Orangewillow

I had an incredible weekend! Zoë spent the weekend with her father and I had the rare occasion to be childfree. Don’t get me wrong, adore my child more than anything in this world but there is something to be said for having a grown up weekend. I managed to watch two movies, workout, gamble, go book shopping, and have some wonderful meals.

After dropping her off Friday night I went to see the opening night of del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”. This bewitching tale is set in Spain in 1944. The main character, Ofelia, is a young girl who moves to an isolated military outpost with her pregnant mother. Right away we realize her new stepfather, Captain Vidal and a very cold and calculating evil monster of a man.

Ofelia discovers a stone labyrinth soon after arriving and also encounters a friendly faun who promises her that she’ll become queen of a magical land if she can complete three magical tasks. During Ofelia’s quest her stepfather is trying to crush the rebel rebellion while continuing his family line even at the cost of her mother’s life.

The three tasks have mesmerizing imagery involved with them and several times I found myself holding my breath. The set design is incredibly imaginative, particularly during the second task she has to complete. I was terrified during the entire scene.

A word of caution however, this is emphatically not a film for youngsters or even those faint of heart, as it contains disturbing imagery and some horrific violence. Many times I had to avert my eyes. Bottom line is this is a masterpiece and can’t be missed!

After the movie I went to the Barnes and Nobles nearby and got a great Thai cookbook, a new children’s book for my little Zoebear and a knitting book. Yes, I know, how can I possibly take on learning another new craft but its who I am! Plain and simple.

After the fun book-buying spree I headed to Brio for a delicious meal of mushroom ravioli. It was incredibly good but the Alfredo wreaked havoc on my tummy. I had to pass on dessert, my favorite part of my meal!

On Saturday I got up early and ran to my local Gold’s Gym for an invigorating session of Body Pump in effort to work off the mushroom ravioli from the previous night. Next came a scrumptious breakfast at Panera and then a brief shopping excursion to Target. After which I went to see the Alfonso Cuaron movie, Children of Men, starring Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. It was absolutely a captivating spectacle.

Set in the near future of 2027 the premise of the film is finding salvation in a world in which women, for reasons left unexplained, have become infertile. Of course when there can be no children you know the world will basically end in 50 years. The entire world has erupted in a violent upheaval. England seems the only one holding it somewhat together or so the government claims. Immigrants are rounded up and placed in concentration camps and the world seems devoid of joy or hope.

Though Owen is terrific as the accidental hero Caine steals every scene he’s in as the old hippie living in secrecy in a cabin in the woods, smoking his ganja and cranking his music full blast. I definitely kept getting the vibe throughout the movie of 1960’s activist group setting and less of a futuristic apocalypse. By the end of it though I began having flashes of the nativity story flash through my mind. There was a nice joke about Immaculate Conception that helped make light of the parallels. Definitely a wonderful movie I suggest everyone see.

While leaving the movie my family called to say they were headed to the local gambling boat. I headed over for a fun round of slots. Can you imagine, my parents, two aunts, and two cousins on the NICKLE slots?! We were all laughing and squealing so loud I am surprised they didn’t ask us to leave. I walked away down $30, not so bad for all the fun we had. I have the greatest family, I just love being close to them. We all love each other so much.

Today I got to sleep in (another rare occasion for me) and got to wake up to a beautiful wintery sheet of white bliss. This is our first real snow of the year here in Cincinnati. I am very excited to get Zoë back today and head out for some winter playing. I must scurry off now and clean my house before I head out to unbury my car. I hope you all are having a great wintery day as well.

Somehow I managed to find time to finish a new print.