Tie One On Tuesday

Well, it was bound to happen, fall is here and the rainy season is upon us. Not that I mind at all, I actually like the rain (just as long as it's in the designated season).  Why, even last night we built a fire and curled up on the couch. It was wonderful.

As the season progresses, here are some yummy drinks for you to take that chill off.

Lately, my obsession has been anything with apple cider. I just LOVE it! One of my favorite nonalcoholic drinks is warm cider with Earl Grey Tea.

Brew up a cup of Earl Grey tea but substitute apple cider for water. This drink should be made in small batches, ideally one cup at a time. Anything more is overpowering and a waste.


If you are looking for something a bit stronger to warm your bones, try a Cinnamon Toast-just please don't drink it for breakfast, it might not go over too well with the boss.

Cinnamon Toast
1 1/4 oz. spiced rum
6 oz. hot apple cider
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Mix hot apple cider with rum.
Mix sugar and cinnamon together and coat the rim of the mug with the mixture.

This last cocktail isn't warm but it will definitely heat you up. This cocktail is a old family hunting recipe.

Hunter's cocktail
1 1/2 oz whiskey
1 1/2 oz cherry brandy
Mix together, put it in your flask and after a day out in the woods, let this little baby warm ya up.



Mmmmmmmm.......these yummy drinks will warm your bones and cure what ails ya. Whether it's a nice cup of tea or a shot of whiskey, you will be warm on the cool autumn nights. 

My Hair Should Have Its Own Blog

Recently I was reading a thread on Facebook about how someone felt unattractive. I was surprised by how many people chimed in that they felt the same way. It completely bummed me out that so many wonderful women and men have body image issues. These are people, who on every other level, have their entire life together, but when it came to being comfortable in their skin-they couldn't do it.

I started thinking about my own body and how I perceive it. I know I have days when I feel less than stellar but for the most part, I'm okay in my skin. I have spectacular boobs (sorry to offend, but they are damn great) and I love the way my tattoos look on my skin, each one is a piece of my history. Don't even get me started on my fab hair-it should have its own blog.

Now, there are things that aren't so great with my body. I have a huge gap in my teeth that I would love to fix once I have insurance-but it doesn't keep me from laughing my loudest and flashing a big smile. My body is less limber than it use to be  but I can dance when a great song comes on the radio. I do have a bit of a belly, but even then-I love my body. It has carried me through life and so far has been a pretty amazing vessel.

I guess what I am wondering is, what makes you love your outer skin as much has your love your inner being? What would it take for you to look in the mirror and instead of saying, "I'm fat, ugly and gross" to "I am curvy, beautiful and fabulous!"

We should love ourselves as a complete person. When it comes to the end of the day, even the end of our lives-we are truly all we have. Sure, we have friends and loved ones to be with us but our best friend should be ourselves.

Think about this, when a friend starts bad mouthing herself, do you say,"Goodness, you are right, lose some weight fatty." Of course you don't, and if you do-you need serious help, like a good pop on the head. You tell them how beautiful they are, how amazing they are, how wonderful it is to have them in your life. Why is it so hard to do that for yourself?

I guess my bottom line is, no matter what size, what "flaw" you have, you are you. There is no one out there exactly like you. There is no one who can laugh like you, who can smile like you and love like you. To me, that is mind blowing.

Always act like you're wearing an invisible crown.

~Author Unknown

Tie One On Tuesday

My friends Casey and Rey are getting married this week. Although they are stressing out, I am super excited to visit with old friends and partake in a beverage or two. So, to honor happy stressing couples everywhere, here are a few cocktails to request at your next wedding (be it your 5th marriage or your first).


I'm all about tradition and the bride definitely needs something blue. I think this cocktail should cover it.

Something Blue
2 oz Hpnotiq (this is a liqueur that is made of fruit juices and vodka)
2 oz white wine
1 oz Ginger ale
Mix all ingredients into a champagne flute and serve

Let's say you are craving a little cake but want it in liquid form. The Wedding Cake cocktail is right up your ally. I have seen several versions of the recipe, I am going to use the one with cream.

Wedding Cake
3/4 oz gin
3/4 oz Amaretto
1/4 oz orange juice
1/4 oz pineapple juice
1/4 oz cream
Pour the gin, Amaretto, orange juice, pineapple juice and cream in a blender with ice. Blend well.
Pour into a hurricane glass.

The last is a perfect cocktail to toast the lucky couple and their fine romance.

Fine Romance
1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
2 dashes Grenadine
1 oz Passion Fruit Syrup
Mix together with crushed ice in a glass and garnish with mint leaves.

Big congrads to Casey for making an honest man out of Rey. You both are such wonderful, beautiful friends and I wish you years and years of happiness and yummy cocktails!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

The one thing I really hate about pets is that you will outlive them. It's inevitable. They come into our hearts, wrap us around their little paws, make us smile and when they know that we are in a good place and they have done their job on this earth, they are called away. This morning a dear, sweet friend of mine lost his wonderful terrier, Teddy.

I know that Teddy is in that big terrier playground in the sky, doing what most terriers do, digging, begging for treats, barking and destroying your favorite pair of shoes.

Teddy was a silly little man who made his friend very happy. Sadness fills my heart and today is a gentle reminder for me to give my pups extra love.

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.

Gilda Radner

Salivating Saturday

Man! Have I been slack lately! Boo on me! If I bake you a quiche, will you forgive me? I know it's not cake but I've been craving a quiche, so there ya go.

Little bit of a back story...this week has been crazy busy for us and that means we haven't been able to get to the grocery store. Anyhoo, for a few weeks I've been craving quiche and I finally broke down and baked one. The only problem is, you guessed it, I haven't been to the store and I didn't have all the ingredients for the quiche I wanted. So, instead, I made a whatchagot quiche. It includes any ingredients you have on hand.

Ingredients:
Really, whatever you have on hand, but the essentials and a few of my favorites are...
ready to serve deep dish pie crust
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup half and half cream
5 pieces of extra crispy bacon, crumbled
3/4 cup of swiss cheese
French's onion rings sprinkled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
In a medium bowl, mix the bacon, onions, and cheese. Place this mixture in the unthawed pie crust.
Mix the eggs and half and half in a bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 35 minutes, until top of quiche begins to turn brown.
Don't overbake or your quiche will be rubbery.

Awwww yeah! My whatchagot quiche is so yummy and it saves me another day of going to the grocery store. I cut the quiche into individual slices and froze half so next time I have a craving, I can just warm it up.

Sneak Peak Part Two, The Return of the Sneak Peak

Scary stuff coming at ya! Look what else is in store for you!

Scary, Scary dip..coming up from the depths of hell...AH HA AH!!!!

Cupcakes that will give you a cavity...horrible!

The scariest, most gross thing you will ever see, I'm saving for the video. I don't want to give you all the spoilers!

Tie One On Tuesday

Why hello fall, you are looking mighty apple-y. Fall is just a few days away and that means lots of apples!


 The easiest and probably one of the yummiest apple drinks is a Autumn Delight

Autumn Delight
2oz scotch
6oz apple cider
Fresh cinnamon 
Pour scotch and cider into a shaker with ice, pour into an old fashion glass and dust with fresh ground cinnamon. Easy peasy!


Next on the list is a yummy twist and will give you something to do with all the basil left over from the summer

Basil North
4oz apple juice
2oz vodka
2 basil leaves
juice from 1 lemon
dash of sugar
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice, pour into a martini glass.

Let's see what I can find to keep you warm on the chilly nights and help you fall into a deep slumber.

Hot Apple Toddy
2oz apple brandy

1 tsp sugar
hot apple cider
Mix brandy, hot cider and sugar together in a mug, garnish with cinnamon. If you need extra smoothness, coat the bottom of the mug with honey.

Yahoo! It's fall! Time to pull out the sweaters, have a nice fire and pour yourself a yummy apple drink.  Your tummy and mood will thank you!