What's Up With Us?

Movies I haven't commented on yet:
TRON: Legacy (2010) - 3D IMAX ... It Was Awesome! I have heard a lot of people complain about this movie, but personally, I really enjoyed it. We saw it opening day and we weren't disappointed. I went into it looking for a high tech action movie, and I wasn't looking for a remake or continued story line. I just wanted a good movie, and that's what I got. Will it be as impressive when I buy it on DVD and watch it on my little TV? I don't know, but I will own it anyway.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) - Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes in order to win her heart. This movie was so amusing. The whole video game/comic book feel to it was great. John and I both really enjoyed it.
Family Guy: It's A Trap! (2010) - Family Guy's version of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was terrible. There were parts that were funny, parts that were offensive, and parts that were just plain stupid. I don't suggest watching this one.

What did we do last week:
Well, I cleaned out my side of the closet. Unfortunately there is still a lot that needs to go. I would look through and even though I know that shirt doesn't fit I love the color and "I'll lose weight and it will fit again." but we all know that that isn't how it goes. I just need to let go of that pretty pink shirt and those Old Navy shirts that I loved that just don't quite button over the abundant bosom that I have. I just need to let them go and realize that IF (when) I lose the weight I can just buy new clothes. And that's fun ... right? So Tonight it's back to the closet to pull out more stuff and pass it on to those who need it more than I do.

**Update** When I got home from work today I got to work on the DI pile. I tossed out anything in the closet that didn't fit. Except my dresses because dresses are to hard to find. It was hard, but I did it, and thank heavens for black garbage bags so I didn't have to look at what got thrown out. I got rid of shirts and shoes and sweaters from my closet. I pulled coffee mugs from the cupboard, flower vases, a cat claw tower, a kick-bat, a lamp, old cookbooks, games and some unwanted Christmas decorations...

I ended up with four garbage bags, two boxes and a few random items that all got to go to the DI Trailer that so conveniently was at the stake center this week. It's amazing what throwing out all that stuff can do for the soul. I can almost get to the bed in the "other room" so close yet so far.

Last Friday was February 11th and it was Lucy's 4th Birthday. I can't believe that she's four years old... (but that also means that I can't believe it's been almost two years since Lariann passed away.) Scott and Ariane had Lucy's party on Saturday since all us adults (me, john, rachel, devin, ariane and scott) went to see Spamalot on Friday night. (More about that in a moment) She wanted a Star Wars party so she got one. I was given the opportunity to make Lucy's cake. Scott just wanted to buy one, and Ariane thought it would be fun to make one, and then I offered my services. It was R2-D2 and I must say it turned out fantastic. Lucy was super excited for her cake. R2 is her favorite Star Wars character, and I was more than happy to oblige. It was two layers one chocolate layer and one yellow layer with chocolate frosting in the middle.

I got the pattern to draw R2 from this website How To Draw Cartoons Online and the step by step instructions were very helpful. I'm sure I'll use it again another day for another cake. I used my Wilton frosting tips 2, 16, and 18 to do the stars and striping and outlining, and I also used a few frosting bags with just the tip cut off for some of the outlines and details. I learned three things while making this cake.

My adorable niece and her awesome cake

1) Don't buy the cheap frosting color it's not worth it in the end when the added color breaks down the consistency of the frosting and it starts running out like ink. Oh, and my finger is still green.

2) If using decorating sugar for details; it doesn't take as much as you think it should.

3) When freezing your cake, make sure it is lying flat in the freezer because when it defrosts and settles it will crack your frosting. (I need a bigger freezer.)

Everyone at the party was amazed by my caking skills and my mother-in-law took the opportunity to brag about me. (he he) One of Scott's cousins actually thought it was from the store (I like that compliment.) But now I have requests for cakes from Ariane's sister. Her son's birthday is in April and I said I was willing. I have a few people who have also requested cakes, but I don't know how generous I'm feeling. I may have to start charging for my time but then I'll be just as bad as the grocery store.

As I said before, we went to see "Spamalot: A new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail" on Friday and it was great. John and I were supposed to have seen this about three years ago when it came through the last time, but I was having my super asthma attack at the time and didn't know it. We gave our tickets to our friends Logan & Jenny and they went with the rest of the Evans' instead of us. But they all loved it and have raved about it and John and I just felt left out because we had really wanted to go. Well, last year when the 2010-2011 Theatre season was announced there were so many shows we wanted to see that we got season tickets. Spamalot was one of them. The show is entertaining, funny, full of obscene gestures and offensive. They poked fun at broadway, gays, jews, and themselves. But we loved it. What is Monty Python without some offensiveness? It's like watching a Mel Brooks movie and expecting not to be offended. It just doesn't happen. The music was fun and there were several songs that were familiar from other Monty Python albums. You can never go wrong with "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". There was even a little inspiration with "Find Your Grail". Would I recommend this musical to others ... only if you like Monty Python and aren't easily offended. Also, you should probably be over the age of 15 because I just don't think it would be appropriate for anyone younger than that.

Cooking:
For my new recipe last week I made S'mores. Here is the recipe:

S’More Bars Recipe
Prep Time: 15 mins Cooking Time: 30 to 35 mins

Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 king-sized milk chocolate bars
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (7 full-sized graham cracker sheets, processed till fine)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Use an electric mixer to cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Set aside. Meanwhile,whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture until combined. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.
Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side.
Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Be sure to cool completely before cutting into bars. Makes 16 squares.

I think I used too much marshmallow cream, and I over cooked it. So this wasn't as good as I wanted them to be. Maybe you'll have more luck with them. John and I each had one and that was it.

This weeks new recipe... I went for something easy... and we love it:

Italian Cream Soda
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 cup Italian Syrup Flavor (Choose your favorite: Vanilla, Cherry, Orange, Raspberry, Almond, Hazelnut or Caramel)
1/2 cup Half & Half or Heavy Cream
2 1/2 cups Club Soda
Ice (as needed)
Whipped cream (if desired)

MIX ingredients and serve over ice.
ADD a whipped cream garnish to make it more special!

Being a non-alcohol drinker it seems a stretch sometimes to come up with a tasty fun drink and this is my favorite thing to get when I go to any Italian restaurant (or anywhere that serves this drink.) What could be more fun than to make them at home?! The Italian syrup can be found in the coffee/tea aisle at the grocery store. My local Fresh Market didn't have a great selection so I bought strawberry flavor even though I really wanted orange. But I made-do with the strawberry. This is a yummy fun drink ... just remember to include a nice straw to drink and stir it with.