We are all anticipating the new year and with that brings the resolutions that go with it. Like most folks, Ozzie's number one resolution for 2011 is to lose weight! Yes the daunting task of taming his taste buds seems next to impossible. We may be willing to try a medication that the vet has suggested. It's a diet pill for dogs sort of. It some how triggers some receptors in the small intestine that sends signals to the brain that they are full. I just hope they are pretty strong signals! Ozzie hasn't gained more weight this year but he hasn't lost any so we need to try something different!Ozzie is staying home with Grandpa tonight to ring in the New Year. We are going out to eat at an Argentine steakhouse with some friends. They make the most delicious skirt steak. We should bring some home in a doggie bag for Ozzie. Oops there I go again. Well maybe this will be his last treat before we start the diet thing!Looking forward to 2011 and wishing all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year!
Our neighborhood is covered with the white stuff from the Holiday Blizzard over this past weekend. We accumulated at least 20 inches out there of back breaking snow! I wouldn't have minded a little bit of snow just to make things more festive ...but really now! Mother Nature out did herself! Today the wind has calmed down some what and the sun is trying to do its best to peer out behind the clouds. Ozzie has adjusted to the new outdoor scenery! My husband dug his little pathway so he can get out there and do his business! Even more exciting for Ozzie is the tasty side dish that the snow offers. The yard is one giant snow cone and he is doing his best to consume it! At least it is zero calories! I am starting to see some black top on our street so I am hopeful to get out this afternoon. Nothing worse than cabin fever, which Ozzie doesn't seem to mind. It justifies his long winter naps! Right Ozzie? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !
All the shopping is done....I think?! If I forgot anything at this moment in time oh well! I will have to improvise! Ozzie is a bit of a Grinch this season. I could not get him to wear the Santa helpers hat. He resists anything put on his head! In the meanwhile my husband told me the three Kings from the Orient had visited our back yard this morning. They left three presents! No it wasn't gold. myrrh or frankincense! It looked more like dog poop! Sigh!I baked doggie cookies along with my other baking this week. Ozzie thought they tasted pretty good. Then again crayons would taste good to Ozzie. They were peanut butter and carob chips cookies. Carob chips are from a plant and are sweet. They are a replacement for chocolate chips which dogs of course cannot have. They even look like dark chocolate chips!Time to get moving and finish up my wrapping and prepare for the big day! From our family to yours a very Merry Christmas! Right Ozzie?! "Arf "!
Yesterday I was returning home with some of my Christmas purchases when you know who started nosing about in them! He managed to zero in on the bag from Petco somehow? ( Do toys have a meat scent on them or can Ozzie read the bag?)I weakened and gave in to that smush face if his. He really likes it and has been playing with it quite a bit. It's some kind of elongated doggie with a rope belly. It will keep him busy until the big day when Santa gets here with all the loot! l still have have to finish up my present shopping and concentrate on the food shopping. In the meanwhile Ozzie will have some fun with his new toy and will dream of "visions of bully sticks dancing in his head"?!
We are down to the wire with the Christmas shopping! I think I have most of it done?! The problem is I am still waiting for presents I ordered on line. I hope they make it here on time. The extra bedroom is littered with shopping bags filled with items that by now are a mystery. I guess I better go through them and start the dreaded wrapping process. If I could train Ozzie to wrap gifts I would. Though without thumbs it would be difficult. Ozzie just loves the empty cardboard roll from the wrapping paper. He walks around with it sticking out of his mouth for a moment or two then he chews it to shreds! We are going into the city this weekend to see the tree again. Though we went in with another group of friends a couple of weeks ago I can never get enough of the city during the holidays! Ozzie is looking forward to the pending snow that is suppose to hit the NY metro area this Sunday. It shouldn't be much just a few inches but enough to turn the backyard into one giant snow cone! Yummo! Until then everyone stay warm and finish that shopping! Ozzie will wait here for Santa!
Too cold for me today! Wind chills made it in the single digits out there! Brrr! So I stayed in and attempted to clean the house this afternoon. Ozzie wasn't too thrilled when I disturbed his nap to vacuum the couch. My cat use to run for the hills when I took out the old Hoover! Not Ozzie! He has no fear of it at all. In matter of fact I thought I heard him mutter "Bring it on you stinking vacuum you!"
Well the Christmas madness is in full swing and I have barely gotten started. My dreams of making my own Christmas cards with Ozzie on them went down the tubes due to my lack of ambition to get them done! I did find a cute box of cards with a jolly bulldog holding a candy cane in his mouth and Santa hat on his adorable head! It kinda looks like Oz. Good enough for this year! I have started some of my shopping but as usual the season has caught me woefully behind. That little alarm should go off in my head around Thanksgiving time to get moving on the shopping ...it must be broke! Saturday we are going to see our friend Fred in an off, off, off Broadway play of "It's a Wonderful Life". He has the part of Uncle Billy which he has played before. He does a great Uncle Billy!Speaking of its a wonderful life, Ozzie has had his breakfast, done his business in the yard and is now sleeping soundly on the couch. "Yes Ozzie, it really is a wonderful life!"
We had our picture taken with Santa Paws on Saturday. Ozzie was more than delighted to have the opportunity to tell Santa all the thing that he wants for Christmas! Though most of those thing had to do with food! Ozzie, I don't think Santa carries around Porterhouse steaks in his sack!
Well we reached the end of another week. I still have this awful cold that refuses to leave my system. It has prevented me from getting all the Christmas decorations up and going. My neighbors have put us to shame with their displays of colored lights and mechanical reindeer. We are woefully still entertaining last season with a half eaten pumpkin and a scarecrow desperately clinging to the porch railing. Ozzie could care less. Its not about the decor for him. Its all about the food and squeaky toys! Its been a bit chilly for the last couple of days here in Jersey and Ozzie has hunkered down on the couch for his long winter nap. Not really caring about the outdoors so much. Meanwhile I had unwittingly volunteered to make cookies for a Christmas party that our ski club is hosting this weekend. As I stare at the sticks of butter laying on the counter I ask myself why did I open my big mouth?! Baking is the last thing I feel like doing with my sinuses playing their own version of Jingle Bells in my forehead! Move over Oz I feel a winter nap coming on!
For those who may feel more inclined to bake this weekend I will share with you the recipe for Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies:
Preheat oven to 375
Ingredients: 2/3 cup butter 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats 1 1/2 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1 6 ounce pkg of Craisins 2/3 cup of white chocolate chunks or chips
Using electric mixer beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix well. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in Craisins and white chocolate. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies. Note to Ozzie: for human consumption only!
