Mom's Back

Now that I have Mom home from her Haitian Earthquake assignment, I can relax. Of course I had to gather ALL my stuffies as an offering to Mom. Maybe if she remembers all the fun stuff we have to play with - she won't leave me for so long.

Mom took many photos in Haiti, but we will leave those for the news organizations and their posts and blogs. It was devastating. I know this will change her, just a little. When you see such desperation - its hard to comprehend. The people of Haiti that Mom came in contact with were kind, and gentle. They lost everything - but showed up at the work site asking to work - not for a handout - but a job. The children just simply broke her heart.

I think Mom was a little embarrassed when she reflected on things that she has gotten upset about in the past few weeks prior to this trip. Who cares if the Lincoln Tunnel is backed up - you're still going home. What's the big deal if the outfit you meant to wear to that special occasion didn't get back from the dry cleaners in time - you have a closet full.

I know there is so much need in the world today - Mom and I both hope that the people of Haiti are not forgotten as we move on with our lives.

We're going to take a few days to cuddle and relax (Mom needs a lot of sleep), but we'll be reading our blog friends and promise to get back to posting next week.

BREAKING NEWS.....

Mom's off to cover the earthquake story in Haiti. She'll be back soon - but we will be off-line until she returns. (Hey - Due - want to hangout with me.....)

More later....

Baby, It's COLD Outside...

....or so I hear. My outdoor activity has been seriously reduced due to something called an Arctic Blast. IT'S CALLED WINTER PEOPLE.

In the meantime - I thought I'd share with you some of the winter fashions spotted on the sidewalks of Manhattan. Now you all know that I am constitutionally opposed to canine clothing - you be the judge.

This was such a classic ensemble that even I'm a fan!

Due was impressed with the tangerine look - or was it the big stick?

Nothing says family like matching outfits.

Booties....Fleece jumpsuit....quilted & hooded overcoat...OVERKILL

(Tim Gunn would NOT approve)

Now this is winter done right. A hand-knitted alpine sweater.

And for the stylish Italian Dachshunds on Madison Avenue....from Malo.....

We'll keep an eye out for more Manhattan (canine) Stylemakers. And we hear that it may thaw a little this weekend - so it looks like we're heading back to Central Park!

Until our next adventure...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DUE

Happy Anniversary / Birthday Due - Man. There was a little confusion as to what we were celebrating. Jan 8, 2010 is the 3rd anniversary of Due being released from death row - so is it an anniversary - or is it his birthday? Either way there was a party.

Mom and I marked the occasion by baking the Duester a birthday/anniversary cake! A peanut butter carrot cake topped with cream cheese and honey.
OK. Fine. Mom baked the cake. BUT I SUPERVISED, a very important job in the baking process.
We found the recipe on this great website. Mom tweaked it a little, but the great thing is that it's easy - and is created with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
If you want to make your own celebration cake here you go:

PREHEAT OVER 350*

In a large bowl combine the following:

1 cup white or whole wheat flour (we used whole wheat)

1 tsp baking soda

Add:

1/4 cup vegetable oil (we used canola)

1/4 cup peanut butter (TIP: we measured the oil first - then used the same measuring cup for the peanut butter - and it didn't stick - since there was a little oil left in the cup!)

1 cup grated carrots

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup honey

1 egg.

Mix well and pour into a loaf pan sprayed with nonstick spray.

Bake for 40:00.

Cool on a wire rack.

NOW THE FUN PART - we ordered a bone-shaped cake pan from

Target - but not wanting to pay for overnight shipping, we opted to use a loaf pan - and cut out our own bone shape.

TO FROST YOUR CAKE:

Whip together 6 oz. of cream cheese with 1 Tbl of honey - until smooth.

Frost the top of the cake - and drizzle with more honey for presentation.

This makes a small cake - just perfect for 2 (with a little leftover for the next morning)

***NOTE: Mom did order the bone pan - so I suspect in June - there will be another cake to celebrate my birthday!!!!

STORE IN THE REFRIGERATOR!

After the 2-legged ones have their dinner - it's time for dessert. I was so excited I just couldn't keep my eyes open!
Due and I are served in his bowls....they made for lovely dessert plates!
I also have to double check and make sure Due has gotten every last morsel - he does the same for me!
Tom's informed me if I look at Deborah lovingly...there might be a SECOND SERVING OF CAKE!
Does life get any better....
Of course...it's more romantic to dine snout to snout!
Happy Anniversary Due! I'm forever grateful that you were rescued. (Good job Tom & Deb!) I can't imagine life in the big city without you by my side!

Medic!

We had a stuffie emergency at our place.

As many of your know - from the post about my vast stuffie collection - I am a gentle stuffie lover....with one exception.

When Mom deserted me over the holidays I reacted by ripping apart a couple of stuffies.

First to be sacrificed was the beloved Frog. (Big men were delivery Mom's Christmas present from Craig S. List...it was beautiful - but Mom was on her way to Utah, Due was supervising the BIG BURLY STRANGERS IN MY APARTMENT, and I was freaking out - quietly - by tearing the life out of Mr. Frog).

Next up - Hawk. Mom left behind the new red-tail hawk as my Christmas present. Nice try lady - you really think you can buy my love when I knew you were shacking up with that OTHER DOG - what's a girl to do?

So to redeem herself - Mom came to the rescue....

First - she got out her Medic Emergency Care Kit. Looked like her sewing box to me.

Then she gently stitched up Hawk's head.....

Next she mended Froggie's backside (that must have hurt).

And we're are good to go....

Thanks Mom. You're forgiven (once more).

I think we can all walk away from this with a valuable lesson. Leave me again - and I'm not responsible for the welfare of the domestic stuffie population.

Just sayin'.

Winter Wonderland

You know you're having a good time when your ears are flapping in the wind. (Fine - you 2 legged ones will have to take my word for it - but trust me - B L A S T!!!!)

Of course any day romping with my main man Due in Central Park is a good day. When there's snow on the ground - it's a great day.

Due and I made a new friend - Mom loves this picture of the 3 of us going at full throttle - she calls it "3 Shades of Joy". I couldn't say it any better than that!

I hope you all had a chance to go "full throttle" this weekend. And now...it's time to rest!

Until our next adventure....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had a great day ringing in the New Year - New York Style. Or I should say the over-30 version of NYC Style (we do NOT go to Times Square!)

Our day started with snow.....

I thought our street just looked charming with its dusting of winter...

I, of course, had to rub my nose in it. Trying to get as MUCH snow as possible.

I could just sit here all morning and watch the snow fall...

Then Mom mentioned Breakfast - so I lead the way back....

Later in the evening....we (Mom, our friend Olivia who was visiting from Denver, and ME) head over to Due's to celebrate the New Year. We love to play tug-of-war with Due-man's special lamb toy.

But when Tom's in the kitchen we drop everything hoping we might get a treat!!!! Let's face it - with Tom the odds are in our favor!!!

Time to head home before the ball drops. The snow has turned to rain - so I got soaked on the walk home and need a little help drying off. (Very funny Mom - more champagne?)

Mom snapped this picture at midnight - guess I slept through the big moment....

The next morning Mom found me wedged between the sofa and the ottoman...she thought it looked like I had a New Year's morning hangover....I had to remind her I was not the one partaking in any champagne...and you can't get a hangover from dog biscuits. The difference between champagne & biscuits... you can NEVER have too many biscuits.

Shhhhhh. I need coffee.......and we must watch the Rose Parade. Mom will always be a California girl at heart and New Years Day mean the Rose Parade and The Rose Bowl (even when Mom's alma mater is not playing - I guess that means I don't have to wear the USC collar today) .The funny thing is, as much as we LOVE living in New York City - I can tell she gets homesick when watching the Rose Parade - her eyes leak just a little.

Here's wishing all of you a Happy New Year!

Until our next adventure...