First day of ‘School’…for Ruger

Image 1 Comment

First day of 'School'...for Ruger

As I get back in to the writing groove, bear with me as I talk endlessly about my puppy. It’s never hard to write about something so cute and endearing as a puppy, so, here is the puppy update of the day:

Ruger had his first day of ‘school’. As part of his socialization at this age, I introduced him to daycare yesterday. As a mom, I am not unfamiliar with the butterflies in the stomach, the slight twinge of anxiety as we drop our kids off for their first day. I was rather puzzled and surprised that I would feel that way about my puppy! (Yes, Mia went along with. I felt she deserved a day of respite with some other friends, away from the annoying pestering of her housemate.)
Just as a responsible mom would, I sent lunch, and discussed his needs and quirks with the staff prior to leaving.

Then I ran errands, lots and lots of errands. I was so productive during my extended time of freedom! I picked up the carpet from the repair shop on the other side of town (the one our foster puppy Jada chewed), ran to the warehouse for staples, was able to unload and put away the supplies, IN PEACE, and even got in a much needed dental exam.

Then, finally, back to pick up my precious littles. Little man got an ‘A’ report card, and Mia was happily exhausted. Back home, they both drank, ate and Mia settled in to sleep. Little man, however, seemed restless. No, it wasn’t that he had to go potty, he had eaten, and tanked up on water. He kept whining and roaming around his kennel…which was closed.

So I opened the door to his kennel, he promptly crawled in and passed out. And snored.

I’d say, little man had a big day.

I’m BAAACK!

Image Leave a comment

I'm BAAACK!

Well, I’m kinda sorta back! Ruger is quite plainly an example of what I’d LOVE to be doing currently after my hiatus. (yes, he really does sleep like that)

I’d love to say that during my sabbatical from Rockinthemomrole, I was relaxing and doing my best lounging lizard impression, but instead I was getting my girls off to college (and cleaning up after them), holding a garage sale, winterizing my not so small garden, trying to potty train this adorable but stubborn little beast, trying to maximize the last moments of good weather, and valiantly fighting a grunge that settled in my lungs and has clung like Gorilla Glue for weeks.
A quite unintended side effect of taking some time off, is the potential (and consequence in this case) of developing a writers block. Following a week, then two and three plus, I repeatedly asked myself, “What should I say first?”, “Where do I start?”. So much has happened where does one start?

Procrastination is a curse of mine that after 50 years I should have mastered already, and so I refuse to let this bane get the best of me. I can’t think of a better way to dive back in than to share a picture (albeit a bit fuzzy – thank you Apple for the awful new upgrade – my camera now has as bad of vision as I do) of my cute puppy sleeping so joyfully.

It honestly is what I’d love to be doing. But, alas, winter is coming. The lovely days of fall are coming to a close I fear. So, time to strap on the fortitude and keep marching.

Maybe, when he wakes up, he can join me.

Tomato Salad, with a Twist

Image Leave a comment

Tomato Salad, with a Twist

It is, oh, so hot here right now. Minnesota, land of extremes. Given it is ‘freeze the snot in your nose’ cold in the winter, and winter lasts for what seems like FOREVER, you’d think I’d have nothing to complain about when summer finally rolls around. But, being the bi-polar state it is, if it’s not -20 and so dry your skin turns to shoe leather, it is blistering hot, humid and buggy. We get a smattering of lovely days, but it’s not till fall that the bugs die off (vicious, biting, carry your baby off, nasty bugs) and it becomes a ‘pleasant’ place to be. By then, the days are short and the nights longer.

I can’t bear to think ahead to that LONG, COLD winter, so instead I’ll muddle through this heat, taking advantage of the locally grown produce, and make a refreshing salad. This one is a twist on a traditional Caprese Salad. Enjoy!

Heirloom Tomato Salad with a Twist

Heirloom Tomatoes
Goat Cheese
Fresh Mint & Basil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
1 clove garlic minced or put through a press
Salt & Pepper

Whisk the oil & vinegar together, add the garlic, season to taste.
Chiffonade (slice in to thin ribbons) the mint and basil, and add to the dressing.

Pour over thick sliced tomatoes, sprinkle with goat cheese.

Enjoy as a light lunch or as a side with grilled meat for dinner. Heck, this is so good, I’d eat it for breakfast…and I have!