Happy Purim

Welcome to March everyone.  March is the month that Spring arrives. No matter what the weather will be on that date we will see but every year spring arrives in March.  Just know that the warmer weather will arrive eventually.

This month we will be a 2 part holiday celebrating 2 holidays that are this month. For our followers who are of the Jewish faith, Happy Purim!  Today March 5th  is Purim. It started last night with the Megillah reading and will end on March 6th.

Here is a link to Chabad’s website that will explain the holiday:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1362/jewish/Purim-Guide.htm

Here is a recipe for hamentashen. It is “The Best Ever Cherry Hamentashen” by Caryn Gale

http://www.food.com/recipe/the-best-ever-cherry-hamentashen-55454

Maybe you want a different variation, Buzz Feed posted this article on "32 Crazy Hamantaschen For Purim"

http://www.buzzfeed.com/marcelle/crazy-hamantaschen-flavors-for-purim

We also want to share a Purim song by The Maccabeats

http://www.maccabeats.com/

http://youtu.be/kgJInVvJSZg

Check out your local synagogue to see if they are having a Purim Carnival.

The next holiday we will be talking about is St. Patrick’s Day.  See you in few weeks.

Frozen February with a little bit of Serendipity

February is month that celebrates love. Valentine’s Day doesn't mean you need a romantic partner to celebrate it.  This should be the day you show anyone that is truly special to you how you really feel about them.  It would be the perfect time do something nice for your family and friends.  Since it is still winter and cold out then invite a few friends or family over for dinner and some movies.  This also works for you and that one special someone.

The movies we have picked for this month has to do with love.  It will show you how you will know who is truly meant to be in your life.  Ever get the feeling you should be going following one path but you don’t listen to it. You follow another path even if isn't good for you.  Then that original feeling gets stronger till you finally have to follow it. That is when you finally realize who you are meant to be with along.

Frozen is the first movie we have for you.  Frozen is a very popular Disney movie from 2013.  This movie is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale “The Snow Queen.” This movie tells the story of two sisters Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) who find out what true love is.  To find out more about this movie here is the link 

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/frozen.html

Serendipity is a love story about how Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and  Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) meet and fall in love.  They let Fate takes is course to show them if they really belong together.  To find out more about this movie here is the link ...

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/serendipity.html

The perfect dinner to go with this is comfort food. You should make a individual pot pies.  Pot Pies is perfect for the winter and sure to warm you up.  Here is how you do that

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/individual-pot-pies.html

For dessert make peppermint cupcakes with blue frosting to go along with the movie Frozen. Here is the link to that recipe

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/chocolate-peppermint-cupcakes.html

If you don’t want to bake you can order Frozen Hot Chocolate from the restaurant Serendipity to go along with that movie. Go to the restaurant's website to order it from their website. http://www.serendipity3.com/

Now sit back and enjoy the company of your friends, family or your significant other.

Game Night and Potluck Dinner

It is mid January and you want to see your friends but you may have run out of ideas on what you all can do for fun.  In some parts of the country it has been a very cold winter and you don't really want to venture far from home. You could just be bored with going to the movies or there just aren’t any movies you want to see. Cooking for the crowd is out because you did that over the holidays in December.  What you may possibly want to do is have an old-fashioned game night with a potluck dinner.  This way you can have everyone over and not have to do a lot of cooking.

You can play some board games from  "Monopoly" to "The Game of Life." There are always games like "Backgammon", "Checkers" or "Chess."  You could always play an old-fashioned game of "Charades" or add a twist to it and play "Running Charades."  Don't forget to play a game of "Trivial Pursuit." Then there are new games like "Heads Up" or "Catch Phrase."  No game night would be complete without playing "Twister." We have a whole list of games you can choose from.

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/games-people-play.html

A potluck dinner is the easiest to plan.  Just tell everyone to bring one dish. All you have to do is make sure that not everyone just brings a main entree dish.  You could assign parts of the meal to everyone.  Tell some to bring appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts.  All you could provide are the beverages and the paper plates, napkins, cups and utensils.  Very simple.  Here are some suggestions for food that you might want people to bring.

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/potluck-dinner.html

Game nights are fun and a nice cosy way to spend with your friends.  If you have fun this could turn into a regular activity with your friends.

Have a great time and share with us what you did.

We now have a Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Advice-from-Rose-and-Lyssa-Marie/1395506417412519. Please come and “Like” the page.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.

Happy New Year's Eve

If you are bringing in the brand New Year at home we have some suggestions to keep you busy while waiting for the clock to strike midnight.  You have chosen to spend the night at home warm and cozy instead of going out to a party.  While waiting for the ball to drop in Time Square you can watch a movie and make some appetizers to go with your drink.  You curl up on the couch with a warm blanket and even invite some friends over. You have a quiet New Years Eve party at home.  

The movie we suggest is if you are not tired of Christmas movies should be Christmas Cupid.  It is an ABC Family movie that is their version of “A Christmas Carol.”  It stars Christina Milian, Ashley Benson and Chad Michael Murray. Christmas Cupid is a modern day twist to the memorable classic story of “The Christmas Carol.”  Christina Milian plays Sloane Spencer, a stylish and driven publicist who needs to change her ways before she loses everyone she loves.  Ashley Benson plays Caitlin Quinn, a spoiled celebrity whose life choices took her in the wrong direction and comes back to help Sloane change her ways.  Chad Michael Murray plays Dr. Patrick Kerns the first love of Sloane’s life.  To find out more about this movie click here...

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/christmas-cupid.html

You will need snacks to go along with this movie.  Since it is New Years Eve then make some appetizers.  Supermarkets have a wide variety of ready to serve appetizers.  You can get the pigs on a blanket, little knishes, puffed potato and little egg rolls just to name a few.  Here are some more suggestions....

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/appetizers.html

We hope you have enjoyed our adventure so far.  We will see you again in 2015.  Have a great time at your stay at home party.  If you chose to go out remember do not drink and drive call a cab they will get you home safe and sound.  

Don’t forget to comment and subscribe to our blog.

Happy New Year!!!

Holiday Movies, Cookies and Hot Cocoa

 

Here we are in December and it is holiday time.  For the people of the Jewish faith this week they are celebrating Chanukah. That is the festival of lights and lasts for 8 days.  Next week people of the Christian faith will be celebrating Christmas.  That holiday remembers the day Jesus was born.  Then before you know it the New Year is here.  In this hectic time we think you should take a few hours to yourself and curl up on the couch, watch some holiday movies and have cookies and cocoa.  This could help you relax.

It wouldn't be the holiday season if you didn't watch at least one holiday movie and why not a classic movie.  We have chosen "Miracle on 34th Street" but the 1994 version. "Miracle on 34th Street" is a time honored holiday movie watching tradition at this time of year. The 1994 version is the second remake of the original 1947 movie. That movie starred Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood.  The first remake was for TV in 1973.  That star David Hartman, Jane Alexander and Sebastian Cabot.  USA Network sometimes still airs that version.

In the 1994 version of the movie you will notice that Macy’s and Gimbels are no longer the stores that are mentioned, the reason for this is because Macy’s wouldn’t grant permission to use their name and Gimbles went out of business in the 80's. It stars Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle, Elizabeth Perkins as Dorie Walker, Dylan McDermott as Bryan Bedford and Mara Wilson as Susan Walker. This movie is about and we are quoting a line from the original 1947 movie when Fred Gailey who was Kris lawyer in that movie says, “Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to. Don't you see? It's not just Kris that's on trial, it's everything he stands for. It's kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles.”  Faith is something science can't prove. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling.  This movie will at most will give you a good feeling. If you want to know more follow this link.

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/miracle-on-34th-street.html

The best snack for this movie is good old fashioned cookies and hot cocoa.  Here are some suggestions for that.

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/cookie-and-cocoa.html

Now sit back and enjoy some holiday entertainment and we will be bringing you an extra blog this month for New Years Eve.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving is the holiday that you get together with the people you cherish most in your life. For most of you it is your family.  There are some it is your friends.  It could just be you and that is fine.  This is the day you could enjoy the traditional holiday meal.  Then when everyone leaves you may have leftovers and wonder what to do with them. We will give you some suggestions for the day after Thanksgiving.  Now if you went to family and friends  for the meal but you still want to enjoy the leftover meal we have a shortcut for that.

The day after Thanksgiving some go Black Friday shopping.  Some sleep in late.  Some watch football.  When all that is done or you don't enjoy any of the normal day after activities we have a suggestion for a family friendly movie while that dinner is cooking.  The movie we suggest for you to watch is Dr. Dolittle.

You will make what we call a leftover casserole.  In a casserole dish or an aluminum pan.  First spray it with Pam so it won't stick.  Then put the mashed potatoes on the bottom of the pan.  Then cut up the leftover turkey and mix it with gravy.  Put that on top of the potatoes.  Then top it with the stuffing.  If you don't have leftover gravy then you mix the turkey with the green bean casserole. Heat in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until hot.

Here are our recipes for the Thanksgiving meal...  Now if you weren't home for the Thanksgiving meal and don’t have the leftovers but still want a leftover casserole you can make a turkey breast instead of the whole turkey.  You can use the boxed instant stuffing and boxed instant mashed potatoes.  The green bean casserole is easy to make too.  You can always buy your favorite pie for dessert.  There you have your left over casserole.  If you don't want to go to all this trouble you can buy the Thanksgiving meal at most supermarkets already made.  If there is a part of the casserole you are allergic to or don't like leave it out.  If you have some dietary concerns we have suggestions for that too...

Turkey

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/turkey.html

Vegetable Soup

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/vegetable-soup.html

Stuffing

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/stuffing.html

Mashed Potatoes

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/mashed-potatoes.html

Green Bean Casserole

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/green-bean-casserole.html

Instant Thanksgiving

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/instant-thanksgiving.html

Vegetarian Options

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/vegetarian-turkey-options.html

Let's not forget the Pumpkin Pie
http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/pumpkin-pie.html

Dr. Dolittle is a great day after Thanksgiving family friendly movie. This move stars Eddie Murphy as Dr. John Dolittle who discovers he can not only talk to the animals but help solve their problems.  Here is more about this movie...

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/in-1998-version-of-dr.html

If you have time you can watch Dr. Dolittle 2.  It has Dr. Dolittle trying to save the forest for his furry friends.  Here is more about that movie...

http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/dr-dolittle-2.html

If you don't want to spend the time indoors you can always go to a parade.

Macy’s

http://www.nbc.com/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade

Hollywood Christmas Parade

http://thehollywoodchristmasparade.org/

Go enjoy this weekend and take sometime to relax and spend it doing what you love.  Tell us what you like to do on the Thanksgiving weekend.  Make sure to subscribe to this blog so you know when we put up the next one.

Happy Halloween!!!

Hello fellow Ghouls and Goblins, it is your time of year to show your imagination.  Halloween is the time of year that anything ranging from ghouls, goblins and even a princess come to your door asking for a treat. Since Halloween falls out on a Friday this year you may even want to throw a party.  In some places it may not be easy for children to go trick-a-treating so a party in your home is a great idea.  We have a some party idea for the pre-teens to teenagers age range. Even adults may find this fun.

This is the time of year you wear your best costume.  Tell everyone they will have a costume contest.  You can give out prizes for most imaginative costume.  If you are having a multi generational party then have a prize for the different age ranges.

We found great recipe for food to serve.  There is "Mummy Hot Dogs that can also be served to your vegetarian guest.  Just use veggie hot dogs and leave off the cheese. Instead add mustard on the inside of the crescent roll before rolling up the hot dog.  If you have guests who can't eat gluten then just make plain mini hot dogs on plastic toothpicks that are safe for children.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/crescent-mummy-dogs/a8fa0d66-ca7c-49da-8699-ee79820317bf

Crescent Rolls
http://www.pillsbury.com/products/crescents

Hotdog
http://www.hebrewnational.com/

Veggie Hot Dogs
http://www.lightlife.com/

http://www.yvesveggie.com/

Child Safe Toothpicks
https://www.pick-ease.com/first-child-safe-toothpicks/

Here is a recipe for cheeseburger or just regular hamburger pie. If you want to bring it up a notch you can make a stuff pizza pie. Again for your vegetarian guests you just serve it without cheese and use veggie version of ground beef. You will also want to leave out the Worcestershire sauce Instead of Pie Crusts you may want to use Pillsbury Pizza Crust. For the guests who can't eat gluten then make the ground beef and instead of the pie crust put ground beef in a red or green pepper.

Pizza Crust http://www.pillsbury.com/products/pizza-crust

Veggie Ground Beef
http://gardein.com/

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/jack-o-lantern-cheeseburger-pie

Here is a great idea on how to serve dip.  You get some red or green peppers and hollow them out and cut a little face in them to look like pumpkins.

Now for the fun part, the sweet stuff.  You can make a fondue with different types of fruits for everyone but put the chocolate in a pumpkin style serving dish that can withstand the hot melted chocolate. If you can't find one then just get a chocolate fountain.

Here are some links to other fun desserts you can serve.

Halloween Cat Cake Pops

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/halloween-cat-cake-pops/69166e70-0605-471a-b661-6222f8c65117

Frankenstein Fruit Roll-Ups™
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/frankenstein-fruit-roll-ups-on-a-stick/fa15139e-8f74-4334-a9b2-bfab84c8093e

Jack-o'-Lantern Candy Apples
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/jack-o-lantern-candy-apples/79ffd4f3-a651-43dc-bc2d-92df89823b10

HERSHEY'S Chocolate & Candy Dipped Pretzel Rods
http://www.hersheys.com/spreads/Recipe-Details/id_96373

HERSHEY'S Brownie Cemetery Cake Recipe
https://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipe-details.aspx?id=8072&name=HERSHEY%27S-Brownie-Cemetery-Cake

REESE’S Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spider Recipe

https://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipe-details.aspx?id=8758&name=REESE%27S-Peanut-Butter-Pumpkin-Spider

A Halloween party would be complete unless you had a Bobbing for Apples contest.

We have some suggestions for movies that you can show at your party.  Both are great for Halloween and for ages 10 and up to see.  The first is "Beatlejuice" starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis.  It is about Adam and Barbara Maitland who while at their vacation home pass away.  It is sold to The Deez Family.  The Maitlands aren't happy and try to get rid of them.  They ask Beatlejuice to help.

Here is more on this movie.
http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/beetlejuice_27.html

The next one we suggest is "Edward Scissorhands."  This stars Johnny Depp. Edward was created by an inventor who died before he could attach Edwards real hands.  Edward lives his life in a castle that no one ever goes to.  Then one day Peg who is an Avon Sales Lady comes to the castle and rescues him.

Here is more on this movie.
http://advicefromroseandlyssamarie.blogspot.com/p/edward-scissorhands.html

If you have younger children you may want to show the movie, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." It is about Linus search for the “Great Pumpkin”.  They always have that on ABC TV this time of year.  If not it is on demand.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019KAQEU/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

If you are going out trick-or-treating here are some safety tips.

We have tribute to Joan Rivers.  Did you know she was in the movie Spaceballs? Check that movie out she played the robot.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0792844890/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

http://www.joanrivers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/joanrivers
https://twitter.com/joan_rivers
http://instagram.com/joanrivers
https://vine.co/u/1072963210929414144
https://www.youtube.com/user/inbedwithjoan/

http://melissarivers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMelissaRivers
http://twitter.com/melrivers
https://www.youtube.com/user/JoanandMelissaJoanTV
http://instagram.com/mel_rivers


If you are going trick-a-treating here are some safety tips:
http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/

Don't forget UNICEF. You can set up your own Fundraising page.
http://www.unicefusa.org/mission/usa/trick-or-treat

If you are in NY you can go to Greenwich Village and see the Halloween Parade
http://www.halloween-nyc.com/

On the west coast there is a parade too
http://www.visitwesthollywood.com/event/west-hollywood-halloween-carnaval-2014/

Have a fun and safe Halloween.  Tell us what you did.  Subscribe to this blog so you will know when we update it.  We have a special Thanksgiving blog for November.  

Happy Halloween!!!