Serve in a pretty glass, top off with a Peach slice and a sprig of Mint.
Think of me, here in New York, under a constant cloud cover with rain falling. Sounds a lot like “Twilight” doesn’t it?
Enjoy!
Happy Tails!
March 9, 2011 by 22 Comments
Just felt like departing from my norm, whatever that is, to write, once again, about my daughter Jill, the animal lover/rescuer extraordinaire`! Did a blog about her a while back…take a peek to better understand where I’m heading today.
Oh, you’re back? Good, now you understand the method to today’s writing-madness.
I cannot say enough about unwanted, abused, discarded animals; most of us probably feel the same. Each day one more horror story unfolds on the news and it’s damn heartbreaking. When people opt to lay down some heavy cash for a pricey pedigree, I often wonder if they realize just how many perfectly wonderful animals languish in shelters or are euthanized due to overcrowded rescue facilities; cats and dogs who would have been so grateful to live in some forever home.
Hey, I’m not scolding anyone owning some fancy-schmancy little fu-fu dog or cat, just suggesting that maybe more people could broaden their pet horizons and open their hearts, and homes, to some animal in need. There’s always room for one more.
Sharing some photos of my Jill’s many, many animal successes….
“Bluto”…..a male Pit Bull found severely abused and emaciated; this poor boy was so badly beaten that he lost one eye. Jill fostered him with love and much care and found an extraordinary family who adopted the dog. He’s dressed up as a Pirate, eye patch and all, for Halloween, goes everywhere with his owners and is one incredible, happy dog today.
Then….
Bluto today….on a camping trip! 
“Mia”…..this pretty blue-eyed girl, another Pit Bull, was rescued by a representative of a highly reputable animal shelter who purchased Mia and her litter-mates from some dirtbag who was selling the tiny puppies outside of a local Wal-Mart. Jill fostered some of the babies and fell in love with Mia, adopting her shortly after. All of the dogs went into terrific homes.
“Iris”……this little “Schneltie” (Schnauzer-Sheltie mix) was a surrender from an owner who could no longer care for her or her mommy. A little ball of yippy, cuddly, wiry fur, Iris became a permanent member of Jill’s household; how could she resist?
These two kittens were very young rescues; Jill bottle-fed and weaned them, finding a loving home for them when they were old enough to be adopted and……after both were spayed and neutered! Both have extra toes that make their feet look like catcher’s mitts….
Babies………..
All grown up…..
If only more people would be responsible and remember to….Spay and Neuter, this figure would drop, significantly…..
“Walter”…..another Pit Bull who Jill recently pulled off a Brooklyn, New York, shelters’ “death row”. This poor guy was found tied to a fence in freezing weather and starving to death.
This is his picture, taken at the shelter, just before Jill brought him home for fostering.
“Walter” is now one happy boy, as you can see, and is ready and waiting to be adopted.
A few more photos of happy endings……..
Matt, Emma, Mia and Iris, out for a ride….
An armful of puppies, each one adopted and thriving today!
Think about it, please, if you’re looking for a pet….rescue animals and those from reputable shelters… have so much love to give!
Share a story about a stray you took in or an animal you once rescued.
This story is about someone near and dear to my heart, my middle daughter who is an animal lover/rescuer/advocate.. extraordinaire`. Jill is the Dog Control Officer for our town and works tirelessly to reunite lost pets with their owners as well as removing them from situations of abuse and neglect. Many of the animals she rescues are never claimed by their owners but Jill constantly manages to find new, loving, forever homes for each one after she runs extensive background checks and makes several home visits for a perfect furry/human match. She also makes it a point to stay in contact with every new adoptive family to be certain that the animals she places are thriving and happy.
“St. Patty’s” Colcannon
March 8, 2011 by 8 Comments
For St. Patty’s Day I’m sharing a yearly favorite that I make for my hubby’s club when they have their annual Corned Beef Dinner; it’s called…Colcannon. Of course we serve the usual Cabbage, Carrots and Boiled Red Potatoes to go along with all the Corned Beef but this dish brings absolute raves from everyone. I whip up fairly large quantities to serve the 60+ people who attend this dinner and there is never a drop left.
I’m talking 4 huge serving trays full here…these people can eat!
This is also a great way to get kids to eat veggies they might otherwise turn their little noses up at, especially with the gobs of butter and bacon added to the dish. My recipe uses Cabbage but Kale, Spinach or other green veggies can be worked in, also, using a low-fat milk as well as margarine or other butter substitute…just use plenty.
If you want the full-blown, to-hell-with-the-calories version, go for it!
Ingredients…..
- 3 pounds potatoes scrubbed well, not peeled ...I prefer Yukon Gold for their buttery taste.
- 2 sticks butter…Trust me, I don’t measure, the more butter, the better!
- 1 1/4 cups hot milk ...or more, as needed when mashing potatoes
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 head cabbage, cored and finely shredded.
- 1 pound Bacon (or Chopped Ham) or both, cooked the day before…I save some of the drippings, not healthful but tasty
- 4 scallions, finely chopped
- Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
Next…..
Cut potatoes into quarters and boil until very tender…scrubbed with skins left on!
Mash thoroughly to remove all the lumps. Add 1 stick (or more) of butter in pieces.
Gradually add hot milk, stirring all the time. Remember that when adding the buttery Cabbage to this mixture, it will thin out the mashed potatoes; in a too-thin emergency, just add some instant mashed potato flakes to thicken.
Season with a few grinds of black pepper.
Core the Cabbage and slice into fine, fine shreds.
Gently simmer until it turns a darker color, drain well and return to saucepan.
Add 2 tablespoons butter, bacon and/or ham drippings, simmer gently, to tenderize it. Cover with lid for 2/4 minutes.
Add shredded, cooked, cabbage, scallions, and Bacon (and/or Ham) to mashed potatoes, stirring them in gently.
Serve in individual soup plates. Make a little well on the top by swirling a wooden spoon.
Put 1 tablespoon of butter into each indentation.
Sprinkle with parsley.
Enjoy!!
