Saturday, April 30, 2011

COOKING IN THE DARK WITH COCHRAN & CHRISTIE

We have a "regal" recipe for you today!  In honor of the Royal Wedding today, we are making scones.  Christie says that London is just a "scone's" throw away from Texas.  Even though she means a "stone's" throw away, that's still not correct (it's 4,757 miles away!)  This is our first time making scones and we chose Cranberry Orange Scones by the Barefoot Contessa.  We selected this recipe because she's a great chef and she has a royal-sounding name!  Of course, we renamed them to Throne's Scones!  It's a "marriage" of a rich biscuit dough and fruit.  Even though it looks like a difficult recipe, it was actually quite easy and turned out great! 

Christie, they play a sport called cricket over there.  In fact, that's where the phrase "sticky wicket" comes from., which means a difficult circumstance.  Fortunately, we had no "sticky wicket" with this recipe.

THRONE'S SCONES
4 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1/4 cup to mix with cranberries)
1/4 cup sugar (plus additional for sprinkling)
2 tbsp. baking powder
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tbsp. grated orange zest
3/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced (3 sticks)
4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 cup dried cranberries
1 egg beaten with 2 tbsp. water or milk (egg wash)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus 2 tbsp.
4 tsp. freshly squeezed orange juice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix 4 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.  Add the cold butter and mix at the lowest speed until the butter is the size of peas.  Combine the eggs and heavy cream and slowly pour into the flour and butter mixture and mix until just blended.  The dough will look lumpy.  Combine the dried cranberries and 1/4 cup flour; add to the dough and mix on low speed until blended.

Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead into a slightly sticky ball (10 seconds).  Divide dough in half; press each half into an even layer in a 9-inch round cake pan.  Flip the dough out onto a cutting board, then cut the dough into eight evenly-sized wedges.  Place the wedges on baking sheets lined with parchment or nonstick foil.  You should have 16 wedges.

Brush the tops of the scones with the egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are browned and the insides are fully bakesd.  The scones will be firm to the touch.  Allow the scones to cool for 15 minutes and then drizzle with the sugar and orange juice mixture.
ENJOY!

Friday, April 29, 2011

FIAMMA'S FUN FACTS FRIDAY

I was suspicious of a setup in the morning – the colorful plate of turnip greens, escarole, yellow squash, zucchini, strawberries, blackberries, and watermelon with a hint of calcium supplement.  Was someone trying to bribe me?

Later that evening.......
 
IS THIS WHAT YOU MEANT BY A NIGHTCAP????  Oh, the price of fame!

Well, before I go to bed (which is 8 p.m., by the way), I want to give you some facts about how many hours a day some mammals sleep: 
Giraffe - less than 2 hours a day!
Horse - less than 3 hours a day! 
Donkey - 3 hours a day!
African elephant - a little over 3 hours a day!

Sleep on this:  Einstein slept for 10 hours a day and he came up with the Theory of Relativity
GET YOUR SLEEP - YOU'LL BE SMARTER!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

WHAT'S MAJOR TOM THINKING ABOUT TODAY?

THIS IS NOT A GOLDEN CAT CROWN (NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU!)
 THE CAT'S OUT OF THE BAG:  I was thinking about, worrying about, and losing sleep last week when I thought I was going back to Las Vegas with my previous owner.  As you know, I was adopted in Las Vegas by the Bowman family.  They all loved me and took really good care of me, but their two other cats picked on me because I was smaller.  I also developed some kind of skin condition and would scratch my face.  That's the reason for the "cone."  This fits around your head and neck so you can’t scratch or lick your face (or other parts of your body that need to heal).  This didn't work too well, so when the Deals came to visit that summer and saw the situation, they decided to take me home to Texas with them.  Since then, I have been really happy here with Charlotte, Caesar, and Fiamma.  I'll tell you about that plane trip later!
I DON"T HAVE A HELMET, JAMEY!
Last week, Jamey Bowman came by to visit on his way back from visiting family in Mississippi and Louisiana, where he bought this motorcycle. When Jamey drove up to the house and I saw that motorcycle in the back of his truck, I had two thoughts:  Am I going back to Las Vegas, and am I riding on the back of that motorcycle?  I was so scared that I ran away from Jamey in the house and hid in the bedroom.  As it turns out, he was just staying overnight for a brief visit and to spend the night before he started his long trip back to Las Vegas the next morning. 

I'LL BE BACK, TOM!
This is my way of apologizing to Jamey for being as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs!  Jamey's a hepcat, and this is his new hunting hat WITH LIGHTS!  It just goes to show:  You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy!  That's enough to make a cat laugh.....http://youtu.be/XLQ9xNgwyIg

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

TROTTIN' ABOUT TOWN WITH HAIRY TROTTER


Well, I really haven't been trottin' around town this week - I am STILL at the Cooper Clinic taking pictures.  There are so many baby ducks and baby geese out there.  Try to count the babies in the different pictures.  Let me warn you - some of the pictures may be a little "fuzzy!"  Next week, I'll have to show you all of my squirrel pictures - it's absolutely "nuts" out there!























 








If that wasn't cute enough, check out this video of a goose, gander, and their goslings.  It just gives me "goosebumps!"

HAMMIN' IT UP WITH BLOG HOG HAMILTON

You know I've been "poking" around for some good jokes.  Well, don't lose any more sleep over it - here they are, and they're not the same old "tired" jokes either!

Q: Why do dragons sleep during the day?
A: So they can fight knights!

Q: Why was everyone so tired April 1?
A: They had just finished a March of 31 days!

Q: Why did the man run around his bed?
A: To catch up on his sleep!

Q: How do you make a baby sleep on a spaceship?
A: You rocket!

Q: What do you call a pan spinning through space?
A: Spaceball!

Now, for something really cute - a scene from the movie Babe, with the farmer singing If I had Words to Babe and doing the "pig jig." http://youtu.be/E1aAqnqBOnE

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

DEAR TABBY

DEAR TABBY: I am a busy mom of two kittens and have a busy job of catching mice on my family's cattle ranch.  Lately, bedtime has been a CATastrophe because my oldest kitten wants to play around in the barn and not stay in his bed and go to sleep.  Can you give me some advice to make bedtime easier for both of us?  SLEEPLESS WITH THE CATTLE

DEAR SLEEPLESS WITH THE CATTLE:  First, keep him away from the catnip!  One thing you might try is to give him something warm to drink (like milk or cocoa) before bedtime, but not too much or he'll be getting up to go to the catbox!  Another trick is to count sheep together (or cows or horses).  Reading a good book while laying down in the hay should help.  You might also try letting him watch this video from the movie Tarzan to help lull him to sleep, too.  http://youtu.be/JIVaUcE4kAM.  Here's a picture of Tom laying down with a cow (oh, no, that's just Charlotte!)

*In my April 5th post, I told you about the features of a cat's body, but I have to tell you about cats' senses.  Cats have excellent night vision, partly due to large pupils, but they have poor color vision.  They can only see two colors, blue and green.  Cats have excellent hearing, among the best of any mammal, and an acute sense of smell!  You can now understand why it's hard for cats to settle down at night and go to bed! 

Monday, April 25, 2011

BEAUTY SLEEP by Blog Dog Dan

I have been "undercover" this past week getting plenty of shut-eye so that I could tell you some important facts about sleep!  Sleep helps your body and brain develop and grow.  You need sleep so your muscles, bones, and skin can grow, and so the body can stay healthy and fight sickness.  Your brain needs sleep so you can remember what you learn, pay attention and concentrate, and solve problems and think of new ideas.  Uh-oh, did you fall asleep??  Maybe you didn't get enough sleep last night!
 
Everything that's alive needs sleep to survive!  Adults need 8-9 hours of sleep at night.  Kids ages 2-3 need 10.5-12.5 hours of sleep at night with 1-3 hours for a nap.  Kids ages 4-5 need 10-12 hours of sleep at night and a one hour nap during the day. 

You know that dogs and cats get plenty of sleep!  Charlotte, Caesar, and Major Tom want to show you how to do it properly and cutely!

Taking over the pillow!

Napping on the couch!
   

Good book and a warm cat - he's out!




I know you're sleepy, but enjoy this video before you go to bed: http://youtu.be/RYJSC7hI2Cg



Saturday, April 23, 2011

COOKING IN THE DARK WITH COCHRAN & CHRISTIE


We have such a deliciously fast recipe today - it's called Rolo Pretzel Turtles.  Now, there's nothing fast about turtles, but this recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare and only four minutes to bake!  Hey, Christie, there aren't any turtles in this candy, are there?  Just kidding - she's over there wagging her antennae at me now!!  This recipe is from our friend, Jeanne, who always makes delicious treats.  We call her Beanie-Weenie Jeanne, because she can make really good beanie-weenies, too.  Thanks, Jeanne!

ROLO PRETZEL TURTLES

30 mini pretzels
30 Rolo pieces (half a bag)
30 pecan halves
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with nonstick foil or parchment paper.  Place one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel.  (These shift around easily on the baking sheet when you're carrying them, so be careful they don't slide around too much.)  Cook for 4 minutes.  Take out of the oven and press a pecan on top of each candy-covered pretzel.  Let cool completely before storing.  (You can also toast the pecans on a plate in the microwave for 1 minute., stirring halfway) *Of course, you can easily double the recipe and use the whole bag of Rolos!
 ENJOY!

Friday, April 22, 2011

FIAMMA'S FUN FACTS FRIDAY


Here's Bugs!
I am so excited to introduce you to some "harey"friends of mine.  Bugs Bunny is an old friend, who introduced me to the Easter Bunny.  He left me this beautiful egg in my tree this year!  I caught the Easter Bunny trying to hide it, but I'm actually in my tree, at the very top on the right.  Gray Hare is another friend of mine, but to others it's a reminder for another "dye" job this Easter!
Look at the Easter Bunny!
I love  Gray Hare!
  












Have a great Easter, but don't eat too much candy!  I wonder how long it will take me to eat my egg?  I might need Caesar's help...... Now, here are some fun facts for you! 
  • Kids first grab for chocolate bunnies (76 percent) when checking out their Easter baskets, followed by marshmallow treats (18 percent), malted milk balls/eggs (17 percent) ,and jelly beans (16 percent).
  • The world’s largest jar of jelly beans weighed 6,050 pounds.
  • 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made for Easter each year.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

WHAT'S MAJOR TOM THINKING ABOUT TODAY?

I'm thinking about eggs - hard-boiled eggs.  I don't think I've ever had one, unless it's been a tuna and egg mixture in a can.  I'm going to try one tonight, but I wonder if I can even sniff it before Caesar comes in through his dog door and takes it away from me and eats it!  I can barely stand to watch it, but you can watch the video to see what happens:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MuoVA0uJfw.  Well, let's see who's laughing now (look at Caesar in his "bonnet" a couple of months ago).  Don't worry, he really didn't mind it; in fact, he just got more attention for it!  I think I need to get this bad taste out of my mouth now!

 Okay, now, a few questions for you:  See the answers below.
  1. In the song, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," he's got colored eggs for who?
  2. How long will a boiled egg keep in the refrigerator?
  3. A female rabbit is called a what?
  4. Purple is a common color for Easter.  In the ancient world, the purple dye came from where?
  5. In the song, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," he's got jelly beans for who?
Answers:
  1. He's got colored eggs for Sue!
  2. They store for one week, but always keep them in the fridge.
  3. A female rabbit is called a doe.
  4. The purple dye came from crushed shellfish from the Mediterranean Sea.
  5. He's got jelly beans for Tommy!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

TROTTIN' ABOUT TOWN WITH HAIRY TROTTER

I had such a great day today taking pictures at the Cooper Clinic.  You can definitely tell spring is here by the baby ducks (ducklings) and baby geese (goslings).  A goose has laid her eggs and a few have hatched beneath her!



        









































HAMMIN' IT UP WITH BLOG HOG HAMILTON

I've got a "spring" in my step with all these great jokes I have today.  Hope you find them "eggstra" funny!

Q: What branch of the military do bunnies like best?
A: The Hare Force!


Q: What does a bunny use to keep its ears perky?
A: Hare-spray!


Q: Why did the chicks cross the basketball court?
A: They heard the coach yelling FOWL!


Q: What's big and purple and hugs Easter baskets?
A: The Easter Barney!


Q: How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape?
A: Hare-robics!


Our friend Howard has sent us a funny video.  It's hare-larious!  Thanks, Howard!  http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066018_2066006,00.html?hpt=T2

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

DEAR TABBY

DEAR TABBY:  I have a question and a request!  My friend and I were talking about Peter Cottontail, and we have a bet going - I said that Peter is a rabbit, and my friend said he is a hare.  Can you tell us if Peter is a rabbit or a hare and what the difference is between the two?  Also, could you please find the video for Snoopy and the Dancing Bunnies?  It is so cute!  SPLITTING HARES IN GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS.

DEAR SPLITTING HARES:  That is a "hare-raising" question, and I would be delighted to give you and your friend the answer and tell you how the the rabbit and hare are different and alike.  First, to answer your question, Peter is indeed a rabbit. 

Hares are generally larger and faster than rabbits.  Hares have longer ears and larger feet than rabbits, and they have black markings on their fur. 

Both rabbits and hares molt and grow new hair in the spring and in the fall.  The rabbits' brown summer fur is replaced with fur that is more gray, while the hares' fur (especially those living in cold, snowy regions) turns white in the winter!  Both rabbits and hares have short tails.

 I hope you liked those facts and now here's the video: http://youtu.be/jRwsTyUPIYE

Guess who this is?
LYRICS TO PETER COTTONTAIL 
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Easter's on its way

Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy
A basketful of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay

He's got jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for your mommy
And an Easter bonnet too. Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day

Look at him hop and listen to him say,
"Try to do the things you should"
Maybe if you're extra good
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way

You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies
That he's hiding everywhere, Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day.

Monday, April 18, 2011

SPRING HAS SPRUNG by Blog Dog Dan


Beautiful butterfly!
Bunnies, butterflies, bees, birds, and bears (No, no bears, at least not where we were!) - signs that spring is definitely here!  I had such a great weekend playing out in the yard and going to the park!  Did you go to the park this weekend, too?  Look at the pictures my owners took while walking on the nature trails, at the park, and in our yard!  
Next Sunday, April 24, is Easter - I know you're excited about the Easter Bunny and hunting for those pretty eggs!  Send me some pictures of all the eggs in your basket and I'll put them on my post next week! 

 
That's a male cardinal!
 
Can you find the grasshopper?

    
 
A snake in the grass!
  
Three ducks in a row!

Turtles love a log!

Can you find the bee?





 

 
Look who's hungry!

What a handsome pair!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enjoy this video to one of my favorite songs!
 
Now, here's some cooking tips for boiled eggs for your parents:  Did you know that “hard boiled” eggs should not actually be boiled?  Boiling the eggs makes them rubbery.  Instead, you should boil the water, take the pot off the heat, and leave the eggs in the hot boiled water for the length of time it takes to get them to the stage you like, soft (1-4 mins.) or hard-boiled (15-17 mins).  It’s also best to use older eggs and pierce them with a needle prior to cooking to make them easier to peel.  Once they’re finished cooking (or after they’ve been dyed or decorated) simply peel, sprinkle with a bit of salt & pepper, and enjoy.