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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini

Oscar party menu

Forget about the Super Bowl. There are no sports fans in this household but when it comes to the Oscars, move over! Actually, it is I who is the crazed fanatic. Michael humors me but the romantic comedies that he likes rarely gets nominated. :)

Our town is not metropolitan enough to attract those obscure little art films and anything with a limited release won't make it here. Needless to say, I hadn't seen any of the nominated films this year. Still, that's no reason to have friends over and have a load of food to eat.

On the menu this year -



Chicken Salad and Egg Salad sandwiches. Michael makes the egg salad with his own recipe. I used Barefoot Contessa's chicken salad recipe and it was delicious. Definitely a keeper!



An assortment of cheeses, grapes and crackers



Our friend Michael works at Target so he brought popcorn from their store as well as other goodies



I made cupcakes - Pina Colada, Chocolate with Peanut Butter frosting



Last but not least - M&Ms!

So, all this food for six people. I woke up Monday morning with a severe case of acid reflux and nausea, enough to keep me home from work for the day. I think I've learned a lesson this year - we don't need that much food and I'm getting too old to indulge myself with rich foods. Oh well, until next year...

Comments

  1. Wow...maybe I should make a road trip to North Alabama next year for your Oscar party

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  2. You are certainly welcome Dirt Princess, I can assure you that there will be food. :)

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  3. You made a terrific spread!How fun, and I like the movie themed treats, too.
    We had a great time, too. It is fun to see your party.
    All the best,
    Philip

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  4. Sounds like a great party to me!

    Cameron (who doesn't watch football, but goes to movies)

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  5. I'm embarrassed to say that I live in suburban Atlanta, where they DO show all of those movies, and I've seen none of them, either! But I'm all about an Oscar party! Just look at me, and you'll realize that food is another passion of mine! (You had me at the Junior Mints)
    Superbowl....that's basketball, right?

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  6. ...An Oscar party sounds great~~The best food service award goes to Phillip! Phillip accepted his Oscar with grace and then partied all evening in celebration. gail

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  7. I should've waited until I ate to visit. The pictures of your food made me hungry! I didn't see any of the movies either, mostly because we have a 2 year old and its hard to get out. It's still fun to watch the Oscars though.

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  8. I hate awards ceremonies, but I would be willing to try again with a menu like that, or even for just one of those cupcakes.

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  9. Yummy! My favorite movie of the year was Mrs. Pettigrew Lives for a Day, a sleeper romantic comedy that deserved much more than being ignored.

    As for the food, remember what Danny Glover's character in the Lethal Weapon movies was famous for saying? "I'm getting too old for this $hit." My hubby and I liberally refer to this mantra. :-)

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  10. I see we have a similar situation about the movies - we only got one of the best film nominees in our small town. So I was a bit clueless too. Looks like you knew how to indulge nonetheless! Take care next time.

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  11. You go Boy! That's a delicious looking spread! I could probably eat my weight in those sandwiches! I'm jealous, I want a cupcake tree!!

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  12. Phillip, I would certainly appreciate an invitation to your Oscar party next year;) I have to admit I can't get too excited about movies and movie stars. They take themselves waaaaaay too seriously. Also, you could feed a village of starving refugees for the price of one designer dress. But don't worry, I won't complain as long as the food holds out;)
    Marnie

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  13. We’re lucky to have an artsy cinema in our college town . I’m less into the Oscar films. Although with that tasty spread, I’d come watch. The cup cake tree looks yummy. I hope you feel better.

    Lovely bouquet below - hope your friend recovers soon.

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  14. I hate football, but I would have come to your party! Yummy!

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  15. All that food looks yuuuumy! My favs are the tower o' cupcakes and the tub o' popcorn. Salty and sweet. Ahhhh. :)

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  16. Hello Phillip

    That's a colourful spread.

    Off topic, I must say what a beautiful garden you have. I had a good look around a southern garden and found it just delightful.

    Rob

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  17. I would love to see Michael's egg salad recipe.

    Pat Moore

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  18. Pat, I will ask Michael about that recipe and post it here.

    Marnie, I totally agree with you there!

    Grace, I liked that movie too. I really like Amy Adams.

    Thanks Rob for the comments about my website. Do visit again!

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  19. Oh Phillip, that was quite a spread! I can see how you could get a stomach ache with all that good food though. The chicken salad a la the barefoot contessa, I just love her! must have been great. And the egg salad too. :-) I think it was the popcorn that got you, but you have to have it to think about movies properly. I would have loved to attend, and didn't see a single one of those movies nominated either, but still love all the show biz stuff. Especially the red carpet.
    Frances

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  20. Great party, until we came to the sweets.

    Next year use candy for decors, not for eating; make fewer cupcakes and have plenty of fruit.

    All things in Moderation.

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  21. This looks like such fun. I have never seen one of those cupcake treees in action. We sell a small one where I work. I might be inticed to buy one now. Yummm.

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