Friday, October 31, 2014

An oldie but a goodie WORTH REPEATING Safe Halloween

 First PUBLISHED ON Wednesday, October 21, 2009


3 mantras for a safe Halloween

Halloween is coming and there are just 3 mantras to remember to make this a safe time for everyone on 4 legs:

CANDY IS NOT DANDY

no chocolate, no aspertame, no wrappers, no gum, no exceptions!

COSTUMED STRANGER CAN SPELL DANGER
supervise, practice caution, you may want me to be your greeter, but with all those crazy costumes I might act like your bouncer.

LEASH ME IF YOU LOVE ME
don't take me trick or treating without a leash, there is just too much going on and I need to feel safe.



I am wearing part of my "costume". Can you guess what I am going to be?

'vie

Thursday, October 30, 2014

thoughtless THURSDAY- Embracing the real me


Momma,

Listen up

What's there to think about????


NOTHING!


 Stop obsessing:

Some girls are GINGERS
Some girls are MARY ANNS

The way I feel about faux furs and satin...
Jewels and lace...

THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO DO, BUT TO EMBRACE
THE FACT THAT I AM A GINGER


I all about the GLAM , 
the GLITZ
 the LACE,
the MYSTERY,
the GRACE
the OH LA LA` and
the PANACHE!


don't forget 
the PERFUME





'vie

STOP TRYING TO DRESS ME LIKE MARY ANN




Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Tasty Tuesday: The Magic of Roasted veggies


First:  A refresher on BONE SOUP.  Unless you already practice BONE SOUP in your kitchen.
Momma has a stockpot simmering once a week, so in our house it is a staple. But if you need more convincing on the pros of bone soup look here:


http://www.silvieon4.com/2014/06/blog-post.html


http://www.silvieon4.com/2014/06/tasty-tuesday-apres-aspic-and-spent.html


Now comes the magic.

Look, I will be honest with you.  I am no MAX.  He is a fan of all things green. He even loves Bok Choy. Pohhwey, YUCK!

But living with my family  means that they have "cultivated" [momma would argue "evolved" "elevated"] my taste buds.  Whatever,

I will admit that the first time I saw momma make this I hoped with crossed paws it would not end in my bowl.  Hate to admit it... but with the same fervor and uncrossed paws, I begged for it to end up in my bowl because it smelled to die for. And I was not the only four legged salivating .

So ... what was interesting to me is that the momma made two trays.  One had onions... both red, white and scallions and chives!. Ugh,  She added cherry tomatoes and garlic and green and red peppers along with the root veggies. Something about daddy eating with his eyes... [ Two leggeds are so weird!!!!]  Clearly that was not for US!

But, right next to that tray was a tray with root veggies, squash, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, fresh pumpkin, yellow beet root, zucchini and turnips. Momma spritzed everything with coconut oil, lightly seasoned the tray with a pinch of salt and fresh minced rosemary and thyme.

The oven was preheated at 425 and momma casually took out the bone soup.

WHY is she touching OUR bone soup????? You know, I am not into sharing my "staples".



I was hoping to score a little dish, but she was humming and pfumpfing along and when she is in that zone... she is clueless.



She popped the two trays in the oven and set the timer for 30 minutes.
Yuh, I am not going to lie to you.  I heard the beeps and said to myself... 
"Great dead veggies. Poor daddy. UGH"  

Meanwhile, two ladles of bone soup went into a small stock pot and momma reduced that already  rich stock by half.
She added one TBSP of Marmite [yea you can leave it out, peasant. We like the taste.
Daddy is a peasant too. He hates it, but he will never know it was in here... Momma said so.]

As soon as the alarm went off, momma poured half of the reduced bone soup in each tray and cranked the oven up to 450 for another 15 minutes.

OK, by now I have to tell you... the three four leggeds in this house was holding an oven vigil.
The smell coming out of that oven was pawsitively intoxicating.

And there was momma. All smug and happy.

By the time she finally took everything out of the oven
the four of us [daddy included] were more than ready to concede
defeat and declare root veggie love.

And while daddy helped himself immediately to the tray, we had to wait for everything to cool down!

Finally, we each got our din din bowls and along with our turkey and pork, we had the 
roasted veggies... which tasted like BONE SOUP, only BETTAH!!!


And, I would love it if she only made potatoes this way.  I love potatoes.
I take after my auntie Robin, according to auntie Robin.


And now I dare you to share the magic of roasted veggies cooked with bone soup!


'vie THIS IS A TASTY TUESDAY!

Monday, October 27, 2014

MONDAY mischief- IT COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND FORMS....


Max-a billion... [his new nickname] hoards all manners of toys by the door, so when his walk happens... he will have toy options.  You know... he is a dog of means, and he only goes on walks carrying some of his swag.  What do you mean you need room to open the door?????



Meanwhile... further south in the state... JD is trying to enjoy his morning turkey while...





The turkey gobbling girl... named Wendy is quietly stalking him.  And if he blinks, or if he goes to take a sip of water... she will steal the treat.... Yes. This is serious MISCHIEF!

But one little girl is fully focused on something momma said.

She said... and I quote: "After breakfast we will have some errands to do."
So now Silvieon4 is stalking momma.
"Momma, are you ready yet?  When are we going?  Can we stop and look at the live sushi? [she loves aquariums...she loves sushi....]
"Momma is it time yet????"



I am tired of waiting... is it time yet????? I am just going to rest my drooly mouth on your purse while I wait... and wait... and wait...



'vie.... still waiting.







Sunday, October 26, 2014

Black and White Sunday: The things you do for LOVE



It is fall. I know this because the momma went out and bought more rags for us. AS if we needed "rags".

She is in love with this black and white sweater thingie. Bought a matching one for the Wendy. Yuh. Really.  because my favorite thing is to be matchie matchie with the Wendy.... NOOOOT!!!!  I am me.  I have my own style.

We all know I favor the upscale, glam look of a faux fur.  I shine in satin, I sparkle in silks, I beam in designer wear... This just makes me feel humpty dumpty suburbia.... and that is NOT MOI!

But I am letting momma have her moment.

But it will have consequences.  This will cost her something.  I will cogitate and demand my payment at a later time. Meanwhile.... happy Black and White Sunday.  Thank goodness this is VA and it is too dang warm for this get up today!!!

'vie





Saturday, October 25, 2014

Sepia Saturday - Supervising...


Found the ray of sun to sit by and supervise... it is Saturday!



The daddy is making our breakfast...
I have to supervise.
I am not fully awake.
I still have some sleep wrinkles in me.
BUT
It is my job to supervise.

You thought that being me was easy... right?  NOT!

Hold on.

Daddyyyyy you forgot the sweet potato. Oh OK.  There it is.
Momma puts her mis en place "en place" all at once.
You make too many trips to the fridge.

I am not telling you what to do, I am just saying... there is a right way of getting things done and ...

Oh never mind.

Just don't forget the turkey jerky treat and our candy. [I know it's a vitamin, but momma calls it candy and we humor her...] 



You sure take a long time.

I do appreciate you, chill.  Focus on my breakfast. I love you daddy.

[Talk about high maintenance. Momma does not need a song a dance to make our breakfast.]


'vie

Friday, October 24, 2014

Did we have a good time at the Tidewater Bichon Bash 2014?

Did we have a good time at the Tidewater Bichon Bash 2014? NO. Absolutely not!


We had a TERRIFIC! SUPER! FANTASTIC! WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!!

Auntie Robin, Uncle Jack. THANK YOU.

To my DOWI, thank you for documenting the sweetest moments.

See for yourself:
https://plus.google.com/photos/114242207424972972654/albums/6073593797776283297?authkey=CLj4u6ffp5b6EA



'Vie and no I don't walk on grass. Grass= toilet. Ew.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Smartphone App Launched to Catch Animal Abusers




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Smartphone App Launched to Catch Animal Abusers
National Sheriffs’ Association and The Humane Society of the United States join forces on new tool to combat animal cruelty

(Oct. 21, 2014) – ICE BlackBox, a new free smartphone tool, launched to help law enforcement protect animals and communities from illegal animal cruelty. Available to Android and iPhone owners, the app will allow users to record video of illegal animal cruelty and share it securely with law enforcement for possible investigation and prosecution. It is the first app of its kind designed and promoted for the purpose of catching animal abusers.

John Thompson, executive director of the National Sheriffs’ Association said: “Animal cruelty is a serious crime that is often associated with violence to people and we are using the latest in technology to help catch animal abusers in the act. We encourage everyone who has a smartphone and cares about protecting animals and our communities to download this new app.”

Thompson added, “We want to give special thanks to Cesar Millan and the Cesar Millan Foundation for their contribution in the public service announcement video that was shown at the news conference.” This PSA is the first in a series on reporting animal abuse with the ICE BlackBox App.

Michael Markarian, chief program and policy officer for The HSUS, said: “Through innovation and technology, the new app provides another tool for the public to join the fight in stopping animal cruelty and abuse. We are thrilled to work with the National Sheriffs’ Association on this first-ever app to pull back the curtain on animal cruelty.”

Last month, the FBI began to include animal cruelty offenses, including animal neglect, in the Uniform Crime Report. It is the first time animal cruelty data will be included in federal crime reports and it affirms, at high levels of law enforcement, that animal cruelty is a serious crime. There is now increased incentive for law enforcement agencies to respond to crimes against animals, and the app is an important new tool in that important work. 

For more information on The HSUS’ animal cruelty work click here and for more information on the National Sheriffs’ Association’s National Law Enforcement Center on Animal Abuse click here.

Thoughtless Thursday... The lemon tree


Truth is, there have been many many thoughts...


And much much talk....
Mostly about this stupid lemon tree



We are all sick of hearing about the stupid lemon tree. It has 3 big lemons attached and momma has been fussing over it like it is a precious newborn needing her constant attention.

Don't want to burst her bubble... but hey, you can get a whole bag of lemons for about 4 bucks...  I am just saying.

Momma, at 1:41 in the clip below...is what has been suggested should happen to your lemon tree without any further thoughts!  Maybe you should ease up and let JD mark it?  And just chill.  Or pick the dang lemons already!




I have no other thoughts. It's momma who should be thinking....


'vie and the gang


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Wordless WET Wednesday

I gave up.  I am napping.

It's wet out there.

Blocking out the light....

It's hard to relax.

But I am giving it a try. It is WORDLESS WEDNESDAY.


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tasty Tuesday ....debacle...


Oh no no no no!  You do not get to skate free out of this!  It is tasty Tuesday.  you waltzed out of it last week because of the Bash and you lame excused your way out of it...

Yesterday you baked and baked... I am not STOOOOOOPID you know...



You claim that neither of these baked "things" are fit for canine consumption... and yet... YOU MADE them. Why???  Why bother?

And today , on Tasty Tuesday... you give me some lame excuse that you have to do some important errands.

Helloooooo?????  Can we please do a quick reality check?  It IS TASTY TUESDAY and today must belong to us.  US as in your loyal four leggeds.  THE ONES that count!!!

Oh wait.. you have "a recipe"  you just will not have time to make it until later today.... Ahaaa... For sure good buddy.

Show me the goods!

Doggy CheeseITS! 

[well that means JD who is lactose intolerant will not be having these...and now we know why you have been dragging your feet on making them... I knew he was your favorite all along!]



1 1/3 c wheat  or oat or rice flour
1 c shredded cheddar cheese or a mix of parmiggiano and mozzarella
1/3 c + 1 Tbsp bone soup
1/4 c vegetable oil



Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix all ingredients until combined. Add additional Tablespoons of broth if dough is too dry. Flour work surface. Roll dough to 1/2″ thickness. Cut into desired shape 

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Cool and store in airtight container in the fridge.


You will make this later today?  Ok we shall see...

'vie