Sweet Saturday

This Saturday I am handing the writing over to my friend missmuffcake. She is an amazing Vegan baker, her blog has great recipes and right now she is having a giveaway! Let's find out more about missmuffcake in her own words...

Imagine adding up small numbers from the minute you wake up to the minute you fall asleep...little pieces of paper littering your purse, your room, your kitchen. Numbers consumed my life and I hate math....   
I was counting calories, starving myself and for what I do not know. I had anorexia and exercise bulima for most of my twenties, my skin hung off my body, at 5'10" I got close to 100 pounds...I never used my stove because my meals consisted of plain cereals and fat free soy milk...Then it changed.
I was about 7 months into a new relationship and my boyfriend was over after we had a date night and I was so hungry when I got home I ate everything in the house, I felt ill but also like a burden was lifted off my shoulder. I remember picking up a vegan cookbook and found a recipe for a simple coffee cake and decided to try and make it. My boyfriend thought it tasted like oatmeal and I set out to improve it and myself.
Fast forward to about 4 years later and I am trying out new recipes daily and have plans of opening my very own vegan bakery! Right now I am doing catering, organizing vegan bake sales in my town to help shelter animals and getting feed back from my boyfriend on new ideas in the works.
Anorexia is something one never leaves behind and I still have my days but I try to stay positive and think about my sweet new life.


I am giving away a new copy of Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and Terry Hope Romero. Head over to my blog (http://missmuffcake.com/), tell me what your favorite cookie is. I will pick a winner and contact them via email on Aug. 15.


Because this is Sweet Saturday, I can't leave you hanging with just a story, you need some treats! Check out these yummy cupcakes by Kendy.

Super Walnut Coffee Cupcakes + Coffee Butter Cream Frosting
[makes 12 standard sized cupcakes]

3/4 cup Earth Balance (room temp)
3/4 sugar
3 tbsp. of Egg Replacer with 9 generous tbsp water - mixed
1 1/4 cups ap flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ cup walnut pieces
1 packet* of Via Instant coffee -Italian Roast- dissolved in 1 tbsp. of hot water

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.

Beat the Earth Balance and sugar together until creamy and then slowly add the Egg Replacer mixture. Sift in the flour and baking powder and then mix in. Fold in the walnuts (checking for big chunks, discard those). Divide the mixture between the cupcake liners evenly. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

[Coffee Butter Cream Frosting]
2 tbsp. of plain soy milk
1* packet of Via Instant coffee -Italian Roast-
6 tbsp. of Earth Balance
1 1/4 cups of sifted powdered sugar
large walnut halves to decorate

Warm the soy milk in a pan (do not boil) add coffee and stir until dissolved. Let cool in a medium sized bowl till warm - not hot. Beat in the Earth Balance and frosting till creamy. Frost each cupcake and decorate with a walnut half.

*About 2 teaspoons

Thank you so much missmuffcake for your wonderful inspiring post. I can't wait to see what else you bake. I'm sure it will be super yummy! Don't forget! Head on over to missmuffcake's blog and sign up for the giveaway. 
 

Feel Good Friday!

Well, we made it through the week. There were times I was a little worried that Friday wouldn't get here but YES, we made it! Let's see what good stuff I have for you this week.

I've had a few request to show you some of the things that I have been working on. Well. here's my latest project. It was a pillow for a swap on Craftster. Recognize the pattern? Look back on a Thursday and you will find it. I'm thinking that I may have to make one for myself.

I searched my blog and couldn't find where I posted this so if you have seen this before, please forgive my lapse of memory. Pink of Perfection is a great site full of yummy food, great ideas and wonderful images.  It's a great thrifty guide to life. Beautiful and cheap-I'm there!

Have any of you gone Letterboxing before? OMP and I love it! Every summer we pick a few adventures in Letterboxing to go on. We take the dogs cause they can always help with clues. It's a wonderful way to get creative, get some exercise and use that ol' melon of yours.

I have several penpals right now. It is so much fun to write a good old fashion letter but now I am obsessed with stationery. Lydia & Pugs has the cutest stationery. I really want to get some Jack Russell cards from her. Her April Shower series is jut adorable.

Ugh....I can't believe I ate the whole thing....

Okay troops! It's time for you to get out there and enjoy the weekend. Play in the grass, soak up some rays(don't forget your sunscreen), and eat your favorite ice cream. You deserve it. 

There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.

Alexandre Dumas

Down On the Farm

Time for more gardening! I found these little cuties at a little antique store on the coast and couldn't resist. The beehive is the best! For some reason I really want to sing Old McDonald right now.

The Sun Don't Shine.....

I know I talk a lot about being positive and life changes. I also know how hard that can be in today's economy and times. So many of my friends are struggling right now and believe me-I know how they feel. I am currently working a job part time and it is hard making ends meet. There are days when I just want to give up, sit down and cry-Geesh, there are days when I did  just that. I worry-I worry about my house, my family, the state of the world. I guess the thing that I am getting at is that I don't always see the world through rose colored glasses.

Just today I was doubting the world around me and having the most elaborate pity party you could imagine. The only good part of my pity party is I had hats and cake. I was down and out and wanted to scream at the world for giving me a raw deal.  I wanted to scream out, "Why me?". Then I thought.....

Why not me? What made me so special that I did not deserve to have a rough patch in life? Into everyone's life a little rain must fall but how you handle that downpour is up to you. Sure, you can just shrivel up and take the punches or you can punch back and take that negativity down.

When the world gets to me and I want to give up, I turn to my friends, my faith in those close to me and to  myself. I remind myself that everything in temporary and this dark cloud soon will pass. If I don't get that job this time, I will get another one and if I don't get that one-I'll keep trying and get better at interviewing. The same goes for other aspects in my life. If I see something wrong in my world, I think of ways to change it and if it doesn't work-I keep trying.  I know that many times I take 1 step forward and 3 back but I also know that eventually I will get the strength to take a huge jump forward. If none of these things work, I just remind myself that the sun don't shine on the same dog's ass everyday and my time will come.

So, let me help you up, dust you off and walk with you as we try to figure out where this path is gonna take us. Stop your worrying! The world will continue to tick us off, we will lose sleep over the strife of the day but when the sun rises that next morning, a new day will begin and new opportunities will be there for us to catch.

Tie One On Tuesday!

I'm not a huge vodka drinker. To me, vodka is really just a vehicle for whatever flavor you add to it. That being said and to keep with my gardening theme. I thought it would be fun to infuse some vodka with flavors from my garden.

Lavender grows in abundance around here, not to mention that it is a hot flavor right now.  I think if you just had lavender flavor it would be a little overpowering and probably have a strong medicine taste. One of the great flavors to add to lavender is rosemary. The rosemary takes the edge of the overpowering floral flavor of the lavender and adds a nice savory taste to your vodka.
Lavender/Rosemary Vodka
Ingredients
750ml bottle of premium vodka
1 sprig of rosemary
2 sprig of lavender
infusion jar with tight sealing lid (think mason jar) Make sure that it is glass and not plastic.
Rinse the herbs and place them a clean mason jar or similar jar with a tight sealing lid.
Pour the vodka over the herbs and shake a few times.
Seal the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days.
Test the flavor of the infusion everyday, beginning on the second day.
Once the lavender and rosemary flavor is to taste, strain the herbs from the vodka using a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it.
Store as you do other vodka.

Cherries are coming into season here and although I didn't grow any in my garden I couldn't resist this wonderful cherry infused vodka recipe.
Cherry Vodka
Ingredients
4 pints of cherries
1 bottle of vodka
Tight lid jar (such as a mason jar)
Pit all cherries and remove the stems
Add the cherries to the vodka in an tight sealing jar (mason jar)
Seal the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days.
Test the flavor of the infusion everyday, beginning on the second day.
Once you have your cherry taste, strain the cherries from the vodka using a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it.
Store as you do other vodka.

Our peppers are coming in quite nice. I love a spicy vodka for a Bloody Mary. You can also infuse the vodka with tomato if you wanted an interesting little kick.
Spicy Vodka
Ingredients
1 Jalapeno pepper
1 Habanero pepper
1 Serreno pepper
Tight jar (Again, think Mason)
Add whole peppers to vodka and seal jar

Seal the lid tight and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3-5 days.
Shake the jar daily
Test the flavor of the infusion everyday, beginning on the second day.
Once you have your cherry taste, strain the cherries from the vodka using a fine strainer or coffee filter.
Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it.
Store as you do other vodka.

There are so many flavors you can infuse vodka with for a special taste. Think about the seasons and holidays for wonderful gifts to friends. Vanilla or a spicy vodka would be great for the fall and winter holiday season.  Fresh fruit in the spring and summer to refresh your palate. If you can think it, it can be infused with vodka. Even candies! Skittles and cinnamon red hots are a fun way to add flavor to that boring clear liquid. Use your imagination and have fun mixing up a tasty treat.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Shhhh...don't tell OMP but I love gardening. Just a year ago I was complaining about pulling weeds, tending to the tomato plants and being out in the sun. This year I have my raised bed garden of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, raspberries and celery. I am having a blast getting my hands dirty and reaping the benefits. Don't even get me started on my Mason bees. So, to honor my wonderful garden and to inspire you to get your hands in the dirt, I'm giving you some movies to garden by.

Greenfingers is based on a true story about a group of British convicts that who become prize winning gardeners. The prisoners take up gardening as part of their rehabilitation but soon find a love for it and eventually enter a prestigious flower competition . This is a feel good light hearted movie that will lift your spirits and make you giggle.

If you want something a little bit more low brow and let's be real-who doesn't? I would highly and I mean highly recommend Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. The scary thing about this movie-it could really happen (hee hee). This 1978 cult classic is silly, over the top and down right fun on a Saturday night. Mutated tomatoes are killing everything in their path and it's up to a team of crack scientist to stop them. Remember to remove your brain before watching this campy film otherwise you will be disappointed. You'll be humming the theme song for weeks!

Finally, and this brings me back to my childhood, there is The Secret Garden. This movie has been remade many times and was even a TV series. One of my favorite versions is the one from 1949. The story is timeless and the description and visuals of the garden are spectacular. Mary is a spoiled child who wanders the house and moors of her new home only to find a garden with more secrets than she could imagine. By restoring the garden, she restores her humanity.

There ya go! Wonderful movies to inspire your green thumb, renew your faith in the world around you and even make you tremble in fear at genetically altered man eating tomatoes. Yep, life is pretty much as it should be.  

Feel Good Friday!

Oh YES! Friday is here! Whoop! Whoop! I am feeling it this Friday! Who is with me?

How absolutely cute is this little pup? Maybe if I show them to this to my dogs, they might start doing my laundry. Cynthia_Holzauer did an amazing job.

I LOVE draw! pilgram. So colorful, so happy and so

many great ideas! Great vintage stuff and all your eye candy needs in one spot!

I need these. NEED!

And this....

And this. All are from Pinup Girl Clothing! The girls are adorable and the clothing is H-O-T!

Last but not least, Jack Russell puppy. Do you hear me people? I can't take the cuteness of the puppy! The belly, the tongue, the paw-That's it. I'm dead. 

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.~ Groucho Marx

Little Bonnet Girl

I know I've said it before-I'm not super crazy about patterns with little bonnet girls. They bring back a time in my life when my mom decorated  her kitchen with  geese, the color blue and these little girls. I do however, love the font and the little puppies in the pattern and couldn't resist sharing them with you. If little bonnet girls aren't your thing, you can always zombie-fy, punk them up or just cut them out completely. Hmmm....a zombie punk bonnet girl...I like it!

I'm Coming Home

 Special thanks to Elizabeth's needlework design

I have had a craptastic day today. It all started when some jerk cut me off and then almost ran into me on my way to work. It all continued downhill from there. All I could think about today was coming home, which then got me to thinking about-what is home to me? What does it mean?

It's the rush of barking and jumping and kisses I receive from three silly little dogs when I walk through the door.

It's the perfect strawberry in my garden

It's the birds bathing in the pond.

It's a husband that loves me and knows to give me extra hugs because I am having a rough day.

It's my friends that make me laugh and remind me never to take anything to seriously.

A home is not just a roof over your head. Home is a special place in your heart. It allows you to feel safe and comfortable when the rest of the world is crazy around you. It doesn't have to be made of wood or bricks. It is made of love and happiness. Home can be anywhere in the world where you are smiling. Whether I am in here in Portland or visiting a friend on the other side of the world-I am home. 

If You Like Pina Coladas....

I really really hate that song but I LOVE a good Pina Colada. Today I have done nothing but dream about a warm beach, playing in the ocean and sipping yummy drinks with cute little umbrellas in them.


The traditional recipe only has a few ingredients and is so easy to mix up.
Traditional Pina Colada
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Light rum
2 oz Cream of Coconut
2oz Pineapple juice 
1 cup Crushed ice 

Pour rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice into a blender with one cup of crushed ice. Blend until smooth, and pour into a collins glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, and serve.

The best thing about tropical drinks such as the Pina Colada is that you can pretty much add any fruit flavor with it and it's still good. I highly recommend fresh strawberries or mangoes.

Now if you have a little bit of time on your hands and want to do a lot of mixing, I suggest the Dressed Up Pina Colada.
Dressed Up Pina Colada
Ingredients
2oz. Irish cream
6 oz. hot chocolate
6oz Amaretto
3 oz Coconut rum
3 tbsp Coconut milk
3 tbsp Crushed pineapple
Blend rum, coconut milk and pineapple, with 2 cups of crushed ice, on high for a few seconds, until all large chunks of ice are gone. Pour into glass.

Let's say that you are having lots of friends over and you really don't want to be behind the bar mixing cocktails all day. You want to mingle-it's your given right to say hello to the ladies...well, mix up a Pina Colada Punch and your problems are solved.
Pina Colada Punch
Ingredients

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple

1 (8 ounce) can coconut cream

1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice

2 cups light rum

1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime soda

In a large plastic container, combine ice cream, crushed pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice and rum. Mix well and slowly stir in the lemon-lime soda. Freeze for 4 hours or until slushy.

 

Okay my little party goers. I'm heading out to find the perfect beach. Got my floaties, sunscreen and my Pina Colada. You just need to supply the umbrellas. 

Sweet Saturday

Lately I have been embracing my southern heritage by cooking OMP some of my mom's favorite recipes. When I was a kid, we would spend our summers in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head South Carolina. It was wonderful to spend the days playing in the ocean, go with my mom in the afternoon and get shrimp right off the boat, only to have a shrimp boil at night. For my southern friends, ya'll know exactly what I am talking about-for those of you who are unfamiliar with the shrimp boil, let me introduce you.

Shrimp Boil
Grab a couple pounds of shrimp, deveined
Cut up a smoke sausage/kelbsa
Shuck some corn and cut it in half
Throw in some red potatoes
Now for seasonings-a bay leaf, some fish/shrimp old bay flavor and 1/2 of a cheap beer.

Throw the veggies into a pot of boiling water for about 7 minutes, then add the kelbsa for another 7 minutes, last throw in the shrimp until it turns a nice pink. Drain, throw some butcher paper down and dig in. Man, that is some good eating.

Now, you are saying-Pam, that ain't exactly sweet. Where's the dessert? Well, I'm getting there. My mom would pick up some fresh limes (preferably key limes) and make up the best Key Lime pie you have ever had. I decided to make bars, incase I wanted to cut a slice and take in on the run with me. I do have to keep up with three dogs ya know.

Key Lime Bars
Ingredients
1 cup and 2 1/2 tablespoons finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 large egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
2/3 cup fresh Key lime juice
1 cup sweetened condensed milk, (14 ounces)

For the pie crust (once it chills, it will be more cookie like and not as pie crust grainy)
Make crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a small bowl. Press evenly onto bottom of an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Bake until dry and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.(Leave oven on.)

For the filling

Make filling: Put egg yolks and lime zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on high speed until very thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add condensed milk in a slow, steady stream, mixing constantly. Raise speed to high; mix until thick, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add lime juice; mix until just combined.
Spread filling evenly over crust using a spatula. Bake, rotating dish halfway through, until filling is just set, about 10minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate at least 4 hours

Let me tell you! I could eat the whole pan of these! They are so good! Just the right amount of tart.

Goodness me! I am so sleepy from my yummy dinner and dessert. I think I need to stretch out on the couch and "rest my eyes" for a little bit. Here's to your sweet sleepy Saturday.

Feel Good Friday!

Oh my goodness! I am late today with some Friday feel goods.  I'm sorry everyone-I've been busy enjoying the weather. Now that the sun is setting and the dogs are chasing bugs I can tell you a few good things I've enjoyed today.

I keep changing the theme in my bedroom. Right now I want it to be vintage cowboy/cowgirl. This little girl would be so cute for pillows on my bed. Emmajb8 did a great job!

I started thinking more about my cowboy theme and remembered that Sew Lovely Embroidery has cute little cowgirl patterns! I think, wait, I know I need them! If cowboys aren't your thing, they have other designs that will put a big smile on your face.

I love the ladies over at Kind Over Matter. They can take me from grumpy to happy in less than 2 seconds. They recently told me about a great site, Pugly Pixel. Her thoughts of life around her are just as sweet as the pictures she takes. Plus, he has two dogs that are the silliest little beast. Oh yeah, she has great freebies on her blog. She rocks the party!

It's Pete as a puppy! Well, not really but it's what I imagine him to have looked like and that makes me very happy.

There ya go, a few things to get your weekend started. I am going to head back to my tropical oasis and enjoy the last of the sunset, maybe lay down and look at the stars while the pups run all over me. Yep, life is pretty close to perfect for this old girl. Pretty close.

Tie One On Tuesday!

A lot of you may think that sometimes I drink my dinner-Ha! I wish! No, I like to have a little nosh with my cocktail. Pairing the right food with your cocktails is a must. You certainly wouldn't want a pizza with your martini would you? Of course not, you have more class than that. Here are a few pairings that will impress your guest.


Whiskey cocktails~
If you are a whiskey drinker, think of foods with strong flavors. Lamb, sausage and smoked salmon are perfect meats. If you are pairing with cheese, again, think smokey or sharp. A dark chocolate, or a dipped espresso bean is a wonderful after dinner treat with a nice Scotch.

Vodka Cockails~
Because of it's nondescript taste, vodka is really just a vehicle for whatever it is paired with in a cocktail. A nice Peppercorn cocktail would be great with sushi. Sweeter, spicy vodka is wonderful for pork-maybe spare ribs,or pecan pie. Try a wonderful Lavender vodka cocktail with soft cheeses such as Brie or Havarti.

Rum Cocktails~
This is OMP's favorite! I'm sure he will tell you that rum will go with everything. Since we like tropical drinks, I would pair a nice BBQ rib or chicken with a pineapple rum cocktail. Spicy Thai cuisine heats up as the rum flavors cool down the palate. Of course, any seafood is amazing with rum.

Tequila Cocktails~
Everyone knows that Mexican food is great with tequila but there are so many other options out there. Tequila with a wonderful dark chocolate truffle is a crowd pleaser-you have the contrast of the salty tequila with the bitterness of the chocolate. Seafood is another great flavor, especially shrimp. As far as cheese goes, a mild hard cheese would be best with a slightly sweet flavor, nothing too overpowering.

Okay, is it just me or are you starving now? My mouth is watering for a yummy cocktail and some good food. Take chances with your pairings. Try foods and desserts that generally aren't thought of with traditional cocktails. Think of the way the main ingredient tastes and build a meal around that. Okay that's enough for toady. I have to run, I think I hear the dinner bell ringing!

Love That Leading Man

I was trying to figure out just what to write about tonight-going through my DVD collection-More zombie movies, eh, not feeling it. Kung Fu movie-meh, no high kicks for me. I am in the mood for one of my favorite leading men, James Cagney. Not only could Cagney play the "tough guy" but his dancing and singing were well known throughout the movie community, dating back to his vaudeville days.

Cagney was best known for his tough guy persona. Both Public Enemy and Angels With Dirty Faces cemented him as a cinema bad guy and turned him into a cash cow for the Studios. He received his first Academy award nomination in 1938 for Angels With Dirty Faces for his leading man role. His portrayal of Rocky Sullivan is haunting. Straddling the line between good and evil-eventually falling for the wrong side.


A few years later Cagney stared in Yankee Doodle Dandy. The studio took a gamble on putting him in the role of George M. Cohen, the American composer, singer, & dancer. The movie tells the life store of George Cohen and his contribution to American music.Cagney finally got to show off his very talented feet to his growing public!

Cagney's last movie before his death in 1986, was Ragtime. He played the police commissioner in this turbulent tale of turn of the century music and the racial uprising it brought. The movie was up for 8 Oscars and has been considered one of his greatest roles. The music is as haunting as his performance.

I get a little sad when I see a James Cagney movie. He chose roles that touched something in all of us, the working people of society. These were roles that the average working stiff could relate to. He himself was a hard working man but he made everything look so effortless. He was a gentleman who believed in his work and continued doing so right up until his death.

Sweet Saturday

Boo! I just picked the last of my raspberries. I always get a little sad when I can't just go out and pick my food off the vine. Since I had a few more cup of raspberries, I hunted down the last of my pie crust and decided to make Raspberry tarts. You could really do these with any berry or fruit, depending on the season.

Rasberry Tarts
Ingredients
Pie crust-I used store bought crust. I'm lazy!
2 cups raspberries (you could use blueberries, blackberries)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Roll out pie dough and cut out circles measuring about 4 inches in diameter. Line the muffin mold with cupcake liners and then place the dough around the liner, basically making another cup. Don't forget to punch a couple of holes in the bottom of the dough so it doesn't bubble.
Divide raspberries among the pie shells, filling them about 1/2 full
Beat cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Pour mixture over berries, filling the shells about 2/3rd full. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cream has set.
Cool completely before removing them from the molds.
Serve with a dollop of whip cream.
The main thing to remember about this recipe is not to let the custard burn and make sure your berries are dry. If they are damp, they will ruin the custard.

I didn't have whipped cream, so, to indulge even more, I added ice cream with a cherry on top-cause that's how I roll.

Feel Good Friday!

Whoa Boy! Am I sweaty! Just last week I was freezing my butt off and this week I am melting. While I slip into my bathing suit, throw the dogs into the kiddie pool and find my sunscreen, enjoy these happies.

This is a custom piece done by nanaCompany. The little scarf on the bird is killing me with it's cuteness! Check out her hand stitch set-trust me you will have sugar overload from all the sweetness.

Have you been over to Stitch School? My friend Becky turned me on to this blog and I LOVE IT! She has wonderful easy to follow tutorials, free and for sale patterns.

This necklace is so dainty. A Box for My Treasures has wonderful vintage inspired baubles to make you even prettier than you already are.

Ahhhhh, much better. All cooled off, the dogs are completely soaked and I think I need a snow cone.

Dancers, Hearts and Flowers! Oh My!

I love the little  Fraulein and Frederick dancing around in this embroidery pattern.This adorable apron embroidery and pattern is just perfect for serving up some frosty mugs. Unfortunately their legs got a little chopped, I have faith that you can wing it!

Tie One On Tuesday!

Whoa Nelly! Is it H-O-T! Just yesterday is was fall like weather in Portland and today it is super summer hot. As I try to get OMP to fan me, I thought I would make up some special popsicles to sweeten the deal. These are adult pops but I'm sure you could leave the booze out and they would be just as good, but you probably wouldn't get as lucky.

I love a good Margarita and one that is on a stick is even better!
Margarita Pops (courtesy of the food network)
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons tequila
2 tablespoons orange liqueur 
Kosher salt, for garnish
4 small  wax paper cup ,(think Dixie cup) 4 popsicle sticks
Combine sugar, lime juice, water, lemon juice and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool. 
Once cool transfer to a blender with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime wedge and process until smooth. Pour into the cups and cover the top of each cup with foil. 
Place the popsicle stick in center of cup (down through foil, which will hold it in place). Freeze until hard, preferably overnight. 
Remove from freezer and run cup under warm water to loosen popsicle. Garnish with kosher salt and serve. 

This one sounds SO good, my mouth is watering just typing about it. 
Tangerine Rum Popsicle 
Ingredients:
2 oz. Dark Rum   
2 ¾ cup peeled Tangerines  (If you can't find Tangerines, Mandarin oranges would work, just a little sweeter)
1 oz. Juice of  Lime            
1 oz. Simple Syrup    
Splash of Lemon-lime soda
8 Popsicle Sticks
Into a blender, add peeled tangerines, lime juice, simple syrup and soda.  Puree mixture into a liquid.  Strain mixture into a measuring cup and add rum.  Mix well and pour into Popsicle molds.  Add Popsicle sticks and freeze for 8 hours. If you don't have popsicle molds, you can use the trusty Dixie cups.

Since it's strawberry season, I thought a great Strawberry Daiquiri popsicle would satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you refreshed.
Strawberry Daiquiri Pops
Ingredients:
3 cups hulled strawberries
1/3 cup rum
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup water
Combine all ingredients in blender, and puree until smooth and sugar is dissolved.>
Pour into popsicle molds and insert sticks. Freeze until firm - at least 4 hours or overnight. One more time-you can use Dixie cups if you don't have molds

There ya go, three frozen pops to wet your whistle and cool your jets. All of these recipes can be altered with different fruits. Get creative! Surprise your sweetie or your guest with yummy frozen cocktails-just keep them away from the kiddies. Now where is OMP with my fan? Honey! I have a special treat for you!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Happy Independence Day! 

Hope it's filled with lots of yummy things to BBQ

  Lots of fun activities.

And lounging around

I hope everyone enjoys today and has a great time but please remember to be careful and take care of your pets. Fireworks are scary to our little furry friends so if you are going out, leave the TV on loud and give them something to chew on. Make sure that they have plenty of water and make everything as comfortable as possible for them. Maybe take them out earlier to wear them out for the night. Whatever you do, make sure you and your little beast are safe. Happy 4th everyone!

Feel Good Friday!

YAHOO! Welcome to the weekend! Time to tune up your air guitars and rock out! Here in the US we have a long weekend for the 4th of July. What does that mean? Lots of grilling out, blowing stuff up and mosquito bites. While you are applying Calamine Lotion to your bites, enjoy these little tidbits of feeling goodness.

I LOVE these embroideries. It combines my new love of gardening with my love for vintage images. They are absolutely amazing!

You really need to check out Joey's blog Anonymous Works. How much cuter can "Don't forget your gasmask" get?

I think by now you know that I love lots of old things; pottery, patterns, OMP. Old Picture of the Day satisfies my intense need for history and beauty in everyday life.

I adore whimsies. Tiny Little Things are Cute feeds my need for little charms and doodads. Hello! Doesn't everyone need a Climbing Monkey toy.

Last but not least, you REALLY need to go and check out my interview on Mr. XStitch. You will be shocked an amazed by the inner workings of my mind-mostly shocked, maybe a little amazed.

 

Okay my lovelies! I am off to enjoy some ice cream and cowboys at the rodeo. I Hope everyone has a wonderful sparkly weekend!