If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

When we bought our house nine years ago, the first thing we wanted to do was finish our basement.  We had huge plans.  We wanted a home theater, game room, and a bar.  We debated whether we wanted a bubble hockey table or a pool table.  The home theater was going to have large leather recliners, and the lights would dim just as the movie started.  Our bar would be a gathering place for everyone, and my husband would pour from the tap.

We finished the basement just about the same thing our daughter was old enough to get large and cumbersome toys.  Remember that game room we dreamed about?  It’s full of Barbies, Disney Cars, and Tea Cup Pigs.  No hockey or pool table.  Just toys.

The home theater?  We were fortunate enough to do that.  It doesn’t have recliners or lights, but we do have a kickass projector and screen.   Here’s the bad thing: We don’t use it. 

The bar is awesome.  My husband and my father-in-law did a great job.  There is enough room for four people to belly on up.  Plus there’s the pub table that invites two people to sit and enjoy a drink.  It’s the perfect room.  What’s the problem ?  First, we rarely entertain, and when we do, people stick to the kitchen.  No one ventures to the basement.   This could be the reason we are currently redoing our kitchen. Second, it’s decorated with Eagles paraphernalia – none of it current.  There’s a McNabb cut out in the corner, a poster of Dawkins on the wall, a photo of the 2004 team taken at the Super Bowl.  It’s a room full of losers (and I’m pulling out of here to win).

Want to know what the bar gets used for the most?  Storing Girl Scout cookies.  There are currently 40 cases of cookies sitting on top of the bar, and 20 more on the floor.  If you wanted to share a beer with us, you would to get a cold one out of the fridge in the garage, walk down to the basement, climb over pigs and dolls, and then find a seat in the theater room.  You want some Thin Mints with that Miller Light?  It’s $3.50 please.

The kitchen remodel is under way.  It already looks great, and I know once it is complete it will be beautiful.  I also know that once it’s complete, everyone will start to go to the basement to hang out, and my husband will be on to fix up the next room.  It’s like the kids book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”…..”If you remodel the kitchen, then you are going to want to remodel the family room.  And if you remodel the family room, then you will want to fix up the living room”.

Seriously – you want a box of cookies?

Cookie Cocktail

½ cup ice

1 oz coffe liquer

1 oz peppermint schnapps

Scoop vanilla or chocolate ice cream

Add all ingredients to your blender, and blend it until everything is smooth.  You can add some milk or more ice cream to adjust the thickness.  Top with a Thin Mint, and enjoy.