The Age of Adaline

Tags

black-eyed peas, fantasy, romance, tear-jerker

This is one of those flicks my sister and I jokingly refer to as a two hanky movie. It’s sweet and touching–one of those movies we’ll watch again. Sometimes you just need a good cry.

Adaline Bowman is over 100 years old, but she hasn’t aged a day since she died and was revived by lightning when she was in her 20s. Just imagine the complications. It’s impossible for her to fall in love or have close friends. She spends her life never staying in one place too long, because she’s afraid someone will discover her secret and try to turn her into a science experiment.

At a New Year’s Eve party in the present, Adaline meets Ellis. I love the scene where their eyes meet across a crowded room and she feels an instant connection. To me it speaks volumes. He wants to see her again. At first she refuses, until she realizes how lonely she is and relents.

Complications arise when he takes her to meet his parents, and his father recognizes her as the young woman he loved and lost. She tells him Adaline was her mother, but he realizes the truth. He confronts her, begging her not to run, because he knows how much it will hurt his son to lose her. But she says she doesn’t know how to stay. She writes a note to Ellis while he showers; she packs her things and flees.

What happens next is somewhat predictable, but to me this movie was very touching. I especially liked Blake Lively as Adaline, a tortured woman who only wants what we all want—to love and be loved. Also Harrison Ford, a man who cannot forget his first love and the life they might have had together.

Black-Eyed Peas, cabbage and Cornbread

 

I don’t know about other parts of the country, but in the south (Texas in particular) eating black-eyed peas, cabbage and cornbread is a new year’s tradition. The peas are for luck and the cabbage and cornbread make great sides.

Peas: Soak 1 lb dry peas in water overnight. Rinse and add more water to cover. I like to use salt, pepper, minced onions, kielbasa sausage or bacon bits. You can add whatever spices you like. After bringing to a boil, cook on low until the peas are tender.

Cabbage: Shred desired amount of cabbage. Thinly slice an onion. Add as little or as much garlic as you want. Saute all until brown in a small amount of olive oil. Garnish with bacon bits.

Corn bread: I use self-rising cornmeal, an egg, milk and oil. I like to heat oil in my trusty cast iron skillet and cook it in a 400 degree oven until brown. (30-45 minutes)

This is good any time you want a simple, stick to your ribs meal.