Howdy Amazing Readers!
It’s crazy warm here. Like low 70’s.
Heard one of the D.J.’s on the radio station today say, “I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d be rocking shorts and flip-flops to work in early February – but I am. And I’m not complaining!”
I wasn’t rocking shorts and flip-flops – but I was absolutely enjoying the warm temps today. Enjoying it while it lasts.
5 for FRIDAY – full line-up of happy.
Beginning with:
STEPHANIE’S CHIC ON THE CHEAP
Steph’s Charcuterie board presentation ideas are “Hello – easy, casual entertaining with an unforgettable Razzle-Dazzle vibe.”
A chili board or a baked potato board? Guests will be in love at first sight.
PLUS for Valentine’s day or an Anniversary – the adorable “Cupid’s Arrows” and Jalapeno “Roses” to pop in for an extra little-little something. So creative!
Steph, thanks for your great tips, know-how and ideas for Fashion, DIY Art and Entertaining to keep us in the Cool-Kids-Club.
QUICK QUESTION
How do I finish the phrase, “The way to my heart is …”
Answer: Genuine, heart laughter time – hands down.
DEBUT OF FILM CREW 101 STORIES
Every 2nd Friday of the month.
Behind the scenes stories and insider “stuff” you won’t read anywhere else. Stay tuned.
CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP
Is Muy Bueno!
HAT TIP TO ALL
For sliding by today and giving us a read + thoughts + sharing + caring. We are grateful.
Ready. Set. Here we go!
STEPHANIE’S
CHIC ON THE CHEAP
Hello Ladies!
Wow, wasn’t Christmas like yesterday and here we are having Valentine’s Day next week?!
I have some fun and easy meal ideas you can enjoy with your Valentine or with a group of friends. Super simple to put together even for a last minute gathering.
So — I’m really into Charcuterie boards right now.
They are just so cool and interesting and opens the door for all kinds of creativity. They can be put together for 2 people or 20 or more!
Meal, appetizers and desserts on one tray — genius !
We tend to think Charcuterie boards are mostly cheeses, deli meats, fruits and crackers, etc … Wrong — they can be anything.
In the pics below I’m going to share 2 boards I found online that I’ll definitely be putting together in the near future! They’re so cool and I won’t have to spend a lot of money creating these yummy boards.
PIC 1
Chili Charcuterie board!
Big pot of chili and all the fixin’s. Love how the edges are lined with cornbread and the way the blank spaces are filled in with Frito corn chips!
PIC 2
Baked Potato Charcuterie Board!
Who doesn’t love a fabulous, personally stuffed potato — just the way you (we) like it? I noticed there is also a bowl of chili on this board.
If you haven’t tried chili and cheese on a baked potato, trust me — you should.
I also like to add onions, jalapenos, hot sauce and a dallop of sour cream on mine. Dang! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
PIC 3
A super cute “Cupid’s Arrow” made by cutting 1/3 of a grape tomato down to the bottom of the tomato — then put 2 of them together on a toothpick to make a “heart”. Then add cut cheese for the tip of the arrow and the other “thing” on the other end.
I don’t know really what that’s called. LOL
Place the Cupid Arrows here-and-there to Valentine up your board!
PIC #4
I love these little “roses” made by cutting a jalapeno in half (cleaning out the seeds) — then cut little points around the top to look like leaves.
Next, simply roll up slices of deli ham or pepperoni and tuck them in the jalapenos.
These can be used on all types of Charcuterie boards.
You can put them all together like a bouquet or spread them throughout the tray! So cute!
I can’t wait to make my boards! It’s going to be fun!
Happy V-Day!
~ Stephanie’s Chic on the Cheap column is exclusive to
Daymaker Readable Art
Send Questions and Comments to comment section in this episode
QUICK QUESTION
FINISH THE PHRASE
“THE WAY TO MY HEART IS …”
FILM CREW 101
TIPS, TRICKS AND BEHIND THE SCENES STORIES
Drum roll!
Introducing Film Crew 101’s debut to Daymaker Readable Art every 2nd Friday each month – exerpts from the book that Peter and I penned together. Peter working in the Industry for more than 40 years. Me — 27 years.
We sold a lot of books to quite a few Universities from Florida to Canada via Film School Professors who valued the insider info that only Film Crew 101 offered and the professors deemed it essential to their students.
It starts like this:
“We are different from the world to begin with; we always have been. We are a peculiar people who have been labeled artists, geniuses, teachers, and free-spirits.
We are free-spirits and that suits us just fine. We have declared our independence from Mainstream. We work hard, play hard, and laugh a lot. As passionate craftsmen we know how to instantly communicate with circles of new acquaintances, blending our skills and talents.
We adapt quickly and expertly. We go places and see things others will not experience in a lifetime. We meet people so rich in character one wonders if they just leapt from the pages of a favorite book. We are Spirits of Adventure. We know how to run with our dreams and experience this thing called Life.
WE ARE FILM CREW. ”
Here we go!
WHAT’S A GRIP?
A lot of people wonder as the credits roll at the end of a movie, What in the heck is a Grip?
It’s always one of the first questions curious onlookers ask when stumbling on a film shoot in progress.
As children Grips quickly popped Legos together building super cool things. None of these things, mind you, fashioned from a picture or an instructional manual. Their creations came straight out of their wild, creative imaginations. They were also the kids who took Tinker Toys to a whole new level — constructing sophisticated structures that actually had working parts and purpose.
And somewhere along the way the learned to tie knots. Lots of them. Knots that would make a pirate proud.
So what do Grips do?
In the process of setting up a Shot, the Camera, Lighting, and Grip departments work in unison. While the Camera crew is rehearsing moves, Set Lighting positions lamps to light the Scene. The Grips finish off the process, modeling light with their flags, scrims and silks.
The name GRIP is most likely derived from the fact that their craft is entirely manual. They lift, lug, carry and construct.
In the film world, Grips frequently give their crew bravado, colorful names. Some of our personal favorites are: Grips from Hell, Black Sheep Grips, Grip This, and Mercenary Grips (when the money’s gone, so are we).
The Grips are the roustabouts of our circus — without them nothing gets done! Their craft blends into all other departments that need something leveled, secured, shaded, made safe, or elevated.
There. You now have the insider now-ya-know scoop on what a GRIP does in the Motion Picture Industry.
CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP
This soup captures the spicy flavors of the southwest and is a giant favorite in my heartbeat!
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT
INGREDIENTS:
- 10 cups chicken stock/broth
- 1 – 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 large yellow onions, diced small
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 stick butter
- 4 Poblano chilies, seeded and small diced
- 2 Jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup good quality chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (think rotisserie chicken or baked or boiled)
- 1 – pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tsp Tabasco sauce
- salt and pepper
IN A LARGE SOUP POT OVER MEDIUM HEAT
Bring chicken broth and crushed tomatoes to a boil. Turn down heat to medium low.
IN A SKILLET ON STOVE OVER MEDIUM HEAT
Heat oil and butter together. Add onion, chilies, garlic and saute until soft – about 15 minutes. Stirring frequently. Watch garlic carefully so it doesn’t burn.
ADD
Spices. And flour, stirring until all are well combined. Stirring frequently.
NEXT ADD
Several ladles of hot chicken/tomato broth to skillet and whisk together until well combined and smooth.
CAREFULLY
Add mixture from skillet to soup pot. Stir, whisk until all become one.
GENTLY STIR IN TO SOUP POT
Milk, Cheese, Chicken, Cilantro, and Tabasco.
SIMMER – DO NOT BOIL
For about 20 minutes – stirring frequently – until hot and happily one.
SERVE
With tortilla chips or corn tortilla shells rolled up for dunking purposes.
