Pic of my New BFF

GOATS?!?

Mommy is on a waiting list for a baby goat. Two actually, they are Nigerians. The all grown up goats are much smaller than I am. Our big black cat Thomas weighs more that they do. Not exactly sheep but not poultry, I'll take them! Mommy is going to milk them. She says that a goat can pull a cart. It must be a very small cart! The Grandchildren have already named them. One will be "June" and one will be "September". If there is a third it is to be called "Chicken Face" (three Grandchilden, three names).

I don't know this goat and just borrowed the picture but this is what I think goats do all day. It must be fun to be a goat. I wonder if I can teach our goats to play ball?

I am a HERO

My days are spent as a chicken herd. I got this job full-time when I saved Mommy's chicken, "Be careful what you're good at, you're bound to repeat it" is very true.  It's not as bad as I thought it would be...lots of stuff to roll in, and I can bark all I want as long as I look up; always birds flying above and who knows one might be looking for a chicken dinner. My job is Chicken Guard and I'm really getting into it.

Kayak is my side-kick.  Now he sleeps much of the time and can barely hear me, or he is ignoring me.  Mommy is so very happy when she lets the chickens out and I run over and get into position.  The hens act like I'm their Mother and run under my feet a lot or worse sit on Kayak but he lets them until they try to get a treat out of our dish or even his paws, he draws the line there.

WHAT THE...

Looks like a herd of spinning wheels in the house...when do I get My SHEEP???

Sheeeeeeeeep?

Looks like I'm going to be putting "sheep herder" on my résumé. Actually I think It will be GRAND, me owning sheep. I'm liking the sound of this much better that "Guard of the fancy pants Chickens"! Lately they have been taking liberties and riding around on my back. I don't like it and personally I do not care that their feet are cold and they are getting high centred in the snow.

Sheep even smell better. I think my ancestors would be proud of me when MY sheep come to our farm (Mommy says everybody "belongs" to me; my cats, my chickens, my husband Kayak, etc.) as I watch over them. We get them as soon as the barn is built, it is going to be hard to wait.

Today is sunny and cold outside and now I'm inside

It was sooooo fun sliding around on the ice today! Then inside we went and cooked wieners in the fireplace (my fav is wieners for sure). Then Mommy brushed me out (darn brrrrs) and had an idea to spin my wool. So now my underwear is being turned into a hat to keep Dad's head warm. I think he'll like it because he doesn't have much fur of his own!

The Backyard is Frozen, Lets GO FOR A WALK!

Today I was Determined to get us out on the lake for awhile.

Clearly, the ice is fine.

Come on you guys, trust me! LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT!!!

Now that was an incredible walk! Don't you agree? Let's go home now.

-10c=14f=brrrr!

It is so cold out tonight and windy. We were watching for falling stars but not for long. I am so glad We are indoor dogs and can play outside when we want but can come inside to a nice supper and a soft bed. My wish is that every dog is warm and safe tonight.

Nice out but Cold, then Back indoors to make Pretzel Bones, yum!

Today was sunny but cold. No walk today 'cause the morning was spent running back and forth thawing out the water then getting the heat lamp working for the chickens. So, I played a little ball and watched the Neighbor kids play hockey on the lake (mostly skate on their bums if you ask me). We then went into the front pasture and checked on our buried Christmas bone supply.

Here I am in front of our place and yes, the Christmas decorations are still up, meanwhile Pretzel Bones are baking in the oven (the recipe follows).

Performing my Dog-given job as Official Taste Tester. I'll give them a pass, that is to say, "Pass some me some more!". And they are still warm...so crunchy.

 

My adopted Cat, "Mr. Personality", is trying to persuade me to share.  Not this time, Mr."


Here is the recipe, as promised:

OLIVE OIL, ROSEMARY & BLACK PEPPER PRETZEL BONES           preheated oven 400 F

5 C      Flour
1/4 C   Lukewarm water
1 tsp    Sugar
1 T      Yeast
1/4 C   Olive oil (or butter if you aren't lactose intolerant)
1 tsp    Finely chopped rosemary
1/2tsp  Crushed black pepper
1 bottle beer

Soup pot of broth or stock of your choice gently simmering

Proof yeast in lukewarm water and sugar. Mix all dry ingredients together then dump in wet ingredients, adding enough beer to make a soft slightly sticky dough. Kneed dough for 8 minutes. Divide into 1oz balls and roll out onto 1' long snakes. Join ends of snake to make circle then twist into a bone shape. Let rest 10 minutes. Drop into broth for 1 minute (flip) then remove onto dish towel. Bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet for 20 minutes. Let cool and eat them up, they are best warm.

NOTE: If your person would like to make a pretzel or two for herself, try 31/2 oz. doughball and adjust baking time. Enjoy!

A Nice Walk on the Last Day of 2012!

                                            We walked along the Goose Lake Trail today.

It was just below freezing, the snow crunched underfoot and didn't get stuck between my toes, yay!

                                                We walked to the old corral. So pretty...so still.

I was made to wear a jacket as I always got burrrrrs in my hair when we walk up there. I ditched the matching chapeau, perhaps a styling Mr. Coyotee will find it and wear it, lol!

Daddy and I are striking a pose just as we make our way back to the trail home.

Stayed inside and made COOKIES, yummmmmm!

Today we are stuck inside but there is a good side to this; we are making COOKIES!!!! Mommy says they are good with cheese but I'm lactose intolerant, sigh. I would like to share this recipe with you so you can make your own.

                               PRINCESS ZELDA'S FAVORITE COOKIES (makes 5 dozen)



2C    Flour
1/2C Cornmeal
1/4C Sunflower seeds
1/4C Flax
1/2C Oatmeal (this is cooked leftovers and you can use mashed potatoes or any mashed cooked veg)
2tsp  Baking powder
3T    Dehydrated chicken soup (the yellow stuff from the bulk food store)
1/4C Olive oil
2       Eggs (an extra one for an egg wash if you like real brown shiny cookies)
1/2C Water (or enough to make dough hold together without being sticky)

All the wet stuff gets dumped into the dry stuff and mixed up, then kneaded 3 min. If you can use a machine, then GO FOR IT!  Then form into 4 balls (yay balls) and drop onto floured board and roll out flat and about 1/8" thick. Now it's time to cut into shapes. Place cookies onto cookie sheet, place in preheated 350* oven for 15 minutes or a little more until slightly browned and when cool eat them up!!! If you can stop yourself from eating them all up they will keep for about 2 weeks.

Note:

To make them shiny brush raw egg over raw cookies then bake.
For Peanut Butter Flavored exchange 1/4 C peanut butter for the oil.
Or if you prefer Cheese Flavored (if you aren't lactose intolerant) add 1/4 C favourite cheese to mix.

Mommy takes the dough left over from cutting out my cookies and rerolls it real thin, cuts it in squares, bakes them up and calls them "soda crackers" and really likes them, too!

Coyotes don't play ball

Kayak and I have been largely out on our own for the past three days as our human family has been down with the flu. Mommy said that rich people call this a "cleanse". Today Mommy was outside with us. She swept the chicken house and brushed the snow off the roof and then we played ball with her, but were gentle.

The ice is on the lake and so are the coyotes.  Today Mommy said, "No, Princess Zelda they do not want to play ball with you." I have wanted to play ball with them but they walk away far out on the ice. Kayak showed his teeth at them and got between us and made me stay in the yard.

Boxing Day -promised a walk...

Christmas was lovely, I got a new ball and a squeaky, chewy duck, cookies, a BIG beef bone and so did Kayak and took all his, too (of course). Except his bone, he buried it in the snow and then laid on it. I'll get that later, bwa ha ha!

Boxing Day however sucked! Tradition is a good long walk, meeting and greeting our neighbourhood dogs who are all doing the same, but this year, Mommy and her friend decided to walk a new interpretive nature trail. Everything started out lovely, we all hopped in the car and drove over, then the NO DOGS sign was sighted and I had go back to the car and sit. My best wining was to no avail. Next we went into town and again more sitting, urggg.  Even Starbucks I had to SIT OUTSIDE and I saw cookies in there.

SKINNY DIPPER ( or today I got a home haircut revenge : )

We go for wonderful evening walks but...there are burrrrrrs and they accidentally get caught in my hair. Usually that means a wonderful relaxing trip to the SPA. But today Mommy took out the shears and CUT THE BURRS OUT OF MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR HERSELF!?! I feel so ripped off! I slipped out of my leash and collar and I did what I had to do and went for a dip in the swamp. Ta da, trip to the spa booked. A girl has to have her beauty time!

Nice Day for a Walk

Today is sooo nice and sunny and warm (but not too too hot). It's just a perfect late summer day. Mommy spent the morning picking grapes (I helped by snapping at the wasps until I got shooed away 'cause I got stung on the mouth once). Kayak lazed under the hazelnut bushes. He watches me and gets up only if I need assistance. Next was picking tomatoes, then some corn. I got in trouble for chasing hawks, believe it or not. Now that the chicken run is hawk proof, hawks are important to catch the mice that eat the vegetables.

Sheesh, a dog can't win around this farm!






FINALLY, the grapes were picked over and set to make raisins, the rest taken care of, the chicken given the scraps.

NOW CAN WE GO FOR A WALK?    YES!!!


We walked up to Goose Lake, which is directly above our Swan Lake.

There were birds to scare (Mommy said it was all right 'cause Goose Lake was a water reservoir), cows to leave alone (range cows).







 A small herd of horses that were dots on a hill came to investigate us.

 
I watched for a bear that had been on the trail.  I'm a natural at security.  I did everything right.

We walked until dark.

Raise your paw if you like FRIDAYS!!!

Ooooooh, it's Friday! This means a longer walk in the evening, and helping Mommy work in the garden, mow the lawn. Hours of uninterrupted us time. We live out in the sticks (yes throw me a stick anytime) so barking and running is expected. But Friday afternoon is the beginning of the Weekend so Kayak and I (and even my arch-enemy Caddie) get all the running around we can handle. This weekend on my menu I've got a nice off road run (probably a walk off leash!) to Goose Lake on Saturday. It's a nice dog friendly trail with a lake and ducks and geese to bark at (it's a drinking water reservoir so Mommy says its Okay to bark away the birds).

Lazy Summer

Kayak and I have been goofing off this summer. I must have been doing too much roadwork 'cause I started limping on my left front paw. Kayak just can't be bothered to run when it is SO HOT! Sooo....we jump in the lake a lot which drives Mommy crazy as that is too much mud in the house!
There is quite a bit of work for us dogs on our farm. Earlier this summer we kept the birds out of the newly planted garden, then out of the cherry trees ( I think the birds won on that one though). Next Mommy got chickens and we took on the job of making sure the hawks, eagles, 'coons, coyotes & weasels didn't help themselves to a chicken dinner. We gave up on keeping the quail out of the chicken scratch though. Also as of right now I've been taken off red alert trying to keep the blackbirds out of the corn patch as the bird netting is up (whew).

SUNNY SUNDAY RUN

Mar 5  A couple of days off, now we're back to the races (and on the road)!  Could go out on the lake again today but the warm days have a couple of inches of water on top of very slippery ice.  We had fun yesterday watching the kite-boarders fly by us.  There was an ice sailboat out there as well as the usual ice-fishermen and eagles and those greedy seagulls almost snatching the perch as soon as they come off the hook.

           Spring is definitely close.   The resinous scent of the budding poplar trees is in the air and the daffodils are pushing out of their protective snow blanket.   Sparrows are squabbling over birdhouses and filling them up with straw and even picking up my hair for their nests!  And the male red-winged blackbirds are showing off in the treetops and singing their watery song for everyone to hear.

THIS EVENING WAS A FUN RUN

Feb 29. I don't know if you can see in the pics but there are snowflakes the size of pigeons!

SUNNY AND COLD BUT WE'RE RUNNING, YAY!!!!

Feb28  Back running with Mommy.  She decided we're a team again, and when I'm with her, I'm not chasing the swans on the lake.  Point for PRINCESS ZELDA!!!