Jalapeno Poppers

Source of recipe: Former Boss Deb

Food course: Appetizer

Quantity: if you follow the amount on the recipe 40 units; however, the recipe is an easy one to change the amounts on to the amount you need/want.

20 Jalapenos
1 container (8oz) of Regular (or low fat) Philadelphia Cream Cheese
a packaged of bacon (around 20 pieces)
toothpicks



Preparing Jalapenos:

• Rinse jalapenos
  
• Cut of tops


• Half jalapenos.


• Scoop out ribs and seeds
  

The seeds and ribs are what give the jalapenos the heat-- so if you want a little kick to this recipe, leave some of the ribs in and mix the seeds into the cream cheese. Also, jalapenos juices are very irritable to the skin. either make sure you don't touch the seeds and ribs when removing OR wear plastic gloves (or if you're like me, use plastic sandwich on you hands.)

• Scoop cream cheese into each half jalapeno.
• Cut the bacon strips in half.

Take bacon strip and wrap around cream cheese filled jalapeno and secure with toothpick.

Repeat steps for all jalapenos.

• Place all jalapenos on a cookie sheet (the bacon with left off grease so a cookie sheet with a lip would be best)
• Preheat oven to 350*
• Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is brown and crispy.

For best result on carrying/reheating: place paper towels on the bottom of a microwavable bowl. When you microwave these they bacon will sweat of some more grease and the paper towels absorbs (if you don't have them in the container, the bottom poppers will be bathing in a pool of extra grease.) After letting the jalapenos cool, stack them on top of each other in bowl. Put in refrigerator until you need to reheat. place in microwave for 3 minutes on high, or until you hear the bacon sizzle and poppers are warm to the touch.

Yutaka in Parker

Yutaka located in Parker is one of the newest sushi places in the area. Now, since my father and I have been big fans of Junz (across the street from this place) I haven't really bothered to try this place out yet.

Yutaka, like many Japanese restaurants lends on a modern look with open ceiling, fun use of metal, art, and design. The tables are covered with white paper and accompanied by crayons, so that children (or us children at heart) can draw on the paper while waiting for food.

The sushi menu is versified with many speciality rolls and the normal menu has many soups, tempera, and already created platters of sushi and sashimi. However, you'll need to ask your waitress what is in some of the rolls because it's not always listed on their menu. Among the interesting items on the menu there is an imported soda with the name Reasume (spell?) that has a crystal ball in the middle of the drink-- a couple of the kids seating next to us order this and I have to try it out for myself the next time I'm over here.

We ordered Edamame and Miso soups to start the meal off. Edamame was well cooked (I know that probably doesn't mean much to most people, but I've actually been to place were the edamame is dry, unsalted, browning and gross overall). The Miso was good but not amazing. Granted the first Miso I've ever had was on the salty side and therefore, I always assume that this soup should be on the salty side because of this and maybe that's a poor assumption. However, Yutaka soup taste good but is seriously missing the salty taste.

We ordered five rolls: the standard California Roll, Alaskan Roll, River Roll, Wadsworth Roll, and the Volcano roll. Now with sushi you need to wait a little longer than with most foods I know, but with this place it took extra long to get our rolls. Granted it was early in the week and they only had two sushi chiefs and two waitresses. However, by the time we got our cold sushi (the CA, Alaskan, River, and Wadsworth) the sushi was already lukewarm. We didn't even get the Volcano until we finished all the others ones with another ten minute wait-- granted by the time we were full and we didn't know if we could even get the Volcano down. I might also mention that they use sesame seeds on most of their rolls (which I'm not a huge fan of but doesn't ruin the roll) and their Alaskan was more or less a California with just a piece of Salmon instead of crab. The River and Wadsworth were great and beautifully done. The Volcano was differently hot and with a sweet spiciness and cooked fish. After waiting for another 15 minutes they finally gave us the bill and our complimentary dessert: orange slices.

Let's review on the pros side- good unique rolls that are better grade sushi then most sushi places, fun atmosphere that has an add plus for children with the paper table clothes, a descent wine/drink list with new/imported items, fair price on most of the rolls (we did five rolls, edameme, and misco soup for under $50), and a healthy complimentary dessert.

Con side- service was poor and slow, sushi was served lukewarm, sushi didn't come out together and there was a long wait in between dishes, waitresses had strong accents and didn't understand English that well.

Overall, if you can afford to wait and don't mind it this place is worth a try.

Castle Rock and Mill

Coors Brewery in Golden

I haven't visited Golden since my childhood doctor check-ups. So lets just say my memory of the place was very limited. I found the visitor parking lot for the Coors' tours a good 45 minutes before the meeting time with my coworkers. So I drove around this historic and cute town. Many of the buildings downtown are (or fashioned) to look like late nineteenth century architecture. The streets are narrow and the cyclist were out in force which made the drive a little stressful. But the town is beautiful and I'm looking forward to more Golden adventures the future.

Coors trip with the coworkers

The Coors' tour starts in the guest parking lot on 13th and Ford. From there a shuttle will pick patrons up and do a quick couple block tour of the town pointing out historical buildings.

One of my coworker's husband works at the brewery so we had our own little tour guide-- who really knew his stuff. We did the free tour--which is accompanied with an audio player that is easy to follow/use. At the door they scan in your ID and print of a wrist band with your name on it-- used for your three free drinks at the end. Coors offers another tour (the VIP tour) where you get orange vests and hard hat and you actually get to step on the floor with a personal tour guide.

Here are some facts about Coors:

• The Coors' Brewery was found in 1873 by Adolph Coors.

To date, Golden is the largest single-site brewery and is one of the only sites who malts their own grain and makes their aluminum cans on site.

Some Coors brands are- Blue Moon, Keystone Light, Killian's, and Zima.

Molson isn't created by Coors; however, Coors has a deal with Molson that Coors will distribute Molson in USA and Molson with distribute Coors in Canada.

Golden was picked for the brewery's site, because the most important ingredient in beer is water, and the water in the Rocky Mountains is superb.

Coors gained popularity during WWII because many of the solider did basic training near by and Coors provided them with beer. However, at that time Coors wasn't national yet so many of the soldiers went back home and couldn't get their new favorite beer.

• Coors and Miller merged together in 2008 the company is official known as MillerCoors.

Coors survived Prohibition by selling soda, makings of milkshakes, and other non-alcoholic drinks.

Coors invented the aluminum can (the cans before it changed the taste of the beer) and also start the recycling trend in the late 50's.

It takes approx. 55 days from start to finish to produce beer.

Beer has two fermenting stages.

Copper is used for the kettles because it doesn't throw off the beer's taste.

Coors creates it's own energy through a generator run off of water.

Coors recycles most of their materials. For example, used grain is reused in cattle feed.

Beer is like wine in the sense that light and heat ruins the quality.

train tracks are built around the plant so that trains can haul the beer.

Another thing that makes Coors remarkable is they actively seek out veterans to work for them. Roughly 25% of Coors working forces has served in the arm services at one time or another. Coors also is the only cooperation that has a memorial for all five arm services.

Overall, Coors Brewery is a fun and informative experience. The tour feels short (but that might be the group I was with wasn't really into listening to the whole audio player and just asked questions to our Coors worker that was with us. Aka they were ready to drink). And if you are planning on going out of your way to Golden you should plan on a couple other activities to fill the rest of the day. You definitely can't beat the price of free-- especially three free beers at the end, which can make anyone who appreciates beer very happy. The gift shop was well stocked and had items at an reasonable price. Although I don't know why you would bring children to this, it is family friendly with videos, hands on displays, and easy to follow path. Also at the end where the grow ups can get free beer they also have non-alcoholic drinks of water, soda, and lemonade. However, I think it would be hard for most children to get excited about and/or interested in this type of outting.

Disco Emergente found in Westland Park, Greenwood Village

Westland Park, Greenwood Village

Accompanying Plaque reads:

The Museum of Outdoor Arts
Disco Emergente
Arnaldo Pomodoro
Bronze, 1984

It is as though this abstract, geometric form were some heavenly body that has strangely escaped from its orbit or trajectory and fallen down to earth where it shattered. Now we can look inside it and discover a dense network of hard, sharp and rigid mechanisms immersed in a region of shadows Pomodoro's work exemplifies ideas of space and time, concept and material existence totality and fragment

IMdb prior to blog date but after Sept 2007

Since the Sept competition I've seen:

Shawshank Redemption (5)
This Sleeper movie is the number one DVD buy. And it's worth it. A story that really deals with the love that only good guy friends can have for each other. A story about fighting for freedom, unfairness in the system, and inspirational tale. A must see for anyone.

Million Dollar Baby (5)
I cried my eyes out on this movie. A great tear-jerking performance from Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank. One the moving aspects of this story is how despicable Maggie's family members are and the father/daughter bound she finds with Eastwood's tough guy character.

Roman Holiday (4)
Roman Holiday is an interesting film because it doesn't have much conflict and yet it's entertaining. Don't get me wrong, Gregory Peck's does have the internal conflict of selling his story and getting the desperately needed money or keeping the princess's secret holiday under wraps. And Audrey Hepburn character has the choice of a carefree vacation or going back to her duties. Overall, a fun story is propels by the wonderful acting on Hepburn's part. A great black and white film.

Little Miss Sunshine (4)
What can I say all around great comic movie about families and what happens with broken dreams. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard as when the dance scene comes up.

Batman Begins (4)
I believe this to be the best representation of Batman in films to date. The dark and grim reality completely outshines the postmodern approach that Joel Schumacher does in Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Granted, Christopher Nolan has the add advantage of a more powerful story that shows the audience how Batman begins. Of course, I'm bias-- I'm a huge fan of both Christian Bale and Liam Neeson.

*Juno* (3.5)
My parents went to this movie before I did. When they got back my father told me it was a 'Dani Movie.' Now my family has a joke about 'Katina (my sister) movies,' which is pretty much an creative new approach to something that may be too artsy or shocking for my parents' tastes. But what is a Dani movie? Apparently a Dani movie is full of odd (but funny) one liners, with a sarcastic, young heroine stealing every scene she appears in. Yeah, this is a Dani show.

* Into the Wild* (3)
This movie is based on Jon Krakauer true story of Christopher McCandless (also known as Alex Supertramp) travels across the country that ends in Alaska's wilderness. Christopher is portrayed as a tragic hero and both the movie and book leads the audience to feel one of two things:
1. What a selfish waste of a life. He was completely stupid/crazy to try what he did and the only I feel is pity and sorrow for his parents.
or
2.Christopher was a great charismatic character, who was only following his own morals-- which you got to respect since we live in a society that is full of hypocrites.
either case a power piece for food for thought.

The Prestige (3)
This a good modern movie about revenge that Edmond Dantes would be proud of. However, I don't know if this movie will stand the test of time. it's an interesting enough concept but had a too simple of a solution for one problem and too difficult/far fetched for the other.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (3)
An idealistic approach on the workings of our government. This is one of Jimmy Stewart's best films-especially since his character completely embodies that of the ordinary/everyman vibe that Stewart is known for. Uplifting just like 12 Angry Men.

The Maltese Falcon (3)
this movie renewed my respect for Bogart's acting ability (since I didn't care that much for him in Casablanca). Bogart does subtle moves or tones that totally give a new life to his line. his character Sam Spade, has a difficult decision in the end and Bogart plays it out beautifully. I love May Astor beautiful, unique look in this film (although I'm sure she wouldn't be considered beautiful into today's standards. The ending, however, is anticlimactic.

The Incredibles (3)
A Brad Bird Pixar movie with a creative ideas/plot-line. I would even argue that Bird is the best director for the Pixar/cartoon genera that I've seen. I love the character Edna (voiced by Bird) which is a rough mirroring of legendary Edith Head-- one of Hollywood's first costume designer (I believe she is the first woman costume designer in film history). Actors chosen for the voices match well with their characters and their characters' alter egos (especially James Lee's Buddy/Syndrome). A definitely see for the family.

Strangers on a Train (3)
My parents own this movie for years and we never watched it. I thought it was the perfect time to watch it now. Filmed in black and white this film is about two people talking on a train about people they wished would die. One of them actually kills the other one's victim and now expects the other man to kill his. Scary and disturbing idea in general. Alfred Hitchcock once again chooses amazing shots and filming techniques to move the plot along. The opening scene is beautifully done (almost as beautiful as the opening scene in Rear Window... ALMOST) and is my favorite performance by Patrica Hitchcock to date. I remember a Danny Deveto movie that redresses up this idea and I feel that effected my viewing on this film.

Modern Times (3)
I have to admit that I appreciated this movie much better after watching the extras that accompanied it. Not only did I learn that this was the last movie The Tramp appears in, but I also learned that Chaplin purposely made this a silent film-- even through sound was available at the time. Chaplin also directed most of his movies-- something I didn't know. Extras a side, it was a good up-beat movie. Slapstick comedy at its best.

The Apartment (2)
The Apartment has a great plot setup of an employee lending his apartment out to his higher-ups and their mistresses. A surprising dark comedy with Jack Lemmon with a sweet, happy ending.

* indicates new movies added on the list since my Sept 2007 competition.

IMdb movies competition (9/2007) MUST SEE list

What originally got me started on the top 250 list was my friend Ben and I created a competition back in September. So, of course, being the child of two very competitive individuals I had to watch a movie a day for the contest and ended up watching thirty movies for the month-- However, I watched eight of those movies in the last two days of the competition and couldn't watch anything from fine cinema to stupidly, funny movies for a good couple of weeks after that. But I've started watching them again and hopefully will have this list licked in two years.

this is my top choices of the ones I watched in September listed from favorite to least (rating is on a 5 scale):

Rear Window (5)
Everything about this movie is great. Brilliant cinematography, gripping plot, Emotionally provoking, and phenomenal acting from the leads Grace Kelly, Jimmy Stewart, and Thelma Ritter are just to name a few things that make this film one of the best films ever created. From the opening scene where without any words one knows who Jimmy Stewart's character is and why he's in the situation that he is in, to the emotional nerve racking ending-- this is a must see for everyone.

Psycho (5)
This maybe the finest film I've ever seen. I was so invested into the show, I had to pause it and take a break from it because my nerves couldn't take it. Hitchcock is differently the 'King of Suspense' in my book. Great buildup and a fantastic ending-- even though you knew who the killer is due to Psycho's strong appearance in our pop culture.

The Elephant Man (5)
Amazing story about diversity and acceptance. Magnificent acting jobs on Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt parts. I think the best shot in all of Hollywood film that I've seen is when Anthony Hopkins' see the the Elephant Man for the first time. Simply Incredible. Wonderful decision on filming it in black and white to give it a older/ageless feel. And make-up so superb that it opened the door to a new category in Academy awards.

A Man of All Seasons (5)
A rousing story of Thomas More, who didn't forsake his beliefs just because his government and and friend (Kind Henry VIII) wanted him to. Thomas More intelligently avoids making any opinionated statements and through out the movie I found myself rooting for the logical and smart Thomas More. A beautiful tale on how to be political and yet keep your own values.

Hotel Rwanda (5)
A terrific movie that will pull at any one's heartstrings. This is one of those movies that you can only watch once a year, because it moves you in such away. An impressive acting performance of the worst and best of men in crisis.

North by Northwest (5)
Another great Hitchcock film with a great buildup, action, and mistaken identity. Cary Grant as always is the fun, charming, and timelessly, gorgeous gentleman. There's only one draw to this film-- it feels like it takes forever to get to the end.

IMdb competition (pt.II) worth skipping movies

Out of the thirty films I watched in September 2007, these are my least favorite of them all. They are listed from favorite to least (rating is on a 5 scale):

Vertigo (2)

Vertigo flopped in theaters when it originally came out-- Hitchcock blamed it on Jimmy Stewart appearing old, and never casted Stewart again. But really the problem with the movie is a drawn-out and poor plot line. I couldn't get emotional invested with any of the characters-- and really only felt relief that it ended.

Dr. Strangelove: How I Learn To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (2)

I loved (and thought that this movies was hilarious) the first time I saw it a few years back. But, I have to admit second run through, it came up lacking.

Casablanca (2)

I was expecting something great-- come on, this is Casablanca the most 'romantic' film ever. I didn't like Bogart in this role, nor did I believe that Bergman's character had any feels for 'poor Ricky. Also, the movie is overused in modern pop culture-- the last 15 minutes of dialog is littered in today's pop culture that some how made it seem more false.

Goodfellas (2)

I watched this after the God Father movies, and well let's just say it fell short in comparison. De Niro does once again an awesome portrayal of a gangster. and the movie had an interesting scene where the main character played by Ray Liotta breaks down the fourth wall and talks straight into the camera at the end-- moving from one frozen setting to the next. Also, it was fun to see the change of style through the time periods (especially ending in the big and more era of the 80's)

Dr. Zhivago (1)

Other than a few great camera shots this film is useless. Unfocused completely to the point of distraction, I almost didn't make it through it, and I will safely say I won't even attempt to read the owned copy of its book counterpart.

Raging Bull (1)

I have no idea how this movie got on to the list. I was told that it's suppose to have wonderful cinematography-- I didn't see. The main character is loathsome and pitiful and although De Niro once again proves to me that he can do a tough guy with the best of them; his performance couldn't make up for my dislike for the whole movie in general.