December Movies

Have you seen any movies over the holiday week?  I read this book a few years ago and want to see the movie as soon as I have time.  My sons saw Unbroken and said it was good, but the friends they went with were not too excited about it.

Update on movie-
I saw the movie Wild.  It was good, but as usual, the book is much better.

Gift for Anyone (Great Stocking Stuffer)

Seatbelt Cutter Window Breaker Emergency Escape Tool!  I've been meaning to buy this for years, so all the men in my life are getting one in their stocking.

Gift for Him

Last year, I bought this for my older son and he liked it.  My boys have thankfully outgrown Axe, which I made them spray in the garage before they left.  This gives a nice subtle smell.  LINK

Gift for anyone (over 21)

     Rum Chata is made locally in Wisconsin.  I had some on Thanksgiving at my brother-in-laws and it is very good.  It taste somewhat like the leftover milk after eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal.  It is very sweet and I could only sip what is pictured in the glass above.  There are a lot of drink recipes on the web with Rum Chata as an ingredient.  It would be great in a signature drink for a Holiday get together.

Jewish Meatballs

Here is recipe my husband loves.  I'm not sure where he got it, but he always ask me to make it this time of year.

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
2 eggs
1 onion soup mix
1/4 C breadcrumbs or oatmeal


Sauce:
1 can sauerkraout
1 can whole cranberry sauce
1 jar chili sauce  ( this is like cocktail sauce, not the hot stuff)
fill jar w/ water- 1C
1/4 C brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix together 1st four ingredients and form into bite size meatballs.  Layer in a pan.

Mix the sauce ingredients and bring to a boil.

Pour sauce over meatballs.

Cook for 1 hour.

It makes a great appetizer for parties. 

The Rivoli

     In a neighboring town is a great rehabbed movie theater.  We just saw the movie, The Good Lie, with Reese Witherspoon.  They charge $3.50 a person and the concessions are also reasonably priced.  The movies are a little old, but only by a month or two.  The employees all volunteer and the theater was refurnished with donor money.  It's a nice change from the mega theaters everywhere today.

semester abroad

    My oldest son gets home on Sunday from, a semester abroad, Down Under.  I'm so excited to have him home for a little while.  Here are some of his pictures from Australia.  I'm hoping he got some studying done.  I did not see any photos of books or classrooms.  His girlfriend is studying in Italy, but came to see him for a week.

Gift for her

I bought this slouchy beanie at Nordstrom's when I was in Nashville a few weeks ago.  It is very comfortable and comes in many colors.  Link

Weekend Wanderer

Favorite Fridays

Alterna Bamboo Styling Lotion.  I have been using this for about 6 months now and love it.  After washing hair, I take small sections and work into the hair.  It really smooths out your hair without causing dryness.  I have tried Kerastase, Oribe and many other similar products.  During the summer, I would let my hair air dry.  During the winter, I blow it dry while styling.  The product works well for both.

Chopped Taco Salad

Here is easy favorite I like to make for dinner.

Gift guide for late teen years

This is what one of my boys has requested for Christmas this year.  Sperry Bushwick Chukka Boots

Sauerkraut

Do you know about the health benefits of sauerkraut?  Here is a good article for you.  I try to take a spoonful about 30 minutes before every meal.  Cancer runs in my family, so this is just a little way I try to fight it.  The brand above is carried at my local natural grocer.  The brand below is carried at most grocery stores.  Do not by the sauerkraut that is usually displayed by the meat and is full of preservatives.