Sugar Shop

Pumpkin Day at the Rooney Ranch

Every year my dad grows pumpkins for us to pick and carve on Pumpkin Day.

 

Dad and Marcy set up tables on the patio so everyone can carve.

 

 

My niece came home from college for Pumpkin day. Yay, love her! I also love the view of Livermore lights at night from my dads house.

 

this little guy here was Boba Fett. He doesn't have his mask on but you get the idea.

 

 

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

How to Make Pineapple Infused Vodka

I can't even begin to tell how much fun our second trip to Seattle this summer was. Steve is from Seattle so on our first trip I was there for a photography workshop. We went as a family and spent a few extra days showing Jumpy kid around. Good friends of ours Dave and Michelle happened to be going two weeks later and invited us along. Since that happened to be the week of our anniversary we decided to make it our anniversary trip. Hoooo the stories on that trip.To share or not to share? I'll save those for another post. It seriously was one of The Funnest (i know "most fun" would be proper but Funnest with a capital F seems to do the trip more justice) trips we have ever taken. Sure we've done plenty of family trips with our friends - dirt bike trips, cabins, camping things like that but never had we hopped on a plane for the weekend with just adults in a big city. 

 

One night we went to the The Capital Grille for dinner. This, my friends, is where we discovered Pineapple Infused Vodka. It is also the place where our dinner bill came to over $500 for the four of us. It was worth it. We knew going in that we had no limits, this was our anniversary. I ordered lobster, we had lobster mac & cheese as a side.... a bottle of good wine. Everything was amazing. However let me back up. 

We arrived and sat in the bar as we waited for our table. The four of us were trying to decide on a martini when the bartender (bartendress if it's a girl?) suggested their house infused pineapple vodka and while I love fresh pineapple I'm not really a fan of pineapple flavored things (including drinks) so we all politely declined and ordered cosmopolitans. As we were nearly finished with our cosmos the bartender (smart girl) decided to pour the four of us as well as another couple at the bar a sample of the Pineapple Vodka. Amid our conversation we all casually took a sip and I swear to god every single one of us (including the the other couple) all stopped and with surprised looks exclaimed OMG! this stuff is amazing! We all then bombarded the bartender with questions "what exactly is this? How is it made? Can I have a full one now please?" it was that good. I can't even explain it's just amazing it's got a very fresh sweetness not sugary sweet like pineapple juice or sweetened cocktails just fresh fresh fresh and yummy and fresh... and oh so dangerous! It's easy for one to forget that it's straight vodka since it lacks any evidence of the taste of vodka. 

There's no secret recipe for this stuff. Just a few simple steps and voila! I had never heard of this before but after deciding (before we even got back to California) that we were going to try our hand and making our own I naturally googled it and apparently I live in the dark ages because it's a "thing" a thing that lots of people know about! 

First thing we did was head to Costco and bought a bunch of pineapple

 

and Vodka. We used Skyy vodka you don't have to use this but you don't want to use super cheap vodka. A lot of restaurants use Stolichnaya vodka which is where the term Stoli Doli came from. Oh you also don't need to make this much. We thought you could store it for a long time and you can't. 2 weeks-ish is about it in the fridge. No worries though we just had our friends over and that took care of things.

 

Then we headed over to CostPlus World Market and picked up these jars and flasks. They also have these online at The Container Store. Then we needed a bigger jar so I picked this one up from Target. 

NOTE: make sure that any jar you use has a seal to make it somewhat airtight.

  Cut your pineapple in to bricks.

 

stack like bricks around the edges of the jar leaving the middle open.

Fill with vodka making sure that pineapple is completely covered and not exposed to air. Now put someplace that has no direct sunlight and let it sit for 10 days. This is the magic number. If you let it sit less than that it's not as good. If you let it go much longer it is also not as good.

 

On the 10th night strain the vodka (we used a mesh type strainer) and either fill the flask type bottles like we bought or just pour it back in to the original vodka bottles. We has made so much we ending up pouring most of it back in to the Skyy bottles. Store in the fridge. I'm thinking for Christmas I'll make a big batch and pour some into the flask bottles (which I think were only around $4.99) make a label with our names and give as gifts to our friends.

All you do is fill a shaker with ice and pour in the vodka, shake and pour into martini glasses. Just try it I promise you it's worth it. There is no taste of vodka (believe me, even the THOUGHT of doing a shot of straight vodka makes me gag). We later had an impromptu cocktail party and invited some friends over to try it and I swear every single person had the same reaction we did. First there's not too much enthusiasm when Pineapple Vodka is mentioned (I think it makes people think of the fake flavored vodkas. yuck) Then they try it and it's "OMG! this is good? what did you say is in it? how did you make it?"

Steve and I were so excited when it was the 10th night. It was swelteringly hot outside so after straining and bottling we grabbed a bottle, some ice, a shaker and two martini glasses,headed to the backyard, turned on the twinkle lights, let jumpy kid play with the watering hose while we sat and had our house infused vodka. It's so fresh that we kept splashing a little more into our glasses.

WARNING: THIS IS STRAIGHT VODKA. I REPEAT. THIS. IS . STRAIGHT. VODKA. DO NOT KEEP SPLASHING INTO YOUR GLASS. JUST BECAUSE IT'S SO FRESH AND YOU CAN'T TASTE THE ALCOHOL DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD HAVE 3 GLASSES OF IT. 

Not that any of you smart people would do that. Not that we did that. Ahem. hoooo noooo. not us. I mean how clueless would you have to be not to think about the fact that you are drinking hard alcohol when it's hot out and it tastes so refreshing. pffff 'cause if you did that you might be a little off balance when you get up to go to the bathroom and you might bump in to the wall just a little bit on your way back outside which might make you then realize that this stuff needs to be consumed sparingly. I mean it's just a thought.... not like I would know or anything.

So go forth and make yourself some. Then come back here and tell me about it or tell me your experiences if you have had it or made some yourself. Or just feel free to just leave a comment to say hi or that it's a little sad that I just got way to excited over alcohol. I can take it really. :)

White Trash Party - in 10 easy steps!

myself, Kim and Tara

Oh internet, I never thought a white trash party could be so fun. I kind of missed the mark on my outfit though but Tara nailed it. All I could think of was the Britney Spears trucker hat and wife beater senario. I should have thought Peg Bundy! Tara has a super cool vintage trailer that she is restoring to do some type of catering with but for the White Trash party it was parked in front of her house and served as a bar...and backdrop for family photos.

The best part was all the kids! R on the left with his half shirt... classic!

Tara's outfit was perfect and she painted on a black eye and bloody nose. She kept saying " I shoulda listened".

Want to throw your own White Trash party? 

Follow these 10 nifty steps for a super classy event!

Step 1:

 blow up a kiddy pool and fill it with block ice and beer on the FRONT LAWN!

Step 2:

Let the kids play with the beer cans.... This gets awesome looks from passing neighbors.

It's not like we let them drink any... what kind of parents do you think we are!

this years christmas card maybe? 

Is it sad that I had all of this in my closet?

We went to Walmart to get Steve's shirt and hat and the girl at the register started talking about Nascar all excited and we didn't have the heart to say that we know nothing about it but that this was an outfit for a WT party. Hopefully we are not offending anyone here.. Nascar is just fine. Steve is getting the big UFC fight tonight and having the guys over to watch and really is it that far off? 

We're no better.

Step 3:

 make a tighty whitey tank top...  is this not the best?  Kim you and your family win the

creativity award fer sher! Perhaps a tutorial on how to make this? i'm joking of course

there was even a little skid mark in the back... sorry but here at the sugar shop there must be full discloser.... and obviously I have no shame

Step 4: 

make a Coors trash can... better yet have your underaged son make it! Kim's son J made this. Just a little chicken wire, cans glued and insert bag. Coors garbage can tutorial anyone? 

who drank all the beer Kim? I forgot to ask. 

Oh, Step 4a: allow your preteen to wear Daisy Dukes.

I think this may be my favorite photo of the party!

I should have Harlan do a tutorial on the greased wife beater. Seriously it was awesome when I asked what he used he proudly described the different greases used from various motorcycles in his garage.

Step 5: 

dress your poor dog up in underwear.

I actually think DC liked it, she wore them for a long time, I think she just naturally has some white

trash in her.

I just love this one..

Step 6:

Ask that your guests throw their soda and beer cans on the ground... in the FRONT YARD!

Step 7:

Serve boxed wine in a coffee cup, holla

Step 8:

Find a toddler sized "I heart boobs" shirt

Step 8a:

Have a dad simultaneously hold his toddler (wearing his I hear boobs shirt of course) and a pitcher of beer, while wearing an "I heart hot moms" shirt. This step will surely entertain your guests.

Step 9:

Incorporate Easy Cheese, Spam and Twinkies (on a platter) into your menu.

Step 10:

Grab your best friends that you've had since childhood (because it might be weird with someone you just met) ...and make asses of yourselves for the camera.

...really there is just no excuse for this kind of behavior.

I wish I had pictures of my other BFF Michelle, she truly had the best costume!

I hope you have all enjoyed this Trashy party tutorial. Please feel free ask me or any of my friends to help plan your next event, I know you are dying to now. 

I have this great ideas for beer can bouquets....

but I save that little nugget for next time.

It'll all be gone after today

... his hair. We tried to let it grow out and honestly I think we just got through the really bad in between stage but he just doesn't have the right kinda hair. It's super straight. I actually love it in these pictures but it only looks like this straight out of the shower. As soon as he leans against anything it sticks straight up. Sooo it's getting chopped.

We did a little back yard shoot to document the hair before it's gone.

Have I mentioned that this kid is the hardest kid on the planet to photograph? First he is at the "fake smile" stage, so it's really goofy. Here, see for your self....

This is what happens when I say smile please

okay... you have to smile and look at the camera at the same time....

you do realize the camera is this thing in front of my face right? Hello?

and then....  

Look Mom, a fly is on me

Okay dude, you do realize that when I said I would make you a deal and clean your room for you if you would take lots of really good pictures with me ... that these wouldn't be action shots??

and then...

Mom, look, now there's one on my face!

I really should pay someone else to take his pictures and see what happens.

ahhh well, for now I will settle for a little not looking at me, non smiling-ness. It's him. And he's mine so I love it.

want to see some awesome-ness?

Hey Jumpy, give me a look for the layyyyydees

that was some cool.ness!!!

Bye long-ish hair!

Google Reader and the NEXT button

Let me say it again GOOGLE READER. The other day I read this post on Heather Bailey's site about Google reader. Now, I have been using Bloglines forever. I'm sure most of you all know about these services but in case you haven't they are simply free services where you can put all your fave blogs in one spot . Saves you from clicking on a blog everyday. Well I have like a hundred and fifty something blogs listed in Bloglines. If you are familiar with bloglines you know that you can click on the blog name in your list of blogs and it will show the contents of that latest post in a white screen without actually opening the blog. I always thought it wasn't really necessary to go to the site since you are reading their latest and greatest news.

But, I decided to sign up for Google Reader (it's free so why not I figured) and then  I went in to the preferences on G.R. and clicked the button too install the "Next" button in to my bookmarks bar. Super easy. Now I just click on the Next button and it opens the actual blog from my list in all it's intended glory. I still thought this not a big deal to open the actual blog but holy cow, I was wrong! Over the last few days when I have a moment (usually as my boys are watching an episode of MythBusters for the 900th time) I have been "hitting" my next button. OMG! It's such a better experience to visit the blogs. It's.... so much more personal. Some may have some really cool info in the sidebars that I have been missing out on... or their "about me" photo! I have added so many blogs directly into Bloglines that I never knew what some of you looked like. Hello Gorgeous! And the blogs we design have so much personality, I find my self commenting more. So people sign up if you haven't already you'll be so happy you did or if you already are make sure you install the "Next" button. 

Oh, because there is just no possible way for me to do a post without a pic or two: Here are a couple I took at our Easter Bash

This is my dad... the most amazing, inspiring, hilarious and cool man I know and he's turning 70 this Saturday. He's wearing the ear thingys because we should skeet at our ranch on Easter (yes I said we) but I looked at this photo and thought if this is was 70 looks like, I'm in!

Happy Tuesday Love monkeys!

Swaddler Design for The Peanut Shell

Hi I took a little longer than planned for the announcement but here it is... my latest design for The Peanut Shell The Swaddler.

Working with Alicia (Peanut Shell owner) has been seriously fun. We became friends fast and our meetings are always fun, they usually take place over pedicures and we even did foot reflexology one time. Alicia is due very soon to have her baby and I just did a maternity shoot with her that I will post soon.

I was given the task to design a swaddler. I wanted to make it completely different than what is already out there and one of the main features was the colar. I thought it made it like a little jacket and also put the Minky against the baby's face instead of the cotton. 

Not only do I get to design but I'm also hired to do all the photography for The Peanut Shell website and packaging. Super fun and all the P.S. girls rock! Hi Steph, Meg, Tiff and Frankie!! 

So if you need a baby gift you can order any of the P.S. products their site  (check out the super chic hospital gowns...seriously) Or you can order a swaddler here or you can visit your local boutique baby store. Or you can order their slings and nursing covers at Target, Nordstom or BabysRus. If you are going to by a sling go for The Peanut Shell. I have seen the others and the P.S. slings are not just a piece of fabric. The cut and construction are far better than others on the market... they have been tested and are the most comfortable. ....and no, I was not paid to say any of that. lol.

I hope you all have a great weekend! Thanks for letting me share my news. On a side note if you have emailed me I swear I will be getting back to you no matter how long it takes me. I read every email and comment and they really mean a lot to me. So leave me a comment and I'll stop by your blog! 

xoxo

Dena

Rusty Old Cars

I was doing a photo shoot out at our Ranch today and I was thinking about how my dad never gets rid of cars. They are used until they just aren't worth fixing and then.... well, they are put out to pasture. To live out the rest of their lives  quietly rusting over time surrounded by bunnies, squirrels and cows. Not a bad way to go, in fact I was just saying the other night that that is how I want to go, really old sitting out looking at the ranch.

This was the pick up that we had when I was little. We lived in town but would ride in to the ranch on the weekends. We would ride in the back, no seatbelt hair blowing like crazy. Sometimes we took the back roads and sometimes the freeway. As soon as we got on to the dirt road of our property I got to sit on my dad's lap and drive. When my dad got "The Van" (also resting in peace at the ranch) the pick up became a work truck and me, my sister and brother all drove this at some point when we got our drivers license. 

This rusty ole military trailor doesn't have any sentimental value, it just happened to be parked next to the truck and was rusty and cool. The 4D is our brand. The four D's are Dennis (my dad) Denise (my sister) Derek (my brother) and Dena (me). I love that our old cars are at the ranch. I love to think about the memories  that we had in them. Thanks for stopping by while I trip down memory lane. :)

New Blog Look

Just thought I'd change up the look around here. I also updated my about me page. I didn't realize that it was empty.. oops. 

me and Jumpy kid at a dirt bike trip:

I'll be posting an announcement soon. Not that I have left any clues anywhere at all *wink wink*

I don't sweat the small stuff

On our trip last weekend it rained, no poured, the entire time. We were prepared though...our Toy Hauler (Travel Trailor)  would hardly be considered roughing it. It is stocked with a hot shower, wide screen TV, DVD player, Wii, 12 cup thermal carafe coffee pot, scrabble (my favorite), and when we are at an OHV Park with hookups to power we are able to use our laptops.

I do beleive that true camping is to revel in the beauty of our surroundings and  being disconnected from all things electronic but dirt biking is a whole different game. You want to get clean after riding and tent camping every other weekend would quickly lose it's charm.

After succumbing to the fact that the rain was not going to let up and that cabin fever was setting in we decided to gear up and go play in it. The hills in California are beautiful this time of year... and in the rain they were breathtaking. We are so programmed as adults to stay inside and out of the rain. I walked around and watched my child revel in the beauty of the rain drops that hugged the tree branches and shout with sheer joy at being allowed to jump in mud puddles with free reign.I began to photograph what he saw... I began to see what he saw, so did Steve, he grabbed my hand and said look at our kid.

I let him splash in the mud puddles... I splashed in them too. 

I was reminded that this is what life is about. Embracing the mud puddles and catching the rain.

I sat in a chair having my blood pressure taken at an appointment the other day for a strained muscle. After reading my numbers the nurse said wow, you have excellent blood pressure. You don't sweat the small stuff do you? I looked up at her with a curious smile and she said in today's society people stress over the smallest stuff and I see so much high blood pressure because of it. I thought about for a moment and then smiling I looked up at her and said ...no, I guess I don't. 

My house is more often a mess than it is spotless and when I wake at three in the morning wondering how in the world I'm going to do it all, all it takes is for Steve to pull me closer and hold me tighter and whisper go back to sleep mama for me to let it all go. I always get it done and stressing over it is useless.

 When we are caught in a rainstorm on a trip instead of packing up we go out and play in it because those are the moments that we will remember for ever. 

I hope you find the awesomeness in something small this weekend. 

you're worth it!

Love,

Dena

Father Involvement

This video made me smile today. It made me think about how my own father is such a great dad. It also made me think about what a great father my husband is to our son. There is nothing hotter than a man who loves his kids....and his wife of course!