Stuffing, a Dieter's Delight

I surveyed the landscape looking for that perfect loaf of bread. The bakery at this store was always a special place. Produce also illicited a happy response but today it was a fresh loaf of country artisan bread. The standard was quite clear. The bread was masking itself as a sourdough, the gold standard of all things bread..

As I waited for the bread to be sliced I was thinking: “What is taking so long?” Five minutes seemed a bit much just to slice bread. Then it hit me. It wasn't just any loaf of bread. It was sourdough, a bread so alive that it fought with the slicing machine. Eventually the object of my desire was ready to put into the cart.

When I arrived home I ate a few of the end pieces, slathered with grass fed butter, butter that promotes gut health. Imagine that. It was as delicious as any dessert. The slices were a challenge to separate, as if they had been glued together just after being sliced, a hallmark of great bread. Chewing had new meaning. The whole jaw seemed to be getting a workout like eating an apple would.

Tearing the small slices into smaller pieces before they were processed in my 2 cup food processor was a reminder that great stuffing was close by. Sourdough is the only bread I use for that delicious side dish, the main act in my dinner time world. With oodles of chopped celery, onions, cardamon, poultry seasoning, flakes of dried rosemary, diced dill with coarse salt and pepper, sourdough stuffing is king. An egg can be added to augment flavour and taste. And of course chicken or turkey broth or any stock homemade or not. A meal in one. Try it. (Leave the salty 'versions' where they belong.)

Treating the body to homemade stuffing is my dieter's delight. The homemade pumpkin or apple pie  will simply have to wait. Breakfast is just around the corner that perfect duo? And all of this at your beckon call in the magical kitchen where delicacies and good health are created.

I Miss Him So

It has been nearly a month since my precious Mr. Wiggles left us. It happened, shockingly, in front of me as he struggled to breathe. I did my best but my best fell short. I mourn him terribly, oh so terribly. I had been his main squeeze, while knowing his limitations in warm humid air. But when family came calling he became that energizer bunny. People and his cousin, Ella, were his game

I am slowly and methodically packing up gently used soft teddy toys to go. But Santa Clause, Lamb Chop, Saskquatch and a others will remain. (I'm part dog.) Chewy toys for beginner pups of all ages will join those softies, a parting gift to those abandoned without thought or care in shelters designed to care for these human-like creatures, waiting for those forever homes..Our first retriever had been an abandoned three month old allowed to run in a large city park surrounded by buses, cars and street cars. Who does that? Sick!

Our wiggler needed things to carry. It was his personality. Calling them by name made him driven to find what was asked. Coming home to him was always amazing. He was happy to see us every time. A soft teddy bear, his gift to us, usually greeted us in his mouth,  a hopeful sign we were here to stay. He thrived on company and the activity that it engendered. .... Oh how I miss him.

Two large retriever beds are going, too, from other loving members. It is amazing how things can accumulate, worn out but still usable and comfy for those rescue animals waiting for a forever home in a strange land. Even health products are going. Who doesn't need an ear cleaned, an ongoing problem for dogs with floppy ears. The list can be long.

Throughout this ordeal The Toronto Blue Jays, now champions of their division, kept me buoyed and preoccupied. But I am sad, nonetheless. Our Mr. Wiggles was the best, never gnashing or growling at anyone. Meeting a lookalike sister, recently, energized him as he spoke to her in his special way. She remarked that meeting him was a nice change, too.

I will get another. I need them in my life. The nicest people you could ever meet. Huggable. Lovable and irreplaceable creatures they are!