Friday Things
1. Happy Valentine’s Day! I suggest that in order to celebrate properly, you indulge in some cake for breakfast this morning :) [I ordered this mug from Macy’s way before Christmas; it was backordered multiple times, and finally arrived. I love it!]
2. We had to leave for Florida a day later than planned due to the snow and ice storm that ripped through the southern states, so we are currently on the second leg of our drive and hope to arrive this afternoon. The memorial services for my Chief Culinary Consultant’s grandfather are tomorrow and Sunday; we are sticking around to soak up some nice weather on Monday, and then heading back home on Tuesday.
3. Unfortunately, my mom and sister’s work schedules weren’t conducive to puppy-sitting Einstein and Duke, so they are being boarded while we’re gone. I’m pretty much inconsolable when I have to board Einstein at the kennel, I always feel awful. The place we take them is so awesome, and they are really well taken care of, and I know it’s good for them to socialize, but I can’t help but to feel so bad. This will be Duke’s first time being boarded, and I feel especially wretched; I hope he doesn’t think we abandoned him :( At least he will be bunking with Einstein and will have is big brother to look after him… OR, he will terrorize Einstein and Einy will try to escape. One or the other.
4. Have you begun watching the Olympics? What are your favorite events? I’ve enjoyed everything so far (we’ve been watching everyday), but not surprisingly, I’m most excited for the men’s ice hockey! I watched the USA vs Canada women’s game on Wednesday morning, and it got me especially pumped for watching the men’s games.
5. I missed the opening ceremonies last Friday night, but my Chief Culinary Consultant and I cannot stop watching this video of the Russian Police Choir singing “Get Lucky” (as a result, it’s been stuck in my head for the better part of a week) – I love it! You have to go watch it (I couldn’t embed this particular video).
6. Speaking of the Olympics, did you see the luge track that this family in Minnesota built in their backyard? So awesome!
7. Last weekend, we celebrated my Chief Culinary Consultant’s birthday (yay!). When I asked him what kind of cake he’d like, he requested an ice cream cake. It turned out fabulously, and I can’t wait to share the recipe with you! Bonus: the cake didn’t melt when we lit the candles!
8. We went to a hockey game last Friday, and the older gentleman sitting next to me came back to his seat with some delicious-looking French fries. My CCC jokingly said that he’d give me a dollar if I snuck a fry while the guy wasn’t looking.
For some reason, I could not stop laughing. I giggled for a good 10 minutes thinking about this poor guy getting a fry swiped!
9. Duke was utterly fascinated by a baby caterpillar on the kitchen floor earlier this week.
He’s so cute when he’s curious!
10. TGIF! I can’t wait to give my pups lots of hugs when we get back!
We were always able to get neighbors to watch our greyhounds, but as the eldest got on in years, he got incontinent. Because we didn’t want the neighbors to have to deal with doggy poop in the house, we had to board him. Luckily, we were able to find a family-owned kennel that is on a farm. They made sure that our old guy didn’t have to climb stairs and wasn’t in a tiny cage 24/7. They had other dogs, sheep, horses, and goats, and my pup was in heaven! He made friends with a horse and they hung out in the field together all week–he didn’t want to come home at the end of it. If you can find a reputable place like that, I really recommend it.
I love everything about the Olympics! That picture with the caterpillar is so cute. I feel like I never see caterpillars anymore.
Safe travels!
I know how you feel about boarding the puppies. It always made me sad to have to board mine. But they honestly had a great time socializing and running around, so I always tried to remember that! And then there were the snuggles and puppy kisses when I picked them up to look forward to!
Michelle,
I’m catching up on news here, and just read about your CCC’s grandfather’s passing. My condolences to the family. No matter what age a person is, their passing is always difficult.
I don’t have dogs, but I do have cats and I have been lucky to never have had the occasion to board them, but I would imagine it to be traumatic and worrisome. You will worry, but I’m sure Duke and Einstein will do well. Safe journey.
Michelle,
We don’t board our dog very often. It’s always traumatic though. I always look forward to Fridays because I get to see adorable photos of your puppies.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Annamaria
I just dropped my fur baby off at boarding today for the weekend and always feel horrible!!! I know we shouldn’t and that they are totally fine, but it breaks my heart! I just don’t want him to think I abandoned him! :(
I have never seen wiser words on a mug. ;) Duke is so very adorable, such a smoochable face! Looking forward to the icecream cake recipe, icecream cake brings out the inner child in everyone!
So did you swipe a fry??? I hate leaving our dogs also…they always look so sad!!
Haha, no, I could never do that! But the idea of it made me giggle so hard, lol.
That Canada -US game was pretty intense. I had to work that morning, but I was able to watch the highlights that night. It would be pretty awesome to be able to see some of the best hockey players in the world play.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all your crew! I know your fur babies will be glad to see you when you get back, too! Don’t worry about them – like you said, they have each other. I wouldn’t like to just board one of them, but since there are two, I wouldn’t fret much. You’ll see!
I continue to pray for your hubby’s family – it’s so hard to lose the patriarch of the family. I know his memorial services will be awesome, though, because all the family comes from near and far when one of the elders pass. It will be great to see family that hasn’t been all together for awhile.
I always look forward to your musings.
Your story (& pic!) of the fry swipe is too cute!
Safe travels to you!
Having to leave my fur babies behind is my least favorite part of going away! I cannot stop watching the Olympics…in fact I am watching them right now! Great pictures of the dogs!
We’ve never been able to board our old man golden/black lab – he doesn’t do well in cages so we bring him with (he doesn’t travel great either) or have found that graduate students can make great dog sitters (house sitters too) if you live near a college. There are also pet sitting services in our area where they come three times a day, feed your animals, play with them and walk them! We also have a little puggle and the last time the two of them went to the groomers, we were told that as long as their cages were right next to each other, old man didn’t bark at all. So. . . having two helps them feel like they are with at least some of their pack!
I want that mug – need some cheering up today. My polydactl cat, (Hemingway) was euthanised today after 13 full and funny years. Thanks, Michelle, for the great stories about your dogs – they continue to be a source of laughs. Keep up the good work.
I am SO sorry to hear about your cat :( Big hugs from me, and Duke and Einstein, as well.
Have fun, having goldens in a kennel is like leaving your kids in a kennel, I know I’ve had golden’s my whole life and they definitely give you the look when you leave them anywhere, and always forgive you when you come home!
Friday – my favorite day of the week because I can read your Friday things and see pics of the puppy dogs. Love, love the pic of Duke and the little caterpillar. Wish I lived in Pittsburgh, I’d take those pups in a New York minute! My favorite Olympics events – the ice skating. I watched last night as Russian skater Plushenko was unable to compete due to severe back problems. At least he was able to do a fabulous short program a few days earlier. It must have left an impression, he showed up in my dreams last night. I ditto Susan’s comment above – you are a natural storyteller.
Hi Michelle,
Love your site recipes & writings – get some wonderful ideas! Love when you talk about your Grandma – miss her a lot. I also enjoyed our talks & taste testing your homemade goodies.
Took your advice & had a cupcake which I even made & a cup of tea for my Valentine breakfast! Have a good time in FL with your hubby. Bring hope some sunshine!
Is it weird I never had cake for breakfast?! A close friend made fun of me for not knowing people did that haha :-)
The Best part of friday : Reading your friday things and looking at photo’s of the dogs. You are a natural story teller and i love your evalutations of everything!!!!!
I go to BEB first thing every Friday because I love seeing the pics of Einstein and Duke. But today I think I liked that mug even more (sorry boys). I decided it would make a perfect valentines gift (for me) so it’s on the way! (And FWIW, Zappos has it with free shipping!)
Thanks Michelle!
Safe travels to you. We have two pups and I totally get the pain of having to board. But you’re right, they have each other. And the glee they show when you pick them up will wipe out all the agony. Sidebar: asked my husband what he wanted for Valentine’s dessert. He practically shouted for salted caramel apple pie :) Here’s to pie in the oven at 6 am!
I am LOVING the Olympic games. The USA/Canada women’s hockey game was a nail biter. Rematch!!! I’m enjoying all of the skiing, boarding, skeleton is killer, and certainly the figure skating. When the games are on I definitely have sleep deprivation. HA! But so worth it.
From a Floridian, enjoy your time here. :)
I gave up on Macy’s backordering after two notifications. Now I’m regretting it!
I always feel guilty when boarding my dog, too. It must be a mommy thing! Duke looks SO adorable in that picture with the caterpillar.
Enjoy Florida – I live in Boca Raton and the high today is 71!! :D
You and your CCC sure are funny! I know how you feel having to leave your little guys while you’re away from home. I have a hard time leaving my Freckles when I go away, I think it’s because we can’t tell them what’s going on when we leave, Freckles looks at me with those eyes like I’ m deserting him and then I want to cry. It’s nice that Duke & Einstein have each other! I guess Freckles needs a brother! Happy Valentines Day to everyone and enjoy the warmer weather!
Olympics + Snow Day = Best Valentine’s Day Ever! I watch it all especially hockey and curling. Although I will be cheering for Canada, I think we’ll both be cheering for Sydney Crosby ;)
I always hate leaving our pup at the boarders as well. Have a safe trip!
I just had to tell you that I made your Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake yesterday as an early Valentine’s Day treat. Wow! Over the top fantastic. I loved the technique for preparing the pan. I have never had a Bundt cake come out of the pan so smoothly. Thanks for another great recipe. I can always trust that a recipe from your site will be the best! Thanks for all of the work you do to keep the quality of your site at a high level.
:D are you kidding me with the “Get Lucky”! :) SO awesome! Whoever thought of this is a genius. Thank you for sharing.
Also, Dukes face in the caterpillar picture!! :) Awww!
I think as long as they’re bunking together, they know everything will be fine. Safe travels!