Animation, It's Not Just for Kids Anymore.

I'll admit it, I am a big kid at heart. 9 times out of 10 if you ask me what I'm thinking about, my answer will be candy. Another "childish" thing that I love is animation. I truly believe that at any given time SpongeBob Square Pants will be on and I have probably seen the episode. Now some animation is not quite for kids but is beautifully done and will definitely raise a chuckle.

Les triplettes de Belleville (Triplets of Belleville) has to be one of my favorite animated movies. Although it doesn't have a lot of dialogue, it  really doesn't needs it. The soundtrack is as quirky as the three sisters in the movie. The story takes place in France and involves a kidnapping, a grandma, the fattest dog ever and frogs, lots and lots of frogs. This film will make you giggle, dance and cheer for more.

Remember when I told you I loved SpongeBob(of course you do, it was only two paragraphs ago, duh), well a few years ago, he made a movie and it was good! Not just okay, but seriously funny good. SpongeBob and Patrick must prove that they are men and not kids by going to Shell City to recover Neptune's crown before all of Bikini Bottom is doomed. Did I mention that it has a cameo of The Hoff (David Hasselhoff to the laymen)? Sometimes if I really want to annoy OMP I will walk around the house yelling, "I'M  A GOOFY GOOBER!"

Now the last film on our little animated jaunt has a little bit more of an edge to it. Rock & Rule came out when I was teenager and I was so excited, not really because of the plot but because most of the music was done by Debbie Harry and Cheap Trick. Rock & Rule was the kid brother of Heavy Metal in a kind of round about way. It did have more of a plot and  a bad guy that looks like Mick Jagger's older brother strung out on caffeine. The bad "Karl: Jagger decides to rule the world by stealing a punk rock angel's voice (that just sounds so wrong together). Her friends think otherwise and a rock n' roll jag ensues.

There are so many great animated movies out there that are just waiting to be discovered. Some are for all ages while others are a bit more "blue". Whatever your preference is, there is something out there for you. If you want, I can come over and watch it with you, I'll even bring the candy.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

The rain just keeps coming. It's okay,we have lots of fun inside, romping around the house.

And chasing our toys

And causing all tkinds of mayhem.

Yeah, we are a bunch of rebel rousers in the house.

Sweet Saturday

I have a little secret to tell you. When I was growing up in the south I had the biggest crush on a guy who worked at Shoney's. I didn't drive at the time, so every Friday night I would make my mom take me there for dinner and dessert. I would order the ham and cheese and then a big piece of strawberry pie. I loved their pie and not because the guy I had a crush on said that I was a sweet as the pie but because it was the best in the world. So, feeling kind of nostalgic for the pie (not the guy cause he turned out to be kind of jerky) I looked up a recipe for Shoney's Strawberry Pie. Oh boy! This pie does not disappoint! It's just as I remember. This pie makes me happy.

Shoney's Strawberry Pie
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
Dash of salt
6 tsp. cornstarch
6 tsp. strawberry Jello
1 qt. strawberries
1 baked pie shell

For the pie shell, you could make your own pie crust. I bought the store made and cooked according to package.Put pie shell into the refrigerator so it will cool down. You want it completely cold to the touch.

In a sauce pan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt, add water and cook at a medium low heat. Cook until the syrup is clear and thick.
 Take the pan off the stove and mix in Jello. Stir until completely dissolved. Allow it to cool
While the mixture is cooling, clean, hull and cut up strawberries.
Once the mixture is cool, mix in the strawberries.
Pour into cold baked pie shells
Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Throw some whip cream on that puppy and serve!

From the first bite, I was in heaven. The tartness mixed with the sweet brought me back to that booth at Shoney's. Only this time, I got the Prince Charming instead of the dud. 

Feel Good Friday!

Man o' Man! Am I ever glad to see Friday! There's a little bit of sunshine peeking through the rain clouds and I am itching to get outside and enjoy some nice weather. Mother Nature needs to cooperate!

June means strawberries to me. I could eat my weight in strawberries and still find room for one more. Berry season hasn't quite hit Portland yet so in the meantime I have to enjoy this absolutely adorable penny rug (that I am DYING to make) from Creative Breathing. She gives you step by step instructions on how to make this and many other projects on her site. Be careful, you might just get bit by the sugar bug with her site! You've been warned!

I LOVE baking! I think most of you have figured that out. When I find a good cooking or baking website, I get all giddy inside. Bake at 350 is one of those sites. The cookies are just too much! I can't wait to dive in and decorate some cookies. I'm just hoping that mine turn out half as cute and not like a weird science project.

Ya know, sometimes it's really hard to express just how you feel. Foxy Blunt will take care of that for you.  I'm having a hard time deciding which is my favorite. The "Good Luck with That" is tied with "Thank You for Recognizing How Important I Am" A touch of beauty with the wit of a viper. That's what I'm into!

Okay, I'm saving the best for last! Whenever you are down and just need a pick me up,I insist that you go to ZooBorns and click on any baby animal. You will instantly smile and all your cares will melt away. How can you resist baby Penguin tushie?

AHHHHHHH........I feel a million times better! I don't even care if it's raining for the 6th week in a row. Who cares if we got 2 inches of rain in the last 2 days. I will put on my happy boots and go puddle jumping! You should come with me.

Pretty Little Maidens

I have looked for these cute little maidens forever. When I finally found them I danced a little jig! True story! These are part of the infamous pin up girls (they may make an appearance). I love that they are trying to look so welcoming but their faces seem so put out. Under their breath you know they are cussing you.

And The Winner Is.....

A big, huge, gigantic thank you for everyone who entered the giveaway. Thanks to all the new readers and the old timers for sharing the love. At first I was going to use that fancy random number thingy but then I decided to be old school and write the names down and pull one out of OMP's hat.

Now without further adeau, the winner is......

MAIRZYDOATS!

If you didn't win this time, never fear! I have it on good authority that there will be more giveaways in the coming weeks, including Trader Tiki's yummy syrups! There will also be more embroidery and maybe even a book or two. So, stay tune for more yummy drinks, crazy critters and whacky adventures.

For the record, you guys rock my socks! Thanks for being the best ever!

*Marizydoats! I need your address! Please email me @v1313@hotmail.com. Thanks! 

Tie One On Tuesday!

The roaring 20's. Ladies were loose, the drinks were stiff and the time was high. What better way to spend a night than with a powerful drink while dancing the Charleston. Prohibition may have started but it definitely didn't stop us.


Contrary to popular belief not all Southerners sit on our verandas drinking Mint Julips. Most of us drank out of the jug with XXX on it, but I'll include this interesting drink cause I'm a Southern lady (quit snickering). This concoction is mainly sipped around the time of the Kentucky Derby but it is great for any of those hot summer nights.

Mint Julip
Ingredients
4 to 6 leaves of mint
1/2 oz. of Bourbon Whiskey
1 tsp. powdered sugar
2 tsp. water
Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a Collins glass.
Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon.
Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig.

Oh my goodness! I do love a Margarita! I have no idea how such simple ingredients can cause such a riot, but give a few of these to a some sassy girls and  watch the dancing begin! This drink began in Tijuana when it was a popular vacation spot.

Margarita
2 oz. Tequila
1 oz. Cointreau
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
ice cubes
Kosher salt
Rub a cut lime wedge around the rim of your glass then dip into a dish of kosher salt.
Pour ingredients into shaker, add ice, shake well and pour into your salt rimmed glass. Please-do not blend, not this time.

The Last Word, invented at the Detroit Athletic Club during the early 1920's was, up until recently, a "lost" cocktail. Revived thanks to the resurgence of interest in vintage cocktail, this drink takes a delicate balance to mix correctly. If you master it, you will have the last word and it will be, "Now you're on the trolley!"

Last Word
3/4 oz dry Gin
3/4 oz. Maraschino liqueur
3/4 oz green Chartreuse
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
Combine all the ingredients into a shaker with ice, and shake well for EXACTLY 10 seconds. Pour into a chilled glass.

The 1920's brought us excess and downfall (sound familiar?). Women got the right to vote, Speakeasies replaced saloons for social gatherings and The Harlem Renaissance was in full swing. Being the pioneers that we are, we learned to make a great cocktails even in the face of banned alcohol. It was truly a time of change.