My story in honor of the giveaway

I was at work yesterday and during the course of the day I had told several of my coworkers a story about my Booker those of you that have read my blog probable know who Booker is and the rest of you that’s fine. Booker is my newest furbaby, she is an African Gray parrot and before she lived with us she learned some colorful words. Anyway everyone that heard the story thought it was so funny so I realized I should share it with you in honor of my STORY GIVEAWAY I hope it inspires some of you to tell your stories. So here it goes.

Booker is a very vocal bird but she is most vocal when I am in the room alone with her. Her favorite is when I am on the computer because it is right next to her cage. So every time I get on the computer and my husband is not in the room she sits on the top of her cage and squawks at me. At some point she always gets excited and starts making high pitched and really loud sounds to which I tell her “Be quite Booker” to which she tells me “meow” I reply to her “it’s not the cat Booker it’s you” she relies to me “bark” at this point I want to laugh so bad but I know it is like a child and I can’t cave in so I once again tell her “Booker it’s not the dogs it’s you be quite” and she is so smart her next response it to make the sounds that she makes when she is mimicking the humans its kind of a wha wha wha like they used in Charlie Brown for the adults. I loved The Simpsons when I was younger and the great thing about that show is that there is an episode for almost everything. I remember this one about there dog and how he was doing bad thing and they wanted to train him at first all the dog hear was the wha wha wha . At the end though the dog heard wha wha wha sit and wha wha wha stay. Booker is like that dog where as she knows the words she hears a lot so in Bookers case is it is wha wha wha Booker and wha wha wha F#%$@*. For the record she already knew that word before she moved in.

I hope this has inspired you an maybe given you some ideas of something to share and thank you so much for reading my stories and sharing in my life.

Starting today great story giveaway

As promised the ceremonial first giveaway of my blog. And as mentioned yesterday it is for one full sized 15oz MAC Pigment glass charm in the color of Navel Blue. This is a $19.99 value. This item will be sent to your desired address via UPS Next Day Air. Now for how the contest works send me your story. Any story it doesn’t matter what it is about as long as it is funny, inspirational, or just plain entertaining in any way. You can include small pic or video if you like. I will pick the one I like the most and print it in my blog for which you will receive the credit you may include any links to any Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Booths or other selling forums at the end of the story which I will also print. In addition I will include them at the bottom of my blog in the “Links to check out” or the “Blogs to check out” sections. To enter the giveaway first become a follower of my blog that’s the easy part just push the Follow button in the Followers section right under the ads on the Left side of the screen. Next email your story to alexis.johnson3@yahoo.com (please put Giveaway in the subject line) add any pics or video and don’t forget any links you want to mention. Have you story emailed before Thursday February 17 2011 by 4:00pm Mountain Standard Time. Winners will be announced on Friday February 18 2011 by 4:00pm Mountain Standard Time and the prize will be shipped out that afternoon. Well I guess that’s about all you need to know. I can’t wait to read your submissions I know they will be amazing. And to everyone reading this good luck and God bless.

Kicking off tomorrow my first giveaway don't miss it

Starting tomorrow I will have my first of many giveaways so don’t miss out. This giveaway will run for one week so you will need to enter before Wednesday February 16^th and you may enter as many times as you like. TOMORROW AT 11 AM ARIZONA TIME I WILL TELL YOU HOW TO ENTER TO WIN A NEW FULL SIZE MAC PIGMENT CHARM IN THE COLOR OF NAVEL BLUE A $19.99 VALUE WHEN YOU FIGURE IN S&H.

Help with Annie Thanks to a crafter

Yesterday my post was on my smallest furbaby Annie and all the havoc she creates in my house. I had asked for any advice on her potty training difficulties. One of my readers and a fellow blogger emailed me with a response. I asked her permission to share her advice and give her credit which I will do now below. Right on Nancy, and thank you for your help I had other people email me and tell me they had the same problem with their small dogs and hoped I got the answer so I could pass it on to them so I’m sure they will be happy to have something to try.  I’m planning a trip to Petsmart after work to get that spray. Please check out Nancy’s blog (The Handcrafter's Cottage) at  http://thehandcraftercottage-crafter.blogspot.com/ there is a link below under “Blogs to check out”.

Hi Alexis:

I was reading your blog and the trouble you're having with Annie.  You are not alone.  It's not only chihuahuas that are hard to potty train, it's mostly all small dogs.  I have a very small female min pin who was originally pad trained and it took me forever to get her off the pad, but I still have issues in the house.  I had to put her back on the pads because of this knee problem and she's not suppose to be out.  If you want to train Annie to go on a pad there is a spray you can get at the pet store that has the pheromons from dog urine.  Spray that on the pad and that should teach her to on the pad instead of your carpet.  I had to use it outside with my male min pin when I got the yard fenced because he refused to go in the fenced yard.  It's taken two years, but he's finally doing everything in the yard.

Plus, little girl dogs are harder to potty train than males are I think.  I've never had an issue with training a male dog, but this little female is really trying my patience on the potty training. 

I hope this helps.  If she does have a specific place in the formal room, put a pad down in that spot and hopefully she'll use it.  That's about the only thing I can suggest right now. 

Also, with very small dogs like Annie you don't want them outside by themselves anyway because they're perfect bait for owls, eagles and any other large predatory bird.  My two are never outside without me out there with them. 

Talk to you later.

Nancy

Help with Annie PLEASE !!!!

First off let me say I know this is my blog and I am supposed to have all the answers here right? Hells no I don’t have the answers that is why I started a blog to reach out to the ones that do. So here’s the problem I have the most adorable little Chihuahua in the entire world little 4 pound Annie. She was a surprise to her daddy and if you have kept up with my blog you know her story, but none the less she has become the apple of daddy’s eye his little girl. See Adam and I are unable to have children and yes my 16 year old Ayrton is his best friend after me of course but it isn’t like your own child especially since Ayrton came into Adam’s life when he was already 11 so our pets are like Adam’s children and Annie is his only girl actually his first girl ever and she is so tiny he thinks she is a baby even though she is now 16 months old. So that’s the first issue is that she is spoiled by daddy the worst but I must admit  I let her get away with a little more than the boys could get away with. I have heard Chihuahuas are hard to train and man I’m having a time with Annie. I started her off in a crate when we are at work. In the beginning I had a litter box in the crate with her and one in the living room and one in the bedroom (Annie slept with us in the room there is a doggie door in the bedroom but at first I didn’t want her in the back yard alone because of the pig). First I took away the box in the bedroom and let her use the doggie door. Next I took out the litter box in the living room and finally the one in the crate. That tiny little girl is so pig headed or something and so quick and sneaky. It seems that no matter how well I think I am watching her I walk into the formal living room that no one uses (except Annie for her toilet apparently) and wow that happened here. Mostly it is pee once a week or so I find poo. I have tried everything with this one and have run out of ideas do I bring the boxes back or what? If you have any ideas for me please share them you can post them as a comment or email them to me if that is more comfortable however if you have a great idea I would love to share it with everyone. My Email is alexis.johnson3@yahoo.com .

Caramel Apple Pie

CARAMEL APPLE PIE

2 LARGE RED APPLES (CORED AND SLICED)

2 LARGE GREEN APPLES (CORED AND SLICED)

½ CUP: GRANULATED SUGAR

½ CUP: BROWN SUGAR

6 TABLESPOONS: UNSALTED BUTTER

1 PINCH: SALT

¼ TEASPOON: CINNAMON

¼ CUP: WATER

1 (15 OUNCE DEEP DISH) REFRIGERATED PIE CRUST

IF YOU PREFER A THICKER, STARCHIER FILLING YOU CAN ADD A COUPLE TABLESPOONS OF FLOUR TO THE SLICED APPLES

1)     PREHEAT OVEN TO 425F. IN MEDIUM SAUCEPAN MEASURE SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR, BUTTER, SALT, CINNAMON, AND WATER. PLACE OVER MEDIUM HEAT AND BRING TO A BOIL, WHISKING OCCASIONALLY. ONCE CARAMEL SAUCE IS BOILING TURN OFF HEAT AND SET ASIDE.

2)     PLACE BOTTOM CRUST INTO 9 INCH PIE PAN AND PRESS INTO SHAPE.

3)     CORE APPLES AND CUT EACH APPLE INTO APPROXIMATELY 12 WEDGES. PLACE THE WEDGES INTO THE BOTTOM OF CRUST.

4)     ROLL OUT TOP CRUST AND CUT INTO 8 STRIPS. PLACE 4 STRIPS ON ONE WAY, TURN AND PLACE 4 STRIPS ACROSS THE OTHER. THEN WEAVE THE 8 PIECES TOGETHER. ONCE THE LATTICE TOP IS IN PLACE GO AROUND THE PIE AND SEAL TOGETHER THE TOP AND BOTTOM CRUSTS. USING FINGERTIPS GO AROUNG AND CRIMP THE EDGE OF THE CRUST.

5)     USING A LARGE SPOON POUR THE CARAMEL SAUCE OVER THE TOP OF THE APPLE PIE. BE SURE TO COVER ALL THE STRIPS OF DOUGH THAT FORM THE LATTICE. TRY NOT TO GET ANY OF THE SYRUP ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE PIE CRUST IF POSSIBLE.

6)     BAKE THE PIE IN THE OVEN FOR 15 MINUTES, AND THEN REDUCE THE HEAT TO 350F AND BAKE FOR 30 TO 40 MINUTES UNTIL THE PIE IS BROWNED AND BUBBLING. REMOVE AND LET COOL COMPLETELY ON A WIRE RACK. PIE NEEDS TO COOL COMPLETELY FOR THE FILLING TO THICKEN. IF YOU CUT IT WARM THE CARAMEL SAUCE WILL BE TO THIN.

Buddy’s courageous story

Buddy was Adam’s dog before he was mine. This story happened before buddy entered my life. At the time of this story Adam lived in the townhouse he live in when I met him. It was about 6pm and Adam had just gotten home from work and was taking Buddy out for a walk. In the course of the walk they encounter someone walking his Akita. Akita’s are known for being very territorial and this one was no exception and it became apparent they should not get these dogs close to one another so they both walked in different directions. A short time later Adam walks behind his unit and there was a corner that they came to as Buddy comes around the corner a few seconds before Adam the Akita was on the other side and pounced on Buddy. Adam immediately jumps on the other dog that at this time is on top of Buddy ripping is stomach open. At this point Adam’s hands and wrists are all bitten up and Buddy is literally open all the way down and his intestines are hanging out they are able to get the other dog off. The fire dept. show up and tell Adam they can’t help a dog. He is so instant that they finally wrap Buddy up in a fire blanket and tape it up so Adam can take him some place. Adam’s mother came over right away and they had to drive to 3 different animal hospitals before one said they could handle a case that bad. Buddy was on life support for 2 weeks and had to have extensive surgery on his bowls. Finally Buddy was ready to come home the doctors told Adam that Buddy’s quality of life may have been compromised well I’m here to tell you that I have known Buddy for the last 6 years and he is the greatest, smartest, most loving dog I know. I thank God that Adam is a person that doesn’t put a price on a pet, family member.

Booker and all she has learned at my house

This is Booker. We got her about 2 months ago when on Friday at work I stumbled across an ad in Craigslist that said “African Gray with a fowl mouth (Actually quite funny)” and I was in love. The next day I started working on the husband see after the surprise of Annie I had to promise no more animals (little did he know I had my fingers crossed behind my back) it took me about an hour and I was on the phone with the breeder. When the breeder arrived at our house to deliver my baby he explained booker was a bird he had already sold to a lady that had teen age sons and they taught her lots of interesting thing to say. Mostly she dropped the f bomb. Since she has come to our house she has picked up every bad habit my husband and son have. Now keep in mind my son is 16 and my husband works in construction so she has learned a lot of bad habits. Her newest one is to make loogie and fart sounds. She also burps but I must admit I think she got that one from me. Well we have had her for 2 months so I guess we will see what she learns in the next 2 months I can’t wait.

View from the top of Phoenix

I work on the 19,20, and 21 floor of a building in downtown Phoenix AZ. Here is the view I get every work day. I will share it with you from time to time. It can really be beautiful at times and I feel lucky to be able to enjoy it.

Coming tomorrow Booker the great cursing bird.

Booker is the newest addition to our home and by far the most vocal and you will not believe some of the thing she says. Hear all about Booker and her dirty mouth tomorrow.

200 Pounds of Love (Pig Newton)

What can I say about my big bundle of love Pig Newton? Well Newton came to our home when he was about 6 weeks old and he weighed about 2 pounds. He was so scared the first day he jumped out of the car and tried to run away my husband and I had to chase him for at least 20 min he was so fast. Once we caught him I did not want to let him go so I held him that entire day. Now Mr. Newton is close to 200 pounds I’m sure (I haven’t been able to weigh him in some time) and he is still the love of my life. When we get home and after he is fed (that is first order of business for Newtie) he follows me around and lies on his side for me to rub his tummy. The hubby takes him outside for exercise he smacks him on the bum and runs after him the two of them chase one another till they both fall down tired then they lay on the grass hubby’s head on Newton’s belly it is the cutest thing. My husband and I are not able to have children so we have our pets and it is nice to be able to fill our home with all the love, noise and chaos that family brings. As a child I never expected to have a pig as a pet and now as an adult I can’t imagine not having one. Newton is so smart and all he wants is the same thing we all want, it to be loved and I feel honored to be able to give him that love.

Don't miss out tomorrow it's Pig Newton's turn at bat

And also a new recipe. Please leave your comments on your fav food and I will give you recipes that you might like.

Low carb cooking

Banana cake with coconut cream frosting

1cup: whole wheat pastry flour
1cup: all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp: baking powder
1 1/2 tsp: baking soda
2 tsp: ground cinnamon
½ tsp: ground nutmeg
½ tsp: salt
2tbsp: butter
1 large egg white
1 large egg separated
¼ tsp: cream of tartar
1 ½ cups: granulated sugar (separated)
1 ½ cups: mashed very ripe bananas
3 tbsp: canola oil
1 tsp: vanilla extract
½ cup: buttermilk
1/3 cup: unsweetened coconut chips of flaked
12 ounces: reduced fat cream cheese
½ cup: confectioner’s sugar
½ tsp: coconut extract

1) Preheat oven to 350 F. coat two 9” round cake pans with cooking spray. Dust lightly with flour, shaking out the excess flour.

2) Whisk whole flour, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.

3) Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, swirling, until it turns a nutty brown, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

4) Beat egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar, increase speed to medium high and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add ½ cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry (this can take up to 5 minutes).

5) Combine the melted butter, egg yolk, remaining 1 cup sugar, bananas, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl, with mixer in low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk; beat until just blended. Beat in a heaping spoonful of the whites, using a whisk, fold in the remaining whites. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

6) Bake the cake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert onto the racks and let cool completely.

Prepare the frosting and assemble cake

1)      Toast coconut in a pie pan at 350 F until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

2)      Combine cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and coconut extract in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

3)      Frost the cake, using a little less than half the frosting between layers and the rest on the top. Garnish with the toasted coconut. Enjoy.

Annie’s grand entrance

What can I say Annie is the youngest, newest, and smallest of all the fur babies but she rules the roost that’s for sure? And sometimes it is with an iron fist. She came to our home at 6 weeks old and all of about 1 ½ pounds. She has more energy than I ever thought possible and loves to rough house with her older brothers and sister. Annie has three brothers and one sister (I’ll tell you all about them later). The day I got Annie I was in the market for a lap dog so I did what any good American woman would do and told my husband I was going to the mall to get a watch battery. When I got to the house my wonderful husband Adam was waiting at the door for me I held Annie up to is face and said “Hello daddy” he was so shocked he was frozen for a few seconds. After he recovered he told me it was a bad idea to get a new dog. The next day I was about to get off of work and I get a text from Adam it was a pic of him holding Annie up in the mirror I know he was in love from that very moment and yes she is daddy’s little girl. He lets her get away with murder sometimes. I am very happy to be able to share my house with so much life, love, laughter, and just plain noise. I would never advocate for any family to have a cat, pig, African gray, and 3 dogs but it works for me and thank god I found a man that it works for too.   

Coming tomorrow Meet Lil Annie

Don't miss this little one and her big adventures.

Meet Bailey

This is Bailey. He is a 6 year old Chiwennie and the love of my life. Here he is showing you his bologna, he is very proud of it. Bailey it the most loyal dog anyone could ever hope for. He is part of the zoo that make up my family (you will get to know the rest) and I wouldn't have it any other way. Tell me about your family. Furry or not we love them all.

Welcome to my blog

I hope to make this a forum for all things beauty and fashion. So please leave your questions, comments, or suggestions for other women to see. And visit me at http://www.bonanza.com/booths/MACMadness to see what goodies I have for you.