Feel Good Friday!

Ooohhhhh my full belly. I'm a little late with Feel Good Friday-sorry about that but OMP grilled out some yummy food and I needed to help him eat it. Now my tummy is full and I'm ready for bed or at least a cocktail. While I'm looking for the Tums, let's see what I have for you.

 Aimee Ray rocks my socks. I remember seeing her for the first time on Craftster and then when her book came out, I HAD to buy it. Now she has new patterns and a flickr group. Check her out!

I'm sure I have mentioned Plays With Needles before but I just love this entry on her blog. It makes me happy. I read Susan's profile-swimming, triathlons, taking care of a son AND stitching. I got tired just reading about her. Holy macaroni lady-you need a medal and a cocktail.

For my birthday my friend Lori sent me the most beautiful spoon bracelet. The pattern was retired in 1910. I love it and wear it all the time now. I was looking for more spoon jewelry and found this wonderful company.  Silver Spoon Vintage Jewelry has the most beautiful bracelets, rings and necklaces.

Apparently I not the only one with a full belly and ready for bed. Have a great Friday-I'm gonna sit under the stars and have sweet dreams. You should too.

Tie One On Tuesday Giveaway!

 I love a good cocktail. I also love Trader Tiki's syrups and because I love them so much, I am willing to pass on my love to you. Just what am I giving away? 3, count them, 3 different syrups!

 The first on the list is my all time favorite-Passion fruit syrup. This stuff is AMAZING! Not only is it great in a cocktail but I also put it in my tea in the morning. I'm betting you could add some seltzer and make some great soda

2nd in command is Cinnamon syrup-a great one for the warm toasty cocktails out there. Soooo yummy!

Last but not least is Hibiscus grenadine. This stuff has real pomegranate juice in it,  with a nice light taste of Hibiscus to follow.

All of the syrups are handcrafted in small batches in Portland Oregon,  with  no high fructose corn syrup and no preservatives.


Now it's time to stop your drooling  and enter the contest. All you need to do is leave a comment and tell me what your favorite beverage is.  It could be a cocktail, a tea, coffee-anything that wets your whistle. A winner will be announced next Tuesday, June 29th. Don't forget to visit Trader Tiki and check out his other fab syrups, bitters and bar swag. Good Luck!

La Vie En Rose

I'll admit, I'm on the fence with lots of foreign movies. Some just make no sense at all and sometimes I just want to stitch and hear the movie instead of reading subtitles. That being said, there are a few that I can watch time and time again. Because I know you want me to, I'm gonna share a few of my favorites.

I remember hearing a cranky girl tell me how much she hated Amelie. She told me that she had a problem with someone butting into other people's lives. Even though she gave it a bad review I decided to see it and I was so happy I did. It is such a wonderful feel good movie. It's so sweet. This gem from France tells of a sweet girl who decides that she is going to take on the mission of making others happy. In her adventures she brings smiles to strangers' faces and possibly love for herself. If you are ever having a bad day or just feeling sad about the world around you, this movie will lift your spirits and renew your faith in your fellow man.

It's no secret that I absolutely LOVE Edith Piaf. Her voice is rich with sadness, tragedy, but also offers a small glimmer of hope. Her life was a mirror of her voice. La Vie En Rose is a beautiful biography of her life from a small child to her untimely death. Piaf rose from a street urchin to an international icon. Despite her colorful life, she will always be the little sparrow to her people and the world that surrounded her.

I know I have mentioned this movie before but it bears repeating that you need to see it. La Belle Et Bete (Beauty and the Beast) is stunning. The special effects were cutting edge for the time and scenery is so rich and textured you could almost taste it. The movie centers around Beauty and her servitude to the Beast. Servitude turns to love and loyalty, followed by the happy ending.


So, I just realized that I gave you all my favorite French films...hmmmm...wonder what that says about me? That I love wonderful scenery, the French language, incredible music? Or does it say that pretty things make me happy? A little bit from column A, a little bit from column B. In any case, head out to that little corner market, pick up some yummy bread, brie and a great bottle of wine, sit back and enjoy the best in what France has to offer. Adieu mes animaux de compagnie

Scrappy Dog Sunday! The Father's Day Edition.

In honor of Father's day, Jujube has decided to take over and share her thoughts on her dad.

Dad, you were always there, by my side, to protect me. 

Even though you were grouchy, we still had fun~ 

You may think that you were in mom's shadow

But you always stand alone in my heart.

Although you're gone, you are still right next to me. I have inherited your appetite, your barking and your love of digging. No need to worry about me Dad, I'm in good hands. 

Happy Father's Day! 

Love, Your little girl,

Jujube

Feel Good Friday!

Is it Friday already? Yahoo! I've been in a little bit of a fog this week-it was my birthday on Wednesday and although I had every intention of posting something-the champagne just wouldn't let me. Here are a few things for you to get all bubbly about.

Did you see the winner of the Feeling Stitchy Rainbow of Stitches contest? Not only is the cuteness off the charts but the stitching is AMAZING! I swear, if she says that it's something she just whipped up, I may have to hurt her.  Congrats to Joey's Dream Garden!

Oh how I wish I was a better seamstress! I could make all my clothes like the lovely Mena over at The Sew Weekly. She has inspired me so much that I think I will get out my sewing machine again and give that A-line skirt a whirl.

My birthday was on Wednesday and OMP got me the coolest cutest pink bike EVER! Of course I need to accessorize the bike. Here are a few of my choices.

1. Bicycle helmet-don't want to knock my knoggin'! 2. Vintage bike radio from Sears. 3. Hello Kitty bell with rhinestones! 4. Bike basket.

Aren't they just the most ridiculous things ever! I love the helmet! 

Okay! I have to get ready for my birthday party. I hope everyone has a champagne, cupcake filled weekend. I know I will! 

 

Tie One On Tuesday!

Yahoo! It's ONE day before my 40th birthday! To get this party started I thought I would share with you my favorite all time drinks. Now, I know what you are thinking-aren't all the cocktails on Tie One On Tuesday your favorites. Well, most of them are. I have tried lots and lots of drinky drinks-some fab and some...ummmm...are not. So, get out your pen and paper and make sure you have this list ready when you see me next time and you can buy me a drink.


If I am out at a bar and just want a simple drink, I will have a gin and tonic with extra lime. I love the taste of Juniper mixed with the fizz of the tonic. Here's where you need to take notes. The Gin I like is Martin Miller. Their tag line is, "Born of Love, Obsession and Madness." Just like me! Check out the website-you will see a man in a ruffled shirt with Chuck Taylors and a poodle. Now you see why I like this gin. Oh yeah, the taste is smooth to the point of being brilliant.

Let's say that I am at the beach or lounging by the pool-cause that can really happen here in the Pacific Northwest-who cares if I am wearing a parka and rain gear at the time, I can still lounge. When I don't want something heavy or too sweet, the drink I look for is a Singapore Sling. If you are ever inclined to make me one-here's what you need:
Singapore Sling
1 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce cherry liqueur
1/4 ounce Cointreau liqueur
1/4 ounce benedictine
4 ounces pineapple juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/3 ounce grenadine
1 dash bitters
Throw all these wonderful flavors into a shaker with ice. Fill a Collins glass with ice and strain. Garnish with pineapple and a cherry.

Well, here we are, winding down the night and you want to mix me up a nightcap. Get your shaker out and mix up this yummy treat.
The Nightcap
1 oz Kahlua
1 Dash Nutmeg
6 oz Milk
1 tsp Powdered Sugar
Heat milk and add the sugar and the Kahlua. Sprinkle Nutmeg on top. Tuck me into bed and say goodnight.

Yummm...my head is buzzing and I haven't even had a drink yet! I'm off to lala land to rest up for my big birthday celebration tomorrow. Turning 40 requires lots of cocktails ,cupcakes and kisses!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

We have all sorts of visitors this time of year. Some come by for a quick snack. 

The girls are master hunters and one quick yell of SQUIRREL and they are out the door. This time though, they were a little taken back.

Other times, Lola is ready to attack any mouse, ball or bush that gets in her way.

Peter.....not so much.

And where is Jujube during all this? Dreaming of doggy treats, of course!