My Mercedes

I have a Mercedes. Wait, no, I had a Mercedes. Not a vehicle persay... But a dog. Those of you who have been reading this since it began back in the stone ages (or like 6 months ago) might remember my Mercedes.

Merc was found chained up in the back of a farm, next to another Great Dane who was deceased. She was underweight, had many skin issues, and her immune system was compromised. But she was still so sweet.
Terrible photo, yes... But you can see what filthy conditions she came to me from...

She's eating a little food out of a can that a representative for our rescue had brought along before he snapped this photo.

I received an update from Merc's new owners today. Joy doesnt even begin to describe what I feel in seeing her so happy.



I miss you, Merky!

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My own baby girl starts puppy school today.

Okay, that's not completely acurate... I actually start puppy school today. Frankie will join me next week and the remaining classes after today.

I really hope we can learn something together. Because I dont know how many more pounces off the belly Red and I can take.

Wish me luck.

It is time...

...to hunt!

Gear up and let's go.

No excuses... Golf?

My deepest apologies for the delay in posting, folks. But you know me... Don't you? I mean do you really come here everyday thinking that I've updated this dadgum thing? Every day??? Well you really don't know me at all if that's the case! We have talked about this procrastinator thing haven't we?

But really, life has thrown our family a few curve balls, and I am working on getting back on the right track. I hope to have something fresh or cool or meaningful for you tomorrow.

So for now, I am going to leave you with this golf course sprinkler.

Cool, right? No? How about fresh? What??? Okay, how about rustic!

Fine, try this. This golf ball that's been driven into the ground.



NO???? What about meaningful? Man you people can be hard to please. Here I am, busting my.....

Naw, you know I love you folks. No matter how much you dislike my blogging skills or consistancy or talent or or or...

Pizza... Made with Cookie Dough!

In light of the color changing leaves, I feel that I have to share with you a recipe that I make every single year. Because mmmm baby it really brings in the fall with flair. Its super easy, quick baking time, and really a fun activity for the kids.
So let me introduce to you... Tortilla Dessert Pizza!

I found this recipe online many many years ago. (Okay, not that many years ago. More like 4 or 5) You can mess with it to suit your own tastes!

Supplies:
~ whipped cream cheese
~ 5 (8 inch) flour tortillas
~ granulated sugar
~ ground cinnamon
~1 (16.5 ounce) package NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ~1 2/3 cups peeled and chopped banana
~1/3 cup chopped strawberries or raspberries or blueberries.. Whatever floats your boat!
~ 5 teaspoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts
~ 1/3 cup NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
~ creamy peanut butter (Yuuuuum!)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. (I love Pam!) Spread some cream cheese to edge of tortilla. Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of the mixture over the cream cheese. Cut bar of cookie dough into five sections. One at a time, cut each section into 16 pieces. Arrange dough pieces 1 inch apart over top of tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border around edge. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup banana, 1 tablespoon berries of your choice and 1 teaspoon peanuts. Repeat with remaining ingredients over remaining tortillas. Arrange two tortillas diagonally on a baking sheet.
Bake them for 17 to 19 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Place white morsels and peanut butter in small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on Medium-High (70%) power for 30 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over pizzas. Cool completely, folks! Cut the pizzas into wedges using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
ENJOY the delishiousness! You won't find a yummier dessert pizza!

HAPPY FALL EVERYBODY!

Wisconson

It's beautiful. I never realized. I've only been there a few times, most of which I don't remember. I know I went like 5 years ago to Madison for a wedding, but haven't looked back since.

Last weekend we went to Lake Wissota State Park with some friends... We went specifically because of the northern feel that it was supposed to have. I was skeptical, as usual. But they were right... It was pine trees and lakes galore!



This shot taken from the outlook point was actually on the way out. The clouds and gloomy feel of the day don't help the shot out much, but it was really quite beautiful in person. And imagine adding another 3 pictures this size to the right of that photo and you have the entire lake.

This is one of my favorite shots.



It reminds me of a story book or something from my childhood. I wish we could have spent more time here. But this, also, was taken on the way out.

We had quite the crowd with us this trip. Enough so that we'd had enough people to play drunk kickball. Don't try this at home, folks. It's dangerous play is what it is!



The rules were: You had to have a beer in your hand at all times to play. And you had to kick the ball with your non-dominent leg. And you had to run the bases the wrong way around, ie; run to 3rd base first. It was tough. Not to mention once you put alcohol in people and make them remember all those rules...

Once it was too dark to play safely, since of course, safety was our first priority that day, of course, we all retired to dinner and then live music around the fire. Live music, courtesy of Eddie Mac. Woohoo! Please don't question me, but since I met these folks, everytime I say Eddie Mac, I have to follow it up with a loud whooping sound. Woohoo!!! Because I love them. I adore them. Their music... Well let us just say that I haven't laughed so hard in a really long time. I had beer come out of my nose at one point.

\

I guess I figured that when Kronic there whipped out his guitar, and Chris picked up his bongos, that we were in for a little good but amatuer music. I was wrong. Dead wrong. These boys were incredible. So I sang along and made an ass of myself throughout the concert... Then at the end, nieve little me goes "You guys are so good! You should totally do this in front of an audience!"
Keep in mind I'd been drinking. After I say that, everybody kind of looks at each other and goes quiet. Apparently, they do do this for audiences. But nobody remembered the next day. Ha!
If you all would like to get a taste of Eddie Mac, and I highly recommend you do, there is a link on the main page that will pull up their website with music and video clips!

The campfire was beautiful, and big, and the large group of people gathered around it made it a time to remember. This was one of those trips that you look back on in the future and it makes you smile.



It's hard to take a good photo of a fire. But I finally did it! Woo!

I learned a few new rules to the favorite card game 'P&A'. Seems there are different rules everywhere you go. And always a smart ass trying to get his face in the camera.



Oh... wait... That's Red. I love you honey!

We did spend much time on the lake. The boys all brought along their boats. Red brought the fishing boat. And Jake and Chris brought two of the most gorgeous sail boats I've ever seen. Mostly because I haven't actually seen a real sail boat close up in real life. But still... It was cool to touch one and be right next to it. The beauty is quite intimidating to a first timer!



These were both racing sail boats apparently. And I got the warning that they are quite suseptible to tipping. So Em didn't do any sailing this trip. I stayed in the boat with Red.

Jake and Jordon manning Jake's beauty.

Lake Wissota has many little channels and curves. All of which are very beautiful. You couldn't possibly explore them all in a year.

Can anybody tell me what this flower is by the way? There were fields of them!

If you ever have the chance... Visit this place.

Pirates & Mini Golf

Yup. You read that correctly. I said Pirates and Mini Golfing. And yes, they go together quite well. If you have never been to a 'Pirates Cove' then you need to check one out. They have mini golfing and go carts and an array of other things to entertain your family.

During our trip to Brainerd, which was now 2 weeks ago (forgive my procrastination) we made the trip into town and scoped out the Pirates Cove.
There was much to see and photograph there. First we whooped each other with some gocarts. Then we went mini golfing.

This man greeted us.

Okay he didn't talk or anything. But quite the display, eh?
The place is beautiful. I've been here a few times in the past, but I don't recall ever coming at night. It was gorgeous. Everything was lit up.



And everywhere we went throughout the 18 hold course this is what we had to navigate. There was nothing boring about this mini golf course!

Here are Phil and Thomas taking a stab and the hole before us.



I managed a hole in one myself... Woo! But it had nothing to do with skill or talent, and much to do with sheer luck. And the rock that my ball happened to bounce off of in exactly the right spot. But I dont care. Hole in one, baby!
And to remember it, I took a picture of the hole post.



What a great time... Even though I'm not so good at the mini golfing. Its all putting and putting has never been my strong suit in golf. Well, actually.... Golfing hasn't really been my strong suit in golf this year either.

Man, I need a new hobby

Demons & Brainerd

I conquered a demon last weekend. A personal, nit picking little demon that sat uncomfortably on my shoulder for many years.
There is a part of my life that I hate thinking about. I don't regret it, not one bit. And in fact more often than not, I was happy and contented. But I'd only settled, and I didn't deserve that. I was at a place in my life where I was being showered with trips and gifts and fun, but at what cost? I never had to pay for much. But I was manipulated and lied to and snuck around on and hurt. I think maybe he thought that the one end would make up for the other? I loved him dearly despite it and always remained loyal. I never once broke his trust in me, even though he showed so little.

Last weekend, I went back to Brainerd, MN. A place that I sort of vowed never to return to. It holds many painful memories for me, and in fact has always been a place I wanted to forget.
But I returned, with friends and family at my side. And I had a blast. And I'm so glad that I went because in doing so I was able to flick away that nasty little demon who threatened to forever taunt me.
We stayed with a wonderful family who welcomed us into their beautiful lakeside home. Never have I met such fantastically great yet simple people. And their sense of humor and warmth made the weekend one to remember.
This 'cabin' of theirs was more like a lakeside mini mansion. They had their own beach for crying out loud. With a pine tree on it.

It's been a long time since I've had such a relaxing weekend. Normally even on my vacations, I am stressing out over something. It's just my nature. But not here. Where the most stressful part of my days were sitting on the edge of that dock there, reading my books and sipping Diet Coke or wine.
I could handle more of that kind of 'stress' in my life! Without a doubt.

My fur-nephews had a blast as well. Owen learned to swim... And he played fetch for hours on the beach with his brother Pedro.

Pedro enjoyed sunning himself on the dock with us...



They both did actually. What handsome little boys!



All in all, the weather was terrific, the people were amazing, and it was just an overall good time.

Oh boy, how did Jake's canon get in there?!

Stay tuned for more as I add pictures and text throughout the week! I have lots to share with you all!

I'm back...

Thank you all for being patient with me! I have finally returned from my long weekends and I'm excited to share it with you! I took over 400 pictures so they are taking me some time to upload. Monday I will be updating, I promise!

Here is a little preview of what's to come...

Have a beautifully perfect evening, folks!