AGH! Monsters!

Well, well, well....will you look at that? It's time for Shocktober. Oh yeah, you  heard me right, a whole month of scary movies. One of my favorite things about scary movies are the monsters. The sillier the monster, the better!

My FAVORITE monster is the Creature in the Creature from the Black Lagoon. How can you not love a slimey monster that just wants to hang with the ladies. A scientific expedition looking for the proof of the fish missing link gets more then it bargains for when they find the real thing, not just the fossil remains. Lots of great underwater action, a guy in a rubber suit and one of the cutest bathing suits ever is all you need to know about this Universal Monster classic.

Do you like dogs wearing shredded carpets? If you do, than The Killer Shrews is the movie for you! Besides the shredded carpet dogs, James Best aka Rosco P. Coltrane of Dukes of Hazzard fame stars in this fine piece of cinema. Once again, we just can't keep our hands off mother nature and thus the killer shrew is born. How will the shrews be stopped? Who will save us? Well sillies! Rent it and find out.

 Okay, so I've noticed that in the 1940's and 1950's people really had a fear of gorillas. I don't get it? I mean, did gorillas run rampant on the streets? Did the people of that time already know that we were going to be ruled by apes a la Planet of the Apes? Anyhoo, Robot Monster has two things that our mid-century modern ancestors feared most. Robots and Gorillas. Oh yeah! I forgot about radiation, big lizards and cute girls screaming. The marrying of a diving helmet and gorilla suit? Pure genius !

These are just three bad monster movies that I highly recommend these cool Shocktober nights. If you are having a bad day, pop one of these fine *ahem* movies in your DVD player, sit back and have a good belly laugh.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

It was one year ago today that we brought home our little bundle of joy. Mark had told me that he didn't want anymore kids-he was finished and then BAM he told me me that we were driving to rural Washington to look at a little man. We grabbed the girls, headed north, went past pasture after pasture of Alpacas(I'm pretty sure after saying 6 times that we should have the Alpaca lifestyle Mark was ready to turn the car around) we arrived at a  farm with tiny little babies running around everywhere.

There he was, running around like a maniac, keeping up with the girls and showing us that toothy grin that he is so famous for. At that very point, he melted our heart. We brought the little guy home and he cried for a little bit in the car but otherwise he was a perfect  angel....until that night. He would never settled down, cried the whole night and eventually Mark had to go downstairs with him and sleep on the couch. All I could think about was did we make a mistake? Are we crazy? We have two Jack Russells and now we have a Miniature Pinscher. The next night was fine and each night after that has gotten better. Of course, he thinks he security and must check out every little sound. If someone sneezes 2 hours away, Pete can hear it.
I'm not gonna say every day has been a walk in the park. We have had to secure the backyard more than ever because he is an escape artist, he's not a fan of little kids and will follow some house guest around barking at them. He has marked his territory in the house a few times and decides at 4am it's time for patrol of the backyard. Every time he does something he knows he shouldn't, he looks up at you with those little eyes, perks the ears up and gives you a toothy little smile as if to say, "I'm just a puppy, mom....I love you, did I mention that? I really do." Then my heart melts and I forget why I was so angry in the first place.

This little black and tan puppy, in a year, has managed to wrap us around his little paw. He brings Mark so much joy and when that little nubbin of a tail starts wiggling, well, it's all over. He loves to chase birds with the girls, steal treats when he gets the opportunity and snag your blankets in the middle of winter, but we love this little man. We can't imagine our life without him. The smile he puts on our faces and the laughs we have with him takes away all the cold feet nights. So, here's to you Pete! You are the sunshine on a rainy day and the rock in my shoe and I love you for that.

Salivating Saturday

Fall has started and that means that it's time to start baking! One thing that I love to bake is a super simple savory treat that you can literally make in under an hour-Cheese straws. Oh yeah....Cheese! (I immediately started saying it like Wallace from the Wallace and Gromit fame). This wonderful little cracker has a nice little spicy bite that will make your mouth happy.

Cheese Straws
2 sticks of butter
1/2 lb of sharp shredded cheddar cheese (you could try other cheeses but cheddar is traditional)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups all purpose flour
1/tsp salt

Cream the cheese and butter together. Mix dry ingredients together. Slowly add in dry mix. You can use your cookie press to makes these, again the traditional way or you can roll into little marbles and press with a fork on a cookie sheet. Press them so they look like Peanut Butter cookies. Bake for 8-12 minutes at 375 (start at 5 minutes and go up from there). Don't let them get too brown.

I usually make these in my cookie press with the star template but I was really lazy and didn't want to walk all of 5 stairs to the basement and pick up the press and then walk all the way back up.So, I made them into cracker/cookie like disc. No matter, they are still just as delicious.

These spicy morsels are great for a party, watching the football game (Go Heels!) or watching that super scary movie. The best part about these little guys, the smell reminds me of the holidays and I get all sentimental. Now, if you'll excuse me-I'm gonna go reminisce over a cracker.

Feel Good Friday!

Oh my goodness! I have been missing for a few days. I am so sorry! Life threw me for a little loop this week and I've been trying to pick up some pieces and place everything back the way it was. Anyhoo...enough of that mess! It's Friday and I am happy and SOOOO excited that October is finally here. It's the beginning kick off of my holiday season.

I always decorated for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and this year I had the chance to film a video about making sugar skulls. They are so cool and now I want to have a decorating party for the season.

This has been my week....

Kunderwood kicks butt at stitching. I admire her work so much, plus...she is the sweetest super cute lady in the world!

Two of my favorite things in the the entertainment world is old time radio and horror/scifi. The Monster Club.com has both! Great old time radio broadcast with shows such as Lights Out, Mystery House and The Haunting Hour. My favorite story so far has been the Transylvania Robots who do everything they are told....

I think Jujube needs this costume or maybe I just need this dog. Oh My Dog Supplies.com have great low priced costumes and more. Right now they have a $12.00 coupon. Score!

Let me tell you...I feel SO much better! I hope you do to. I would love to spend more time with you but right now Turner Classic Movies is having a Hammer Horror film night and I've got some popcorn to eat, jammies to get into and snuggling to get down with. Have a great night my wonderful friends!

Top It Off with Topper

Some time ago, I  disliked movie series. The majority of the time, the second movie is an awful abomination put on this Earth to just swindle you out of your hard earned cash. This is not the case in 1-The Thin Man Series and 2-The Topper Series. I can't believe I haven't mentioned Topper before. Did you know it stars one of my favorite actors-Asta the dog. Yeppers, it's true.

To start off the series is Topper. Filmed in 1937, it stars several wonderful actors such as Cary Grant and Constance Bennett. The story is about a henpecked bank president who works for the  fun loving Grant and Bennett. Here's  the catch is that they are ghosts and he is the only one that can see them. They are stuck in limbo until they correct all their bad deeds with good ones. Roland Young plays Cosmo Topper but the film is definitely stolen by his clueless wife, Billie Burke.

1938 saw the return of Cosmo Topper and his favorite ghost Constance. Unfortunately Cary Grant did not make a return but we do get to see Asta. This time around a friend of Mrs. Topper convinces her that she needs to divorce Cosmo. Constance helps her favorite Toppy win back the love of his life and make her way to heaven.

A few years later, in 1941 Roland Young revives his role as Topper but this time Constance Bennett has made it to heaven and he is bothered by another blonde bombshell, Joan Blondell. We add a little mystery to the plot with Topper helping Joan's character find her murder.


I just adore this series. It's fun, lighthearted and all around great for laughs. Hey, just like me! Anyhoo, check out these great movies. You will thank me later.

Salivating Saturday

Early this week I made the best chocolate chip cinnamon sticky bun that you will ever put in your mouth. I am not kidding. This sweet concoction made the angels wept. I could hear trumpets of joy around me when they came out of the oven. Unfortunately I can't come to everyone's house and deliver them to you, so I decided to share the recipe. How I wish this was my own doing but it is actually from the Pioneer Woman. Have you ever seen her blog? How in the world does she do it all? I want to hate her but I admire her too much-plus, she's so damn nice! Anyhoo.....here's the recipe. Enjoy!

This is a basic cinnamon roll recipe. You can add all sorts of flavors to it. Fruit, chocolate, nuts, less cinnamon, more sugar for stickier buns.

Rolls
4 cups milk (you can use whole but we used non fat-gotta watch that waist!)
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Canola Oil
9 cups All-purpose Flour
2 packages (4 1/2 Teaspoons) Active Dry Yeast
1 Tablespoon  Salt
1 teaspoon  Baking Soda
1 teaspoon  Baking Powder
1 stick Butter
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 cup Brown Sugar
½ cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
1-½ cup Chocolate Chips
A light dusting of cinnamon

Icing
1 package 8 Ounce Cream Cheese
3 cups Powdered Sugar
1 stick Butter, Softened
1 cup  Milk
2-½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
¾ teaspoons Salt

Directions

Mix milk, 1 cup sugar, and canola oil in a pot. Heat until very warm but not boiling. Allow to cool until slightly warmer than lukewarm.

Sprinkle yeast over the surface of the liquid, then add in 8 cups flour. Stir gently until totally combined. Mixture will be very wet and sticky. Cover with a tea towel, keep in a draft-free place, and allow to sit for 1 hour. I used the big pot I mixed the milk in and covered it with the lid but you can also use the tea towel method.

After 1 hour, add in an additional cup of flour, as well as the salt, baking soda and baking powder. Mix until combined. Refrigerate dough, covered, until you need it. (Refrigerating the dough helps make it easier to handle.) I didn't refrigerate, but I kind of wish I did, it was very sticky to work with. I would just refrigerate it for about 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread melted butter in the bottom of pie pans or 9 x 13-inch baking dishes.This is not the same butter you will use in the actual recipe.

Divide dough in half. The other half of the dough, you can put in the fridge or the freezer to make another batch some other day. Turn the other half of the dough onto a floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle, about 24 inches wide by 10 to 12 inches deep. Add vanilla to melted butter, then drizzle mixture all over the surface of the dough. Use fingers to spread evenly. Mix sugar and salt and sprinkle it evenly over the butter. Follow with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and  chocolate chips. This was the hardest part! The butter wanted to spread everywhere! If you have two people, that's better, one person can spread the butter, the other can pour the sugar mixtures. The sugar will soak up the butter.

Beginning at the side furthest from you, roll dough toward you until it’s in the shape of a tight log. Pinch the edges to seal. Slice into 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick rolls and lay, cut side down, in buttered baking dishes. Allow to rise for 20 minutes, then place in oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until deep golden brown on top.

Make the icing: Mix 1 stick butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt in an electric mixer or until smooth and pourable.

Remove rolls from oven and allow to sit five minutes before drizzle icing all over the rolls. Be sure to get the icing all around the edges and covering the surface so they’ll be nice and moist!

* I did not make the icing. The rolls were just fine and just sweet enough on their own. Maybe the next batch I make I will whip up the icing. 

These cinnamon rolls are seriously the absolute BEST ever! Even half of the dough made quite a bit so we ended up wrapping the individually and freezing them, then when we want a quick treat, we can just pop one in the toaster oven. Oh yeah, don't even get me started on the sugary goo at the bottom of the pan. Seriously, when you bite into these...you will think you died and went to heaven! Now if you will excuse me, my mouth is watering just writing this! I need a bun fix!

Feel Good Friday!

 Fall is finally here and I couldn't be any happier! Let's see if I can can make you just as happy.

I first saw this super cute stitching when I did the Fall Challenge for Craftster. One of my favorite things about Fall is definitely that it becomes sweater weather. I think SheenaRamone would agree with me.

I LOVE decorating cakes and cookies. Most of my stuff I get from Wilton Decorating. Well, now you can enjoy in my decorating bliss. The Wilton website not only shows you great examples of decorating but also tells you exactly what you need to achieve greatness and a  step by step process.

Because the days are getting cooler, Pete is getting chillier. I really think he needs this sweater. Okay, maybe nothing that flashy.  Little Pampered Pet has great sweaters, costumes and treats for your little beast. (No puppy was harmed in the making of this sweater, but maybe a little humiliated....)

Tonight is nice and chilly, OMP is cooking up some popcorn and we have settled in for some quality snuggling and awesomely bad movies. Maybe this weekend I will try to find some yummy cider. Happy fall from the Pedersen household-lets hope that it includes lots of candy corn, warm cozy fires and just a touch of a chill on your cheek.

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!

These Roosters know how to take charge! They are not afraid to sing a little rise and shine for ya, sew you some pajamas, and cook you a little dinner when you get home from work. 

The Only Thing We Have to Fear.......

Today I was feeling REALLY needy. I desperately wanted someone at 5am to talk to. I wanted them to listen to my rants about feeling down, being angry, and that I really really wanted a coconut popsicle. Everyone in the house was asleep. I couldn't even bother the dogs without getting a snarl. Then I started to wonder why I was feeling so needy and wanting so much attention. It wasn't the fact that I really wanted to talk to someone, I was just feeling very fearful about what lies ahead of me. I really wanted someone just to take away my problems and tell me under no certain terms that the future was solid. In reality, I know that the future is never solid and is forever changing, but it made me think more about fear and how it plays out in my world.

Fear can grip us as a whole community. It can make us hate and blame others for changes that we feel are out of our control. It can cause extreme feelings that make clearly rational people do nutty things. Fear always needs a scapegoat. It can freeze everything around us.

Just as fear can make us hate, it can also give us something to fight for, a challenge. This is the way I am choosing to look at it. When I began to get scared about my financial future, I instantly go into creative mode. I start to think of ways to pay bills, ways to create a positive environment around me so I don't get stressed. I think of ways to be resourceful. Fear also allows me the "I'll be damned" feeling. You know this feeling...I'll be damned if I let this get me down, defeat me, or allow it to scare me anymore. I begin to feel empowered by the strength that I sometimes forget I have.

The best way too take on fear is to not take it on at all. Now before you shake you head and say "Pam, what are you talking about?". Think about it. If you didn't take on fear but took on a new adventure-how great would that be? You would be embarking on something completely new to you. It's all about perception. You can stand frozen with fear or you can come out doing high leg kicks ready for that adventure.

Now, I don't want to be all preachy and all "warm group hug, wind beneath my wings" on you. I'm not going to make you sit in a circle and pass around a talking stick, but what I am going to do is tell you that embracing your fears, facing your fears and then letting them go is something everyone should do. Don't worry about what people think if you want to quit your computer job and join the circus. Let go of  the fear of acting your age. Say goodbye to the fear of no control-it never looked good on your anyway. Say hello to a new adventure-you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find. It could be a new friend, a new thought or even a new you.

Ahh.....now I feel much better and I'm gonna go get that coconut popsicle.

Tie One On Tuesday!

 Happy Fall everyone! I can't believe that it is officially here at 8:09pm Pacific Standard Time-that is cause for celebration. What better way to celebrate than with a tasty autumn beer.

Now, I know a lot of people don't like fruity or flavored beers but Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is exceptional.Tastes of pumpkin and hints of brown sugar make this beer more like a pumpkin pie than something you find at a keg party on a Friday night. This beer can be a bit too sweet for some but pairing it with some salty goodness balances out the flavors and gets your savory and sweet on.

A lot of people really put down Samuel Adams, saying that it's too commercial or that the owner and his commercials are so annoying (okay, the latter might have been just me) but the Samuel Adams Octoberfest is a wonderful blend of toffee and honey roasted nuts. It's a very easy to drink lager that has just the right bite that will leave you begging for more.

Rogue Mocha Porter is dark, thick and tasty. It's like an wonderful cup of coffee with a nice alcohol taste. Although is smells very hoppy, it goes down as smooth as a Barry White song in the back of a Camero. It starts off with a sweet smokey taste and ends with a little bit of a tingly tart taste....just like the back of a Camero.

As the days get shorter, your thirst gets bigger. These are just a few little treats to wet your whistle. Check out your local breweries to see what seasonal beverages they have on tap, you may find a new favorite.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Oh Ms. Lola. Did you know that you have my heart?

And did you know that we have pretty much the same smile and the same keen fashion sense?

Help me Rhonda! The leg is killing me....

You can get a little bit crazy



But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Tie One On Tuesday!

It's that time of year again. Time to get out your lederhosen, wash that 22 ounce stein and brush up on your polka moves. It's Oktoberfest! So, tune up your air accordion and let's celebrate.

I don't think I need to tell you that the drink of choice during Oktoberfest is beer, but let's say beer isn't your thing but you still want to partake in the Polka line dancing. Well, this liquid courage is right up your ally. A Black Forest cocktail is so yummy! You could drink it for dessert, or breakfast, or before that big Alpine horn solo.

Black Forest Cocktail
1 oz creme de cacao1 oz cherry liqueur
1 oz cream

Shake ingredients together and pour into glass. Add a little more cream as a floater, then add a cherry.


Still need a little courage do to that chicken dance, well look no further than a German Chocolate Cake Shot
People swear this taste just like the real thing. I think the lime part might have been thought up on a dare.

German Chocolate Cake Shot
1 oounce vodka
1 ounce Frangelico
1 slice lime
1 tsp of sugar
Put 1 shot vodka and 1 shot Frangelico into a  glass. Dip slice of lime in sugar. Bite into lime and while holding the juice in your mouth, shoo tFrangelico and vodka shot. Drink it all down at one time.
Someone please let me know how this goes for you, I'm dying to know.

Finally, the drink that was named after a drunken "accidental" pinch of Helga's cheeks-and I think you know which ones I'm talking about

The Angry German
 1 part Ameretto
1 part Blackberry Liquer
2 parts fresh lime juice
Crush ice
1 dash salt
1 part Jagermeister
Mix together with crushed ice in a glass and garnish with mint leaves

 Okay my little Hansel and Gretel, tip back a few of these little concoctions, dust off your fondue pot, and get your yodeling voice primed and ready.I hear there is an opening for the first chair in the Oompah pah band. Until next time my little Hassenfeffers!

The Leading Man

I've felt under the weather the past couple of days and although a 102 degree fever is not fun, catching up on my favorite movies from one of my favorite actors is a blast.

I adore William Powell. I have mentioned him several times with love for the Thin Man movies but he starred in others that were equally great.

The Great Ziegfeld showcases Powell as a the wonderful Flor Ziegfeld, the famed producer of the over the top stage shows. The story tells the rags to riches to rags life of Ziegfeld. The music scenes are beautiful displays in filmography. The movie won three Oscars, including Best Dance and Best Leading Lady.

Love Crazy is a fun little romp with Powell. He stars with Myrna Loy as a couple celebrating their fourth anniversary. After a series of misunderstanding, the couple splits. William just can't live without Myrna and decides to get her back. He will do anything, including acting insane to win back his bride. This film has all the chemistry that Powell and Loy have together. If you love the Thin Man series, this is not one to be missed.

We see Powell reprise his role as Ziegfeld, even if it's only for a few minutes, in Ziegfeld Follies. This film showcases some of Ziegfeld's greatest finds such as Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. It's a wonderful musical history of Ziegfeld. The scenery is a star in itself.

William Powell was a magnificent actor who started his career during the silent movie era and gained even more success when talkies were invented. His personal as well as professional life proved to be an amazing story filled with beautiful leading ladies such as Jean Harlow and Carol Lombard. I have yet to see a bad movie from him. He was sophisticated, suave and his sense of humor brilliant, what more could you ask for in a leading man?

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

As you all know, I am a huge fan of the terrier, specifically Jack Russel Terrier. They are compact little bundles of evil wrapped up in cute furry coats. I mean this in the most sincere form of love. My girls know they are beast but one flash of those big brown eyes or one wrinkle of the nose and that's it, I am putty in their paws.

When I read about this wonderful rescue on the Terrierman blog, I knew I had to pass along the cause. Cold Noses, Warm Hearts is a wonderful book about not only terriers but other little furry monsters that have taken over our hearts. The profits from this book go to Russell Rescue and I'm not talking about a measly 10% of the profits but a whopping 100% goes to  the rescue. You heard me right,100%! How did they do that? Well, two very awesome people ponied up the cash for printing so the rescue can get all the proceeds. Isn't that amazing?
Here's the deal. The book is only 11.95 and right now they are offering free shipping in the United States. Seriously-11.95 goes into rescuing a silly little Jack Russell. C'mon! You can afford 11.95! Buy a couple of them and give them as gifts. You will be doing a great service. Lola, Jujube and even Pete will be forever in your debt and if you are lucky, smack a kiss on you.

So, do your part to help a rescue animal. Even if it's not this book, check out other rescues and see how your donation can help.

Salivating Saturday (A Day Late)

I know this is a day late but I was under the weather yesterday and couldn't post. I didn't want anyone to miss out on this recipe so I decided to post it today. 

WARNING! If you are not a meat eater, stop reading this now. If you do indulge in the some meat eating action read on.

Today's recipe is brought to you by OMP.

Walter’s Good Burgers

 These are named after my favorite character from the Big Lebowski – Walter Sobchak and the famous line from Donny where he says – “Those are good burgers Walter.”

There really isn’t much measuring involved with this recipe. I pretty much put in the amounts I feel look right. If you want to add more cheese? Then more cheese! Bacon? Pile it on.

Okay, here goes.

Ingredients:

1 pound of lean Hamburger (or enough for 3 or 4 good size patties).

Cheddar Cheese

Bacon (usually three or four pieces)

Worcestershire sauce

Garlic powder

Salt and Pepper

Preparation:

Drop your hamburger into a large mixing bowl. With this recipe I like to use the good stuff (93% fat free). You don’t want a lot of flare-ups on the grill with these babies!

Cook your bacon until it is nice and crispy. Pad oil off of and crumple up into a large mixing bowl w/raw burger

Shred your cheese and add that to the mix

I usually do three or four shakes from the Worcestershire bottle into the mix

Few shakes of the Garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Now – get your fingers in there and mix it all up real well. You want the cheese and bacon incorporated with the burger.

Pat out your burgers and get ready to grill! Heat it up and throw them on.

The trick to making sure these are done? Watch the cheese in the mix. If it is getting liquidy and bubbling up, then it is time to flip. The same can be said about after the flip. Look for that cheesy goodness bubbling up out of the burger (mixed in with those delicious juices). Throw it on a bun, condimentize it and enjoy!

Feel Good Friday!

 When I grow up print by stephaniecorfee

We made it to Friday! Yahoo! No bones broken, no teeth chipped, no people to bail out of jail (man, I've been at work for too long this week). So it's time to kick back and relax. The weekend is upon us and we can enjoy the crisp weather tickling our noses.

Remember earlier this week when I told you I was going to mix things up a little on the blog. Well, Feel Good Friday is no exception. I am a HUGE fan of themes! So, I thought-why don't I make Fridays still feel good but with a different theme every week. Here is the first of many Feel Good Friday Theme Parties...Enjoy!

PS-See if you can guess the theme....

This is like a page out of my middle school diary. 

Stephanie Tillman is hysterical. She takes cute little animals and gives them crass personalities. The title of this piece is Middle School. If you like her stuff, she has an etsy shop-check it out!

When I was a kid, I wish my mom would have made me a lunch like this. I got a ham and mustard sandwich every day for a whole school year. I made the mistake of telling her that I liked ham and mustard.Every day....for a whole school year....ham and mustard....yes, I am serious. The good news is, you don't have to burn your kids out on the same old boring lunches, Just Bento has great recipes, the cutest products ever and great ideas on spicing up a boxed lunch.

As you know, I live in the Pacific Northwest where 6-9 months out of the year it is gray and rainy. I am always looking for a bag to brighten up those gray days and make me look super cute. This amazing green bag is perfect for books, laptops, extra set of clothes. The best part about it? It's affordable! Check out The Leather Store on Etsy for some beautiful bags at great prices.

I'm wondering if I can teach my little ones to read.  Knowing those monsters, they would check out books that were not age appropriate.

Are you feeling good? Feeling like you could conquer the world with cute bags and bentos? Well, get your sizzle on you little pieces of bacon! Have a fab weekend! Don't study or work too hard!

In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.

Give a Hoot

Owls are cool. They can rotate their head 270 degrees, see in the dark, and have great depth perception. These owls, however are a little goofy, look annoyed and in shock. Kind of like me when I first wake up in the morning.

It's For Your Own Good

I've been sitting here for the past hour trying to figure out what to write tonight. Friendship? Strength? Speedbumps in life? Nothing...just a blank screen. My mind has been completely blank. So, instead of me telling you how you need to enjoy life, covet friendship in unusual places(not the bus station though...that's just creepy), and how you should jump over speedbumps like The Dukes of Hazard jumping over Rosco's patrol car-I'm giving you a cute picture of puppies.

No sir, I'm not gonna tell you that even when you are down, you are not out. Life may be tough, but you are tougher

I'm not even going to go into how certain people come into your life for certain reason and it is absolutely okay if they leave your life. You were able to share a wonderful moment that no one will ever be able to duplicate. Others stay in our lives for a lifetime and the older the relationship, the better it gets. I have a friend that I know I will be sitting on the beach, drinking cocktails with, laughing at all the young kids making fools of themselves. Nope, not going into all that-I'm just going to show you puppies.


Don't even get me started on problems can be viewed as adventures. Just take the picture of the puppies and be happy with it. It's for your own good.

Tie One On Tuesday!

School is back in session and I heard a collective`1 "YAHOO" from moms around the world. In order to honor back to school, I am ordering moms everywhere to pop open a bottle of bubbly, reach for that juice and make yourself a mimosa. After all, drinking just champagne at 8 in the morning, might be a bit much-even for me.

The Original Mimosa
One bottle of Champagne
2 ounces of Orange juice-if you have fresh, all the better
Crushed ice
Add ice to a champagne flute, then the orange juice and last the champagne.

You can substitute the orange juice for cranberry juice and you have a Poinsettia.

Oh hello Mama! We have a mimosa just for you!
Mama Mimosa
Orange Juice
Champagne
2 Shots of Orange Liquer
1/2 cup raspberries
Pour the carton of chilled orange juice into a 3 quart pitcher and then add the full bottle of chilled Champagne or sparkling wine.
Add 2 shots of orange liquer and stir the orange juice, Champagne and orange liquer until thoroughly mixed. Just before serving add the raspberry ice(crumble fresh raspberries and place the crumbles into narrow ice cube trays, fill with water and freeze) to the pitcher and pour about 4 ounces of the mimosa mix into Champagne flutes or if you'd like to show off more of the raspberry ice pour the mimosa mix into regular wine glasses.

If you aren't into orange juice, you can add whatever juice you like. Just mix that baby up with some champagne and you will be on your way to happy Mimosa land.

Raise your glass and shout out your happiness now that those little ones that are back in school, learning to take over the world.  I will raise my glass with you as I am celebrating my little ones going back to school-doggy day care counts as school doesn't it?