strange flavors

So ... my sister had my job all summer, and since I’ve been back I’ve been finding little reminders of her presence. Today I went fishing for the bag of slightly melted M&M’s in the drawer in my desk, and my eyes fell on a chocolate bar from Cost Plus. Since it obviously wasn’t important enough for her to take with her on her last day, I figure she left here as a gift, something for me to find when I was in particular need of a sugar rush.

Well, this has to be the strangest chocolate bar I have ever eaten. Its called All Natural Sea Salt Dark Chocolate. The description reads: Bold, bittersweet dark chocolate flavors with a contrasting, yet surprisingly satisfying salty finish. The salty finish is definitely surprising ... there are large kernels of salt mixed into this chocolate. I think the amount of salt is actually a little strong, but I have to say I kind of like the contrast between the sweet chocolate and the salt. Its just so strange how it works. Very interesting. Thanks for the treat Amy!

book-inspired movies

Only once have I seen a movie that I thought was as good as the book. If you're my mom, you know exactly which movie I'm talking about. If not, I'll let you in on the secret: BBC's Pride and Prejudice. Its nearly six hours long, which is one of the reasons it works ... it takes the time to tell the story well. And the movie follows the book almost word for word. And the book's words are EXCELLENT. Its an awesome movie, and one I highly recommend, whether or not you've read the book, whether or not you're a Jane Austen fan, whether or not you're in to chick flicks. Its a great story.

I have recently been renting movie versions of some of my other favorite books, to see how they measure up. And I admit I have seen a few that did a fairly good job in their theatrical adaptations. No movie can measure up to its literary counterpart, mostly because there just isn't enough time. But I think certain movies can still capture the spirit of a book, and get across the important points. If you're a fan of these books, I can safely recommend the movie versions. If you haven't read these books, you must!

To Kill A Mockingbird
Starring: Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, and Robert Duvall as Boo Radley.
Released in 1962, you have to be willing to sit through a slightly slower movie, and one in black and white, but I think Peck captures Finch's easy wisdom and the struggle between the black and white communities is aptly portrayed.

Cry, The Beloved Country
Starring: Richard Harris (the first and better Dumbledore from the Harry Potter movies) and James Earl Jones
When a white man is killed by a black man in South Africa, their fathers are brought together, forming an unlikely kinship that helps bring healing between the races. If you haven't read this book, I can't recommend it highly enough. Alan Patton has a unique, simple, writing style ... and yet there is great profundity in his story. The movie is OK. I think it leaves out some key elements of reconciliation found in the book. However, I think it captures well the tension between the races of that time in South Africa.

The Secret Life of Bees
Starring: Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning
I cried during several parts of this movie. Now, if you know me, I cry easily, and that's not necessarily a sign of a good movie. However, I think the actresses in this movie do a phenomenal job of conveying the state of the heart while dealing with and healing from some really hard things. And like the book, the movie ends on a positive note, with hope that healing will continue. This is one of the best pieces of modern literature I've read, and again, I highly recommend the book.

Other decent adaptations:
All the Harry Potter movies
The Three Musketeers (Alexander Dumas actually had a great sense of humor, and the movie captures that well)
The Princess Bride (yes, it was a book first ... you should read it, its awesome)
The Lord of the Rings

Movies that make you wonder if the screen writer had ever even heard of the book, let alone read it:

The Firm (totally crapped out on the ending)
The Bourne Identity (completely changed Jason Bourne's identity)
The Count of Monte Cristo (changed the ending entirely)
Les Miserables (its simply impossible to tell that story in a two-hour movie)

What about you? Seen any movies that live up to their written versions? Do tell.

The Softball Tournament

For the third year in a row, our church softball team (on which Caleb plays first base) made it all the way to the championship round, which required winning two games in the hot sun .... and then proceeded to lose both final games. But they played their hearts out, which is more important, of course. And Josie and I had a good time with the other wives and kids hanging out to watch. (Warning: I have quickly become one of those moms who takes too many pictures of her daughter and is quite positive everyone else can't wait to see them.)

Josie didn't seem to mind her dad's sweaty shirt ... after two games in the hot sun, "sweaty" was an understatement.

My cousin's son Lincoln ate a blue ring pop ... which turned his mouth blue. I tried to get him to stick his tongue out for me, but he wouldn't.

Her fists are her favorite chew toy.

She loves to fly.

Really ... she loves to fly.

Just loungin'

Go Angels!

Caleb and I took Josephine to her first baseball game on Friday night. The Angels lost the game, but Josie had the time of her life! At least that's what she told us. She can't wait for next season and more games.

On our way into the park ...

Josie's first roller coaster

Last night Caleb and I went to Disneyland to meet his family celebrating his nephews' third birthday. The weather was perfect and the park wasn't too crowded. After dinner, we took Josephine on her first ride: the carousel. We managed to get the one bench all to ourselves, and Josie seemed to greatly enjoy all the lights and music. In fact, it wore her out ... she fell asleep almost as soon as she got back in her stroller.

Jo was dressed the part in her princess onesie, with Cinderella and Aurora on it. She did her best to change the color of the entire thing with her drool. Her fist has become her new favorite chew toy, and the result is great amounts of drool.

Me and Josie on the carousel. We both enjoyed ourselves (despite the look on her face).

3 months old

Josephine turned 3 months old on Sunday. We didn't manage to get pictures until today, so technically she's 3 months and 4 days old ... but its close enough.

New skills: Consistently sleeping 8 hours at night, and occasionally 10-12 (we love those nights); Chewing on her fist; Laughing; and I suspect all the drool is a scheme for regular wardrobe changes.

I wish our fancy free summer could last forever! (minus the heat) Its been wonderful having Caleb at home, and I have absolutely LOVED the break from work and the time to bond with my baby. Unfortunately, all good things eventually come to an end, and this carefree summer is almost over. I go back to work on Monday (part time), at which time Caleb becomes Josie's primary caregiver 8:30-3:30 M-W. Part of me looks forward to starting the routine, part of me is aware of just how tired I am still going to be. But I expect we'll all rise to the occasion of the new schedule.

I'm also looking forward to being a part of MOPS at church, which starts in two weeks, as well as having four-day weekends which will give me more time to continue pursuing better cooking skills and cleaning my house. I am so going to miss being here all the time for Josephine, but I also love that the one getting to care for her is her dad. I'm sure everything is going to work out just fine (even if it takes a few extra tired weeks and some tears to really believe that).

Here's a few too-cute pics of Josie at 3 months old!

Lindley family Labor Day BBQ

Yesterday all the Lindley family that was in town gathered at my parents' house for a Labor Day BBQ and Cook Off. This time we weren't just getting together to eat and socialize ... Oh no ... the food everyone brought was to be judged on flavor, originality and presentation. Everyone got into it, and as far as potlucks go, this was the best one I'd ever been to. Its great when the people making appetizers, side dishes and desserts are in it to win a prize!

We also spent the afternoon going through 50 years worth of pictures from my grandparents' house. These were also combed through to be entered in six different categories of competition: most awkward phase, best hairdo, best outfit, best expression, "give this photo a caption," and one other one I can't remember.

The whole afternoon was a hit. We ate well and we had a great time strolling down memory lane as we combed through tons of pictures. Here are a few new ones I took to remember the day.

My entry in the "side dish" category ... Jell-O cocktails.

My dad and Josephine.

Darcy and Josephine.

Caleb grilling lunch.

Going through photos ...

Grandpa and Marilyn and Josie.

Mom, Jean and Joyce.

Marilyn and Josie enjoying the great outdoors. (As you can see, everyone seemed to need some time with the cutest 3-month old at the party.)

Caleb showing my dad his photos from his backpack.

Jon and Maddie.

Mom handing me the prize for best side-dish! I think it was the kids' votes that put me over the top.

hooray!

Miss Josephine slept for 12 hours last night! Actually, its 7:30 in the morning, and she's still asleep! I'm up before her! With time to do a couple things before she gets up! Its weird. I've found myself checking on her every 15 minutes just to make sure she's still breathing ... which she is. I realize this is only the first step, and I don't expect her to do the same tonight ... but just knowing she CAN is a huge leap forward. And just in time for my return to work next week. Hooray!

vacation in la habra

Last week Caleb and three of his friends went on a 7-day backpack through the Sierras. So, I decided to take a vacation myself, and spent the week up at my parents' house in La Habra. Josephine, Lucy and I had a wonderful time, despite the 100-degree weather. We just took ourselves out to air conditioned places like Borders and the yogurt shop during the hottest part of the day. Not being at one's own home gives one leisure to sit and knit instead of do laundry, or take a nap instead of clean the kitchen. And, to top it off, my mom was kind enough to fix most meals for us ... so it was basically like staying in a bed and breakfast, even if it was just up the street from our own home. Thanks for the break Mom! (Oh, and Caleb made it home safe and sound on Friday night, having had a wonderful time himself. Check out his blog in the coming days for pictures and stories.)

Lucy beat the heat laying on the tile floor. She also had a great time roaming around the back yard and playing with Morris, my parents' cat who is as big as she is.


Josie was the only one lucky enough to beat the heat by wearing nothing but a diaper. She did great, despite the heat and a growth spurt (meaning she needed to eat every two hours for two days). She even gave me her first 10-hour night's sleep!