Sunday Seven 9-2-2014

Ahoy!  Currently posting from my new home in Charlotte; here are a quick seven things to try:

1.  This book:  Elyse Fitzpatrick's Because He Loves Me.  Elyse is an exceptional speaker (!) and a gifted writer.  Here, she beautifully brings to light gospel truths about how Christ truly transforms us, even in our everyday lives, as we walk with Him.  A very refreshingly truthful book.

2.  This movie:  Wes Anderson's film adaptation of The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl is AMAZING.  It's basically an adult action movie gift-wrapped as a stop-motion animation children's film.  The hilarious dialogue will dazzle you.  "APPLE JUICE FLOOD."  Treat yourself and rent this movie!

3.  This game:  The Game of Things provided a group of friends with two and a half hours of straight laughter last night.  It plays similiarly to Apples to Apples.  (My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard)

4.  This TV program:  Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

5.  This dip:  guacamole.  I could eat a liter in one sitting.

6.  This cheese:  Brie!  A French classic - try it on those Snaps pretels.  Mmmm!

7.  This organization:  The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Animal Care and Control Division helped us adopt our first baby this weekend!  Meet Phoebe:

Stories of this crazy kitty to follow!

Cheers!
Katy

Sunday Seven 27-1-2014

 Today begins a new series - a way for me to share things I love/enjoy/recommend.  Introducing...  the Sunday Seven!  Read on for inspirations and recommendations...

1.  A book:  Rachel Carson's The Sea Around Us beautifully combines biology, poetry, and history (geologic history, the histories of sailing and oceanography).  I read it while in Maine this summer, and it inspired me to closely examine and enjoy tiny organisms (whelks and seaweed-dwelling bugs) in addition to the vastness of the sea.  Ms. Carson's writings motivate me to spend hours scouring seaside boulders, trees, and lichens.

2.  A movie:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a witty, British drama about a group of 60+ Britons settling in India for their retirement, and discovering that life's biggest adventures can whisk you away in your golden years.  The cast - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy - initially attracted my attention, and carried the film beautifully.  Seeing Bill N. and Penelope Wilton play a married couple made me wonder if I had discovered an alternate ending to Shaun of the Dead.

3.  A game:  The Sims - using fancy, modern technology to play...  with dolls.

4.  A TV program:  Modern Family is hilarious!  Recently, I enjoyed a scene that overlaid Cam tenderly singing "Ave Maria" whilst Mitch destroyed their living room with a tennis racquet, trying to kill a rogue pigeon.  I haven't laughed that hard since the first four times I watched Arrested Development (no, not the first four episodes...)

5.  This organization:  Defy Ventures, Inc. trains and equips criminal offenders to become entrepreneurs after their release from prison.  Founder Catherine Hoke spoke at church this morning, and told us how the program releases her clients from the cycle of poverty, welfare, and crime; and suits them up as successful business owners, creating new jobs and pumping tax money into the economy.  Did you know that in New York, it costs $167,000 a year to incarcerate one person?  Check out Defy Ventures - the stories of redemption are beautiful!

6.  This news article:  "South Sudan ceasefire takes effect" - hopeful!

7.  These cookies:  SAMOAS and THIN MINTS.  Thank God for Girl Scout cookie season.