Happy

I've been in touch with a breeder not far from here who has a little black female pug named Happy. (It doesn't seem that her namesake is reflected in this photo... sad little pug face...)
She could be ours! (but we might have to rename her ;) ) She is almost 7 months old and will be spayed this weekend. We are going to try to visit her next weekend. I could be a mom by next weekend!

We're expecting!

... to be puppy parents! After several years of wanting a pet but being restricted by landlords and law school, we'll finally be able to get a puppy (after Nick takes the Bar Exam next week.) We decided to get a Pug puppy and I've been in contact with several breeders to find the right pup for us. Here is one that has a possibility of being ours:

We bought some books this weekend to help prepare us for our furry child: Pugs, Pugs for Dummies, and The Power of Positive Dog Training. We plan on taking her to obedience classes and are going to try to train her at home. We're very excited in case you couldn't tell. I'm starting this blog with the intentions of documenting our puppy's progress, life, cuteness, etc. I know this has been done many times before but each puppy blog I've found has been helpful in a different way so I hope this one can help someone as well. Until the puppy arrives I'll keep posting updates about our preparation and search...

Chocolate Stout Cake

I made this months ago and it's amazing and happens to be vegan. I wanted to post it here so that I don't lose it and so that others can share in the awesomeness. I got this recipe from someone on Ravelrywho found it online somewhere. Enjoy:

Vegan Chocolate Stout Cake

• 2 cups sugar (I reduced the sugar by about 1/2 cup)


• 3 cups all-purpose flour


• 1/2 c cocoa


• 1 tsp salt


• 2 tsp baking soda


• 3/4 c oil (I used a little less; maybe about 2/3 c)


• 4 tsp vinegar


• 1 tsp vanilla


• 1 bottle (12 oz) beer (I recommend a dark stout or chocolate stout; I used Young's Double Chocolate Stout)


• 1/2 c water

Sift all dry ingredients together into a large bowl and make three wells in the dry mixture (one large and two small). Pour the oil into the large well, and the vinegar and vanilla into each of the small wells. Pour beer over mixture, add water, and mix well.

Bake at 350F for 35 - 45 min. in lightly oiled pan.

Here's a photo of the finished product dusted with powdered sugar. I really need a nice cake pedestal or something...

Morning Glory Muffins

These muffins were so amazing that I needed to post the recipe here. Unfortunately, they were so amazing that they were all eaten before I had a chance to take a photo. We just moved into our new house and whenever someone stopped by to check it out they had a muffin and then took one for the road. They freeze well (I'm told) and make an awesome quick breakfast.

Clean-out-the-Fridge Morning Glory Muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup ground flax seed (I used a combination of whole flax seeds and oatmeal, wheat germ and oat bran for texture)

3/4 cup sugar (I used 1/2 cup white, 1/4 cup brown)

2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 cup canola oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrots

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup raisins (I used craisins instead)

1 medium tart apple, peeled and grated

I also threw in some sunflower seeds and some leftover granola with dried apricots. You could also use grated zucchini, peaches, other dried fruit, other nuts, etc. You can also replace one of the eggs with 4 egg whites to lower the fat content.]

1. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, applesauce, orange juice, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the carrots, pecans, coconut, raisins and apple.


2. Coat muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray or use foil liners; fill three-fourths full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.