Life with the Three Crazy Dogs

Thanksgiving day started off smooth.  Btw, SD , BF and Ally were over at SD’s mom’s home for Thanksgiving.  So it was just DB and I for Thanksgiving.  Maybe next year’s?

There was not much to get ready for our meal.  (I cooked the greenbean casserole and baked the pumpkin pie the night before.)  DB cleaned the bird and I rubbed it with salt and ground sage.  And this is what he did to the turkey… coz he said the plastic thing that tied the bird’s leg together cannot be in the oven for so many hours.  Yeah, he cut off the bishop nose too!  This is one ugly looking bird…disgusting, if you know what i mean!

The ugly bird sitting in the roaster ready for the oven

The rest of the day, I putzed around on the lappie and took the boys out for their walks, long ones, too (they were pests in the house – too much cooped up energy, I think).  The day turned out to be a beautiful day – sunny skies but a tad bit windy but it was alright.

When I got home, the bird was still not done yet since DB said he wanted to cook it slow and we are not in a hurry.  When it was 4ish I was starving and I started the mash taters and canned sweet potatoes.  He cranked up the temp of the oven to get the bird going.

This is the final product of the bird.  A little anemic but I was starving, I didn’t care to have the bird a little more brown.

And here is my Thanksgiving meal: mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and dark turkey meat.  DB had white meat instead.  Hahahahah….a little segregation in this household? :D

We both had second helpings albeit already full guts.  Good chow, I tell ‘ya.  Nothing beats home made Thanksgiving meal.  Anyways, I ended up having a stomach ached from the mashed taters.  Why you might ask?  Because I added milk in the taters.  If the milk was cooked, I’m fine with it, no probs.  However, after a trip to the bathroom, I was ready for dessert.

We didn’t get our dessert in till a couple of hours later though.  It was the first time I baked pumpkin pie.

The recipe calls for one 9″ pie shell (btw, didn’t make the shells, they were store bought.  They come in 2 in a packet) but the filling were too much for one so I had to use the other shell.

Here is a piece of pumpkin pie with a few dallops of cool whip to go with it for you….

Of course, we didn’t forget the boys.  Here they are anxiously waiting for their Thanksgiving meal.

Here’s their meal – their usual food with the cooked up turkey spare parts minus the gizzard and neck. :)

I didn’t get pictures of them mawing down the turkey meat I gave them. Hand fed, mind you, coz they are spoiled rotten.

I went back to work this afternoon.  I needed to picked up the the bird and my car tabs (similar to road tax in Malaysia).  I sent in my tabs renewal form through the convenience store 2 weeks ago but I forgot about it till last Friday after I got home.  My tabs are expiring this month.

DB drove me there coz I didn’t want to look for a parking spot just to run some errands.  It is hard to find a parking spot at work at that time of the day (1:30 p.m.)  Came home, of course, the first to check it out are the boys.  That’s Cooper sniffing and licking the packaging.

The bird is frozen hard.  We are are going to cook it on Thursdays morning.  So, the thawing has to start today.  Into the sink the bird goes and soaking it with cold water.

We have already did our shopping for our Thanksgiving dinner.  We went yesterday in the morning.  There were hardly any souls in the store.  Our meal will consists of a few simple dishes: turkey (of course!), mashed potatoes and gravy, grean bean casserole and pumpkin pie.  No stuffing this year.

Will update this blog later with pics, I hope.

Here is this boxer that loves to bark his brains out each time I walk past his territory.  I tried to go nearer to take a picture of him but his barks were louder and fiercer, so I stepped back.

He has the shock collar on him which I know works.  THere a few times he tried to cross the boundary (invisible fence) and I heard the “titttttttt” and Capone, that his name, was yelping super loud.

When I walk Chase past Capone’s yard, Chase will “drag” me closer to Capone so that he (Chase) can play with him.  I am very tempted to let them sniff each other out.  Why?  Coz Capone’s little tail wags a thousand miles an hour every time he sees the boys.  But I chickened out, I pull Chase away from Capone’s yard.

I know the dog’s name coz I asked his owners once.  I was walking past their house and Capone was on the leash with his owners.  His owners told him to shut up which he did.  Capone’s little tail was wagging so fast which reminds me of a rattle snake’s tail.  I asked the owner is he fierce, he said he looks fierce but he is very gentle.  All he wants is just play with other dogs.

Well, one morning I was out walking just Ranger, Capone was out on his yard and he walked right to the curb.  Right a way I knew the batteries in the collar is weak.  He usually will stay by where he is on that picture coz that is where the invisible fence is.  Ranger of coz saw Capone by the curb, Ranger went to greet him and Capone stopped his barking and was crouching down, all ready to play.  I let them “exchange” greetings, allowed them to “play” a little and I pulled Ranger away.  Capone happily walked away, not back towards his house, but out of the yard.  Yep, the batteries were completely dead.  He was out walking the yard and I went back to my house, turning back a few times making sure he is not following me and Ranger.  I didn’t tell his owners about their dog which I know I should.  Oh well, he is now back on his yard and still barks each time I walk past his yard.

I thought i wouldn’t be writing any posts since I’m on vacation.  Well, I am writing one this evening.  I got back from work at Satay2Go, stinking of restaurant big time, took a shower and harassed DB a little.  The boys, surprisingly, the older two were bugging me to take them out for a walk.  I never walk them after I get home from working at the restaurant because my legs and feet are killing me.  Chase greeted me and went back to his favorite spot, the shag rug – must be its soft for them.

Anyways, I got off work this evening, went to Target to get some rawhides.  The place was packed full with people.  It’s as if Target is giving out free stuff for all of its customers.  I know they do give out free ice-cream once.  But this evening, every almost shopper have some sort of Thanksgiving dinner groceries in their carts.  DB and I are going tomorrow to get our week’s groceries and, of course, some stuff for a pumpkin pie I’m gonna make for Thanksgiving day.  We are not making anything special.  A pumpkin is pretty much a must for us every year (except for last year, we were in Malaysia).

I am already planning to go to the Mall of America (MOA)to pick up the freebies at the jewelry store on Wednesday.  Since it’s the holiday season, there might be some other things on sale at the mall.  It has been quite a while since I was at MOA, so I’m really looking forward to visit that mega mall again.

Alright, I better get going coz I have to change the bed sheets in the guest room and then proceed to plant my butt on the couch to watch movies.  Have a great weekend folks.

Yeehah, I’m off the whole of next week all through Thanksgiving.  However, I will be going back to my office to pick up the free turkey on Tuesday.  Yep, the company is still giving out a free turkey for all of their employees.  THis freebee is just for this particular location in the US.  Plus I need to run up to the convenient store to pick up my car tabs.  I forgot to pick them up today.

So what am I gonna do for the whole week?  I’m going to work at Satay tomorrow and the rest of the week, I’m gonna sleep in, watch my movies, complete some of my projects and walk the woods.  Oh, and I will be meeting Nicole for a jalan-jalan session on Wednesday.  That would be fun.

And this blog will take a break too.  Unless I change my mind which is not uncommon.

So, TTFN – Ta Ta For Now and Happy Thanksgiving to you folks in the States.

I just got done ordering a new laptop for my coworker.  Her old faithful lappie died on her this last night when she brought it home to get some work done.  Once she got it started, the laptop konked out in a blink of an eye.  She came in today, IT folks tried to save it, but it was fruitless.  Me being the admin for the department has to order her a new lappie since her lappie was already 5 years old.   The IT folks said it is easier to get a new laptop rather than adding new laptop memory.  This is because her laptop is already old per se, IT folks rather have employees get a new one if their department has the budget for it.  Sigh, wish I can have a laptop myself, then I can work from home some day.

On my way home, I heard on the news that President Bush extended unemployment for another 7 weeks.  When I got home, DB asked me did I hear about the extension on unemployment the Prez extended.  I said yes for 7 weeks.  He said it is for 13 weeks.  I looked up this piece of new on the internet and can’t find any.  Oh well, whatever the extension is it will be a big help for us right now.  If not DB will have to look for jobs just like a coworker of mine out east looking for jobs in Manhattan.

I got this recipe from SD.  It is very easy and sure is interesting.  She gave me the starter on Nov 9th and after 10 days of “brewing” the “starter”, I baked it today.  Below is a picture of the 3 separate starters from the starter  SD gave me, of course, after adding more flour, sugar and milk (see below recipe).  It does smells “heaven” when you open the bag up on day 2 to stir it and as the days are up to stir and add more flour, milk and sugar, the entire starter sure smells like beer!

The final product, burnt.  I’m disappointed.  DB and I blamed the oven.  The stupid oven made me so mad.  Actually, the entire evening making this bread was a disaster.

First, I took the starter packet out coz today is Day 10, all ready to get it into the oven, and it was about to explode.  Seriously, if I didn’t open up the  Ziploc bag it will bust the bag, probably.  All the brewing of the sugar, flour and milk concoction turned into some science experiment, I thought!

Anyways, I added what the recipe asked for Day 10.  I separated the 3 cups and put a cup each into three separate bags.   Took the milk out and it was expired.  I went to the gas station to get a jug of milk.  Came home, all happy and started adding the milk in, took a look at the recipe, darn it, no eggs!!!!  Yeah we do, but just two eggs in the tray.  DB said he will go to the gas station but before he left, we look at the recipe again.  It calls for a box of 5.1 oz box of instant vanilla pudding.  He went and I continued to get ready the rest of what the recipe calls for.   Everything is done and waiting for the eggs.  I waited for DB and waited.  It sure seems like 30 minutes before he got home.  When he got home, I went to greet him and i saw him holding a jug of milk and a bag from Cubs.  He went to Cub Foods to get the instant vanilla pudding coz the gas station does not have the vanilla pudding crap.  But then, I want eggs, not another jug of milk!!!!  So he went out again to get eggs and I finally got my eggs when he got home and mixed every thing up, put them in the oven and after an hour , the two loaves of Amish Friendship bread were burnt.

It taste good.  I cut down a bit of the sugar and it’s still good.  The next one I’m going to try is the one with bananas.   If you are interested, try it.  It’s good even though it’s burnt.

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Amish Friendship Bread

The Original Recipe

Important Note: Don’t use metal spoons or equipment. Do not refrigerate. Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers.

Required Main Ingredient

day 1:

Do nothing with the starter.

days 2-5:

Stir with a wooden spoon, or squeeze bag several times.

day 6:

Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon, or squeeze bag several times to mix well.

days 7-9:

Stir with a wooden spoon, or squeeze bag several times.

Day 10:

Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends. To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the following ingredients and mix well.

1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 – (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup nuts

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

Cherii Martin’s Banana Amish Friendship Bread

Omit cinnamon and vanilla pudding in the basic recipe and add two bananas (mashed)

Cherii Martin’s Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread

Omit cinnamon and vanilla pudding from the basic recipe and add 1 – (5.1 oz) box of instant chocolate pudding, 3 tsp. cocoa and 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Bake for 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours.

Cherii Martin’s Apple Cinnamon Friendship Bread

add one cup of raisins and one small diced apple.

http://www.armchair.com/recipe/bake002.html

Received this in the Saturday mail.  Free gift but is it for real?  It says no strings attached and it is worth $25 retail value.  Probably will have to pay the sales tax.  Well, I might have to go check it out the following week (burning some vacation hours).  If I don’t like it, it can always go to the care package. :D

Sure looks like tomatoes, aren’t they?  :) Nope, they are sweet old persimmons.  They are so sweet and not too soft.  Just right.

I had Leong get me a case of persimmons from the Asian store or warehouse, I’m not sure where he bought it.  But he got me this case yesterday and it only cost $12.99 which he only charged me $12.  It sure beats the price of paying per fruit at Cub Foods.  At Cub, if I remember, it is 68 or 88 cents each.  It could be more.  I should have him get some of my Asian groceries soon.  He do get some really good prices when it comes to Asian groceries, well, from the warehouse, it’s definitely cheaper.

He even asked me if I want him to get some durians, if in season and durians from Thailand.  Hahaha, I don’t know about that.  DBs will go berserk if I bring that stinky king of the fruit home.  I said I might have to eat it at their house.