Feel Good Friday

via rules of thirds

Friday, you little vixen! Sneaking up on my like that!

Wow! These are crazy amazing! They are little badges made by Teasemade and they make me squeal with delight.  Be sure to check out the other bird embroidery on her flickr account,  it will make you happy.

 You know when you pin those beautiful crafts and yummy foods from pinterest and they just don't come out right-well, don't feel bad cause there are a ton of us out there and Craft Fail is there to not only giggle at your failure but to also say, "Oh gurl, I've been there too...come on, let's have a cocktail instead."

This has nothing to do with today's post except to say that one day I will have a barn where I can have parties and it will be great...carry on.

Speaking of things I want. As a late birthday present, I think I need this. NEED IT! You can get this and just about everything else for me at Victorian Trading Co. Thanks in advance (which means, do it now).

From bad crafts to barns, I've given you just about everything you need for Friday. Oh wait, there is one more thing...SHARK-O-PUG! Everyone out of the water! You will be killed by the cuteness!

Okay, now I have given you everything...Later gators! Pam is out. PEACE!

MIA

Oh you guys! I know I have been MIA lately! I'm so sorry but I do have a good reason. I can't spill all the beans just yet, cause things are still in the works, but once everything is ironed out, you will be the first to know.

Just remember that I think you are rad, the cutest in the whole world and just down right awesome! Oh yeah, I said it. So, while I wait for news...here's a puppy.

Feel Good Friday!

Can you believe that we made it to Friday?  FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY! Shake yer bootie cuz it's Friday!

Lately I have been obsessed with the ocean and boats. Of course I am always up for adventure, so this piece by Bustle and Sew fits in with my obsessions just right! This pattern will be out in the Bustle and Sew e-zine on June 28th. Go sign up for your copy!

Have you checked out Retro Ranch Vamp's blog? It's awesome! I love all the tikis, the different house projects, but the word bubbles for the dog...BRILLIANT!

Wanna see what OMP got me for my birthday? LOOK! Isn't it just fab? The locket is the size of a dime! Check out all the detail.  Khara LeDonne is seriously amazing! I want one of everything in her shop.

 

Alright mateys! Time for me to get dinner ready for the OMP and pups! I just can't sit here and look cute all day. Well, I could but my family would starve! Have a fabu weeknd!

I almost forgot, cute puppy picture! Oh yeah! That just happened!  XOXOX

Tie One On Tuesday

Over the weekend I decided to give white wine another chance, mainly because I was thirsty for a beverage, it was a little warm and I wanted something refreshing. Know what....it wasn't so bad. Poor white wine gets such a bad wrap but for summer time, it's pretty okay.

I decided to do a little more research on white wines and found a few that won't break your budget but still very tasty.

Cambria Chardonnay from Katherine's vineyard was featured on several blogs as being an inexpensive (20.00) white wine with a very full taste. It has hints of pineapple and other tropical fruits but isn't too sweet with its buttery undertones.

If 20.00 is still a little steep for your summer picnic plans, then Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling  is right up your alley. The price is right, 9.00 and the flavor has hints of peaches and other stone fruit but not an overpowering sweetness. It is dry and crisp and perfect for seafood.

Of course I have to give a shout out to some local flavor...King Estate Pinot Gris is absolutely delightful and the price is not to shabby either. At 15.00 you will taste a hint of apple, but again not overpowering. The flavor is rich but not overly sweet, and believe it or not, the final taste is brisk and crisp.


3 white wines, reasonably priced, for your summertime adventures. Don't give white wine a hard time. It's fresh, it's sweet, it can sneak up on you and give you a mean hangover. White wine doesn't necessarily mean old ladies draped in rhinestones and shirts that say, "sexy grandma" but if it does really mean that, then sign me up, cause I that's what I want to be when I grow up.

via kidsoncrack

So Much Taffy

Ugh.....so much taffy.....my poor belly! OMP took me to the coast this weekend and of course, I had to get enough taffy to choke a goat. While recuperating  from my sugar coma, I checked my DVR to see what I missed over the weekend.

I have been dying to catch (yet another Disney cartoon) Gravity Falls. The previews looked hysterical. A brother and sister encountering the paranormal-right up my alley! I settled into the couch, pups surrounded me and started the show. 

I have one word for Gravity Falls...AWESOME! For the love of all things holy, this cartoon had me laughing from start to finish and I was still laughing after the credits rolled. Gravity Falls is suppose to be in Oregon (sorry guys, no real Gravity Falls here) and had so many inside Pacific Northwest references that I had to watch it twice to catch them all. You get to see Jake the Alligator man and a lesser known cousin to Sasquatch, Sascrotch (no, I am not even kidding).

The voices actors of the show are equally as awesome with Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords, Bob's Burgers) playing Mabel and Jason Ritter (son of John Ritter) playing her brother. Dipper. I'm sure there will be cameos from other great actors as the season progresses. 

The show doesn't officially start until the end of June but I believe you can catch it on the Disney website or maybe in a replay on TV. 

So, check out Gravity Falls on Disney XD this summer, you will thank me, just don't do it in taffy....ohhhhh.....

Scrappy Father's Day!

Dear Daddy,

I realize that sometimes I might be a handful...



And I'm not the best at following directions...
 


But I'm cute, so I know all is forgiven.
 

Love,

Your little man, Pete. 

Happy father's Day to all the great dads out there.

41 Years

 via revelment

This Saturday is my 42nd birthday and I was going to write about 41 things I have learned this year but that got kind of exhausting. I thought about cutting it half and that was still too much and I finally decided on maybe 3 things I've learned this year. 3 is doable and it's probably the most honest amount.

I have learned that I am not ashamed of my age or my body. It has carried me through many trials and the lines on my face show every tear, every laugh and every memory. My body is not perfect to everyone but it is to me. I love my curves, my crooked smile, my hysterical laugh. Just today I was looking at my hands and I saw my mother's hands. It made me feel connected.

Sometimes people who you think are there for you, really aren't. I have thought friends were there for me when I fell but instead they kept walking, but the most beautiful thing is that there was an unexpected hand to help me up. Sometimes the people on the sidelines are the best friends to have. They are not running the race or fighting the battle but cheering you on. 

The grass is not greener on the other side. Instead, you should nourish your own lawn. People may have more and seem happier, but in reality, they have the same problems as you. They cry, just like you. They have doubts, just like you. Everyone (except my dogs) look like crap in the morning. It is just a fact. Learn to love your life and appreciate the small things your are blessed with. 

I know I was only going to give you 3, but I couldn't resist this bonus lesson. It's probably the most important lesson of all! Ready for it? Lighten up! Make that choice to accept happiness in your life and laugh. Laugh loud!

I hope that my 41 years of wisdom have made you think or at least give you a little giggle. I promise the next year will be equally as awesome. Watch out 42! You are in for a butt kicking! YAHOO!!!!

No More Reruns!

 

Thank you TinTrunk for this vintage picture

Remember when summer time meant reruns? None of your favorite shows were on in the summer, you turned the TV off, cussing it because you already watched that Lavern and Shirley earlier in the year. Well, nowadays, shows start all months with total disregard for your summer plans.

It may seem like I'm complaining, and I'm really not. It's still pretty chilly and rainy up here and I need something to watch while I'm stitching.

Two of my favs this summer are animation. They are from Disney and I swear, they went all out to entertain the older person in the family.

Motorcity is amazing! It is like watching a Gorillaz video only better! The basic story is that a city was built over Detroit. The upper city is shiny, pretty and completely controlled. Lower Detroit is free but underground and struggling. Mark Hamill plays a starring role on this cartoon. It is fast, creepy and very cool. I would recommend it for kids 8 and older.

My other favorite new show is Tron Uprising. Remember Aeon Flux? This cartoon is on par with the animation. It is so slick! The storyline is great and the voice actors are top notch. Elijah Wood and Lance Henriksen play the lead roll with appearances from Paul Reubens and Mandy Moore. Again, maybe about ages 8 and up for this one.

Check out these two new cartoons if you are looking for a smart, well written show to share with your older child or just on your own. Oh yeah, if you miss the first run, they will play it a few more times, just like a real summer rerun! 

Gotta Love the Pops

Guess what's coming up next week? If you said my birthday, then you get a big smooch! If you said Father' Day, well, I guess you're right too. I mean, I have to celebrate one of the people involved in me being here. Without my dad, I wouldn't have a fab birthday to celebrate!

I teamed up with Craftster to do this awesome Father's Day video. Look at what radical cool stuffs you can make your pops!

 I love this evil looking octopus...so cool and creepy.

Maybe dad isn't into an evil octopus, he could like dinos. Gotcha covered!

Okay, I'll admit that the crab is staying with me for my tropical backyard. How great would this look in  a beach house?

Tie One On Tuesday

Across the pond my friends are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee. Of course I want to celebrate with them, I love a good party and there is no bigger one with more sparkles than the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration.

I'm pretty sure if I gave the guard of the crown jewels a few of these, he would let me borrow at least the tiara for one night.

Cherries Jubilee courtesy of  Acme
2 ounces Bombay Sapphire infused with Cherries and Vanilla (this can be easily done by taking cherries and vanilla beans, mixing with the gin and letting it sit for at least 24 hours)

1 ounce Lime Juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
Dash Orgeat syrup
Dash Creme de Peche
Dash Grapefruit Bitters
Mix together in a shaker, serve in an martini glass. 


Ain't no party like the Diamond Jubilee party! Hey! Ho!

Jubilee Punch via Bar Magazine

2 parts Gin
1 part Dubonnet
1 part  Sloe Gin
½ part  Cherry Liqueur
½ part  Cassis
½ part  Framboise
A splash of Ginger Liqueur
3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
1 part Lemon Juice
4 parts Earl Grey Tea (chilled)
4 parts champagne
Build the ingredients in a punch bowl or jug and top with ice. Garnish with fresh seasonal berries and currants, lemon wheels and flowers. Serve with punch glasses or highball glasses.

During the Jubilee, even the martinis are extra fancy.

English Martini
1/2 ounce Chambord
1 ounce gin
1 ounce pineapple juice
Shake and serve in a martini glass.

Congratulations to the Queen! I have to love a woman who has an amazing flare for hats and loves dogs. Now, if she could just lend me her summer palace for the weekend, we would be besties 4 ever.

Feel Good Friday

from tumbler, unknown source, if it's yours, please let me know for some credit.

Not only is it Friday but it's the beginning of the month of PAM! That's right, my birthday is this month and I have decided to celebrate it all month long cause that's how I roll! 

There are a few reasons that I love this piece by LaWhimsy-first, that little girl is just too adorable and  second, look at that cute puppy! LaWhimsy has some mad stitching skills! Her lines are so clean and again, look at the cute puppy!

The Pie Face Game! The game to play with those jerk relatives and friends! Seriously, if someone gives this to you, it means they don't like you.

I'm pretty sure I need this table for my birthday. OMP better get his baking skills up to speed. He can get great tips from Amy is the Party. I want one of every party she has, please.

Are you kidding me? This is over the top! Seriously, I have watched this video a half of dozen times just today! 

Well, my cute little babes, I am going to head out to the garden and enjoy the sliver of sunshine. The pups are yelling at me and I really should listen to them-they can be so demanding! Enjoy your weekend and have ten tons of fun! 

I Can Relax!

OMP says that I can never just relax and sit still. I have no idea what he is talking about. My weekend was relaxing. Here's what I did,

I did a little embroidery...



I made a word bubble for Pete. I need to know that he's thinking...(please excuse our redneck dog dish. We have to lift Pete's head due to damage to his neck and throat from his bad previous owners)


I recovered the couch and the chair and made these pillows...

And I baked cupcakes, but I ate them. Insert collective "AAWWWWW MAN"

Oh wait, I also deadheaded the rhododendron, helped OMP in the front yard, planting new flowers and ran errands! Whew! Maybe OMP is right...HA! Yeah sure, OMP right, that's a good one.

Going Bananas

Last night I had a horrible nightmare. Now nightmares are scary enough, but trying to explain your nightmare is even worse! They never sound as scary and you just can't convey the fear you had. 

Me: I had a horrible dream last night

OMP: Oh, baby, what was it about?

Me: Well, there was a ghost in the house and he pinched my butt.

OMP: That was no ghost. 

Me: No! Seriously! It was scary! The scariest part was that the ghost shut the door and when I opened it, he was standing there and I was scared. 

OMP: What did the ghost look like?

Me: He was wearing a ghillie suit with a gorilla mask over it. 

Dead silence....

OMP: A ghost, in a ghillie suit and a gorilla mask.

Me: YES! I was scared! 

OMP: Again...a ghost, in a ghillie suit and a gorilla mask.

Me: I don't think you understand how terrified I was.

OMP: What were you scared of? That he was gonna steal our bananas? 

Me: You know how precious those bananas are to me.

OMP: Obviously...

(for the record, this is a ghillie suit)

Tie One On Tuesday

 via shorpy

I am planning a girls weekend with a few friends and you know there will be cocktails splashing around. I mean, c'mon...it's me and my best girlies! How could we NOT have a little drinky drink.

I'm not sure what my girlfriend LimeRiot is trying to tell me but she says this drink would be perfect for our girly weekend. I don't think I want to know what kind of weekend she has in store for us.

The Dirty Monkey

1 oz rum

1 oz creme de banane

1 oz creme de cacao

1 oz coffee liqueur

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Blend all together in a blender and serve in a high ball glass. It should be a milk shake consistency. 

I don't think you can ever go wrong with the girls if you serve them an Appletini. They taste like jolly ranchers! They can't be that bad for you! Plus, the green really goes with my new shoes.

Appletini

2 oz vodka

½ oz Apple Pucker schnapps

½ oz sparkling cider or lemon/lime soda

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice.

Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

I love my girls and any time I get to see them, it's always  fab! Here's to the girls' weekend. I know there will be tons of laughter, good cocktails, yummy food and best of all-my wonderful friends.

The Girls Weekend

1 oz peach schnapps

1 oz cranberry schnapps

1 oz  lime schnapps 

8 oz lemonade

1 oz grenadine

Mix lemonade with the schnapps and pour into a high ball glass. pour grenadine on top. 

I don't even care where I go with my ladies, as long as I have a good bottle of rum and something sequined! 

Feel Good Friday!

YAHOOOOO!!! It's Friday! It's a long weekend! Pammy is happy! How many of you have plans for Memorial Day weekend? Are ya gonna go camping? Maybe stick close to home and have a staycation? Whatever you do, make sure you give a big thanks to the men, women and animals in our armed services. My plans for the weekend include some pulled pork BBQ, some smooching on the OMP and lots of crafting! I'm so excited!

Okay, ready for some serious coolness? Check out what I got OMP! This is a custom piece from Jack B. Nimble.  Go over and cruise his etsy shop and if you don't see something that just hits you in the head, well then, you might be dead, or you might need to order a custom piece, like I did.

OH MY GAAAWWWD! It's a little Pam doll and they come in little Pam boxes! Yep, pretty sure I need one .Mirianata makes the cutest little doll brooches. I need them all!

Wanna know why I am so happy? Early morning dog camera!

I have no idea whose child this is, but I'm adopting her. She has the right idea for the perfect day.

Alright my favorite people in the whole world! I am off to do a little shopping, a little cooking and a whole lot of smooching! Have a great weekend!

Just Say No!

Do you have negative people in your life? The people who aren't necessarily nasty but just kind of always negative. If you say it's sunny and nice, they will complain about the heat or if you give them a piece of chocolate, they wonder why it's milk instead of dark. Do you know these kind of people? They don't break us down completely, but they chip away, each day, draining us of our happiness.

The problem with me is that I have tried in the past to fix these types of people. I have tried to make them happy and nothing ever worked. It was killing me! I tried jokes with them, moral support and even going to their pity part and you know what-nothing worked. I ended up equally as angry and sad. 

Finally, one day, I just gave up. I threw in the towel. I decided that their negativity was not for me to fix. It wasn't my job to show them my world. I had to love my life, enjoy my sunshine and be happy. See, I realized that in order to make the world a better place, I need to make me and my bubble a better place. I couldn't MAKE those negative nellies  happy, they needed to find it on their own. 

I had to decide at what level I wanted to be a part of the negative fan club. Did I want to be an active member or a visiting guest? I could be there for a shoulder to cry on, for an uplifting thought or two but I couldn't fix their outlook on life. Negative nellies have to fix their outlook themselves. No amount of cute baby animals, dirty jokes or uplifting motivational phrases are going to help them unless they really want it.

Once I let go of my notion to fix everything and make everyone happy, the weight on my shoulders disappeared. I knew that my smile was my own and if it made them smile too, great, if not, it's their problem, not mine. 

What I put out there is what I want to see in the world and I surround myself with others who feel the same way. Every day I give thanks to the happiness surrounding me. Some of those Debbie Downers may fall to the wayside and some may decide to see the world, even if for 5 minutes, through rose colored glasses, but I do know that it is their decision and not mine on how they view the world. 

How you see the world is how the world sees you. If you are always negative, then the world is a negative place, if you see the world as uplifting, inspirational and pretty damn great, then it will be. It is up to you.

Summer Invasion

Are you ready for SUMMER! I know I am! I need some heat and sunshine! I also need a totally over the top summer blockbuster movie. I don't care what you say, a good mindless movies is just what the doctor ordered for the summertime.

The Avengers have taken the lead in the summer blockbuster race. The great thing about The Avengers, besides Robert Downey Jr., is that the movies is fun, well written and you don't have to be a total comic book geek to enjoy it.

Next out of the gate is Men in Black III. I don't care what you say, the first two were fun. Completely mindless fun! I am a huge Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin fan so I'm excited to see how Josh plays a younger version of Tommy's character K.

I don't care what OMP says, we are going to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunger. Based on the book (although I am not sure how much) it has honest Abe fighting vampires. How can you go wrong with this movie? That's right, you can't.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of what's out there this summer. There are a ton of indie movies just waiting to be discovered as well as fun kids' movies. Get out there, support your local theater, sneak in some giant size candy or for more fun, some fireflies and let them go after the previews...not that I would know anything about those last two...

Busy! Busy! Busy!

I recently had a chance to be a part of another Master Craftster Series over at Craftster. This time I had the chance to demo a Bernina sewing machine. I know, right? I was totally in sewing heaven!

If you checked out yesterday's post, you saw the awesome tie I made Pete. Here are a few of the other projects I made.


This cowgirl pillow is my favorite! It is a picture of my mom when she was a little girl. This pillow makes me so happy.

Next, I made a bicycle caddy with pockets. It goes perfect with my pink bike, Roxie.


I decided to make a tea cozy with this super cute doggy fabric.

Last but not least, I made some adorable paper party favors. I think these would be great for all different holiday themes.

There were some seriously crafty people stitching up some yummy treats! Check out MissingWillow's cupcake tote (which I am totally stealing!).  Abbeeroad is killing me with this super cute roll up dragon road play mat . Rylnn's luggage tags are to die for-they are so adorable. Last but certainly not least-leslieshappyheart's reusable notebook cover, which I decided needs to come live with me. These ladies blew me away with their talent! 

I have caught the sewing bug! I've decided that my entire family is in need of capes! Must get sewing!