Twilight Casting Call

Attention Twilight-devotees: Has your sizzling, wolfy, imprinted passion for our beloved series fizzled? Has Edward's razzle-dazzle ceased to flip your switch lately? We're stuck in a bit of a rut, with 18 months between last June's Eclipse release and Breaking Dawn's November 2011 debut, so we thought we'd wet your whistle with a few tantalizing pictures of the cast. Exhibit A:



This shot from the honeymoon scene was featured in Entertainment Weekly last week!



Isle Esme...um...Yes, please!

Oh Twilight...how we miss you!
Today, we decided to cope with the dreadful, unfair, is-it-time-yet, ten-month-long countdown to Breaking Dawn opening in theaters with our own little casting call. The last few months in Twilight news have been filled with buzz about the cast...

SO many vampires!
WHO will play them all?

As we read the fourth book of the saga, we both had visions of vampires dancing in our heads. One we discussed at length (probably because we both enjoyed his character so much) was Garrett. Even though we had very different pictures in our heads, when you line them all up, we were both pretty close to the way Stephenie Meyer saw him:


Other great new additions to the cast include:
Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). She is only listed on the "Breaking Dawn: Part 2" IMDB page, which fits right into our theory on what will be included in Part 1 and what will be included in Part 2. We think the wedding, honeymoon, pregnancy, and the birth/Edward changing Bella will be included in Part 1 and the rest of the action will be saved for Part 2. The anticipation is killing us!

Here are a couple characters we thought were cast perfectly:



Maggie (Irish Coven)
Marlane Barnes



Benjamin (Egyptian Coven)
Rami Malek

Zafrina (Amazon Coven)
Judith Sheknoi

Tanya (Denali Clan)
Myanna Buring

For a full list of characters, go here.

Characters we thought might have been better cast:
Rosalie's casting is something we have discussed again and again. Rosalie is described as exceptionally beautiful, even for a vampire; she is tall, statuesque, and has long, wavy, blonde hair. While she was human, she was said to be a woman with elegance, class, and eyes the color of violets.

Sarah envisioned someone like Hayden Panettiere. Lindsay considered Blake Lively or maybe Olivia Wilde (when she was blonde). So, Lindsay googled "Rosalie Hale casting" and found site after site offering ideas for a better Rosalie. All three of our ideas were mentioned along with Evan Rachel Wood, Rachel McAdams, and Kristen Bell. We would like to clarify that we are not Nikki Reed haters (there are some people who feel WAY more strongly about this issue than we do.) She just isn't who we pictured when we read it.

Let's talk about Jasper. Catherine Hardwick cast Jackson Rathbone (pictured a few shots below with the other Edward prospects) after he didn't make the cut for Edward (thank God). He's so awkward looking. And what is with that accent? It's certainly not Southern, which he is supposed to be, and it seems to come and go. He is described as tall with honey blond hair, is muscular but lean, and is physically 20 years old. Here's who we might have pictured for Alice's love:

Brooding.  Mmm.

What?  He could be 20...
and he's certainly dangerous.

 And, the best for last...Lindsay thinks Edward was cast perfectly...YUM:

But, Director Catherine Harwicke recently revealed who her OTHER choices were for Edward Cullen. She also stated that she referred to them as Bachelors 1, 2 and 3:

If you're missing Twilight like we are, we highly recommend picking up a book and re-reading the series before November...Or, check out Bree Tanner if you haven't already...Or, re-visit Midnight Sun online. Double yum!

A great shot of the original cast from Vanity Fair magazine!

 And, finally, tantalizing picture Exhibit B:



A January Moment

Last night, after putting Carter to bed, I asked my four-year-old if he wanted to workout with mama (my husband was at a late meeting). Logan replied with an enthusiastic "YES!" mainly because he loves the exercise balls and resistance bands that come along with my workout. I've been doing something called, "Mommy Muscle" by Stroller Fit that is basically pilates, but is designed for women recovering from C-section. It is awesome!

In the past, I have put off my workout until the babies are in bed because, ineveitably, once an adult is on the floor in our house it means wrestle time...and that includes our dog wanting to play, too. For whatever reason, I thought I'd give it a shot. Logan was hilarious! He did the first 3 or 4 exercises right next to me with an incredibly serious look on his face...ball between his feet...feet up in the air...

It started going downhill from there.

Our dog was licking my fingers as I did my V sit. I was in plank position and, all of a sudden, Logan sat right on my butt. OUCH! Immediate belly flop to the floor. Starting to get frustrated now. I put the dog out and asked Logan to give mama some space so I could finish my exercise. He started trying to throw the ball "over mama" (and hit me in the face a couple times). So, here I am holding a side plank on my elbow, wishing I would die and thinking, "I can do this...I CAN'T do this...let's focus on a flat stomach...when will this be over..." A small, ADORABLE, smiling face popped through the hole under my armpit and said, "Go mama!"

I laughed and fell on top of him. He laughed. We wrestled. We played. He gave me a big kiss and said he was proud of me.

What a little man! And, what a moment.

Joyeux Kitchen: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits

So I shared this recipe on Facebook the other day because they looked amazing and I've always wanted to replicate this recipe.  Well, I tried it out and the verdict is in.... they ARE amazing.  Just like the restaurant, and so easy.  Now I need the books (Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 1& 2).  Enjoy them with whatever you're cookin' up for dinner this week!

Joyeux Kitchen: Bre's Soft Pretzels

I've tried, on Doug's request, to make soft pretzels in the past, but the result was always dense, tough, sort of crumbly, nothing like Auntie Anne's yummy mall treats.  And then a friend from Kansas sent me this recipe so I had to give it a try.  YUM.  They're super-soft and chewy and easy to make.

You'll need:

• 4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt (for topping)

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in the warm water (yeast and sugar in the bowl first, pour water in).  Let stand until creamy, 10 minutes.  In a large bowl, mix the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt.  Make a well in the center, add the oil and yeast mixture.  Mix and form into a dough using the paddle attachment of your mixer.  If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water (**I actually had to add 7 tbsp of water so I think it really depends on your flour and elevation).  Switch to the bread hook attachment of your mixer.  Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes.  Spray a large bowl with cooking spray, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about one hour. 

Preheat oven to 450 (**mine bake better at 425, know your oven).  In a large bowl dissolve baking soda in hot water.  When dough has risen, turn out onto a lightly floured surface **or parchment paper to save yourself the mess** and divide into 12 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a thin rope and twist into a pretzel shape (it took me five minutes and a trip to the pantry to get a crunchy pretzel example to figure out the twist--I felt like an idiot).  Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and placed on a greased baking sheet (or, again, parchment paper on a baking sheet and save the mess).  Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.  Bake in a preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until browned. 

They're great just like that but here are some other ideas for toppings if you're feeling creative: cinnamon and sugar, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice, shredded sweetened coconut, red pepper flakes and jarred jalapenos with shredded pepper jack cheese, or go Greek with sun dried tomato and feta. 

Thanks for the recipe tip Bre! 

Five Favorites [In My House]

My small-ish collection of Fiesta dinnerware. I registered for random vases and platters in three colors when we got married and have picked up several pieces from garage sales and as gifts over the years. We use it for parties and big family dinners.

Found these AMAZING vintage tin ceiling tiles in a shop in Aurora, Oregon (adorable little antiques town you should definitely visit sometime) called Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage. The tiles are about 24x24 inches and reside in our formal dining (which is currently masquerading as a playroom).

This was my husband's gift to me after the birth of our second son! I suppose he knew there were lots of grass stains in my future. LOVING the red, which is outside the realm of typical Lindsay color choice. Maybe I was feeling sassy? And, they sing a little song when the load is finished. (LG Brand)

Our family photo collage now features two adorable little men! So happy with how this came together. Thanks, again, to my husband for his measuring/mathematical skills. Favorite item: matching Pottery Barn Silver Leaf First Year Frames.

*The pillow covers were $2.50 each on clearance at Target. Always watch the end caps. For $12.50, I added the pop of color our family room so desperately needed!

Pottery Barn again. If I am being honest, I can't afford to decorate my whole house in Pottery Barn and that is probably why the few items I have splurged on made the five favorites cut! This 'Daily System' is fabulous (and they have added several more options since we purchased it a couple years ago). Keeps us all organized and sits above the family computer in the den.

Joyeux Kitchen: Blueberry Boy Bait

Blueberry Boy Bait
Funny name, excellent dessert/breakfast, Doug's finished half of it already.  My cousin Becky recommended this recipe, and she's quite a kitchen aficionado, so I went for it.  I don't think Deb at Smitten Kitchen makes anything that isn't heavenly.  You'll love her blog, check it out if you have a minute.  A couple of recipe notes: on her suggestion, I used buttermilk instead of whole milk, and I also doubled the amount of blueberries because I'm a firm believer that more is better.  Make this for someone special today! :) xo

Joyeux Kitchen: [Meatless Monday] Vegetarian Chili

Emeril's Vegetarian Chili

You won't miss the meat, I promise.  It's amazing.  My body would be thrilled if I ate like this more often!  I did make a couple minor changes to the recipe that I'll share with you.  First, the recipe called for five portobello mushroom caps.  They were pricey at Safeway ($3.99/pack of 2) and I knew if I had a prayer of Doug trying this, I had to make it so he could at least eat around them, so I just put in two.  I added an additional zucchini to replace missing mushrooms.  I used frozen super sweet white corn kernels (who has time to scrape corn off the cob?).  Instead of the four large tomatoes, I used a giant can of diced peeled tomatoes.  And, on principle alone, I didn't make Emeril's Essence, because I think he's sort of annoying and Johnny's tastes 'bout the same to me.  Delish.

Bon appetit, friends!

Green Bunny: December Daily - It's Finished!

Here it is! My 2010 December Daily album is finished. And, as always, several things changed along the way. Such a fun project. I posted the first 12 days in mid-December here, in case you missed it. Starting with Day 13 today:

Day 13: I decided to list some of the current news happening locally and around the world. Always fun to look back at that kind of stuff several years later and say, "Oh yeah, I remember that!"

Day 14: Our tradition of Starbucks and lights on one side and a pretty card I've been hanging on to saying, "I'll do something with this some day" on the other. The mini Starbucks logo is from a small sample cup.

Day 15: Just a couple things around the house. I used my label maker to create the words.

Day 16: Logan's Preschool Program. I wanted to include the handout, but it was really big. I cut down the width and folded it in half to create a "lift here" tab. Then just added a photo on top.

Day 17: Completely lifted this journaling idea from Ali Edwards' blog. Loving the way she expressed her joy for the season. Followed suit with a list of my own (pictured below).

Day 18: I was out shopping all day and left Dan in charge of DD pics. He took this one of the boys hanging out in matching PJs. So sweet. (This is a cropped Heidi Swapp transparency.)

Day 19: Just another look at something in our home at Christmastime...

Day 20: Was a day of wrapping gifts!

Day 21: Our letters to Santa. I punched holes in an envelope and added it right in to the album. Slipped the letters inside along with Logan's map from the North Pole to our house (pictured below).

Day 22: Here is one of those 'moments' I've been talking about. Just before bedtime I gave Carter a cup of water and he plopped down right next to the island in the kitchen to take a drink. Logan was standing by and decided to plop down right next to him. Becoming little buddies!

Day 23: This is one of the 4x4 acrylic pages. I journaled right on the dark sky in the photo using Photoshop. Then, I adhered the photo to an Elle's Studio journaling card (discontinued, but similar to this).

Day 25: This is the page I added using a thick piece of cardstock to create a folder that opens out (pictured below) knowing there would be more than one Christmas morning photo I would want to use. I printed the pics on one matte photo paper page so it would crease and fold easily with the cardstock.

Day 26: I was only going to do 25 days, but at our second Christmas dinner on the 26th, Logan ended up in the ER (bit through his bottom lip while playing with his cousins). Had to be documented...

Extras: I cut a 6x12 divided page protector that had spots for three 4x6 photos to create small pockets for extra 'stuff' Again, used the Crop-a-Dile to punch my holes and added little bits and pieces. I love looking back at how things change and thought it would be fun to include tags, packaging, a coffee sleeve, etc. from Christmas 2010. The second sleeve has a couple of the boys' drawings and Logan's first hand-written Christmas tag to us (from preschool).

Hoping I've inspired some of you to join me in creating a December Daily for 2011!