Monkey Barn: Dragon

Showing posts with label Dragon. Show all posts

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Beyond Comprehension

I don't care which side of the abortion debate you are on, this is just wrong.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

2008 Golden Globes Fashion Picks

I was very disappointed with the fashion choices made by the stars for last Sunday's Golden Globe awards. I tried to come up with 10 favourites but I just couldn't do it. There weren't 10 decent dresses in the bunch. Shame, shame Hollywood. I hope you get it together for the Oscars!

So until then, I give you my top 4 fashion picks for this years Golden Globe Awards .

4. Eva Longoria was a red hot hottie in this Reem Arca gown.

3. I was pleasantly surprised with Sandra Bullock's Christian Dior white gown. She looked amazing.

2. Laura Linney was the lovely in her pale yellow Ellie Saab gown.

1. The night belonged to Kate Winslet, both in awards and in fashion. Her Yves St. Laurent gown was classic, elegant and graceful. Just like Kate.

xo,
Dragon

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Dragon's 2008 Emmy Dresses

This year's Emmy Awards were a bit of a bore but the fashion almost made up for it. Almost.

Here are my picks for the Best of the Best.

10. Mariska Hargitay was stunning in her yellow Carolina_Herrera gown.

9. I'm not usually a fan of Nicollette Sheridan's fashion sense but she got it right this time in her royal blue Angel Sanchez gown.

8. Marcia Cross went old Hollywood with this gorgeous Elie Saab ankle length dress.

7. Julia Louis-Dreyfus was red HOT in this gorgeous Narcisco Rodriguez number.

6. Kyra Sedgwick always turns heads but she was especially stunning in this bejewelled L'Wren Scott cocktail dress.

5. Kate Walsh never looked better in this sexy and snug Zuhair Murad gown.

4. Heidi Klum wore several gowns on Sunday night but this Armani Prive metallic gown was my favourite by far.

3. America Ferrara was adorable in this vintage black strapless gown.

2. Brooke Sheilds a fashion queen? Who knew! I loved, LOVED, this Badgley Mischka gown.

1. Oliva Wilde stole the red carpet in my favourte gown of the night. This Reem Acra dress was perfection and Ms. Wilde wore it well.

xo,
Dragon

Friday, August 15, 2008

What Dragon's been up to

Haven't heard much from Dragon lately, and I wondered what she was up to. Then I happened upon the newsstand.....

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

It's Getting Hot In Here

Raspberry & Watermelon Sparkling Ice Tea
Recipe by Dragon

This is a wonderfully refreshing summer drink. It’s a sparkling ice tea that is not too tart and not too sweet. My secret ingredient is cinnamon!

Serves: 9

4 cups boiling water
3 raspberry tea bags
1 cup raspberries
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Raspberry Liquor
4 cups of watermelon, chilled, pureed/strained
3 cups sparkling wine , chilled *** (see note)

For directions, come to Dragon's Kitchen. I've spruced the place up for y'all.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Something cool to get your summer started

Banana Maple Ice Cream with Sugared Walnuts
Recipe by Dragon

I’ve been obsessed with making homemade ice cream ever since I got my ice cream maker for Christmas. Girls and their toys! I’ve been working on this flavour combination for a couple of weeks now and I think it’s the perfect banana ice cream. Be sure to let it soften slightly before serving it.

Makes: 1 1/2 quarts

5 bananas (ripe and frozen)
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 dark corn syrup
1 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup sugared walnuts (see recipe below)

Directions:
1. Allow frozen bananas to thaw for 45 minutes before processing them.

2. Peel the bananas and cut into pieces. Combine bananas with lemon juice and place in a food processor. Process the banana mixture for about 30 seconds.

3. Add maple syrup, corn syrup, maple extract and vanilla extract. Process again for
another 30 seconds.

4. While the processor is running, add the cream slowly. Process until smooth.

5. Pour the banana mixture into a clean bowl and cover the surface of the mixture with plastic wrap.

6. Chill mixture in the refrigerator overnight.

7. Transfer the banana mixture to an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions.

8. Fold in sugared walnuts into the ice cream.

9. Place ice cream in an airtight container and freeze for a minimum of 3 hours before serving.

Sugared Walnuts
Recipe by Dragon

Make: 1 cup

1 cups walnut halves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Pinch of salt

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, water, maple syrup and salt, bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Cook until the sugar starts to get golden. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

3. Add walnuts and stir gently until the nuts are well coated and the mixture loses its gloss.

4. Turn out onto a greased baking sheet. Let it cool slightly and separate the pieces.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

My Goddess Its 4 am this time

First, Hyperion called, saying things were picking up, and then Dragon called saying some nonsense about Pirates or Ninjas. I do not know if you have realized that I have not talked to Dragon since I had to bail her out of jail for throwing bleach on Bobby Flay, screaming about fraud.

Does this diary realize I had to tell George Clooney and Eddie Vedder to go away? They called for me to produce a Barack Obama campaign song, featuring Eddie, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and an old tape of Kurt Cobain somehow singing Betterman. And shit, I had to say know. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if Hyperion did not save me from a shark off the coast of San Diego. Damned loyalty!

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Devil's Food Cheesecake

Devil's Food Cheesecake
Recipe adapted from Alan Rosen and Beth Allen

I made this cake as a reward for my team members for completing a big project. I told them I'd make whatever cake they wanted. Leave it to them to find a cake that took me 3 days to complete and weighed about 10 pounds. Bastards. :)

It was a bit of work but it was a pretty good cake. I'm working on my own version of this delightful cake. It will be coming soon.

In the meantime, enjoy.

For the cheesecake layer:
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs
2/3 cup heavy or whipping cream

For the devil's food cake (3 layers):
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 extra-large eggs, separated
4 oz bittersweet, melted and cooled
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 tsp cream of tartar

For the dark fudge frosting:
6 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (1 1/2 pounds)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 oz semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
2 tbsp dark corn syrup
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream

For the Assembly:
1 oz white chocolate
1 cup Dulce De Leche or caramel sauce (I used this one)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Get Recipe Directions from Dragon's Kitchen.

Click photo for a closer look inside. Yum.

xo,
Dragon

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Cannes 2008 Fashion

What a sexy Pirate wants, a sexy Pirate gets....

Dragon's Picks for the best fashions of Cannes 2008

6. Cate Blanchett was a stunner in this Armani Prive gown for the opening of the newest Indian Jones movie. Best looking villian ever. Ever!

5. Angelina Jolie - I love the colour of this Max Azria Atelier gown. And you can always count on Angelina to wear the best accessories on her arm. Mmm, Brad looks yummy. I wonder if I can get him in my size?

4. Bar Refaeli - This Israeli model turned a lot of heads with her lilac Alberta Ferretti gown. The gown cost $700,000 and was studded with diamonds around the neckline and bodice. I bet you thought those men in dark suits around her were guarding just her body.

3. Eva Longoria showed us why she's becoming a queen on the red carpet in this amazing blue Versace gown.

2. Penelope Cruz - I've said it before, she never disappoints me. This white Marchesa gown shows off her sexy back and shoulders beautifully.

1. Cate Blanchett - I simple LOVE this blush Armani Prive. It is a work of art and Cate looks like a goddess in it.

What do you think of my picks? Agree/Disagree?

xo,

Dragon

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Cannes I be awesome like Cate?

Might I suggest that Dragon also review the fashion at Cannes? From what I've seen, looks good!
As one example, for the Barn Overlord's pleasure, I present...Cate Blanchett.

:) LJS

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Favourite Duran Duran Song...

.... Ordinary World. What's yours?

xo,
Dragon

Friday, April 18, 2008

Dragon's Tats

MONKEY BARN PRESENTS: TATTOO ART SHOW

I've always been facinated by tattoos but never had the nerve to get one.

My favourite tattoos are in black and grey tones with just a hint of colour.

I always thought that if I did get a tattoo, it would be a tiny one like this little lady bug.

I'd put it somewhere only my lover could see.

xo,

Dragon

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Dragon's Oscar 2008 Fashion Picks

Every year one of the Monkeys (Dragon) combs through the thousands of Oscar dresses to come up with her ten faves.

2006 Oscar Dresses

2007 Oscar Dresses

Dragon's 10 Favorite Dresses at the 2008 Oscars

Hi Monkeys! I'm back again with my picks of the best Oscar fashions.

11. VIGGO MORTESEN Ok, he's not in a dress but he's on the list because he's the Man.

10. MARION COTILLARD took a risk in this Jean Paul Gaultier intricately detailed mermaid dress. It worked for her.

9. CATE BLANCHETT was a yummy mummy in this deep blue satin Dries Van Noten gown.

8. HELEN MIRREN was regal on the red carpet in her red satin Georges Chakra gown. I loved the way the dress cinched around her waist.

7. RENEE ZELLWEGER shone in this silver shimmering Caroline Herrera gown. She was went with old Hollywood glamour and she stood out in the crowd.

6. ANNE HATHAWAY glowed in her draped red Marchesa gown. I've seen close ups of the flower details and they are exquisite.

5. PENELOPE CRUZ is always glamorous and looked amazing in her Chanel Haute Couture navy feather embroidered gown.

4. HEIDI KLUM was radiant in this red silk taffeta John Galliano gown. The dress will be auctioned off online to benefit the Red Heart Truth charity.

3. JENNIFER GARNER sizzled in this black silk taffeta Oscar de la Renta gown. This dress looked amazing on TV but I had a hard time finding a photo that did it justice. I loved this dress!

2. KATHERINE HEIGL was simply stunning in her red silk georgette Escada gown. She's a goddess.

1. HILARY SWANK showed everyone what it takes to sparkle on the Oscar red carpet. She looked amazing in her intricate black Versace gown.

xo,
Dragon

Monday, December 10, 2007

Sigh....

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional.
You prefer things the way you've always known them.
You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that.
Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style.
Those who like you crave security.
People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them.
You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin.
And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

You're Welcome

This has been making the rounds via emails and posts, but its been all mushed together and hard to read. I love you, so I've cleaned it up for you. Enjoy!

Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms