running errands

127 Hours

So good. Tearjerker with gorgeous shots of Moab. James Franco was awesome. Reminds me to be grateful and never take anything for granted. Also reminds me to never let Dylan go playing in the desert alone...

Black Swan*

The Fighter

Inception*

The Kids are All Right*

The King's Speech

127 Hours*

The Social Network

Toy Story 3*

True Grit

Winter's Bone

a view from the office window

And the Nominees Are...

Oh boy. The Academy decided to nominate TEN films again this year!! Wow. I thought I'd only have to see 10 films in 5 weeks ONCE but I guess I was wrong. The nominees are:

Black Swan*
The Fighter
Inception*
The Kids are All Right*
The King's Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3*
True Grit
Winter's Bone

Fortunately I have seen 4 out of 10. There is a surprise lead in the Reynolds house with Dylan having one over me, as he saw The Social Network. Currently my vote is Black Swan or Inception. Black Swan in a really creepy/Natalie Portman is amazing/this is really well done but I don't know if I want to watch it again sort of way. And I absolutely loved Inception, loved the story line, loved the cast and special effects but I just don't think it's the type of movie the Academy will vote in for best picture.
So now I must create a plan of attack to see 6 movies in 5 weeks. Let the race to the Oscars begin!

Jamie's baby shower

Happy Birthday, Dylan

You are even better than the 25 year-old I met back in the day.

Cookie-palooza

I made cookies for Dylan and Taylor's birthdays. Dylan requested peanut butter cookies, and while this recipe was new to me, I am now a believer. Some even made it to Taylor.

Peanut butter cookies

(thank you, Better Homes and Gardens)

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Granulated sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Beat until combined. Beat in egg, vanilla, and flour.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional granulated sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by making crisscross marks with the tines of a fork. Bake in a 375 degree oven 7-9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

Girls weekend in San Francisco

Jamie was a fabulous hostess for our 2nd annual girls trip with Artemis, Tara, Becky, and I. After a rocky start, Artemis and I boarded the Oprah farewell season plane (unfortunately no Oprah to be seen or free trip to Australia to be had), landed in San Fran where we met up with the rest of the girls, and went on to the wineries. We were having so much fun we didn't feel the earthquake some 30 miles from us. The second day we explored San Francisco, got pedicures and had an amazing dinner out. It was a quick but wonderful getaway. Thanks for another great weekend, girls!

Dylan's new digs

New Years in Detroit

We had a great weekend in D-town with the Petersons. We rang in 2011 and the next day Joe and Dylan went to explore the city.

Christmas

Zoo lights

Emmett's first slumber party at Aunt Sara and Uncle Dylan's

We figured it was time for little Emmett to come spend his first overnight without Mom and Dad in the big city. We had a ball reading, playing, riding the train and looking at the "choo-choos".