Today = Trip to Pet Smart

I really should not still be up, but I am. Tomorrow or actually today's goal will be going to Pet Smart in Geneva to purchase some tasty Eukanuba food for the girls.

I will try not to look too long at the birds, rabbits, and DOGS! Because they will be extremely cute and I will take pity on them and want to bring them all home. When we wnent to Petland earlier, there was this cute little Bichon boy. He begged me to take him home to meet his sisters, but alas I could not.

I would like to get Sugar's Birthday toy while I'm at the store. That'll be a nice little surprise!

Happy Birthday to Sugar sometime this month!

Outside doggie adventures!

Well adventures might be exaggerating just slightly. The girls sat outside while I swept the front patio and filled up the yard waste bag some more. They also joined me on the deck while mowing the back yard.

I began my day by discovering a deceased sparrow on the stoop to the front door. Very very sad. I was able to remove it before the girls were let out. Sugar didn't even catch the scent.

Some observations of the girls while outside today:
Mindy enjoys laying on the front patio but not on the deck, even with a blanket. I think she must have felt bad I was mowing the grass all by myself, so she came out in the yard every so often to walk with me (at a safe distance). Sugar, on the other hand, felt confident in my abilities, so she continued her managing from the comfort of the blanket.

The girls say hello and Happy Memorial Day to their Mom and Dad!

Cheers.

Sugar's diet behaviors

I've discovered that it is best to feed them an hour or so before I leave for work instead of right before I walk out the door. I happened to catch Sugar in action.

I had forgotten something in the bedroom, so I left the kitchen door shut and went to go retrieve. When I came back, I find Sugar frantically scarfing down Mindy's food! I was shocked! This does explain however why Mindy will sometimes start eating Sugar's leftovers right when I get home from work before they are fed dinner. I no longer interrupt that process in fear that this might be her first chance at eating other than snacks.

Could this explain why Sugar is in fact so 'Sugarish' (plump)?

The idiosyncrasies are quite amusing.

Sugar and some hostile behaviors...

are being demonstrated towards our very own Mindy.

Okay, besides Mindy needing to be lifted onto furniture and such - there are no additional rights or privileges that she receives.

But, I think Sugar becomes a little jealous because she then ends up in this competition ring with Mindy. Examples are chasing her to the kitchen or any room. After being let outside Sugar will corral Mindy with a gentle nab at her neck as they push towards the yard.

Sugar will also sit in front of the blanket in the kitchen on the floor and guard the door so to speak. Mindy will be about 2 ft away from entering the kitchen and Sugar will let out this low guttural growl, that leads me to say "Sugar be nice to Mindy!" Thank god Mindy is oblivious :)

Does any of this sound familiar?

A lovely 'Good night' kiss

I had brought Mindy in from the living room and set her on the bed. She looked up at me with her sweet cataract eyes and licked my nose and chin.

She doesn't show affection often, so I reveled in the stinky nose lick.

Do you miss this Alma and Yangling?? I know you do! Don't worry the girls will have plenty of kisses and hugs and jumping when you come home.

On that last note I did mention jumping. Mindy, when encouraged, will jump when we first walk in the garage door. While they are scrambling around and barking due to "They're back syndrome", I will jump up and down in one spot. Soon Mindy will copy. It is quite comical and cute!

New treats!!!

I hope it works out. Mindy will be embarking on a new taste-test study group. Her steaks have run out and Jewel did not have them. Target is my black hole, read: I go in there for 2 things and come out with half a cart; which is why we stayed at Jewel.

Instead we purchased Snausages' Roverolis.

I hope she likes them! We'll find out tomorrow.

This last week

Was not very exciting by any means. Tuesday night we did go over to my Dad's and partake in the crab legs. Very yummy! I made veggies and these biscuits that taste just like the pre-appetizer rolls at Red Lobster. Thanks to a Bisquick recipe.

Thursday, I started dealing with a nasty sinus cold. Not fun. It was weird, however, to learn that Alma and Yangling were also experiencing head colds. My allergies have been extra bad this year so far and I think I am not the only one. Pollen levels have been higher than normal, or so I've heard. I have been using my neti pot which has made things a lot easier.

I've thus been resting a lot and the girls are loving that. I did try a small walk on Saturday morning with my friend Shari. It was cloudy but the rain hid until we were done. The remainder of the day was spent watching a movie with the girls and going to the apartment to let some fresh air in and do a bit of dusting and rearranging. Saturday evening, Jeremy and I watched The Painted Veil.

Today was another visit to the farmer's market. We then changed gears and went to Ikea checking out the newer store in Bollingbrook, IL. Both of us were extremely glad to leave the store. There were mass amounts of people meandering around aimlessly! Ahhhhh! 2 hours of my life!! One girl even had a teeny white dog in her purse! Reminding me of Paris Hilton. Jeremy dared me to start barking. I chose to not accept the dare.

A nice Sunday all in all. Cheers.

Monday

After work the girls went outside with me while I mowed the back lawn. When Jeremy came home they couldn't wait to go inside and hang out with the 'cool uncle'. :)

For dinner we had Wilted Spinach with Mushrooms. There was one substitution, swiss chard for spinach. It was a big hit!

After the season finale of '24' we took the girls for a walk down the street. We are now relaxing before bedtime.

Sunday Adventures

Sunday morning Jeremy and I woke up and drove out to Nelson Lake for a nice 3 mile walk. Guess where we headed next???? That's right, the Geneva Farmer's market.

Once home the front yard was mowed and then a few more herbs planted. The green beans are coming along nicely. While the asparagus........ Alma I think you were right, should've gone for the roots at Menard's. Oh well.

For dinner we made Warm Quinoa and Zucchini-stuffed Tomatoes. For the first time ever, I had all the necessary ingredients on hand, it was not planned. It turned out delicious! Here are some pictures:

Your Welcome!

Mom & Dad,
We got your post card last Thursday! It was very exciting to get mail of our very own. Michelle held it up so we could read it. We couldn't believe how soon it got here, only 3 days!

Although we have fun with Michelle and Jeremy, we miss you and Dad very much and can't wait to see you!

Luv & Hugs,
Mindy and Sugar

Happy Birthday to Sugar!

Two weeks ago a card came in the mail from Pet Smart addressed to a certain Sugar Karas-Zhang, wishing her a Happy Happy Birthday!

As a token of their kindness, they have presented her with a coupon for a free toy! She is overjoyed and can't wait to pick up her gift. We will go soon for it expires the end of this month.

Saturday: New places and faces

This morning I went on a nice walk with my ladies, Janice and Sherry. We walked a little more than 3 miles. On our walk we visited Caribou, a garage sale, and Geneva Greenhouses new location at Route 38 and 5th street in Geneva.

On arriving home I brought my brothers, Cameron and Freddy back with me. We had lunch on the deck and Cameron got to run around in the yard. He loves the swing set! We then gathered up the girls and a blanket and headed over to my Dad's.

I helped him by watching Cameron the first part of the afternoon and then in the backyard cleaning up the patio from Fall and Winter's free-range havoc. I foresee summer bonfires in our future. When Jeremy finished with work he came by and picked up the girls from their lounging in the front yard and took them home.

Jeremy then changed and came back for an hour and half more of straightening up. Reward for our afternoon toil is a crab leg dinner prepared by my Dad on Tuesday! What? Okay!!!! We are there!

I need to .......

post, post, post! and post some more. Sorry for the delay!

:) The girls a very anxious to share some of our latest stories.

Happy Mother's Day Alma!

Have a Happy Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Sugar & Mindy
and Michelle & Jeremy

Dogs In Sunshine

Some days the girls put their spot sharing differences aside and relax comfortably alongside each other. Very cute when they do, giving us moments like this:

Conspiracy Theorist

While outside Sugar became amused again with her week old raw hide I gave her. She carried it off the deck about 2ft and placed it in the grass. Mindy, I had just set down on the deck after being in the lounge chair. Started to walk around the picnic table by the grill. All of this at least 10 ft away from Sugar.

Sugar begins that low guttural growl and snaps her body towards Mindy in attempts for a quick defense. Mind you Mindy is still barely around the corner of the picnic table. Sugar then pounced on the lawn and grabbed the raw hide in her mouth, all while growling in her throat.

Mindy continued to walk around the table then towards me and back around the table. Completely oblivious to what Sugar was doing. Sugar continued to feign possessiveness over that portion of the yard and raw hide. Much to my amusement.

Somebody took her 'paranoia pill' today (Sugar).

Wednesday's Feast

Our meal was King Crab legs and a pseudo-shrimp/asparagus scampi.

I must blame my Dad for turning us onto crab legs. He scouts the sale ads of Meijer, Dominick's, and Jewel for the deals. A great sale is $5.99/lb and a good sale is $6-7.99/lb. Normal price is around $14/lb. It's nice to eat like a king for cheap.

Now, I knew if my Dad could manage cooking them I could. No offense, he just goes for the simple preparation meals. All you have to do is put about an 1.5" of water in the bottom of a deep spaghetti pot, then add the a crab boil season packet and a quartered lemon. Place the strainer on top of this and then crab legs in the strainer. Steam them for 20-25 minutes from frozen.

And of course we melt butter and dip them in that, but you really don't need to, for they are very flavorful and tender.

Along with this I had some little frozen shrimpies I wanted to use up. Thawed the shrimp. I started with the Magic Bullet, Jeremy got me for Christmas. I blended butter and tons of garlic cloves along with fresh basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme.

I had already started fettuccine boiling and that was almost done. After it was drained I threw cut asparagus on it with a lid to steam. I then combined shrimp and the butter blend in the

heated pan and sauteed for a couple minutes and then added the noodles and asparagus to the mix. We topped off our plates with a grate of Parmesan.

It was so delicious! Jeremy and I were thinking it would be fun to make this for Yangling and you (if it at all sounds appetizing) and if time have a game night.

We have a racer and a beggar :)

Sugar is the official representative of the racers. Whether we leave the bedroom to go outside or come in from outside to the kitchen. She races Mindy and me. I sometimes win, although she is close at my heels.

I wish I could post a video of this... it would be hilarious! I laugh hard every time. If you haven't figured it out I am very easily entertained. Another reason why the doggies and I get along so famously.

Mindy the other hand reaches a whole new level of begging where you think she might actually just take the food from you. It is amusing! Sugar, the plumper one, you'd think would be the leader. She will just lay on the floor looking while every once in awhile falling asleep. Mindy stares and does her dry bark. I laugh every time. I don't tease them, just so you know. =)

So yes, in summary: Stout Sugar = racer & Minnie Mindy = Me want food. Full of irony!

Mmmm good Sunday food

Our morning began with walking to the Valley Sheltered Workshop Pancake Breakfast. Here we met my Dad and Cameron and some delicious pancakes! Our next stop was the Geneva Farmer's Market for the 2nd week in a row.



I couldn't control myself and bought 3 more potted herb plants; rosemary, dill, and thyme. We got a few more things and headed home.

When we got home I took advantage of the weather and mowed the lawn. The girls of course were on the front patio. Jeremy got the trimmer and worked on the edges I could not. He also potted some green bean and asparagus seeds. We decided to take advantage of the great sunlight your deck offers.

After this work nothing was more satisfying then a home cooked meal. We had a spinach salad with baby bellas, tomato, and onion. Turkey-chicken portabella sausages. I used up some of your red potatoes by roasting them in the oven with fresh herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano, and thyme) out of our new herb garden and olive oil. They were more than delicious! Jeremy grilled a tin of vegetables along with the sausages.... mmmmm. He combined asparagus, broccoli, garlic, onion, and mushrooms along with olive oil, herbs and seasonings.

If you're not jealous yet..... for desert we had fresh out of the oven banana bread I made earlier.

Yeah everything was mmm-tastic!

Jealous much? :)

Missed Mornings

Here's a shared moment that you both might miss.....




Here they are, the 2 snuggle bugs.

The Unknown Yogi Master

Sugar has decided to accept me as a student, she decided I needed a lot of training. In yoga that is. Over the years I've bought books and taken various yoga classes. I enjoy it when I'm doing it but can't seem to make a habit of it.

Well, the other day, even though I know she does this out of any resting position she got off the bed and did this....

This every day stretch for little Sugar is in fact the yoga pose, downward dog!

I realized then that Sugar is very mindful when it comes to her stretches. She will stretch every time she gets up from a resting position - I would like to follow her example. Maybe then my hamstrings would not be so tight and I could go into the pose like a pro.

No Messes Here

Mindy and Sugar have been very good doggies when I am away. There have only been 2 small messes since we've been here.

I take 2 15 minute breaks during the day, so its quite easy to run home here and let them out. They are always super excited to have a visitor. Sometimes when I come home on break they don't even have to go pee, just going outside for a few minutes is nice. They don't trick me into treats on those occasions and because I have to go right back to work, I don't see the staring.

Right now they are resting in the west living room. Sugar was in the sun room but couldn't stand being away from Mindy for too long. Only enough to check on me in the kitchen and making sure I wasn't going to give away any samples today.

Happy Afternoon!

Gardeners

Today Sugar and Mindy were my lunchtime garden helpers!

We bursted outside to in fact see if anyone was in our yard, aka squirrels, birds, rabbits, misc. small creatures.

Alas there was not, so while the girls went sniffing, I picked some more asparagus and then a little something for the nose's delight and my favorite flower, Lilly of the Valley. That smell is simply wonderful!

Treats have been dispersed and now relaxing has commenced. I do believe Sugar would've liked more time to work on her tan but due to it being peak cancer hours and my lunch we'll have to see about going outside after work.

I will catch up on the last couple days. There should be some cute doggy posts (Sugar has really helped me in my quest to be a better yogi) and a great food post from last night.

Cheers!

The Cool Uncle

Yes, yes, I am now officially the "cool uncle" in the house.

Mindy was doing her well known act of staring with mouth open while whining a little while ago, so I stood up and asked her where she wanted to go. She didn't move at all, which meant that she probably wanted to sit on the couch with us. I picked her up and put her down next to Michelle and went back to my spot. She laid down and seemed content at first.... but as soon as Michelle started to pet Mindy, she stood up and walked away, coming across the couch and head butting me in the side. Poor Michelle was jealous as Mindy sat there allowing me to pet her instead, making me the "cool uncle".

Lunch Time Follies

Sugar and Mindy were the lucky recipients of not one, but two visitors at lunch time today. Michelle was on her normal lunch visit to feed the girls and watch them dance around the back yard when who should appear?

Jeremy!

Neither could quite contain themselves when I walked in the door. They had each decided one visitor was good enough and were content, but when the kitchen door opened again and they saw the sight of another familiar face-- it sent them over the edge. Sugar stuck our her tongue and wagged her tail furiously while Mindy opened her mouth and stared a happy stare (with a little tail waggle). It was fun fun all around.

Alas, shortly after I arrived, Michelle had to leave. I stuck around for a few minutes to gather up my laptop and bag so that I could head down to Caribou for some working, then gathered them into the kitchen and said goodbye's. They know that we'll be back in a few hours.

I discovered a secret....

How to get Mindy to relax outside that is. Sugar just loves to plop down and relax in the sun. She doesn't mind the deck, but Mindy I found will pace and pace :)

So after work today I brought the basil and oregano planters outside in the back to be potted and the doggies followed.

After their visit to the yard Sugar came up and laid down while Mindy did a few laps around the picnic table. She started to act like she knew she was telling me something and I really wasn't getting it (happens sometimes). So, I picked her up and set her on the little green bench.... she just stood there. Ok definitely failed that one, but I did go and grab their blanket out of the sun room. I tried setting it under her on the bench and no, still standing.

I then tried setting it on the ground, Sugar immediately came and sat down even before the blanket was laid out. I then set Mindy down and she went right for the blanket, no hesitation, no lap around the table!

And then another cute pose.......



I swear I didn't bribe them! And Mindy is completely photogenic! Doesn't she look like she's laughing?

Don't forget you can leave comments underneath the blog post. :)

Cheers and Hugs!

New do

Today was awesome! I got to leave work at noon - I could get accustomed to that quickly ;)

When I got home I took Mindy and Sugar on a walk down the street. We got back and I asked them what kind of a hair cut they wanted. Mindy really wanted hair extensions but I convinced her with the summer weather around the corner that it was best to go short. Sugar agreed.

Before Picture

They were the best girls on the car ride over. My little brother's car seat is still in the back, so they only had half the seat and really sit so nice, better than little kids! I was very proud. They did in fact seem excited to be at Benji's Barking Lot - both their tales were wagging as we walked up the front stoop. I asked them if they were going to get their hair cut and Sugar translated for Mindy and both tales wagged.

She said she'd have them for me around 5pm or call before if earlier. I then went to my appointment and back to your home.

While I waited for the call, I boiled some potatoes for easy cooking on the grill later. Later when they were cool I sliced them up and marinated with onion, olive oil and seasonings. (Didn't know this would also be a food blog, did you?) So, yes we did try out the grill and it was awesome! Used the side griddle to make the asparagus and cooked beef and turkey burgers as well as the potatoes and some boiler onions in foil! Mmmm!

P.s. The little doggies' bows are pink & green w/white lace. Beautiful.
And now, the after glam shots!

Mindy is cured!

Ye-ah! I was so thrilled that Mindy woke up and seemed herself again. She had an appetite and was trotting around as normal. I think the white rice might have helped just a little.

Sunday morning, we left the girls to their own amusement for a few hours. We headed to the Geneva Farmer's Market and got a little bit of every vegetable from our 'favorite' Southern IL farmers. The list included asparagus, even though we had harvested our own - courtesy of Zhang-Karas farms.

After clearing out our fridge and freezer (thank you for your empty fridge/freezer) we headed back to Batavia. And the day was gorgeous! Our temps were in the 80s with lots of sun and blue skies. We brought the doggies out on the front porch with their water dish and I do believe they loved it! Jeremy began mowing the back yard and I again with the mulch moving.

It only took about 3 hours total and my arms were sore! The mulch did end up being very 'fine' but I think it will work. It survived both the small winds and strong storm we had last evening.

It was great watching Sugar outside, because every so often she would switch to a sunnier spot like she was trying to get a tan. So Cute!

When Jeremy made his way around to the front side-yard, Mindy jumped off the stoop and came over to the edge of the gate to watch expectantly. I think she was convinced it was Yangling or maybe just glad to have a different view. She continued to watch over him for the next 20 minutes.

Mindy and Sugar had a very contented day! Mindy seems about 100% which helps me feel better. I do believe they look forward to their haircut tomorrow =)

Hugs!

Mulch and Mindy

Cheers Yangling & Alma!

Not to leave Sugar out if this, but the evening was really about getting Mindy better and where to begin with the mulch.

When I arrived, Mindy had thrown up just a little and had produced quite a bit of snot on the side of her face. I know, fun.

She paced for a little and then I decided to go outside and begin my tackle on the mulch. Sugar was fine lounging on the kitchen floor. I was fortunately able to work a solid 1.5 hours on the pile. Crazy, yes. Then my knight in shining armor carried me off to Portillo's :)