What I'm Into: November

General Highlights:

In November, I ran two 5Ks (True Blue and Meowathon) and set new personal records for fastest finish and fastest mile! Why I can finally run, for real, after struggling with it all my life is a mystery. I'm thankful and excited. I also played an outdoor community band concert in Harbor Town, attended the local show on Myla's Hiding Places tour, hosted a clothing swap, had lots of expensive problems with my eye, and celebrated Thanksgiving with most of my family. Oh and let's not forget, Tiger basketball season started!

 

Read and Reading:

Jody Casella was my high school English teacher, and I'm happy to report that her first published novel, Thin Space, is COMPLETELY AWESOME. Once it got warmed up, I couldn't put it down. You may think you know what's happening with this story, but you have no idea. At the end you will do this:

I've never even visited Addie Zierman's blog, but after reading her memoir When We Were On Fire, I'm ready to declare her the voice of my generation. If you grew up an evangelical Christian or want to understand someone who did, you need to read this ASAP. It's a masterful depiction of late 90s evangelical culture that manages to be both honest and respectful.


TV/Movies:

I started watching The Mentalist this season because my brother is obsessed with it. Well, consider me a convert. Last Sunday they finally revealed the identity of Red John, the serial killer and criminal mastermind who killed Patrick Jane's wife and daughter. (I can't imagine waiting all six years for this information.) It was a good episode, but I had more fun theorizing with my brother in the week leading up to it. One time I picked up his phone call and, without saying hello, he just yelled "WHO IS RED JOHN?!? I gotta know!!" Hilarious.

 

Catching Fire was my favorite book of the Hunger Games trilogy, and to me, the movie was perfect. No complaints. I can't stop thinking about it! I also saw Thor 2 for a friend's birthday, and enjoyed it, despite not seeing the first Thor. But I've seen all the other Avengers movies, so I had no trouble following along.


Music:

  

Back in the day I was not into the repetitiveness of "You're Beautiful," but I like James Blunt's latest, "Bonfire Heart." I first heard Janelle Monae's song with Miguel, "Primetime," on satellite radio in the car, and downloaded it as soon as I got home. Smoother than a Lindor truffle. And I'm sorry, but Britney's "Work B**ch" may be the most motivating running song ever recorded.

You can listen to my entire 2013 So Far playlist on Spotify.

Random Happiness:

My 18-month-old niece figured out within the last month or two that Aunt B "lives" in the computer. She now requests Skypes with me by pointing to the computer and saying "Bee Bee."

My former roommate of seven years (and now companion to football and basketball games), Kathy, has three sons and is expecting again. Well, she found out she's having a girl! I'm SO excited!! Really, this is a perfect situation. Three older brothers will take care of any potential threats.

One of our many Christmas pieces for community band is A Charlie Brown Christmas. I've been a big Peanuts fan all my life, and getting to play that familiar music is so fulfilling!


On The Blog:

I participated in Hollywood Housewife's One Day Photo Project, wrote a short story about Hannah the mother of Samuel, talked about loneliness, and shared about my past and what November means to me.


Posts I Loved:

Complicated Katniss Feelings by Danielle Carey

Blowing the Embers by Adela

Colouring in the Margins by Lindsay Tweedle

When You've Never Been Called "Called" by Abby

Why I Would Rather Be Crazy Than Boring by Allison Vesterfeldt

Hope and Acorns by Leanne Penny

Feel free to link up!

What I'm Into: October

General Highlights:
In October I hosted an annual gathering of out-of-town friends; hung out with one of my favorite high school teachers who's now a published YA author; and played a Halloween concert at a real concert hall while dressed as a Frappucino. I also did some volunteering with my company (which I didn't post about here), and did a lot of intentional thinking about rest and how to make more space in my life.


Read and Reading:
The monthly book list will be posted tomorrow. Spoiler alert: it's short.


TV/Movies:
My Tuesday nights are currently devoted to watching the How I Met Your Mother I missed the night before, then New Girl and The Mindy Project. That's all the TV I'm committed to, although I did start catching up on Revolution last night (crazy developments there!!)

I didn't go to the movies at all in October. That should change big time next month!


Music:

  

My top three musical obsessions this month: "Say It, Just Say It" by the Mowglis, "Anything Could Happen" by Ellie Goulding, and of course Katy Perry's new album Prism. If you were a teenage girl in the 90s, you will love Prism. Trust me.

You can listen to my entire 2013 So Far playlist on Spotify. I traditionally narrow it down in December.


Video:
When the SIPsters get together, YouTube videos are always involved! My two favorites from our weekend:

Late Night Lip Sync Battle: Jimmy Fallon vs. John Krasinski.



Todrick Hall and Pentatonix present: The Wizard of Ahhhhs. "You're just a lion on the cold hard ground."




Things I Love:
Myla told me about the Food on the Table app. I haven't used its recipe feature yet, but the shopping list feature alone has made my life much easier. For years I've made multiple shopping lists on Post-Its and frequently lost them or left them at home. Now I have an in-process list that's with me all the time and automatically categorized! Plus, you can sync it with your local stores and it'll alert you if an item on your list is on sale. LOVE.

I played Telestrations for the first time at my friend Sophie's house. On our very first round, my secret word went from "boa constrictor" to "vacuum." So hilarious. I bought my own set and can't wait to play this again!

I bought my cowboy boots in Texas back when I was still line dancing regularly. I don't know why I hesitated for so long, but I just started wearing them NOT for dancing, and it's a whole new world of fun fashion options!


On The Blog:
My relationships post, He's Just Not That Into You (Or Is He?), became my most-viewed post EVER within 48 hours. Thanks to all who read, shared, and commented! I'm happy that it's resonated with so many.

I also talked about my September trip to Colorado for the Soulation Gold Gathering, and I'm working on another reaction post now that I've had more time to process.


Blog Love:
How to Be Kind to an Artist. I should just print this out and hand it to everyone I know.

As always, I could link to a million Storyline posts, but this was my favorite of the month: Why I Quit Being Nice. Especially relevant to me after I took a spin through my old middle and high school yearbooks.

From September, but I really needed it: Flatter the Figure or Flatter the Soul? In October I've wrestled with the concept of not owing prettiness to the world, and I think this post is what got me going.

The Scars on My Couch were an opportunity for Eileen Knowles to stop beating herself up.

More great thoughts about grief from Leanne Penny: Here, With Holes.

So much truth in this Jennifer Fulwiler post: Shadow Beliefs and Giant Centipedes.

If you want to post what you're into, link up with HopefulLeigh!

What I'm Into: August

Time to link up with HopefulLeigh again for What I'm Into!

August General Highlights:
I had an excellent 34th birthday with friends and family, went to Miami and the Keys, and continued my Story 101 class. It was an eventful month (so why do I often feel like I have nothing to talk about here?). Oh, and I bought a domain... changes are on the way! :)


Books:

  

Book roundup on the way as usual, but these were my favorite reads this month! I read Burn for Burn on my Kindle in the airport, and when a cute guy asked me what I was reading, I had no idea what to say. I figured "a young adult novel about smart girls getting revenge" would get me a raised eyebrow at least. Most of what I read needs an explanation, and sounds weirder the longer I describe it. Does anyone else have this problem? How do you deal with it? I guess the only way to avoid it is to read exclusively classics or Top 10 bestsellers.


TV/Movies:

I watched Friends With Kids on Netflix. I can't wholeheartedly recommend it to all because it definitely earns its R rating, but it was surprisingly profound and touching. It also hit a lot of emotional triggers for me. I thought about it for days.


Video:



My friend Myla Smith just released another music video! "Can't Say No" is the first single from her new album, Hiding Places, which drops September 10. I'll be giving away three copies of the album here next week, so stay tuned!



This intense, fearless Amy and Travis routine is my favorite of this So-Dance season. (Runner-up: this week's similar Paul & Hayley dance. It got me in the intro when he said, "This dance is about me showing Hayley I'm going to be there for her." Sob!) Amy is incredible and I'm SO excited that she and Fik-shun are in the finale. I seem to have a knack for calling the top two during the auditions (exhibit B: Melanie and Marko).



I'm probably the last person to learn about Henri the French cat, but he's cracking me up.


Music:

  

My top spins of the month: "Wake Me Up" by Avicii, "Roar" by Katy Perry, and "Best I Ever Had" by Gavin de Graw. The latter is a great example of a big-picture story told in few words. I don't know what to think about the "Roar"/"Brave" controversy since I'm a big fan of both ladies. In my case, Katy has a slight edge for the lyric "I've got the eye of the tiger."  #GoTigersGo


The Internets:

Like many people, I've become slightly obsessed with Forty Days of Dating. The forty days are almost up, and I feel like I'm watching the last few seconds before a terrible train wreck. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.


Blog Love:

♥ Conversion Diary went to a brewery and got a one-eyed cat.

♥ Jimmy Cornfoot analyzes celebrity and depravity in light of the VMAs, Lady Gaga, and Walter White.

♥ A beautiful love poem for people who have already done some living and loving.

♥ TRUTH from my new favorite blogger, Leanne Penny: Grief Is Awkward.

♥ Jonalyn Fincher shares a moment of holy sorrow. I've had many similar experiences.

♥ Storyline Blog on why loving stuff to the point of ridicule is a good thing.

♥ Kindred spirit Alece Ronzino checks in on how she's finding Blessed Assurance.


Feel free to share your August faves!

What I'm Into - July 2013

Linking up with Hopeful Leigh for What I'm Into! Where has July gone? I feel like I've accomplished so little despite being in a nearly constant rush and fog. :\

Read and Reading:

More tomorrow in my monthly book post, but I just finished and loved May Sarton's Journal of a Solitude for my Story 101 class. I feel a little alarmed that my life and thoughts closely resemble that of a 60-year-old woman. Sign me up for shuffleboard now!


TV:

As I do every summer, I'm reveling in So You Think You Can Dance. Amy and Fik-shun were already my top two in the auditions (despite the painful phonetic spelling of Fik-shun's name), so I was thrilled to see them paired up.

In July, after thinking about it for a looong time, I threw all my cable boxes and cords into a bag and headed to Comcast. I thought they'd offer me a lower rate when they saw that I was serious about canceling my service, but they made ZERO effort to keep me as a customer. So my bluff was called. Two weeks in, I still feel good about cutting the cord and/or sticking it to the man, but I fear it'll be a different story once football season starts. Anyway, I signed up for Netflix immediately, which means that I can watch reruns of The Wonder Years! It's one of my favorite shows ever, and I hadn't seen it since its last syndicated run, I think when I was in college. So I'm having a happy reunion with the Arnold clan.


Movies:

I saw no movies in July, in the theater or at home. (Unless you count my spontaneous re-watch of Katy Perry: Part of Me last night.) The last movie I saw in a theater (in mid-June) was Now You See Me, which was fantastic. Great casting and a twist I never saw coming. If you're debating about what to see at your second-run theater this weekend, I recommend it!


Video:

The latest installment in the Brian Williams Raps series on Jimmy Fallon. This time, he tackles some Marky Mark.

 


I'm sure everyone has seen this video of some divers' VERY close encounter with humpback whales, but I'm still awed by it!

 



Music:

Two of my all-time favorite artists (Sara Bareilles and Hanson) released new records recently, but to my own surprise, I'm more into Tegan and Sara's Heartthrob. Call it musical ADD, but I like maybe one in ten albums enough to listen straight through every time. Heartthrob is one of them. It's just really catchy and perfect for summer.

  

To my own shame, I'm inexplicably still not sick of Icona Pop's "I Love It." It makes me want to stand up in the open sunroof of a fast car. When I hear "Clarity" by Zedd, it's a struggle not to break into an interpretive dance. (Speaking of So-Dance, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for them to use this song. Preferably in a very dramatic Sonya routine.) And "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities just makes me happy. If I ever remarry and have a Chris Brown "Forever" flash mob at my wedding, this song is on the short list.


Things I Love:

(My brother is 6'5", just to give you a reference point.) 

- My vegetable garden is at its peak and is the current excitement of my life. I can barely contain the plants. I'm harvesting tomatoes every day, and cucumbers several times a week! The peppers and eggplant are producing too. There are four cantaloupes in process on the vine. My heirloom watermelon vine has tons of flowers, but no fruit yet. Sadly, my yellow squash plant was, um, squashed in a flash flood two weeks ago. It was doing great before that and had already produced one delicious squash. But if that's my only garden disappointment this year, I can handle it!

  

- I can't stop making and eating this Quinoa, Courgette, and Feta Salad. (It's a charmingly British recipe, hence "courgette" for zucchini.) It's a delicious use for small tomatoes. I may do a whole post soon on tomato-heavy recipes!

- During my sister's and niece's visit, I made this simple strawberry icebox pie for our dessert one night. It was so refreshing on a hot day.

- Speaking of hot days, I can't get over how few of them we're having. In Memphis, we usually hit 98 degrees in June and don't get any relief until after Labor Day. This year, we've had a few brief stretches of mid-90s, but keep going back to high 80s and low 90s. Don't get me wrong, it's still summer, but it's the most pleasant summer I can remember. Of course, people are making dire predictions about how we're sure to pay this winter, but I'm just enjoying it!


On The Blog:

This month I took a leap and joined a community band! I also threw a Fourth of July party and spent a lot of time with my family.

What I'm Into

Linking up with HopefulLeigh for What I'm Into! My list isn't as extensive or organized as hers, but it's a good current summary.

Steve Madden Heaven flats and Old Navy tank dresses. I bought a pair of faux snake Heaven flats last fall and have worn them pretty much nonstop. So last weekend I bought two more pairs (one in metallic, to replace some falling-apart Target flats, and some purple ones on eBay). They're so comfortable and go with everything. As for the dresses, I have the poplin-crepe sundress in two colors and the jersey tank dress in two colors, and can already tell they'll be getting a LOT of wear this summer!

Revolution. I caught up on four episodes of this show over the weekend, and saw the new one last night. YOU GUYS, IT'S GETTING GOOD. They've brought in interesting new characters, added a few twists, and revealed enough information that I don't feel strung along. Also, there's no other way to say it - Charlie has successfully transformed from meek and mousy into a total badass. I love the growing bond and respect between her and her uncle.

Also: Hawaii Life on HGTV. I've never been to Hawaii, and this show makes me want to go even more. I'm entranced by it. You learn a little about the local culture AND look at gorgeous scenery and pretty houses.

 

Edy's single-serving ice cream cups. I've been addicted to these for a while, but lately I have one almost every night.

Spring flowers! I'm overwhelmed by the beauty and color around town. The azaleas are in full, glorious bloom right now. The lawns and trees have all greened up. I bought a few new flowers for my yard last weekend. The vegetable garden won't go in for another couple of weeks, though. It's still a little chilly most days and the ground is still very saturated. I won't have tomatoes until, like, August, but it's okay.

Jancee Dunn. I just started her memoir/journalism advice book, But Enough About Me, and have been laughing out loud on almost every page at her family stories. Her new biography of Cyndi Lauper just moved up my to-read list! I read her novel, Don't You Forget About Me, a few years ago and it was an instant classic comfort read.


How about you?