Scrappy Dog Sunday!

For today's Scrappy Dog Sunday, I am having Jujube take over and write a letter to her mom, Lola.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for letting me sleep with you when I have bad dreams.

Thank you for making me get my daily exercise

Thank you for giving me excellent fashion tips

For showing me how to cover my nose when Pete says, "pull my paw."

But most of all, thank you for being you, flaws and all. You are my inspiration, my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. I love you mom!

Happy Mothers Day,

Love Jujube

Snickery Goodness

Here's a little back story on today's recipe. When I was in 8th grade, I took Home Economics. One of our projects as a class was to come up with a company and sell a product to the student-body. We thought and thought and thought about what to come up with. Eventually, we decided on a product...an ice cream sandwich, but not just any ice cream sandwich, and cookie ice cream sandwich. Now...what do call our wonderful cookie ice cream sandwich? Finally, Chance, a toe headed boy (sorry Chance, but you were toe headed...) came up with the best name, THE CHIPWICH. We sold our chipwiches at all the sporting events and made bank. Later on, we found out that Chipwich was not original but yeah, we were 13 and didn't care, we had enough money to buy the new Police album, and all was right with the world. 

I can still remember Chance's toe headed face in the Chipwich ads we had around the school. His round face matched the roundness of the cookie (again, sorry Chance, it's true) so to honor and make up for the toe headed remarks, I give you my version of the Chipwich. 

First, you start with the cookie. Now I did two types, the original chocolate chip cookie and a snickerdoodle-cause I love them both. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cups well packed brown sugar

3/4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup of softened butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 package chocolate chips/semi-sweet

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Combine flour, baking soda and salt into a bowl. 

In a separate bowl, combine both sugars, butter, and vanilla. Mix until creamy

Add eggs and beat

Add dry ingredients and mix well

Stir in chocolate chips

Drop mixture into well rounded teaspoons onto a ungreased cookiesheet

Bake for 8-10 minutes

Snickerdoodles

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 tsps. vanilla

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsps. cram of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cup sugar, eggs and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. 

Mix dry ingredients with the butter mixture

Form into balls 

Mix the last of the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Take the dough balls and roll in the sugar cinnamon mixutre

Place on ungreased cookie sheet, take the bottom end of a glass and smash the dough down. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes, removed from cookie sheet immediately. 

Okay, time to make the cookies even yummier! Allow the cookies to completely cool. Once they are nice and cool, add a scoop of your favorite ice cream to the middle of the cookie, smash another cookie on of top and return to the freezer, or if you just have to eat it now-Dig in! You can add sprinkles, small chips, or nuts to the edges of your sandwich. During Halloween we love getting pumpkin ice cream and making sugar cookie/pumpkin ice cream sandwiches. At Christmas you could make chocolate/peppermint ice cream sandwiches. Oh man! My mouth is watering! 

Chance, I'm not sure what you are doing now but I hope that you are enjoying a Chipwich, cause I am enjoying the memory.

Feel Good Friday

Why hello Friday, you are looking very nice today. Is that a new haircut? It takes 10 years off. What's that? You have some wonderful delights to share with me? Well, bring it on!



Our flowers are slow growing here in the Pacific Northwest, so I'll just take matters into my own hands and make them myself.

I love the idea of making stuff out of things you find at the dollar store or just around your house. Dollar Store Crafts does just that. So many great ideas!

I'm wondering if I can get OMP to go camping with me if I find a place like this. 

Oh Friday! You make me so happy! I just love you to death. Wanna know what else I love? 

This guy...

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.~ Buddha

Inspiring Spaces

It's so interesting to see where people create. I love seeing how they organize, decorate and live. You guys truly inspire me! I thought I would share my creative space with you. It's a modgepodge of what OMP likes to call "grandma chic". A mixture of 1890-1960's style.

 I love this chair. It's oversized, comfortable and the dogs can sit on the back and watch me stitch.

 This is my desk with my books and magazines on one side and my fabrics on the other. Pens and hoops are in the middle.

 I love my record player! OMP got it for me this past Christmas. There is nothing better than the warm sound of Bing's voice on vinyl.

 Just two drawers of patterns. There are a lot more that aren't as organized...

The den of floss. It goes all the way back. Each little box is a different color and the bigger bins hold scraps and mismatch floss.

Now that you've seen my room, how about a give away...how's that for a tie in? Tell me what your ideal craft/art space is like and win this wonderful book, Vintage Craft Workshop. It has great crafts from the 60's and 70's.  A winner will be picked next Wednesday.

Tie One On Tuesday

The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the 137th tradition then with a few beverages. It is so much fun to throw on an over the top hat, plan a party and do a little betting on some horses.

The signature drink of the Kentucky Derby is, of course, a mint julep. Now, being from the south, I am suppose to love these drinks while sitting on the veranda of my mansion. The only problem with this is 1-I don't like mint juleps and 2-I don't have a mansion. That doesn't stop me from making up a batch for my guests.

Mint Julep
4 fresh mintsprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass (although, traditionally, it would be a metal/silver glass).
Fill the glass with crushed ice and add bourbon.
Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.

I am told by Kentucky Derby purist that this is THE drink to serve at your party. I guess they aren't fond of mint juleps either. I am in love with this punch-it's so easy!

Woodford Sweet Tea
2 cups ice tea (unsweetened)
1 cup sugar
1 12 oz can frozen OJ
1 12 oz can frozen limeade
1 bottle of Woodford Reserve Sweet Bourbon (I'm sure any bourbon will do in a pinch)

7 cups water
Mix all ingredients and chill. 


When it is all said and done, and your horse has won, celebrate with Crown of Roses


Crown of Roses
1 oz. Crown Royal
1/2 oz. amaretto
1 oz. pineapple juice, 1/4
3 dashes Angostura bitters

Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds full of ice and add all of the ingredients.
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add  a cherry for garnish.


 Oh my goodness! The pageantry, the race and the amazing cocktails will definitely make your Derby party the hit of the season.

Spring Has Sprung

May is here! It only seems like yesterday that we were shoveling snow and fighting the rain...wait, that really was yesterday. Mother Nature may be a few months behind but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the coming of warmer weather. Here are a few movies to put a spring in your step.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a wonderful musical with songs from the great Johnny Mercer. A woodsman catches a bride in 1850 Oregon and his brothers decide they need one too. The barn dance scene is to die for and yes, it is silly and over the top because everyone who lives in Oregon knows that no one dances here-we all just sit and stare at the musicians playing. MGM considered this a B movie until it was nominated and awarded several prestigious movie awards, including an Oscar.

It Happens Every Spring is a silly Disney style sports movie that is perfect for everyone. Sports, a silly scientist and cute girls round out this delightful little film. A scientist makes a discovery of a chemical that makes baseballs repel wood and quickly decides to cash in on his discovery. The original story was penned by the same writer as Miracle of 34th Street.

Last but not least, a movie about May Day, or the workers on May Day. Salt of the Earth is based on the true story of strikes against the Zinc Coal Mine. This 1954 movie portraying the struggles of Mexican American workers and the plights of prejudice could have easily been written for today's moviegoers. This movie was written by one of the original Hollywood 10, who were blacklisted by the refusing to answer to congress.


Well, there ya go, three movies to help you get through the spring thaw. These movies, just like the new season, will renew your faith, make you see things from a different perspective and have you whistling a different tune. Happy Spring everyone!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

This little girl doesn't realize how important she is to me. She is my little guardian angel. Everywhere I go, she is close behind, making sure it's safe for me to be there. She knows all my secrets and never tells a soul.

Bring On the Bacon

I've heard the rumors, they say bacon has been played out. Wanna know what I say to those haters? I say NEVER! Bacon will never been played out. NEVER! With that being said, here are some yummy bacon jalapeno poppers that will have all the bacon haters saying, "What? What?"

Ingredients:
Bacon (cut slices in half)
jalapenos
Softened cream cheese
Shredded cheddar cheese (I used a half of a cup, but you can certainly add more)
salt and pepper

How to:
Combine cream cheese and shredded cheese in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. I add a few more spices for taste (it's a secret recipe-you will have to find your own)
Cut jalapenos in half and scrape out the guts and seeds. Make sure you wear gloves for this. The seeds and juice are extremely hot and can burn your eyes or any other orifice if you scratch it with hands that have seeds and guts on it.
Spoon your cream cheese mixture into the hollowed out pepper. You can certainly pile it as high as you like
Take your slice of bacon and wrap it around the pepper. Don't wrap it too tight. If you need to, secure it with a toothpick
Cook for 45 minutes at 300 degrees.  Now, here's the secret...cook it on a cooling rack, with the rack on a baking sheet. This will cook the bacon on all sides and keep the drippings away from your popper. If you don't do this, the bottom of your bacon will be undercooked and greasy.
Serve up for yummy bacon cheesy poppy goodness!

Feel Good Friday!

Can I just tell you how challenging my week has been? In one day alone I had a sick puppy at 3:30am, a fiasco at the grocery store, spilled coffee all over me, ripped my skirt and got to work late. Yeah....not fun at all. The pup is better, I got another coffee and I will sew up my skirt this weekend. Anyhoo, I am determined to have a good Friday and an awesome weekend.

My friend AlwaysInspired made this wonderful, amazing and super duper cute cowboy quilt. Look close and the little boot and hat. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

I absolutely love cooking and baking blogs. Cupcake and Cookies definitely provides me with yummy baked goods and great recipes.

My garden is slowly taking shape. I know once the farmette is ready for some pickin' I will need one of these aprons. Sew in Stitches can stitch up an apron like nobody's business.  I like that I could also stick a naughty small dog in there (just kidding....kind of)

Speaking of naughty puppies. Someone needs to stage an intervention. I can't resist the Jujube.

Ahhh, yes....laid back and relaxed. I've got some stitching to do, some chocolate to eat and an OMP to kiss. Life couldn't get any better.

Tie One On Tuesday

When I was a little kid, one of my mom's favorite cakes was a wine cake. There was one little catch about the cake-she made us eat the ones that she messed up. So,  as a kid , the thought of eating cake, even ones that weren't quite perfect, sounds like heaven. In reality, I had way too many stomach aches and I'm sure a few hangovers. In honor of my mother and my hangovers, I give you the wine cake

Ingredients
1 package moist white cake mix
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup white wine (I think my mom used a cup to 2 cups)
4 eggs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour one 10 inch bundt pan.
In medium bowl combine the cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, nutmeg, vegetable oil, white wine, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer for 5 minutes. 
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool on rack in pan for 10 minutes then remove cake from pan to rack. Let cake cool completely before slicing. Garnish sliced cake with a dollop of whipped cream or dust with confectioners' sugar and sliced strawberries.

There ya go! The original wine cake or as we like to call it in our family, mommy's little helper. 

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Happy Easter from the Pedersen Pups! We hope your day is filled with bunnies,peeps and some sort of ham dish...AND we hope that it gets dropped on the floor.

Feel Good Friday

Yahoo! The sun is shining and it's warming up and (this is a big one), IT'S FRIDAY! Oh yeah, get funky, shake yer money maker! Whoot! Whoot!
 


While most of the world is giggling over a baby penguin getting tickled (Lola LOVES that video, by the way) I decided to pull out an oldie but a goodie. Everyone needs puppies to brighten their day.

I love The Trouble with Crafting. She has the best stitchy tutorials! I swear, this girl can do anything and do it fast! She can multitask like no one's business!

I think OMP needs this tie for Easter. Get it...Easter...Ha! I crack myself up. What? I'm funny!

Whew! I started this post earlier in the day and got caught up in the sunshine. OOPS! I'm sure you understand. Mama needs her vitamin D and play time with OMP and the pups. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend full of sunshine and smiles.

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.
-Katharine Hepburn

So Frustrated

I think I've hit a road block. Everything I am making is turning out horrible. I have a crafty block! I've lost my mojo! AGGGGGGGGHHHH! Has this every happen to you? I was so frustrated the other night that I threw my stitching into the fire. OMP told me I was having a hissy fit, but slowly backed off when I told him he was going into the fire next.

I've decided to take a little break from stitching and concentrate on other crafts, baking and gardening. Never fear, I will be back at it in a week or so-probably sooner cause I can't stay away for more than a day or two.


Have you lost your crafting mojo before? What do you do to get it back?

On Hold....

Apparently the DMV can hold a 22 year old grudge if you paid a parking ticket  two days late. Let's just say I know this first hand and leave it at that. So, in honor of the wonderful DMV and their workers, to whom I wonder when they lost their passion for their job, I am featuring other driving scofflaws. While you are on hold for the next available customer service representative, enjoy these great movies.

I love Robert Mitchum. He was an outlaw during a time period when straight and narrow was the way to be. In Thunder Road he plays a bootlegger trying to outrun the revenuers. Not only does Mitchum have to contend with the revenuers but also with the mob. It's just another typical day in the southern hills (again, I wouldn't know much about that).

Oh goodness me, I'm gonna have to do it. Another Burt Reynolds movie. Now, you know I love Smokey and the Bandit but Cannonball Run is right up there. Roger Moore, Dean Martin and Dom DeLuise-how can you go wrong? Quit laughing! It's a great movie! The storyline is very simple. A bunch of people race across country for a large sum of money and yes, it is very illegal. The only thing better than Cannonball Run is Cannonball Run II. I said, quit laughing!

Finally, one of OMP's all time favorite movies. The Blues Brother. OMP can quote every line from this movie and expects me to know the comback line for his quote. I am not kidding one bit. EVERY LINE! Anyhoo, Jake and Elwood decide to go on a mission from god and put the band back together. Car chases and incredible music ensue (Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway) and the brothers are up for the adventure.

Well, my wonderful friends, it looks like we are still on hold. I suggest filing your taxes, getting a root canal and popping in another movie while we wait. It will only be a few more minutes.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

My dogs seem to have a problem with manners. They love to stick their tongues out. Rude guys...you know I've taught you better than that.

I guess it could be worse...

MMMMM.....Gooey...

In the Pacific Northwest, we have a very scare beast called the Geoduck (pronounced Gooey Duck). Today's recipe IS NOT in honor of that scary thing. Its so disgusting that I'm not even gonna post a picture. You can thank me for that later. Nope, today's sweetness is all about the Gooey Cake aka Gooey Butter Cake.

Those of you in the Missouri area know exactly what I am talking about. This pudding-y, cakey goodness is so sweet but so addictive that you just can't stop eating it. I am warning you, this cake is EXTRA sweet. I might be committed blasphemy here, but I think it would be so wonderful with raspberries or blackberries and I plan on making it again with summer fruit. I wonder if you can freeze it? It would be so good in pop form.

Now, without further adieu, I give you the Gooey Cake

Ingredients
Crust

• 1 pkg yellow cake mix
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 1 egg

Gooey Butter Filling

• 1 (8oz.) pkg cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 (1lb.) box confectioners sugar (roughly 3 3/4 cups - 1 pound of confectioners sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla
  

Mix cake mix with 1 stick of butter and 1 egg (DO NOT FOLLOW CAKE BOX DIRECTIONS!)
Pat mix into a 9x13 ungreased dish
Cream together cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla. The batter will be of a thick icing or cake consistency.
Pour over cake mixture and spread to the edges.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes, until you have a nice light brown crust on the top.
Let cool and dig in. Traditionally the cake is dusting with more confectioners sugar, but I left mine all naked.

This cake is a wonderful compliment to coffee or a nice strong tea. Trust me, once you try this, you will be hooked!

Feel Good Friday!

I am SOOOOOOOO happy it's Friday! You have no idea! Seriously guys, this week has kicked my butt! Wait, do I say that of most weeks? I should start taking karate out so I can kick back.

Easter is just around the corner and these cross stitched eggs are just what the bunny ordered. How absolutely clever of kokoleo to think these up. She always creates adorable dolls and monsters.

I have been obsessed with Aunt Peaches blog. Her tagline of Making Sunshine on a Shoestring is just too perfect for words. The blog has wonderful tutorials, beautiful pictures and just all around greatness. I heart her.

I'm pretty sure I see this book in my near future.

Oh yeah, I did it. You know you want to squeal in delight at the computer. I want to kiss that little nose. 

Oh man, I wore myself out! I think I need something sweet and a nice beverage to wash it down. I'm gonna grab my babes, my OMP and snuggle in for the night. Life is good, no, let me correct that. Life is great.

Building a Bridge

I'll admit it, I've been blue lately and neglecting this wonderful blog and your wonderful people. I'm really sorry, no, I am. I love coming here and chatting it up with you guys.

I think last night was the final straw for OMP and my bluesy feeling. He looked me square in the eyes and said...

Get down off the cross, we need the wood to build a bridge so you can get over it.

Then he flashed that perfect smile and those wonderful eyes lit up. And I giggled then I got angry, cause I hate when he's right. To make matters even worse, he made me make a list of things that make me happy and made me print it out so I can carry it with me at all time. So whenever I'm feeling sad or anxious or angry, I can pull out this list and look at it and remind myself to smile.

Did I mention I hate when he's right?

Anyhoo...Here's my list. You can borrow it if you want or make up your own. Cut it out and carry it with you everywhere. We all need to be reminded of happiness.

Things that make me happy:
1. OMP and my pups (that's a given. I'm not sure OMP or my monsters will make you equally as happy, but   you can still use it)

2. Singing my favorite song

3. Fresh flowers

4. Candy

5. My friends

6. Crafting

7. Laying in the sun with a glass of ice tea and a magazine

8. Baby animals

9. Fart jokes

10. Cowboys and rodeos

But...I'm not finished...OMP also made me make a list of things to do when I'm sad. A little pick me up reminder. Did I mention that I hate when he's right?

So...again, you can borrow from my list

1. Hang out with my pets

2. Stitch up something

3. Bake/Cook (I think he may have added this one)

4. Dance and sing

5. Call a friend

6. Get in the car and go for a drive

7. Watch a silly, scary or otherwise pointless movie

8. Help someone who needs it

9. Dress up

10. Shower OMP with kisses (I think he may have added this one too)

I hope this sparks a smile. It has definitely helped me. Now, if you will excuse me I must shower OMP with kisses. A girl has to do, what a girl has do to.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

See this little man....he is a mess and he is all mine.

He can try to ignore the tough love I am about to bestow upon him, but it won't work. Do you hear me Pete? The kisses are coming.

Oh, I'm glad I got your attention, the snuggling with commence in 5, 4, 3, 2,1....KISSES!

Feel Good Friday

 Can you believe it? We made it to Friday! No broken bones, smiles on our faces. Whew! I didn't think we could do it! For once, the sun is shining in the great Pacific Northwest and that makes me happier than you will ever know. Let's see what I can do to put a smile on your face.

Over at Feeling Stitchy, I am hosting a April Stitch Along. My wonderful, sweet , talented friend Digital Misfit drew this up for us to stitch. She rocks my world! Check out Feeling Stitchy and Digital Misfit's blog for all the details. You can post your progress on the Flickr Embroidery Group.

BUGS! VARMINTS! They are running rampant, ruling the world, destroying our yards. Well, now you stop them by purchasing one of these Voodoo Varmints from BubbleOffPlumb. She has got you covered! I am a huge fan of the crow.

I love blogs that show me how to make things, that bake yummy treats and that are fun and uplifting. A Cuppa Tea with Me is just that! Lisa is so fun and she makes me smile. Plus, she rides a Vespa-Hello! How cool is that?

The. Feet. Are. KILLING ME! Seriously...how could you not be happy with baby bunnies?

Okay my favorite people in the entire world! Time to get out and enjoy that sun for a few hours. The blue sky is calling my name and I must respond. Enjoy your weekend!

Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness.

                                                                         - Mark Twain