Spoop's World

Mock Champagne Punch

Spoop — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:04:05 +0000

I’ve made this punch many times over the decades. There was a spell for the last several years where I couldn’t find the main ingredient… Catawbe. Thanks to the internet, I was able to find out that it’s still being made and then Hubby was able to find it in the wine section of the grocery store. So… YAY! I made it today for my family Christmas party and it was wonderful!

Mock Champagne Punch

2 cups sugar

6 cups water

4 cups Meiers Catawbe sparkling grape juice (chilled)

2 liters ginger ale (chilled)

2 12 oz. cans frozen lemonade (thawed)

Dissolve sugar in boiling water. Cool. Add other ingredients. Stir and chill.

Note: Pink Catawbe and pink lemonade may be used to give the punch a pink color.

Filed under: Spoop's Recipes

Gone Between

Spoop — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:34:31 +0000

I was very sad to learn that my favorite author, Anne McCaffrey, passed away on November 21, 2011. She’s the writer of my all-time favorite story, the Dragonriders of Pern. She was 85 years old and had been ill for some time. It was a stroke that at last sent her between.

I will always love to visit Pern each time I re-read one of her books. The sad part is that she was never able to write the final story. There was one more piece to add to the amazing journey, and now it will forever be un-spoken.

I was privileged to correspond with Ms. McCaffrey at one time. She was a lovely lady and a brilliant author. She will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Anne McCaffrey, the Dragon Lady.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Hope, It’s Time to go Home

Spoop — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:28:46 +0000

This week was the semi-finals on Dancing With the Stars. The final four are Ricki and Derek, J.R. and Karina, Rob and Cheryl, and Hope and Maks. They had three dances tonight and some made amazing comebacks, but one in particular has already given up. Hope Solo has no desire or passion for this competition. She’s already given up, it’s just a matter of voting her off the show. I feel bad for Maks because he’s fantastic and has yet to win the mirror ball. Sorry Maks, but Hope needs to get on out.

Rob Kardashian is really coming into his own. He’ll be good enough to dance with the show on tour. He might even make a new career for himself out of it. Poor J.R. was dancing on a twisted/sprained ankle that got twisted again on the dance floor. The pain took a lot out of him, and it would be a tragedy if it cost him the trophy.

This leaves my favorite professional dancer, Derek Hough and his partner, Ricki Lake. There are none better than Derek. Give him a strong partner and nothing will stop him. It’s Ricki and Derek’s Argentine Tango that I want to show this week. Stunningly beautiful.

Filed under: That's Just Good TV

Nancy Go Home

Spoop — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:14:26 +0000

I was horrified when David Arquette was sent home on Dancing With the Stars. Absolutely horrified. I love David! He’s been doing so well and showing so much potential. He wasn’t at the bottom of the leader board after the night of dancing. I think he was second to last. Nancy Grace was in last place, and somehow she got enough votes from the viewers that she passed David Arquette. That’s a real shame because she’s not nearly the dancer that David is. See for yourself

Filed under: That's Just Good TV

Walk Like a Man, Rob Kardashian

Spoop — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:46:56 +0000

Even Rob Kardashian’s partner, Cheryl Burke, didn’t expect him to get this far in the competition. He certainly didn’t really catch my eye early in the season. He was just sort of “there” and didn’t stand out one way or the other. He’s worked hard and a dancer has emerged. And thus is my pick for this week.

There was drama on the dance floor this week. Chaz Bono got sick and tired of being called an Ewok and a penguin, and rightfully so. I love Bruno, but he has been a little inappropriate in his criticism of Chaz, in my opinion. Chaz was sent home the following night. It’s a shame because he was showing progress and I enjoyed his last dance.

The Bad Boy of the Ballroom, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, was was back in action when judge Len Goodman said one thing too many about Maks’ partner, Hope Solo.

Filed under: That's Just Good TV

Simon’s Cat

Spoop — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:50:00 +0000

I’ve never heard of Simon’s Cat, but there was a video posted on one of the blogs I read daily about foster kittens. This has to be funny enough that even non-cat lovers will enjoy it.

Oh, my head! This is exactly what I live with every day.

Filed under: Wheezes

Tainted Love

Spoop — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:13:39 +0000

I know I’m late with this week’s pick for favorite performance on Dancing With the Stars. I’m always late.

My pick for this week is David Arquette and pro Kym Johnson. David is billed as an actor/producer and Kym was partnered with Donny Osmond for the win in season 9. I like David Arquette and would love to see him in the semi-finals. He’s got so much potential and he’s making great progress. Carrie Ann (one of the judges) said before the performance that one of the issues is that David doesn’t know he’s sexy, but he is. I have to agree. He’s got a lot going on and I hope he continues forward in the competition.

Bye, Carson. It was great fun watching you!

Filed under: That's Just Good TV

Only in My World…

Spoop — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:19:15 +0000

Only in my world would this statement be part of a normal conversation: “like when your baby’s head pops off it’s body when you’re watching tv. “

Filed under: Life Worthwhile

I Still Love Ray Stevens

Spoop — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:39:24 +0000

This guy has been making great songs since I was a teenager.

Filed under: Life Worthwhile

Psycho Dance

Spoop — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:45:03 +0000

Derek Hough is a young man who is going places. His talent for ballroom dancing, choreography, and teaching is astounding. His partner this season on Dancing With the Stars is Ricki Lake. I’m not a fan of Ricki’s, really. I barely know who she is. But after the last few weeks of dancing, what I know about her now is that she will most likely be in the finals. This girl can dance! Having Derek as a teacher has brought three stars to the first place spot and the mirror ball trophy. When Derek starts the season, you can see immediately that he intends to go all the way. But he’s got to have a good student and Ricki Lake is proving to be a very pleasant surprise.

This week’s theme was Movie Theme Songs. Here they are dancing a stunning Tango to the theme music from the movie Psycho. (The dance itself starts at 2:20 and ends at 4:05.)

Filed under: That's Just Good TV