10 Great Things about the Olympics

There are so many great things about watching the Olympics. Here are ten.

#10 The Olympic theme music

We Olympic fiends are total suckers for the motivational feel-good Olympics music.

We love it. So does Phoebe Buffay.

#9 Learning stuff

You sit down to watch a few minutes of Snowboarding Slopestyle, having never really heard of it. Hours later you emerge an expert, able to discuss in detail the merits of each run.

#8 Being a fan

You suddenly remember people you haven't thought of in four years (Evan Lysacek! I forgot about him; he's awesome!)

Your old favourites are back &, thanks to emotionally told backstories, you quickly develop new favourites as well. Which leads to...

#7 Routing for the underdog

We love to route for the underdog, & the Olympics are chock full of "regular" kids, attempting great things.

We may have only heard of them five minutes ago, but oh man we really want them to win.

#6  Seeing bits of the world

Two weeks spent looking at epic views of mountains & beaches in Sochi, which I for one had never even heard of pre-Olympics.

#5 Bob Costas in his fortress of solitude

We just love Bob Costas, our epic American sportscaster. I've heard a rumour that he'll be back on tonight; apparently the whole dramatic eye infection situation is under control. We've missed you, Bob Costas.

#4 The inspirational ads

Like for example that P&G ad about moms. Sob! I've developed a pavlovian response at this point; I don't even need to be watching the ad, just hearing the music in the background makes me tear up.

#3 Marveling at the possibilities of humans

Just like watching a great sports movie, there are lots of life lessons to be discovered by watching Olympians, even when you're sat on your couch with your popcorn.

#2 Odd things can matter

Do you know what is awesome about the Olympics? Odd things can matter.

I love that someone can decide to do something seemingly inconsequential (like snowboard)... & can actually use it to make a difference.

#1 The whole world comes together.

Like, very nearly the whole world. How often does that happen really?

It's amazing that with all the craziness that goes down between countries & nationalities & groups & even just the fighting within families... at the Olympics so many people come together & agree to abide by the same set of arbitrary rules for a few weeks.

We compete together & hang out with a relative lack of animosity & I love that.

Go world.

10 Great Things About the Olympics picture: Snowboarding Sochi 2014

Our Favourite Christmas Films

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life is always good; but you'll especially appreciate it if you happen to be in one of those "I'll be stuck in this dead end job for the rest of my life!" stages...

Most quoted line:

"I wish I had a million dollars. Hot dog!"

Elf

What can I say. Will Ferrell in an elf costume, New York... & everyone's introduction to Zooey Deschanel's amazing voice. One of the most quotable Christmas movies ever.

Most quoted lines:

"What's a Christmas gram?! I want one!"

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups.
Candy, candy canes, candy corns, & syrup."

A Season for Miracles

A Season for Miracles is a Hallmark Hall of Fame film, which is to say it's sweet & real (but never too heavy) & it might make you cry.

(It has the amazing Mae Whitman, from Parenthood & Hope Floats, among others.)

"We all make our own mistakes in our own ways, but the solution is always the same: 'I forgive you.' Those 3 words can change the world. They already have."

Most quoted lines:

"I don't do coffee. I'm liberated."

"Watch the ice, Ethel. One slip & we're toast."

White Christmas

White Christmas is SUCH a classic. If you're one of the many people who have never gotten around to watching this one, watch it this year! So funny & charming. Dude, Danny Kaye is hilarious.

Most quoted lines:

"When I figure out what that means, I'll come up with a crushing reply."

"It's cozier, isn't it? Boy, girl. Boy, girl."

Home Alone

Home Alone is in the realm of movies that are Christmassy, but can be watched any time of year. (Like Love Actually, Family Stone, While You Were Sleeping...)

Good ol' 1990.

Most quoted lines:

"I got you milk, eggs, & fabric softener."

"When I grow up & get married, I'm living alone!"

While You Were Sleeping

Freezing cold Chicago at Christmas.

Sandra Bullock & her baggy sweaters.

Jack & his work boots.

That kid throwing the newspaper & falling off his bike.

What's not to love.

While You Were Sleeping is one of our all time favourite films, & we quote it constantly.

Most quoted lines:

"We read the Sun Times. Amen."

"I had to eat your ticket!"

"He also said he invented aluminum foil. He's delusional."

"These mashed potatoes are so creamy. Mary mashed em!"

A Muppet Christmas Carol

It'd be a challenge to watch The Muppets & not be happy.

A Muppet Christmas Carol is no exception.

And did you remember that Michael Caine plays Scrooge in this version?

Most quoted lines:

"Light the lamp, not the rat!"

"Well excuse me, Mr. Dickens."

All I Want for Christmas

We've watched All I Want for Christmas multiple times every year since it came out. 

Which was 1991.

This one truly tops the list of favourite Christmas films.

Starring Lauren Bacall & that guy from SNL.

Most quoted lines:

"I'm on the streets of New York arguing about reality with a 7 year old."

"This is Santa Claus, not Dear Abbey."

"Wait until I'm in third grade. Then I'll pick a career."

A Christmas Story

We watch this every year on Christmas Even when TBS plays their 24 hour A Christmas Story marathon. It seems to get even funnier every year.

Most quoted lines:

"Few things brought such swift & terrible retribution on a kid as a pair of busted glasses."

"Randy lay there like a slug. It was his only defense."


What are your favourite Christmas films?

Christmas Film pictures: White Christmas, White Christmas, Elf, All I Want for Christmas, A Season for Miracles, A Muppet Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, It's a Wonderful Life, & While You Were Sleeping

O Come Let Us Adore Him

O Come Let Us Adore Him is a crazy song.

I was listening to it the other day & it just struck me as so odd.

Not "come let us do good things," or "come let us overcome our fears," or "come let us work hard," or "come let us tell God thank you."

Just: Come... let us adore Him.

It's a love song, or at least an invitation to one.

It's freeing & a little bit terrifying. It takes away my grip on control.

Just letting go & adoring Him. No agenda, no project, no gift.

O come let us adore Him.

For He alone is worthy.

We give Him all the glory.

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Idiosyncratic Good Books Gift Guide

My grandma used to say that it always gets really quiet at the Childers house after we've opened our Christmas presents... because we're all sat reading our new books.

I think good books make the best presents. So here's a random, idiosyncratic guide to books that I think would make good gifts...

for SUPERHEROES

First of all, give superhero-lovers whatever COMIC BOOK or Avengers film that they don't have yet.

Second of all, this awesome Superman ornament.

Third of all, SUPERMAN by Larry Tye. I got this for Christmas last year & I'd read it by New Years. (This MARVEL book also looks really good, but I haven't read it yet.)

for NARNIA FANS

This is my favourite C.S. LEWIS biography. I also loved J.R.R. TOLKIEN by Humphrey Carpenter (for Lord of the Rings fans) & his book on the INKLINGS.

for SPORTSY TYPES

I think the fact that I just used the word "sportsy" tells you that I am not a typical sports fan. However, I do love reading sports books & OPEN by Andre Agassi (TENNIS) is my very favourite. I highly recommend it even if you don't watch/play tennis. It's well-written & just a fascinating story.

FEVER PITCH by Nick Hornby (FOOTBALL/SOCCER) is also great. And I'm going to go ahead & mention two books I've never read but have heard such great things about: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS by H.G. Bissinger (American FOOTBALL) & MONEYBALL by Michael Lewis (BASEBALL.) Both are on my To Be Read list. Ooh, another good baseball book is CALICO JOE by John Grisham.

for FOODIES

We just made Shauna Niequist's Bacon Wrapped Dates for Thanksgiving. They were bizarre & delicious. BREAD & WINE was the first Shauna Niequist book I'd read, & I loved it. My mom has already read it twice.

RELISH by Lucy Knisley is awesome - a graphic memoir filled with unpretentious food love, & illustrated recipes.

for DOWNTON ABBEY FANS

LADY CATHERINE, THE EARL, & THE REAL DOWNTON ABBEY takes the residents of Highclere Castle through to World War II. If you like history & especially if you like Downton, you'll like this one.

I also can't stop talking about TO MARRY AN ENGLISH LORD, which is the book, written in the 80's, that inspired Julian Fellowes to create the character of Cora for Downton Abbey. If you have any history lovers/Downton fans on your gift list, give them this book. But then be prepared for a barrage of random historical facts at your next dinner party.

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BTW, I seriously love getting book recommendations from you guys. I've read several books this year that were recommended in Everyday Planet comments, & I'm always looking for more. So, if you want, please do tell me what you've been reading this year!

Also: If you buy these books from these links, we get a little commission & also you support a real live bookstore. But even if you buy them somewhere else (or just get them for yourself at the library) we hope you really like them.