MOVE OVER DARLING!

These two were meant to be!

This is an update on introducing "River" the cat into the Atlanta family of

 Miss Kelly, her husband Rob and the darling trio of Olivia, Aubrey and Caden! 

First came Chili.....adopted! 

She's cute beyond belief!

Then, a very short time ago, it was decided that Chili needed a "baby" to take care of!

And.....there was River...a beautiful smokey gray cat who needed a home! 

I think the adoption is working beautifully, don't you?

NEAREST AND DEAREST TO THE HEART!

Sometimes....it doesn't go this smoothly!

A NOVEMBER SUNDAY....FOOTBALL, OATMEAL PIE AND A FIREPLACE FOR TWO!

I love Sunday afternoons, when there is a chill in the air, football plays on tv and 

the house is filled with a spicy warm fragrance of home cooking!

November is normally a beautiful month in Texas. The days begin to grow chillier and the leaves are finally beginning to turn and fall. The grass is still green and becomes filtered with crunchy, dried leaves. Some days are still flip-flop weather and others call for a light fleece jacket! 

When the cocktail hour begins, it's just the darling and me sitting outside by the firepit!
We bought this firepit in Maine never knowing how beautiful it would be in the Texas house! I just love sitting here! There was a party going on next door and we could hear the laughter and cheering on of the Dallas Cowboys! We had a bird pay us a visit and we finally decided he must be telling us to "feed me!" So......we put out a plate of birdseed! I beleive he knew cold weather was on the horizon!  

Hey......I know who this is! There's that signature highball........

Meanwhile......inside by the warmth of the fire.........

ESTELLE'S OATMEAL PIE

1 cup brown sugar 

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon salt

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup light corn syrup

¼ cup melted butter 

1½ teaspoons vanilla

1¼ cups quick-cooking oatmeal 

1 (9") pie crust, unbaked

Preheat oven to 350°F

In a large whisk together sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt.

Stir in beaten eggs, corn syrup, melted butter and vanilla until combined.

Mix in oatmeal.

Pour into unbaked pie crust.

Bake for 45-50 minutes. 

Update on our Luke the Duke! 

A visit from Wonka the Therapy Dog brought out a smile! Wonka got right up in bed and wanted to take a nap with Luke and tried to take his teddy bear when he left! — at Canine Assistants.

Thank you to beautiful Wonka and to Canine Assistants! 

You will be forever in our hearts!

Doggie Treats!

Today, The Maine House pays tribute to Carolyn Gracie! Miss Carolyn has a passion! Actually, she has many true loves and talents. But it is her dedication for ensuring that animals receive tender loving care that I love the most!

A Maine House Mosaic

Carolyn has been in the broadcasting business for the past thirty years and it was while living in Los Angeles, that she was actively involved with several pet rescue organizations, working with animals who needed help and homes in much of her spare time. She also promoted their cause regularly on her radio programs, which earned her the Southern California Women in Business Woman of the Year Award for Broadcasting in 2004. She was also honored with the Angel Award from the California Wildlife Center that same year. Today, she continues to promote pet rescue and adoption. At home, Carolyn and Eric share their living space with a variety of furry and feathered "kids", including dogs, cats, parrots and rabbits. Carolyn is also an avid gardener and can often be found out among the rose bushes along with a pet or two."

Carolyn's Homemade Doggie Muffins

1 cup cooked ground beef OR ground turkey

3/4 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup all-purpose or whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oatmeal (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 small carrot, grated

1 small apple, diced

1 egg

1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together all ingredients except the cheese. Spoon the mixture into two mini-muffin tins or one regular size muffin tin (metal or silicone). If using metal tins, be sure to coat with cooking spray before adding mixture. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes for mini-muffins/25 minutes for regular size. Cool for about 15 minutes before serving to your favorite canine pals. Store them in an airtight container for up to three days, or you can freeze them for up to three months. Doggy-licious!

"Here's a special treat for your canine friends that they'll ''gobble'' up!

It's yummy and healthy for them, and best of all, you can make it yourself!
 This makes enough for my eight dogs to share and is much healthier than giving them
 table scraps."

Carolyn's Homemade Turkey Loaf Treat for Dogs

2 lbs. ground turkey

2 eggs

2 cups of cooked rice (brown or whole grain is best)

8 oz. peas

3 carrots, diced

1 apple, diced

2 cloves minced garlic, optional

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well (using a hand blender or by hand). On a baking sheet, form the mixture into the shape of a large dog bone. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Let cool and serve.

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe.

 We are the focus of their love and faith and trust.

They serve us in return for scraps.

It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."

 ~Roger Caras