Les Miserables

I think Mr. E was more excited about watching this movie than I was. He talked for days about how he listened to the original Broadway soundtrack when he was younger, what his favorite songs were and how much he loved Javier. I, too, have enjoyed musicals in my day, though my tastes ran a little more upbeat (Grease, Rent, etc...).

Les Miserables

Imdb synopsis:
In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.

Watching this movie was beautiful, but (dare I say it?) a little boring. The songs were beautiful, the grime and the poverty heart-aching and the scope to which the actors portrayed their characters intense. I think I had a hard time with the style of the songs. The movie tried so hard to bring a theatrical show and a movie together that I think it lost a little of both- there were so many close-ups to catch the expression of the actors (since this was done semi-live) that I felt invasive and claustrophobic. I could never get away from the characters and their grief. Also, the constant I'm-singing-but-really-talking needed to stop.

I was waiting and waiting for Russell Crowe to suck- because Mr. E was so worried about his favorite character- but I actually found him much easier to watch and listen to than Jean Valjean. Mr. E says its because Valjean's voice is too high for Jackman, but what do I know?

Overall this was a very touching movie- depressing and beautiful as all the best period pieces are, but not really my cup of tea. Personally, I'd rather watch Phantom. :D

I Maybe Kind of Might Not Unlike It...

NaBloPoMo Feb 2013: Love & Sex

How do you feel about Valentine's Day?

Frankly, I'm ambivalent about the big V-day! I like it, but I think it might be a little overblown by commercialization also. I don't remember every being lonely on a Valentine's that I didn't have a boyfriend, but it was pretty nice when I did. 

If anything, I get a little stressed about the holiday: who do I send Valentines to? One sweeping gesture of children's valentines to all my friends? Just my honey? My honey and my nieces and nephews?

Do I go simple or ornate? Thoughtful or quick? A card? A bouquet? A favorite home-cooked meal? Something romantic, or something nostalgic?

I like the idea of Valentine's Day, because honestly, sometimes Mr. E needs a little reminder- better it come from a unrelated omnipresent (albeit biased) societal gesture than a nagging wife. :)

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You and me, babe. I love you more than milk and showers after getting your haircut.

     Now if you'll excuse me, I have 21 ninjas to find around the house...

Hey Girl

So, in case you haven't heard, there's this thing going around...called the "Hey Girl" meme. It's basically a sort of strange way for some women to coherently express their inner "Mr. Perfect" while getting a good dose of man candy (aka Ryan Gosling). You get a single picture of a hunky man (usually Mr. Gosling) and a one-liner that sums up how women may feel at a particular moment. Some of these can be hysterical. Others are giggle-worthy. I've seen a few where I shake my head in shame because I've been there.

 

One of the blogs I follow, Domestic Imperfection, is hosting a party to show off your own "Hey Girl" meme. I've got some stunners of Mr. E, but I narrowed it down to just one. 

And one of Ripley. Because I know how to embarrass my housemates.

If I Could Give You a Valentine...

NaBloPoMo Feb 2013: Love & Sex



If you could send out valentines this year as you did back in grade school, what type of valentine would you send out to your blogosphere class?
This creates a problem the same way choosing a wedding color was a problem: there are SO MANY beautiful handmade, unique, quirky, sweet combinations you could do that deciding on one is almost impossible.
Some of my personal favorites that I've seen:
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Source: U-createcrafts.com

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Fav-o-rite Candy

NaBloPoMo Feb 2013: Love & Sex

What is your favorite Valentine's Day candy?

This is going to make me sound like such a glutton! Maybe I shouldn't be answering this question in that dead time between breakfast and lunch, when I'm really just running on oatmeal and coffee fumes.

Conversation Hearts (because they're easy and cute and so iconic)
Dove chocolate- usually milk, sometimes dark, always smooth
See's candy- usually the bordeaux chocolates (good GRIEF those are sinful!)
Peeps (also iconic also cute and so much fun to microwave)
Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears- normally just a Christmas treat, but I can't help myself

Pesto (is sneaky)

I haven't always been a pesto fan, but college did me in. All of a sudden I couldn't get enough basil in my system. Pesto sandwiches. Pesto dip. Pesto pizzas. 

And then I found out how to make it. 

Possibly the greatest invention ever.

But it just gets better! I found a recipe for broccoli pesto in Sunset magazine which I thought I would try. 

That's kind of a big deal, ya'll.

Unbeknownst to me, the pesto was made with only broccoli, so when I bought basil to add in, I didn't realize that I would only mask the broccoli taste. I'm fairly sure the heavens parted and a choir of angels praised me for finally eating like a grown up by choosing vegetables. Even if I have to liberally douse them in olive oil and cheese.

You can't win 'em all.

Pesto

basil (fresh, or a paste)
one clove garlic
parmasean cheese
olive oil
nuts (walnuts or pine, preferred)
broccoli (as much as you can handle)

salt

I generally just add all of my ingredients into the blender. This became an issue when my blender did not blend them thoroughly. Maybe, in hindsight, you should mix your ingredients before blending? Or trust your blender?

I sight-measured the fixings, getting the pesto into more of a paste-like consistency. Add more oil for a smoother "dip" or less green. More basil or garlic for more kick. You get the idea. 

(There are plenty of pesto recipes out there, I merely added broccoli to mine)

The best part must have been spreadin' the pesto love on a grilled pizza. Mr. E swears we might never go back to frozen oven-baked pizza again (thank goodness, because I made a bunch of dough and froze it!).

Link up! Craft-o-Maniac!, Savvy Southern Style, The Girl Creative, 

No Holds Barred Valentine!

NaBloPoMo Feb 2013: Love & Sex


What is your ideal Valentine's Day celebration?
Oh, this prompt's easy! 

Let's set the scene...

A twilight restaurant, dim lights, flickering candles (far away from Mr. E's sensitive eyes), brightly polished silverware and glasses that ting softly when you touch them. The room murmurs quietly, no one person too loud or too boisterous. 

Mr. E has a quiet smile on his face, one I've seen a million times before but still gives me butterflies. Will always give me butterflies. He's happy to see me happy. It doesn't matter what he wears, because it changes as easily as his mind...slacks, jeans, a button up or his ironed flannel shirt that brings out the soft green of his eyes. He always tells me that no matter what he wears when we go out, he always feels like a schmuck. I am wearing my favorite pair of heels (comfortable and cute) and I've made sure I've put on make-up...a girl needs to look her best when being taken out!

We talk about how happy we are, our plans for the future, utterly satisfied at this present moment. We don't have to worry about our dog, our finances, classes or work or family. All that matters is here and now.

We are both adventurous and safe in our food choices, picking and choosing, sharing and enjoying the flavors. Maybe it's filet mignon? An assortment of cheese and wines? Exotic dishes? Gourmet burgers? Whatever it is, we enjoy the experience.

When the dinner is almost over, Mr. E leans over and whispers once again how beautiful I look, how lucky he is to be here with me. This is why I married this man- my expectation of an ideal husband is met and exceeded each and every single day. 

Afterwards we stroll, arms linked. Window shopping. On the beach. Enjoying the sights and sounds of the city or the neighborhood. The world is an opportunity for the young and kid-less- we could stay out all night, talking of those things young people talk about, our dreams and our hopes for each other.

If we're feeling super generous (after dinner which may or may not have cost 2/5 of a TV) maybe small gifts are exchanged: a bracelet, cuff links, a movie to watch together. The gift isn't important, but the sentiment is.  

My favorite part of the night? The strength of our relationship. Once more tightening our bonds as husband and wife, partners and companions.