Movies, Cookies, Music, Books

MOVIES:

Knives Out was GOOD!!  See it -- certainly a good one for a home watch too, but pay attention.  It's unique and funny and suspenseful.  It's about a murder -- Clue style -- lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek, but interesting.  At first, I was wondering if it was going to be silly -- as in opposite of smart -- characters that are exaggerated can put me off.  Nope.  It worked.


COOKIES:

I made a batch of Sour Cream Softies cookies (I made them GF).  My Gram used to make these all the time and all of a sudden I had a huge craving for a cookie I haven't had in 30 years.  They do not disappoint.  The recipe that comes up searching the name IS the recipe she used (my sister sent it to me too).  The reviews say it all -- you love it or hate it.  Soft, plain, cake-like ... yep, yep, yep.  One reviewer said half her family loved them, the other half hated them.  That's about right.  They are tangy and soft -- totally unique, mild flavor.


MUSIC:

Headed to our favorite winery again.  The young kid who sings cover songs is back and he's awesome.  I've become a groupie LOL.  I saw him play the first time he played at the winery -- and he's back again.  We're bringing a picnic and Duke and having an afternoon of it.  The other performers that play at the wineries are good, but they sing their own music.  I enjoy cover singers a lot more.  It's going to be cold enough for mulled wine.


BOOKS:

Wanderer is really good so far.  I'm excited -- I love a good, long book that you look forward to reading.  I think this is a winner.  I love cold nights -- getting in bed with hot tea, a good book, my dogs and a fluffy blanket.   I hope the book stays interesting.  Long books have to be something special to hold my attention.  Either I can't wait to have it over or I'm sad that it ended.  Pillars of the Earth -- one of my favorite long books and I missed it when I was finished.  War and Peace -- couldn't be finished fast enough -- lordy, what a boring book, but it was on my bucket reading list and I'm glad I NEVER need to read it again.


Venturing out yesterday was CRAZY.  People are crazy.  Stores are crazy.  I thought I wasn't going to get a parking space for the movies.  One Costco run next week (I'll go when it opens -- in and out like a flash) and a couple of grocery store runs.  Not heading anywhere near the retail areas if I can help it.  This is when I'm glad we're in the country.  Yesterday ... roads gridlocked, parking lots gridlocked -- 30 minute wait time for Starbucks mobile orders ... wow.  When Christmas falls mid-week, people party it up over the weekend.  I saw multiple Santas walking around, people dressed up in costume like apparel, people fancy dressed and tons of groups of friends gathering before family obligations (can't blame them on that!!).

Hopefully, today will be a stress-lite day.  Music, hot wine, outdoors and home to start wrapping gifts.  Later gators.