Just Rub My Tummy and Everything Will Be OK

Thank you to all the people who emailed or left a comment here or on Flickr about Bear. Given that we lost our dog George to canine bone cancer a little more than a year ago, the swelling in Bear's leg has really been freaking me out.

We went to the vet and had X-rays after she was muzzled. I kept insisting cookies would work, but I understand that nobody wants to risk their hand to a Rottweiler. She cried a lot, but was happy to get two car rides today (Oh boy oh boy oh boy!) and is now waiting patiently on the floor of my studio, waiting for another belly rub. I will try to wait just as patiently for a more definitive answer from the vet on Monday.

I guess I better go get to that belly rub.

Spicy Pumpkin Muffins

I made these yesterday morning with some leftover pumpkin from the cookies. This recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks, Quick Vegetarian Pleasures: More than 175 Fast, Delicious, and Healthy Meatless Recipes by Jeanette Lemiln. Next time around, I might add some cream cheese icing.

1 and 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 large egg
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin puree
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c milk
3/4 c raisins
1/2 c finely chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a muffin pan.

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the first eight ingredients. In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Beat in the brown sugar, then stir in the pumpkin puree, oil, and milk until well mixed. Mix the pumpkin mixture and dry ingredients until just combined; do not overmix. Stir in raisins and walnuts.

Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake 15 to 17 minutes, or until a knife inserted into center of muffin comes out clean. Let sit for two minutes before removing from pan. Serve at room temperature, not hot.

Thank You!

A big, big thank you to all the customers who helped me reach 500 sales (and over 1,000 hearts) on Etsy before Paper Menagerie's first birthday. I remember when I was excited to sell my very first card! The feeling never really goes away.

For those who haven't had a chance to shop yet, the celebratory free shipping continues in the until Saturday, October 11.

I'm hoping to be back later today with more free flair pictures and a Bear update.

Worried for Bear

This is Bear. We adopted Bear after losing our other Rottweiler-Great Dane mix, George, to bone cancer. We weren't planning on looking for another dog--- I was simply donating old towels at the animal shelter when she dragged her handler over to me, sat at my feet, and refused to budge. And that, as they say, was that. Since then, she has been the sweetest and most protective dog a girl could ever ask for. Judging from her scars, she had a rough life before us and is just happy to be loved. She and our Jack Russell, Chesney, really are my fur babies.

Last night Billy noticed Bear's left hind leg was swollen to the size of a grapefruit. While she's always had iffy hips, our history with canine osteosarcoma (common in Rotties) has left me feeling scared and nervous today.

I'm waiting for the vet to open and stroking her lovely little dome head in the meantime.

{On a happier note, a big thank you to Cuteable for featuring the reindeer cards today.}

Trees (Revised)

In the spirit of my grandfather's favorite poem, "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer.

I think that I shall never see
A pin as lovely as a tree.
. . .
Pins are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Clever? No. Bored? A little.

You can get the pins in the shop.