Revolution of Love

Revolution of Love

Do small things with great love.

Online Daybook/ Currently/ 7QT: January 2018 Review

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od_logo_quiet2Grateful for…

  • A fun weekend with my love and little ones.
  • A mom-daughter day out with new haircuts.
  • The beauty of spring.
  • My family.
  • Workmen who fix the broken parts of our home.
  • All the little things we take for granted like a warm bed, running water and food on the table.

Praying for..

  • Many special intentions from family and friends, especially those carrying heavy crosses.
  • Those fighting cancer, illness and mental health issues.
  • For victims of abuse, hatred or injustice and for the conversion of their perpetrators.
  • For the unemployed to find work.
  • All pregnant moms (especially family members), those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
  • The souls in purgatory, especially family, friends and those most forgotten.

Pondering…

Today I happened to write the Blessed Is She devotion for the Mass readings of the day. It was just what I needed to hear because I am ready for a spiritual reboot. I made sure that going to confession was added to my Saturday schedule. It is very easy for me make excuses not to go to confession but I can tell the difference when I go beyond a month. It’s like I am running on spiritual fumes. Eventually, I had to make it a habit to go once a month and add it the family calendar so the kids old enough to attend know it is a normal part of our Catholic life. So if it’s been awhile since you’ve gone to confession, I encourage you to take the plunge as we begin Lent next week! Are you feeling nervous? I’ll be especially praying for you. Even if I don’t know you by name, God knows and He’ll know the prayers are meant for you. xoxo

 

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Around the House…

The purging and spring cleaning continues. Last week I focused on the kitchen. This week is supposed to be the bathrooms (God help me) but my schedule is so packed, I don’t think I’ll be home much. Sigh. It may have to get bumped to next week.

 

Family Chit Chat…

January Memories – We welcomed 2018! // We celebrated the Epiphany with Coldstone ice cream. // Bella got her braces off. Yay! // I returned to my morning prayer beach walks after a looong absence. // I went on a date with my Sweetie. // We rejoiced that Brian’s cancer test came out clean. Blessed be God! // I started Bible journaling for the first time. // I started purging and spring cleaning the house. // I practiced my hand lettering.

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In the Kitchen…

I was craving wonton soup the other day so I made my easy Trader Joe version. I took photos so I can post the recipe next week.

Here’s a preview.

 

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Reading…

A Man Called Ove

The Other Side of Fear: How I Found Peace by Hallie Lord

Next in line…

Frankenstein

(For Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge category – A Classic I Haven’t read Yet.)

And for Lent…

And of course since next week starts Lent (what the what?!) I will also start my Blessed Is She Lent Journal.

I was also thinking of adding a spiritual book such as this…

Little Sins Mean a Lot: Kicking Our Bad Habits Before They Kick Us by Elizabeth Scalia

 

Speaking of Lent, I just heard about the online Lenten Retreat at PrayMoreRetreat.com and Iโ€™m seriously thinking of signing up.

Watching…

(MOVIES IN THEATERS)

These are the movies I’ve seen since I last did my Online Daybook posts in August. (#blogslacker) Most of these I haven’t seenย  in months so I will just give a few thoughts since I don’t really remember all the details.

Victoria and Abdul – Now that I am watching BBC’sย  Victoria, it is fascinating to see a story about her unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim during the later years of her life. It was a sweet story with a bit of quirky comedy. I usually like to compare the movie to the actual history, so I found this article from History vs Hollywood interesting –ย  Victoria and Abdul (2017). (Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and language.)

Thor: Ragnarok – I’ve enjoyed previous Thor films but they weren’t favorites of the Marvel big guys. However, I thought this one was definitely the most fun and humorous and I loved Kate Blanchett as the villain. The DVD/Blu ray comes out on Feb 20 just in time for date night. ๐Ÿ˜‰ (Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material.)

Coco – I went to see this with my family last Thanksgiving and I honestly didn’t think I would like it very much. I went in skeptical and came out loving it with all my make up cried off. Strong messages of family, caring for our elders and remembering our dead. You will have to clarify with your kids Catholic teaching regarding the after life and praying for departed souls. Also, a few scary-ish parts for the youngest of your littles. (Ratedย  PG for thematic elements.)

Wonder – I really enjoyed the book and the movie was sweet, heartwarming and family friendly. Everything works out a the end and some bullies are reformed. It may seem a little unrealistic at times but it is a good food for thought, especially when talking to your kids about bullying, the dignity of life and the value of all God’s children. (Rated PG for thematic elements including bullying, and some mild language .)

Star Wars: the Last Jedi – What can I say? I watched it three times and can’t wait for the Blu-ray to come out. That doesn’t mean it didn’t have it’s flaws – The Rey looking into the mirror scene was weird, the Casino scene dragged, I wish the guy characters would have been as strong as the female ones, and I’m not sure if I like Rose, to name a few. However, there was much more that I loved including Princess Leah, Rey and Kylo fighting together, Luke’s scenes at the end, to also name a few. You either love it or hate it. (Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence.)

I, Tonya – I went to the movies last week and this was the only movie playing (that I was willing to watch) at the time I was there. Now, I’m old enough to vividly remember watching Tonya and Nancy skate and all the drama that went with it. I found the movie to be fascinating and incredibly sad. It gave me a whole new appreciation of Tonya Harding and why she was so rough around the edges. Margot Robbie’s transformation into Tonya was incredible. Kudos to her. However, the movie is on the darker side with a lot of language, scenes of domestic abuse and some sexual content/brief nudity so I wouldn’t recommend it unless you don’t mind that or don’t mind looking away. ย  (Rated R for pervasive language, violence, and some sexual content/nudity.)

Next in line I hope to watch the WWII movie The Darkest Hour, along with some other Academy Nominees that I haven’t seen yet. Although, there were a couple of movies nominated that I don’t even recognize. Lol.

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(TV)

As I mentioned last week, I finally started Season 1 of Young Queen Victoria. I don’t know what took me so long. I am really enjoying it! I’ll jump into Season 2 as soon as I am done.

On Sunday we also watched the Super Bowl episode of This Is Us. Wow, this show always tugs at the tear ducts but they were were really working on overtime tonight. I. Can’t. Even. Imagine. I hugged Brian and all the kids extra hard the next morning!

 

Listening to …

Added to my playlist…

Rely by Flor

Mourning Sounds by Grizzly Bear

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Added to the boys’ playlist…

I Just Need You by TobyMac

I also enjoyed hearing the story behind the song.

ย 

 

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Recent Posts:

It’s funny that I blogged very little last year and was thinking about quitting all together but then something happened in the new year and the posts started flowing. These were posted in January.

2018 Reading Challenge and A Review of the 2017’s Book Reading

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My 2018 Word and Saint of the Year

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She Who Believed: The Blessed Is She 2018 Lent Journal

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Friday Favorites & Link-up Vol 1 & 7QT

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The Blessed Is She Bible and Bible Journaling Tools

Friday Favorites & Link-up Vol 2 & 7 QT

 

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From the Archives

In time for Valentine’s Day…

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February Fun: Letter Writing, Love Notes (& Free Printable) and Prayers to the Holy Family

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And in time for Lent…

Lent Activities for the Home

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RevolutionofLove.com - When We Are Carrying A Cross Not Meant for Us (cross_W)

Lenten Update: When We’re Carrying a Cross Not Meant for Us

 

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Pinned…

I’d like to try this for a Friday in Lent – One Pan Mexican Quinoa by Vegan Heaven

 

Around the blogosphere…

Here are some posts I’ve been reading…

 

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It was just snapped with my phone but… Morning glory.


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So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Any book, movie or TV show recommendations? Do share.

Have a great week!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, ๐Ÿ˜‰

PPS – * Disclaimer: “Revolution of Love.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”


Online Daybook/ Currently/ 7QT: August Review with Fave Links, Movies, TV and Music

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od_logo_quiet2Grateful for…

  • The cool weather after last week’s heat wave.
  • Positive answers to some special intentions.
  • Traveling plans.
  • Phone calls from my mom.
  • A date with my Sweetie.
  • Hugs and kisses form my little ones.

Praying for..

  • Many special intentions from family and friends, especially those carrying heavy crosses.
  • Those fighting cancer, illness and mental health issues.
  • For the victims of natural disasters, especially for our friends living in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
  • All pregnant moms (especially family members), those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
  • The souls in purgatory, especially family, friends and those most forgotten.

Pondering…

On Saturday I was a foul mood. It started for no particular reason, but I just felt like I was tied up in knots. My patience was low and everyone was getting on my nerves. Then all these negative thoughts started creeping into my mind. Thoughts that made me doubt myself and my abilities as a daughter of God. It had been a long time since I battled that voice and it made my foul mood worse.

Later that evening, we attended the Saturday Vigil Mass and I knelt before Our Lord in the Tabernacle and asked Him to bring peace to my soul. I asked Our Lady Undoer of Knots to unwind the knots of my heart. During Mass the celebrant talked about 9/11 and read the prayer said by Fr. Mychal Judge, the Catholic priest that died while serving his fellow New Yorkers on 9/11. As the celebrant said the words, I repeated them and prayed them to Our Father and the darkness that was in my soul lifted and I felt at peace again. I was able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist ready to love and serve Him once again. Thanks be to God.

 

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Around the House…

We are back in school mode so there are lots of backpacks, lunch boxes and homework papers scattered around.

 

Family Chit Chat…

Thank you for all your prayers for Brian. In August, he had his yearly cancer testing and the bloodwork and CT scan both show no signs of cancer. Praise God! We appreciate all our prayers and words of support!! <3

 

It was a double birthday month! Here we are in 2009 and eight years later in 2017 John-Paul and I are celebrating our birthdays together.

In August the boys were back in school, Bella was back to high school and I was back to writing. ๐Ÿ™‚

The Blessed Is She Team Retreat in 2016

In the next few weeks I have a couple trips planned. I’ll be flying to Wisconsin to attend the Blessed Is She Team Retreat. Last year was such a wonderful time and I can’t wait to do it again! You can follow along on Instagram with #BISteamretreat. ๐Ÿ™‚

As I mentioned on Friday, I just registered for the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Women’s Conference on October 14th in Pasadena. And I’m bringing my mom with me! I can’t wait. I attended the conference Kendra and Micaela hosted back in 2015 (it was a blogging conference then) and it was such a time of personal and spiritual growth – I wrote all about it here. I am blessed to attend again this year and it’s even better since it’s open to all Catholic women.ย  If you are going, let me know so I can look for you there! ๐Ÿ™‚ You can also follow along on Instagram with #stjoanconf. ๐Ÿ™‚

 

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In the Kitchen…

I am in the process of finishing my recipe binder and doing a post about how I meal plan. Now that summer is over and homework/ after school activities season is here, I have to be more diligent about planning ahead since my afternoons are a little chaotic.

 

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Reading…

I finished these books over the summer and am almost done writing reviews:


The Lake House by Kate Morton


The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn


Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks


The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

A Duty to the Dead: A Bess Crawford Mystery by Charles Todd

Watching…

(MOVIES IN THEATERS)

The Big Sick – It’s been a slow movie month for me and I was only able to see one movie, which was The Big Sick. The movie is based on the real story of how actor Kumailย Nanjiani’s (playing himself) met his wife Emily. They fall in love but problems arose when their cultures clashed, as well as other issues. They broke up but then Emily became gravely ill and Kumail’s word turned upside down. He had to navigate his way through his feelings and the strained relationship with Emily’s parents and his own family. While this movie could be considered a romantic comedy, that was only part of the story. It was also a drama as Kumail struggled to define his life and what he wanted to do with it, which contradicted his strict Muslim family and their expectations. I enjoyed the movie – both the lighter comedic moments and the more dramatic thought-provoking scenes, although be cautioned that it is rated R. There is a lot of strong language and characters live a secular lifestyle, hook up and have sex, although there is no nudity or anything graphic. I rate this 3.75/4 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated R for language including some sexual references .)

 

(STREAMING MOVIES)

Lion – I really wanted to see Lion on the big screen but it wasn’t playing at my usual theater so I had to settle for watching it on Netflix. Lion is based on the memoir A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley’s. At the age of five Saroo accidental left his family when he rode a train that took him over 600 miles away from his small village to the busy and dangerous streets of Calcutta. He tried to get back home but instead found himself homeless and in danger of being taken by adults who wanted to do him harm. Eventually he found shelter in an orphanage and was adopted by a loving Australian couple. Twenty years later, Saroo remembered bits and pieces of his childhood and becomes obsessed with tracking down his family using Google Earth. I loved the movie and by the end I was literally sobbing. It was incredibly moving. There were a few slow scenes in the middle but the ending more than made up for it. One of my favorites I’ve seen in the last year. I rate it 4 out of 5. (Parental note: While your older kids may enjoy this movie, there’s a scene where homeless children on the streets are being abducted, one can assume, for evil reasons. Later an adult Saroo is shown in bed with his girlfriend. There is implied sex and kissing but nothing graphic.ย  Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some sensuality.)

 

(TV)

Brian and I also just finished the second season of Breaking Bad and have been discussing the development and (moral decline of some characters) and how their actions affect other people. We’re looking forward to starting season 3. (Warning: This is rated MA. The network mutes out the language or blurs inappropriate things but the streaming does not. So be careful where you watch it.)

 

Did you watch the Defenders? Did you like it? Brian and I loved it!

Now we’re enjoying Endeavor.

 

(Spiritual Food Viewing)

I have been loving Beth’s #TeachableTuesdays on Blessed Is She Facebook Live on Mondays at 10:00 AM PT. I just watched her video on the Postures of Prayer and found it so helpful!

 

 

Listening to …

Added to my walking playlist…


Silver by Waxahatchee

Up All Night by Beck

The World Is on Fire by Council

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Added to my praise and worship play list. I’m still building it up so if you have a suggestion, let me know. ๐Ÿ™‚

Alive Again by Matt Maher

 

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Recent Posts:

RevolutionofLove.com - 100 Miles in 100 Days(logo_100_miles)Progress Report: 100 Miles in 100 Days & Health Goals

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Added to My Calendar – St. Joan of Arc Catholic Women’s Conference in Pasadena, CA

From the Archives

ss_erica_1Saturday Spotlight: Erica of Be A Heartย ย  – August 2015

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Revolution of Love - Country Potato Salad (pp_pot_salad_7)Pinterest Party & Link-up (vol 38): Country Potato Salad – August 2015

 

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Pinned…

Apple Pie Overnight Oats – 100 Days of Real Food

 

Around the blogosphere…

Here are some posts I’ve been reading…

 

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I’ve been participating in the Dogwood Photography 52 Week Challenge but I’m super behind so instead, here’s a shot of one of my favorite rosaries. ๐Ÿ™‚


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So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Any book, movie or TV show recommendations? Do share.

I’m linking up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes.

Have a great week!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, ๐Ÿ˜‰

PPS – * Disclaimer: “Revolution of Love.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”

In other words, if you click on my affiliated links and make a purchase, I get a small compensation that goes towards keeping the blog online. Big hugs to those who click and help support the blog! xoxo ๐Ÿ™‚

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Online Daybook/ Currently/ 7QT: June & July 2017 Review with Fave Movies, Books, Links and More

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od_logo_quiet2Grateful for…

  • Spending time with loved ones.
  • A letter from a friend.
  • The pleasure of finishing a book and starting a new one.
  • When the fog clears and the sun shines.
  • Planting new flowers on our deck to add more color.
  • All the little things in life that I usually take for granted.

Praying for..

  • Many special intentions from family and friends, especially those carrying heavy crosses.
  • Those fighting cancer, illness and mental health issues.
  • For married couples, especially those going through difficulties.
  • For people out of work looking for a job.
  • All pregnant moms (especially family members), those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
  • The souls in purgatory, especially family, friends and those most forgotten.

Pondering…

As I was adding a few songs to my “listening to” category below, I thought I’d add a song outside of my usual alternative music station.

I never used to listen to Toby Mac, although he was a large figure in the Christian music scene when I was growing up. However, my boys are big fans of his music and we’re constantly listening to him when we are driving in the car. His new song Love Broke Through was a catchy tune but after a few listens I really paid attention to the lyrics.

“You loved me enough to pursue me.”

That sends chills down my back. The thought of God pursuing me is crazy. Amazing. Life changing. I mean I know it with my head but letting it take over my heart takes it to a whole other level.

I just watched the video for the first time and I wept. In life around us there is so much pain, anger and hatred and if people knew the depth of God’s love for them, it would change their lives. But sometimes the only way they will experience that love is if we show it to them. Kindness, words of hope and sacrificial acts of love are a balm to a weary soul in need of the love of Christ.

So whether it is your hubby, your roommate, your child, your neighbor or the cranky shopper in line at the grocery store, do something to remind them that God’s love is still present and alive in this world.

 

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Around the House…

You’ll find piles of library books, Ninjago legos, random soccer ball/ baseball / hockey sticks / football flags, Star Wars and super hero figures and laundry. Always so much freakin laundry. #momlife

 

Family Chit Chat…

Summer has been in full swing! Bella goes back to high school tomorrow but the boys don’t return until the last week of August. In the meantime, here are some of the things we’ve been up doing.

We went on our annual trip to Lake Tahoe. Last year my mom was prepping for cancer surgery. This year she celebrated her birthday with us!ย  I also spend Father’s Day with my own Daddy. ๐Ÿ™‚ We are so, so blessed!

In June and July: Andrew celebrated the Big 10! Brian celebrated his birthday and we went on our first overnight date in 15 years! Matthew lost his first tooth. We went hiking at Point Lobos, attended the Bach Festival with the kids’ Oma. The boys went to swimming lessons and VBS. My mom and sister visited and we enjoyed a number of family movie dates! It’s been super fun but I don’t mind if things settled down a bit.

August also marks another year of Brian being cancer-free. On the 17th he has his year big testing/scan. The appointment with his oncologist in on the 22nd so hopefully we”l have the results by then. Results that I am praying is good news. Your prayers are very appreciated!!!

 

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In the Kitchen…

One of my goals this month is to make a recipe binder with our favorite meals. I need some inspiration when it comes to the weekly menu planning! What are your favorite go to recipes??

 

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Reading…

On my nightstand (the stack keeps growing!)…


The Lake House by Kate Morton


The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn


Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks


The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty


The Diplomat’s Daughter by Karin Tanabe

 

Watching…

(MOVIES)

 

Dunkirk – I have been looking forward to this movie since I saw the trailer months ago. I wanted to LOVE it. Sadly, I did not. In fact, I didn’t like it. Currently, my 10 year old is fascinated with WWII and we have been watching many documentaries together. I had a basic idea of the story behind Dunkirk and the results but someone coming into this movie without that knowledge would feel a little lost. After 15 minutes of viewing I felt like I walked into the middle of the movie. There was no background info, except for a short sentence or two before the movie started. There were entire scenes with no dialogue and we had no idea who the characters were or even what their names were. There was no character development and it felt disjointed, as if it was trying to be artsy but if just didn’t work for me. I was not the only one feeling this way since my fellow movie goers were saying the same thing, including a group of older veterans.

I thought this movie would have worked much better as a documentary, watching re-created footage of scenes of action, but as a movie, I prefer to have the opportunity to connect with characters – to know about who they are, what makes them tick, and gradually learn why they do the things they do. Not everyone will agree and there will be some who love the way this was filmed but or me personally, I didn’t like it. I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars since there were some quality scenes (the drowning of soldiers stuck inside the ship or the men who burned in the oil were heart wrenching) but there was not enough cohesion to redeem the movie in my eyes. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for intense war experience and some language. For a detailed parent review check out Common Sense Media’s review here.)

UPDATE: I read this article – Dunkirkโ€™ Rethinks the War Movie: Historian Joshua Levine Shares His Experiences Working With Director Christopher Nolan – and I wish I had read it before I watched the movie. Had I known what to expect and went in with a different mindset, I think I would have enjoyed the movie much more. I added his book Dunkirk: The History Behind the Major Motion Picture to my reading list because I’d love to know more about the history leading up to Dunkirk. I’d also like to watch the movie again and see how it feels the second time around. When it comes on Blu-ray I think Andrew (my 10 year old) would enjoy watching it with me, as long as I mute out a few words and fast forward a few of the more intense parts.

Spiderman: Homecoming – I am a fan of all the Marvel superhero movies and I was eager to see what they did with Spiderman. It was a fun movie but it definitely had a different feel from the other super hero movies.ย  It could have been a coming of age YA movie where the character also happened to be a superhero. For some, that may be a drawback but I enjoyed it. When I watch Marvel movies in the theater, I always notice how much bad language is in it or just how violent is the violence since I usually let the boys watch it later on Blu-ray with me fast forwarding any questionable scenes or muting out the cuss words. The movie was a lot less violent and intense than other Marvel movies. There was still a lot of action and mayhem but not the usual number of body counts.ย  Plus, I made it through over half of the movie marveling that there weren’t many major cuss word (although there were the usual “stupid, loser, sucks…” type)ย  but then they threw in a handful of words, a stupid joke about porn and a flipped finger. That aside, I thought the movie was well done and a lot of fun. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments. For a detailed parent review check out Common Sense Media’s review here.)

Baby Driver – I imagine this movie to be the type that you either love or hate. I am not one who usually watches action car chase movies (I haven’t seen any of the Fast and Furious movies) however, I really enjoyed this movie. I think part of that was due to the amazing soundtrack that fit the mood of each scene. The car scenes were breathtaking, although I was praying that no teen watching this movie would try some of the vehicular feats portrayed. The characters were a little stereotypical without a lot of depth but this was more of a popcorn flick with edge of your seat action than deep character portrayals. Also, the movie is violent. There is a lot of gunfire/shootouts (including with police), some bloody deaths and rough language. So your enjoyment will depend on your tastes and what does and does not bother you. Personally, I enjoyed it and rated it 4 out of 5 stars. (Parental view: Rated R for violence and language throughout. This movie may be appealing to teens but I’d be very careful of their maturity before allowing them to view it.ย  For a detailed parent review check out Common Sense Media’s review here.)

Emoji Movie – Brian and I were flipping a coin to see who would have to sit through this movie with the boys. Oh, who am I kidding? I wouldn’t make Brian sit through this. Besides, I’m the parent most likely to laugh at a poop joke in a movie. (Just don’t repeat it at the dinner table, boys.) ๐Ÿ˜‰ In a nutshell, it was cute and it had a few funny moments but it wasn’t anything I’d remember a day later. I rate it a narrow 3 stars out of 5. (Parental note: Rated PG for rude humor. For a detailed parent review check out Common Sense Media’s review here.)

Despicable Me – In another nutshell, this was not as good as the first movie but still an enjoyable summer movie kid flick. If you are a fan of the other DM movies then you’ll most likely like this one, especially the 80’s humor courtesy of the super villain. There is the usual cartoon action and some rude humor much like the previous movies. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG for action and rude humor. For a detailed parent review check out Common Sense Media’s review here.)

 

(TV)

Our usual shows are on hiatus until Fall so it’s time to catch up on other shows that have been on our watch list but we haven’t tried yet.

We just finished My Mother and Other Strangers . I was eager to dive into this WWII drama set in 1943 in a small village in Northern Ireland. I enjoyed watching the life of the Coyne family as their community dealt with the influx of American Air Force servicemen. I felt for the people feeling like their town was being taken over but I was rooting for the Americans who were risking their lives for others. I also had empathy for the mother/wife Rose as she tried not to get emotionally attached to another man. It was extremely disappointing when two characters who knew that what they were doing was wrong, told each other that what they were doing was wrong but instead of helping each other be strong, they gave into their desire. I just kept thinking that if a person truly loved another, they would not put their loved one’s soul in jeopardy and tempt them to do something they knew is wrong.

I happened to watch this show a few days after watching Grantchester’s Sydney and Geordie make similar mistakes in their lives. Sigh. While I understand all too well the emotions and physical desires, I still think a lot of problems would be alleviated if people learned how to keep it in their pants. (Or at least the appropriate times to indulge.)

In the meantime, I’m on the look out for another period piece drama. Has anyone watched Land Girls? I saw it advertised on Netflix and wonder if its any good.

Brian and I alsoย just finished the first season of Breaking Bad and are starting season 2. So far we are really enjoying it. (Warning: This is rated MA. The network mutes out the language or blurs inappropriate things but the streaming does not. So be careful where you watch it.)

 

We are patiently waiting for The Defenders, which arrives on my bday August 18th. Yay!

 

Listening to …

Love Broke Through by Toby Mac

As I mentioned in “Pondering” above, this song moves me so much, especially lately.

 


Feel It Still (Live at KROQ) by Portugal. The Man

I’m still loving this song. When I need a pick me up I’ll listen to it and soon be dancing around the room. ๐Ÿ˜‰


Love is Mystical by Cold War Kids.


Rhythm & Blues by The Head and the Heart

 

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_blog

Recent Posts:

My Favorite Stationary, Pens, Stickers and Planner Supplies (& A Giveaway!)

* * *

How I Use My Blessed Is She Liturgical Academic Planner 2017-2018

* * *

Never Despairing and Being a Balm to the Soul

* * *


How to Use Instagramโ€™s Stories

* * *

Book Reviews for 2017 (Part 2): April โ€“ June

 

From the Archives

RevolutionofLove.com - 25 Acts of Kindness for your Husband(logo_act_kindness_640)
25 Acts of Kindness for your Husband – June 2016

* * *

Revolution of Love - Homemade Coconut Granola (logo_pp_granola_6)
Homemade Coconut Granola – July 2015
* * *


The Top Ten Theme Songs of My Life – July 2014 [I just re-read this post and I am crying again. What is up with my (happy) tears today?!]

* * *

Easy 5-Minute Salsa – June 2013

 

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_web

Pinned…

Simple Calligraphy Medallion Tutorial by ThePostmanKnocks.com (I love that name!)

 

Around the blogosphere…

Here are some posts I’ve been reading…

 

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RevolutionofLove.com - od_logo_captured_2

I’ve been participating in the Dogwood Photography 52 Week Challenge but I’m nearly two months behind! I am catching up by completing the categories from June.

Week 21

Soft – After a hard day of work I grab my favorite soft, red blanket, a gift I received over two decades ago before I was even married. Like a toddler with a blankie, the soft warmth soothes me, body and soul.

* * *

Week 22

Geometric Shapes – There’s a lot of geometric shapes with these things I love to use.

* * *

Week 23

Technical: F/8 Portrait – I’m still learning to shoot outside of auto so I had to look up how to do this. Luckily, I had a willing model (with his baby tooth hanging by a thread,) as long as I kept it really quick. I need to keep working on it to improve color tone.

* * *

Week 24

Green: Can you spot the little green guy?

* * *

Week 25

Toy Story: Buzz and Woody are realizing that their lives are different now that the boys prefer sports to them.

You can see my other photo challenge entries here – #rolphotochallenges.

* * *

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Any book, movie or TV show recommendations? Do share.

I’m linking up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes.

Have a great week!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, ๐Ÿ˜‰

PPS – * Disclaimer: “Revolution of Love.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”

In other words, if you click on my affiliated links and make a purchase, I get a small compensation that goes towards keeping the blog online. Big hugs to those who click and help support the blog! xoxo ๐Ÿ™‚

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Online Daybook and 7QT: May 2017 Review of Happenings, Movies and Fave Links

RevolutionofLove.com - logo_online_daybook_1

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od_logo_quiet2Grateful for…

  • The coming of summer vacation.
  • The teachers who taught and cared for my kids these past 10 months.
  • Family time.
  • That Brian’s cancer check testing came out clear.
  • All the little things in life that I usually take for granted.

Praying for..

  • Many special intentions from family and friends.
  • Those fighting cancer, illness and mental health issues.
  • Those living in violence.
  • For peace in the heart of all men/women.
  • All pregnant moms (especially family members), those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
  • The souls in purgatory, especially family, friends and those most forgotten.

Pondering…

The last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about the Holy Spirit and how often I neglect Him. Yet, when He makes his presence known, there is no ignoring Him. I don’t want my encounters with the Holy Spirit to be sporadic. I want to be open to the Spirit and go where He leads me without fear. I want my life to reflect the fruits of the Spirit and to do my small bit to bring love and mercy into my corner of the world.

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_home2

Around the House…

It is the end of the year mayhem with paper bags filled with artwork and schoolwork coming home. Just beyond that are the suitcase waiting to be packed for our annual trip to Lake Tahoe. We leave a day after the boys get out of school which means next week will be filled with end of the school activities (the boys get out late compared to the public schools) in between packing for the family. I will try hard to make it as stress free as I can but don’t hold your breath. ๐Ÿ˜‰

 

Family Chit Chat…

Last year in May, Bella and I drove to So Cal to attend my sister’s baby shower. It was out first mother/daughter road trip and we had so much fun, we decided to do it again this year!

We are both love Disneyland so a day spent there together was mandatory. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Then we headed to my family’s house where I had some one on one time with mi familia. (I needed it!) Unfortunatley, my parents weren’t there (they were in VA visiting my sister) but that’s okay since I’ll see them in 10 days when we go to Lake Tahoe together. Woohoo!

Here are some of the things we did this month besides the Rol girls road trip… I enjoyed a lovely Mother’s Day (John-Paul’s poem was a favorite), we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Famita, I took lots of beach walks, played with these three handsome fellas, went on a date with my Sweetie (who also was clear at his 3-month cancer check), attended a May Crowning, missed Brian while he was away for a conference and virtually connected with my Blessed is She sisters for a team meeting. (Having all of us online at once was crazy! I loved it!) ๐Ÿ™‚

 

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In the Kitchen…

This week I have been trying to clean out the freezer so don’t be surprised if I am serving Lenten fish sticks with Cinco de Mayo tortillas. ๐Ÿ˜‰

 

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_sights

Reading…

Later this (or next) week I’ll post a review of the books I read in April and May, which includes the latest one I finished.

In Farleigh Field: A Novel of World War II by Rhys Bowen (Read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited)

 

Watching…

(MOVIES)

 

Wonder Woman – Everyone had high expectations for this movie and when it came out I cautiously looked at the Rotten Tomatoes rating to see if the critics panned it. Remarkably, it got rave reviews. I went to watch it on opening night to see if I agreed. So did I? Oh, yeah! I loooved it. Gal Gadot is a wonder to behold. Not only is she remarkably gorgeous, but she plays the character itself beautifully. She can be both strong and powerful yet (at times) naive and thoroughly empathetic. Her empathy does not hinder her but rather empowers her to be a fierce warrior for those in need. At one point, when a painful truth rocks Diana’s worldview and almost topples her, she is able to overcome as she sees the good and positive effects of sacrificial love.

The movie has it’s share of violence, being set in WWI, but I thought it less violent than some of the darker Marvel movies. I thought Chris Pine was great as the male lead and the banter added some nice touches of humor. (Next time, let’s have a little more of the secretary Edna. I loved her.) I would also have liked a little more backstory to connect better with the three friends in the story but they were lovable none the less. All in all, I loved the movie and hope to see it again soon!

I rate thisย  4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content. / My note: Usual war violence but nothing graphic. There’s a shot of Chris Pine naked but he covers his man parts with his hands. A conversation about sex and marriage with lots of double meaning but may go over kids’ head. Wonder Woman and Chris Pine kiss alone in a bedroom and the camera pans away to the bedroom window so you don’t see them (or know if they) do anything more.)

* * *

Everything, Everything – I admit that I am the age of the parents in these stories but I enjoy YA books and movies. I’ve had this book on my shelf and planned to read it first before I watched the movie. However, one evening Brian told me I should take the night off and catch a show (you don’t have to tell me twice!) and the only two movies starting at the current hour was this or Bay Watch (which I heard was raunchy and bombed at the box office) so I went to see Everything, Everything instead.

The movie is reminiscent of Fault in Our Stars, having one of the characters living with a serious illness. Basically, Maddy has a rare disease and she must live 24/7 within the confines of her hyper sterile home. In moves Olly, a sweet, misunderstood boy next door. It has all the elements of young love and themes of love conquering all, including the risk of death. Now, I’ll admit that I love sappy, romantic movies as much as the next romantic and I did enjoy the movie (and the surprise twist) but I also can’t help but watch them through a “mom lens” as well. On the one hand, I love the sweet innocence of young love blooming. On the other hand, I hate how each movie must propel the young couple into sleeping together, although at least they were 18 and not 14. It gives such a skewed one sided look at love, sex and marriage. Besides that, I found some of the details a bit beyond belief – Maddy didn’t know how to swim yet she was snorkeling and jumping off of cliffs? Um, hello? So the story was sweet and there were some funny and touching moments but there definitely should be some deeper discussions afterwards if your teen is watching it too. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief sensuality.)

* * *

Guardians for the Galaxy, Vol 2ย  – When Bella and I went on our road trip, one of our nights in SoCal, we went to watch this movie with my sister in a huge movie theater and it was quite the experience. I have to be honest and say I did not love it as much as I did the first one but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. There was plenty of action and humor but there were also some tender moments when characters opened up and were vulnerable about issues they were dealing with. That said, Guardians is a little more dicey than some of the other super hero movies I let the kids watch. (Granted, I watch it with them and mute out a few cuss words.) While Guardians is basically as violent as other super hero movies, it also has more sexual undertones and more language. There are a few harder cuss word here and there but there are lots of “lesser” cuss words like – a-hole, douche bag, bastard, crap, jackass – throughout along with a few scenes (like the robot hookers) that give the movie a more mature vibe. It was okay for Bella to watch but the younger boys will have to be older to see this one. Rated 4 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language, and brief suggestive content.)

* * *

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie – When the boys were younger, we avoided “potty humor” shows and books but let’s face it, there is a natural draw towards boys and potty humor. We basically can’t get through a dinner conversation without someone laughing over some ridiculous body function. Thankfully, they do not act like this with company but in the confines of our family, they feel more at ease. I’ve also eased up on my ban of Captain Underpants and allowed the boys to read some of the books. When the movie came out and they begged us to take them, I saw little harm in it but gave the job to Brian for some male bonding. Surprisingly, the boys wanted me to take them. (Was this the result of my participating in their “who can burp the loudest” contest?)ย  Whatever the reason, Brian laughed as he closed the door behind us on our way to the theater.

Once there, I sat down with my carefully rationed raw almonds and contraband peanut M&M’s prepared to be bored silly. Fast forward an hour into it and I was actually enjoying the story. I loved watching the brother like bond between George and Harold with their pranks that reminded me faintly of Ferris Bueller’s ability to outsmart adults and rally the people. With that said, there was plenty of potty humor – from the aptly named Professor Poopypants to the scene of the fart symphony, which had my boys in such laughing hysterics that I couldn’t stop laughing just listening to them. (Seriously, I cried off my eye makeup.) So if you are looking for an hour and a half of ridiculous low brow humor to share with your kids, this may be the ticket. (Warning, I am also the kid who used to get in trouble for burping out loud and grossing out my mom with TMI stories so my opinion may be challenged.)ย  I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG for mild rude humor throughout.)

 

(TV)

Our usual shows are on hiatus until Fall so it’s time to catch up on a few shows that have been on our watch list but we haven’t tried yet.

I am thinking of trying Breaking Bad. Any other suggestions?

We finally finished Netflix’s Ironfist and although there was a lull in the middle of the show it did pick up at the end. It’s our least favorite of the four superhero shows but we are still excitedly awaiting The Defenders, which arrives on my bday August 18th. Yeah, baby!

 

Listening to …

Don’t Take the Money by The Bleachers. Perfect music for a road trip along the coast. ๐Ÿ˜‰

This is also on heavy rotation on my playlist…

Feels Like Summer by Weezer (The first time I heard this song I thought it was 21 Pilots.) ๐Ÿ˜‰

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_blog

Recent Posts:

Blogging has been light these days.

The New Blessed Is She 2017-2018 Liturgical Academic Planner

* * *

RevolutionofLove.com - 100 Miles in 100 Days(logo_100_miles)2nd Annual Summer Walking Challenge 2017: 100 Miles in 100 Days

You can follow along by following my Instastories and the hashtag #rol100milesin100days

It is not too late to join and adapt the challenge to your life. A big thanks to the ladies joining me! ๐Ÿ™‚

 

 

From the Archives

ss_jenna_1Saturday Spotlight: Jenna at Call Her Happy (May 2015)

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Operation Clean & Organize (vol 19): Weekly Menu Board (Revised)ย  (May 2014)

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Pinterest Party & Link-up, Vol 4: Pineapple Mango Salsa (May 2013)

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Pinned…

Photot credit: Oh Sweet Basil.com

With summer weather here, I want to try this one – Easy Greek Pasta Salad.

 

Around the blogosphere…

Here are some posts I’ve been reading…

~ 7 ~

RevolutionofLove.com - od_logo_captured_2

I’ve been participating in the Dogwood Photography 52 Week Challenge and these are my photos from May so far. (I am a bit behind.)

Week 18

Artistic: Purple

* * *

Week 19


Story: Back Yard. I’m blessed to live in a place where I’m surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, mountains and forests. God is a master Creator.

* * *

Week 20

Technical: Sky Overlay. This is the original photo.

ย I replaced the foggy sky with a clear one.

You can see my other photo challenge entries here – #rolphotochallenges.

* * *

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Any book, movie or TV show recommendations? Do share.

I’m linking up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes.

Have a great week!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, ๐Ÿ˜‰

PPS – * Disclaimer: “Revolution of Love.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”

In other words, if you click on my affiliated links and make a purchase, I get a small compensation that goes towards keeping the blog online. Big hugs to those who click and help support the blog! xoxo ๐Ÿ™‚

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Online Daybook and 7QT: April 2017 Review

RevolutionofLove.com - logo_online_daybook_1

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od_logo_quiet2Grateful for…

  • A new day, a new week and a new month – it feels like a fresh start.
  • Gorgeous spring weather.
  • Precious time spent with the ones I love the most.
  • Road trips.
  • A loving hubby that will take care of our boys so Bella and I can have a mother-daughter weekend away.

Praying for..

  • Many special intentions from family and friends.
  • Those fighting addiction, depression and mental illness.
  • Those suffering from from violence, whether within their home or their world surroundings.
  • For peace in the heart of all men/women.
  • All pregnant moms (especially family members), those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies and for moms contemplating an abortion.
  • The souls in purgatory, especially family, friends and those most forgotten.

Pondering…

Mother and daughter time. This afternoon I leave for a weekend road trip with Bella. Last year in spring we attended my sister’s baby shower in SoCal and we had so much fun we decided to make a mother-daughter weekend an annual thing. So we’ll take off after school tomorrow and head to Disneyland for a day before heading to see my family. (You can follow along on instagram.)

I am blessed that Bella still wants to spend time with me (you know how dicey the teen years can be ๐Ÿ˜‰ ) and I’m looking forward to some familia time as well. Please say a prayer that we have a safe trip and for Brian and the boys while they enjoy a boys weekend together at home. ๐Ÿ™‚

 

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_home2

Around the House…

The decluttering and spring cleaning I wanted to get done has been going sooo slow. It seems like every time I had a moment to work on it I had to set it aside for a family issue or work thing that came up. I have been weeding through closets and have a lot of bags of things to donate but it is slow going. Sigh. However, I suppose a little bit at a time is better than nothing!

 

Family Chit Chat…

Here are some of the things we did this month…we remembered my FIL/ Opa on the 1 year anniversary of his death, we put together our deck garden, Matthew celebrated his 6th birthday, we made the most of Holy Week, we celebrated a lovely Easter, I went on a much needed date with Brian, we played baseball in the driveway and I baked with my aspiring pint-sized chef. ๐Ÿ™‚

 

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_kitchen

In the Kitchen…

Photo credit: 100 Days of Real Food

Now that the weather is warmer and we spend more time outdoors, I am craving summer time meals. For a side dish, I have never made homemade baked beans so I want to try these Slow Cooker Baked Beans from 100 Days of Real Food. Yum!

 

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_sights

Reading…

I finally posted about the nine books I read from January to March. You can read about them here.

Now sitting on my night stand are these…

In Farleigh Field: A Novel of World War II by Rhys Bowen (Read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited)

* * *

Edith Stein: The Untold Story of the Philosopher and Mystic Who Lost Her Life in the Death Camps of Auschwitz by Waltraud Herbstrith

* * *

The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay

* * *

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

* * *

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

 

Watching…

(MOVIES)

The Zookeeper’s Wife – This book has been on my reading list for awhile but I broke my rule and watched the movie first. I love books and movies that take place in WWII, especially ones that portray the strength of the human spirit. I enjoyed The Zookeeper’s Wife, despite the grim subject matter. The stark contrast of the tranquil beauty of the zoo and the animals at the beginning compared to tragedies after the invasion was heart wrenching. There are some difficult scenes to watch (not so much graphically but emotionally) but in the end a beautiful story emerged from the horrors of war. Rated 4 out of 5 stars. (Parental Note: This movie is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images, violence, brief sexuality, nudity and smoking. My note: There are obviously war related scenes including a brief but heartless execution (not graphic), attempted rape, off screen rape of a young girl, no language that I can recall, foreplay between a married couple and a brief view of bare breasts while a husband and wife are talking in bed.)

* * *

Kong: Skull Island – I’d consider this one a popcorn flick – a fun diversion but nothing substantial. The retro 70’s vibe and soundtrack was fun and watching Loki Tom Hiddleston is always a treat but a little forgettable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language.)

* * *

The Promise – This movie may not have done well at the box office, but I really enjoyed it. Set during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, it portrayed the genocide of the Armenians by the Turks. It was a part of history I was only vaguely familiar with and this movie was eye opening. The suffering of the Armenian people was heart-rending. There were scenes that were difficult to watch and I was sobbing during one that was particularly difficult. It was similar to watching a movie about the Jews and the Nazis and wondering how anyone could survive such atrocities and heart ache. It is amazing how strong the human spirit can be, especially when relying on God. The movie touched my heart and I’m glad I watched it. (Parental note: Rated PG-13 for thematic material including war atrocities, violence and disturbing images, and for some sexuality. / My note: Definitely has war atrocities and disturbing images. Two characters have sex but it is not graphic.)

* * *

Boss Baby – Two of my boys wanted to watch this one so we went over the weekend. There were some funny moments but definitely not for those who want to stay away from rude or potty humor. The “I want to be an only child” and “this baby is ruining my life” attitude was annoying but eventually the joys of having a sibling was acknowledged. Thankfully, my boys commented that they’d hate not having brothers to play with so that made me happy. ๐Ÿ˜‰

(TV)

Most of the usual shows we watch will be winding down for the season. We’re almost done with Ironfist but don’t like it as much as we did Daredevil and Luke Cage.

I’ve been enjoyingย  season 2 of Homefires. I just wish there was a season 3!

There has been a lot of talk about 13 Reasons Why on Netflix. If you are unfamiliar, it is the story of a girl who commits suicide and leaves 13 cassette tapes of the reasons why she chose to kill herself. It would take a separate post to really analyze it and show the pros and (many more) cons. Since this is only a paragraph (or two) I’ll just say this –ย  The purpose of the book/series was to show how our actions can affect another person but many have complained that the show instead glamorizes suicide. I don’t know if I agree that it glamorizes it but I understand that Hannah can almost seem like a hero to have taught all her “oppressors” a lesson. On the plus side, it shows how our words and actions (or inaction) can affect another person. (Although, some of the 13 reasons may have seemed like “minor” reasons compared to something like rape or inadvertently causing someone’s death but again, that’s a whole other post.)

Unfortunately, the show itself, while addictive, is not appropriate for teens, at least not the teens in my life. If a teen is already living the kind of life portrayed, then they should watch it was a parent of trusted adult. There seems to be little hope and possible triggers for anyone suffering from depression on mental illness.ย  Besides that, there is language throughout with f-bombs all over the place. (I have a hard time watchingย  movies with a lot of bad language since I used to talk that way and it is hard to not slip back into that bad habit.) There is teenage drinking, drugs and sex. There are two rapes that are not super graphic but show more than you want to see. Hannah’s suicide is also shown and that was way more graphic (and difficult to watch) than I expected.

All in all, there is a big difference between a 40 year old and a 14 year old watching this. The show completely sucked me in but afterwards I was emotionally drained. It was a sober lesson, especially as a parent. Many students in Bella’s school have been talking about the show and Bella wanted to watch it. I told her what it was about and what it contained. I didn’t want her to put those kind of images into her head. However, if she still really wanted to see it, I would let her but only if we watched it together and I fast forwarded the inappropriate scenes. Thankfully, after we discussed it she said it was not the kind of show she’d want to see. Regardless, we will continue to discuss the themes of the show, especially as she gets further along in high school.

If you want more info, Sr. Helen Burns has many helpful links about 13 Reasons Why on her blog Hell Burns.

Another good article is from Lifeteen – Before You Watch 13 Reasons Why.

 

Listening to …

Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man

 

~ 5 ~

revolution of love blog - od_logo_blog

Recent Posts:

Blogging has been light these days.

Book Reviews for 2017 (Part 1): January โ€“ March

How Mr. Knightly Helped Me Find Mr. Right

From the Archives

Quick and Easy Cheesy Pasta with Spinach and Kale(pasta_spinach_logo)In the Kitchen: Quick and Easy Cheesy Pasta with Spinach and Kale (May 2016)

* * *

RevolutionofLove.com - Five Favorite Natural Health & Beauty Products (ff_natural_beauty_logo2)5 Favorite Natural Health & Beauty Products (May 2015)

* * *

Despite What You May Think… You Are a Good Mom (May 2014)

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revolution of love blog - od_logo_web

Pinned…

The new 2017-2018 Blessed Is She Liturgical Academic Planner (Aug 2017 – July 2018) is now available for pre-order! I can’t wait! ๐Ÿ™‚

 

Around the blogosphere…

Here’s a post I wrote for the Blessed Is She blog – When Weโ€™re Carrying A Cross Not Meant for Us

Here are some posts I’ve been reading…

~ 7 ~

RevolutionofLove.com - od_logo_captured_2

I’ve been participating in the Dogwood Photography 52 Week Challenge and these are my photos from April.

Week 11: Split Tone

On my morning walk.

* * *

Week 12: Orange

There is a blaze of color in our garden and this coral orange is one of my favorites.

* * *

Week 13: Golden Hour


The setting sun.

* * *

Week 14: Panning

This was tough because I didn’t know what it meant! This is the best I could do at first try. (The slower shutter speed blurs the background as the subject in motion is clear.) #learningasigo_

* * *

Week 15: Hard

The cross is hard both physically and emotionally/ spiritually as you carry your own.

* * *

Week 16: Leading Lines

Leading lines. Taken at my favorite mission.

* * *

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Any recommendations? Do share.

I’m linking up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes.

Have a great week!

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, ๐Ÿ˜‰

PPS – * Disclaimer: “Revolution of Love.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”

In other words, if you click on my affiliated links and make a purchase, I get a small compensation that goes towards keeping the blog online. Big hugs to those who click and help support the blog! xoxo ๐Ÿ™‚

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