Blog Archives
Bixby and Scout: Sunday Puppehs
Here is Scout doing her best Nala impression and Bixby his best, “I’m not here” pose.
This is how Scout likes to sit. It was cute as a little thing, not so much now that she can flatten the cushions to pancakes. I’m working on discouraging it. And yes, that is her handiwork on the windowsill. Luckily I’m in the middle of painting, so the repairs should be relatively easy.
I have no idea why Bixby has recently become camera-shy. Big goof.
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Proof of Life
Here we are. I have neglected you…but I have a kinda big announcement Thursday that might clarify my absence.
More later…
Sunday Update: Puppehs!
So these two:
Yesterday was Bixby’s 4th birthday. Celebration was laid-back. LOL Scout also had a milestone – she turned 7 months this week. The house reflects the puppy energy. I’m forever picking up toys and the windowsill now features Scout’s mark – she’s chewed a big chunk of it out. Luckily, it’s repairable. Puppies.
I’ve been busy – painting the living room, refinishing the martini bar – which looks lovely and I need to get some photos up of it. And the gardens take up a bit of time. But unlike last spring and summer when I spent most of my time moving and re-imagining what I had inherited – this spring it has mostly been sprucing things up, keeping the weeks controlled and enjoying the blooms. I’ll take it.
I have been doing absolutely no cooking. I need to have another dinner party to motivate me – and there is one on the schedule so I’ll have to think of something fun. There’s a new grill coming, which means it will definitely be of the outdoor nature. Probably too soon for garden veggies. But a girl can dream.
I have promised the dogs a walk…so we are off. Happy father’s day to everyone!
Bixby and Scout: Six and a Half Months
Twenty seven photos and only two weren’t blurry. That tells you everything you need to know about a 6 month old Great Dane puppy. She’s about 77 lbs these days. She is running behind Bixby by a mere 10 lbs since she arrived, which would put her at about 140-145 lbs when she’s full-grown.
She has suddenly decided to be a trouble-maker. I’ve been letting her roam the living room when I’m gone for short periods of time – usually under an hour. That stopped last week when she decided to start eating the windowsill and an extension cord. Until she’s past her chewing phase, she’ll lose a bit of freedom.
She’s completely adorable, regardless – if I scold her, her tail droops – if I yell at her and put her in timeout, she gives me looks like a thirteen year-old who has just been told she can’t wear makeup or date. I can practically hear her thinking, “you’re not my real mom.” No matter what, she’s terribly sweet and we’ll ride out this pre-teen, hormone driven behaviors.
Bixby really, really hates having his photo taken.
If we could make it through the Bixby teen years, we can make it through Scout’s. Speaking of the Big Guy – he’s feeling much better. I’ve started him on an anti-inflammatory for a few days because it sure looks like in addition to his bacterial infection, he has a bruised rib which makes him very cranky (and by cranky, I mean scary-snappy). This also means I can’t let them be outside together because Scout tackles him like a linebacker. The results were almost immediate, so I’m hopeful they’ll be able to play again soon, they miss it.
But for the most part, he is back to his lovable, easy-going self.
I have dinner company for tomorrow and I’m going to make lemon tarts for dessert, so there will be photos and a recipe (that I’m pretty much making up myself based on these lovely tarts I had in Paris), Until then…
Silly Scout Being Silly
She’s entered her silly phase. She has learned “feet check” very quickly, making rainy days like today much easier. She also rings the bell both inside and out to come and go – Bixby refuses to ring the outside bell. Now if I could just convince her that ringing the bell does NOT mean I’m gonna jump immediately. (How many times can one puppy ring a bell in the 3 minutes it takes me to actually stop what I’m doing and let her out…let me count the ways).
That ear. I’ve been trying for a while to get a photo of her unruly ear, but she’s always on the move, so it’s been difficult. I was working at the patio table, which I have blocked off, otherwise I’d never get anything done. Here she is doing her best, “why can’t I sit by you”.
Unruly ears last such a short time, I really enjoy it. I have a whole slew of Bixby ears (here’s one). They generally settle down by about 6-7 months. I miss those ears.
Bixby and Scout: Puppy is 5 Months
These guys. Love them. We traveled, by car, for 8 hours each way last weekend. They were amazing. And sweet as can be as guests.
Scout is five months and just about out of her 20″ collar. So deceptive because she’s so lanky and her neck long and graceful. She had her first nail trim and was very good. I haven’t gotten a good weight on her since she outgrew the scale here. We’ll get her out to the pet store this week and see how big is big.
This guy. We have our moments – he hates to be told what to do – but he’s a big love and wins over everyone he meets. Can’t believe he’s going to be four in June.
See that look, that says, “I’m contemplating trouble and mischief”, but who could be mad…
More photos…
Play Ball! Opening Day Menu
I am traveling, again. Taking both dogs with me, which should be…interesting. I’ve actually never taken a car trip with two (or three when I had them) Danes. Although, when I purchased my car, that was the one of the requirements. Hold two Danes. Wish me luck!
I thought I would leave you with a little something since today is the best day. OPENING DAY!!
Here’s a little baseball trivia for you: The Colorado Rockies Mascot is an anthropomorphic purple triceratops named Dinger. Do you know why? (Answer at the bottom of the post).
Here’s my traditional opening day menu to bring the ballpark to your house. I tried to be as authentic as I could with each dog. Personally, I would grill any of mine, authentic or not. I was lucky enough to have my friends spoil me with authentic Fenway Franks (grilled) and buns while I was back east. They were as good as I remember them. My all time favorite though is the Italian Sausage with grilled peppers. Here in Colorado you can’t swing a metaphorical cat without hitting a brewery (even our Governor is a former brew master), so we have plenty of great choices for a cold brew. Okay, PLAY BALL!!
On the board today:
Pick Favorite (recipes below):
- Fenway Franks
- Boston Dogs
- New York Dawg
- Italian Sausage w/peppers
- Denver Dogs
- Dodger Dogs (adults only)
Vinegar & Salt chips (if you can find them, Cape Cod chips are excellent)
Raw Vegetable Tray (hey it can’t all be junk food)
Pick one:
- Ice cream in dipped cones
- Cracker Jacks
- Popcorn
- Peanuts in shells
- Lemonade
- Favorite Ice Cold Brew
Fenway Franks
The closest I can find to these are to use Ball Park Brand Franks. The secret to these tasty franks is to bring the water to a boil, then add the franks and let them cook until just heated through. If you can find them, authentic Fenway franks are served in white bread sliced rolls (these look like two bun size slices of white bread, joined together at the bottom and sliced open at the top). If not, regular buns will do. Mustard only, please …though I like them plain.
Boston Dogs
Follow in the instructions above and add hot chili and shredded cheddar.
New York Dawg
Follow the instructions for Fenway Franks and add sauerkraut.
Denver Dogs
Split your dog lengthwise, but not all the way through. Flatten on hot grill, keep the rack far from the flame, don’t let them burn, flip and grill the other side. Brush rolls with melted butter and a touch of garlic, toast on the grill. Bring bun & dog together, top with relish or spicy brown mustard.
Dodger Dogs (Adults ONLY)
Get a can or bottle of your favorite beer, take your dogs and use a fork to poke holes around the dogs. In a large, shallow bowl, add dogs & beer and let soak 30 minutes. Now, this is a two-step process for authentic dogs, but if you want, you can skip the boiling part. Bring water to a boil, drop dogs in for 3 to 5 minutes, remove and immediately pop onto a hot grill and grill all sides. Serve in warm rolls, top with spicy beer mustard or relish.
Italian Sausage w/Peppers
Spicy Italian sausage or bratwurst grilled or pan-fried. These are thick, so make sure you cook them long enough to cook completely through (follow pkg. directions) Slice a green pepper in rings and sauté in butter & olive oil. Toast regular hot dog bun in skillet or on grill, add sausage and top with peppers.
Ice Cream in Dipped Cones
- 4 waffle cones
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 oz package chocolate sprinkles
- 1 quart vanilla ice cream
In a double-boiler (or a saucepan with a Pyrex or metal bowl place on top), add water to the bottom and melt chocolate & butter. Dip top of cones into melted chocolate, then dip immediately into sprinkles. Let cool completely, scoop in ice cream and top with remaining sprinkles
Why is the Colorado Rockies mascot a dinosaur? Because when they were excavating the stadium – they found a triceratops skull. Not the first time around there – this past summer they found one near my old house.
Okay, I’m off. Wish me luck.
A Little Sunday Zen: Bixby and Scout in Repose
Seems we missed National Puppy Day. Well, let me tell you, when you have an actual puppy, it’s not easy to find time to get those photos up. Not to mention most are blurry because the whirlwind of energy that is a puppy rarely stops.
When they do, I’m always hoping the camera is nearby, because any movement on my part will awaken the beasts.
So freakin’ adorable.
Bixby and Scout: Is It Possible? 18 Weeks Old
Bixby and his crew. Scout is doing great. She’s outgrown the scale here at home, so I’m not sure her weight this week – she was 42 lbs when the vet weighed her last week. She might almost be 50 lbs now. She got her first nail trim this week and did very well.
The ducks have had a couple of great days – it rained last night and they enjoyed wandering around playing in it – and this morning they got to dig around in a very muddy yard. I am happy to see that all the areas above have grass popping up everywhere. I may need to reseed a couple of areas, but off to a good start.
Scout loves her time outside. Bixby will be in snoozing on the couch and she’s happy to be out in the yard, curled up with a stick and contemplating her place in the universe. Or bothering the ducks.
Sometimes I can get them to sit still long enough to photograph together. But I can’t make them not blink at the same time. The vet and I had a discussion about Bixby’s red eye and it seems to be just allergies and irritation, not severe enough to warrant any additional intervention.
