Last week, Majic 95.5 held an exclusive screening of the movie “The Ghost Writer” at the Galaxy Highland 10.

I didn’t get to attend the sneak, but after watching a trailer and reading the plot, I’m definitely putting it on my list of movies to catch in the next few weeks.

I wasn’t much of a movie buff growing up, but when you have kids, you find yourself watching almost all the kids’ movies they enjoy. In the past few years, especially as my son James has grown older, I’ve become more interested in movies, as he’s a real movie buff; he even briefly worked at a local movie theater last year.

“The Ghost Writer” is directed by Roman Polanski, and stars Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, and Kim Cattrall.

A ghost writer (McGregor) has agreed to help a British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan) complete his memoirs after a former aide dies under mysterious circumstances. After digging into the memoirs, the writer discovers his predecessor’s death was no accident, and his own life is in danger.

Sounds like my kind of political thriller. To view a trailer of the film, visit the link below:

For the month of February Fox 7’s Loriana Hernandez and I went to CTC,Competative Training Center!  This workout was so effective for me.  No matter how much I think I am in shape I know I can always push further and that is what this workout did for me!  They have a free class this Saturday for ladies only!  It’s a 90 minute class and it begins at 9am!  Find out more on CTC’s website and get a complete list of all of the places you can Get Fit For Free in Austin here!

Steak with Ginger-Plum Barbecue Sauce Steaks

From Chef Tiffany and the Texas Beef Council

Servings
Serves 4

Prep Time
10 minutes

Refrigerate
6 hours to overnight

Cook Time
10 minutes

Cooking Methods
Broiling
Grilling

Beef Type
Round

Ingredients

* 1 beef top round steak, cut 3/4 inch thick (about 1 lb.)
* 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
* 2 cups thinly sliced carrots
* 3 cups fresh pea pods, strings removed
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* salt and black pepper
* 3 cups hot cooked jasmine rice, prepared without butter or salt
* chopped fresh cilantro

Marinade

* 1/2 cup prepared plum sauce
* 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
* 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
* 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
* 2 Tbsp. ketchup
* 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
* 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
* 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper

Instructions

Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steak and 1/2 cup marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or as long as overnight, turning occasionally. Cover and reserve remaining marinade in refrigerator.

Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 8 to 9 minutes for medium rare doneness, turning occasionally and basting with some of the reserved marinade during last 2 to 3 minutes of grilling. Remove; keep warm.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add carrots; stir-fry 5 minutes. Add pea pods and garlic; stir-fry 2 minutes.

Carve steak into thin slices. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired. Place remaining marinade in small saucepan; heat until warm. Serve with steak, vegetables and rice. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Suggestions

To broil, place steak on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 2 to 3 inches from heat. Broil 12 to 13 minutes for medium rare doneness, turning once. To easily remove pea pod strings, slightly cut corner of pod with pairing knife and peel back string.
Nutritional Information

Nutrition information per serving: 496 calories; 9 g fat (2 g saturated fat; 4 g monounsaturated fat); 61mg cholesterol; 531 mg sodium; 66 g carbohydrate; 6.2 g fiber; 36 g protein; 8.4 mg niacin; 0.8 mg vitamin B6; 1.5 mcg vitamin B12; 6.9 mg iron; 43.0 mcg selenium; 6.1 mg zinc.

Winter weather closings, delays, do to winter weather

Schools

* ACC will reopen all campuses and centers at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Classes scheduled to begin before 9 a.m. are canceled.
* Austin AISD anticipates operating on a normal schedule on Wednesday, .
* Concordia University classes and offices will open at 10am on Wednesday at the main and North Lamar campus.
* Dripping Springs ISD will have a two hour delayed start on Wednesday. Buses will run two hours late.
* Eanes ISD They will also operate on a two-hour delayed start on Wednesday.
* Elgin ISD On Wednesday, classes will begin two hours later than normal. Buses will also run two hours later than usual.
* Georgetown ISD Georgetown ISD schools and offices will operate on a two hour delayed start Wednesday All buses will run 2 hours late.
* Granger ISD: Opening at 10 am on Wednesday
* Hutto ISD: All elementary schools will start at 10:30 a.m. and secondary schools (middle and high), they will start at 10:45 a.m.
* Leander ISD will have a two hour delayed start on Wednesday. Buses will run two hours behind their normal schedule. All morning only classes such as Pre-k classes are cancelled, as are morning practices and activities. Afternoon Pre-k will be held as normal.
* Pflugerville ISD Will start school two hours late on Wednesday.
* Round Rock ISD Will have late starts on Wednesday. K-5 will start at 9:45 a.m and dismiss at 2:45 p.m. Morning PreK will run from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Afternoon PreK will run from 12:45-2:45 p.m. Morning PPCD will run from 9:45-11:45 a.m. Afternoon PPCD will run from 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
* Taylor ISD They’ll run buses two hours later than normal Wednesday.
* Wimberley ISD Buses will run 2 hours late on Wednesday with the school start time of 10:00 a.m.

I’m sure you’ve heard it hundreds if not thousands of time over the past 25 years!  “The best part of wakin’ up is Folger’s in your cup”!  Believe it or not the Folgers jingle is 25 years old!  To celebrate this fantastic event Folgers is having a jingle contest.  You can put your own spin on this classic jingle and win $25,ooo!!  The top 5 finalists will take a trip to New York City to compete in the live Grand-Prize Audition with American Idol’s Kara DiaGuardi and take home $1000!

All the details are right here!! Majic 95.5 has your chance to win Folger’s prize packs all this week.  Each prize pack includes two cans of fabulous Folgers coffee and a $50 American Express gift card!!   Congratulations to Folgers and the best of luck to you!!

February 22, 1980, was one of the most significant days in American sports history. It was the day the U.S. Olympic Men’s hockey team upset the Soviet Union to put them in the finals, which they eventually went on to win, and earned a Gold Medal.
 http://vodpod.com/watch/124298-the-mirac…

It was one of those “where were you” moments. The Russians had dominated the hockey landscape since the 60’s, and none of the so-called experts gave the U.S. a chance to even give them a good game, much less knock them off.

This past Sunday, just one day before the 30th anniversary of that amazing event, the U.S. team did it again, this time upsetting Team Canada 5-3. Though the U.S. still has a way to go to win a Gold, it was almost as stunning a victory as the one in 1980. The Canadians hadn’t lost to the U.S. in hockey since 1960, and Sunday’s U.S. win came on the Canadians’ home soil, or ice, to be more specific.

With all the problems and trials facing us in our country today, it’s nice to have stories like these to keep us inspired. Yes, the problems will still be there when everyone comes home from Vancouver, but this latest “Miracle On Ice” is not only a nice distraction, it’s a proud moment for our country, and the people who train hard for years to reach this moment.
 http://www.nbcolympics.com/photos/galler…

After a stressful workday or just because you need a smile…watch this adorable video!  It really is the simple things that make life worthwhile!! 

The Olympics are full of many stories. Some are tragic, some emotionally heartbreaking, and others are inspiring.

Thousands of athletes from around the world spend years training, preparing, and hoping for that moment when they can have that Olympic gold. Obviously, not everyone will have that indescribable experience.

One of the things I find most interesting about the Olympics, as well as other international events and competitions, are the friendships that are forged between athletes from other countries. One such friendship that’s been written about is between skiers Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. and Maria Riesch of Germany.

You’ve probably heard all the publicity surrounding Lindsey’s badly bruised shin. But I came across an interesting article in USA Today that talks about something completely different: her strong friendship with Riesch.

Obviously, both girls want to win; anyone who is competitive could never substitute friendship for victory. But, each is rooting for the other to do well, more specifically finish second behind the other.

Check out the link below to view the entire story.
 http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/…

Today is Fat Tuesday the last day of Mardi Gras!!  For me, coming from the midwest it is better know as Packi Day!!  That last day to indulge is something decadent before Lent.  Paczki’s pronounced (Pooch-key) are like big  jelly donuts!  I know I can’t get one here in Austin, but maybe a Tiffs Treat’s peanut butter cookie will do!  What do you think?

These are my beloved Paczki's!!