Into The Woods

Keith's parents and brother left early on Christmas Day.  We had our fancy meal the night before and had lots of leftovers from the 4 days they were here so we decided to have popcorn for lunch and see Into The Woods.

I was completely unfamiliar with this movie that started as a play.  My husband had seen the play a long time ago and owned the soundtrack.   Needless to say, he was very excited to see it made into a movie.

The trailer for Into The Woods has not really let on that this is a musical.  If you aren't expecting practically every single word to be sung, then you might be in for a shock.  Do not see this film if you hate musicals or have a migraine.  All of the singing might be too much for you.

My family happens to LOVE musicals and we were thrilled that even some of the talking scenes were sung by the actors.  The set design and music is just wonderful.  You really feel like YOU are in the woods and it isn't even 3D.

I have to tell you that I was very uncomfortable with the scenes between Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf (played really well by Johnny Depp).  If you are taking small children to this film, you might find it inappropriate.  Luckily, my kids only read into it that he wanted to EAT her.  There is also lots of scary parts at the end but my kids took it in stride.

I absolutely loved Anna Kendrick in this film and Chris Pine is fun to look at.  His hair is puffy and the song he performs with is brother is funny and clever.  I cried during the scene in the tower with Rapunzel. 'Stay with Me' is one of my favorite songs from the film.

Into The Woods is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture.  Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep are also nominated for best actress and supporting actress.  They should all win!

PTA Christmas Gifts

By now all of the Dennison PTA Chairs have received their Christmas gifts.  This is my second (and likely last) year as the PTA President so I wanted to give out something that was special.  I'm proud of the PTA logo that my husband made for me last year so I had an idea!

I made Christmas ornaments with our logo!  In my fantasy, these 27 people will put this ornament on their tree every year and have warm fuzzy feelings about how they have made a difference and done amazing things for Dennison.  Well...that's how I feel when I look at MY ornament.

I'm proud of what the parents at my school do for all of the kids.  Every single thing is done by a parent.  A parent that cares and gives their time.  The kids at Dennison are better because of our PTA. 

 Thank you to anyone and everyone that volunteers in any PTA.  Your commitment and time is appreciated.  

Peanut Butter Truffles

I have a food blog that I can't remember the log in for because I haven't posted on it in over a year.  How lame is that?  The good news is that I've decided to post a yummy Christmas treat recipe here!

You have to make these.  They are so good and super easy.  Meghan did most of it herself and she is only 7.

NOTE: My dear husband says that a truffle isn't a truffle without booze in it.  I disagree.  I think he just likes those better.

Peanut Butter Truffles

1 cup confectioners sugar
3 tbsp butter, softened
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 bag of white chocolate disks (purchase at craft store)

Mix together the sugar, butter and peanut butter.  Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheet covered in wax paper.  Chill the pan in your fridge for 30 minutes.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate disks.  Microwave for 1 minutes, stir and then go for 30 seconds more until the chocolate is melted and shiny.

Roll each ball in the chocolate and put back on the baking sheet.  Chill again for 20 minutes and then enjoy!

* You can use the entire bag of chocolate disks.  It will only make them more better.  We were trying to cut back the sugar/calories just a smidge.

My Last Text to my Brother

On July 7th last year, we were winding down the holiday weekend and Keith grilled ribs.  We were sitting on the patio, enjoying the beautiful weather and a bottle of wine.  I was admiring my basil plants and swatting bugs away from my wine.

I came up with a genius solution to my bug problem without having to go into the house for a stopper.

I knew that my brother would appreciate my ingenuity so I texted him a picture.

I titled it Ghetto Wine Cork.

I didn't get a response.  

I didn't think much of it because he had recently moved to a beautiful new townhome and I was sure he was very busy setting up his place.

What I didn't know is that he was dead. 

It's been a year today and my brain still can't accept it.  I don't think I ever will.

I miss you Rob.

Booze Corner

Yesterday I was watching Channel 4 local news because Entertainment Tonight was being replaced by a special about The Broncos.  Don't get me wrong, I love football and The Broncos but I'm trying to pace myself before the big game.

This story came on about car seat safety.  They had a Mom with a little one and they told me that she has twins on the way.  They showed her buckling her kid into a car seat and then they showed her in what I'm assuming is her kitchen.  Well...here, I took a picture of my TV for you.

Photo taken with iPad from recliner

Was this the best place to interview this pregnant Mom about car seat safety?  Who the hell set this shot up?  Whoever did it....should be fired or sent to work for MSNBC.

This is why I will never let Channel 4 News in Denver interview me for a story. 

GLEEprov on Date Night

Thank you Sarah for reminding me that I never told you where I took Keith on our date!

It was so nice to get out for an evening by ourselves and Keith loved that we did it on a Friday night because it reminded him of the old days when he'd go out after work.  The old days....before we had two kids and the PTA to deal with.  We talked about all kinds of things but not about the kids.

And we held hands.

Keith was channeling his inner Don Draper.

Finally, we got to our destination!  The Bovine Metropolis Theatre to see GLEEprov!

It was so fun!  A cast of ten who take a suggestion from the audience about something that happened to them when they were in high school.  In this case, a girl that was a high school mascot.  They made up a story and songs on the fly about that topic and it was hilarious!

GLEEprov is running for four more weeks, every Friday night at 10:15pm.  

side note:  Our waitress at The Rialto told us that she knows one of the instructors at The Bovine and that we should look for him and say hi from her.  She said, you can't miss him...he's bald.  Well...there were about 15 bald men at this show!  They just kept walking in and we laughed and laughed!