Billy Crystal Rocks The Oscar’s!!!

As the More is More Mom®, I’m all about….more celebrating the movies! While I may by addicted to programs like Modern Family, American Idol and anything on HGTV or the Food Network, my all-time favorite show of the year is The Academy Awards.  Even though Eddie Murphy is awesome, I couldn’t be more excited with the triumphant return of the fantastically fabulous Billy Crystal as host, and he did not disappoint!

Billy always opens with a show stopping video montage; this year included a scene from The Artist, a kiss from George Clooney and a visit from the darling Justin Bieber. The best part, however, is Billy’s signature Best Picture Nominee’s Oscar tribute song; hilarious, clever, irreverent and poignant. We were off to a great start….

The stars were certainly shining tonight. Tom Hanks was dapper and adorable, J Lo and Cameron D were bootylicious and Sandra Bullock was lovely. But the first big award of the night was presented by the very handsome, yet super intense, Christian Bale (while he may be Batman, I lean more towards the delightful camp of a Batman by another name; George Clooney). While Melissa McCarthy was fantastic in Bridesmaids (not just because she is a Chicago girl) and Jessica Chastain was charming in The Help, the night belonged to Octavia Spencer, also from The Help. Her acceptance was emotional, beautiful and sincere.

With Amanda’s life in gymnastics, we are HUGE Cirque Du Soleil fans. Their salute to going to the movies was introduced by my childhood favorites Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and it was incredible. To quote Billy Crystal, “I pulled a hamstring just watching that!”

The Fighter’s Melissa Leo presented the award for Best Supporting Actor. I must admit I only know Christopher Plummer from The Sound of Music (Edelweiss), so I was rooting for one of my all-time favorite’s Nick Nolte (love him in 48 Hours, North Dallas Forty and Down and Out in Beverly Hills), but Christopher Plummer won and, at 82, he was utterly charming. He and Betty White must be drinking the same Kool Aid!

On a side note, I just have to say that Angelina Jolie is a true, classic, Hollywood movie star. She is absolutely mesmerizing (Jennifer Aniston; eat your heart out!)! I’m just saying…..

Nick Charles, his wife Nora and their dog Asta

Michael (Greed is Good) Douglas is AMAZING! He presented the Best Director award to Michel Hazanavicius of The Artist (which was such a wonderful throwback picture, making me think constantly of Nick Charles (my Nick’s namesake) and his faithful companion, his darling dog Asta), though I was a little surprised that Martin Scorsese wasn’t recognized for Hugo.

The lovely Natalie Portman presented the award for Best Actor. While the competition was tough in George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman and Demián Bichir, Jean DuJardin was the big winner for The Artist. I was half expecting him to give a wacky acceptance speech like Roberto Benigni, but he was far too classy.

Colin Firth was wonderful last year in The Kings Speech. Tonight he presented the award for Best Actress. I adore Meryl Streep, but was really surprised that the statue didn’t go to Viola Davis, who was truly wonderful as Abilene in The Help.

Tom Cruise hasn’t aged a day since Risky Business. With nine Best Picture nominees he had the honor of announcing the winner. It was no surprise; the night belonged to The Artist, a truly delightful and entertaining film.

In just over three hours, Billy Crystal was fantastic as the host on the 84^th Academy Awards!

More Billy Crystal, more Hollywood, more movie favorites, more Academy Awards…..

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Let’s Get Cookin’! Join Me at Whole Foods, Naperville, Sponsored by the Triblocal…..

As the More is More Mom®, I’m all about…..more fun food events! I hope you can join me, Thursday, March 24, as I demonstrate how to make one of my favorite pasta dishes at a great event sponsored by the Triblocal at Whole Foods in Naperville. While I love to cook and experiment with new recipes, I wasn’t always such a food aficionado. In fact, when Chuck and I were first married we had a sign on our refrigerator that read, “Dinner will be served at the sound of the smoke alarm.” Ha, ha.

One day, I had an epiphany. Nick was just a second grader and Amanda, a pre-schooler. In our customary more-of-everything-is-always-better mode, I picked my pals up from school in a mad dash to take Nicholas for extra special training on the hockey treadmill. In retrospect, though it was super cool, it might have been an excessive exercise. We would drive 35 minutes from home to an accelerated sports training facility (please note that we are not on the fast track to the Olympics or the major leagues, hence the “excessive” perspective. He’ll be an awesome skater as he referee’s games, plays club hockey and, eventually, men’s league.), where Nick would slip into a harness that was attached to a cable, that ran on a track, attached to the ceiling with a pulley system. He would skate on a treadmill made of simulated ice, in an effort to improve his stride and efficiency. The pulley system was in place to save him from being mutilated in the mechanism of the treadmill should he fall. It was a total Mission Impossible deal, where, like Tom Cruise, Nick would be suspended in the air from the cable, inches away from imminent danger.

Anyway, after school, on our way to the hockey treadmill the kids were starving, so I took them through the fast food drive thru for a quick snack. As soon as Nick was finished, he slipped into his uniform so we could go directly to his baseball game. By the time we got off the highway, the kids were starving again, so, we did the unthinkable…..we went through the fast food drive thru for a second time in one day. How gross! We had hit an all time low; bad for your health and bad for your wallet.

Since that moment of clarity, I have been obsessed with cooking for my family and being prepared. If we were out for the day, I would pack a cooler full of sandwiches, fruit, snacks and beverages. Why waste money on bad food and eating out? Over the years, I have learned how to make beautiful meals that frequently rival those that we once enjoyed while eating out. And besides, as our kids got older and much busier with school and athletics, they never wanted to go out to eat anyhow. They just wanted to be at home, enjoying our house and our time together. It makes them feel special when I make them some of their very favorite recipes.

I’m all about making more memories for my family and friends, and what better way to do that than over a great meal? I’m excited to demonstrate how to make my fabulous shrimp pasta dish, which is so delicious that you may never feel the need to eat out again. Also on the panel is Johanna Cook, of Momma Cuisine, and Jim Higley, the Bobblehead Dad. So, if you get a chance, swing by Whole Foods in Naperville (2607 W. 75^th Street), Thursday, March 24^th at 7pm to learn how to make some of our family favorites. Attendees also can enter a raffle to win a $50 Whole Foods gift card and a bag of Whole Foods Market groceries.

More family, more cooking, more meals, more memories……