How exactly do you mess up......

spinach. This week I heard another recall on bagged spinach. With things like spinach, peanut butter, and pet treats topping the lists of dangerous products I am always on the lookout for ways to bypass using products that require processing. I no longer buy the nicely washed bags of any greens. I watch the brands of peanut butter and other products. I make my own products when I can. Here is a way to make tasty treats for your dog without additives or danger.

For training treats you will want very small treats. Liver works well for that. You may use beef or pork. Pork, of course, is cheaper. With the cost of everything rising at an alarming rate, I have found I can make them cheaper. Also, I do not have to worry about the ingredients because I control them.

Cover cookie sheet with foil for easy cleaning

Lay slices of meat (liver, pork, chicken, beef....) on cookie sheet

Bake in 350 degree oven for 1.5 hours or until dry and done.

You can experiment with the time. For larger treats you may want them to be a bit more dry so you would increase the baking time. For training treats you will want them to remain fairly moist so I keep it at the time listed. Slice to desired size and place in zip lock bag in refrigerator. Will keep for week or freeze and defrost a bag at a time. 

Suggested meats

Beef heart

Beef kidney

Beef  liver

Pork liver

Chicken

Lamb

Duck

Hint: You do not have to buy large quantities of any one thing if you have only one dog. Often there will be small packages of meats after weekends or holidays on markdowns. 

P.S. This is not vet advice. I am simply sharing my experience with you as I try to reduce the need to use processed treats and other products. As always, use your discretion.

Robin

She is five

In my journey into digital photography.....

Grasshopper Incident

Last evening Catie and were I were enjoying a foray into the garden just before dark. We were delighted to see a rather large grasshopper and stopped to look at him for a moment. Catie assured me he was not there to eat my garden. With amusement I admonished him to find greener grazing grounds and encouraged him to simply fill himself with one meal before moving along. No greediness allowed. We chuckled and continued our discussion. I bent over to inspect couple of plants and before I knew it our resident, and rather large, grasshopper had decided to hitch a ride in my tank top. (GULP) It took a few and Catie still could not believe he was in my shirt but I did manage to send him on his way. That incident convinced me that I have had so much excitement from my family that I tend to under react. There was a time that such an event would have caused me to put a break dancer to shame.

Perfect Eggplant

I planted ONE eggplant. I like eggplant parmesan. I like the color of the plant. We thought it looked cool. Turns out that this has been one prolific plant. I have gotten a number of the little purple egg shaped things and have not made one eggplant parmesan! I did discover a recipe that is easy and delish!

Simply take the eggplant and slice thinly. Spread on a cookie sheet. Preheat over 350 degrees
Sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt and cracked black pepper and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes. I also added some peppers and tomotoes.

This is yummy! My kids loved it too.

Enjoy.

Fresh Veggies!

Here is a picture of my favorite veggie farmer and some of the goodies we picked last evening.

We have picked some of it while it is still in it's smaller stage because the bunnies and squirrels have become more and more resourceful in finding a way into our ever growing wire enclosure. That is at the top of the list for improvements for next year.

The garden is just two 4x4 squares plus 4 odd plants and a few bean plants haphazardly next to one of the bunny pens. We placed barriers down and piled on our heap of compost and soil. We have not weeded all summer. We have had gardens of various sizes but this one has been the most productive.

The Joy of the Domestic Duchess

Lest my royal title fool you I feel it only fair to tell you that the Duchess is Domestic because she does not have a staff. I do work hard at training my two ladies in waiting. Also, the castle is a fifty year old brick rancher with a myriad of projects calling my name. My best advice to unmarried women everywhere is to see the love of your life wield a hammer and a paintbrush before saying "I do" because love is surely not going to paint the kitchen!

I am not complaining, mind you. It is a crappy economy and we have a roof over our heads at a decent price. It is not falling down by any means. It does need work. I have tiled the kitchen and painted. I have more to do. There are the questions of money and ability. There that thing about a willing and able partner rears it's ugly head again. Mark my words! Counsel your daughters.

Pictures!

My original photography.