Wild Card Wednesday-A Leap of Faith

 Special thanks to Maeve Holler

Lately I have been struggling with what to write about on Wednesdays so instead of sticking to one thing-I'm going to have a Wild Card Wednesday. Basically, anything I want to write about-I will. The next couple of weeks I will be focusing on Leaps of Faith-both with myself and all the wonderful peeps out there. So....sit back and enjoy the ride. I guarantee your stomach will drop and you will feel a little woozy but you will beg for more.

I'm not sure if many of you know, but I worked for a crisis line for almost 8 years. I have seen and heard just about everything. I saw the worst in people-literally. Recently I decided to leave. I didn't leave because I was burned out. I love helping people but decided that I wanted to do something different in my life. Now, here's where the crazy part comes in. For the first time in my life, I didn't have a solid back up plan. No solid job to go to, not a huge year amount of savings. Just an idea to venture out to a new life and an awesome husband supporting me. It is the first time that I didn't have a plan "B". I know it seems scary and sometimes it is to me but it has also renewed my faith in myself, my family and friends. Because I don't have a lot of extra cash (really, who does these days) it makes me appreciate what I have more and is allowing me to rediscover what and who are important to me. I am taking time to spend with my husband, my dogs and myself. It is a beautiful feeling.

So, when I said I didn't have a plan "B", I wasn't completely honest. I do sorta. Actually, I have lofty ideas. I want to go back to school and get my degree in Spanish/Rural studies. I want to work with family farms and farm workers. What I really want to do is to show the connection between rural and urban communities and how we can work together. I also want to preserve the history of the family farm/rural community.

Am I scared of what's around the corner? You bet, but I'm even more excited! Will I stay this positive and level headed? I hope so. I know there will be rough days and I'm this is a huge thing for me to jump into. Sometimes you just need to take that first leap and see how you land.

Do you have a leap of faith story? Something you just dived into? Let me know! I want you to inspires us.

Tie One On Tuesday!

One thing that I am so passionate about is the history of the cocktail. If you look at  what people were drinking at certain times, you can tell the climate of the world. 1900 brought the death of Queen Victoria, the Wright Brothers flew their plane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and San Francisco had a horrible earthquake followed by a 3 day fire. So many amazing changes came during the first ten years of century. So many wonderful cocktails chronicled the times.

The Original Negroni was named after an Italian gentleman who ordered the same drink every day. Nowadays the cocktail is considered a Aperitif  to stimulate the the appetite for dinner. Although the drink originated in Europe, it rose to popularity in the US during the early 1900's.

The Original Negroni
1 oz. Campari (in the family of bitters)
1 oz Gin
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
Combine all ingredients in an ice filled shaker. Shake until well chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Old Fashioned is considered the very first cocktail. Although the drink was around  before 1900 it hit it's height of popularity during 1900-1910.The drink was served at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky and to some it is the perfect concoction of what a cocktail should be. A little hooch, a sweet and a bitter.

Old Fashioned
1 sugar cube
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
2 orange slices
3 oz bourbon
Cherry for garnish
Place the sugar cube at the bottom of an old fashioned glass
Saturate the cube with bitters
Add one orange slice and muddle
Fill the glass with ice 
Add the Bourbon
Garnish with a cherry and the other orange slice. 


Another drink that came about a few years before 1900 but rose up through the ranks is a Tom Collins. First off, there was never a man named Tom Collins. There was a Jerry Thomas( he is considered the father of American mixology). So, the Tom part comes from the type of gin used and the Collins was named after the type of glass used. The lore around Tom Collins continues, but I will tell you that regardless of who or what Tom Collins is-I love this drink. 

Tom Collins
2 oz gin
1 oz lemon juice
1 tsp superfine sugar 
3oz club soda
1 cherry for garnish
1 orange slice
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a Collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Add the club soda. Stir and garnish with the cherry and the orange slice.

So, what do our cocktails tell us about our history during the early 1900's? Like our world history our cocktails are full of flavor, have a dash of mystery and  wet our appetite for bigger and better things. Until next week! Bottoms up!

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!