SUNDAYS WITH CELIA
Greetings and welcome to the inaugural post of a new series I’m calling Sundays With Celia.
For some time now I’ve been wanting to find a way to bring to you a weekly bit of miscellaneous inspiration, a summary of succulent things I’ve seen floating around the internet each week. And just like my life After Orange County, I hope to encourage you to join me for Sunday’s in the slow lane. So come on along, if only vicariously, up a meandering mountain road…
where you will find a little slice of heaven called Lake Arrowhead.
It’s ninety minutes from the fast lane of Orange County, California and it’s from here that we can together enjoy a few minutes of time for ourselves, a little time to daydream and simply enjoy and appreciate the beauty all around us. So, let’s socialize on Sundays, shall we?
Things Worth Watching on a Sunday Afternoon
Last week a movie based on the book Me Before You arrived in theaters. My Book Club and I loved the novel as well as the sequel, After You, so I simply couldn’t wait to see the movie. Thankfully it was showing at our little local movie theater here in Lake Arrowhead, so I dragged my husband and our best guy friend, David, to see it with me. I was worried it was going to be the typical chick flick and that the guys would hate me for making them see it, however, just the opposite turned out to be the case. The 3 of us sat there riveted, albeit with the kleenex tissues I handed out, and in the end they thanked me for making them see it.
It’s a story about what life and love have to offer, even to a couple who have nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose.
Sunday is a good day to see a movie, so why not go enjoy a good film today?
If you can’t make it to the movies today then perhaps you’d enjoy some couch potato time watching a new PBS series I have come to love called I’ll Have What Phil’s Having. In a tasty nutshell it’s a show about travel and food, 2 of my most favorite things.
Producer Phil Rosenthal, creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” explores culinary specialties and unusual cuisine around the world and does it with a heaping dose of humor and wit. It’s actually kind of like a foodie-travelogue-sitcom. Each hourlong episode takes Rosenthal, and his viewers, on new adventures that include visits to restaurants, markets, vineyards and farms in places like Barcelona, Paris, Tokyo and even Los Angeles.
And the best part about the series is Rosenthal’s divine humor and charm that will keep you laughing and feeling good long after you watch the show. So, I’ll have lots of what Phil’s having and I hope you will too!
Here’s a little tidbit of his trip to my ancestral home, Spain…
And here’s another sneak peek at this charming television show. Actually, Phil would not be happy that I suggested his viewers were “couch potatoes,” as his whole goal in the show is to get people off the couch and out into the world traveling.
You can watch the popular first season streaming on Netflix by clicking here.
Things Worth Reading on a Sunday Afternoon
OK, so maybe your idea of relaxing on a Sunday afternoon is being curled up in a cozy chair with a good book. I’ve recently picked up a copy of actor Rob Lowe’s book called Love Life and hope to do just that while lounging in a comfortable chair on my lakeside dock. I recently read a very moving excerpt from Rob Lowe’s book that was published on the website Slate.com, entitled, “Rob Lowe on Sending his Son off to College.” I can totally relate, as perhaps you can too, to the emotional state our kids put us into when they finally leave the nest. In Rob Lowe’s words…
“Today is my son Matthew’s last night home before college.
I have been emotionally blindsided. I know that this is a rite many have been through, that this is nothing unique. I know that this is all good news; my son will go to a great school, something we as a family have worked hard at for many years. I know that this is his finest hour. But looking at his suitcases on his bed, his New England Patriots posters on the wall, and his dog watching him pack, sends me out of the room to a hidden corner where I can’t stop crying.”
Ironically, my middle son Taylor met Rob Lowe and his son when they visited the Congressional Pages on the floor of the United States Congress. Taylor ( far left head popping up) was a Congressional Page at the time and the Page Boss asked Taylor to give Rob Lowe’s son his official Page Pin, a pin only available to, and worn by House Pages. I do hope he’s taking good care of that very special pin.
Things Worth Listening to on Sunday
We have a lot of interesting people living here in Lake Arrowhead, including a lot of celebrities who escape to our mountain from nearby Hollywood. Earlier in the week we were cruising the lake with some friends visiting from Florida, pointing out a lot of the homes that are, or have been, owned by celebrities. One such home is this one, previously owned by singer/songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
I grew up loving Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys and like many, know all of the words to their songs. One of my favorites is, “God Only Knows.” So, I was so happy to discover a wonderful video featuring this classic song, sung by a bevy of amazing artists. Listen, you’ll be glad you did. It is such a feel-good song!
So, there you have it: SUNDAYS WITH CELIA
I hope to make Sundays With Celia a weekly column and I hope you’ll join me! What will you be doing on this lovely Sunday afternoon?
Express Yourself!
No blog post is truly complete without a word from you. I’d be so delighted if you’d leave a comment below.
All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Unless otherwise credited, all photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission. This post contains affiliate links.
