Best idea ever

Okay, maybe not ever, but still really, really good.

Rich and I somehow end up with a ton of those canvas totes, from various conventions and business connections. And, of course, I have all kinds of little dribs and drabs of fabric lying around. I can't wait to try it!

From Betz White, tweeted by @craft: Tote Tricks

Too good not to share

Rich and I were driving along today and noticed a bumper sticker. He investigated and found the website:

As a survivor, I wholeheartedly agree and approve!

At least it's not Elvis

I'm not someone who tends to notice the Virgin Mary on a tortilla or Michael Jackson's face in the bark of a tree, but I really couldn't miss this.



I heart Lays!

Bad Jokes

I'm not sure how smart it is but, really, I can't deny who I am. I just redesigned my business website and included a Bad Joke of the day. I have enough of them gathered to last through the end of December. (Yes, really.)



I don't know what I'm going to do then. Maybe I should change it to Bad Joke of the week, in which case I have enough for the next two years.

That does just say volumes about me, doesn't it?

Random Wednesday-ness

1. I had an idea of a really good topic to blog about. I should write those down, huh?

2. I have a ton of things to do today. I've had a ton of things to do for a long time. I mentioned to Rich, then mentioned to the Net-Not (or Not-Net; I haven't decided yet) people that I mentioned to Rich, that I lie in bed each morning and think, "Okay, today I'm going to...," and list three or four things. Then the next morning I lie in bed and think, "Okay, today I'm going to...," and the things I list are the exact same things as the day before! How does that happen? I'm busy all day long! How does that happen?!? Even odder, I guess, is the fact that each one of all those people I mentioned it to said they do the very same thing. How does that happen?!?

3. I want to go to a Rangers game. Nothing will ever be better than Stars hockey *, of course, but the Rangers game I went to courtesy of Shea & McMurdie was pretty dadgum fun. So I want to go back, with knitting (which is in itself a great tradition, FYI), and sit in the grandstand on the first base line. With someone who knows something about baseball and can answer all my questions. Anybody want to join me?

4. Speaking of that Rangers game, I was reminded at a couple of points that evening that some of the most exciting words in the language are, "Enjoy the game."

5. I have a hard time following knitting charts. I already knew that, and knew that I prefer text instructions. So when I started Irene's scarf (here, if you're a member of Ravelry; here if you're not), which I'm planning for the center of Holly's afghan, I knew I needed to use the text. I really didn't realize, though, that I would have to have every single stitch spelled out on every single row, or I'd be making mistakes left and right. The way Mélusine, the pattern's creator, has it written one has to have a much longer attention span that I do to make it work. Again, that's why I don't make lace. I get distracted way too...hey, look at that over there...

Dog treats

I've had a couple of people ask about my homemade dog treats. [Pause, while you wonder why I make homemade dog treats.] I make them because we've had some elderly dogs with health issues, and if you look at the labels of most treats, they have warnings that say not to give more than one or two a day. That's not just because the dogs may gain weight. It's also because the treats sometimes have unpronounceable ingredients (hydrodioxyfluorominicinate or some such), and dogs can react badly to them. I started investigating when the elderly dogs began appearing to have problems when they got too many treats (though it may have been unrelated) and discovered that it's really, really easy to make your own. It's also considerably less expensive. So why not?

And they are — believe me — absolute doggy crack. As in don't even think you'll only give them one. My pool guy says his dog stands staring at the plastic bag until he relents and gives him more. Seriously. Crack.

Here's the recipe:

Dog treats

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brewer's yeast
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk
1/4 cup wheat germ (or wheat bran or a little extra flour; this part is optional)
1 tsp salt

1-1/2 tbsp olive oil (that's 1 tbsp + 1-1/2 tsp, if you don't have a half tablespoon measure)
1 jar baby food chicken (optional)
1/2 cup chicken broth

3 tbsp chicken broth for basting

Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together dry ingredients to combine. Add oil, baby food and 1/2 cup broth; mix thoroughly.

Method #1: Roll out on floured surface to desired thickness (I usually go for about 1/8", but suit yourself). Cut into treat-size. I use a pizza cutter to make little strips, but if you've got a cool bone shape cookie cutter, you can use that. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Method #2: Cut parchment paper to fit a baking sheet. Roll out the dough onto the parchment, sprinkling the top with flour to keep your rolling pin from sticking. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips. Slip the whole thing, parchment paper and all, onto the baking sheet. If you've got the parchment paper (which you can wash and reuse), this method is much easier!

Bake for 10 minutes. Baste all pieces with the 3 tbsp chicken broth. Bake for another 10 minutes, then turn oven off and leave biscuits in the oven overnight, or for about 8 hours. They'll become nice and crunchy hard. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

You can use whatever kind of meat you like for these; I make them with chicken because I usually have chicken broth on hand. Be careful, though, to avoid any kind of broth with onion or too much garlic, since they can be dangerous for dogs.

The hardest part about making them is remembering to do it at night so they can dry out. Try it! You, too, can turn your dog into an addict!