Feel Good Friday!

 Ho! Ho! Ho! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! That's right-it's the day before that jolly man in a red suit comes to visit-no, I'm not talking about your uncle Norm-I'm talking SANTA! Are you stockings hung by the chimney with care? Have you been good little children all year-wait, don't answer that...you might get coal in your stocking.

Are you still wrapping presents? You better get on it! There isn't much time! If you are still wondering about how to wrap those lovely gifts, check out this video with a super cute cameraman!

If you're looking for the best tags to put on those fabulous gifts, check out Creature Comforts. They have a huge selection of the cutest tags. You can print them out right from your computer.  Remember, my name is spelled P-A-M.

Still looking for wonderful Holiday decorations? Kind Over Matter has a link of some wonderful free printables for your viewing pleasure.

I don't think you understand the need I have for this tree. I must have one in every color.

Alright my little kiddles. It's time for me to get the egg nog on as I watch for Santa's sleigh. He's hit Australia and Russia and is heading toward Pakistan. Check out Norad to see if he's close to your house. Merry Christmas everyone! Let cheer, good faith and love shower you during this time. You are the best Christmas present a girl could ever have...well, you and chocolate.

True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and through the hustle and bustle of getting ready for it, I've decided to take a few minutes to reflect just what this time of year means to me. I decided to do this while at the holiday concert for OMP's students.

If you have never been to a kid's concert or choir, then I highly suggest that you take some time and do it. It will renew your faith in humanity and give you a giggle or two. I sat in the audience like a proud parent, watching OMP instruct his students on how to drum as the choir sang slightly off key. Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to the bows painfully run across violin strings. It brought a joy to my heart that could never be measured.

As I sat and looked around at all the proud parents video taping their children and not giving a care that the choir sang off key or their child was making goofy faces while playing jingle bells, I recognized what was important about this season, about life in general. See, it doesn't matter how good you are at something, it's just the fact that you are taking that chance. That you are willing to sing off key and do it at the top of your lungs. I smiled at the little girl whose voice was shaky during her solo, I gave her a look  as if to tell her, " Go Girl! You can do it!" She smiled back and belted out Up on the Roof Top.

The crowning point of the night was when everyone was asked to participate in singing Christmas songs. Grandparents, parents, and siblings all joined in to sing Frosty the Snowman. It was at that moment that I felt the true meaning of Christmas. It wasn't about presents, or making sure I made it to church or even the perfect cookie. It was about family-in whatever capacity that meant. It was about coming together with your neighbor and for those three minutes, forgetting everything that is different about each other and embracing the person.

After the concert was over, everyone went back to their lives, but for that one night-people from different backgrounds came together to sing silly songs, to show brotherly love and to give a little of themselves and that my friend, is what Christmas is all about.

Merry Movie-Mas

I can't believe that Christmas is this Saturday? What? Where did the time go?  It was only yesterday I was putting out the Halloween decorations.Who stole my months? I have so many holiday movies to watch before Saturday. I have to get on it! These are ones you should be watching too. No exceptions!

A Christmas Story-I'm not even going to explain this one again. Just rent it, or go out and buy it. If you can't get it anywhere else, watch it in on TBS on Christmas day, where it is played for 24 hours straight. Seriously people, I can not stress enough how valuable this movie and how much you need to see it multiple times.

White Christmas-Again, not going to explain this one for another year. I'll just say-Bing Crosby,singing &  dancing, and a great song about snow that will stay in your head until next year.

Miracle on 34th Street. Can I please have Kris Kringle as a grandpa? Natalie Wood is too adorable in this wonderful romp about Macy's and Santa.

Elf-SANTA! I KNOW HIM! Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color? Yeah, I've watched that movie a few times too many. 

Better Off Dead-CHRISTMAS....CAN YOU SAY CHRISTMAS...DO YOU HAVE CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE? I don't think I need to say anymore.

Okay...so those are a few flicks playing in heavy rotation at the Pedersen household. If you will excuse me, I have to finish wrapping presents, making a million more cookies, dancing around the Christmas tree and preparing the house for Santa's arrival. Merry Christmas all! Lots of movie love to ya'll!

Feel Good Friday!

This Feel Good Friday is dedicated to my sweetie. My man around town....OMP. Old Man Pedersen! It's his birthday today! YAHOO! Happy birthday, get funky! Whoop! Whoop! Oh yeah!

I am so blessed to have OMP in my life. He is my rock, my biggest fan, and my best friend. I can not imagine life without him. Sure he's grumpy but that's just the tough exterior. Inside he's a big ol' marshmallow and anyone that knows him well, knows this. He is the most giving person you will ever meet. I love him more and more each day.

So A big ol' HUZZAH to you Mr. Pedersen! Here's to another 46 years! I love you!

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.