The Sun Don't Shine.....

I know I talk a lot about being positive and life changes. I also know how hard that can be in today's economy and times. So many of my friends are struggling right now and believe me-I know how they feel. I am currently working a job part time and it is hard making ends meet. There are days when I just want to give up, sit down and cry-Geesh, there are days when I did  just that. I worry-I worry about my house, my family, the state of the world. I guess the thing that I am getting at is that I don't always see the world through rose colored glasses.

Just today I was doubting the world around me and having the most elaborate pity party you could imagine. The only good part of my pity party is I had hats and cake. I was down and out and wanted to scream at the world for giving me a raw deal.  I wanted to scream out, "Why me?". Then I thought.....

Why not me? What made me so special that I did not deserve to have a rough patch in life? Into everyone's life a little rain must fall but how you handle that downpour is up to you. Sure, you can just shrivel up and take the punches or you can punch back and take that negativity down.

When the world gets to me and I want to give up, I turn to my friends, my faith in those close to me and to  myself. I remind myself that everything in temporary and this dark cloud soon will pass. If I don't get that job this time, I will get another one and if I don't get that one-I'll keep trying and get better at interviewing. The same goes for other aspects in my life. If I see something wrong in my world, I think of ways to change it and if it doesn't work-I keep trying.  I know that many times I take 1 step forward and 3 back but I also know that eventually I will get the strength to take a huge jump forward. If none of these things work, I just remind myself that the sun don't shine on the same dog's ass everyday and my time will come.

So, let me help you up, dust you off and walk with you as we try to figure out where this path is gonna take us. Stop your worrying! The world will continue to tick us off, we will lose sleep over the strife of the day but when the sun rises that next morning, a new day will begin and new opportunities will be there for us to catch.

Tie One On Tuesday!

I'm not a huge vodka drinker. To me, vodka is really just a vehicle for whatever flavor you add to it. That being said and to keep with my gardening theme. I thought it would be fun to infuse some vodka with flavors from my garden.

Lavender grows in abundance around here, not to mention that it is a hot flavor right now.  I think if you just had lavender flavor it would be a little overpowering and probably have a strong medicine taste. One of the great flavors to add to lavender is rosemary. The rosemary takes the edge of the overpowering floral flavor of the lavender and adds a nice savory taste to your vodka.
Lavender/Rosemary Vodka
Ingredients
750ml bottle of premium vodka
1 sprig of rosemary
2 sprig of lavender
infusion jar with tight sealing lid (think mason jar) Make sure that it is glass and not plastic.
Rinse the herbs and place them a clean mason jar or similar jar with a tight sealing lid.
Pour the vodka over the herbs and shake a few times.
Seal the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days.
Test the flavor of the infusion everyday, beginning on the second day.
Once the lavender and rosemary flavor is to taste, strain the herbs from the vodka using a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it.
Store as you do other vodka.

Cherries are coming into season here and although I didn't grow any in my garden I couldn't resist this wonderful cherry infused vodka recipe.
Cherry Vodka
Ingredients
4 pints of cherries
1 bottle of vodka
Tight lid jar (such as a mason jar)
Pit all cherries and remove the stems
Add the cherries to the vodka in an tight sealing jar (mason jar)
Seal the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days.
Test the flavor of the infusion everyday, beginning on the second day.
Once you have your cherry taste, strain the cherries from the vodka using a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it.
Store as you do other vodka.

Our peppers are coming in quite nice. I love a spicy vodka for a Bloody Mary. You can also infuse the vodka with tomato if you wanted an interesting little kick.
Spicy Vodka
Ingredients
1 Jalapeno pepper
1 Habanero pepper
1 Serreno pepper
Tight jar (Again, think Mason)
Add whole peppers to vodka and seal jar

Seal the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days.
Shake the jar daily
Test the flavor of the infusion everyday, beginning on the second day.
Once you have your cherry taste, strain the cherries from the vodka using a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it.
Store as you do other vodka.

There are so many flavors you can infuse vodka with for a special taste. Think about the seasons and holidays for wonderful gifts to friends. Vanilla or a spicy vodka would be great for the fall and winter holiday season.  Fresh fruit in the spring and summer to refresh your palate. If you can think it, it can be infused with vodka. Even candies! Skittles and cinnamon red hots are a fun way to add flavor to that boring clear liquid. Use your imagination and have fun mixing up a tasty treat.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Shhhh...don't tell OMP but I love gardening. Just a year ago I was complaining about pulling weeds, tending to the tomato plants and being out in the sun. This year I have my raised bed garden of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, raspberries and celery. I am having a blast getting my hands dirty and reaping the benefits. Don't even get me started on my Mason bees. So, to honor my wonderful garden and to inspire you to get your hands in the dirt, I'm giving you some movies to garden by.

Greenfingers is based on a true story about a group of British convicts that who become prize winning gardeners. The prisoners take up gardening as part of their rehabilitation but soon find a love for it and eventually enter a prestigious flower competition . This is a feel good light hearted movie that will lift your spirits and make you giggle.

If you want something a little bit more low brow and let's be real-who doesn't? I would highly and I mean highly recommend Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. The scary thing about this movie-it could really happen (hee hee). This 1978 cult classic is silly, over the top and down right fun on a Saturday night. Mutated tomatoes are killing everything in their path and it's up to a team of crack scientist to stop them. Remember to remove your brain before watching this campy film otherwise you will be disappointed. You'll be humming the theme song for weeks!

Finally, and this brings me back to my childhood, there is The Secret Garden. This movie has been remade many times and was even a TV series. One of my favorite versions is the one from 1949. The story is timeless and the description and visuals of the garden are spectacular. Mary is a spoiled child who wanders the house and moors of her new home only to find a garden with more secrets than she could imagine. By restoring the garden, she restores her humanity.

There ya go! Wonderful movies to inspire your green thumb, renew your faith in the world around you and even make you tremble in fear at genetically altered man eating tomatoes. Yep, life is pretty much as it should be.  

Feel Good Friday!

Oh YES! Friday is here! Whoop! Whoop! I am feeling it this Friday! Who is with me?

How absolutely cute is this little pup? Maybe if I show them to this to my dogs, they might start doing my laundry. Cynthia_Holzauer did an amazing job.

I LOVE draw! pilgram. So colorful, so happy and so

many great ideas! Great vintage stuff and all your eye candy needs in one spot!

I need these. NEED!

And this....

And this. All are from Pinup Girl Clothing! The girls are adorable and the clothing is H-O-T!

Last but not least, Jack Russell puppy. Do you hear me people? I can't take the cuteness of the puppy! The belly, the tongue, the paw-That's it. I'm dead. 

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.~ Groucho Marx

Little Bonnet Girl

I know I've said it before-I'm not super crazy about patterns with little bonnet girls. They bring back a time in my life when my mom decorated  her kitchen with  geese, the color blue and these little girls. I do however, love the font and the little puppies in the pattern and couldn't resist sharing them with you. If little bonnet girls aren't your thing, you can always zombie-fy, punk them up or just cut them out completely. Hmmm....a zombie punk bonnet girl...I like it!

I'm Coming Home

 Special thanks to Elizabeth's needlework design

I have had a craptastic day today. It all started when some jerk cut me off and then almost ran into me on my way to work. It all continued downhill from there. All I could think about today was coming home, which then got me to thinking about-what is home to me? What does it mean?

It's the rush of barking and jumping and kisses I receive from three silly little dogs when I walk through the door.

It's the perfect strawberry in my garden

It's the birds bathing in the pond.

It's a husband that loves me and knows to give me extra hugs because I am having a rough day.

It's my friends that make me laugh and remind me never to take anything to seriously.

A home is not just a roof over your head. Home is a special place in your heart. It allows you to feel safe and comfortable when the rest of the world is crazy around you. It doesn't have to be made of wood or bricks. It is made of love and happiness. Home can be anywhere in the world where you are smiling. Whether I am in here in Portland or visiting a friend on the other side of the world-I am home. 

If You Like Pina Coladas....

I really really hate that song but I LOVE a good Pina Colada. Today I have done nothing but dream about a warm beach, playing in the ocean and sipping yummy drinks with cute little umbrellas in them.


The traditional recipe only has a few ingredients and is so easy to mix up.
Traditional Pina Colada
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Light rum
2 oz Cream of Coconut
2oz Pineapple juice 
1 cup Crushed ice 

Pour rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice into a blender with one cup of crushed ice. Blend until smooth, and pour into a collins glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, and serve.

The best thing about tropical drinks such as the Pina Colada is that you can pretty much add any fruit flavor with it and it's still good. I highly recommend fresh strawberries or mangoes.

Now if you have a little bit of time on your hands and want to do a lot of mixing, I suggest the Dressed Up Pina Colada.
Dressed Up Pina Colada
Ingredients
2oz. Irish cream
6 oz. hot chocolate
6oz Amaretto
3 oz Coconut rum
3 tbsp Coconut milk
3 tbsp Crushed pineapple
Blend rum, coconut milk and pineapple, with 2 cups of crushed ice, on high for a few seconds, until all large chunks of ice are gone. Pour into glass.

Let's say that you are having lots of friends over and you really don't want to be behind the bar mixing cocktails all day. You want to mingle-it's your given right to say hello to the ladies...well, mix up a Pina Colada Punch and your problems are solved.
Pina Colada Punch
Ingredients

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple

1 (8 ounce) can coconut cream

1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice

2 cups light rum

1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime soda

In a large plastic container, combine ice cream, crushed pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice and rum. Mix well and slowly stir in the lemon-lime soda. Freeze for 4 hours or until slushy.

 

Okay my little party goers. I'm heading out to find the perfect beach. Got my floaties, sunscreen and my Pina Colada. You just need to supply the umbrellas.