Ruger and Banjo

There is no love like puppy love. About a week ago I received a phone call about a friend who has been fostering some puppies. She had rescued them from a home where the owner of the parents could no longer afford to feed and nurture them. Nine Australian Shepherd babies. That's a lot of work. My friend runs a non-profit healing animal therapy program for children. My sister actually worked at a place that did the same thing. Horses have an amazing power to connect with people, especially children. It's a great program and I love that I have a friend who runs a program here in Tennessee.

Out at her family farm, there are chickens, horses, dogs, and now nine puppies that needed loving homes. I was invited down to visit. The property is stunning. Set thirty minutes South of Nashville's downtown area where I live, at the end of a cul-de-sac in a seemingly typical suburban neighborhood, the ranch seems to go on and on with pastures and a large barn.

I arrived and went into the area where the puppies were playing. I was overwhelmed by their cuteness! So many playful personalities. At the time only one had been adopted so I had eight to choose from. I had said to my friend, "I have no idea how to pick one." Almost immediately a little girl puppy came a sat on my lap. She didn't move. She cuddled up and stayed sitting on my lap. She was precious and I knew, that she had chosen me.

I had picked a name the night before. I wanted a cool dog name with personal meaning, and something unique. Ruger was intended to be a male dogs name. My little girl was coined Ruger anyway. Ruger Rosenjack is six weeks old and she's very independent. She's a bit like me.

As I was playing with some of the other puppies the little runt, a black and white male came and laid on his back between my legs. He started playfully chewing on my finger and cuddled up to me. My friend had said, "Maybe you would like him instead." I responded with, "No, I like Ruger, but I want this lil guy to have a good home too." I went home madly in love with my little girl. I had planned to let her stay at the barn until she had her shots, so she stayed behind.

Somehow I ended up with both. Ruger and Banjo. I'm in love.

Baking With Myles, Age 4

I love baking with kids. Their imaginations are so far beyond that of any adult I have encountered. In my classes, the younger students seem to excel. Reason being, they don't spend hours on Pinterest trying to emulate what other people are doing.

Myles wanted to make Ninja Turtle Cupcakes as soon as he found out I was in town. Knowing it was his uncle Armando's 30th birthday, I figured he could be my sous chef for that project. Cake pops are not something I've gotten into making but I understand the appeal. As far as child friendly projects go, this is one of the best. Brownies are a fun alternative that everyone loves! My mother used to make brownies for all of my elementary school bake sales that had a mint icing drizzled on the top. If I can still remember how they tasted 25 years since she last made them for me, then I know it's a good recipe.

I decided on mini cupcake pans and papers being the easiest thing to bake in. My whole plan was to have Myles, who is four, involved as much as possible. He's pretty bossy in the kitchen, and the only one who gets away with it around me. So in my step by step plan, he was in mind.

Ninja Turtle Brownie Pops with Mint Chocolate Shells
Makes 36

1 box brownie mix (9x13 size)
2 eggs
1/3 cup water
1/3 oil

36 Popsicle sticks
Green cake sparkles
1 bag light green candy melts
1/2 bag green candy melts
1/4 tsp mint extract
72 candy eye balls (available at Michael's or Walmart)
Colored frosting tubes (for masks, red, orange, blue, purple)
Petal pastry tip or straight tip

For the brownies:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 36 mini cupcake tins with papers. Cut open the bag of brownie mix and let your helper pour it into the bowl. Break the eggs into a separate bowl (Myles was great at this and I gave him a whisk to mix the eggs).

Have your helper add the eggs, oil, and water to the batter. Let them mix it with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined. Using a portion scoop while Myles mixed, I portioned the batter for the oven. Bake until the tops are no longer shiny. You should know by now I don't use timers and my watch is strictly jewelry.

When the brownies are baked allow them to cool. You can transfer them to the fridge or freezer for a few minutes for impatient helpers.

Unwrap the brownies and insert the Popsicle sticks 1/2-3/4 of the way thru the side. Myles was good with guidance.
Melt over a double boiler or in the microwave, the candy melts. Stirring occasionally until smooth. Then add the mint extract.

Coat the pops in the mint chocolate and set onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Myles was able to to do this. Then let your helper sprinkle them with cake glitter. Place in the fridge for five minutes or until the shell has set.

Pipe the masks. Starting at the back, pipe the make frosting 3/4 of the way to the top in a straight line, all around the pops. Then add the candy eyes, and smile if desired.

Place them into a decorated stand and enjoy! Easy and fun! Ninja Turtle Mint Chocolate Brownie Pops bring smiles!

Ritz & The House That Built Me

I know they say you can't go home again. I just had to go back one last time....
I've never been a fan of going back to visit old homes. My parents always loved to. In Atlanta you can knock on a door at any of their old friends homes and they will invite you in and offer you a drink. I know because long after we had moved away, my dad would drag me to go visit old friends. No phone call in advance. It's not something people do in California. Why? I have no idea.

Yesterday marked the 8th month since my daddy went home to dance with angels. I spent the day with a sweet childhood friend and her newborn little girl. We both grew up in a neighborhood called Nellie Gail. My mom has been urging me to see what our first Nellie Gail home has become since being torn down to the studs. I didn't really have an interest but I decided to go to my father's watch repair man today and it was nearby our old homes. I passed by the back yard of our second home in the neighborhood and saw my horse. Ritz was a gift from my father for my 13th birthday. The family that bought our home eventually bought Ritz too.

I have often thought about being able to go back and take a few pictures for my nephew William. I know he remembered the house, and especially the pool. I drove by twice before I got the nerve to park. I guess I was kind of hoping the owners would come out to check the mail or something so I didn't have to knock on the door. It took a phone call to my mom for me to get out of the car. I knocked and hesitantly introduced myself as my father's daughter. Instantly I was welcomed into the home and the first thing they said was, "We have your horse!". I was overwhelmed by the Disney decor in the house. They showed me around the inside. The kitchen has been completely redone but the rest of the house remained structurally unchanged. It's had a facelift and sixteen years of another families memories to fill it. The hallway to the office was the only thing that seemed significantly smaller than my memory.

In the back yard is the pool where I learned to dive and my nephew learned to swim. I can fondly remember blasting Steve Wariner albums over our outdoor speakers while I spent six hours a day swimming.

The horse area was pretty much the same. My father built the whole thing. The chicken coop has been turned into hay storage. Out in the paddock stood Ritz. I was overjoyed to see him so healthy. Thankfully the family is a bit crazy about the animals. I think I counted seven or eight dogs in the house, all named after Disney characters. They had another quarter horse out with my Ritzy. There were also two mini horses. Something I always wanted but never got.

I quickly drifted off into my own world as I heard stories of the mini horses and another horse the family once had. I tried to pay attention but I kept going back to Ritz and how he used to follow me around like a puppy. He responded to me when I spoke to him. There's definitely an unbreakable bond between a little girl and her favorite horse. I fed him 1000 carrots and couldn't stop smiling. I was so grateful that they allowed me to see him again. I guess you can go back, even if it doesn't feel like home anymore.