unless.

last night, after two steppin' for charity, a handful of us went to see the much anticipated lorax movie. 
written by dr. sueuss and read by betty white, ed helms and taylor swift to name a few, it was a little animated short with a big message. 

procedding the credits was this quote from the book. 

unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. it's not. 

dr sueuss

it was a reminder of the difference even one person can make.

February: The Joy Dare.

This world doesn’t need trendy gratitude like it needs Jesus gratitude.

-Ann Voskamp

{new york: december market}

I'm still counting away. All the way to 1,000! Here were a few moments of grace in February...


-notes slipped under doors
-stretching calf muscles
-brother sister friendships
-frost patterns on the windshield
-a study in Alex McFarland's book
-Valentine's Day decorations
-an evening free: gloriously nothing to do!
-joy reaped in relationships
-sister's laugh
-northern Virginia affection
-rain puddle shadows
-a Saturday morning lecture with Stuart McAlpine
-February white morning sun
-commuting safety
-El Shaddai: the all-sufficient One

Interested in this Joy Dare? It's never too late to join!
Find a guide over here to inspire you for March. 

January: The Joy Dare.

goodbye oscar.

as the last red velvet cupcakes have been put away, this wonderful award season has come to a close.
while i wasnt terribly impressed with the red carpet this oscar round, a few delightful ladies stood out.

and it certainly doesnt hurt that two of them are redheads.

Oscar.

It's a big weekend for the silver screen! Will you be watching the Oscars on Sunday evening?

I hosted a little dinner party last year for two girlfriends. I even made Oscar ballots. And forced them to check the boxes for all their favorite categories. Thankfully they humored me and indulged in such movie silliness. This year one of them is living in Little Rock, and the other one is planning her upcoming nuptials. I'd give my ballot voting boxes to have them both over again!

My Best Picture vote is for The Help based on Kathryn Stockett's novel by the same name. It's smart. It's sassy. It's southern, y'all. And the interiors are just lovely. Garden and Gun published a great interview with Kathryn Stockett some time ago. She's smart and sassy, too.

"Ever morning, until you dead in the ground, you gone have to make this decision. You gone have to ask yourself, 'Am I gone believe what them fools say about me today?'"

"I give in and light another cigarette even though last night the surgeon general came on the television set and shook his finger at everybody, trying to convince us that smoking will kill us. But Mother once told me tongue kissing would turn me blind and I'm starting to think it's all just a big plot between the surgeon general and Mother to make sure no one ever has any fun."

"You got nothing left here but enemies in the Junior League and a mama that's gonna drive you to drink. You done burned ever bridge there is. And you ain't never gone get another boyfriend in this town and everbody know it. So don't walk your white butt to New York, run it.”

And, Viola Davis? She has to win Best Actress. She just has to. Or I want my money back.

{photos via Google}

Dinner [last night], Edition IV.

An old New York friend was in town last night, and he asked if I might be available to join he and his family for dinner in the District.

Well, twist my arm if you must!

We were fixed on the Georgetown area, but Jonathan asked if I'd decide on the restaurant. His only stipulations:

1. He was avoiding bread.
2. His sister wasn't crazy about spicy food.
3. He wasn't a fan of cilantro.
4. And something eclectic would be fun.

Otherwise, no restrictions! If there's anything I love, it's a foodie challenge.

I ended up scouring MenuPages for ideas and, after tossing around Ethiopian fare for a hot second, decided on Turkish delight at Cafe Divan. Oh my, was it ever delicious. Our group feasted on appetizers of dolma, hommus, and feta cheese, and enjoyed entrees of lamb shish kebabs, and yogurtlu chicken kebab (sliced breast of chicken char-grilled and served over pita bread and yogurt sauce!).  A bottle of red Turkish wine paired excellently with all of the above. Several in our group enjoyed a small Turkish coffee post-entrees. I think we were all pleasantly surprised to notice we'd spent two and a half hours together at the end of the meal!

This is neither here nor there but, I've become quite a fan of Downton Abbey in the last month. As we settled into our Turkish experience last night, I couldn't help but think of the Turkish story line from Season One of Downton! You know you're a fan, too, if this face is familiar:

{via Google}

{Older foodie posts!}