Must love dogs... :)

Warning: LONG  Frenchie obsessed post ahead:)

Ok.

Not until 6 years ago, when this sweet little French man came into my life, did I even think about loving a dog. We've always had them, but they were always the hubby's dogs. Weeell when my hubby surprised me with this little guy on Mother's Day 6 years ago, my heart melted. So I thought I'd let you know all the obnoxious things I do to keep my Little Bully happy:)

His dog bed. I found this bed online at Cozy Winters. It's HEATED and COOLED, and completely awesome. It plugs in to heat up the heated pad in the middle of the cushion, and then in the summer you fill this other cushion with water to keep it cool:) I think it was about $150.00? But it's been the best thing evah!

But really, he sleeps anywhere he wants.

Like in my blue linen chair...

Or while sitting on the porch....

Or his favorite? His mommy's bed:)

Especially when she's still in it:)

I love, love, love this shampoo. I get it from my vet, but I think you can get it from any pet store. It's about $15, and man! his coat is sooo soft from this stuff:) 

And I can NOT say enough about this fab food!! I tell everyone I know about it. My sis told me about it and LB has been faithfully eating this stuff for over 5 years. Flint River Ranch, It's organic, no filler, pure oven baked goodness. This food literally stopped my Frenchie's itchiness in it's tracks!! And notice he has no brown drippy eye stuff?? Yeah, it stopped that too. So basically the bomb dog food! And the best part? It delivers to your doorstep. Uh huh! I haven't had that -oh crap I'm out of dog food! scare in 5 years. $ 27.49 for a 10lb. bag.

His car seat. Yes, I said car seat. Car seat. EVERYONE made fun of me for this one. But I'll tell you what? It's the BEST thing ever!! As soon as I put Little Bully in it, he goes right to sleep.

I ain't kidding!! Whether we are just going down the street or driving for 5 1/2 hrs. to Cali., he's snoring away in about 5 minutes:)

Speaking of snoring.....

My favorite dog collars. They're from Preston Ribbons. They have a bazillion prints and most important? They're SOFT:) LB enjoyed this bubble print for a while and just recently...

I got this frog print... because he's a FROG DOG!!! :)  My hubby can't deal with the "wimpy" collars I buy my LB, he thinks he should wear something black. Nope. Not happenin!

I love this pic. Wallace is not supposed to be up on this table. But he loves it. So I let him:)

I seriously don't know why he finds this so comfortable?

Ok, so I'll put away my brag book now. I'm pretty sure I have more pics of  Little Bully that I do of my own kids. Yeah, I'm that girl:)

** If you are wanting to love a Frenchie yourself, or just want to help out with the ones who desperately need it- visit the angels at French Bulldog Rescue Network.  They're an amazing group of volunteers that will do anything in their power to save a Frenchie:)

Urban Picnic....:)

Ok. I've always kept this bloggy of mine advertise free. I just like it that way:) I do however, love to talk about the things I love:) Like my sweet baby girl and her new venture. Rio and her bf Chase just bought the cutest of sandwich shops in Historic downtown Mesa. Chase has always had a passion for food and a dream of having his own restaurant. Let me introduce you to....

And here they are. The new owners:) I am one proud mama I tell ya!

Urban Picnic serves up some awesome sandwiches and salads, using the best of organic produce, ingredients and homemade salad dressings:)

Like this awesomeness. The turkey and stuffing sandwich. Uh huh. Stuffing made fresh every morning:) And the side? Blue cheese coleslaw:)

My personal fav- the grilled veggie and goat cheese sandwich and southwestern orzo pasta. Yuuuummmy!!

And last but not least, the Caprese. The bomb. Nuff said:) 

Rio's red velvet cupcakes! Get one before they're gone!

But seriously? You can't go wrong with whatever you order at Urban Picnic. And I'm not just sayin that as a proud mama, I've eaten there since this place opened and I love it! I love it so much I'm gonna pass on some UP love. Say "I picnic with Dorie" and you get your drink free with the purchase of a sandwich or salad! Dealio ends next Tuesday!!

Use it or lose it....!! :)

Spring is here. And for me it's always bittersweet. That's because if you live here in AZ, you know the inferno is just around the corner:( I try to enjoy the outside and all the beauty that spring has to offer!

Hello perfect peaceful place to sit!

Hello beautiful geraniums!

Hello perfectly rusty old urns!

The arbor is enjoying it's new friend- climbing jasmine:)

  

I sewed up some new fresh front porch pillows:)

I got these cutest candle holders at the basement sale at FOUND!

 I had a moment of genius when I replaced the ugly green plastic bands that hold my tree to the stake with twine!!

 Sooo much better don't ya think??!!

 I'm taking advantage of the last little bit of cool weather and enjoying dinners outside! On the front porch:)

 No centerpiece? Just steal some rosemary from your sweet neighbors front yard and put it in the cutest of crusty pots!

So this is Spring at casa de Tuesdays with Dorie:) I will enjoy what little outdoor weather we have left. I keep saying this to myself-
"Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die".... of heatstroke:(



Easter oaties...:)

I've loved oatmeal my whole life. A big thank you to LaDonna O for making the best oaties around and making me love them:) When we were little, my mom and dad would go back to my mom's village in Mexico (for what I'm sure was a much needed vacation from 6 crazy kids) and my 2 sisters and I (the little girls) got to stay with The O's. They were a family my parents knew from church, and we LOVED to stay with them:) I won't go into how I was completely OBSESSED with their daughter Jan and her purple bedroom. Uh huh. Purple walls complete with matching Swiss dot ruffled bedding (circa 1975ish?). AWESOME I tell ya. We spent our mornings eating oatmeal, and afternoons playing with Jan's Dawn dolls. (I've been obsessively looking for them on ebay for the last few weeks) I WILL find them!!! Aaaaanyway,( there is a reason for all this I swear!)  I'm lucky to have married a guy who shares my love of  "oaties". We usually eat them just plain with Rice Milk and Agave sweetener. But I decided enough is enough!! Down with healthy eating!!  Enter-

Caramelized Banana Oatmeal:)

You'll need:

Oatmeal (cooked to directions)

Bananas: 1-2 sliced

Butter: 2 Tbsp

Brown Sugar: 2-3 Tbsp

Cinnamon: to taste? 

Nutmeg: to taste?

Slice up 1 or 2 bananas. I did 2, because I love me some bananas:)

Melt about 2 Tbsp of butter in a pan:)

Throw in your bananas, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Let em cook and get all yummy and caramely:)

Spoon em over your oaties:)

Yumm!! I promise:) and no, I wouldn't eat these everyday!

I am however thinking I'm going to make this again for Easter breakfast:)

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

Happy Easter everyone!!