Nature Friday

 We are joining Rosy for Nature Friday~~

We found a lone chestnut on the ground.  Mom told me to be careful because they are prickly if you touch it.

We looked up and discovered that the plant identifier is saying that this is Winter Creeper ( Euonymus fortunei).   Mom thought it was bittersweet.

We found a pretty swag on a mailbox~

On Wednesday's walk, we checked in with Santa and the Unicorn.  They are both under the influence this time☺

At home, two of our African Violets are blooming.  She has six or seven plants and she does all of the right things for them and they only bloom a couple of times a year and not all of them bloom.  She gets discouraged with them a lot.   

Thank you for your beautiful Christmas card, Miss Laurie.  We love it!

Happy Friday!

Love ya lots♥

Duke

Almost Wordless Wednesday

 

This is the Christmas wreath on our back door this year~

This was gram's wreath on her office door in 2014~

Happy Wednesday!

Love ya lots♥

Duke

Tasty Tuesday

 Mom saw this soup recipe on FB and decided to give it a try~

Italian Sausage Potato Soup with Carrots & Spinach

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage – choose mild for a subtle flavor or spicy for a kick

1 medium onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced for depth of flavor

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes

3 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

4 cups chicken broth (or substitute with vegetable broth for a lighter option)

2 cups heavy cream (or use half-and-half for a lighter, less rich soup)

2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil, for sautéing

Optional garnish: freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Cook the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.

Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside, leaving a bit of the flavorful drippings in the pot.

2. Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until softened and lightly golden, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.

3. Build the Base

Add the diced potatoes and sliced carrots to the pot.

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork-tender.

4. Add the Creaminess

Return the cooked sausage to the pot.

Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half), along with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

Simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the broth to thicken slightly.

5. Finish with Greens

Add the chopped spinach and stir until just wilted, 2–3 minutes.

6. Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan, if desired.

Enjoy hot, ideally with crusty bread for dipping.

~~Mom added celery too.   She likes it and I do too!

A carrot too, mom!

The soup is very rich and VERY good and especially when it's so cold outside!

It's Christmas card day today!

We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!

Love ya lots♥

Duke

Sunday Walk on a Monday

 Our temps were 25 degrees F yesterday and Landlady Maryann's pond is looking frozen.   brrrrr

The full Cold SuperMoon was still out at 7am~

Guess who I saw?

A white unicorn pony and Santa who is having trouble standing on his feets! 

We found a frozen leaf~

We discovered that the price for an Amy and Doug Christmas tree has stayed the same!  

The sun was getting brighter as we were almost home but it sure didn't feel much warmer.  

Happy Monday!

Love ya lots♥

Duke

Sunday Selfie

 I'm going to need more snow than this please, Santa!

Love ya lots♥

Duke

Nature Friday

 We are joining Rosy this week for Nature Friday~~

Mom bought me a new head collar for Christmas.  She told me that I needed a larger size.   I can assure you that it was NOT on my Christmas list!

On Sunday's walk, we discovered these peeps had Christmas decorations out already!

The sky looked very ominous~

How beautiful this Sycamore bark is!

We forgot to post this picture of the bittersweet berries.   Mom usually cuts them and brings them inside to decorate with but she didn't do that this year.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Love ya lots♥

Duke

Wonderful Wednesday

I love having my very own Christmas tree and I have new ornies on my tree this year~

Mom found an English Cocker Spaniel standing on a bone and he has dark furs.  She snatched him up before anyone else noticed him on Ebay~

She loves to buy the dated picture frames so she can have a special photo of me through the years~

Christmas is coming and she said that I was a very good boy to wear the antlers!

Happy Wednesday!

Love ya lots♥

Duke