Ahhh...Butterbeer. One of the most replicated Harry Potter recipes. Well, we try to replicate it. I have found many recipes with all sorts of ingredients. But I want something simple. Now, let me first start by saying that I have not tried the "real" Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Second, I have never attempted a non-alcoholic version of Butterbeer (I was led to believe by the films & the books that Butterbeer is in some way...'intoxicating'). Third, I have attempted a few versions & I have finally found the one that, to me, seems like Butterbeer that Harry & his friends enjoy in Hogsmead.

Ingredients:

1. Cream Soda

(I prefer A&W but any will work)

2. Butterscotch Schnapps

(I suppose you could use butterscotch syrup for a non-alcoholic version)

3. Vanilla Ice Cream (You may also use a caramel flavor as well)

4. Whipped Cream (Optional)

In an 8oz glass, spoon in 1-2 scoops of ice cream.

Add 1oz of Butterscotch Schnapps to the glass.

Very slowly pour cream soda over ice cream and schnapps.

Gently stir the mixture and top with whipped cream.

There you have it! Easy recipe and delicious everytime!



A Harry Potter Movie Marathon

SOURCES

Dining with Alice

Little Nest Studio

Party Frosting

Little Ant Design

Don't forget to cast your vote on my home page!

Happy Birthday Harry Potter

Want more Harry Potter? Of course you do!

Visit: http://pinterest.com/goongirl1/harry-potter/
or

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=harry+potter

Harry Potter Facts



The Woman in Black

About 2 months ago I watched The Woman in Black (1989) online. The film perfected a ghostly atmosphere and delivered several great jump-out-of-your-seat moments. I was a little disappointed with the details in the storyline/background of the actual woman in black and found that the ending completely fell flat (A family of three in a small boat-tree falls on boat-everyone drowns(?)). It was almost laughable. But I must say that overall, the film actually was pretty spooky. C+

Last night I watched the 2012 version of The Woman in Black. The storyline was superb. It made sense, details and background were all covered and the ending couldn't have been better. This version of the film had more ghostly images throughout, doors opening and closing (why is that so terrifying?!) and real sense of mystery. Daniel Radcliffe's performance was without a doubt admirable and after the first 10 minutes, I actually forgot about that whole Harry Potter thing...hehe. B

The Hunger Games

I just recently had a birthday and as a gift from my sweet and lovable husband, I received The Hunger Games-3 book set. I was told-possibly years ago now-that I would love these books, given my enthusiastic love of Harry Potter. Well, I hadn't really given Hunger Games another thought-until I heard about the movie.
Okay...so maybe it is pretty good if they are making a movie about it. I quickly downloaded the pdf onto my iphone and tried to read the teeny tiny print...and my eyes really did try. I read 10 pages or so and paused for a few days to give the ole eyes some rest. After blowing the candles out on my cake on March 6th, I opened my gift from hubs and low and behold-he bought me Hunger Games and I didnt even have to ask for it-he knew! :) So today, March 12th (after being sick from Mar.7-10th) I am reading through page 80 and am truly enjoying the story so far. It's probably not the best idea to read the book before seeing the film...but I always break that rule. I will eventually, one day enjoy the movie on it's own. But today, I am reading what the author wanted me to envision with my own mind. Cinema can corrupt it later on this month...or more specifically...11 days.

Let's Talk Books

I am a huge Harry Potter fan so it is hard for me to break into other series. It doesn't mean I haven't...

I have been hearing quite a bit about The Hunger Games and with a movie on it's way, I thought I should give the books a shot before seeing the film. I am beginning the first book today...I will keep you updated.

http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/

http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/intl/uk/

The Last Muggle to Read Harry Potter

I have discovered a very enjoyable blog-so enjoyable, I feel it necessary to share! 

http://thelastmuggle.com/

All 7 Harry Potter books have been released and the last film is about to debut in theatres...You would think everyone would be caught on/finished with the storyline. In 2009, a girl decided to start reading the HP books-for the first time. This is her tale...(she even tries to guess the ending-WARNING-quite comical ;)

Harry Potter Home

It's hard to believe that this will be my first post in reference to Harry Potter! So I should probably make it good ;)

I am currently in the middle of building my first, brand-new home so I have searched high and low for crafty ways to incorporate Harry Potter into my decor scheme. Listed below are some interesting HP decor DIY's!

(These photos were found among other bloggers, Pinterest, and other various sites...these are not my personal photos. )

This may be purchased on www.ETSY.com but I thought this would be pretty simple to re-produce. I love the picture in the middle.

Need some photos in your kitchen? Why not a recipe for Butter Beer?! Love it-it's going to be framed in my kitchen!

I bought two black side tables from IKEA about 3 years ago and being the cheap furniture that they are...the tops of them are looking pretty hideous today. I found this idea for a table top cover on www.Pinterest.com and decided that this was the way to go! I grabbed a softcover copy of Sorcerer's Stone, tore out my favorite pages and decoupaged them on top of one of the tables (just to try it out). It turned out awesome but if I could make one slight change-I would take a stamp to the outside of the pages in either an orange or gold color...OR take a lighter to burn the edges.

Favorite Actresses

Top 30 Actresses

30. Frances McDormand (Raising Arizona, Something's Gotta Give)

29. Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, Fried Green Tomatoes)

28. Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings, Jersey Girl)

27. Emma Stone (Easy A, The Help)

26. Robin Wright (Forrest Gump, The Princess Bride)

25. Helen Hunt (Twister, As Good as it Gets)

24. Rachael McAdams (The Wedding Crashers, The Notebook)

23. Bonnie Hunt (Jerry McGuire, Jumaji)

22. Goldie Hawn (Private Benjamin, Overboard)

21. Susan Sarandon (The Client, Stepmom)

20. Leslie Mann (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up)

19. Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Bettlejuice)

18. Michelle Pfeiffer (What Lies Beneath, Witches of Eastwick)

17. Kate Winslet (Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Titanic)

16. Mary Steenbergen (Step Brothers, The Proposal)

15. Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina)

14. Natalie Portman (Where the Heart Is, Black Swan)

13. Isla Fisher (The Wedding Crashers, Definately, Maybe)

12. Mia Farrow (Rosemary's Baby. The Great Gatsby)

11. Meryl Streep (Death Becomes Her, Marvin's Room)

10. Nicole Kidman (Far and Away, The Others)

9. Drew Barrymore (E.T., The Wedding Singer)

8. Sandra Bullock (Practical Magic, The Proposal)

7. Stockard Channing (Grease, Where the Heart Is)

6. Diane Keaton (Something's Gotta Give, Father of the Bride)

5. Sigourney Weaver (Ghostbusters, Alien)

4. Helena Bonham-Carter (Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd)

3. Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins, The Princess Diaries)

2. Maggie Smith (The Secret Garden, Hook, Harry Potter)

1. Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility, Harry Potter, Brave)

Honorable Mention

Diane Lane

Lauren Graham

Tilda Swinton

Claudette Colbert

Janeane Garofalo

Marisa Tomei

Laura Linney



Harry Potter Inspired Cocktails

Around the World is an event held every year by the TKE fraternity. Each house chooses a Country of their choice and serves beverages (shots, beer, liquor) from said location. The house and host are also dressed according to the chosen location. The whole party travels from house to house, country after country, enjoying the "fruit of the land." Keeping that in mind...

We are moving into our new home next month, which is located in the same neighborhood as our 3 favorite couples: The Farmeritavilles, The Trinsons and The Terrances. We have decided to do an Around the World-suburb style-as soon as we move in. My husband was thinking UK-it's easy to do-or Germany-because we are both German. I was thinking the Scottish Highlands or more specifically...Hogwarts. I will do everything in my power to host anything having to do with HP but I think it is going to be tough convincing my husband. Perhaps we say Scotland and a wizard robe is placed here or there...and I happen to serve some of Fleur's Cream of Brie Soup served with a French Baguette or treacle tart as appetizers.

Now since this celebration is centered around "drinks," I searched and found an awesome website with Harry Potter themed drinks and shots. The Harry Potter mixology website, http://sashahalima.com/blog/2011/07/harry-potter-mixology-hagrid-hermione-ron-and-sirius-cocktail-concoctions/, features drinks named after characters and ingredients that play on their personality. For instance:

Rubeus Hagrid
Ingredients:

• 1 oz Kahlua
• 1 oz vodka
• Guinness
• Splash Coke

Directions:

• Add vodka and Kahlua into a beer glass.
• Add splash of Coke.
• Fill with Guinness.

It does sound a bit like a Rubeus Hagrid right? Or how about this one:


Lord Voldemort
Ingredients:

• 1 oz Tequila
• 1/3 oz Tabasco sauce
• 1 jalapeno pepper

Directions:

• Muddle jalapeno pepper and Tabasco sauce.
• Strain into shot glass.
• Add tequila.
• Garnish with thin slice of jalapeno.

Sounds painful! After the event, I will post pictures and update on how it went! Let me know if you have an suggestions or if you have played a part in Around the World.