Mazy is a gra-ju-wit! (graduate)

Mazy, my beloved daschie, officially passed her first training class! When I initially enrolled her in the class at my local Petsmart, I thought it would be a good time for her and I to bond. It was but it was much more work than I had anticipated. She passed the following test in order to graduate (all minutes were timed by a timer):

Sit-Stay (frozen) for 1 minute

Sit-Down-Stay (frozen) for 3 minutes

Sit-Stay (owner turns their back and walks away)- Come from a distance

Sit-Down-Stay (owner turns their back and walks away)- Come from a distance

Sit-Wait (not frozen but must change from a sit to a down to indicate she is waiting)

"Leave it!" A huge pile of treats is placed on the floor. The dog is then instructed and reminded gently by collar to leave it while the owner walks the dog close to the treats, circling around them. Every time the dog attempts to eat the treats, they are reminded to "leave it!". Then, the owner places the dog directly behind the pile of treats. The dog is told "sit" and "stay." The owner turns their back and walks away. Then, the dog is called from a distance to come to the owner and must bypass the pile of treats. Thus, "LEAVE IT!".

All of this was hard work for Mazy but she did it! I really did bond us and it helped a LOT on her focus!

Congratulations my bubbies! (that's my nick name for her!)

Mutt Treats

Mazy, my beloved little dashie, may be in store for some yummies for her tummy! I caught this clip on the Today Show (via internet). They interviewed the author of a new doggie cookbook. I will put this book on my future purchase list. Mazy may have a surprise soon as I hope to try the recipe below for Pupsicles! I may even try the Barkin' Biscuits!

Frozen Strawberry Pupsicles

Amy Stevens' Yoga 4 Dogs

3 dozen Pupsicles

These Pupsicles are a great, refreshing way to give your dog that extra burst of energy!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups yogurt, low-fat plain vanilla flavor

• 1 jar organic baby food, strawberry flavor

• 2 tablespoons of your favorite honey

• 2 tablespoons of organic peanut butter

DIRECTIONS

Take all ingredients and mix thoroughly in a blender or food processor.

Pour into ice cube trays or paper cups and freeze for about an hour. It’s that easy!

Cheesy Bark’n Biscuits

Amy Stevens' Yoga 4 Dogs

4 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour

• 1 cup unbleached flour

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Cheddar cheese

• 2 tablespoons canola oil

• 4-5 slices fully cooked and crisp bacon (crumbled)

• 1 to 1 1/4 cup water (add more if needed)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix flour and cheese in a large bowl; add crumbled bacon, oil and water, mix well with hands. Form the dough into a ball and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.

Using half of the dough at a time, place on a floured surface and roll to ¼" thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes on middle rack or until lightly brown.

Turn oven off when done and leave biscuits in the oven to cool (about 20 minutes).

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

My Unprofessional Review of Julie and Julia

The other day I went to see the new movie "Julie and Julia." I had heard it was a must see! I anticipated one of those feel-good, leave the theatre smiling sort of films. I will have to say that it did not fulfill such an expectation. While it did not leave that sort of warm feeling in the pit of your stomach upon leaving, I feel it still is worth seeing.

Why? It is a movie about a woman, Julie, who is about to turn the dreaded 30 and her journey to find purpose in her life. What person couldn't relate to this? She finds this connection, though not literally, with Julia Child. 365 days, 524 recipes, and a blog.....Julie makes her way through Julia Child's cookbook and finds her purpose, even herself, in the end. I won't give away too many details but the movie was charming and inspires me to both purchase Julia Child's cookbook and learn to cook French. I will let you find out the rest for yourself.

By the way, if you want to know why the movie didn't live up to the warm fuzzy feeling--I will tell you but only after you have seen it. =)

gardening joys and qualms

So this spring has been full of gardening adventures for me!  I have been pulling out ugly plants and putting in new plants.  Also, I have put my hand to attempt my first herb garden and strawberry plant.  

I've experienced a recent panic with my beautiful rose garden I planted last fall.  It seemed I had these pests that no one could identify and no research could tell me what they were.  I tried all the natural remedies and nothing seemed to work.  Well, I finally discovered that these pests were in fact adult aphids!!! I guess my organic gardening, the release of ladybugs, didn't get all those aphids.  It seems this year they are

 especially nasty.  So one evening this week I will have to break down and use chemicals to try and kill the nasty bugs!  

So what's cooking in my garden?? Here are my recent additions:  MORE roses, hydrangeas, herbs, french lavender, and peonies.  With all the work I put in, I hope to one day just sit back and enjoy the beauty!

springtime in fresno

Spring is just around the corner and it is obvious. The Easter lilies, candy, and eggs are lining the stores.  Flowers are in full bloom.  In the Fresno area, the hills are lined with green grass and poppies.  The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and it is breathtaking.  I long for the sunny, clear days when I can gaze at the snow capped Sierra Nevadas.  In the evening, I can hear the cooing of the doves which reminds me so much of my fondest childhood memories, growing up in this area.  I am reminded of the beauty of creation and find myself thankful to be surrounded with such life.