So, I thought of this post idea when COVID started and bounced it off my of extremely talented friend, Elizabeth Mahon via the Marco Polo app. You see, Elizabeth is a friend from college.. kind of. She was a freshman when I was a senior and to say that we hit it off as pals would be an understatement. You know how there are just those rather random people that you keep in touch with? That’s Elizabeth with me. We can go months without talking but we always find our way back to one another. When we do talk again, it’s like old times and no time has passed at all. I love friendships like that.
Elizabeth‘s husband is an ICU nurse and has been working with COVID patients since this whole started, so let’s just say he’s more than a bit busy. Elizabeth has two insanely adorable children and is working full time from home with little ones, all while having to take a break from her “non essential” photography business. (Did I mention she’s SO talented? Seriously, check out her page). Somehow she’s managed to write this blog post for me, and I couldn’t be more impressed.
Allow me to offer a teensy background here and I’ll pass it over to Elizabeth… She and I both studied abroad at the same place in Austria and it was magical. Since we’re three years apart, we weren’t there together, but the study abroad program that our college has is unparalleled. We, no joke, lived in what was once a monastery and it was built in the 14th century… trust me when I say it was amazing. Now, my photos below aren’t going to be perfect because they’re from a digital camera, circa 2006. But you get the idea…
Without further adieu, here’s Elizabeth!
To understand this post, you need a little insight to how I was raised. Growing up, my mom was a really fun mom. When I say “fun” I mean that she was always coming up with creative activities and my siblings and me. She’d help us craft a clever Halloween costume or plan very elaborately-themed birthday parties. We used to spend days coming up with unique ideas. One year my brother hosted a “backwards” birthday party and she even wrote the invitations in reverse so you had to hold them in front of a mirror to read the fine print!
Birthdays. Halloween. Themed parties. Crazy Costume Day at school. You name it, my mom conditioned her children to bring their A-game when it came to these kinds of activities. My mom’s ability to spark people’s imaginations is something I’ve always admired about her.
Now that I’m an adult, when people get creative and come up with clever ideas, my ENFP personality shifts into overdrive encouraging everyone to join in the fun.
This quarantine, I’m stuck in a third floor apartment with two small children and a husband who has been working an abnormal amount of hours on a COVID-positive ICU.
My son, Theo, and I have been watching a decent amount of television. I’m proud to say that after two years of serenading him with “Edelweiss” at bedtime, Theo is starting to show real interest in The Sound of Music. A thumbnail of Fräulein Maria holding her guitar popped up on Disney+ as a “recommended because you watched Mary Poppins.” (Mary Poppins, which is [surprise!] my mother’s favorite movie, has basically been my quarantine nanny while trying to work from home.) Theo pointed to the television and said “watch guitar movie, mommy!” and I enthusiastically obliged.
The Sound of Music is one of those movies that everyone loves; it’s simply a classic. I’ve had a particular affinity for it since I was a child, that grew exponentially when I studied aboard in Austria for a semester in college. I would say it’s definitely considered one of my favorite things!
In the early days of the quarantine, Brittany and I were discussing how this lockdown situation is affecting the extroverts. We’re craving human interaction! We miss people! We miss getting together with friends! And speaking for myself, my inner creative mind is slightly stunted by the daily seclusion. I’ve been trying to think of stimulating activities to do with Theo while being home. In addition to watching [a TON of] movies, we’ve been cooking and baking a decent amount.
This sparked the idea to come up with several themed dinner party or date night ideas, each based on a movie (or in some cases, a book too!) Each night features a drink, dinner, and dessert. The idea would be to set the scene, enjoy the meal, and then watch the movie!
We’ll start with (and feature in this post!) The Sound of Music since it’s currently Theo’s favorite film. We happen to own traditional Austrian attire and made a date night of it while my husband was working at the hospital. (I told you that I was raised to go all out! Prost!)
Sound of Music
Drink(s): Radler (lager beer+lemonade) or Elderflower cocktail. Pink Lemonade
Dinner menu: Schnitzel with noodles and fresh euro green salad
Dessert: Crisp apple strudel
Set the Scene: Nice dinner table with white linens, fresh flowers (daffodils, or red roses) Women: white dress with a blue sash (think: my favorite things!) or a dress with skirt apron. Men: nice suit or khakis with a plaid shirt. OR if you’re like us and own traditional Austrian garb, don it with pride!
For the Schnitzel: Ingredients: Pork ChopsFlourEgg, beatenBreadcrumb
Instructions:-Tenderize pork chops until 1/2 inch thick. -Dredge through flour, egg, breadcrumbs (in that order). -Fry in canola oil on each side for 2-3 mins or until inside temp is 170.
I used egg noodles, but you could use any kind!
For the Apple Strudel:https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-traditional-viennese-apple-strudel-1446570
Here are some fun ideas for a night at home dinner party if you’re stuck a home with family, or want to save one of these for when you can finally entertain again. If you try any of them, or even better, think of your own, be sure to share and tag us on social media!
To Kill a Mockingbird
Drink(s): “Tequila Mockingbird” shot (1 oz of tequila with a splash of hot sauce chased by a bite of a dill pickle) or an Alabama Slammer Cocktail. Lemonade. Milk.
Dinner: Roasted squirrel (I’m kidding!) A ham with cornbread and maple syrup. “Dill” pickles as another side.Dessert: Lane Cake or small pound cakes (like Miss Maudie makes the kids) or Dewberry Tarts.Set the Scene: Picnic table or casual setting with fake or fresh Camellia flowers, or maybe Magnolia blooms.
The Godfather
Drinks: “Godfather” cocktail (scotch+amaretto) or red wineDinner menu: Antipasto salad, spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread.
Dessert: Cannoli and maybe some orange slices as a side if you’re feelin’ morbid
Set the Scene: Set the table with a red checkered table cloth and play the movie soundtrack during dinner.
The Great Gatsby:Drinks: Champagne, obviously! or Gin Rickey cocktail
Dinner menu: Fancy appetizers and LOTS of ’em! (Oysters, mini crab cakes, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms.)Set the Scene: Glittery tablecloth, fresh Daisy flowers on the table. Wear roarin’ 20’s flare: feathers, fringe, flair, and glitter. Play jazz music during dinner.
