Henry

The Godfather

My cheap-o subscription to Audible is nearly over and I won't be renewing it once the price goes up. One of my last purchases was Mario Puzo's The Godfather as read by the brilliant Joe Mantegna. I was seriously howling out loud at his reading the description of Sonny Corleone's massive "organ" and am loving reliving the story through Mantegna's performance.

(ps - My god, either Mario Puzo hates women or he's letting everyone know that Italian and Italian-American men think that women's only value lies between their legs. Super, crazy offensive, but I'm still enjoying the book. It's kind of funny how sex-obsessed and power-hungry all of the male characters are and that they don't realise how weak they really are because of this obsession.) 

Amy in Ireland

Unbelievable as it may seem, bestie Amy is in Ireland without me. She has been sending me photos of her adventures and seems to be having a great time. Check out some of these incredible shots:

Grump Tree

I spotted these at Trader Joe's and think it's gotta be the cutest wee lil' tree I've ever seen. It's the Grinchiest!

We Gots Priorities

The last time Kayla and I hung out we drove down this lovely suburban street where some partially nudie boys from the nearby high school were jogging. I pointed them out to Kay who then got out her phone and tried to record them. I then spotted a yellow dog and quietly told her "puppers..." Immediately the focus was withdrawn from the boys and on to something far more beautiful and swoon-worthy.

(ps - This post isn't for anyone but me, so that years from now when I look back through the "Mini Movies" label I will see this and smile, remembering how wonderful it was just to drive around with one of my favourite people in the universe and "ooh" and "ahh" over random dogs while listening to Johnny Mathis.)

Lord of the Rings Fanatic

Jackson, as you may remember, is a fan of the trilogy of films and wrote out this from memory (and added his own bits as well):

The Lord of the Rings

10,000 years ago three lands fell to the power of the ring. But there were some who resisted on the slopes of Mount Doom and in the fires of Mount Doom.

The battle began. The good guys thought that they won but it was not over. The power of the ring grew tall. Ten men were destroyed.

And now, read for you by the boychild, himself!

(ps - that fabulous laugh you hear in the background? That's Jackson's mother, Mary. Love that woman!)

Schitt's Creek Binge-fest

Today I went out in to the torrential downpour and ran all my supermarket errands then came home, lit the candles, flicked on the electric fireplace, bundled under a stack of blankets and watched all the season four eps of Schitt's Creek. I've been so caught up in reading lately that TV shows have gotten pushed way to the back burner. I just so love this show and the characters and my god, so many times I am howling with laughter.

(photo kidnapped from hollywoodreporter)

Black Friday with Jax

I picked this boy up a little before noon and we spent all day together. He helped decorate my place and we watched Toy Story (which he finally likes!!) and of course, Ziggy's Gift which we kept on repeat and watched four times. We had our "fake hot dogs" and even discovered a vegan Oreo cookie cupcake at Whole Foods, where Jax hugged every stuffed animal in arms reach.

(I mean look at his face!!! Such a cutie and he loved wearing the Santa hat that Lauryn gave me about a decade ago.)

Thanksgiving 2018!

It looks like this will be the last Thxgivin' held at my childhood home. Mama Rosie is looking to downsize next year. We all had a fabulous time, even though Dave, Stacey, and Miss Lucy were in the Mid-West, however, they will be here at Christmas, so that's something to be excited about! Here are some random snapshots for no one but me to enjoy.

Roe's Suburban New Jersey Thanksgiving table setting. Middle-class class all day and all night! Who needs crazy long tables, crystal goblets, candelabras, and all that richy-rich stuff? We keep it real.

Jackson was ecstatic to learn how to use a snifter for his sparkling cider. All night he kept asking for "more wine" and announced he wasn't going to have too much more because "I don't wanna get drunk." This kid...

Mr. R., Jax, Xavier, and Wayne in the kitch.

My favourite six year old boy.

Sister-in-law Mary got in on the selfie action!

Syd and Zach chillaxed in the living room watching the game then Planes, Trains, and Automobiles in between texting and Snap-chatting friends. Oh, and Jax is playing with Lincoln Logs - a favourite toy of mine (and my brothers) growing up.

Wayne home from the seminary!

In between carvings (gross) Xavier stopped for some shenanigans with Wayne oblivious to our nonsense.

This gal is home from college and luckily in December we get her for almost a whole month!

It's Mum! This lady knows how to put a shin-dig together.

Hard to believe this handsome fella is in high school...wasn't he just six years old the other day?

My vegan dinner was catered by Whole Foods and was dee-lish! Clockwise:, cran-sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes with garlic and parsley, Chef Jeremy Fox's cremini mushroom stuffing with kimchi which was out of this freakin' world, and mashed taters made with coconut milk and my fave butter - Miyoko's!

And the yummiest dessert I've had in ages: Chef Jeremy Fox's Frosted Sweet Potato Blondie with Spiced Cashews. So good I ate pretty much all of it in 24 hours. (it's bigger than it looks!)

Me n' Donna

Here's my favourite photo of me and my cousin Donna taken probably in 2003 at her old place in Philly. I used to live there with her and Ashlee and Nicole for a time. I sure do miss her, especially with World Pride 2019 being in NYC. It would have been fun to make plans to go there together and hit some gay bars, lesbian bars, and then join in the celebration. It is so unfair that she is gone that I really can't believe it.

Woman Alone

Saw this on Instagram and just loved it. People are often baffled by how I live alone and travel alone, when the truth is, I actually enjoy my own company. I know my value and while I am sometimes worried about what other people think, it doesn't stop me from doing what I want.

(photo kidnapped from @queen_melanated_beauty_'s IG account)

The Exorcist

William Peter Blatty's narration of his book The Exorcist was the best I've ever heard. He captures each character so brilliantly that I got chills when he was the demon, "awww..."ed when he spoke sweetly and giggled as Regan, and cried when he shouted Chris' exasperation, frustration, and fear. I cannot recommend this enough - one of the best books I've read (heard) this year, hands down.

Baldwin's with Mary

I was so excited to share my favourite book shop with my sister-in-law, Mary. She loved it, of course, and I managed to get a few books and I finally introduced myself to the gent that works there. His name is Fred and he is wonderful.

Discovery Museum

This afternoon Jax and I met up with Marina and Mateo at The Discovery Museum and it turned out to be a lot of fun! It's utter bullshit that they charge the adults an entrance fee, being that there is nothing for us to do but stand there and watch the kids. Having said that, the boys had a blast.