Movies

Watching: Made for TV Christmas Movies 2015

December 15, 2015 by Julie Leave a Comment

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

My love of cheesy Christmas movies has not wavered.

I have scoured ABC Family, Lifetime, and the Hallmark Channel to bring you my 3 recommendations to watch this year.

‘Tis the Season for Love — Girl returns to her small hometown, always a classic Christmas TV movie storyline.

Ice Sculpture Christmas — The female lead is a chef, which is what drew me in. She learned how to do ice sculptures in culinary school. Is that really taught in culinary school?! DON’T OVERTHINK IT. That’s not the point of TV Christmas movies.

A Gift Wrapped Christmas — Personal shopper helps young widowed father. The widowed father seems to be a popular storyline this year. This movie wins Julie’s Best Made for TV Christmas Movie of 2015!

Happy Holidays!!

Weekend Ramblings

December 13, 2015 by Julie 4 Comments

1. Miley’s Silent Night

2. Gifts for Grammar Geeks

3. Brunch. Nap. Repeat.

4. Thursdays are now my new favorite day since there is a new season of Serial out.

5. The Golden Globes noms are out! Hooray for Aziz Ansari & Judith Light!!

6. Speaking of Judith Light, I binged watched season 2 of Transparent on Friday night. Her performance in the first few episodes really spoke to me. In an odd…I’ve never experienced this type of thing before but I can really relate to how you are acting. I’m still unpacking my feelings about it.

7. Status Update…thank goodness I’m not a teenage girl in the age of Instagram & Snapchat. But also, aren’t I, still?! Please go & link my photo.

8. Am I really of the age that they are remaking movies I grew up with? Already?! I feel old.

Made for TV Christmas Movies 2013

November 19, 2013 by Julie 2 Comments

It’s that time of year again!! Okay, sorry, yes, Thanksgiving hasn’t happened yet. ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas hasn’t started yet.

But is it my fault that Hallmark Channel is already playing Christmas movies morning, noon, and night??! Thank you, Hallmark Channel.

It’s no secret that I heart cheesy Christmas movies.

My DVR is already full of them.

Today, I’ll share 3 new (or new to me) Christmas movies that I’ve enjoyed this season so far.

1. Christmas with Holly

2. Christmas Magic

3. Snow Bride

PS…not recommended: The Thanksgiving House, A Very Merry Mix-Up, The March Sisters at Christmas

Two Months of Eats…and other happenings

June 4, 2013 by Julie 6 Comments

Since I hadn’t blogged 2 months, I figured that I’d do a recap/what’s Julie been up to lately post.

Let’s take a walk down recent memory lane.

1. I tried ramen for the first time!! I went to Daruma Ramen with some lovely ladies. It was very good, although I have no comparison! I doubt that I’ll try it again anytime soon due to the Austin heat.

2. I met Fabio of Top Chef fame! He came to Book People on his cookbook tour and met with local food bloggers early for a meet & greet. Very personable guy!

3. I’ve been back a few times to my favorite bar, Easy Tiger.

4. I tried fried fish bones at Kenichi. Crispy suckers.

5. I’ve been to Trailer Tuesdays at the Long Center for the past 3 months. Last week, my favorite truck, Llama’s, was there. Love their pork belly sandwich!

Lobster sliders from Dock and Roll

Yeti Frozen Custard

6. I went to the Bon Jovi concert with some friends. How does he still have the energy?!

7. My pupster, Haley, has arthritis. 🙁 She’s on some pain meds now and seems to be feeling better.

8. I recently finished reading Honeymoon by James Patterson. I’d been in a book slump and hadn’t liked the last 3 books that I started to read. My Dad recommended Honeymoon. Really enjoyed it…a fast read.

9. Did you watch Behind the Candelabra on HBO about Liberace?? Crazy train wreck! I couldn’t stop watching!

10. I went a happy hour event at Freedman’s to celebrate the release of the AFBA Cookbook. If you’re in the market for an awesome cookbook, buy it!

11. I went to Kansas City for my friend, Alison’s wedding. The chapel was so beautiful! I loved the design and how the light at sunset came through.

12. I went on the Up & Down Tour at Casa Brasil & South Austin Brewery. An afternoon learning about coffee and beer….what more can you ask for?!

13. I attended the media tasting for Umami Mia Pizzeria in Austin. I wasn’t a fan of the pizza, but I was a big fan of their cocktails. My favorites were the Tuscan Sipper & the Blackberry Caipirinha.

14. I did try some awesome pizza though….at Via 313. Yummmmmmm!

15. I attended my first 2 crawfish boils recently. Such a fun time! I’m more into the corn & potatoes though. 🙂 But crawfish boils make for good pictures.

16. Brunch at the Clay Pit! It was so good!! Glad that I finally tried it.

17. I binge watched Season 4 of Arrested Development in only 3 days. Has anyone else watched it?? Are they going to make more episodes? Because that last episode…what??

Annnnd I’m done!

Weekend Ramblings

March 24, 2013 by Julie 2 Comments

I had another music filled weekend!

1. It started out right with margaritas at Mary Helen’s!

2. Then I headed over to the Belmont to see Ben Rector in concert. The opening band was Alpha Rev, a new to me Austin band that I really liked!

After a good set from Alpha Rev, it was time for Ben Rector. I was an immediate fan of his after I learned of him from my friend, Sarah. Sarah is my music guru!

Here’s a small sample that I recorded during the show from his song, Hide Away.

3. On Saturday, I went to Rodeo Austin. It was my first rodeo! I’m a real Texan now. 😉 The most important thing on the agenda was…

Best washed down with 2 cans of Bud Light! You can’t drink craft beer at the rodeo, right?!

Am I too old to get involved in mutton bustin’?? Also, I’m sure I would have been terrified as a 5 year to try this!! The girl that won was adorable!

We were really there for the Gary Allan concert. I don’t listen to country much, but he was really good!!

4. I finally watched Rock of Ages today. I loved the music. I’m having to force myself not to buy all the songs on iTunes. My favorite 80’s rock song is Here I Go Again by Whitesnake!

What’s your favorite 80’s hair band song???

5. I have to give a shout out to my alma mater, Wichita State Shockers for upsetting Gonzaga last night! Woot! #marchmadness

Sunday Sips: Bourbon Highball

July 1, 2012 by Julie 1 Comment

Hey there! How was your weekend?? Mine was great! Thanks for asking.

I went with my friends to see Magic Mike….along with lots of other ladies! I really enjoyed it! Hot guys that can dance…um yeah! I’m a big fan of Channing Tatum. He has really good comedic timing too.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was actually not even the movie! Before the movie started, the theater showed a Channing Tatum/Dirty Dancing spoof! Have you seen it before?? So funny!!

After the movie, we went out for some drinks. One of my to-go/summer/I’m an adult drinks is a simple drink of bourbon + ginger ale.

Bourbon Highball

1-2 fingers of bourbon
Diet Ginger Ale to taste (I go heavy on the Ginger Ale as bourbon is strong.)
lime wedges
ice

Combine & sip again.

Are you planning on seeing Magic Mike??

What’s your go-to summer cocktail??

Creamy Bacon Dip

January 17, 2012 by Julie 9 Comments

I took my nephew, Noah, to see Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked yesterday.

That movie is too cute!!

The songs are so fun and peppy too. I seriously want to buy the soundtrack. But I won’t. I mean…can a 32 year old single lady buy an album with songs sung by the Chipmunks? The answer is NO. Believe me, I’ve tried to justify it in my head all day.

So, instead I’ve just spent the day listening to previews of each song over & over on iTunes.

It’s a fun mix to listen to while in the kitchen too.

Creamy Bacon Dip

Recipe from Daisy

Ingredients:

8 ounces softened cream cheese
2 cups sour cream
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped green onion

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Place prepared ingredients to a 1 quart baking dish. Spread evenly. Cover with foil and cook for 25-30 minutes.

Garnish top of dip with more green onions and crumbled bacon, if desired.

Serve with pita chips or whatever you desire!

Dip can served warm or cold. I preferred the dip cold the next day!

Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

January 2, 2012 by Julie 21 Comments

Yesterday, I went to see Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol. I later was tweeting about how Tom Cruise is bat crazy, but still full of hotness. That smile!!

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The lovely Missy (hi Missy!) said that Tom doesn’t do it for her. She’s more of a Ryan Reynolds type of gal.

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So, it begged the question. Who are my top 5 actors that I drool over?

Julie’s Top 5 Drool Worthy Movie Actors

5. Brad Pitt

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Do you remember when Legends of the Fall came out??? OMG.love.

4. George Clooney

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It’s all about the eyes!!!

3. Matthew McConaughey

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The southern draw makes me weak.

2. Ryan Gosling

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It’s the INTENSITY of his eyes.

1. The Rock

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I know, I know. What?! He just does it for me!!! Drool worthy.

You know what else is drool worthy. These cookies.

Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe slightly adapted from Baking with Basil

Makes about 24 cookies

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped Ghirardelli Intense Dark Toffee Interlude chocolate
24 Rolos

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

Whisk together the flour and the baking soda in a small bowl. Set aside the bowl.

In a skillet, melt 10 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. For 1-3 minutes more, stir melted butter constantly until butter is golden brown with a nut smell. Pour melted butter into a mixing bowl. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter into the melted brown butter. Stir until all butter is melted.

Add the sugars, salt, and vanilla extract to the bowl with melted brown butter. Whisk until combined. Add the egg and the egg yolk to the wet mixture. Whisk for 30 seconds. Let the mixture sit for 3 minutes.

Whisk for another 30 seconds. Let the mixture sit for another 3 minutes.

Again: Whisk for another 30 seconds. Let the mixture sit for another 3 minutes.

Once again: Whisk for another 30 seconds. Let the mixture sit for another 3 minutes. Wet mixture will now be smooth and shiny.

Add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet. Stir until combined. Add the dark chocolate chips and chopped dark chocolate; combine.

Place the dough in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.

Measure out a heaping cookie scoop full of dough. Place a Rolo in center of dough. Use your hands to cover the Rolo with dough and roll into a ball. Place rolled ball on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake one tray of cookies at a time. Bake for 9-12 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Enjoy these cookies while watching a movie with your favorite movie star!!!

Who’s your favorite drool worthy movie star???

Weekend Ramblings: Christmas Movies

December 18, 2011 by Julie 10 Comments

Once Thanksgiving comes and until Christmas, my DVR loads up with Christmas movies. Helloooooooo, Lifetime & Ion channel Christmas movies. I never even knew I had the Ion channel until this month. And ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas….it’s on!

Now, it always happens that I can’t remember which mediocre made-for-TV Christmas movies I’ve already watched. Often times, I start the movie and 5 minutes in, I remember I already saw that movie.

You have to be a bit choosy about which movies you give a chance. Anything from ’98 or earlier, pass on them! These movies do not stand the test of time. Any movies with Connie Selleca or the mom from Family Ties or any cast member from Facts of Life, pass on them!!

My tips for choosing made-for-TV Christmas movies to watch:
–Stick with movies made within the last 8 years
–Any movie with a former 90’s star, it’s a safe bet (examples: Dean Cain or Elisa Donovan from Clueless). Someone from 90210 is in it?? Gold!
–Any movie with a former WB TV star, go for that one too! ( examples: Joanna Garcia or Carly Pope from Popular).
–And finally, is Nicole Eggert (Charles in Charles, Baywatch) in it? Go for it! She seems to be the queen of doing made-for-TV Christmas movies.

So far this season, I’ve watched Dear Santa, Desperately Seeking Santa, 12 Wishes of Christmas and A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride. Dear Santa has been my favorite. I still have A Christmas Kiss and A Nanny for Christmas waiting on my DVR.

If you choose a few duds with TV Christmas movies, have no fear! Sometimes you have to break out the big guns!

Julie’s Top 5 Favorite Christmas Movies:

5.Love Actually: Who does love a great ensemble cast? And the scene with Hugh Grant dancing around the house as the Prime Minister? And when Colin Firth proclaims his love to his Portuguese maid? I cry ever time I watch this movie.

4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Clark!!!!!!!

3. Elf: We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

First we’ll make snow angels for two hours, then we’ll go ice skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

2. Home Alone: This movie makes me laugh so hard! When Daniel Stern falls down the icy stairs, hilarious!

1. The Holiday: I think I’ve seen this movie at least 12 times. I just love it so much. I even love it during the middle of summer. Can I please do a house exchange and meet a handsome widow??

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

November 22, 2011 by Julie 7 Comments

I completely forgot to tell you about the AWESOME thing that I did last Thursday.

My friend, Amy, and I went to the movie theater for a Twilight MARATHON. We watched Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn Part 1. We were there from about 3:30 pm until Breaking Dawn ended at about 2:30 am!!! It was packed with other crazy ladies/girls like ourselves…..and a handful of dudes…and a toddler?! Weird.

I was worried that I would be too tired to make it through. 9:30 pm and I’m usually drooling in bed. But the time went pretty fast. There was a 30 minute break between movies, which was nice. And there’s a bar and a diner in the movie theater.

So, it was:

Twilight
–go to the bar for a drink
New Moon
–go to the diner for dinner
Eclipse
–squeal and try to contain excitement for Breaking Dawn
Breaking Dawn
–wait in the parking lot FOREVER to leave
–fall into bed from 3 am to 8 am

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Recipe from RecipeGirl

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

2 sticks salted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For the rolling sugar:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Instructions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter until fluffy in your mixer. Add in your sugars and pumpkin puree and beat well. Mix in your egg and vanilla extract.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the flour mixture a little at a time into your wet ingredients, mixing at you go.

Cover your dough with plastic wrap. Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together your rolling sugar ingredients.

Remove dough from the refrigerator. Use a cookie scoop to scoop out dough and roll into balls. Roll the balls in the prepared sugar. Coat them well. Place rolled dough onto your cookie sheets. Flatten your dough with the bottom of a glass or other flat surface. Sprinkle some more sugar on top of cookie dough.

Bake for 10 to 14 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Remove cookies and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

*Note: this cookies are more of a cakey texture. The pumpkin is subtle and it’s not a traditional snickerdoodle. They are a great cookie to go along with a cup of coffee or a cup of afternoon tea. These cookies also freeze very well!