Up

• Avatar*
• Blind Side
• District 9*
• An Education
• The Hurt Locker
• Inglorious Basterds*
• Precious*
• A Serious Man
• Up*
• Up in the Air*

* = movies I have seen
We liked it. A nice little film about the importance of doing things you love with the people you love.

Mac 'n Cheese

8 oz. elbow macaroni                 1/4 tsp dry mustard or dash of cayenne

1 1/4 cups milk                         1 cup shredded extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese

2 Tbsp butter                            1/2 cup buttered French bread crumbs

2 Tbsp flour

Salt & freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 375. Butter a 6-cup casserole dish. Cook the macaroni according to package directions; drain. In a small saucepan, heat the milk until steaming. In another small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, until bubbly. Pour in the hot milk and cook, stirring, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add the mustard. Bring to a boil and cook over low heat, stirring, 2 minutes longer. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese, and pour over macaroni in casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

I'd recommend this for a night when comfort food is needed asap!

--S

My little muffins

Halfway There!

• Avatar*
• Blind Side
• District 9*
• An Education
• The Hurt Locker
• Inglorious Basterds*
• Precious*
• A Serious Man
• Up
• Up in the Air*

* = movies I have seen
Tonight we finally watched Inglorious Basterds. For those Tarantino fans out there, you'll love it... an interesting plot, a rockstar heroine, great music, humor, and tons of violence. I thought it was great, and very deserving of Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor. Two thumbs up!--S

Tortilla Chowder

Thanks to Betsy for this delicious recipe!

This is a MUST for any soup lover's repertoire.

2/3 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped red pepper

1/3 cup anaheim or poblano pepper (less if you don't like spice)

2 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 jalapeno pepper (again, less if you don't like spice)

1 Tbsp. butter

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups cubed peeled potatoes        4 Tbsp. flour

1 tsp. ground cumin                     2 Tbsp. butter

1/4 tsp salt                                  1 can corn

1/4 tsp black pepper                     2 cups half and half

1/8 tsp. ground red pepper

2 cups cheese filled tortellini; cooked and drained

corn tortillas; cut into strips and crisp fried (or tortilla chips)

1. In dutch oven, cook onion, peppers, and garlic in 1 tbsp butter for 5 minutes, until tender but not browned.

2. Stir in broth, potatoes, cumin, salt, pepper. Bring to boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 25-30 minutes until potatoes are just tender.

3. In a small bowl, stir together flour and 2 tbsp. melted butter; add to soup mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir one minute.

4. Reduce heat and add corn, half and half, and tortellini. Heat through. Top with fried tortilla strips.

Delicious!

a winter walk

4 down, 6 to go

• Avatar*
• Blind Side
• District 9*
• An Education
• The Hurt Locker
• Inglorious Basterds
• Precious*
• A Serious Man
• Up
• Up in the Air*

* = movies I have seen
A special thanks to Dylan for agreeing to watch District 9 with me tonight so we can hurry and get our next Oscar contender from Netflix. As of now, Avatar is my vote with Precious in 2nd. District 9 was good, however, with some interesting underlying themes (Apartheid? Who knew that besides Dylan?) and great special effects. 4 weeks and 2 days until the big night!--S

And the Nominees Are...

After we voted this morning, Dylan went biking and I watched the Oscar nominations. I wait with great anticipation for this day of the year which begins my annual tradition of dashing to the theaters trying to see every movie up for Best Picture. This year the Academy threw me for a loop, however, and nominated 10 movies instead of 5...  and I have a lot of work to do. I have 7 movies to see in less than 5 weeks. Wish me luck on my Oscar journey. (and anyone local who's in for a movie... call me!!)--S

• Avatar*
• Blind Side
• District 9
• An Education
• The Hurt Locker
• Inglorious Basterds
• Precious*
• A Serious Man
• Up
• Up in the Air*

* = movies I have seen