Tie One On Tuesday!

 

It's party season (actually, when is it not party season?) and everyone as been asking for the perfect party punch. Well, never fear my friends. I have a few alcohol and non alcohol punches that will make you the envy of all your friends.

I LOVE champagne. LOVE IT! So this punch is very special to me and very simple to do.

Champagne Punch
INGREDIENTS:
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice
concentrate
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink lemonade
concentrate
1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, chilled
1 liter carbonated water, chilled
2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled
1 lemon - sliced, for garnish
1/2 cup fresh mint, garnish
DIRECTIONS:
In large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice concentrate, pink lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, white wine, club soda and champagne. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

Oh my! It's chilly outside! What will warm your bones? How about this yummy treat?

Boston Tea Punch
INGREDIENTS:

1 750 ml Bottle Dark Rum
4 cup Black Tea
4 1/2 oz. Triple Sec
12 Lemon Slices
Sugar to Taste
DIRECTIONS:
Heat Rum, Tea and Triple Sec in a saucepan, add sugar and stir until disolved. Don't let it boil. Serve in warmed punch cups or mugs.

Now for an old standard. I think everyone in my family hates this punch commonly referred to as "The Green Punch" but I for one love it! It is a tradition to drink a cup of it on Christmas whether or like it or not.

The "Green" Punch
INGREDIENTS:

2 liters ginger ale
1 lg. container frozen lemonade
1 lg. can pineapple juice (chilled)
1 qt. lime sherbet
DIRECTIONS:
Stir together. The lime sherbet melts and makes a milky green punch with foam on top.

Yum! Yum! Love the green punch!

Okay party goers, you have a few options to make your party a rousing success. Now get out there and mingle, sing and dance the night away, the drinks are all taken care of of.

Young at Heart

My oh my is it blustery outside! It's a perfect day for some childhood classics that never get old.

When I first saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang I went around singing the song nonstop for a month. I'm sure that my mother enjoyed her 5 year old daughter screaming at the top of her lungs the wrong words and occasionally slipping up and throwing a cuss word or two in there. What mother wouldn't adore that? Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the story of a slightly eccentric professor, his extraordinary car and the adventures they get into. The book was written by James Bond's own Ian Fleming-which is very obvious given the name of the lead female character: Truly Scrumptious. This movie stars Dick Van Dike as the inventor and for an added touch, Britain's beloved Benny Hill as the toy maker.

Moving on to another childhood favorite, The Wizard of Oz. I believe that I could possibly recite every line in the movie and sing every song. This movie always reminds me of winter because when I was growing up, it was the a standard during the holiday season. This movie has inspired spin off books, which have inspired Broadway hit plays. It is a timeless treasure that will either make you smile or run for cover from those scary flying monkeys. Dorothy and her dog are "swept" away to a magical land where she meets friends and enemies on a quest to get back home. Again, when I was younger, I ran around the house singing "IF I WERE KING OF THE FOREST!" and my mother not once got tired of it. She may have been a saint.

Another movie that I absolutely adore and has now become a cult classic is The Princess Bride. There are so many little relationship stories in this movie that make me smile and warm my heart. The relationship between the grandfather and grandson, between Princess Buttercup and Wesley and my favorite, Inigo and Fezzik. This is a wonderful movie for all ages and has something for every time of person. To this day, I will recite the wedding scene just out of the blue and most people will respond back to me. It is a modern day classic. The story is within a story told by the grandfather about a princess and her true love. There are wrongs that are righted, love lost that is found and happy endings for all.

Last on my list is The Goonies. This is movie is so awesome and I'm not saying that cause it was filmed on the coastline of Oregon in one of my favorite towns, or because it has a young Josh Brolin in it. It's a great movie because once again, there are happy endings, cute blossoming romance and all of your favorite childhood actors when they were still cute and innocent and not plastered all over the tabloids for the behavior. The story tells of a group of friends and the adventures they have while trying to save their homes from being demolished.  The wonderful message of friendship and being who you are is one that is driven home several times throughout the movie. The one thing I am surprised about is how they got so many sunny days on the coast line?

Well, there ya have it- 4 childhood classics that will warm your heart while you warm your tootsies. Now go make that popcorn, find those footie pj's and park your "adultness" at the door. I expect all of you to giggle like a school girl (or boy!) and enjoy yourself.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Oh my goodness! Can it be true? Another adorable Boston Terrier named Gus? That's right! This Gus is a little bundle of awesome. He has excellent taste in music, people and style.  Let's see what this little man is all about.

Who is Gus? What is he all about?
You cannot put a label on Gus.  Gus is everything Gus aspires to be.  Gus expects only the best from Marbles and Parbles (mom & dad) because Gus deserves it. Gus is a collector of toys and toilet paper rolls. Gus doesn't over-do it because Gus' motto is "leave em wanting more".  Gus refers to himself in the 3rd person.

What was your best day ever?
Marbles & Parbles probably think that it was the day they brought me home but it's really any day that Marbles and Parbles are home sick.  We both sleep late and they'll cook me an egg.  And then we sleep some more.

How do you handle the heat?
In style...

How do you feel about your new brother?
Who???  He is NOT my brother.  He just lives here and if he keeps walking off with my Nylabone there WILL be trouble.

Bonus Question:
My favorite band is.....
Whatever band drops food on the floor.

Gus is a must for people like us (yes, I have been dying to say that). He is a sweet little spit fire that will warm your heart while he's stealing your porkchop and this is why we love him. 

Feel Good Friday!

Ah! Smell that crisp cool air! It's getting closer and closer to the holidays and if you are like me-you are getting more and more excited. Oh no! I just had a thought-I haven't even began to prepare for the holidays! AGH! I need to get on it! Okay, okay, deep breaths. This is Feel Good Friday, not stress and pull my hair out Friday. Let's get down to some feeling goodness. AWWW YEAH!

I love this "tattooed" lady. Mimi K. is AMAZING! I literally spent an hour looking and all of her awesome creations.

One Small Object is the sweetest blog chocked full of free downloads, tutorials and just all around crafty goodness, wrapped up in a sugar coating of kind words. 

If you are looking for some wonderful holiday gifts, look no further than The Cutie Pie Company. I am currently dying over the girl and her puppy in the snow. Seriously-it's me and Lola and I WANT IT! I hope everyone got that subtle hint. ;)

 

I found this wonderful book at the library about the quirky history of Christmas. It's really interesting and a pretty quick read. I strongly recommend it!

Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to build a fire and curl up with my book, my puppies and my hubby. Maybe if I'm real nice, OMP will make me some hot chocolate with marshmallows. I really should start working on that holiday list but I'm just too snuggled in to reach for a pen and paper. 

UPDATED!
And because I was told that I should have my gratuitous cute animal picture. Here ya go (happy now OMP? )

Kubrick, and I'm not Talking Stanely

Kubricks were invented by a Japanese Company by the name of Medicom Toy over ten years ago. There are so many different types that have been produced it is impossible to have them all (week not really - if you have a TON of cash).
 

There are regular boxed series of Kubricks that are released as seen here with Universal Monster. There are two different series' shown. These were sold in what are called blind box assortment. All the boxes in the case look alike and you take a chance on what figure you get. There were also special items or chase figures included in the boxes. The coffin and operating table are examples of these, as well as different figures as seen in the two different Invisible men.

Kubricks were also sole in little sets based on certain movies or characters, were you could get lots of accessories to make your own little Kubrick world. Planet of the Apes, Resevoir Dogs, just to name a couple, were produced in Kubrick form.

Bearbricks are a whole different monster. Also made by Medicom Toy,they are little bears that are painted up in different fashions beleive there are like 18 different series out now). There are different types of bears in each assortment: Basic (plain colored Bear with a letter on it - get all 8 and spell Be@rbrick), Pattern (a basic pattern all over the bear like the blue pinstriped bear in the pic),Jelly (a clear colored bear), Flag (a different flag from around the world - see the Russian Bear in one of the pics), Horror (like the glow in the dark electrocuting bear in the picture), Science Fiction (like the two in the picture that are basically Bubo the owl from Clash of the Titans and the one next to it is Maria from the movie Metropolis), Cute (name says it all) and Animal (once again...). There were also randomly inserted chase bears per assortment. Making the
chase for all of them in the series mind numbing.

So, if you have a ton of money to spend and a lot of time on your hands-go for some Kubricks. As always, I prefer to pick what I like and not worry about getting everyone I can. That would just make me go a little crazier than I already am.

Tie One On Tuesday!

Okay, Okay, I know a lot of you out there may not take part in the spirits and want some good ol' fashion hot drinks. Ya know, something that you can sip by the fire with your sweetie or a little pick me up in the morning. Well, this week I'm gonna give you some "dry" hot drinks to check out. Maybe a little something for the kiddies. I've heard NyQuil is good for them (and people wonder about me and kids-hmmm...)

The first combines two of my favorite taste. Carmel and chocolate!

Hot Carmel and Chocolate (makes 6 cups)

1/3  cup sugar 
1/3  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3  cup water
6  milk-chocolate-covered round caramels
6  cups milk, half-and-half, or light cream
  Whipped cream (optional)
  Milk chocolate-covered and/or candy-coated round caramels (optional)
Directions
In a large saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add candies; cook and stir until melted. Stir in milk. Heat through. Pour into mugs; top with whipped cream and additional caramel candies.

Looking for something a little more caliente?Oh! I got that for you too!
Aztec Chili Hot Chocolate(Makes 2 cups)
1  2/3 cups milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 red chili pepper, split with seeds removed
1 cinnamon stick, around 3-4"
1  1/2 oz chocolate (bittersweet)
Directions:
Simmer milk in a saucepan with vanilla bean, cinnamon and chili. Heat through for about a minute. Whisk in grated chocolate, and continue to simmer until melted. Remove from heat and let 'steep' for another 10 minutes. Strain out the spices and serve.

 Now if chocolate isn't your thing (we might not be able to be friends anymore if this is true) how about a nice cider recipe?

Harvest Apple Cider

8 whole cloves

4 cups apple cider

4 cups pineapple juice

1/2 cup water

1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick

1 tea bag

Directions:

Place cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. Place the remaining ingredients in a slow cooker; add spice bag. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours or until cider reaches desired temperature. Discard spice bag, cinnamon stick and tea bag before serving.

Mmmmm...these recipes sound so yummy I can almost smell them simmering up on the stove. I strongly suggest that the next time you have a chilly night-build a fire, snuggle up with your loved ones or maybe even by yourself with a good book and take a nice sip of the warm rich drinks. Now where are my marshmallows at?

Just Say No!

I'll fully admit, I am a purist at heart. I like originals. None of this remake stuff for me. It's like the old saying-if it's not broke, don't fix it. This goes double for remakes of movies. If the original is so good, don't try to make it for a new generation. They should be forced to watch the beauty and splendor of the original (people wonder why I don't have kids).

Here are a couple of classics that still stand the test of time and should have stayed original.

Ocean's 11. Yes I know the remake had George Clooney in it. I know Brad Pitt is cute but this movie can not hold a candle  to the Rat Pack' version. Hello-Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin? Are you kidding me? Okay, fine, I'll come off my soap box for a minute and fill you in on the movie. The story centers around 11 old WWII buddies that plan to rob all of the casinos in Vegas. They have a master plan but of course something goes a little wrong. There is some mighty fine singing in this movie (I didn't see Brad or George do that!) and I love the stories of the guys filming during the day and doing shows on the strip at night. Nothing but class baby, nothing but class

Another travesty is King Kong. This one has been done several times and each time, it keeps getting worse and worse. The 2005 remake was so awful, I wanted to kick my own butt for even thinking of seeing it. There is something enduring, tragic and bottom line, just sad about the 1933 classic. Plus Fay Wray was adorable! The story is simple, girl meets ape, ape falls in love with girl, ape is exploited, gets mad, climbs Empire State Building and then dies. Sorry to ruin it for you but if you didn't know that by now,well,....we'll talk after class.

Psycho is another one that should just stay dead. Hitchcock is brillant. Gus Van Sant-eh, okay, not great but not bad either. To make the movie word for word  and scene for scene with Vince Vaughn seemed like a good idea but it's not, not at all! Anthony Perkins was Norman Bates. He was creepy and shy and you really felt for the guy. Vince (and don't get me wrong, I usually love him) was a cheap imitation. 

Planet of the Apes-not even going to say a word. I would have to sensor myself.

Other originals that you should see and stay FAR AND CLEAR of the remakes
Fame
Cape Fear
Sabrina
Thomas Crown Affair
Around the World in Eighty Days
Lolita
Get Carter
The Preacher's Wife

Oh my goodness! I could go on and on and on but I think you get the message here. Don't  remake a classic that is perfect in every way. Hollywood-let us have our memories-think up original ideas. Whew! End of rant-slowly climbing off soapbox.  Wait, what was that? They are making movies out of old TV shows and comic books. Oh No! I feel another tangent coming on! I better leave before I really get started! Until Next Week Moviegoers.

Feel Good Friday!

Another Friday, another way to feel good (keep it clean out there people!). The weather is cool and it's time to hunker down for the holiday season. I look forward to visiting with friends, warm drinks and making happy memories.

Speaking of memories. I love old radio shows. They are perfect for sitting and stitching. Everything from comedies like George and Gracie (my husband swears I'm Gracie) to tales of the unknown like Lights Out! So many of the movies made during those days are from radio shows. I also love listening to Swing music on these station. They will take you back to a time when things weren't always necessarily better but a little more simple and pure. One radio show that I love at Christmas is Cinnamon Bear. It's a great story for children of all ages. Two websites that I love for old radio shows are Relic Radio and Radio Lovers.

These look good enough to eat. CozyMemories does so many cute crafts and takes amazing pictures. Just so adorable!

So I started reading PamKittyMorning and not just because A)my name is Pam or B)most of the people in the crafting world also know me as Kittykill or KittyPam or C)she is also on the west coast but D) all of the above! She is a quilting queen!

Looking for sweet crafty goodness for the holidays? I recently discovered Lollishop. I love the banner-A frou frou friendly markeplace. Hee hee! That's right up my ally! I love these little girls from Sadie Lou Who. So stinking cute!

Deep breath...Don't you feel better? You've got pretty things to look at, some good shows to listen to and awesome blogs to read. What more do you want? Oh, I see...that's the way it is. FINE Here's a cute animal picture to get you through the day.

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.-Anne Frank

I'll Drop You A Line

I love old letters, cards and particularly post cards. I love reading about people's adventures on vacation, moving to a new town or just going to college. My collection of postcards range from 1890-1950

I wish I knew the humor behind these three. The girl in the last one is so cute. 

I love anything with dogs and these are just too much.

Christmas, Valentines and Birthday postcards

In gift shops you could find postcard books. I really wish Santa Land was still around and exactly the same as the above picture.

The Glitter on the Valentine is glass. The Christmas one is so beautiful.

These are just a few of boxes and boxes I have upstairs in my office. I usually find them at Estate sales and have never paid over a dollar for them. I'm sure if I really, really wanted one I might pay a little more but you can pick up beautiful little pieces of art for barely nothing. One day I will try to frame them, hee hee, yeah right and pigs will grow wings and fly. 

You Will Get Diabetes

Cause I'm about to go all sweet and sappy on ya!

Normally I reserve Wednesdays for interviewing amazing and crafty people but today is my 3rd wedding anniversary so I thought I would let OMP and the world know how much he means to me. He truly is my soul mate. I can't imagine myself without him and look forward to everyday with him. He makes me laugh, smile and just feel better about life.

It seems the past couple of years for us has been filled with a lot of trials and tribulations but we have made it through together.

So, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go enjoy my anniversary dinner and my husband's company. There is no one else in the world I would rather be with.


I love you Mark, now and forever.

Tie One On Tuesday!

Now that day light savings time has taken effect and fall 2009 will soon be a memory it is time to turn our thoughts to that merriest times of the year – no I am not talking about Christmas, I am singing the praises of Hot Buttered Run Season!!! I have to admit – this is one of my all time favorite drinks bar none.

I am going to show you some variations on HBR’s as well as give you your own mix recipe for use or gifting this drink season.

Okay – first up is a little recipe that I gleaned out of the NY Times last fall. It is fairly labor intensive but it is worth it.

It is aptly titled: Hot Brown Buttered Rum.

Ingredients:

1 stick butter

16 oz. Dark Rum

2 vanilla beans (calls for Madagascar Beans but I “ain’t so fru fru”)

4 Tbls. loose English Breakfast tea

1. Butter into pan over med. heat. Scrape the vanilla beans seeds into the pan while butter is melting. Cook until butter turns brown (about 5 mins.). Butter should smell “nutty” – you know it ‘s done.

2. Pour Rum into large measuring cup. Add Butter mixture while still hot. Let stand 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge for at least 18 hours.

3. Next day put mixture into the freezer for 30 minutes.  Then strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Strain again through a coffee filter and sieve (it may take more then on filter as it will get gummed up). You have just made Rum infused Butter! Bottle up your bounty, it will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if it last that long.

4. Prepare your Tea in the traditional way (i.e.: make a pot).

5. Pour yourself a cup of tea (about 4 oz.) and add 1 1/2 oz. of your rum butter. Stir and add 1 tps. Sugar. Garnish with nutmeg and enjoy!!

Here is another variation on the theme: Hot Buttered Cider (thanks Better Homes and Garden!!)

Ingredients:

8 cups apple cider

2 Tbls. Brown sugar

4 inches stick cinnamon

1 tsp. whole allspice

1 tsp. whole cloves

1 lemon peel cut into strips

2 Tbls. butter

2 oz. dark rum

1. Combine cider and brown sugar into saucepan. Tie cinnamon, cloves, all spice & lemon peel into cheese cloth, basically making a little spice baggie. Toss the spice bag into the cider mixture. Bring it to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for approx. 15 minutes – let the spices mingle with that cider! Remove the spice bag and discard.

2. Pour cider into mug and add a shot of rum. Top with approx. 1/2 tsp. of butter and serve with a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. 

So there you have it, a couple of different variations on a theme. For a traditional style HBR, here is a little Pedersen family recipe that has been handed down for just over two years or so now……. Homemade HBR batter!!

Ingredients:

1 pound DARK Brown sugar (I have found Molasses Brown sugar to be best)

1/2 Pound salted butter

1 tsp ground Cinnamon

1 tsp. ground Cloves

1 tsp. ground Nutmeg

1 tsp. Vanilla (extract is fine)

1 tsp. ground Cardamom

1. Cream butter in large bowl – like making a cake. Add brown sugar. Mix well. Add all other ingredients and mix up well.

2. Package up in tubs and refrigerate. Should keep for the season or in the freezer indefinitely.

To make yourself a drink, take a shot of dark rum and (depending on how sweet you want your drink) 1 to 2 tsp. of your batter and add it to a glass. Stir in hot water, top with some nutmeg and enjoy the creamy goodness!

So, what have we learned here today? There are many ways to make different type drinks, but they all lead back to the start. Now if you will excuse me, I think I hear my kettle boiling. Until next time – Bottoms up!

 

The Suspense is Killing Me

I love a good thriller. Not Michael Jackson-although that was a great video. I'm talking about a good old fashion suspense thriller. Give me an old suspenseful movie any day of the week. There is something about watching an old movie in the fall when it's raining and you have a fire going that really captures the moment, so to speak.

One movie that I just recently saw over the weekend is Gaslight. It stars Ingrid Bergman (she won an Oscar for her role) and it was nominated for the best picture. It did win a Golden Globe in best picture. The story is of a detective trying find out why a paranoid schizophrenic is trying to drive his wife mad. The movie is based on a famous London play. I highly recommend this movie. Ingrid Bergman is beyond belief amazing

Everyone knows that Alfred Hitchcock is the king of psychological thriller. His plot twist and camera angles set him above most directors. Dial M for Murder is on of his best. The story centers around a man who finds out that his wife had an affair a year ago and now he wants to murder her. He doesn't want to commit the murder himself so he hires someone to do it for him. This is where the plot twist-I don't want to give away too much but it is an excellent thriller with the beautiful Grace Kelly playing the lead.

The final movie is on my top 10 list. Night of the Hunter starring Robert Mitchum is a classic cat and mouse game with thrills and turns but done in such a subtle way that you don't realize you are being taken for the suspenseful ride of your life. Mitchum plays an escape convict trying to track down $10,000.00 that his cellmate hid. Robert's character marries the man's widow, weasels his way into their lives and then hunts for the cash. The story of Cain and Able that the preacher tells (Love and Hate on his hands) sets an eerie undertone for the movie . It is shot beautifully. Unfortunately it did not do well at the box office and was the amazingly talented director, Charles Laughton's last movie. It was only till after Laughton's death that the movie was recognized for the cinematic genius it was and still is.

So these movies will make you a little leery about your neighbor, significant other or in my case my pups (I never trust a shifty eyed dog), don't let that keep you from curling up under a cozy blanket, put another log on the fire and enjoy an good suspenseful thrill. I bet you can solve the case before that pesky detective can. Until next time!