Dog Park Fascination

Yes, I know what you are thinking… am I really that kind of person? The short answer is “kinda.” No I don’t necessarily think my dog is the end all and be all -- and she doesn’t eat dinner with us at the table (maybe underneath the table…), but I do love her, and as such I clothe her in winter (sometimes for Halloween too) and I take her to the dog park. She loves it okay? She’s not too social, but she loves the smells, the dog-raderie , the ability to run free and wild amongst her peers, and the Pupperoni her delighted owners feed her whenever she does something cute. She, however, does not, enjoy the ride to the dog park. The shining rolling metal box that takes us to the park is a trial and tribulation that all must live through. We have tried every technique in the world to get her to enjoy the car ride, but nothing works. She squeaks, she pants and she squirms to get under my seat and there she remains for the 5 minute ride.

This is as calms as doggy can get. Once she gets to the park it’s a different story. She is the queen of the park and every blade must be christened. Take a gander at her in the park and you’ll see why most every Sunday “we go to there.”

Valentine Fascination

Today is 22 on the hit parade. We've been married for 22 years and known each other for at least 30 years. He was the long-haired guy at the front of the class banging away at his desk. I was the new transfer kid with the impossible name and the long braids. Ahhh true love... now what's for dinner?

We're celebrating family-style on Sunday. In keeping with our new Sunday Gourmet tradition we need to find good recipes. So far, we found dessert -- Magnolia Bakery's Red Velvet cupcakes or maybe these Brownies from King Arthur Flour. Ric found a recipe for a Rib Eye Steak with Garlic Parsley Butter, and we'll round out the meal with a warm white bean ox-tail soup, nice Baby Green salad with warm Goat Cheese Medallions, Walnut Rice and a delicious Almost No-Knead Bread.