Stitchy Goodness

I've been on a cross stitch craze lately. I did this gnome alphabet sampler for AlwaysInspired. The original pattern had two "d's" in it. I took one out. Someone suggested that maybe the gnome had a stuttering problem.





This pattern wasn't custom made but it should have been. It's a little Pam with a little Lola. I just love the pixel people cross stitch out there. A couple of good places to check out are weelittlestitches and andwabisabi
.


Of course, I could never abandon embroidery or my love for vintage patterns. I made this for my sweet friend Peggy. She has the cutest scotty named Snickers. I just imagine this behavior from that little scamp.


What have you been working on? Any big projects?


PS-Teri! I need you address, lady! I have your book. You can email me and let me know. Thanks!

Get Your Butt Over There!

Guess what? I have a facebook page now! Stop trying to contain your excitement. If you haven't liked me over at Facebook yet, do it now! RIGHT NOW!

Guess what else, once I reach milestone numbers on Facebook. I will be treating you to some exciting giveaways. The first milestone is 100. So tell your friends and families (unless they are jerky, in which, don't tell them anything, jerks!) to like my facebook page and you can win prizes.



Click the link, like it and make me a happy person.

Tie One On Tuesday

 via smashing tube

This years marks the year of the dragon in the Chinese New Year. It's OMP's year! YAHOO! Bring me some good luck! Maybe I should have him play the lottery?


This may be the easiest cocktail ever but hey, when you're celebrating the new year, you don't want to be tied to the bar.

Purple Dragon
1 oz green tea
1 oz vodka
3-4 ounces dark berry juice (or grape juice but I prefer a blackberry juice)
Mix together over ice and enjoy. This drinks comes on very slowly but after a few you will be feeling the wrath of the purple dragon.

I'm pretty sure this next cocktails was custom made for OMP


The Angry Dragon
2 tablespoons dragon fruit juice, if you can't find dragon fruit, kiwi or pear juice will work fine.
1 oz. sake
1 oz citrus vodka
3/4 oz jasmine syrup (simple syrup with jasmine tea, see recipe here)
1 tablespoon mandarine orange juice
Mix together in a shaker with ice and serve in a martini glass


What do you give a dragon when he wakes up? A rising dragon cocktail, of course and maybe some bacon. Dragons, I'm sure love bacon.

Rising Dragon Cocktail
1 1/2oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Red passion liqueur
1/4oz. lime juice
Splash of cranberry juice
Pour into shaker with ice and serve in a chilled martini glass.

Happy Dragon New Year! I hope it's filled with happiness and prosperity.

Ride to Freedom

It's a well known fact that little girls love horses. Little girls and ponies go together like sugar and spice. I've thought about why we love them so much and came to the conclusion that it might not be the horse we love but the freedom that comes along with it. We can be wild, free, go where we want and have a companion that loves us know matter what. We can lift ourselves out of those societal norms. Besides that, horseback riding is fun! 

I don't know one person who does not love National Velvet. This family movie was up for several Oscars and showcased a beautiful young Elizabeth Taylor in one of her best roles ever. This movie is more than just a story about a horse, it's a movie about redemption and the human spirit.

I remember being a little girl and seeing Black Stallion. I instantly fell in love with horses and knew one day I would ride the beach on a beautiful horse. So, that hasn't happen yet, and I stress YET but it doesn't deter me from watching Black Stallion over and over again. Like National Velvet, this movie is a classic and I recently found out that the little boy was a ranch hand that was scouted to play the role. Also like National Velvet, it costars Mickey Rooney. Wow, how's that for typecasting?  While traveling, both boy and horse survive a horrible ship wreck. The learn to live together, work together and be one. It can be a little slow for some kids due to lack of dialogue, but, as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words.

I can't believe I'm mentioning a movie that was made in the last decade, but here it goes. Secretariat is a great film for two reasons: 1-it tells the story or the underdog, which we all love and 2-It's a true story which makes it even better for the underdog angle. Yes, I know Disney made it, but cut them some slack, they did a decent job and yes, I did cry in certain parts. They know what they're doing. I've heard a lot of bad reviews about this movie saying that it showcased the people rather than the horse. I would have to disagree. I believe it told the story of the whole package, the will to go on and the strength of both animal and human.

If you have extra time, also check out these great horse movies. They won't disappoint: Hildaglo (Oh Viggo, you are too yummy for words), Flicka (remember reading this in grade school?) and Buck (the real horse whisperer).

Horses offer freedom that very few of us posses. They can be our best friend, our confidants, our means of escape. Aaaahhhhh....these movies and the ponies they feature make me want for a different time. Now, if you excuse me, I'm gonna jump on my stick horse and gallop into the sunset. Happy trails!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Sunday mornings are pretty special at Casa de Pedersen. We love to sit back, have a cup of coffee and prepare for the day. This morning was extra special. I heard a knock at my door and was greeted by the most perfect rainbow. How can my day go bad when a rainbow comes by and says hello.

Lola, on the other hand, was less excited about the rainbow. Her morning nap was interrupted. Help me Rhonda, she has a cowlick.

Jujube was creating nose art on the window. She was painting the rainbow. Can you believe that this picture was taken five minutes after the rainbow appeared? Crazy weather!

And Pete....Decaf my little man, for the love of all things holy, switch to decaf.

Salivating Saturday

Yesterday was a rough day for OMP so I wanted to surprise him with a special treat. Get your minds out of the gutter! I decided to treat him to two of the best things in the world (I said, get your minds out of the gutter)-Chocolate and salt. I have to tell you, these are the yummiest cookies ever. Sweet and savory together-pure heaven!


I found this recipe on Annie's Eats. If you haven't been over to that blog, you are missing out! Super easy recipes, incredibly friendly people and did I mention Salted Chocolate Cookies? You heard me right, SALTED CHOCOLATE COOKIES!

Salted Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients:
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. fleur de sel (sea salt), plus more for sprinkling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Combine the 8 ounces chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, and heat until the chocolate and butter are melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. (Alternatively, heat in the microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring in between.) In another mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 4-5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the melted chocolate mixture, blending until incorporated. Add in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Fold in the remaining chopped chocolate with a spatula. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2-3 inches apart (I used my medium-sized dough scoop).

Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the cookies are just slightly soft in the center and crackly on top, about 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with additional salt and let cool on the baking sheets 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

The only thing I did different is that I used a 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips instead of crushing the chocolate. Also, I didn't have a melon baller so mine looked a little like cow patties, but dang, they are still good. 


OMP showered me with kisses and I was the hero for the day.

Cuties for a Cutie

I love Valentines Day. Everything is so stinking cute and everyone is so lovey dovey. I miss the days back in school when we made little mailboxes and everyone handed out little valentines. Do they even do that anymore or have they banned it because Valentine cards will give papercuts?

Anyhoo, before I go on a rant about taking the fun out of school, I will share some of my favorite vintage Valentines with you. Yes, I collect these too. What? Don't judge. I think these would be great for stitching. The line art makes such amazing patterns.


Awww, the boss of the ranch. Killing me with cuteness!


She is adorable but I'm pretty sure she needs black hair.


Oh, that is so kittykill!


I am SOOOO stitching this one up for OMP!

Go out and use these Valentines for your sweetie or secret crush. Who knows, maybe they will the boss of your ranch...WINK!