More Doggie Stuff

First, an update on Brutus: turns out, in true Brutus fashion, he has contracted a rare type of hookworm which the vet believes is probably leading to his weight loss. I swear if there is a weird dog disease out there, Brutus will find it. My Brutus can't get roundworms, or some other simple parasite that can be ousted by a liquid wormer that I already have in my cupboard; no, Brutus has to come up with the $8 per pill worms! Oh well, we are his parents and we have to take care of him, right?

Now, a little social commentary on rehoming pets. As many of you know we have been looking for a new canine family member. I have searched Petfinder, Oodle, NW Classifieds, every shelter, rescue and even Craigslist (which I am ultra-skeptical about). Although there are not many reasons why I think rehoming a dog is the right thing to do, I do understand that at times it is necessary. The problem I have with it is this: "1 year old Mastiff looking to find a new home. Awesome, loving boy will be great in any environment. I am leaving for Nevada in 2 days and MUST find a home for him. Serious Inquiries only please. Asking $800 rehoming fee."  Really?.........I mean, REALLY? You are desperate to find a new home for your dog, a dog that you are abandoning, and you want me to pay how much!?!? Why don't you come to my house, see how I treat my dogs, look at my yard, interview my veterinarian, and if you decide I am the right new owner for your dog you leave him with me, at no charge, knowing that he has a loving home with people who are going to take care of him? I just don't get it.

Ok, I'm done.

We were really set on being able to adopt a dog who really needed a home, especially because we were willing to adopt a little bit older dog (6 months - 2 years). I did contact a breeder or two after having no luck searching adoptable dogs. I just couldn't get myself to do it. We really wanted to adopt. Well, I guess when it rains it pours. This morning my friend Krista posted a tag on my Facebook wall with a puppy who was at the Everett Shelter. Brandon ran over there this morning to check him out and, of course, fell in love. I think his words were, "You sent the wrong person to come and look at a puppy!" He ended up leaving but I told him I would meet him there later so I could meet the puppy. This morning he was on hold so apparently someone was interested in him, but we decided if it was meant to be, it was meant to be. After work I headed to the shelter. Brandon was already there playing with the little guy. He is really cute. They think he is approximately 4-5 months old, a Great Dane/Mastiff mix. He and Brandon were fast friends. And so we decided to adopt him. He has to stay at the shelter tonight and get his jewels removed tomorrow morning. But we get to bring him home tomorrow afternoon.

Then tonight, as I searched the ads for the goober's ad that had the Mastiff for $800, I came upon this:

The is George. He needs a new home. Here is the link to his ad if you are interested:
Adopt George

I fear we may end up doubling our canine companions in a matter of one day! Already Brandon is saying, "What if no one else wants him because he's 3? I should just go check him out tomorrow...." This guy is a beauty. And if you are interested in getting a new dog I really cannot recommend Danes enough. They are gentle, easy going, they require minimal grooming, not a ton of exercise, and they are the best cuddlebugs ever.

In any event, our new little bug will be home with us tomorrow evening. We are waiting to name him until he's here and we can see what fits his personality best. I'll post pics tomorrow!

Gardening Season BEGINS!

I would like to say that we grow a LOT of our own food; I would like to, but I can't. Since we moved here we've sown a garden - at least tomatoes and peppers, if not more, every year. Unfortunately, lately Mother Nature has not been so helpful with our crops. Last year I gave up after the spring sowing because the weather was so bad I knew nothing would grow. The year before the tomatoes never ripened and all I got was this:

Now, I know that we can grow veggies. In fact, 4 years ago I was rich with tomatoes. I had six 10 gallon buckets of tomatoes at one time! (And anyone who likes tomatoes knows that there is NOTHING that can replace a homegrown tomato.) But El Nino, or La Nina, or whatever weather system that has been moving through these parts the last couple of years, have really done a number on our ability to grow, or ripen, vegetables.

Despite my luck the last few years I am trying again. And this year we are going big time.  Punxsatawny Phil better not see his shadow! Not only am I planting in my beds along-side the garage, the bed outside the kitchen window, and the regular garden, we are also going to rototille another area near the chick coop. My goal this year is to grow a large portion of the veggies we eat. Not only do they taste better, they are cheaper and I can grow them with organic fertilizer. Totally organic, no pesticides or other icky stuff.

Thanks to Brie'n and the pin she found on Pinterest, I'm following the direction from Sprout Robot on when to plant my starts inside, when to sow seeds outside, and when to transplant. All you have to do is enter your zip code and they will help you know when to plant, as well as how to plant. And, if you sign up, they will send you weekly reminders about what you should be doing any given week. I am excited to have "someone" helping me along. There is a lot to know when it comes to gardening and it is nice to have someone guide you along the way.

This week in the Pac West: time to start your cabbage indoors. I guess I will have to stop by the nursery tomorrow for some seeds. I didn't plan far enough in advance to order them online. Boo!

Are you growing a vegetable garden? Are you a seasoned gardener? Do you have any tips for me?

Brutee Loo Hoo

Just wanted to update everyone after my post a bit ago about Brutus. He has lost a lot of weight. He seems ok - no symptoms of illness - except he's dropping weight really quickly and looks like a skeleton. (I promise we feed him) So we went to the vet on Wednesday night. They did a blood screen, because he has thyroid issues too, and called us last night to let us know it doesn't really look like the thyroid. They aren't really sure what it is. Our options right now are: 1) get an x-ray, 2) bring in a stool sample to check for parasites and/or 3) bump up the protein in his diet and see if we can get him to gain some more weight.

Now, I have no problem taking care of my animals - especially the dogs - but at some point reason and rationality have to come into play. Brutus is 6 years old. A Dane's lifespan is approximately 7-9 years...and that's when they're healthy! Brutus has joint issues, Addison's Disease, and thyroid problems. He takes 4-5 different pills twice a day. He has his own old person's pill box for goodness sake! Honestly, I never thought that he'd live this long although I am SO thankful for it. If they do an x-ray they are looking for cancer and/or enlarged organs, basically though, the big C. The vet said the only treatment for cancer in dogs is chemo. As usual, the Doc at Frontier Village Veterinary Clinic was extremely nice and agreed that my rationale was probably pretty spot on: if it is cancer, and we are unwilling to do the chemo, then there really isn't a point to the x-ray.

So, all day today Brandon followed Brutus around watching to see if he was going to poop. If/when he did, he missed it. Which means that tomorrow, if you don't have anything else to do and you'd like to watch something funny, you can watch Brandon follow our dog around the yard waiting for him to take a sh*t! In other words, we'll do the stool sample. And I am spoiling him with pumpkin and wet dog food mixed in his food until I can get to the store tomorrow to find some puppy chow for him.

In the meantime, we are keeping our eyes open for another canine friend. Not necessarily to replace Brutus - we are hoping he will gain some weight back and be ok for a long time coming - but so that Brutus can train the new guy up, just in case of his departure to greener pastures. Does that sound terrible? I feel terrible writing it. We are hoping to adopt a big guy that needs a new home. We are big dog people (Gilbert is an anomaly) and would like another Dane, or a Mastiff, or a Wolfhound, or some mixture of the jumbo breeds. We know that many people get these dogs thinking they are cool before they fully understand what taking care of a 150-200lb dog can actually be like - on your house, your yard, and your pocketbook. If you happen to know of anyone needing to rehome a jumbo-sized dog, please let us know!

So keep your fingers crossed for Brutus. We are hoping he will pull through AND have a new friend to play with!

Lack of Flare for the Lens

I am not a good photographer. I want to be, but I'm not. Whatever eye certain people have for capturing priceless moments, I don't have it. Does anyone know where I can buy one?

Being in the wedding business I'm exposed every day to gorgeous pictures - of brides, of babies, of families, of scenery. I've "liked" all of them on Facebook for my business but really they just leave me in awe everyday that they post a snap they took with their iPhone that looks better than the 80 shots I took of my kid (while she waited patiently and continued to smile....and keep smiling...and keep smiling) to get one good shot. I've thought about taking a class to learn more about my camera. And I do believe that a camera makes some difference. Because I have a little crappy camera and I almost never take good shots with it. I bought myself a Canon T3i and I can at least capture a moment every now and then.

In any case I have captured at least several good shots of my kiddos. I was looking for some pictures to put on a planner I am going to order from Paper Coterie and found some of them. I'm going to share them here. If you are a photographer please be gentle...

Unadulterated JOY!

It helps that the background is in Ghirardelli Square

This boy can make a weapon out of anything

Lilly hates this picture. She is only 10 and already her comments are, "Look at my butt! And I have a stupid life jacket on."

Photography seems to be changing by the minute. Every time I turn around there's new and innovative ways to capture the moments in people's lives. As I watch my girlfriend's who have just had babies (they're really cute too - check them out: Brie'n and Josie ) post THE most adorable photos of their babies I am incredibly jealous. When I go back and look at my HORRIBLE wedding pictures it makes me want to renew my vows (even though I look older now).

Photog friends of mine, just know that I am in awe. In awe of the moments you capture. Jealous of your talent.

At least I have a few pictures I can look back on...

P.S. If you're planning to check out Paper Coterie, right now if you type in MAINEMOMMA in the promo code box you'll get $30 off your purchase! I have ordered several things from them and they are all AMAZING!

Dinner SUCCESS! Cake FAIL....

Update: tried two new recipes. One for dinner tonight and one for a meeting this morning. Dinner was scrumptious - I highly recommend trying it. The cake I made for the meeting? I didn't even bring it in the room.

Brandon made Kale-Goat Cheese Frittata for dinner tonight and it was beautiful. It was the right night for him to make dinner - he is an egg master; always the one to make our omelets or frittatas, he has a knack for eggs. We had a side of fried sweet potatoes (one of our favorites) as well. Meatless dinner night!

Kale-Goat Cheese Frittata

2 cups coarsely torn fresh kale
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 tsp. olive oil
6 eggs
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp/ salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 c. drained oil-packed dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

1. Preheat broiler. In a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet, cook and stir kale and onion in oil over medium heat for 10 minutes or until onion is tender.
2. Meanwhile, in medium bowl whisk together eggs, egg whites, salt, and pepper. Pour over kale mixture in skillet. Cook over medium-low heat. As egg mixture sets, run a spatula around the edge of the skillet, lifting egg mixture so the uncooked portion flows underneath. Continue cooking and lifting edge until egg mixture is almost set but still glossy and moist.
3. Sprinkle egg mixture with dried tomatoes and goat cheese. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until eggs are set. Cut into wedges to serve.

Makes 6 servings. 145 calories per serving.
Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens, Oct '09

I don't know a lot of people who regularly use kale in cooking, but it really is a superfood. Even better for you than spinach! It's super easy to grow in the Pacific Northwest too. Low calorie and cheap? Yes please!

P.S. If you have trouble finding a nonstick skillet that is ovenproof because of the handle, try completely wrapping the handle in foil. 

Now, the Lemon Bundt Cake that I tried was, in my opinion, a complete FAIL! Not only did the outside of the cake get much darker than in the picture, the syrup didn't thicken for at least 20 minutes plus it was difficult to brush on, and the glaze was runny and did not stay on the cake. I didn't have a chance to let it cool last night to put the glaze on so I had to do it this morning. Then, I had to take the cake with me to the Hall before I could taste-test. On the way down the runny glaze dripped through the cake carrier and got all over the seat of my car, my jacket and my bag. Once I got there I cut a piece and John and I tried it out. He thought it was fine but I found it to be blah. The flavor is all in the syrup and the cake was crumbly and tasteless. I decided to take the rest home. (My husband and kids will usually eat even my not-so-great tries at dessert!)

If you're looking for a lemon cake I suggest you look elsewhere. Sorry Woman's Day, I'm a pretty good baker and this was just not very tasty.

The kids think it's good. Brandon gives it a B+. I will be throwing this recipe in the trash.







the best dog EVER.

This is Brutus. He is a (almost) 6 year old Great Dane. And he is MY dog.

We got him when he was just 8 weeks old. He was SO adorable. After picking him up we ran to the pet store for food, collar and leash. It took us an hour to get out of the store. Puppies always draw attention, but a puppy that fills a shopping cart? People can't stay away!

From the beginning Brutus has been the BEST dog. He doesn't wander off, he listens, he is great with other furry and feathered friends (namely: cats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, tiny dogs, big dogs....), he poops in the bushes instead of the yard, he is patient, he is mellow, he is gentle. From the beginning he's always favored me. He loves Brandon and the kids, but he knows his Momma.

The only thing I would change about him? His medical history. See we didn't know it, but Brutus had a genetic disease that the breeder either 1) didn't know about, or 2) didn't care to tell us about. It didn't appear until he was about 2 years old. It was after one of our luau's when we noticed he was extremely lethargic, and then wouldn't eat, and then wouldn't drink. We thought he may have dug up and eaten the carcass of the pig we roasted and that maybe something didn't sit right with him. But when he started shaking uncontrollably we knew it was time to take him to the vet. I will never forget the veterinarian taking a look at him, looking at me, and saying, "This is a very sick dog. I don't know if we'll be able to save him." Even as I sit here writing this tears are streaming down my face. The kids didn't know how to react. Lilly burst out crying, Logan hugged Brutus - lying on the floor, shaking, not even picking his head up to give us the "what's going on look." He gave us some options and told us what they'd cost.

Now, I was raised with the $100 animal visit limit. If they were sicker than $100, we might have to think about putting them down. But I just couldn't do that with my Brutus. I told them to hook him up to the IV and run the tests. In case you don't have a giant dog, they go through IV's like a human (he was 150 pounds!) and they aren't cheap. After 3 days at the clinic, and still no definitive diagnosis, Logan and I travelled back east to Wisconsin for my sister's 40th birthday. I was devastated that he might pass away while I was gone but my dear, dear husband, despite all of his misgivings about dumping money into a dog, kept the treatments and tests going. The last test they had to run was $250 and only ruled out one disease. We debated over the phone about whether or not to have it performed and ultimately told them to go ahead. It's a good thing we did. He has Addison's Disease. $2500 and 8 days later, Brutus got to come home. I don't know if I showed it as much as I felt it, but I was ECSTATIC!

Over the last four years we have played with dosages of fludrocortisone, we have to watch his mood and give him extra prednisone if we feel he is "stressed out" (a symptom that can cause him to go into shock and potentially die), I have argued with veterinarians over what the best treatment is after hours and hours of research. I should take a moment here to thank Dr. Lindvog and staff at Frontier Village Veterinary Clinic for really listening to me and including us in all options for Brutus. Since then, Brutus has had a second home at the Clinic. Everyone there loves him and they know him by name (unfortunately for my checkbook) when I call.

Today Brutus is vibrant and more active than he's been since a puppy. He is eating and drinking just fine. But he looks like Skeletor. He spent so much time laying down (we thought he was just lazy) that his muscles in the rear have atrophied. He's also still losing hair despite his relatively new thyroid diagnosis and yet another new pill. And so we are going back to the vet...again. Every time we go there it puts me on edge until we leave with an ok diagnosis. He is getting older. Danes only have a lifespan of approximately 7-9 years when they are healthy. Honestly, I never thought he'd make it to 6. I want him to be healthy. I want him to stick around. I really love him (despite his constant fishing at the river which in turn gives him the WORST breath ever.)

So keep your fingers crossed for Brutus. I sure hope that he's ok.

Menu #2 of 2012

I'm thinking this will be my regular every-other-Sunday post. Maybe it will be inspiration to someone else who is struggling trying to figure out what to cook. I know this past week we have not been the best at providing a healthy, diverse meals for our kids. Tonight we were watching football and had cheese, salami, crackers, carrots and apples for dinner - not quite the stupendous family dinner I normally preach. You will also see some repeats from the last menu. That's because we either made something else, we decided to go out to eat, or Brandon couldn't find a recipe (see previous blog posting).

Here is the menu for our next two weeks. I found some new recipes while I was going through my magazine clippings last night so there are quite a few new meals on there this time.You'll also see a few soups. I substituted a meal from last week's dinners for a homemade version of Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana and she was in love. She said, "You make soups SO good Mama. Make more!" I also added some sweets and breakfasts I plan to make this week at the end - also new recipes for us.

• BLTA's - Chipotle ranch salad
• Crockpot Chili - (new recipe: the fam are not big chili fans so I'm searching for perfection)
• Kale Goat Cheese Frittata - Fried Sweet Potatoes (new recipe)
• Shrimp Coconut Curry (new recipe)
• Homemade French Onion Soup - Salad with homemade dressing (both new recipes)
• White Bean and Sausage Stew (new recipe)
• Fish Tacos - Chile Lime Pinto Beans
• Stuffed Peppers
• Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche
• Pork Roast - Sauerkraut - Mashed fingerling potatoes
• Pad Thai
• Lasagna (Brandon's absolute favorite thing I make)
• Shake-n-Bake Pork Chops - Mac-n-Cheese - Spinach
• fill in the blank - it's inevitable there will be one night we just want to have leftovers or pizza

Tomorrow I have a meeting after work so I'm going to try the Crockpot Chili. Lilly can make cornbread when they get home and they will be set.

I also have several more meetings this week so I will use the attendees as guinea pigs with these new recipes. (My family will also get a bite or two...)

• Orange-Raisin Brunch Bread or Lemon Bundt Cake
• Bacon and Dried Tomato Scones or Savory Ham & Cheese Breakfast Muffins

If you have any particularly yummy recipes to share please post them here or send them to me. Also, if you would like to request a recipe for something I post here please comment and I will either send it to you or post it here.

Hope you have a delicious week!