Architecture for Dogs

We love this video and the site Architecture for Dogs where you can download and create all sorts of structures for your best friend. We also love the music. We think it's a cool take on Chopin's Waltz Op 64 No 1.

Hello From Henry

Roxie's pup Henry

We just received a very cute pic and note from Henry's mom Marlene.

"Congrats to Lola on her Best of Winners awards!  When the AKC establishes a "cutie pie" ribbon, her brother Henry is definitely going to give her a run for her money!"

Carmel Valley Ranch

Puppy love: Roxy, The Carmel Valley Ranch's two-year-old English Bulldog, is always eager for a dash across the lobby, a good-luck rub, a quick treat, or a friendly welcome.

The Ranch is on our short list for a visit.   For more info, check out carmelvalleyranch.com

Sherpa is Going to Westminster

Sherpa, CH Deep Acres Autumn Splendor

What We're Baking Next - Buckwheat Cinnamon Rolls?

But we think, we're not sure, we are going to make this healthy version.

Recipe for Buckwheat Cinnamon Rolls

Yield: about 10 cinnamon rolls

Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus overnight for resting the dough)

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes (plus overnight for resting the dough)

Ingredients:

For the rolls:
*2 cups buckwheat flour (I used Acadian light buckwheat flour from Bouchard Family Farm)
*3 tablespoons cold butter, preferably organic/pastured
*3/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
*2 eggs, preferably organic/pastured
*2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
For the filling:
*1/2 cup organic brown sugar
*2 tablespoons cold butter, preferably organic/pastured
*1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
*1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon (optional)
For the icing:
*4 tablespoons organic powdered sugar
*2 tablespoons heavy cream, preferably organic/raw

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, cut butter into flour using a pastry blender or your fingers, then mix in the yogurt, eggs, and the maple syrup with a wooden spoon. Use your hands to form the dough into a ball. Wrap dough in plastic, and store in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Remove dough from the refrigerator and heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, make the filling by mixing the brown sugar with the butter, cinnamon and cardamom until crumbly.
3. Lightly flour your surface (use additional buckwheat flour or brown rice flour) and roll the dough out into a rectangle measuring approximately 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle the filling all over the dough. Roll up starting at the long end closest to you, then slice the dough into 10-12 equal pieces.
4. Place cinnamon rolls on a parchment- or silpat-lined baking sheet (or use a large, well-seasoned cast iron skillet to bake them, like I did).
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden. Remove to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly before using a spoon to drizzle on the icing.

A Dog at Pizza Bianco

This dog hangs on the wall of the bar next to Pizza Bianco in Phoenix.   Bianco is consistently rated the #1 pizza in the USA so we had to try it.   Pizza Bianco is located in a small historic house in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The bar sits across the garden in another very cute house.  And in the bar hangs this dog.

There's also this painting that we like of a woman.  The pizza was great - Margarita and Biancoverde (Mozarella, Parmesan, Ricotta, Arugula - we added tomato sauce).   Very, very good.  We still think Pizza Mozza in LA is THE BEST.   www.pizzeriabianco.com

Little Lola and Lucca - Des Moines

She's a wiz a soccer too!

Little Lola, Deep Acres Loco Por Lola, turned 6-months last week and this past weekend she participated in the Central Iowa Kennel Club shows.   She did such a fine job strutting her stuff in the ring and took Best of Winners both days.

After the show on Saturday, Lola and dad took a nice stroll around West Village in Des Moines and did a little shopping.   Then dad had dinner at Lucca on Locust Street (luccarestaurant.net ).   Goat cheese with beets.  Gnocchi with sage.  Risotto with butternut squash.  Rigatoni with black olive pesto.   Owner and three-time-James-Beard-Award-nominee Steve Logsdon took special care and served it up right.   If you should ever find yourself in Des Moines, this is the place to go.

Lucca's Steve Logsdon, host with the most.