Hibernating with the classics.

With the frigid temperatures and the Midwest covered in snow, I like to stay indoors where it is warm and toasty.  I generally have no desire to leave the house unless I absolutely need to, especially on the weekends.  One of my favorite things to do lately is snuggle up with Steve and watch movies.  Generally we peruse the offerings on movies-on-demand and find one that we haven’t seen yet.  This past month however we have begun watching old movies on TCM or AMC.  I grew up watching the old black-n-whites, but it has been awhile.
Here are some we recently watched and really enjoyed:
Great Expectations (1946).  I never tire of watching the story of young Pip and the heartless Estella, and who can forget the eerie Miss Havisham in her wedding dress and cobwebs?


Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)  I have to admit that this is the first time I have ever watched this movie, and hello?  What was I waiting for?  Audrey Hepburn is adorable in this movie.  My mom thinks the plot line is so sad, but Holly Golightly finds love in the end, and her darn cat.  What isn’t to love about that?
Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958)  Another first for me.  I have always loved Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s Rear Window, but this one was almost as much fun.  The suspense, the intrigue, the amazing Jimmy Stewart with the dashing leading ladies.  Fun movie!


Wuthering Heights (1939)  How many times have I seen this movie?  I’ll have to stop typing and use two hands to count.  I love it!  Not only is this my favorite novel of all time, it is also one of my favorite old movies.  The story of Cathy and Heathcliff and their eternal love is so sad, so haunting, and yet so romantic all at the same time.  I cannot express how much I love this old classic.  *sigh*
 
There you have the old movies we have watched over the past 3 or 4 weekends.  There’s nothing like an old movie to stir the heart and set your imagination going.  Don’t get me wrong, I love today’s movies, but I could do without all of the unnecessary sex and violence.  Sex and violence will not keep me from watching a movie, and I really don’t have a problem at all with foul language, but sometimes it’s nice to just get back to old fashioned storytelling.  Great scripts and fantastic actors that can get it done without all of the “extras”  thrown in.
How about you?  Do you watch old movies?  What do you like to do when hibernating from the cold and the weather?

Cooking? Not so much.

Last night I finally saw the movie Julie & Julia.  I know, I know, what took me so long?  I'm a little behind on such things as watching hit movies, reading bestsellers, and keeping up with current events.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in the everyday, that sometimes life just goes whizzing by.

One thing that I DO NOT get wrapped up in is cooking, which considering the ever present fact that I love to eat, seems a bit of a contradiction to me.  Why do I not enjoy cooking?  I have no idea.  I admire those women that feel at home in the kitchen, the women who take joy in providing a scrumptious meal for their family or who cook as a hobby because they love it so.

For me, cooking has always been a chore and that pretty much sums it up.  I was married at 20 and there I was with a new husband and baby and no idea how to cook.  My lack of cooking skills cannot be blamed on my upbringing.  My mother had dinner on the table every day at 6:00 PM for pretty much my entire childhood.  According to my mom, I just didn't show an interest in learning anything domestic such as cooking and sewing.  Fast forward to 1990 and I had to somehow provide meals for my new little family, and I did.  I cooked simple meals.  I also cooked frozen meals.  I cooked the same meals over and over again.  For years.  I never loved it, I never had fun with it, but I did it and didn't complain (at least I don't think I did?)   It was yet another domestic, household chore thrust upon a young 20-something who had no desire to do anything domestic except play with my baby boy (which of course was my choice. I am not at all complaining about my situation back then).

Steve and I are now coming up on our 20th Anniversary and somewhere along the way he has taken over the cooking.  I don't know if he enjoys it, but I can tell you he is damn good at it.  His meals are delicious and he truly is so much better at it than I am.  I of course feel tons of guilt over the fact that my husband has to do the cooking.  What kind of wife am I?  Then I speak to my friends and acquaintances and at least 1/2 of them say the same thing - their guy does all of the cooking.  Then I don't feel so bad.

I wish I could cook.  I wish I had the desire to learn.  The only thing that has come close to peaking my interest in cooking is The Pioneer Woman.  Her posts are so step-by-step with photos that I almost (almost) think, "Maybe I could do that too?".  That lasts about 2 seconds and then I'm over it.

The one where I think I know what I am talking about when it comes to fashion.

Have I mentioned before that I think the DVR is the greatest invention ever?  To sit through a three hour awards show without the convenience of fast-forward would drive me to change the channel bonkers.
I am speaking of course of Round 1 of the 2010 awards show season, The Golden Globes.  First of all let’s just all admit the obvious and get it out of the way – we all watch awards shows for one reason and one reason only: for the fashion.  How much fun is it to sit back in your jammies on your couch and rip apart the wardrobe choices of others?  For me, not hard at all.  I love it.
If you aren’t into clothing, fashion, or celebrities you might want to leave me now.  This post is all glam and nothing more.
MY FAVORITES (OR PLEASE GOD, WHY CAN’T I LOOK LIKE THEM FOR JUST ONE DAY?)
HALLE BERRY – Always amazing, always beautiful, never missteps.

FELICITY HUFFMAN – The arms frighten me a bit, but love, love, love this look.

KATE HUDSON – This gown received mixed reviews, but I adore it.  I love the lines.  It is like a finely sculpted piece of art.  Well done Kate.

DREW BARRYMORE – One of my favorite celebs if for no other reason than her sweet, sincere personality.  I love the dress, if only the thingy on the hip wasn’t there.  The one on the shoulder adds just the right touch, the one on the hip is just too much.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER – I have to admit I am not a fan of emerald green, however the Avatar actress looks so elegant and gorgeous in this gown.  I love the lines and silhouette (Oh gawd, I think I need a Project Runway intervention STAT).

TAYLOR LAUTNER – One word: HAWT!!  Oh wait.  Did he turn 18 yet?  No? Damn, never mind.

CHLOE SEVIGNY – Wow!  I bet she is kicking herself today for her acceptance speech last night.  Fame hasn’t gone to her head or anything!?  Yikes.  Anyhoo, I just love this dress.  My favorite part is the side of the gown, which of course you could see when she was walking to the stage, but isn’t so obvious here. My first thought was: “cool” design.

AMY POEHLER – So pretty.  So simply elegant.  So RED.   Love it!

PENELOPE CRUZ – If I was a guy, she’d be the one.

TONI COLLETTE – How awesome does Toni Collette look?  She’s come a long way since “Muriel’s Wedding”.


HMMMM???   NOT SO MUCH
ANNA PAQUIN – Um, it kinda looks like she was out back playing with my kids in the leaf pile.  Wearing velcro.

ZOE ZALDANA – I am loving the top of this gown, but below the hips it is a hot mess.

HEIDI KLUM – One day you are in, and the next day you are out.  Heidi, my schnitzel, you are out.

MICKEY ROURKE – I think he took a day off from workin’ on the farm to visit the neighboring Bunny Ranch.

RITA WILSON – Rita, Rita, can I please have my grandmother’s tablecloth back?  Thanks, it would mean a lot.

NICOLE KIDMAN – By far she is one of my favorite actresses, but really?  Haven’t we seen this tired, pale, champagne-colored look before from the stunning Aussie?

FERGIE – Moonlighting as a Bratz Doll these days.

PATRICIA ARQUETTE – No. No. No. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

JANE LYNCH – “Not with Miss Ellen’s portieres, not while I got breath in my body!”


WHAT IS WITH THE HAIR?  ISN’T THAT SO 2007?




BLACK SEEMED TO BE THE BIG LACK OF COLOR OF THE NIGHT
 
  
(Above, clockwise from top left: Courtney Cox, Glen Close, Heather Graham, Julia Roberts, Jayma Mays, January Jones)
Um, what is Julia wearing?  Looks like she’s hitting up a midday cocktail party at Flava Flav’s. Not the red carpet.
   
(Above, clockwise from top left: Julianne Moore, Julie Bowen, Kate Winslet, Olivia Wilde, Marion Cotillard, Lea Michele).
Julianne Moore?  No, no, no!    Kate Winslet?  Divine.

WHAT? THIS OLD THING?  IT’S JUST SOMETHING I HAD IN MY CLOSET FROM “SENIOR PROM” OR “THAT TIME I WAS A BRIDESMAID IN MY GIRLFRIEND’S WEDDING”.
LAUREN GRAHAM

VANESSA MINNILLO

CAMERON DIAZ

KRISTEN BELL

LEONA LEWIS


THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS (as in the “World of glamorous stars” and the “Netherworld”.
CHER & CHRISTINA AGUILERA


And last but not least: THE “WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?” AWARD:
TINA FEY – a.k.a Mary Poppins

MARIAH CAREY – Um.  Didn’t your Momma ever teach you that your boobs shouldn’t be bigger than your head? 
Go ahead. Take a good look.  Yep, they’re bigger.

Well, there you have it.  My super long homage to my Sunday evening sitting on my ass and loving it The Golden Globes.
How about you?  Do you watch Awards Shows?  Do you watch for the fashions? 
How about last night?  Any favorites?  Any dislikes?  Let’s discuss.

photo credit:  yahoo entertainment