Love That Leading Man

I was trying to figure out just what to write about tonight-going through my DVD collection-More zombie movies, eh, not feeling it. Kung Fu movie-meh, no high kicks for me. I am in the mood for one of my favorite leading men, James Cagney. Not only could Cagney play the "tough guy" but his dancing and singing were well known throughout the movie community, dating back to his vaudeville days.

Cagney was best known for his tough guy persona. Both Public Enemy and Angels With Dirty Faces cemented him as a cinema bad guy and turned him into a cash cow for the Studios. He received his first Academy award nomination in 1938 for Angels With Dirty Faces for his leading man role. His portrayal of Rocky Sullivan is haunting. Straddling the line between good and evil-eventually falling for the wrong side.


A few years later Cagney stared in Yankee Doodle Dandy. The studio took a gamble on putting him in the role of George M. Cohen, the American composer, singer, & dancer. The movie tells the life store of George Cohen and his contribution to American music.Cagney finally got to show off his very talented feet to his growing public!

Cagney's last movie before his death in 1986, was Ragtime. He played the police commissioner in this turbulent tale of turn of the century music and the racial uprising it brought. The movie was up for 8 Oscars and has been considered one of his greatest roles. The music is as haunting as his performance.

I get a little sad when I see a James Cagney movie. He chose roles that touched something in all of us, the working people of society. These were roles that the average working stiff could relate to. He himself was a hard working man but he made everything look so effortless. He was a gentleman who believed in his work and continued doing so right up until his death.

Sweet Saturday

Boo! I just picked the last of my raspberries. I always get a little sad when I can't just go out and pick my food off the vine. Since I had a few more cup of raspberries, I hunted down the last of my pie crust and decided to make Raspberry tarts. You could really do these with any berry or fruit, depending on the season.

Rasberry Tarts
Ingredients
Pie crust-I used store bought crust. I'm lazy!
2 cups raspberries (you could use blueberries, blackberries)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Roll out pie dough and cut out circles measuring about 4 inches in diameter. Line the muffin mold with cupcake liners and then place the dough around the liner, basically making another cup. Don't forget to punch a couple of holes in the bottom of the dough so it doesn't bubble.
Divide raspberries among the pie shells, filling them about 1/2 full
Beat cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Pour mixture over berries, filling the shells about 2/3rd full. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cream has set.
Cool completely before removing them from the molds.
Serve with a dollop of whip cream.
The main thing to remember about this recipe is not to let the custard burn and make sure your berries are dry. If they are damp, they will ruin the custard.

I didn't have whipped cream, so, to indulge even more, I added ice cream with a cherry on top-cause that's how I roll.

Feel Good Friday!

Whoa Boy! Am I sweaty! Just last week I was freezing my butt off and this week I am melting. While I slip into my bathing suit, throw the dogs into the kiddie pool and find my sunscreen, enjoy these happies.

This is a custom piece done by nanaCompany. The little scarf on the bird is killing me with it's cuteness! Check out her hand stitch set-trust me you will have sugar overload from all the sweetness.

Have you been over to Stitch School? My friend Becky turned me on to this blog and I LOVE IT! She has wonderful easy to follow tutorials, free and for sale patterns.

This necklace is so dainty. A Box for My Treasures has wonderful vintage inspired baubles to make you even prettier than you already are.

Ahhhhh, much better. All cooled off, the dogs are completely soaked and I think I need a snow cone.

Dancers, Hearts and Flowers! Oh My!

I love the little  Fraulein and Frederick dancing around in this embroidery pattern.This adorable apron embroidery and pattern is just perfect for serving up some frosty mugs. Unfortunately their legs got a little chopped, I have faith that you can wing it!

Tie One On Tuesday!

Whoa Nelly! Is it H-O-T! Just yesterday is was fall like weather in Portland and today it is super summer hot. As I try to get OMP to fan me, I thought I would make up some special popsicles to sweeten the deal. These are adult pops but I'm sure you could leave the booze out and they would be just as good, but you probably wouldn't get as lucky.

I love a good Margarita and one that is on a stick is even better!
Margarita Pops (courtesy of the food network)
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons tequila
2 tablespoons orange liqueur 
Kosher salt, for garnish
4 small  wax paper cup ,(think Dixie cup) 4 popsicle sticks
Combine sugar, lime juice, water, lemon juice and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool. 
Once cool transfer to a blender with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime wedge and process until smooth. Pour into the cups and cover the top of each cup with foil. 
Place the popsicle stick in center of cup (down through foil, which will hold it in place). Freeze until hard, preferably overnight. 
Remove from freezer and run cup under warm water to loosen popsicle. Garnish with kosher salt and serve. 

This one sounds SO good, my mouth is watering just typing about it. 
Tangerine Rum Popsicle 
Ingredients:
2 oz. Dark Rum   
2 ¾ cup peeled Tangerines  (If you can't find Tangerines, Mandarin oranges would work, just a little sweeter)
1 oz. Juice of  Lime            
1 oz. Simple Syrup    
Splash of Lemon-lime soda
8 Popsicle Sticks
Into a blender, add peeled tangerines, lime juice, simple syrup and soda.  Puree mixture into a liquid.  Strain mixture into a measuring cup and add rum.  Mix well and pour into Popsicle molds.  Add Popsicle sticks and freeze for 8 hours. If you don't have popsicle molds, you can use the trusty Dixie cups.

Since it's strawberry season, I thought a great Strawberry Daiquiri popsicle would satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you refreshed.
Strawberry Daiquiri Pops
Ingredients:
3 cups hulled strawberries
1/3 cup rum
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup water
Combine all ingredients in blender, and puree until smooth and sugar is dissolved.>
Pour into popsicle molds and insert sticks. Freeze until firm - at least 4 hours or overnight. One more time-you can use Dixie cups if you don't have molds

There ya go, three frozen pops to wet your whistle and cool your jets. All of these recipes can be altered with different fruits. Get creative! Surprise your sweetie or your guest with yummy frozen cocktails-just keep them away from the kiddies. Now where is OMP with my fan? Honey! I have a special treat for you!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Happy Independence Day! 

Hope it's filled with lots of yummy things to BBQ

  Lots of fun activities.

And lounging around

I hope everyone enjoys today and has a great time but please remember to be careful and take care of your pets. Fireworks are scary to our little furry friends so if you are going out, leave the TV on loud and give them something to chew on. Make sure that they have plenty of water and make everything as comfortable as possible for them. Maybe take them out earlier to wear them out for the night. Whatever you do, make sure you and your little beast are safe. Happy 4th everyone!

Feel Good Friday!

YAHOO! Welcome to the weekend! Time to tune up your air guitars and rock out! Here in the US we have a long weekend for the 4th of July. What does that mean? Lots of grilling out, blowing stuff up and mosquito bites. While you are applying Calamine Lotion to your bites, enjoy these little tidbits of feeling goodness.

I LOVE these embroideries. It combines my new love of gardening with my love for vintage images. They are absolutely amazing!

You really need to check out Joey's blog Anonymous Works. How much cuter can "Don't forget your gasmask" get?

I think by now you know that I love lots of old things; pottery, patterns, OMP. Old Picture of the Day satisfies my intense need for history and beauty in everyday life.

I adore whimsies. Tiny Little Things are Cute feeds my need for little charms and doodads. Hello! Doesn't everyone need a Climbing Monkey toy.

Last but not least, you REALLY need to go and check out my interview on Mr. XStitch. You will be shocked an amazed by the inner workings of my mind-mostly shocked, maybe a little amazed.

 

Okay my lovelies! I am off to enjoy some ice cream and cowboys at the rodeo. I Hope everyone has a wonderful sparkly weekend!