Movies and a Recipe

Yesterday afternoon, I tried to get on my way to seeing what Entertainment Weekly says are the 25 movies to see before the Oscars.  Here's the list and my thoughts...

1- The Descendants    (seen it)
2- War Horse  (won't see until on Apple TV because I'm afraid tears will be plentiful)
3- The Help  (seen it.  own it)
4- Hugo  (really no desire to go see it)
5- Midnight in Paris (seen it)
6- Moneyball (seen it)
7-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (will see it if I can ever get to the dang movies)
8- The Tree of Life (will try to see it)
9- Beginners  (want to see it)
10- Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows (never seen nor read anything Potter)
11- The Iron Lady (want to see it)
12- Rango (no thank ya)
13- Shame (maybe)
14- Albert Nobbs (Glen Close creeps me out as Nobbs, but maybe I'll see it)
15- The Ides of March (seen it)
16-  Kung Fu Panda 2 (haven't seen 1, won't see 2)
17- Bridesmaids (seen it)
18- J. Edgar (want to see it.  probably when out on Appe TV)
19- We Need to Talk About Kevin (haven't seen it)
20- Drive (don't care to see it)
21- Young Adult (want to see.  probably on Apple TV)
22- Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (documentary on West Memphis 3- seen it)
23-Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (not high on list)
24- My Week with Marilyn (want to see.  probably on Apple TV)
25- The Artist (I'm on the fence)


My friend Billy came over for a late lunch. I grilled some filets and made bake potatoes.  I also made a Cream Corn with Green Chilies, because corn is one of like 2 veggies that Billy will eat.  It was really good.  I found some fresh corn at Whole Foods, so I shucked it on Saturday afternoon...

Then I cooked it up yesterday...

It is super yummy.  Here's the recipe if you are in the mood for some yumminess...

Cream Corn with Green Chile

 

8 ears fresh corn, husked

2 hatch green (Anaheim) chilies, roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/3 cup white wine (I used an extra splash)

½ stick of butter (I actually used about an additional 2 Tbsps of Butter)

6 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

Boil the corn until tender (about 12 to 15 minutes.)  Let the corn cool and cut the kernels off the cob.

Sauté corn and white wine over medium heat until wine is reduced by half.  Add salt & pepper and green chile.  Reduce heat to low. Stir in butter and cream cheese until incorporated. Serve immediately.

* My uncle made this at Christmas and it seemed thinner in consistency.  I'm wondering if he added some cream or half & half to it.  I bet you could if you thought it was too thick.

Silence

Gosh, it's been radio silence over here for the past week. No real excuses. School started back, so that extra activity always kind of drains me.  I'm only teaching two classes this semester, but I go 4 nights a week.  The good part is that it's only for an hour and 15 minutes each night.  Two nights I'm home by 7, and the others by 8:30, so no leaving at 6:30 a.m. or getting home at 10:00 p.m. this semester.

Now, where did we leave off?  Oh yeah, the Golden Globes.  I loved most the fashion on the Red Carpet.  My favorite was probably Charlize...

The runner-ups in my book were Resse and Sophia...

I was pretty happy about who the awards went to as well.  I mean, Downton Abbey took home an award.  As did George, Meryl and Homeland.  I also thought the Descendants was probably worthy of Best Picture, but I haven't seen all the others yet. 

I've bought some make-up over the past week.  Not a big shopping trip, but just replacing some things I was out of.  I was pretty much out of foundation.  Most brands that I keep in rotation require me to drive somewhere to buy them.  I was lazy and didn't want to drive, so I headed to Dillards to give M.A.C. a try.  I haven't worn M.A.C. since I lived in Lubbock in the late 90's.  I tried this new one that they have called Matchmaster.  It's one of those that is suppose to have some technology so that it matches your skin.  It's also fairly cheap (at least relative to what I usually wear), so I'm loving that aspect too.

I also bought a lip product that I discovered via Pinterest.  Dior Addict Lip Glow is available at Sephora.  It's really more of a chapstick like product, but it's "thing" is that it adds color to your lips, but it is different for every person because it works with your own color chemistry to create your own unique color.  I'm LOVING it! 

I've also caught up a little on my award season movies. Today I watched both "Moneyball" and "Ides of March".  I really liked both movies.  I also just got to enjoy Episode 3 of "Downton Abbey".  I love several shows on tv, but I haven't loathed or loved characters this much on a show in a long, long time. 

Hopefully, I will post more this week, but we have a trial starting on Tuesday and two appeals due soon, so I'm not sure how it will go.  Have a good week everyone!

I Love this Weekend

I'm loving life this weekend! 

First of all, it's a 3 day weekend!  So happy to have Monday off.

Second, Ryan Star released a 4 song EP and tweeted a link for a free download yesterday, so you know that has me super jazzed!

Have I mentioned that Ryan is coming to Dallas next month?  I'm looking forward to seeing him again!

Third, awards season is in full swing!  The Golden Globes is Sunday night, and I couldn't be more excited! 

I'm a little behind on movies, but I plan to get up to speed by Oscar time. 

As far as the television awards, I'm seriously torn on several categories.

Best TV Drama:  Boardwalk Empire or Homeland?  It's Sophie's choice here!  How could I choose?  I also have similar conflicts in the Drama Actor & Actress categories.

For Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, you know I'm cheering for Downton Abbey all the way!

Plus, in addition to seeing who wins, I cannot wait to watch the red carpet coverage and see what everyone is wearing. 

I.  LOVE.  AWARDS.  SEASON!

V-day Project

I purchased several things of "fake ornaments" after Christmas.  You know, the kind that look like glass balls, but really are shatter proof.  I bought red, pink and purple with a Valentine's Day project in mind. 

After picking up a new glue gun last week to replace the one that exploded, I got to work on a new wreath for the front door. 

The last ornament wreath I made, I tried to string them on a wire.  I didn't love that, so I decided to go the foam wreath and glue route this time.  I tried to follow some how-to examples I saw on Pinterest.  They were helpful enough, but I definitely discovered some things that I would do different next time. 

Here's the finished product...

Back to the Abbey

I've been anxiously awaiting the premier of Season II of Downton Abbey on PBS, and now the wait is over.  In a little over 3 hours, I will finally be able to begin watching what our friends across the pond saw months ago!

Where is Winter?

I know many people do not enjoy winter.  I am not one of those people.  I love cold weather.  I love grey days.  I love snow.  I love wearing coats and scarves.  I love wearing Uggs.  I love seeing my puppy in her polka dot sweater.  I love drinking hot chocolate, hot cider or hot tea without having to chase it with a glass of ice water.  So these 70 degree January days are just not up my alley. 

I'm trying with all my might to will the winter here.  I am all decorated and ready for it.

My front door

My front yard flag (hard to see but the snow flakes are blingy)

This new door banner is part of my post-Christmas shopping deals...

There's No Place Like Snow!

Again, hard to see, but it's glittery...

Back yard flag...

I guess even if winter eludes us here in North Texas this year, at least I'm decorated for it!

Iphone Photo Dump...

I decided to post some photos I've taken on my iphone over the past few weeks.  I will include a title and a short explanation with each...



What Did Santa Bring for me?

 Here the dogs are excited on Christmas morning while unwrapping their stocking stuffers.  I actually think this is my Mom unwrapping Millie's stuff, but Lola was equally excited.  The only photos we have of Christmas 2011 are iphone photos because I left me dang camera here in McKinney!

Cozy on the Couch

I've told you that I was couch bound for several days post-Christmas-eve less than graceful fall, and that Lola loved every minute of it, but here is photographic proof.  By the way, I forgot to include "Midnight in Paris" in my list of movies that I watched.  I really liked it.

Pathetic Pre-lit

This is what is left of the pre-lit portion of my bedroom tree.  Several portions bit it this season.  Pathetic.

I love tea, but I love tea in a cute mug more!

Look at this cute mug I got at Anthropologie right before Christmas.  It was on sale and they were doing an additional 50% off all sale stuff, so I got it for less than $4!

Just work with me!

In my sale shopping, I came across this headband.  Jennifer had me buy it for Harper and I was using Lola to model it so that I could text Jennifer a photo.  She was clearly put out by the whole process.

Precious

This is Lola on my bed.  She was all snuggly with Ellie (1 of her 3 identical pink elephants).

It wasn't posed either.  She brought Ellie up there and snuggled up to her.

CNN!  I'm waiting for your call!

I wrote down my Iowa Caucus predictions yesterday afternoon and texted them to a friend.

All I've got to say for myself is that I'm waiting for CNN to call, and I'll gladly become one of their new political pundits.

I have an idea...

Those words strike fear in my friends.  They know that a project is usually coming.

I hit up the 75% off sale at Wally-world today for a Christmas project I've got planned for next year.

Dang it!  I hope I got enough ornaments for said project.  I'm contemplating another w-mart run...

This is SO last year...

This post is SO last year, but this is what I did the last week of 2011!

I'm a little bit bummed because I've had only two days off for the holidays.  I was off on the 26th and then today.  The other days weren't too bad, but I had Juvenile Detention hearings Tuesday through Friday last week, so that took up all of the mornings.  I would take tomorrow off, but another attorney scheduled some hearings for me to attend at 9 a.m. on a Guardianship. Boo!

Back to last week~ I was trying to take it easy due to my Christmas Eve knee and ankle sprain.  I think that it has paid off.  They aren't back to 100% (well, it's my bum "2 screws" ankle, so it's not back to it's normal 75%), but they are better than they were last week.  Part of my taking it easy involved quite the movie-palooza.  I went to see The Descendants (soooo good!  Pulling for Clooney for the Oscar!) on Friday at the theatre, but everything else has been on my Apple TV.  Using my itunes gift cards I got for Christmas, I have now seen:
 
Our Idiot Brother ~Loved.  Funny & heart warming, plus there is a dog named Willie Nelson!  Hello- my first dog was named Willie after Willie Nelson! 
Bridesmaids ~ Did not love.  This may be odd, but I thought it was really sad.  Maybe I'm not the right audience though.  Did love Melissa McCarthy though!
Friends with Benefits ~ cute
The Change Up ~ eehh... I do love Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, so at least there was that.

I also read Madame Toussaud.  It's a novel, but fairly historically accurate.  Very interesting if you like that kind of stuff.

Did I mention that in the middle of last week my left eye started hurting.  It hurt pretty badly and was swollen, so I went to the eye doctor.  I didn't want to get caught in a holiday weekend with an infected eye.  He didn't know what was wrong but thought some $135 eye drops for 3 days would cure it.  Ha!  I called back from the pharmacy and said "Try again!".  I got a cheaper steroid drop that he then called in, but it didn't appear to do much.  Then several days later I came to the conclusion that I had a stye.  Have I mentioned that I'm cursed?  Although technically all of that came about in 2011, so I'm still holding out good thoughts for 2012!

I did a little delayed post Christmas shopping.  I got several things which I want to use in a Valentine's Day project or two (so I'll update you later on those things).  I also got some Christmas stuff to use next year.

I went to Calloway's Garden Center and got some of these metal art things.  I had seen them at Canton originally, then saw that Calloway's had them and by the time I remembered to go back, they didn't have much left, but what they had was 75% off.  75% off makes me much less discerning shopper!  So instead of $20 each, I got these for $4.99 each!

and

I also went to a couple of Paper Affairs and got these curly girl napkins...

(bad pic from internet)

Two reasons I got this:  (1) white dog & (2) do you see the initial on the dog's stocking? The letter L!  As in Lola!

I also got these Caspari napkins...

At Sample House I got a new flag for my backyard...

At Market Street, I got Lola a new ornament...

At Target I got these felt ornaments (purpose unknown at this time, but I have a couple of thoughts)...

and some new kitchen towels...

Finally, I got these two necklaces yesterday at Dillard's additional 50% off sale for $8 each!

(sorry bad iphone pic)

What about you guys?  What have you been up to?

Seen any movies?  Read any good books?  Had any luck at sales? 

Crafty Christmas

I didn't do any baking this Christmas, but I did get crafty thanks to Pinterest.  I made several ornaments this year for Christmas.  I think I've already shown you the one that I made for myself, but in case you missed it, here it is again...

I made a red one for my hair lady with just a big "C" on it.  I also did a red one for some family friends that had a husband & wife monogram on it.  I have no visual proof that I made these red ones, you will have to take my word for it!

Finally, I made these for my pre-teen cousins.  They seemed to really like them.

I also did some post-Christmas sale shopping yesterday with an eye toward a Valentine craft project.  What about y'all?  Did you do any crafting this Christmas?

2011 Decorations {Part 3}

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've been trying to post this for several days.  The first hold-up was that my Grandma got put into the hospital again last week, so I spent the latter part of last week at the hospital with her.  Then blogger decided to be difficult and I put it on the back burner until after Christmas.  Then on Christmas eve, I fell (just call me twinkle toes) and I sprained my knee and ankle, so after I got home on Christmas evening, I just parked myself on the couch for two days with my leg elevated and iced (much to Lola's delight).

So I finally decided to tackle this post again today, but blogger was still giving me some trouble.  I decided I would not be defeated and did this post in a very difficult manner, but heck, at least I FINALLY got it done!

Without further ado, here is the final post of Decorations 2011.  I think I should have made this two posts (lots of pics!), but I didn't, so here we go.

Let's start with my Kitchen.  I have several small things here and there in the kitchen.  I have a cute spoon rest that I love and this year I added some Spode hot pan holders...

My Spode Christmas dishes are always a big part of the "Kitchen Decor"...

I always put this Santa in the kitchen...

In the breakfast room, I have several things...

This countdown calendar...

These plates hang by the back door...

and of course a tree...

I like the bright tree skirt...

This tree is filled with all sorts of random ornaments.  Ornaments from trips, like this one from this year's trip to the Grand Canyon...

and Sedona...

Puerto Vallarta...

or this one which was purchased at the gift shop in Westminster Abbey...

or at the Waterford store in Ireland...

I was actually thinking about getting another tree for the dining room and making it a "Tree of Travels", but the thought of putting up a 5th tree makes me a little crazy!

Naturally, the kitchen tree is filled with lots of food ornaments...

including the topper which looks like a large (pink!) snowflake cookie...

It also has lots of ornaments that I have been collecting for years.  I especially love these yarn people...

This tree is just a fun little tree complete with colorful vintagy bubble lights.

In the living room, I have the mantle decorated with a piece I made last year (not sure it's going to make another appearance next year, so take a good look), and stockings that I'm not crazy about.

The tree is covered almost entirely of blown glass ornaments...

at night...

mostly Christopher Radko or Old World Christmas ornaments like these...

I also have a nativity on a table in the living area...

My coffee table isn't great (please ignore the fall bowl of potpourri),

but I added these bright and shiny mason jar candle holders this year.

That's about it for the Kitchen and Living Room decorations.  I thought I was never going to get everything up this year, so I don't even want to think about taking it all down!