Showing Off

I love learning new things-don't you? There are so many great blogs, videos and tutorials out there. These are just a few of my favorites.

I adore Floresita and her owl video is just as cute as she is.

I have been wanting to make a lightbox forever! Indie Icing has a great tutorial. If I knew it was this easy, I would have done it a long time ago.

 I love the blog over at Craftzine.com. They are so inspiring. Right now they have a recipe for  coconut mango pancakes. Do you hear me people? COCONUT MANGO! YUM! I am so going to make these pancakes this weekend.

For a great tutorial thread, check out thelongthread.com for their top 100 tutorials of 2009. So much good stuff!

Well there  you have it! A lot of great ideas and wonderful inspiration. Now get on out there and make something!

Tie One On Tuesday

Oh boy! Do I have some good stuff for you today! A few cocktails to put in your  Easter basket. These drinks will have you hopping down the bunnie trail in no time.

I do not recommend hiding these Easter eggs in the backyard-unless you want drunk animals and angry adults screaming for their cocktail.

The Easter Egg
Ingredients:
1 oz Blue Curacao
1 oz white creme de cacao
Half and Half
Pour the Blue Curacao and Creme de Cacao over ice cubes
Float the Half and Half on top to taste
The Blue Curacao makes is a wonderful bright blue egg.

I love chocolate Easter bunnies. I love to eat the ears off of them and then I'm done-I've eaten the good part. . If you are sensitive to the plight of the chocolate Easter bunny then mix this cocktail instead.

The Chocolate Easter Bunny
Ingredients:
1.0 tsp Cherry Liqueur
1.5 oz Brown Creme de Cacao
0.5 oz Vodka
1.0 tsp Chocolate Syrup
Shake vodka and creme de cacao with ice. Strain over ice in a cocktail glass. Float chocolate syrup and cherry liqueur.

I love Jelly Beans-except for the black ones. I always pick those out and give them to OMP. YUCK! They make me shiver just thinking about their grossness but because some of you out there like the taste of satan-I give you the Jelly Bean Cockail.

Jelly Bean Shooter
Ingredients:
1/2 oz blackberry brandy or grenadine
1/2 oz anisette or sambuca
1/2 oz Southern Comfort
Pour the brandy or grenadine into a shot glass
Float the anisette or sambuca on top of the first layer
Float the Southern Comfort on the next layer

These Easter concoctions will not only have you seeing little pink bunnies but I'm betting there might be a few pink elephants dancing around your head.   Bottoms up~

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

What a wonderful time of year. Spring is here! New beginnings are brewing and what better way to celebrate the season than with a few classic movies.

The most noteable Easter classic is Easter Parade with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. The day before Easter, Astaire's character loses his dance partner and object of his affection.  To prove to everyone and himself that his partner is not important to him, he takes a new protege and vows to make her a star. The music and the costumes are beautiful. It really is a happy movie with happy songs and settings. It's good for the whole family.

Speaking of good for the whole family-Here comes Peter Cotton Tail is a great animated treat that will have you thinking about your own childhood. I love stop motion animation and Rankin and Bass never disappoint. The story is very simple-it's the story of Peter Cottontail and all the goodies that come along with Easter. Danny Kaye and Paul Frees lend their voices to this wonderful classic.

I'm not sure what it is with Chuck Heston and biblical movies but he does a great job at them. Ben Hur is a great example of this , it is without a doubt Mr. Heston at his finest.  Ben Hur is a wealthy merchant who, not by his own fault is sent to the gallows. Time does not heal all wounds and hatred is still in his heart, until a certain day (don't want to spoil it for ya). The chariot scene has been touted as one of the most breathtaking scenes in all cinema history. There is a silent version of this movie and the above scene is equally as moving. I highly suggest both.

If Ben Hur isn't your speed but you still want some Heston, then pick up The Ten Commandments.  This movie is completely over the top but still beautiful and when Moses says, "Let my people go!" I still get chills.

Well, there ya go!  A few Spring holiday classics for your viewing pleasure.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some Easter baskets to raid-those chocolate bunny ears aren't gonna eat themselves!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Have you been by The Scrappy Dog Society group on Flickr? No? Well, here's a little sampling of what you are missing.

Sweet Mia

Eeeep! Lucy! Looks like someone's been in the garden. I'm in love with Lucy-that little face is just too  much to resist.

This takes scrap to all new level. I'm in love!

SPIKE! Those big eyes are so adorable!

If you like what you see, come and hang out at the Scrappy Dog Society. Your little bundle of joy just might be next on Scrappy Dog Sunday! Until next week-Lola says-BARK (which is later gator in dog)

Feel Good Friday!

Are you feeling it? Don't deny the love on this Feel Good Friday! Come on over and enjoy the happiness I have for you!

I am on a baking kick right now. I want to bake and decorate everything in my house. I think I am scaring OMP and the pups. If they sit for too long-I will put frosting and sprinkles on them. Who is responsible for my recent adventures in decorating? I place a little of the blame on Death By Cupcake and her beautiful cupcakes and cookies. I mean seriously-have you ever seen a cookie this cute?  I think she needs to make my 40th birthday cupcakes!

Have you checked out the blog Sew In Stitches yet? No? Well get on over there and check it out! She has some awesome give aways (that I have YET to win...but that's another story!)I'll forgiver her for loving Wake Forest cause she's so sweet and she has great taste in music.

All day long I have been hunting for this skirt and finally found it! I love anything made by madewithlovebyhannah.  Can you imagine this skirt with a cute top and pink chucks? Well, you better cause it's gonna be my spring "go to" outfit!

It's the Easter ferret, the Easter bunny's surly cousin!

Okay you crazy little bunnies! Get outside and enjoy this spring weather. Dance around, pick some flowers, paint your fingernails bright blue! Enjoy life!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Spring Flowers

Can you believe I have more finds from the antique show? I could do a whole blog on my findings alone! For today's patterns I decided to share a little spring love. Enjoy!

She is all ready for the dance or just hitting the town with her girlfriends. 

I love monograms and think these are just too sweet for words.

This reminds me of a tiara for some reason. I love the flowers and design.

If the flowers aren't blooming in your neck of the woods yet, stitch up these pretty ones for an instant pick me up. 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

So what-I'm a little dorky-I like rainbow cupcakes. Don't judge! You know you want to make some too! It was the easiest although time consuming thing ever! Let me show you how!

Things you will need:
White cake mix
Gel food coloring (make sure the red is non flavor)
cupcake pan and liners
frosting (I was going to make butter cream but I got lazy)

First, mix up your cake according to the box. If you are extra fancy-you can make your own cake with sifting flour, mixing the egg whites or just have Betty Crocker to it for you. After the cake is mixed up-separate it into 6 smaller bowls (or however many colors you want to use)

The reason I used gel coloring is that the color is much more vivid and bright. Mix your gel into the batter.

Spoon each layer in. I started with purple and moved up the spectrum. After putting each layer down-put a small amount of water on your finger and spread the batter to cover the color before it.

Bake and decorate

Enjoy!

I LOVE the way the colors came out and the cupcake liner looks just as cool. These cupcakes will brighten anyone's rainy day.

Tie One On Tuesday!

Spring is here! Flower are blooming, birds are chirping and I'm thinking of light refreshing cocktails.

Everyone knows I am a huge fan of champagne and of course it is super refreshing. What better way to celebrate the bubbly than with a Champagne Jubilation.
 Ingredients:
1 oz lemon vodka
2 tsp, Blue Agave Syrup
ice
Champagne
Lemon garnish
Directions:

Muddle lemons and blue agave
Add ice and lemon vodka
Strain into champagne flute and top with champagne
Garnish with lemon slice
I seriously need one or fifteen of these!

Next up on our spring fling is The Garden Tonic.

Ingredients:
4 mint leaves
2 dashes Celery bitters
2 teaspoons St. Germain Elderflower Liquer
1 1/2 ounces Gin
3 ounces tonic water
Fresh lime wedge
Directions:
Muddle the mint leaves and the bitters
Add ice
Pour in the liqueur and the gin
Top with tonic water and stir
Garnish with a lime wedge
It's like a little garden party in your mouth without the clean up and rude guest.

The last on our list is an oldie but a goody. It has been around forever and was very popular with starlets in the 1930's. The Orange Blossom Cocktail  may seem a  little off with the egg whites but it really takes the bitter taste of of the drink. 
Ingredients:
1 dash of orange bitters
1/2 teaspoon of egg whites
1 oz of gin
1 dash of grenadine
1 oz orange juice
Directions:
Mix all ingredients, shake well and served in a medium glass.


 There ya go, a little spritzer to sip while watching the flowers grow. Ahhh spring-you've won my heart.

Happy Birthday William Shatner!

Let's wish Capt. Kirk, Officer TJ Hooker himself, William Shatner a very happy birthday. Oh sure you know him from such great TV shows, but did you know him as a film actor? No, well, let's dig a little bit under the carpet and see what we can find.

First and probably the best Shatner film is Star Trek II, Wrath of Kahn. I double dog dare anyone to look at Ricardo Montalban and not scream KAHN! Ricardo's fake chest piece alone is worth the price of rental. The story is very simple. Two enemies meet, one man wins...yadda, yadda, yadda-you are yelling Kahn at the top of your lungs. Oh yeah, and the earwig scene. It will have you squirming in your seat. EWWWWW! Just thinking about it grosses me out. This film is definitely good for some camp value and just plain silliness.

Speaking of camp value and silliness, Shatner's next best role is in the Kingdom of the Spiders and it  is just plain bad but in a good way! OMP wants to know what is wrong with me for including this movie, but I just can't resist really bad movies. It's an addiction. William stars as Dr. Robert "Rack" Hansen (Hee hee, Rack!) who is investigating mysterious animal deaths and discovers a group of mutant spiders heading towards his town. Whackiness ensues and I will leave you in suspense on the fate of " The Rack".

Now William Shatner wasn't all about the camp. He was a trained Shakespearean actor. In The Explosive Generation, Shatner stars as Peter Gifford, an idealistic teacher who wants to teach his seniors about sex ed, Not the technical aspects of it but the emotional part. The square parents get wind of what's up and Gifford is told to stop. The beloved teacher just can't do that and goes against their wishes and the whole school becomes a hot bed for rebellious action. 

Oh Mr. Shatner, I take my hat off to you.  You have made us laugh and cry-the latter usually because we are laughing so hard but never you mind that. You are a pop icon that will transcend time. Men want to be you and the ladies-well they just want you. So I salute you by putting on my copy of the Transformed Man, mix up a cocktail and your version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds at the top of my lungs. Aahhhh yes, good times.

Scrappy Dog Sunday! It's Back!

I know! I know! It's been such a long time since I wrote Scrappy Dog Sunday. I decided I couldn't let everyone down anymore so I'm bringing it back. From now on, it will be a little different. I will still have interviews when I can get them but I will also add the every day adventures of my three little mutton chops as well as the sweet little pups from The Scrappy Dog Society group on Flickr. So, with all that being said, I now hand over the rest of this entry to Lola, Jujube and Pete and their adventures in the backyard on one spring day.

It all started on one spring day....Papa was doing yard work, mom was sunning herself and I was very curious about composting.

What was in that basket and EWWWW! What's that smell?

I had to find out what was in there! No better time then the present-so I jumped right in! Hey! There are sticks in her for me to chew on! My lucky day!

While I was helping dad with yard work, Pete decided to help mom work on her tan. He loves the sun and would stay outside all the time if he could. Just lounging in the sun. I can't believe he doesn't want to join me in the yard debris can! I guess being that cute is hard work!

Jujube was on a mission! She swore there was a mouse in the garage. It was pitch black in there but she stood her ground and hunted for the mouse. Unfortunately she didn't get one. Better luck next time Juju!

So, all in all it was a perfect spring day! All of us were doing what we do best-lounging, mousing and causing trouble. I can't wait till the next time the sun shines. Maybe then I'll help dad clean out the Koi pond.

Feel Good Friday!

 It's Friday! The sun is shining, the tunes are playing and I am one happy camper! I'm gonna enjoy this weekend with a little gardening, a little cocktailing and some stitching with friends. So bring on the good times!

Speaking of stitching. This is so cute! I love th colors and the stitching is amazing and clean. This is just one of Crafting with love's awesome ipod holders.

I have been on a blog search lately. There are so many great ones out there! I'm totally blown away by people's creativity. It makes me happy that there are so many beautiful happy bloggers out there. One that really stood out is Creative Breathing. I have decided that I want her craft room and I want her to adopt me. I'm sure she wants a 40 year old daughter!

Okay if someone doesn't get this for me for my birthday I will be very upset. Oh yeah, you are seeing it right. A Willie Nelson Finger puppet! AbbyChristine makes the cutest and funniest finger puppets ever! I really think I need a whole set of them. She also has Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Maybe I will get all of them and have my own Grand Ol' Opry!

If my little Lola Mae doesn't make you happy on this Friday, nothing will! Composting is a stinking job!

Alright sweeties! I hope spring has sprung in your neck of the woods and the sun is shining down on you. Put your hands in some dirt, but don't mess up your manicure! Have a great weekend and wear sunscreen!

Kitties In Space!

Another great find from the antique show a week ago. Kitties, bears and bunnies in Space! Can they get anymore adorable?

Sorry for the quality. The lighter colors are actually gold.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Happy St. Paddy's day to everyone! I hope you guys are wearing green-if not-here comes a big ol' pinch!

I first want to that Sweets4ever for making such awesome banners and to let everyone know that she won the contest and you will be seeing her banners as well as some I am making myself in rotation. If you still want to make one and practice your graphic design skills-do it! I'll throw it up on the old blog (okay, that sounded totally gross!)

Next, just a little FYI that I will be revamping the blog just a tad and making it bigger and better so watch this space for awesomeness!

And last but not least-if you are going to partake in festivities today/tonight. BE CAREFUL! No one wants to see you in the slammer or worst the morgue. I want to see all your beautiful faces enjoying my silly antics.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Tie One On Tuesday!

Well Be’gosh and begorah – here we are on St. Paddy’s Eve and you haven’t a thought in your pretty little ginger head of what to drink on the festival of the green? Sure there is always the crappy food colored green beer that is dispensed at all the local taverns across the country. Have you ever thought that that green beer may be the crappy slow selling beer that the bar has lots of and needs to move fast before it spoils? Hey add some green food coloring and it will sell like hot cakes.

So here I am with some sophisticated (never thought you would see that word in a St. Paddy’s post did ya?) choices for Pied Piper of the snakes day.

One of the most obvious drinks is a Guinness Beer. But why not make it a bit more fun and order one of these babies:

Black and Tan:

Bottle of Guinness

Bottle of Bass Ale

Pour the bass into your Pint glass filling it up about halfway. Then take a spoon and carefully pour in your Guinness. It will blend and separate making a nice layered looking drink. Bottoms up!

Looking for something a little more with a kick that will turn your shellely green? How about an easy recipe for an:

Irish Coffee:

1 1/2 oz. Irish Whiskey

1 tsp. Brown Sugar

6 oz. Coffee

Heavy Cream

Combine Whiskey, Sugar and Coffee into an Irish coffee mug. Float cold cream gently on top. Plain and simple – plus, no fire involved – you do know alcohol is flammable right?

Okay – need more? Wow you’re thirsty today. Okay, one more and then I’m sending your green fedora wearing head home.

Wild Irish Rose:

1 oz. Bushmill’s

7 oz. Ginger ale

1 oz. Grenadine

1 oz. Lime Juice (fresh squeezed of course)

Mix all ingredients into 12 oz. Cocktail glass except for Ginger ale. Top with Ginger ale. Should fade red to pink in the glass.

So there you go, some green drink knowledge to arm yourself with before venturing out into that sea of drunken red haired strangers. Keep you gold shiny, your luck charmed and your knickers in a twist!  Bottoms up!