Tie One On Tuesday

It's getting close to the kids being out of school for the summer. What better way to keep them entertained, out of your hair and make them earn some cash for that new toy they have been screaming about than to have a lemonade stand. Now, I will fully admit that it's pretty rare I will actually drink the lemonade made by kids, but I certainly support their entrepreneurial endeavors, BUT if there ever was a case, when I would actually drink the lemonade, the recipes below would be the ones.

Basic Lemonade Recipe
1 3/4 cups white sugar
8 cups water
1 1/2 cups lemon juice (MUST BE REAL LEMON JUICE!)
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. You are basically making a simple syrup for your lemonade
If you want pulp in your lemonade, remove the seeds, if not then just add the juice. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water. 

Now that you have your basic recipe down, you can spice it up with summer fruits and flavors.


Strawberry Lemonade
Start with your basic lemonade recipe now add:
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled. You can decrease the cups of water and add cups of sparkling water instead, to give an extra fizz-kind of like a strawberry lemonade soda.

So, you have fancy kids who would not be caught dead making just regular lemonade, well my little Emril Lagasses, you can whip up some of Mint and Ginger Lemonade.

Mint and Ginger Lemonade
1/2 cup (packed) chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup chopped fresh ginger
1/3 cup honey (you can substitute sugar or agave if you are allergic to honey)
2 cups boiling water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups (about) cold water

Combine chopped mint, ginger, and honey in medium bowl. Add boiling water.
Let steep 30 minutes.
Strain into 4-cup glass measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract liquid. Add lemon juice and enough cold water to measure 4 cups total.

I think that with these wonderful recipes, your kids will corner the market, or at least the neighborhood. Hmmm...I wonder if a 5 year old can get a liquor license. What? I'm only thinking of their college fund and the money to be made...fine, just stick with the lemonade.

We Salute You

I would like to salute our men, women and animals that serve in our armed services. Thank you for your time and dedication. My father, father in law, brother and nephew all are military men. You make me very proud.

Who doesn't love a good 1940's comedy musical? Oh, you don't? Well, you will with Abbott and Costello's 1941 Buck Privates. It should be mentioned that this is a military movie but not a war movie. WWII had not broken out at the time and we were still at peace, but doesn't stop Abbott and Costello from joining the military and releasing their brand of comedy on fellow soldiers. The Andrew Sisters are singing their way through the movie with such hits as Boogie Woogie Bugle boy of Company B. I also love that the women are helping the soldiers by kissing them good-bye, giving them cigarettes and candy. I know it's not very modern woman of me, but it was so cute.

Oh Van Johnson, with your boy next door looks, your winning smile and wonderful voice, you make girls swoon. In Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, Johnson plays a crew member of the Ruptured Duck and some say, this is his finest role. The film is based on a true story of the air raids over Tokyo and includes such wonderful actors as Robert Mitchum and Spencer Tracy. The movie is very gung-ho American but it also shows the softer side of GI's and their loved ones.

Okay, back to musicals, cause I love them and the 1940's did them so well. Four Jills in a Jeep tells us of  the true exploits of female entertainers who volunteer to go overseas to raise troop morale. Yes, the movie is very "B" and the comedy is corny but with a cast like Martha Raye, Carol Landis (who wrote the original book-you should definitely check it out) and Jimmy Dorsey, you can't go wrong.

Thanks again to our service men, women and animals who serve in our military. Your bravery and strength in times that seem to be lacking both, are well honored. I hope today you at least get to kick back and enjoy a movie or two with your BBQ, you deserve it.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Memorial weekend is for relaxing.


May 29th

 

So is April 13th

You better add January 2nd

Yep...relaxing...I think someone has it down to an art.

The "It's So Easy, It Should Be Illegal" Pie

This weekend is a holiday for most of us in the US. Memorial Day weekend usually is the beginning of the summer season and involves cook outs and a party or two. Well, my friends, since you said you would bring the dessert, I have the perfect pie for you and it is so easy, you should thank me now. Hell, you should probably just make me queen, erect a memorial of some sorts and declare May 28th to be Day o' Pam. Oh yeah, it's that good and that easy. I should mention that I had all of these things in my house and didn't have to go to the store, so, double win for me!

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie
8 oz of cream cheese, softened
4 cups of strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. lemon zet
2 tbsp. lemon juice (fresh if possible)
1 9 inch baked pie shell

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. If you don't want the texture of the lemon zest, increase the lemon by a teaspoon. Beat until fluffy and smooth. Again, it will not be completely smooth if you use lemon zest.

Scrape your cream cheese mixture into you pie shell. Top with strawberries and chill for at least an hour. 2 is better but if you are really hungry or in a hurry-1 will do.

Okay....now here comes the part where you say-"Pam, you are AMAZING" and I say, "I know..."

Take chocolate syrup (you know, the kind that comes in a squeeze bottle) and drizzle over the pie. You heard me right, drizzle the chocolate over the pie. Your guest will instantly grant you sainthood with this move.

So, there you have it-the easiest "cheesecake" you will ever make. No baking, so your house doesn't get too hot in the May heat. Fairly healthy-with the strawberries and sinful enough to make you extra saucy in the eyes of your party goers. I guess you can get started on that memorial any time...and you are welcome!

PS-I couldn't wait the entire time for it to set up and decided to cut a piece and eat it now...

Feel Good Friday!

 

 found on pinterest...unknown artist, if it's you, let me know so I can give you credit.

It's Friday! Holla! Oh yeah...feeling good!


I want to live here....
This pillow is so super sweet! Check out house wren studio-you will fall in love. I promise.

Oh my! Guess who has their etsy shop set up? Who cares that there is only three things in there right now. More embroidery and vintage items are coming.

If I want to live in the wonderful embroidered pillow, I think I want to vacation over at Party Frosting. Everything they do is beyond belief uber adorable. I want them to cater my life. Do you guys think you can do that for me? Thanks! I can only pay you in kisses and hugs but I'm sure you won't mind.

Help me Rhonda...this is not Pete but man, have I seen this face before....

And there ya go! A few things to keep you occupied while I'm BBQing this weekend. I'm mean, honestly, do you expect me to entertain you the entire weekend? You do! Oh, okay, but it's only because you're so stinking cute.

Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them

Tie One On Tuesday

Remember how yesterday was Hug Your Cat Day? Yeah, well, how about today being Cocktails with Your Cat Day. That's right, I'm starting a new holiday.

Is your cat a little chunky around the middle? If so, this cocktail is for you!


The Fat Cat Cocktail
1 ounce  Irish cream
1/2 ounce amaretto almond liqueur
1/2 ounce banana liqueur
Ice cubes
Put two or three ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add all three ingredients. Shake and strain into a shot glass or serve on the rocks.

Maybe you like to swing with your hep cat, play a little jazz, it's cool daddi-o!

Hep Cat
3 ounces raspberry vodka
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1 dash sweet vermouth
1 dash  orange liqueur
Slice of orange
Cracked ice
Fill a cocktail glass with cracked ice. Pour in all the ingredients and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange.

I really think this cocktail needs another name...the ingredients are far too yummy for the name

Cat Piss Cocktail
2 oz currant vodka
2 oz mango vodka
10 oz gingerale
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass.

Yahoo! What a great way to kick off International Cocktails with Your Cat Day. I'm not a psychic but I can see this becoming an a huge sensation. I'm pretty sure I can make it a paid holiday.

Hug Your Cat Day

Did you know that today is Hug Your Cat Day? Yep, it is. So, grab your fuzzy little friend, fry up some sardines and watch these purrrrrfect kitty movies.

That Darn Cat is a wonderful slapstick romp staring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones. The story involves over active imaginations, kidnapping and romance. When a kidnapped woman uses DC (Darn Cat) to send a message, his owner contacts the FBI and the fun begins (who knew kidnapping could be so much fun).

You and your kitty aren't into Disney family fun, but  are into long running musicals. Well, I've got your covered. Andrew Lloyd Weber's Cats is right up your alley. I strongly suggest giving your kitty a little bit of catnip for this one-it will help him appreciate the music and the dancing. Who knows, he might even jump on the TV and do his own little interpretive dance.

I am a HUGE fan of animation, so when I was looking for other cat movies, I couldn't resist the Coraline. Now, I know that the cat is not the main character but he does play a huge part in this delightful yet eerie tale of a little girl and sinister otherworld. It is absolutely visually stunning and the characters, even the evil ones are delightful.

Okay you hep cats, saunter on down to the video store, grab you favorite furry feline and enjoy this time together. Sure, your fuzzy buddies make act like they don't care or are completely put out by your affection, but in reality-they love you and need those hugs. Don't we all?

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I took the week off from blogging-I missed you guys but I had to get our backyard and garden in shape....

Our dogs are definitely working dogs. They aren't the kind that just sit around while their owners slave away.


They help with yard debris

And supervise construction

Sometimes they just walk the perimeter to make sure we swept up everything...

Yep, hard working dogs...

What? It's hard being so cute.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

This is Lola "Scrappy Dog" Pedersen approved. Here is Lola, watching herself, watching her favorite video...and the chaos ensues.

Feel Good Friday

Oh my goodness! Friday is here! Go Friday, get funky! Whoop! Whoop! What? I like Friday...

Well, will you look at that! I can actually stitch! This is the centerpiece of a project I am doing for a wonderful friend who is just too sweet for words. I'm very close to being finished.

My friend Becky told me about this blog and I'm so glad she did! It makes me so happy. Just reading it puts me in a wonderful friendly place. Dottie Angel does it all! She is just beautiful! Check out her store too!

Everyone knows that I have the biggest sweet tooth on both coast, probably in the entire world. It's like the size of Texas. Well, I just stumbled on a great website candy store that has just about everything your little heart desires. I am so excited about the retro candy section! Candy Direct.com really is the candy kingdom and I'm the pretty pretty princess sitting on a throne made of twizzlers.

Hey! If you are in the Bath area of North Carolina tomorrow-go check out my Beckys! They will be at the show, peddling their wares. They will be set up at Bathfest. Go by, tell them hi for me!


Whew! I think I'm on Friday overload! Just one final thing....Since I know you have been humming this through the whole post...here ya go.




HA HA HA! I'M EVIL!!!!!!!

Off to Join the Circus

That's it....you guys have been holding me back for too long. I'm off to join the circus....okay, maybe not join but I'm definitely gonna stitch up some circus goodness.

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

I just love saying that....

Now, on to the winner!

The WINNER is.......CRYSTAL RHEW STALEY! Right on Crystal! If you could email me you address I will get the book in the mail.

Now don't frown my wonderful friends! There will be more giveaways just around the corner! That's better! Chin up!

Buck Em'

It's no secret that I am huge fan of the rodeo. Starting in the early spring and going into fall, I can be found watching or going to rodeos. Bullriding, bronco riding and barrel racing are among my favorites.

The first movie that comes to mind when you talk about the rodeo, and bullriding in particular, is 8 Seconds. Now this film isn't gonna win any awards but it is a good little film. Luke Perry does an excellent job portraying Bullriding legend, Lane Frost (did I just use Luke Perry and excellent in the same sentence...I think I've fallen off the mechanical bull too many times). It is a very simple story of a boy with a dream. If you know the story, you know the tragedy. You will also get to see fast pace bullriding by another Rodeo legend, Ty Murray. 

Oh my goodness, Steve McQueen as a cowboy! Did I just die and go to heaven? Junior Bronner is  a wonderful film about an aging cowboy coming back home after being on the rodeo circuit for too long. He has to contend with a gold seeking father, a resigned mother and a brother who cares more for money than the land. Just when he thinks he wants to settle down, true to cowboy form, he yearns for the road and the solitude it provides.

Cowboys and mystery, right up my alley! 1951's Rodeo King and the Senorita tells the story of murder, rodeos and senoritas - how convenient! Just another Saturday night in a small western town. This wonderful "B" movie has saucy women and even saucier cowboys. It stars Rex Allen and his famous horse Koko. Rex was a singing cowboy but don't let that fool you, he means business in this rodeo masterpiece. A little trivia...he did a lot of voice overs for Disney and you can still hear his voice on many shows and rides.

Well my little bucking broncos, there ya have it. A few films to get your 8 seconds on. You'll have a romping good time watching these cowboys get bucked and it will be less painful than if you tried it yourself.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

For today's Scrappy Dog Sunday, I am having Jujube take over and write a letter to her mom, Lola.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for letting me sleep with you when I have bad dreams.

Thank you for making me get my daily exercise

Thank you for giving me excellent fashion tips

For showing me how to cover my nose when Pete says, "pull my paw."

But most of all, thank you for being you, flaws and all. You are my inspiration, my biggest cheerleader and my best friend. I love you mom!

Happy Mothers Day,

Love Jujube

Snickery Goodness

Here's a little back story on today's recipe. When I was in 8th grade, I took Home Economics. One of our projects as a class was to come up with a company and sell a product to the student-body. We thought and thought and thought about what to come up with. Eventually, we decided on a product...an ice cream sandwich, but not just any ice cream sandwich, and cookie ice cream sandwich. Now...what do call our wonderful cookie ice cream sandwich? Finally, Chance, a toe headed boy (sorry Chance, but you were toe headed...) came up with the best name, THE CHIPWICH. We sold our chipwiches at all the sporting events and made bank. Later on, we found out that Chipwich was not original but yeah, we were 13 and didn't care, we had enough money to buy the new Police album, and all was right with the world. 

I can still remember Chance's toe headed face in the Chipwich ads we had around the school. His round face matched the roundness of the cookie (again, sorry Chance, it's true) so to honor and make up for the toe headed remarks, I give you my version of the Chipwich. 

First, you start with the cookie. Now I did two types, the original chocolate chip cookie and a snickerdoodle-cause I love them both. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cups well packed brown sugar

3/4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup of softened butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 package chocolate chips/semi-sweet

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Combine flour, baking soda and salt into a bowl. 

In a separate bowl, combine both sugars, butter, and vanilla. Mix until creamy

Add eggs and beat

Add dry ingredients and mix well

Stir in chocolate chips

Drop mixture into well rounded teaspoons onto a ungreased cookiesheet

Bake for 8-10 minutes

Snickerdoodles

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 tsps. vanilla

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsps. cram of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cup sugar, eggs and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. 

Mix dry ingredients with the butter mixture

Form into balls 

Mix the last of the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Take the dough balls and roll in the sugar cinnamon mixutre

Place on ungreased cookie sheet, take the bottom end of a glass and smash the dough down. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes, removed from cookie sheet immediately. 

Okay, time to make the cookies even yummier! Allow the cookies to completely cool. Once they are nice and cool, add a scoop of your favorite ice cream to the middle of the cookie, smash another cookie on of top and return to the freezer, or if you just have to eat it now-Dig in! You can add sprinkles, small chips, or nuts to the edges of your sandwich. During Halloween we love getting pumpkin ice cream and making sugar cookie/pumpkin ice cream sandwiches. At Christmas you could make chocolate/peppermint ice cream sandwiches. Oh man! My mouth is watering! 

Chance, I'm not sure what you are doing now but I hope that you are enjoying a Chipwich, cause I am enjoying the memory.

Feel Good Friday

Why hello Friday, you are looking very nice today. Is that a new haircut? It takes 10 years off. What's that? You have some wonderful delights to share with me? Well, bring it on!



Our flowers are slow growing here in the Pacific Northwest, so I'll just take matters into my own hands and make them myself.

I love the idea of making stuff out of things you find at the dollar store or just around your house. Dollar Store Crafts does just that. So many great ideas!

I'm wondering if I can get OMP to go camping with me if I find a place like this. 

Oh Friday! You make me so happy! I just love you to death. Wanna know what else I love? 

This guy...

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.~ Buddha

Inspiring Spaces

It's so interesting to see where people create. I love seeing how they organize, decorate and live. You guys truly inspire me! I thought I would share my creative space with you. It's a modgepodge of what OMP likes to call "grandma chic". A mixture of 1890-1960's style.

 I love this chair. It's oversized, comfortable and the dogs can sit on the back and watch me stitch.

 This is my desk with my books and magazines on one side and my fabrics on the other. Pens and hoops are in the middle.

 I love my record player! OMP got it for me this past Christmas. There is nothing better than the warm sound of Bing's voice on vinyl.

 Just two drawers of patterns. There are a lot more that aren't as organized...

The den of floss. It goes all the way back. Each little box is a different color and the bigger bins hold scraps and mismatch floss.

Now that you've seen my room, how about a give away...how's that for a tie in? Tell me what your ideal craft/art space is like and win this wonderful book, Vintage Craft Workshop. It has great crafts from the 60's and 70's.  A winner will be picked next Wednesday.

Tie One On Tuesday

The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the 137th tradition then with a few beverages. It is so much fun to throw on an over the top hat, plan a party and do a little betting on some horses.

The signature drink of the Kentucky Derby is, of course, a mint julep. Now, being from the south, I am suppose to love these drinks while sitting on the veranda of my mansion. The only problem with this is 1-I don't like mint juleps and 2-I don't have a mansion. That doesn't stop me from making up a batch for my guests.

Mint Julep
4 fresh mintsprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass (although, traditionally, it would be a metal/silver glass).
Fill the glass with crushed ice and add bourbon.
Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.

I am told by Kentucky Derby purist that this is THE drink to serve at your party. I guess they aren't fond of mint juleps either. I am in love with this punch-it's so easy!

Woodford Sweet Tea
2 cups ice tea (unsweetened)
1 cup sugar
1 12 oz can frozen OJ
1 12 oz can frozen limeade
1 bottle of Woodford Reserve Sweet Bourbon (I'm sure any bourbon will do in a pinch)

7 cups water
Mix all ingredients and chill. 


When it is all said and done, and your horse has won, celebrate with Crown of Roses


Crown of Roses
1 oz. Crown Royal
1/2 oz. amaretto
1 oz. pineapple juice, 1/4
3 dashes Angostura bitters

Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds full of ice and add all of the ingredients.
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add  a cherry for garnish.


 Oh my goodness! The pageantry, the race and the amazing cocktails will definitely make your Derby party the hit of the season.

Spring Has Sprung

May is here! It only seems like yesterday that we were shoveling snow and fighting the rain...wait, that really was yesterday. Mother Nature may be a few months behind but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the coming of warmer weather. Here are a few movies to put a spring in your step.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a wonderful musical with songs from the great Johnny Mercer. A woodsman catches a bride in 1850 Oregon and his brothers decide they need one too. The barn dance scene is to die for and yes, it is silly and over the top because everyone who lives in Oregon knows that no one dances here-we all just sit and stare at the musicians playing. MGM considered this a B movie until it was nominated and awarded several prestigious movie awards, including an Oscar.

It Happens Every Spring is a silly Disney style sports movie that is perfect for everyone. Sports, a silly scientist and cute girls round out this delightful little film. A scientist makes a discovery of a chemical that makes baseballs repel wood and quickly decides to cash in on his discovery. The original story was penned by the same writer as Miracle of 34th Street.

Last but not least, a movie about May Day, or the workers on May Day. Salt of the Earth is based on the true story of strikes against the Zinc Coal Mine. This 1954 movie portraying the struggles of Mexican American workers and the plights of prejudice could have easily been written for today's moviegoers. This movie was written by one of the original Hollywood 10, who were blacklisted by the refusing to answer to congress.


Well, there ya go, three movies to help you get through the spring thaw. These movies, just like the new season, will renew your faith, make you see things from a different perspective and have you whistling a different tune. Happy Spring everyone!