Tie One On Tuesday

It's getting close to the kids being out of school for the summer. What better way to keep them entertained, out of your hair and make them earn some cash for that new toy they have been screaming about than to have a lemonade stand. Now, I will fully admit that it's pretty rare I will actually drink the lemonade made by kids, but I certainly support their entrepreneurial endeavors, BUT if there ever was a case, when I would actually drink the lemonade, the recipes below would be the ones.

Basic Lemonade Recipe
1 3/4 cups white sugar
8 cups water
1 1/2 cups lemon juice (MUST BE REAL LEMON JUICE!)
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. You are basically making a simple syrup for your lemonade
If you want pulp in your lemonade, remove the seeds, if not then just add the juice. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water. 

Now that you have your basic recipe down, you can spice it up with summer fruits and flavors.


Strawberry Lemonade
Start with your basic lemonade recipe now add:
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled. You can decrease the cups of water and add cups of sparkling water instead, to give an extra fizz-kind of like a strawberry lemonade soda.

So, you have fancy kids who would not be caught dead making just regular lemonade, well my little Emril Lagasses, you can whip up some of Mint and Ginger Lemonade.

Mint and Ginger Lemonade
1/2 cup (packed) chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup chopped fresh ginger
1/3 cup honey (you can substitute sugar or agave if you are allergic to honey)
2 cups boiling water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups (about) cold water

Combine chopped mint, ginger, and honey in medium bowl. Add boiling water.
Let steep 30 minutes.
Strain into 4-cup glass measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract liquid. Add lemon juice and enough cold water to measure 4 cups total.

I think that with these wonderful recipes, your kids will corner the market, or at least the neighborhood. Hmmm...I wonder if a 5 year old can get a liquor license. What? I'm only thinking of their college fund and the money to be made...fine, just stick with the lemonade.

We Salute You

I would like to salute our men, women and animals that serve in our armed services. Thank you for your time and dedication. My father, father in law, brother and nephew all are military men. You make me very proud.

Who doesn't love a good 1940's comedy musical? Oh, you don't? Well, you will with Abbott and Costello's 1941 Buck Privates. It should be mentioned that this is a military movie but not a war movie. WWII had not broken out at the time and we were still at peace, but doesn't stop Abbott and Costello from joining the military and releasing their brand of comedy on fellow soldiers. The Andrew Sisters are singing their way through the movie with such hits as Boogie Woogie Bugle boy of Company B. I also love that the women are helping the soldiers by kissing them good-bye, giving them cigarettes and candy. I know it's not very modern woman of me, but it was so cute.

Oh Van Johnson, with your boy next door looks, your winning smile and wonderful voice, you make girls swoon. In Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Johnson plays a crew member of the Ruptured Duck and some say, this is his finest role. The film is based on a true story of the air raids over Tokyo and includes such wonderful actors as Robert Mitchum and Spencer Tracy. The movie is very gung-ho American but it also shows the softer side of GI's and their loved ones.

Okay, back to musicals, cause I love them and the 1940's did them so well. Four Jills in a Jeep tells us of  the true exploits of female entertainers who volunteer to go overseas to raise troop morale. Yes, the movie is very "B" and the comedy is corny but with a cast like Martha Raye, Carol Landis (who wrote the original book-you should definitely check it out) and Jimmy Dorsey, you can't go wrong.

Thanks again to our service men, women and animals who serve in our military. Your bravery and strength in times that seem to be lacking both, are well honored. I hope today you at least get to kick back and enjoy a movie or two with your BBQ, you deserve it.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Memorial weekend is for relaxing.


May 29th

 

So is April 13th

You better add January 2nd

Yep...relaxing...I think someone has it down to an art.

The "It's So Easy, It Should Be Illegal" Pie

This weekend is a holiday for most of us in the US. Memorial Day weekend usually is the beginning of the summer season and involves cook outs and a party or two. Well, my friends, since you said you would bring the dessert, I have the perfect pie for you and it is so easy, you should thank me now. Hell, you should probably just make me queen, erect a memorial of some sorts and declare May 28th to be Day o' Pam. Oh yeah, it's that good and that easy. I should mention that I had all of these things in my house and didn't have to go to the store, so, double win for me!

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie
8 oz of cream cheese, softened
4 cups of strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. lemon zet
2 tbsp. lemon juice (fresh if possible)
1 9 inch baked pie shell

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. If you don't want the texture of the lemon zest, increase the lemon by a teaspoon. Beat until fluffy and smooth. Again, it will not be completely smooth if you use lemon zest.

Scrape your cream cheese mixture into you pie shell. Top with strawberries and chill for at least an hour. 2 is better but if you are really hungry or in a hurry-1 will do.

Okay....now here comes the part where you say-"Pam, you are AMAZING" and I say, "I know..."

Take chocolate syrup (you know, the kind that comes in a squeeze bottle) and drizzle over the pie. You heard me right, drizzle the chocolate over the pie. Your guest will instantly grant you sainthood with this move.

So, there you have it-the easiest "cheesecake" you will ever make. No baking, so your house doesn't get too hot in the May heat. Fairly healthy-with the strawberries and sinful enough to make you extra saucy in the eyes of your party goers. I guess you can get started on that memorial any time...and you are welcome!

PS-I couldn't wait the entire time for it to set up and decided to cut a piece and eat it now...

Feel Good Friday!

 

 found on pinterest...unknown artist, if it's you, let me know so I can give you credit.

It's Friday! Holla! Oh yeah...feeling good!


I want to live here....
This pillow is so super sweet! Check out house wren studio-you will fall in love. I promise.

Oh my! Guess who has their etsy shop set up? Who cares that there is only three things in there right now. More embroidery and vintage items are coming.

If I want to live in the wonderful embroidered pillow, I think I want to vacation over at Party Frosting. Everything they do is beyond belief uber adorable. I want them to cater my life. Do you guys think you can do that for me? Thanks! I can only pay you in kisses and hugs but I'm sure you won't mind.

Help me Rhonda...this is not Pete but man, have I seen this face before....

And there ya go! A few things to keep you occupied while I'm BBQing this weekend. I'm mean, honestly, do you expect me to entertain you the entire weekend? You do! Oh, okay, but it's only because you're so stinking cute.

Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them

Tie One On Tuesday

Remember how yesterday was Hug Your Cat Day? Yeah, well, how about today being Cocktails with Your Cat Day. That's right, I'm starting a new holiday.

Is your cat a little chunky around the middle? If so, this cocktail is for you!


The Fat Cat Cocktail
1 ounce  Irish cream
1/2 ounce amaretto almond liqueur
1/2 ounce banana liqueur
Ice cubes
Put two or three ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add all three ingredients. Shake and strain into a shot glass or serve on the rocks.

Maybe you like to swing with your hep cat, play a little jazz, it's cool daddi-o!

Hep Cat
3 ounces raspberry vodka
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1 dash sweet vermouth
1 dash  orange liqueur
Slice of orange
Cracked ice
Fill a cocktail glass with cracked ice. Pour in all the ingredients and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange.

I really think this cocktail needs another name...the ingredients are far too yummy for the name

Cat Piss Cocktail
2 oz currant vodka
2 oz mango vodka
10 oz gingerale
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass.

Yahoo! What a great way to kick off International Cocktails with Your Cat Day. I'm not a psychic but I can see this becoming an a huge sensation. I'm pretty sure I can make it a paid holiday.

Hug Your Cat Day

Did you know that today is Hug Your Cat Day? Yep, it is. So, grab your fuzzy little friend, fry up some sardines and watch these purrrrrfect kitty movies.

That Darn Cat is a wonderful slapstick romp staring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones. The story involves over active imaginations, kidnapping and romance. When a kidnapped woman uses DC (Darn Cat) to send a message, his owner contacts the FBI and the fun begins (who knew kidnapping could be so much fun).

You and your kitty aren't into Disney family fun, but  are into long running musicals. Well, I've got your covered. Andrew Lloyd Weber's Cats is right up your alley. I strongly suggest giving your kitty a little bit of catnip for this one-it will help him appreciate the music and the dancing. Who knows, he might even jump on the TV and do his own little interpretive dance.

I am a HUGE fan of animation, so when I was looking for other cat movies, I couldn't resist the Coraline. Now, I know that the cat is not the main character but he does play a huge part in this delightful yet eerie tale of a little girl and sinister otherworld. It is absolutely visually stunning and the characters, even the evil ones are delightful.

Okay you hep cats, saunter on down to the video store, grab you favorite furry feline and enjoy this time together. Sure, your fuzzy buddies make act like they don't care or are completely put out by your affection, but in reality-they love you and need those hugs. Don't we all?