Monday, August 29, 2011

Is your dog a Thunderdog?

Miss T has horrible travel anxiety, not in the airport or on the airplane, just in the car, can we say spoiled? She has flown round trip just about once a month since she was 10 weeks old and has traveled in the car to the beach, mountains, and even the long trip back home, but since she was about a year old decided she is going to shake and pant the entire car ride no matter if its 30 minutes or 8 hours. I've talked to the vet and since she is so small they are concerned about giving her a sedative, so we started with children's benadryl, that didn't do a thing. Next, we tried about a speck of a sedative pill from the vet that they crushed in to tiny pieces for me to give her about 30 minutes before we get in the car and will last 6-8 hours. The sedative does nothing more then make her eyes and head look droopy, but she still shakes and pants. Basically, we've just learned to live with her manic car behavior, yet I continuously worry that she is dehydrating herself on long car rides with all the panting, until now!

One weekend back in January, I was reading People Style Watch and came across a product called a Thundershirt; a therapeutic vest for dogs. I was immediately interested and went to the Thundershirt's website to learn more. After watching several of the videos and reading more, I knew I had to give the Thundershirt a try. Thundershirts are great for fear of thunder/fireworks, travel anxiety, crate training, problem barking, separation anxiety, hyperactivity, leash pulling, and more! It's the Thundershirt's gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited.




The Thundershirt has without a doubt helped Miss T's travel anxiety and now we all enjoy our car rides with her a lot more!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Remember these?

How true is this? These ice pops were my favorite growing up!

Monday, August 8, 2011

I'm back...with a delicious recipe!

This weekend I was away with Thomas' Mom at a girls weekend with her sisters and nieces. We had a blast being together laying by the pool, swimming, hanging out and of course eating. One of the ladies made the recipe below as an appetizer on Saturday night and it was love at first bite! Make these for your next party and I promise they will be gone in a blink of an eye!


Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
The Pioneer Woman



Ingredients

20 whole Fresh Jalapenos, 2-3 Inches In Size
2 cubes Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups, Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 pound Thin(regular) Bacon, Sliced Into Thirds

Directions

If you have them, slip on some latex gloves for the pepper prep... Cut jalapenos in half, length-wise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membrane (the source of the heat; leave a little if you like things HOT). Smear softened cream cheese into each jalapeno half and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Wrap jalapeno with bacon pieces (1/3 slice). Secure by sticking toothpick through the middle.

Bake on a pan with a rack in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes. You don’t want the bacon to shrink so much it starts to the squeeze the jalapeno. If, after 20 minutes, the bacon doesn’t look brown enough, just turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish it off. These are best when the jalapeno still has a bit of bite to it.
Serve immediately, or they’re also great at room temperature.



ENJOY!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Mustard

This mustard is delicious! I first discovered it on a turkey sandwich I ordered from the Gourmet Shoppe. I kept raving about the mustard my Mom surprised me by asking what mustard they use and bought me a jar. I don't make sandwiches at home on a regular basis, but I discovered I like dipping pretzels in the mustard for a snack!





This is a "uniquely sharp" mustard with a little bit of spice! It is absolutely delicious and has just enough zing to liven up any sandwich or make a great snack.


Happy Monday!


P.S. sorry for the terrible iPhone pictures recently, I've been all over the place I can't even remember to bring my camera!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Iced Coffee

As many of you know, I am currently reading The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story By Ree Drummond and as I was browsing the internet just the other night I came across the picture below which just happened to be the Pioneer Woman's recipe for iced coffee. After seeing this picture, I was immediately inspired to make my own iced coffee served in a mason jar with a colorful straw. I am not a regular coffee drinker, but nothing gives you that extra pep in your step on a hot summer afternoon like an iced coffee!



Perfect Iced Coffee from The Pioneer Woman
Servings 24





Ingredients

1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
8 quarts Cold Water
Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)
Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving)
Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt to your liking!

Directions
(Adapted from Imbibe Magazine)

In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.

Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.

Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.

To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.


ENJOY!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Please remember all the men and women who fight for our freedom and keep America safe each and every day.


I hope each of you have a Happy 4th of July and are enjoying this long weekend with family and friends!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Royal Watch

I just couldn't help posting this picture. Kate is absolutely gorgeous all the time, but I especially love her hair and outfit in the picture below!



William & Kate arriving in Canada


I definitely will be Royal watching this weekend and during the rest of their tour of Canada and the US!


I hope y'all have a great weekend!