January - Entertainment Encore

It's the last day of January! Usually I'd comment on where the time went, but honestly - January always seem so long to me! I don't feel like I'm alone in that either, what with all the memes I've seen elaborating and bemoaning how January lasts for 74 days...ha-ha!

Books I Read

Educated by Tara Westover - This book was absolutely engrossing! Tara Westover was raised in Idaho by self-sufficient parents, did not have a birth certificate until she was nine and didn't attend school until the age of 17. Tara spent her days working in her father's junkyard, injuries big and small were "cured" by her mother's essential oils and she had a "run for the hills" bag packed so that when the federal government came to take her family away, they could make a break for it. She taught herself using hand me down text books, managed to score a 28 on the ACT and enter BYU to gain an education... and would eventually go on to earn a Gates Scholarship to Cambridge University, a Harvard fellowship and her doctorate degree from Cambridge. Her story is engrossing, at times astounding and all around an excellent read!

Am I There Yet: The Loop-de-Loop, Zigzagging Journey to Adulthood by Mari Andrews - This book was a quick read, unique and touching with the author's drawings and personal essays throughout. The book is a short eight chapters and touches on multiple aspects of "adulthood" and navigating the pitfalls and poignant moments along the way. This book was heartwarming and fun to read with bits of inspiration sprinkled in along the way!

One Day in December by Josie Silver - I thoroughly enjoyed this book you guys; it was romantic comedy style story that I honestly can't believe hasn't been green lit to be made into a movie! The story begins shortly before Christmas of 2009 and unfolds over the next 9 years following the lives of the two main characters; Laurie and Jack, who spy one another at the bus stop...one day in December. The story is sweet, amusing, touching and just downright enjoyable!

Is This the Real Life: The Untold Story of Freddie Mercury & Queen by Mark Blake - This book outlines the life Freddie Mercury and Queen from their humble beginnings in small towns around the U.K and Zanzibar... did y'all know that Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar? The book charts the band's earliest beginnings, the hits that first made them a household name, the chart topping frenzy of Bohemian Rhapsody and sadly, the eventual death of lead singer Freddie. The book was fascinating and engrossing and I thoroughly enjoyed it! If you're a Queen fan, check it out!

Make Something Good Today by Ben & Erin Napier - I'm not 100% through this one! I started reading Ben & Erin's book way back in November and just got derailed from reading completely! The warmth and genuine sweet spirit that Ben & Erin bring to their TV show is perfectly translated into their book and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to finish it up as February starts!

Books on the Shelf

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

I read so much this month guys! Granted; I had plenty of good things to read, ha-ha! The book listed above is the only one left from the books I bought at the end of the year, so I'll need new suggestions! Hopefully I can keep up my pace with the reading!

Must See TV

Home Town - First of all, how cute are Ben & Erin Napier? They're cute enough that I can forgive them for being Ole Miss fans and just absolutely love this sweet show about revitalizing the small town of Laurel, Mississippi. I went to college in Hattiesburg, Mississippi - which is about thirty minutes from Laurel and I fully remember the town as a bit of a hole in the wall, but Ben & Erin have completely changed the town and I love that. I also love that when I go to Mississippi in March for my cousin's wedding, I'll be making a little day trip to Laurel to check it all out!

Outlander - Oh man, the final four episodes of Outlander were just packed full of...well just everything! The final episode of December had Jamie Fraser finally meeting his daughter Brianna and from there, the action just unrolled throughout the final four episodes with life in colonial North Carolina, an unexpected pregnancy, a case of mistaken identity, a quest to rescue a son-in-law from the Mohawks... and so much more! I did find the finale to be a bit lackluster, but I still dearly love Outlander and will miss having it on my TV for the next several months. *sigh* Droughtlander has begun...

Movies of the Month

Aquaman - This movie is technically a rollover from the end of 2018; I went to see this on New Year's Eve and so it just missed making my December post! Y'all...what an odd ride this movie was... The movie was two and a half hours of brilliant colors, explosions and grand battle sequences and plenty of moments of wondering what exactly I was watching. I have to say that I was certainly entertained but at times it seemed like the movie was trying to be seven different things at once. I'd say check this one out only if you're looking to be entertained but not much more... because it's a doozy.

Instant Family - Oh man, this movie was so touching...even more so because it's based on a true story. The movie follows a family who decide to foster a child, ends up taking in three siblings and after some comedic moments and tough situations, the five become a family. The movie shines a light on the foster care system while still providing laughs along the way and this film was really heart warming. It may or may not have caused me to shed a few tears!

Bohemian Rhapsody: The Sing-Along - I think this one is pretty self-explanatory; it's the awesome movie about Queen...but you get to sing along to all the songs! The words lit up across the bottom of the screen and everyone in the theater sang along...and clapped along...and of course, did the stomp, stomp, clap required during We Will Rock You! It was really cool to sing along with a ton of people in a theater... a little like a concert... but wait, that's not happening until July... ;)

Mary Queen of Scots - I really wanted to like this... I'm fascinated by all things related to Scottish history (it's my people, y'all...) and I also love all things Tudor England and while the movie was fine, it didn't just wow me. I loved Saoirse Ronan's portrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots but the story was only mildly interesting and - I'm sorry guys - I'm so sorry, but they attempted to make the movie politically correct and you cannot make both a historically accurate movie about 1500's England and Scotland while also casting in a politically correct manner. *sigh* 

Streaming Selections

Bodyguard - I cannot recommend this show enough y'all! It's only six episodes but they are packed with intrigue, tension, excellent performances and I confess I literally watched all six episodes in about 26 hours - eek! The story follows British police officer David Budd who is hired to serve as the bodyguard of the Home Secretary Julia Montague; a woman who's political beliefs are in direct opposition with David's own. I cannot stress enough how amazing this show was - if you have six and a half hours to spare, catch this on Netflix! You won't regret it!

Mr. Robot - I'm almost completely caught up and ready for the fourth (and final) season of Mr. Robot and while I've enjoyed the crazy, mind-bending plot as it unfolded across seasons two and three, I will say that I think the first season has been my favorite thus far. Rami Malek and Christian Slater are the characters that anchor this show and both do an incredible job...as does the supporting cast and the show does a good job of making you think. I can't wait to see how the series as whole wraps up and I've loved catching this on Amazon Prime.

Tunes & Talks

I've spent most of the month listening to Queen - let's be honest - it's almost all I've been listening to since November, ha-ha! I've been listening to the soundtrack from the film, The Platinum Collection Greatest Hits I, II & III and Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium in a gigantic shuffling playlist. I've also been listening to the podcasts Outlandercast, the Popcast with Knox & Jamie and the Koffee Klatch Mr. Robot Review podcast... and honestly, a lot of my time in the car was devoted to audio books via Audible!

Tasty Treats

I rang in the New Year with some Blanc de Bleu sparkling blueberry wine; it was divine and perfect for ringing in 2019! It's made in California; the state of my birth! I got crafty early in the month and made Funfetti Cake Pops to share with my women's Bible study - they were a hit! We were lucky enough to get snow about halfway through the month and we made some delightful snow cream - so very tasty!

I picked up some of my very favorite macarons when we popped over to McLean midway through the month and I enjoyed the most divine Orange Creamsickle cocktail made with Rum before seeing the sing-along version of Bohemian Rhapsody! I used leftover pulled pork to make some divine chili and my Mom shared some wonderful cherry cupcakes a friend made for her - they are 100% tasty! 

Anticipations 

I honestly cannot tell you what I'm looking forward to in February y'all - but I don't know that it's a sad thing. I think that's just the way Winter works, you know? Once the holiday season passes, it seems like life completely slows to a crawl and there isn't much going on except snow, reading books and watching movies. So - who knows what February 2019 will have in store? We shall see!

Watson Wednesday

Over the weekend, I went into my room following a shower and was puttering around - as one does - putting some clothes away and the like... A loud sneeze shocked me out of thinking that I was alone and I whipped around...to find my pup nestled in the very edge of my bed, almost hidden! What a little goose!

Meme Monday & More Musing on Dresses...

Well - this post started as a Five on Friday post, then I got busy...and then distracted...and then I was sitting at home binge watching Netflix and Friday was gone. So now I'm here on this lovely but absolutely brisk Monday morning with not much to report for the weekend except some meme's that I found funny and all the dresses I loved from the SAG Awards. Thrilling - right?

Does anyone else feel this way about January? I try to start the new year with this very excited and optimistic outlook...but January always seems to drag on for days and days and days...and ends up feeling like it's three months long, ha-ha! 

Could that be any more accurate? I think not - it hits the nail on my head. 

I saw this online during the weekend and immediately cackled... because it's a perfect representation of my younger sister and I. And in case you were wondering, I am NOT Harley Quin...ha-ha! My younger sister is definitely more of a "ball-buster" than I am!

I'm definitely a raccoon - I mean, there is no better description of me as a person than that little picture above! I sent this meme to my younger sister and she immediately sent back the laughter and tears emoji - because it's just true. 

I got hit by a semi-truck about five years ago and honestly; if I'd already disliked passing them - being hit by one made it that much worse. So when I came across this meme, it related to me on a deeply personal level.

******************************************************************

My weekend - as mentioned - was not riveting. Friday night I managed to get in my exercise, took my Dad out to eat Mexican food and then came home and binge-watched a couple episodes of Medici: Masters of Florence on Netflix. Saturday morning I met up with my co-workers to attend the funeral and reception for our bosses' father; the funeral was very touching and the reception was a nice way to visit with everyone while remembering his father. 

I spent Saturday afternoon watching Mercury Rising; a less than stellar documentary about Queen on Amazon Prime... I exercised, had dinner with my Dad at Cracker Barrel and then watched an episode of Mr. Robot before reading for the rest of the night. Sunday after church, my Dad and I met up with my Mom and some family friends for lunch and then passed the afternoon and evening with the finale of Outlander, exercise, doing some laundry, having dinner and taking my beloved Sunday evening bubble bath before watching Victoria and catching the end of the SAG Awards. 

********************************************************************

I didn't watch the SAG Awards beyond the last five minutes, but I kept up with the running list of winners on Twitter, ha-ha! I was honestly just waiting to see who won Best Actor and my new personal favorite, Rami Malek did win for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury and that just tickles me so much! 

I do love looking to see what the stars wear on the red carpet - and the favorites from last night; for me, are below!

Amy Adams - love this! It's perfect!

Emily Blunt - she always looks fabulous!

Margot Robbie - love the white & silver!

Elisabeth Moss - this butter colored ballgown is gorgeous!

Rachel Weisz - this dress *might* be my favorite though!

And of course, there are always plenty of dresses that make you scratch your head... but the only one that really boggled my mind last night was the one below...

Lupita Nyong'o - I'm not sure what this is supposed to be....

And so there's this Monday afternoon's musings on dresses, meme's that amused me and random rambling on the final weekend of January! 

Savor

Well - we are well and truly into this new year, 2019 - almost a full month of this year is under my belt and I finally decided I'd get around to sharing my "word". Does anyone else do this? Choose a word for each year? I have seen many of the bloggers I follow do this, I've had friends who do this and while I've contemplated it time and again, this year is the first time I've chose a word. 

The whole month of December there was a word that kept popping up everywhere I looked and honestly, when I thought long and hard about it - it made perfect sense. That word? SAVOR! 

I will confess that I am a planner and while there is nothing that is necessarily "wrong" with being a planner, there is probably something wrong with the way I go about my planning. There are things in my life I am still hoping for and sometimes I take one step and then; in my mind, try to plan out all the eventual outcomes from just that one step. And you know what? More often that not, none of those outcomes even come to fruition...which leads to frustration or disappointment...where there shouldn't be. 

I have been abundantly blessed in life - and I am aware of that - but I so often focus on the what could be as opposed to what is. So, after thinking about it and praying about, I am choosing to SAVOR the moment(s) I am currently in. I am making the effort each day to be aware of the moments; big and small, happening around me on this day - and for the most part, leave the future in the hands of the Lord. Honestly - my past, present and future have always been in the hands of the Lord and when I choose not to SAVOR the day He has given me, I begin to stumble. 

A fellow blogger shared the graphic above - with a sentiment that spoke to me immediately. As I do my best to SAVOR each day for it's own blessings this year, that also means aligning my heart with my feet. 

Do you have a word for the year 2019? Have you done a word before? 

Watson Wednesday

Sometimes I think I take too may pictures of my dog - but then again, how are there ever too many pictures taken of such a cute dog?!?

It's Not Monday

I suppose I say that mostly because I'm glad it's not Monday - it's always nice to have a four day work week as opposed to a five day work week, right? I decided to consolidate all my pictures from the weekend into just one or two combined pictures... because I honestly didn't get up to too much this weekend. I thought I'd first share a little picture of the gorgeous lake near our house, all peaceful and surrounded by snow...

The snow has just stubbornly stuck around and Thursday after work some additional flurries added to the already packed snow - Watson was not so much a fan; I'm sure he's tired of hopping along the frozen tundra each time he goes out to walk. He's pretty much over it - but I can't say I blame him.

We were able to leave work on Friday around 3:00; my friend Danielle (who is also a co-worker) and I had plans to see the sing-along version of Bohemian Rhapsody at 7:15, so we passed the time by perusing some shops (Kirkland's, Old Navy, Ross, Bath & Body Works, Home Goods...) before heading over to the Alamo Drafthouse around 6:15. We grabbed drinks and sat out front sipping on our drinks and talking before heading into the theater - I got some kind of delicious cream sickle goodness and I could have drank about five - but I refrained and just got one!

We headed into the theater around 7:00 and they had a bucket of mustaches to choose from for the sing-along; you have to look like Freddie to sing like Freddie, I suppose. We had dinner and sang along to all the Queen songs as the words lit up on screen - when We Will Rock You came on, everyone did the "stomp stomp clap" and during the Live Aid performance, everyone clapped along to Radio Ga-Ga and repeated Freddie as he called out to the crowd. It was definitely a fun experience!

Saturday it was supposed to do some combination of rain/sleet/snow but as the day progressed, nothing much really happened... so after coffee, exercise and some lunch, I decided to go see Mary Queen of Scots at the theater (it was just okay). When I came out of the theater, it was sleeting and so I scooted my way home - but all that really happened the rest of the evening was a lot of rain. I used leftover pulled pork to make some delicious pulled pork chili for supper and then watched The Queen at 90 - it was a very chill day and night, obviously. 

I woke up early on Sunday morning with a headache and took something...but in spite of my best efforts, by the time I'd gotten ready, had my coffee and gone to church, the headache had not gone away and I ended up sitting in the foyer halfway through church in hopes of making the pounding subside. We grabbed pizza on the way home, I hastily ate some and swallowed more pills before lying in the dark of my living room... After a while, my head stopped hurting and I was able to watch Outlander and the Saints football game...

That's a pass interference - what's more, it's a helmet to helmet pass interference that was not called. My Saints were ripped off big time and now we have to watch the Rams play the stinking Patriots in the Super Bowl. I say that - I won't actually be watching because I'm tired of the Patriots being in the Super Bowl. Blegh. What good are referees? After that disappointment, I took a nice bubble bath, had dinner and watched the new episode of Victoria before reading in bed for a while.

Monday was basically a free day - and thank goodness because after all the rain on Saturday night and wind all day on Sunday, Monday dawned a brisk 7 degrees and while the temperature eventually rose to 14, it still felt like -2 with the wind chill...and trust me, there was plenty of wind! I had lunch at TGIFriday's with my Dad and grabbed some grocery items at Wal-Mart before piddling away the afternoon with exercise, watching This Is Us, Mr. Robot and finishing the season of The Great British Baking Show that I'd been watching. My Dad made brunswick stew for dinner, I took a nice long shower and read for a while before closing out the long weekend with the newest episode of Home Town. 

It wasn't exactly a riveting weekend - but it was a good weekend and happily, another weekend is only three work days away! 

Five on Friday

One. "Spring" Cleaning - Let me be the first to tell you that I have NOT watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and I'm highly unlikely to...mostly because anyone who tells me I only need to keep fewer than 30 books is not my friend. I have shelves and shelves of books; a friend once threatened to murder me if I didn't re-read every book I owned after he helped me move, and yet I still add to the shelves. I love books so very much - they all bring me joy and so, I cannot only keep thirty!

Two. Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-Along - I am so excited because my friend Danielle and I are going to the sing-along version of Bohemian Rhapsody tonight! When it was originally announced, the closest showing near DC and only playing at 10:20 every night - who does that?!? I took a look back at the website on the off chance that it was showing closer and lo and behold - it is at the Alamo Drafthouse right here in our town! So we'll be doing our best Freddie's and singing along with all the songs - a perfect girl's night if you ask me!

Three. Snow...Again - My phone just pinged to let me know that we've officially been placed under a Winter Storm Warning... and this weekend it may actually be more ice than snow. *sigh* Winter seems to have realized that it only has so much time to dump on us and so it's getting it all in during the month of January!

It snowed Thursday afternoon from 3:30 until after I went to bed - nothing too intense but it made driving home a bit more adventurous and when I walked Watson, I could have sworn he just looked around like "this stuff - again?" Ha! The meme below feel especially accurate!

Four. Free Shipping - Perfectly Posh released twenty-six new Core products last Saturday and now that all the new goodies are available, they are offering free shipping on any and all purchases all weekend long! If you've ever wanted to try out Perfectly Posh, this weekend would be... perfect! You can shop at http://NatalieSummerlin.po.sh

Five. Watson - It's not Wednesday, but I just couldn't resist sharing this sweet picture of my pup with you! He's the sweetest little thing, even if he was acting all sorts of weird last night!

I hope everyone has a good weekend - hopefully your weekend is a three day weekend just like mine! I may be absolutely stir crazy by the time Tuesday rolls around, especially if it snows and sleets and everything is covered in ice all weekend! Yikes! 

Three Things

THREE NAMES I GO BY

* Natalie

*Spikenard (long story)

*Nat

THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE

* Babysitter

* Sales Associate @ Hallmark

* Nursery Coordinator @ Church

THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED

* Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc, CA

* Collinsville, MS

* Front Royal, VA

THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH

* Games of Thrones

* Outlander

* This is Us

THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN

* London

* Italy (Venice, Rome, Pompeii & Sicily)

* 40 of the 50 US States

PEOPLE THAT E-MAIL ME REGULARLY

* Clients from My Office

* Perfectly Posh

* Ladies in my Bible study

THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS

* Cheese

* Peanut Butter

* Pickles

THREE THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO

* Trip to Tennessee & Mississippi the first week of March

* Queen in Concert on July 30th 

* A three day weekend (this weekend!)

Watson Wednesday

Sweet Watson very much enjoyed the past weekend - he spent a lot of time snuggled up with me, which is a little out of character for him but I'm certainly not complaining. So I have numerous pictures of him being cuddly to share with you! 

He enjoyed the snow too - even when it was up to his belly and he had to leap instead of walk! Of course, all that snow adventuring wears you out, so after having a sample of snow cream... he fell fast asleep! 

So - It Snowed... And Other Things...

It's Tuesday - not Monday - because I had a three day weekend! I had some things to take care of in the Northern Virginia area and so I took Monday to accomplish those things... and then; due to unforeseen circumstances not related to the snow, I didn't even get to take care of those things. Blah.

Friday was an early day from work and I headed straight home and got in my exercise; my family is in the habit of eating out every Friday night and so I am always especially glad to have the time to get in exercise before eating out. We grabbed Mexican food for dinner at our favorite spot and then made a stop at Lowe's for more salt...since the weather forecast called for all the snow.

Once we got home, we face-timed with my younger sister for about an hour and then decided to start watching Bodyguard on Netflix. I snacked on the last of the cake pops I made for my ladies Bible study at church (yummy - and easy) while getting caught up in the show! If you haven't started watching Bodyguard, I'd highly recommend it - only 6 episodes and it's so engrossing! After two episodes of the Bodyguard, I hopped in bed and read for a bit before falling asleep.

Saturday morning I had coffee and was joined on the couch by my little pup - he crawled right up in my lap and stayed for a while, effectively pinning me to the couch - but I didn't mind. I would say Saturday morning was a slow morning...but if I'm being honest, the whole weekend was a pretty slow weekend. After breakfast, I spent some time exercising, took a shower and just generally got myself somewhat put together for the day... I did some things around the house like rearranging and moving around some furniture... and around 1:30 the snow started to fall.

This is around 2:30 on Saturday afternoon...

Snow dog takes in the initial snowfall...

Little footprints in the snow!

I worked on a shadowbox with some pictures from Italy and then I spent a portion of the late afternoon doing something I haven't done in a while - I just binge watched! I blazed right through the final 4 episodes of Bodyguard over the rest of late Saturday afternoon and evening, taking breaks to walk the dog and check on the snow, have dinner and take a bubble bath along the way. I did also take a break from watching Bodyguard to watch an episode of the Great British Baking Show with my Mom. When I finally went to bed about 11, the snow had blanketed most of the yard, street and the trees...and it just kept coming!

Sunday morning dawned...bright...but in that bright way that comes from the world being covered in a blanket of white. I'm sure there was sun up in the sky somewhere but it was hidden by the clouds dropping snowflakes hard and fast all day long. We decided to test the roads and headed out to the 10:30 service at church - there weren't many people there, but the roads were fine and so after church we had Arby's and grabbed a few things from the grocery store before heading home. My Mom and I watched the newest episode of Outlander and then we all decided to head out to explore the snow.

I took so many picture y'all - so you get to look at them all or just scroll past them - it's really your choice. 

The picture below was my attempt at a snow angel. It was very easy to flop backward into the snow and swish my arms and legs around...but my walking companions had long since abandoned me at this point and getting up was not so easy, hence the fist punch in the snow on one side. Oh well - I guess at least I tried?

The rest of Sunday was really low key - which I know comes as no surprise. I did some business within a Perfectly Posh party I had going on Facebook this week, took my pup on some walks, took my Sunday special bubble bath and watched the Saints beat the Eagles to move on to the NFC Championship (Who Dat?) before watching the new season of Victoria and hitting the bed. The snow was still falling when I went to sleep on Sunday night - and the last time we'd measured on Sunday afternoon we'd been somewhere around 7 inches or so...

Monday morning I went to Northern Virginia with intentions to take care of some real estate licensing things - but the office where I needed to handle that business was locked up hard and fast. *sigh* The website that offered the number to call for closures didn't indicate that the office would be closed... nor did the website, but it was. So frustrating - but I rolled with it and went over to Tyson's Corner, did a wee bit of shopping, had lunch at Coastal Flats and picked up some of my favorite macarons from Olivia Macaron before heading home on the scenic route - where more pictures were taken!

I got in my Monday exercise, planned my clothes for the work week, walked my pup a bit and watched a couple episodes of the show Derry Girls on Netflix (it's funny...but not life changing) before having dinner. I showered and settled in to munch on some macarons and watch the new season of Home Town and then, after a bit of reading it was off to bed.

The weather forecast for the next few weekends could be snow - and I already feel like it might make me feel a bit stir crazy! Here's hoping that at least one of the weekends won't be filled with flurries, because as nice as it can be to have nothing to do... having nothing to do weekend after weekend can start to make me a little nutty! 

Plus - you don't really want to look at that many more pictures of snow, do you?