Category Archives: Just For Fun

January 30, 2014 · 3:04 pm

Obsessive Romance: The Kind You Root For

It’s rare that we get snow days in GA. Rare and wonderful.

The boys have been home from school, Superhubby has been home from work, and we’ve all been pretty lazy. Except for all the snowball fights, that is.

These surprise down days have given me time to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a while– time that has started a trend. My husband calls it an obsession.

Let me explain.

Years ago BC (before children), Superhubs and I used to watch a lot of TV together. One of the shows we watched together was Veronica Mars. We were both big fans.

Veronica Mars– the story of a teenaged wanna-be private eye who spends her days in normal high school drama and her nights solving crimes, like the murder of her best friend.

So when I found out that a Veronica Mars movie was on its way to theaters (releasing March 14, 2014), I was PUMPED.

But TV being pretty much a luxury for me now, I realized there was a lot I’d forgotten about the show. So, I’m re-watching. And these snow days were perfect for indulging myself.

And perhaps Superhubs is right– I’m obsessed. Again. Just like I was when I watched this show years ago.

What’s got me obsessed?

Is it the great writing, interesting stories and compelling characters?

Partly.

Is it Veronica Mars herself (played by the adorable Kristen Bell) and her snarky mouth, wit like a rapier and “no fear” skills as a high school private investigator?

Partly. (PS- I want to be her when I grow up.)

But mostly it’s Logan Echolls (played by Jason Dorhing) and his bad-boy, “I need serious psychiatric help but I’m loveable because I’m broken” devotion to Veronica.

The passion between these two characters is grrrrreat! (Insert Tony the Tiger…)

Hate-hate-hate-HATE-hate-hate-toleration-toleration-what’s-happening-with-these-two-whoa-what-the-heck-they’re-kissing-I-want-them-to-be-together-forever kinda passion.

It’s the classic story of two characters who hate each other’s guts but are drawn together by circumstances only to find that they have more in common than they thought and can really bring out the best in each other.

Here’s the thing– **Spoiler alert!** There’s no happy ending here. (Okay, sorry if I spoiled that for you).

The show was canceled after three glorious seasons. Re-watching is just reawakening the feelings of injustice that I never got the rest of Veronica and Logan’s story.

Hence the reason why I am PUMPED about the movie.

It picks up 9 years later, after the last thing we see in the show. Veronica has grown up; moved on. She’s got a new dude in her life (well, not new, but…just watch the show.) But something brings her back to her hometown…and to Logan Echolls.

And even in the preview for the movie, when we see Veronica and Logan together on screen for the “first” time in 9 years… well, I might have done a fan-girl squeal. Might have. Probably did. You’ll never really know.

So I’m obsessively re-watching this show and indulging in the on-again-off-again-on-again-will-they-just-make-it-official-already relationship between Veronica and Logan.

As I’ve said, I’m a hopeless romantic and these two have got that magic romance thing going on, people.

Not everyone loves Logan and Veronica together, though. If you’re a fan of the show or if you decide to watch it, you’ll have to let me know– are you #TeamLogan or #Team…someone else?

If you haven’t seen the show, you’re missing out.

You still have time to watch before the movie comes out. Amazon Prime has all 3 seasons available for free right now.

Share with me: What good movie or TV romance has gotten your attention lately? What’s your favorite TV romance?

My Favorite Month of the Year is Blue

October is my favorite month of the year.

I don’t have a birthday in October, no one in my family does, actually, and I don’t love Halloween (although I do think it’s fun). I don’t adore pumpkins and colored leaves, while beautiful, aren’t my favorite thing in the world.

No, October is my favorite month for one reason and one reason only—the sky.

Here in Georgia, a clear, October sky is so brilliantly blue that sometimes when I see it, I’m breathless.

The color is so vibrant, so clean, so perfect—it’s the closest I can imagine to what Heaven will look like. How the colors there will be luminous, radiating Christ’s vivid flawlessness.

It’s beautiful. It’s stunning. The blue of the October sky is the perfect, most unblemished color.

Sunrises look better against it and sunsets are more brilliant. Clouds dare not mar its excellence.

Something about an October sky is crisp. Cool. Flawless.

It makes me want to sing of God’s brilliance and creativity, thankful for the millions of hues that decorate our world.

Share with me:What is your favorite month of the year and why?

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Filed under Just For Fun, The Christian Walk

Tagged as autumn, blue, fall, heaven, leaves, october, sky

July 23, 2013 · 3:42 pm

8 Pinterest Dinner Recipes I’ve Actually Tried–Healthy and Family-Friendly

Pinterest has become my go-to for new recipes, but so many of them are tagged with “this is the best recipe I’ve ever tried!”

They can’t all be the best, can they?

Now that I’ve tried a few of these “best ever” recipes, I can honestly say, no, they can’t.

But some of them were good. Really good.

To help you navigate the labyrinth (and genius) that is Pinterest, here are some of those yummy recipes that I’ve actually tried and what I (and my family) thought of them.

These recipes are healthy and family-friendly. Sorry this list is a little heavy on the Mexican food side– my family loves Mexican & Tex-Mex so I’m always looking for good recipes in that category.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 3/5 stars. I made this using half of the chicken it called for so I halved the other ingredients, too. I was super-busy that day, so I started it in the crock-pot late and it didn’t get to cook for 5-6 hours. The chicken was done, but it probably would have been even better if I had let it cook all day. My fault. The chicken was good. Plenty sweet– you could actually cut back a tad on the brown sugar. I served it over rice with a pineapple rings and a green veggie on the side.

Smothered Chicken

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 5/5 stars. This was yummy. I left off the mushrooms for my husband and oldest son and kept them for myself and my middle son. We all agreed that this one could stay on our menu rotation.

Tomato-Corn Biscuit Pie

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 4/5 stars. I loved this recipe. It was light and delicious– perfect for a summer meal. However, the biscuit was a little thick. I almost wonder if this recipe wouldn’t work with something more buttery, like crescent rolls. I’m going to try that next time. There will definitely be a next time.

Bada-Bean-Bada-Boom Meal

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 4/5 stars. This was a fun way to get my boys to eat tuna without realizing it. It’s so much like a Tex-Mex dip that I served it with tortilla chips for dipping and a small green salad on the side. My boys also loved saying the name of this meal. 🙂

Ravioli with Salsa Black Bean Sauce

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 3/5 stars. This one was SPICY. Next time I’ll need to cut back on the chili powder and cumin and definitely not add the red pepper flakes I threw in for fun. (Duh.) The next time I make this, I’m sure it will get 5/5 stars.

Oven Baked Chimichangas

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 3/5 stars. I had never cooked with chipotle chiles in adobo sauce before, so I put in the entire can. I almost killed my children. Yeah– it was that spicy. Even after I tried to cool it by mixing in some sour cream and adding some grilled corn, it was eye-watering hot. My 4 year-old drank 3 cups of milk and 2 glasses of water after only a few bites. (How was I to know? The can was tiny!) Next time I’ll use just a bit or I’ll substitute with a can of tomatoes & green chiles. With toned down heat, this recipe could be deeeee-lish.

Healthy Baked Salmon Nuggets

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 5/5 stars. My husband and I don’t care for seafood, so it’s a wonder that my boys seem to really like it. I tried this specifically for my oldest who loves salmon, and I enjoyed these, too! They are a super-yummy and healthy substitute for store-bought fish sticks or chicken nuggets. Give these a try for sure.

Quinoa Black Bean Burgers

Recipe HERE.

Pin HERE.

Hale Household Review— 5/5 stars. This recipe was DELICIOUS. Add a little ranch dressing on top or some salsa and mmmmmm… everyone in the house enjoyed these.

I hope you enjoy these recipes. To check out what else I’m pinning, be sure to click on the Pinterest icon on the right side of the blog and follow me!

Share with me: Got any delicious and healthy family favorites you care to share?