C'mon Over!

Stella says Hello!

Do you remember when my Mom wrote about statues and she said she wished to have the Ronald McDonald statue in our front yard greeting peoples.  We couldn't quite get that but we do have him on our header!  We have adopted him and changed his name to Ronald McKnight!  He keeps his hand on my head! 

Jo says:

We want to thank Kathy from Kathy Goes A-Rambling for letting us move him over here.  Kathy takes wonderful pictures of her home area (East Texas and Louisiana) so be sure and visit her blog.
Ann Adamus of Zoolatry got the picture all tidied up and placed the pets with Ron, she does the best job of anyone I know.  If you want to buy a new look for your blog, Ann is the one to do it!

Since its the weekend (hear that Thundering Herd?), I am going to offer you a terrific recipe called Cinnamon-Sugar Popcorn, the adults might like it even better than the kids.  I don't know how old or new it is, but its brand new to me.

Cinnamon-Sugar popcorn

1 cup of unpopped corn
1/3 cup of butter
2/3 cup of white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:  Preheat oven to 250 degrees (120 degrees C). Pop the corn using an air popper according to mfg directions. (I used 2 bags
Jolly Time Crispy n'White natural flavor microwave popcorn). Place in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, salt and vanilla cooking until thick and bubbly.  Pour over the popcorn, and stir until the popcorn is evenly coated.  Spread the popcorn out into large roasting pan.

3.  Bake in the preheated oven 10 minutes, then turn heat off and allow the popcorn to stay in the oven 20 minutes longer.  Remove from oven, and cool completely before serving. 
One person mixed mini marshmellows into it and another drizzled white chocolate over it.

We are having very cold weather for spring (55 degrees, 40s at night), so if you are too, just find a good book or movie and have a nice weekend.

We will be back next week with a very small contest.  We would like to get all of our readers list up to date and it will have to do with that.

All best wishes for a good weekend.

Jo, Stella, Zkhat and Ronald McKnight

Loving Dogs

The pup on the left is my late dog, Otis the Scottie.  A most rare and wonderful character who was a whole lot like the guy on the right, the late Tsar of the Porties .  After Otis died at age 17, I missed him so much and when I "met" Tsar, I thought they might have been brothers, they were so much alike.  They were both their own dogs.

They did as they pleased, had good manners about things but none the less, did as they wished. 

They were both solitary gamesmen, Tsar with his stick and Otis with a favorite ball.  Our pack never got bigger than 3 dogs, and Tsar was one of ten, but that didn't matter to either of them.  They both liked a routine and expected things to happen at a certain time of day.  They both liked to "keep watch", making certain every one in their pack was OK.  Otis never had much faith in my ability to take care of myself, which is why I think he lived so long. 

Both Tsar's family and mine were blessed indeed to have these dogs in our lives.  They were both one of a kind and very much loved by their friends and families.  Getting along without them is the hard part.

Love and good wishes to all the loveable oddballs out there who are not much like the rest.  I'm talking about you, Phantom, for just one.

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Someone Special

Today we want to honor someone special . . .

When there is an animal in need ~ it comes to Marg's door.

When there is an animal lost ~ it seeks out Marg.

When there is an animal wanting loving care ~ it will find that with Marg.

 

A special lady who never turns away any animal ~ the cats, the dogs, the goats, the donkeys,

all are welcomed by her.  None are special ~ all are special.

 

Marg is always doing for others, organizing and running auctions to

raise funds in support of others in need, never asking for anything in return.

~ ~ ~

 

AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE  HAPPY BIRTHDAYS IN WHICH TO DO YOUR KIND WORK FOR THE ANIMALS!

FROM FRIENDS YOU HAVE YET TO MEET,

JO, STELLA AND ZKHAT, RESCUES ALL!!!!

 

Public Art with a Smile!

Jo here . . .I have lived in some big cities with some great public art, and now I live in my home town where we have public art with a smile.  Its mostly a little town's claim to fame, and they have special days around whatever it is.  Let me show you a few:

This

is the Vergas, MN loon (state bird).

Up above is Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

You will find them in Bemidji, MN and also Brainerd,

Here is the World's Largest Pelican from Pelican Rapids.MN

     Here is another famous guy, Smokey the Bear & cubs from International Falls, MN.  He and Paul Bunyan have gone on to greater glory.

Here is the Black Duck from Blackduck, Minnesota.  Don't think I have ever seen a black duck in person.

If I were to have a piece of art at my home, say, sitting in an Adirondack Chair , greeting my visitors this is the one I would choose.  He was photographed by Kathy Goes-A-Ramblin', who takes great pictures and kindly allowed me to use this one! 
His name is Ronald and he always has his hair just so and a big smile for you.  So someday if you are driving around in Minnesota, and see him sitting outside a white house, stop by and say hello before you go visit all the other statchews!

Cheers,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat

BLACK PET DAY!

Hi Evfurry Buddy!

We visited the White Dog Army tonight and they had the best poster up

Since I am a black dog that spent three long months in a shelter because no one came to adopt me, until my Mom finally did.  She says black is the most elegantest color there is and I was the prettiest dog there.  The poster says that black pets are adopted only half as often as other pets are and lots of beautiful, good pets are sent away to the Bridge because no one adopts them.  I was so lucky!

Maybe we should start a campaign about adopting black pets and putting up signs and writings about it in our blogs.  I know my most favorite black dog, my BFF Tsar would think that was fine.

Tsar needs a little Power of the Paw these days.  Remember him in your prays and good wishes.

Think about Sam's Marge too.  A beautiful black dog that was sent from pillar to post until Sam got her and helped her to become an agility champ and hardly afraid at all.

So thanks, White Dog Army, for helping us to remember these important things!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo who loves the color black

Stella who loves having a home

Zkhat who wishes everyone was lucky!

Jelly, jelly, jelly!

Hi there, its Jo here this evening.  I spose you are curious about what I am jealous of these days, enough so I will reveal it to my readers.

Years ago, my son and I lived out in the country and I could indulge in some of my animal wishes.  And I did!  I got two Pekin ducklings,
which quickly grew into two gorgeous white adult ducks.

They were most charming, Sherman and Mildred, were the names I gave them, whatever happened made them happy, the sunshine , the rain, anything that came along.  They had a little pool they swam  in every day  and THAT made them happy, and their enthusiasm for  life was infectious!  They liked to come to the garden with me, and pick my cherry tomatoes and eat them, shake them all down the front of their white bibs!  Then we got a pair of Indian Runners, funny, tall, skinny, great bug eaters who made themselves right at home.

People have called them Penguin Ducks

because they stand straight and tall and walk funny!

(Pictures from Google)

They were everybit as entertaining and merrymaking as the Pekins.

So why am I consumed with jealousy these days?  Go visit

The Run Around Ranch and see for yourself. Then look at Run Around Ranch and see more of what I would love

in my yard.

Its hard to understand how one might have a yard full of ducks and not even a kiddie pool for them to swim in, no , we need a pond.  I've got the fenced in yard, but I wonder how the City would feel about a pond.  I can almost guess.  Can you?

A while back I promised you a blog and photos of a hobby and have not presented that because the photography is not so easy to do.  Stay tuned!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, the Duck Lover

Stella the Squirrel Chaser

Zkhat the catnip mouse maniac

COMPLETE RECOVERY!

Jo here:  Thanks to everybody who was so kind and sympathetic about my ride on the ice!

To Tober and KB, yes I have Yak Traks (try Amazon) but when we went out it was wet on the streets and sidewalks and I thought it would just continue to thaw instead of getting colder.  You can be sure I will wear them everytime I go out next winter.  Thanks!

To Bertie, no I have never played rugby and truly hope to not start at this time.  Glad your Grand Dad made it OK in his fall.My best wishes to him!

Now about four of you suggested (you know who you are) that Stella's many kisses on my face pulled me through this fall with no serious injury and who knows, you could be right, I suppose!  Thanks to you.

To Stella from down under, who thinks your head is a funny place to keep a goose egg.  I would agree with you on this one, and now it is gone, and most of the hurt with it.

To Kim who said its too bad we don't fall like an 8 year old anymore.  This is a fact, Kim, having lived here in Minniesnowda for most of my life, I have taken a lot of falls and if I were an 8 year old rugby player I probably wouldn't have even noticed this one.

To Sue who fell on the ice  in the presence of her 8 or 10 dogs who comforted her by climbing on top of her, which got her laughing and we all know laughter is good medicine!

A couple of years ago, I had knee replacement surgery and when I fall I am afraid of that bionic knee falling to pieces, but it proved itself hearty. Maybe one of the reasons is the White Dog Army  is
sending White Dog positive energy and safe travel vibes.

I am very grateful for all   your friendship

So let this be it for the fall on ice.  Tomorrow I am going to tell you about a hobby!
Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella, and Zkhat