Blowin' Coats

This picture of Howard was taken a few years ago. See all that hair? That was only half of it. No, make that 1/4 of it. Oh, who am I kidding. It's only .03125 of the hair that comes out of these dogs every spring. I've always used a rake on them and it works great when I can get them to sit still for a brushing. And although I liked the rake, they did not.

I heard good things about the furminator but I didn't like the price tag. $35 for a small brush. The furbuster is basically the same thing but much cheaper. $20 for a medium brush. It works great and Howard and Lexie like it, too. But I'm still left with the same dilemma. What am I supposed to do with all this husky hair? I mean, besides donating it to the family of birds on my back porch?

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Last Thursday was a rainy, dreary day here at the home of the lazy dog. WD was at work and Big pup was at school. It was just me and Little pup. Home alone and hungry. Not a good combination. Little pup suggested that we make chocolate chip cookies and I suggested we make Mexican Wedding Cookies. And I won. Because I'm the mommy and I said so. (And because we were out of eggs but that's beside the point.)

As I shaped the dough into a log, Little pup licked the bowl clean, and I told him what it is about these cookies that makes them so good. "I love how the salt in the butter--and the extra you add to the dough--pairs up with the powdered sugar. I love that sweet and salty contrast of the cookie. It's so good. It's perfect with a cup of hot tea. And, you know, The Barefoot Contessa says under no circumstances should you ever use imitation vanilla, but unless she wants to personally deliver vanilla beans or pure vanilla extract to my house, I'm using imitation vanilla. And I bet Jeffrey can't even tell the difference..."

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Are you talking to yourself?"

Hmmmph. A 4 year old just doesn't appreciate good conversation.

Mexican Wedding Cookies--also known as Russian Tea Cakes

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1 cup softened butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling cookies in)

2 tsp vanilla

Mix flour, salt and pecans together, set aside. Beat butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla. Gradually mix in dry mixture. Shape into a log and cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place cookies onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool. Dredge cookies in powdered sugar.

Talladega

I don't even know what to say about yesterday's race. Talladega is always such a roller coaster ride. If your driver is leading the race, 5 seconds later he could be in 20th place, wait 5 seconds and he's leading again. That's part of what makes Talladega so exciting. You never know what to expect.

Elliott Sadler had such a good race car at the last race in Phoenix (minus the blown engine), I was hoping this car (a new car never raced) would be just as good. And it was. After running consistently in the top 10 the whole race--and even leading a couple of laps--it really looked like he had a shot at winning the thing. But he lost momentum after that last yellow flag and got caught up in a wreck of cars at the end of the race. He would up finishing 29th, falling 3 points in the standings to 26th. Boo.

Highlights:

• I liked seeing Jon Woods' new paint scheme--a brown car with the word Honey Buns emblazoned across the hood. Awesome.
• We had leftover corn chowder to eat during the race. Another awesome.
• The CEO of Aaron's wanted the fans to join him in saying "Gentlemen, start your engines!" Awwwww, I loved that. Makes me wish I was there.
• How cute was Denny Hamlin pushing everyone up front? Very.
• And, also, nobody broke their arm while the race was on. That's always a good thing.

Kyle Busch gets the win, Reed Sorenson gets the red lantern, and we're under the lights Saturday night in Richmond.

For Pixie

This is Pixie. She died earlier this week. Although she was technically my cousin's dog, she was a country community dog. She lived a long life and will be missed. Here's one of my most favorite and comforting poems, The Heaven of Animals by James Dickey.

Bye Bye 3

Me: Yay! You're 4! Are you gonna miss being 3?

Little pup: No! I want to be 4!

You know, I don't think I'm going to miss Little pup being 3, either. Because Little pup being 3 really kicked my butt. Let's all raise our juice boxes to a less whiney, less stubborn, more agreeable year number 4.

Happy 4th Birthday Little Pup!

Four years ago today, Little pup entered the world at a hefty 9 pounds and 2 ounces.


Just days before when I had my final ultrasound his weight was registering off the charts. Knowing how difficult my previous delivery had been, my doctor gave me the option of having a c-section, at which point my bladder leapt for joy. I chose the c-section and wow. Wow. It was over in minutes. All of a sudden I had another perfect baby boy.


And my bladder got to see daylight. And WD.
How cool is that?

MOTD

The creative well runneth dry here at the home of the lazy dog. So I thought I'd share some text messages I've received over the past couple of months.

If u come over bring socks.

Turn on The View. Its Laurie Berkner.

Heres ur one chance fancy don't let me down.

Tell the boys the moon is 0% full.

Once again how long to micro a potato?

Giada is using kroger cream cheese.

Found socks so no hurry.

Scintillating, no? That was rhetorical! So don't answer that--unless you also think it's AMAZING that Giada De Laurentiis uses Kroger brand cream cheese--then you can answer!

Day Off

No Nascar=short post.


Nascar was considerate enough yesterday to take the day off so we could celebrate Little pup's upcoming birthday. We had a great day visiting with the whole family, eating cupcakes, and watching Little pup open all of his presents.


Wow, that really was a short post. It's Talladega time next Sunday, y'all.

Just That Kind Of Day

It's National Poetry Month! And this coming Tuesday is Earth Day! And this weekend the temperature will be in the upper 70s! And I just paid off one of my credit cards! So many things to celebrate. And you can't celebrate without cake. So while I go scour my cupboard for a box of cake mix, please enjoy this easy, breezy poem by Billy Collins. I'll be sure and eat a slice for you.

Today by Billy Collins

Oh, I Forgot

I kept meaning to post this video of Howard and Lexie playing in the snow but I have a terrible memory. I kept forgetting I had it tucked neatly away in My Video folder. Need another example of how forgetful I am? I sent my Great-Aunt Rose a Christmas card this past Christmas. No, I didn't forget her address, nor did I forget to send it off in time, I kind of, sort of, accidentally forgot she was dead. Oops.

Lemon Garlic Broccoli

Did you know that broccoli can be served without velveeta cheese? I didn't. And did you know that broccoli served without velveeta cheese can still taste great? Well, no, I had no idea. Until I came across this recipe for Lemon Garlic Broccoli. You might just never use velveeta again. Okay, maybe not never. At least a month. Or two--it's that good.


1 (14 oz) bag frozen broccoli florets
1/4 cup water
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS lemon juice
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt


Microwave broccoli and water for 6 minutes, covered. Drain when done. Mix together the rest of ingredients and pour over broccoli. Cover and let sit for a couple of minutes.

Ruuunnnnn!!!

If anyone wants to see us the next couple of months, I'm afraid you'll have to come here to visit because tball season has started and our calendar is full. Big pup's team has practice on Mondays and Thursdays, and sometimes on Sundays, while games are on Saturdays.


This is only his first year to play so he's not quite sure what to do at times. We spent his first scrimmage game standing at the fence yelling, "Run to first base! Run to second! No! Go to second base! Now, run to third!" There's plenty of kids that can hit harder, run faster, and throw farther but he's having fun and that's what matters. He even skipped to home base during one scrimmage. And if that's not having fun, then I don't know what is. I just hope he doesn't get too bored playing right field, which consists of doing things like this:


And this:

Oh, and this:

It should be an interesting season for all of us.

Phoenix

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
---Alfred, Lord Tennyson

No need to look at your calendars, it is indeed Nascar Monday--not Poetry Friday. Unfortunately.

I don't know what's worse. Watching Elliott Sadler struggle through a race and finish badly or watch him drive the best race all season and still finish badly. According to Tennyson, the latter is the better situation. Still hurts, though. He started on the outside pole and was running in 4th place when he had engine problems at lap 163. He finished 41st and dropped to 23rd in the standings.


Jimmie Johnson gets the win, Ryan Newman gets the red lantern, and Nascar is taking a break for Little pup's birthday party on Sunday but will return in 2 weeks at Talledega.

Lindt Lindor Balls

I know I talk entirely way too much about chocolate on this blog but really, can you blame me? Especially when these babies are in existence? These are Lindt Lindor chocolates and they are not a sponsor of this website although I would not mind one little bit if they were (hint, hint, Lindt Lindor people). I don't consider myself a chocolate snob--I would never, ever turn my nose up at a Hershey bar but come on, who knows chocolate better than the Swiss? Nobody, that's who. These decadent little morsels are filled with the smoothest, creamiest, melt in your mouth chocolate that you have ever tasted. So go out and buy me some today! I mean, buy you some. Today. Or me. Whichever.

Sign Here

I was getting our medical bills together (for taxes) last week and I came across a copy of Big pup's bill for his Kindergarten physical. See if you can guess what his doctor's name is. Go ahead. Guess. I'll even give you a hint: starts with a K.

WD Smells Like Ben Gay

Just thought I'd post some pictures of our trail ride from Sunday. The weather was much better than last time. The sun was out and it wasn't near as cold as it was in February. There was also much more to look at this time around. The dogwoods were in bloom, the butterflies were flitting about, deer were crossing the trails in front of us, etc.


This is where we stopped for lunch. I had put together some Italian subs and threw them in the cooler with some grapes and bottled water. While everyone marvelled at the beauty of the wilderness, WD marvelled at what an awesome sandwich he was eating. Then he wanted to renew our vows and create lots more Italian subs.



Oh look! It's Gramma Judy taking a picture of me, taking a picture of Gramma Judy! Check out that rocky terrain. Imagine that at a 45 degree slope. Would you want to go up that? Well, I wouldn't. And that's the point during the trip WD became very frustrated with me. He didn't really say anything because his parents were with us but he did give me a look. The kind of look he gives me when I interrupt him to ask, "Where's Afghanistan?" Just for that, I think I'll make him wait awhile for another sandwich.

Texas

It's Nascar Monday! I'm in a much better mood today than I was Friday morning. I think I needed just a little bit of sunshine. Which was exactly what I got yesterday. We went for another lovely 4 wheeler ride up on Mt. Magazine and had a nice picnic by the water, saw some beautiful scenery, and WD only got mad at me once! Just one time--that's it! For the record, though, I did tell him before we even left the house that I was not going down/up jagged, rocky slopes. So there.


Since we were out 4 wheeling we missed the race yesterday. And from the reports I've read, it's just as well. It seems Elliott Sadler had an electrical problem early on, his car had no front grip, and they had trouble finding the right air pressure and chassis adjustments that could get them on the right track. He finished 26th which still puts him 20th in the standings.


After the race, his crew chief, Rodney Childers, said: "We keep trying everything we can to figure these new cars at these tracks, but we haven't come up with the proper answer. I've talked to some other crew chiefs and they say it's beyond them, too."


Really, Rodney? Because Carl Edwards has won 3 races so far which makes me think his crew chief might know something you don't. Go ask him. Please.


Carl Edwards gets the win, Jeff Gordon gets the Red Lantern (for only the second time in his career. The first? Texas '99) and we're in Phoenix Saturday night.

Gray

This weather. It's raining. Again. And cloudy. I need a poem to match my meloncholy mood. How about When You Are Old by William Butler Yeats. And let's just jump right into the poem because the only words I can think of to write today are blah, ugh, and sigh.


When you are old and gray and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and their shadows deep;


How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.


And bending down beside the glowing bars
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

My Granny B turned the big 9-0 on March 20th. She's lived by herself for over 30 years now, still gets around good, is in fairly good heath, and has a great sense of humor. We all got together a couple of weeks ago at a restaurant to celebrate her birthday. Everything was going great until, well, someone asked her what she and Grandpa B did for fun when they were dating and she said, "We always told momma that we were going to church and well, (looks around) sometimes we made it there and (lowers voice) sometimes we didn't (wink wink implied)." My mother and I simultaneously began stuffing cornbread into our ears because, seriously, we did not need to hear that.

Growing up, we had dinner at Granny B's house every Sunday. One of my favorite desserts that she made was Ice Cream Sandwiches. Besides being so yummy, I think part of their appeal is that they're individually wrapped. They're just so darn cute. Cute enough to eat.

4 cups Rice Krispies
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
vanilla ice cream (softened)

Blend corn syrup and peanut butter well. Add cereal and stir. Press mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Put into freezer for 15 minutes or until firm. Cut into 12 squares. Make sandwiches. Wrap with aluminum foil. Store in freezer.

Reason #114

Big Pup loves calendars. Santa brought him a Thomas & Friends calendar and he has it hanging in his room. He loves marking off the days (sometimes marking them off a week in advance), writing down everyone's birthday, and keeping track of the holidays. So he was quite aware--and prepared--for April Fool's Day.

Yesterday morning, just before 7 a.m., he got out of bed and curled up on the couch. I went into the living room to ask what he wanted for breakfast and the first thing he said to me was:

Big pup: Mommy, you have ants in your pants!
Me: What?!
Big pup: April Fool's!
Me: You're silly.
Big pup: Mommy, you have a spider on your head.
Me: (gasp)
Big pup: April Fool's!
Me: Oh, yeah? Well, today I'm taking you to the doctor and you're going to get a shot!
Big pup: (silence, then sad face. proceed to crying. hard. with tears.)
WD: (coming into the living room) What on earth did you say to him?
Me: (sputtering) April Fool's! April Fool's!
Big pup: (more crying)
Me: No doctor! No shot's! April Fool's!

Eventually he calmed down. We both agreed that it wasn't a very funny joke but he forgave me. I guess I'll know better next year.

Now You Tell Me

At Kristina's baby shower there were some papers being passed around instructing new moms and dads the proper way to care for their babies. And...well...uh....

...in my defense, it was the first time I had ever seen those instructions so really, there was no way of me knowing back then that a dog crate was not an acceptable way of containing a baby. Also, Big pup was about 2 years old in this picture, that's technically not a baby, right? I mean, come on, aren't the rules for toddlers a little more relaxed than they are for newborns?