Life With LuLu – Salsa is a BIG NO-NO!!

Posted: December 28, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Bonnie and I spent a wonderful post-work afternoon un-trimming the tree yesterday.  The girls were out – one was being herself in town, and the other was skating at the Charles Schulz Ice Arena up in Santa Rosa.  LuLu watched and waited for a piece of bread, cheese or sliced pepperoni hit the floor, and wouldn’t you know it … one piece really did hit the floor.  Intentional or unintentional is really not the issue here, is it?

All the ornaments were stowed for next year’s unveiling and the tree itself was lifted outside and above the retaining wall so all could see – mainly so LuLu does not knock it over in the dark and become disoriented.

Last night’s light menu included chicken strips on the grill, seasoned with salt, pepper, olive oil … and Bonnie’s extra special baked potato.  The title to this blog became evident well after we ate last night but the ingredient responsible for today’s blog has not yet arrived.

We make our own salsa.  We’ve been doing it for years … it started way back on the Cape  a couple of years before I retired so I’d say 1996.  Anyway the salsa itself is known as PAULSA®, a trademarked brand named item after its creator.  Of all the ingredients you’d expect in a salsa it probably has, except one; the tomato.  Yes, this is a tomato-free salsa.  Plenty of other vegetables and good for you at the same time.

Did I say “good for you?” … well, I scraped my plate which included a couple of pieces of chicken which was topped with PAULSA® into Lu’s dog bowl and I’d say somewhere around 30 minutes later, just as we all settled in for the remainder of the evening at the couch did LuLu hit us with the element of surprise!  The all-impressive blast zone infraction, and oh my oh my last night was one for the record books.

Bully owners beware – do not make the same mistake I did.  Not that you would, and how I didn’t see it coming is beyond me, but it would appear she’s got it out of her system as she’s been here with me for nearly an hour this morning and nada, nil, nero, nothing but snores and those adorable sleep sounds she makes.

It’s off to work for Bonnie and I this morning while we finish out another solid year here in Northern California.  The tree has been dismissed, the ornaments have been parked, and the lesson we learned today?

Salsa is a big bully no-no!!

Enjoy your day everyone.

 

Peace,

 

Papa

Life With LuLu – Another Voice

Posted: December 22, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Life With LuLu | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Coffee? Yes please ... black and a little Irish cream. Thanks.

I read a text this morning from one of LuLu’s biggest admirers that the snow showers continue on the east coast.  Allow this blog to let you know the rain showers continue here on our west coast.  Wonder what in the world is happening in the middle of our country … guessing more snow.  I came downstairs before the alarm this morning as there is another voice here in the house that allows me, I’d like to say “us” know that someone special needs to head outside for a check on the weather, but it’s either myself or my wife that responds to LuLu in these cases, even though our two young’ens are on Christmas vacation.  No issues – I had plenty of sleep last night and being down here this early allows me to make coffee for Bonnie and get in a quick blog on our lovable LuLu who has just refilled from the water bowl and is heading over to her new bed.  Yes, she climbs in and settles in for what I would imagine is a day full of horizontal happenings.

As I’ve said in the past I love lighting the Christmas tree early in the morning, it’s a fantastic way to start the day, it’s as if the lights and the ornaments on the tree, once lit is saying “spread goodwill and enjoy your day”, or are those the messages I have from the voices in my head?  

I would love for you to find that last question a little amusing, but it’s as true a statement as I’ve ever made.  I don’t mind the voices – in fact I listen and OBEY, okay now I’m even scaring myself.  No, call it a voice, call it a conscience, a conversing soul; a traveling companion nonetheless.

A fresh batch of PAULSA® was made last night.  We’ve actually started to barter this product with a local contractor who is installing a permanent wine rack above our pantry.  I offered him a jar a few weeks ago and now he tells me there’s a legion of PAULSA® lovers out there!! How exciting.  I made about eight jars worth last night, one for Taco Tuesday, three for Kevin; our contractor, and two for a good friend at work.  With any luck at all someone with some deep pockets is going to recognize this product for what it is and …

The coffee is fully brewed and it looks like I have about six minutes before I head back upstairs to wake up my wife’s senses with the aroma of this morning’s blend.  I do love serving coffee to her each morning as I’ve done for nearly twenty-three years … my little way of saying thanks for all she does around here as well.

LuLu has her head buried in the bedding and appears as less a watchdog as she could ever be … she’s still another voice here in the house to be reckoned with, or is that the voice in mine?

Details to follow.

Peace,

Papa