Just Add Magic: Amazon Prime's Totally Binge-worthy Show for Preteens and Adults

If you have a preteen girl in your house and you haven't yet discovered Just Add Magic, you are missing one of the best shows on streaming TV! The peeps and I stumbled across this gem a year or so ago, and we were instantly hooked. (True confession: I enjoy the show so much, I would watch even if I didn't have two preteens. It's that fun.)

The Recipe
The TV series is based on the book of the same name by Cindy Callaghan (which I'm totally adding to my Goodreads To Read list). When Kelly and her two BFFs Hannah and Darby find a mysterious cookbook in Kelly's attic, they quickly find out the recipes aren't quite what they appear to be. They're magic spells! In the first season, the girls cook up a storm trying to break the spell Kelly's grandma (played by Dee Wallace for all you ET fans) is under. Along the way, they find more clues about Grandma's mysterious illness and her even more mysterious past. As the series unfolds, the secrets and spells just keep coming. Recommended viewing age: 9+.

Why It's Magical

• Clever, intelligent writing and engaging intelligent story lines 
• Solid acting performances by every single person
• Funny, but not silly or slapsticky
• The main characters are all smart, just in different ways.
• Authentic portrayal of friendship. The girls support each other, but they also hold each other accountable for their behavior and choices.
• Realistic consequences. For example, when Darby screwed up her school play audition, she didn't get a second chance. It was basically, "Too bad, so sad. Try again next year." And, she dealt with it.
• Real-life scenarios. For example, the girls are figuring out how to handle the feelings of jealousy that can pop up when old friends make new ones and friendships begin to change.
• Conflict resolution isn't always easy and clear cut.
• Really good cliff hangers in every episode. Turning off the TV is tough, even when I'm the one who sets the limits. On more than one occasion, I've been known to agree to "just one more episode."
• The episodes are only 24 minutes long. Bonus!

If you're looking for a binge show for the family, give Just Add Magic a try. (And, when the kids go to bed, switch gears and check out Mindhunters on Netflix. Totally different viewing experience.)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

18 in '18

Happy New Year! Yep, long time, no write. Ah, life. 

Life's been good. No complaints. Just dropped out of site for a stretch. 

Like so many people, with the start of the New Year, I'm looking for something, well, new. Different. Challenging. 

That's why I jumped on Gretchen Rubin's 18 in 2018 bandwagon. It's a list of 18 projects, dreams and curiosities I want to tackle this year. 

When I put pen to paper (God, I love me some good old fashioned pen and paper action), I expected it to take a while to come up with 18 things for my list. But, the ideas started flowing, and it took no time at all. Apparently, there's more going on in my noggin than I realized! In fact, in true overachiever fashion, I initially cranked out 25 goals. 

I've read that pushing your goals out into the world makes you more likely to achieve them, or at least make steady progress. So, here goes!

Mari's 18 for 2018

1. Play all the games and put together all the puzzles in our game closet at least once.
2. Make all the craft kits and science projects in the game closet. 
3. Try kayaking.
4. Watch The Godfather Trilogy. It comes on on Netflix this month. I would prefer to read the books (I hear they are so, so good), but movies will have to on this one.
5. Blog at least once every two weeks.
6. Meal plan for at least one week each month using at least one new recipe. I got a Lidia's cookbook for Christmas!
7. Do a latch hook project. I was obsessed with these when I was 10-11 years old. I am super excited to give this a whirl.
8. Refinish the coffee table-turned-bench that I bought for $7 at Savers last year.
9. Restain the entryway woodwork.
10. Read at least 18 books.
11. Find a  financial planner.
12. Get our estate in order. 
13. Practice mindfulness with my eating, which includes tracking my sweets. 
14. Connect more often with people I admire, enjoy and like being around.
15. Have more outdoor adventures. Go hiking at least once a month when the weather gets warmer, plus camp at least three time this spring/summer/fall.
16. Upgrade our camping gear.
17. Refrain from climbing into bed before 9 p.m. at least three days a week.
18. Teach the peeps a few more cooking skills. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing  ... Keep It Real.