That's What Mama Likes

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I hope all the moms out there had a wonderful day. Even though my mother passed away 9 years ago, I still miss her. I miss her laugh. She didn't laugh, she cackled. When I was a kid, I was so embarrassed of that laugh. Now I realize that it was the best belly laugh on the planet. It meant that she was having a good time, throwing her head back and wanted everyone to know that the world shouldn't be taken so seriously. Now what does my mother have to do with movies-a lot! She loved a comedy and to honor her, I am sharing with you a few of her favorites. I'm not claiming these to be the best, but they brought a smile to her face.

When my mom was going through a rough time, we watched Blind Date over and over again. She didn't really like Bruce Willis (does anyone?) she loved John Larroquette. Every time he went a little crazy, that loud cackle came bellowing out. I have to admit, the movie was pretty funny. Bruce goes out with Kim Basinger and she has an allergy to alcohol. Well, of course you know what happens-she drinks and craziness ensue. John plays her ex boyfriend that wants her back. It is a definite winner to lift your spirit.

My mother LOVED Nick Nolte. I'm glad that she passed away before he went crazy homeless guy on us. She would have been disappointed. I'm sure in her best southern voice she would say, "Bless his heart, he can't help it. He's a drunk homeless mess." and all would be forgiven. 48 hours was Nick Nolte at his finest. The comedy was raunchy, the voice was hoarse and that's just the way my mom liked it. Nick Nolte plays a cop who works with con Eddie Murphy to solve a crime.Eddie may have stolen the movie but Nick stole my mom's heart.  The movie was so popular that they made a second one.

 Good old mom loved a man's man. She loved the bad boys. I remember asking her why she married my dad and her reply was, " He looked good in his uniform, not to mention, he had a tattoo." and my dad's reply-"She could stop traffic-36-24-36" Ain't love grand? Another thing my mother loved was a mustache. She again thought they were for bad boys, which is probably why she loved Burt Reynold in the role he was meant to play as the Bandit in Smokey and The Bandit. We even had a Trans Am-don't judge! It was the 70's and we were cool! Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice is prize winning. The banter between him and his mind numbing son is hysterical. I am not ashamed to admit that I own this movie. How can you not love a movie about bringing Coors beer across the Tex-arcana border? Really? Coors? Maybe that's what made my mom laugh so hard.

Those are just three little gems that made my mom smile. To this day, I will pop in one of these great films and can hear her cackle, oh wait, that's me. Love you mom-thanks for passing on your passion for a good laugh and the loudness to let everyone know.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I'm turning over Scrappy Dog Sunday to Jujube. This is her Mother's Day card to Lola. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom! Sometimes I feel alone.

But then I realize that you are right there beside me. 

You keep me snuggled and warm. 

You can be silly with me...

But most of all you love me. Thanks for always barking at me and making me do the right thing. You're my best friend.

Love, your super cute and very talented daughter-Jujube

Happy Mother's day to all the moms of fuzzy babies out there. Thanks for bringing sunshine, joy and treats into little lives. You make a big difference in the world.

Sweet Saturday

Maybe it's because I have always secretly loved Alice in Wonderland or just because having a tea party is so much fun. Dressing up, having cakes and tea. It brings out the little girl in me.  I don't think there is any prettier way to add color to your average sugar cube than with these adorable royal icing flowers. They are so easy to make. I got these flowers at our local cake decorating shop but you could make your own. All you need is a little bit of royal icing to "glue" the flowers to the sugar cubes. Let them sit over night and then when you have your tea, drop one in and watch the flower float to the top as sugar cube melts. It will brighten your morning or put a smile on your guest's face at your next brunch.

Now I hear you-sweet just isn't your thing.How about a little bit of spice to take the edge out of that sweetness. These Hot Mexican Chocolate cookies will definitely wet your appetite.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room tempature
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in the upper and lower thirds. 
• In a medium bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
• In a large bowl, blend  11/2 cup sugar and butter, use an electric mixer on medium (if you have a kitchen maid, use that-trust me-it won't be as messy or hard to mix). Mix until sugar and butter are fluffy (around 2 minutes)
• Add eggs and beat to combine
• Gradually add flour mixture and beat until combined.
• In a small bowl, combine 1/4 sugar and cinnamon and chili powder (if using). 
• Using a heaping tablespoon, form balls of dough and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. 
• Place a few inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets.
• Bake until cookies are set in center and they begin to crack-about 10 minutes, Rotate on rack half way through. 5 minutes on top, 5 minutes on bottom. Transfer cookies to cooling rack. If stored in air tight container, they will last a week. 

Let me tell you-OMP can not keep his hands out of the cookie jar with these little babies! They are going to be in definite rotation.

A little sweet and a little spice for next special occasion or just to treat yourself. Come to think of it,  isn't that what everyone needs in life? A special sweet occasion with a dash of spice. Enjoy!

Feel Good Friday!

Special thanks to Uros Petrovic

Wow! What a crazy week it has been! Even though the week has been crazy the weekend is going to be nice and relaxed. The sun is shining and it's actually going to be warm this weekend! Can you believe it? Since the sun has put a smile on my face, let's see if I can do the same for you.

Do you love aprons? I do! I hardly wear them to cook but I love wearing them around the house. Just so I can look like the cute little alt-country housewife. You should check out Calamity Kim's blog! She is giving away the cutest apron ever! Even if aprons aren't your thing, check her out anyway. You will find something you love-I know I have. 

Recently I was in the button swap on Feeling Stitchy and got the cutest buttons ever from Rectangel. They are going on my green cameo sweater.

Things I remember from growing up: weird beer shampoo that I always wanted to try but my mom said she didn't want me smelling like the town bum or Tangee lipstick-it goes on clear and turns the color you want (if you want orange) or my favorite shoe in the world-Tretorns in red or black if you wanted to be fancy. Well, if you are like me and pine away at the good old days and wonder where you can get that beer shampoo then I have the place for you. The Vermont Country Store has all these things and more. Are you looking for that candy you just had to have when you were a kid-they have it (except Marathon bars-shoot!). I could spend hours on this website waxing about the good old days.

I usually don't advocate having your pups help with baking. Some people are a little whoozy when it comes to dog fur (I just don't understand) but this is just too adorable! He's helping!

Well my little chickadees! Hope this helps lift your spirits, bring a smile to your face and  puts you in a better mood. I know it has me! I am off to enjoy some much needed sunshine. Have a wonderful weekend! 

Love is life.
And if you miss love,
you miss life.
-Leo Buscaglia

Puppy Patterns!

I was recently going through my patterns and found these adorable puppy patterns. I absolutely love vintage patterns. I truly believe that they are a piece of history. What better way to see what the average woman was doing during her day.

I love any pattern that shows someone or something stitching. Her little wink is just too cute.

This little lady has a lot of mixing to do! Her little puff cuffs are the best

Oh my goodness! Be careful and don't burn your paws! Poor little pooch!

This one reminds me of Lola Mae. I like to think she looks this cute and innocent while waiting for me in the window. Hey, I can dream. 

Happy stitching!

Tie One On Tuesday!

Arriba! I feel a fire in my belly and for the first time it's not the salsa at the local Mexican joint. It's my favorite Mexican cocktails to celebrate our annual Cinco de Mayo festival (by our festival, I mean Mark and I have dinner).

Lake Chapala is the largest fresh water lake in Mexico, and apparently a tasty drink. It is a very simple drink that has a wonderful fruit taste to it. After a few of these, you will want to go skinny dipping in the nearest body of water.

Chapala Cocktail
 1 1/2 ounces premium Tequila - I'm a fan of Patron
  1/2 ounce Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
  1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
  2 teaspoons Grenadine
  1/2 teaspoon Triple Sec Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh fruit.

Oh my goodness! I do love a spicy cocktail. The combo of spicy and lime will clear your sinuses and make you smell fruity fresh. This cocktail is so good, it could make the devil weep.

Sweet and Spicy Diablo
2 cilantro leaves
1 Serrano chili sliced 1/4-inch thick, seeds removed
4 ounces tequila blanco
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
Combine cilantro and chili in a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Pour in tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup and shake well. Strain drink into a rocks glass and garnish with a slice of Serrano chili.

Last but not least is a good old fashion Margarita. You can pretty much add any flavor to a Margarita and it will taste great. Strawberry?  Mango? Cucumber? It doesn't matter-it's still a tasty treat. A Margarita has three simple ingredients and really is one of the easiest cocktails you can ever make. You can have it on the rocks or blended (slushy) .

Classic Margarita
1 1/2 ounces Tequila
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1 ounce lime juice
Line the rim of a cocktail glass with lime juice, and dip in salt. Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into the glass, and serve.

Here you go muchachos and muchachas, some wonderfully delicious cocktails to celebrate your 5th of May! You can go sweet, spicy or salty-the decision's yours. Just remember to be careful and drink responsibly , don't go mistaking that jerk at the end of the bar in a bad colorful sweater for a candy filled pinata.

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.