Tie One On Tuesday

Day three in the pool, OMP keeps telling me to get out, that I am beginning to grow gills, I tell him, that's not such a bad thing and demand another cocktail. Mama has to stay hydrated and I'm building a giant parasol from all the little parasols from my cocktails. See, I can be crafty in the pool.

I have also started demanding to see a drink menu, OMP isn't liking this too much either, I tell him if he makes my drink extra special, there will be a big tip for him. He brought me a menu.

So, let's see what the specials are at Casa de Pedersen (aka Rancho Relaxo):

The Manizer (Originally called the Womanizer, but since I've become a little demanding, OMP changed the name)

1/2 flute of champagne
1 quick dash of vanilla liqueur
1/2 flute of orange juice
Take a few pieces of crushed ice and place on the bottom of the flute, next pour in the champagne and the vanilla liqueur.
Top off with orange juice, add an umbrella and serve

A drink that is so refreshing, and probably one of the easiest in the world to make, is the Santo Libre. The best part about this drink, aside from the rum, is the name, it just rolls off the tongue.

Santo Libre
2 ounces white rum
1/4 ounce of fresh lime juice (you can add more to taste if you need)
5 ounces of 7-up or Sprite (I prefer 7-up, it's not as sweet and is more crisp)
Pour lime and rum in a glass filled with ice, add 7-up and serve.

Oh my goodness! I think OMP is trying to get me tipsy with fruity girl drinks. The last one is an easy cocktail too and it is fun to say! Woo! Woo!, I'm not just excited, that's the name of the cocktail.

Woo! Woo!
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce peach schnapps (I know this brings back memories of college)
4 ounces cran-raspberry juice
Mix all three ingredients in a shaker and pour over a glass with ice.

I love that OMP is catering to my poolside whims, I just wish he hadn't brought me a bill.

Pool Passion

I mentioned yesterday that we just got a pool. It's not the kind you can really swim in (unless you are a 12 pound Jack Russell) but you can have a nice soak after a long day. Although I can't dive or swim in it, that doesn't stop me from practicing my water ballet maneuvers. Who better to take lessons from than Esther Williams herself, so I pulled out a few of my favorite Williams movies and began practicing my moves.

Let's see, Bathing Beauty will definitely help with my leg kicks and splits, I'm sure of it! Esther and Red Skelton star in this delightful movie about a songwriter and a gym teacher in love but outside forces try to split them up. I'm still not sure how they got all of those wonderful costume changes and fancy lights in a school swimming pool, but hey, if they can do it-so can I.

Next up is Neptune's daughter. There are several reasons I picked this. 1-great bathing suit inspiration 2-Ricardo Montalbahn stars in it (KAHN!) and 3-the water ballet in this movie is to die for! Now, this movie isn't going to win any major awards for acting but it is silly and will take your mind off life for a little bit. Once again, Esther and Red team up and love is found, lost, and found again but this time, it involves an Oscar winning song, Baby It's Cold Outside.

Last up for my training videos, ummm, I mean entertaining films is Dangerous When Wet. Esther, plays a young woman who plans to swim the English Channel. And guess who her co-star in this movie, Fernando Lamas! I know! I squealed too! The absolute best part of this movie is her routine with cartoon cat and mouse, Tom and Jerry.
Okay, I think I have her moves down, I sent OMP out to set up the gel lights and the underwater cameras, Lola, Jujube and Pete are dressed up like spouting fountains and I am ready for my close up. I mean, I saw it in a movie once, I'm pretty sure I can pull it off.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

This week has been pretty good to us, so we decided to splurge a little bit an buy a pool. It's not a very big pool but it's good for us to lounge around in. Pete and Jujube do not like the pool. Lola loves it! Well, she loves having me hold her so she can dangle her little paws in the water.

My arms were getting very tired of holding my little Lola Mae, so I got her this.

Now she can lay in her floaty while I lay back with and work on my tan. She loves this thing. Every day she has been barking at it, then at me, then at her floaty, until I pick her up and put her in for a little bit. She lays backs, demands a doggy cocktail, sunglasses and sunblock (she's doesn't want to burn her little pink belly). I love that she can be next to me in the pool. Now, if you'll excuse me, she is demanding I rub sunscreen on her back. Happy Scrappy Dog Summer!

Feel Good Friday

 Unfortunately, I do not know who this belongs to, it was on etsy and now it's taken down. So, if you did it-you're awesome.

My oh my! I have a lot to be happy about this week! I am just bursting with that feel good feeling. I bet I can make you happy too!

I just love this so much! Loveandasandwich posted this on Craftster and I squealed with delight. So stinking cute!

So many times I am looking for the perfect pattern, well, over at Craft Gossip, Denise has got me covered. Not only does she feature amazing artist but she also scours the internet for the cutest cross stitch and embroidery patterns around. I would definitely set aside several hours, once you start reading this blog, you will not stop. It's not just needlework but other crafts for you to swoon over.

I am in love with everything from this shop. Illustratedink's Day of the Dead illustrations and their paper dolls are just too rockin'. The colors are vivid and the style is definitely old school. I'll take one of everything, please!

Ducks and Geese are excellent at photobombing.

Yahoo! It's time to get out there and make the best of the day! Get your smile on and conquer the world! Have a great weekend!



Oh, you're welcome. 

Did That Just Move?

Looking at the things we collect, I often wonder...

Is this four foot tall Frankenstein going to eat me in my sleep or will the evil Krusty doll get me? Or the two foot tall Rat Finks? Hey did that just move.....

 Am I surly like a caveman or crazy like a luchador.

Naw, it's all good - I think I just need another Cocktail.

Tie One On Tuesday

It's been a few years since I have made Sangria, so I pulled out my old recipes and found some that I haven't had a chance to share with you. Shame on me!


Traditionally Sangria would be made with red wine but I'm gonna lighten it up a little bit with white wine. I know, I know...white wine isn't exactly loved by everyone but c'mon-give it a chance. It's not like I'm pouring it out of a box.

White Wine Sangria

1/2 cup peach schnapps

1/2 cup cognac

1/4 cup white sugar

4 oranges, sliced into rounds

2 mangos, peeled and sliced

1 pint of strawberries

4 (750 milliliter) bottles dry white wine,chilled

1 liter ginger ale, chilled

In a pitcher, combine peach schnapps, cognac, sugar, sliced oranges, strawberries (can be whole or sliced) and sliced mangos. Chill for at least an hour.
Pour fruit mixture into a large punch bowl. Stir in white wine and ginger ale.

If you aren't into super sweet how about tart and spicy? Oh my! I think I just described half of my friends (you know who you are!) This recipe is from Allrecipes.com and looks pretty labor intensive but believe me, it's worth the work.

Cranberry Sangria
1 cup white sugar
4 cranberry-flavored tea bags
4 slices fresh lemon
6 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups water
2 bottles white wine
4 apples, cored and cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
2 ounces apple brandy
Place the sugar, tea bags, lemon slices, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and water into a saucepan, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let mixture cool. Strain out and discard the spices, lemon, and tea bags
Pour the white wine into a large jar or covered container, and mix with the tea mixture. Stir in apples and cranberries; mix in the apple brandy. Chill in refrigerator 24 to 48 hours. Serve cold.

Let's say that you want something non-alcoholic for your younger and sober friends. Well, I have you covered there too. 

Non-alcoholic Sangria
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/2 fresh lemon, sliced
1/2 fresh orange, sliced
1 sm. apple or peach, cut into wedges
4 cups club soda or seltzer water
4 cups grape juice
In large pitcher, combine orange juice, sugar, and grape juice. Add cut fruit and stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until cool and add seltzer water or club soda just before serving.

Okay my little cocktail kiddies-go mix up a pitcher of sangria and bring it  to mama-I'm laying by the pool and my glass is empty. Thanks, darlings!

It's A Small World

I have a confession to make (yes another one) , I like Disney movies. There, I said it. Don't judge! You know there are one or two that you like. Yes, I know, I've heard all the talk about Disney movies-they are unrealistic, their portrayal of women is less than stellar...blah, blah, blah. The way I think about it,  there are a lot worse things your kid could be watching, trust me on that one. So, Disney wants to take over the world, they can go right ahead as long as they fork over those yummy Mickey ice creams and overgrown turkey legs.

I first fell in love with Disney when I saw Snow White. I remember how beautiful the animation was and how I really wanted her hair and dress. This movie is Disney animation at it's pinnacle. The colors, the movement-everything about it is breathtaking. When Snow White sings about her prince coming, I don't read in that she needs a man to complete her, she just wants some loving and doesn't everyone want that?

Another one of my favorite animated films from Disney is Fantasia. Once again, the animation is breathtaking and each piece of music shows off a different style of art work. From the playful (alligators and hippos in Tutu's) to the down right scary (Night on Bald Mountain). You are swept away with incredible music with animated interpretations that only Disney and his creative force could come up with.

I remember going to the theater and seeing Jungle Book. It sparked my love for the Latin feel of Louie Prima. Why, just a few days ago, I was singing I Wanna Be Like You from this wonderful movie. Delightful characters, silly songs and Louie Prima as King Louie, you can not go wrong. I loved that the snake could hypnotize everyone. I have tried his technique on numerous occasions but it hasn't worked - YET. 

There really is a Disney movie for everyone, young and old. From Bambi to Toy Story-there is something that will tickle your funny bone and leave a smile on your face.