My Weird Dog - Olympics

 It's been quite a while since we have heard from My Weird Dog Pippen. Lots of stories to tell about him.  Pippen has had a crazy year (isn't every day/year crazy for him?).   He loves where we live and gets to decide where he wants to go for his walks every day.  And since he is the only child at home, he can be quite spoiled.* 

A result of one of these spoil sessions was something that didn't quite sit right in Pippen's stomach.  I sensed the urgency, hopped up and start yelling, "Let's go!  Get up!  We're going outside!  Hurry!  Come on!  Let's go, Let's go, Let's go!" and we both sprint out the back door.  

RT watched the whole show and said that I have made Pippen's nauseous stomach issues into an Olympic event.  It's the "Race to get the dog outside before he barfs in the house," event.  RT is amazed that, over the years, I appear out of nowhere (the attic, basement, the roof), sensing that this is going to happen and get Pippen outside in time.  

Yes, kids, do a little every day.  Always be aware of what could happen and prepare in your mind how you can help the dog evacuate the house.  This isn't a sport that you can just jump into and be the best.  It takes years of practice.   

I would love to talk more, but I have to go accept my Gold Medal.      

*OK.  So, he has always been spoiled.  Nothing new.

Vasilopita Bread - St. Basil's Sweet Bread (Vegan)

 Vasilopita is a Greek sweet bread baked especially for New Years.  The story behind the bread: St. Basil asked the ladies of the church to bake a sweet bread with coins baked inside them.  The bread was given out to the needy people at church for life's necessities.  This was his way of giving them money without demeaning them at all.  It is now a tradition to bake a coin into the Vasilopita (St. Basil's bread).  The person that receives the coin is considered to have luck in the New Year. 

Vasilopita is a sweet bread made with butter and flavored with orange, vanilla, masticha and Mahlep.  

I posted this recipe a few years back and decided to try making it vegan.  This is my first attempt and was pretty decent.  I thought I would share the vegan recipe here for those that want to make it

Vasilopita Bread

ingredients:

1 pkg active dry yeast

3/4 cup oat milk, lukewarm

3 flax eggs*

1.5 tsp grated orange rind

1/2 cup sugar

4 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground masticha

1/4 tsp ground mahlep

1/2 cup melted vegan butter

vegan butter for glazing

blanched split almonds or sesame seeds

directions:

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup of milk

Add remainder of milk, eggs, orange rind and sugar.

In a warm bowl, add 3 cups flour, salt and spices make a well in the center.

Pour in yeast mixture and stir to blend in flour.  Gradually add warm melted butter.

Mix dough with hands until it comes away from the sides.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding remaining flour as required.

Knead for 10 minutes.

Place ball of dough in bowl that has been greased with butter.

Turn dough over to coat top with butter and cover bowl with a cloth or plastic wrap.

Leave to rise in warm place until doubled.

Punch down and turn onto lightly floured surface.

Knead lightly and shape into a round loaf.

Place onto large greased baking sheet or greased 10" round baking dish

Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled (1.5-2 hours).

Glaze with beaten egg and arrange almonds or sesames onto the bread (pressing lightly).

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes until golden brown and cooked when tested.

If bread browns too quickly, place greased parchment paper on top.

Cool on wire rack

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I used the 1/2 cup of sugar and it turned out wonderfully.

*one flax egg equals one Tablespoon flax with three Tablespoons of cold water.  Let sit for five minutes before using in recipe.

I did not add the orange rind and the world did not end.

This bread turned out wonderfully. This bread is a sweet bread that tastes great plain or with a little butter (regular or vegan).  Great for toast in the morning.

Let me know if you try making Vasilopita.  I would love to hear how your bread turns out!

Happy New Year!

 Every year our small town does a ball drop in the middle of downtown.  It's part of their Light up the Lake New Year's event.  Along with the ball drop, there is music, fireworks and a beer tent.  All of the local businesses are open and have little events happening prior to the main event. You can shop, drink, sip some tea or hot chocolate while listening to jazz, get your photo taken with the 2025 ball in the background, or just dance in the streets.  

The ball drop was named 2024's best New Year's Eve ball drop in the nation by the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards.  The best part is that we were able to attend this event!  

I forgot to mention that we are four blocks from this event.  No driving. No trying to find parking.  Just a nice leisurely walk into town.  When it was over, a nice stroll back home.

Who needs Times Square when you can be in Legacy Plaza?  Yea, I'll take the small-town New Year's Eve ball drop over any other celebration.

How did you ring in the New Year?  

Did you make any New Year's resolutions?

Happy New Year everyone!

2024 - A Year in Review

 I can't believe it's New Year's Eve! This year flew by! Time to take a look back and see all that we experienced this year.

Blogwise, I guess I have been a little MIA.  I did post a few recipes and a few hints about why I am missing.

Let's start with the obvious....recipes:

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Homemade Granola

Crispy Tempeh

Raspberry Scones (vegan)

Waffles (vegan)

I am glad that I posted so many recipes.  A lot of my cookbooks (I think I might have a couple left) are in storage.

I did post a few retail stories and Weird Dog posts and then I vanished.

The short story is, I had to quit my job because we sold our house. There was a mad scramble as we tried to get rid of stuff, pack and move out of the place that we called home for twenty-seven years (and one day). We couldn't move into our house until August, so we were homeless for five weeks.  We chose to travel during that time.  We finally made our way to our new home in a very small beach town on the lake.  We have access to the State Park, lots of hiking and of course, the beach.  I forgot to mention, we did make a trip to drive halfway across the country to drop the youngest child off at college.  So, it's just the three of us at home (RT, Weird Dog and myself).

I have quite a few stories (of course) that I have been asked to share will share in the new year.

Thirteen years of scariness.  Thanks for sticking around.

Cheers to another scary year!

National Thank You Note Day

 As I always say (and write), people love getting handwritten letters and notes in the mail.  It's always the first thing someone reads when they bring in the mail.  I would rather read a letter from a friend or family member before diving into a pile of bills. 

Sure, it's easy to send off an email or a quick text to thank Aunt Sally for the ugly Christmas sweater.  Aunt Sally would much rather receive a nice handwritten Thank You note in the mail from you.

Today is National Thank You Note Day! 

I'm unable to find out how or why this day was started.  Some say it was created because of all the presents people received on Christmas Day.  I, on the other hand, believe it was started by my mother, The Queen of Thank You Note writing.

I remember being called down to the kitchen a couple days after Christmas.  On the table there were three place settings.  At each spot there was a sheet of paper with list of names and gifts that they gave us, and a pen.  In the center of the table there was a stack of Thank You note cards, stamps and an address book.  You had to find your spot at the table.  The rules?  Write a Thank You note to everyone on the list then address and stamp the envelope.  Oh, and you can't leave the table until you are finished.

My Mom never taught us how to write a Thank You note.  My brothers would hurry up and scribble some stuff and leave the table.  I would be stuck there for hours asking my relatives how their pet is doing and trying to figure out how to nicely thank someone for the gift they gave me (how do you thank someone for money?).

If you do participate today, and I hope you will, you can use #NationalThankYouNoteDay on social media.

If you need any tips on Thank You Note writing, I'd love to help, especially if you want to know how the family dog is getting along.

Don't worry, Mom, I already wrote my Thank You notes this year!

Merry Christmas!

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  "Glory to God in the highest.  And on earth, Peace, goodwill toward men!"  Luke 2:8-14

St. Nicholas

 There are many stories about the life of St. Nicholas.  I found my information here.  The following is a quick summary.  Click on the link to read more details.

St. Nicholas came from a wealthy family.  His parents died when he was very young.  He grew up in his faith and strongly believed to give to the poor.  He became Bishop and was know for his generosity, love of children and concern for sailors.  Under the Roman Empire he was persecuted for his faith.  He went to prison.  He was released and died on December 6.  The anniversary of his death became a celebration known as St. Nicholas Day.

There are many variations of the story of St. Nicholas. He gave money for three poor girls dowries, he helped children, gave to the poor. Do a little research.  You will even see how Santa Claus evolved. 

If you put your shoes out by the door, Saint Nicholas visits and leaves candy inside them.  

Do you have any special traditions you do with your family during the holidays?