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Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Archives for June 2012

Saturday Smiles: It’s the little things edition

June 10, 2012

Right. Sunday again. I’m thinking I’ll have to rename this feature to Weekend Wonderfuls or something like that.

Many reasons to smile this week, so it’s not for lack of material.

One of my prayers of late has been, “God, where are You? Please, Lord. Show me that You haven’t forgotten us. I need to see You.” I wasn’t asking for a sign, per se, just an assurance. Like a short text or e-mail from a friend who’s been out of touch that says, “I’m still alive.”

I know God is there. I believe. Sometimes I just need a little reminder to help my unbelief.

My uncle is much improved this week, even moving out of critical care to a regular room. If you want the details you can find them here.

Not forgotten.

We came home to some distressing news for our budget and succumbed to stress and anxiety about the coming months. Then, we received four checks in the mail this week. We were expecting one, but couldn’t remember the amount. The other three were not exactly surprises except for the timing.

Not forgotten.

My husband completed another job application this week. That makes two out there for consideration. And we received an offer to pray about another ministry opportunity.

Not forgotten.

Then, there were things like experimental cooking that turned out yummy.

I call it sausage alfredo florentine pizza. Or something like that. It was good.

And this free activity for kids every other week at Lowe’s. Isabelle and Phil went for the first time on Saturday. Here’s what she did:

And she got an apron, goggles and an iron-on patch for finishing. This may be a regular part of our summer.

Then there’s this little guy, our future skater dude. He cracks me up.

Lemonade.

Cold root beer on a hot summer day.

The kids being excited about Bible school, which starts tonight.

Working out at the Y with a friend.

A park outing.

Eating supper al fresco in the backyard.

Life doesn’t always make sense. And life is good.

Filed Under: arts and crafts, Children & motherhood, food, Saturday smiles, Summer Tagged With: blessings, cooking, eating outside, food, free activities, God provides, Lowe's Build & Grow, reasons to smile, summer, trying new things

There’s a book for that: The Princess Bride

June 8, 2012

Inconceivable!

The Princess Bride is hands-down my favorite movie. I can’t explain why and you don’t have to agree with me. It’s just the way it is. So it was totally and in all other ways “inconceivable” to me that I could love anything more. But I do!

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman is pure genius. I couldn’t put it down even though I’ve seen the movie a hundred times (probably more). I was almost berating myself for not having ever read it before. It’s soon to become part of my permanent library. (I borrowed it from the library for this reading.)

Everything I love about the movie I now love more because of the book. I was surprised, pleasantly, to discover that the movie doesn’t deviate in horrible ways from the book. From a production standpoint, I understand why some things were left out or moved around. On the whole, though, I am in love with this story all over again.

I’m sure you can’t tell, right?

I only know a handful of people who don’t like the movie, (I won’t name names, but Nikki, you’re the first one that comes to mind!) so if that’s you, give the book a whirl and see what you think. And if you are, like me, a devotee (my husband made his “move” to indicate he liked me during a showing of this movie adding to many reasons why I love it) and you haven’t read the book, then all I have to say is “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?” Sorry for shouting.

Am I overselling it? Tell me what you think if you’ve read Goldman’s book.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this project, too. (If you missed last week, I gave my thoughts on Mary Poppins, the book.) What’s your favorite book-to-movie adaptation? Are you a strict book first, movie second kind of person? What treasures have you discovered on the bookshelves  in regards to books turned into movies?

Next week: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Filed Under: The Weekly Read, there's a book for that Tagged With: adventure stories, classic novels, great fiction, love stories, movie adaptations of books, The Princess Bride, william goldman

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Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography

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Hi. I’m Lisa, and I’m glad you’re here. If we were meeting in real life, I’d offer you something to eat or drink while we sat on the porch letting the conversation wander as it does. That’s a little bit what this space is like. We talk about books and family and travel and food and running, whatever I might encounter in world. I’m looking for the beauty in the midst of it all, even the tough stuff. (You’ll find a lot of that here, too.) Thanks for stopping by. Stay as long as you like.

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Occasionally, I review books in exchange for a free copy. Opinions are my own and are not guaranteed positive simply due to the receipt of a free copy.

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