Empty Nesting

As the spring arrives and so many activities are nearing I have a deep feeling of sadness hovering over me with the impending graduation of my eighteen year old son. I will not be experiencing the empty nest with my other two children still under mothers wing, but the thought that I will have to let go of my first born son is gnawing at my heart strings and giving me a feeling of sadness that I can't seem to shake lately. What brings this on so fierce I believe is that he's in a drama class with a teacher that treats the students horribly and for the first time I have to sit back and keep out of it. Normally, I would have a conference with this teacher and find out where she stands, I would move to the principal if I felt that I needed to further the discussion. But, my son is eighteen and needs to learn to handle predicaments on his own now. The stories that he shares about her behavior and her degrading comments to the students makes my blood run cold. I believe that a teacher is there to mold a student to lend encouragement and to teach. I know that it's not an easy task for any teacher to take on a group of teenagers, but a drama teacher should be most encouraging and wanting to ignite the fire within these students to carry on with this art even after graduation. From what I understand, from hearing bits and pieces from many sources this teacher wallows in her own life's dis-satisfaction, using these kids as springboards for her own anger and pain. It's wrong in my eyes, but here I am with my very own lesson in life, it's time to let go and let my son fight his own battles. With the sadness of him heading off to college next fall and the feelings of loss and fear shadowing the excitement for me, it's going to be a hard course for me to take all of this in stride and keep that smile on my face. I watch him quietly as he goes through his day and evening and tell myself I am doing the right thing, leaving my feelings inside and allowing him to start living his life as an adult.
But inside I worry about the safety of college campuses with all the recent shootings and him staying safe when he leaves home to venture into his own independence. I worry about him making the right choices and finding his way. But, like my father once told me at eighteen I can tell you about all the mistakes you will make but you won't listen to me, you will have to find out for yourself and learn from your own mistakes. That advice and those wise words have stuck with me all my adult life.
It goes to show us the circle of life that we lead. I can remember turning eighteen and moving 0n into my life like it was yesterday, but now it seems to feel like a different world for our teenagers. But, who is to say thats exactly how my parents felt when I was off on my own for the first time. I suppose as I venture into this new phase in my life I will learn many new things and emotions that I will express. And, I can only hope that when my next son moves on I will be able to deal with all of the feelings that I am having now, with a bit of new light!

Easter Bunnies

Easter will be here on Sunday March 23, 2008 and I know that a lot of people find it a great gift to give the children a pet rabbit. I think it’s a terrible idea to have an impulse purchase of a pet. They are adorable but they also require care, love and attention. If you feel strongly that you want a pet rabbit take time to research having them before you rush out to get one for Easter.

We happen to have a delightful little pet rabbit. His name is Chuck Norris, which always gives me a giggle when I have to speak out loud his full name. Our pet is a mini rex and he’s a wonderful pet. Small enough for the children to hold and pet and very soft to touch and caress. He’s very docile and enjoys being held and carried but loves to run around free. He has a 4-foot long by 2-foot wide cage that we keep indoors. I know a lot of people put a hutch outdoors for their bunnies but they really should be kept in out of the weather. Our rabbit has a litter box in his cage that we fill with organic litter and he uses it so we don’t have a lot of mess. Rabbit’s are

quite easily trained to use a litter box and are very smart.

Rabbits can live for many years and are a long-term pet if you choose to bring one into your life. They are very social creatures and require attention. You can have a rabbit spayed or neutered and you should if you are going to have more than one. Rabbits require a healthy diet and should
be given a great deal of timothy hay. They need the fiber in their diets. They love to chew so keeping chew toys in their cages for them is a good idea. If you are going to let your rabbit roam free you should take care and make sure there are no wires laying around. You can thread them through a small PVC pipe so that they are protected from the rabbit. They will chew your baseboards and furniture legs as well. We keep our rabbit in his cage unless he is out supervised for periods. We have three dachshunds that would love to play with him and they would play too rough. So please be mindful of your other pets around your rabbit. It's best to have safety in mind for your pet rabbit.

Rabbits also love treats even though they should not be overfed foods that aren’t that healthy just like us as well but an occasional treat is alright.

Honey Balls

Ingredients:

Weetabix crushed 1/4 cup
Oats 1/4 cup
Honey
Rabbit pellets crushed 1/3 cup
Carrot cut in tiny pieces

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients into a bowl (except honey) once mixed add as much honey as you
need to make the balls stick together.

Homemade Bunny Biscuits

1 small carrot, pureed
1/2 banana, mashed until really creamy
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup rabbit pellets, ground finely in a coffee grinder
1/4 cup ground oats, ground finely in a coffee grinder

Mix pureed carrot, banana and honey in a medium bowl. Add pellet powder and ground oats. Mix until blended. Knead in your hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll out the "dough" in 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick layers between sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into small cookies (about 3/4 inch across). Place cut shapes onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes (check to make sure they are not browning too much). Turn off the heat and let the cookies sit in the warm oven for an hour or so.

Remember, never to give rabbits a lot of foods that are sugary and high in carbohydrates you don’t want to upset their digestion and cause diarrhea. It’s all right for the occasional treat sparingly but not all the time. They do enjoy fruits and vegetables but be careful with iceberg lettuce.

If you are going to invest in a pet rabbit I know you will enjoy this animal, but please make sure it’s not an impulse purchase because it’s Easter.

Pet Health

I know I mention the care and health of pets quite often but I feel like it can't be said enough when you have a pet. I have on my to do list today to call the vet and take the dachshunds up to have their nails clipped. I am sure you are saying why doesn't she do it herself. Well, my phoebe has crazy toes and its so hard to do and I'm always worried about hurting her. So, it's worth my peace of mind to have the vets office do it for me for a small fee. Delbert doesn't need it done often because he runs so much that he wears his down. Smoochie is in between needing it more than Delbert but not near as often as Phoebe. So, today I will make an appointment to take them all. There are so many reasons to do this, or have it done. Overly long nails on a dog can cause them pain and can interfere in their walking. Dachshunds already bear so much weight on their fat little paws with their length its important to make sure their nails are short.
Last month was national dental month for pets, and I took Delbert in to get his teeth done because he has a hard time with his mouth. Even being a month later I'm seeing the yellowing of his teeth once again. I try, and I say that with a grain of salt, to brush all their teeth once a week. But, Delbert will bite he does not like his mouth fiddled with at all. His last checkup he had two teeth pulled because they had gotten bad, and they did that in a matter of a couple of months.
I watched a program on Food Network this weekend by Rachel Ray and she had some delightful recipes for dogs. She highlighted some wonderful activities and places that cater to pets and if you get a chance to watch the program, take the time it was inspirational. I enjoyed watching it and learned a few things as well.
Just to highlight my little rant and rave on pet health and because today is St. Patrick's Day I thought I would give you a site to see all the pet holidays that we all probably miss. I spent the weekend trying to find toys for my aquarium because I feel like since my tiger Oscar has passed the other albino Oscar is lonely and bored. I didn't have much luck, but I am sure there is something out there to entertain social active fish.
Just one more tidbit, being that weather is getting warmer and your dogs will most likely get into things that make them smell horrid. Don't forget to learn the proper way to bathe your pets. It's important that the experience is not life altering or scarring to your dog. My doxies love a bath; the ones that haven't had theirs yet stand at my feet waiting for their turn! It's so adorable. I just love the personalities of my pets! It makes having them worth every moment when you look into those loving adoring eyes.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone I hope you enjoy the day and that you wear a bit of green! You don't want to get a pinch!

Easter and your pets

It’s time for another holiday and pets like to be included as well. But, be careful and know that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. This delicious creamy tasty treat seems harmless even delightful to us, but to our four legged friends even though they love the taste the effects are dangerous. Be sure to watch your pets for symptoms of poisoning with all the darling children and their treat baskets running around. If you find that your pet has consumed chocolate make sure you seek medical treatment right away to avoid a family pet tragedy.

Another thing to watch is that plastic grass that we use in the baskets. That could be something your pet finds interesting and if they ingest the little plastic strands it too could end up with a trip to your veterinarian.

Also, the beauty of the Easter Lily or any Lily for that matter delights us all during the spring months and for the holiday. But please keep in mind that this flower is poisonous to dogs! There are many plants that are poisonous to animals. It's always a good idea to check before you add it to your home.

Be sure to keep the number to the ASPCA poison control nearby when you can't get in touch with your veterinarian.

I like to treat my dachshunds during holidays so that they don’t feel left out with the excitement of the day. I make an empty basket for them and fill it with appropriate treats and toys that they all enjoy rutting their noses through until each one finds what they want. I love to watch them all running around with their new toys and wrestling around trying to take each other’s fabulous finds from one another. My dachshunds are most entertaining and I get the biggest laughs from them every day.

Each one of my dogs has their own favorites and I try to use this time of year to replace toys that have been chewed up and look ragged. Delbert, he enjoys a ball of any sort but can crush the doggy type tennis balls and they turn to flat felt covered rags. Smoochie likes anything that squeaks and although he finds them entertaining for hours the squeaking can get on even the most patient persons nerves. And, I think that is why Phoebe doesn’t really play with toys but loves to chew and destroy them, especially Smoochie’s. Who can blame her she has ears too!

All three of them love snacks and treats. If you ask them if they want a Smoochie snack they all run to the kitchen. We call all treats “Smoochie Snacks” because Smoochie loves treats and will sit pretty, on his back hindquarters and his little stubby paws in front of him, for his morsel. With the recent scare of contaminated pet foods I worry over their treats, so to ease my mind I find it’s easier to make my own.

I am adding a few tasty recipes so you can try your paw at them as well!

Doggie Biscuits

· 2 1/2 c Whole wheat flour

· 1/2 c Powdered dry milk

· 1/2 teaspoon Salt

· 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder

· 1 teaspoon Brown sugar

· 6 tablespoon Meat drippings

· 1 Beaten egg

· 1/2 c Ice water

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour, dry milk, salt, garlic powder and sugar. Cut in meat drippings until mixture resembles corn meal. Mix in egg. Add enough water so that mixture forms a ball. Using your fingers, pat out dough onto cookie sheet to half inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter or knife and remove scraps. Scraps can be formed again and baked. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from tray and cool on rack.

Chicken Liver Goodies

• 2 cups Flour
• 3 tbs. Vegetable oil
• 1 cup wheat germ or cornmeal if wheat allergies are a problem
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp. parsley
• 1 cup cooked chicken liver, chopped

Combine flour and wheat germ. In separate bowl, beat egg with oil, and then add broth & parsley mix well. Add the dry ingredients to bowl a little at a time, stirring well. Fold in chicken livers and mix well. Dough will be firm. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Roll out 1/2" thick and cut into shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet 1" apart. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes or until firm. Store in refrigerator.

Peanut Butter Bars

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
• 1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375' In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter milk, and then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, Bake for 20 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container.

So make your Easter holiday safe and happy for your pets as well and take some time to whip up a few treats to put in their basket with a new toy and be sure to have your camera ready!

Beaming Mother Hen

I know every parent is a proud hen when it comes to his or her babies and I am not any different. I am truly so proud of all my children. Each one of them has something special and unique to them that they excel at and they all make me smile with beaming pride. I have to brag just a little about my son Evan, he is in his second year of school tennis at the Junior High School and he’s doing so well. He had his first match yesterday and as he said “owned” it. Thank heavens I’m hip and up to date so I knew right away that he meant he won. Tennis is a great sport to start with in youth. I played tennis in high school and into college. Now don’t get me wrong, I was not very good but I loved to play. I think it helps a child develop a lot of hand eye coordination and it does give them a good cardio workout with running back and forth and side to side. I am so proud that my son has taken to it, as he is very active in football and baseball and karate as well. He’s asked me to get out on the court once again and I may just do that when the weather warms up but it’s been a very long time since this old mom has volleyed balls on the court! I do like the game of tennis though.

And since I am on the subject of kids. It’s prom time around my house with my son’s last senior prom and its all the buzz around the house. The planning, the excitement, the crisis’s and the cost! Oh my goodness to think how expensive this one school dance turns out to be. I just melt when I see my young man dressed in that tuxedo with his boyish grin and dapper hairstyle. It’s that moment when you can’t believe this 200 pound 6 foot man is your baby! Graduation is this year for him and I have been feverishly planning his celebration. I’m so proud of him and I will miss him dearly when he leaves my nest for college.

Not to leave out my daughter who also does karate and just finished up her basketball season. She’s wonderful and I enjoy the age she is right now she is just coming into her own with wanting to fix her hair and wear a bit of makeup and the boy gossip is blooming as well. I have to smile when the drama just pours from her mouth as if I would never know anything like these stories before. It’s so entertaining!

With active growing kids in the house having quality snacks and foods for them is important to me. I thought I’d share a few recipes my hungry tummies enjoy!

Zucchini Muffins

Note: You don't have to peel the zucchini before shredding it for this recipe. It won't affect the taste and the peel will provide some extra fiber.

Prep time: 30 minutes

What you need:

• 1½ cups shredded zucchini (about 2 small)
• 2 cups whole-grain pancake or biscuit mix
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• powdered sugar (enough to dust the muffins)

What to do:

1. Wash zucchini and remove ends.
2. Shred zucchini using largest holes on grater.
3. Place grated zucchini on paper towels and squeeze to remove water.
4. Measure 1½ cups of squeezed-dry zucchini.
5. Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
6. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
7. In a large bowl, mix whole-grain pancake mix (or biscuit mix) with spices.
8. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, applesauce, and lemon juice.
9. Fold the egg-sugar mixture and shredded zucchini into the pancake-spice mixture; do not overmix.
10. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full with batter.
11. Bake 10–15 minutes or until golden.
12. Remove muffins from tin and cool on a wire rack.
13. Sprinkle muffins with a dusting of powdered sugar.

About a dozen muffins.

Pineapple Pops

Prep time: about 60 to 120 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 c. plain yogurt
• 1/2 c. canned crushed pineapple (packed in its own juice instead of packed in syrup)
• 1 can frozen pineapple or orange-pineapple juice concentrate, thawed

Directions:

1. Drain the can of crushed pineapple so all the juice runs out.
2. Put all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix them together.
3. Spoon the mixture into the paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.
4. Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.
5. Using the popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup.
6. Put the cups in the freezer until the mixture is frozen solid.
7. Remove the plastic wrap and peel away the paper cup. You'll have pineapple pops to eat and share!

Serves: 6

Serving size: 1 pop

Peachy Freeze

rep time: 1 to 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 c. sliced peaches (they can be either fresh or canned)
• 1 tsp. sugar

Directions:

1. Pour the milk into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
2. Pop the "milk cubes" out of the tray and put them into the blender. Then put the peaches and sugar into the blender.
3. Put the lid on the blender and blend on high speed until everything is all mixed together and very smooth.
4. Pour your Perfect Peachy Freeze into serving dishes and serve right away.

Serves: 3

Strawberry Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 ice cubes
• 1 c. milk
• 1/3 c. cottage cheese
• 2/3 c. frozen strawberries
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Pour all of the ingredients into the blender.
2. Put the lid on the blender and blend for 45 to 60 seconds until smooth.
3. Pour your smoothie into a glass and enjoy.

Serves: 1

Serving size: 1 large glass

Sunday Soup for the Soul

Have you ever wanted to make a loaf of fresh bread but didn’t have any yeast on hand? Perhaps you are in the mood for a warm slice of home made bread but don’t have the time or patience for starting a loaf from scratch? That’s what happens to me and I used to be in love with the ease of the bread machine. But, there again if you are out of yeast it leaves you scratching your head instead of scratching up a loaf of bread. I felt like a day in the kitchen, now that I’m getting past the flu and back to normal. I started a wonderful pot of cream of broccoli soup. As it simmered on the stove I thought we need something else to go with it. My husband has been back in the kitchen brewing his own beer again, and there are several bottles in the garage refrigerator that he’s displeased with, so I grabbed a bottle and made a batch of beer bread. I love the ease of making beer bread. The beer and the baking powder combine and create the gasses the loaf needs to rise and the taste and smell is fabulous. So, I threw a batch together and in the oven it went. So, now I’m thinking I have a nice pot of home made broccoli soup and fresh hot from the oven beer bread with a garlic butter I threw together. Now we need a nice dessert. There is something special about chocolate on a cold sunny Sunday. What better to tantalize our taste buds than a lava chocolate cake? And, the kids love that they are served individually in their own little dishes.

I know you are thinking that’s a lot of in the kitchen time, but it truly wasn’t and well worth the little bit of effort when my daughter just came out and said “this is a wonderful day mom, you are the best cook and you make the greatest things!” Who can trade words like that for a bit of time in the kitchen? Not to mention my middle son helped me with some of it and we both enjoy that time together. We had to run to the store and grab some cheese and eggs and he and I really appreciate those moments when he and I are alone together like that.

My eighteen year old came in from work and smelled the fragrant scents wafting from the kitchen and said he was “stoked” that I made soup. Moments like those where your kids look at you with that love in their eyes is well worth anything.

So, if you need a great kid friendly dinner that doesn’t take a lot of trouble I thought I would share my recipes.

Cream of Broccoli soup

One onion minced in the food processor

4 cloves of fresh garlic minced in the food processor

One large bag frozen broccoli minced in the food processor

½ stick butter

2 cups chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tbl cornstarch

2 quarts 1% milk/or Hood’s calorie countdown

Melt butter in the pan mixing in the cornstarch. Add the onion and garlic and broccoli and mix around sautéing. Add chicken stock and let come to a simmer. Add milk, salt and pepper and simmer until ready to eat. Add shredded cheddar cheese to your liking.

Beer Bread

Measure	Ingredient
341 milliliter	Bottle Beer (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon	Sesame Seeds
2¾ cup	All-Purpose Flour
4 teaspoon	Baking Powder
1 tablespoon	Granulated Sugar
½ teaspoon	Salt
¼ teaspoon	Dry Mustard
1¼ cup	Old Cheddar Cheese; shredded

This recipe for a delicious, no muss, no fuss, no yeast beer bread comes from Labatt's, to whom we are very grateful. Great with soup and/or salad.

Pour beer into bowl; let stand. Toast sesame seeds in dry skillet over medium heat about 5 minutes, shaking pan gently, until fragrant and brown.

In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, mustard and 1 cup cheese. Pour into beer; stir just to combine. Spread into greased 8 X 4-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and sesame seeds.

Chocolate Lava Cake

Makes 4 Chocolate Lava Cakes

Ingredients:

• 5 tbsp butter
• 3.5 oz dark chocolate (this is one standard chocolate bar)
• 2 extra large eggs
• 1 extra large egg yolk
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar as needed

Melt the butter and chocolate together over a double-boiler, or microwave for a short time. Stir to combine. Whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture is light yellow in color, and the sugar is dissolved.

About 3 minutes.

Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and whisk until combined. Sift in the flour, cocoa, and salt. Fold in with a spatula until combined. Spoon into 4 buttered 5-oz ramekins, and tap on the table to settle any air bubbles. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place ramekins in a baking dish and add water until it is halfway up the sides. Bake for 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. The cakes can be turn out, or served in the ramekins.

The Wonderment of Mother Nature

It's 29 degrees outside this morning and as I walked out the door bundled in my coat to take my dachshunds out for the morning I saw a section of my azaleas dripping with icicles. Last year there was an early spring cold snap that took the joy from my blooming landscape. I lost all the baby figs on my fig tree and all my blooming daffodils died immediately. This year I tried to prepare for the cold snap in spring. We covered the rose bushes and I tried to protect the hydrangea.
As you can see in the photo the stickly bush in the distance was my hydrangea over the summer because of the spring cold snap that took its toll.

I don't think that the first cold dip did any damage but I have a feeling this one did. Yesterday there was snow blowing in all day, and we had a nice dusting on the ground. And the temperature dropped from 50 degrees to 30 degrees within 30 minutes and has stayed in the 20's and 30's. I can only hope that some of my tender landscape and the ice laying on the azaleas is not the death of my spring blooms.

There is one thing about icicles, they are beautiful. I couldn't help myself and had to snap a few photos. Just as my daughter ran out doors yesterday to scoop up what dusting of snow she could gather in her small hands and form a snow ball that immediately went into a baggy and laid so gently into the freezer for safe keeping. I too, ran outdoors this morning with my camera to capture the beauty of the icicles dangling so magically off the leaves and stems of my shrub.

I still haven't figured out mother nature and how to protect my landscape from these early Georgia spring freezes. I think that I get one step ahead of the cold and then I am once again trying to figure out how to save what I can in the aftermath. I just hope that I have figs this year. We didn't get one fig last year after the last spring freeze took them all. I hope that eventually I will figure out the weather pattern of the zone that I live in and will be able to keep one step ahead of Georgia's spring freezes. For now, I will worry not about what lies ahead for my spring landscape and just take the time to revel in the beauty of nature and how the beautiful icicles made my day.

MOTHER NATURE - Nature, the gentlest mother
BY
Emily Dickinson

Nature, the gentlest mother,
Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest, --
Her admonition mild

In forest and the hill
By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.

How fair her conversation,
A summer afternoon, --
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down

Her voice among the aisles
Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.

When all the children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky

With infinite affection
And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.