Doggone Great Movies!

I am such a sucker when it comes to movies about animals, especially ones about pups. I will even watch those horrible talking animal films. As long as it has a cute little animal in it-I will watch it and cry at the right times-just like the director wanted. Yep, I am a SUCK-ER for sappy animal movies.

The most recent movie that had me in tears and wanting to adopt every dog on the planet is Hotel For Dogs. I know what you are thinking-Seriously Pam? Really? Let me explain why I was in tears. We had just lost Kato and I made the dumb decision to rent a dog movie cause the lead pup looks like Lola. Well, that alone made me think of Lola and Kato playing together and thus the waterworks started. The movie is a kid friendly movie about two orphans and their little Jack Russell Terrier. One dog leads to another and eventually an abandoned building turns into a hotel for strays. Waterworks will follow in this sweet "No Dog Left Behind" movie.

I remember seeing Benji as a little kid and crying my eyes out because he didn't have a home. Then he got one and then he became a stray again. As a 4 year old, I knew I was the only person who understood Benji and wanted to take care of him. Benji is a stray dog who helps two kidnapped kids escape from their captors. Of course this movie started a whirlwind of Benji movies and TV shows, then then the lunchboxes followed. I never got my Benji lunchbox, instead my mom thought a Donnie and Marie lunchbox would be better. Thanks for the therapy mom!

My friend grew up in a family that participated in dog shows and swears that Best In Show is a true and accurate portrayal of the business. As everyone was laughing it up, she was shaking her head and screaming, "If you only knew!" The story is a mockumentary about several people heading to the biggest dog show in the United States. This is a classic Christopher Guest movie with the wonderful cast of characters that we have come to know from his films. There have been many times that I will walk up to OMP and say, "Pine nuts, Macadamia nuts." He loves me.

There are SO many more dog movies out there. Some great tear jerkers are-of course Old Yeller, My Dog Skip (I can not watch this movie at ALL). Some classics that have been updated-101 and 102 Dalmations (I have seen them so many times, they are banned in the Casa de Pedersen) and then the great buddy movie with Turner and Hooch, Homeward Bound and Eight Below.  No matter what your style is, grab your best furry friend, snuggle in on the couch and enjoy a doggone great movie. See what I did there? Doggone? Hello? Hello? Is this thing on? Lola thought it was funny. 

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I am a huge fan of rescues. What better way to give an animal a second chance. You may just find your best friend. Take Rosie for example-this sweet little Jack Russell is looking for a forever home.

This is a little tidbit from my friend who helps with the Jack Russell Rescue.

This is Rosie.  Formerly Hurricane Rosie, now affectionately known as Rosie Roo... we call her Rosie Roo because she is one big bouncy ball of fun!  Rosie is a little over a year old and is a Jack Russell Terrier.  She is 17" tall, and looks a little like a petite Springer, or Brittany Spaniel size wise.  She came from Hurricane, Utah, where she was spending her days tied up in a trailer park.  Her new foster mom is exhausted and just cannot exercise her enough.  What this little ball of love needs ideally is this... someone who is a runner.  A real runner, not just training for a one time marathon.  When properly exercised, this dog is the smartest most obedient dog on the planet.  She knows "sit", "stay", "get on your bed" and sadly, "no".  She doesn't get into things when she is given proper toys to keep her busy, and when she has been properly exercised it is a total non-issue.  She can smell a tennis ball a mile away.  Sometimes, she can find them when they have been put away and forgotten by her human.  She can play ball FOREVER, but it is not good if it is her sole source of amusement and exercise.  She loves to be with her people.  So a work from home person would be ideal.  She loves other dogs and engages in play with them easily.

Please help us find Rosie a forever home. If you are interested in Rosie, please contact me and I will get you in touch with the rescue. Everyone needs a best friend in their lives. Rosie just might be yours.

Sweet Saturday

The funny thing about living in the Pacific Northwest is one day it could be 40 degrees and you need to turn your heat on in the middle of June and the next it's 80 degrees and you are sweating your eyeliner off.Can you guess what kind of day it was today? Let's just say I'm looking like a raccoon that got ditched at the prom.  That being said, I needed to make something sweet to appease my sugar tooth and cool off at the same time.

I've always wanted to make granita but it seemed like a lot of work and very intimidating. Nothing could be further than the truth. It is so easy and so tasty that OMP may be lucky to get any when he gets home tonight. You can use all sorts of fruits but since my raspberries were ripe for the picking, I decided to use them.

Raspberry Granita
Ingredients
3 cups fresh raspberry
1 cup water
3/4 cups and 2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Combine water and sugar in medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to  slight boil. Remove from heat. Chill syrup until cold. (I chilled it in the fridge cause I hate waiting)

Mash 3 cups raspberries in medium bowl. Stir in lemon juice. 

Mix sugar syrup and raspberry mixture.

Pour mixture through strainer, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. 

Pour mixture into shallow baking dish.

Freeze until almost firm,stirring every 15 minutes for 2 hours. This may seem like a lot of work but it is really easy. I cleaned the house and pulled weeds then went back and took a break and stirred the granita. This is a must! It will really make the difference.

After 2 hours, continue freezing granita until firm (do not stir), at least 3 hours or overnight. 

Scrape out the granita with an ice cream scooper. The consistency should be like a sorbet-this is why the stirring is so important.

Granita can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen.

Granita is the perfect after dinner treat or after pulling weeds treat or just sitting in the sun doing your best Jane Mansfield impersonation treat. Your family and friends will think that you are a gourmet chef with this little number. Only you will know it took nothing at all to create this masterpiece.

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