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Saturday, March 20, 2010

finally!

Guess who has finally written a new book? One of my favorite authors, Francine Rivers! And maybe she is one of yours too. If that be the case, I wanted to share this news with you. My sis and I discovered it while ordering our coffee and Barnes and Noble today. They were advertising it at the counter. I can't wait to read it!



HER MOTHER'S HOPE: Now available!

The first part of an unforgettable epic family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter and the very nature of unconditional love. On the eve of the First World War, fiery Marta Schneider leaves Switzerland and her difficult childhood behind, determined to find a new life on her own terms. Barely out of her teens, Marta is haunted by a devastating loss that fuels her ambition to one day own a hotel. From the cramped quarters of a French housekeeping school to the portrait-lined halls of a stately English manor, Marta becomes a hard working domestic who has little time to dwell onwhat might have been. Instead, she draws her strength from what could be. Then, Marta meets Niclas Waltert, a man just as determined as she to forge a better life in a new place. Niclas captures her heart and together they endure the harshness of life as tenant farmers on the vast prairies of Winnipeg, Canada, before following the promise of the American dream and migrating to the agriculturally rich Central Valley of California. Marriage and motherhood bring both joy and heartbreak, as Marta must surrender her long-held ambitions for the sake of her husband and children, including her daughter, Hildemara, upon whose shoulders her own hopes now squarely rest. Only the strong survive and Marta is determined to raise a daughter as strong as she. But as Hildie reaches young womanhood and another war is fast approaching, those hopes become too heavy a burden for Hildie to bear. Born with a heart to serve others, Hildie pursues her calling as a nurse, something Marta can’t understand. Marta’s years of hardnosed parenting have left Hildie still hungry for her mother’s love…and now for her mother’s respect. Amid the drama of WWII, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own. She wants her daughter, Carolyn, never to doubt her love—but the challenges of life conspire against her vow and the only person who can come to her aid is the person she remains so desperate to please: Marta, her mother. With hallmark touches of brilliant prose and gripping characterizations, Her Mother’s Hope is a rich, moving epic about faith and dreams, heartache and disappointment, and ultimately the resilience and tenacity of love.


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Oscar Night

I'm a little late with recording my thoughts about The Academy Awards on Sunday night, but I must share them, for it is one of my favorite events of the year.

First, let's talk awards. No real big surprises except for the fact that Avatar did not take the Best Picture title. I did have a suspicion that The Hurt Locker might sneak up and win. Has anyone actually seen this movie? I haven't heard of anyone that has, but apparently its amazing. We'll see. Second big thing...I am very happy for Sandra Bullock. I think her performance was just perfect in The Blind Side. Honestly though, I think Gabourey Sidibe as Precious was even more perfect. I watched that movie for the second time last night, and I just can't get over how realistic her character is. After seeing her in interviews and on the Red Carpet, I am even more convinced of her acting skills, since she is absolutely nothing like Precious (her voice especially!). But way to go Sandy! And didn't she look like an Academy Award winner? Beautiful.

Favorite moment of the night: The John Hughes tribute. As I've already mentioned, I loooove John Hughes movies. Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club were probably the first movies that I recognized as "favorites". Though his movies were never what we would call Oscar-worthy (though I think they maybe should have been!), he was still an important figure in Hollywood, and I was touched they highlighted him with a tribute at the awards.

Now, on to fashion.

Favorite Dresses


Demi Moore


Rachel McAdams

Anna Kendrick

Overall Favorite Look of the Night


Sandra Bullock

...and Dresses I Had Problems with


Charlize Theron

Sarah Jessica Parker


Undecided


Zoe Saldana

But...I want to say it worked for her. I love the colors. Those kind of look like pom-poms, though.

That was fun! I need to blog more often. Someone hold me accountable!