Tie One On Tuesday

  It's been so long since I've written a TOOT. I've been a busy little elf this season-baking, crafting, trimming the tree...keeping Pete away from the tree.

Anyhoo, it's time to sit back and relax with a few beverages as Johnny Mathis croons his way through a winter wonderland.

You've got the tree all decorated and now you want to reward yourself and bask in it's beauty, well Angel's Delight is just the drinky drink for you.

Angel's Delight
1 oz cream
3/4 oz triple sec
3/4 oz gin
2-3 dashes grenadine
Pour ingredients into a shaker over ice
Shake well and pour into a martini or cocktail glass

Maybe you want something a bit fancier and a little more French. La Vie en Rogue is just what Santa ordered. I heard he gives these to Mrs. Claus on those cold North Pole nights.

La Vie en Rogue
1 1/2 oz.Grand Marnier
1 1/2 oz. >cranberry juice
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Rosemary needles
In a tall mixing glass, muddle 10-12 rosemary needles lightly with simple syrup.
Add remaining ingredients then add ice and shake well.
Strain over fresh ice into a glass.
Garnish with rosemary needles.

Everyone has one in their family, a Grinch. Someone who hates Christmas and tries to ruin it for everyone else. Well, serve this little number up and put them to bed so you don't have to hear their constant complaining. Your family and guest will thank you. It will be your own silent night.

The Grinch
2oz. Midori
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 tsp. simple syrup
Pour ingredients into a shaker over ice
Shake well
Pour into a chilled cocktail glass


Ahh......I'm toasty both inside and out. I've got my sweetie by my side, my pups at my feet and a wonderful beverage in my hand. The Christmas lights are twinkling and Nat King Cole is telling me about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Life is pretty close to perfect.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

*To be sang in the tune of "I'm getting nothin' for Christmas" done by little Petey Pedersen

I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas

Mommy and daddy are mad
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas
Cause I ain't been nothing but bad!

Mom's friend came over and I snapped at her..
Somebody snitched on me.

A squirrel was in our yard and I chased it out...
Somebody snitched on me.

I went head first into the pond,
I smell like fish and now pond scum
You should have seen the looks from dad and mum
Somebody snitched on me...SOOOOO

I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and daddy are mad
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas
Cause I ain't been nothing but bad

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


*This has been a true story....all happening within 2 hours.

For the Love of Swapping

I recently participated in a wonderful matchbox advent calendar swap over at A Swap for All Seasons. I have been receiving so many wonderful matchboxes. Here is my advent tree and a few boxes.

Thank everyone who made me such wonderful matchboxes. Each day I wake up to see what surprises the tree holds.

Have Yourself a Stitchy Little Christmas

Ho Ho Ho! MEERRRY CHRISTMAS! Stitchy Santa has a little treat for you. Enjoy!

Bah Hum Bug!

Tis the season for holiday movies...fa la la la...One of the greatest and oldest holiday movie has to be A Christmas Carol. It has been remade year after year and each time there is a little twist.

1951's version of A Christmas Carol is the one that is the most well known and has stood the test of time among it's counterparts. Alastair Sim is classic and his face is what most people know as Scrooge. You feel the loneliness of Scrooge, the pain of Tiny Tim and the hope of Bob Cratchit. This adaptation definitely captures the feel of Dickens' England and the times in which it is set.

Although not called A Christmas Carol, Scrooged with Bill Murray offers a comedic yet thought provoking take on the classic story. There are parts in this comedy that will make you tear up and you will hear your heart break a little but just as you are reaching for your tissue, you are pulled back in with that classic Bill Murray sense of humor. This movie is in standard rotation during our Christmas celebration. When Frank Cross tells the ghost of the future to "Back off, it may work with the ladies but not with me." I nearly split a stitch! It is a light hearted comedy with a wonderful message of hope and redemption.

Okay, I'm going out on a limb here and recommending The Muppet's Christmas Carol. Why, you may ask...well, it 1) it has the muppets in it and 2)there is singing and 3) The closing credits include Rizzo the rat's personal caterer. Oh yeah, I can't forget Michael Cain as Scrooge. I'm not sure how that worked out but he does give an excellent performance along side those cute fuzzy muppets. This film is a wonderful way to introduce children to Charles Dickens.

Three different version, three wonderful movies. No matter how you interpret it-A Christmas Carol is a wonderful story that continues to stand the test of time. Now roast those chestnuts on an open fire, snuggle in for the night and enjoy.

PS-If those aren't your style check out these other versions.

A Christmas Carol with: Patrick Stewart, Gerorge C. Scott and Abert Finney

Or animated versions such as:
An All Dogs Christmas Carol 
Christmas Carol: The Movie
A Flintstones Christmas Carol
The Jetsons Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Our Scrappy Dog Christmas card to you

Remember, Santa is watching.......

Pete, the  other reindeer.

I think she is trying to catch the snowflakes on her tongue.

Happy holidays to you and your family! May the season be bright and joyous. 

Love, 

Jujube, Pete,and Lola

PS-no dog was harmed in the taking of these pictures, however-dad may have lost a finger or two.

Salivating Saturday

Wow! The holidays have kicked into full gear! The tree is up, the house is decorated and all I have left is baking and crafting. Today was the first day of my cookiefest 2010!

First, I am not a huge Maraschino cherry fan. As a matter of fact, they kind of scare me. They have an interesting toxic glow that is just a little too creepy for me. So, with that being said, the following cookies kick major butt! White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread have become an instant favorite in the Pedersen household. Even though they have those toxic cherries in them-I could eat a my weight in these yummy little morsals.

1/2 cup Maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
2-1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
1/2 cup  sugar
1  cup  cold butter
12  ounces  white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
1/2  teaspoon  almond extract
2  drops  red food coloring (optional)
2  teaspoons  shortening
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.

In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.

Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

I can not believe how easy these cookies are to back and how absolutely tasty they are!  Make this wonderful shortbread and you will instantly be on Santa's nice list!