Leader Dog for the Blind: Puppy Walking at the Mall

Tuesday night was the monthly walk at the mall for puppies being raised to be Leader Dogs for the Blind.  

The puppies wear a blue vest that identifies them as future Leader Dogs.

Two of the newest candidates.  Too small for vests, they wear neck scarves. 

Sydney is all smiles after getting a "star" for demonstrating the correct way to walk up and down the stairs.

If there is anything cuter than a puppy, it is a mall, full of them.

Zebra Print: Love It or Over It?

Zebra print and especially zebra rugs seem to be featured in many home decor magazines lately.  

Lonny Magazine 

Design Daily with Jonathan Adler

House Beautiful Designer Living Rooms

A little zebra can go a long way.

Zebra Print Armless Chair  Amazon

Zebra Shower curtain and bath accessories Bed Bath Store

Zebra bust $68 Anthropologie

Regal Collection 300 Thread-Count Zebra Print Twin Sheet Set, Black/White

Zebra mug $5.98 Pier One

So do you LOVE IT? or are you OVER IT?

Monday Musings: On Azaleas, Valentines, and Meatless Monday

Lots of snow outside so I brought some spring inside.  

Azalea in an ice bucket and another in an urn. 

Valentine's Day is only a week away.  Hubby and I don't do a big gift exchange, usually just a card.  I wouldn't begin to list gift ideas but I think a perfect "couple gift" would be luxurious sheets.

Frette sheets would be my choice.  These luxury linens are truly heirloom quality.  Sliding between these sheets is a real sensual treat.  Frette has been around since 1860.  Now you can buy this quality bedding through Garnet Hill.

On a totally different topic, I've embraced the idea of Meatless Monday.

Meatless meals one day a week is not a new idea.  It actually began during World War I to aid the war effort.  Today it is for health reasons (to help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes) and also to reduce the carbon footprint and save water and fossil fuels.

I feel you can set your own guidelines for "meatless".  I will use eggs, cheese and maybe even chicken broth.  I will probably not use fish.  Some weeks Monday may fall on Wednesday.  I like Mark Bittman's idea of being a "lessmeatarian" and will try to adopt sustainable eating habits.  

Last week I made Cauliflower Risotto with Brie and Almonds.

I think Meatless Monday may encourage me to find new recipes and try new food.  Tomorrow I'm making...

...Spaghetti with Braised Kale

Wow, lots of random stuff for a Monday.  

Do you "celebrate" Valentine's Day?

How do you feel about Meatless Monday?

Super Bowl Weekend

I am not a football fan but I'll watch the Super Bowl for the great commercials, and of course the food.  I haven't decided what food I'll make but it won't be too elaborate or decadent.  

You could build this "snack food stadium"!  Click here for the tutorial.

Some Super Bowl Food Faqs

• Only Thanksgiving is a bigger day for food consumption
• About 70 million pound of avacadoes will be eaten, mostly in the form of guacamole
• Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest day for winter grilling
• pizza is the most popular takeout food followed by chicken wings and sandwiches
• the average Super Bowl watcher will take in 1,200 calories
• 7-Eleven notices a 20% increase in the purchase of antacids the day after the game

Good luck Steelers and Packers.

See you on Monday

Flavor of the Week: Dried Cherries

Dried cherries are considered to be a Super Fruit.

These sweet treats are full of antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamin C, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, and fiber.  Dried cherries are extremely versatile and are a great pantry staple for adding nutrition to flavor to a wide variety of food.

I'm sure most Spiral Style reader are well acquainted with dried cherries.  I'm really just reminding you to use them!

• in oatmeal
• in trail mix and granola
• substitute for raisins in baked goods
• pairs well with pork, chicken, duck, salmon
• use in rice dishes 
• top a salad with dried cherries, walnuts and blue cheese
• add to anything chocolate
• great in muffins and scones
• add dried cherries to stuffing for turkey or chicken
• mix in apple pie or bread pudding

Our family has loved this pork and dried cherry recipe for years.

Click here for the simple and quick Martha Stewart recipe. 

My good friend Pam shared these cookies with me last week.  She got the recipe from the packaging on a new cookie sheet!  The cookies are very moist and chocolaty.  The cherries are sweet and chewy and the white chocolate is an extra, sweet taste.  Wouldn't they be a yummy Valentine Treat?

Cherries n' Chips Cookies

2 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

2 tablespoon milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup sour dried cherries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a bowl

Cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly, then add vanilla.  Scrape the inside of the bowl.  Add milk and mix until combined.  On low speed, add flour mixture.  Fold in chips and cherries.

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, two inches apart.  Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges of the cookies are firm.  Do not over bake.  Cool 3-5 minutes on the sheet and then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.  

Yield 18 cookies, depending on size. 

You can order dried cherries in bulk from Leelanau Fruit Company

Buy Michigan

Moroccan Tea Glasses

I find myself drawn to these colorful, decorative glasses.  

Click here to view details. 

Image from Lonny Magazine

I use them to hold brushes and "tools" in my medicine cabinet.

I love these tea glass candles from OneHalfDozen Etsy $27 each

Here the glasses are used to display escort cards at a wedding reception.  Glasses are filled with Jordan almonds.

Can you think of other uses?

Be Warm and Colorful

Southeast Michigan is bracing for a major snow storm.  Winter is not even close to being over here.  I'm tired of drab gray, black, and brown.  This is a great time of year to purchase a down jacket or warm outerwear for the rest of this winter and in anticipation of winter 2012.  

Here are some colorful ways to approach the cold.  Puffer coats have become quite chic.

Click here for details on these jackets.

Accessories are an easy way to add color.

You can click here to see where to purchase.