Holiday

Every time I think of Christmas this romantic comedy flick called The Holiday crosses my mind. I've seen this movie so many times but it just never get old and as a matter of fact I watched it again just recently. I love to travel so the thought of travelling last minute excites me. So, here goes my own synopsis.

The Holiday (2006)

Cast:

• Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) – rich movie trailer producer
• Iris Simpkin (Kate Winslet) – society column editor from London
• Graham (Jude Law) -Iris' brother
• Miles (Jack Black) – does musical scores for movies
• Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach)– renowned scriptwriter during Hollywood's golden age.

Plot:

Amanda Woods kicked her lived in partner Ethan out of her L.A home because he slept with his young Secretary. Amanda lives in a humongous house in L.A, a workaholic and a movie trailer producer thus she makes a lot of money but less time for Ethan.

On the other side of the world, Iris Simpkin, a column editor from London, is busy with her column (amidst the company Christmas party) happened to be still madly in love with her ex-boyfriend/co-worker Jasper Bloom. Iris caught Jasper cheating but remained friends with the bloke and as a matter of fact gifted him this first edition book he's so yearning to have for Christmas. On that same fateful night Jasper's engagement was announced (with a girl from the circulation department) leaving Iris an emotional wreck.

Amanda asked for a break from work to get over her heartbreak over Ethan whilst Iris thought of going somewhere to mend her broken heart. Amanda saw an ad posted online about 'house exchange' and eventually picked Cotswold, 40mins. from London. Iris posted the ad online a long time ago and the two over chat eventually agreed to do the 'house exchange' ASAP. With Iris, she aimed to go somewhere far to fall out of love from Jasper which she pathetically told him via email.

Iris live at an old country house faraway from the city, it was winter which was different from where Amanda hailed from, windy but no snow. Iris was flabergasted as soon as she set foot at Amanda's house because it was humongous which is quite the opposite with Amanda's reaction once she reached Iris' little country home. It was a small country house with fire place and a dog. Amanda thought of heading home the next day thinking she never felt more alone until a sot Graham knocked the door, Iris' big brother. Graham just would like to sleep for a night to get over his hang over from drunkeness and was surprised to see Amanda, a stranger inside his sister's crib. Amanda thought Graham was gorgeous and t'was mutual. The two made out although told each other not to make a big deal out of what happened. Graham told Amanda in case she changes her mind to drop by at the Pub. Amanda did and the rest was 'it's complicated.'

Going back to Iris in L.A, she met Miles, he was supposed to pick up Ethan's stuff from Amanda's house. Miles introduced Maggie to Iris, his girlfriend. Iris still head over heels with Jasper received a phone call from the later about something his writing about. Jasper asked for Iris' addy to 'send' her the manuscripts yadda yadda which is perhaps just an excuse for him to know Iris' whereabouts and probably hoping they could patch things up despite Jasper's being engaged already. Iris met this old neighbor Athur Abbott, lost in the neighborhood, offered to drive him back to his house. The two became friends and Arthur learned that Iris is in L.A getting over a guy.

Back to UK, Amanda visited Graham's house and found that he already have two lovely daughters and thought at first he's married. Graham confessed his a widower and his two daughters loved Amanda since there hasn't been any female in the house other than their Aunt Iris since their mom passed away.

Iris on the other hand confessed to Miles (after Miles got heartbroken and saw Maggie with another guy whilst him and Iris were at the video store) that she's in L.A to get over Jasper. Miles realized he's luckier compared to Iris so he made her pasta, wrote a musical score for both Iris and Arthur. Arthur was invited btw to an event to honor his contribution to the hollywood movie world. Iris helped him to be fit for the event and discard his cane.

Amanda and Graham went out on a date. She told Graham she hasn't shed a tear since her parents broke up. Graham found it really peculiar but nevertheless accepted Amanda as she is. Miles little by little fell in love with Iris after seing how lovely she is as a person.

Fast forward, Arthur successfully attended the event in his honor, Amanda and Graham agreed to make things work despite the distance. Amanda finally cried a river the day she was supposed to go back home to L.A. Miles asked Iris if he could spend New Year's eve at Iris' place in the UK and it was a happy ending.

FIN

I love this movie because it didn't just focus on one story. There's Amanda's story, Iris, Miles and Arthur. Plus, I love the setting especially Iris' old country home. It's like the best of both worlds. This is a movie that will never bore you because there's a lot of things going on.

Foodie...

Ok, 'nuff of the movie stuff i'm engrossed about, let me just share this chocolate cake recipe I'm raving about. This is the only steamed cake that I made which never failed me measurements wise haha! So let me share it with you guys. I'm looking to make a special chocolate cake this coming Christmas.

my home made chocolate cake, steamed
for roughly 30 mins.

Chocolate Cake

½ cup unsweetened cocoa

12 Tbsp. All purpose flour

½ tsp. Baking soda

¾ tsp. Baking powder (0.05 oz.)

¼ tsp. Salt

2 large eggs (room temperature)

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil/coconut oil

2 tsp. Vanilla extract

½ cup buttermilk (room temperature)

2016 AlDub calendar...

In the absence of buttermilk, I use evaporated milk with white vinegar as substitute. It always come out just fine.

Etc.

Before I end this bloggie, my sissies bought a couple of AlDub calendars which came free if you order McDonald's chicken meals. We made sure we get ours as souvenirs for this years phenomenal love team. Hey they set the twitter world on fire and made tons of TV commercials. What's not to love about them right?