Dios Mio!

Hola Amigos! Cinco De Mayo is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the victory of the Mexican Militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 than with some of my favorite Mexican movies. So, when you are on your next siesta , sit back and watch some of Mexico's finest imports. 

Okay, so this has NOTHING to do with Cinco De Mayo, Militias or even the French but it does have to do with fighting for what's right and one of my favorite past times-Lucha Libre. I can not get enough of  Los Campeones Justicieros. Describing this movie is as easy to describe as making a Margarita. Take one part evil scientist, two parts Lucha Libre and sprinkle with little people wearing superhero costumes and you have the perfect recipe for a campy action packed fun. It doesn't matter if you can speak the language (there are no subtitles) watching a gang of masked wrestlers riding motorcycles through the lush  Mexican countryside is worth the price of admission alone. 

Keeping with the theme of not having a thing to do with Cinco de Mayo is my next favorite Mexican film, Brainiac. Baron Vitelius is convicted of consorting with the devil and the penalty is death. The Baron vows revenge as he burns to death. Fast forward to present day Mexico (well 50's Mexico) and the Baron is resurrected as the forked tongue beast that devours the brains of the living. There are so many questions concerning this movie but my biggest one is how many flamethrowers does it take to destroy the Brainiac? The world will never know.

The last but not least Mexican film in my Cinco  De Mayo tribute is an atmospheric Gothic tale of romance and blood sucking, El Vampiro (The Vampire), is one of the better Vampire movies ever made. You can cut the style of the film (and the fog) with a knife. Well acted, with a classic look that rivals a lot of the early Hollywood Horror flicks.

I'll admit it-these films have really nothing to do with Cinco De Mayo except the fact they were filmed in Mexico. I like to think that these wonderful actors channeled the fighting Militia on that May day and rose to the challenge of becoming their characters and entertaining us to the best of their abilities. Maybe that's just a tad too noble, but I for one, will raise my monster size margarita and salute those fine thespians of Mexican cinema.


     

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I have three little dogs. The girls are my vicious  hunters. They can catch a mouse, hunt a bird and basically make sure that our yard is free of varmints..... then there's Pete-our boy Min Pin.

Pete lives in his own world. There's not a lot that goes on his world. He has mastered the art of being a gentleman of leisure. 

Some people say to let sleeping dogs lie - but I just can't resist tickling the belly.

Oh! I'm sorry, did I interrupt your nap? Sorry Pete - didn't mean to harsh your mellow.

I expect Pete to yell at me that there is a beverage here in his best Jeffrey Lebowski voice.

I think I want to live in Pete's world. Wonder if there is a vacancy.

If April Showers Bring May Flowers....

Remember the old riddle-If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? - Pilgrims! I always told my mom that joke and each time I thought I was pulling something over on her. Yeah - I was a funny kid. I've been getting a little tired of the rain but know that it will help the grass grow green, the flowers bloom a little fuller and provide us with drinking water during the summer time So, to tied me over when it's raining, I watch these enlightening movies about our puritanical friends - the Pilgrims.

The Devil and Daniel Webster, also known as All That Money Can Buy, is a 1941 classic tale of instant gratification, greed and sorrow. A poor farmer makes a pact with Mr. Scratch for seven years of good luck. Although it seems like he  has everything he wants - he is still lost. After 7 years, Mr. Scratch comes to collect on the debt. Daniel Webster steps in to help his farmer friend. A little known fact - there really is a Daniel Webster and he was highly regarded during the Antebellum period. The Simpsons did a parody of this story which is almost as great as the film.

I remember reading Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Scarlet Letter when I was in high school. I was outraged that young Hester was singled out as such a horrible woman. Only the 1926 silent movie version of this book has truly captured the passion and sorrow of our young heroin. A beautiful Lillian Gish plays Hester and does a command performance as the shunned woman in a Puritanical society. It is well worth the watch.

A more recent film is The Piano. This is one of Holly Hunter's greatest roles. She plays a mute woman who has an arranged marriage to a man in New Zealand. Life is very rugged for her, not only the terrain, but also the relationship with her husband. Once she begins teaching piano to a very sensual Harvy Keitel (I can not believe I used sensual and Harvey Keitel in the same sentence) her life begins to change. It is a story of triumph and love set in the 1850's.

So, as I transition out of this rainy seasons and wait for my flowers to bloom, I'll sit back and watch a few of my founding fathers and mothers learn about hard work, break through stereotypical molds and find true love. It looks like not much has change in a couple hundred years-aren't we still learning those lessons and breaking those molds and as for love-we will always be searching for that. Okay-enough with the heavy stuff, I'm gonna see if my joke will work on OMP for the 20th time.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I think I found Lola's long lost twin.

Lola

Her twin Eddy. Now, Eddy really isn't her twin but he could be.

Eddy.......

Lola.....

And Eddy....

The resemblance is uncanny. Let's hope Eddy is a bit better behaved.

Feel Good Friday!

We made it through the week and ready for the weekend! YES! I am so ready for some cocktails and relaxtion! I'm also ready to share some happies with you. Are you ready to have a smile put on your face? Well, let's get to it!

I love cutey things. They put a big smile on my face and remind me never to take anything too seriously. Life will happen, but in the end you have a choice to be happy or not. I choose happy! I also choose to wear a tiara and think that these are good every day tiaras. Ya know-when you go to the store in your sweats or just lounging around the house.   Roxy Creations made these adorable crowns for her friend's children but I think they are perfect for any age.  If you want to find out more about them, check out her blog.

I can't remember if I have told you about one of my favorite websites, Indie Fixx. If I have, then I'm telling ya again. If I haven't-welcome to Indie Fixx! Contest! Pen Pal Program! Free Art! This site has it all. I could spend hours on this site and never see the same thing twice.

Remember early this week when I went to see The Pioneer Woman? Well, I have been obsessing about cooking and food every since. Lucky for me, I found a great site that shares my obsession. Foodzie is a website that sells artisan food and gifts.  It's like having having a farmer's market at your fingertips. There is something for everyone at different price ranges, just don't be like me and surf it when you are hungry-you may end up with one of everything.


I've been told that I must put up animal pictures on Feel Good Friday-one reader said it made her day and I just can't let her down. So, here's an animal for you! This animal also happens to be one of my husband's heros.

Okay all you animals! Get out there and make a difference! Put a smile on someone's face! Shake those money makers! Have a great weekend! You deserve it!

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.~ Buddha

A Few of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on Roses? Whiskers on Kittens? Are these a few of your favorite things? Wanna know what some of my favorite things are? Swaps! I love a good swap-don't you? Nothing is better than getting a surprise in the mail~ I've decided to host my first Blog swap and the theme is My Favorite Things. So if you want to join, fill out the form and email it to me. Sign up's will be for 2 weeks. PLEASE only sign up if you have time to commit! NO FLAKERS! Everyone will get something! Here are the guidelines:

What: My favorite Things Swap

When: Sign ups-April 21st-May 5th
             Crafting May 5th-June 5th
             Send out by June 5th

Guidelines:
1.Must send 1 small and 1 medium (1 small is 1-2 hours or $5.00, 1 medium is 3 hours or $10.00) You can spoil your partner more but that is the minimum. Please try to be crafty!
2.You must feel comfortable giving your email and address to someone so they can chat with you and mail your swap package to you. I also require a DC# to track the package.
3. Answer the questionnaire and email it to me with the title "Favorite Things Swap". My email is v1313@hotmail.com
4. I will have  create a flickr group for us to post all of our goodies (that sounds so naughty!)
5. THE MOST IMPORTANT! You have to publicly follow my blog.


Okay....Now on to the questions! Remember to email me with your answers-do not post here.

Name:
Real name and address formatted for shipping, with country:
Allergies:
Favorite things-Likes:
Dislikes:
Favorite colors/color combos:
Favorite quotes/sayings/mottos:
Do you collect anything?
Favorite crafts to receive:
Favorite supplies to receive:
Favorite Scents:
Scents you dislike:
Are you willing to ship out of the US?
Please list any other kind of specific extra (not necessarily a crafted item) that would give you happies if you were to receive? (bookmarks, pictures of kittens, whatever)

I am SOOO excited! C'mon and sign up! It will be a blast!

Candyland!

It's no secret that I love candy! Sour candy, gummi candy, chocolate. You name it-I probably love it-except for circus peanuts-those things creep me out. I also love a good cocktail so when I get the chance to combine the two-watch out! I will be on cloud nine for days! Here are a few of my favorites.

Remember Sweet Tarts when you were a kid-the sour edgier brother of smarties? Well, you can now have the alcohol version of it. It is so yummy and definitely has pucker power!

Sweet Tart
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/4 oz pineapple juice
1/4 oz Raspberry liqueur
1 oz. vodka
 Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a shot glass. Another adult version of a candy great.

Oh Orange Creamsicles! How I love thee even though you melted down my arm as I tried to finish you on a hot day.  Well, this version will definitely not cause you to be a sticky mess( unless you have too many of them).

Orange Creamsicle
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz light cream
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. vodka
Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Serve in a highball glass filled with ice.

OMP loves Reeses Peanut butter cups! I personally have not tried this drink yet but i think it would be a great after dinner dessert cocktail for all you chocolate peanut butter fanatics.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
2 tbsp. peanut butter
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 oz. coconut rum
1 1/2oz. vodka
Blend until smooth and pour into a cocktail glass. Drink with a straw. This would be a great non alcoholic version for the kids too. Add coconut milk instead of the rum.

Oh my goodness! I'm in a sugar coma from all these fun candy drinks! After a few of these sweet treats, your inner child will be dying to get out and do that little kid dance that you are so famous for.  Bottoms up!