August 16, 2014

Saturday movie review: 'Boyhood'

August 16, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

Though I fancy myself fairly up on movie news, I must admit I knew nothing about BOYHOOD when I first started seeing myriad accolades and positive posts on the film filling my social network streams. I was never compelled enough to click in the posts, though, so I learned from them only that Ethan Hawke was involved, it apparently took a very long time to make, and that it was really, really good.

BOYHOOD movie poster

Last weekend when rain...

August 11, 2014

Compassion trumps fluff plus GRAND Social No. 117 link party

August 11, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

Compassion trumps fluff

I originally planned to kick off today's post with some happy,fluffy stuff. For instance, pointing out that my return to publishing a Saturday Movie Review was quite well received, so much so that even Oprah read my thoughts on THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY... and tweeted to me after reading.

But then compassion...

June 24, 2014

Following big brother's footsteps... reluctantly

June 24, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

Bubby started taking swimming lessons when he was three years old. Now that Mac is three, he recently began taking them, too.

swimming lessons

For this first...

April 17, 2014

Awww-worthy BEARS entertains and inspires (review and activity freebies)

April 17, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

I usually save movie reviews for Saturdays, but this one I simply must share with you now as Easter weekend is prime time for enjoying a movie with family. BEARS from Disneynature opens tomorrow, so if you're looking for a film both young and old will enjoy for the holiday (or any day), BEARS just might be the ticket.

Bears movie poster

I had the opportunity to...

April 11, 2014

Ending on a positive note

April 11, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

birds of musical notes

Let's end the week on a positive note, shall we?

I can't think of any more positive, upbeat, soulful...

April 07, 2014

GRAND Social No. 99 plus National No Housework Day

April 07, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

NATIONAL NO HOUSEWORK DAY

Today, April 7, is a very special day. You may not know this, but today is <drum roll>... National No Housework Day! For real!

link party

Yay for no dishwashing, dusting or vacuuming. (Okay, Jim and I completed the last two over the weekend.) No window washing...

April 05, 2014

Saturday movie review: 'Gravity'

April 05, 2014/ Lisa Carpenter

When GRAVITY, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, came out in theaters, I wasn't all that sure I wanted to see it. From the initial trailers, it seemed there'd be a few minutes of excitement followed by a very quiet hour or so of Sandra Bullock floating around in outer space.

Gravity on DVD