Do you know if the hotel is pager friendly?

I'm not sure how I've gained followers by being the worst blogger in the world these past few months but thank you for the sweet comments on the wedding stuff!

Now for something not wedding related.. except that I hope P's bachelor party is nothing like the first Hangover movie!

things change!

Today was supposed to be the day Preston went in for his hip replacement. Saturday his parents were planning on flying in. But we recieved the call yesterday that his new hip wasn't avaliable until February 1. After our mental breakdown yesterday, today we're regrouping and trying to go with the flow. We're re planning plans and gearing back up to prepare for his 6 week leave at a later date. Preston's working on getting back into work mode as we wait another four weeks for his hip. In the grand scheme of things, 4 weeks won't make a difference. But I know it's painful for him, and it's a pain in the ass to switch flights! I'm looking forward to the 3 day weekend even though a 6 day weekend would've been better. We've had to keep reminding ourselves, that things change. But we can handle it.

I dont know how in the world Oklahoma City DID NOT get any snow! We're dissapointed!!

Have ya'll seen "Inception"? Three days later, Preston and I cannot stop talking about it! What did you think? He wants to watch it again, but I'm not sure my brain can take it.

Amazon customer service is awesome. The keys were rubbing off on my month old Kindle, I called Monday and no questions asked, there was a new one on my doorstep last night. It was like recieving the gift all over again! I love it that much.  I was able to re register the new one and start right back into "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in 10 minutes or less. BTW, that book is awful hard to start. I'm hoping it picks up pretty quick. That reminds me, I need to post my 2011 Reading List...

Am I the only one that's having a hard time getting through 5 day work weeks? I feel sluggish. Two more days...two more days... :)

left off the list

Am I the only one that thinks Time made a huge mistake leaving off the riveting final performance from the 2000 classic "Center Stage"?!



See Time's top 10 movie dance scenes here

not your typical fairy tale..

Big bad wolf meets the director of Twilight? Yes please!!

my 2010 holiday wish list

I've already dished out the list to any family members who have asked. But here are a couple of things I'm hoping end up under the tree.

Women's Pattern Poplin Shirt

I love the leather gloves I received from my sister last year but, Echo Driver Touch Wool Gloves would be so convenient

Longchamp Le Pliage Tote

Kindle Wifi, I'm not sure I need all that 3G power

And just in case...(ha no pun intended)

(1,2,3,4)

I have to mention, I wouldn't be opposed to one of these...

Fantasia

Kardashian Konfidential, One Line a Day, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, Freedom a Novel, The Lost Symbol , The Glass Castle, Marcus of Umbria, Orange is the New Black

Kiehls Gardenia Oil

Laura Mercier Lip tint in mocha

another reason why the holiday season rocks..

 The best movies come out during the holidays!

wordless wednesday

Speaking of dogs in cones...I can't wait for this movie!

friday faves

I don't have many favorites to share this week. Possibly because I'm still not quite caught up on my blog reading and I've yet to unpack :) AND we're having company over tonight. (I just love how the crowd seems to grow and grow!!) BTW - I went with the black eyed pea salsa, and another guest offered to make hummus. She's a veteran hummus maker, so I know we're in good hands.
Katie shared the trailer for a new Katie Holmes movie. I can't wait for this one! The soundtrack sounds equally pleasing.



Katie also posted this save the date I'm in love with.

I think it would also be cute to use a map. Hypothetically, what if the bride was from Oklahoma and the groom was from South Carolina and then they met in Florida and then moved to Oklahoma but we're getting hitched somewhere else..somehow all on this map-ish save the date. Hypothetically of course :) I think it would be cute.

A Cup of Jo shared this yummy recipe from Smitten Kitchen. I no longer follow Smitten Kitchen. I feel like a chef fail reading the posted recipes every day :) But they all look so yummy.

I think I could pull this one off.

Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

For the crispy crust:
1 3/4 cups crisped rice cereal
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
3 tablespoons unsalted (their recommendation) or salted (what I used, and liked) butter, melted

For the milk chocolate peanut butter layer:
5 ounces good-quality milk (their recommendation) or semi-sweet (what I’d use next time) chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup creamy peanut butter

For the chocolate icing:
3 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 72 percent cocoa), coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick or 2 ounces) unsalted (their recommendation) or salted (what I used, and liked) butter
Make the crispy crust: Lightly spray a paper towel with nonstick cooking spray and use it to rub the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan.

Put the cereal in a large bowl and set aside.

Pour 1/4 cup water into a small saucepan. Gently add the sugar and corn syrup (do not let any sugar or syrup get on the sides of the pan) and use a small wooden spoon to stir the mixture until just combined. Put a candy thermometer in the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil; cook until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage, 235 degrees F.

Remove from the heat, stir in the butter, and pour the mixture over the cereal. Working quickly, stir until the cereal is thoroughly coated, then pour it into the prepared pan. Using your hands, press the mixture into the bottom of the pan (do not press up the sides). Let the crust cool to room temperature while you make the next layer.

Make the milk chocolate peanut butter layer: In a large nonreactive metal bowl, stir together the chocolate and the peanut butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir for about 30 seconds to cool slightly. Pour the mixture over the cooled crust. Put the pan in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the top layer hardens.

Make the chocolate icing: In a large nonreactive metal bowl, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter.

Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until the mixture is completely smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir for 30 seconds to cool slightly. Pour the mixture over the chilled milk chocolate peanut butter layer and spread (actually, I found it easier to just roll it around until it coated smoothly, avoiding the risk of picking up any of the peanut butter layer with it) into an even layer. Put the pan into the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the topping hardens.

Cut into 9 (they say, I say 16, at least!) squares and serve. The bars can be stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly, for up to 4 days.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I'm praying for rain!!

a night at the movies..at home

Preston and I are avid Netflix subscribers. Since I control the queue, sometimes he gets suckered into watching what I consider priority. (Not my fault he hasn't learned the login info!) Anyway, I was hooked onto Dexter for awhile, but now we're at a standstill until season 4 comes out on DVD (8/17/10).

Being the loving, attentive LIGF I am, I made sure to pick the manliest, roughest toughest movie (that I still wanted to see) available. The Book of Eli it was. You can't beat Denzel and the girl who does the voice of Meg Griffin.

I LOVED IT. I was up pretty late watching it on Thursday, when I'm normally a stickler about being in bed by 10:30. The man fell asleep, but I can't wait for him to watch the end so I can talk to him about it. The story really was amazing and at the same time, it's scary to think about.

The movie takes place 30 or so years after the apocalypse, and follows a man during his journey out west to deliver the only known surviving Bible to a safe place. Eli is a one man wolf pack, constantly having to fight off thieves and "highjackers". (One thought..after thirty years, they still couldn't figure out how to make soap or shampoo??? Weird.) I love movies about faith and hope, and The Book of Eli was one of those.

All the actors did a great job. (The chick from Flashdance was in it too!) I thought the scenery and cinematography were excellent as well. Visually, the movie was very stimulating. I believe P was entertained, just tired :)

Have you seen this movie? What did you think? Did you like it as much as me?!

how come no one has shared this with me?

The discovery of this website has made my day.

Listography.com, I think I love you. I signed up for Goodreads.com the other day, and am still on a book high. (If you're on there find me - emilyhposts@gmail.com. Let's talk books! (dork, I know)) I don't even know where to start with my lists. I'll have to go back through past notebooks to make sure I don't exclude any list I've ever made...

The endorphins I've gained from these two is immeasurable.

And I forgot to mention I'm on a Twi-high because I'm seeing Eclipse this afternoon with Christine and Katie! Definitely my favorite book and I hear it's the best movie so far.

Don't get me wrong, R.Pats is super hot in real life, but if I was a troubled, teen girl in Forks, WA with a vampire and werewolf fighting over my love and affection, I would for sure pick the guy that wears less clothes and isn't prone to sun burns.

Real life.

Life in Forks.

What team are you on?

friday faves

ingThis weeks favorites may be all over the place! I apologize :)

Favorite Movies I can't wait for

3D?! TWO PARTER? Get.out.

Favorite gift I can't wait to give

I almost don't want to give this one away...but it's too nice not to share.

These can be purchased at the lilafrances etsy shop.

Favorite DIY

High-Heeled Foot in the Door made her own Chevron rug using fabric and a drop cloth...my DIY wheels are turning.

Favorite Inspiration from the week

Lavender & Lillies posted a project she could mark off her "30 before 30" list. She really inspired me to make my own. I don't have long before 30, but it should be enough time to complete 30 things!

Pink Julep made a list of books she wants to complete in 90 days. I really need to take inventory of all the unread books I have and set a goal. I'm seriously scared to count them...I know it just means a very long time until I should be buying any books. Look for a sidebar list soon.

Wishing you all a wonderful long, holiday weekend! I'm crossing my fingers we don't get any rain!

a movie: time traveler's wife

Preston and I watched "The Time Traveler's Wife" Saturday night after Clemson's tragic loss. I read the book last summer when we went to Vegas and loved it. I wouldn't say it's really an easy read; I found myself jumping back and forth checking dates and times to make sure I got the sequence of events.

I think it would be impossible to include everything from the book in a movie but they included enough to hold the story together. (P didn't ask any questions = held it together.) We both enjoyed the movie. Eric Bana is HOTT and I really like Rachel McAdams. I wish they had held true to the book with the ending but regardless, it was a tear jerker and a movie (and book!) I would recommend.

friday faves

This week was quite busy for me. Between work, floods and power outages...I didn't have a ton of time to read through my greader. But a few did manage to catch my eye!

Favorite DIY

Once again, Remodelaholic posted another great DIY from The Fickle Hobbyist. This Eiffel Tower model cost a total of $4.05!! So cute.

Favorite New Recipe

Domestic Goddess posted a Cooking Light recipe I'm looking forward to trying.

Smoky Spanish-Style Pan Roast

Favorite Videos

I am many things, but makeup expert is not one. (My current label for makeup and beauty stuff is "personal care". Not luxurious and girly. "Personal care" is what my Quicken told me to call it! Oh well, I am my mother's daughter.) Joi posted her favorite YouTube beauty girls and I am now obsessed. I can just visit my friendly YouTube for makeup how-to's? Who woulda thunk it?!This girl is my fave. She's too cute.

Katie at The Neo-Traditionalist posted the trailor for Sofia Coppola's latest film, "Somewhere". It looks so sweet.

Favorite Quote

La Dolce Vita posted this quote that I think belongs in our bathroom.

Favorite Room

A Diary of Lovely posted a tour of the house that won the teeny-tiny division of Apartment Therapy's 2010 Small, Cool Contest. At 350 swuare feet, I would say it is indeed teeny-tiny. But I love the dark color used in the home. It looks so striking against the white baseboards. I'm thinking..office?

Favorite New Blog

(New to me anyway.) Makeup Diary Confessions & Saltwater Dreams also tie into the "personal care" theme.. These girls try out all kinds of products, including self tanners and the best red lipsticks. They have the life I dream of..visiting local drug stores and the occasional MAC counter, buying and trying all kinds of loot. It's gong to take a lot of  how-to youtube videos before the trying is actually worthwhile. *Sigh* A girl can dream.

sunday summary

Preston and I had a really much needed, relaxing weekend. Friday night we ate at one of our new favorite restaurants in Oklahoma City. If you're ever in the city, eat at RePUBlic Gastropub. They have a great menu with lots of different things to chose from. Preston likes the Tuna tartare and I have to say their burgers are some of the best. (They have pretzel buns, how can they not be the best?!) They also have a great beer selection and tvs EVERYWHERE!

We normally attempt to watch movies on Friday nights but pass out pretty early. This week we popped in "Shutter Island". I'm so proud of myself; I was awake for 75% of the movie! Including the end! I had to read wikipedia to put all the pieces together but I really liked the movie. I should've seen the surprise end coming, but it was good.

Saturday we drove to Dallas for a friend's wedding.

Yay 2006.

Brynn looked beautiful and it was a fun celebration! It's always fun to get all dressed up and see old friends.

The only picture from the night.

Today I planned our next two weeks of meals!! We normally plan out our meals for the week but I hate going to the store, and we have a few small vacations coming up so I wanted to make sure I wasn't having to run to the store on a weeknight. (Nothing is worse.) I hope to share some recipes and meals we have this week. So check back for yummy recipes! I'm attempting a Rachel Ray veal recipe one night. I'll let you know how it goes. I have mixed feelings about RR and her cook book has scared me for years. (Too many ingredients + too many instructions = too much work) I'm just cooking the veal part of her "Veal Chops with Balsalmic Pan Sauce and Spinach Salad with Pecans, Pears, and Gorgonzola".

Today I did whip up these yummy raspberry bars from Smitten Kitchen. Um, YUM. Despite the long instructions, these were fairly simple. I'm actually looking forward to waking up Monday morning to these delicious treats.

image

Raspberry Crumb Breakfast Bars

Adapted from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking

These aren’t, as the recipe notes warn, actually “crumb” bars, with the streuselly topping you might see on crumbles or coffee cakes. Instead, they’re more like a raspberry sandwich cookie, yet less sweet than a typical dessert, and more earnest somehow.

I think you could easily swap the raspberries with blackberries.

For the crust and crumb:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces

For the raspberry filling:

1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pound raspberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Make the crust and crumb: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch glass or light-colored metal baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up the two short sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment.

Put the flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse in short bursts until combined. Add the butter and pulse until loose crumbs form.

Reserve 1 1/2 cup of the mixture and set aside. (Note: The book suggests you reserve one cup only. My gut told me that was too little, and I upped it. I wanted to make sure the top of the raspberries were mostly covered, at least for packing purposes, and was glad I had changed it.) Pour the rest of the mixture into the prepared pan and use your hans or the back of a large wooden spoon to push the crust into an even layer at the bottom of the pan. The crust should touch the sides of the pan. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let the crust cool. Keep the oven on while you make the raspberry filling.

Make the raspberry filling: In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon and flour together. Add the raspberries, lemon juice and butter and use your hands to toss gently until the raspberries are evenly coated.

Assemble and bake the bars: Spread the raspberry filling evenly on top of the cooled crust. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture evenly on top of the filling.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, rotating the pan every 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling starts to bubble around the edges.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then cut into squares and serve. The bars can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two days.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Check back throughout the week for our meal recipes!