Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Everclear Punch

Punch is an alltime standby when it comes to making drinks for a number of people with a limited budget. One way of stretching your money even more is by using Everclear, the hero/villain of many a frat party. Just be careful with this stuff. It's highly flammable! Yeah, really.



After looking online, I found a few recipes for Everclear Punch. The one that caught my eye was Becky's Magic Punch. Here's my version. Enjoy judiciously and away from flammable sources.


Everclear Punch

16 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
8 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate
8 oz. frozen white grape juice concentrate
8 oz. frozen limeade concentrate
1 big can pineapple juice
2 2-liter bottles raspberry ginger ale
3 c. Everclear alcohol
Washed cut fruit (apples, plums, canteloupe, grapes)
Mix all the liquid ingredients in a large container. Add fruit and remix. Makes enough to last all night long! It gets stronger the longer it sits.

Also, the longer the fruit is in the punch the more alcohol-saturated it becomes. This is grown folk's punch. Keep the little ones away!


Monday, February 15, 2010

Video of the Day: Video

A good friend and I have been dieting since back in November. That's about four months of food journals and "should I, shouldn't I" debates over mealtime/snacktime choices. Since November I've lost two pounds. Woohoo! Two pounds! :) Okay, maybe I should have set my sights higher. Okay, maybe I *did* set my sights higher. But I will be very happy over those two lost pounds.

Stubborn little suckers that they are... those two little pounds are not resigned to being lost and will occasionally come back to visit. That's okay, though. I'm kind of happy with how I look. I'm not happy to look like this forever, but I'm quite happy to look like this for the moment. I'm a work (of art) in progress. Hopefully not an abstract piece of art. lol.



Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but what she knows
But I've drawn a conclusion,

It's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
but don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson

I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicone I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be india arie

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Party Garland

This weekend we're going to have a bit of a family get together. On Super Bowl weekend. This was planned even before anyone really knew who had made it to the big game. The Saints against the Colts. Um, I was already going to decorate in gold and black. Does that mean we're going to be rooting for the Saints? lol. Guess so.

Anyhow, I found a great party garland idea online via One Pretty Thing. Instead of putting mine together with casual cotton, I used this gorgeous ethereal-looking fabric in sheeny, transparent black and gold. I cut it in different-sized strips averaging 1" by 6". Each strip was quickly tied onto gold crochet thread. Here's the result. Whatcha think?

You can't really tell, but the slightest movement of air in the room sets the garland to fluttering. So simple and pretty. This reminds me of the gorgeous drinking straw/silk flower garlands they hang up in Mexico for fiestas. I've tried to find a source up here but haven't had any luck. If you know of one, let me know, please!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Feeling Phenomenal

Lately I've noticed that I'm getting the swing back in my step. I'm a tad more confident, letting go of things that I should have never gotten ahold of in the first place. I've prayed a bit, afraid that my prayers would be answered... not wanting to step out of my comfort zone and move on. God heard what I left unsaid. He answered my prayers. Now I know that I must move on regardless. I have moved on. God has brought joy back to my life.

Even my coworkers have noticed. My boss says he's noticed something different about me. He asked if I have a boyfriend now. lol. Um, no. I asked another coworker why he hasn't stopped by my office to chat for a while. He told me that he's been scared away because I've been so pretty lately. lol. Yeah, I blushed hard.

I haven't been doing anything different lately. In fact, I've been taking less trouble with my appearance than I used to do. I think it's in the way that I feel. In the way that I hold and carry myself. In the inner peace that God has given to me. I feel good. I feel phenomenal.


Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

- Maya Angelou

Monday, January 11, 2010

Loud and Clear

After six months, I finally bit the bullet and plunked down $30 for a new car antenna. Wow. It's amazing all the lovely music that I've been missing out on. Now I can leave the house without taking my nifty Walkman-sized MP3 player and I can *still* listen to music. Not just the same CD over and over again. And definitely not staticky rap and country music. Woohoo!!

This baby is going to be staying home for a while.

Picture borrowed from here.

Now I'll be able to listen to news, traffic reports, even weather! No more going to get a carwash before a week of rain and snow. No more getting stuck in traffic because I have no idea what's going on with major highways. Ahhh... :) Now I can even hit the drive-in movies. Hmm. I wonder what's playing...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Six Questions

A friend sent me these six questions by email this morning. I just had to share. Do you have a minute? Why don't you answer these questions yourself and post your answers below? :) And be honest!!

Six names you go by:

1. Mija

2. Michelle

3. Mi amor

4. Mitch (this also rhymes with another word that I've been called on occasion)

5. Monkey

6. Ho (thanks, R.T.)


Three things you are wearing right now:

1. Converse lookalikes

2. Fuzzy green sweater

3. Lip gloss


Two things you want very badly at the moment:

1. No responsibilities (just for a few days)

2. True freedom (for a very long time)


Three people you are certain who will fill this out:

1. Sorry, can't think of anybody at all. R.T.? Little sis??

2.

3.


Two things you did last night:

1. Finished watching season one of M*A*S*H

2. Baked a ton of cookies... out of fundraiser dough. (Thanks, little nephew!)


Two things you ate today:

1. A Ritz Crackerful (130 cal. and SO not worth it. I'm HUNGRY!!)

2. Does water count?


Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

1. Drink

2. Go out with a friend


Three favorite beverages:

1. Agua fresca de sandia (like lemonade but made out of watermelon)

2. Diet root beer

3. Coors Light

Video of the Day: Hey Jealousy

"Hey Jealousy" came on the radio this morning while I was getting up and ready for the day. Have you noticed that's when I listen to most of my music? It's because I still need to get a replacement antenna for my car. Mine was stolen at a summer festival and I still haven't gotten around to getting another one. I did try to find out if my local dealership had them in stock, but they never got in touch with me. Ah, their loss. Well, their loss of a sale. My loss of six months of radio-listening. Yeah, whatever.

So, anyhow, I was listening to the radio this morning when the Gin Blossoms came on. Somehow it seemed right to make it the video of the day. Have you ever felt like this? Like maybe the past happened & you've screwed up, but maybe it would be nice to start up something again anyhow? Something fresh and new based on what you had before? Okay, I'm *not* saying that I feel like this. But I *am* saying that this is a good song. Hope you enjoy it. :)




Tell me do you think it'd be alright
If I could just crash here tonight
As you see I'm in no shape for drivin'
And any way I 've got no place to go

And you know it might not be that bad
You were the best I ever had
If hadn't blown the whole thing years ago
I might not be alone

Tomorrow we can drive around this town
And let the cops chase us around
The past is gone but something might be found to take its place

Hey jealousy
Hey jealousy
Hey Jealousy
Hey Jealousy

You can trust me not to drink
And not to sleep around
And if you don't expect too much from me
You might not be let down

Cause all I really want's to be with you
And feel like I matter too
If I didn't blow the whole thing years ago
I might be here with you

Tomorrow we can drive around this town
And let the cops chase us around
The past is gone but something might be found to take its place

Hey jealousy
Hey jealousy
Hey jealousy
Hey jealousy

Tomorrow we can drive around this town
And let the cops chase us around
The past is gone but something might be found to take its place

Hey jealousy
Hey jealousy...

Listen to my heart
There's only one thing I can start