I hope you’ve got good things planned for your weekend! I get to meet a dear friend for lunch who I haven’t seen in months, so I’m really looking forward to that. More work on the chairs, of course, and I’ve officially finished KonMari-ing our papers. Now I move on to category #4 – Office. It feels good!
On to this week’s three things (note: the links I provide are often affiliate links, though not always):
I posted this on Instagram this week with the caption:
“Can you tell which sedums are real and which are fake? Me either! Hobby Lobby freed me from the curse of dead sedums. :)”
I just loved our tarnished vintage silver planted with sedums, but since then have watched them die one by one. I thought they were supposed to be easy! Sigh. Anyway, the fake sedums they have at HL are very realistic and so I’ve been filling in with the fake ones as the real ones die. And it’s all good!
And see that reclaimed wood tray they’re sitting on? My brother made that and gave it to us for Christmas! We love it – and how creative our family can get with our handmade gift tradition.
Sarah’s Key is the latest book I’ve finished (that’s 4 already for January, if you can believe it!!) – it’s from 2008 and was available on Hoopla as an audio book which I listened to while working on the French chairs. I didn’t know anything about it other than it told some of the story of a little girl during the round-up of Jews in 1942 Paris. It’s one of those books that I’m glad I read (um, listened to…) even though there are some pretty harrowing parts during the description of what it was like for the Jews being sent basically to their deaths. So sad.
The book alternated from 1942 to present time where an American journalist living in France is looking into the round-up, which helped to alleviate the harrowing parts some. It is very well written and tells about a real time in our history from another point of view. It also speaks to loss and how that affects people throughout their lives. And while not a Christian book at all, it reaffirmed to me that Jesus really is the only answer to so many of life’s issues – He is our hope.
I just saw that there is a movie done in 2011 based on this book – have any of you seen this? Would it be worth my time? It’s $3.99 to rent on Amazon Prime and we’re always looking for good movies!
We finally watched the Kendrick brother’s movie, War Room, and we all loved it! We’ve watched all of their Christian-themed movies (Fireproof, etc.) and they just get better and better. We’ve always been touched by the emotion and themes, but the production and acting in this latest movie are really good!
Have you seen it? We were all really challenged to up our prayer life and we all had tears in our eyes at points in the movie. I also really appreciated that the lead characters were black – and that wasn’t mentioned at. all. Isn’t that great? So refreshing!
Have you heard about our Healthy Eating Facebook group yet? It’s going strong with more than 100 members and we’re sharing our healthy journeys, menus, interesting articles, and more. Come hang out with us and be encouraged to become – or stay – healthy! (Tip: click here to go to the group, click “join” and I’ll approve you the next time I’m there!)
Links To Check Out:
Adorable boy’s bedroom makeover.
10 tips to get started gardening.
Smart tips for making a tastier pot of soup.
Creative and practical tips for garden journals.
Like these links? I’m always pinning these and lots more – follow me on Pinterest for more inspiration and ideas!
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links and by clicking on them you help support AOC at no extra cost to you – thanks so much! Plus you can trust I’ll only share what I love. (You can always read our entire disclosure page here.)
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Tara @ Lehman lane says
Jami, I would never have guessed those succulents aren’t real. I haven’t had much luck with them either:). I will definitely have to check the movie War Room out, everyone at my church has been talking about it. Thank you so much for sharing my son’s bedroom. That was incredibly sweet of you! I hope you had a great weekend with your friend. Take care, Tara
Judy Gordon Morrow says
Jami, I watched War Room a couple of weeks ago and loved its emphasis on prayer. I also enjoyed the “extra features” on the DVD, so if you haven’t watched those I recommend them!
Your post reminded me that one of my closest friends recommended the book “Sarah’s Key” years ago. I didn’t know about the movie, but I hope to enjoy both.
I tend to be a “lurker” on your blog, but I appreciate your wonderful posts. I grew up in Oregon (Medford and Grants Pass) , so I was glad to discover you and AOC years ago. I still have family in Oregon, including my mom in Salem and a sister in Portland. I now live in a small mountain town in the Sierras of Northern California, which feels like an extension of beautiful Oregon.
Thank you for you all you do to enrich the lives of your readers! Blessings!
Jami says
Thank you so much for introducing yourself, Judy! I’m glad to know you’ve been enjoying AOC. 🙂 And I’ve visited the Sierras of N. Cal and you’re right – very beautiful there!
Karen says
Sedum grows very well here and spreads easily. Maybe it’s the climate difference?
Sarah’s Key sounds like a great read! I picked up quite a few suggestions from your review post earlier this month and just downloaded Dear Mr. Knightley tonight. It’s been SO long since I’ve read a good fiction book (other than the children’s flavor, which are still great because we are sticking to Newberry books this year). I’m really looking forward to curling up, getting cozy with my phone, and enjoying a great story. I usually prefer physical books, but I was a little too impatient for it to arrive…
We still haven’t seen War Room here! We’ve also seen all of their other films – such great and powerful works. We’ve bumped into Alex Kendricks a few times at our boys’ basketball games. Although Sherwood won, he visited our guys in the locker room and really applauded their sportsmanship and determination, building them up and encouraging them – a real class act. And, he mingled with parents and families – a genuinely friendly and pleasant man.
Thanks for the fresh inspiration! Now I’m off to get to know Mr. Knightley…
Jami says
That is so fun that you’ve had that experience with Alex Kendrick – your brush with fame. 😉 I’m not surprised he is the way you describe, but it’s always good to see that someone’s walk reflects their talk, right?
Oh, and sedums grow outside for me fine for the most part – it’s trying to keep them alive inside that’s a trial for me!
AndiW says
I really appreciated “War Room”, which immediately reminded me of Christian author, Robert Whitlow”. Books like, “The List” feature a character that is a true prayer warrior. I can’t recall the titles of other books – I’ve read each one but it’s been awhile – where he has repeated this kind of character. Excellent. Encouraging. ‘Educational’ re: prayer and one effective method. Glad the Kendrick Bros put this film together, also. I’ve enjoyed each production, but, “Facing the Giants” continues to be an old favorite.
Thanks for the review on, “Sarah’s Key”. That’s another subject I’ve been glad to read about. Will need to ‘check it out’ at the local library. Also, you mentioned, ‘listening’. Since leaving work, I truly miss audio books. WHAT a treat when there’s a great reader!! Thanks!
Jami says
I’ll have to check out that author, Andi – I haven’t heard of him. And audio books are fairly new to me and I do love to listen while doing something else but I’ve also learned that when the reader is good, they’re very good and when they’re bad – yikes. 🙂 I’ve actually had to stop listening to one that they reader sounded like an overwrought infomercial!
AndiW says
An ‘overwrought infomercial’!!? Chuckle! The VERY worst book I ever tried listening to had such a provocative title but was author-read. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO boring, I couldn’t get past 5 minutes!!
I’ve enjoyed several books twice both reading them AND then listening to them. With different series, I’ve been ‘hooked’ on a reader only to find that voice changed out for another. Or, the reader’s voice does not match my imaginings! But, it’s all good entertainment. WISH I could work and listen at the same time like you!!! 😀
Jami says
Well, if I’m working on photos and images or doing a DIY project, I can listen to a book, but not when I’m writing – too distracting!
Katherine says
I saw the movie “Sarah’s Key” a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. I haven’t read the book so I don’t know how they compare, but the movie was worth watching.
Jami says
Oh, good – my aunt told me it was really good, too, after I posted this, so that’s 2 recommendations. I’m adding it to my to-watch list!
Dianne Stavropoulos says
I read Sarah’s Key several years ago and loved it. The movie is wonderful as too. Well worth the $3.99.
Thank you for everything you put into this community. Such good information and shared in a beautiful format.
Jami says
Aw, I really appreciate your sweet comment, Dianne, and the recommendation – it’s going on my list to watch for sure now. 🙂