Happy Holidays from Rob, Romeo and Buddy

Time for me to take my long winter's nap

And I will leave you with a song...

Blog "re-Gifting" Post : DIY Gift wrap

This post came from 12/18/12 I thought I would re-gift by reposting it! I like to wrap gifts, but chances are if you get a gift from me there will be an element of garbage on it, just to make it look good. That's right- I said garbage!
I make bows (using Jessica's "How about Orange" Tutorial) This year I forewent the used Frito bags and just went with newspaper. The "ribbon" is also from the same batch of newspaper.
NEWSPAPER-

DUCT TAPE-

Now that there are so many different patterns to Duct tape, why wouldn't one find a use for it for wrapping. I wrapped my cousins' boys (whom I lovingly refer to as Huey, Louie and Dewey) with duct tape as the ribbon and a bow made from same said duct tape!
GIFT BAGS-

Sometimes it just calls for a gift bag. I bought these plain Kraft paper bags at Staples, and just apply a stamp to them and  a bow!
PHOTO TAGS-

This year I found these cool photo frame gift tags at the Dollar Tree, so I perused my family's facebook pages for pics and printed them out in Black and white! There are some really good old pics in there!

HOWL-LOWEEN IS NEAR!!!

That time of year to be creative and drive your dog nuts! HOWL-OWEEN! In a couple of days I will debut Romeo and Buddy's look for 2014, But until then, here are some of my favorite costumes for 2014 (Courtesy of Instructables.com) to tide you over!

CORN DOG

What better way to celebrate than turning your pooch into tasty food? By Doggie Stylish

 Chi Chi Chi Chia Pet

Kkittle shows hoe to turn your pooch into a living chia pet!

Dog. James Dog.

This James Bond Dog by HenryBasenji costume has many of the elements of Romeo and Buddy's Rocket Dog costume from last year:

Never fear, UNDERDOG is here!

Instuctable contributor, soccerqueen, shows how simple it is to make an UNDERDOG cape!

Cove To Clover

It's just about time for the Annual Clove to Clover. Around these parts, this 5K Race plus a 1 mile "Wee" race for the little people is a sure sign of spring. And a sure sign that Burien folk are ready to get out and support many charities. Held on the 16th,the C2C was originally sponsored by a local Irish pub, organizer John Nelson had made it one of the go to and do events in our little city. And he is also very generous, offering the B-Town DOG group a Canopy at the finish line, to deliver information about our up and coming Dog Park here in the city. My only complaint, is that They use to offer "Angel" Sponsorships, which allowed me to be involved without having to run my fat ass all through town. But the old way was a hassle, and they still get sponsorships to the school district, allowing many kids to race for free! So a big thumbs up there. \
And if liquid sports are more your thing There is also Ye Ole Snake Crawl, A pub crawl were you can win prizes, on Friday the 14th, from 5pm (Registration)
So if you are not doing anything on Sunday, March 16, and feel a little energetic, Put on your running shoes and come on out to the Cove to Clover. There is a beer garden at the end! A great way to support local Charities!

Cove to Clover Classic
March 16th, 2014
Ye Ole Snake Crawl Pub Crawl
March 14th
Burien WA

Hot Apple Cider

Nothing says Christmas like a mug of Hot Apple Cider. A Friend of mine, Lynn, used to bring this to our annual Car Club Holiday Dinner. Easy to make- Non-Alcoholic, and Crisp, it can be made in a crock pot or an old percolator Which was the way Lynn made it (one of those Buffet Percolators with a spout and all!

1 gallon apple cider
1 ½ cups Red Hot Candies

In a Large pot, warm the cider on the stove and add the red hot candies. OR warm it in a coffee percolator and add the candies. Or try it in a large Crock Pot! Stir to dissolve the candies!

Serve when at the best warm temperature. Just under boiling, but hot enough to steam.

To make a smaller amount: Use a quart of cider and 3 Tablespoons of red hots.

Serve in a mug with a Cinnamon Stick or or Cinnamon Candy cane and perhaps a slice of apple!

You can experiment with the level of cinnamon strength by adding less red hots and increasing the amount to find what your family prefers.

Christmas Music

Christmas music is such a great way to celebrate the Holiday. Here are my top five Christmas songs

Number 5- Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses
A blast from my own past- This song had us rocking around the Christmas tree in the 90's


Number 4- All I want For Christmas- Mariah Carey
I know. But it really is a catchy tune that puts a smile to my face. And she didn't have to rip off anyone! And it is the show stopper from the movie, "Love, Actually"


Number 3-Santa Bring my Baby- Elvis PResley

You cannot have Christmas without Elvis. Just can't....



Number 2- Blue Christmas- Elvis Presley
And you cannot have too much Elvis at Christmas (or any other time for that matter)Unfortunately You Tube disagrees and doesn't have a video available without Martina McBride twanging a duet with the King.



Number 1- Santa Baby- Miss Earth Kitt
Probably my all time Favorite Christmas Song. Not the Madonna version, This song must be sung by Earth Kitt. As it Should Be!

Christmas Tree Alternatives 2013

It's time for my annual list of Christmas Tree Alternatives. Not that I have anything against fresh cut trees. But there have to be alternatives for those who don't like fresh cut trees, those who are adainst cutting down a tree for decoration, and even those who are allergic (myself included- I touch evergreens and break out in a rash so no gin martini's for me!). It really doesn't matter what a tree is made of, it's the memories and the ornaments that make it a Christmas Tree!

My Friend Mellow, and her family made this wonderful Copper Tree, that should last a lifetime.

I have seen Branch trees used for Halloween and Easter... Never thought of them for Christmas!

Here's one for the Gardeners: Use a Tomato Trellis as a tree!

 

How about a tree made from Pallets???

 

 Or maybe string?

One of my favorites- the Driftwood tree

OR JUST USE WHAT YOU HAVE LYING AROUND THE HOUSE!!!

2013 GIFT GUIDE!!!

Time for my 2013 Gift Guide (or what to buy someone like me for Christmas)... Not that I am fishing for any gifts or anything. Really. Any way on with the guide:

AQUAFARM- A hydroponic fish farm. Really interesting as you learn about Hydroponics. I actually own on of these. And I have grown lettuce, wheat grass and basil in mine. Going to try some diversified crops next.Don't believe the "self cleaning" though. Of course mine had an algae bloom as it sits in a southern exposure window. But it is easily taken care of and cleaned. Maybe I need to move mine to a bookshelf with a L.E.D. Grow light...
59.99 includes seeds, rocks, pump, start food. At Back To The Roots

MUSHROOM KIT- Also from Back To The Roots, a gift for an aunt, a foodie friend, office party, A mushroom garden kit. For only 19.99 You can give a garden full of delightful, delicous Oyster Mushrooms. Super easy to grow. BTTR best product!!!

PAPER POT MAKER... I know, I know... you can use a can to make paper seed starting pots...but think of the person you are giving to... perfect gift for gardener who starts their own seeds!

How about a BIKE? or Accessories? perfect green gift, bikes are so affordable right now. And if they have a bike accessories like Paniers, locks, lights do not need to be expensive.

Burien Boos!

Well, Romeo and Buddy had a great day to party down in Burien, on Sat. October 26th. THe day started off with a B-town Dog "Park-N-Bark" at the Town Square park,

where they met up with their Canine friends and owners for a walk along 152nd, the main street in Burien, and later they got to lead the Dog Costume Parade the Discover Burien puts on each year in their "Boo In Burien" celebration. The weather held out, and they boys had a great time watching the annual Weiner Dog races and eating the dog treats given out by local businesses.

LYNN'S HOT CINNAMON APPLE CIDER

This is a simple recipe a friend of mine makes at the holidays. Note: Do not use a drip coffee maker. This is meant for a banquet coffee maker or an old school percolator- if you don't have those use a sauce pan.

1-46oz can apple juice
1/3 cup red-hot-cinnamon candies

Place red hots in the basket of a coffee percolator. Pour apple juice in and percolate. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired. If you use a sauce pan start with the apple juice bring to a boil , simmer and put in red hots. Or if you want you can probably use a Crock pot. Set on high with the apple juice in it, add red hots. Whatever method you choose when the red hots melt it is ready!

More fabulous cookies and such

At Farmer's Daughter!

REBLOG- Hunting the Wild Tofurkey

From November 15, 2010- Before the upcoming holiday, I thought this should be looked at again. Come and explore with me while I try my first "TOFURKEY" and was amazed that I actually liked it! 

 For my mother- Ok, Mom. So I bought a ToFurkey. Deal with it. Get over it. I am not swearing off turkey (or chicken, duck or goose) I just thought I would try this TOFURKEY to see if I liked it.

My mom's first reaction was "you're such a bleeding heart". Which pissed me off. Since when is entertaining the idea of not killing a bird for a meal make you a "bleeding heart?" Really, mother? You are the one who raised me to eat different foods and trying other's cultures, not keeping a closed mind. Well anyway I have ranted enough about mother.
So I had this TOFURKEY to cook. It had wild rice stuffing already in it. So I Just followed the directions on the package and roasted it for an hour and a half. I have to say - the texture is meat like and very pleasing; the aroma is very good; my tofurkey roll came stuffed and with gravy- the stuffing was unbelievably tasty, the gravy, as with most "store bought gravies" was a little salty. And best of all Tofurkey passed the "sandwich-ability test" Made a great sandwich the next day! So I would definitely buy it again and I would definitely serve it to guests! And lets talk affordability- I bought a "6 serving" tofurkey, it comes with Stuffing and gravy for under $10 at Trader Joes- that comes to a measly $1.67 per serving!

TASTE- 8 out of 10
Texture- 8 Out of 10
"Sandwich-ability" 8 out of 10
Cost- 9 out of 10
So in short, The TOFURKEY Surpassed my expectations! A few turkeys are breathing a sigh of relief!
Whatsmore? There are tremendous recipes on the inter-webs for some amazing things to so with your Tofurkey, you can deep fry it, use the left overs in a stroganoff. Makes a Meat Free Monday so much more interesting!

Marina Di Chioggia

More on my pumpkin... It is called a " Marina Di Chioggia" and according to everything I read on it, it is pefect for Gnocchi and Ravioli, as well as pies. And I am told you can bake it like any other squash, with a little butter and brown sugar. WHich tells me I can process it and make pie or soup out of it!
It's alien look made it perfect for my "puking pumpkin" and it tied for a win in our pumpkin carving contest at work!

Too Much Candy

I entered a pumpkin carving contest at work. This is my entry...  I call it "Too Much Candy" ( I was eating Sweet Tarts while carving). And yes that green gourd is a real pumpkin!

Simple Halloween Party Snacks

Witches’ Broomsticks

Another great find from pininterest that I couldn't wait to try...So easy I don’t know why I am writing instructions… Simply take some Mini-Reese’s, stick some pretzels sticks in them. Don’t get no simpler! 

Easy Take Out Luminaria

This is is so simple. Just get some colored Chinese Take Out cartons from
 your art supply store,
Dissasemble them.
Draw a design on them
Cut out design using an Exato knife or other sharp knife.
Re-assemble them.

Stick an LED Candle in them and hang them up, or border your walkway or whatever

Spooky Eyes

I found this on pininterest and had to try myself. So easy to do,,, just cut eyeholes in a toilet paper tube. I didn’t have any glow sticks, so I put in a LED candle. I did find I had to cover the ends with scrap paper though.

Happy Labor Day

HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

Please think Twice before buying a bunny or chick for easter

Please. Don't. Buy a chocolate bunny instead.
You see, a lot of folks don't know how expensive and how much responsibility owning a bunny can be.
I learned the hard way.

Years ago, some friends learned that I was thinking (thinking mind you) of getting a couple of rabbits. When I bought this old barn- there was a hutch out back.
But I digress...
Anyway, Sammya and Jordan decided I was the one to take their bunny. They got this bunny, a doe, by accident. They wanted a buck. So they got a buck. And completely ignored the doe. Left in a cage all the time, with no interaction. So when they heard I was thinking of a rabbit they gifted Redeye to me. Well, long story short (I know- too late) Redeye was an okay rabbit- now remember I always had puppies and kitties... and a pygmy hamster before. Well I soon found out having a rabbit can be a lot of work! And expense, Vets, while wonderful people, need to make a living so they charge for things like cutting Rabbit nails and filing down teeth. (depending on whether you are prepared to learn how to cut their nails, watch their teeth etc.etc.) I didn't learn how to cut her nails, so to the vet every couple of months or so.  Then the teeth. Of course I am no expert on Bunny Orthodontics, but there were a couple of issues there as well.
Well Redeye lived to a fairly old age.
But I can't help think if her life would have been better had Sammy and Jordan not wanted a bunny. Or if I hadn't seen that damned hutch. And honestly Redeye never lived in the Hutch. She liked looking at me, the dogs and cats so much I never had the heart to make her move out to the hutch. Now if your child wants a pet and can take care of a bunny, then by all means get a bunny. But if they think it is just something that takes car of it's self, then please reconsider and go for chocolate.

Booze Free New Year's

First, I think we drink too much in this country. That being said , if you go out on New Year’s Eve, make sure someone is the Designated Driver. That means no alcohol for that “designated” person. Here are a few ideas on how to make the evening a little more DD friendly. And trust me- you do not want a DUI to start the new year. First- make sure where you are going has non alcoholic drinks. This may include Sodas, Sparkling waters, coffee, tea. My thing is to go to bars that have an espresso machine. And you would be surprised how many bars now cater to non- drinkers. They have to. Most states now have laws that include the bar that served DUI people. Call ahead to find out. If you are going to a private party or staying home… then the world is your oyster. There are a number of sites that have non-alcoholic cocktails or “mocktails”. I will list some of them at the end of this post.

One of the best things I have seen (and use) for the home “Dry bar”… A Soda Stream soda maker. It makes sodas for pennies a glass. And if you are adamant about no plastic, you can make Sodas using flavored syrups. They come in glass bottles. That is how I make Crème Soda- I jigger or 1 oz. of Torani’s Sugar-Free Vanilla Crème syrup to 8 oz of soda on Ice. Or try making your own syrups. Ginger Ale is easy

Good places to find "Mocktail" Recipes:

• The Bar.Com 
• Drinks Mixer.com
• About.com MockTail Recipes 
• Martha Stewart’s Non Alcoholic Cocktail Recipes   

What was on your Christmas plate?

Don't know if this is traditional in Scandinavian homes through out the U.S., but here is our traditional Christmas Dinner- Clock wise from top- Potato Sausage- A sausage made with potato, pork and beef; Klub (pronounced Clüb) a potato dumpling; Side Pork; and Lefse (a traditional Norwegian potato flat bread)