a movie, a recipe and a few other ramblings...

Denise and I didn't go to Chili's today!  It's not Tuesday if we don't go to Chili's but, we were at the wrong end of town for errands and then we went to the matinee of "Footloose".  Different is fun!

Here's my quick movie review of the new version.  It's veryclose to the original story.  The music is great, but has more of a country flair to it, which I loved.  Love the new version of Holding on to a Hero. Love Blake Shelton's version of Footloose.  Loved Julianne Hoff's performance, although she's much more "sleazy" than the original actress.  Dennis Quaid is a much more likable dad.  The dancing is not nearly as good as the original.  It's "dirty dancing"... lots of grinding and bumping.  Ren is no Kevin Bacon, but he's good and believable.  I love Willard in both movies! LOVED that they stuck so close to the original and my favorite scene in both movies is "Let's Hear it for the Boy!"  So cute.  

I don't know that I'd want my girls to see this newer version.  It's definitely a "modern" version, where things are more accepted than they would have been back then.  Given the choice, I'd take the original.

The best laugh of the show was after it ended when Denise and I realized that we were the youngest people in the theater. When I asked this one 70ish woman what she thought, she said she loved it.  Then a man, probably 75ish in another row commented to her, "Let's see you dance like that."  (They were not together.)  She responded quickly, "They'd have to call 911."   Too funny!

Before I left this morning, I made White Chicken Chili. I've been craving it for days.  I'd checked my cooking blog on my iPhone while at the store to make sure I had what I needed to make it a few days ago.   Then, when I made it this morning, rather than check the cooking blog, I opened my cookbook.  Oops. Later, I realize that I'm using  two recipes ~ one from memory and one from the cookbook, which I have no idea where that recipe came from.  Once I realized this, I had to merge and figure out what to do because they were definitely different...one had cheese, one didn't.  One used a bottle of Italian dressing, one didn't...  Here's what I created using what I had and what I'd put into the crockpot before realizing the problem. It was the best White Chili I've yet to taste.  Loved it!

White Chili with Chicken

2 chicken, skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 cans great northern white beans
5 cups chicken broth
16 ounces half and half (instead of cream)
16 ounces sour cream (I used low-fat kind)
1 bag frozen corn
4 jalapeno peppers (seeded and chopped in food processor)
1 packet of italian dressing mix (I used no-name brand)(just the powder, don't make the dressing)
3 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 large purple onion chopped
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Put everything, except the cream, sour cream and cheese, into the crockpot.  Cook on high for about six hours.  Remove the chicken breast and shred with two forks.  Add the chicken back to the crock pot and then add the dairy ingredients.  Cook for another half an hour or so and serve.  Salt and pepper to taste.  SO SO GOOD!  Great with cornbread!  Note: I totally forgot to take pictures of the chili!  While looking online for one and saw limes, avocados and corn chips all garnishing this soup.  I can't wait to try them all, especially the lime!  !  I remembered I had my own photo but am glad to have found these garnish ideas that will add even more flavor!

I also made a batch of very tasty cookies tonight,but I'm saving the recipe and pix for another day.  Sorry.  Gracie reminded me the minute she walked in from school that the cookie jar was almost empty.  When she came in from Young Women's tonight, she said, "You remembered!" and ate a few before bedtime.  Just before she went to bed, she said, "Mom, thank you for everything you do for us.  You do so much."  I heart my kids!

A few rambling thoughts:

• I cranked up the furnace tonight. I'm craving hot cocoa.  Liza mentioned hot cocoa this morning.  It was a high of 98 degrees in Phoenix today.  She's in heaven.  I'm also craving some time with my girl.  I miss her.  Immensely.  She has five days off in early December. It's so not in our budget, but I'm thinking about asking Santa for a ticket for Liza to come home for that few days... a great gift for me! 
• When Liza answered her phone this morning, I asked, "Wanna go to lunch?  We could meet in St. George.  (That's about the halfway point for both of us... a six hour trip.)  She said, "Are you buying my gas?"  I said, "No, but I'll buy lunch and if we take a long time, I'll even buy snacks for your trip back to AZ."   Wishful thinking!  And seriously, I'd rather sleep in a tunnel filled with mice and flies than make that six hour drive.  But, I'd do it tomorrow to see Liza.  After joking about lunch, that's when she mentioned the days off.  That'll teach me to tease.
• ZJ asked me if I'd put her Crazy Hair/Clown Day photo on the blog yet.  Here ya go, Zeej.
• My heart aches for all of those involved in the racing world.  The more I hear about Dan Wheldon, the more I like him and realize that we've lost a good good man.
• Is it me or is all of the presidential election talk already too much?  Too much too early?  BTW, I am a Mormon and I AM a Christian. And I am registered Republican but that doesn't mean I'll vote that way.  Just saying.  ;)
• Totally random observation: Jennifer Aniston and Juliann Huff  look like sisters. 
• I am determined to sleep more than four hours tonight!  Enough said!

 

 

Comments

[Msdramateacherlady]

I refuse to see the new "Footloose". I am just can't believe Hollywood has run out of original ideas.

I can't wait to try this chili! And I don't even like chili.

[Nicole]

Love that quote! Now you make me want to make chicken chili for supper tomorrow!

[Katie]

You know I would drive to phoenix with you any day. I miss my mommy! I love your political comment. I Am Mormon. I am Christian and I am a registered Democrat HA HA. When I tell people that they ask me if that is against my religion! I wouldn't vote for mitt if you paid me, just sayin:)

[Pamela K.]

I'm tired of all the religious talk, too. I'm not Mormon, but I would vote for Romney. Hey, his dad was our governor and as far as I know, his Mormonism was never an issue that many years ago. Drives me crazy! ZJ looks adorable! Hope that Santa grants your wish!:-)

[Jenny]

Sophia - I have been a stalker for a long time. I think I found your blog through Heather White. Anyway, just had to let you know that Southwest is running a deal for 72 hours. Cheap flights from Phoenix to SLC and the dates line up with the first of December. I live in Phx now too and am always watching. Another funny, I have a son who is close to Quayd's age. A number of years ago I used both of his Halloween costumes for my son and he won the contest at his school. The mummy and the "injured" kid. Thanks for all your fun ideas.