My Review - CODA

 

I am always the last to see movies that were Oscar nominated or winners.  Usually, I have never seen or heard of many or all of the movies on the best picture list.  I knew that CODA had won best picture, but didn’t know anything about it or even what it was an acronym for (child of deaf adults).  I stumbled upon it this weekend, while looking for something to watch and I am so glad.

The main adjectives I would use to describe this lovely, quiet movie are moving, uplifting and unique.  It is a movie about a family, but so much more.  The interaction between the deaf adults (all deaf actors) and Ruby, the hearing daughter is so well done.  You feel like you are seeing something never seen on the screen before, but at the same time perfectly normal.

Ruby sparkles and her beautiful singing that helps her fit in and also gives her hope for a future outside of her family is such revelation.  I won’t spoil anything, but the way the school choir concert is filmed will give you all kinds of empathy and emotion.

Better late than never - watch it too if you can and be prepared to feel all the feels.

Visiting PA

 

I just returned from a wonderful visit with my daughter and son in law.  She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh and while we love to go into the city, there are also many things to do in the North Hills (as I just learned the area north of the city is called).  We went out for cocktails at a favorite spot from a former visit, had a wonderful dinner at an historic inn with a German menu and spent a lovely afternoon at a winery.  We walked their dog in the pretty, but hilly neighborhood they live in and had breakfast at a cute cafe attached to a garden center.  

And, while we did keep busy, we also had some down time to catch up with each other.  We last saw each other at the end of April, so three months.  That is the magic number for me when it comes to my daughters and I don’t let distance keep us apart for much longer than that.  Talking on the phone is fine, but there is something important about a hug in person and a face to face conversation.  There is something important too about spending time in someone’s home and city, seeing their space and feeling part of their day to day life.

The goodbyes are hard, but we already have plans to see each other at a family wedding in September, so we will hold on to that and make due with many phone calls between Pennsylvania and Florida.  

P.S.  I fly a lot, but flying right now is a bit on the nightmarish side.  Coming back was an exercise is delays, missed connections and an unexpected stay in the airport hotel for an early morning flight.  I finally make it home to Florida fifteen hours after my original arrival time, but had to travel out of my way through St. Louis. 

Pack your patience if you have travel plans :-)

3 Ingredient Blueberry Cobbler

 

I have been seeing fresh blueberries in season in the accounts from the northern states that I follow and have been seriously craving all things blueberry.  Pie, cobbler, pancakes, etc. Unfortunately there are no fresh blueberries available in Florida, so I decided to do the next best thing and use frozen blueberries for this recipe.  

It’s such a simple recipe and a method you can use with any kind of fresh or frozen fruit.

In a 9x9 baking dish (or similar) after spraying with cooking spray, place 4 cups blueberries in the bottom. Dump any yellow cake mix in a mixing bowl and add 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter.  Mix until crumbles form. Pour on top of blueberries and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve warm (Saturday breakfast for me) and then store in refrigerator.

Happy Weekend!