We've taken a bit of a blogging break cause mom has been working a bunch. We will be back to normal blogging transmissions soon!!
*this is how Dixie looks when she sleeps. Its why we nicknamed her Bubba D...
Paw Update
Milo is doing better from his strained paw... But regular dosages of rawhide are necessary.
Hurt Paw
Milo is feeling a bit under the weather today with a bad paw... (left front its making him go owwwweee when he walks.... Cannot see an open wounds or broken nail.. Just started late yesterday afternoon.)
I am going to see if Dr. Blair at Clays Mill -whispers- V.E.T. Clinic can see him this morning.
Keep your paws crossed for him.
Right there... Yep you have it, Mom
Milo lets you know when you are scratching the best spot.... Left side of the neck, right above the chest!!
BBQ Ribs #2 - Shelle's BBQ Sauce
This is a fantastic sauce... Yes, it has a little bit of a shortcut, but sue me. It was what my grandmother did, mom did and now I do! *With a couple little "Shelle" changes... :)
This BBQ is great with anything... it compliments the dry rub (pork and beef) nicely without taking away from those spices.
Usually I would finish my ribs off on my gas grill, but it was raining the day I cooked them, so I had to finish in the oven. Ok, so I didn't HAVE TO, but I didn't wish to be soaked outside standing for a wee bit of flavor when the spices and sauce were flavorful enough!!
Shelle's Special BBQ Sauce
1/3 Cup Chopped Onion (chop very small.. smaller than DNA kinda small)
1 Clove Garlic, very finely minced
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3/4 Cup Bottled Chili Sauce
1/2 Cup Beer (Samuel Adams Summer Ale is my choice, adds a citrus flavor)
1/4 Cup of Honey
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard
In a medium saucepan saute onion and garlic in olive oil until the onion is tender. Stir in chili sauce, beer, honey, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Bring mixture to a boil, stir gently to prevent burning. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once it is cooled you can keep in your fridge for several weeks... if it lasts that long! :D
Best Part About Bad Weather...
Snuggles with Reed and Milo.....although Milo is in stealth mode.
*Dixie is doing her impression of the invisible dog.
BBQ Ribs - Shelle Style
Aldi just happened to have a nice set of pork ribs on sale for $5.63... how is a girl to pass that up? Yeah, I know... you can't. So here is Shelle's way of making ribs.. I adjust my seasoning for beef versus pork ribs, so remember this is my Pork Dry Rub recipe. I will give you my Beef Rub recipe whenever I find ribs on sale again!! :D
**Sorry about the picture... as my hands were rather greasy and gross I had Reed take a picture... and ... uhm... he is kinda shaky! :D
Shelle's Pork Rib Dry Rub
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry oregano
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Mix the rub ingredients together well in a small bowl.
Place the rack of ribs on a double thickness sheet of aluminum foil (1 large sheet folded in half so it is strong and thick). Pour the rub over the ribs and work the rub fully and evenly into the ribs. Seal the top with another double thickness sheet of aluminum foil. Refrigerate over night or at least 4 hours.
Remove the meat from the fridge and allow to come to semi-room temperature while you preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Bake until tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Remove the top layer of foil and cover with your favorite barbeque sauce (I will post my recipe for my homemade bbq sauce tomorrow). At this point you may either bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or take to your gas grill to finish the ribs off.
*As it was raining, I finished my ribs inside.
Mmm... Peaches!
A friend of mine, from the great state of Texas, has one thing going on I would like above all else... a freakin' peach tree in her yard. Seriously... there are all sorts of levels of jealousy going on for the other beautiful things in her life, but she got the cherry on top with a lush peach tree! As this is her first year living with her tree, and has an abundant crop coming in, I thought I would post from the "Pennington Family Recipe Book" a few of my favorite peach recipes from all of the sides of my family.
Enjoy Elizabeth!!
Fresh Peach Sauce
*Serve this over pancakes in the morning... or ice cream at night... Yummy goodness from my Great-grandmother Scott
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 dash ground nutmeg
1 cup sliced peeled fresh peaches
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium size saucepan, bring water, sugar, cornstarch and nutmeg to a boil; boil for 1 minute. Add peaches. Bring to a boil; boil another 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. Serve warm.
Peach Crumble
*You can add whatever fruit you'd like, but mostly I make apple and peach. Yeah, and ice cream it up again!! Mmm. Thanks to Grandmother Edna, living in Baton Rouge.
8 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
Large pinch of ground cinnamon
Large pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut
into small pieces
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
Preheat the oven to 375F. Arrange the peach slices in a buttered 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with the lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In a small bowl, combine the flour and brown sugar. With your fingers, blend the butter into the flour-sugar mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in the oats and sprinkle the mixture on top of the sliced peaches. Bake until the peaches are soft and the topping is brown, about 25 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.
Fresh Peach Chutney
*Serve over cream cheese on crackers... with smoked salmon... the possibilities are endless for this... Thanks Grandmother Lois!
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large sweet red pepper, seeded, diced 1/4 inch, about 1/2 cup
1 small white onion, peeled and diced, about 1/2 cup
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced, 2 tablespoons
1/3 cup white raisins
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds firm, fresh peaches, skin & pit removed, sliced into wedges
Put the vinegar and both sugars into a medium size saucepan, place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add the red pepper, onion, jalapeño, raisins, garlic, ginger, salt and simmer 10 minutes. Add the peach segments and simmer an additional 5-10 minutes. If the peaches are still firm allow to cook several minutes more. If you would like the syrup thicker you may also allow to cook for a minute or two to reduce liquid.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes in the pot. Serve at room temperature. Transfer all excess to a clean container and refrigerate, covered, for up to one week.
Grilled Balsamic Chicken and Peaches
*This is my recipe... well it started at a Betty Crocker site, then I evolved it to be my own. I could eat this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup roughly-chopped fresh basil leaves
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 whole boneless and skinless chicken breasts
2 large sweet onions, thickley sliced
6 fresh peaches, skinned, halved, and pitted
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
Put vinegar, maple syrup, 1/4 cup of the oil, salt and pepper into a wide, shallow dish and whisk to combine. Add chicken, turn to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, turning several times.
Prepare a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill to medium high heat. Toss peaches and onions with orange juice, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, chopped rosemary, salt and pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Remove chicken from marinade and grill about 5 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. Transfer to a large plate and cover to keep warm. Grill peaches and onions until tender and slightly charred, then transfer to plate with chicken.
Testing
Since the last Blogger droid update it has been been acting wonky... So here is a test to see if we can post again as a disapproving doxie looks on.
Best Roast Beef Sandwiches EV-AH
I do not cook a lot during the summer. Well, I cook because we have to eat, but it is terribly boring to post about. My menu consists of things grilled with a side. Blah... I would rather enjoy the sun and fun of summer than be stuck in a kitchen for hours. Come the colder days of late fall you will see the recipes and tons of crafts pop back up on my blog.
That being said, I made an old recipe last night and just had to share. Its easy and takes no time to prepare. :) I served it with a Ramen Noodle salad and chips! My type of meal... Enjoy!
Best Roast Beef Sandwiches
Sandwiches:
6 Sandwich Rolls (white, wheat, whole grain all work well)
1 pound of thinly sliced deli roast beef
6 slices of Swiss Cheese
Sauce:
2 Tbsp melted margarine or butter
6 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1 1/2 tsp each Poppy seed and Sesame Seed
Cut the rolls, if needed, as layer your roast beef and swiss cheese on each roll. Place completed sandwiches in a foil lined 9x13 pan.
Mix the sauce together. Brush on the liberally on the rolls and pour the remainder into the bottom of the pan.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes at 400F.
IDK Why....
I have no clue why I plan parties. All I do is completely stress out and plan out extra work so when the day of the party arrives I am exhausted. (But the project is done and the house is one step closer to looking ah-maz-ing!)
I am still working on my yard every chance I get. I H A T E yard work. I do not like bugs, am terrified of outdoory animals, get a poison ivy rash at the drop of a hat, and just don't like to sweat unless being served mojitos by a pool. Thus, the yard, deck and front living space has sorta, kinda been really neglected. Not enough to make the city come and condemn it, but enough that our neighbors are probably secretly taking up a collection to have a yard service come in a gut the landscaping for me.
The two people who DO love the yard work are the ones with 4 legs. They adore the new smells I unearth. And where there are smells there is a dachshund rolling in them. Its rather funny to watch them. They start by getting all nose up in the smell, tails wagging like "OMD I have found gold!!" then they do this sideways stretch into whatever aroma has hit their fancy and rub it on their neck. After their neck is nicely covered then they roll their backs all into it.
But at the end of their time outside, they just wanna do one thing... yup, use mom as a pillow and rub that smell all over me.
*Oh, another reason I don't like yard word... see those nails? they don't do mulch!*
So... Dachshunds Bark, Didja Kno Dat?
I had worked an EXTREME amount of time this past weekend, all for the good, but by the time Monday rolled around I was ready to relax... NOT. Actually I do not just 'sit around' well. I get bored very easily and then usually get myself in trouble looking for a boredom buster. (Aren't you glad you weren't my mom and dad when I was little!!)
So after I slept in (until 6:30am), and had breakfast (a bit cup of tea with a side of OMG Why am I up so freakin' early), I patiently waited for Reed to wake up (at 10am ONLY after I woke him up cause I was bored). I had yard work on the mind today. :)
I am having a little get together this weekend, if everything goes as planned, to celebrate Father's Day... ok, not really, I just wanted an excuse to have a bunch of people over and to have fun. So I needed to do a wee bit of outdoor stuff in preparation.... you know renting a chain saw, hiring some of the people standing outside of Home Depot to help, and coming home to carve my niche into the earth's crust. *Actually I need to remulch the front of the house... why I don't know... cause when it looks trashy you don't have all the sales people coming by!!*
Well, I had some help! :) Besides Reed I mean.... They were telling me what to do and how to do it. Dachshunds are good that way.
And just in case you might need some yard help, I have included a few instructions for you as well:
What Are Dachshunds Like?
What Are Dachshunds Like?
It Depends on Who You Ask…
Other Dog Lovers Say: Clingy
Dachshund Lovers Say: Cuddly
Other Dog Lovers Say: Reckless
Dachshund Lovers Say: Fearless
Other Dog Lovers Say: Pushy
Dachshund Lovers Say: Confident
Other Dog Lovers Say: Stubborn
Dachshund Lovers Say: Tenacious
Other Dog Lovers Say: Manipulative
Dachshund Lovers Say: Intelligent
Other Dog Lovers Say: Bad with Kids
Dachshund Lovers Say: Discipline kids that need it anyway
Other Dog Lovers Say: Hard to Housetrain
Dachshund Lovers Say: OK, we'll give you that one
Other Dog Lovers Say: Needy
Dachshund Lovers Say: Emotional & Loving
Which Are You?
Equality in all things
See!!! Milo gets his love, too!! Its not a house ruled by Dixie... Ok it is, but don't ruin our little fantasy.
*Reed and Milo watching Doctor Who marathon while I worked.*
Dairy Queen Visit
While I am working it's rather boring at my house, so sometimes a trip is needed... Today Dixie got to walk with Reed to the best place ever... Dairy Queen!!
Reed cannot control both Dixie and Milo on a walk to high traffic place. He alternates so neither are favored... As it's sunny and hot, I doubt 'Doh wanted to leave his air conditioned bed anyway.
I hope I am home soon, guys.... And Reed dont play xbox all day, kthxbai!!!!
Hot Diggity Dog!! I Want This!!
Now at Build-a-Bear Workshop they have (drum roll) the CUTEST DACHSHUND EVER!!!
Things are crazy at work, so I've not been home much to see what has been going on in Milo and Dixie's lives of late... I know that it includes tons of sleep, as that is a Dachshund Olympic sport. But, God bless'em, they never are sad or grouchy if I am gone for hours... They just snuggle up a bit closer and love on me extra hard... One of the best part of being owned by Dachshunds... they are the most forgiving dogs ever!
Talk to you soon!!
Doxie Cabal in the Making
Doxies are well on their way to taking over the world... They have easily infiltrated advertising with their long-body good looks. They have held a Doxie UN Commission. They have been in the news for being survivors of disaster, enjoying parachuting, being avid motorcyclists, and being a part of US Government. Taking over the world is the next and most logical step, amirite?Just so you'll know what will happen with the Dachshund Cabal is complete, you can purchase Dachshund-opoly.
As the makers of the game have pointed out:
DACHSHUND-OPOLY IS A GAME OF TAIL-WAGGING FUN!
COLLECT YOUR FAVORITE DACHSHUNDS AND PLAY HARD!
Increase your rent buy buying Toys for your dogs and upgrading them to Big Bones. Sounds easy enough until you get fleas, have an accident on the carpet, or worse yet, get sent to the kennel!
Milo and Dixie have been working on upgrading to Big Bones for a while now, and regrettably working!!Walkies!
We took a short walkie yesterday as the temperatures have been getting too hot for us to enjoy a long walk. Our photographer isn't doing her job and didn't get any shots.
But I will admit its rather difficult to keep us both together, like in this shot... Milo went to one side of the mailbox and I went to the other which causes mum to hit her leg! But we were both going after the same smell!!
Supposed to be 94F here today. Mum and Reed are going to the pool and we are staying inside where it is cool! I am guessing our next walkie will be really late tonight.
EDAS
This has been a test of your Emergency Dachshund Alert System.
This is only a test.
If this had been a real emergency, I WOULD HAVE NEVER STOPPED BARKING!!!
Everybody's Workin for the Weekend (I'm Just Working for Beer and Cheetos)
Boy, its been all kinds of crazyy around my house lately. Firstly, I've been working more, which totally stinks. Regrettably I have this crazy desire for a house with air conditioning (hello Summer and 90 degree temps), food beyond the college days of Ramen Noodles and bologna, and new shoes (gotta have new shoes... a girl could lose her mind without new shoes!). So working does help for those 'gotta have' items!
Secondly, last weekend was the party of all parties... Ok, so it was a nice understated affair with food that would make you BSC (bat s*** crazy for those without Urban Dictionary bookmarked), which didn't get police raided, nor did the crazy neighbor come over and start shooting folks. I was sorta disappointed! Its not a party unless the poh-leeece come by! We ate and ate until we could eats no more... then piled up in the backyard for a Pennington Drive-In showing of MegaMind (I know right... No Jackass 3D cause I had little kiddies around.)
Thirdly (and most grossly) last week was also the week from the pits of Hades as Momma caught herself a good case of Poison Ivy... yup. I will spare you the deets, but just saying, from now on Momma is NOT doing yard work and is going to sit on the deck and direct the help to do it. (In other words, she is also working to pay for yard service from now on!)
And, this week being the end of school has been crazy with Field Days, Graduations, Awards Days, and all those other things that you say "Yes" to helping out with back 10 months ago, and now they are calling your bluff.
The Dachshunds? Well, they've been plotting to take over the world... They figure if the terrier-ists can be trying, then they should have a shot, too... Cause no Terrier could plot better than a Dachshund. *Honestly, I believe they have been getting their requisite 21 hours of sleep a day and eating like they've never seen food before... Its not been a good week for them as Momma has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off... No quiet days of relaxing, using Momma as a pillow... No running from the flashy beast trying to capture their dachshund souls on film, uh digital image :D... no long walks as its been 90+ and Milo doesn't do heat well, black dog + hot sun = hot mess.**
I have pictures, but no time to post anything but just one for the recipe I am going to share with you... Honestly, these are a mess to make, but OMG, if you make them just one time, it will make you a legend!
Shelle's Ridiculously Good Homemade Onion Rings
3 large Vidalia onions *I ONLY use Vidalia, you will regret not using Vidalia... just sayin'
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups beer
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Vegetable oil
Peel onions; cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Place rings in a large bowl of ice water in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; stir very well. Add beer and egg, stirring until blended. Place in the refrigerator and chill batter at least 15 minutes.
Dip onion rings into batter, coating very well.
I use my deep fryer for cooking my onion rings (I live in the south, did you expect anything different!!) But if you do not have a deep fryer (shame on you) you could pour oil in a Dutch oven to a depth of 2-3 inches. I cook my onion rings at 375°, so check your oil's temperature to make sure its not too hot.
Fry onion rings, a few at a time, 3 to 5 minutes or until golden on both sides. Drain well on paper towels... sprinkle lightly with salt if desired, after all that oil you are going to heart attack hell from all that oil anyway!
Serve immediately.
