This weekend was full of fun times and lots of food. Cooking has been my new thing as of late and I have to admit that I'm rather proud of myself and my lack of eating out.
Friday night was my big Twilight Party! Some of my girlfriends and I have really been into the books. I've read the first two and have taken a break to read another book that I'll elaborate more on in just a minute. So, to celebrate my first viewing of the movie, I decided to invite my Twilight friends over. Here's my lovely table scape with some ideas stolen from Hostess with the Mostess. Sandra Lee would be so proud!
We had vampire cupcakes - super easy to make PS, fresh strawberries from the road stand in Willow Springs, twizzlers and a couple of pies (thanks Angela!). The quotes in the picture frames are from the book/movie. The whole spread was easy and cheap. I think I spent about $20 in all. Imagine what kind of party I could throw if I was a rich girl and had an unlimited budget! Which, if I was a rich girl with an unlimited budget, I would so have a theatre room in my house.
As for the movie, it was okay. There were a lot of moments where those of us who had read the books would pick up on things that the ones who had not read the books wouldn't be able to pick up on. And, the special effects were pretty cheesy. Thank goodness Edward is a good lookin' vampire or we might not of made it! New Moon is the sequel and is due out in November. I'm hoping the budget is a little bigger on this one.
Saturday morning found me at the Farmer's Market in a downpour. While I was there, I picked up some more strawberries and made myself a yummy strawberry, goat cheese and grilled chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette for lunch.
I mentioned above that I'm taking a break from the Twilight books and am reading something different. Well, the book I'm reading is called Julie and Julia. It's a true story about a girl who in 2002 decided to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Master the Art of French Cooking in one year. Julie had a blog going during her project and eventually turned it into a book and now, it's a movie (watch the trailer here) that is due out late summer. But, I'm really enjoying the book and have been inspired a bit to cook.
Being inspired and all, on Sunday afternoon I decided to give a recipe in The Biggest Loser Cookbook that I had been wanting to try a go. Szechuan Beef and Broccoli and it was quite good! I learned a couple of things for next time, like don't get the pan too hot because the garlic cooks super fast and use a little more broccoli since I love it, but for sure this one is going into my recipe book that I'm getting ready to compile.
Now, don't start getting jealous thinking my cooking adventures are all great and dandy because last night, they were not. Softball was cancelled so after a three mile jaunt around Lake Johnson with Kara, I headed home to make Gorgonzola Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce. You know, I've come to a realization that I don't care for any blue cheese much. They seem cool and sophisticated and really foodie to say, but all in all, I don't like them. Yea, I order a Gorgonzola walnut salad, but I really don't like it. And, the cucumbers were to be shredded and I don't have a shredder so we wound up with yogurt and dill with big clumps of cumber in it. The dish itself wasn't too much of a bust, but alas, this one will not make it into the aforementioned recipe book.
PS - Anybody want some leftover burgers?
4 comments:
You're killing me with that salad picture Ashely. I'm starving and its looking really tasty. I'm impressed with your cooking skills.
yeah, I don't think I'd enjoy the movie unless I had read the book. A lot of the looks they gave would have just been comical if I didn't know what was actually going on. Comical or creepy. I couldn't decide.
They all told me to invite you to the party, Brantley. But, it was all girls so, you know.
As for the salad, I suggest you make one while the strawberry gettin' is good!
Oh, and I meant to tell you that comical is the answer because at all of those moments, Kara and Angela busted out laughing (they haven't read the books).
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