October 2013 Barkbox Review

What is Barkbox?  Here is a blurb taken from their page:::

When you sign up for BarkBox, every month you will receive a box in the mail with four or more carefully selected products and presents for your dog – anything from toys, bones and all-natural treats to hygiene products and innovative new gadgets!
If your dog is begging for more or you want to gift a favorite item to a friend, we’ll give you exclusive opportunities to order more products at a great rate.
A portion of proceeds from each box will go to help doggies-in-need. To learn more about our causes, read about our giving program.
Whether you’ve known your furry friend for years or have a new special canine in your life, BarkBox is the monthly necessity for keeping your pup entertained and feeling well loved.

Mine and my dog's take?  It's a monthly box filled with doggy-loving awesome.  :)  

Bella and Nygel waiting on their Barkbox this month. :)

October Barkbox Contains::

Fruitables Share Pack
Chevron Bear Toy

Mutt Meatballs Mix (Your Dog's Diner)

Autumn Harvest Goat Liver Treats

Two Lamb Ears

October is Bella's Birthday month so she got the Chevron Bear as her Birthday gift. :) 

(She's not a 'player' but more of a 'snuggler')

Her birthday is the 25th.  Both my dogs are rescues.  The rescue lady guessed that Bella was about 6/7 months old when I got her in May of '05.  So, I went with 10/25 as her birthday.  I just realized this year that we've never celebrated Nygel's birthday.  (oops!)  so we are celebrating both in October from now on.  Nygel's adoption was November of '06 (I think... maybe '07). 

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and make the Mutt Meatballs for their birthday treat.  They were very easy to mix up and bake.  The dogs really loved them.  They had some Friday night with their dinner, and Sunday morning with a pancake to celebrate my niece's birthday -- TODAY!  Birthdays for everyone!  

I was hesitant to make these meatballs as raw meat (minus seafood) has never been in my kitchen.  I was pleasantly surprised with how easy these were to make.  

All in all -- a great box!   Thanks Barkbox!

Interested in signing up for your own Barkbox?  Use this LINK and receive $5 off your first month.
(Do it!  Your pups will thank you profusely)

S&S, 

Shannon. 

10/14 Week in Review

Good Morning!

This week has been kind of crazy.  There's been a lot going on within my family, so I've been very busy with them.  In my 'down time' at home I've been canning and cooking up a storm.  Here is a picture of just SOME of my canning efforts.  I am sure there will be more to come.  

My mother, my niece and I went apple picking last weekend and I have about 30 lbs of apples to use up. However, in my tiny little apartment space is ever at a prime.  30 lbs of apples must be stored SOMEHOW. So, I have two large bowls overflowing with apples.  One is on my counter for grabbing and snacking.  One is in my fridge for long term storage.  Also, BOTH of my crisper drawers are STUFFED with apples.  

**Hi Nygel**

I also discovered a new food that I absolutely adore.  Delicata Squash.  It's super easy to prepare and you can even eat the skin!  If you like acorn squash and other fall/winter squash varieties... give Delicata a try.  

Roasted Delicata and Potatoes

I simply roasted one delicata squash with 4 red potatoes in a baking dish.  I tossed them with coconut oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary.  I baked at 375 degrees until tender (about 30 minutes).  So good. 

Eggs in Purgatory

To go with my roasted veggies, I made Eggs in Purgatory.  Dump one bottle of tomato sauce into an oven-safe skillet.  (I used my homemade spaghetti sauce and my cast-iron skillet)  Create little wells in the sauce, crack eggs into the wells and bake along with the veggies.  Keep an eye on the eggs and cook to your desired doneness. 

Such a delicious and filling meal

Here is my finished meal.  Super easy and SO GOOD!

I have also been a Pinterest fiend lately.  I found a pin that was way too easy NOT to try.  Essentially it was a low-fuss way to make homemade caramel.  All you need is a crock pot and a can of sweetened condensed milk.  

Can in Water Bath

Here is my can of sweetened condensed milk all covered with water and ready to go.  Turn your crock pot on low, put the lid on, and leave it for 8 hours.  (I did this overnight and it was in for about 10 hours -- it still worked wonderfully) After it's been cooked -- pull it out and refrigerate for AT LEAST 2 hours. 

Caramel

Here is the end result. A dippable, creamy, Dulche de Leche that is PERFECT for dipping apples. 

This was dinner one night.  Apples, Caramel dip, and cheddar cheese.  Again, so easy but SO GOOD!

Saturday Morning I got up early to go get a haircut.  (Don't judge me, this was 7:30 on a Saturday morning -- I normally don't see anything before 9am on saturdays)  ;)  I ended up not being able to get a haircut because of a scheduling issue.  The salon's customer service was ON IT.  I drove across the street to console myself with some starbucks and retail-therapy (Target style) and before I'd even parked my car they had called offering me a free haircut for my inconvenience.  Holla!

Retail Therapy in action.  That right there is Happiness in my cart.   Starburst Candy Corn, Hello Kitty Carving Kit, and a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte.  HEAVEN!

(PS - I'm 28 and love Hello Kitty.  You're going to have to accept that)

I also picked up this fabulous Cynthia Rowley blanket from Home Goods this weekend.  It is super soft and fuzzy.  It mixes well with the colors in my bedroom (neutrals, whites, and beachy colors -- sea glass hues, and muted blues/greys)  Bella Approves.  

S&S, 

Shannon

9/30 Week in Review

I feel like this week I have been in major 'nesting' mode.  Not for any particular reason, but I do find that Fall is a season where I am focused on making my home as inviting and cozy as possible.  As a recent Game of Thrones fanatic, I find the 'Winter is Coming' line very comical.  I keep reciting it in my head.   Perhaps I'm a descendant of the Starks.  No, strike that, they drop like flies.  I'd rather be a Kahleesi, but I digress. 

I've been very crafty the past week. Punk and I sat down (and with some help from Pinterest) decided what to make in the coming weeks::

- Homemade Vanilla Extract

- A Homemade Candle

- Homemade Soap

- Homemade Bath Salts

What else?  I'm drawing a blank.  Perhaps a book?  A warm snuggly blanket?

Here are two of the items.  The candle is a soy based candle, scented with lavender and vanilla and with a wood wick -- FANCY!  The soap is a shea butter base with orange, lavender, and rosemary added. 

I have also been very focused on creating inviting spaces that call to each of my animals.  My dogs are lazy little lap dogs, so I decided to make them dog beds.   I found some AMAZING (and cheap!) sweaters at a local thrift store and busted out my Singer.  Here is a picture of Bella in her sweater bed.   Nygel's sweater is a tighter weave so I can't just use a plastic needle and yarn to pull it all together - plus, I need more stuffing.  He is waiting patiently for his. :)  

She thinks her bed is DELICIOUSLY warm. (Note the tongue)

Myrrh is 100% kitten.  He's also 300% scaredy cat.  (Which I love him for) so I created a space for him to hide and play.  I wanted to get him a cat tree but honestly, $100+ wasn't going to happen.  I was on Pinterest looking for a DIY cat furniture post and found a picture (NO INSTRUCTIONS -- DANG YOU PINTEREST!!!) of a ladder turned into a cat tree. I posted on Facebook asking for an old ladder - because I'm cheap.  My grandmother had one in her basement.  He enjoys watching the birds and squirrels from my window so I placed it in front of the sliding glass door to the balcony. 

As you can see, I added a crate with a homemade cushion and blanket for him to 'nest' in.  I also used (no joke) 10 skeins of yarn woven in a figure 8 fashion to create a little hammock for him to lay in as well.   Next up: painting the ladder.   (I kind of like it as-is though).  I also intend to tie some toys to it and devise a way to hang a mason jar with some cat grass/cat nip growing in it.   Thoughts?

Also -- I live to torture my animals.  Really though, he was tearing me up with his claws.  I was told (through much uproar on my Facebook page) that my plan to have him declawed was inhumane.  As a vegetarian, I am a HUGE animals rights supporter.  However, it's been so long since I've had a kitten, I had NO IDEA!  My last cat died recently at the much-loved age of 16. So, I was 12 when I got/found her and I saved money from my first job to spay and declaw her.  I didn't know!

Anyway.... those yellow things on his paws?  They're nail caps that protect my legs (the dogs, my furniture, my walls, my face, my legs - again) from his 'playing'.

Speaking of Nails -- did you know that KISS makes an ombre nail kit?  Super easy! (If  I can do it - ANYONE can!)  It looks really pretty too.  This is the Film Noir color. 

**Please ignore my dry cuticles!**

Also - yay FORD!

Just last night the Punk and I painted pumpkins.  We went to a local farm market for their local Fall Festival.  There were super cute painted pumpkins for sale there (which of course the Punk wanted to buy) but they were kind of pricey -- at $7-$10 a piece.  These little pumpkins cost me $3 for the pair and I have a basket full of acrylic paints already.  So -- we have totally unique (and might I say, AWESOME!) painted pumpkins for $3.

**Side note:  when YOUR Punk chooses a pumpkin, have them carry it by the base, NOT the stem.  Otherwise, you'll find yourself arguing with a pre-tween about whether or not the stem will just "stick back on".  And yes, I caved and tried to glue it on with Epoxy.  It was still wet and non-stuck this morning.  We're holding out hope**

And Lastly, This Quote is one that I found this past week that really resonated with me.  I hope it does you as well.  

S&S,

Shannon

9/23/13 Week in Review.

Here in Ohio, the temperature has been fluctuating like a crazy hormonal hot mess of a creature.  Low 70's one day, high 80's the next with crazy humidity.  I guess the saying is true - If you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait 30 minutes.   It's been temperamental to say the least.

Even with all the crazy fluctuations, I have managed to mentally prepare myself for fall.  I love each of the 4 seasons and feel blessed to live in a climate where I get to experience each equally.  (Ok, winter seems like it keeps it's death grip on Ohio for longer than necessary... but still....)  

I love Fall.  I think it's because of all the Nature themed activities I manage to cram into these blessed lovely months before the snow starts to fly.  My niece and I are simpatico in that respect.  We both made our Fall bucket lists this past week and we have a few items that are identical.  :)  Yet another reason why I love that little punk.

This is the Punk's Fall Bucket List.  It's hard to read but her list includes:  Rake...then Jump <into a pile of leaves>, Get a nice jacket, Walk around the neighborhood, Haunted Greenhouse, Apple Picking, and Pumpkin patch. 

And here is my Fall Bucket List.  We have::  Go to Pigeon Roost with my heathen nieces, Pumpkin Patch, Corn 'Maize', Fall Festival or Renaissance Festival, Haunted House, Fall Hike, Apple Picking, Bake 'Yummies', Secondhand Sweater, Leaf Pile, Bonfire. 

As you can see, mine is a bit more substantial, but The Punk and I will be attending a lot of these events together.   

This weekend we took care of both my sweater, and her jacket thanks to a local thrift store. And I baked A LOT of 'yummies' this week.  Here is some photographic proof:::

Apple Cake with Caramel-y Glazey Goodness -----and----- Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Caramel Glaze

Pumpkin Waffles with 100% Pure Ohio Maple Syrup

I also made a Pumpkin loaf that to me was not impressive although the ladies at work didn't seem to have many complaints.  I also tried a pumpkin spice crock pot latte recipe that I found on Pinterest that the work ladies loved as well.  I was again less than impressed.  I guess I'm a little picky about my pumpkin love.  The apple cake was TO DIE FOR.  The pumpkin cookies were also pretty good.  The waffles?  They were waffles.  I have no complaints.  :)  

I have also been a crafty goddess recently.  I crocheted some cat toys and a dog sweater.  I made a cat bed for my Kitt-eh, Myrrh.  I also got 2 sweaters from the thrift store that I intend to turn into dog beds.... even if it kills me :)    Here are some pics of what I've accomplished thus far::: 

  

And Lastly::: A picture of the Kitten for good measure:::  

Myrrh-Cat

That's pretty much been my life as of late.   I look forward to showing you my completed dog sweater beds.   I am also working on turning a wooden ladder into a fabulous cat tree for the Myrrh-Cat.  I got the ladder last night from my Grandmother, set it up, and the kitten was climbing all over it and I haven't even added anything.  :)  I think it's a go.  

S&S, 

Shannon