1. A couple random TV/movies facts ::
Amber in “Parenthood” was Bernice in “Hope Floats” years earlier. Her real name is Mae Whitman. Before he was Cary Agos in “The Good Wife,” Matt Czuchry played a college boy in “Gilmore Girls.”
2. Christina Baker Kline is an author I love.
I read the popular “Orphan Train” in January and then “Desire Lines” and “Sweet Water” in February. I enjoyed them all. This month I also read “Bird in Hand,” which I didn’t enjoy but finished reading anyway. Kline is a great story teller who spans her suspenseful plots over two time periods, which isn’t easy to do well.
3. Making homemade BBQ can be easy.
I tried one of those Crock Pot sauces that is made to just be poured on the meat. We didn’t love the flavor. So I went to a recipe my longtime dear friend Katie shared. She shared it because of my love of Dr Pepper.
And now I’m sharing it with you. Because it was delicious.
- 2-3 lbs pork tenderloin
- BBQ rub of your choice (We used Stubb’s BBQ rub.)
- 12 oz Dr Pepper (I used Diet DP because that’s what I had.)
- BBQ sauce of your choice (Again, we used Stubb’s Sticky Sweet BBQ sauce.)
DIRECTIONS :: Put rub on meat. Put meat in Crock Pot and the. Pour can of Dr Pepper over it. Cook on low for 10 hours. Shred and drain meat and then put back in Crock Pot with some BBQ sauce. I probably added about a 1/4 of the bottle and then turned Crock Pot to warm and then added more sauce closer to serving time. Most people added some more sauce on their sandwich.
Easy, peasy. And delicious.
4. Counting joys really is freeing.
I have a list on my phone of moments, conversations, happenings that brought me joy. It’s just a running numbered list I add to when I think about them, so I’ve probably neglected a few things. Here at the end of February, I’m at #108. Talk about perspective.
5. Sometimes a book begs for discussion.
I started reading “You’re Loved No Matter What” by Holley Gerth. By the end of chapter two, I wanted to talk to friends about what I was reading. So I started a Facebook group so we can have an online book discussion. We’re going to start discussing chapter one on March 16. You’re welcome to join us! {More details here.}
How’s your month been?
I’m linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky. Read previous posts: {From 2013} June. July. August. September. October. November. {From 2014} January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. {From 2015} January.
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You have some great book recommends that I will be adding to my list. Thank you! Also, can I ask how you keep track of your joys on your phone? Do you have an app or just use the notes feature? Inquiring minds wanna know. 🙂 Much love to you on this Friday, dear Kristin!
Hi, Kristen! I just use the Notes section and keep a running numbered list. I do separate by months, but keep the numbers going. So much love back to you!
I love the Joy list idea!! I might try that! And I'm definitely looking up those books! Thanks for sharing!
I just learned about Mae Whitman! She's in The Duff with Robbie Amell. Love this list and the books you've been reading. 🙂
I do love finding an author I love who has written several books. I'll be looking those books up. And thanks for the reminder to start a joy list, it makes a difference!
So fun to visit your blog. I love the idea of your joy list on your phone. I need crockpot recipes as I am
returning to work next week. This looks like a winner. Thank you!
I'm making my way through Gilmore Girls for the first time. I always figured I'd like it, but never watched it. I'm glad Netflix added it. 🙂 Parenthood was so good – the story lines were so real. I'll miss the show, but I'm glad it went out on a high note. I get annoyed when once-good shows linger too long and aren't good anymore (um, Grey's Anatomy!).
So it's not just me with Grey's! It has been a favorite for years but I have been really disappointed so far this year (and much of last too).
That BBQ sounds delish. Could you make it for me? I so hate to cook. 😉
I haven't watched regularly in a few seasons, so, yeah, it's not just you. 🙂
Sure thing! 🙂
Oh my goodness, that was Bernice! WOW! I read Orphan Train last year and liked it. I seemed to be on an Orphan/Foster Care theme (we did just adopt, so it is not shocking), but I absolutely loved the Language of Flowers and Dear Mr. Knightly, which is a lighter read 🙂
I'll have to check out those book suggestions. I'd love to hear more about your adoption story – our two kids are adopted too! Thanks for stopping by, Becca!