Getting To Know Me - Holiday Edition

This is just something fun I found on another blog.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? – I use both but I prefer wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or artificial? – Real…I love the smell of it every time I walk in the door.

3. When do you put up the tree? – Usually between the first and second week of December.

4. Do you like eggnog? - Love it!

5. Favorite gift received as a child? – My pink Barbie convertible that I could actually drive around the neighborhood.

6. Do you have a nativity scene? – Yup

7. Hardest person to buy for? – This year it’s been my FIL. We still don’t have anything for him and really can’t think of something to get him.

8. Easiest person to buy for? – Chuck I always end up buying him too much since he’s so easy to buy for.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? - Mail

10. Favorite Christmas movie? - Love Actually

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? – The past couple of years I’ve started in August and finished by Thanksgiving but since we got married in October this year I didn’t start till Thanksgiving. I’m still not finished.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? – Anything my aunt and uncle make since they are always making something new and different.

13. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree? – We have colored but lately I’ve been wanting clear so since we are going to buy LED lights for the tree soon I’m going to get those.

14. Favorite Christmas song? – “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah

15. Travel or stay home at Christmas? – I would like to stay home and have everyone come to us but we are always running around Christmas Eve and Day.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitsen, and Rudolf

17. Angel on tree top or star? – I guess I would call it an angel….it’s Minnie Mouse in a gold dress that I got in Disney World on my 2008 trip.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? - One on Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning.

19. The most annoying thing about this time of year? – Too much running around.

20. What I love most about Christmas – Picking out gifts for all the people I love.

21. Snow. Love it or hate it? Love but only if I don’t have to drive in it.

22. Can you ice skate? Nope

23. Favorite holiday dessert? I always try to make my apple pie since I love it.

24.What is your favorite holiday tradition? Opening one gift on Christmas Eve with Chuck.

25.Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving

Golden Globes Part 2

Best Picture, Drama
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
Up in the Air

While I loved Inglourious Basterds I have a feeling Up in the Air is going to take best drama. It’s won almost every best picture award so far and I have a feeling it’s going to win the Oscar too.

Best Picture, Musical/Comedy
500 Days of Summer
The Hangover
It’s Complicated
Julie & Julia
Nine

I would love to see 500 Days of Summer win this because it wasn’t very well known and a Golden Globe win would certainly help that but I think Julie & Julia may take it. Although Nine certainly could win I don’t think it will since it’s been getting mixed reviews I saying no.

Best Actor, Drama
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Tobey Maguire, Brothers

This is a tight race between Colin Firth and George Clooney but I’m thinking Clooney will win. His performance in Up in the Air has been called the performance of his career. As far as who I would like to see win I’d say any of them. I like each nominee and would love to see any of them accepting the best actor award.

Best Actress, Drama
Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

I’d really like to see Emily Blunt win because I like her but I’ve heard great things about Carey Mulligan’s performance in An Education is the one to beat in this category.

Best Actor, Musical/Comedy
Matt Damon, The Informant!
Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine
Robert Downey, Jr., Sherlock Holmes
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 500 Days of Summer
Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man

I’d really like to see Matt Damon or Joseph Gordon-Levitt win this but does anyone ever really win against Daniel Day-Lewis? He’s one of the best!

Best Actress, Musical/Comedy
Sandra Bullock, The Proposal
Marion Cotillard, Nine
Julia Roberts, Duplicity
Meryl Streep, It’s Complicated
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Meryl is like DDL…she is a legend. She’s also who I would like to see win.

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

This is probably the easiest category to pick. Waltz is the favorite for it and I think he’ll win. He was by far the best part of Basterds and I don’t see anyone else beating him. He’s also who I would like to see win.

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
Mo’Nique, Precious
Julianne Moore, A Single Man

While Mo’Nique has been getting a lot of buzz for Precious she has basically refused to promote it and when it comes to awards you need to work for it. There have been plenty of years where someone hasn’t won who deserved to because another actor has worked the votes more (and even paid for it). I’d really like to see Anna Kendrick win but I think it may go to Penelope. Could she win back to back Supporting Actress Oscars too?

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
James Cameron, Avatar
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Eastwood is a Hollywood favorite but with the buzz around Up in the Air I think Reitman will take this. Since I was such a huge Inglourious Basterds fan I’d like to see Quentin Tarantino win.

Best Screenplay
District 9
The Hurt Locker
It’s Complicated
Inglourious Basterds
Up in the Air

Again I’d like to see Basterds win but I think it’s Up in the Air’s year.
Best Score Up The Informant! Avatar A Single Man Where the Wild Things Are
I just loved everything about Up so I decided to go with it for Best Score since I haven’t seen any of the other movies.

Best Song
“Cinema Italiano,” Nine
“I Want to Come Home,” Everybody’s Fine
“I Will See You,” Avatar
“The Weary Kind,” Crazy Heart
“Winter,” Brothers

While most award shows love musicals I’ve heard Kate Hudson’s character is one of the weakest in Nine so a song written for her character may not be that memorable. Besides how could they not award Paul McCartney…he’s a Beatle!


Best Animated Film
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess & The Frog
Up

This will come down to Up and Fantastic Mr. Fox. I’d be happy with either winning but I think Up will pull ahead.

Best Foreign Language Film
Baria
Broken Embraces
The Maid A Prophet
The White Ribbon

I haven’t seen any of these but I’ve heard a lot of praise for Broken Embraces so that’s my choice.


How about everyone else? Do you agree with my predictions? Are surprised by any nominations and who do you feel should of been nominated?

The Golden Globes Part 1

The 2010 Golden Globe nominations were announced yesterday and while I was pretty happy with what I saw there were some I was surprised about (Is Avatar as good as I keep hearing it is?) I’ve decided to give my predictions on who I think will win in the major categories since I love awards season. I’m also thinking of posting this again once it gets closer to the Globes to see if I change any of my picks. I’ll start with the TV categories and then later move onto to the movies.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Big Love (HBO)
Dexter (Showtime)
House (Fox)
Mad Men (AMC)
True Blood (HBO)

While I would love to see Dexter win since it’s one of my favorite shows (and I’ve heard season 4 was amazing) I just don’t think it will. I think this will come down to True Blood and Mad Men (also two of my favorite shows) with Mad Men winning. I was very sad to see that LOST wasn’t included in this category.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
30 Rock (NBC)
Entourage (HBO)
Glee (FOX)
Modern Family (ABC)
The Office (NBC)

Is Entourage really one of the top 5 of comedies on TV? Where is Curb Your Enthusiasm??? This past season was probably one of the best. I’m very happy to see Glee and Modern Family though. I think this is going to come down to 30 Rock or Glee. Since I like both I’d be fine with either winning but I’m pulling for Glee and I actually think it’s going to win.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA Simon Baker, The Mentalist
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Bill Paxton, Big Love

While Michael C. Hall is amazing on Dexter and should have won the first time he nominated I think this will be Jon Hamm. Don Draper is the coolest character on TV and Hamm plays him perfectly.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA Glenn Close, Damages
January Jones, Mad Men
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Anna Paquin, True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

While January Jones was great on Mad Men I just love Anna Paquin’s Sookie Stackhouse on True Blood and I think the Globes’ voters will too.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
David Duchovny, Californication
Thomas Jane, Hung
Matthew Morrison, Glee

I’d love to see Matthew Morrison win since I love everything Glee but Alec Baldwin is just too good to not win. He plays every scene perfectly and deserves to win.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Courtney Cox, Cougar Town
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Lea Michele, Glee

I’m going with Tina Fey for this since she is on one of the funniest shows on TV (and she also writes it). I really enjoy Courtney Cox on Cougar Town but I just don’t think she stands a chance against Tina.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Michael Emerson, Lost
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
William Hurt, Damages
John Lithgow, Dexter
Jeremy Piven, Entourage

I love Michael Emerson on LOST but I would have rather seen Terry O’Quinn since I think he’s just as good as Emerson. I do not want to see Jeremy Piven win again since he always does. NPH would be a great choice since I love him but I think this will go to John Lithgow. As I’ve said I didn’t watch season 4 of Dexter yet but I heard Lithgow was very good.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jane Adams, Hung
Rose Byrne, Damages
Jane Lynch, Glee
Janet McTeer, Into the Storm
Chloe Sevigny, Big Love

This is a no brainer for me because I adore Jane Lynch on Glee and I think she is the best part of the entire show. I don’t think there is a chance for anyone else to win against her.

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Georgia O’Keefe (Lifetime)
Grey Gardens (HBO)
Into the Storm (HBO)
Little Dorrit (PBS)
Taking Chance (HBO)

I haven’t seen a lot of these but Grey Gardens was amazing so I’m going with that.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance
Kenneth Branagh, Wallander: One Step Behind
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Endgame
Brendan Gleeson, Into the Storm
Jeremy Irons, Georgia O’Keefe

Again I haven’t seen any of these but Brendan Gleeson is a favorite of mine so I’m going with him.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Joan Allen, Georgia O’Keefe
Drew Barrymore, Grey Gardens
Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens
Anna Paquin, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
Sigourney Weaver, Prayers for Bobby

Both Drew and Jessica were fantastic in Grey Gardens but Jessica’s performance was just a little bit better in my opinion and since she beat Drew for the Emmy I’m betting the same is going to happen at the Globes.

How about everyone else? Do you agree with my predictions? Are surprised by any nominations and who do you feel should of been nominated?

Survivor

The past week of Survivor had a double elimination with Dave and Monica going home (I guessed correctly…go me!) Dave was the obvious choice to go first and there really wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he would go. Monica on the other hand put up a good fight. While I wasn’t a fan of Monica I would have rather seen Shambo go this week. Has she done anything all season? I have a feeling Shambo is going to be sticking around since Russell needs her vote (or at least that is what the previews want us to believe).

So who is next on the chopping block? Let’s take a look at how everyone stands in the game.

Brett – I actually think Brett has a really interesting position in the game this week because it could go either way for him. The former Foa Foa could stick together and just take the easy way out and get rid of him or they could start eating each other alive and forget about him. I have a feeling that Brett has been downplaying his challenge strength and could go on an immunity winning spree. Also if the previews are to be believed Natalie and Mick may be trying to get him to vote with them. He definitely has the strongest chance of going this week though.

Jaison – Wow did Jaison shot himself in the foot by telling Monica and Brett about Russell. Yes it will now allow everyone on the jury to know about his income but making Russell mad has never been a good thing to do in the game so far. Still with Mick and Natalie possibly leaving their alliance with Russell he’s going to need Jaison’s vote so I think he’s safe this week.

Mick – If Mick aligns with Brett it will be by far the most boring alliance Survivor has ever seen. One where Brett is invisible and Mick thinks snakes go around talking to young children. I will give credit to Mick for getting smart and realizing Russell has no plans to take him to the finals, but what has Mick done this season to warrant winning? I think it’s possible he could go this week but there are bigger targets so I’m going to say he’s safe.

Natalie – I don’t know what to think of Natalie anymore. She seemed like a decent partner to Russell but now that we haven’t seen her much in the last episode I’m wondering if her time on the island is coming to a close. If she betrays Russell and forms an alliance with Mick and Brett she may be the next to go because Russell will be bitter and angry.

Russell – Wow! Russell just pulled the immunity idol out and wore it at tribal council. I can’t decide if that was a smart move or just plan stupid. You can’t fault the guy for playing an insane game. He’ll do anything to win and I really hope he does since I think he’s played the best this season. However, I do think it’s possible he could go this week. If Mick, Brett, and Natalie join together without Russell knowing and Natalie convinces him Brett is going home he may not play the idol and be voted out.

Shambo – Will they just send her home already! She has done nothing in the game without being told to and she plays with her emotions. She is extremely tight with Russell (can you believe how fast he was able to convince her that voting John out and not telling her was doing her a favor?) so I don’t think she’ll go this week since he needs her vote. Also I think everyone left in the game (including Russell) would win against her so she has a strong possibility of making the finals (boo!)

Who do I want gone this week: Shambo

Who do I think will go this week: I’m torn between Brett and Russell although I do think Natalie could be thrown in there too.

How about everyone else? Who do you want to see gone this week? Who do you think will go this week?

2 Months Ago Today...

I became Mrs. D and married my best friend! I know 2 months isn't a big deal but since I haven’t shared many wedding pictures on the blog I wanted to today. Our wedding day was amazing and even better than I could have hoped for. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the big day. I’ll start with some our friends and family took and then end with some from our amazing photographer. *Warning this is a very pic heavy post*

*Photo credit for all professional pictures by Gardner Studios*

Survivor!

For those of you who do not know me personally I’m a Survivor nut! I love everything there is about the show (especially Jeff Probst) and have watched every season since the first were Richard Hatch could never keep his clothes on.

So I’ve decided to start writing about some of my favorite shows and I thought why not start with Survivor. I know the season is almost over but better late than never…right?

This Thursdays (December 10th) episode of Survivor will have *spoiler alert* a double elimination so I’d like to take a look at the remaining contestants.

Brett – Up until a couple of episodes ago I didn’t even know who Brett was. He’s been in the background so much that he’s rarely shown and when he is it’s usually to be told what the plan is for voting and how he should follow along. While I don’t think he’s in jeopardy of being voted out this week I do think the former Foa Foa needs to take him out soon. The current jury seems like a bitter one and if one of the former Galu members makes it to the finals they will most likely vote for them out of spite.

Dave – I think Dave’s time is almost up. In reality I think he should have gone last week to keep Shambo from switching back to Galu. This week the Foa Foa members will most likely have to give a vote to someone Shambo wants gone in order to keep her voting their way.

Jaison – I like Jaison a lot and I hope he makes it to the finals (which I think is very possible). However I’d like to see him step up his game play this week. Yes he won immunity last week but he really didn’t need to and now he may have a target on his back for posing a physical threat. He was the only Foa Foa member to be smart enough to predict Shambo’s feelings being hurt from voting John out although he wasn’t able to convince his alliance to vote that way. I think he’ll be fine for this week but he may have something to worry about next week.

Mick – Wow has Mick been a disappointment to me. He’s hot and looks like he’s physically fit but he’s barely registered at challenges. Does anyone have the feeling he’s purposly doing that? When it comes to the Foa Foa members I believe Russell will get rid of Mick before Jaison and I really don’t see Mick making it to the finals. I feel like he’ll be safe this week unless he mouths off too much about Russell like he has in the previews. If this season has taught us anything it’s that if Russell finds you a direct threat…you are gone. Mick better watch out!

Monica – I really want Monica gone! For some reason I haven’t been able to stand her from the beginning. She could certainly go home this week especially since there is a double elimination but I think Dave will go before her. Once Dave is gone I have a feeling she’ll be the next one on the chopping block.

Natalie – Natalie has surprised me this season. I really thought she would have been gone by now but it seems like Russell was her around. She’s shown some decent game play (helping to get rid of Erik) and she did very well at this past weeks immunity challenge. I have a feeling she might be in the final 2.

Russell – By far my favorite player! It’s amazing because at first I couldn’t stand the guy. I wanted him gone ASAP but then he turned into a great player (by far the best player this season). I really don’t think he’s in jeopardy of going this week and I do think he might make the finals. However, I don’t think he’ll win even though he deserves it. This jury is bitter and they won’t be able to admit that he outplayed them.

Shambo – Shambo has certainly been played by everyone this season. I don’t mind her too much (she seems like a nice enough person) but her time in the game seems to be coming to a close. Although I do think everyone should keep her around in order to take her to the finals. I don’t think she could beat anyone (even Russell). She’s going to be bitter after the John vote and it should be interesting to see how she reacts back at camp. I believe Russell will try to calm her down and get her to stay with Foa Foa but if she gives him an ounce of doubt I think she’ll be gone this week. Foa Foa will still have the numbers without her.

Who do I want gone this week: Dave and Monica

Who do I think will go this week: Dave and Shambo

How about everyone else?

Who do you want to see gone this week?

Who do you think will go this week?

So Excited!

I’m so excited!!! Today I called and reserved my copy of “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” by Ree Drummond. If that name doesn’t ring a bell maybe The Pioneer Woman will….nothing? Well then you need to go right over to www.thepioneerwoman.com/
and read all about Ree’s incredible life. Every section of her site is filled with gorgeous pictures (I need a camera like hers), yummy recipes, and witty writing. Since discovering the PW site a year ago I can’t go a day without checking out what is new in Ree’s life.

Anyway, Ree wrote a cookbook and has been on a book signing tour for the past couple of months and one of her final stops is in my neck of the woods. So this Sunday Chuck and I will be traveling two hours to wait in line and hopefully meet Ree in person. I’ll have my camera with me and hopefully I’ll get some good shots.

Now that I’ve shared my favorite blog what is yours?

Our Holiday Cards!

Image courtesy of Designed By M.E. Stationery

We have holiday cards! For some reason I love sending out holiday cards every year. I don't know what it is but I just enjoy writing to all of our friends and family and then getting their cards back. We always put them on our doors and it brings a smile to my face every time I see them. This year I ordered my cards from Maria at Designed by M.E. Stationery. Maria also did all of the stationary for our wedding. I'm really happy with the cards and can't wait to mail them out!

Lily!

As promised I’ve got some pictures of my new cousin to post. Chuck and I went to visit her last weekend and she’s adorable. She smiled every time Chuck talked to her which made me melt right there in the hospital room.

Our first Thanksgiving!

I am proud to announce that Mr. and Mrs. D’s first Thanksgiving was a success! I really didn’t think offering to make Thanksgiving dinner this year was a big deal when I volunteered Chuck and I to do it and I didn’t stress about it at all before the actual day. Once we got to my parents’ house to make dinner though I started to panic. How would everything come together and how will the turkey turn out? Thankfully everything came together and we enjoyed a nice dinner with my family and Chuck’s mom.

I would like to thank my wonderful husband for helping me with everything. His birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year and yet he spent the entire day in the kitchen with me and even got a nasty burn on his arm from the stuffing pan (and managed not to drop it while getting the burn). I love you and don’t deserve you.

Our turkey (we were very proud)

He was very happy with it

Chuck's and my mom

Chuck's mom with my brother, Bobby

The table

Starting from the left: my dad, me, my mom, my sister (Teenie), my brother (Bobby), Chuck's mom, my aunt, my Pop Pop, and my Nana

Chuck's birthday cake (he loved it and I'm happy I actually surprised him with it.)