Why we love Labs!

These labs are so smart, they can CAMOFLAGUE themselves when they're laying on the couch.
Black on black, brown on brown. My friend and fellow lab lover has TWO of these smartypants.... Velvet and Libby. Aren't they great?

Another cake

I did a lot of baking this weekend for several events.... Carrot cake, 2 types of cookies, Lemon Poppyseed cake, Rhubarb squares and another decorated cake possibly for the Cake Raffle at Lindor's crop. This one is white cake.
What do you think?

My favourite Mac and Cheese

I have been making this highly caloric but delish Mac and Cheese for years. It's especially good with medium or old cheddar, more flavourful but still rich and creamy. And of course, everything tastes better with a buttery crumb topping.  Perfect comfort food!

I think you're supposed to take the photo before you scoop out a large serving. A food blogger I'll never be. Here's the recipe....

My Favourite Mac and Cheese

2 cups macaroni (uncooked)

4 cups of milk

¼ cup butter

8 TBSP flour

½ tsp. dried mustard (can omit)

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

2 ½ cups grated cheese

Topping

2 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp bread crumbs

4 Tbsp grated cheese

I don’t measure, just mix up my own topping proportions.

Cook macaroni in boiling water until tender. Drain.

Scald milk in heavy saucepan. Don’t burn! LOL

Melt butter, separately. Stir in flour and seasonings.

Add milk gradually, then add the mixture to the milk.

Stir over medium heat until mixture thickens then add cheese and stir.

Remove from heat. Add macaroni. Place in greased casserole and cover with topping.

Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until topping is browned.

A new challenge

Now that Lindor is back to her old pesky self; I have to find her something to keep her occupied and challenged. Labs love to work and Lindor is no exception. She can retrieve really well but I'm thinking of putting her in some fun obedience or rally events. If she tries really hard she can remember back to her lessons when she also went to puppy class once a week. LOL.

So I set up a jump in the backyard. Note the high end materials used to make it.

Wait you're supposed to go OVER, not around. She actually did pretty well. She would stand on her head if you offered her a piece of dry kibble.
Maya on the other hand is another story....

She would do anything to AVOID doing any work.

It will be interesting to see how we do. Probably in the Fall. Right now there is lots of work that still needs to be done to pull off our Scrapbooking Crop.

A Look Back at Last Year's Crop

Some highlights from last year's fundraiser....

It was really interesting to hear first hand, the impact that having a Service Dog had on the family and what they can do for the kids.

Of course, having a chance to win these fabulous raffle prizes helped make the day even more fun.

Cake Raffle

You know how once you pick a theme, you seem to see it everywhere? I spotted an adorable ladybug cake pan and knew I had to have it. Way back when, I thought I would decorate cakes on the side and then I realized how much work it was and what a mess it makes in your kitchen. Anyway, I have resurrected my talent to make a couple of these for the Crop.

Maya thinks it looks pretty good, anyway.

I also did a golf bag cake for my Dad's birthday and golf tournament next weekend but you likely won't be seeing THIS cake again. It was really fussy and I had to mix a lot of colours but I think it turned out pretty good. Dad will eat it anyway and say it looks good cuz that's what Dad's do! 

Don't worry, I won't be serving stale baked goods at the Crop. These cakes freeze really well and I like to do most of the food preparation at the last minute so its as fresh as possible.

Friend of Lindor Spotlight

While I am thrilled to have the support of several corporate sponsors (more on this later), I am blessed to have so many friends and family that are willing to chip in their support in so many ways to help me make Lindor's crop such a great day! One of those people is my friend Corrina whom you have met in an earlier blog post. She is super kind-hearted and so fun to hang around and even better, she's an amazing seamstress! We come up with so many ideas when we're sitting around chatting and before I know it, she's doing them and donating them to the Crop. SO here's a sneak peek at some of the things she has created.

Who says aprons are old-fashioned? These gorgeous items from Riley Blake Designs are sure to be a hit in the kitchen. This will be in the raffle at the Crop.

Some lovely fabric which is also going to make an appearance at the Crop. I'll leave it at that.

Wouldn't this brighten your day? This just may end up as a beautiful quilt that will be up for grabs in the raffle. The touching part about this quilt is that purple is Corrina's favourite colour so it says a lot that she is giving away something that she would really LOVE herself. I know she is busily sewing away this weekend for me, not herself and I want her to know that her efforts are much appreciated and her kindness will be magnified down the road when one more deserving family gets a Service dog to help ease their lives just a little.