2015

things have changed. We lost my beloved Mother-in-law earlier last year and a week later my precious Riley crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Miss and love them both so much. We did however adopt another little fella and named him Jack. He is a Border Collie just like my Riley was and he is helping to heal my broken heart. Hoping for a better 2015.

Vegan Butternut squash, quinoa and whatever else is in the fridge you need to use burritoes:)

Ingredients: (all organic)

- 1 or 2 butternut squash (roasted for about 45 minutes or so) chopped
- quinoa (a cup or whatever you have if you have some left over
- 4 ears of cooked corn
- a can or two of black beans, garbanzo beans or whatever beans on hand (rinsed)
- avocados (I had two)
- 4 small onions
- a few cloves of garlic
- wheat torillas
- 4 or 5 tomatoes chopped
- a package of daiya cheese

Chop the onion and saute until translucent, chop the garlic and add to the saute and saute a few minutes. Add your bean and squash and cook,  add the corn, quinoa, tomatoes and whatever other veggies you might have to the mix. Heat your tortillas and place some of the mix and daiya cheese, and avocado in the tortillas and wrap them however you feel (I just used paper towel so I could reheat them up easily in the microwave) and enjoy!

Tomato Avocado and Arugula Salad - posted for Jamie:)

Tomato Avocado and Arugula Salad - posted for Jamie:)
- 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

5 ounce bag of baby arugula
1 avocados, pitted peeled and diced
1 large tomato (or 2 small-medium tomatoes), chopped into bite sized pieces
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2.5 tablespoons olive oil
 salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp dijon mustard

Directions:

Add the baby arugula to a serving dish and top with chopped tomatoes and diced avocado.Wisk the remaining ingredients to use as the dressing. Enjoy!

This makes me cry every time I read this but also gives me hope for my precious little furry girl:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Rainbow

I saw a beautiful rainbow today:) I felt like it was a signal that my fur baby will be crossing over to become a fur angel soon. I love her so much and can't even describe how much I will miss her when she crosses the rainbow.

My little fur baby is slowing down. I hope she is not in any pain. I love her so much.

It is summer and we are going on our annual puppy vacation next week! I'm so happy to say that Riley is still with us! She has slowed down a bit but she is still with us!! I love her so much and am so HAPPY she is going to be with us on our vacation next week.

Easter Cookies

So many diets to make cookies for:) Soooo, I thought I would put the three different recipes on my blog:)

Regular Sugar Cookies

 makes 5 dozen

 1 1/2 cups butter, softened

 2 cups white sugar

 4 eggs

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 5 cups all-purpose flour

 2 teaspoons baking powder

 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely. 

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies 
Makes 1 1/2 dozen

 1/2 cups butter, softened

.6 cups white sugar

 1 egg

 1/3 teaspoon vanilla extract

 1.6 cups all-purpose flour

 .6 teaspoons baking powder

.6 teaspoon salt 

Mix ingredients like you do for the regular sugar cookie recipe and refrigerate for an hour or more. Cut out cookies and decorate with colored sugar by painting cookies with soy or whatever milk you use and sprinkling the sugar on them. Bake 10 - 12 minutes in 350 degree oven. Let cool.

Vegan Sugar Cookies
Makes about 5 dozen 

 Ingredients
5 cups organic unbleached flour
4 teaspoons Baking Powder
2 cups sugar white sugar
1/2 cup almond milk, soy milk, or soy milk creamer
1 tablespoon vanilla, almond, coconut or lemon extract
1 13-ounce carton of Whipped Organic Earth Balance Buttery Spread
 
Mix ingredients like you do for the regular sugar cookie recipe and refrigerate for an hour or more. Cut out cookies and decorate with colored sugar by painting cookies with soy or whatever milk you use and sprinkling the sugar on them. Bake 10 - 12 minutes in 350 degree oven. Let cool.