Mom’s Trip Part 1: Parrot Mountain

Many thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Lucy: Our Mom’s home! (So’s Dad.) Dad got home Saturday afternoon in plenty of time to feed us our supper. Mom had everything all pre-made with instructions of what to add. He did a good job…16 paws up. (Me, Xena, Chia and Riley). In fact, he did a good job every morning and night until Mom finally got home around noon on Monday, just in time for our mid-day snacks. Great planning, Mom!

Today Mom wants us to share with you one of the highlights of her trip — Parrot Mountain and Gardens just outside of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is a peaceful Bible-inspired garden & parrot preserve offering chances to interact with rare birds. Many of the birds are given to the preserve when their owners are either too old to care for them or by their estate once their mom or dad have crossed the rainbow bridge. Others are hatched there and raised by their own moms!

The weather has been very hot with almost 100% humidity. That, along with the fronds and trees and all the other greenery and the many birds who had their freedom to sit in trees and pn perches gave the illusion of being in the Amazon where many of them originated.

This Blue and Gold Macaw and Red and Green Macaw are two of the handsome birds who reside here. Can you guess which is which, BOL?

Some posts had the words, “Birds bite, do not touch.” Everyone was supposed to leave those birds alone except to just stop and look at them. For the rest, you could offer your hand or arm for the bird to step on if they wanted. Some did, others had had enough of it for the day.

This pretty Macaw liked Mom’s friend, who we will call “Rhonda.”

Xena: Why are we “calling” her “Rhonda?” That’s her name.

Lucy: Can you just go with it for once, Xe? It’s a literary style I’m trying!
Where was I? Oh, yes. This bird – whose name is Rosy – decided she wanted the clasp on “Rhonda’s” pack.

Every time Mom tried to get Rosy to step onto her hand, Rosy bit at her. It seemed “Rhonda” was going to have to surrender her pack! Then, she got the idea to turn the pack around…

She finally got the clasp away from Rosy and returned her to her own perch.

This yellow parrot was a friendly bird, but didn’t want held.

This Macaw had fluffed up all his feathers. I think this is where the phrase, “Don’t get your feathers ruffled” comes from!

That’s it for today. We’ll be back on Nature Friday with Rosy and the Gang with more pictures and stories from Mom’s visit to Parrot Mountain and Gatlinburg.

Love and wags, Lucy and Xena

Pee Ess: This is for everyone who came here to see us, not birds. Xena

Xena and Lucy

While Mom’s Gone

Xena: Hi friends! Let’s catch up. I have questions…

  1. Why has Mommy been working day and night and not taking us for walks?

Lucy: Don’t you know the High Holy Days is only a little over a month away and she has to get lots of stuff ready for it? She’s not only too busy and too tired to go for walks, but she said with the way you’ve been itching, she’s limiting your time outside.

Xena: I don’t like that answer.

2. Where’s Daddy?

Lucy: You sure don’t pay attention. He left earlier in the week for Indiana to see a lot of his family who are driving and flying in. I thinks it’s called a unicorn. Or a reason. Wait, I remember! It’s a reunion.

Xena: I don’t know why he didn’t take us…

3. Where’d Mommy go, and why is our sitter coming over?

Lucy: Sheesh, I’m not getting paid enough for this.

Xena: You’re getting paid?

Lucy: No. Mom went to a place a few hours away to meet up with one of her closest friends who still lives in Pee Aye, where Mom grew up. She’s gonna be gone for a couple of days, but Dad’s coming back tonight in time to feed us.

Xena: OK, now that I’ve got that all cleared up, I’m going to show everybody some pictures and a video Mommy asked me to post while she’s gone so y’all don’t miss us too much, BOL! I’ve had to wear my “cone collar” all the time so I don’t make raw places on my neck and face with my claws. Even with all the special supplements, there’s something right now making me super itchy. Mommy took it off me for a little while so we could all play. (I couldn’t pick up the ball with it on.)

I’m claiming my kennel back from Chia.

Then I got itchy…

That Chia’s a sneaky opportunist and a ball thief.

Lucy was resting on the couch the other night when Chia play-attacked her.

Now Chia’s in my kennel where she doesn’t want to be and I can’t get in it and Lucy and me, we’re just waiting on our Daddy. Oh, Mommy said she’ll be back in a few days to “visit” y’all.

Love and wags, Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, Lucy and Chia

Aww Monday Grooms: Daisy May and Benny (again)

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat with another new groom. But first…

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

Once again by referral we got in a new pup to groom. Daisy May is a seven-month-old Yorkie, and what a good and sweet girl! No before picture necessary, as she wasn’t a “mess.”

Her folks are going with the traditional cut on her coat, so they asked for what Groomer Mom calls her “mini-groom.” They wanted the top knot in a bow and the hair over her eyes cut short but not too short. After seeing this, everyone agreed it would look better left long, so it will be allowed to grow out. Here she is while waiting on her ride home.

Benny was here about a year ago, and we don’t think he’s been anywhere else to get groomed since that. If so, it’s been quite a while! He’s 3 years old now, and still a crazy pup. Here he is before his groom this time.

He really should learn better manners than to stick out his tongue at the groomer.
Groomer Mom accidentally cut one of his black nails too close to the quick (that’s a technical term in grooming) and although it didn’t bleed, it hurt. He reacted with his teeth. Then he was scared and kept “biting” at her until my Dad came down and held him. He still kept doing that throughout the groom until Groomer Mom gave him “the talk.” Then he mostly stopped. Groomer Mom realized he wasn’t really going to bite her, so she just kept telling him to stop it while she continued on with the groom.

His Dad said to leave his beard a bit long, and his body shaved, but not too short. Once again, his ears were so matted that they had to be shaved. Here is the end result.

Look! He isn’t even sticking his tongue out at Groomer Mom anymore. Groomer Mom told his dad that he was too skinny – she could count his ribs and feel his backbone and his hip bones – and to feed him more. Wow! That’s a first! It’s usually, “He (or she) could stand to lose a pound or two.”

Bye, bye Benny. See you in a year, BOL!

With licks and wags from Lucy, Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat

Thankfuls from Everyone

Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Xena: I’m thankful that my sister Lucy plays with Chia so it’s not all on me.

Xena: Hey, Lucy, do I need to referee? Looks like she’s got ya’ by the throat.

Lucy: No thanks, I got this. Ow!

Lucy: I’m happy to play with Chia, and also thankful when I get a few minutes of peace.

Here I can think my own thoughts and dream my own dreams.

Riley: I am thankful for the sunshine on my face.

And expecially that I can see out of my right eye after all the pain and doctor visits and surgeries. That’s all behind me now.

Chia: I’m happy to get a turn in the big red chair with the sun on my face and no surgeries and think and dream my own thinks and dreams!

I mean, I’m thankful for those things, too.

Xena: You just copied our thankfuls, Chia.

Love and wags, Xena Schnauzer Princess Warrior, Lucy, Riley and Chia

Aww Monday Antics

Chia: Lucy! Wake up! Don’t make me tap dance on your back.

Let’s go outside and play. You said we’d play after your nap. It’s now after your nap.

Xena! Whatcha got? Hey, hey, hey, you got my red bone stuffie!

Xena: It was mine first and still is. It matches my bed, the one I sleep in when I catch you in the big bed with Mommy and Daddy.

Chia: Aww, come on, don’t be sore. Let’s play with it together.

Xena: No.

Chia: Fine. I’m gonna go outside, then. *makes a made dash for door*

I don’t think she saw me grab Elle on the way out.

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

Xena and Larry on Nature Friday


We are joining Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

Xena: I was ready to go to bed, and who do you think was in my bed? Larry the Lemur who I got for my June birthday.

Why are you in my bed, Larry? I didn’t invite you, and I think you should get down.

Larry: “But I love you Xena, and I want to be close to you. I can smell your beard from up here.”

Get off me Larry before your demise becomes a lemurick.

There once was a lemur named Larry.
His body was all orange and hairy.
He picked the wrong dog
To jump on her bod
So he got carried off by an eyrie.

Larry: That’s one mean schnauzer.

Lucy: How do I always seem to be the one the stuffies run to? *sigh*

The Mom: Here’s the actual “Nature Friday” entry.

I got some flowers (no idea what they are) on sale at Lowe’s and repurposed an old grill that I couldn’t even give away on the Next Door app. Now I have to figure out what to do with the extra pot of flowers.

Chia’s First Birthday

We are happy to join The Cat on My Head for Sunday Selfies.

Hi, hi, hi! I’m Chia and I get to do my very first selfie today ’cause it’s the day we’re celebrating as my birthday.

Oops, first try.

Lucy, will you help me with my selfie?

Lucy: Then it won’t be a selfie.
Chia: But no one has to know. Please, please, please, please…
Lucy: Ok, ok. *sigh*

*snap* Oops. Well, at least you got my body. I wonder if we could glue the head shot onto the body one…
Wait! Mom, will you take a picture for my first selfie?

*snap*
Let me see! Let me See! Oh no! My face is blurry.
Mom: If you would stand still, Chia, your picture wouldn’t be blurry.

Today is also the day we celebrate our country’s independence from England. I heard we’re having grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and sweet potato chips and I get some ’cause it’s my birthday, too!

Lucy: Mom said I could re-run a video my Dad helped me make for the 4th of July. I get to star in this one. It’s one of our favorites, and we hope you enjoy it too.

Wishing all our friends in the USA a good holiday enjoying the freedom that was won for us in the American war for independence.

XOXOX Lucy, Chia, Xena and Riley

Lucy the Referee

Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday. Thanks, Brian! And I am so thankful for my sisters and brother. Lucy

As you know, I have a career as Zen Dog in Mom’s Grooming Business, and Ace Reporter, mostly reporting on Mom’s grooms. Hmm, this seems to have a pattern to it. I also tried my paw at modeling, but I’m not super crazy about getting my picture done, so that didn’t work out very well. However, I may be adding to my resume the title of Referee.

You’ve watched me play with the new pup, Chia. And you’ve seen Xena play with Chia. These events took a few weeks to happen, but weren’t totally unexpected. What was unexpected is who played with this little pup with no boundaries next. When I saw 11-year-old, almost 80 pound Riley go into the play position with Chia, I thought, uh oh, someone needs to monitor this.

Lucy: No hard biting or squishing or grabbing of personal parts.
Chia: I’m gonna get you!
Riley: Mmm, keep scratching my face with those little teeth. It feels good.
Riley: Are we fighting or kissing?
Lucy: I think Chia’s got this.
Riley: Ow! You’re gonna get it now.
Lucy: Riley, don’t hurt her.
Chia: Get away Lucy! I’ve got this!
Riley: Ya think so?
Lucy: One…two…
Riley: I let you up little dog. Do your worst.
Chia: Why don’t you lay down on your back when I do this?
Lucy: Match over and it’s a tie!

Grooming on Awww Monday

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat with another new groom.

Hi folks! I’m back with another happy grooming report. Once again, this new groom was referred by one of our newer clients. Shadow is a nine-year-old miniature schnauzer who looks silver. She probably started out as a salt-and-pepper, which is Xena’s coloring. In any case, she’s a beautiful silver now. Her 87 year old Mom has been in physical rehab, and is being released soon to her home in Alabama. Shadow has been staying with her peeps sister who lives near us. She wasn’t in bad shape – except for matting in her skirt – so we didn’t take a “before” picture. Here is Shadow after her groom.

Her feet were already shaved, and her legs had been trimmed short. Since Shadow’s mom is elderly, it’s hard for her to keep Shadow’s feet cleaned, so she likes them with less hair.

Isn’t she a beauty? Shadow talked to Groomer Mom a bit after her groom and thanked her for taking good care of her. Groomer Mom’s sad that she probably won’t see Shadow again since she’s going back to Alabama. She told Shadow’s care-taker that she would keep this one — as in for good — if her Mom ever couldn’t keep her. Personally, I think the Groomer needs to stay more objective and stop falling in love with these dogs. The Reporter doesn’t need yet another sister.

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with *wags* and *licks.”

Happy Father’s Day, Dad(dy)

Xena: I love my Daddy soooo much. He is kind and sweet to me and calls me “Little One,” cause I’ll always be his puppy.

Lucy, Dad and Xena

Lucy: I love my Dad sooo much. He never raises his voice and is always my safe place when I get scared, and calls me “My Big Girl,” cause I’ll always be his best girl.

Happy Father’s Day, and we love you, Dad(dy).

Your girls, Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess (and now Chia, too)

We are happy to join The Cat on My Head for Sunday Selfies.

Our Trip and Chia on Wordy Wednesday

Thanks to Comedy Plus 
for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

Xena: Hi friends, we’re back! Did you miss us? Me and Lucy, we went away – way away. We rode in the car for 14 hours. Really! I know sometimes I egg zagerate a teeny bit, but I actually heard my folks say it was a 14 hour drive! Our supper was 87 hours late.

Riley: They went away and left me.

They even took that annoying Chia somewhere. I was just starting to like her – kinda.

Lucy: Our neighbor Mr. Ron was thinking about keeping Chia for good, so he got a “test drive” for four days.

Xena: We thought we would miss her…well, at least a little bit…but how could we miss her when it was like she was there with us at our Grandma’s house in Ill in noise? That’s our Aunt Jenny’s puppy, Jemma, bothering me on my Grandma’s deck. (Aunt Jenny is not to be confused with our Auntie Jen) I had to keep putting Jemma in her place. She doesn’t understand boundaries because she hasn’t had other dogs to play with and she’s only 11 months old like Chia. Those two would really hit it off.

Everyone left us alone and let us work it out. I was a good teacher. We played a little bit, too.

Lucy: We were at our Grandma’s house, and our Dad’s two sisters were there. They are our Aunt Jenny and Aunt Bobbi. The other pup behind Xena and Jemma is Aunt Bobbi’s dog Daisy. She’s a farm dog from Indiana. She was real nice, and pretty much left everyone alone.

We were way out in the country in an area called The Territories. Xena and I got to play outside in the big yard while Mom helped Aunt Bobbi and her husband Uncle Dennis pull weeds and make the area around the house look better. We ran and ran and chased each other. Then we saw a baby deer, so we chased it! We got called back before we could catch it, though.

Xena: I wasn’t sure about Aunt Bobbi at first, and wanted to go to my Uncle Dennis. But when Mommy handed me to Aunt Bobbi I could tell how much she wanted me to like her, so I did. I even let her baby hold me.

Early Monday we started on the 87, er, 14 hour ride home. No one was at our house when we got home that night exceptin’ for Riley. He was real happy to see us, too. Then Mommy disappeared for a little while the next morning and came back with…guess who. Yep, you probably guessed…it was Chia. She was over the moon excited to see us.

Lucy: She was moving so fast that she was a blur, not just in the picture, either. I was still a bit groggy from all the Sea Beady oil I took on the way home, so I hid from everyone the rest of the day.

Xena: The next morning I played with Chia for a while after Mommy told me to stop being so ugly to her. She finally wore out and slept most of the day close to where Mommy was working for the synagogue.

Chia

Later, I got to laugh at her, cause she had to wear my big girl panties! BOL, BOL, BOL! Can you see the look she’s giving Mommy?

Then Mommy forgot to take them off of her when she went out to potty. ROTFL (Roll On The Floor Laughing)! At least I never pooped my pants! For once in my life I’m glad we’ve got two more pair, a purple one and a green one. She’ll probably be wearing them for another week or two.

Lucy: At least she went out to potty, even if she did it in her diaper!
Mr. Ron said “he” was a very good girl the whole time “he” was there. “He” didn’t mess in the house at all and didn’t tear up anything. But “he” did try to take off when “he” saw a squirrel on their short walk, and “he” pulled Mr. Ron over a fence. Poor Mr. Ron has a lot of physical problems because of being in the service. We don’t know what all happened to him, but he’s not got a lot of strength and has had lots of operations on his back. Anyhow, Mr. Ron said he didn’t get hurt. Whew! About then Mom gently said, “You know Chia is a girl, right? She’s in heat.” Mr. Ron said he knew that, and had been thinking about a new name for “him”, like Rocky or a couple of other boy names that he said. Again, Mom gently reminded him that Chia is a girl. We think Chia may always be a boy to him.

Mr. Ron wants to keep Chia or Rocky or whoever. He fell in love with him, er, her, just like Mom figured he would. Chia cuddled up next to him all the time, or laid in the same “baby hold” that Xena does. But his son was coming with his German Shepherd that would have attacked and killed Chia. After that he has several trips planned. So Mom suggested that they share her. She would live with Mr. Ron when he was home and it was safe to do so. We would keep her the rest of time, even if Mr. Ron just needed a “time-out.” He had to think about that for a minute, and then decided he liked that idea.

Xena: I like that idea too. That way I can still be the baby most of the time. She will still come here and we can play and have fun and be a bigger family. And when she’s gone we can rest and play with each other and take trips and do Freestyle and, and, and…. maybe miss her, too.

Lucy and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess, Riley and Chia wishing you a happy Wordy Wednesdy.

Grooming with Mom: Gus

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat.

Once again we have a new pup to groom. And when I say pup, I mean a little, four-month-old puppy named Gus. Do you remember at the end of April when one of Mom’s wonderful long-time clients suggested that little Jo Jo’s mom bring her to groomer Mom? If you missed that one, just click here to see an adorable yorkie!

Then Jo Jo’s mom told Gus’ mom, and Gus came for his very first groom at 7:30 in the morning. I’d had my breakfast and didn’t really want to get up out of bed again so early, but I knew puppy’s first groom would be good reporting material.

Here is Gus before his first groom. He is a shih tzu, maltese mix. We couldn’t find the maltese part.

Gus only weighs about 2 or 3 pounds, so you know he’s tiny. He’s a happy puppy, too. While he got his nails cut he learned to count how many feet he has and how many toenails on each foot. He liked that, too. Won’t his mom be surprised when she says, “Give me your paw,” and he answers, “Which one? I have four.” BOL

Oops, I think Xena’s long, rambling stories have influenced me! Back to reporting.
Gus didn’t much care for his bath, but then who does?

Groomer Mom took her time with him, kissing him and talking to him and showing him all the grooming tools before she used them. He was very interested, too!

About an hour or so later, Gus wanted to know if it was time to go and what would happen if he jumped off the table.

Thankfully, he didn’t get a chance to find out. But he did get a little scarf and a big kiss goodbye!

Uh Mom, it looks like you missed some hair under Gus’s wiggly chin.
I am Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with wags and licky kisses. Oh, and we are very Thankful today for Gus and all the other wonderful pups – big and small, young and old – who come to my Mom for grooming.

Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Xena Reports on Chia

Many thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Many of you have asked what’s been happening with Chia, the pup our brother Andrew brought home. Here’s a couple of videos. Watch part, watch all, you’ll see Lucy and Chia bonding. It gets pretty boring after a while.

That’s how Lucy used to play with me when I was a puppy. Now I’m a big girl and can run with the big dogs! I never stay on the porch — unless Mommy tells me to.

Right after a storm Lucy fell sound asleep while Chia sat on her and gave her raspberries. She can be a real brat.

This pink and purple shirt is way too long for me, as it was for Lexi. So Mom figured it would fit this little half doxie just right.

Seems she didn’t like wearing it any more than me or Lexi did.

I’ve started playing with Chia too. She likes to gently comb her teeth through my eyebrows and beard. That feels really nice and I stand still and let her do it. Except one day she grabbed my beard and started pulling! Mommy said if she had know I was going to attack Chia for so long, she would have caught it on video. Of course, this is a G-rated site, so there may have been too much violence to post it. Don’t worry, no one was hurt — except me where she pulled my beard. She sure hasn’t tried that again.

The house breaking is going pretty well. She had one accident first thing in the morning as she was coming out of her (my) kennel. She tried to hold it but had to go too bad to make it the few feet out the door. No one blamed her for that and it cleaned up ok. She has learned to go to the back door when she needs to potty. But she hasn’t quite gotten the hang of ringing the bell or barking or giving some noisy sign that she has to go out. Today she pee-peed on the little rug in front of the door while Mommy was in the other room (office) working. Chia knew she was in trouble, but she didn’t get scolded, cause she at least tried to go out.

Today she sniffed noses with Riley and he wagged his tail. Looks like he’s coming around, too.

Riley: I can be nice.

There’s a wonderful man who lives up the road who we love to visit when we go for walks. His wife died a few months ago after years of him taking care of her. He said he would like a dog, especially a rat terrier like he used to have. Since me and Lucy and our folks are driving up to visit our grandma in less than a week, Mr. Ron said he would keep Chia for us. And maybe forever. *wags* We could still visit with her when we go for walks, and we could dogsit her if Mr. Ron goes somewhere that he can’t take her but I’ll be Mommy’s baby again and won’t have to share the bed after breakfast and get my kennel back.

Chia: I’m not goin’ anywhere. I already proved that. I slipped out the front door without my new Mom seeing me, and guess what? I came right back and whined until Riley told her I was at the door and she ran and let me back in. I got lotsa treats for that one.

Chia’s future is still uncertain, but one thing is for sure. Wherever she lives, whether it’s here or somewhere else, we’ll do our best to make sure it’s her furever home.

Xena, Chia’s friend and boss Wait! I didn’t get my picture in this one…let’s fix that.

Grooming with Mom on Sunday Selfies: Gus and Millie

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat, reporting to you from just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m not reporting from outside, or watching the groom from outside, it’s just that we don’t actually live in Chattanooga…oh, never mind. I really am starting to sound like Xena.

*Deep breath* Today I introduce to you two new pups coming to Groomer Mom for the first time. They are what’s called litter mates. Xena and I are sisters but we’re not litter mates. I’m sure my savvy readers already know the difference.

BTW (that means By The Way, he, he), Gus and Millie asked if they could be featured on the selfies today, and the only reason I could think of to say no was to not upset Xena. So, Millie and Gus are happy to join The Cat on My Head for Sunday Selfies.

Gus and Millie are two four-year-old shih tzus whose groomer just died. As a reporter I’m not supposed to state the obvious or express emotions, but, well…that’s just so sad! After that happened, they were referred to us by Griffin’s mom. If you missed that new groom story, you can catch up here.

This is Gus before his groom.

We are guessing it had been a while since he’d been on a grooming table. He got a longer shave per his mom’s request.

Here Gus is after his groom.

Yep, same dog. We aren’t making this up. Just look at those pretty eyes. Mom tried everything to get his chin beard to look right and it always came back looking fuzzy like this. Maybe next time Groomer Mom will try some hair mousse!

Next up is his sister, Millie. We didn’t get a “before” picture of her, but she was in about the same shape as her brother.

Here’s Millie post groom:

They don’t like to be separated, so they waited together on the table with Groomer Mom very close-by for their ride to come get them.

We’re going to see these sweet pups again in four weeks.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with wags and kisses.

Purrsuit of Flavors: GF Muffins for Sandwiches

Thanks to Shoko and Tyebe of the Canadian Cats and Nelly and Phenny of Easy Blog for hosting this yummy day.

Today we are taking the challenge from Shoko, Tyebe, Phenny and Nelly to post a sandwich recipe. How easy is that! Well, with Mom and Dad both on special diets, it really isn’t easy at all.
However, Mom has been making what she calls “muffins” out of tapioca flour, and it’s dairy-free too. It’s super easy and fast; just dump everything into a blender, then pour into the muffin tin and bake! The real name on the recipe is Mexican Cheese Bread, Here is what the muffin looks like before being made into a mini-sandwich (slider):

This recipe is geared toward our family’s special diet, but you can make a few changes that will be noted in the recipe below. Mom knows this recipe by heart, so here goes:

Mexican Cheese Bread, aka Muffins

Preheat oven to 400F. (Seriously, preheat it. Prep time is 5 minutes or less.)

1/2 C shredded Manchego (or cheddar) cheese
1/4 C olive oil
2/3 C coconut milk that comes in a carton in the dairy department (or regular milk)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 1/2 C tapioca flour (I don’t know if this will work with any other flour)

Put everything in a blender and blend well. Pour into large muffin/cupcake cups — the size that comes 6 to a pan. One pan will do it. Fill halfway or less.

Bake at 400F for 20 minutes. We like them just a bit crusty, so we bake them 2 or 3 minutes more. We use a non-stick pan, so they just dump right out.

Slice them cross-wise to use as a bun. So far, we have used them as buns for cheeseburgers and sloppy joes, and buttered the outsides of them to make grilled cheese. Would also be good with tuna or egg salad, or anything else you make into a sandwich.

You can also make these in the regular size muffin/cupcake cups as “rolls” to eat with your meals.

Xena: Lucy, I think we got cheated out of our blog today. Not even a picture of us.
Lucy: Nope, Mom promised at least a picture.

Is Chia still here?

Chia on Awww Monday

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

Xena: Sunnie? Are you dead? (I hope so.)
Mom: No, Sunnie shed her skin and Andrew found it out front where you used to hunt lizards. (Do you see the end of the tail on the left?)

Later…

Xena: Hey Luce, did you see what’s in the groom room? *shiver* Speaking of things I don’t like, have you heard any talk about that new pup that’s taken over our house? When is she going home? They call her Chia now. Why do they keep changing her name? And why and how does she throw that bone across the room?

Chia: Hi! Hi! Hi! I’m right here! Were you looking for me? Wanna play?

Did you see me throw that bone? Lucy, you’re a great catcher and Xena, you can really run a ball down. We’ve got our own ball team!!

Lucy: *groan*

Chia: Does this mean you don’t wanna’ play?

That’s OK, I can wait. Can I play come on the bed and jump over Lucy while I wait?

Later…

It was fun playing in the dog lot with you, Lucy. You’re the best! After our nap together we can play some more. I’ll try to not bite your ear so hard, BOL!

Lucy: *sigh*

Mom’s note: We have decided to rehome this 10 month old ball of energy who is refusing to be house trained, screams when she’s in the kennel, chews things she shouldn’t, and is generally despised by Riley and Xena.

Ludwig: I’m up here guarding the ribbons Xena won. What are you two doing up here?
Reindeer: Riley put me up here to be safe from Chia.
Sweetheart (the pink bear): I don’t wanna’ die.

Priscilla (the pup): Miss Amy got us out of the kennel before Chia moved in there, but I had to be rescued twice after that dang pup pulled me down through the cage bars. I’m done laying on top of the kennel. I’m just gonna pile up here with all of y’all. Cover your ears! She’s screaming again!

We are wishing all our USA friends a happy and quiet Memorial Day.

POTP for Ella

My bestie Ella has been going through some painful times. She blew out her right knee a few weeks ago and had to have surgery on it. Thankfully, her dad is working from home and has been able to help her do her physical therapy several times a day. But because of putting most of her weight on her left leg, she blew out that knee a few days ago. The pain has been bad, and she stopped eating. She lost a lot of weight.

Even just looking at her face you can see how thin she has gotten. The surgery for her left knee is scheduled for Wednesday. We love Ella, and hope you will send her prayers, healing thoughts, good wishes. We want her back looking like she did what seems like a short while ago.

This was taken in November of 2019 of me and my BFF Ella.

We think she’s on some good pain meds and probably some steroids too, ’cause she started eating heartily just a few days ago. I’m really happy about that. I’ve got my front paws crossed for her.

Ella’s best friend, Lucy

Shadow Dog on Nature Friday

We are joining Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

Look! I’m making good use of matching my surroundings.

I bet you can hardly see me. I’m part of the earth. That’s nature, right? Now I’m invisible except for my shadow. You can just call me “Shadow Dog.”

Wags and happy woofs, Shadow Dog

Xena: Is it Before the end of the month yet? (see here)

Shadow Dog: I have been advised by Dad to always say “No,” when you ask me that question. So, no.

Xena: But you’re not Lucy, you’re Shadow Dog. So you can answer me the truth.

Shadow Dog: Umm, well, umm, uhh…he advised Shadow Dog to answer the same way. (Whew, dodged that bullet.) Now get outa my post.

Shadow Dog, over and outa here.

The Alleged Snake on Awww Monday

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays and hoping even snakes qualify as awws, BOL.

Xena: So Lucy, remember that snake I barked at in our dog lot last summer? Or maybe it was two summers ago. I’ve lost track of time since we’ve all been home together for over a year. But do you remember?

Lucy: Sorta. You stood there barking until Mom took a look and told you to leave it alone. Are you trying to say the snake we all saw last night – and that brother Andrew saw over the weekend – is the same one that you saw one or two summers ago?

Xena: I think so. It’s grown, too! And it held perfectly still just like when I barked at it in the dog lot. I think Andrew eggzagerated when he showed us how big around it was!

Daddy was quick and got a picture. Him and Mommy got up pretty close to it for a good look-see and declared it safe, just like Mommy used to do when her boys were little. Andrew stayed down in the driveway. Mommy says him and his big brother Adam used to play with snakes when they were kids. They would bring them in the house and play with them on the kitchen counter until it was time for their dad – not our dad, they had a different dad back then – to come home from work. He was scared of snakes, so they had to take the snakes back to where they found them and let them go. Nothing ever got mentioned that snakes had been in the house playing with the kids.

Lucy: I don’t think this one’s coming in. It’s gotta be about eight feet long. I think it’s got it’s own home under the shed, and maybe some babies of it’s own, too. Mom and Dad both said it’s a garter snake. It’ll eat the rodents and some of the bugs and lizards around here.

Xena: No! I don’t want it to eat my lizards! They’re my lizards. We play the hunt game together every day.

They’re MY lizards, now! Hissssssssss.