My Random Addictions: Movies Based on a True Story

Hey everyone,

Last night we went and saw Hacksaw Ridge, a new movie that came out a few weeks ago with Andrew Garfield. Madi picked it and it won the choice with my family over my pick, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (was this good anyone?). I am SO glad that it won the movie choice! It made me think about how much I LOVE movies based on true stories, and how much I love looking up fact vs. fiction afterwards. So I compiled a list of Based on a True Story (BOATS) movies that I love and have researched to find the facts and the fiction!

1. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Andrew Garfield and a very random choice Vince Vaughn play in this BOATS historical replay movie about a man and his commitment to the Ten Commandments, especially "though shall not kill" while enlisting in the army and going into a battlefield during World War II. What an INCREDIBLE attestation to faith and staying true to your values. And it's pretty much factual! They even left out some real pieces of what happened because it seemed too unrealistic... yeah this guy Dodson Doss was incredible. You should see this movie and then compare it to the facts. AHmazing. It was SUPER SUPER SUPER graphic, which is not my cup of tea but it was so real. I'd be curious to read a veteran's perspective on this movie! 

2. Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Okay so Disney favorite Mary Poppins was based on the book written by P.L. Travers. This movie explores what went on when creating the hit and award winning movie, and it is not what you would expect. I love the honestly shown about movie making and how it isn't all a piece of cake to put together an author's creation and make it into a director's vision. As a kind-of author, I can only imagine how hard it would be to hand over your characters to Hollywood and let them divulge your vision into their own and put it out there for millions to see. The accuracy of this movie is somewhat correct, with certain details not being exact. However the story in general was an interesting one, and it was cool how they had actual audio recordings of Disney's work with P.L. Travers at the end of the film. I still find this movie fascinating even though I've seen it probably ten times. 

3. American Sniper (2015)

Disclaimer: I knew the ending of this movie before I saw it, so the whole movie I wasn't as enticed in. However it is a fascinating story of another incredible veteran, Christ Kyle who wrote the book that helped create this movie. Capturing what it was like for America's greatest sniper, this movie helps you really see the struggle from veteran's who re-enlist and family members who are left behind when they choose too. Also very graphic, however it is worth watching, and worth reading about Chris Kyle's life story. 

4) Remember the Titans (2000)
This will always be one of my BOATS favorites. This movie is super inspiring and it is crazy to think that it happened in 1971 and that wasn't that long ago! It does make you think that the high school was the only school integrating in the area, which wasn't true. But the whole process was definitely interesting. Denzel Washington was also an amazing pick as the coach, and according to statements the actual coach was just as harsh (but not quite as caring) and really did cause people to quit the team.


5) The Vow (2012)
So if you read the book written by the couple that the movie is based off of, you will realize that there are slim similarities from the book to the movie besides the accident and the main character forgetting who her husband was. The book was really inspiring and another incredible testament to faith and learning to love someone who you don't remember even knowing. But Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams' story is pretty good too even if it is mostly fiction.

So many fascinating BOATS movies, which are your favorites? I would love to check them out and check for historical accuracy.

Thanks for reading,
- Olivia :)

DIY: Banana and Pumpkin Spice Mini Muffins

Hello everyone!

This weekend I prepared for Thanksgiving by making my co-workers bags of mini muffins to celebrate the holidays! I had some extra bananas, so I made enough for everyone to have two banana and one pumpkin. I think they turned out adorable! I bought the cellophane bags at Michaels last night as well as the twine string. Super easy! I also made the tags myself using the Sweet Pea font, which you can find for free online! Here's how to make the muffins:

Banana Muffins- makes 44 mini muffins
- 1 1/2 cups of flour

- 1 egg

- 1 tsp vanilla 

- 1 tablespoon cinnamon

- 4 overripe bananas (mashed)

- 1/2 cup of vegetable or olive oil

- 1 cup granulated sugar

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

-1 tsp baking soda

- 2 tsp baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix together the dry ingredients in one bowl, mix together wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
3. Combine both wet and dry ingredients and beat until well combined
4. Spray your mini muffin tins
5. Bake for 14 minutes or until edges are golden brown
6. Let cool for 10 minutes

Pumpkin Spice- makes 44 mini muffins
- 1 3/4 cups of flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 can pumpkin
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/8 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix together the dry ingredients in one bowl, mix together wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
3. Combine both wet and dry ingredients and beat until well combined
4. Spray your mini muffin tins
5. Bake for 14 minutes or until edges are golden brown
6. Let cool for 10 minutes

I am super happy with how they turned out, and hopefully people will enjoy them tomorrow at work! We're gearing up for Thanksgiving, and Christmas is right around the corner so keep your eye out for more goodie bag recipes in December!

Thanks for keeping up with us,
- Olivia :)

#BookWorm: All the Light We Cannot See

Hello fellow readers!

It has been WAY too long since I have had a #BookWorm post. That's because October and November have been CRAZY busy. Like working 45+ hours every week, having events every weekend, and no free time, busy. But alas, I finally got to cozy up in this cool weather with a winner! All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer was definitely a book that helped me jump start my reading kick again. It takes place during WWII. The main characters being Werner, a German boy and Marie-Laure, a French girl who turns blind in her childhood. It follows the two of them through their lives, Marie-Laure and what happens are the Germans approach France. Werner, and his struggle with joining the military group or being left out. Also the ending was actually not what I thought it would be. The story goes back and forth between the war and prior to the war, which got confusing to me at times. The beginning got me hooked, but the middle slowed down quite a bit, however towards the end was worth it again! It was pretty long, over 500 pages, but it helped really capture what went on during those times. If you're into historical fiction, this is for you. It was a Pulitzer prize winner, and well deserving in my opinion! Overall I would give it an 8/10. It wouldn't say it was the MOST INCREDIBLE book ever, but it was pretty good for it's length and historical references.

My ever-growing list keeps growing and growing. I did have to pick up the new Nicholas Sparks book, and that is what I will read next! Hoping to finish this one in quicker time than the last, but my schedule doesn't seem to be slowing down much with basketball season kicking into full gear! Keep letting me know suggestions of things to read, I keep an ongoing list!

Thanks for reading with me!
- Olivia :)

{Real Talk}: 2016 Election Season

*BARF* that is literally my thoughts when it comes to this election. America if this was ever the time to send an SOS (don't wanna second guess this is the bottom line its true♫) it would be NOW. I don't care who you are voting for, I don't care about Hillary or Trump. At this point there is a high chance that one of these two will be our next president. That's scary. SO scary. Either way. It's SO SO scary guys. I really wanted to write about my personal opinions dealing with abortion and foreign policy, but that isn't the point of this post. I'd be glad to discuss them with you at another time, but right now there is something way more important that people need to hear.

Last month at church our pastor put it the best I've heard thus far. He talked about how no matter who people are voting for we shouldn't let it tear Christian's apart. That people can be Democratic or Republican and still be Christian either way. I think that is something a lot of people don't accept, and something that people who are non-believers don't recognize. Just because you are a Christian, doesn't mean you are a Republican. And just because you check Republican on your affiliated party doesn't mean you support Trump, or that you will vote for him or Hillary. But the one important thing is that no matter which one wins this month, Christians should stand together and keep fighting the good fight and the only fight that really matters: showing people the love of Jesus. Because even though I am one of those people who would write on my ballot "PLEASE Jesus come back now and save us from these loons!" we will not know the time that he is coming. But we know one thing for sure: He is greater than this and his love overcomes whoever is going to be our president. No matter who wins in this season of life, HE will reign forever. I think I found great comfort in hearing that. I knew it, but felt much better after hearing it again. So I hope that gives you peace. And if you aren't a believer, think about it. If you live in NC come to church with Madi and I! We have a great church with great worship and a great pastor! If you don't live near us, try out a local church or feel free to talk to us about your thoughts or feelings, because guys His love is what matters. No matter what happens, that is the real message and your eternal life matters more than what happens in this world. 

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.- 1 John 5:4"

Thanks for reading, 
- Olivia :)