Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Settling in for a long Winter's nap.......NOT!

But at least things are settling down a bit.  We had our national elections here in the U.S. yesterday and the girls and I stayed up late watching it all unfold.  We're not used to staying up so late thus the following scenario even though it is almost noon! LOL!  They went outside earlier but it was "back to bed" after that!
Annie (below) gets so chilled...it must be because she's so close to the ground so I finally gave in and put her dog bed on my bedroom chair and "tuck her in" with an old towel every night.  Maybe Santa will bring her a nice blanket for Christmas......she has been a really good girl this year.  Nitty (above) on the other hand is just the opposite....she loves the cooler weather and wants nothing to do with covers or blankets or sweaters but she could probably use a bigger bed from the looks of it! LOL!
 
I finished a great cozy knitting mystery.........LOVE this author too!  I think I've found my niche...cozy mysteries for sure........Maggie Sefton writes a great mystery!  She always includes a knitting pattern or 2 in the back of the book and a recipe.  It was a great read and she has a Rottweiler named Carl!  Too bad Nitty can't read...I bet she'd enjoy reading about Carl! LOL! 

While watching the returns come in last evening, I made up a batch of blueberry dog treats for the girls.  They're natural and healthy and since most overweight dogs get their calories from commercial "treats" I decided to start making my own.  Plus, there's no wheat involved which has been an issue of concern with some pet owners.  I had to special order my flours from Red Mill via Amazon but they will last me a year I'm sure and no more buying those expensive dog treats in the store!  Here's the recipe that I got via Martha Stewart website.............
BTW.......it says it makes about 30 dog biscuits but I got 2 trays of these by using a small heart sized cookie cutter.  A bite size snack is what I was going for with my girls as they get them frequently.

Blueberry Dog Biscuits
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 1 1/2 C oat flour
2 1/2 C quinoa flour
3/4 C flax meal
1/2 C frozen, unsweetened blueberries
1/4 C olive oil
1 large egg
 Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F  Line a baking sheet with a non-stick mat or parchment paper.  In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients with 1 C water.  (I used my Kitchen-aide mix-master with the mixer attachment as it is a fairly heavy, moist and sticky type dough).  Roll out the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap until about 1/4 inch thick.  I divided the dough into 2 hunks first as there is a lot of it!)  Cut out the biscuits in your cookie cutter of choice and lay about 1 inch apart (although they don't spread at all so you can put them closer actually) on your cookie sheets.  Bake for 30 minutes, turn off the oven and leave them in the oven overnight to dry out.   I was fortunate to be able to get both sheets in the oven at the same time ( 2 different racks but it worked) and when the timer went off I turned off the oven and toddled off to bed! LOL!  Thus the reasoning behind making them in the evening.  You're not tying up your oven for an all day project.
The girls seem to like them, of course not as much as the bacon, artificially flavored, calorie ridden, pricey commercial treats but we are ALL cutting back in this family and it must be joint sacrifices across the board! LOL!  These treats are very healthy for them too. 
I picked up my knitting again with a new yarn as the other yarn was getting VERY tired so I put it in "timeout" for awhile and started on my first sock AGAIN for the zillioneth time but one of these days.....I just might get all the way to the finish line!  I get farther along and better at it each time I pick up the sticks so here's to perseverance!  Hip Hip Hooray! Or just plain stubborness............LOL!

I hope you've all been well and happy and enjoying life where ever you are!

  

Saturday, November 3, 2012

" Get out of town!" ..........and I did!

I went to Mountain Home yesterday for lab and doctor and it was a gorgeous day!  I wish I could have taken pictures of Lake Norfolk which is HUGE and going over the HUGE bridge that spans it.  I used to "white-knuckle" that bridge driving over it but I'm better now....not much but I get over it and back! LOL!
Of course, when you drive over an hour up and down and around mountains and hills it is VERY tiring but I managed to squeeze in a little shopping.  It was reward for going through it all! LOL!
I got a new book.........
I needed a new book like I needed a hole in my head but..........I was totally drawn in by the illustrations and the story sounds interesting too.  It is a best seller and  I got the impression it is along the lines of Harry Potter or one of those books that both children and adults enjoy.  Of course, I do love children's books so who am I kidding!  I looked the artist up on the internet and lo and behold the author and illustrator are husband and wife!  This is the first time they are collaborating on a project.  I have visions of designing some needlework along these lines as I love her artwork....well mostly the creatures and woods. Let's put it this way...I'm not going to trace her artwork but it is inspiration for a project I have in the works...along with Snow White and a few other inspiring tales from my youth.  They all have to do with animals.  Unfortunately,  I find inspiration every time I turn around I just need to DO something with it all! LOL!
I also picked up a couple magazines.....who can resist when there are no book stores near me and as long as I had to spend the gas money I needed to make the trip worthwhile, right?
Ruth, are you out there?  Do you see this? Ruth is a blogger friend who is REALLY Irish (not just wannabe) and lives there.  She also does beautiful needlework of all kinds and has a big family and another on the way.  Please check out her lovely blog at Ruth's Little Leprechauns .  I'm so excited!  I was especially interested in the article...."The Last Witch Burned in Ireland"...hmmmm.....I thought my relatives left because of the potato famine but now I'm beginning to wonder!?!?!  And of course "an Irish Christmas"...I'll be having one of those for sure this year!

 And who can resist this precious gem from Stampington and Jo Packam.............
I was so tired from all the driving and shopping (the 2 things that literally tire me out the most) that I got my jammies on right after supper and slipped beneath the covers with my new treasures and this........
ahhh....a caramel pumpkin spice latte (decaf)...yum.....life is good!  I was asleep by 9:00 p.m.! LOL!
I hope you had a great Friday for yourself and a wonderful Saturday today!  TTYS!