Oscar. Oscar, Oscar! Red Carpet. 2019

Good morning fashion lovers.  It was a good night for fashion.  

The Oscars were very much like the Super Bowl this year.  Nothing too exciting until the fourth quarter.

I was frustrated that a movie I thought was too boring to watch more than five minutes of would take so many awards...Roma.   It free on Netflix.  See if you can watch it.  haha.

Although I think Glenn Close is talented, and has nominated seven times, I'm glad she did not win for a one note performance in The Wife.  I should go back and see who beat her when she was in Fatal Attraction, that was Oscar worthy.

Olivia Colman shocked the crowd and herself by winning Best Actress for The Favourite.

Her performance was great!  The movie is a costume drama with a very odd and interesting cinematography, dancing, styling and music.  The only thing I really hated was the music.  WAY TOO avant garde for me.

Her acceptance speech was classically British.  Funny and witty.

JLO looks amazing in this mirror ball dress :o)

Many women wore sparkle-y fabric...but this was the only one I didn't think looked like cheap fabric.

Hey!  I wonder how this was to sit in?

Please notice that horrid backdrop.  Oh my gosh.  They were not thinking of how this would look in photos.  I hate it.  This was a pretty dress.  I liked the unusual gold bands.  

Gorgeous fit and dress on Ashely Graham.  The fabric is heavy and falls beautifully and it holds up on top too.  Very nice!

Bette Midler sang a song from Mary Poppins Returns. It was enchanting and perfect.

She glows.

What ever she is doing....she is doing it beautifully.

Her skin is so pretty.  It's the skin, and chest and neck of a twenty year old.

Like I said....I'll have what she's having.

Every time she is on the stage...she makes it magical!

Another dress with heavy, rich fabric!  Great jewels!  Beautiful.

It's Charlize Theron with dark hair.

Speaking of jewels!!!!!!

This is called the Tiffany Diamond.  It's worth millions.

Lady Gaga's make up is very understated and my favorite look of hers. ever.

I loved how she looked last night.

She won for best song, Shallow.

Which I of course sing.... Shadow.

Kelly and Mark Consuelos looking gorgeous.

Helen Mirren in my favorite color combo.  I just love pinks and reds together.  She is just amazing.

I have a thing for chiffon too.  So pretty Helen!

As far as sexy dresses go...this one worn by Jennifer Hudson is lovely.  It was redder and not orange like it shows in the picture.  She looks wonderful.

Renee Zellweger came for the Vanity Fair after party and I find her dress and shoes and leg....exquisite.

Gabriel Union wearing a gorgeous dress to the after party!  Love this.

Mimi Driver wearing a pretty dress with a pink clutch.

Lovely fabric and neckline.

Zoey Deutch wearing a dress with tiny pleats or folds.  This dress would be described as mille feuille.

A thousand layers.  

I love it.

And my favorite of the night.  Gemma Chan in her delightful pink confection.  I love the neckline and the way it fits her petite body.

Hello. Pretty Lady.

Lots of pink and black favorites last night.  What a nice night of fashion.

Reporting from the frozen tundra,

Donna Elsie

Julia's Turkey + Ricotta Meatballs

On Saturday morning I watch CBS Saturday Morning.  My very favorite part of this show is when they highlight a chef.  They tell the chef's story, have a big table filled with food and usually a drink.
And they interview the chef and have them sign a white plate and tell who they would most list to share 'this' meal with.

Something about friendly Julia Turshen had me ordering her cookbook within minutes.

Now.  I am a sucker for cookbooks.

But I have to be honest, I rarely make ANYTHING!!

I continue to make my old standbys.

But, I tried Julia's Turkey + Ricotta meatballs.

And they were so easy and delicious, I just have to pass it on.

The small victories:

I made something from a cookbook

It turned out GREAT.

I used ground turkey for the first time.

I ate Turkey + Ricotta meatballs for five days.

Used a side of my ancient grater for the Parmesan cheese and it was amazing.

I used fresh parsley and fresh basil.

Lots of it.

These meatballs have a ton of flavor.

The main flavors were garlic and basil.  I think.

I don't have a very sophisticated palate.

I will share the meatball recipe here.

Julia includes a tomato sauce recipe also, 

but I just wanted to use the Rao's sauce I had on hand.

2 pounds ground turkey (room temp)

1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese

1 cup basil (chopped)

1 cup Italian parsley (chopped) 

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

3 cloves garlic (minced)

That's it.  No carbs...for those of you who are limiting carbs.

Preheat oven to 425*

Prepare a baking sheet.  Drizzle a few Tbsp Olive Oil on foil covered sheet.

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl.

Stir lightly. (I over-stirred and had tough meatballs...but that was my fault.  Don't be like me.)

Make golf ball sized meat balls.  Use wet hands so the meat does not stick too much.

They will fill up a whole cookie sheet.  They can touch a little.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Bake about 25 min.

Make tomato sauce or open a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce.

Pour in a big dutch over aka Pot.  

Place meatballs on top of sauce and cover a little.

Cook for ten minutes.

You can serve this on noodles if you like,

I just ate them in a bowl with sauce poured over them.

I needed to buy more Rao's because I ran out of sauce quickly.

I think I will start with two jars next time.

 Please try these!  They are amazing.

Thanks Julia Turshen!

The Easy Chef,

Donna Elsie

p.s. the only thing that would have made this a complete hit is if my husband would have tried them.

But honestly, I never expected him to try them and made them for myself!  

So there.

As my mom would say,

"More for me."