Sandy Says Goodbye.

Sandy here.  It's time for me to start packing up and get ready for my next adventure.  The Oregon stuffies have been so helpful and outgoing that I wanted to take some time and make them a healthy dinner.  

My dinner starts off with quinoa.  According to the packaging quinoa is a super food.  

You can't go wrong with  corn on the cob.

LF mentioned that the easiest way to cook corn on the cob is on a fire, but we don't have a firepit like I do in Canada so we'll use the bbq.

Grillmaster Sandy watching the corn. 

The corn is ready.  I hope LF and gang doesn't mind if I use rotisserie chicken instead of farm fresh chicken.  This bear is an expert on cooking brats, eating salmon and enjoying a good beer but cooking chicken isn't in my skillset.....yet that is. 

LF is impressed with my knife skills. 

Time for Sandy's secret chicken sauce: Salsa,  chipolte pepper paste, lime juice, salt, pepper, and cumin.

Cilantro.  Some people love it.  Some people can't stand the taste. This bear loves it, especially since it's mixed on top of the quinoa. 

The gang is assembled and we have said all of our goodbyes.  You'll notice Big Bear is wearing his Hawaiian lei.  Big Bear always puts his lei on in the summer in honor of the teachers who worked hard all school year. 

Enough chit chat.  Let's eat!

Sandy signing off.  Time to do the dishes, pack up and catch my flight.

Air Show Party

Hi Friends,
Drunk Fox here.  The airshow is in town and I live on the flightpath so my backyard has a front row seat.  I decided to throw a party together at the last minute.  Let's see what I have in the kitchen.  Uh, yes, Droopy be aware this post should have a Drool Alert posted.

What a great day for the air show.  The sun is out, the table is clear, what more could a fox ask for?

Sequoia wanted to come out.  He sniffed around then decided to rest.

Every good party has to have food.  Let's see what I have in my kitchen.  Ah yes, Peanut Butter and Jelly - that will do.

Hmm, I better get some chips too.  Just in case my stuffy friends want something else. 

I was reading a Martha Stewart blog earlier today about how to throw a good party and she said drinks are important at any party. 

Let's see: Coffee, Sparkling Cider, and Ginger Beer (don't worry gang, it's Non-Alcoholic). 

Little Bear and unnamed Otter are my first guests. Looks like Little Bear is going to double fist the coffee and ginger beer.  That's an odd combination.

Big Bear decided to show up.  Big Bear is taking flying lessons so he was beary interested in attending my party.

Perhaps a little pre-airshow entertainment.  The Martha Stewart Blog said to have some entertainment lined up.  I was able to book Kermit the Frog.  I hope that is acceptable. 

You know, it's odd.  I don't see Reindeer here and I was hoping that he would come. I know he wants me to be a better cook but I tell you I like my Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.  I hope he comes to enjoy the party.

Ah yes, he made it!  Now we wait for the show to start. 

The Blue Angels didn't come this year but you have to admit they are pretty cool to watch.  Years ago the Canadian Snow Birds (the airplane group, not the Rver's coming to vacation) came to the show as well.

The F/A 18 did graze our cul-de-sac today as they were getting ready for their maneuvers at the air show. 

Here's Kermit.

Live from Little Fox's house, heeres Kermit.

Hello everyone, it's me Kermit the Frog taking over the blog while Little Fox is traveling up north.

Welcome to my evening talk show starring me, Kermit the Frog.

Let's meet our first guest, Drunk Fox.

He's a slow mover.

There we go. 

Kermit: Now, Drunk Fox the question on everyone's mind is pretty simple.  Drunk Fox, what is your relation to Little Fox?

Drunk Fox: Well, Kermit that's a great question.  I am Little Fox's crazy uncle.  I have a guaranteed spot on the couch whenever I show up to Little Fox's house - no quesitons asked.

Kermit: So Drunk Fox, you are like the crazy uncle who shows up.

Drunk Fox: You got it boss, now I heard that this talk show provides free food, can you point me in that direction?

Kermit: Uh no.

Kermit: Now that we got that cleared up let's welcome our new guest, Big Bear.  My goodness these animals travel slowly here.

Kermit: Hello Big Bear - welcome to the show.

Big Bear: Thanks, Kermit.  It's been a while since I have seen you.

Kermit: What have you been up to?
Big Bear: Well, I am still taking flying lessons and working part time at the diner.

Kermit: Ok, enough chit chat.  Let's get down to business.  Ajdin, Droopy, and Sandy all have the question, what happened to your leg?

Big Bear: Great question.  I was skiing years ago and broke my leg.  I had my leg set but the doctor said it would never heal.  Sadly, I have to wear this bandage all the time.

Kermit: That's too bad Big Bear, I also heard from Sandy, Ajdin and Droopy that they asked about you wearing a Hawaiian Lei.  Want to tell us about that?
Big Bear: During the summer I always wear a Lei as I come from a long line of teacher bears and I always celebrate teacher bears having much needed breaks.

Kermit: It's time for a little musical break.  It looks like Scottish Bear is our musical guest tonight.  It looks like he is going to play a quick song as we are behind schedule.  Is it going to be "March of the Black Bear" or is he going to try something new?

Scottish Bear: Thanks for having me on tonight as your musical guest.  Do you like my new song called...well it's not named yet but I hope you like it.

Kermit: Wow this show gets better and better.  Reindeer has dropped in to share his newest vegetarian recipe.  Reindeer, what is going on with you?
Reindeer: Kermit thanks for having me on.  My newest recipe is vegetarian reindeer cookies.  Check out the link to my recipe.

Reindeer Cookies

Kermit: Well that's all for tonight's talk show.  Viewers, thanks for watching.  

Happy Independence Day

Big Bear and I were sitting around talking about how we should celebrate Independence Day.  We missed Canadian Independence Day and we are early for Bastille Day.  Big Bear suggested putting out the flag for our countries Independence Day.  

I dug the flag bracket out of the garage and inspected it. It looks like it's in great shape.  In fact the screws are still in the plastic.  Of course you need a flag to attach.  Let's see if I can find that. 

The first part of the project went smoothly.  Now, I realize the downfall of being a smaller sized fox.  Big Bear is helpful but I think I need a bigger bear than him to help with the heavy lifting and placement of the flag.  I know, I will text Uncle Tibbs and see if he can come over and lend a paw.  

In the meantime; Happy Independence Day!

Final Results Recipe Contest

Hello Blog Pals,
This January I posted a recipe contest and got a lot of recipes from my friends Sandy, Jerry, Ben, and Ajdin.  My stuffy friends overwhelmed my kitchen staff with a ton of great recipes to make.  I got through most of them and I am saving the  recipes that are more "winter" based for next year being that it's May 7th today and I still haven't made it through all the recipes.

Here are the winners as judged by my expert team of judges.

Easiest preparation goes to Ben's party meatballs.  **Editor's note** if you use pre-made frozen meatballs this meal is even easier.  Drunk Fox also says this a great meal to enjoy with a beer, wine, something mixed from the bar.  This was a crowd favorite at the house.

You might notice there is not any dip visable for these party meatballs, that's because a certain fox who loves bar food (and shall remain nameless) could not get enough of the dip.  Time to restock.

Regional Favorite:  Congratulations are in order for Ajdin since his banana bread recipe won in the regional recipe category.  We are not sure what region banana bread come from but it was certainly a favorite for stuffies and humans alike.  Little Bear mentioned that the only way this could be better is with honey in it.  This was best when it was right out of the oven.  Great job Ajdin.

Stuffies waiting patiently for photo shoot to be over to devour this treat. 

Coolest named dish: Jake's special cranberry chicken wraps.  Big Bear chose this recipe for the coolest name, probably because it has the word "special" in it and he loves feta cheese.  Way to go Jake.

Jake, you should open a restaurant focusing in healthy California cuisine. 

Honorable mention: Ben's chocolate peppermint cookies.  These cookies were delicious.  The only thing that I would recommend is that the recipe would make more.  **Editor's note** this also wins in the honorable mention category because breaking the mints was beary therapeutic.

These were great and didn't last long at the house.  Humans and stuffies alike enjoyed this recipe. 

Little bears who live in cold climates seem to be dominating the recipe contest.  But Sandy wins the the budget category with his Bacon wrapped port tenderloin.  **Editors note** this is a budget meal because bacon and pork tenderloin are always on sale.  This also wins the category for stickiest paws with the apple juice and brown sugar sauce.

Kermit is very excited - good thing there was a bottle of wine to keep his steady. 

Regional Dish #2 also goes to Sandy for his spinach dip.  Reindeer appreciates the vegetarianness of this meal and Drunk Fox always likes a good appetizer/bar bite.  There were so many recipes to choose from we needed to add another category for regional dish. 

"Reindeer, would you like another wheat thin for this amazing dip?"

Judges Favorite:  The dish that won judges favorite was from....drumroll please....Chef Ben's pomegranate spinach salad with feta.  Everyone loved this dish.  Reindeer liked how you could make it vegetarian, drunk fox loved the chicken, and Little and Big Bear liked it because you could customize the salad to fit their needs (i.e. add smoked salmon or extra veggies or extra chicken).

Everyone loves a good salad.  Carnivores and vegetarians alike.

The panel of judges thanks everyone for their submissions.  If you are interested in the recipes I have attached all recipes from the 2016 contest here.  Now, I must get to the post office to send off the prizes for our winners.  Thanks again everyone!

NCAA Basketball Bracket Winner

Hello Blog Pals,
I have been busy crunching numbers, examining spreadsheet after spreadsheet, and analyzing a ton of information - no I am not paying my taxes (hmm, probably should think about doing that soon) but I am trying to figure out who won our NCAA Contest.

Our contestants were: Drunk Fox, Big Bear, Ajdin, and me (along with "canvoota" whoever that is).  If you are a stuffy "canvoonta" welcome, if not thanks for playing anyway.  But being this a contest for stuffies I am going to remove "canvoota's scores" unless I hear otherwise.

Drunk Fox came in first place with a total of 87 points.

 He chose Kansas Jayhawks to win but Drunk Fox only likes the Jayhawks because it reminds him of his favorite food, chicken.  Anyway, back to the results - the Jayhawks lost to Villanova and that pretty much ended Drunk Fox's bracket.

Big Bear came in second with 86 points and almost had first place.

He too chose the Jayhawks to win but not because the Jayhawks remind him of chicken - his reasons for choosing Kansas are only known by Big Bear.

I, Little Fox, came in third.

I chose University of Arizona to win.  Every year they are in the tournament I chose the University of Arizona to win.  I didn't attend that school, have only been to Tuscon once but I just adopted that school for Basketball (along with Univ of Montana as my adopted Football School - because there mascot is the Grizzly)  and every year I choose them to win and every year they don't come close.  Someday they are bound to win.

PS - I had 45 points - didn't do too hot.

Finally, my stuffy tour guide friend Ajdin.

 He chose Duke University to win.  A strong player in the NCAA tournament and an excellent choice (versus throwing it all away every year with Univ of Arizona) but sadly Ajdin came in last.  That being said, he was in great company being only 6 points below me, Little Fox.

As with every good contest we must talk about the prizes.  Ajdin, I might send your prize along with the recipe contest prize - but it's coming in the future.  I still have to make a few recipes for the contest but don't worry it will arrive in the future - sometime...


Thanks for playing everyone!

Covert Operations

Big Bear and I were relaxing at the house deciding when we should do our annual performance review on our roommates to determine if they get any raises this year.

After we decided if they earned their raise or not I decided to do some reading.  I have been reading this book a lot lately so I decided to see what else is on the bookshelf.

This fox looks a little rabid if you ask me. 

I had to practice my climbing skills to get to the top of this bookcase to find a good book.

So many good choices. 

Hmm, this is an interesting title, I wonder what is happening to my peaceful life?

Holiday preparations

It's that time of year....time to decorate the tree and place my roommates gifts under the tree.  Good thing I got this stool from the garage to help give me a lift.

This is a beary old ornament, it is supposed to hold a candy cane in it, I wonder if my roommates ate the candy cane?  Maybe I should buy a couple candy canes tonight. 

Time to put another one up.  I think I have too many animal ornaments. It's hard to see but this one is a reindeer, I don't even want to MIT to how many bear ornaments I have. 

All done....

Next step, I will need to get the gifts. The boxes are awfully heavy, I wonder if my friend Big Bear can help me out. He really gets into the season.  In fact he always argues with my roommates on when he can put on the Santa hat, the rule is that Big Bear can wear the Santa hat on the day after Thanksgiving. Rules are rules after all (of course Big Bear disagrees when the rule are about him). 

Now that my roommates gifts are under the tree I can't help but notice that I should make a list to fill out the rest of the tree. I should do browsing of catalogs for my own gifts.

Ooh, Chicken, that's perfect for drunk fox and I. I better get some salmon jerky for Big Bear as a thank you for helping me move the gifts under the tree. 

Beer and Velveeta?

  My owners won't buy that for me, maybe they will buy some candy instead?  Hopefully some more catalogs come tomorrow so I can continue shopping.