Valentine's Day Means Chocolate, Cookies, and . . . a Puppy!

    "A puppy?" you ask!  Yes!  Last week I wrote about helping out with the 105 dogs that were brought to National Mill Dog Rescue on Sunday.  I then went back on Monday to help with intake and while I was there I totally and completely fell in love with sweet Bella.  She was one of three puppies that came in with the adult dogs.  Mother is a lab and father is . . . ?  Here's a photo of her.  See what you think.

I fell in love with this face!

Trying to figure it all out!

CoCo protecting her baby

     I have thought about getting another dog since I got back from France and have really missed having a big dog around.  I've always been a big dog person, but wanted a little one for moving overseas and CoCo was perfect for that.  I do love having a lap dog - and depending on how big Bella gets, I may have two! 😁

     Now, about the recipes for this week:  I tried out two recipes that I thought would be great for Valentine's Day.  Nothing says "I love you" quite like homemade sweets, right?  The cookie recipe was easy to follow and are so wonderfully chewy and yummy!  The only change I made was replacing the sour cream with plain Fage yogurt (as I already had that in the fridge).  These cookies are so moist that they are addicting!  Beware!  And are especially good with a large glass of milk.

     The candy recipe was in a magazine around Christmas time.  I already have holiday candy recipes - English toffee, fudge and peanut brittle - so I didn't make it then.  I thought it would be a good Valentine candy.  They were easy to make and I love that they are made of just pecans, caramel and chocolate.  The only problem I had is that they don't come out of the little wrappers very well.  The caramel sticks to the paper.  Maybe I will try to find foil wrappers next time.  That may help.

     I will try to get a recipe done this week, but with a new puppy it might be a little difficult.  As I write this I am keeping an eye on her and on CoCo who is still trying to decide what to do with her!  Bella is very good at entertaining herself.  She has already figured out the doggy door and as long as it is open there are no accidents inside.  She's a smart little girl and I'm hoping she'll help CoCo come out of her shell and realize that she's a dog and it's ok to play.  Time will tell.

     So, my journey of bends continues!  New recipes, a new puppy . . . always an adventure.  And I so appreciate that you are joining me on this one.  Merci!!