Random Hearts: The Deathly Hallows

I could honestly give a shit if you raise your eyebrow, scoff, or think... "Really? Are you twelve?" Because when the official trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released a few weeks ago... I teared up while watching it.

Because... Yes I am a proud lover of the book series and the movie series, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

You would be surprised at how many people are secretly on "Potter Watch".

It is time to come out of the closet people!

If you think you are too highbrow, or too smart, or too old for these books think again.

Because I can vouch that that is not true, I am 33 years old, super crazy smart and I devoured these books in a matter of about 2 months... All 7 of them,about 4,175 pages in all..... And I read the Deathly Hallows twice.

They really are THAT good.

And once your in, your in, how can you not fall madly in love with all 3 of the main characters?

How can you not want to watch them grow and triumph again and again?

The Deathly Hallows is the end of the series.... And it doesn't let you down at all, there is not a quick hasty bow tied to any of the loose ends.

J.K Rowling didn't leave a single stone unturned, she didn't leave a single question unanswered, she crafted a beautiful, heart breaking yet uplifting ending for readers, and more importantly the characters we grew to love so much.

And now we are lucky enough to get two movies to finish us off!

We seriously can not wait for November when we get to snuggle up in the theater and watch the magic unfold.

We are so ready to have our minds blown... Please don't let us down Hollywood!

The trailer looks very promising and gives us goose bumps every single time we watch it.

What do you think?

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Yummies: Fried Green Tomatoes- Two for One

Alright, pay very close attention.

What do you get when you mix beautiful not-quite ripe green tomatoes with a little cornmeal and flour?

Well, surprisingly enough it is exactly the same thing you get when you mix four super talented and amazing actresses with a heart-breaking but inspiring story line...

And that, is 100% Fried Green Tomatoes deliciousness.

We heart the movie so much, it goes down in the movie hall of fame in the category we call, "Southern Belle classics that make us cry every-damn-time."

This includes;

Steel Magnolias

Terms of Endearment

Shag

Anyway, back to the subject, we have loved this movie for so many years... That when we saw the delicious VEGAN recipe on one of our favorite food sites Vegan Yum Yum, we instantly thought about Idgie & Ruth and the Whistle Stop Cafe.

Here is the recipe for these beautiful green tomatoes.

Why not make up a batch and have your best friend over to share them with you? You guys can watch this old movie and appreciate each-other even more.

Fried Green Tomatoes
Makes about 20 slices

4 Large, Under Ripe Green Tomatoes
Oil, for frying (peanut or canola)
Baby Greens, for serving
Cherry Tomatoes, for decoration
Balsamic Reduction (see recipe)

Breading Dry Mix
2 Cups Corn Flour/Meal
1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 Tbs plus 1 tsp Salt
1 Tbs Dried Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Breading Wet Mix
1 Tbs Ener-G Egg Replacer Powder
3 Tbs Boiling Water
1/2 Cup Non-Dairy Milk

Core the green tomatoes and slice in to 1/2″ slices. If desired, season each side lightly with salt and pepper.

Lay tomato slices on paper towels and pat dry.

Mix together the dry seasoning mix and set aside.

Combine the boiling water and egg replacer powder and whisk until thick and foamy. Add to a separate large bowl. Whisk in the non-dairy milk until thick and frothy. Set aside. You should now have two bowls, one with the dry breading mix and one with the wet.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet until hot but not smoking with 1/4 to 1/2″ of oil in the bottom.

Dredge the tomato slices, four at a time, in the wet batter mix. Then place them into the bowl with the dry batter mix, pressing to make sure it sticks. Fry four at a time for 3 minutes a side, or until golden. Drain on paper towels.

Stack the fried green tomatoes on baby greens with sliced cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with balsamic reduction. Serve warm, while breading is still crispy.

Oh Vegan Yum Yum, we are so happy we found you... Thank you for inspiring us to remember a movie that touched our hearts all those years ago.

You never know where you will find your inspiration, so keep your eyes peeled and never stop looking.

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Random Hearts: Dance routines....

So you wanna talk random? How about those great scenes in teen movies when everyone starts to do the same dance? Or the main couple breaks it down and busts out a dance routine?! Nothing makes you feel as uncomfortable and giddy at the same time!

Sooooo random, but we love it!

Here they are... Some of our favorite dance routines caught on film!

Number ONE on the list... We die EVERYTIME..

Top That from Teen Witch! AMAZING!!!

"He's so funky!"

And while we happen to be on the Teen Witch subject... Well, we HAD to share this one! "So fab!"

Or how about this classic...

"Look! It's the African Anteater Ritual!"

Are any words needed besides the name of this film classic...

RAD.

You bet your ass that chic is Aunt Becky from Full House fame.

So this next one is not exactly a "Dance Routine" but it sure makes us feel like dancing!

Oh! We would kill for a Omega Mu sweatshirt!

Lambda... Lambda jam!

Ladies and gentleman... Our fave fashionista back in the days when she was dancing in heaven!

Step aside Dirty Dancing... Because ain't no body do it better then Kelly and Ozone in Breakin'... What? What?

Oh Ren! It's gonna be alright! We know how frustrated you are, is there anyway you can let off some steam? Anyway you can think to just get it out? Oh, whats that? You got it covered? O.K, carry on.

Just because he is considerably younger then Miss Me... We can all use a little Efron to brighten up our day right? No? Just me? OK.

It just wouldn't be right to end it without this classic jem...

You know you love it...

Hope we added a spring to your step today.

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Bueno: The Providence Effect

"There is no stronger weapon against inequality and no better path to opportunity than an education that can unlock a child's God-given potential." President Barack Obama 

Did you know that there is a school in inner city Chicago not so very far away from the spot where just last month, 16-year-old Derrion Albert was sadly and shockingly beaten to death by a mob of teenagers, that offers hope and an escape for many of Chicago's children. 

That a school exists that can boast that 100% of it's graduates have graduated and headed to collage, every year for almost 30 years? 

That School is Providence St. Mel, and this film gives you an inside look at the lives of the students from kindergarten through graduation. 

If you want to be inspired and find hope, we encourage you to go and see the documentary that is playing right now in select theaters across America. 

The Providence Effect

"At Providence St. Mel, we believe. We believe in the creation of inspired lives produced by the miracle of hard work. We are not frightened by the challenges of reality, but believe that we can change our conception of this world and our place within it. So we work, plan, build, and dream - in that order. We believe that one must earn the right to dream. Our talent, discipline, and integrity will be our contribution to a new world. Because we believe that we can take this place, this time, and this people, and make a better place, a better time, and a better people.

With God's help, we will either find a way or make one."

Theater listing

Please go see this movie! 

With support from everyday people, our children's futures hold endless possibilities. 

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Random Hearts: HEY YOU GUYS!!! We heart The Goonies!!!

Yes we do! We heart the Goonies so, so very much... That we think this movie deserves it's own post.

And you know what? This movie is so great, it is not even random that we heart it! It is almost a given for anyone who watched it as a kid. 

What other film so deftly combines adventure, comedy, one eyed pirates, mobsters, cheer leaders and all around spookiness? We can't think of a single one.  

When the Goonies found that treasure map in Mikey & Brand's attic the adventure was about to begin! And for generation after generation kids will enjoy watching the Goonies save their town! This pop culture favorite is as good today as it ever was. 

Remember when Chunk got locked in the freezer with all the ice cream and the dead guy?! We have two words for that scene.... Cinema MAGIC!! Really only to be topped by the next scene where Chunk "Talks" and proceeds to tell the bad guys "Everything".  You can even buy art inspired by that monologue! 

Speaking of the bad guys.... How F*%#ing scary was Mama Fratelli?  She was seriously one bad ass bitch! We remember she used to give us the goose bumps. Yikes! 

Not to mention all the cute fellas that were in this movie! We might have watched it a few times just to see brad in those awesome short-shorts over sweats! Sooooo cute! Andy was just so much better off with him then that dumb jock Troy. What a jerk he was! Hmmm maybe that is the root of our aversion to jocks! 

A million little girls hearts are set a flutter by the Goonies boys! 

Maybe we should go rent this tonight... Oh wait never mind, we own it! 

We hope you also heart the Goonies and that this brought you back a lot of memories. 

XOXO- Things-We-Heart