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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Banana Blueberry Explosion Muffins


This morning while Fred napped I made some chicken noodle soup from the leftover homemade stock I had. I like to keep soup in single serving containers in the freezer so when the mood hits me, I have it on hand. Okay, to the muffins. I had two ripe bananas to use up so I decided to make muffins. The recipe was adapted from my Joy of Cooking cookbook. I changed the wheat bran to oat bran, left out the walnuts (didn't have any) and added about 1 cup of fresh blueberries that I had. These were probably the best muffins I have ever made! They were so moist with an explosion of blueberries when you break them open. Yummy!! I made them in a large muffin tin that holds six muffins, but you can use 12 if you want and just lower the baking time from 25 minutes to about 16-18 minutes.
So, I have decided to call these....

Banana Blueberry Explosion Muffins!

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup oat bran
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 large egg
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 medium sized ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 375 and grease or line 6 jumbo muffin tins. In a bowl whisk together flour, oat bran, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl whisk together egg, brown sugar, bananas, oil and vanilla. Add the flour mixture stirring just until moist. Fold in blueberries and divide batter between muffin cups. Bake about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan then remove to rack. Break open, slather with butter and enjoy!!

Monday, June 28, 2010

And Then, Fred Sleeps!



Fred crashed after terrorizing the household.

10 Weeks Old

Yep, Fred is 10 weeks old today! We have officially survived the last 2 weeks. Sure it's been like a Walt Disniey movie around our house and we still have a long way to go, but I love it. I have to laugh everytime someone comes over and says, "So, he's pretty quiet, eh." Ah, no. This would only be because for the past hour and a half he has been tearing around like a wild man and by the time somebody comes to visit, he is wore out. So I have taken a few small videos as proof! We have lots of war wounds from his razor sharp baby teeth and his little nails. The only good thing is, when he stops he drops like a rock and is out for a couple of hours! This gives me time to bandage up our wounds and get some things done around the house in peace and quiet, like writing on my blog. Boy, this sure bring back memories of when my kids were young! It's just that this one barks, doesn't wear a diaper and constantly talks back already; oh yeah, and did I mention, Loves to eat dirt! I actually did get some sleep last night and his accidents are fewer, but it's all going to take time and effort on my part. I am just thankful that my hubby Steve starts his holidays this Thursday for 3 weeks. Little does he know, he too will be sharing in this viscious cycle called "Fred". We will be like a tag team! I wish I could patent Fred as a new exercise program 'cause boy have I gotten a lot! All in all, Fred's our baby and in the end all this effort will pay off as he is going to be the BEST DARN BASSET HOUND YA EVER SEEN!!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

First Week


Well, we have made it through our first week with Fred. We couldn't have asked for a better puppy. He has done so well in his transition to our house. He passed with flying colours at the vet. As it turns out he is a social butterfly and has successfully entertained all of his company the past week! This I know is all thanks to the way Becki autumnblazebassets.webs.com/ socializes her puppies. By the way her basset Gloria has had her litter, congratulations!
There's been a couple of accidents and some late nights, but I was expecting that as he is a "puppy". I am training myself quite well to his quirks and habits so I know when he "has to go". He is definitely a "mommas' boy" and I love him to pieces! I can't even imagine right now just how much Fred is going to enrich our lives, all I know is we will try never to take him or his unconditional love for granted!! Well, better go as I think Freds' nap time is just about up and he's going to have to pee. The next three days should be interesting as it is going to rain so we won't be able to sit or play outside. Do you think he would sit and colour quietly in a corner? Nah! Didn't think so!!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Homecoming



I have just a few minutes while Fred is having a nap to say "He is home!!" We brought him home yesterday and he acts like this has always been his home. He slept on the two hour ride home and when we brought him in the house he ran right to the bed and toys we had for him. He went to bed at 10:00 p.m. last night and slept until 4:00 a.m., went to the bathroom outside and then back to bed until 6:00 a.m. I was amazed at how well he did! I didn't get much sleep as I didn't know what to expect, so like with any baby you bring home I slept with one eye open. But that's okay, I will catch up when he naps (okay maybe not right now, but I will). He had lots of visitors yesterday and was quite the little host for all of them. Of course "Everybody loves Fred!" Steve and I are still just in awe of him. We just can't believe he is finally here with us and we love him to pieces. :)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Letter to Fred


Is that you Momma?
Yes Fred, it's me...... and I'll be bringing you home in 3 days. I promise I will make the transition to your new home as easy as possible on you. I know you will miss your brothers, sisters and your "other" Mom "Becki",autumnblazebassets.webs.com/ to whom we will always be grateful, but once you see your nice new cushy bed, (just for watching tv of course because at night you'll be in bed with us!)your new toys that you don't have to share and realize just how spoiled and loved you will be, I think you will be fine. Just know that your father and I will be here with all our love to help you through the rough spots.
Love Mom xoxoxo

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Fred In Action


Beckis' photography is awesome but check out the video she took of my boy in action!!

Got My Fix


That's right I got my puppy fix last night! Becki from autumnblazebassets.webs.com/ sent a couple more pics to tide us over until Monday. Ya, you got it, FIVE MORE DAYS!! Stevie got his surround sound installed last night, I got pictures of Fred, all is right with the world. I don't know if my 3 year old grandson Cameron quite understands that Fred is different from Barney. All he knows is Barney isn't here anymore and we keep showing him pictures of Fred. We have Fred's bed and toys ready, and now Cameron says "Fred coming Grandma". I just keep telling him he will be here soon. I can't wait to see his face when he actually sees Fred!! I'm glad the grandkids will be able to grow up with Fred.
After next week we will have our hound, Brandi and Phill will have there new house and things can start settling around. Then we can all kick back and enjoy the summer.
Fred will be trained by football season, then he can go down to the 12th Man Room, sit in my dreamseat with me and watch the Detroit Lions (when I'm not at the game) win there division (a girl can dream can't she?) or we'll just watch the Seattle Seahawks suck! Sorry Steve, even Nate has gone to my team!!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Puppy Fix


Right now I am in desperate need of a puppy picture. Becki from autumnblazebassets.webs.com/ usually sends a picture of Fred on the weekend. I really want to see how Fred has grown in the past week! I am so anxious as we go to bring him home in 7 DAYS!! Sure, Becki has four kids, six dogs (one expecting), eight puppies and a farm to help run; I guess you could say she has been busy (he! he!). But of course I'm whining 'cause it's all about me and Freddie. I guess I've been spoiled getting pictures every week. It's great that she actually does it, and for that I am so greatful! So, I guess I will cut her some slack, not bug and wait patiently. Okay, maybe a bit of pacing!
For now, one of my other picures of Fabulous Fred!! (with his sister).
Kinda looks like he's crying for his new Momma, doesn't it? :)

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Where the love started


Barney Boy,
was my basset baby.
Even though there were days
he did drive me crazy.

With his laid back stride (lazy really!)
and his hush puppy eyes,
He won over our hearts
and enriched all our lives.

Fred and his sibs


Okay, okay!! Just one picture!! Becki from autumnblazebassets.com.webs/ took this pic and sent it to all of us waiting adoptive parents! She's an awesome photographer! Ya gotta love her!! Check out the red and white female with her paw on the fence, she's still available and she's saying "Pick Me"!

And Then There Were Nine.......


Yep, nine more days until we bring Freddy boy home. He has no idea just how spoiled and loved he is going to be. Sure, he will live a very "posh" life here, but isn't that what bassets do?
So, you're wondering "What's with the bunny picure?" Well, for the last few years the rabbits have had a nest in our back flower bed. There is usually about 3 babies. In the beginning I used to get so frustrated as they ate all my young plants. I used to try to put out other things for them to eat so they wouldn't eat my plants, I even bought a flat of petunias for them. But, no, they liked the ones that were actually planted. Because they are bunnies, you just can't stay mad, I mean come on, they're BUNNIES!!!
When Barney was here, we would sit out back in our lawn chairs with the hound at our feet, and 2 feet away the bunny would be eating the clover in our grass. Yes, Barney the hound wasn't bothered by the bunny and the bunny wasn't bother by him. Sure he was a basset hound (weren't they bred for scaring rabbits out of holes?) but, I think he probably just thought, "Hey why should I get up. The bunny's already out of the hole."
Now, I watch out for the bunnies and am just thankful I have lots of hostas as they don't eat them. This is my "fill in" pet to love as I eagerly await the arrival of Fred at our home. Hopefully one day we will be sitting out back in our lawn chairs with Fred laying at our feet, a bunny 2 feet away and Fred will be looking at us saying "You deal with it "cause I'm not getting up!!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Eleven days!



I'm up, got my coffee in hand and am ready to face the day again without my Barney. The good new is in 11 more days we finally go to bring Fred home!! This weekend we are going shopping for all things puppy. Bring it on! We're going to check out Pet Smart in London, hopefully get a bed, some toys and a stuffed animal for him to cuddle with (just until he realizes I am his new Mom, of course!). Then he can cuddle with me. Although, if it's any indication from our first visit to pick him out, I think Fred will probably forgo the stuffed animal and go right to me. Like I said before, he ain't stupid!!
I have lots to do before Fred comes. I have to finish the bunny I am knitting for my grandaughter "Emma". Who by the way just started crawling 2 days ago.:) I knit a bear for Cameron when he was born, sure it looks like it has a broken neck, but hey, it's homemade. And just maybe I will finish up the afghan I started when I had surgery 11 years ago!! (I said maybe). Then there's the whole puppy proofing the house. This I really didn't have to do when we got Barney. We had Bear at the time who was six years old and he was basically our sitter. Barney stuck to him like glue (literaly when he was going through puberty) but that's another story. He used Bear as his chew toy and Bear didn't mind it one bit. I think Bear enjoyed having a buddy to play with. This time around it is just going to be us and the "Fredster". There is nothing like the unconditional love of a dog, in this case a basset!!
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