Homemade Dog Treats

Last weekend, I decided to make some holiday treats for Guido, Stella and friends.  The dogs love them, and the ingredients make so many that, in the end, they end up being WAY cheaper than buying treats at the store.  I even tried one this time because I was curious as to what they tasted like, but they really just tasted like a cracker.  I got the recipe off of pinterest, and it came from a blog called www.designcrushblog.com.   

Ingredients

21/2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour

2 Eggs

3/4 Cup of Pumpkin Puree

3 Tbsp all-natural peanut butter 

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 Degrees F.

2. Place all the ingredients in a stand mixer {using the paddle mixer}.  Mix on low for about one minute, or until all the dough starts to come together.  It won't be one big ball yet, but a bunch of smaller ones.

3. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Work it together into a large ball, then roll it out to about a 1/4 inch thickness.

4. You can use cookie cutters for different shapes, or a knife to cut strips.  {I used a large and small bone shaped cookie cutter, and a few different Halloween cutters for the treats I am giving as gifts.}

5. Place the treats on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray.  {I actually put mine on parchment paper, so I skipped the cooking spray.}  They don't expand, so 1/2 inch between is enough.  

6. Bake 30 minutes and let cool completely.  Make sure you keep an eye on them as they are baking.  Mine cooked in about 20 minutes, so based on your own oven, watch them so they don't burn. 

The recipe makes 75+ treats depending on the size of the cutters that you are using.  Before you give to your pups, make sure you are aware of all allergies or stomach issues they might have.  Making your own dog treats is a personal experience based on your own dog, so make sure you know what they like and what they can have.  I hope your pups like them as much as mine did!

Fredericksburg Day 2

We started Saturday in Fredericksburg bright and early around 9:30am.  There are tons of great wineries in Fredericksburg, so I thought it would be a good idea to take Saturday during the day to visit a few.  Since there were so many of us, and we knew we were going to be drinking all day, we decided to rent a limo to take us to a from all the wineries.  It turned out to be a great idea because it allowed all of us to ride all in one car together.  If you're planning to visit Fredericksburg, I definitely recommend using Dave & John Wine Tours of Texas to take you around to all the wineries!

Vineyard Tours

1. Becker Vineyards- Becker is a MUST if you are visiting Fredericksburg.  They not only have great wines, they have a three acre lavender field behind the winery allowing them to make amazing lavender soaps, lotions, lip balms, linen sprays, eye pillows and so much more! It was awesome!

Wine tasting Details below....

Hours: 
Mon-Thurs: 10am-5pm 
Fri & Sat: 10am-6pm
Sun: 12pm-6pm

Wine Tasting Fee: $10 for six wine samples.

2. Torre De Pietra Vineyards- This vineyard has awesome wines as well as a great view of the hill country from their herb garden, vineyards, and secluded patios.  Their wines include varietals: Sangiovese, Primitivo, Malbec, Petit Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Spanish, Zinfandel, Moscato, Blanc du Bois, Gewurtztraminer and several popular blends including: Amore de Tuscano, Midnight Nymph, Red Flirt and Dirty Girl.

Red Flirt and Dirty girl were by far my favs.  If you visit this vineyard, you also have to check out all of their different pestos and cute home goods.  One of my personal favs is the Artichoke Lemon Pesto.  It's so good on grilled chicken and in pasta!

Hours:

11am-6pm Daily

Wine Tasting Fee: $10 for six wine samples.

The day ended with dinner at the Navaho Grill.  So good!  If you have a large group, I

definitely recommend reserving the Granite Room.  It's really spacious and quiet.  Perfect for a group of 6-8.

Reservations are recommended, so if you're going to be in the area, and are interested in going, I've listed the information below.

Navajo Grill

Phone: (830) 990-8289

Address: 803 E. Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Website: www.navajogrill.com

Must Have Monday: "Breaking Amish"

As most of you already know, I'm what I like to refer to as a reality TV whore.  If it's on Bravo, MTV, E! or TLC, it probably on my DVR right now waiting for me to watch.  It might be a sickness of sorts. 

Most recently, I've become obsessed with a little TLC gem called "Breaking Amish."  If you aren't already watching this show...you have to start like NOW.  It might just be the best show on TLC at the moment {and that's a bold statement with quality programming like "Say Yes to the Dress" and my "Big Fat Gypsy Wedding."}.  I know you probably think I'm kidding, but if you know me, you know I'm not.  I LOVE THIS SHOW.  

Let me give you a brief synopsis of the deliciousness that is "Breaking Amish," so you can get an idea of what you're missing out on.  The show focuses on four Amish and one Mennonite {all young adults} that have left their restricted lives in their communities to experience a different life of experimentation in New York.  The show follows them making new friends, starting relationships, getting jobs drinking and even doing things like trying sushi for the first time.  I like to refer to it as an Amish Real World.  It's literally the true story of five Amish people, picked to live in a house and have their lives taped.  It's up to YOU to watch what happens when they stop being polite, and start getting real!

They're already three episodes in, but have no fear, TLC plays the old episodes NONSTOP just to give you a chance to get hooked.  At this point, they're all in New York, now wearing what they refer to as "English" clothes, going out and getting jobs.

You have to watch!  There are new episodes every Sunday night at 9:00PM CST, so set your DVRs!  I would love to know what you think!