Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Beach Pug
I've been wanting to take Meiby to the beach (Lake Michigan) since we brought her home almost 3 years ago. I finally found a perfect day for a hike/dunes/beach outing with the pug. She loved it.
It was a pretty cool day but I didn't think she'd be able to handle more than a mile or so. After the first little hike through the dunes to the beach she was so worked up and wheezing I figured I'd have to carry her back. However, once we got to the water she jumped right in and laid down to cool off and have a drink.
After she was sufficiently refreshed she played around in the lake for a bit.
We walked along the shore for a while and then had to make an even longer and steeper trek over the dune and through the woods to get back to the car. I almost didn't make it back up that dune but Meiby was a trooper. She practically dragged me up the hill. When she started breathing heavy again I tried to carry her for a bit to let her rest but she wanted none of it. I gave her a little water and she was good to go... and I think she would have been up for more!
It was a pretty cool day but I didn't think she'd be able to handle more than a mile or so. After the first little hike through the dunes to the beach she was so worked up and wheezing I figured I'd have to carry her back. However, once we got to the water she jumped right in and laid down to cool off and have a drink.
After she was sufficiently refreshed she played around in the lake for a bit.
We walked along the shore for a while and then had to make an even longer and steeper trek over the dune and through the woods to get back to the car. I almost didn't make it back up that dune but Meiby was a trooper. She practically dragged me up the hill. When she started breathing heavy again I tried to carry her for a bit to let her rest but she wanted none of it. I gave her a little water and she was good to go... and I think she would have been up for more!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Meiby Goes to a Party
My mom had a big party this weekend. It was her 30th birthday! I got to meet lots of friends. Here I am watching for fallen snacks.
My Aunt Missy had a good time too.
Here I am hanging out with the ladies.
I was so sleepy by the end of the night. Did I drink too many of these?
Now where did that cake go?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cross-Pollinization
Last year I planted 2 kinds of jalapenos and some sweet banana peppers. They were all next to each other in pots. I was surprised and confused that the "sweet" peppers were spicier than the jalapenos.
Recently I planted some seeds for this summer. I bought some seedless watermelon seeds and the package says they need a "pollinizer". I had no idea what that meant so I looked it up. Since seedless watermelons are sterile they need regular watermelons growing in close proximity so they can be cross-pollinated.
Then I suddenly realized... so that's what happened to my peppers. The sweet peppers had cross-pollinated with the jalapenos. Science!
Recently I planted some seeds for this summer. I bought some seedless watermelon seeds and the package says they need a "pollinizer". I had no idea what that meant so I looked it up. Since seedless watermelons are sterile they need regular watermelons growing in close proximity so they can be cross-pollinated.
Then I suddenly realized... so that's what happened to my peppers. The sweet peppers had cross-pollinated with the jalapenos. Science!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Winter Chilis
Last Sunday I made some awesome veggie chili from scratch, dried beans and all. Today I made some veggie white chili. They are not super unique recipes but I am going to post them here for future reference. Amounts are approximate since I tend to just add things as I see fit. The first recipe was adapted from this one and the second was much more free form.
Veggie Chili
1/2 cup TVP (soaked and drained, optional)
1/2 cup of frozen diced onion
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup dried red kidney beans (soaked overnight)
1 cup dried navy beans (soaked overnight)
1 can petite diced tomatoes with juice
1 can diced tomatoes with chilis with juice
1 orange bell pepper, diced
about 6 baby carrots, diced
1/2 cup or so cauliflower florets
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
a squeeze of honey
salt and pepper to taste
a little olive oil
1 cup water or broth (or more if needed)
Saute onion, garlic and tvp in olive oil until browned. Stir in all seasonings. Stir in everything else except tomatoes. Simmer stirring occasionally for 30-40 minutes until beans are soft. Add tomatoes and simmer another 20 minutes or so. Add extra seasonings if needed. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.
Note: adding the tomatoes later allows the beans to soften faster.
White Veggie Chili
1 cup dried navy beans (soaked overnight)
1 1/2 cups or so frozen sweet corn (from grandma's farm preferably)
2 frozen roasted hot peppers from my garden (or canned chilis will work too)
1 cup leftover brown and wild rice
1/2 cup natural unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup frozen diced onion
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 cups or so broth
1 tsp butter
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
juice from one lemon
salt and pepper to taste
a little plain yogurt or sour cream
For this one I just put everything into my crockpot and turned it on high for 4-5 hours. Add the yogurt or sour cream at the end. Cheese might be nice too.
Veggie Chili
1/2 cup TVP (soaked and drained, optional)
1/2 cup of frozen diced onion
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup dried red kidney beans (soaked overnight)
1 cup dried navy beans (soaked overnight)
1 can petite diced tomatoes with juice
1 can diced tomatoes with chilis with juice
1 orange bell pepper, diced
about 6 baby carrots, diced
1/2 cup or so cauliflower florets
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
a squeeze of honey
salt and pepper to taste
a little olive oil
1 cup water or broth (or more if needed)
Saute onion, garlic and tvp in olive oil until browned. Stir in all seasonings. Stir in everything else except tomatoes. Simmer stirring occasionally for 30-40 minutes until beans are soft. Add tomatoes and simmer another 20 minutes or so. Add extra seasonings if needed. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.
Note: adding the tomatoes later allows the beans to soften faster.
White Veggie Chili
1 cup dried navy beans (soaked overnight)
1 1/2 cups or so frozen sweet corn (from grandma's farm preferably)
2 frozen roasted hot peppers from my garden (or canned chilis will work too)
1 cup leftover brown and wild rice
1/2 cup natural unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup frozen diced onion
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 cups or so broth
1 tsp butter
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
juice from one lemon
salt and pepper to taste
a little plain yogurt or sour cream
For this one I just put everything into my crockpot and turned it on high for 4-5 hours. Add the yogurt or sour cream at the end. Cheese might be nice too.
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