Summer Movie Report by Belle Calhoune

Happy Summer everyone! One of my favorite things about summer are the blockbuster movies. I've always loved going to the movies! I remember we had a blizzard when I was a kid and my sister and I were out from school for weeks. Many times my Dad took us to the movies and I vividly recall seeing Ice Castles and Pippi Longstocking. I still love watching Ice Castles whenever it's on.

When we go to Cape Cod we're able to travel to Wellfleet where there's an old-fashioned drive-in. It's a lot of fun and my kids always loved it when they were little. Not sure they'd still get a thrill out of it but I'm game for it. Two movies for the price of one, as well as the ability to sit in the back of the car with the back hatch up, feeling the cool Cape Cod air brush against my face. And since we arrive in our own cars we can bring as many snacks and drinks as we please. I've been going to drive-ins since I was a little kid and it never gets old.

           

I'm really excited to see The Farewell, a movie about a woman who travels to China because her grandmother is dying. Problem is, her entire family is hiding the truth about her terminal illness from the grandmother.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before. This is a great romantic film on Netflix. It's geared to the Young Adult crowd but I found it really charming. It's about a girl who enters into a fake relationship with a cute boy at her school....and then sparks fly. A very sweet romance. And not just for young adults.

Breakthrough was an amazing, inspirational movie about one woman's tremendous love for her son as he wages the fight of his life after a tragic accident. Speaks to miracles and the power of love. It's not in the theaters any longer but is available through Redbox.  You won't be disappointed in this one.

Although I saw Black Panther when it released in the movie theaters, I couldn't help but rewatch it on DVD. It's so good. I can't really keep up with all the interrelated Marvel movies so it was refreshing to be able to watch a single action hero movie and feel that it wasn't attached to a dozen other films. This movie is innovative and action-packed, along with having a lot of heart and a great diverse cast.

I was really looking forward to seeing Booksmart, along with my 23-year-old daughter. We finally were able to see it last weekend. Although parts of the movie were cute and it's a great premise of two high achieving students who want one night of fun before they graduate, there were many risque and sexual situations that detracted from the overall movie and message. *Disclaimer. Adult content.  If this is on your movie list, beware of adult content and numerous sexual situations.

The movie that I really loved was Little starring a very talented young actress, Marsai Martin. It's very sweet with a great message of being kind and appreciating one's life. It reminded me a little bit of the movie, Big, starring Tom Hanks.                                                                                               

The BIG one I'm looking forward to seeing is the live-action of LION KING. I'm so excited since the Disney one is an all-time favorite. And I love Beyonce so I can't wait to see her rendition of Nala. My girls are also excited about seeing it so we're all on the same page. Movie night! My husband isn't a   big movie goer, but even he's excited about revisiting the world of Simba and the ensemble cast.        

What's on your summer movie list? What movies have you seen this summer? Netflix or movie theater? Raisinets or M & M's?                                                                                                  

                                                 

                                                                          

Post-Justin Bieber Letdown

Missy, here. And my daughter is a huge Justin Bieber fan. So much so that when she heard about a pre-release showing of his new movie, Never Say Never, she begged me to get online the day the tickets went on sale to buy them. So right at 10 a.m. on a weekday a few months ago, I purchased us tickets to go see the movie 2 days before it officially released. In our package, we got special purple 3-D glasses and a badge to wear around our necks. Oh, and glow sticks. (Yes, picture me waving my glow stick as he sang!) :)

My daughter was thrilled when I got those tickets. We talked about it for the next two months or so. And on February 9th, we went to see the movie. Went waaay early to get good seats. Stood in line. Then finally went in to get ready for the show. And then after all that waiting...the movie started.

Oh. My. Gosh. The screaming girls nearly made my eardrums bleed. :) Especially the first time Justin reached out his hand, and in 3-D it looked as if he was reaching out to each one of them. It was a totally thrilling experience for my daughter. But on the way home, she gave a big sigh and said, "It's depressing when something you've looked so forward to is over."

I told her it's like that in life. I get in a bit of a funk after a big conference or retreat. Or after an event I've been really looking forward to. And as we're thinking a little this month on the blog about February being the month of love, and post Valentine's Day, I realized that some of us may be experiencing a bit of a holiday let down. (Some may have this worse after Christmas or a birthday.)

It's just something we have to deal with. And I'm wondering what each of you does to handle the letdown after a mountaintop experience.

P.S. The movie was really good!

Sharing a Summer Recipe

Missy Tippens, here. Summer is in full swing, and I'm really enjoying grilling out! Recently, I was about to boil some fresh corn-on-the-cob, but since I was already grilling hot dogs, I decided to grill the corn as well.

So I went to the Food Network website (one of my favorite channels as well as website!) and looked to see how Bobby Flay grills corn. One of his recipes just called for husking/shucking it (peeling off the husks and silks) and putting it directly over very hot coals for 5-7 minutes (turning frequently). I decided to lightly oil the corn first, then put it on my gas grill. I turned it several times until it looked just like this photo! I ended up grilling it for a little over 7 minutes. And oh, my! It was so yummy! I'll never boil it again in the summer.

What are some of your favorite things to grill? I'd love it if you'd share your recipes!

Missy

Ready for the bang, bang, bang!

Pat Davids here.

I don't know about you, but my family is into Independence Day fireworks in a big, big way.

Not the ones you see on T.V. or even the ones that the city puts on. Nope. The Stroda family (my maiden name) puts on a private show that rivals the pros.

Now we weren't always crazy about fireworks.

When I was growing up it was the usual Black Cats, sparklers and Roman candles. My dad would light one of those stinky old cigars and it would burn forever with my brothers sneaking an occasional puff. It's glowing red tip was perfect for lighting our firecrackers. I shudder to think of all the hazards my four brothers and I skimmed by without a single accident. God was watching out for us.

As we got older, the fun died away. We went to see the big city displays and didn't bother to light our own little sparklers. Somehow, the whole event became too noisy and crowded to really enjoy. Until...

Enter my son-in-law. When Tony joined the family we got a really nice guy, a professional clown with his own magic show and unicycle (talk about cool parties) and a guy who loves fireworks. I mean loves fireworks. He's a bit of a pyromaniac. The only thing holding Tony back from putting on a dazzling 4th of July celebration of his own was the fact that he lived in a city that didn't allow fireworks within the city limits.

But my daughter has grandparents who live on a farm. In the middle of nowhere--where almost any type of fireworks is allowed or at least ignored as long as there isn't a burn ban in effect. Over the years Tony's celebration of all things that go bang has grown to include all my brothers and their families, even neighbors have opted out of the town fireworks to come out to Dad's farm for the big show. The kids have traveled two hundred miles to get the "big stuff" over the state line and bring it back. Everyone in the family contributes to the staggering pile of gunpower filled canisters waiting to illuminate the night sky for our delight. Golly we have fun.

The whole things doesn't always go off without a hitch, mind you. Twice we've been rained out. Once, because of a custody battle with my daughter's ex, my grandson couldn't be there for the 4th. No problem. We moved the whole celebration to Labor Day so Josh could enjoy it with us. I think that was my favorite Independence Day. He felt so special because we saved everything so that he could be there.

Now, the whole thing is noisy and crowded and I love every minute of it because it's become a family affair. Cross your fingers and pray it doesn't rain us out this year. I've got a trunk full of firecrackers in my car.

Tell us about your Independence Day celebrations. What will you and your family be doing this holiday weekend?

Blessings all,

Pat Davids.