6th Annual Oscar Picks

All of your wildest dreams are coming true! It's time for my predictions for the winners of all 24 Oscar categories, so get excited because I am never, ever wrong!*

(Previously: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.)

Best Picture: I personally thought that "Zero Dark Thirty" was the best film of the year--better than "Lincoln" and miles ahead of "Les Miserables." And while I certainly enjoyed "Argo," I just felt that "Zero Dark" was a better movie top to bottom. Better script, tighter storytelling, and more engaging all-around. However, "Argo" has a ton of momentum behind it right now, and at this point I think it's the only movie that will be capable of going all the way.

Best Director: Apparently the Academy does NOT allow write-in votes, so I guess that means that Ben Affleck really won't be winning this one, despite picking up Best Director at the DGAs, Golden Globes, Critic's Choice Awards, the BAFTA's, etc. etc. If it's not him, then surely it will be Kathryn Bigelow, right? Oh wait- she's not nominated either! Awesome. In that case, I feel like Steven Spielberg is the most logical choice in a field that has already bungled its nominations.

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis will make history on Oscar night! He's going to be the first person to win THREE Academy Awards for Best Actor. That's never been done before! So three for you, Daniel Day-Lewis! You go, Daniel Day-Lewis.

Best Actress: If it weren't enough that Quvenzhane Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild") is the youngest ever Best Actress nominee (9!),  she is going up against the oldest ever Best Actress nominee, Emmanuelle Riva ("Amour"), who will be turning 86 the night of the show! Too bad neither of them will win. Don't be too sad, though, because Jennifer Lawrence will be winning. And she gives the BEST acceptance speeches.

Best Supporting Actor: Everyone in this category already has an Oscar, and I don't think I'd be surprised to see ANY of them win. It's super hard to call, but I think I'm down to Robert DeNiro and Tommy Lee Jones. And I REALLY want to say it will be Jones, but when I close my eyes and try to picture the award being announced, all I can hear is the name Robert DeNiro.

Best Supporting Actress: I can't imagine a scenario where Anne Hathaway doesn't win. (And I'm sure she can't either.)

Animated Feature: I still feel so let down by the terribly uninspired and by-the-numbers "Brave," despite its stunning visuals and outstanding voice cast. I think "Wreck it Ralph" has a lot of support and could pull out a win, but "Brave" is the more conventional choice, so I think most Academy members will be voting Pixar.

Art Direction Production Design: (Confession: it took me way to long to figure out that they renamed this category. Cool.) I think it's a toss-up between "Les Miserables" and "Anna Karenina." I  feel like they are just neck and neck. But at the end of the day (no musical pun intended), I think I'll choose "Anna Karenina" because of all the envelopes they pushed by creating virtually the entire movie within a theater.

Cinematography: If it's not "Life of Pi" it'll be "Skyfall." (But it'll be "Life of Pi.")

Costume Design: Costume Design tends to be one of the easier categories to predict, purely because the Academy loves to honor extravagant and over-the-top designs. Following that logic, Sunday's winner should be "Anna Karenina."

Film Editing: The winner will be William Goldenberg. Predicting that much is the easy part. What makes it complicated is the fact that Goldenberg edited both "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Argo." In the past I've just gone with the Best Picture winner for this category, so I'll stick with that strategy and just pick "Argo."

Makeup and Hairstyling: It'll be "Les Miserables," but not for Anne Hathaway's hairstyling, amiright???? #oscarburn

Original Score: I actually haven't noticed much buzz about any of the nominated film scores, but the little I have heard has given props to "Life of Pi."

Original Song: "Skyfall," y'all. Just go ahead and give Adele all the things!

Original Screenplay: I'm torn between "Django Unchained" and "Zero Dark Thirty." I really could see it being either of them. However, the winner of the Writer's Guild Award has gone on to win the Oscar in eight of the last ten years, so based on that information, I'm going with "Zero Dark Thirty."

Adapted Screenplay: Oh my gosh. THIS CATEGORY. I mean, I'm not losing sleep over it or anything. BUT. Stick with me: first we have "Lincoln," a movie adapted from the very popular "Team of Rivals" by TONY KUSHNER. Then you have "Life of Pi," a book that was thought to be unfilmable until David Magee came along. And finally, there's "Argo," who could get a big bump from winning Best Picture. And I really thought that if I just kept talking about it, I would have my mind made up by the end of this paragraph. No such luck. Okay then, well... "Argo," won the WGA, so I think that pushes it over the top for me.

Sound Mixing: One of the biggest stories to come out of the making of "Les Miserables" is the fact that they recorded all of the song performances live on set, a feat that should be rewarded with an Oscar.

Sound Editing: There's a chance that "Skyfall" could win here, because they, you know... had sound. But I think that the seriously overlooked (in my opinion) "Zero Dark Thirty" will get some love here.

Visual Effects: I mean... it's visual Effects. And it's "Life of Pi." Boom. Done. 

Documentary Feature: I will be seriously shocked if anything other than "Searching for Sugarman" wins this one.

Documentary Short: It seems like everyone expects a different film to win in this category, and given the touchy subject matters (dying children, homelessness, cancer, OLD PEOPLE), it's not particularly surprising that each one is garnering some support. In the end, though, I think the odds are with "Open Heart."

Foreign Language Film: They'll miss out in the Best Picture and Best Actress fields, but this category is where "Amour" wins all its money back!

Animated Short: If you've seen "Paperman," you won't be surprised to hear that pretty much EVERYONE is pretty sure that it will walk (float?) away with the gold this year.

Live-Action Short: The buzz is all about "Curfew." Maybe I'll actually watch it! Hahaha just kidding.


*Just not even a little bit true.

Main Squeeze

Be still your heart. A POST! I'm making all of your GALentines dreams come true.

It's happy times around here as we prepare for my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding in March. It's going to be outdoors in Phoenix and it is going to be fabulous.

I pulled forth every ounce of creative and crafty energy in my body and helped throw her a bridal shower this past weekend. We had a lovely time and I am happy to say, thanks to Pinterest, we had a theme with coordinating decorations.

I started by selecting this spring green invitation from BrenaBee Designs on Etsy. So pleased with the end result.

After this point I commenced in some mad pinning and web searching before deciding on a citrus for the shower. So many cute ideas. In the end I could only put a few into action.

We had a brunch with monkey bread, scones, fruit, cookies, and little ham sandwiches. You know the pin. SO tasty. We served up Trader Joe's Italian Blood Orange Soda, Orange Juice, hot teas, and coffee. Who knew the tea would remain untouched? It was even cold that day... like in the 50's. That's frigid here.

Add in some life-long family friends and neighbors and you have a delightful way to spend a Saturday morning.

Mother of the bride and the beaming bride...

The girliest bunch of girls you ever did see. Where's a ball we can go kick?

This bride would rather clean her chicken coop than be the center of attention. For real. Wedding showers are not her idea of a swell time. But I am proud to say she did swimmingly well with all of the attention and girly-girl-ness! We all did.

Lauren is a kind, adventurous, tender-hearted, witty, urban-farming, veterinarian who has fallen for her perfect match. I am so happy for the joy they share now and the love and promise they will share for years to come.

2012 Favorites

My Three Favorite Books of 2012

3. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing
This book was absolutely fascinating. I just couldn't get enough of Ernest Shackleton's expedition and couldn't believe all of the hardships he and his crew went through being stranded for nearly two years (!) during their failed attempt to reach the South Pole in 1914. I really enjoyed this one.

"'It's hard to realize one's position here,' Macklin wrote, 'living in a smokey, dirty, ramshackle little hut, with only just sufficient room to cram us all in, drinking out of a common pot, and laying in close proximity to a man with a large, discharging abscess. A horrible existence. But yet we're pretty happy.'"

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
An absolutely lovely story set on a post-World War II English island. Compelling, sweet, heart-wrenching, hilarious, and perfect. I wanted walk along the Guernsey shore with Juliet, cook with crazy Isola, and sit quietly with the darling Dawsey. And most of all, I wanted to emulate the courage of the bold and daring Elizabeth, one of the most thrilling and inspiring literary heroines I've ever encountered. A must-read.

"I'm sorry I can't send you my notes on Charlotte and Emily--I used them to kindle a fire in my cook stove, there being no other paper in the house. I'd already burnt up my tide tables, the Book of Revelation, and the story about Job."

1. Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand
I am having trouble finding the words to describe exactly how enthralled I was with this book. This true story of the unbelievable experiences of Olympic runner Louie Zamperini in the Pacific during World War II is gripping, entertaining, brutal, unimaginable, and ultimately (somehow) uplifting. Hillenbrand has created such a fleshed-out world, full of an amazing amount of statistics, background information, and vivid descriptions that bring this astounding story to life. I cannot recommend it enough.


"Awed to silence, forgetting his thirst and his hunger, forgetting that he was dying, Louie had known only gratitude. That day, he had believed that what lay around them was the work of infinitely broad, benevolent hands, a gift of compassion."

My Three Favorite Movies of 2012

3. The Avengers
I saw "The Avengers" three times in the theater, more than any other this year. This movie was so entertaining; I had an absolute blast every time. It's fast-paced, engrossing, and, most importantly, hilarious. Thumbs up.
"That man is playing Galaga! Thought we wouldn't notice. But we did."

2. Safety Not Guaranteed
I got two copies of The Artist for Christmas. I plan on exchanging one of them for Safety Not Guaranteed. What an interesting, sweet, funny, and unexpected little film. Put it on your Netflix queue.
"Stormtroopers don't know anything about lasers or time travel. They're blue collar workers."

1. Pitch Perfect
I've seen this movie five times and I am far from tired of it. So well-made and so FUN. Endlessly quotable, great characters, awesome musical numbers, a completely swoon-worthy guy, and... I don't know! I don't know what else to tell you! It's number one on my list, so that should be enough to convince you. GO WATCH IT.
"The Sock-a-pellas, proving it doesn't get better for everyone after high school."

My Three Favorite Events of 2012

3. Trips, particularly to New York to see NEWSIES, but also two insanely fun trips to Galveston with friends, a college roommate reunion in St. Louis, and a week-long stay with the family in Phoenix over Thanksgiving. Unreal.

3b. But seriously, Newsies. The best show I've ever seen ever. Boom. I said it. I still dream about seeing Newsies (as recently as last night). Somehow I still can't seem to properly express how incredible it was or how much it meant to me that my friends and family sent me to New York to see it for my birthday. But it was an amazing, amazing experience. I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it.

2. Moving in with my roommates. I was alone in my apartment for five years, and I honestly really enjoyed living by myself. But then the opportunity to move in with friends came along, and I'm so glad I jumped at the chance. Living with Emily and Lacey has been encouraging, hilarious, comforting, refining, and SO MUCH FUN. It makes all the difference, having people to come home to. To grocery shop and cook with. To watch"Pitch Perfect"  and "The OC" and "Chopped" with. (Oh my word, so much "Chopped." We love it.) Living life alongside these girls is SUCH a joy, and I feel constantly blessed to live with such kind and FUN people. We give out (figurative) roommate gold stars for doing dishes, go see movies in our pajamas, text each other about what the cast of Newsies has been tweeting about (honest to goodness), and make homemade marshmallows JUST BECAUSE WE CAN. I'm having the time of my life.

1. CIMI-BABY. YOU GUYS. MY SISTER IS GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!!! We found out on Christmas morning, and I might have let out an ear-splitting scream. Maybe. I'm just so excited!!! Right now the baby is the size of a lemon, or maybe an orange, depending on which pregnancy site you go with (PICK A FRUIT AND STICK WITH IT, Y'ALL!). But by July 6th, it will be a real live baby. And I will be the most rockin' aunt that ever rocked aunt-dom.

A BABY, you guys. An adorable, tiny little bundle of a crazy cool kid. It's going to be amazing.

I can't wait.

Christmas Is Coming

It's finally December, which means that Christmas is just around the corner! I'm so excited.

What better way to get in a festive mood than by looking back at last Christmas?

(Yeah, that doesn't really make much sense.)

Either way, look! I made a new video!

Happy Sarah!

I have a friend named Happy Sarah.


My mom gave her that name almost 15 years ago when we were sophomores in high school. Before that moment she was just known as Sarah to me.

We met when I moved from my small private school with 20 people in my class to the HUGE AND SCARY public high school chosen for me by zoning and a school board. Sarah was in my choir but she became my friend on a choir trip to Six Flags over Texas. I'm fairly sure we sat together on the bus and she was part of the group of friends that first exposed me to the music of Les Mis.

Sarah and I grew closer during the summer as we endured driver's ed together. The class was less than entertaining, but we both enjoyed Rolos during our breaks. I remember being invited by Sarah to join her and her family to see "Smokey Joe's Cafe" at the Dallas Summer Musicals. We dressed up and went out to eat before the show. Musicals and Rolos... not a bad way to begin a friendship.

We both drove beaters. Her car was powder blue and mine was silver. I have fond memories of both of us singing "My Heart Will Go On" from that powder blue car. School dances, choir concerts, plays, birthdays... totally memory lane moment for me right now. I'm sitting with a cheesy grin on my face remembering walking out of "My Best Friend's Wedding" and feeling like adulthood was forever away.

My mom gave her the name "Happy Sarah" because I knew several Sarahs that might call me on the phone... but THIS Sarah has the happiest phone voice. She still does to this day. I love talking to Sarah on the phone because she is a fabulous conversationalist. She has the best response to good news, the perfect amount of pauses, and the most inquisitive questions. She makes me feel valued in every conversation because my goodness, the woman forgets nothing!

Next week I will fly to the Lone Star State to watch Happy Sarah become Mrs. Happy Sarah. She's found her lobster and I couldn't be happier for her.

I missed my 10-year high school reunion... and so did Sarah, for that matter. She was here in Arizona, watching me get married. I'm so excited that her wedding is bringing about an 11-year reunion of sorts.

Cheers to the ever delightful, Happy Sarah... lover of ducks, cheese, cakes, travel, romantic comedies, good books, gardens, purple, a worthy man named Scott, and living life to the full! May your marriage bring you as much joy as you bring to the rest of the world, my friend!

They Say it's YOUR BIRTHDAY!!

Two members of our original crew are celebrating Birthdays today! 

Happy Birthday to Dad AND Val...

You are so MORBY.

Getaway

After a summer of 115 degree heat we were ready to get out of town for the weekend. We were blessed to have a free cabin to enjoy and doubly blessed to have some of our favorite people join us!

D and I left Phoenix and headed Northwest on a Friday afternoon. The hours flew as we listened to "The Giver" on CD. It's one of my favorite books and it was a delight to share it with someone who was unfamiliar with the story. It did take me almost a full CD before I realized that ARVIN SLOANE was the one reading to me.

We left the heat, desert, and work for cool weather, green things, community, and board games.

We made the most of our time, staying up late and even getting up nice and early. I'm (usually) thankful for a spouse who wants to experience everything life has to offer... even before 6am.

Waking up at sunrise to catch a glimpse. 

 Lots and lots of games!

The hike that kept going and going... (We let the guys pick the path.)

Beauty everywhere.

The Crew: Baileys, Cims, and Wiensies. So thankful for a group that plays together and prays together.

This is my personal favorite from the attempted photo shoot!

My guy.

Morning to night... God's goodness all around.

I'm ready to go again. Like now.