El Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead is not Halloween....

Life is Unfinished Business:  a quilt by my artist!

Though it could be easy to mix them up, both have skeletons, costumes, decorations, tombstones and involve food, they are completely different holidays.

El Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is an ancient celebration in Mexico dating back to way-y-y-y-y before the Spanish Conquistadors.

Not coincidentally, it coincides with the Catholic holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (but that is a whole 'nuther post).



It is a joyous, multi-day celebration that embraces death as an integral part of life.

How about a fun skull pattern for a papel picado?

OR

More Day of the Dead information?

Hay más tiempo que vida!

Love,
Buddy

Fall in Vandalia, OH

You would not believe how excited a dog like me gets when I see this many trees!!

Love,
Buddy

Pumpkin Pie Wars

It is inevitable, every Fall the pumpkin pie war takes up right where it let off the year before.

First, pumpkin pie appears on Frisch's menu, and the photographer can't wait to eat there (giving up his normal Waffle House fare) so he can savor the pie he has been waiting a year for.

 Then, pumpkins appear in the grocery stores and farmer's markets, making the artist want to put on her apron and start cooking her pumpkin pie from scratch. 

The trouble begins when they discuss the finer points of what makes up a good pumpkin pie.  The artist doesn't like cloves, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice. She maintains her pie tastes more "pumpkin-y" without them.  The photographer insists that without all the right spices the pie doesn't taste like a pumpkin pie should taste.

The funny thing is, he'll eat her pie if it is in front of him.  He doesn't like it, but he'll it it.  He is kinda like a dog that way.  I'll eat just about anything in front of me too.

You can find information about Frisch's pies here and here.  Of course they don't give out any secrets but you can always go to Frisch's and do your own taste test.

Love,
Buddy

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

October is always such a fun month...

It is always drenched in autumnal splendor..

And even better, we get Halloween and food!

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

A seasonal favorite, make sure you make some popcorn before you settle down to watch.  Check out this ABC site for date and time.



Then there is all the food involved with October and Fall and Halloween. Food, food and more food!

Do you like pumpkin pie as much as I do?

Try this recipe for the good ole' traditional taste,
or dairy free,
or dairy, wheat, and egg free. 
(I know, what's the point, but some people don't have a choice)

But if you don't like pumpkin pie (horrors!) 
there is always pumpkin bread , or cookies.
Try this fun site for all kinds of recipes and
fun things to do.




Are you having a party (and am I invited)?

Take a look at the Hershey site for some really yummy looking ideas.  (e-mail me what time I should show up)




Like to carve pumpkins?  Look here or here for free templates.

If  you like to do something more complicated, look at this site.  There are fees involved if you want to purchase a pattern, but the carvings are out of this world.

Then there all the creative costumes for trick-or-treating or Halloween parties.
Check this out for all kinds of interesting Halloween facts and costume ideas.

I'll see you out there, be safe and have fun!

Love,
Buddy

Here's Your Sign!

"Here's your sign" is a phrase made popular by Bill Engvall
(http://www.billengvall.com/index.php).
He kinda makes fun of what people say in a pretty humorous way. 
Check out some of his YouTube videos.



So he inspired me to go looking for real signs.  Here's are some of my favorites:

Professional Signs:

Best Professional Sign

Most Helpful Sign

Just to screw with your mind

In a three story building?

Duh!

Could have used this at the St Louis Zoo!

Well?

Professional signs that have been altered:

Home made signs:

 

and my favorite:

To see these and other signs please visit the following websites then go out and make your own mark on the world.

Love,
Buddy


http://deelol.homestead.com/yoursign.html

http://www.funnysign.com


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2027534/Pen-stroke-genius-The-street-artists-make-laugh-poking-fun-signs-litter-lives.html

Walking the humans...

Walking is good for dogs.  
Walking is good for humans.
We (Spencer and I) walk our humans everyday, sometimes twice a day.

Here are some photos I stole found online with different ways dogs "walk" their humans.

Aw-w-w-w-w....too sweet for words.

I am at a loss for words...ostentatious maybe?

.....and going.

Coming.......

Seque anyone?

Well......Its different.

Luggage much?

Uh, sleeping like a baby?

Sitting pretty.

Just call me Fanny.

Do you really need a comment here?  Really!

The future?

My favorite!

The moral to the story is...
Walking is good for dogs.
Walking is good for humans.
In order for either to get anything out of it, both have to be walking.


Love,
Buddy

Words to live and eat by

This is a Julia Child quote...
"The only time to eat diet food is while you are waiting for the steak to cook."

This is Julia...

I have to say I totally and completely agree with Julia.  Why eat diet food when there is steak to be had?   I don't have to have steak every day but I am certainly going to enjoy it any time I can steal it off the grill.  But I am not going to eat diet food every day either because there is so much more interesting food to sample that is actually good for you.

Just look at how she takes control of that poultry...

Another gem from Julia...
"Everything in moderation, including moderation."

Isn't she just the best?

But my very favorite...
"If you're afraid of butter, just use cream."

Oh, I could just wallow in Julia-isms!


Love,
Buddy

ps  "Don't forget the liver!"