brighter than the sun

random texting meme📱

Has anyone ever experienced that empty feeling when you finish reading a book that you were so, very invested in, that you almost want to start reading it again, right away? Because honestly, that's me with the Hunger Games series for, probably, the third time now. It's really the only dystopian series I could ever get into, that's not really a genre I usually read. But it just pulls me in so quickly and of course, even though I critique the movies very much, I had to do another re-read before Sunrise on the Reaping comes out in November. And may possibly do another re-read still before then, if I don't find another book or whole series to dive into before it's too late.

I know that feeling so well! If you’re looking for something new before you dive back in, I recently finished a book that gave me a similar “can’t put it down” feeling. Have you tried The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah? It’s historical fiction, but it has that same emotional pull and strong female leads. Or if you want something a little different but still addictive, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was so good I stayed up way too late reading it. Either way, I totally get the urge to just reread the whole series again. Sometimes that’s the right move too.

It's been a long time coming, honestly. I thought I'd get it out last year but things changed and with it the poetry I wanted to put into it. I haven't decided. I typically do readings, but the last three times I was living on the road so it was easier to plan, no job to work around, y'know?

A poetry book is such a cool thing to finish — I’d love to hear more about it whenever you feel like sharing. Do you have a favorite piece in it, or is that like asking a parent to pick a favorite child? And if you do end up doing a reading, I’d be really interested in going.

Well, would you look at that? You just happened upon a guy that's free as a damn bird next week and can totally donate his time to sampling some sweet treats. You're welcome, Ana.

I’m really glad you came by! Having everyone visit the class made the last little project way more fun. I ended up sending leftovers of the cookies home with people, and I just so happened saved a couple just in case you wanted a takeaway! And again, thank you for being one of the brave souls who showed up. How has your summer been so far? Anything fun at the station?

Honestly, anyone who turns a school garden into lemon-lavender shortbread cookies deserves an audience.

To be fair, the lavender garden was started as a lesson, showing the kids how they can be a little more self-sustaining by growing some of the smaller ingredients themselves. Like green onions and such, you know? And all of the feedback really helped the kids learn, so there's no need to feel inadequate, really! I'm glad you could make it, too. The kids really seemed to enjoy the project, it was a great end to the year.

I keep seeing lavender in food and drinks and stuff, but have never quite been able to bring myself to try anything with it. Does it taste like flowers? You can be honest, and maybe I can be brave.

It honestly depends on who makes it! If it's done right, it's just this really lovely, subtle, earthy sweetness. But if it's done wrong, or if they use too much... yes, it absolutely tastes like you just took a big sip of Bath & Body Works hand soap. But don't go straight for a full lavender latte! Start with something mixed. Personally, I like lavender with lemon but it can also go with vanilla or honey to sweeten it up a bit. The tartness of the lemon or the warmth of the honey completely cuts through those heavy floral notes so it doesn't feel like you're eating a perfume bottle.

I'm so torn on this new Toy Story movie that's coming out, you know I really think that the 3rd movie wrapped things up so nicely and the 4th one had promise, but then they messed it up with where they took Woody's story. I've honestly disliked it so much, I usually refuse to even acknowledge it in its entirety. But the more I see about this 5th movie, I can't help thinking it could potentially redeem the 4th one and so I'm trying to decide if I want to see it in theaters when it opens. But I don't want to waste money if I don't end up liking it, you know?

Toy Story 3 was the absolute perfect, tear-jerking masterpiece of an ending. Personally, I don't completely hate the fourth one, but I totally get why you do—they really did throw Woody’s entire 'leave no toy behind' personality out the window at the end there. But I have this tiny glimmer of hope that they’re going to fix his storyline and give the franchise the actual redemption it deserves. I completely get not wanting to waste movie ticket money if it's just going to be a disappointment, though. If you're still on the fence, Teddy and I actually already made plans to drive out to Allentown to see it the weekend after it opens. If you don't mind holding off until then, I can be your guinea pig and tell you what I thought? Or just ask Teddy after opening weekend!

Ooh girl, you know you may have just given me an idea for some new flavors for treats at the cafe. I know I've seen places like Starbucks doing the lavender with their coffees and refreshers, but I hadn't thought of putting it with baked goods. Do you happen to know of any recipes that puts that combination into muffins or cakes? If not, I can totally just head to google or pinterest. Also, I volunteer as tribute for some taste-testing!

Oh, you absolutely have to try it! It's the perfect mix of refreshing and sweet -- in my opinion anyway. But I actually have a recipe for a lemon-lavender loaf cake that hits the perfect balance without tasting like soap, which is always the biggest risk with floral flavors! I'll happily make a copy for you next time I see you! And seriously, thank you again for volunteering to taste-test the kids' final project! I think having a professional's opinion really helped some of them with their confidence in the kitchen.

Oh my daughter goes to Little Wonders, all the teachers there have been so nice so far. However, I don't blame you for moving up to high school. I can only imagine how stressful it is taking care of that many babies at once. I can barely handle all the kids during storytime at the library. Oh yea, she's a social butterfly and will give you all the hugs and smiles right away. Totally opposite of how I was as a little kid, but I'm happy about that.

They have such a fantastic program over there, so Beth is definitely in great hands. I love that she's a little social butterfly. There is nothing better than a kid who just radiates joy, even if it leaves you wondering where they inherited all that extrovert energy from! I really hope she enjoyed coming into class this week! The kids seemed to really like their little food critic's visit. I think it was the perfect way to end the semester.

Trust me she will be honest. She doesn't talk much yet, but if she spits it out and hands it back to me we know that it needs adjusting. I have hope though because I haven't found a cookie that Beth doesn't love. I'm happy to bring her by and act as a taster myself. What age did you use to teach?

Before I transitioned to high school home ec, I did daycare and preschool at Little Wonders. I just adored that age group so much. They're so incredibly creative and curious, and they look at everything like it’s magic. I do miss the constant hugs and the storytimes, so I am just going to absolutely soak up having her visit the classroom next week!

Wow that sounds so good. I volunteer! I'm always happy to taste test some treats. If you want a truly honest opinion, I can bring my one-year-old too. She will definitely let you know if she likes a cookie or not.

Oh, please do bring your little one! There is nothing better or more honest than a toddler's reaction to dessert—if it gets thrown on the floor, I’ll know I need to adjust the recipe! I would just absolutely love to have her there, honestly. I just moved up to teaching older kids this year so I still miss my days working with the littles so much, there’s just a special kind of magic in that age.

Gods, this weather has been killing me lately. Feel like my entire back just wants me to lay down and not get back up. Need this rain to fuck all the way off.

That’s very exciting news about your poetry book!! Getting close to being done is such a big deal -- do you think you’ll do any kind of release party or reading when it’s finished?

Exactly, plus I feel like my own opinion would be pretty similar to yours as well, though even if I saw something I completely disliked that you wanted to see, I'd still encourage you to see it for yourself. Though, I assume we'd likely be going to movies that we both want to see together for the first watch either way. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of the busier weekends, since it comes out once the kids are out of school, but I'm sure I could take one of the days off or at least a night and we could make a date night of it. Probably best to aim for Allentown, a 20 minute drive would be much more feasible than the hour it takes to get to Philly. Though if you'd want to see another movie in Philly sometime, we can definitely arrange that!

Oh, we really don’t have to go opening weekend at all if it’s going to be crazy busy for you! I know how hectic it gets at the theater once the kids are out of school. We can totally wait until the following weekend or whenever things calm down a bit. I just want us to have a nice, relaxed time together, not add any extra stress to your plate. Allentown is perfect — but I’m definitely holding you to that future Philly movie date. We’ll make a whole little day of it whenever you’re free.

Honestly, probably more the second one. There’s definitely been a few movies where I thought people were going to love it, and then the actual audience reaction ended up being way more mixed than I expected. I think part of it is that every genre has its own audience, so sometimes a movie really clicks with the exact people it was made for and then other times, even the audience that was excited for it ends up disappointed by how it turned out or expected something completely different going in. I do think that if someone wants to see a movie bad enough and the critics are trashing it, they should still just go see it and judge it for themselves. There are plenty of movies I’ve seen get rough reviews at first that ended up doing really well once regular people actually got to see them.

That’s why I trust your vibe checks more than a professional review. You’re actually seeing how regular people react in the moment—if they’re laughing or if they’re actually engaged—rather than just picking apart the technical stuff. It’s way more helpful to know if the target audience actually liked it than to read a super nitpicky critique about how the lighting was slightly off in the second act. Speaking of work though, are you planning on taking a day off for the Toy Story 5 premiere? I know it's still a ways off, about a month I think? But I thought it'd be fun to make a day of it, maybe go to Allentown or Philly and see it in one of those theaters?