April Showers

Honestly - this month's post should be named something that denotes the fact that most of my entertainment needs have been met via anything and everything related to Game of Thrones. It's just the truth. The final season is halfway through and I am pretty much completely engrossed in all things Game of Thrones - if this is the last hurrah - I'm going to enjoy it as best I can!

Books I Read

I started reading The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes and I wanted to love it...I really did. I got about four chapters in and then I just completely lost interest. That's not to say that the book isn't good or interesting but I'm completely sidetracked by all things Game of Thrones and probably will be for the next month or so... it is what it is.

Books on the Shelf

I suppose at some point I'll go back to The Ship of Brides and finish that up...and I have a couple more options in my book basket that I could pick up and peruse. I don't know how much reading I'll be doing over the next month or two - but we shall see...

Must See TV

Game of Thrones - Well. The final season is officially halfway done and there are only three episodes left. The premiere episode was such a wonderful call back to the premiere of the show and the second episode of the season; titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is quite possibly one of the best episodes that the show has ever done - it's absolutely a love letter to the characters and has so many perfect moments.

The most recent episode had the longest battle sequence ever featured in TV/Film history... and absolutely had some moments that completely blew me away... completely unexpected! So far, the final season has had a show stopping moment in every episode and I'm torn between the "can't wait" to see how it all plays out and dreading that there are only three episodes left! Eek!

Movies of the Month

Shazam - I honestly had 0 expectations going into this movie; I've always been a fan of Zachary Levi (Chuck anyone?) and that alone sold me on seeing this...and I'm glad I did. The story centers on foster kid Billy Batson who has super powers bestowed on him by an aging wizard to combat the rise of the seven deadly sins. It's a little hokey...but it works. It also manages to swing from being goofy to really dark very quickly - but all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And if there's one thing Zachary Levi is good at - it's playing a goofy kid trapped in an adult's body.

Avengers:Endgame - What an amazing movie that brought everything... I laughed, I cried (more than once), I gasped and I cheered. It was such a perfect way to wind up the twenty-one movies that preceded it and tied everything together so well. I worried the three hour+ run time would be an issue but honestly, the first two hours seemed like they passed in a flash! If you are even the most remote fan of Marvel and all things comic book - this movie is absolutely a must see!

Streaming Selections

Schitt's Creek - Yes y'all...I am still streaming this gem! I've watched all five seasons more than once but I cannot help it, everything about it is "simply the best" - you'd get that reference if you were watching this amazing show! The comedy, the quirkiness of the characters, the relationships... I could go on and on about this show but honestly, the one thing I have to say is if you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for???

While Game of Thrones is taxing me emotionally - sometimes in the best and worst way possible all in one episode, Schitt's Creek is such a balm to all that because it is the most wonderfully heartwarming show that also manages to crack me up constantly!

Tunes & Talks

This will likely come as no surprise but so much of what I've been loving this month is Game of Thrones related - every time this show comes back on, it consumes all the focuses of my media consumption! I've been listening to several podcasts, including Still Watching: Game of Thrones, A Storm of Spoilers and The North Remembers - all excellent Game of Thrones podcasts! I've also been listening to my Game of Thrones playlist on repeat pretty much all month - like I said, it becomes a little all-consuming!

Tasty Treats

A month filled with delicious treats...but then again, I don't normally struggle to find yummy things to eat! I made a really tasty dark chocolate and coconut cake for my Dad's birthday at the beginning of the month and also whipped up some creamy Southwest style chicken for dinner. I was finally able to partake in my favorite ice cream once again since baseball season is in full swing and I also tried Nationals Park's take on Mexican street corn!

 

Later in the month during dinner out with my ladies group, I had a very tasty Cosmo and some to die for Macaroni & Cheese. I rounded out the month with Mexican Churro pancakes from IHOP and a truly divine dinner of kebabs made with chicken, sausage, peppers, onions, potatoes and broccoli. Yum!

Anticipations

Y'all... I'm not even kidding when I say the month of May is wide open! I have a baseball game on the calendar at the end of the month but that is the extent of my plans for the month - so far. So I guess I'll be anticipating the unexpected? And of course - the final three episodes of Game of Thrones!

Avengers, Comedy, Wine & Winterfell

Oh weekends - they are always way too fast. The past weekend was crammed full of stuff and positively flew by! The weekend started early (thank goodness) and that meant I was able to run home, pick up my Mom and then race back to the theater for our 4:30 showing of Avengers: Endgame. 

Which Infinity Stone would lure you?

I honestly can say - I couldn't believe three hours had passed when the movie wound to it's conclusion, it was so engrossing and entertaining! I thoroughly enjoyed my fried dill pickles, quesadilla and a couple bites of warm chocolate chip cookies...and I decided the Soul Stone was the drink for me...and it was so very yummy! The movie made me laugh, cry and feel all the feelings - it was definitely excellent and even if you're not a huge Marvel fan - this one is worth checking out!

Pretty sure I've seen every Marvel movie since 2015 with this kid....

I slept in until almost 9:00 on Saturday morning - it was glorious! After having some coffee, we decided to go grab a late breakfast and pick up some plants at Lowe's - the weather on Saturday was gorgeous, although the wind was absolutely nuts! I got some seriously delicious Churro Pancakes at IHOP and they were to die for... but then, I do love all things cinnamon and so these absolutely hit the spot!

Churro Pancakes - they are pretty much divine!

After picking out azaleas to be planted in the front yard and heading home, I settled on the couch and did a little re-watch of the previous week's episode of Game of Thrones and also spent quite a bit of time soaking up the gorgeous sunshine outside. The weather was practically perfect of Saturday - if you haven't already read that up above - with the exception of the crazy wind!

Saturday evening after grilling burgers, we headed over to a local church to see comedian Chonda Pierce perform - and while she was absolutely hilarious and I cracked up numerous times, when the intermission hadn't ended at almost 9:00... we decided to skip out, hit up Dairy Queen and then head back to the house to get in an episode of Game of Thrones...because I've finally turned my parents on to that!

Basically demanding that he be let into my room...

Sunday was another glorious day - it arrived a little overcast but soon enough the clouds cleared and the sun came out and it turned into a perfect Spring day! After church and a tasty lunch at Italian Delight, I met my friend Katie on Blue Mountain at Fox Mountain Winery for a tasting and some girl time. We chatted, sipped our glasses of wine and split a block of Cabot Cheddar and some crackers - it was fantastic!

  

Also - in case the pictures don't tell the story - the location of the winery is to die for. The views are absolute perfection and with the beautiful blue skies and the mountains rolling away into the distance, it was very easy to sit for almost two hours and talk about anything and everything! I walked away with a bottle of the Freezeland Red - made special this year due to the crazy wet Spring season. 

Cheers!

Once I got home from the winery, the evening unfolded with a long chat on the phone with my little sister, a bubble bath, having a bowl of cereal for dinner and then settling in to watch the third episode of the final season of Game of Thrones - which was amazing and intense! I will confess that I spent part of the episode in the floor...that is how intently I was watching. I also clapped, squealed and hollered more than once - so there's that. 

It was a wonderful weekend and I cannot believe it was the last weekend in April! I suppose - on to May!

Watson Wednesday

Watson is currently living his best life - and absolutely loving the deck furniture. 

Easter Weekend

As told through all the pictures I took in the great outdoors this weekend. Enjoy!