In my adventurous nature, I decided to try a new recipe; some thing rather different for me. I have had the recipe once before, but mine wasn’t quite the same. The demon was called Tres Leches (Milk Cake) which means three milk cake.
Now there were three different versions on the net. I tried the one that I thought looked interesting (I can see the horns on that devil now). It has whole milk, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk and not to mention cream. Now this cake is SUPPOSED to be moist and can I tell you mine was a bit like a brick? Okay give me some mortar and I will build a wall with this thing. It tasted fine, but dense, more like a 10-"pound" cake.
Not that I didn’t try. There was a whole can of condensed milk and a small can of evaporated milk that you pour on the cake after it is baked. I stabbed the cake with gusto and with anticipation. I was loving the custard sort of taste the milk made.
We even waited until the next day to make sure all the ingredients were soaked in well. I took the cake out and whipped my cream with powdered sugar and frosted. For a extra nice look I added roasted cinnamon on top. It looked great. It tasted okay (I say this in a generous way), but it was not light and fluffy at all. It was sort of moist and not at all what I was expecting. So today I poured more milk over the top. We will see if it taste better.
Fortunately, my husband is a great “experiment eater”. He liked the cake even if he had to slice it up! What a guy. I suspect he is waiting until this cake is done so I can do the recipe from the Pioneer Woman website called “knock you naked brownies”. The brownies sound so great, and dessert like. But I will absolutely refuse to get naked! Unless, of course it is 88 degrees again! Wait maybe it is like knocking your socks off... only more so.... I better think on this. Maybe hubby and I should do a trial run! LOL Anyway, he finds redeeming factors in just about anything I cook or bake. So, even a as dense as a brick, it was pronounced "good".
As it turned out, I picked the first day of higher temps. We’ve been getting temps in the 60’s (unusual) and suddenly we jumped passed the 70’s right into the 80’s. It is was 86 and hot hot hot! Ok, now it was a labor not just of love but of sweat. Geeze.
So, what do you do when your disappointed in a dessert you spent good money to make and something you were drooling over?
I guess I will try another one of the recipes, one with less than 9-( count ‘em) eggs. The horrible part of the whole deal was the eggs, they had to be separated. If you ask my husband I can break a egg yolk just by looking at it. A master of fried eggs sunny side up, I am not. But, thankfully they all came out great. Of course that could be attributed to the fresh eggs from one of my church friends. Some were a lovely shade of blue. Made me think....hmmmmmmm why color eggs when you can buy’em that way. I digress....as usual.
Well, that is all I am gong to say on the subject of Spilt Milk Cake. Live and learn I say. I also live by the mantra “Change is Good” so I am going to try this recipe again, when my cholesterol goes down (only kidding, my cholesterol is great)
Until then, I will grab a glass of milk and a bunch of Oreo cookies and pat myself on the back for finding a delicious alternative until I brave this recipe again.
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Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Death by Chocolate Cookie, or Death by a Chocolate Cookie
Today I started out fine. I pulled my stick of butter out to make Baker’s Death By Chocolate Cookie that hubby has been drooling for since last week. This was as I was going through about 10 years worth of recipe clippings to decide as to what to keep and what to throw away. (If you think I am kidding, I am not) I am the world’s number One recipe hoarder. Anything I like or think I might like I rip, tear, beg and pry out of cold dead hands. It is a really odd hobby.
Anyway, hubby sees this recipe and goes a little nuts.....so I said today I would make the cookies (since yesterday I got chastised pretty good for not having done them) but I found I have every Baker’s chocolate except the one I need. I am so dern frustrated.
So frustrated I decide to take that room where I still have boxes of those recipes and start cleaning, and cleaning and cleaning. Ok, he’s gonna take one whiff of the stale doggie air and say where are my cookies! “But, look honey! See what I have accomplished today!”
What I have “accomplished” is to wreck not just one room, but two rooms and a hallway! Cleaning dusting, finding stuff for the church rummage sale and Ebay. No difference to that nose of his, nooooooooo. What he will do is pout and mention his lack of chocolate cookies, with nuts of course.
Actually, he is a peach of a guy and doesn’t ask for much, except home made cookies. He was very spoiled by mom (my Mom in Love!) to have home made treats all the time. My mom’s idea of dessert was a chocolate pudding mix put into a Keebler graham cracker crust and Cool Whip. We were not dessert people. So, when we married and he had these expectations I was a bit surprised. After all I was of the generation of “I am woman hear me roar”. When it comes to him I more of a mewer.
At Christmas I will make batches and batches of different cookies for friends and I always freeze some for him. He eats them through the year. Sometimes he just gets a yen and then there is the rub.....
So, tomorrow I will go shopping and buy what I need to make cookies. Today I took out my frustrations, making more of a mess than anything else. And, if he should ask about those Baker’s One Bowl Death By Chocolate Cookies tonight (and com’on he will) I will tell him to check out my blog..
Meantime for those of you who DO have the ingredients here is the recipe.
BAKER’S ONE BOWL
DEATH BY CHOCOLATE COOKIE
Prep 15 min
Bake 12 min
2 pgs. (16 squares) Baker’s Semi-sweet Baking Chocolate, Divided
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of butter or margarine (I like unsalted)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. Baking powder
2 cups chopped nuts (gotta have nuts!)
Heat oven to 350.
Coarsely chop 8 squares (1 package) of the chocolate, set aside.
Microwave remaining 8 squares of chocolate in large microwaveable bowl HIGH for 1-2 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder. Stir in reserved chopped chocolate and nuts. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls (yeah cupfuls) onto ungreased cookie sheet
BAKE 12-13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and feel set to the touch.
Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Makes about 1-1/2 dozen cookies.
And for fabulous other recipes from Baker’s go here http://www.kraftbrands.com/bakerschocolate/home.aspx and you too can drool!
Anyway, hubby sees this recipe and goes a little nuts.....so I said today I would make the cookies (since yesterday I got chastised pretty good for not having done them) but I found I have every Baker’s chocolate except the one I need. I am so dern frustrated.
So frustrated I decide to take that room where I still have boxes of those recipes and start cleaning, and cleaning and cleaning. Ok, he’s gonna take one whiff of the stale doggie air and say where are my cookies! “But, look honey! See what I have accomplished today!”
What I have “accomplished” is to wreck not just one room, but two rooms and a hallway! Cleaning dusting, finding stuff for the church rummage sale and Ebay. No difference to that nose of his, nooooooooo. What he will do is pout and mention his lack of chocolate cookies, with nuts of course.
Actually, he is a peach of a guy and doesn’t ask for much, except home made cookies. He was very spoiled by mom (my Mom in Love!) to have home made treats all the time. My mom’s idea of dessert was a chocolate pudding mix put into a Keebler graham cracker crust and Cool Whip. We were not dessert people. So, when we married and he had these expectations I was a bit surprised. After all I was of the generation of “I am woman hear me roar”. When it comes to him I more of a mewer.
At Christmas I will make batches and batches of different cookies for friends and I always freeze some for him. He eats them through the year. Sometimes he just gets a yen and then there is the rub.....
So, tomorrow I will go shopping and buy what I need to make cookies. Today I took out my frustrations, making more of a mess than anything else. And, if he should ask about those Baker’s One Bowl Death By Chocolate Cookies tonight (and com’on he will) I will tell him to check out my blog..
Meantime for those of you who DO have the ingredients here is the recipe.
BAKER’S ONE BOWL
DEATH BY CHOCOLATE COOKIE
Prep 15 min
Bake 12 min
2 pgs. (16 squares) Baker’s Semi-sweet Baking Chocolate, Divided
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of butter or margarine (I like unsalted)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. Baking powder
2 cups chopped nuts (gotta have nuts!)
Heat oven to 350.
Coarsely chop 8 squares (1 package) of the chocolate, set aside.
Microwave remaining 8 squares of chocolate in large microwaveable bowl HIGH for 1-2 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder. Stir in reserved chopped chocolate and nuts. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls (yeah cupfuls) onto ungreased cookie sheet
BAKE 12-13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and feel set to the touch.
Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Makes about 1-1/2 dozen cookies.
And for fabulous other recipes from Baker’s go here http://www.kraftbrands.com/bakerschocolate/home.aspx and you too can drool!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A Heart Full of Holes
A thought came to me today.... I have not just a Holy heart but a heart full of holes.We lost our 14 year old dog about a week ago. It was a sad situation, but in my heart I have known that we always have given our fur babies the best in life. The best medical care, the bestest love! But, yet there is a hole in my heart named Cuddles right now.
Life is sort of like this. We go through, being born with a whole heart full waiting to be filled by the love of a parent, who teaches us to fill our own heart. Then life begins to take little heart shape pieces out. For each loss, for each hurt we, in our humanness begin to live with a heart full of pieces that have been removed by sadness, grief, hurt and suffering. Yet we go on.
A funny thing about the heart, it hurts, but it goes on. After a while we learn to live with the holes and sometimes even find things to help heal and fill them. But, that is not to say that these heart holes still don’t remain.
Yesterday a dear man from our church passed to be with the Lord. I am sure his family has large gapping holes to deal with. He was the kind of guy who you could not forget. His smile was contagious his courage impressive. But, yesterday his own heart was fully healed and created whole again by the absolute recreation and reconciliation with God.
I do not compare the love of an animal to the love of a human. I am just stating the human condition as I see it, feel it.
I take comfort in that someday my heart will be made fully whole and lifted into absolute glowing, for an eternity no less. All those pieces that have been carried to the other side, will be united in me in wholeness and glory.
As we come into Holy week I have a chance to remind myself that, this is but a human vessel, and that it is the love that goes on. The remembrances I have will hold me until I can once again be united with those whom I have lost, and have taken a part of my heart with them. Reunited in love and in wholeness because of a sacrifice made over 2000 years ago.
Sometimes it is hard to get your head wrapped around this. But, there are things, emotions, that cannot be denied and cannot be fully understood and comprehended until the moment of reconciliation. I am not to really fully understand, only to hold faith that all that I believe is.
My favorite bible verse is Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I cannot see my soul, yet I know that it is there. I cannot see the hurts, yet I know that they are there. I cannot see Jesus, but I know he is there.
In the journey of life we learn to cope and if we are lucky we find ourselves partnered in faith to sustain us. It is there, we need only accept it. Our journey may be long, it may be short. It may be filled with a heart full of holes, with scars and healing. The heart can find peace, but it will only find full rest and restitution at the feet of our Holy One.
So is my heart whole? Yes and no. No because suffering can leave it’s mark and yes because at the same time it is protected and reassured through my belief that someone holds me in eternity.
I guess I hadn’t started to be so theological in the beginning of this post, but today as I wait on information on services of my dear church friend it came to me ......
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Noshing on Gum & Wearing Pretty Pink Robes
(photo from a great site called The Chihuahua Clothes Blog http://chihuahuathreads.com)
I sit here still in my bathrobe feeling guilty and lazy. It was one of those nights and although I got up at 8 I still have not gotten into the day. I wonder why. I am noshing on gum, until lunch so I won’t eat the refrigerator clean.
It’s not that I haven’t been busy.
I turned the kitchen table around, only to realize I liked it the way it was. I had some quality time with the pets, always a good thing right? Well, I am convincing myself that they love their “mummy” in a flowing pink bathrobe that makes me feel like someone out of a Harry Potter film.
I’ve let the dogs in and out three times already. The sun is out, and they know it. It is a dirty little secret that even when it is only 50 degrees in the sun, they feel constricted by the house too. My only regret is the in/out of it all. I stare out before I open the door because it would be a horror if the neighbors caught me in my jammies and big pink bathrobe.
One dog pounces out to take on the world, the other in a daze of confusion stands and wonders where the heck she was going. She is our dear one with “doggy Alzheimer's”. She often will go in a room and stand, as if to say, why am in here? Or will circle around the large coffee table, not being able to go backwards or turn around and insist you move anything in her path so she may continue on her routine and journey. Or the fact that she get's herself into these situations she is not sure of. LIke the time we opened the dog gate, where she was standing on the end with the hinge. She could not figure how to get out of the corner when the gate was opened and just looked helpless as to say “why am I in this prison?”
I don’t do this often (spend the morning with my jammies), well at least not often enough that I don’t feel guilty about being in a big pink flying robe. The idea I might eat lunch this way gives me the heebee geebees. What person eat’s lunch in their big pink robe?
I can remember years ago (yea I am that old) that my mom always wore “house dresses”. Another word for casual, I don't care who sees me but this is acceptable behavior. Basically they were dresses that were usually made of cotton, often with short sleeves and buttons down the front. Although, in the summer the sleeveless ones were acceptable too. Now, she would go from her jammies right into this dress and wear it for days! She was of a generation that didn’t waste anything. Time, clothes or soap. Not that she wasn’t clean, she was, but it was not unusual for her to wear only two dresses a week. So, what is the dif?
The difference is no one wears house dresses any more. Ah, it was like rolling out of bed, literally. Take your dress into the bathroom with you and viola! You are ready to face the day!
Sweats are always a great alternative. Yea I could get a pair of sweats on, but then I would have to change before this evening because hubby and I are going out...people see me in sweats??? I don’t mean the cute ones, no the fleece warm as I can get ones. The ones with paint stains on them.....
The gum noshing is going good. It makes me realize I am getting a bit board. “does your chewing gum loose it’s flavor on the bedpost overnight? If your mother says don’t chew it....” Awe, gee, that is going to be in my head all day.
A quick sniff to the pink sleeve... yea it doesn’t smell yet. Robes actually fight not to be washed, did you know that? Yeah, they fly all over to avoid the brutal and harshness of the washing machine. But, it got a good washing just last week, even with the terrible fight to get it all in the washer with the towels. Robes and towels, they actually hate each other. At least that is what I tell myself to avoid washing the “big pink thing” all too often.
Well, I guess it is time to shower and wake up. Put the body and mind in gear. I will let go of my robe with a flare before then, hang it on the knob in the bathroom for this evening and wonder what would I ever do without it. Now where can I spit out this gum???
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Monday, March 7, 2011
Easter, a Season of Surprises
I have been brought up to believe in the wonder of Christmas, but as an adult I realized the power of Easter, when we are ALL born again.
It is easy to find yourself engulfed in the power of Christmas. It is a season of hope, faith, peace. It was through this birth that we Christians have become a “people”. All is calm, all is bright. But, it is during those tender times I remember the phrase about Mary, Jesus’ mother. “she took all these things unto her heart and pondered them”. Did she know of Calvary? Did she know that she would loose her son, in order to gain a Son?
Every Christmas I shed a tear...... I cry sometimes because I realize I am the last of my immediate family. I cry sometimes because I feel like an orphan. But, I always cry because I know the fate of this little boy, all for the sake of me.
Easter is not one day, it is a season. Lent. Have we wrapped our heads around this? In my younger years I practiced the discipline of denial. Oh, how I held off on sweets until Easter and then gobbled up every one of those chocolate eggs! Now, as a person of mature faith I find that Easter is a perfect season to give, to change, to pray what direction God wants my resources to go? Can I not bring some sunshine? A phone call, a card a kind word or two. Make a donation to something or someone. Invite someone to lunch? This, for me, is sharing God.
How do you explain the God who loves me like no other?
The only human thought I can connect Calvary with is one of a parent and child. Would you not give all you have to save your child? Would you not demonstrate your love in appreciation?
Surprise yourself this Season of Lent. Take quiet time and reflect. I mean really reflect. Take the fullness of the season and pray for God to reveal how he wants you “walk the walk”. During this time of self reflection, touch another with the power of the Holy Spirit that walks within you.
I lead a lot of Bible study classes and one of my favorite questions “are you a Christmas person?” I am not speaking of the obvious, but hinting toward the spiritual. Even more so, I ask of myself “am I an Easter Person?” How do you thank someone for a sacrifice such as this? You can’t. What you can is do things in the spirit of love, faith, and peace.
All I ask is that you look into your heart and remember that Easter begins with Lent. A season to cry, change and yes celebrate!
How can you share this? Anyway you can. Big or small. Taking small steps of kindness to others, while wondering where God is going to lead you.
On Easter day I stand in the pew and during the fist chorus of “Christ the Lord Has Risen Today” I use to cry because of the harshness of mankind actually killed the Son. Now I cry in thankfulness. I will be with Christ in eternity. God’s gift to man, that we should love for an eternity and be loved.
My, my what a surprise. How can you not feel blessed?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What is it with Women and Their Purses?
What is it with Women and Their Purses?
Can anyone tell me? I use to be quite the hound when it came to shopping for purses. I was always looking for the one which spoke to me.... here pick me....I can hold your sunglasses in a very special place..... your phone will never get lost in me..... come to me.......
It was 4 purses a year before I started spending some good money at LL Bean for purses and some trendy purses (with pockets for everything) called Baggallini’s Yes, they are wonderful for traveling, strap them over the shoulder and you are stylin' girl!!! If you are on the lookout for them try AAA. Of all places, they have a small selection of them and they are reduced in price for about 20% less.
I picked out a wild lime green Baggallini for my last cruise, which my hubby claimed to be as bright as a neon light in the dark. My next one was a larger one in a dusty blue, much more to his liking (like I really cared....when he starts carrying one he can have a say! LOL) I did get him back recently by buying a new wallet...in neon green although a friend calls it "frog" green. It is very easy to spot in the bottom of my purses!
I pretty much was settled into my LL Bean kidney shape, good for the back, lacking any great colors and costing way too much. But, still not being a slave to fashion (just purses) I was in the mood to brighten my day! Then I figure, take a ride to "see what's out there".
Not one to turn away a bargain I spotted a leather $40 purse at Kohls. I had some discount tickets and that puppy ended up costing me a grand total of $7 when I was done. It is neutral and will take me into the spring and again in the fall. Okay, I have never been a clothes trend setter but I am a purse snob. I am willing to pay $70 for quality, but $7 for a leather purse... that sucker was calling my name from the front doors...... come.....come....come......I'm yours....
Hubby was surprised (pleasantly he didn't moan because I was "buying" something I really didn't need) but wait....who uses a black purse when they are just aching for spring?? Tell me??? I am so ready for spring. The past winter here in New England has been sloppy, cold and long! I needed a little something to infuse HOPE! Yes, those crocuses will come up by May (that is an exaggeration) and I will see grass again someday. Like a good husband, he caved. "It's rather nice" was my approval and a virtual pat on the back for a job well done in being so shopping savvy.
So my big old backpack is upstairs for next year. It holds the world, just not my heart...at least for the moment.
Yes, shopping for purses can be a defining moment. Are you making a statement? Going for function over style, or does style trump everything? Is it a large purse (very popular now) or something big enough only for a cell phone and loose change?
Ah the dynamics of women and purses, pocketbooks, wallets... Who knew there was a science for each and every one of us. Function? Maybe that is important during the day, but give me a shimmery me happy purse for the evenings out.
To each their own, and I own plenty.
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Can anyone tell me? I use to be quite the hound when it came to shopping for purses. I was always looking for the one which spoke to me.... here pick me....I can hold your sunglasses in a very special place..... your phone will never get lost in me..... come to me.......
It was 4 purses a year before I started spending some good money at LL Bean for purses and some trendy purses (with pockets for everything) called Baggallini’s Yes, they are wonderful for traveling, strap them over the shoulder and you are stylin' girl!!! If you are on the lookout for them try AAA. Of all places, they have a small selection of them and they are reduced in price for about 20% less.
I picked out a wild lime green Baggallini for my last cruise, which my hubby claimed to be as bright as a neon light in the dark. My next one was a larger one in a dusty blue, much more to his liking (like I really cared....when he starts carrying one he can have a say! LOL) I did get him back recently by buying a new wallet...in neon green although a friend calls it "frog" green. It is very easy to spot in the bottom of my purses!
I pretty much was settled into my LL Bean kidney shape, good for the back, lacking any great colors and costing way too much. But, still not being a slave to fashion (just purses) I was in the mood to brighten my day! Then I figure, take a ride to "see what's out there".
Not one to turn away a bargain I spotted a leather $40 purse at Kohls. I had some discount tickets and that puppy ended up costing me a grand total of $7 when I was done. It is neutral and will take me into the spring and again in the fall. Okay, I have never been a clothes trend setter but I am a purse snob. I am willing to pay $70 for quality, but $7 for a leather purse... that sucker was calling my name from the front doors...... come.....come....come......I'm yours....
Hubby was surprised (pleasantly he didn't moan because I was "buying" something I really didn't need) but wait....who uses a black purse when they are just aching for spring?? Tell me??? I am so ready for spring. The past winter here in New England has been sloppy, cold and long! I needed a little something to infuse HOPE! Yes, those crocuses will come up by May (that is an exaggeration) and I will see grass again someday. Like a good husband, he caved. "It's rather nice" was my approval and a virtual pat on the back for a job well done in being so shopping savvy.
So my big old backpack is upstairs for next year. It holds the world, just not my heart...at least for the moment.
Yes, shopping for purses can be a defining moment. Are you making a statement? Going for function over style, or does style trump everything? Is it a large purse (very popular now) or something big enough only for a cell phone and loose change?
Ah the dynamics of women and purses, pocketbooks, wallets... Who knew there was a science for each and every one of us. Function? Maybe that is important during the day, but give me a shimmery me happy purse for the evenings out.
To each their own, and I own plenty.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Photos of the Fur-Kids
Hugs, Rubs and Frito Toes
Hugs, Rubs and Frito Toes
He is so handsome! The first time I saw him he was a face in a crowd and although his manner was kind I never realized how sweet. I am not talking about the man in my life, although Chris would like me to do so; maybe... I am talking about my dog Woody.
Right now our fur babies number four. All except one has been adopted a little later in life. The one we’ve had since a baby is a cat, which I affectionally named Amanda, after the child I never had. LOL
No, we are rescuers in a sense, not because of anything deliberately we go after, but because of circumstance. It is like we are the stopping place for the ones who need us, and maybe we need them too.
Woody was sort of a unique adoption. We had loss the last of our “chosen” pets, meaning we bought her as a puppy. Her name was Darcy and as it turned out she was one of those pets who leaves an indelible mark on you. Actually both my husband and I contend there will never be another like her and she was the dog of our “lifetime”. In fact I still have dreams of her and I still smile wildly when I think of her and her antics. She was a “princess” in all the senses of the title. And for my husband she was even more special. After having had a terrible painful time of it she was released from it all. I was the one who thanked her and told her to run into her next life, for I felt she would be waiting for both my husband and I when our time would come. For him, it was too painful, for me it provided peace.
After several years I was wanting another dog. MY dog. What can I say, my husband is an animal magnet. All our animals (save one cat and now Woody) tended to bond with him.
It was what seemed ages I kept hinting and asking, but my husband just did not budge. Weather he had been too hurt by the loss of Darcy or was worried financially managing 4 animals (and vet bills) or the care and upkeep I don’t know, he just wouldn’t budge. I finally just stopped asking. Then there was Woody.
Our groomer was starting to have trouble with our eldest pet, a mini schnauzer who needed regular grooming and she had requested that one of us stay while she groomed her. A just in case she became too unruly. At the time the groomer had her own pack of dogs there with one new one. He was the smallest of her brood. Chris asked about him. He was a very strange mix. Looking like a basenji (but without the almond shaped eyes) he was told Woody was a mutt with Rat Terrier, Pom and Doxie mix. Turns out she had an opportunity to buy him off of Craigs list (she was always suspect of small dogs on Craigs list ...dogfights you know) and she had a customer looking for a smaller dog. Well, the other customer fell through. On that faithful day she was talking about Woody and how he already had 3 owners and was still a sweet dog. Chris was smitten. Woody was warm and friendly and took to Chris and Chris took to him. Next thing I get a phone call from the groomer asking me to come “meet” Woody.
I was stunned! “Who’s idea is this?” at this point she assured me it was Chris’ and that he knew I was wanting another dog, to call my own. I hopped into my car and went to introduce myself to Woody.
He was tan, with black and one paw that was white....shades of Michael Jackson. I can’t say he was good looking but he the most soulful eyes. He had a way with those ears, which by all that is natural and gravity driven, should be folded over. But those ears stood straight up and had as much expression as his eyes. His coloring was that of a shepherd, his nose cold. The groomer had grown attached to him and her brood of pooches had grown use to him. But, she with two Mastiffs and two Boston terriers was ready for Woody to find his forever home. She had him tagged, fixed and all up to date with shots.
I went to the back of the shop where Woody could meet me. He jumped on a chair and sniffed at my face and then gave me a quick lick. The groomer seemed surprised. “he never licks anyone”
It was love at first lick.
She agreed to let us “try him out” after he had healed completely from his surgery (he had just been fixed the day before). So, a week later we had our two week try out and Woody never left. Our groomer check on him often during that time and could see that there was “something” between he and I. We had not yet set a price (and we thought we would at the very least pay for the last vet visit) when she called two weeks before Christmas and said Woody would be our Christmas present and that she wouldn’t accept anything for him. This was such a gift. She had paid $300 on Craigs List for him, and probably that much in vet bills. We took him over to visit when we took our schnauzer in for grooming. It was working out great.
Now, how do we stop the “every animal falls for Chris” spell. Chris was not to pay much attention to him for a month, while I lavished it. It was so sweet to have him follow me from room to room, tuck himself under my blankets and look soulful at me when he wanted “lov’in dov’ins”. His ears were like silk, his sweetness was sincere and to think people didn’t want him! He was meant to be with us.
After a period of time Chris came into the attention picture and we were complete. My longing for another dog had gone.
It was after an article Chris read about dogs toes smelling like Frito-Lay Corn chips that the final tag of Frito-toes came to be. Smell them, go ahead smell them.... maybe your dogs toes smells like the corn chip too!
It is funny how things work out. There was a time that a little fellow needed a love that would be forever. There was a time that a gal needed a little boy to call her own. Under some strange and unusual odds they came together.
Now life is all hugs, rubs and Frito Toes. Oh, what a lucky girl I am.
Although I still sometimes dream of Darcy, my heart isn't as achy and if it is I look to my side and see a set of ears rising from the blankets and a cold nose waiting to touch my hand as he accepts a soft caress on his head. Darcy may be with me forever, but for now I have love enough to share for dog who had quite a journey to come to me. His paw comes to my face looking for more attention and I wonder what a wonderful joke life gives you and think, where is the dip??
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He is so handsome! The first time I saw him he was a face in a crowd and although his manner was kind I never realized how sweet. I am not talking about the man in my life, although Chris would like me to do so; maybe... I am talking about my dog Woody.
Right now our fur babies number four. All except one has been adopted a little later in life. The one we’ve had since a baby is a cat, which I affectionally named Amanda, after the child I never had. LOL
No, we are rescuers in a sense, not because of anything deliberately we go after, but because of circumstance. It is like we are the stopping place for the ones who need us, and maybe we need them too.
Woody was sort of a unique adoption. We had loss the last of our “chosen” pets, meaning we bought her as a puppy. Her name was Darcy and as it turned out she was one of those pets who leaves an indelible mark on you. Actually both my husband and I contend there will never be another like her and she was the dog of our “lifetime”. In fact I still have dreams of her and I still smile wildly when I think of her and her antics. She was a “princess” in all the senses of the title. And for my husband she was even more special. After having had a terrible painful time of it she was released from it all. I was the one who thanked her and told her to run into her next life, for I felt she would be waiting for both my husband and I when our time would come. For him, it was too painful, for me it provided peace.
After several years I was wanting another dog. MY dog. What can I say, my husband is an animal magnet. All our animals (save one cat and now Woody) tended to bond with him.
It was what seemed ages I kept hinting and asking, but my husband just did not budge. Weather he had been too hurt by the loss of Darcy or was worried financially managing 4 animals (and vet bills) or the care and upkeep I don’t know, he just wouldn’t budge. I finally just stopped asking. Then there was Woody.
Our groomer was starting to have trouble with our eldest pet, a mini schnauzer who needed regular grooming and she had requested that one of us stay while she groomed her. A just in case she became too unruly. At the time the groomer had her own pack of dogs there with one new one. He was the smallest of her brood. Chris asked about him. He was a very strange mix. Looking like a basenji (but without the almond shaped eyes) he was told Woody was a mutt with Rat Terrier, Pom and Doxie mix. Turns out she had an opportunity to buy him off of Craigs list (she was always suspect of small dogs on Craigs list ...dogfights you know) and she had a customer looking for a smaller dog. Well, the other customer fell through. On that faithful day she was talking about Woody and how he already had 3 owners and was still a sweet dog. Chris was smitten. Woody was warm and friendly and took to Chris and Chris took to him. Next thing I get a phone call from the groomer asking me to come “meet” Woody.
I was stunned! “Who’s idea is this?” at this point she assured me it was Chris’ and that he knew I was wanting another dog, to call my own. I hopped into my car and went to introduce myself to Woody.
He was tan, with black and one paw that was white....shades of Michael Jackson. I can’t say he was good looking but he the most soulful eyes. He had a way with those ears, which by all that is natural and gravity driven, should be folded over. But those ears stood straight up and had as much expression as his eyes. His coloring was that of a shepherd, his nose cold. The groomer had grown attached to him and her brood of pooches had grown use to him. But, she with two Mastiffs and two Boston terriers was ready for Woody to find his forever home. She had him tagged, fixed and all up to date with shots.
I went to the back of the shop where Woody could meet me. He jumped on a chair and sniffed at my face and then gave me a quick lick. The groomer seemed surprised. “he never licks anyone”
It was love at first lick.
She agreed to let us “try him out” after he had healed completely from his surgery (he had just been fixed the day before). So, a week later we had our two week try out and Woody never left. Our groomer check on him often during that time and could see that there was “something” between he and I. We had not yet set a price (and we thought we would at the very least pay for the last vet visit) when she called two weeks before Christmas and said Woody would be our Christmas present and that she wouldn’t accept anything for him. This was such a gift. She had paid $300 on Craigs List for him, and probably that much in vet bills. We took him over to visit when we took our schnauzer in for grooming. It was working out great.
Now, how do we stop the “every animal falls for Chris” spell. Chris was not to pay much attention to him for a month, while I lavished it. It was so sweet to have him follow me from room to room, tuck himself under my blankets and look soulful at me when he wanted “lov’in dov’ins”. His ears were like silk, his sweetness was sincere and to think people didn’t want him! He was meant to be with us.
After a period of time Chris came into the attention picture and we were complete. My longing for another dog had gone.
It was after an article Chris read about dogs toes smelling like Frito-Lay Corn chips that the final tag of Frito-toes came to be. Smell them, go ahead smell them.... maybe your dogs toes smells like the corn chip too!
It is funny how things work out. There was a time that a little fellow needed a love that would be forever. There was a time that a gal needed a little boy to call her own. Under some strange and unusual odds they came together.
Now life is all hugs, rubs and Frito Toes. Oh, what a lucky girl I am.
Although I still sometimes dream of Darcy, my heart isn't as achy and if it is I look to my side and see a set of ears rising from the blankets and a cold nose waiting to touch my hand as he accepts a soft caress on his head. Darcy may be with me forever, but for now I have love enough to share for dog who had quite a journey to come to me. His paw comes to my face looking for more attention and I wonder what a wonderful joke life gives you and think, where is the dip??
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Monday, January 31, 2011
LAZY TURTLE BARS - It's been a long time baby!
Okay, can I say I am sorry for being away so long? It was really very hectic around the holidays and I was working on home made goodies, and hand made goodies. Problems with one of the furry kids too.
Since I have ignored you terribly I feel I must (oh I MUST) give you my latest easiest confection recipe that I gave out this Christmas.
It was sort of odd the way it came about. I was going to make turtles and I was having a terrible time getting those wrapped caramels. Even my dear hubby Chris was searching for them every time he had to go into a store.
He hit pay dirt with these new caramel melts. They are round little balls that actually warm up quite nicely in a double boiler or a heavy bottom pan. So, if you find these pick some up. They were so easy to use, I didn't spend an hour (okay, it didn't take an hour, it just felt like it) unwrapping caramels, getting a sticky mess on my fingers. Now...I had all the ingredients I needed!
But, it was right before the giving of our goodie baskets! I wanted to do something since I had the ingredients, but it had to be something quick.
So, here is the recipe....in time for Easter, yeah, that's the ticket...Easter!
LAZY TURTLE BARS
Take a sided cookie sheet (one of those sheets that can also be used to make a jelly roll) and cover entire pan, including going up all the sides. Spray the foil with a butter flavor non stick spray. Do not skip this part, otherwise you will have a dickens of a time getting these bars out of the pan!!! Remember foil, non-stick spray a must. If you do not do this, you will have to put your cookie sheet over a top of boiling water to get the bottom to loosen (and get sticky) in order to get them out...and they don't look pretty!!! Learn from my experience.
2 bags of caramel melts
1 bag of chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate) 12 ounces
3-4 cups of pecans (the more the better for my liking)
Melt the caramel over low heat until smooth. If it get's a little too thick add a bit of cream
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, it tells you how on the packages (only if you are comfortable with that, or else use a double boiler)
In prepared pan, line the bottom with a boat load of pecans. If you want to press them down to break them a bit to get good coverage, go for it.
Next, spread the caramel over the pecans. You do not have to wait for the caramel to set up, because believe me it will set up as soon as you stop spreading.
Finally, take the melted chocolate and spread over top, making swirls and curls along the way.
Now this is a trick I use to help me cut. Once the chocolate is a bit solid, but not completely, I will score the chocolate so I know how to cut. It helps me keep the pieces nice and even and I am not guessing as I lay the knife down. What can I say, what may look good before I cut can look terrible after the cut. So, this is a cheat which also allows me to see how many pieces I am getting out of the batch. I usually cut in a about 1 inch square, using a ruler as my scoring guide.
Take the pan and put it in either the refrigerator on in a dry cool space until it is completely set up. Here in New England, our 3 season porch becomes the "cold storage" room up until Christmas. Candy making day, the porch is covered with confections galore.
On a cutting surface flip the pan over, remove the foil and turn it right side up again. This can be a bit tricky, but it does look nicer.
Lay a large knife down in the scored chocolate (one of those Pizza rocker knives works well too) and press firmly, cutting through all those delicious nuts.
Keep in an airtight container (I always use tins, which I hoard just for my candy making projects).
I wrapped them in a tower using those candy bags you can get just about any where that Wilton products are sold. I also tie up in a string. If you are more festive curly ribbon looks very nice too. They stack well because they are pretty solid and not messy until they are in your hands for a minute, but in this house they don't stay in your hand for a minute! ;-)
Because you scored so nicely, they stack beautifully.
These are so easy to make and so yummy. Enjoy!
Until next time stay warm, stay safe
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Since I have ignored you terribly I feel I must (oh I MUST) give you my latest easiest confection recipe that I gave out this Christmas.
It was sort of odd the way it came about. I was going to make turtles and I was having a terrible time getting those wrapped caramels. Even my dear hubby Chris was searching for them every time he had to go into a store.
He hit pay dirt with these new caramel melts. They are round little balls that actually warm up quite nicely in a double boiler or a heavy bottom pan. So, if you find these pick some up. They were so easy to use, I didn't spend an hour (okay, it didn't take an hour, it just felt like it) unwrapping caramels, getting a sticky mess on my fingers. Now...I had all the ingredients I needed!
But, it was right before the giving of our goodie baskets! I wanted to do something since I had the ingredients, but it had to be something quick.
So, here is the recipe....in time for Easter, yeah, that's the ticket...Easter!
LAZY TURTLE BARS
Take a sided cookie sheet (one of those sheets that can also be used to make a jelly roll) and cover entire pan, including going up all the sides. Spray the foil with a butter flavor non stick spray. Do not skip this part, otherwise you will have a dickens of a time getting these bars out of the pan!!! Remember foil, non-stick spray a must. If you do not do this, you will have to put your cookie sheet over a top of boiling water to get the bottom to loosen (and get sticky) in order to get them out...and they don't look pretty!!! Learn from my experience.
2 bags of caramel melts
1 bag of chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate) 12 ounces
3-4 cups of pecans (the more the better for my liking)
Melt the caramel over low heat until smooth. If it get's a little too thick add a bit of cream
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, it tells you how on the packages (only if you are comfortable with that, or else use a double boiler)
In prepared pan, line the bottom with a boat load of pecans. If you want to press them down to break them a bit to get good coverage, go for it.
Next, spread the caramel over the pecans. You do not have to wait for the caramel to set up, because believe me it will set up as soon as you stop spreading.
Finally, take the melted chocolate and spread over top, making swirls and curls along the way.
Now this is a trick I use to help me cut. Once the chocolate is a bit solid, but not completely, I will score the chocolate so I know how to cut. It helps me keep the pieces nice and even and I am not guessing as I lay the knife down. What can I say, what may look good before I cut can look terrible after the cut. So, this is a cheat which also allows me to see how many pieces I am getting out of the batch. I usually cut in a about 1 inch square, using a ruler as my scoring guide.
Take the pan and put it in either the refrigerator on in a dry cool space until it is completely set up. Here in New England, our 3 season porch becomes the "cold storage" room up until Christmas. Candy making day, the porch is covered with confections galore.
On a cutting surface flip the pan over, remove the foil and turn it right side up again. This can be a bit tricky, but it does look nicer.
Lay a large knife down in the scored chocolate (one of those Pizza rocker knives works well too) and press firmly, cutting through all those delicious nuts.
Keep in an airtight container (I always use tins, which I hoard just for my candy making projects).
I wrapped them in a tower using those candy bags you can get just about any where that Wilton products are sold. I also tie up in a string. If you are more festive curly ribbon looks very nice too. They stack well because they are pretty solid and not messy until they are in your hands for a minute, but in this house they don't stay in your hand for a minute! ;-)
Because you scored so nicely, they stack beautifully.
These are so easy to make and so yummy. Enjoy!
Until next time stay warm, stay safe
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