Fun - M&Ms

Latest Craving...Pretzel M&Ms

So the kiddies found a new love...
Pretzel inside the M&Ms...extremely goooood!

Their website is pretty fun too...
http://www.mms.com/us/

Very Funny!

Funnier...Hungry Eyes

Movie Night - The Painted Veil

The Painted Veil (2006)
Based on W. Somerset Maugham's original story of the same name.

Can a movie be "Realistically Romantic?"
It does sound like an oxymoron...but nonetheless, I will stand by my claim.

Because the movie is based on the writing of Maugham, there are so many quotables.

...If people only spoke when they had something to say, the human race will soon lose the power of speech.

...Women are often under the impression that men are much more madly in love with them than they really are.

...As if a woman ever love a man for his virtue.

My favorite quote from the movie...
...when love and duty are one, grace is within you...

From the book...
...Remember that it is nothing to do your duty, that is demanded of you and is no more meritorious than to wash your hands when they are dirty; the only thing that counts is the love of duty; when love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding.

The Summary:

A couple with a broken relationship learns some valuable lessons about love, life, and sacrifice in this romantic drama based on a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It's 1925, and Dr. Walter Fane (Edward Norton) is a physician and bacteriologist who has become smitten with Kitty (Naomi Watts), the beautiful daughter of a wealthy and socially prominent family. Walter proposes marriage to Kitty and she accepts; however, while he clearly loves her, Kitty is more interested in her reputation than Walter's feelings, as she's recently turned 25, an age by which most of her peers have already wed. Kitty and Walter move to Shanghai, where he sets up a practice and she takes a lover, the British Vice Consul Charles Townsend (Liev Schreiber). When Walter learns of his wife's infidelity, he becomes furious, and impulsively volunteers to travel to China to work in a village stricken with a major cholera epidemic. While Walter's actions are meant to punish Kitty rather than reflect his own benevolence, the daily trials of living in a community in crisis have a striking impact on the couple, giving them a new and deeper perspective on their relationship. The Painted Veil is the third screen adaptation of Maugham's best-selling novel of the same name; a 1934 version starred Greta Garbo and Herbert Marshall, while Eleanor Parker and Bill Travers played the leads in a 1957 remake titled The Seventh Sin. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Sustaining Power of Friendship

It's Tuesday...
I like to talk about Relationship on Tuesday.
(if you haven't figure it out by now)

One of the most rewarding relationships in life is "Friendship!"
To the many couples I work with, I often ask if they "like" each other and if they are still "friends?"

We can at many occasions love the people in our lives.  We love for many different reasons, under very different conditions.  But I have come to realize that in order for any relationship to be long lasting, the persons must like one another and enjoy each other's company.  They must be friends.

Children may often demonstrate the best kind of friendship.  They play together, they do things together, they argue, may even fight.  But then the next day, they are all better.  Kids can easily forgive their friends.  Do-overs are almost weekly, if not daily.  Children know that they are not good at being friends yet.  That's why they make mistakes.  But they are also quick to forgive and give second chances.

Grown up friendship needs to be similar.  They have to like each other; they must enjoy spending time together. It's important to have common interests. They also have to like doing things together.  They often are physically and emotionally supportive; they enjoy the exchanges of ideas and thoughts.

True friendship often validates, affirms, and create positives in the persons involved.
I love watching and secretly observe my kiddies and their BFF.  I don't really know if they will be BFF forever.  But I do know that "in the moment," they believe it...So seize those "moments" with your friends and make them count!

Good Eats - The Healing Power of Ginger

Ginger - A Winter Wonder Herb

Reason for the recent absences have to do with an "hacking" cough along with a nasty fever. Did I mention they would pretty uncontrollable! Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one who has this horrible virus at our house.

Yes...the doc said it was a virus.  So nothing much he can give us...Nice...fluid and plenty of rest!  Sure!  (mutter stuff underneath my breath)

This cough is  the worst.  It's like the mother of all cough...barking, hacking, minute long expulsion of the cough demon would spell no relief.

Finally, one night, Nerdy Hubby came up with an "ancient Chinese secret," ginger tea to stop us from waking up the neighbors' real barking dogs.

Recipe:
Ginger - a chunk the size of the thumb, finely graded.
Water - 3-4 cup boiling water
Honey - to taste
Lemon - to taste

Bring water to boil.
Add graded ginger to boiling water.
Cover and Turn off the flame.
Let it seep for 10-15 minutes.
Strain tea and discard ginger.
Add Honey and Fresh Lemon juice to taste.

Ginger has showed to alleviate symptoms for cough, cold/flu, nausea, and intestinal ailments. Other conditions that ginger may aid in are circulatory, pain management, asthma, cholesterol and blood pressures related problems.  

VIP Day

Annual VIP Day at School...

The older child was very excited to be bring his very best friend (since 1 1/2 years old).
The younger one was extremely proud to have her piano teacher as her VIP.

It's a great opportunity to show the VIPs how important they are in their lives.  It's also very fun for the VIPs to see the kiddies at school doing what they do best.

We are often reminded how blessed we are to be surrounded by people who love and care for our children. In a world at times full of chaos, it's good to remember the simple things!

No Fun...Sick Family

Got Up

Took Temperature

Took Medicine

Back to Bed We Go

Movie Night - Mr. Popper's Penguins

Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)

Sick child's request!
Love the book better than the movie.
Book's about Mr. Popper (the dad).
Movie's about the son who didn't get much time with the adventurous dad.

Nonetheless, the penguins were the instruments of transformation.
Life's focus, Life's changes...what's really important are families.
Still a fun movie with a good message.

Official Trailer (2011)

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