What’s Been Happening

By Lorraine

Our baby celebrated her 21st birthday with a little help from some of her nieces and nephews.

Flowers from my garden decorated a yellow cake with her favorite Fluffy Chocolate Frosting

Raider creatively arranged the pillow for his snooze on the sofa.

In the spring we contacted our township about a tree at the curb that was in decline. They arrived today to remove it.

The township planted trees in our neighborhood many years ago and sadly some of them are now in need of removal.

I saw what is probably one of the last hummers of the season at the feeder.

And something that makes me very happy…

I got my new-to-me car in the garage!

The past few weeks I have been working diligently downsizing and disposing of things we don’t need.

I have gone through every closet, nook and cranny.

It feels much better already and reminds me of a song from a while back that I loved by Sara Groves and Joel Hanson called Traveling Light.

Well I was doubling over the load on my shoulders
Was a weight I carried with me everyday
Crossing miles of frustrations and rivers a raging
Picking up stones I found along the way
I staggered and I stumbled down
Pathways of trouble
I was hauling those souvenirs of misery
And with each step taken my back was breaking
‘Til I found the One who took it all from me

Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light

Through the darkest alleys and loneliest valleys
I was dragging those heavy chains of doubt and fear
Then with the one word spoken the locks were broken
Now He’s leading me to places
Where there are no tears

Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light

Down by the riverside
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light

Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light

Whirlwind

By Lorraine

As we get older, it seems we get busier and busier. Our days have been filled with weddings, showers, graduations, parties, birthdays and get-togethers. Nary a week goes by that we don’t have an opportunity to gather and celebrate life and milestones.

Our oldest grandson, Jared, graduated Thursday night from Middle School and is heading to high school in SeptemberContinue Reading

What Is a PET?

By Lorraine

What is a pet? Sometimes he is most resourceful. I don’t know how he managed it, but this is how I found my pillow-loving pup. Hearing a rustle while working at my computer, I turned around to see Raider, my miniature Schnauzer, in this unique position.
♥

oops…

By Lorraine

Not every recipe comes out of the oven looking just right.

🙂

John thinks this (partially) braided bread looks like Lake Michigan and he unselfishly volunteered to eat the less than perfect part all by himself!

Made from my basic sweet-dough recipe, I filled this braided bread with cream cheese and a hint of lemon.

Sweet-Dough Recipe

PRINT RECIPE

ingredients:

1 large egg plus enough water to measure 1 cup

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups bread flour

3 Tbs. Nonfat dry Milk

3 Tbs. sugar

2 tsp. Bread Machine Yeast

Add all of the ingredients in the order recommended by manufacturer of your bread machine (usually wet ingredients followed by dry ingredients and ending with the yeast). Set the machine to dough setting. When complete, remove dough from machine and allow to rest, covered for 5 minutes.

FILLING: (from Taste of Home)

2 packages (one 8 ounces, one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

GLAZE:

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

2 to 3 teaspoons milk

In a small bowl, beat all the filling ingredients until fluffy.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 14-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased baking sheet.

Spread filling down center third of rectangle. On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips, 3-in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Seal end. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Combine confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve drizzling consistency; drizzle over warm bread.

NOTES:

*I roll the dough right on a silicone pad. After filling, cutting and braiding, I then lift the pad onto a baking sheet. I find it easier than transferring the filled dough onto a greased baking sheet. When using the silicone pad I do not need to flour the surface.
*If bread is browning too quickly, tent with foil.

Here is the view I often have while working in the kitchen.

My little buddy keeps a close eye on me and comes-a-running when I slice an apple or banana in hopes I will share with him.

There are
affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from that link, I
will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.

One More Sleep til Christmas

By Lorraine

It took a little while to get to this…

from this.

Rudy (the Yorkiepoo) is visiting from NY with his family and Raider (the Schnauzer) has made great strides tolerating his presence. First there was lots of barking from Raider and lots of instigating from Rudy.

Now they are becoming friends (almost)

♥
Heading to Christmas Eve service at 5 them home for new jammies, yummy food and treats, a couple of stories by the Christmas tree and enjoying each other.
I suspect there will be more than just pups running around with all the grandchildren here.
Can’t wait!

An Unwelcoming Welcome

By Lorraine

Welcome or unwelcome? Our schnauzer isn’t sure about all the Halloween visitors that dare approach our front door as he faithfully guards the premises.

Polka Dot Puppy

By Lorraine

Raider visited the groomer a few days ago.

His stern face and jutting eyebrows belie the

bandanna he wore home.

Perhaps the upside-down peace signs are appropriate

Ever since Raiders encounter with the honeybees this past fall, I have

noticed spots where he didn’t used to have spots!

Kind of unusual.

You’d never know from looking at this face just how sweet he can be.

He likes to find a comfy place where he can also keep an eye out for intruders that might be passing by.

When the coast is clear…

he feels it is safe to drift off to sleep…

sweet boy

A Stare Down

By Lorraine

Intense expression

Attentive posture

Disappointed puppy

Johns heart isn’t swayed a bit by the begging of a pup.

Especially when he is enjoying his breakfast.

Not a crumb for Raider

: )

A Wintery, Icy Mix

By Lorraine

This morning

Winter

a Mother Goose poem

Cold and raw the north wind doth blow,
Bleak in the morning early;
All the hills are covered with snow,
And winter’s now come fairly.

a few winter photos
my grandson:

my (dead) car battery:

my guy:

my dog:

Despite the sometimes dreary days, I still like winter. I look forward to the rebirth of spring and the emerging flowers and greenery, but I would never give up winter’s peace and subdued colors.

To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

Ecclesiastes3:1

Rock Collector ~ Our Miniature Schnauzer brings home rocks

By Lorraine

I have many things that interest me and a few things that I collect because they bring me joy. Rocks are not one of them. But, we do have a rock collector in the house. Albeit, an unlikely collector. I found this on the floor the other day.

No one noticed that Raider picked it up on his walk. I don’t know what criteria he uses in determining his selection, but he often carries rocks home from his daily walks.

As you can see he was having a great time with his new rock. He doesn’t chew on it but rather paws at it, bats it around and wrestles with it.

I have never known a dog with such personality and playful, quirky ways as Raider.

The other day I hauled out a huge container of stuffed animals that belonged to Abbey. How excited he was to tug out many favorites. I am sure he was planning on adding them to his own brimming basket of lovies. As I was sorting, I would toss one out of the container and he would grab it and toss it back in.

Chores are so much more enjoyable having Raider help!

Oh, how dull my days would be without the antics of my puppy dog!

Spruced-Up Blogging Spot

By Lorraine

Sometimes seeing something day-in and day-out causes us to not really notice it at all. That is what happened in the corner of the living room where my computer is. Responding to a prompt to post about “Where You blog” gave me opportunity to take a closer look at this oft occupied location. My place was… sad. What to do? Scan the house for inspiration and the possibility of relocating a piece or two of furniture to create a spruced-up blogging spot!

Here is what I came up with.Continue Reading

Raider’s Breakfast Dance

By Lorraine

Here are just a few of the unique antics of our much loved

miniature schnauzer:

* He has an internal clock… he awakes each morning at almost the exact time (within a few minutes). No alarm clocks needed here!

* After rousing John & I and heading down stairs, he heads to the kitchen where he begins his spinning ritual as his food is being scooped from its container. It’s two circles around then leaping and skipping to his bowl. He takes his first bite and stops until he hears the opening of the dishwasher (which is unloaded while he eats and prior to his first walk of the day). Only after the click of the door opening does he resume eating his bowl of food.

* He loves popcorn and sits, staring intently up at the microwave while the popping occurs. He sits at attention, staring intently at those eating popcorn hoping for the occasional piece tossed his way. He is able to snatch most pieces in mid-air even though some family members with sadistic tendencies make him do acrobatic maneuvers for each kernel tossed.

* He LOVES fruit! Even when he is alone in the kitchen he will stand by the counter where the bananas are stored making strange throaty sounds indicating his desire. No matter how quietly I take the vegetable peeler from the drawer, he comes running from the far reaches of the house in hopes there will be apples or other fruit peeled and shared with him. He loves all fruit with the exception of citrus. He also loves carrots.

* He has lots of toys but his favorite is a little cow that vibrates when it’s string is pulled. Raider holds the end of the string with his teeth and shakes his head until he pulls the string and causes the moving action. When told to go find ‘cow’ he will usually find it and bring it back to play.

* He does ‘rolly-polly’ by rolling on his back for belly rubs.

* He is a great traveler even on long trips. He does not, however, like the toll takers and snarls most unkindly at them.

* He gets more comfortable that any other creature I have known. He seeks out all pillows and has been known to squeeze his little self precariously on the smallest of them. If there was a stack of pillows he would do all in his ability to get to the top.

*He likes to play “hide and seek”. One of us hides and he seeks. I think he uses his sight more than his sense of smell because sometimes he has a hard time finding the hidden person.

♥
did I mention how much I love this dog!

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ Inside and Outside

By Lorraine

See that little strip of grass? It made Raider very happy!
But, it didn’t last very long…

because we got more of this.

Playing along with Hey Harriet and Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ A Snooze in A Sunbeam

By Lorraine

It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.
Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas
A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Appalachian Trail
If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could product over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!
Dogs’ only sweat glands are between their paw pads
Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age
The breed Lundehune has 6 toes and can close its ears
Teddy Roosevelt’s dog, Pete, ripped a French ambassador’s pants off at the White House
President Lyndon Johnson had two beagles named Him and Her
Franklin Roosevelt spent $15,000 for a destroyer to pick up his Scottie in the Aleutian Islands
In Roman times, mastiffs donned light armor and were sent after mounted knights
The Russians trained dogs during WWII to run suicide missions with mines strapped to their backs
A dog’s mouth exerts 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch
… with some dogs exerting up to 450 pounds per square inch.
A one year old dog is as mature, physically, as a 15 year old human
The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world
France has the 2nd highest
The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog
87% of dog owners say their dog curls up beside them or at their feet while they watch T.V.
Dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures
15 people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites
In 2002 alone, more people in the U.S. were killed by dogs than by sharks in the past 100 years
Gidget is the name of the Taco Bell dog
Newfoundlands are great swimmers because of their webbed feet
Basset Hounds cannot swim
Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour
Bingo is the name of the dog on the side of the Cracker Jack box
The bible mentions dogs 14 times
Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic – a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese
The Labrador Retriever is the #1 favorite breed in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs
An estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s will
An American Animal Hospital Assoc. poll found that 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone and leaving answering machine messages for them while away
Dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them
At the end of the Beatles’ song “A Day in the Life”, a high-pitched dog whistle was recorded by Paul McCartney for his sheepdog
70% of people sign their pet’s name on greeting and holiday cards
58% put pets in family and holiday portraits
There are only 350 Cisky Terriers in the world – perhaps the rarest breed
The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in 17th century England when it is believed that many cats and dogs drowned during heavy periods of rain.

Click to read the rest of 102 Weird Facts You Never Knew About Dogs

Just a few of the movies featuring dogs… my favorite are the first two.

Visit Hey Harriet for more Shadow Shot Sunday!

Show And Tell Friday ~ Yep… More Snow Pictures

By Lorraine

For those sick of winter, these pictures won’t inspire. But I am enjoying every flake! And in August when I am complaining of the heat and humidity these scenes will be just a memory.

The above picture was taken last night with just the light from the porch. It’s a little fuzzy but more how it actually looked. Kind of a dreamy feeling.

Such a different look with the flash, but still cool.

Abbey laughs at her dads snowsuit but it sure keeps a body warm.

This morning… very cold and bright sun.

Although I didn’t want to disturb the pristine surface of the snow, I tried walking out a bit to get a picture of my boxwood hedge. The snow was knee deep and my boots are too low to keep the snow out. We brushed away the snow after the last storm but this snow has all of the tree branches bent low. I dread the damage that may have occurred.

Our side yard on the north. The arborvitae on the left are our neighbors and they are so heavy with snow.

sad pup… “I wanna go in.”

Imagine… in a few months this Eastern Redbud will be full of tiny pink blossoms!

Do you think my hydrangea and hosta plants are okay under all of that snow?

Raider wants you to visit Cindy @My Romantic Home for more Show & Tell Friday posts!

Classic Banana Bundt Cake & Helpers

By Lorraine

Our family will never be low on potassium. Almost every day we have bananas or something made with them. I did not realize this is a Dorie Greenspan recipe when I made it ~ it comes from her book From My Home to Yours. I made some changes. The original recipe called for two (2) sticks of butter. I substituted applesauce for half of the butter and used low fat sour cream.
It’s a moist and delicious cake with lots of banana flavor!

My helper and…
my beggar.

Classic Banana Bundt Cake

Ingredients: Makes 1 Bundt Cake (14 servings)

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, preferably at room temperature
About 4 very ripe bananas, mashed (you should have 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 cups)
1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
OPTIONAL: I like to stir in about 3/4 cup chocolate chips.

Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9- to 10-inch (12 cup) Bundt pan. (If you use a silicone Bundt pan there’s no need to butter it.) Don’t place the pan on a baking sheet – you want the oven’s heat to circulate through the Bundt’s inner tube.

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat at medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla, then add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each egg goes in. Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix in the bananas. Finally, mix in half the dry ingredients (don’t be disturbed when the batter curdles), all the sour cream and then the rest of the flour mixture. Scrape the batter into the pan, rap the pan on the counter to debubble the batter and smooth the top.

Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a thin knife inserted deep into the center of the cake comes out clean. Check the cake after about 30 minutes – if it is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with a foil tent. Transfer the cake to a rack and cool for 10 minutes before unmolding onto the rack to cool to room temperature.

If you’ve got the time, wrap the cooled cake in plastic and allow it to sit on the counter overnight before serving – it’s better the next day.

Optional Lemony White Icing:
Sift 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar into a bowl and squeeze in enough fresh lemon juice (start with 2 teaspoons and add more by drops) to make an icing thin enough to drizzle down the Bundt’s curves.

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