I had a date with my Mom tonight.  We saw Julie & Julia at the high end movie theater that my step-son Joe works at.  For $44 you got the ticket, two drink coupons, two course dinner, cooking demonstration and a Julie & Julia apron!  Good deal right?!

once you see a movie at a theater like this, you will never go back!
once you see a movie at a theater like this, you will never go back!

Seriously, how can beat sitting in the most comfortable chair, and then pressing a button when you need something!  Blanket, no problem!  Glass of chardonnay, no problem!  My Mom enjoyed the whole experience!

Just so happened Joe was working tonight and he escorted me to the lounge while I waited for my Mom.  I was happily presented with these two tickets:

sometimes house wine is good - especially when its free!
sometimes house wine is good - especially when its free!
I chose chardonnay
I chose chardonnay

Then my Mom came – she chose her go to wine: pinot grigio!

she's so cute!  Thanks for hanging with me tonight Momma!
she's so cute! Thanks for hanging with me tonight Momma!

Did I mention the seats?  Lord have mercy!

there are only 40 seats per theater!
there are only 40 seats per theater!

The chef for the theater gave us a cooking demonstration – he made chocolate truffles and chilled cucumber soup.  We were served both complimentary!

they had a camera on the demo that was put on the movie screen
they had a camera on the demo that was put on the movie screen

The soup was really good – I didn’t try any of the truffles though, but brought them home for Tony and Hannah to try – I guess the truffles were extremely rich!  The nice part is that they handed out recipe cards for both – I’ll post them later when I try them at home.

chilled cucumber soup
chilled cucumber soup
the chocolate truffle
the chocolate truffle

It was funny because the chef held up an English cucumber and asked the audience “does anyone know what this is?”  I said “its an English cucumber!”  He said the previous two showings no one knew what it was!!

We had our choice of two courses.  This is what I chose:

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While I am not huge into tomatoes, I chose the rice balls – the outside was nice, but then the inside was ALL tomato, and I just put that to the side.  The quiche was delicious though!   We ate our dinner through the movie so no pics – too dark anyway! 

Spoiler alert – I am going to talk about the movie!

I really enjoyed this movie!  Not because I learned more about Julia Child than I knew (which was cool) but because I could totally relate to Julie.  I could seriously work a 9 hour day and not wait to step into the house and put dinner together.  I can stand in front of the copier and think “I have blueberries I need to do something with” and daydream about making muffins when I get home.  And I am not a good cook which is the funny part! 

But the best thing is that my family understands that this is what makes me happy and this blog makes me happy and they love me enough to let me be selfish with my cooking and blogging.  I love you!

Joe made the night though!  While I was waiting for my Mom, I found out that the aprons they promoted in the package were all gone, so all we were going to get was the movie poster.  I broke the news to my Mom when she sat down.   When we were in the theater, my Mom mentioned to Joe that she was bummed about not getting the apron.   Half way through the movie, Joe texted me and said “go to your car before Nana leaves.”  I texted back okay, not even thinking.

It wasn’t until we were walking to my car when it dawned on me.  When I opened my car, on the seat were two aprons!  The look on my Mom’s face was priceless – that made the night perfect.  THANKS JOE – I LOVE YOU!

Here is Hannah as my model!
Here is Hannah as my model!

So thanks to my family for letting me do what I do, and thank you to the readers who read my words – it means a lot!

You know the drill, off to snuggle with Tony before bedtime.  See you tomorrow – hopefully for pizza party Friday! 😀