Aw, You're a Doll!

A lot of people find dolls pretty creepy and granted some of them are  but I still love them. They take me back to a time when I was a little girl . I loved making up little stories for them and making differnt outfits for the daily lives. They had the adventures I couldn't have at five.

I love this doll so much. It reminds me of my mother when she was a little girl.  

 

These lovely girls are from a Meyer and Frank Back to School display 

 

I LOVE Blythe! This is not an original. I don't think I could possibly afford one. My friend Linda made her a bunch of clothes but I can't possibly take this kimono off of her-she looks way too sweet. I love that her eyes turn different colors and that they change direction.

 

Another popular doll that is on the same line as Blythe is a Pullip doll. They have different costumes and themes. She is a gothic Lolita. I have several of them but she's my favorite. 

 

I found these two in St. Augustine, Florida. I'm not sure what their history is but I love their faces and hands. They have been moved around so much that their dresses are kinda beat up.

 

Gene is my ABSOLUTE favorite doll EVER! She is a 1940's pin up actress that came with different outfits and stories. The original doll comes with corset.

I really wish I could show you all of my favorites but then there would be pages and pages. Doll collecting can be a scary world to venture in. There are a lot of  very serious people out there. Like I always say, have fun with it. Collect what you like.  It doesn't matter whether it is new or old or missing a shoe. It's your collection and you can do what you want, cause I said so!

Getting to know Bascom Hogue

I can't remember where I first discovered the breathtaking, eerie and beautiful work of Bascom Hogue. I just know I was blown away by the images and the rawness of the embroidery. As I've gotten to know him a little better I have found that he is a man true to his word, deeply spiritual and yet still an enigma. 


Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a Mennonite from Kansas. I love Jesus. I like potatoes, pies, homemade bread, dogs, road trips, the Great Plains, reading, sewing, painting, and the feel of freshly laundered sheets on the bed. My mother is Jewish and my father is Christian. I have advanced college degrees in social work and theology. I have seven older sisters.

Your images are so breathtaking and personal. How do you choose them?
Kansas is the land of contrasts. I have always known some folks who sin like crazy, are mean as hell, and go to church every Sunday. I also know many folks who are quite charitable in their thoughts, deeds, and epitomize what a Christian should be. I pick images by thinking about contrasts and distilling them to their essence. I try to make images that have the grand qualities of Tolstoy’s writings and the beauty of Johns’ works but always anchored to the things I know.

I love the old photographs and images you have on Flikr, where do you find them?
Some of them are family photographs passed sown to me. Some of them I found in junk stores, antique malls, old books, drawers in estate sales, and some from internet auctions.

Do you have a website?
I have a blog called Cottonwood Diner. I like cottonwood trees. I like diners, and I like people. http://cottonwooddiner.blogspot.com/

 Any advice for the masses? 
Like the song says, “…Love one another right.”

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your beautiful work with others. I wish you peace and happiness in everything you do and all adventures you set out to discover. You are a wonderful person and an amazing talent.

Tie One On Tuesday!

Alright, another week and another round of drinks for you out there in Cyberland! Once again I am amazed you booze hounds are reading this. I received another request from a faithful reader, this time for some recipes using the Orange Liqueur Cointreau. Cointreau is a brand name and essentially is a fancy Triple Sec. Grand Marnier and Patron’s Citronage are also well known higher end, quality Triple Sec’s.

I tried to mix it up (no play on words there) and actually used some Gin this week! But then again, I fell back onto my old standard and there is also a Rum concoction in the mix.

First up, a little slight of hand with the - Hocus Pocus Cocktail:

1 oz Gin

1 oz (a heavy ounce) Cointreau or Orange Flavored liqueur

1 oz  fresh lemon juice (go light on this as it can overpower the drink quickly!)

Shake  with ice & then strain

Serve in a cocktail glass (the recipe called for pouring over ice, but I changed it a little. BTW – it was extremely tasty!)

Garnish with a lemon peel

Now onto the main event – The Golden Gloves Cocktail:

1 1/2 oz Gold Rum

3/4 oz lemon juice

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 oz Cointreau

Once again – shake with ice and then strain

Serve in cocktail glass and enjoy

It didn’t call for a garnish but I think a nice cherry or two would actually compliment the drink very well

So there you are  -a couple of orange liqueur inspired beverages for these last waining days of summer.

Next week we are going to take a little drinky break and Uncle OMP is going to let you in on the secret to stocking your bar on the cheap, or relatively. Until then – may your glass's ass be in the air and your ass stays off the ground!!

Happy Labor Day!

So, I had planned this very controversial, long, extensive piece on the working class verses the owning class. I had all sort of charts, diagrams and movies to explain my point of view. I even had a training on how to take down the man, but today is Labor day which contrary to the name, gives me a chance NOT to labor and to relax and enjoy the day.

Instead of my whole "take over the world and bring the man down" movie review I decided to go with something a little more laid back, but still very important. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Office Space.

The film tells of average joe Peter Gibbons and his stint as a software engineer in a cubeland known as Initech. Peter is just like most workers out there who have to deal with inane bosses, cheery perky workers and a few "off" workers obsessed with red line staplers. Thanks to hypnotic suggestion, Peter learns how have a more laid back attitude at work and about life in general. Eventually Peter learns of layoffs and schemes a plan to get back at the man. There is an awesome twist here that will leave you wanting more.

This movie is loosely based on Mike Judge's character Milton and includes wonderful character actors like Diedrich Bader and Gary Cole. It didn't do that well at the box office but just like the infamous red Swingline stapler, it became a cult classic.

If you are ever having a "Case of the Mondays" and want a good chuckle pop this movie into the DVD player, pour yourself a cold one, kick back and relax. If you don't rent this movie, I'm gonna burn this place to the ground ;)

Now,where did I put my manifesto against the machine.......

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

STELLA! Everytime I see her cute face or hear a funny story about her I yell this out. I just can't help it. Stella is a wonderful pup that has so much love and is so pretty she could be in movies. I'm sure that with talent and a face like hers, this will be the first of many interviews in her future.

Stella, you are such a sweet girl, tell us a little bit about yourself
My full name is Stella N. Horker-Parker. The N. Parker is for “Nosy Parker” because I have to know everything. I inspect every bag and piece of mail that comes into the house. The “Horker” is because… well, let’s just say I tend to have a bit of a sensitive stomach.

Everyone says I’m beautiful, but I try not to let it go to my head. I came to my new home last January, after being rescued from the dog pound by the good people of Mostly Mutts, a local rescue group. They took great care of me, and posted my photo on their website, where my current people saw me. They came to meet me in person, and I charmed them with my winning demeanor. I wagged my tail as hard as I could, I leaned in for hugs, and they were instantly smitten. They brought me home and we’ve been happy together ever since.

How can others help with rescue pups?
The obvious answer is to adopt one (or more!) and take them home and love them. If that’s not possible, you can always volunteer at a rescue organization, foster a dog that’s waiting for a permanent home, or make a contribution of supplies or money. The best thing about us rescue pups is that we’re so grateful to you for adopting us. When we go home with you, we make sure you know that we appreciate you in every way. 

What's your favorite trick?
Any trick that gets me a treat is a good one, but I have to say my favorite is falling down “dead” when someone points a finger at me and says “bang!” Ha, ha, that one is a crowd pleaser. Never ceases to entertain.

Your best day ever?

Aside from my adoption day, I’d have to say it was the first time I went to the dog park. There were so many dogs there. It was awesome. We all ran around like fools and had the best time. One dog showed me how to dig in a water filled hole. There were about five of us over there, getting all muddy. Man, it was great. I was so excited that I threw up in the car on the way home. Good times…

Bonus Question!
When you reach the pearly gates, you expect God to say.......

Stella N. Horker-Parker, you are one great dog! Pull up a doggie bed and a basket of stuffed toys and wait here for your people.

Oh Miss. Stella! Thanks for your wonderful heartwarming story. It makes me so happy that you found a loving family and home. Thanks for educating us on rescue dogs and the happiness they can bring into our lives. I hope you make it to the big screen one day but if not, you will always be a star to me.

Feel Good Friday!

 

Thanks to Lazyholic

It's Friday, I'm getting funky! Whoop! Whoop! The weekend is finally here and I'm suspecting Mother Nature is happy about it too cause I saw a huge beautiful rainbow on my way to work this morning through the rain clouds. Thanks Mother Nature! I am so excited about this weekend and not because I have anything planned but because I'm doing absolutely NOTHING but relaxing. I'm also excited about this weekend cause we are planning on getting some good old fashion Pacific Northwest liquid sunshine. I love the rain.

So if you're just itching to do something this weekend, I suggest you start stitching something for the Needlework Challenge on Craftster.  It's crafting for a good causes and there will be prizes. How can pass that up?

Did you know that Sublime Stitching has a new book out? THEY DO and it is awesome! As you already know, I am a huge fan of Jenny Hart and all the gang over at Sublime. Her new book is Embroidered Effects and it gives you a "How To", along with the every popular super cute patterns.The instructions are easy to follow and the book is wirebound so you can lay it down flat while you are learning.  I really think you need this book. You will be supporting an indie designer and making great stuff for yourself. You can't go wrong with that. Maybe make something for the needlework challenge...huh?

I know what you are thinking, "Where can I find that Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox I had in 1981" or maybe, "I really miss my Pee Wee Playhouse colorforms set" well, now there's a place that you can get those things and even more! Check out Dr. Tongue's Toys on etsy! He has all your vintage toys and ephemera needs. Many of you might know Dr. Tongue from his store in Portland, well now he's on etsy's peddling his wares. Stop by his site and tell him he owes me five bucks.

I was cruising flickr and came across these way too cute pins from Pin Pals and guess what! Yep, they have an etsy site too. Check them out! and "Eep" in cuteness! They also have an awesome blog showcasing their talents and their sassiness.



 Whew! I'm spent after all that! I think I'm gonna curl up on the couch, have OMP make up a batch of peanut butter cookies, a cocktail or two or four and watch some bad "B" movies. Ahhhh..what? Oh, okay, here's a cute puppy for your viewing  pleasure. Happy Friday!

PS-HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.XSTITCH.COM! 

Music makes the world go around....

I LOVE records. I'm not talking about eating the most hot dogs or the biggest cupcake(although the biggest cupcake does excite me). I'm talking about good old fashion vinyl records. There is nothing sexier, smoother or down right groovier than the warmth of that gentle hiss you hear when playing a record.  The artwork on albums alone is enough to make me weep for the past. Don't get me wrong, I love the instant gratification of finding my favorite song on my computer but it's so impersonal. Remember waiting for that album to come out, going to the record store,  and becoming all giddy when you got home and had a chance to play it. There's nothing that will beat the feeling of turning on your hi-fi and pogoing to The Clash or trying to woo that special someone with the exotic sounds of Martin Deeny. You just can't get that from an IPod.

Now that I've made you wax poetic about the past. I went down to the record vault (okay, the drum studio where the hi-fi's at) and pulled up some of my favorite yet somewhat sillier albums.

 

Okay, seriously, I'm not sure what's better-the cover or the fact that the nursery rhymes are done with a "beat".

Herb Albert is ESSENTIAL to any record collection. I have several of his albums but this one seems to be the most popular and you can find it just about anywhere. 

Warriors! Come  out and play! Damn good movie, damn good soundtrack.  I can dig it.

We have a lot of "theme" and holiday albums in the old collection. These are just two of the boxes of Halloween music OMP has. Yep, you are reading it correctly, Alfred Hitchcock put out a Halloween album for young people. I love the art work on both of these. 

I am a huge fan of Christmas music. I love it. These are two of my favorite Christmas time Albums. Hello! Monsters, chicken and Christmas-my three favorite things! Quit rubbing your eyes, you are reading that correctly, it is a Colonel Sanders KFC Christmas album. 

Let's say you want to plan an romantic night with your sweetie. I've got your covered! A little Harem nights topped off with a little party song to undress too. Oh yeah.....

Not only do we collect old rare albums but we still have a lot from our youth. It was a hard decision of which one to feature-The Clash, The Ramones or Repo Man. All amazing bands and albums that still stand up to today's standards. 

A lot of the albums I collect I find at estate sales, thrift stores or yard sales. You can usually find a decent turntable at the same places. I know vinyl records are by the wayside but in the Pedersen household they are alive and spinning. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna mix up a batch of martinis, throw on some tunes and do a little cha cha with OMP. Later Daddi-o