping for coffee, early in the morning is a treat I do miss. It always made those morning meetings seem better, with a fresh cup of coffee in my hand.

• I watched Winter's Bone, after reading the book and was very pleased with the adaptation. Its actors were nominated for Academy Awards and I can see why. Jennifer Lawrence does such a wonderful job portraying Ree, the teen who spends the movie searching for her missing father. I especially loved the realistic locations, music and colorful supporting characters. When a movie can bring a book to life effectively, it can be riveting to watch.

• My kitchen painting project that I thought was finished took another two days, thanks to the removal of the painter's tape. I will never use it again! There were very few clean edges and I had to go back and paint around all the doors, windows and cabinets. I can do a much better job cutting in on my own. Is there a secret to using painter's tape I haven't figured out? Please tell me if you know :-)

Happy Thursday!

 

Linking with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom, Thursday Thoughts

 

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Thoughts for Thursday...movies, summertime, etc.

 

 

• I am trying to appreciate every last bit of summer that I can, so I went to the pool yesterday. For me, it is such a wonderful opportunity to relax, that I will really miss it when it closes for the season, in just over one week. Sitting in that comfortable lounge chair, next to the blue, blue water is something I dream about, and long for, during the winter.

• My salvia has finally started to flourish with the bright purple blossoms that I adore so much. I always plant a bunch in a sunny spot next to my driveway, in the front of the house and they love it there. However, this cooler than usual summer has held them back a little. The hot sun we've been having lately though, is just what they needed. Don't they look simple and sweet in a little crystal vase in my bedroom?

• My thoughtful husband pointed out to me that Gone With the Wind was on television, without commercials, the other night and I was in the mood to watch it again. I'm sure like many of you, I have seen it more times than I can count. In fact, I was reading at the time and thought I would just have it on in the background and glance at it from time to time. Before long, my book was forgotten and I was caught up, once again, in the story of Scarlett, Rhett and the old south. The dialogue, the costumes and the characters never get old.

~

• We found that we had a bee's nest in our basement last week and it was the scariest thing. I was in the basement and noticed one of the ceiling tiles, near a window, was falling. When I tried to push it back up, a swarm of bees appeared. I did get stung, but ran upstairs, put a towel in the door crack and called our bug service right away. Luckily, they came within a few hours and removed the nest. When they told me it was the size of a basketball and probably had 2000 bees, I felt a little weak in the knees. Crazy!

Enjoy your day :-)

 

Linking with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom, Thursday Thoughts

 

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Thoughts for Thursday...movies, shoes, etc.

 

 

• This forsythia was a happy, bit of color in my kitchen this week and I am thrilled to be able to step outside and cut some of my own flowers. Next week the wild phlox will bloom in the woods and I can't wait to make some pretty, purple bouquets with that too.

• I am looking forward to seeing The Great Gatsby. The costumes and sets look incredible and to see those characters come alive on the screen will be almost unbelievable to me. I have read that the director tried to stay true to the novel, as well as the time period, but at the same time, give it a modern feel. From the previews, Tobey Maguire seems the perfect choice to play Nick and Leonardo DiCaprio looks like an interesting Jay Gatsby.
• We saw Ironman 3 this past weekend and I did like it, even though I have not seen the first two versions. It has a lot of fun action and I liked the mad scientist feel of the character played by Robert Downey Jr. He is so good at the intelligent, yet quirky character type.
• There is fresh pink polish on my toes, just in time for sandal season. It is such a treat to sit in the massage chair, as I get a pedicure and just relax for a little while.
• Speaking of sandals, I bought a cute pair today. I am not really a shoe person, because I tend to find a few pairs I like and wear them all season. But, sandals are different. DSW had so many cute pairs and honestly, I could have easily come home with a few more. Summer shoes are just fun :-)

Happy Thursday!

 

Linking with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom, Thursday Thoughts

 

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An Oscar Party

 

My friend had a few of us over on Sunday to watch the red carpet coverage and the Oscars. It was a perfect evening, filled with laughter and a healthy dose of critique towards an awards show that tends to take itself a little too seriously.

The first thing we did when we arrived, was to fill out our Oscar ballot. I only saw Argo and Les Miserables, so most of my picks were strictly guesses. But, I loved both of those movies and would have been happy about either one winning best picture.

Our hostess outdid herself with wonderful food. We had delicious cheese and crackers, fruit, veggies, salmon and one of my favorites - mussels steamed with wine and garlic. And, of course we enjoyed some lovely white wine in our wine glasses :-)

Here are some of our observations and what made us laugh.

• We loved Jennifer Lawrence's dress, hair and total look. Hollywood glamour at its best.
• We had mixed feelings on the host. Sometimes funny (sock puppets), but sometimes the jokes fell flat. The singing and dancing in the introduction was unexpected and our favorite.
• We all agreed that Jane Fonda looks amazing for her age and we want to use her plastic surgeon, if we ever decide to go that route.
• We were appalled that Catherine Zeta Jones was obviously lip syncing, but thought Jennifer Hudson was great and the Les Miz cast gave us chills.
• We were amazed at Renee Zellweger - her botoxed face, as well as her inability to stand with normalcy on the stage. There was something strange going on with her.
• Michelle Obama had no place announcing the best picture - give the honor to someone from Hollywood.

The length of the show was crazy, but the laughter of friends, made it a fun night.

Have a great day!

 

Linking with Mockingbird Hill Cottage, A Favorite Thing

 

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My Love of English Drama

 

Like much of the country, I am enthralled by the drama, costumes, scenery and characters of Downton Abbey. I waited and waited for Season 2 to come to Netflix, but it never did. I was determined to find a way to watch it, before I started watching the new season and am happy to say thanks to Amazon and now the PBS app for my iPad, I am caught up and immersed in 1920's England, once again.

The post war era will be fascinating, as inevitable change comes to the Grantham family. After Lady Edith's latest heartbreak, I am interested to see how she will make her way and wonder if the changing roles for women will affect her the most. Many do not like her character, but I find her the most interesting, in her role as the middle and not quite attractive daughter. She fights for any bit of attention and when rewarded, her change in demeanor is remarkable.

My all time favorite English drama is the movie Sense and Sensibility. It is another story of three sisters, similar to Downtown Abbey, in many ways. The scene where Marianne and Edward Ferrars realize they are in love, is amazing and memorable. I have watched this movie many times and always find something new to see.

Other favorites include Becoming Jane, Emma, and Pride and Predjudice; both the newer movie, as well as the mini series with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy ( the best Mr. Darcy by far). If you love Downton Abbey and have not seen these, I would recommend watching them when you have a chance. Curl up on the couch this winter with a blanket and a cup of tea and enjoy the romance of a wonderful English drama.

Have a great day and tell me - do you love these movies too?

 

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