Transit Museum

I won't, I can't stop finding things to post about my most recent trip to New York, and you can't make me — at least not until I run out of pictures to share (this may never happen). So, I present to you the third installment in my romantic-comedy-sounding mini-series, Springtime in New York: The Transit Museum Edition.

Like any good tourist, I've already visited the major "must-see" museums (MOMA, the Met, Museum of Sex, you know, the classics) so I have the pleasure of being able to focus my museum choices a bit more. Since my first visit to the city I've been enamored with the public transit system — rats, trash and unbearable summer heat be damned, the fact that I can pay $2.50 and get anywhere I want to go amazes me every time. Better yet, when we get wherever "there" happens to be, I don't even have to think about parallel parking: this must be what heaven is like.

So it seemed only fitting to add the Transit Museum to my list of must-do activities. After a foiled attempt last summer (pro-tip: they're closed on July fourth weekend), I found a friend who didn't mind spending his gorgeous Saturday afternoon exploring an underground museum geared toward 8-year-old boys.

We rounded a corner, looking for the entrance and both noticed simultaneously that it was located in an actual subway station (i.e. you walk down, underground into the museum just like you would the subway) — a pretty obvious, but awesome detail that neither of us had been expecting.

After paying the "station agent" for a ticket, we wandered around the first level for a while before realizing that all of the actual trains were another level down — if you're over the age of 8, I recommend skipping the "how electricity works" exhibits and starting with the trains.

The museum's collection of out-of-commission subway cars from the early 1900s - 1960s was impressive, informative and just downright cool to see — we took so many photos that I can't possibly remember which year each car is from, but I know I liked the 50s cars the best.

It was awesome seeing how the interiors had changed — I had no idea there were so many different versions of the proverbial 'straps'. The oldest cars had seats that were super low to the ground and large, sharp-bladed fans attached to the ceilings. I don't think 1917 was a good year to be a tall subway patron.

The reproduction, period-correct advertisements lining each car were a nice touch and we tried out every single seating solution. I also loved seeing the colors, styles and signage change through the years — what I wouldn't give to have ridden a brand new express train to the 1969 World's Fair.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the Transit Museum and afterwards take a walk around Brooklyn Heights if you've never been. It's only my favorite place in the entire world. What are some other niche museums that I should check out the next time I'm in the city?

Springtime in New York, part 2

As much as I dream about one day being able to legitimately call myself a New Yorker, I've resigned myself that until I actually get mail to a city address for multiple (what is it, ten?!) years, I'm still a...tourist. It was really hard for me to type that, but we'll get through this post together.

During my recent three-day trip, I walked briskly, always wore my sunglasses, smiled sparingly and barely consulted a map in an effort to fool the locals into thinking that I was one of them. But then, I not only made it a point to visit, but also take pictures of:

Bethesda Fountain. In Central Park, a must-see since the first time I ever visited the city — 14-yr-old me was equal parts mesmerized and creeped out by an American Indian slash rock violinist we stopped to watch, but it's the angel herself that keeps me coming back.

New Year's Ball. How's this for touristy: While walking though Times Square to get to anywhere else, I saw an advertisement on a trash can, beckoning me to come see the 100th anniversary ball, currently on display in the Times Square visitor's center and I actually did it.

Also: it's surprisingly tiny — I'll add it to my list of New York things that I've found to be smaller in real life than they look tv, including the Statue of Liberty, Rosie O'Donnell's old studio and Meryl Streep.

Shake Shack. We waited in a line longer than most people in Ohio could even comprehend, for burgers and fries that were average at best — especially when I live within a mile of a Swenson's. But I got to take a picture and let everyone know I was here, and as a tourist that's all that really matters, right?

Skyline views. While the Brooklyn Heights Promenade may not be as touristy as, maybe, a cruise around lower Manhattan, the spectacular views are quite similar. And I still take the same exact photo every time I come here, because until this is the daily view out of my bedroom window, mama needs a new desktop background.

The Brooklyn Bridge. It's my favorite bridge, and I've got the photographs to prove it. In between clogging up my Instagram feed (SHAMELESS PLUG: oh, hey, I'm BlueCarrotShop on there) with photos of this beauty, I took a nap in the park right underneath. So, sometimes I'm more homeless than tourist — is that further or closer to being an actual New Yorker? Can you spare a dime or a quarter?*

*I passed a guy over multiple days asking for a dime or a quarter — can't fault a brotha for trying.

Springtime in New York, part 1

This past weekend I went to New York City, which just happens to be my favorite of all of the cities. I've lost count of how many times I've visited, but I'm pretty sure I've covered every month — December was the coldest (-22 with windchill), June the hottest (90+, a record that year) and August the rainiest (I nearly lost a flip flop down a storm drain).

I've been there when it was 60 degrees in January and 40 degrees in May, but this past weekend it was absolutely perfect. Sunday was chilly and rainy, but Friday and Saturday were some of the most gorgeous days I've spent in the city.

Determined as always to see as much as humanly possible, I packed an extraordinary amount of sightseeing into two-and-a-half days. I can't possibly pick a favorite spot, activity or even borough when the contenders include most everything on my to-do list with notable additions being the "Cat You Care For" book I bought for forty-eight cents, delicious burgers at Shake Shack and an entire grove of lilacs.

I have to say though, for being such a city, New York certainly knows how to do nature. I spent a considerable amount of time walking around Central Park, Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and every time I turned a corner something was blooming and taking my breath away. The highlights:

I spent Friday morning walking most of Central Park, eventually ending up at the Conservatory Garden. I was just about to exit the gate, when I walked into this courtyard ringed with the most gorgeous tulips I've ever seen. Believe me when I say these tulips were a game changer.

I hesitate to say they took my breath away, but I'm still having a hard time believing I even saw something this beautiful. Did I mention the Conservatory Garden is free?

After the Conservatory, I headed to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I went for the flowering cherries, and they didn't disappoint. I wish I was still there, sitting under the canopy of peak-bloom cherry trees — every time the wind would blow, a few petals would fall and I had to keep reminding myself that it was real life. Sometimes I can't believe I'm so lucky.

Also, I got in for $5 thanks to my student I.D., even though it's been 4 years since I could call myself a student.

Don't tell New York.

As if the cherries weren't enough, the Botanic Garden also has the most delicious smelling lilac grove I've ever seen. Well, it was also the first lilac grove I'd ever seen, but seriously I wish you could smell my photos. That's not usually something I wish when presenting New York City photos, but trust me.

Not to be outdone, the azaleas were also in peak bloom and in such vibrant colors I could barely trust my own eyeballs. Luckily I took approximately six thousand pictures as proof. Apparently the bumble bees enjoyed them as much as I did — I tried to take a picture of two bees getting fresh with one another, but they were all "stop creeping on us" and flew away.

I can't recommend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden enough — every where I looked was incredible. The bluebell field is apparently in bloom as of right this second, so grab your fraudulent student I.D. and head over to Prospect Park if you can — tell the cherries that I'll see them next year.

Easter Recap

I hosted my very first Easter dinner this year, and I think (hope) it successful. I have a thing for vintage, flocked bunnies, so any event that allows me to put them on display is immediately a favorite.

I made individual baskets for everyone (even though the youngest person there was... me) and filled them with Cadbury mini eggs, Reese's cups, Kit Kats and topped it all of with a Peep. The egg-shaped gumballs only confused two out of two grandparents.

I've never really "decorated" a holiday table before, but I let my pink Pyrex bowls and various bunnies do most of the work. I may have also used some (unused, obviously, I'm not that cheap) orange Solo cups leftover from our Halloween party — who says pink, orange and red don't go together?

This was also my first time cooking (or, heating up) a ham — apparently a whole, spiral-sliced ham is too much ham for six people? Ask me how I know this. Or rather, ask me how many times I was told this.

How was your Easter? Are you still eating handfuls of black jelly beans every morning, or is that just me?

Party Time, Excellent.

Despite some culinary missteps (my lady fingers turned out a tad on the pudgy side, my shards of "glass" were more frosted than see-thru —shhhhh don't tell Martha) our Halloween party was amazing — and every single person came in costume, even my man's dad who had on such a convincing "Justin's Dad" costume that he was voted runner-up in the costume contest (the top prize went to a very authentic Macho Man Randy Savage).

We also had a Wayne and Garth, the Christmas Story Leg Lamp, Green Man, two Michael Jacksons (one came with her own "little" boy in a onesie), a sexy Robinhood, Robin (minus Batman), one third of Run DMC, Elmo, an old man in a cowboy hat (aka my grandpa), a pirate, an owl, a real child with a blue face, three vampires and two very classy, fantastically fancy foxes.

In addition to great costumes, there was some pretty delicious (and spoooooky!) food...

Two jack-o-lantern scarecrows, some creepy porch decorations and a few hundred sparkle lights to greet our guests...

Carved critters...

Bottles of "poison" and a dead flower arrangement...

I also may have spent a lot more more than I had intended on decorations/every Halloween-themed thing I could find, but now I'm just extra prepared for next year, right?

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

As I've mentioned, we're having our Halloween party this weekend and I've been trying to prep what I can ahead of time so I'm not running around like a madwoman come Saturday afternoon. Here's a sneak peek at what I've accomplished thus far:

Inspired by these Martha ones (and not wanting to pay for them), I made my own soda labels (and treat bags).

Coffin utensil holder — I bought an unfinished wooden one (like this one) from Pat Catan's, painted it, distressed it and wrote my own epitaph with a silver Sharpie marker (love those).

We carved our pumpkins, which will end up being heads for spooky scarecrow-like yard decorations — can you guess who the soft, gray, adorable inspiration was for mine? Two years ago we tried the Martha Method of filling a mason jar with white Christmas lights instead of a candle and it worked great (especially if you hoard extra-long extension cords, which we do).

I've also prepared a list of creepy foods that I intend to make, including but not limited to: these heavenly sounding pumpkin cupcakes, deviled eggs like this, salsa dip that looks like puke but tastes like amazing (equal parts salsa and cream cheese), the always-a-hit finger cookies and these shards of glass cupcakes from — you guessed it — Ms. Stewart herself*.

And, lest I get too worn out from all of this strenuous party prep, I've been diligent about getting outside, enjoying the last of the warm fall weather (it may snow this weekend -yay!) and taking every picture I can of the beautiful leaves before they're gone.

What are you being for Halloween? Any last minute suggestions for creepy food/decorations?

*Although it may seem like it is, I promise this post is not sponsored by Martha Stewart, I just love her and everything she does. But I wouldn't be opposed to being sponsored by her, eh Martha? What do you say?

Have your people call my people**.

**I don't have people.

CRAMBLIN' (WO)MAN

A few weeks ago, my culinary genius of a friend, Rachael, posted a picture to Twitter of a very delicious-looking apple crumble. I promptly replied: GIMMEE DAT CRAMBLE, and a very funny hashtag and on-going meme of sorts was born.

Fast-forward to this past weekend, and I'm in Buehler's staring at their pounds and pounds of apples, when I decide to try my hand at the CRAMBLE. I finally got around to making this legendary dessert last night, and I must report: it's HOLY SHIT GREAT.

Now, I had expectations, as any lover of fall-themed desserts would, but the CRAMBLE far exceeded all of them. It was crispy and gooey and cinnamon-y and even my man — in the middle of playing a video game, no less — felt compelled to praise all things CRAMBLE.

Head over to Rachael's (newly designed!) blog and check out the simple (aka not cramblicated) recipe copied from Rachael below (most times I double the crumble part):

I N G R E D I E N T S :

Apples:

10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water

Crumble:

1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted

D I R E C T I O N S :

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.

3) Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apples.

4) Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes

5) Serve warm over ice cream

Broomstick Treat Bags

Once again, I turned to the High Holy Priestess of Halloween, Ms. Martha Stewart, for the treat bags I decided to make for our Halloween party this year. I've seen these broomstick bags in her magazine for a few years, and decided to finally give them a try.

They are pretty simple, but take a lot longer to put together than I had anticipated. By the time Practical Magic was over (1 hr. 44 min.) I had only finished 15 "brooms". I had also run out of treats, so I moved on to The Craft (I was really feeling the 90s witch-vibe) and a nap.

First, gather sticks from your (or your neighbor's) yard, and have your nice, handy, man cut them for you. I found that a more substantial, thicker stick looked better, but use what you can find.

Bonus: This totally counts as yardwork, or at least that's what I told myself.

Push the bottom of one bag out, while keeping the sides folded in. Cut the bag into strips, stopping short of the bottom. This part frustrated me at first, because you're cutting through multiple layers of brown paper and it gets pretty shifty and tries to make your life hard.

I found that keeping a hold on the cut parts while you cut the rest, and constantly re-aligning your pieces is the way to go. Also, if it's not perfect, it doesn't really matter in the end.

Cut some fringe in the top of another bag, and set it inside of the shredded one. Fill with treats, and insert your stick handle.

Gather the shredded strips around the inside bag, and tie tightly with string. I wrapped it around a few times to look like a broom handle.

Place in a box, and keep away from cats until your party.

I'm pretty happy with how they turned out; I just hope they last until the 29th — for some reason Mozart has felt compelled to chew on every one of the stick handles she can reach.

Side note: the bags ended up a lot larger than I had thought they would be, but it makes them more realistic/impressive looking. Be prepared to use a lot of candy in each one (and make sure you have some extra for yourself, you've worked hard).

Halloween Invite 2011

I had lofty aspirations for this year's invite to our Halloween party — I'm a graphic designer, I should be able to knock it out of the park, right? Well, I never really got around to designing the perfect invite (one that I had planned on screen printing too, you know, because I have endless time), so I turned to the Holy Lady of the Holidays: Martha Stewart.

I downloaded this owl template, and customized the middle portion with some spooky type of my own creation (at least I designed part of it, huh?). I printed them on sparkly card stock (half silver, half copper) — leftover paper samples given to us who-knows-how-long-ago by a rep — and voila!

An adorable and memorable invite that was super easy to put together — although after cutting out more than twenty I must admit that I began to get the dreaded scissor-finger-claw.

Just download the pdf template, add your date/time/place, print, cut, secure the wings with teeny brads (I used matte black ones I just happened to have, and punched the holes first with a push-pin), mail to your friends and family and wait for the compliments to start rolling in.

And, if none of them happen to read Martha Stewart, you may just be able to pass it off as your own creation.

I promise I won't tell.

Also, if you happen to be in the neighborhood on October 29th, and you're not a complete weirdo, stop by! Consider this your formal invitation (don't make me cut out another damn owl).

The Week of Streep (p.8)

In this final (for now) installment of the mini-Streep reviews, I will revisit the last seven releases in Meryl Streep's career. Next in line is the Iron Lady, which is set for release in January — have you seen the teaser? It's been more than a year since my last new Streep fix, and I'm jonesin'. I've got the fever and I've got it bad.

And, in case you missed it, here are parts one, two, three, four, five, six and seven, for your reading pleasure.

2007: Evening

As usual, Streep uses her very minimal screen time to maximum effect in Evening, adapted from Susan Minot's New England-set novel of the same name. Evening is notable in that it was the feature-film debut (in a starring role) of the similarly talented Streep Spawn, Mamie Gummer (relation to the Great One: daughter).

Real-life mother and daughter actually share the on screen role, with Gummer playing a young Lila (in what is basically a flashback) and Streep stepping in as present day Lila. It's not hard to see the similarities, physically, of course, but also in talent. I'm sure it's not easy entering into the same profession in which one of your parents has more than excelled (or rather, defined it altogether), let alone going toe-to-toe with your famous mother in the same film. Gummer holds her own, although (of course) Streep knocks it out of the park.

Side note: I'm about 85% sure that I found the actual house where the majority of Evening was filmed, while on vacation in Newport, Rhode Island. It was set far off from the road and my camera zoom at the time was less than stellar, but I'd like to think my powers of recognition were spot on.

If watching Evening doesn't make you want to book a trip to Newport immediately, you probably accidentally rented the 1999 non-hit of the same name.

2007: Rendition | Lions for Lambs

Streep had supporting roles in two political thrillers in 2007, Rendition and Lions for Lambs. Rendition, like so many movies, failed to deliver despite a promising cast including Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal and Alan Aarkin. Streep is powerful in her brief scenes — don't miss her heated confrontation with Witherspoon's character.

Lions, also boasts a noteworthy cast (I'm sure you've heard of Robert Redford? Tom Cruise?) and is the more enjoyable — if you can call debating the political ensnarement that is Afghanistan, entertainment — of the two films. I have a hard time enjoying Tom Cruise in any film that isn't Rainman, but his scenes with Streep are the best parts of Lions, which focuses on three stories told simultaneously in real-time.

2008: Mamma Mia

After a stretch of supporting roles, Streep burst back into the spotlight with the screen adaptation of the ABBA-filled musical, Mamma Mia. Now to be clear, I don't exactly think that Mamma Mia is an Oscar-worthy film of distinction. I did, however, manage to see it thirteen times at the theater — it's campy and ridiculous and gorgeous and fun and everything I needed in the summer of '08.

I went once, on a Monday, and stayed for a repeat showing. I bought the soundtrack and blasted it in my car with the windows down, impervious to embarrassment. I saw the sing-a-long version in a theater containing only two other people (to whom I am related); which is to say, I loved it.

Streep looks like she's having the time of her life frolicking around the Greek Islands, and if you don't have an equally good time watching her do so, than I truly feel sorry for you. Don't rent Mamma Mia expecting to see Casablanca, but do watch it expecting to cringe at Pierce Brosnan's attempt at a singing career, which, in my opinion, is just as enjoyable as watching the vocally-talented Streep.

2008: Doubt

Doubt is another screen adaptation of a stage show, albeit holy (you see what I did there?) different from Mamma Mia. Streep plays Sister Aloysius Beauvier, and you'll wonder why it's taken her this long in her career to play a nun — she's utterly fantastic.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman is equally as wonderful as the priest who's relationship with a 12-year old boy raises the titular "doubt" and Viola Davis was 100% robbed of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her brief, but powerful scene alongside Streep. From the performances, to the story, to the set design and time period, there is no Doubt (ehhh?) that this film more than earned its Best Picture nomination.

Side note: If you're like me, and fall asleep to any movie you try to watch past 5pm, do try to stay awake for the end of Doubt. Streep's closing scene with Amy Adams is some of her finest acting work to date.

2009: Julie and Julia

If I wasn't such an ardent Streep fan, I might have sworn that I was watching footage of the actual Julia Child during Streep's scenes as the famous chef in 2009's Julie and Julia. Rather than do a caricature of Child, Streep's performance is as fitting a tribute as fans could have ever hoped for. From the voice, to the mannerisms, to the face, to the height (achieved with some particularly enormous shoes — you can spot them in certain scenes) Streep is perfect.

I only wish that the entire movie was about Julia, and wasn't instead forced to split its time between Child's fascinating life in Paris and the present day (more specifically, Julie Powell's so-so memoir, about the time she decided to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking).

Streep was most certainly — and unfairly — denied the Oscar win for this career highlight and I'm sure my man would agree — upon leaving the theater I immediately cooked Child's famous beouf bourguignon, and it has since become my signature "fancy" dish.

2009: It's Complicated

Streep's last theatrical release to date, was It's Complicated, and was a welcome return to comedy for the Great One. She is hilarious in this breezy, thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy from Nancy Myers, alongside two old favorites — Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin — and one of my new favorites — John Krasinski ("Harles"). I saw It's Complicated five times in the theater, and would have gone more if it hadn't been winter (i.e. snowy, miserable) and I had been able to find more willing companions.

It's the perfect movie to watch if you're home sick or in the mood to laugh, and if I could have just one day as the gorgeous, bakery-owning, amazing-kitchen-occupying, California-living, Steve Martin-dating Jane Adler, I would be a happy girl.

(all photos from Simply Streep)

The Week of Streep (p.7)

I remembered today (about a year and a half late, oopsy) that I never finished reviewing the entire Meryl Streep catalog AND because it's my blog and I can do what I want, I'm going rogue, finishing what I started, and still referring to it as a 'week' even though it's taken me more like 15 months.

And, in case you need a refresher, revisit parts one, two, three, four, five and six before proceeding.

2004: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

L.S.A.S.O.U.E. has the distinction of being the first Meryl Streep movie I saw during it's original run in a movie theater. This was in 2004 of course, 2 years before I would be consumed by all things Streep, so I went more to be entertained than wowed by the Great One.

But, wowed I was, and as in most of her supporting roles, Streep stole every scene she was in — not a small feat, considering most of her screen time is opposite a scenery chewing Jim Carrey ("What a Supreeeeese"). She plays the grammar-obsessed, ultra-jittery Aunt Josephine and she's absolutely perfect — in fact, the entire movie is actually great, and able to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

2005: Prime

While Prime wasn't a blockbuster by any means, it is certainly worth revisiting on DVD or Netflix. Streep plays Dr. Lisa Metzger, a New York City therapist who finds out that her patient (a very likable Uma Thurman) is dating her son, but can't let on that she knows. The scenes where she tries to keep it together while Uma reveals intimate details about her relationship are pure comic gold.

Nothing is better than watching Streep squirm as Uma declares "his penis is so beautiful I just want to knit it a hat."

2006: A Prairie Home Companion

Ah, 2006: The Summer of Streep. Two Thousand Ought Six was a great summer to be newly obsessed with Streep, as it featured not one, but two theatrical releases prominently featuring the Great One. The first, Robert Altman's last film, A Prairie Home Companion has a stellar ensemble cast — Kevin Kline, John C. Reily, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, Maya Rudolph, a pre-crack Lindsay Lohan and Mr. Garrison Keillor, as himself.

Streep plays opposite Lily Tomlin as half of the singing duo, The Johnson Sisters. She is adorably ditzy, a little slutty and entirely enjoyable. She also sings (if you like music at all, get the soundtrack, now), which is always a delight.

2006: The Devil Wears Prada

A major highlight to my Summer of Streep was the box office hit, The Devil Wears Prada. One of the highest grossing films of her career, T.D.W.P. also held my personal record for times viewed in a theater: I saw it six times (a record that stood until another Streep film, Mamma Mia, shattered it two years later).

Streep is absolutely perfect as the white-haired, terrifyingly soft-spoken, Miranda Priestly. Everything about her performance is perfection, from her line delivery ("By all means, move at a glacial pace, you knoooow how that thrillllls me") to her emotional, make-up less scene two-thirds through the movie. Just try and get through the "cerulean" monologue without agreeing that she more than deserved the Oscar she didn't end up winning.

2007: Dark Matter

The release of Dark Matter, a 2007 film chronicling the true story of a Chinese student who ends up going on a shooting spree at his college, was delayed for more than a year after real-life events at Virginia Tech mirrored the film a little too closely. I ended up seeing it in a theater in New York City, when it was playing on maybe two screens (in the entire country).

Suffice it to say, it wasn't a hit. Streep is adequate as Joanna Silver, the student's sympathetic benefactor, and the film reunites her with her Music of the Heartcostar, Aidan Quinn. I wouldn't drop everything you're doing to run out and grab a copy, but it's an interesting story that was the victim of unfortunate timing.

(all photos from the always-amazing Simply Streep)

The Week of Streep (p.6)

1999: Music of the Heart

I should have probably included Music of the Heart in yesterday's post, as it is the last in Streep's streak of 90s family-oriented dramas. Word is that Madonna was supposed to play the role of real-life inner city music teacher, Roberta Guaspari, but Streep stepped in at the last minute and — being Meryl Streep — learned how to convincingly play the violin in record time.

She is wonderful, of course, holding her own even as she takes the legendary stage at Carnegie Hall with musical greats Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern. She is tough, but loving and you root for the kids and the art of music right along with her.

2002: Adaptation

After a short break, Streep returned to the screen in 2002 in Adaptation, a Charlie Kaufman/Spike Jonze film based on the struggle Kaufman endured while trying to adapt The Orchid Theif, a wonderful book by Susan Orlean. Streep plays both a real (in the first half of the film) and imagined (every weird and wonderful thing that happens after reality ends) version of Orlean.

It must be mentioned that Chris Cooper more than deserved the Academy Award he won for playing the passionate, obsessive and sublimely cooky John Laroche ("That's how much fuck fish"), whose scenes with Streep are some of the best ever committed to film. Streep is especially delightful when things start to get crazy; I could watch her brush her teeth, tell Laroche that she's 'very happy now' and make a dial tone for days on end without getting bored.

Adaptation is really a brilliant movie, and one of my all-time favorites — one that only gets better with each subsequent viewing.

2002: The Hours

Oh, The Hours, how do I ever explain how much I love thee? From the divine Philip Glass soundtrack, to the expert trio of Streep, Kidman and Moore, to the amazing supporting cast (Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Ed Harris, Toni Collette, John C. Reilly) the entire movie is perfection. The novel, by Michael Cunningham, is one of my favorite books of all time and I am continually amazed at how expertly it was translated onto film.

It's quiet and beautiful and heartbreaking and moving — not to mention the one amazing kiss Streep shares with (the always amazing) Alison Janney. If that's not reason enough to see it, then you can't call yourself a fan.

Side note: Streep's character's name is Clarissa Vaughan, a name I absolutely adore — enough to have planned to name a hairless cat after her... If I ever get rich and crazy enough to buy a hairless cat, that is.

2003: Stuck on You

Yes, Meryl Streep is in the Farrelly brother's movie where Greg Kinnear and Matt Damn play siamese twins. Yes, I own this film voluntarily ONLY because Streep is in it. No, I don't recommend this film as a whole. Yes, Meryl Streep is hilarious as herself. Yes, I am done reviewing this film.

2003: Angels in America

I don't usually have the longest attention span, or the ability to remain awake during long movies. But Angels in America is so captivating, so devastating, so amazingly wonderful and choc-full of gaaah-sooo-goood Streep performances (4 total!) that its nearly 6 hr. running time seems more like 6 minutes.

Based on Tony Kushner's award-winning stage play, Angels would be brilliant without Meryl Streep. With her (also award-winning) performances as a rabbi (her first time playing a man, so convincingly that her co-stars had no idea it was MerylStreep under that beard), a Mormon, a principality and (a surprisingly hilarious) Ethel Rosenberg, it's beyond anything I can possibly describe.

Do yourself a favor and watch Angels, and then, watch it again (trust me, you'll want to).

2004: The Manchurian Candidate

In this 2004 remake of the Manchurian Candidate, Streep plays the role of Eleanor Prentiss Shaw, a woman in politics (not so far from that other famous woman in politics, you know) who has bigger balls than any man to ever walk Capitol Hill. She is riveting and certainly knows how to make a speech and work a room; if Streep ever decides to go into politics her opponents don't even stand a chance.

The Week of Streep (p.5)

Ok, so I realize that I kinda dropped the ball on this whole Week of Streep idea, but I invented it, so I can make up my own rules where a week is actually more like a week and a half.

(once again, all photos from the incomparable SimplyStreep)

1995: The Bridges of Madison County

Bridges is one of my top five Streep movies, and that isn't a distinction to be taken lightly. She is completely and totally devastating as the Italian-Iowan housewife, Francesca Johnson. Every move she makes — from a subtle shudder at a slamming screen door, to a stolen glance of sexy out-of-town photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) — is perfection. Her accent is also (surprise!) spot-on, and she is nearly unrecognizable and convincingly Italian in appearance. You can feel her longing, smell her desire and touch her confusion and her passion in every moment she's on screen.

The scenes that take place in the present day, and focus on Francesca's grown children, are unnecessary in every way and really drag down an otherwise beautiful story. The movie makes complete sense (and is much better) without them; do yourself a favor and keep one finger near the fast-forward button at all times.

1996: Before and After

Unfortunately, after the near perfection of Bridges, Streep had nowhere to go but down. In fact, very, very far down.

Before and After, by all respects, should have been a great movie. It had a solid cast (Liam Neeson, Ed Furlong, and of course, Streep) and a pretty interesting premise (possible murder! mistaken identity!). Instead, Before and After has the dubious distinction of being the worst overall Streep movie, and — as much as this pains me to type —Streep delivers a less than stellar performance.

If I were referring to any other actor I might be more lenient, but this is Meryl-A-Dingo-Got-My-Baby-Streep. Maybe it's the brown hair (a hand-me-down from her Francesca Johnson days, no doubt) or maybe she was just not feeling the script, but whatever went wrong thankfully never happens again as Streep goes right back to being The Meryl Streep in her next film...

1996: Marvin's Room

Every time I re-watch Marvin's Room, I'm reminded just how great Meryl Streep is as Lee Lacker, the straight-talking, chain-smoking, cosmetologist student, single mother from Ohio — and I can tell you first hand that Streep absolutely nails it.

Just try not to laugh as she instructs her youngest (he's about 10) son to light a cigarette for her oldest (Leonardo DiCaprio who has recently burned down their house, and therefore can't be trusted with matches). Or try not to tear up as she styles the wig her sister (Diane Keaton, who's un-make-upped face is a tad frightening at times) is forced to wear after chemo treatments.

Side note: Marvin's Room marks the third time Streep has starred with her real-life friend Robert DeNiro, and he's quite hilarious as the bumbling Dr. Wally.

1997: ...First Do No Harm

Streep returns to the small screen in ...First Do No Harm, based on a true story of a family's struggle with their son's severe epilepsy. Streep is convincing as the boy's long-suffering mother, Lori Reimueller, and dives into the role from her mom hair cut down to her mom jeans.

This isn't by any means a must-see film in the Streep catalog, but the subject matter is certainly important, and the supporting cast (why hello, Fred Ward where have you been hiding since Silkwood?) is more than adequate.

1998: Dancing at Lughnasa

Dancing at Lughnasa is one of the Streep's most obscure films, and certainly one of the hardest to spell. Streep puts on her thickest Irish brogue to play one of the Mundy sisters, in a small role that required her to step dance as well age herself quite significantly.

It's a quiet film; in an interview Streep once said something like, "I'm not quite sure how to explain it without making you never want to go see it..." and I agree. So I will only say that it is indeed worth tracking down (I bought my copy at the now-defunct Tower Records).

1998: One True Thing

In more than two decades of screen time, and having faced every imaginable enemy — from the Nazis to the Dingoes — Streep tackles the big C(ancer) for the first time in One True Thing, based on the Anna Quindlen weeper of the same name. She stars alongside Renee Zellweger (who happens to be one of my very least favorite actresses) and the stoic William Hurt as Katherine Gulden, the strong-willed mother (to the former) and long-suffering wife (of the latter).

By now, Streep certainly knows how to bring the tears and emotions — and neither are in short supply here; be sure to keep those tissues within reach.

The Week of Streep (p.4)

Ah, the Comedy Era of the Streep... After more than a decade of screen-time — during which she went on safari, fell in love with Robert DeNiro and out of love with Jack Nicholson, endured radiation poisoning and the Holocaust, and had her infant daughter taken by a dingo —Streep was ready to laugh.

Some discount this period in her career, but I've always thought that Streep is wildly funny and whether it's a Danish accent, or a prat fall, she consistently hits it out of the park.

1989: She-Devil

Now, I'm not about to claim that She-Devil, in which Streep stars alongside master-thespian Roseanne Barr, and that sex-pot* Ed Begley Jr., is an Oscar-deserving — or even a good — film. It's pretty terrible, as a whole. BUT I am prepared to defend Streep's decision to take the role of romance novelist Mary Fisher, and even suggest that she is wonderful in it. Streep seems to know that she's in a terrible movie, and she looks like she's having a blast. Don't go into She-Devil expecting Schindler's List, and you'll have a good time too.

*Ok, so I don't really think Ed Begley Jr. is a sex-pot. In fact, I think he's one of the most hideous humans I've seen, which makes the entire premise of the movie (two women fighting over him) even more hilarious. Now that's what I call comedy.

1990: Postcards from the Edge

One of Streep's finest comedic performances, is as Suzanne Vale in Postcards from the Edge, a film based on Carrie Fisher's novel/memoir of the same name. Streep is beautiful and complex as she goes from a hospital bed (after an accidental overdose) to rehab, to her mother's (the delightfully over-the-top Shirley Maclaine) house.

I could have done without Dennis Quaid's role as Suzanne's 'love' interest, although the scene where she shoots ("They're just blanks, asshole!") at him is quite rewarding.

The best scenes occur between Streep and Maclaine — especially when they both put on 'numbers' for a house full of guests. Streep finally gets a chance to showcase her extraordinary singing talent not one, but two times in Postcards, and that's always a treat.

1991: Defending Your Life

I wouldn't exactly call Defending Your Life a "quintessential" Streep film, but it's worth at least one viewing. Streep is perfectly lovely as Julia, the after-life love-interest of Albert Brooks (this is very much an Albert Brooks film) and you can easily see why Brooks would fall for the beautiful and should-be-annoying-but-isn't-for-some-reason, perfect Julia.

Defending Your Life also presents some interesting ideas about the after-life: Eating all you want and never gaining a pound? The Hall of Past Lives? Really soft robes and slippers? When I die, I want to go to there.

1992: Death Becomes Her

A much better attempt at over-the-top camp comedy than She-Devil, Death Becomes Her is a tongue-in-botoxed-cheek commentary on aging in Hollywood. Streep strikes comic gold as the insanely vain, reluctantly aging Madeleine Ashton, who doesn't think twice before stealing her homely (the ugly-fied Goldie Hawn) best friend's fiance (a hapless Bruce Willis). I couldn't possibly pick a favorite moment; from the extravagant opening number, to Hawn in a fat suit (!) and Streep throwing a javelin through the gaping hole in Hawn's torso ("Yes! I mean, No!"), Death is a must-see Streep staple.

1993: The House of the Spirits

Streep has a small role in the House of the Spirits, an unfortunately rather forgettable film with an unforgettable cast: Glenn Close, Winona Ryder, Antonio Banderas, Jeremy Irons and Vanessa Redgrave all star alongside Streep. I remember growing impatient waiting for the few glimpses of Streep, but watch closely: the adorable little girl playing Clara del Valle Trueba (Streep) as a child? That's Grace Gummer, Streep's real-life third child.

Side note: This film might be a little difficult to track down; the DVD is out-of-print, although I managed to find mine for around $5 at a used DVD store. I also have a VHS copy because, that's how I roll.

1994: The River Wild

How bad-ass is Meryl Streep that, in her 40s, she decides to try her hand at navigating class V rapids? Very bad ass. She also goes head-to-head with the 'there's-obviously-something-off-about-this-guy' Kevin Bacon (this movie is my ace when playing the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon) and I won't spoil the ending for you, other than to say this: Bad. Ass.

Side note: How great is David Strathairn, like, always?

The Week of Streep (p.3)

The 80s held many good times for the discerning Streep fan. While everyone was enjoying classics like A Cry in the Dark and Out of Africa during their theatrical runs, I was a little busy you know, being born.

Oh to have seen Out of Africa on the big screen, a girl can dream.

1984: Falling in Love

Falling in Love is not a great movie, despite the power-coupling (first seen on-screen together in The Deer Hunter) of Streep and DeNiro. It is, however, a good movie about two commuters who meet on a train and, of course, fall in love. The movie feels very dated, from the synth-heavy soundtrack to Streep's hair and over-sized outfits, but definite bonus points are awarded for scenes in the gorgeous Rizzoli Bookstore and for being a film about New York that was actually shot in New York.

1985: Out of Africa

One of Streep's greatest films, and certainly the most epic, Out of Africa is based on the wonderful memoirs of Isak Dinesen detailing her time spent on a coffee farm in the African highlands. I have to stop myself from impulsively booking a safari trip every time I finish watching this movie.

Everything about Out of Africa is epic, from the soundtrack, to the views of the African plains, and what Robert Redford lacks in technical skill (he's an Englishman that sounds an awful lot like... well, Robert Redford) he certainly makes up for in charm. Who wouldn't join a line a mile long to get their hair washed by that super sexy, suave man-creature?

1985: Plenty

Plenty is one of Streep's lesser known films, which in my opinion is a shame. Streep is fiercely sexy and intense as Susan Traherne, a woman who desperately seeks fulfillment and excitement in post-war Europe. Aside from being ridiculously gorgeous in every scene, Streep embodies Susan's restlessness and disappointment so perfectly that I actually ache along with her. She has plenty, but always wants for — and really needs — more (who hasn't felt this way?).

Plenty also includes what is perhaps my most favorite line ever uttered by Streep: "I would stop, I would stop, I would stop fucking talking if I ever heard anybody else say anything worth fucking stopping talking for!"

1986: Heartburn

Heartburn marks the first pairing of Streep and Jack Nicholson, and was based on a Nora Ephron 'novel' of the same name (I lost the copy I rented from the library before I ever got to read it so, I'm sure its great...). Much like Falling in Love, Heartburn is not a great movie and feels rather dated. It's definitely entertaining though, and worth watching if only for Kevin Spacey's very brief appearance as a 'New York City punk' and Streep's real-life daughter Mamie's screen debut as Streep's on-screen daughter, Annie.

As a cautionary note, don't watch this — or any other Nora Ephron movie — hungry; just thinking about the scenes where Streep and Nicholson eat delicious foods in bed makes me want to hit the kitchen (and then the bedroom) immediately.

1987: Ironweed

Ironweed is the second, and much more successful, pairing of Streep and Nicholson. This is definitely not a movie to watch when you're in need of a pick-me-up, believe me. Streep plays Helen Archer, a vagrant and a drunk with lofty dreams and even lower realities. She is absolutely and completely devastating in this film, and should have received every award imaginable. Unfortunately, this movie seems to have slipped under the radar, and wasn't even available on DVD until last year.

Nicholson is always Jack Nicholson, but it works here; Tom Waits (a fellow, almost-too-convincing drunk) and Fred Gwynne (yes, that's Fred "Herman Munster" Gwynne) round out a wonderfully sad and vivid film. I think my heart actually breaks each time I watch Streep take the stage to sing "He's Me Pal" — keep the tissues handy.

1988: A Cry in the Dark

Based on the real-life drama of the Chamberlains, an Australian couple who claimed that 'a dingo got their baby,' A Cry in the Dark is the second time Streep stars opposite Sam Neil (the first was in Plenty). Streep plays Lindy, an admittedly difficult woman and mother who did nothing for her public image by dying her hair black and tweezing her eyebrows into such a sinister shape. Streep somehow makes you sympathize for Lindy —not the easiest task — and I never doubted her story for a minute.

I've heard Streep confess that Australian proved to be the most difficult accent for her to master, but I think she's only being modest; anyone would find it quite difficult to distinguish her from a native.

The Week of Streep (p.2)

The madness continues (Happy Birthday Meryl Streep!)...

1979: Kramer vs. Kramer

I don't know if there's ever been a character with a screen time to impact ratio quite like that of Streep's Joanna Kramer. She is there right as the movie opens, and then, quite suddenly, she is not. She doesn't reappear until the movie is nearly over, and even though she is physically absent, she is most definitely not forgotten.

This is, arguably, a Dustin Hoffman movie, although I think Streep more than earns the Best Supporting Actress Oscar she eventually wins for Kramer. When she tells Hoffman that if she were to stay, she would end up 'out the window, or worse' you definitely believe and even feel her pain. You can also feel her fear when Hoffman smashes a wine glass against the wall, a move that, reportedly, completely surprised (and then quickly angered) real-life Meryl Streep.

As a side note, this movie also features some fine 70s fashions, some very good (Streep's oh-so-chic trench coat and slouchy boots) and some so-bad-they're-good (JoBeth Williams's aaaahhhmazingly large glasses).

1979: Manhattan

Another movie that co-stars Streep's luscious hair, Manhattan is basically a Woody Allen love letter to the titular city. Streep has a small role as Allen's estranged ex-wife (who is now a lesbian and well, who wouldn't be after dating Woody Allen?) and she is wonderful, as usual. Although I've never been able to make it through all of Annie Hall (I know, it's a classic, blah blah), Manhattan made me change my perception slightly on Woody Allen as a filmmaker.*

*With the combo of my favorite actress and my favorite city, this wasn't a difficult task.

1981: The French Lieutenant's Woman

The French Lieutenant's Woman, based on a novel by John Fowles, features not one, but two Meryl Streep roles. I was warned that this movie was 'difficult' and 'dreadfully boring', but Streep is captivating as usual. This is her first 'period' film, one she made after reportedly declaring that she needed to 'get out of New York, out of the present day', a sentiment that I can certainly understand. If you do nothing else, look at the poster for this movie, an amazing photograph of a cloaked and red-haired Streep that is anything but dreadfully boring.

1982: Still of the Night

Still of the Night has the distinction of being the only real 'thriller' that Streep has made, and even though it's nearly 20 years old, its Hitchcockian suspenseful plot still manages some thrills. Streep stars with Roy Scheider (of Jaws fame) and together they do a great job of keeping you on the edge of your seat. That is, if you can find a copy of Still of the Night; as of right now, it's only available on VHS. And as I have said before yes, I have a copy and no, you can't have it.

1982: Sophie's Choice

Sophie's Choice is often sited as the 'quintessential' Streep performance, and the Academy certainly agreed; Streep won her first (and to date, only) Best Actress award for her role as Sophie Zawistowska, the concentration camp survivor with a devastating 'secret.' I happen to, for once, agree with the Academy. Streep is absolutely heart-breaking and radiantly beautiful, not to mention spot-on with her Polish, German and any other language or accent she tries on.

I also fell in love with the location; if someone locates that time machine I've mentioned before, I would most definitely like to go back to 1940s summertime Brooklyn, rent a room at the Pink Palace and weekend at Coney Island. Yes, please.

1983: Silkwood

Ok, how f'ing adorable is Meryl Streep as Karen Silkwood? If anyone could make a brown mullet, denim mini-skirt and cowboy boots look amazing, Streep is it. As a bonus, Silkwood is the only movie where you actually catch a glimpse (you might need to pause, and rewind and slo-mo it like... well, I did) of a real-life Streep boob (it's adorable as well). Whatever your politics or whatever you believe about the real-life Karen, if you don't cry hysterically at the end like I did, you're an inhuman machine. And I sincerely mean that.

(again, all photos from SimplyStreep)

The Week of Streep (p.1)

61 years ago, on June 22nd, Meryl Streep was born.

Four years ago, on June 22nd,  I waited outside the David Letterman studio in the scorching, mid-day sun for more than four hours to see Ms. Streep in person, for the first time. I was wearing all black — jeans, t-shirt and Converse — and I wasn't sure if my dehydrated, ravenously hungry, heat-stroking self could handle the excitement of being thisclose to MERYLF'INGSTREEP.

Turns out, I could and did handle it — very well, I believe — and even though I've seen her a few more times since, I will always cherish the memory of my first.

So then, I shall be so bold (and obsessive. and crazy) to declare this week the Week of the Streep. What follows is my daily attempt to present to you each one of her movies (and a few made-for-television specials) because, well, everyone should see these (yes, all of them — told you, obsessive).

(In mostly chronological order, and all photos from SimplyStreep)

1977: Julia

This was not the first Streep film I saw, but it is credited as being her feature film debut. Although she is only on screen for maybe a minute at the most (I used to know the exact time, in fact, I clocked it myself... I have since forgotten that figure — forgive me) she definitely makes an impression, as only a Streep can do. As a bonus, she wears a dress made entirely of red gingham— I am mildly obsessed with red gingham, so a Streep wrapped in red gingham is like the best present, ever.

1978: The Deadliest Season

I hesitate to destroy my Streep cred so early in this review, but I have a confession to make: I've never seen The Deadliest Season. In my defense, it is a 70s TV movie and I wasn't even born until 1985 — no excuse, really. But also, I cannot for the life of me find a copy of this movie, and believe me, I have tried. There is no library or eBay user or video seller in the country that will give it to me. I've looked. And looked again. But seriously, I do need to see this movie. It's my white whale, and if anyone has it/knows where I can get a copy TELL ME RIGHT NOW. Thanks.

1978: Holocaust

In much the same vein as The Deadliest Season, Holocaust was probably the hardest Streep performance for me to get my hands on. I actually found JUST part 3 at a video store (I was like, seriously? ONLY part 3!?) but I eventually tracked down the other 2 parts, and I was super proud of my skills (I found it in the university library system, and proceeded to record it from the vhs in an elaborate vcr-tethering system that I couldn't possibly replicate today). The entire series has since become available on DVD, which simultaneously excited, and annoyed me (that would have been helpful two years ago, I thought).

ANYway, Meryl Streep won an Emmy for her part in this loooooong mini-series (anyone who can convincingly stare lovingly into the face of James Woods deserves an award), but the rest of it feels rather dated. She is also majorly beautiful, which is reason enough to suffer through Blanche Baker, who annoyed me so much that I was actually hoping for the gas chamber. Yes, I mean that.

1978: Uncommon Women and Others

This filmed stage production is overflowing with 70s girl power and co-stars Meryl Streep's hair. Seriously, look at that hair.

1978: The Deer Hunter

Meryl Streep's second feature film role, in The Deer Hunter, scored her her first (of nearly a bazillion) Oscar nomination. Again, she is radiantly beautiful as Linda, the small town grocery store employee who  knits sweaters while she waits for her fiance and his friends (a surprisingly-hot young Christopher Walken and the always-sexy Robert DeNiro) to return from Vietnam. In Streep's hands, though, Linda is anything but boring and her scenes are just as riveting as the famous Russian Roulette sequences.

(Oh to have been born when Streep and co. were filming The Deer Hunter in Ohio... Anyone have a time machine?)

1979: The Seduction of Joe Tynan

I know I keep repeating myself, but Streep just ooooozes sex and gorgeousness in this film. If I was Alan Alda (or anyone else, for that matter) I wouldn't think twice about cheating on my wife (the lovely, but come on, Barbara Harris) with Meryl Streep's saucy southerner. If you wouldn't jump at the chance to have a post-coital, in-bed feast of strawberries and cheese with her in this movie, than you're not human.