Movie Night: Up

August · The First Year Date Passport

The first ten minutes of this movie might be the most beautiful marriage ever put on screen. Have tissues ready. Tonight is a living room picnic, so spread a blanket on the floor and eat like Carl and Ellie.

Tonight's Menu

• Meal: Chicken salad croissants with fresh fruit

• Snack: Ice-cold grape soda, in honor of Ellie's bottle-cap badge

• Drink: Grape soda float, or a grown-up grape spritzer

• Dessert: Build-your-own ice cream sundaes with hot fudge

Your Game Plan

1. That afternoon: Make the chicken salad and chill it.

2. 20 minutes before: Lay out the blanket, build the croissants, and cut the fruit.

3. Dessert time: Warm the hot fudge and set out your sundae toppings.

Bonus ritual: Start an "Our Adventure Book" tonight. Write down three adventures you want to have together, big or tiny.

Chicken Salad Croissants

Serves 2 · 15 minutes

• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

• 1/3 cup mayo

• 1 celery rib, finely diced

• 1/2 cup red grapes, halved

• 2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Salt and pepper

• 2 large croissants, split

• Lettuce leaves

1. Stir together the chicken, mayo, celery, grapes, pecans, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Line each croissant with lettuce and pile on the chicken salad.

3. Serve with berries, melon, or whatever fruit is in season.

Grape Soda Float

Add 2 scoops vanilla ice cream to a tall glass and slowly pour grape soda over the top. Add a straw and a spoon.

Grown-Up Grape Spritzer

Makes 1, so double it

Pour 2 oz purple grape juice into a wine glass with ice. Top with 3 oz prosecco and add a few frozen grapes.

Hot Fudge Sundaes

Makes about 1 cup of hot fudge

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp light corn syrup

• Pinch of salt

• Vanilla ice cream and your favorite toppings

1. Warm the cream, butter, and corn syrup until steaming.

2. Pour over the chocolate, wait 2 minutes, add the salt, and stir until glossy.

3. Build your sundaes with ice cream, warm fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top.

Part of The First Year Date Passport from Flower City Ceremonies.