Stay-cation, Day 3

The great thing about a vacation - whether you go somewhere far away - or, like us, stay right at home....

the great thing is NO SCHEDULE!

Today - Day 3 - we napped. A lot.

We spread out.....

We tucked in tight to the furniture (this helps to leave your golden locks attached to everything)

Due even grabbed HALF of the couch - which is a feat for a small(er) dog!

Best of all...thanks to Ben's comment on our STAY-cation, Day 2 post - Mom felt compelled to bake again today.

THANK YOU BEN!

Today's Treat: SNICKERPOODLE COOKIES!

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup honey

2 eggs

3 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup cornmeal

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Using a stand mixer, mix oil, shortening and honey together until smooth. Add eggs and beat well.

Blend in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Knead dough until mixed well.

Shape dough by rounded teaspoons into balls.

Mix the cornmeal and cinnamon together in a bowl and roll balls in mixture.

Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet sheet that has been sprayed with a nonstick spray (or use a silpat mat). Press the balls down .Using a soda bottle cap, and your finger…make paw imprint on dough.

Bake 10 minutes at 400*.

Let cool on baking sheet for a couple of minutes before placing on cooling rack.

This is when the camera ran out of juice. So what you don't get to see is Due - not eating - but GUARDING his cookie. I'm thinking there's a 5:00 rule. If it's still there in 5:00 - then it's free to any other 4-legged redhead in the house (ME!). Growling at your hostess is not acceptable - BEN would never do that!

(Growling at your hostess's Mom will get you thrown in jail)

You also don't get to see the mats Mom has been working on (while I supervise of course). Maybe tomorrow...we'll see. You never know what will happen when you don't have a schedule!

Stay-cation Day 1

Mom started her stay-cation yesterday by going to Washington, D.C. for a survey of the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit. Someone please explain to her that taking time off work - means

NOT WORKING!

I won't count Monday - so today is day 1 of our stay-cation. And what a day it has been.

First - we (Due is here for the stay-vation as well) got up early and were out the door for a nice long walk this morning. Mom says 2 dogs means no camera. The woman needs to learn to multi-task here at home as well as the office!

NEXT UP:TREATS!

Mom made us a new treat - PUMPKIN BISCOTTI!

We're waiting.....

Here are all the ingredients....

1 Cup Canned pumpkin

1/4 Cup Honey

1/4 Cup Water

2 Tbl Canola Oil

1 Large Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

4 Cups flour

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350*

In a large bowl whisk together the wet ingredients (Pumpkin through vanilla)

Add remaining dry ingredients and mix well.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.

(Mom got too busy making the goodies and neglected the photographer duties!)

Next divide the dough into 2 logs - 4" wide. Press flat.

Place on baking sheet with parchment (or Silpat mat - Mom's favorite kitchen accessory).

With a fork - pierce holes all over the surface.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Cool in pan - on rack for 30 minutes.

Using a serrated knife - slice each log crosswise into 1/4 inch slices.

Place slices on baking sheet - bake 40 minutes longer - or until completely hard.

Transfer cookies to a rack and cool completely.

ENJOY!

(And I think I should get extra good dog bonus points for poising for this photo and NOT grabbing the entire bowl of biscotti!)

Check out www.recipezaar.com for more tasty dog treats!

I hear there "might" be a trip to the BIG PARK tomorrow. Mom thinks if she doesn't say Central Park we won't get it...please...we know. We're dogs. It's our job!

Now we have to get back to our fun job - creating new mats for Central Bark Designs. Check back later for a look at our newest designs...Canal Street, Columbus Circle and Radio City Bonettes!