Busy, Busy, Busy

We all had a very busy last couple of days

Friday- Rocco spent 10hrs running around outside with his new (big) friends at Doggy Day Care :)
This is post day care Rocco




This is Dexter's best "I'm so sad, look at me, take MY picture" face


Saturday- Morning fun for the boys and yummy treats from Pawsmopolitan. Rocco was on his best behavior, so he got a special dino Cuz toy.



How Rocco does serious chewing


Fun at the Drive-In- Joe's birthday at the Mendon Twin Cinemas to see "Wolverine" and "Taken"

Andrew and Joe


Joe and Mike and Anthony

Bannon does redneck


Freni Brothers

hacky sack



...and wouldn't you know, a van with a BT parked next to us! This is Sophie :)


Bannon

Bannon and Drew

everyone :)





Sunday- Take me out to the ballgame. Tampa Bay at Boston Red Sox- trip to Fenway Park!








We were right near the Red Sox bullpen


Monday- Mom's interview. Dad and Rocco go for a jog. Whole wheat Angelhair Pasta with Goat Cheese, Basil, and Roma Tomatoes

Recipes!

Some of these are our favorites. Some of these are new discoveries.

All are higly recommended any night of the week!

This I made for the first time last night, it is healthy and delicious! Definetly going to make this one of our regulars! I wish I'd taken pictures because in addition to being healthy and yummy- it looks really nice too!

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp course salt
• 1lb whole-wheat linguine
• 1/3c e.v.o.o.
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/3c fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped, plus more for sprinnkling
• zest of 1lrg lemon

Directions:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add the pasta (we used Nature's Promise Organic whole wheat pasta from Stop and Shop) Return to a boil cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 11mins). Drain
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until hot but not smoking. Add garlic, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden apprx 3 mins. Stir in red peppers and parsely. Remove from heat.
• Add pasta and salt to skillet. Toss to well-coat pasta. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with zest and more parsley.

Per serving 380 calories, 14g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 58g carbs, 11g protein, 10g fiber (From Martha Stewart Living online)

Caprese Pizza

* Use Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust

Toppings:

• 3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1 tbsp basil oil (basil and e.v.o.o.) or plain e.v.o.o.
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
• coarsely ground black pepper

Crust

• 1 tsp plus 1tbsp Basil Oil or E.V.O.O., divided
• 1 pkg refrigerated pizza crust
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 oz Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Preheat oven 425. For toppings, slice tomatoes into 1/4" slices. Place on paper towel-lined cutting board. sprinkle both sides evenly with salt, let stand 15mins
• For crusts, lightly brush over dough basil e.v.o.o. and spread garlic. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over dough.
• cut dough lengthwise into half or thirds and seperate on baking sheet. Bake 11-12 minss or until bottom of crusts are light golden brown
• Chop basil combine with e.v.o.o.
• Blot tomatoes w/ paper towels. Slice mozzarella cheese into 1/4" thick slices. Arrange tomato and cheese slices in overlapping rows on baked crusts. Return to oven; bake an additional 4-5mins or just until cheese melts
• Remove from oven. To serve, brush basil mixture over pizzas and sprinkle w/ black pepper

Lemon Chicken with Mint

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 40-45 mins

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken breasts
• zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2c flour
• 1 1/2tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 lemon sliced
• 1c chx broth
• two 4" sprigs fresh mint

Directions:

• preheat oven 375. Spray a 10x14" ceramic baking dish with non-stick spray
• Drizzle chicken with lemon juice. Place the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in a gallon size ziploc bag. Add chicken and toss
• In a skillet over med heat add the oil. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides (apprx 10 mins). Arrange cooked chicken in baking dish and sprinkle w/ lemon zest and brown sugar. Place a slice of lemon on each piece, the pour the broth over the chicken. Place the mint sprigs on top
• Bake 40-45mins uncovered until the juices run clear. Discard mint and serve hot

(from "Not Your Mother's Weeknight Cooking")

A Lil More Dexter Being Adorable

Dexter is almost completely mended from his corneal ulcer- his Mom and Daddy are very happy. Looks like he is giving his eye plenty of rest

A Weekend of Crafting

I am in the process of making baseball leashes to match the boys' Red Sox collars for the summer season. I am also making Spring-themed leashes for my friend and neighbor, Lauren, for her Yorkie and Chiuahua for her birthday. (I will post pictures when I finish)

Dexter's crate was too small and the zipper broken, so he got a new soft crate to match his brother. Basically, he went from a studio apartment to a penthouse! I made a new bed for the boys to match the color scheme/decor in the guest room (also the boys' favorite room because it gets full sun and has access to the patio). Dexter has claimed it as his own, and since it is a perfect fit for his new bedroom I guess I will be making another for Rocco soon.


The bed is a black and white trendy paisley print (the room has orange walls with white trim and black and white photo prints)

A perfect fit for Lil' Man's bed


Dex spent the day sleeping on the futon on his new bed. Then for the Celtics game his new bed followed him to the living room

How stinkin cute can one little guy be?


A happy little boy sleeping on his new bed with his new bone
(Yes, he's sleeping on the bone)



Rocco watching the Celts with his Daddy




What Mom does while the boys watch the Celtics