Cause I'm Nice

Maybe it's because I'm super nice or maybe it's because I'm lazy but I decided to have a giveaway today. I'm giving away not one but TWO super cool books! You heard me! TWO SUPER COOL BOOKS!

First we have a great book that I reviewed on Feeling Stitchy, Bags In Bloom. This book not only gives you patterns to embroidery but also patterns for different purses

Second we have the wonderful Design It Yourself Clothes. This book gives you the abc's on pattern design so you can be the next Project Runway winner!

Now, what do you have to do to win these two awesome books? Leave your answer to the following question:

What is your favorite season?

A winner will be announced next Thursday so hurry up and enter to win!

Tie One On Tuesday!

I know that most Tuesdays I post yummy alcohol concoctions but today I thought I would tell you about my favorite sodas-which can be used to mix with some great spirits to make some of your own fun loving drinks .

My all time favorite soda is Cheerwine. This drink not only brings back childhood memories of growing up in North Carolina but also is a dang good drink. Cheerwine is only brewed in the Carolinas but they do distribute to other areas of the United States. This soda has a wonderful cherry taste and is made with real cane sugar. It's also fun for little kids as it produces the biggest burps I have ever heard! Get it in the bottle if you can. The taste can't be beat.

Now for those of you in the midwest, you have a little drink called Green River. This Chicago based soda has an interesting taste which my husband describes as a "kind of lime and delicious " flavor. The bright toxic beverage is especially popular during St. Patrick's day. It is another very carbonated soda that will produce maximum burbage on a hot day.

If you are lucky enough to live close to the southern border of the United States or have an international food store near you, you can indulge in a Jarritos sodas. My favorite is strawberry but with flavors like Sangria, Tamarindo, and Jamaica you can try local flavors without ever leaving your lawn chair. I might also add that a Mexican Coca Cola with cane sugar is the best you will ever get.

These are only a few of my favorites. There are so many local sodas out there to be found, drank and enjoyed. If you are feeling adventurous, you can make your own (but that's for another Tie One On Tuesday).  Oh my goodness! Mark found me a Cheerwine, now if you will excuse me, I'm gonna gulp this puppy down and rattle the walls.

The Spoof....or How To Tastefully Rip Off Another Movie.

The Spoof movie. It could be a hysterical tasty morsel that leaves you full and wanting more or it could be the worst meal ever that leaves you with heartburn not even Pepto Bismal could get rid of.  Here are a few of my favorite spoofs, and I promise they won't leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

One of the best all time spoofs and probably my favorite is Airplane! This 1980 comedy mocks the disaster movies of the time. When you hear someone say, "I am serious and don't call me Shirely", you know exactly where it came from. It's a simple story. When the entire airplane ends up getting food poisoning, it's up to veteran pilot Ted Striker to bring the plane down safely. Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges and Leslie Nielson round out this rich comedic cast. If you like Gladiator movies, you will love this one (if you've seen the movie-you will totally understand).

Next on our  homage to fine cinema is Austin Powers (only the first one). Mike Myers pays tribute to the 1960's super spy films. Austin Powers is a spoof of movies like Our Man Flint which is a spoof of James Bond. Wow! A spoof of a spoof. Classic....Anyhoo. Myers plays a English secret agent that is brought back from deep freeze to bring down his evil nemesis Dr. Evil. Lots of tongue and cheek jokes makes this movie a fun romp in the park.

Last but not least and kind of a stretch, but I still love it so I'm gonna tell you about it anyway, is Mars Attacks! This film is a spoof on all those 1950's "B" science fiction Alien Invasion movies. Jack Nickolson in duel roles is amazing. He plays the President of the USA as well as a sleazy Las Vegas casino investor. Aliens land on Earth and much to our surprise they are hostile big brained boogers set on world domination. Who knew Slim Whitman could save the world?

Oh, the spoof. You make us laugh, you make us cry, you sometimes make us wonder why (your were ever made). There are so many ways you can play on the spoof-if you are lucky a smile will ensue, do it wrong and the world will never forgive you. Heed my warning young film makers, the spoof, she's a harsh mistress.

Feel Good Friday!

Yahoo! We made it to Friday! I didn't think we were going to do it and then BAM! We pulled it off! Pat yourself on the back!

Oh yeah-you are reading it right. Quit rubbing your eyes and close your mouth. AlwaysInspired and Digital Misfit created a new blog banner for me. Digital Misfit drew it up and AlwaysInspired stitched it up. It has all my favorite things. Cocktails, crafting tools, and pups! I really think they captured the chest part just right too. I look H-O-T all stitched up! Thank you guys SO much, seriously from the bottom on my heart for this. I just love it. You will be seeing it on my blog very soon!

I am completely blown away by Dalton Ghetti. That is lead from a pencil. CRAZY!

If you are thinking of something to get me for Christmas. This would be perfect. The Junk Gypsy has such great stuff! As a matter of fact, I think I'll take just about one of everything in their store.


You guys know I love a good cross stitch or embroidery pattern and if they are vintage-even better. Denise Felton shares my love of patterns and all things needlework on Craft Gossip. There are tutorials, patterns, and just plain cool stuff. If  stitching isn't your thing, check out the other amazing categories. Paper work, quilting, recycle crafting are just a few.

I would love to stay and chat more but the sun is calling my name and demanding that I get outside. Time to throw on my bathing suit, head to the backyard and play with the family. I've almost got the dogs trained to bring me beverages. ALMOST-only a few years away from perfection. Have a great weekend and enjoy life.

Jumping for joy is good exercise.  ~Author Unknown

Cross Stitch Animals

These would be so adorable on a quilt, dress or cardigan. I can't decide which is my favorite. Please make sure you color in the eyes, unless you want weird alien animals. Oh, that gives me an idea!

My Interview

The following statements are based on a true story.

I went on an interview today. I could tell right off  that I was not meant for this position. The woman interviewing me, the building, everything was just not me. At first, I was fine with that, I mean, I could mold into any type of job as long as the money was right and the people were nice. This was not one of those deals. Here are some excerpts from that interview.

Interviewer: Tell me at little bit about yourself

Me: Well, I'm very organized. I know a lot of different software. I can do insurance billing.

Interviewer: :Let me stop you there. First off, if you get hired, you can't wear perfume.

Me: Okay, no problem.

Interviewer: Okay, so.. tell me who you are, what makes you tick.

Me: Well, I would like to leave that to the history books.

Interviewer: Excuse me?

Me: Yeah. I mean, I'm not completely defined yet. Plus, I'm sure when they find my corpse, the historians will have a field day with me and my life will be much more interesting than it already is. So, yeah, I'll leave it to the history books.

By now, the interviewer is looking perplexed. I'm pretty sure that it was because my perfume was sending toxic fumes to her.


Interviewer: Interesting...Let me put it to you this way. In 5 minutes define yourself


Me: 5 minutes? Lady! You want me to define 40 years in 5 minutes? I am much more than a 5 minute spill, but here it goes.  I am a woman but sometimes a little girl. I am a southern. I am liberal. I am conservative. I am a wife. I don't have children and don't want them. I am free. I am a survivor. I love my life but sometimes wonder what it would be like if I took a different turn. I am a friend, a sister. I lost my mother and constantly look for an older woman to guide me. I am creative and caring. I can carry a grudge. I love flashy things and if I was born a man, I'm sure I would be a fab drag queen-I'm betting that I am fab drag queen now. I have tattoos and I don't care what you think about that. I am tolerant to most but get angry when people hide behind their faith, art or political beliefs to promote hate. I weigh more than I should. I have great boobs. I have a gap in my teeth that makes me self conscious but not enough to stifle my laugh. I am smart and funny. I love candy. I have a loud laugh that you can hear from a mile away. I am from a small town and never thought I would miss it but I do. I love my husband more than life. I will defend anyone's right to speak, even if I don't agree with them. I want harmony between rural and urban cultures. I love Willie Nelson. I like to indulge in a beverage or two and have been known to dance on a table after a few cocktails. I will cry at commercials. I am usually pretty calm but get completely ticked off when some trust fund urban hippie ask me to define who I am in 5 minutes when there is not a time or a box that can hold me. *Stands up and starts humming the national anthem.


Interviewer: Umm....Mrs. Pedersen? You answer?

Me: Oh, sorry, I was thinking. Did I say that I was organized?

Interviewer: We'll be in touch.

Me: Yeah, you do that.


The moral of the story...don't let anyone put you in a box. You are more than  a 5 minute answer.

Tie One On Tuesday!

If there is one thing I love, it's baking. The other thing I love, a good cocktail. So, this week on Tie One On Tuesday I've decided to combine my two loves into one great concoction.

The easiest and most versatile alcohol cake is a Rum Cake.
Rum Cake
Ingredients
1 cup chopped pecans - substitute with chopped walnuts if preferred
Jell-o instant vanilla pudding - 4 serving pack
1 18.5 ounce box yellow cake mix (make sure the ingredients does not contain 'pudding' in it)
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup oil - vegetable or corn
1/2 cup dark rum

Glaze
1/2 cup butter - substitute with margarine if preferred
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup dark  rum
 Excepting the pecans/walnuts, mix all the other ingredients of the cake and mix in blender for couple of minutes.
Grease a bundt pan.
Spread the pecans/walnuts at the bottom of pan. Pour the blended cake mixture over this
Heat oven to 325 degrees and bake the cake for 1 hour.
Just before cake is ready take prepare the glaze.
Take a pan and place on medium heat. Put in and melt the butter.
Put in the water and sugar. Allow to boil till sugar melts.
Turn off the heat and stir in the rum.
Once cake is ready, pierce the entire cake using a fork. Please do this gently. We do not want to shred the cake to pieces.
Keep the cake on a big plate and pour the warm glaze slowly over it, allowing it to seep into the cake.
Let the cake stand for at least a couple of hours. There is no need to refrigerate this cake, but it will taste better chilled.

This cheesecake recipe sounds so decadent and perfect for a small get together.
Cranberry-Tequila Cream Cheese Tart
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2/3 cup cream cheese, chilled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons (about) ice water

Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tequila
1 tablespoon (packed) grated orange peel
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cranberry glaze
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups fresh cranberries

For crust:
Mix first 4 ingredients in processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cream cheese and pulse 3 times to combine. Blend in enough ice water by tablespoonfuls until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Transfer to lightly floured surface. Roll out dough to 15-inch round. Transfer dough to 11- to 12-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Fold in excess dough to form double-thick sides. Transfer tart pan to freezer and chill crust for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans and bake until crust is firm, about 20 minutes. Transfer tart pan to rack; let crust cool completely in pan.

For filling:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until light. Beat in powdered sugar, then remaining ingredients.

Spread cream cheese filling evenly in crust. Refrigerate until filling sets, about 2 hours.

For glaze:
Combine first 6 ingredients in medium saucepan over high heat. Boil 2 minutes. Add cranberries. Return to boil. Boil 1 minute. Transfer glaze to bowl and cool completely.

Spoon glaze over filling. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

Last but not least is a wonderful Stout beer brownie that will be a hit at the next bake sale.
Stout Beer Brownies
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted room temperature butter, cut into cubes
8 ounces dark bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup superfine or granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups (10 ounces)Extra Stout beer
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/8 cup (about) confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour,cocoa powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
Melt butter, bittersweet chocolate, and white chocolate chips in a double-boiler over very low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add melted chocolate mixture, beating until combined.
Beat reserved flour mixture into melted chocolate mixture. Whisk in stout beer. The batter will seem a bit thin. Drop semisweet chocolate chips evenly on top of batter (some will sink in).
Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes on center rack in the oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean.
Let brownies cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.


Oh wow! My mouth is just watering from all these wonderful confections. These recipes make look like they take a bit of time, but believe me-they are worth it and you will be the booziest Betty Crocker around.